bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Intraoperative Fluid Balance and Norepinephrine on Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury after Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion over Two Decades: A Retrospective Observational Cohort Study
Authors: Huber Markus , Furrer Marc A. , Jardot François , Engel Dominique , Beilstein Christian M. , Burkhard Fiona C. , Wuethrich Patrick Y.
Published: July 2023

The use of norepinephrine and the restriction of intraoperative hydration have gained increasing acceptance over the last few decades. Recently, there have been concerns regarding the impact of this approach on renal function. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of norepinephrine, intraoperative fluid administration and their interaction on acute kidney injury (AKI) after cystectomy. In our cohort of 1488 consecutive patients scheduled for cystectomies and urinary diversions, the overall incidence of AKI was 21.6% (95%-CI: 19.6% to 23.8%) and increased by an average of 0.6% (95%—CI: 0.1% to 1.1%, p = 0.025) per year since 2000. The fluid and vasopressor regimes were characterized by an annual decrease in fluid balance (−0.24 mL·kg−1·h−1, 95%—CI: −0.26 to −0.22, p < 0.001) and an annual increase in the amount of norepinephrine of 0.002 µg·kg−1·min−1 (95%—CI: 0.0016 to 0.0024, p < 0.001). The interaction between the fluid balance and norepinephrine levels resulted in a U-shaped association with the risk of AKI; however, the magnitude and shape depended on the reference categories of confounders (age and BMI). We conclude that decreased intraoperative fluid balance combined with increased norepinephrine administration was associated with an increased risk of AKI. However, other potential drivers of the observed increase in AKI incidence need to be further investigated in the future.
Inter-Rater Reliability of the Polish Version of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale in Children with Heart Disease
Authors: Ferenstein Maria , Ostrzyżek-Przeździecka Katarzyna , Gąsior Jakub S. , Werner Bożena
Published: July 2023

There is an urgent need for the systematic monitoring of motor and cognitive neurodevelopment and the evaluation of motor skill development in infants and children with heart disease. Familiarizing students and early graduates with the developmental care needed by these patients may help in the system-wide implementation of early motor screening in this population. The purpose of this study was to investigate the agreement between a last-year physiotherapy student and an experienced pediatric physiotherapist when applying the Polish version of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) to a heterogenous group of children with congenital heart defects. Agreement between raters was verified based on the observation of 80 (38 females) patients with heart disease aged 1–18 months using a Bland–Altman plot with limits of agreement and an intraclass correlation coefficient. The bias between raters for the total score for four age groups (0–3 months, 4–7 months, 8–11 months and 12–18 months) was between −0.17 and 0.22 (range: −0.54–0.78), and the ICC was between 0.875 and 1.000. Thus, a reliable assessment of motor development or motor skills using the Polish version of the AIMS can be performed in pediatric patients with heart defects by clinically inexperienced last-year physiotherapy students who are familiarized with the AIMS manual.
Where Are We? The Past, Present and Future of Thoracic Ultrasound
Authors: Zanforlin Alessandro
Published: July 2023

The technique of thoracic ultrasound is living through a progressive rise in clinical routine [...]
Improving Visual Defect Detection and Localization in Industrial Thermal Images Using Autoencoders
Authors: Behrouzi Sasha , Dix Marcel , Karampanah Fatemeh , Ates Omer , Sasidharan Nissy , Chandna Swati , Vu Binh
Published: July 2023

Reliable functionality in anomaly detection in thermal image datasets is crucial for defect detection of industrial products. Nevertheless, achieving reliable functionality is challenging, especially when datasets are image sequences captured during equipment runtime with a smooth transition from healthy to defective images. This causes contamination of healthy training data with defective samples. Anomaly detection methods based on autoencoders are susceptible to a slight violation of a clean training dataset and lead to challenging threshold determination for sample classification. This paper indicates that combining anomaly scores leads to better threshold determination that effectively separates healthy and defective data. Our research results show that our approach helps to overcome these challenges. The autoencoder models in our research are trained with healthy images optimizing two loss functions: mean squared error (MSE) and structural similarity index measure (SSIM). Anomaly score outputs are used for classification. Three anomaly scores are applied: MSE, SSIM, and kernel density estimation (KDE). The proposed method is trained and tested on the 32 × 32-sized thermal images, including one contaminated dataset. The model achieved the following average accuracies across the datasets: MSE, 95.33%; SSIM, 88.37%; and KDE, 92.81%. Using a combination of anomaly scores could assist in solving a low classification accuracy. The use of KDE improves performance when healthy training data are contaminated. The MSE+ and SSIM+ methods, as well as two parameters to control quantitative anomaly localization using SSIM, are introduced.
The Effects of Non-Indigenous Macrophytes on Native Biodiversity: Case Studies from Sicily
Authors: Mancuso Francesco , Chemello Renato , Mannino Anna
Published: July 2023

Biological invasions are widely recognized as a major threat to native biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and services. Non-indigenous species (NIS) may in time become invasive (invasive alien species (IAS)), determining significant environmental, socioeconomic and human health impacts such as biodiversity loss and ecosystem service degradation. The Mediterranean islands, particularly Sicily and the circum-Sicilian islands (northwestern Mediterranean Sea), which are important hotspots of biodiversity, are notably vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures such as biological invasions. Therefore, monitoring NIS distribution as well as understanding their effects on native biodiversity is critical in these areas for planning effective conservation strategies. Here, we report four different case studies from Sicily that highlight how NIS may affect native biodiversity and habitats. The first three case studies were carried out within Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and highlight (1) the ability of Caulerpa cylindracea to promote the establishment of other NIS, including biofouling worms belonging to the genus Branchiomma; (2) how the shift in habitat from the native Ericaria brachycarpa to the invasive Asparagopsis taxiformis may drastically erode the primary producer biomass and associated biodiversity; and (2) that the presence of Lophocladia lallemandii can affect the molluscan assemblage inhabiting the canopy-forming Gongolaria montagnei. The fourth case study, performed along the northwestern coast of Sicily, shows how Halophila stipulacea can affect the growth of the co-occurring native seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. Overall, these case studies demonstrate various ways in which NIS can interact with native biodiversity and habitats. Furthermore, they emphasize that MPAs are ineffective at preventing the introduction and spread of NIS.
Marine-Derived Fungi as a Valuable Resource for Amylases Activity Screening
Authors: Zhang Di , Liu Lan , Chen Bi-Shuang
Published: July 2023

Marine microbial enzymes including amylases are important in different industrial production due to their properties and applications. This study was focused on the screening of marine-derived fungi for amylase activities. First, we isolated a number of fungi from the sediments of the South China Sea. By the method of dish screening (in vitro), we subsequently obtained a series of amylase-producing fungal strains. The cell-lysate activities of amylases produced by marine fungi toward starch hydrolysis were achieved with the dinitrosalyicylic acid (DNS) method. In addition, the effect of pH and temperature on amylase activities, including thermal and pH stability were discussed. Results showed that out of the 57 isolates with amylase-producing activities, fungi Aspergillus flavus 9261 was found to produce amylase with the best activity of 10.7482 U/mg (wet mycelia). The amylase of Aspergillus flavus 9261 exhibited remarkable thermostability and pH stability with no activity loss after incubation at 50 °C and pH 5.0 for 1 h, respectively. The results provide advances in discovering enzymes from marine-derived fungi and their biotechnology relevance.
Influence of Intraoperative Blood Loss on Tumor Recurrence after Surgical Resection in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Suh Suk-Won , Lee Seung Eun , Choi Yoo Shin
Published: July 2023

The high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after surgical resection worsens the long-term prognosis. Besides tumor-related factors, operative factors such as perioperative blood transfusion have been reported to be related to HCC recurrence. However, excessive intraoperative blood loss (IBL) always necessitates blood transfusion, where IBL and blood transfusion may influence oncologic outcomes. We enrolled 142 patients with newly diagnosed single HCC who underwent hepatic resection between March 2010 and July 2021. Patients were stratified into two groups by IBL volume: Group A (IBL ≥ 700 mL, n = 47) and Group B (IBL < 700 mL, n = 95). The clinic–pathologic findings, operative outcomes, and cumulative probability of tumor recurrence and overall survival were compared between the two groups. In the study, increased IBL (1351 ± 698 vs. 354 ± 166, p < 0.001) and blood transfusion (63.8% vs. 6.3%, p < 0.001) were common in Group A, with a greater HCC recurrence (p = 0.001) and poor overall survival (p = 0.017) compared to those in Group B. Preoperative albumin (hazard ratio [HR], 0.471; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.244–0.907, p = 0.024), microvascular invasion (HR, 2.616; 95% CI, 1.298–5.273; p = 0.007), and IBL ≥ 700 mL (HR, 2.325; 95% CI, 1.202–4.497; p = 0.012) were significant risk factors for tumor recurrence after surgical resection for HCC. In conclusion, efforts to minimize IBL during hepatic resection are important for improving long-term prognosis in HCC patients.
Does the Investor’s Trading Experience Reduce Susceptibility to Heuristic-Driven Biases? The Moderating Role of Personality Traits
Authors: Chalissery Neenu , Tabash Mosab I. , Nishad T. Mohamed , Aburezeq Ibtehal M. , Daniel Linda Nalini
Published: July 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether trading experience reduces exposure to heuristic-driven biases, namely availability bias, anchoring and adjustments bias, representativeness bias, and confirmation biases of individual investors operating in the Indian stock market, through the moderating role of the Big Five personality traits. To achieve these research objectives, primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire. The sample consisted of 408 individual investors trading on the Indian stock market, who were selected on a convenient basis. Confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach’s alpha were used to measure the validity and reliability of the data. Further analysis was conducted using Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression. The results of this study prove that increased trading experience does not always reduce the susceptibility to heuristic biases. Increased trading experience reduces the susceptibility to availability, and anchoring and adjustment heuristics of individual investors operating on the Indian stock market. The present study has some relevant implications for investors, portfolio managers, financial advisors, and other interested persons in the stock market.
Active Utilization of Linear Cultural Heritage Based on Regional Ecological Security Pattern along the Straight Road (Zhidao) of the Qin Dynasty in Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Li Han , Zhang Tian , Cao Xiaoshu , Yao Lingling
Published: July 2023

Linear cultural heritage—a heritage system spanning time and space—is a large-scale cultural settlement that accommodates various heritage types. Here, we comprehensively explored the Straight Road (Zhidao) of the Qin Dynasty in Shaanxi Province, China, as a gene of traditional cultural connotations and geographical features, and provided holistic conservation strategies and effective utilization paths. From an ecological security pattern perspective, 4399.89 km2 of ecological sources and 19 ecological nodes were identified based on the importance of four ecosystem services—carbon sequestration and oxygen release, water conservation, habitat maintenance, and soil retention. Then, 45 ecological corridors with a total length of 2938.49 km were determined using the minimum cumulative resistance model. The intersections of ecological corridors were distinguished and the key areas of cultural landscape construction were extracted by taking into account the spatial distribution of existing relics as well as the spatial network relationship of prohibited-development areas and existing gray corridors (roads), blue corridors (rivers), and green ecological corridors (shade zones, green belts, recreational greenways). A plan was proposed to construct 98.45 km2 of new parks (country parks: 28.38 km2, forest parks: 70.07 km2) and 101.26 km of new landscape corridors (urban type: 32.08 km, countryside type: 26.49 km, ecological type: 42.69 km). Multilevel landscape complexes should be built to form a functional and networked ecological–cultural spatial structure system. Findings of this study could provide ecological ideas for promoting the reservation and active utilization of linear cultural-heritage corridors on a regional scale.
Research on the Sustainable Development of Natural-Social-Economic Systems Based on the Emergy Accounting Method—A Case Study of Liyang in China
Authors: Gao Yuan , Tian Li , Huang An , Zhang Huan , Yu Jianghao , Pan Yu , Wang Yuankang , Gou Binzhuo
Published: July 2023

Coordinating the relationship between resources, environmental protection, and economic development is essential for regional sustainable development. Various frameworks and models for quantifying the sustainable development of regional natural–social–economic systems have been produced. This paper focused on measuring regional sustainable development from the perspective of sustainable consumption and production. The study improved the emergy sustainable indices and the evaluation system commonly used in the method of emergy accounting by introducing input and output emergy into the emergy flows. Then, we proposed new subsystem sustainable indexes for evaluating and analyzing the sustainable development trend of the complex natural–social–economic system in Liyang from 2005 to 2020 by adopting the entropy weight method. The results showed that Liyang was generally in a state of sustainable development, with good social sustainability. The economic and natural sustainability indexes were low, which might cause unsustainable risks in the future. From the input structure and production efficiency perspective, the secondary industry with the highest emergy output has a meager net output rate. In contrast, the tertiary industry has a higher net output rate (NOR) and better output efficiency, which should be the core industry in the region’s future development. From the perspective of environmental impact and resource and environmental carrying capacity, the natural contribution rate and environmental carrying rate should be improved and the waste emergy rate necessary to be reduced. This study hopes to provide implications for formulating regional land use, industrial planning, and sustainable development policies.
Spatial Planning at the National Level: Comparison of Legal and Strategic Instruments in a Case Study of Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland
Authors: Nowak Maciej , Pantyley Viktoriya , Blaszke Małgorzata , Fakeyeva Liudmila , Lozynskyy Roman , Petrisor Alexandru-Ionut
Published: July 2023

Comparisons of spatial planning systems still require in-depth reflection, especially in Central and Eastern European countries. This article compares national (central) government approaches to spatial planning in Belarus, Ukraine and Poland, answering the following research questions: (1) How are spatial planning issues regulated nationally? Which topics do laws focus on? What values and objectives are laws particularly emphasizing? (2) Are there any central/national strategic documents dealing with spatial planning, and which spatial issues do they address mostly? The article covers two key issues: comparing national approaches to spatial planning systems and comparing spatial planning issues in the three countries. We focus on statutory approaches and those contained in central-level strategic acts. In each country, spatial planning issues are covered by numerous laws, generating confusion when interpreting individual provisions. Our study makes an important, innovative contribution to the academic discussion by proposing a way of comparing and analyzing approaches of national authorities to spatial planning.
The Impacts of Tourism Development on Urban–Rural Integration: An Empirical Study Undertaken in the Yangtze River Delta Region
Authors: Tan Jiaxin , Wang Kai , Gan Chang , Ma Xuefeng
Published: July 2023

A viable pathway towards achieving shared prosperity is made possible by the growth of tourism, which encourages the movement of urban and rural elements. This harmonious alignment of tourism development and urban–rural integration also helps to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas. This study uses a set of panel regression models to investigate whether tourism growth promotes urban–rural integration within 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta Region of China from 2010 to 2020. The findings show that the effect of tourism development on urban–rural integration is significantly positive, displaying significant heterogeneity across various times and city sizes. Furthermore, tourism development exhibits a threshold effect and city-type heterogeneity concerning urban–rural integration. The effect demonstrates significant continuous growth along with the expansion of economic growth. However, the impact of tourism development on urban–rural integration demonstrates a distinct promotional threshold effect, and its positive effect appears to be weakened.
ZmCOP1 Regulates Maize Mesocotyl Length and Plant Height through the Phytohormone Pathways
Authors: Chen Liping , Li Qiuhua , Wang Ming , Xiao Feng , Li Kangshi , Yang Ran , Sun Meng , Zhang Haiyan , Guo Jinjie , Chen Jingtang , Jiao Fuchao
Published: July 2023

The morphogenesis of crops is critical to their yield performance. COP1 (constitutively photomorphogenic1) is one of the core regulators in plant morphogenesis and has been deeply studied in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the function of COP1 in maize is still unclear. Here, we found that the mesocotyl lengths of zmcop1 loss-of-function mutants were shorter than those of wild-type B73 in darkness, while the mesocotyl lengths of lines with ZmCOP1 overexpression were longer than those of wild-type B104. The plant height with zmcop1 was shorter than that of B73 in both short- and long-day photoperiods. Using transcriptome RNA sequencing technology, we identified 33 DEGs (differentially expressed genes) between B73′s etiolated seedlings and those featuring zmcop1, both in darkness. The DEGs were mainly enriched in the plant phytohormone pathways. Our results provide direct evidence that ZmCOP1 functions in the elongation of etiolated seedlings in darkness and affects plant height in light. Our data can be applied in the improvement of maize plant architecture.
Realization of Amyloid-like Aggregation as a Common Cause for Pathogenesis in Diseases
Authors: Naskar Soumick , Gour Nidhi
Published: July 2023

Amyloids were conventionally referred to as extracellular and intracellular accumulation of Aβ42 peptide, which causes the formation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles inside the brain leading to the pathogenesis in Alzheimer’s disease. Subsequently, amyloid-like deposition was found in the etiology of prion diseases, Parkinson’s disease, type II diabetes, and cancer, which was attributed to the aggregation of prion protein, α-Synuclein, islet amyloid polypeptide protein, and p53 protein, respectively. Hence, traditionally amyloids were considered aggregates formed exclusively by proteins or peptides. However, since the last decade, it has been discovered that other metabolites, like single amino acids, nucleobases, lipids, glucose derivatives, etc., have a propensity to form amyloid-like toxic assemblies. Several studies suggest direct implications of these metabolite assemblies in the patho-physiology of various inborn errors of metabolisms like phenylketonuria, tyrosinemia, cystinuria, and Gaucher’s disease, to name a few. In this review, we present a comprehensive literature overview that suggests amyloid-like structure formation as a common phenomenon for disease progression and pathogenesis in multiple syndromes. The review is devoted to providing readers with a broad knowledge of the structure, mode of formation, propagation, and transmission of different extracellular amyloids and their implications in the pathogenesis of diseases. We strongly believe a review on this topic is urgently required to create awareness about the understanding of the fundamental molecular mechanism behind the origin of diseases from an amyloid perspective and possibly look for a common therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these maladies by designing generic amyloid inhibitors.
Cell Culture Systems for Studying Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D Virus Infections
Authors: Lee Grace Sanghee , Purdy Michael A. , Choi Youkyung
Published: July 2023

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections cause liver disease, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV infection remains a major global health problem. In 2019, 296 million people were living with chronic hepatitis B and about 5% of them were co-infected with HDV. In vitro cell culture systems are instrumental in the development of therapeutic targets. Cell culture systems contribute to identifying molecular mechanisms for HBV and HDV propagation, finding drug targets for antiviral therapies, and testing antiviral agents. Current HBV therapeutics, such as nucleoside analogs, effectively suppress viral replication but are not curative. Additionally, no effective treatment for HDV infection is currently available. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop therapies to treat both viral infections. A robust in vitro cell culture system supporting HBV and HDV infections (HBV/HDV) is a critical prerequisite to studying HBV/HDV pathogenesis, the complete life cycle of HBV/HDV infections, and consequently identifying new therapeutics. However, the lack of an efficient cell culture system hampers the development of novel antiviral strategies for HBV/HDV infections. In vitro cell culture models have evolved with significant improvements over several decades. Recently, the development of the HepG2-NTCP sec+ cell line, expressing the sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide receptor (NTCP) and self-assembling co-cultured primary human hepatocytes (SACC-PHHs) has opened new perspectives for a better understanding of HBV and HDV lifecycles and the development of specific antiviral drug targets against HBV/HDV infections. We address various cell culture systems along with different cell lines and how these cell culture systems can be used to provide better tools for HBV and HDV studies.
Effectiveness of an Integrated Mobile Application for Lifestyle Modifications in Overweight Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Lee Haneul , Lee Seon-Heui
Published: July 2023

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women, characterized by hormonal imbalances and metabolic disturbances. Lifestyle modifications, including weight loss, are crucial for the management of PCOS symptoms. Mobile applications have emerged as promising tools to support lifestyle modifications. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week integrated lifestyle modification program, which used a mobile application, among overweight women with PCOS. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 28 participants, who were assigned to either treatment group, which received a 12-week lifestyle modification program facilitated by a mobile application, or the control group, who were instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle and received an evidence-based leaflet containing information on PCOS. The primary outcome measure was a change in weight over 12 weeks. Insulin resistance, levels of sex hormones, hirsutism, acne, and depressive symptoms were measured as secondary outcomes. The results showed significant weight loss in the treatment group compared to the control group (3.19 vs. 0.79 kg; p < 0.05). Similarly, significant improvements were observed across time in postprandial insulin levels (22.25 vs. 9.29 μIU/mL), hirsutism (2.98 vs. −0.16 points), and depression (7.73 vs. 1.7 points) (p < 0.05) between the two groups. This study highlights the potential benefits of using a mobile application to support lifestyle modifications, including weight loss and improvement in depressive symptoms, in overweight women with PCOS. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and incorporation of advanced technologies to enhance PCOS management outcomes. Mobile applications for lifestyle modifications offer a promising avenue for addressing the unique challenges faced by women with PCOS and provide accessible and personalized support for their health needs.
Comparative Studies on the Anti-Inflammatory and Apoptotic Activities of Four Greek Essential Oils: Involvement in the Regulation of NF-κΒ and Steroid Receptor Signaling
Authors: Georgantopoulos Achilleas , Vougioukas Athanasios , Kalousi Foteini D. , Tsialtas Ioannis , Psarra Anna-Maria G.
Published: July 2023

Essential oils (EOs) are well-known for their anti-fungal, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and relaxing activities. Steroid hormones, especially glucocorticoids, are also well-known for their anti-inflammatory activities and control of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and glucose homeostasis. The biological activities of glucocorticoids render them the most widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, despite their adverse side effects. In this study, comparative studies of the anti-inflammatory activities and interference with glucocorticoids receptor (GR) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling of EOs from Greek Oregano, Melissa officinalis, Lavender and from the Chios Mastic, produced from the Greek endemic mastic tree, were performed in Human Embryonic Kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells. Chios Mastic (Mastiha) and oregano EOs exhibited the highest anti-inflammatory activities. The former showed a reduction in both NF-κB activity and protein levels. Mastic essential oil also caused a reduction in GR protein levels that may compensate for its boosting effect on dexamethasone (DEX)-induced GR transcriptional activation, ending up in no induction of the gluconeogenic phoshoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) protein levels that constitute the GR target. Oregano, Melissa officinalis and lavender EOs caused the suppression of the transcriptional activation of GR. Furthermore, the most active EO, that taken from Melissa officinalis, showed a reduction in both GR and PEPCK protein levels. Thus, the anti-inflammatory and anti-gluconeogenic activities of the EOs were uncovered, possibly via the regulation of GR signaling. Moreover, cytotoxic actions of Melissa officinalis and lavender EOs via the induction of mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis were revealed. Our results highlight these essentials oils’ anti-inflammatory and apoptotic actions in relation to their implication on the regulation of steroid hormones’ actions, uncovering their potential use in steroid therapy, with many applications in pharmaceutical and health industries as anti-cancer, anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory supplements.
Design of Radial-Inflow Turbines for Low-Temperature Organic Rankine Cycle
Authors: Zhang Jiangnan , Tang Yi
Published: July 2023

This study presents the development of a design method that has been extended to the design of radial-inflow turbines operating in organic Rankine cycles (ORC). Both the conventional design method and the circulation method available in the literature have been reviewed. The two main limitations of the current circulation method that make it not suitable for the ORC turbine design are the lack of real gas capability and 3D blades with high stresses. Using the circulation method, the flow field is decomposed into a potential part and a rotational part. The mean velocity field and the periodic velocity field are solved separately. To model the thermodynamic properties of the real gas, NIST REFPROP or CoolProp are used. The blade geometry is then solved iteratively by assuming that the velocity vector is parallel to the blade surface. The blade boundary condition is modified to force the blade camber to be radial-fibred, which is helpful to reduce the centrifugal bending stress on the blade. All the formulations are derived step by step, and the numerical treatments, including grid generation, numerical differentiation, computational scheme, and convergence, are discussed in detail. This method is validated by designing a R245fa ORC turbine rotor. The performance of the rotor design is predicted by CFD and FEA simulations, and it is compared to the results using other methodologies in the literature.
Spacer Thickness and Temperature Dependences of the Interlayer Exchange Coupling in a Co/Pt/Co Three-Layer Structure
Authors: Gornakov V. S. , Shashkov I. V. , Tikhomirov O. A. , Kabanov Yu. P.
Published: July 2023

Domain wall mobility as a function of nonmagnetic interlayer thickness and temperature was studied in ultrathin exchange-coupled ferromagnetic layers using magneto-optic Kerr microscopy. The system under study is a Pt/Co/Pt/Co/Pt heterostructure having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and a middle Pt layer with spatially variable thickness. The ferromagnetic interaction between the Co layers is observed when the Pt interlayer thickness varies from 5 to 6 nm in a temperature range of 200–300 K. There is a certain interval of Pt layer thickness where domain walls in both ferromagnetic layers move independently. Nonlinear dependence of the domain wall displacement on the applied field was measured. It is shown that an equilibrium position of the relaxed domain wall depends on field, temperature, and the nonmagnetic interlayer thickness. This position is determined by the energy balance: (i) domain wall displacement provided by the applied field, (ii) interlayer exchange interaction in the area swept by the domain wall, and (iii) domain wall coercivity. The mechanism of domain wall stabilization in terms of independent wall motion near critical thickness was considered. It is found that both the coercivity of the Co layer and the critical thickness decrease at higher temperature, while the interlayer exchange constant J is changed weakly.
Performance of an Adaptive Optimization Paradigm for Optimal Operation of a Mono-Switch Class E Induction Heating Application
Authors: Aziz Saddam , Lai Cheung-Ming , Loo Ka Hong
Published: July 2023

The progress of technology involves the continuous improvement of current machines to attain higher levels of energy efficiency, operational dependability, and effectiveness. Induction heating is a thermal process that involves the heating of materials that possess electrical conductivity, such as metals. This technique finds diverse applications, including induction welding and induction cooking pots. The optimization of the operating point of the inverter discussed in this study necessitated the resolution of a pair of non-convex mathematical models to enhance the energy efficiency of the inverters and mitigate switching losses. In order to determine the most advantageous operational location, a sophisticated surface optimization was conducted, requiring the implementation of a sophisticated optimization methodology, such as the adaptive black widow optimization algorithm. The methodology draws inspiration from the resourceful behavior of female black widow spiders in their quest for nourishment. Its straightforward control variable design and limited computational complexity make it a feasible option for addressing multi-dimensional engineering problems within confined constraints. The primary objective of utilizing the adaptive black widow optimization algorithm in the context of induction heating is to optimize the pertinent process parameters, including power level, frequency, coil design, and material properties, with the ultimate goal of efficiently achieving the desired heating outcomes. The utilization of the adaptive black widow optimization algorithm presents a versatile and robust methodology for addressing optimization problems in the field of induction heating. This is due to its capacity to effectively manage intricate, non-linear, and multi-faceted optimization predicaments. The adaptive black widow optimization algorithm has been modified in order to enhance the optimization process and guarantee the identification of the global optimum. The empirical findings derived from an authentic inverter setup were compared with the hypothetical results.
Early Identification of Risk Factors in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Using Machine Learning
Authors: Guarneros-Nolasco Luis Rolando , Alor-Hernández Giner , Prieto-Avalos Guillermo , Sánchez-Cervantes José Luis
Published: July 2023

Liver diseases are a widespread and severe health concern, affecting millions worldwide. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) alone affects one-third of the global population, with some Latin American countries seeing rates exceeding 50%. This alarming trend has prompted researchers to explore new methods for identifying those at risk. One promising approach is using Machine Learning Algorithms (MLAs), which can help predict critical factors contributing to liver disease development. Our study examined nine different MLAs across four datasets to determine their effectiveness in predicting this condition. We analyzed each algorithm’s performance using five important metrics: accuracy, precision, recall, f1-score, and roc_auc. Our results showed that these algorithms were highly effective when used individually and as part of an ensemble modeling technique such as bagging or boosting. We identified alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and albumin as the top four attributes most strongly associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk across all datasets. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), hemoglobin, age, and prothrombin time also played significant roles. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into how we can better detect and prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases by leveraging advanced machine learning techniques. As such, it represents an exciting opportunity for healthcare professionals seeking more accurate diagnostic tools while improving patient outcomes globally.
Epidemiological Investigation: Important Measures for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19 Epidemic in China
Authors: Zhu Cheng-Cheng , Zhu Jiang , Shao Jie
Published: July 2023

Based on China’s summary of three years of experience and measures in the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic, we have built a COVID-19 prevention and control model integrating health and medical detection, big data information technology to track the trend of the epidemic throughout the whole process, isolation of key epidemic areas, and dynamic prevention and control management throughout the whole process. This model provides a simple, feasible, and theoretically reliable prevention and control model for future large-scale infectious disease prevention and control. The Lyapnov functional method is replaced by the global exponential attractor theory, which provides a new mathematical method for studying the global stability of the multi parameter, multi variable infectious disease prevention and control system. We extracted mathematical methods and models suitable for non-mathematical infectious disease researchers from profound and difficult to understand mathematical theories. Using the results of the global exponential Attractor theory obtained in this paper, we studied the global dynamics of the COVID-19 model with an epidemiological investigation. The results demonstrated that the non-constant disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable when λ*<0, and the COVID-19 epidemic is persisting uniformly when λ*>0. In order to understand the impact of the epidemiological investigation under different prevention and control stages in China, we compare the control effects of COVID-19 under different levels of epidemiological investigation policies. We visually demonstrate the global stability and global exponential attractiveness of the COVID-19 model with transferors between regions and epidemiological investigation in a temporal-spatial heterogeneous environment with the help of numerical simulations. We find that the epidemiological investigation really has a significant effect on the prevention and control of the epidemic situation, and we can also intuitively observe the relationship between the flow of people (including tourism, shopping, work and so on) and epidemiological investigation policies. Our model is adapted to different stages of prevention and control; the emergency “circuit breaker” mechanism of the model is also consistent with actual prevention and control.
Preface to the Special Issue on “Differential Games and Its Applications”
Authors: Pansera Bruno Antonio , Ferrara Massimiliano , Guerrini Luca , Ciano Tiziana
Published: July 2023

The study of differential games has practical applications in the analysis and resolution of conflict issues by the use of differential equations [...]
Direct Method for Identification of Two Coefficients of Acoustic Equation
Authors: Novikov Nikita , Shishlenin Maxim
Published: July 2023

We consider the coefficient inverse problem for the 2D acoustic equation. The problem is recovering the speed of sound in the medium (which depends only on the depth) and the density (function of both variables). We describe the method, based on the Gelfand–Levitan–Krein approach, which allows us to obtain both functions by solving two sets of integral equations. The main advantage of the proposed approach is that the method does not use the multiple solution of direct problems, and thus has quite low CPU time requirements. We also consider the variation of the method for the 1D case, where the variation of the wave equation is considered. We illustrate the results with numerical experiments in the 1D and 2D case and study the efficiency and stability of the approach.
A Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Evaluation System for Share Price Prediction: A Tesla Case Study
Authors: Hašková Simona , Šuleř Petr , Kuchár Róbert
Published: July 2023

The article presents the predictive capabilities of a fuzzy multi-criteria evaluation system that operates on the basis of a non-fuzzy neural approach, but also one that is capable of implementing a learning paradigm and working with vague concepts. Within this context, the necessary elements of fuzzy logic are identified and the algebraic formulation of the fuzzy system is presented. It is with the help of the aforementioned that the task of predicting the short-term trend and price of the Tesla share is solved. The functioning of a fuzzy system and fuzzy neural network in the field of time series value prediction is discussed. The authors are inclined to the opinion that, despite the fact that a fuzzy neural network reacts in terms of applicability and effectiveness when solving prediction problems in relation to input data with a faster output than a fuzzy system, and is more “user friendly”, a sufficiently knowledgeable and experienced solver/expert could, by using a fuzzy system, achieve a higher speed of convergence in the learning process than a fuzzy neural network using the minimum range of input data carrying the necessary information. A fuzzy system could therefore be a possible alternative to a fuzzy neural network from the point of view of prediction.
Reduction of DC Capacitor Size in Three-Phase Input/Single-Phase Output Power Cells of Multi-Cell Converters through Resonant and Predictive Control: A Characterization of Its Impact on the Operating Region
Authors: Ramírez Roberto O. , Baier Carlos R. , Villarroel Felipe , Espinosa Eduardo , Arevalo Mauricio , Espinoza Jose R.
Published: July 2023

Cascaded H-bridge drives require using a significant-size capacitor on each cell to deal with the oscillatory power generated by the H-bridge inverter in the DC-link. This results in a bulky cell with reduced reliability due to the circulating second harmonic current through the DC-link capacitors. In this article, a control strategy based on a finite control set model predictive control and a proportional-resonant controller is proposed to compensate for the oscillatory power required by the H-bridge inverter through the cell’s input rectifier. With the proposed strategy, a DC-link second harmonic free operation is achieved, allowing for the possibility of reducing the capacitor size and, in consequence, the cell dimensions. The feasibility of the proposed control scheme is verified by experimental results in one cell of a cascade H-bridge inverter achieving an operation with a capacitance 141 times smaller than required by conventional control approaches for the same voltage ripple.
A Stochastic Control Approach for Constrained Stochastic Differential Games with Jumps and Regimes
Authors: Savku Emel
Published: July 2023

We develop an approach for two-player constraint zero-sum and nonzero-sum stochastic differential games, which are modeled by Markov regime-switching jump-diffusion processes. We provide the relations between a usual stochastic optimal control setting and a Lagrangian method. In this context, we prove corresponding theorems for two different types of constraints, which lead us to find real-valued and stochastic Lagrange multipliers, respectively. Then, we illustrate our results for a nonzero-sum game problem with the stochastic maximum principle technique. Our application is an example of cooperation between a bank and an insurance company, which is a popular, well-known business agreement type called Bancassurance.
Invadopodia Formation in Cancer Cell: The Mathematical and Computational Modelling Based on Free Boundary Problem
Authors: Ramlee Muhammad Akmal , Loling Othman Nuha , Suzuki Takashi
Published: July 2023

We present a mathematical model of an individual cell to expand the simulation of invadopodia formation to a three-dimensional (3D) domain for a more realistic complexity. Simulating invadopodia replication in order for it to be biologically relevant is important since it helps us to understand cancer invasion and metastasis better as well as giving some insight into investigating ways to stop the spread of this fatal disease. Invadopodia formation is formulated using the Stefan problem approach, where the free boundary is characterised by the Stefan free boundary condition, in which the boundary membrane is not known in advance. Level set method is proposed to indicate the behaviour of the cell interface and the motion of the plasma membrane. An enthalpy method (phase-transition problem) is used to describe the cell membrane diffusion. In addition to this, we were able to improve the simulation outcome, giving it a more realistic complexity by using a different simulation technique and domain as well as a different data set. Singularities and instabilities were eliminated. The results that were achieved have the potential to be helpful for novel approaches or to be extended to other methods in the development of a more accurate numerical simulation.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Autoimmune Bullous Diseases: A Case Series from a Central European Referral Center
Authors: Spałek Maciej Marek , Bowszyc-Dmochowska Monika , Dmochowski Marian
Published: July 2023

Background and Objectives: Autoimmune bullous diseases (AIBDs) may be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits and safety profiles of high-dose IVIG therapy in AIBD patients, as determined by clinical remission, the glucocorticosteroid-sparing effect, and adverse events at 12 months follow-up in a Central European university dermatology department setting. Materials and Methods: Our case series included 10 patients: five patients with pemphigus vulgaris, one with pemphigus herpetiformis, one with pemphigus foliaceus, one with bullous pemphigoid, two with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. They underwent 4–12 monthly cycles of IVIG therapy at a dose of 2 g/kg per cycle. Results: The prednisone dosage reduction after 2, 6, and 12 months following the final IVIG course was 65.45%, 70.91%, and 76.37%, respectively. During the 12-month observation period, disease relapse was observed in 20% of patients, while others achieved complete or partial remission without or with minimal therapy. Side effects were seen in 80% of patients; they were transient and did not necessitate discontinuation of IVIG. Conclusions: IVIG demonstrates effectiveness as a treatment with a favorable safety profile. Nevertheless, its high cost remains a significant drawback, particularly in low-income countries. IVIG should be considered, especially in patients opposed to standard therapies or with contraindications to their use.
A Case of Biliary Cast Syndrome with Cholangiocarcinoma-like Lesion in a Patient with No History of Liver Transplantation
Authors: Jo Sa-Hong , Choi Ho-Cheol , Park Sung-Eun , Moon Jin-Il , Won Jung-Ho , Na Jae-Boem , Kim Yang-Won , Yang Won-Jeong , Koo Byeong-Ju , Ahn Jae-Kyeong , Kim Seong-Je
Published: July 2023

Background and Objectives: Biliary cast syndrome, which was first reported in 1975, is a rare disease that occurs after liver transplantation. The incidence is even lower in patients who have not undergone liver transplantation. This study reports a rare case of biliary cast syndrome with cholangiocarcinoma-like lesions in a patient who did not undergo liver transplantation. Case Report: Herein, we report a case of a 69-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain and elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, who had a history of total gastrectomy for gastric cancer and laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Computed tomography (CT) revealed longitudinal bile stones in the extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts and abrupt narrowing of the left main bile duct accompanied by a narrowing of the upstream bile duct in the left lobe of the liver. Based on the CT findings, the removal of the bile stones in the bile duct and additional examinations of the suspected cholangiocarcinoma were performed. The patient’s symptoms improved, and examinations for suspected cholangiocarcinoma showed no abnormal findings, and he was discharged one month later. Conclusions: The purpose of this case report is to share a rare case of Biliary Cast Syndrome (BCS) occurring without liver transplantation. Additionally, the report aims to share image findings that mimic cancer in BCS, with the goal of reducing unnecessary repetitive biopsies, minimizing patient discomfort, and decreasing unnecessary costs by aiding in the diagnosis of BCS.