bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Influencing Factors on the Supply Chain of Prefabricated Buildings under Engineering Procurement Construction Model: A Case Study in China
Authors: Gao Jin , Zhao Wan-Hua , Liu Wen-Hai
Published: June 2024

With strong support from national and local government policies for prefabricated buildings, China’s prefabricated buildings have entered a period of rapid development. This article analyses the literature from various countries and establishes a structural model of the prefabricated building supply chain under the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode. It analyzes the factors that affect the prefabricated building supply chain under the EPC model from eight aspects: design stage, prefabricated component production and manufacturing stage, procurement stage, and EPC general contracting stage, etc. Then, it establishes an AHP fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model that combines qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate the entire lifecycle supply chain of prefabricated buildings, providing reference for the robustness and resilience evaluation of prefabricated building supply chains, and further achieving green management of cost reduction and efficiency improvement in prefabricated building supply chains.
Finite Element Investigation of a Novel Cold-Formed Steel Shear Wall
Authors: Xie Zhiqiang , Bi Ye , Fan Ying , Gao Chengwei , Zhang Xiangdong , Feng Yin , Zhou Daxing , Dong Lei
Published: June 2024

In this paper, a novel corrugated steel sheet central sheathed cold-formed steel (CCS-CFS) shear wall is proposed. This shear wall can address the problems of low shear strength and ductility in conventional cold-formed steel (CFS) shear walls caused by screw connection failure and eccentric sheet arrangement. A numerical simulation method for the novel shear wall was developed and verified through cyclic loading test results of two full-size shear wall specimens. Parameter analysis was then conducted to investigate the effects of screw spacing, sheet thickness ratio, and aspect ratio on the seismic performance of these shear walls, accompanied by design recommendations. The results indicated that this innovative shear wall configuration can effectively resolve the connection failure between the frame and the sheet. Furthermore, the CCS-CFS shear wall can effectively improve shear strength, energy dissipation capacity, and ductility. The developed numerical simulation method can accurately capture the hysteretic properties and failure modes of shear walls. In addition, it can address the shortcomings in conventional models that neglect the mixed hardening characteristic of steel and metal damage criteria, resulting in inaccurate simulation results and unrealistic buckling modes. The principal failure modes observed in the novel shear wall were identified as the plastic buckling of corrugated steel sheathing and the distortional buckling of the end stud. Reducing the screw spacing has a limited impact on its shear strength. It is recommended that the sheet thickness ratio of the CCS-CFS shear wall should be greater than 2.0, while the aspect ratio can be relaxed to 10:4.
Design Parameters Affecting Energy Consumption of University Educational Buildings in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Area of China
Authors: Song Yiming , Liu Jiaqi , Zhang Wang
Published: June 2024

The number of colleges and universities in China has been increasing year by year. University buildings have tremendous energy-saving potential due to their high personnel density and energy consumption demand. However, there is a lack of research and regulations focusing on such buildings and taking functional requirements, operating patterns, and climate conditions into account. In the HSCW zone of China, the overlap of energy consumption peak and universities’ winter and summer vacations will lead to improper or excessive implementation of energy-saving measures in practice. This research study on a university teaching building in Shanghai simulated the energy consumption with EnergyPlus (Version 22.1.0) to compare the variation trend of the building’s energy consumption (heating, cooling and annual energy consumption) under different design parameter settings. The influence of orientation and window–wall ratio on the energy consumption intensity of classrooms of various sizes was analyzed, and design strategies were proposed. The research indicates that the annual energy consumption of educational buildings in hot summer and cold winter areas can be reduced by approximately 44.4% during vacations. However, cooling energy consumption remains 18.0–19.4% greater than heating energy consumption. The energy intensity of classrooms decreases as the space size increases. Medium-sized classrooms, with an energy intensity ranging from 44.2–47.6 kWh/m2, require priority in energy-efficient design owing to their considerable quantity and high utilization. The findings offer design suggestions for the optimal orientation and window-to-wall ratios of classrooms of different scales, which can be used as a reference for the design of university teaching buildings and the energy-saving retrofit of existing campus buildings.
Correction: Nam et al. Identification of Thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine Derivatives as c-KIT Inhibitors for Overcoming Imatinib Resistance. Cancers 2023, 15, 143
Authors: Nam Yunju , Kim Chan , Han Junghee , Ryu SeongShick , Cho Hanna , Song Chiman , Kim Nam Doo , Kim Namkyoung , Sim Taebo
Published: June 2024

The authors would like to make a correction to the previous article [...]
Incidence and Relative Survival of Patients with Merkel Cell Carcinoma in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 2008–2021
Authors: Stang Andreas , Möller Lennart , Wellmann Ina , Claaßen Kevin , Kajüter Hiltraud , Ugurel Selma , Becker Jürgen C.
Published: June 2024

Background: To date, only a few population-representative studies have been carried out on the rare Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). We provide incidence and survival estimates of MCC, including the conditional relative survival. Methods: We analyzed data from the cancer registry of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 2008–2021, covering a population of 18 million. We included all newly diagnosed MCCs and calculated age-standardized (old European Standard population) incidence rates and unconditional and conditional relative survival. Results: Our analysis included 2164 MCC patients. The age-standardized incidence of MCC was 5.2 (men) and 3.8 (women) per million person-years. The 5-year relative survival was 58.8% (men) and 70.7% (women). Survival was lower among men than women in all age–sex groups and was highest for MCC of the upper extremity in both men (68.2%) and women (79.3%). The sex difference in survival is particularly due to the better survival of women with MCC of the head and neck. In terms of survival, the first two years are particularly critical. Conclusions: Our data validate the worse survival among men and highlights a more favorable prognosis for MCCs located on the limbs. The first two years after diagnosis of MCC are the years with the highest excess mortality.
Real-World Prevalence and Tolerability of Immune-Related Adverse Events in Older Adults with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study
Authors: Matsukane Ryosuke , Oyama Takahiro , Tatsuta Ryosuke , Kimura Sakiko , Hata Kojiro , Urata Shuhei , Watanabe Hiroyuki
Published: June 2024

With cancer diagnosis occurring at older ages, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has extended to older adults. However, the safety of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in this population remains unclear and relies on data extrapolated from younger adults. This multicenter retrospective study aimed to examine irAE prevalence and tolerability in older adults. We included 436 patients with non-small lung cancer undergoing ICI therapy and dichotomized them into two age groups (< or ≥75 years). Incidence of any irAE grade, grade ≥3 irAEs, and steroid usage after irAE occurrence was similar between younger (n = 332) and older groups (n = 104). While the younger patients with irAEs showed prolonged overall survival in the 12-month landmark Kaplan–Meier analysis (Hazard ratio (HR) 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38–0.89, p = 0.013), the older cohort did not (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.36–1.78, p = 0.588). Although no differences were observed with ICI continuation or re-challenge after irAE onset, the elderly cohort had double the irAE cases that required a transition to best supportive care (BSC) (11.3% vs. 22.4%, p = 0.026). In conclusion, although irAE prevalence remains consistent regardless of age, the increased conversion to BSC post-irAE onset in older adults suggests diminished tolerability and the potential absence of favorable prognosis associated with irAEs in this population.
The “Road” to Malignant Transformation from Endometriosis to Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Cancers (EAOCs): An mTOR-Centred Review
Authors: Hablase Radwa , Kyrou Ioannis , Randeva Harpal , Karteris Emmanouil , Chatterjee Jayanta
Published: June 2024

Ovarian cancer is an umbrella term covering a number of distinct subtypes. Endometrioid and clear-cell ovarian carcinoma are endometriosis-associated ovarian cancers (EAOCs) frequently arising from ectopic endometrium in the ovary. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a crucial regulator of cellular homeostasis and is dysregulated in both endometriosis and endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer, potentially favouring carcinogenesis across a spectrum from benign disease with cancer-like characteristics, through an atypical phase, to frank malignancy. In this review, we focus on mTOR dysregulation in endometriosis and EAOCs, investigating cancer driver gene mutations and their potential interaction with the mTOR pathway. Additionally, we explore the complex pathogenesis of transformation, considering environmental, hormonal, and epigenetic factors. We then discuss postmenopausal endometriosis pathogenesis and propensity for malignant transformation. Finally, we summarize the current advancements in mTOR-targeted therapeutics for endometriosis and EAOCs.
Enablers and Inhibitors to Implementing Tobacco Cessation Interventions within Homeless-Serving Agencies: A Qualitative Analysis of Program Partners’ Experiences
Authors: Martinez Leal Isabel , Siddiqi Ammar D. , Rogova Anastasia , Britton Maggie , Chen Tzuan A. , Williams Teresa , Casey Kathleen , Sanchez Hector , Reitzel Lorraine R.
Published: June 2024

Despite the high tobacco use rates (~80%) and tobacco-related cancers being the second leading cause of death among people experiencing homelessness within the United States, these individuals rarely receive tobacco use treatment from homeless-serving agencies (HSAs). This qualitative study explored the enablers and inhibitors of implementing an evidence-based tobacco-free workplace (TFW) program offering TFW policy adoption, specialized provider training to treat tobacco use, and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) within HSAs. Pre- and post-implementation interviews with providers and managers (n = 13) pursued adapting interventions to specific HSAs and assessed the program success, respectively. The organizational readiness for change theory framed the data content analysis, yielding three categories: change commitment, change efficacy and contextual factors. Pre- to post-implementation, increasing challenges impacted the organizational capacity and providers’ attitudes, wherein previously enabling factors were reframed as inhibiting, resulting in limited implementation despite resource provision. These findings indicate that low-resourced HSAs require additional support and guidance to overcome infrastructure challenges and build the capacity needed to implement a TFW program. This study’s findings can guide future TFW program interventions, enable identification of agencies that are well-positioned to adopt such programs, and facilitate capacity-building efforts to ensure their successful participation.
Differential Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer Grade to Augment Clinical Diagnosis Based on Classifier Models with Tuned Hyperparameters
Authors: Alanezi Saleh T. , Kraśny Marcin Jan , Kleefeld Christoph , Colgan Niall
Published: June 2024

We developed a novel machine-learning algorithm to augment the clinical diagnosis of prostate cancer utilizing first and second-order texture analysis metrics in a novel application of machine-learning radiomics analysis. We successfully discriminated between significant prostate cancers versus non-tumor regions and provided accurate prediction between Gleason score cohorts with statistical sensitivity of 0.82, 0.81 and 0.91 in three separate pathology classifications. Tumor heterogeneity and prediction of the Gleason score were quantified using two feature selection approaches and two separate classifiers with tuned hyperparameters. There was a total of 71 patients analyzed in this study. Multiparametric MRI, incorporating T2WI and ADC maps, were used to derive radiomics features. Recursive feature elimination (RFE), the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), and two classification approaches, incorporating a support vector machine (SVM) (with randomized search) and random forest (RF) (with grid search), were utilized to differentiate between non-tumor regions and significant cancer while also predicting the Gleason score. In T2WI images, the RFE feature selection approach combined with RF and SVM classifiers outperformed LASSO with SVM and RF classifiers. The best performance was achieved by combining LASSO and SVM into a model that used both T2WI and ADC images. This model had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91. Radiomic features computed from ADC and T2WI images were used to predict three groups of Gleason score using two kinds of feature selection methods (RFE and LASSO), RF and SVM classifier models with tuned hyperparameters. Using combined sequences (T2WI and ADC map images) and combined radiomics (1st and GLCM features), LASSO, with a feature selection method with RF, was able to predict G3 with the highest sensitivity at a level AUC of 0.92. To predict G3 for single sequence (T2WI images) using GLCM features, LASSO with SVM achieved the highest sensitivity with an AUC of 0.92.
Green Synthesis of Manganese-Cobalt Oxyhydroxide Nanocomposite as Electrocatalyst for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Alotaibi Rajeh , Amer Mabrook S. , Arunachalam Prabhakarn , Alshammari Saad G.
Published: June 2024

Using green synthetic methods, a manganese-cobalt oxyhydroxide (MnCo-OOH) nanocomposite for electrocatalysis was prepared. Electrocatalysts were examined using powder X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). In an alkaline medium, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometric analysis were applied to assess the electrocatalytic features of the MnCo-OOH nanocomposite. A strong correlation existed between MnCo-OOH’s morphology, crystallinity, and electrochemical activity. Upon examining the electrochemical characteristics, the as-deposited MnCo-OOH catalyst demonstrated a significantly lower overpotential, achieving 75 mA·cm−2 OER current density at 370 mV, four times larger than 19.7 mA·cm−2 for CoOOH catalysts, signifying that the MnCo-OOH catalyst exhibits a higher electrocatalytic OER features. In addition, the MnCo-OOH nanocomposite demonstrated a high current density of 30 and 65 mA·cm−2 at 1.55 and 1.60 VRHE for 12 h in 1.0 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. As a result of this study, it was determined that the fabricated MnCo-OOH nanocomposite would be an appropriate electrocatalyst in water electrolysis.
Establishment of Canine Oral Mucosal Melanoma Cell Lines and Their Xenogeneic Animal Models
Authors: Li Shumin , Liu Zichen , Lv Jinbao , Lv Di , Xu Huanming , Shi Hao , Liu Gang , Lin Degui , Jin Yipeng
Published: June 2024

Canine oral melanoma is the most prevalent malignant tumor in dogs and has a poor prognosis due to its high aggressiveness and high metastasis and recurrence rates. More research is needed into its treatment and to understand its pathogenic factors. In this study, we isolated a canine oral mucosal melanoma (COMM) cell line designated as COMM6605, which has now been stably passaged for more than 100 generations, with a successful monoclonal assay and a cell multiplication time of 22.2 h. G-banded karyotype analysis of the COMM6605 cell line revealed an abnormal chromosome count ranging from 45 to 74, with the identification of a double-armed chromosome as the characteristic marker chromosome of this cell line. The oral intralingual and dorsal subcutaneous implantation models of BALB/c-nu mice were successfully established; Melan-A (MLANA), S100 beta protein (S100β), PNL2, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP2) were stably expressed positively in the canine oral tumor sections, tumor cell lines, and tumor sections of tumor-bearing mice. Sublines COMM6605-Luc-EGFP and COMM6605-Cherry were established through lentiviral transfection, with COMM6605-Luc-EGFP co-expressing firefly luciferase (Luc) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and COMM6605-Cherry expressing the Cherry fluorescent protein gene. The COMM6605-Luc-EGFP fluorescent cell subline was injected via the tail vein and caused lung and lymph node metastasis, as detected by mouse live imaging, which can be used as an animal model to simulate the latter steps of hematogenous spread during tumor metastasis. The canine oral melanoma cell line COMM6605 and two sublines isolated and characterized in this study can offer a valuable model for studying mucosal melanoma.
Protective Effect of Red Light-Emitting Diode against UV-B Radiation-Induced Skin Damage in SKH:HR-2 Hairless Mice
Authors: Cho Eun-Chae , Ahn Surin , Shin Kyung-Ok , Lee Joon Byeong , Hwang Hyo-Jeong , Choi Yean-Jung
Published: June 2024

In this in vivo study on hairless mice, we examined the effects of light-emitting diode (LED) treatment applied prior to ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. We found that pre-treating with LED improved skin morphological and histopathological conditions compared to those only exposed to UVB irradiation. In our study, histological evaluation of collagen and elastic fibers after LED treatment prior to UVB irradiation showed that this pretreatment significantly enhanced the quality of fibers, which were otherwise poor in density and irregularly arranged due to UV exposure alone. This suggests that LED treatment promotes collagen and elastin production, leading to improved skin properties. Additionally, we observed an increase in Claudin-1 expression and a reduction in nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) expression within the LED-treated skin tissues, suggesting that LED therapy may modulate key skin barrier proteins and oxidative stress markers. These results demonstrate that pretreatment with LED light can enhance the skin’s resistance to UVB-induced damage by modulating gene regulation associated with skin protection. Further investigations are needed to explore the broader biological effects of LED therapy on other tissues such as blood vessels. This study underscores the potential of LED therapy as a non-invasive approach to enhance skin repair and counteract the effects of photoaging caused by UV exposure.
Atmospheric Blocking Events over the Southeast Pacific and Southwest Atlantic Oceans in the CMIP6 Present-Day Climate
Authors: Ferreira Vanessa , Bonfim Osmar Toledo , Mortarini Luca , Valdes Roilan Hernandez , Costa Felipe Denardin , Maroneze Rafael
Published: June 2024

This study examines the representation of blocking events in the Southeast Pacific and Southwest Atlantic regions using a set of 13 global climate models from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6). Historical runs were employed to analyze blocking conditions in the recent past climate, spanning from 1985 to 2014, with ERA5 data utilized to represent observed blocking events. The majority of CMIP6 models underestimate the total number of blocking events in the Southeast Pacific. The MPI–ESM1–2–HR and MPI–ESM1–2–LR models come closest to replicating the number of blocking events observed in ERA5, with underestimations of approximately −10% and −9%, respectively. Nonetheless, these models successfully capture the seasonality and overall duration of blocking events, as well as accurately represent the position of blocking heights over the Southeast Pacific. Conversely, CMIP6 models perform poorly in representing blocking climatology in the Southwest Atlantic. These models both overestimate and underestimate the total number of blocking events by more than 25% compared to ERA5. Furthermore, they struggle to reproduce the seasonal distribution of blockings and face challenges in accurately representing the duration of blocking events observed in ERA5.
Unravelling Quality of Life for Head and Neck Cancer Patients after VMAT Radiation Therapy: Insights from Toxicity, Dosimetry and Symptoms Correlation
Authors: Kiafi Panagiota , Kouri Maria Anthi , Patatoukas Georgios , Kougioumtzopoulou Andromachi , Chalkia Marina , Nicolatou-Galitis Ourania , Kouloulias Vassilis , Kyrodimos Efthimios , Platoni Kalliopi
Published: June 2024

(1) Background: Head and neck cancer treatment, including advanced techniques like Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), presents challenges for maintaining patient quality of life (QoL). Thus, thoroughly investigating how radiation therapy (RT) affects patients has been proved essential. Derived by that, this study aims to understand the complex interactions between not only RT and QoL but also symptom severity, and treatment-related toxicities in three distinct time points of patient’s treatment; (2) Methods: To achieve that, EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires were used in combination with EORTC_RTOG scoring criteria and Spearman’s rho statistical analysis for 74 patients with cancer undergoing VMAT radiation therapy; (3) Results: The results revealed a significant improvement in the Overall Health Index post-treatment, indicating a temporary decline during therapy followed by subsequent recovery, often surpassing pre-treatment QoL levels. Concurrently a reduction in symptomatology was observed, notably in pain, swallowing difficulties, and dry mouth, aligning with prior research indicating decreased symptom burden post-treatment. However, Spearman’s correlation coefficient analysis at two distinct time points during therapy uncovered varying degrees of correlation between dosimetric data at Organs at Risk (OARs) and reported symptoms, highlighting potential limitations in using QoL questionnaires as sole indicators of treatment efficacy. Our investigation into the correlation between dosimetric data, toxicity, and symptoms focused on the relationship between radiation doses and oral mucositis levels, a common toxicity in head and neck cancer patients. Significant associations were identified between toxicity levels and dosimetric parameters, particularly with OARs such as the parotid glands, oral cavity, and swallowing muscles, underlining the utility of the EORTC method as a reliable toxicity assessment tool; (4) Conclusions: To summarize, current research attempts to underscore the importance of refining QoL assessments for enhanced patient care. The integration of dosimetric data, symptom severity, and treatment-related toxicities in the QoL outcomes of head and neck cancer patients undergoing VMAT radiation therapy, can lead towards the optimization of treatment strategies and the improvement of patient outcomes in future patient-centered radiation therapy practices.
UV-Curable Silicone-Modified Polyurethane Acrylates for Food Freshness Monitoring
Authors: He Na , Zhu Hongyu , Sun Nana , Shi Shaoqing , Xie Libo , Miao Jie , Lai Guoqiao , Li Meijiang , Yang Xiongfa
Published: June 2024

Intelligent materials for monitoring the condition of the packaged food or its surroundings are highly desired to ensure food safety. In this paper, UV-curable silicone-modified materials for monitoring the freshness of high-protein food such as shrimp and pork were prepared from polyurethane acrylates with covalent-grafted neutral red groups and thiol silicone resin. The UV-curable materials exhibited visible pH-sensitive performance and long-term color stability because their color did not change when they were immersed in aqueous solutions with different pH values for 20 min, and the color remained even when they were immersed for over 5 h. The distinctive color variation in the UV coatings makes them suitable as potential pH-sensitive sensors. These pH-sensitive intelligent materials can be applied to monitor the freshness of high-protein food such as shrimp and pork. Additionally, the thermal stability and adhesive properties of the UV-curable materials were also studied. A conclusion can be drawn that the covalent bonding of neutral red groups onto a silicone-modified polymer matrix is an ideal strategy for developing pH-sensitive intelligent materials with good pH stability for monitoring the freshness of high-protein food.
Experimental Study on Preparation of Tungsten-Carbide-Particle-Reinforced Nickel-Based Alloy Plasma Surfacing Layer on Descaling Roller Surface
Authors: Feng Lei , Li Chang , Han Xing , Luo Fenghua , Sun Han
Published: June 2024

The descaling roller is a significant component in steel rolling production. Under harsh service conditions, the descaling roller is subjected to the dynamic impact caused by high-pressure water erosion and a high-temperature billet descaling process for a long time. Under the harsh conditions of high temperature, strong wear, multi-cycle heat, force, flow, and multi-field strong coupling, the roller surface is prone to wear and corrosion failure, which affects the production cost and efficiency. Through plasma surfacing technology, a high-performance coating can be applied on the conventional metal surface to effectively improve its surface properties. It is important to carry out experimental research on the surface plasma surfacing of the descaling roller to prolong product life, improve product quality, and save cost. At present, the research on the 42CrMo scaler matrix plasma surfacing of nickel-based alloys with different WC contents is still lacking. In this paper, 70%NiCrBSi+30%WC powder and 40%NiCrBSi+60%WC powder were used as surfacing materials; plasma surfacing experiments were carried out on the 42CrMo matrix; and SEM, XRD, microhardness, friction and wear, and corrosion tests were carried out on the surfacing layer to evaluate the feasibility of preparing an ultra-high-hardness WC-particle-reinforced nickel-based alloy plasma surfacing layer on the descaling roller surface and to explore the WC hard phase dissolution behavior and complex secondary phase formation mechanism. The results show that γ(Fe/Ni), Fe-Ni, FeSi, Fe3C, and M7C3 are the main phases in the Ni/WC plasma surfacing layer. The diffusion and precipitation of elements occur in the molten pool, and complex secondary phases are formed in the surfacing layer. Compared with the 70%NiCrBSi+30%WC surfacing layer, the WC deposition phenomenon of the 40%NiCrBSi+60%WC surfacing layer has been significantly improved and has better hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. Based on the welding test, the correlation law between powder formulation, welding structure, and surfacing layer properties was revealed in this study, which lays a theoretical foundation for the preparation of high-performance coating on the descaling roller surface and has significant engineering application value and practical significance.
Dynamic Perviousness: A Novel Imaging Marker for Predicting Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Toth Daniel F. , Bertalan Gergely , Heinz Priska , Madjidyar Jawid , Thurner Patrick , Schubert Tilman , Kulcsar Zsolt
Published: June 2024

Background: The predictive value of thrombus standard perviousness (SP) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for the technical success rates of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) or functional outcomes is not yet conclusive. We investigated the relationship between dynamic perviousness (DP) and revascularization results using time-dependent enhancement curve types determined with computed tomography (CT). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 137 AIS patients was performed. DP was calculated as the thrombus attenuation increase (TAI) using three time points and categorized into four groups: (1) no enhancement (CNE); (2) late enhancement (CLE); (3) early enhancement with washout (CW); (4) early enhancement without washout (CNW). Associations with the technical success rate and functional outcomes were assessed. Results: Late enhancement (CLE) had approximately two times higher odds for successful MT as compared to clots with other enhancement dynamics. The odds ratios (logistic regression model with CNW as the reference) for the TICI III scores were 4.04 (p = 0.067), 1.82 (p = 0.3), and 1.69 (p = 0.4) for CLE, CW, and CNE, respectively. The NIHSS scores at discharge and mRS scores at three months showed regression coefficients (linear regression model with CNW as reference) of −3.05 (p = 0.10), −1.17 (p = 0.51), and −1.24 (p = 0.47); and −1.30 (p = 0.097), −0.85 (p = 0.25), and −0.15 (p = 0.83) for CLE, CW, and CNE, respectively. Conclusions: Thrombi with late enhancement patterns showed a higher revascularization rate and better outcomes as compared to clots with early uptake or no washout.
The Use of Physiotherapy in the Conservative Treatment of Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: A Critical Review of the Literature
Authors: Wieczorek Michał , Gnat Rafał , Wolny Tomasz
Published: June 2024

Background: The lack of a clear answer regarding the efficacy of physiotherapy in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) has led to attempts to critically assess the scientific studies conducted to date. Materials and Methods: Two databases (MEDLINE via PubMed and PEDro) and Google Scholar were used to search for papers. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials, case series, and case reports that evaluate the effects of physiotherapy in the treatment of patients with CuTS. Results: A total of 18 studies met the eligibility criteria, capturing a total of 425 participants. Seven papers were randomized controlled trials, three more described prospective studies without a control group, and eight papers contained case reports. An analysis of the literature evaluating the effectiveness of various forms of broadly defined physiotherapy indicates that their use can have a beneficial effect in reducing many subjective and objective symptoms and improving function. In the majority of papers included in this review, their authors indicated positive therapeutic effects. Only one randomized controlled trial reported no change following therapy. It can therefore be stated that the results of the research conducted so far are optimistic. However, only 7 of the 18 papers were randomized controlled trials, while 3 were prospective studies, and 8 papers were case studies, in which 23 people with CuTS were studied. Conclusions: The small number of randomized clinical trials and their considerable heterogeneity do not allow firm conclusions to be drawn about the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the conservative treatment of CuTS.
Evaluation of the Association of Chewing Function and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in a Population of Individuals Aged ≥ 45 Years and Residing in Communities in Switzerland: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Tennert Christian , Borg-Bartolo Roberta , Prasinou Maria , Jaeggi Maurus Kurt , Schimmel Martin , Roccuzzo Andrea , Campus Guglielmo
Published: June 2024

Purpose: To analyse the association of masticatory performance and oral health-related quality of life in a representative population of individuals residing in communities in Switzerland aged ≥ 45 years. Materials and Methods: In total, 100 subjects completed two dedicated and validated questionnaires on their demographic data and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index. A mixing ability test was performed for assessing masticatory performance. The qualitative analysis of the test was performed by categorizing the images into five categories, while the quantitative analysis was performed via a validated custom-made software. Results: Sixty-six samples could be analysed. Participants younger than 65 years of age showed significantly less frequent chewing deficiencies (17%) compared to those 65 years and older (50%, p < 0.01). However, retired participants had chewing deficiencies significantly more frequently (8%) compared to workers (51%, p < 0.01). A statistically significant positive association of having chewing deficiency was found between employment status (p < 0.01) and the presence of restorations (p = 0.04), while GOHAI did not show any statistically significant association. Overall, the enrolled subjects displayed moderate chewing function. Masticatory performance was positively associated with the number of present restorations. Conclusions: The enrolled subjects residing in communities in Switzerland aged ≥ 45 years displayed moderate chewing function. Their masticatory performance was positively associated with the number of present restorations but not associated with oral health related quality of life (GOHAI).
Neural Activity in Quarks Language: Lattice Field Theory for a Network of Real Neurons
Authors: Bardella Giampiero , Franchini Simone , Pan Liming , Balzan Riccardo , Ramawat Surabhi , Brunamonti Emiliano , Pani Pierpaolo , Ferraina Stefano
Published: June 2024

Brain–computer interfaces have seen extraordinary surges in developments in recent years, and a significant discrepancy now exists between the abundance of available data and the limited headway made in achieving a unified theoretical framework. This discrepancy becomes particularly pronounced when examining the collective neural activity at the micro and meso scale, where a coherent formalization that adequately describes neural interactions is still lacking. Here, we introduce a mathematical framework to analyze systems of natural neurons and interpret the related empirical observations in terms of lattice field theory, an established paradigm from theoretical particle physics and statistical mechanics. Our methods are tailored to interpret data from chronic neural interfaces, especially spike rasters from measurements of single neuron activity, and generalize the maximum entropy model for neural networks so that the time evolution of the system is also taken into account. This is obtained by bridging particle physics and neuroscience, paving the way for particle physics-inspired models of the neocortex.
Do Free Trade Agreements Facilitate FDI Spillover Effects on Domestic Firms? Empirical Evidence from Oman
Authors: Mishrif Ashraf , Khan Asharul
Published: June 2024

This paper underlines the significance of free trade agreements in attracting foreign direct investment and their impact on the operational capacities of local firms in host countries. It argues that free trade agreements do not only eliminate barriers to trade, but they also increase the size of the regional market and improve the business environment, making it more attractive to foreign direct investment, along with all the attributes and spillover effects associated with it. While determining the type of spillover effects of foreign direct investment associated with Oman’s trade agreements, this paper uses the Kruskal–Wallis H-test and 438 samples from companies surveyed between 1 August and 31 October 2023 to assess the impact of spillovers on the performance of the surveyed companies. The results reveal that technology transfer, knowledge transfer, labour productivity, product efficiency, capital investments, and job creation have positive effects on the firms’ operational capacities, with technology transfer having the highest impact (27%), followed by labour productivity and job creation (18%). The spillover effects are almost the same for company size and percentage of ownership. They also identified manufacturing and tourism as priority sectors and the availability of a skilled workforce as a major challenge. These findings make original contribution to the field as this is probably the first study to produce a firm-level analysis of spillover effects of foreign direct investment and trade agreements in the context of Oman and the wider Gulf region. The paper concludes with practical implications for policy makers when negotiating trade agreements and designing investment policies to optimize spillover effects on the performance of their domestic firms.
The Switching Characteristics in Bilayer ZnO/HfO2 Resistive Random-Access Memory, Depending on the Top Electrode
Authors: Kwon So-Yeon , Ko Woon-San , Byun Jun-Ho , Lee Do-Yeon , Lee Hi-Deok , Lee Ga-Won
Published: June 2024

In this study, the bipolar switching behaviors in ZnO/HfO2 bilayer resistive random-access memory (RRAM), depending on different metal top electrodes (TE), are analyzed. For this purpose, devices with two types of TE–TiN/Ti and Pd, which have varying oxygen affinities, are fabricated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that ZnO has a hexagonal wurtzite structure, and HfO2 exhibits both monoclinic and orthorhombic phases. The average grain sizes are 10.9 nm for ZnO and 1.55 nm for HfO2. In regards to the electrical characteristics, the I–V curve, cycling test, and voltage stress are measured. The measurement results indicate that devices with TiN/Ti TE exhibit lower set and higher reset voltage and stable bipolar switching behavior. However, a device with Pd TE demonstrates higher set and lower reset voltage. This phenomenon can be explained by the Gibbs free energy of formation (∆Gf°). Additionally, the Pd TE device shows unstable bipolar switching characteristics, where unipolar switching occurs simultaneously during the cycling test. This instability in devices with Pd TE could potentially lead to soft errors in operation. For guaranteeing stable bipolar switching, the oxygen affinity of material for TE should be considered in regards to ZnO/HfO2 bilayer RRAM.
Artificial Intelligence Implementation in Internet of Things Embedded System for Real-Time Person Presence in Bed Detection and Sleep Behaviour Monitor
Authors: Hoang Minh Long , Matrella Guido , Ciampolini Paolo
Published: June 2024

This paper works on detecting a person in bed for sleep routine and sleep pattern monitoring based on the Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer and Internet of Things (IoT) embedded system board. This work provides sleep information, patient assessment, and elderly care for patients who live alone via tele-distance to doctors or family members. About 216,000 pieces of acceleration data were collected, including three classes: no person in bed, a static laying position, and a moving state for Artificial Intelligence (AI) application. Six well-known Machine-Learning (ML) algorithms were evaluated with precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy in the workstation before implementing in the STM32-microcontroller for real-time state classification. The four best algorithms were selected to be programmed into the IoT board and applied for real-time testing. The results demonstrate the high accuracy of the ML performance, more than 99%, and the Classification and Regression Tree algorithm is among the best models with a light code size of 1583 bytes. The smart bed information is sent to the IoT dashboard of Node-RED via a Message Queuing Telemetry broker (MQTT).
Multi-Scale Feature Fusion Point Cloud Object Detection Based on Original Point Cloud and Projection
Authors: Zhang Zhikang , Zhu Zhongjie , Bai Yongqiang , Jin Yiwen , Wang Ming
Published: June 2024

Existing point cloud object detection algorithms struggle to effectively capture spatial features across different scales, often resulting in inadequate responses to changes in object size and limited feature extraction capabilities, thereby affecting detection accuracy. To solve this problem, we present a point cloud object detection method based on multi-scale feature fusion of the original point cloud and projection, which aims to improve the multi-scale performance and completeness of feature extraction in point cloud object detection. First, we designed a 3D feature extraction module based on the 3D Swin Transformer. This module pre-processes the point cloud using a 3D Patch Partition approach and employs a self-attention mechanism within a 3D sliding window, along with a downsampling strategy, to effectively extract features at different scales. At the same time, we convert the 3D point cloud to a 2D image using projection technology and extract 2D features using the Swin Transformer. A 2D/3D feature fusion module is then built to integrate 2D and 3D features at the channel level through point-by-point addition and vector concatenation to improve feature completeness. Finally, the integrated feature maps are fed into the detection head to facilitate efficient object detection. Experimental results show that our method has improved the average precision of vehicle detection by 1.01% on the KITTI dataset over three levels of difficulty compared to Voxel-RCNN. In addition, visualization analyses show that our proposed algorithm also exhibits superior performance in object detection.
Temperature Dependence of Total Ionizing Dose Effects of β-Ga2O3 Schottky Barrier Diodes
Authors: Fu Weili , Ma Teng , Lei Zhifeng , Peng Chao , Zhang Hong , Zhang Zhangang , Xiao Tao , Song Hongjia , Wang Yuangang , Wang Jinbin , Fu Zhao , Zhong Xiangli
Published: June 2024

This paper investigates the temperature-dependent effects of gamma-ray irradiation on β-Ga2O3 vertical Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) under a 100 V reverse bias condition at a total dose of 1 Mrad(Si). As the irradiation dose increased, the radiation damage became more severe. The total ionizing dose (TID) degradation behavior and mechanisms were evaluated through DC, capacitance–voltage (C-V), and low-frequency noise (LFN) measurements by varying irradiation, and the test results indicated that TID effects introduced interface defects and altered the carrier concentration within the material. The impact of TID effects was more pronounced at lower temperatures compared to higher temperatures. Additionally, the annealing effect in the high-temperature experimental conditions ameliorated the growth of interface trap defects caused by irradiation. These results suggest that compared to low-temperature testing, the device exhibits higher TID tolerance after high-temperature exposure, providing valuable insights for in-depth radiation reliability studies on subsequent related devices.
A Cloud-Based WEB Platform for Fall Risk Assessment Using a Therapist-Centered User Interface Which Enables Patients’ Tracking Remotely
Authors: Blasco-García Jesús Damián , Pavón-Pulido Nieves , López-Riquelme Juan Antonio , Roldán-Ruiz Ana María , Feliu-Batlle Jorge Juan
Published: June 2024

This work describes a system to help in the remote assessment of fall risk in elderly people. A portable hardware system equipped with an RGB-D sensor is used for motion capture. A set of anonymous frames, representing the process of skeleton tracking, and a collection of sequences of interesting features, obtained from body landmark evaluations through time, are stored in the Cloud for each patient. A WEB dashboard allows for tailored tests to be designed, which include the typical items within well-known fall risk evaluation tests in the literature. Such a dashboard helps therapists to evaluate each item from the analysis and observation of the sequences and the 3D representation of the body through time, and to compare the results of tests carried out in different moments, checking on the evolution of the fall risk. The software architecture that implements the system allows the information to be stored in a safe manner and preserves patients’ privacy. The paper shows the obtained results after testing an early prototype of the system, a discussion about its advantages, and the current limitations from the Human–Computer Interaction point of view, and a plan to deploy and evaluate the system from the usability perspective in the near future.
Correction: Li et al. Hybridizing Chaotic and Quantum Mechanisms and Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm with Least Squares Support Vector Regression Model in Electric Load Forecasting. Energies 2018, 11, 2226
Authors: Li Ming-Wei , Geng Jing , Hong Wei-Chiang , Zhang Yang
Published: June 2024

Text Correction [...]
Evaluation of Film Cooling Adiabatic Effectiveness and Net Heat Flux Reduction on a Flat Plate Using Scale-Adaptive Simulation and Stress-Blended Eddy Simulation Approaches
Authors: Nastasi Rosario , Rosafio Nicola , Salvadori Simone , Misul Daniela Anna
Published: June 2024

The use of film cooling is crucial to avoid high metal temperatures in gas turbine applications, thus ensuring a high lifetime for vanes and blades. The complex turbulent mixing process between the coolant and the main flow requires an accurate numerical prediction to correctly estimate the impact of ejection conditions on the cooling performance. Recent developments in numerical models aim at using hybrid approaches that combine high precision with low computational cost. This paper is focused on the numerical simulation of a cylindrical film cooling hole that operates at a unitary blowing ratio, with a hot gas Mach number of Mam = 0.6, while the coolant is characterized by plenum conditions (Mac = 0). The adopted numerical approach is the Stress-Blended Eddy Simulation model (SBES), which is a blend between a Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes approach and a modeled Large Eddy Simulation based on the local flow and mesh characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the ability of the hybrid model to capture the complex mixing between the coolant and the main flow. The cooling performance of the hole is quantified through the film cooling effectiveness, the Net Heat Flux Reduction (NHFR), and the discharge coefficient CD calculation. Numerical results are compared both with the experimental data obtained by the University of Karlsruhe during the EU-funded TATEF2 project and with a Scale Adaptive Simulation (SAS) run on the same computational grid. The use of λ2 profiles extracted from the flow field allows for isolating the main vortical structures such as horseshoe vortices, counter-rotating vortex pairs (e.g., kidney vortices), Kelvin–Helmholtz instabilities, and hairpin vortices. Eventually, the contribution of the unsteady phenomena occurring at the hole exit section is quantified through Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition methods (SPOD).
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater Using Calcareous Waste Shells—A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Tat Wai Kien , O’Sullivan Aisling D. , Bello-Mendoza Ricardo
Published: June 2024

Nitrogen and phosphorus in freshwaters are a global environmental challenge. Concurrently, the shellfish industry’s calcareous waste shells (CWSs) amount to ~10 million tonnes annually. CWSs can effectively adsorb dissolved pollutants, including nutrients, from water, which has motivated a growing number of experimental studies on recycling CWSs in wastewater treatment. This comprehensive literature review summarises and critically assesses the effectiveness of using different CWSs for removing nutrients from water. The effects of CWS type, initial pollutant concentration, adsorbent dosage, particle size, and contact time (CT) are investigated. The results show that phosphorus removal has been examined more than nitrogen. Most studies have been conducted using synthetic wastewater under laboratory conditions only. There is a large variability in experimental conditions, such as CWS adsorbent dosages (0.1–100 g/L) and CT (0.083–360 h). The calcination of CWSs is frequently used to enhance adsorption capacity. The Langmuir isotherm model has been found to fit adsorption data best when raw oyster shells are used, while the Freundlich isotherm is best when the adsorbent is calcinated mussel shells. The pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics model tends to describe adsorption data better than the pseudo-first-order (PFO) model in all shell types. There is significant potential for using calcareous waste shells to remove nutrients from wastewater in line with circular economy aspirations.