bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overlapping Features and Microstructures of Coarse Grain Heat-Affected Zones in Swing Arc Narrow Gap GMA Welded EH40 Grade Steels
Authors: Ni Zhida , Hu Fengya , Dong Bolun , Cai Xiaoyu , Lin Sanbao
Published: December 2022

Swing arc narrow gap GMA welding experiments were carried out with a Box–Behnken response surface design. Weld metal and heat-affected sizes were measured from the joints obtained, and an ANOVA was performed to obtain well-fitting models for definition of the heat-affected length. Overlapping patterns and microstructures were analyzed and observed in zones within the heat-affected length through the thickness direction. In addition, thermal processes in typical zones of HAZs were calculated by FEM and analyzed to explain the patterns in the typical coarse grain heat-affected zones (CG-HAZs) with thermal simulated microstructures attached. It was realized that a single pass could only be confused with an austenitized process by two passes. The coarse grain heat-affected zone of a single pass could be divided into an unaltered coarse grain heat-affected zone (UACG-HAZ), a supercritically reheated coarse grain heat-affected zone (SCRCG-HAZ) and an intercritically reheated heat-affected zone (IRCG-HAZ). It is likely that there would be an intercritically reheated UACG-HAZ upon the UACG-HAZ. The microstructures in the CG-HAZs and the UACG-HAZ were mainly lath bainite and a little acicular ferrite; the microstructures in the SCRCG-HAZ were short lath bainite, granular bainite and acicular ferrite and the microstructures in the IRCG-HAZ were massive textures and secondary austenite decomposition products. The cooling times in the typical bainite transformation procedures were similar to one another in a secondary austenitized process and significantly longer than those in a single austenitized thermal cycle, which caused similar patterns in reheated CG-HAZs and an increase in acicular ferrite compared to CG-HAZs. The prior austenite grain sizes caused differences among the reheated CG-HAZs.
Design of Porous Shape Memory Alloys with Small Mechanical Hysteresis
Authors: Wu Zheng , Liu Baosheng , Wei Jiali , Yang Yuanxi , Zhang Xudong , Deng Junkai
Published: December 2022

The mechanical hysteresis loop behavior always limits the applicability of shape memory alloys (SMAs) in mechanical devices requiring high sensitivity, durability and energy conversion efficiency. In this study, through experiments and finite element simulations, we systematically investigated the effects of porosity and pore distribution on the mechanical hysteresis behavior of porous Ti49.2Ni50.8 SMAs. Inspired by atomic crystal structures, some porous SMAs with ordered void distributions were investigated to compare them with SMAs with random pore distributions. Our results show that the hysteresis reduces with increasing porosity in porous SMAs. The designed BCC-type ordered porous SMAs possess a narrower hysteresis loop with less energy dissipation at the same porosity. The gradual and homogenous martensitic-phase transformations are responsible for this characteristic. The present work provides an effective way to design porous SMAs with narrow hysteresis, which is promising in applications for mechanical sensors or actuators.
Full Stokes Polarization Imaging Based on Broadband Liquid Crystal Polarization Gratings
Authors: Xuan Yan , Guo Qi , Zhao Huijie , Zhang Hao
Published: December 2022

A method for full Stokes polarization imaging based on broadband liquid crystal polarization grating (LCPG) is presented. Firstly, the properties of the LCPG-based polarization detection module, which consists of a phase retarder and a broadband polarization grating in series, were investigated by means of Stokes calculus. The relationship between the polarization state of the incidence and the efficiencies of the diffractions was derived. Then, the azimuth parameters of the polarization detection module were optimized by using an equally weighted variance (EWV) evaluation criterion. Finally, the detection of the linearly and arbitrarily polarized laser beam and a linearly polarized broadband object were experimentally verified. The proposed method provides the design of polarization imaging systems based on LCPGs and has the advantages of compact structure, and broad wavelength coverage, therefore offering potential applications for image polarization information acquisition.
Correlating Electrode Degradation with Weldability of Galvanized BH 220 Steel during the Electrode Failure Process of Resistance Spot Welding
Authors: Zhao Dawei , Vdonin Nikita , Bezgans Yuriy , Radionova Lyudmila , Glebov Lev
Published: December 2022

Electrode degradation in the continuous resistance spot-welding process of baked hardening (BH) 220 steel was evaluated by an electrode life test, and weldability tests were conducted by geometry feature measurement, mechanical property analysis, and electrode diameter measurement with 88 or 176 weld intervals. The analysis of weld geometry shows that the heat-affected zone (HAZ) width, nugget diameter, and nugget area tend to decrease rapidly, while the nugget height tends to increase with the weld repetitions until the welding heat input becomes too small to form an effective nugget. The maximum displacement and failure energy of the welded joints show a decreasing trend during the welding electrode failure process, while the peak load increases slightly until the 88th weld and then decreases. The cavities and pores in the nugget mainly appear after the 176th spot weld. The electrode diameter increases during welding. The reason for the increase in electrode diameter may be that the contact area between the electrode and the BH 220 steel sheets becomes smaller in the welding process, which causes the continuous sticking phenomenon between the electrode and the BH 220 steel sheets. In the absence of alloying, the edge of the electrode is geometrically deformed, while Cu–Zn–Fe alloying occurs in the area in contact with the BH 220 steel sheet.
Simulation and Experimental Analysis of Tool Wear and Surface Roughness in Laser Assisted Machining of Titanium Alloy
Authors: Kong Xianjun , Dang Zhanpeng , Liu Xiaole , Wang Minghai , Hou Ning
Published: December 2022

A three-dimensional cutting simulation prediction model based on DEFORM-3D finite element software was developed and experimentally validated, with a maximum error of 21.1% between the experimental and simulation results. The effects of the difference in cutting mechanism between conventional machining (CM) and laser-assisted machining (LAM) of TC6 titanium alloy on the tool wear and the surface roughness were investigated in terms of the cutting force and the cutting temperature. The depth of the laser-heated layer was mainly responsible for the difference in the cutting mechanism between the two methods. When the depth of the heating layer was smaller than the cutting depth, the tool wear of the LAM was larger than that of the CM. When the depth of the heating layer was larger than the cut depth, the surface roughness of the LAM was higher than that of the CM. Range analysis revealed that the cutting speed had the largest effect on the maximum wear depth of the rake face. Based on linear regression analysis, the cutting depth had a larger effect on the surface roughness in LAM. The average error between the linear regression prediction equation and the experimental results for surface roughness was 4.30%.
Increased Circulating Epithelial Tumor Cells (CETC/CTC) over the Course of Adjuvant Radiotherapy Is a Predictor of Less Favorable Outcome in Patients with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Mäurer Matthias , Schott Dorothea , Pizon Monika , Drozdz Sonia , Wendt Thomas , Wittig Andrea , Pachmann Katharina
Published: December 2022

Background: Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) is an integral component of a multidisciplinary treatment strategy for early-stage breast cancer. It significantly reduces the incidence of loco-regional recurrence but also of distant events. Distant events are due to tumor cells disseminated from the primary tumor into lymphatic fluid or blood, circulating epithelial tumor cells (CETC/CTC), which can reach distant tissues and regrow into metastases. The purpose of this study is to determine changes in the number of CETC/CTC in the course of adjuvant RT, and to evaluate whether they are correlated to local recurrence and distant metastases in breast cancer patients. Methods: Blood from 165 patients irradiated between 2002 and 2012 was analyzed 0–6 weeks prior to and 0–6 weeks after RT using the maintrac® method, and patients were followed over a median period of 8.97 (1.16–19.09) years. Results: Patients with an increase in CETC/CTC numbers over the course of adjuvant RT had a significantly worse disease-free survival (p = 0.004) than patients with stable or decreasing CETC/CTC numbers. CETC/CTC behavior was the most important factor in predicting subsequent relapse-free survival. In particular, patients who had received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were disproportionately more likely to develop metastases when cell counts increased over the course of RT (p = 0.003; hazard ratio 4.886). Conclusions: Using the maintrac® method, CETC/CTC were detected in almost all breast cancer patients after surgery. The increase in CETC/CTC numbers over the course of RT represents a potential predictive biomarker to judge relative risk/benefit in patients with early breast cancer. The results of this study highlight the need for prospective clinical trials on CETC/CTC status as a predictive criterion and for individualization of treatment. Clinical Trial registration: The trial is registered (2 May 2019) at trials.gov under NCT03935802.
The Role of Glucocorticoids in Breast Cancer Therapy
Authors: Mitre-Aguilar Irma B. , Moreno-Mitre Daniel , Melendez-Zajgla Jorge , Maldonado Vilma , Jacobo-Herrera Nadia J. , Ramirez-Gonzalez Victoria , Mendoza-Almanza Gretel
Published: December 2022

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive steroid molecules secreted by the adrenal gland and regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. GCs present a circadian release pattern under normal conditions; they increase their release under stress conditions. Their mechanism of action can be via the receptor-independent or receptor-dependent pathway. The receptor-dependent pathway translocates to the nucleus, where the ligand-receptor complex binds to specific sequences in the DNA to modulate the transcription of specific genes. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its endogenous ligand cortisol (CORT) in humans, and corticosterone in rodents or its exogenous ligand, dexamethasone (DEX), have been extensively studied in breast cancer. Its clinical utility in oncology has mainly focused on using DEX as an antiemetic to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In this review, we compile the results reported in the literature in recent years, highlighting current trends and unresolved controversies in this field. Specifically, in breast cancer, GR is considered a marker of poor prognosis, and a therapeutic target for the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtype, and efforts are being made to develop better GR antagonists with fewer side effects. It is necessary to know the type of breast cancer to differentiate the treatment for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, ER-negative, and TNBC, to implement therapies that include the use of GCs.
LKB1 Loss Assessed by Immunohistochemistry as a Prognostic Marker to First-Line Therapy in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Avilés-Salas Alejandro , Díaz-García Diego A. , Lara-Mejía Luis , Cardona Andrés F. , Orozco-Morales Mario , Catalán Rodrigo , Hernández-Pedro Norma Y. , Rios-Garcia Eduardo , Ramos-Ramírez Maritza , Arrieta Oscar
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: Liver kinase B1 (LKB1) is a tumor suppressor gene involved in cell growth and metabolism. However, its alterations are not routinely assessed for guiding therapy in clinical practice. We assessed LKB1 expression by immunohistochemistry as a potential biomarker. (2) Methods: This bicentric retrospective cohort study analyzed data from patients with advanced NSCLC who initiated platinum-based chemotherapy or epidermal growth factor receptor- tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) between January 2016 and December 2020. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression models were used for survival curves and multivariate analysis. (3) Results: 110 patients were evaluated, and the clinical stage IV predominated the lung adenocarcinoma histology. LKB1 loss was observed in 66.3% of cases. LKB1 loss was associated with non-smokers, the absence of wood smoke exposure and an EGFR wild-type status. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in the population were 11.1 and 26.8 months, respectively, in the loss group, compared with cases exhibiting a positive expression. After an adjustment by age, smoking status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Score (ECOG-PS), EGFR status and type of administered therapy, LKB1 loss was significantly associated with worse PFS and OS. (4) Conclusion: Patients with an LKB1 loss had worse clinical outcomes. This study warrants prospective assessments to confirm the prognostic role of the LKB1 expression in advanced NSCLC.
Development and Validation of Prognostic Nomograms for Periampullary Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A SEER Database Analysis
Authors: Chen Jinghua , Chen Qichen , Deng Yiqiao , Jiang Yujuan , Huang Zhen , Zhou Jianguo , Zhao Hong , Cai Jianqiang
Published: December 2022

(1) Background: Periampullary neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors that lack a prognostic prediction model. We aimed to design comprehensive and effective nomograms to predict prognosis; (2) Methods: Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to screen out significant variables for the construction of the nomograms. The discrimination and calibration of the nomograms were carried out using calibration plots, concordance indices (C-indices), and area under time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves (time-dependent AUCs). Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to compare the clinical applicability of the nomograms, TNM (Tumor- Node-Metastasis) stage, and SEER stage; (3) Results: The independent risk factors for overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with periampullary NENs included age, tumor size, histology, differentiation, N stage, M stage, and surgery, which were used to construct the nomograms. The calibration curves and C-indices showed a high degree of agreement between the predicted and actual observed survival rates. The AUCs displayed good calibration and acceptable discrimination of the nomograms. Additionally, the DCA curves indicated that the nomograms showed better clinical applicability; (4) Conclusions: We developed and validated nomogram prognostic models for patients with periampullary NENs. The nomograms provided insightful and applicable tools to evaluate prognosis.
Pathology of Cholangiocarcinomas
Authors: Guedj Nathalie
Published: December 2022

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCA) are heterogeneous tumors that arise from epithelial cells of the biliary tract. They represent the second primary liver malignancy, after hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent epidemiological data show an increased incidence of intrahepatic CCA without any identified causes. According to their location on the biliary tract, intrahepatic, perihilar (p) and distal (d) CCA can be individualized. Intrahepatic CCA (iCCA) are subdivided into small duct type iCCA and large duct type iCCA, according to the level or size of the biliary duct affected. These two subgroups are characterized by distinct risk factors, gross aspect, histopathological and molecular features, and therapeutic management. The role of biopsy in iCCA is to confirm the diagnosis and to eliminate various differential diagnostics, in particular, metastases. In p/d CCA, biopsy requires more invasive approaches, and tissue samples are difficult to obtain, leading to a high rate of false negatives. In this review, we will discuss the different classifications of CCA (anatomical and macroscopic). We will describe the various microscopic and phenotypic subtypes of CCA. Finally, we will deal with their mode of extension, the role of biopsy and pre-neoplastic lesions.
Optimizing Adjuvant Treatment Recommendations for Older Women with Biologically Favorable Breast Cancer: Short-Course Radiation or Long-Course Endocrine Therapy?
Authors: McDuff Susan G. R. , Blitzblau Rachel C.
Published: December 2022

Omission of radiotherapy among older women taking 5 years of adjuvant endocrine therapy following breast conserving surgery for early-stage, hormone sensitive breast cancers is well-studied. However, endocrine therapy toxicities are significant, and many women have difficulty tolerating endocrine therapy, particularly elderly patients with comorbidities. Omission of endocrine therapy among women receiving adjuvant radiation is less well-studied, but available randomized and non-randomized data suggest that this approach may confer equivalent local control and survival for select patients. Herein we review available randomized and non-randomized outcome data for women treated with radiation monotherapy and emphasize the need for future prospective, randomized studies of endocrine therapy omission.
Energy Availability Factors Drive the Geographical Pattern of Tenebrionidae (Coleoptera) in the Arid and Semiarid Areas of China
Authors: Li Yalin , Wang Yujie , Zhang Hui , Lou Chengxu , Ren Guodong
Published: December 2022

Species richness is regarded as the core index of biogeography. Estimating the correlation between species richness and modern environmental factors will be of great significance for species conservation. The arid and semiarid areas of China present serious desertification, but there are rich biodiversity resources of high value. In this study, we evaluated species diversity, species richness, and the correlation between species richness and modern environmental factors using the species of Tenebrionidae in arid and semiarid areas of China, which will provide basic data for species conservation. The species richness was measured using 1° × 1° grid cells, and its determinants were explored based on generalized linear models (GLMs) and random forest models. A total of 696 species, belonging to 125 genera of 38 tribes and 7 subfamilies, were recorded in the study area. The non-uniform species richness pattern was presented, with more species in Altai, Tianshan, Nyenchen Thanglha and Helan Mountains. The species richness was affected by a variety of environmental factors. The variables representing energy availability and climate stability had stronger explanatory power, especially the annual mean temperature (BIO1) and the mean temperature of warmest quarter (BIO10). In contrast, water availability and habitat heterogeneity have relatively little correlation with species richness.
Ungulates and Their Impact on Reptiles: A Review of Interspecific Relationships
Authors: Teffo Thabang Rainett , Fehér Ádám , Katona Krisztián
Published: December 2022

Several ungulate species are showing increasing population patterns within their geographical distribution ranges, leading to constant interactions with other animal species. Varying densities and activities of different ungulates may result in diverse impacts on other coexisting species groups, including large numbers of threatened species, such as reptiles. In this study, we performed an analysis of the available literature to investigate the impacts of ungulates on reptiles. We aimed to reveal the diversity of: (1) the geographical and environmental distribution of related investigations; (2) the ungulate and reptile species involved; and (3) the characteristics of interactions (direct or indirect, positive or negative) from 69 publications. Our results show that the most papers were reported from the Americas (42%) and Australia (28%). The proportions of studies were balanced for wild ungulates (53%) and livestock (47%). Wild boar (Sus scrofa) was found to be the most problematic species on reptiles whereas reptiles which suffered the harshest impacts were Squamates (i.e., lizards, and snakes). Ungulate activities (e.g., digging by wild boar) may directly harm reptiles (consuming or killing them) or indirectly affect them by modifying their habitats or destroying their hideouts. Some preferential effects were also noted (e.g., by moderate livestock grazing or when wild ungulates are prey for large reptiles). Published livestock impacts were mainly indirect and mostly negatively linked to overgrazing. We conclude that it is important to manage and monitor the densities of ungulates to minimize their negative impacts on reptile species, especially in case of wild boar and grazing livestock, but also to maintain their moderate beneficial effects (e.g., as prey basis).
Epibionts of an Introduced King Crab in the Barents Sea: A Second Five-Year Study
Authors: Dvoretsky Alexander G. , Dvoretsky Vladimir G.
Published: December 2022

The biodiversity, infestation patterns, and spatial distribution of organisms living in association with the introduced red king crab Paralithodes camtschaticus were studied in Dalnezelenetskaya Bay, southern Barents Sea, in 2009–20013 to update a list of species, reveal long-term changes in this epibiotic community, and identify key factors affecting the prevalence and intensity of infestation. A total of 90 associated species were found throughout the study period, or twice as many as in 2004–2008, reflecting relatively low similarity between these periods. Half of the species were found on one to three crabs only. Copepods had the maximum diversity (23 species). For the first time, macroalgae were found as epibionts of red king crabs. Overall, the highest prevalences were found for the amphipod Ischyrocerus commensalis (74.2%), the copepods Tisbe furcata (57.7%) and Harpacticus uniremis (29.4%), the amphipod Ischyrocerus anguipes (27.3%), and the fish leech Johanssonia arctica (16.2%). Redundancy analysis showed that host size was the most important driver of species abundance, followed by shell condition, water temperatures in the coastal Barents Sea in May and June, and sex. These factors, coupled with the range expansion of red king crabs and climate changes in the Barents Sea, provide good explanations for the differences between the 2004–2008 and 2009–2013 fouling communities. Distribution patterns for common taxa on the host reflect larval settlement patterns and/or relationships between the host and associated species. These results expand our knowledge of infestation patterns for the invasive red king crab and provide a reference point for further monitoring.
Den-Dwelling Carnivores in Central Poland: Long-Term Trends in Abundance and Productivity
Authors: Krauze-Gryz Dagny , Gryz Jakub
Published: December 2022

The monitoring of medium-sized carnivores is essential because of their role in disease transmission and as predators. We focused on red foxes, badgers, raccoon dogs, and domestic dogs, and considered 9441 ha of field–forest mosaic in Central Poland. We compared current (2011–2018) abundance (i.e., number of natal dens recorded annually) and breeding parameters (assessed with the aid of camera traps) with published past data (1980s–1990s). The red fox population increased after rabies vaccinations were introduced and has increased further in the last few years. The population is now stable, which suggests that other factors, possibly mange, limit the population instead. Contrary to historical data, one-fourth of red fox females now breed outside of forests areas, indicating the high plasticity of the species. The number of natal dens of badgers and recruitment rates have also increased. The mean litter sizes of these two species are positively affected by small rodent availability. The raccoon dog, which is an alien and invasive species, used to be recorded sporadically but now breeds regularly (1.8 breeding cases yearly). Nowadays, free-ranging/feral domestic dogs are not controlled by culling, so they have started to breed in the wild (1.6 cases per year), which is a new occurrence.
Lack of Knowledge and Misperceptions on Photoprotection among Brazilian Youngsters
Authors: de Paula Corrêa Marcelo , Bolzan Martins Fabrina , Yamamoto Ana Letícia Campos , Paiva Natana Batista , Silva Luiz Felipe , Souza Reynaldo José Sant’Anna Pereira de , Motta Melo Mayara , de Carvalho Ribeiro Clarissa Santos
Published: December 2022

Daily photoprotection (PhP) is essential in preventing harmful effects from solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. For that reason, we interviewed students aged from 4 to 20 years old about their knowledge on sun exposure and PhP habits. Age, sex, family income, and skin phototype were statistically related to the proposed questions. Our results show that Brazilian youngsters do not have the habit of wearing long-sleeved clothing (<15% in summer), sunglasses (0.0%), or hats (2.1%). More than 40% had no knowledge about ultraviolet index (UVI), while another 30% misinterpreted what it is. Less than half of all students wear sunscreen when out in the sun. Despite this low PhP use-rate, more than 90% know that UVR causes skin cancers. Low income was the factor that showed the greatest number of significant relationships with respect to the lack of PhP. The findings suggest that current traditional PhP campaigns are not efficient. We propose that PhP should be part of school curricula from elementary school onwards. After all, the lack of educational programs predisposes these youngsters to an increased chance of skin diseases in the future.
Impact of Sugars on Hypothalamic Satiety Pathways and Its Contribution to Dysmetabolic States
Authors: Capucho Adriana M. , Conde Silvia V.
Published: December 2022

Food behaviour is a complex and multifaceted cooperation between physiologic, psychological, social, and genetic factors, influencing meal timing, amount of food intake, food preferences, and food selections. Deregulation of the neurobiological mechanisms controlling food behaviour underlies the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes, two epidemics of the present century. Several brain nuclei are involved in the regulation of the different components of food behaviours; the hypothalamus is the key in controlling appetite and energy homeostasis. In this review, we will explain the role of the hypothalamus in the control of food intake and its interplay with other brain nuclei important in food behaviour. We will also highlight the deregulation of satiety pathways in type 2 diabetes and obesity and the mechanisms behind this deregulation. Finally, knowing that there are different categories of sugars and that they differently impact food behaviours, we will review in a concise manner the studies referring to the effects of sugars in satiety and reward pathways and their impacts on metabolic diseases.
Performance Evaluation of STANDARD Q COVID/FLU Ag Combo for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A/B
Authors: Widyasari Kristin , Kim Soomin , Kim Sunjoo , Lim Chae Seung
Published: December 2022

We evaluated the performance of the STANDARD Q COVID/FLU Ag Combo test (Q Ag combo test) for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B using a single point-of-care device compared with real-time PCR. A total of 408 individuals, 55 positives with SARS-CoV-2, 90 with influenza A, 68 with influenza B, and 195 negatives for all viruses, participated. The Q Ag combo test demonstrated a high level of sensitivity of 92.73% and a specificity of 99.49% for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. When the number of days from symptom onset (DSO) was restricted to 0 < DSO ≤ 6, the sensitivity of the Q Ag combo test to detect SARS-CoV-2 was 100%, and when the Ct value of RdRp was ≤20, the sensitivity to detect SARS-CoV-2 was 93.10%. The Q Ag combo test results also demonstrated a sensitivity of 92.22% and a specificity of 100% for influenza A, a sensitivity of 91.18%, and a specificity of 99.49% for influenza B. The agreement analysis of the Q Ag combo test with the RT-PCR results demonstrated excellent outcomes, making it useful and efficient for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, influenza A, and influenza B.
Ultrasound-Guided Coarse Needle Biopsy Diagnosed Isolated Hepatic Malignant Melanoma with Undetermined Origin in TB Patient: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Kailing , Dong Yi , Zhang Weibin , Han Hong , Mao Feng , Zhang Hui , Wang Wenping
Published: December 2022

Isolated hepatic malignant melanoma with undetermined origin is relatively rare and the imaging findings vary significantly in published studies. In this report, we described an elderly male patient with pulmonary tuberculosis who was diagnosed with isolated hepatic malignant melanoma with undetermined origin by ultrasound-guided percutaneous coarse needle biopsy (US-CNB). The hepatic melanoma was detected accidentally on chest CT. On contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), it presented an enhancement pattern of fast washin and slow washout. However, on magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI), it showed non-rim hyperenhancement in the arterial phase but hypointensity in the late phase, mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma. With inconsistent results, the patient underwent fluorine-18-fluro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT). The mass showed mild 18F-FDG uptake with SUVmax of 4.7, and hypermetabolic nodules were observed in the lung, chest wall, thoracic vertebra, and pelvis. Due to the advanced stage of the tumor, US-CNB was performed to acquire a pathological diagnosis. The immunohistochemical staining suggested malignant melanoma. Of note, no primary tumor was revealed. Finally, the patient refused systemic therapy and died from tumor progression seven months later. Hence, CEUS and CEMRI is fundamental in the diagnosis of hepatic melanoma, and PET-CT is helpful in clinical staging. For controversial results, US-CNB is required to establish the pathological diagnosis.
Successful Treatment of Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) with Surgical Cauterization of Temporalis Muscle Trigger Points: A Case Report
Authors: Pearl Craig , Moxley Brendan , Perry Andrew , Demian Nagi
Published: December 2022

For patients suffering from myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) affecting muscles of mastication, traditional trigger point therapy treatment regimens can prove inconvenient, due to the short duration of pain relief after each injection and expense of repeated visits which are often not covered by insurance. We present a case of a patient treated using an alternative technique that could develop into an additional modality for treating MPS patients who are refractory to conservative treatment. This technique involves identifying and marking the patient’s trigger points and surgically cauterizing each location using a Bovie electrosurgical unit. While traditional trigger point injection therapy for myofascial pain syndrome is a well-described technique with acceptable pain relief expected for a period of 8–12 weeks, this technique provided up to 24 months of adequate pain relief in a patient. While further studies are indicated before widespread adoption can be recommended, this patient’s response suggests that this technique may be useful in offering longer-term pain relief compared with trigger point injection therapy.
Neural Information Squeezer for Causal Emergence
Authors: Zhang Jiang , Liu Kaiwei
Published: December 2022

Conventional studies of causal emergence have revealed that stronger causality can be obtained on the macro-level than the micro-level of the same Markovian dynamical systems if an appropriate coarse-graining strategy has been conducted on the micro-states. However, identifying this emergent causality from data is still a difficult problem that has not been solved because the appropriate coarse-graining strategy can not be found easily. This paper proposes a general machine learning framework called Neural Information Squeezer to automatically extract the effective coarse-graining strategy and the macro-level dynamics, as well as identify causal emergence directly from time series data. By using invertible neural network, we can decompose any coarse-graining strategy into two separate procedures: information conversion and information discarding. In this way, we can not only exactly control the width of the information channel, but also can derive some important properties analytically. We also show how our framework can extract the coarse-graining functions and the dynamics on different levels, as well as identify causal emergence from the data on several exampled systems.
Asymmetric Adaptive LDPC-Based Information Reconciliation for Industrial Quantum Key Distribution
Authors: Borisov Nikolay , Petrov Ivan , Tayduganov Andrey
Published: December 2022

We develop a new approach for asymmetric LDPC-based information reconciliation in order to adapt to the current channel state and achieve better performance and scalability in practical resource-constrained QKD systems. The new scheme combines the advantages of LDPC codes, a priori error rate estimation, rate-adaptive and blind information reconciliation techniques. We compare the performance of several asymmetric and symmetric error correction schemes using a real industrial QKD setup. The proposed asymmetric algorithm achieves significantly higher throughput, providing a secret key rate that is close to the symmetric one in a wide range of error rates. Thus, our approach is found to be particularly efficient for applications with high key rates, limited classical channel capacity and asymmetric computational resource allocation.
Improving Localization Accuracy under Constrained Regions in Wireless Sensor Networks through Geometry Optimization
Authors: Fang Xinpeng , He Zhihao , Zhang Shouxu , Li Junbing , Shi Ranjun
Published: December 2022

In addition to various estimation algorithms, the target localization accuracy in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) can also be improved from the perspective of geometry optimization. Note that existing placement strategies are mainly aimed at unconstrained deployment regions, i.e., the positions of sensors are arbitrary. In this paper, considering factors such as terrain, communication, and security, the optimal range-based sensor geometries under circular deployment region and minimum safety distance constraints are proposed. The geometry optimization problem is modeled as a constrained optimization problem, with a D-optimality-based (maximizing the determinant of FIM matrix) scalar function as the objective function and the irregular feasible deployment regions as the constraints. We transform the constrained optimization problem into an equivalent form using the introduced maximum feasible angle and separation angle, and discuss the optimal geometries based on the relationship between the minimum safety distance and the maximum feasible angle. We first consider optimal geometries for two and three sensors in the localization system, and then use their findings to extend the study to scenarios with arbitrary numbers of sensors and arbitrarily shaped feasible regions. Numerical simulation results are included to verify the theoretical conclusions.
Precision Measurement of the Return Distribution Property of the Chinese Stock Market Index
Authors: Liu Peng , Zheng Yanyan
Published: December 2022

In econophysics, the analysis of the return distribution of a financial asset using statistical physics methods is a long-standing and important issue. This paper systematically conducts an analysis of composite index 1 min datasets over a 17-year period (2005–2021) for both the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. To reveal the differences between Chinese and mature stock markets, we precisely measure the property of the return distribution of the composite index over the time scale Δt, which ranges from 1 min to almost 4000 min. The main findings are as follows: (1) The return distribution presents a leptokurtic, fat-tailed, and almost symmetrical shape that is similar to that of mature markets. (2) The central part of the return distribution is described by the symmetrical Lévy α-stable process, with a stability parameter comparable with a value of about 1.4, which was extracted for the U.S. stock market. (3) The return distribution can be described well by Student’s t-distribution within a wider return range than the Lévy α-stable distribution. (4) Distinctively, the stability parameter shows a potential change when Δt increases, and thus a crossover region at 15 <Δt< 60 min is observed. This is different from the finding in the U.S. stock market that a single value of about 1.4 holds over 1 ≤Δt≤ 1000 min. (5) The tail distribution of returns at small Δt decays as an asymptotic power law with an exponent of about 3, which is a widely observed value in mature markets. However, it decays exponentially when Δt≥ 240 min, which is not observed in mature markets. (6) Return distributions gradually converge to a normal distribution as Δt increases. This observation is different from the finding of a critical Δt= 4 days in the U.S. stock market.
Entanglement-Assisted Quantum Codes from Cyclic Codes
Authors: Pereira Francisco Revson F. , Mancini Stefano
Published: December 2022

Entanglement-assisted quantum-error-correcting (EAQEC) codes are quantum codes which use entanglement as a resource. These codes can provide better error correction than the (entanglement unassisted) codes derived from the traditional stabilizer formalism. In this paper, we provide a general method to construct EAQEC codes from cyclic codes. Afterwards, the method is applied to Reed–Solomon codes, BCH codes, and general cyclic codes. We use the Euclidean and Hermitian construction of EAQEC codes. Three families have been created: two families of EAQEC codes are maximal distance separable (MDS), and one is almost MDS or almost near MDS. The comparison of the codes in this paper is mostly based on the quantum Singleton bound.
Diffusion Coefficient of a Brownian Particle in Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium: Einstein Model and Beyond
Authors: Spiechowicz Jakub , Marchenko Ivan G. , Hänggi Peter , Łuczka Jerzy
Published: December 2022

The diffusion of small particles is omnipresent in many processes occurring in nature. As such, it is widely studied and exerted in almost all branches of sciences. It constitutes such a broad and often rather complex subject of exploration that we opt here to narrow our survey to the case of the diffusion coefficient for a Brownian particle that can be modeled in the framework of Langevin dynamics. Our main focus centers on the temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient for several fundamental models of diverse physical systems. Starting out with diffusion in equilibrium for which the Einstein theory holds, we consider a number of physical situations outside of free Brownian motion and end by surveying nonequilibrium diffusion for a time-periodically driven Brownian particle dwelling randomly in a periodic potential. For this latter situation the diffusion coefficient exhibits an intriguingly non-monotonic dependence on temperature.
Tax Sustainability in Ukraine: A Case of Agricultural Companies
Authors: Boiko Svitlana , Nehrey Maryna , Davydenko Nadiia , Karbivskyi Viktor
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this article is to study the tax sustainability of agricultural companies in Ukraine. This article developed the following working hypotheses, which were derived from the main purpose of the study. The methodology for the assessment of tax sustainability has been improved due to the development of indicators of tax sustainability at all levels of the tax hierarchy. Our study confirms the hypothesis that the tax sustainability of Ukraine is worse than that of OECD member countries. The hypothesis that the tax sustainability of agricultural companies in Ukraine is worse compared to other sectors of the economy was confirmed as well. The main reason for the instability in the tax system and taxation of the agricultural sector of Ukraine is changes in tax legislation. The issue linked to the instability of agricultural companies is the lack of a company tax strategy. The research results presented in the paper are of considerable importance for ensuring the tax sustainability of agricultural companies in Ukraine.
Impact of India’s Free Trade Agreement with ASEAN on Its Goods Exports: A Gravity Model Analysis
Authors: Khati Priyanka , Kim Chanwahn
Published: December 2022

The relationship between India and ASEAN has emerged as a crucial basis of their foreign policy. Both the regions signed a Free Trade Agreement in 2009, which came into effect in 2010. They are now reviewing the FTA to further enhance their economic cooperation. At this critical juncture, this study aimed to analyze the trade and export relationship between India and ASEAN and examine the extent to which the AIFTA effectively influenced it. Additionally, the study intended to determine what other factors influenced the trade and export relationship between the two regions and what future changes are needed in order to make this partnership mutually beneficial. To fulfill this objective, a gravity model was applied to a panel data from 2000–2019. A random effect model was utilized for the estimation. The empirical analysis concludes that the adoption of the AIFTA increased trade significantly; however, had no significant impact on raising exports. The study has identified rising NTMs as one of the important variables impeding realization of India’s export potential to ASEAN. This study suggests that in order to increase India’s exports and for the future of the FTA, India needs to emphasize on building stronger and extensive relationships with those countries in the ASEAN that are witnessing a higher GDP growth rate, such as Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Preliminary Studies of Slag and Ash from Incinerated Municipal Waste for Prospective Applications
Authors: Godyń Katarzyna , Dutka Barbara
Published: December 2022

The assessment of the possibility of using incinerated municipal waste, which is classified as non-hazardous, is a priority of the European zero waste strategy. The aim of this work was to identify the properties of slag and ash to develop a simple, targeted way of using post-process waste. The material was analyzed by microscopic methods in terms of composition and internal structure. Gas and water permeability tests were carried out. Slag and ash texture was obtained using densimetric methods. BCR sequential extraction was carried out to assess the impacts of the waste on the water and soil environment. It was shown that individual fractions were characterized by different compositions and pore contents. The increase in the waste layer density resulted in porosity reduction of the slag and post-process ash, which had a significant impact on permeability. The increase in density index from 0.92 to 0.98 resulted in reduction of the filtration coefficient by two orders of magnitude. The obtained results showed that the division into fractions is important for prospective applications of incinerated municipal waste. With very low permeability and negligible leachability of heavy metals, the characteristics of slag and ash predispose them to support the needs of specialized hydrotechnical construction.
Long Term Performance Assessment of a Residential PV/Thermal Hybrid System
Authors: Odeh Saad , Feng Junxi
Published: December 2022

The application of residential rooftop PV systems increased significantly in the last 10 years in many countries and became a major source of clean energy in dwellings besides traditional solar hot water technology. To optimise the performance of these green energy systems, the incorporation of PV/thermal hybrid systems is a future option for sustainable residential building designs. In this work, a novel design of PV/Thermal (PVT) hybrid panels, using heat pipe technology, is proposed with the aim of fulfilling the hot water and electricity demand of a house in Sydney. The heat pipe system is integrated into a traditional PV panel to transfer the heat stored within the PV panel material to a header that is connected to the household hot water cycle. A preliminary analysis of the test results for the proposed PVT system design under different weather conditions in Sydney is conducted, where the transient variation of the output water temperature as well as power production is investigated. The results show that the hot water temperature at the header outlet reaches around a maximum of 50 °C on a typical summer day and a minimum of 30 °C on a typical winter day. The daily heat delivered to the hot water tank is found to be in the range of 3.7–5.2 MJ per m2 of the PVT panel surface area. The results show that the energy efficiency of the adopted PVT panel design could reach more than 4 times higher than the traditional PV panel.
Assessment of the Reliability of Wind Farm Device on the Basis of Modeling Its Operation Process
Authors: Duer Stanisław , Woźniak Marek , Ostrowski Arkadiusz , Paś Jacek , Duer Radosław , Zajkowski Konrad , Bernatowicz Dariusz
Published: December 2022

The evaluation and analysis of the procedures for determining the dependability of WF wind farm equipment employed in a few publications are this article’s main problems. The publications chosen for review specifically mention investigations into the dependability of WF wind farm machinery. The following topics were the authors’ main areas of analysis: description and review of the techniques used to represent how technical items operate and the selection of the weight of the theoretical ideas of reliability that were used to gauge the dependability of the wind farm equipment under study. The authors of the studied works set out to address a number of significant problems pertaining to the modernization of the management of the WF equipment renewal process. The subjects of the studied works suggest that the established models of the technical object’s operational process are particularly significant in both the theory and practice of the reliability of technical objects. Using Kolmogorov–Chapman equations, models of the WFD operating process that are based on the idea of Markov processes are very helpful for simulation studies.
Public Policy and Citizens’ Attitudes towards Intelligent and Sustainable Transportation Solutions in the City—The Example of Lodz, Poland
Authors: Podgórniak-Krzykacz Aldona , Przywojska Justyna
Published: December 2022

This article focuses on residents’ perception of smart and sustainable transport in the city, and on local and central government policy towards sustainable and smart mobility transition, using Lodz, a city in Poland, as an example. Its purpose is to examine residents’ opinions about the development of a sustainable, intelligent transportation system (ITS) for the city and learn about their awareness of the benefits of ITS development. The article discusses findings of a survey conducted in 2022 on a sample of 250 residents of Lodz. The data obtained from the survey were subjected to statistical analyses: correlation, exploratory factor analysis, and linear regression. The results suggest there is a correlation between the assessment of a sustainable and intelligent transportation system and residents’ perception of benefits that it offers. In addition, government, regional, and municipal transportation strategies were qualitatively analysed to identify the preferred trends featuring in the development of the transportation system and services in Lodz. The analysis confirmed fragmentation of programme-related actions that promote sustainable mobility, and the lack of participatory and educational measures targeting the users of transport systems. The results obtained can be used to delineate the directions of interventions in urban transport policy and sustainable development.