bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laboratory Performance and Micro-Characteristics of Asphalt Mastic Using Phosphorus Slag Powder as a Filler
Authors: Li Xiao , Tian Xiaoge , Ying Ronghua
Published: July 2024

To evaluate the possibility of using phosphorus slag powder instead of mineral powder as a filler in asphalt mastic, this study investigates the micro-characteristics of phosphorus slag powder and its viscoelastic mechanical properties in asphalt mastic. A systematic approach combining macro and micro test methods was used to analyze the physical and surface characteristics, void structure, and surface energy of phosphorus slag powder. The viscoelastic mechanical properties of phosphorus slag powder were evaluated using appropriate indexes. Meanwhile, the correlations between and limitations of various evaluation indexes and the high-temperature rheological properties were identified. The results demonstrate that phosphorus slag powder exhibits low density, small overall particle size, difficulty in forming agglomerates, developed pores, large specific surface area, and high surface energy, which is suitable for replacing mineral powder as a filler in asphalt mastic. The main factors affecting the viscoelastic properties of asphalt mastic are the particle size and dosage of phosphorus slag powder. Generally speaking, phosphorus slag powder asphalt mastic with particle sizes ≤ 18 μm exhibits the best performance. In practical engineering applications, the appropriate dosage (7%, 10%, 13%) can be selected based on different regions and specific design and construction requirements. Additionally, zero-shear viscosity (ZSV), non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr), and creep recovery percentage (R) exhibit a strong correlation with the high-temperature rheological properties of asphalt mastic. At the same time, the rutting factor (G*/sin δ) presents certain limitations.
Experimental Study on the Universal Design of Signage Size and Brightness Contrast for Low Vision Individuals
Authors: Zhang Erke , Zhao Wei , Mei Zihan , Yang Zhexi , Chen Fei , Xia Yuanyuan , Wang Yihan
Published: July 2024

Signage is an important medium for individuals to obtain spatial environmental information conveniently and accurately. However, most previous studies focus on signage design for individuals with normal vision, neglecting the specific requirements of those with low vision. Therefore, these signage designs lacking universality restrict the activities of individuals with low vision in public spaces and increase their risks. This study aims to conduct quantitative research on signage size and brightness contrast for low vision individuals. A virtual simulation experimental platform investigated how individuals interpret and react to signage. Two sets of experiments were carried out in Tianjin Key Laboratory of Healthy Habitat and Smart Technology to evaluate the effects of signage size and brightness contrast on response time and accuracy among a total of 139 participants. The results showed that the signage size should be at least 7% of the reading distance to meet the wayfinding needs of low vision individuals. The impact of contrast on wayfinding was strongly dependent on signage size. This research provides valuable insights into the design of signage for low vision individuals.
Study on Seismic Behavior of Different Forms of Eccentrically Braced Steel Frames
Authors: Liu Bo , Lu Yankai , Li Weitao , Li Jiayue , Zhao Jingchen , Wang Shuhe , Ni Guowei , Meng Qingjuan
Published: July 2024

The arrangement of eccentric bracing has a significant impact on the seismic performance of structures. However, there is no further stipulation on different forms of eccentric bracing in the current Chinese code. At the same time, there is a lack of research on the seismic loss of eccentrically braced structures by Chinese domestic scholars. Therefore, this paper designs different forms of eccentrically braced frames and analyzes them according to the concept of seismic engineering based on performance, which provides some reference for the selection of the eccentrically braced steel frame structure layout in future engineering practice. In this paper, K-shaped, V-shaped, and D-shaped eccentrically braced steel frame structures with 3, 5, and 8 floors are designed, and the finite element analysis model is used for static napping and dynamic time history analysis. The results show that the K-shaped eccentrically braced structure has the best performance in bearing capacity and stiffness and has good seismic and collapse resistance performance. In the FEMA P-58 seismic assessment and vulnerability assessment, it is found that the V-shaped eccentrically braced structure has the smallest loss. However, it is necessary to fully consider the acceleration sensitivity of the non-structural components in the design. In general, the seismic performance of the eccentrically braced structure is improved by the energy dissipation beam yielding to consume energy, which provides a useful reference for structural design.
Unsolved Issues in the Integrated Histo-Molecular Classification of Endometrial Carcinoma and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Kuhn Elisabetta , Gambini Donatella , Runza Letterio , Ferrero Stefano , Scarfone Giovanna , Bulfamante Gaetano , Ayhan Ayse
Published: July 2024

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most frequent gynecological cancer, with an increasing incidence and mortality in recent times. The last decade has represented a true revolution with the development of the integrated histo-molecular classification of EC, which allows for the stratification of patients with morphologically indistinguishable disease into groups with different prognoses. Particularly, the POLE-mutated subgroup exhibits outstanding survival. Nevertheless, the indiscriminate application of molecular classification appears premature. Its prognostic significance has been proven mainly in endometrioid EC, the most common histotype, but it has yet to be convincingly confirmed in the other minor histotypes, which indeed account for a relevant proportion of EC mortality. Moreover, its daily use both requires a mindful pathologist who is able to correctly evaluate and unambiguously report immunohistochemical staining used as a surrogated diagnostic tool and is hampered by the unavailability of POLE mutation analysis. Further molecular characterization of ECs is needed to allow for the identification of better-tailored therapies in different settings, as well as the safe avoidance of surgery for fertility preservation. Hopefully, the numerous ongoing clinical trials in the adjuvant and metastatic settings of EC will likely produce evidence to refine the histo-molecular classification and therapeutic guidelines. Our review aims to retrace the origin and evolution of the molecular classification for EC, reveal its strengths and limitations, show clinical relevance, and uncover the desired future developments.
The Role of Immunotherapy in the Management of Esophageal Cancer in Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation: An Analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Tasoudis Panagiotis , Manaki Vasiliki , Iwai Yoshiko , Buckeridge Steven A. , Khoury Audrey L. , Agala Chris B. , Haithcock Benjamin E. , Mody Gita N. , Long Jason M.
Published: July 2024

Background: The current National Comprehensive Cancer Network advises neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for locally advanced cases of esophageal cancer. The role of immunotherapy in this context is under heavy investigation. Methods: Patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma were identified in the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 2004 to 2019. Three groups were generated as follows: (a) no immunotherapy, (b) neoadjuvant immunotherapy, and (c) adjuvant immunotherapy. Overall survival was evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazard analysis, adjusting for previously described risk factors for mortality. Results: Of the total 14,244 patients diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation, 14,065 patients did not receive immunotherapy, 110 received neoadjuvant immunotherapy, and 69 received adjuvant immunotherapy. When adjusting for established risk factors, adjuvant immunotherapy was associated with significantly improved survival compared to no immunotherapy and neoadjuvant immunotherapy during a median follow-up period of 35.2 months. No difference was noted among patients who received no immunotherapy vs. neoadjuvant immunotherapy in the same model. Conclusions: In this retrospective analysis of the NCDB, receiving adjuvant immunotherapy offered a significant survival advantage compared to no immunotherapy and neoadjuvant immunotherapy in the treatment of esophageal adenocarcinoma. The addition of neoadjuvant immunotherapy to patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation did not improve survival in this cohort. Further studies are warranted to investigate the long-term outcomes of immunotherapy in esophageal cancer.
The Role of Internal Carotid Artery Stent in the Management of Skull Base Paragangliomas
Authors: Di Micco Riccardo , Salcher Rolf Benedikt , Götz Friedrich , Abu Fares Omar , Lenarz Thomas
Published: July 2024

Background: After two decades from its introduction in the lateral skull base paraganglioma surgery, the indications and results of preoperative internal carotid artery stenting should be critically assessed. Materials and Methods: Monocentric retrospective study on 26 patients affected by head and neck paragangliomas (19 tympanojugular paragangliomas, 4 carotid body paragangliomas, 3 vagal paragangliomas) preoperatively treated with internal carotid artery stents between 2008 and 2023. The preoperative findings, the intraoperative complications and the final surgical results were analyzed. Results: The stent complication rate was less than 3.1%. Self-expanding highly flexible intracranial nitinol stents were applied. In all cases, it was possible to completely mobilize the internal carotid artery and perform a vascular dissection of the tumor. Gross total tumor resection was possible in 85% of cases. The median follow up was 7.83 y (SD +/− 3.93 y). No local recurrence was observed. Conclusions: The preoperative vascular stent facilitates tumor dissection from the internal carotid artery without risk of vascular damage, helping the surgeon to achieve surgical radicality. The vascular stent is indicated in the case of revision surgeries, circumferential involvement of the vessel and in cases with non-insufficient intracerebral crossflow. Procedural complications, temporary antiplatelet therapy and delay of surgery are the limitations of the procedure.
International External Validation of Risk Prediction Model of 90-Day Mortality after Gastrectomy for Cancer Using Machine Learning
Authors: Dal Cero Mariagiulia , Gibert Joan , Grande Luis , Gimeno Marta , Osorio Javier , Bencivenga Maria , Fumagalli Romario Uberto , Rosati Riccardo , Morgagni Paolo , Gisbertz Suzanne , Polkowski Wojciech P. , Lara Santos Lucio , Kołodziejczyk Piotr , Kielan Wojciech , Reddavid Rossella , van Sandick Johanna W. , Baiocchi Gian Luca , Gockel Ines , Davies Andrew , Wijnhoven Bas P. L. , Reim Daniel , Costa Paulo , Allum William H. , Piessen Guillaume , Reynolds John V. , Mönig Stefan P. , Schneider Paul M. , Garsot Elisenda , Eizaguirre Emma , Miró Mònica , Castro Sandra , Miranda Coro , Monzonis-Hernández Xavier , Pera Manuel ,   on behalf of the Spanish EURECCA Esophagogastric Cancer Group and the European GASTRODATA Study Group
Published: July 2024

Background: Radical gastrectomy remains the main treatment for gastric cancer, despite its high mortality. A clinical predictive model of 90-day mortality (90DM) risk after gastric cancer surgery based on the Spanish EURECCA registry database was developed using a matching learning algorithm. We performed an external validation of this model based on data from an international multicenter cohort of patients. Methods: A cohort of patients from the European GASTRODATA database was selected. Demographic, clinical, and treatment variables in the original and validation cohorts were compared. The performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) for a random forest model. Results: The validation cohort included 2546 patients from 24 European hospitals. The advanced clinical T- and N-category, neoadjuvant therapy, open procedures, total gastrectomy rates, and mean volume of the centers were significantly higher in the validation cohort. The 90DM rate was also higher in the validation cohort (5.6%) vs. the original cohort (3.7%). The AUC in the validation model was 0.716. Conclusion: The externally validated model for predicting the 90DM risk in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy with curative intent continues to be as useful as the original model in clinical practice.
New Frontiers in the Treatment of Patients with HER2+ Cancer and Brain Metastases: Is Radiotherapy Always Useful?
Authors: Scandurra Giuseppa , Lombardo Valentina , Scibilia Giuseppe , Sambataro Daniela , Gebbia Vittorio , Scollo Paolo , Pecorino Basilio , Valerio Maria Rosaria
Published: July 2024

Brain metastases (BM) pose a significant challenge in the management of HER2+ breast cancer since almost 50% of patients with HER2+ breast cancer develop brain tumors. The complex process of brain metastases involves genetic mutations, adaptations and mechanisms to overcome the blood–brain barrier. While radiotherapy is still fundamental in local therapy, its use is associated with cognitive adverse effects and limited long-term control, necessitating the exploration of alternative treatments. Targeted therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody–drug conjugates, offer promising options for HER2+ breast cancer patients with BM. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of these agents in controlling tumor growth and improving patient outcomes, posing the question of whether radiotherapy is always the unique choice in treating this cancer. Ongoing research into novel anti-HER2 antibodies and innovative combination therapies holds promise for advancing treatment outcomes and enhancing patient care in this clinical scenario. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of traditional medical treatments, molecularly targeted therapy and investigational agents in the management of HER2+ breast cancer with BM, highlighting the evolving landscape and potential future directions in treatment strategies to improve patient survival and quality of life.
Real-World Clinical Utility of Targeted RNA Sequencing in Leukemia Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Kim Seo Wan , Kim Namsoo , Choi Yu Jeong , Lee Seung-Tae , Choi Jong Rak , Shin Saeam
Published: July 2024

Gene fusions are key drivers in acute leukemia, impacting diagnosis and treatment decisions. We analyzed 264 leukemia patients using targeted RNA sequencing with conventional karyotyping and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Leukemic fusions were detected in 127 patients (48.1%). The new guidelines introduced additional diagnostic criteria, expanding the spectrum of gene fusions. We discovered three novel fusions (RUNX1::DOPEY2, RUNX1::MACROD2, and ZCCHC7::LRP1B). We analyzed recurrent breakpoints for the KMT2A and NUP98 rearrangements. Targeted RNA sequencing showed consistent results with RT-PCR in all tested samples. However, when compared to conventional karyotyping, we observed an 83.3% concordance rate, with 29 cases found only in targeted RNA sequencing, 7 cases with discordant results, and 5 cases found only in conventional karyotyping. For the five cases where known leukemic gene rearrangements were suspected only in conventional karyotyping, we conducted additional messenger RNA sequencing in four cases and proved no pathogenic gene rearrangements. Targeted RNA sequencing proved advantageous for the rapid and accurate interpretation of gene rearrangements. The concurrent use of multiple methods was essential for a comprehensive evaluation. Comprehensive molecular analysis enhances our understanding of leukemia’s genetic basis, aiding diagnosis and classification. Advanced molecular techniques improve clinical decision-making, offering potential benefits.
Iron Regulates Cellular Proliferation by Enhancing the Expression of Glucose Transporter GLUT3 in the Liver
Authors: Ribeiro Kleber S. , Karmakar Eshani , Park Christine , Garg Richa , Kung George P. , Kadakia Isha , Gopianand Jyotsna S. , Arun Tejas , Kisselev Oleg , Gnana-Prakasam Jaya P.
Published: July 2024

Iron is often accumulated in the liver during pathological conditions such as cirrhosis and cancer. Elevated expression of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT3 is associated with reduced overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, it is not known whether iron can regulate glucose transporters and contribute to tumor proliferation. In the present study, we found that treatment of human liver cell line HepG2 with ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) resulted in a significant upregulation of GLUT3 mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, iron accumulation in mice fed with high dietary iron as well as in mice injected intraperitoneally with iron dextran enhanced the GLUT3 expression drastically in the liver. We demonstrated that iron-induced hepatic GLUT3 upregulation is mediated by the LKB1/AMPK/CREB1 pathway, and this activation was reversed when treated with iron chelator deferiprone. In addition, inhibition of GLUT3 using siRNA prevented iron-mediated increase in the expression of cell cycle markers and cellular hyperproliferation. Furthermore, exogenous sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate treatment prevented iron-mediated hepatic GLUT3 activation both in vitro and in vivo. Together, these results underscore the importance of iron, AMPK, CREB1 and GLUT3 pathways in cell proliferation and highlight the therapeutic potential of sodium beta-hydroxybutyrate in hepatocellular carcinoma with high GLUT3 expression.
Minimizing Cohort Discrepancies: A Comparative Analysis of Data Normalization Approaches in Biomarker Research
Authors: Tokareva Alisa , Starodubtseva Natalia , Frankevich Vladimir , Silachev Denis
Published: July 2024

Biological variance among samples across different cohorts can pose challenges for the long-term validation of developed models. Data-driven normalization methods offer promising tools for mitigating inter-sample biological variance. We applied seven data-driven normalization methods to quantitative metabolome data extracted from rat dried blood spots in the context of the Rice–Vannucci model of hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in rats. The quality of normalization was assessed through the performance of Orthogonal Partial Least Squares (OPLS) models built on the training datasets; the sensitivity and specificity of these models were calculated by application to validation datasets. PQN, MRN, and VSN demonstrated a higher diagnostic quality of OPLS models than the other methods studied. The OPLS model based on VSN demonstrated superior performance (86% sensitivity and 77% specificity). After VSN, the VIP-identified potential biomarkers notably diverged from those identified using other normalization methods. Glycine consistently emerged as the top marker in six out of seven models, aligning perfectly with our prior research findings. Likewise, alanine exhibited a similar pattern. Notably, VSN uniquely highlighted pathways related to the oxidation of brain fatty acids and purine metabolism. Our findings underscore the widespread utility of VSN in metabolomics, suggesting its potential for use in large-scale and cross-study investigations.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Electropolymerization of 1,4-Di([2,2′-bithiophen]-3-yl)buta-1,3-diyne
Authors: Pedrini Alessandro , Massera Chiara , Dalcanale Enrico , Giannetto Marco , Pinalli Roberta
Published: July 2024

For their great structural versatility, thiophene-based π-conjugated systems have been widely exploited in the preparation of low band gap materials. Here, we report the synthesis of a highly conjugated tetrathiophene system, namely 1,4-di([2,2′-bithiophen]-3-yl)buta-1,3-diyne (1), that presents two bithiophene units connected at position 3 by a butadiynylene spacer. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) analysis elucidated the structure of 1, confirming the planarity of the molecule. The molecule was then electropolymerized onto the surface of a gold-coated piezoelectric quartz crystal, showing a high reactivity that is ascribable to the extended conjugation. The frontier molecular orbital energies of 1 were obtained via DFT optimization performed on the crystal structure-derived molecular geometry. Finally, DFT was also used to estimate the polymer band gap.
18F-FDG PET/CT- and MRI-Based Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Early-Response Assessment after Concurrent Chemo- and Radiotherapy—Impact on Patient Outcomes and Survival Prediction
Authors: Lucic Silvija , Spirovski Milena , Stojanovic Dragana , Peter Andrea , Licina Jelena , Ivanov Olivera , Milenovic Natasa , Lucic Milos A.
Published: July 2024

With one third of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) expected to develop cancer recurrence in the first two years after therapy, accurate assessment of the response and timely detection of cancer recurrence after concurrent chemo- and radiotherapy (CCRT) treatment is of great importance. Although there is neither definite consensus about the preferred imaging modality, nor the time interval until the first diagnostic examination after CCRT, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends the use of MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT as a post-treatment LACC response-assessment imaging tools. In this study, we tried to appraise the early therapy response in LACC patients by both 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI in regard to the follow-up imaging results and their mutual interrelationship, and to ascertain if the post-treatment 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI results were related to the progression-free and overall survival rate in women with LACC after CCRT. We also aimed to estimate the early and follow-up diagnostic imaging impact on further therapy management. Based on our results, we concluded that 18F-FDG PET/CT did surpass MRI in the early assessment of therapeutic response in LACC patients after CCRT. Both modalities provided information that may serve as predictive biomarkers of outcome and LACC patients’ survival.
Ventricular Angiography: A Forgotten Diagnostic Tool?
Authors: Pintea Bentea Georgiana , Berdaoui Brahim , Samyn Sophie , Morissens Marielle , Castro Rodriguez Jose
Published: July 2024

A 76-year-old male patient presented to the emergency room with acute decompensated right heart failure and presyncope episodes. Upon admission, his electrocardiogram (ECG) showed sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia at 180 bpm, which was electrically cardioverted, and the patient was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit. The echocardiography showed a very dilated right ventricle (RV) with global systolic dysfunction and akinetic anterior and lateral walls. The coronary angiography was normal. The cardiac magnetic resonance showed signs of fibro-fatty replacement of the RV myocardium. Furthermore, the ECG after cardioversion showed inverted T waves and an epsilon wave in V1–V3 leads and late potentials by signal-averaged ECG. As such, a diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) was suspected. However, he presented no familial history of ARVC, was 76 years of age at the time of diagnosis and was asymptomatic until now. Given these considerations, we performed a right ventricular angiography which showed dilatation of the RV with akinetic/dyskinetic bulging, creating the “pile d’assiettes” image suggestive of ARVC. In the case of this patient, the RV angiography contributed to establish a diagnosis of ARVC with a very late presentation, to our knowledge the latest presentation in terms of age described in the literature.
Is There a Relationship between Salivary Cortisol and Temporomandibular Disorder: A Systematic Review
Authors: AlSahman Lujain , AlBagieh Hamad , AlSahman Roba
Published: July 2024

Background: This systematic review examines and evaluates the relationship between salivary cortisol levels and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) in young adult patients. Method: Six databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library—were utilized to screen eligible studies. A systematic search was performed based on PECO questions and eligibility criteria. The research question for this review was “Do salivary cortisol levels correlate with TMD in individuals aged 18–40?” The risk of bias for quality assessment was determined by the Cochrane tool. PRISMA guidelines were followed while performing this review. Result: A total of fourteen studies were included in this review. Of these, eleven were observational studies (four cross-sectional and seven case–control), and three were randomized control trials. Eleven of the included studies presented a low to moderate risk in the qualitative synthesis. The total sample size of the included studies was 751 participants. The included studies suggest higher salivary cortisol levels in TMD patients than in healthy individuals. Conclusions: The findings of this review indicate higher salivary cortisol levels in adult patients with TMD than in healthy controls. Thus, supportive psychological treatment and clinical modalities should be provided to patients with TMD. Moreover, higher-quality studies with low heterogeneity are required to support this finding.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Infections in Hungary between 2017–2023—Investigation of the First Congenital Infections
Authors: Koroknai Anita , Nagy Anna , Nagy Orsolya , Csonka Nikolett , Mezei Eszter , Szomor Katalin , Takács Mária
Published: July 2024

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected rodent-borne arenavirus, primarily spread by common house mouse species. Acquired human infections range from asymptomatic to mild flu-like symptoms and self-resolving neurological diseases. In contrast, intrauterine LCMV infection is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Infection of the fetus often leads to fetal death, and surviving fetuses may develop vision impairment and central nervous system developmental disorders. LCMV is mainly diagnosed by serological methods using in-house indirect immunofluorescence assays. LCMV nucleic acid is detected by the nested RT-PCR method and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. In Hungary, 23 acquired lymphocytic choriomeningitis cases were diagnosed between 2017 and 2023. Ten out of 23 confirmed patients proved to be positive by the PCR method. Two cases of intrauterine LCMV infections were detected in 2019 and 2021, respectively. The IgG antibody titers measured in the infant’s serum samples were much higher than the IgG titers of the maternal serum samples. Both IgM and IgA antibodies were detectable in the infants’ sera. As the microbiological diagnosis of LCMV is rather challenging and the symptoms are very similar to the clinical picture of other common teratogenic pathogens such as cytomegalovirus or Toxoplasma gondii, intrauterine LCMV infections might still be underdiagnosed.
Transfer Learning Video Classification of Preserved, Mid-Range, and Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in Echocardiography
Authors: Decoodt Pierre , Sierra-Sosa Daniel , Anghel Laura , Cuminetti Giovanni , De Keyzer Eva , Morissens Marielle
Published: July 2024

Identifying patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), either reduced [EF < 40% (rEF)], mid-range [EF 40–50% (mEF)], or preserved [EF > 50% (pEF)], is considered of primary clinical importance. An end-to-end video classification using AutoML in Google Vertex AI was applied to echocardiographic recordings. Datasets balanced by majority undersampling, each corresponding to one out of three possible classifications, were obtained from the Standford EchoNet-Dynamic repository. A train–test split of 75/25 was applied. A binary video classification of rEF vs. not rEF demonstrated good performance (test dataset: ROC AUC score 0.939, accuracy 0.863, sensitivity 0.894, specificity 0.831, positive predicting value 0.842). A second binary classification of not pEF vs. pEF was slightly less performing (test dataset: ROC AUC score 0.917, accuracy 0.829, sensitivity 0.761, specificity 0.891, positive predicting value 0.888). A ternary classification was also explored, and lower performance was observed, mainly for the mEF class. A non-AutoML PyTorch implementation in open access confirmed the feasibility of our approach. With this proof of concept, end-to-end video classification based on transfer learning to categorize EF merits consideration for further evaluation in prospective clinical studies.
Post-Operative Radiation in Early Breast Cancer with N1 Disease: 10-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Tang Ee Ling Serene , Sim E-Jan , Ang Wei-Wen , Su Jun , Chen Juliana Jia Chuan , Chan Mun Yew Patrick , Choo Bok Ai , Tan Ern Yu
Published: July 2024

Post-operative radiotherapy for post-menopausal women with early breast cancer and N1 disease is controversial. Although locoregional control is improved, overall survival (OS) benefit is unclear. The clinical benefit of post-operative irradiation in this group of patients over 10 years was reviewed. We aimed to evaluate the OS, disease-free survival (DFS), and factors affecting OS and DFS. A retrospective review of 191 post-menopausal women with early breast cancer and N1 disease from 2004 to 2011 was performed. Demographics, post-operative histology, adjuvant treatment, OS, and DFS were evaluated. Post-operative radiation was given to 95 of 191 women (49.7%). Younger age at diagnosis (p < 0.001), a greater number of involved nodes (p = 0.004), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and a higher tumor grade (p = 0.001) were more likely in women who received post-operative radiation. Nodal radiation did not improve 10-year DFS (p = 0.084) or OS (p = 0.203). Post-operative nodal radiation was associated with significant improvement in 10-year OS in women who received only hormonal therapy (p = 0.047) and no other systemic therapy. Women with unfavorable risk factors were more likely to receive post-operative radiation, likely due to a perceived higher risk of recurrence. Nodal radiation did not significantly improve 10-year DFS or OS in early breast cancer patients with N1 disease, and the benefit was not clearly demonstrated. However, in those who were on hormonal therapy, radiotherapy was beneficial in improving overall survival.
Rehabilitation Using Implants with Sloped Platform Edge vs. Standard Platform with Guided Bone Regeneration: A Randomized Control Clinical Trial
Authors: Ashurko Igor , Samsonov Andrey , Galyas Anna , Petukhova Marina , Tarasenko Svetlana , Unkovskiy Alexey
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the vertical bone loss after using different techniques: sloped implants or standard implants with guided bone regeneration. Patients with tooth gap and horizontal bone deficiency were randomly allocated to the test group (implants with sloped platform—SLP) and control group (standard design implants with guided bone regeneration—GBR). The primary outcome was bone loss (6 months after finishing the prosthetic treatment). Secondary outcomes included the following: patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), post-operative edema, keratinized mucosa width, and pink aesthetic score (PES). The average bone loss at 6 months was 0.23 ± 0.15 mm and 1.03 ± 0.37 mm in the SLP and GBR groups, respectively. The SLP group was characterized by lower pain intensity the first 7 days (p < 0.001), lower post-operative edema (p < 0.001), lower consumption of NSAIDs on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 (p = 0.002, <0.001, <0.001, and 0.008), and lower total OHIP-14 (p = 0.047) on day 7. The keratinized mucosa width was 3.7 (3.4–4.0) mm and 2 (1.4–2.0) mm in the SLP and GBR groups, respectively. The preservation of the mesial, distal papillae, and the level of soft tissue correspondence were significantly higher in the SLP group (p = 0.003, 0.038, <0.001). In the SLP group, more natural color and better texture of soft tissues were found (p = 0.048, p = 0.041). The use of implants with a sloped platform resulted in superior outcomes compared to the standard-design implants with GBR.
Adhesive Performance of Pit and Fissure Sealants on Deproteinized Enamel with Different Proteolytic Agents: In Vitro Study
Authors: García-Mota Luis Francisco , Fernández-Barrera Miguel-Ángel , Garcia-Contreras Rene , Grazioli Guillermo , Zamarripa-Calderón Juan Eliezer , Rivera-Gonzaga José Alejandro , Cuevas-Suárez Carlos Enrique
Published: July 2024

The objective of this work was to assess the efficacy of different proteolytic agents on the bond strength of pit and fissure sealants to bovine enamel. Eighty-four bovine enamel specimens were randomly assigned in groups according to the pit and fissure sealant applied (HelioSeal F or Dyad Flow). Then, the specimens were subdivided according to the proteolytic agent used (n = 7): Group 1, distilled water (control); Group 2, 10 wt.% Tergazyme®; Group 3, 10 wt.% ZYME®; Group 4, 10% papain gel; Group 5, 10% bromelain gel; and Group 6, 5.25 wt.% sodium hypochlorite. The cell viability of the proteolytic solutions was assessed through the MTT assay. The proteolytic agents were applied on the enamel surface prior to the acid-etching procedure; then, the pit and fissure sealants were placed. The micro-shear bond strength was evaluated after 24 h or 6 months of water storing at 37 °C. Representative SEM images were taken for each experimental group. The bond strength data were statistically analyzed by a three-way ANOVA test using a significance level of α = 0.05. Bromelain and papain proteolytic solutions did not exert any cytotoxic effect on the human dental pulp cells. After 24 h and 6 months of aging, for both pit and fissure sealants, sodium hypochlorite, papain, bromelain, and Tergazyme® achieved statistically significant higher bond strength values (p < 0.05). Irrespective of the deproteinizing agent used, Dyad Flow resulted in a better bond strength after 6 months of aging. The type 1 etching pattern was identified for sodium hypochlorite, papain, and bromelain. Tergazyme®, papain, and bromelain demonstrated efficacy in deproteinizing enamel surfaces prior to acid etching, leading to the improved bond strength of pit and fissure sealants. Clinically, this suggests that these proteolytic agents can be considered viable alternatives to traditional methods for enhancing sealant retention and longevity. Utilizing these agents in dental practice could potentially reduce sealant failures.
UAV Imagery-Based Classification Model for Atypical Traditional Village Landscapes and Their Spatial Distribution Pattern
Authors: Zheng Shaojiang , Wei Lili , Yu Houjie , Kou Weili
Published: July 2024

For atypical traditional villages, their invaluable historical traces and cultural memories are preserved in the existing village landscapes. Rapid and accurate acquisition of the spatial information of various surface elements in a village is an important prerequisite for a scientific, reasonable, feasible planning and design scheme for conserving, progressing, and developing atypical villages. Taking Qianfeng Village as an example, this research proposes the atypical traditional village landscape classification model based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery (ATVLUI) by virtue of the UAV RGB images and the object-oriented fuzzy logic membership classification technique that extracts objects according to their spectrums, textures, geometries, and context relationships, aiming at precise extraction of atypical traditional village landscapes. Based on the landscape information, the landscape pattern indexes are calculated to explore the spatial distribution characteristics of different landscapes and analyze the current conditions of Qianfeng Village as the epitome of atypical traditional villages. Accordingly, suggestions for protecting, planning, and developing atypical villages are proposed. The results show that: (1) the ATVLUI boasts excellent identification for village landscapes in a complex scenario, with a classification accuracy for traditional structures of 84%, an overall accuracy of 93%, and a Kappa coefficient of 0.89. This model is proven superior to K-nearest neighbors (KNN), decision tree (DT), and random tree (RT); (2) according to the area and proportion calculations, the structures account for 33.94% of Qianfeng Village’s total area, in which 29.69% and 4.25% are modern and traditional structures, respectively. The number of traditional structures is 202, accounting for 13% of the total number of structures; (3) within the village, connectivity between and extension of the modern structures can be recognized, suggesting a trajectory where the traditional structures are being gradually substituted by modern ones. The ecological environment at the periphery of the village is favorable. The building-to-building common boundaries are long. The modern structures are densely distributed. The discretely distributed traditional structures gather as small clusters. In general, different structures are highly interlaced to form a fragmented distribution pattern.
Deep Learning for Indoor Pedestal Fan Blade Inspection: Utilizing Low-Cost Autonomous Drones in an Educational Setting
Authors: Rodriguez Angel A. , Davis Mason , Zander Joshua , Nazario Dejesus Edwin , Shekaramiz Mohammad , Memari Majid , Masoum Mohammad A. S.
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces a drone-based surrogate project aimed at serving as a preliminary educational platform for undergraduate students in the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) fields. Utilizing small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAVs), this project serves as a surrogate for the inspection of wind turbines using scaled-down pedestal fans to replace actual turbines. This approach significantly reduces the costs, risks, and logistical complexities, enabling feasible and safe on-campus experiments. Through this project, students engage in hands-on applications of Python programming, computer vision, and machine learning algorithms to detect and classify simulated defects in pedestal fan blade (PFB) images. The primary educational objectives are to equip students with foundational skills in autonomous systems and data analysis, critical for their progression to larger scale projects involving professional drones and actual wind turbines in wind farm settings. This surrogate setup not only provides practical experience in a controlled learning environment, but also prepares students for real-world challenges in renewable energy technologies, emphasizing the transition from theoretical knowledge to practical skills.
ID-Det: Insulator Burst Defect Detection from UAV Inspection Imagery of Power Transmission Facilities
Authors: Sun Shangzhe , Chen Chi , Yang Bisheng , Yan Zhengfei , Wang Zhiye , He Yong , Wu Shaolong , Li Liuchun , Fu Jing
Published: July 2024

The global rise in electricity demand necessitates extensive transmission infrastructure, where insulators play a critical role in ensuring the safe operation of power transmission systems. However, insulators are susceptible to burst defects, which can compromise system safety. To address this issue, we propose an insulator defect detection framework, ID-Det, which comprises two main components, i.e., the Insulator Segmentation Network (ISNet) and the Insulator Burst Detector (IBD). (1) ISNet incorporates a novel Insulator Clipping Module (ICM), enhancing insulator segmentation performance. (2) IBD leverages corner extraction methods and the periodic distribution characteristics of corners, facilitating the extraction of key corners on the insulator mask and accurate localization of burst defects. Additionally, we construct an Insulator Defect Dataset (ID Dataset) consisting of 1614 insulator images. Experiments on this dataset demonstrate that ID-Det achieves an accuracy of 97.38%, a precision of 97.38%, and a recall rate of 94.56%, outperforming general defect detection methods with a 4.33% increase in accuracy, a 5.26% increase in precision, and a 2.364% increase in recall. ISNet also shows a 27.2% improvement in Average Precision (AP) compared to the baseline. These results indicate that ID-Det has significant potential for practical application in power inspection.
Post-Acquisition Operating Performance of Acquiring Firms following Cross-Border Mergers and Acquisitions
Authors: Khan Aamir , Kalisz David
Published: July 2024

This study investigates the firms’ performance following cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) from 2000 to 2022, employing the generalized method of moments (GMM) technique within the French context. Grounded in the theories of organizational learning and the institutional-based view, the empirical findings reveal that acquiring firms exhibit an improved long-term performance after engaging in cross-border M&A deals. Additionally, acquisition experience and industry relatedness significantly enhance the firms’ performance. Institutional quality and cultural similarity are also found to positively moderate the impact of cross-border M&As on firms’ performance.
Constant Value Added Share Analysis: A Novel Trade Decomposition Technique with an Application to the Philippines
Authors: van Bergeijk Peter A.G. , Ledda Gina M.
Published: July 2024

This article provides a novel approach to the traditional constant market share (CMS) analysis recognizing the importance of global production networks and fragmentation that necessitate using trade in value added (TiVA) rather than gross trade. We discuss how the components of a CMS analysis need to be (re)interpreted and apply our Constant Value Added Share (CVAS) analysis to the Philippines in the years 1995–2020 using the latest TiVA 2023 dataset (released in November 2023) and compare CMS to CVAS in order to facilitate understanding the contribution of the novel approach. The CVAS analysis finds that while Philippine and world Value Added grew at par, the country lost competitiveness. Traditional CMS suggests a smaller loss of competitiveness. Our approach also identifies specific sectoral weaknesses (i.e., computer and electronics exports) and emerging strengths (technology-related business services) that are unclear in CMS analysis. We argue that Constant Value Added Share analysis is useful for assessing the global value chain performance of other developing countries as well.
An Intelligent Manufacturing Management System for Enhancing Production in Small-Scale Industries
Authors: Wang Yuexia , Cai Zexiong , Huang Tonghui , Shi Jiajia , Lu Feifan , Xu Zhihuo
Published: July 2024

Industry 4.0 integrates the intelligent networking of machines and processes through advanced information and communication technologies (ICTs). Despite advancements, small mechanical manufacturing enterprises face significant challenges transitioning to ICT-supported Industry 4.0 models due to a lack of technical expertise and infrastructure. These enterprises commonly encounter variable production volumes, differing priorities in customer orders, and diverse production capacities across low-, medium-, and high-level outputs. Frequent issues with machine health, glitches, and major breakdowns further complicate optimizing production scheduling. This paper presents a novel production management approach that harnesses bio-inspired methods alongside Internet of Things (IoT) technology to address these challenges. This comprehensive approach integrates the real-time monitoring and intelligent production order distribution, leveraging advanced LoRa wireless communication technology. The system ensures efficient and concurrent data acquisition from multiple sensors, facilitating accurate and prompt capture, transmission, and storage of machine status data. The experimental results demonstrate significant improvements in data collection time and system responsiveness, enabling the timely detection and resolution of machine failures. Additionally, an enhanced genetic algorithm dynamically allocates tasks based on machine status, effectively reducing production completion time and machine idle time. Case studies in a screw manufacturing facility validate the practical applicability and effectiveness of the proposed system. The seamless integration of the scheduling algorithm with the real-time monitoring subsystem ensures a coordinated and efficient production process, ultimately enhancing productivity and resource utilization. The proposed system’s robustness and efficiency highlight its potential to revolutionize production management in small-scale manufacturing settings.
Few-Shot Image Segmentation Using Generating Mask with Meta-Learning Classifier Weight Transformer Network
Authors: Wang Jian-Hong , Le Phuong Thi , Jhou Fong-Ci , Su Ming-Hsiang , Li Kuo-Chen , Chen Shih-Lun , Pham Tuan , He Ji-Long , Wang Chien-Yao , Wang Jia-Ching , Chang Pao-Chi
Published: July 2024

With the rapid advancement of modern hardware technology, breakthroughs have been made in many areas of artificial intelligence research, leading to the direction of machine replacement or assistance in various fields. However, most artificial intelligence or deep learning techniques require large amounts of training data and are typically applicable to a single task objective. Acquiring such large training datasets can be particularly challenging, especially in domains like medical imaging. In the field of image processing, few-shot image segmentation is an area of active research. Recent studies have employed deep learning and meta-learning approaches to enable models to segment objects in images with only a small amount of training data, allowing them to quickly adapt to new task objectives. This paper proposes a network architecture for meta-learning few-shot image segmentation, utilizing a meta-learning classification weight transfer network to generate masks for few-shot image segmentation. The architecture leverages pre-trained classification weight transfers to generate informative prior masks and employs pre-trained feature extraction architecture for feature extraction of query and support images. Furthermore, it utilizes a Feature Enrichment Module to adaptively propagate information from finer features to coarser features in a top-down manner for query image feature extraction. Finally, a classification module is employed for query image segmentation prediction. Experimental results demonstrate that compared to the baseline using the mean Intersection over Union (mIOU) as the evaluation metric, the accuracy increases by 1.7% in the one-shot experiment and by 2.6% in the five-shot experiment. Thus, compared to the baseline, the proposed architecture with meta-learning classification weight transfer network for mask generation exhibits superior performance in few-shot image segmentation.