bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LONG-TERM RESULTS OF PER-OPERATIVE KNEE ARTHROSCOPY IN CONFIRMING SUITABILITY FOR UNICOMPARTMENTAL KNEE ARTHROPASTY
Authors: Gill James , Brimm Daniel , McMeniman Peter , McMeniman Timothy , Myers Peter
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Patient selection is key to the success of medial unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA). Progression of arthritis is the most common indication for revision. Various methods of assessing the lateral compartment have been used including stress radiography, radioisotope bone scanning, MRI, and visualisation at the time of surgery. Arthroscopy is another means of assessing the integrity of the lateral compartment.

Methods

We used per-operative arthroscopy as a means to confirm suitability for UKA in a consecutive series of 279 Oxford medial UKA. This study reports the long-term results of a previously published cohort of knees. Our series of UKA with per-operative arthroscopy (Group 1) was compared to all Oxford UKA (Group 2) and all UKA in the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR) (Group 3).

Results

The 14-year cumulative percentage revision (CPR) was 18.5% (95% CI 12.7, 26.4) for group 1, 19.7% (95% CI 18.8, 20.6) for group 2, and 19.2% (95% CI 18.5, 19.8) for group 3. There was no statistically significant difference in the (CPR) for the entire period when group 1 was compared to groups 2 or 3. Progression of arthritis was the indication for revision in similar proportions for the three groups (Group 1: 32.3%, Group 2: 35.7% and Group 3: 33.5%). Following per-operative arthroscopy 21.6% (77/356) of knees underwent a change of surgical plan from UKA to TKA.

Conclusion

Per-operative arthroscopy may improve medium-term medial unicompartmental knee survivorship but does not improve long-term survivorship nor reduce revision due to progression of arthritis.
LONG-TERM BIOMECHANICAL OUTCOMES OF A HIGH FLEXION DESIGN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY
Authors: Tawy Gwenllian , McNicholas Michael , Biant Leela
Published: August 2023

Introduction

This study compared biomechanical and functional parameters of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant (Cemented Zimmer Hi-Flex) against healthy older adults to determine whether knee biomechanics was restored in this patient population.

Methodology

Patients with a primary TKA and healthy adults >55 years old with no musculoskeletal deficits or arthritis participated. Bilateral knee range of motion (RoM) was assessed with a goniometer, then gait patterns were analysed with a 3D motion-capture system. An arthrometer then quantified anterior-posterior laxity of each knee. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS (α=0.05; required sample size: n=21 per group).

Results

25 knees were replaced in 21 patients. Nine presented with fixed flexion deformities (FFD) (13.3±5.6°). FFDs were abolished intraoperatively, and the average flexion increased from 124.8±9.1° to 130.9±5.8°. At 9.6±3.2 years postoperatively, the patients achieved poorer RoM than healthy controls (n=23); p<0.0001. These differences were due to limited flexion in the knee. Patients also failed to achieve the same degree of flexion as controls bilaterally during gait. No differences were observed during mid-flexion; a state that has been associated with instability (p=0.614). There were no differences between groups in knee laxity.

Conclusion

Patients in this study had similar gait patterns to healthy older adults during mid-flexion, and were no more likely to exhibit anterior-posterior translation of the knee >7mm; a known risk factor of instability. However, the flexion range was poorer. This led to bilateral pathological knee flexion patterns during gait. Further research should identify the cause of these limitations.
A COMPARISON OF RETURN-TO-PLAY RATES IN DIFFERENT ELITE SPORTS AFTER PRIMARY AUTOGRAFT ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Jones Mary , Pinheiro Vitor Hugo , Balendra Ganesh , Borque Kyle , Williams Andy
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The study aims were to demonstrate rates, level, and time taken to RTP in elite sports after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R) and compare football and rugby.

Methods

A retrospective review of a consecutive series of ACL-R between 2005 and 2019 was undertaken. Patients were included if they were elite athletes and were a minimum of 2 years post primary autograft ACL-R. The outcomes measured were return to play (RTP), (defined as participation in a professional match or in national/ international level amateur competition), time to RTP after surgery, and RTP level (Tegner score).

Results

Three hundred and ninety four elite athletes with 420 ACL-Rs (235 in footballers, 125 in rugby players and 60 in other sports) were included. 95.7% of all athletes returned to competition at a mean of 10.3 months after ACL-R with 90.1% at the same / higher level. There was no difference in RTP rates between rugby and football. Rugby players RTP faster than footballers (9.6 vs 10.6 months, (p=0.027). Overall re-rupture rate within 2 years was 6.4% but not significantly different between football (8.1%) and rugby (7.2%).

Footballers were more likely to rupture their ACL during jumping / landing manoeuvres and to receive a PT graft than rugby players. There were no significant differences between football and rugby regarding patient characteristics, intraoperative findings and re-operation rates.

Conclusion

Over 95% of all elite athletes RTP after primary ACL-R with 90% able to play at the same level. Rugby players RTP significantly faster than footballers.
NOVEL ROBOTIC TECHNIQUE TO INVESTIGATE TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY STABILITY
Authors: Holthof Sander , Amis Andrew , Van Arkel Richard , Rock Mick
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Mid-flexion instability may cause poor outcomes following TKA. Surgical technique, patient-specific factors, and implant design could all contribute to it, with modelling and fluoroscopy data suggesting the latter may be the root cause. However, current implants all pass the preclinical stability testing standards, making it difficult to understand the effects of implant design on instability. We hypothesized that a more physiological test, analysing functional stability across the range of knee flexion-extension, could delineate the effects of design, independent of surgical technique and patient-specific factors.

Methods

Using a SIMvitro-controlled six-degree-of-freedom robot, a dynamic stability test was developed, including continuous flexion and reporting data in a trans-epicondylar axis system. 3 femoral geometries were tested: gradually reducing radius, multi-radius and single-radius, with their respective tibial inserts. 710N of compression force (body weight) was applied to the implants as they were flexed from 0–140° with three levels of anterior/posterior (AP) tibial force applied (−90N,0N,90N).

Results

While in static tests, the implants performed similarly, functional stability testing revealed different paths of motion and AP laxities throughout the flexion cycle. Some designs exhibited mid-flexion instability, while others did not: the multi-radius design allowed increased AP laxity as it transitioned to each arc of reduced femoral component radius; the single-radius design had low tibial bearing conformity, allowing 16mm difference in the paths of mid-flexion versus extension motion.

Conclusions

Preclinical lab testing reveals functional differences between different design philosophies. Implant design impacts kinematics and mid-flexion stability, even before factoring in surgical technique and patient-specific factors.
DETERMINANTS OF PERFORMANCE IN 200 PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALLERS AT TWO AND FIVE YEARS AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Jones Mary , Pinheiro Vitor Hugo , Laughlin Mitzi , Bourque Kyle , Williams Andy
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine which factors affect a professional footballer's return to play performance level after ACL reconstruction (ACL-R). Additionally, to report their playing performance at 2 and 5 years post ACL-R compared to their preinjury performance.

Methods

A retrospective review of a consecutive series of primary ACL-R undertaken in professional footballers between 2005 and 2019 was undertaken. Performance was determined by the number of minutes played and the league level compared to their pre-injury baseline. Playing time (minutes) was classified as same (within 20%), more, or less playing time for each season compared to the one year prior to surgery.

Results

Two hundred footballers (mean age 24.1 ± 4.2 years) were included. 194 (97%) returned to professional football.

At 2-years after ACL-R 61% of footballers were playing in the same/ higher league, 29% were playing in a lower league and 10% were not playing. At 5-years this was 35%, 37% and 28% respectively.

Forty-six percent of footballers were playing the same or more minutes as pre-injury at 2 years post-surgery, 51% were at 3 and 4 years but this reduced to 45% at 5 years.

The presence of >50% thickness chondral pathology, ACL-R lacking lateral extra-articular tenodesis and age over 25 years at surgery were all significant risk factors of worse performance rates after ACL-R.

Conclusion

While professional footballers achieved high initial RTP rates after ACL-R, with the majority returning to pre-operative levels of competition, significant decreases in performance rates were noted over time.
THE USE OF A MULTIMEDIA POSTOPERATIVE REPORT FOR PATIENTS UNDERGOING ARTHROSCOPIC KNEE SURGERY: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY REDUCING FACE-TO-FACE CLINICAL FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENTS. A QUALITATIVE STUDY
Authors: Ross-Thriepland Stephen , Duffy David
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Transforming outpatient services is a key commitment set out in the NHS Long Term Plan, with particular emphasis on digital solutions to reduce outpatient follow-up (FU) by 25%. This study looks at the potential for removing knee arthroscopy FU by providing a bespoke multimedia report for each individual patient, generated using the Synergy™ Surgeon App (Arthrex)

Methodology

Single District Hospital using a 3 Phase study

Phase 1 – Assessment of cost and environmental impact of outpatient follow up appointments

Phase 2 – Bench marking of existing pathways and patient experience.

Phase 3 – Qualitative assessment of multimedia report feedback of 30 patients

Results

Phase 1 – Impact per year for Trust in released clinician time 135hrs. Cost avoidance £40-£60k. Reduction of the carbon footprint from reduced FU of 3132 KgCo2e2.

Phase 2 – Deep dive on 2019 n. 353 procedures. 1206 outpatient appointments required. Average 1.2 post-operative appointments.

Phase 3 – 87% of patients who received the e-op report needed no further FU. This compares to only 25% using a traditional post op discussion after surgery. 94% of patients felt the report aided their recovery.

Conclusions

Reducing patient FU appointments is crucial to the future of the NHS. Achieving this whilst simultaneously improving the quality of patient communication is achievable as this study has demonstrated. The potential scalability of this project to be applied other arthroscopic procedures is enormous. The study has demonstrated patients are comfortable with modern technology and feel it enhances their understanding whilst decreasing the need for routine post-op FU.
PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME MEASURES AFTER ELECTIVE REVISION TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS (>85 YEARS)
Authors: Downie Samantha , Haque Seraj , Ridley David , Nicol Graeme , Dalgleish Stephen
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) in elderly patients (>85 years) is associated with increased mortality, hospital stay and a high rate (55%) of complications. The objective was to assess PROMs in elderly patients undergoing rTKA.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing rTKA at an arthroplasty centre from 2001–2022 were compared to a control group (aged 50–79y) matched for gender, diagnosis & surgery year. The commonest reasons for revision in elderly patients was aseptic loosening (53/100), infection (21/100) and fracture (7/100). One-year patient-reported outcome data was available for 64%.

Results

100 patients underwent rTKA with a mean age of 84 years (range 80–97 years, SD 3) compared to a matched control group of younger patients (mean age 69y). Preoperative function was poor, with a mean Oxford knee score (OKS) of 40/100 in elderly and 43/100 in younger patients (p=0.164).

At one-year postop, mean OKS was comparable between elderly and young patients (81 and 84/100 respectively, p=0.289). The number of patients with severe pain at one year was also comparable (4% elderly and 7% young respectively, p=0.177).

The improvement in OKS for elderly patients was sustained at three (82 95% CI 58–100, 14/100 known) and five years.

Overall complication rate was 54%. 14% were dead at 1 year and 56% were dead at five-years.

Conclusion

Elderly patients undergoing elective revision TKA show a mean improvement in Oxford knee score of +38 at one year. This is the same as younger patients and is sustained at three and five years.
OPTIMIZING KNEE JOINT REHABILITATION USING ROBOTIC ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN AN INTELLIGENT WEARABLE KNEE BRACE
Authors: Liu Aiqin , Qian Kun , Dorzi Rafic , Alabdullah Meernah , Anand Sanjeev , Maher Niall , Kingsbury Sarah , Conaghan Philip , Xie Shane
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Knee braces are limited to providing passive support. There is currently no brace available providing both continuous monitoring and active robot-assisted movements of the knee joint. This project aimed to develop a wearable intelligent motorised robotic knee brace to support and monitor rehabilitation for a range of knee conditions including post-surgical rehabilitation. This brace can be used at home providing ambulatory continuous passive movement obviating the need for hospital admissions.

Methodology

A wearable sensing system monitoring knee range of motion was developed to provide remote feedback to clinicians and real-time guidance for patients. A prototype of an exoskeleton providing dynamic motion assistance was developed to help patients complete their exercise goals and strengthen their muscles. The accuracy and reliability of those functions were validated in human participants during exercises including knee flexion/extension (FE) in bed and in chair, sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit.

Results

The knee FE measurement from the sensing system showed high accuracy (correlation coefficient of 0.99°) in human participants. The real-time FE data during exercises showed that the desired exoskeleton rotation fitted well with the participant's knee rotation. This indicated the exoskeleton could coordinate with the participant's knee motion by providing consistent motion assistance. The development of user interfaces to provide feedback is currently underway.

Conclusion

A wearable robotic knee brace to monitor and support knee rehabilitation exercises was successfully developed. Further development of this device with the use of artificial intelligence has the potential to aid patient rehabilitation in a variety of knee conditions.
THE MENISCAL TEAR OUTCOME (METRO) REVIEW: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW SUMMARIZING THE CLINICAL COURSE AND OUTCOMES OF PATIENTS WITH A MENISCAL TEAR
Authors: Ahmed Imran , Dhaif Fatema , Khatri Chetan , Parsons Nicholas , Hutchinson Charles , Staniszewska Sophie , Price Andrew , Metcalfe Andrew
Published: August 2023

Background

Meniscal tears affect 222 per 100,000 of the population and can be managed non-operatively or operatively with an arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM), meniscal repair or meniscal transplantation. The purpose of this review is to summarise the outcomes following treatment with a meniscal tear and explore correlations between outcomes.

Methodology

A systematic review was performed of MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify prospective studies describing the outcomes of patients with a meniscal tear. Comparisons were made of outcomes between APM and non-operative groups. Outcomes were graphically presented over time for all treatment interventions. Pearson's correlations were calculated between outcome timepoints.

Results

35 studies were included, 28 reported outcomes following APM; four following meniscal repair and three following meniscal transplant. Graphical plots demonstrated a sustained improvement for all treatment interventions. A moderate to very strong correlation was reported between baseline and three-month outcomes. In the medium term, there was small significant difference in outcome between APM and non-operative measures (SMD 0.17; 95 % CI 0.04, 0.29), however, this was not clinically significant.

Conclusions

Patients with a meniscal tear demonstrated a sustained initial improvement in function scores, which was true of all treatments examined. APM may have little benefit in older people, however, previous trials did not include patients who meet the current indications for surgery as a result the findings should not be generalised to all patients with a meniscal tear. Further trials are required in patients who meet current operative indications.
Importance sampling-accelerated simulation of full-spectrum backscattered diffuse reflectance
Authors: Mao Jianing , Ling Yuye , Xue Ping , Su Yikai
Published: August 2023

The Monte Carlo (MC) method is one of the most widely used numerical tools to model the light interaction with tissue. However, due to the low photon collection efficiency and the need to simulate the entire emission spectrum, it is computationally expensive to simulate the full-spectrum backscattered diffuse reflectance (F-BDR). Here, we propose an acceleration scheme based on importance sampling (IS). We derive the biasing sampling function tailored for simulating BDR based on the two-term scattering phase function (TT). The parameters of the TT function at different wavelengths are directly obtained by fitting the Mie scattering phase function. Subsequently, we incorporate the TT function and its corresponding biased function into the redefined IS process and realize the accelerated simulation of F-BDR. Phantom simulations based on the Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) are conducted to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed method. Compared to the original simulator without IS, our proposed method achieves a 373× acceleration in simulating the F-BDR of the multi-layer phantom with a relative mean square error (rMSE) of less than 2%. Besides, by parallelly computing A-lines, our method enables the simulation of an entire B-scan in less than 0.4 hours. To our best knowledge, it is the first time that a volumetric OCT image of a complex phantom is simulated. We believe that the proposed acceleration method can be readily applied to fast simulations of various F-BDR-dependent applications. The source codes of this manuscript are also publicly available online.
Genomic epidemiological analysis of county-scale Yersinia pestis spread pattern over 50 years in a Southwest Chinese prefecture
Authors: Qin Jingliang , Shi Liyuan , Wu Yarong , Kong Jinjiao , Qian Xiuwei , Zhang Xianglilan , Zuo Xiujuan , Fan Hang , Guo Yan , Cui Mengnan , Dong Shanshan , Tan Hongli , Zhong Youhong , Song Yajun , Yang Ruifu , Wang Peng , Cui Yujun
Published: August 2023

Plague, one of the most devastating infectious diseases in human history, is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. Since the 1950s, the Dehong Dai–Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (DH) in Yunnan Province, China, has recorded plague outbreaks that have resulted in 1,153 human cases and 379 deaths. The genetic diversity and transmission characteristics of Y. pestis strains in this region remain unknown. Here, we performed high-resolution genomic epidemiological analysis of 175 Y. pestis strains isolated from five counties and 19 towns in DH between 1953 and 2007. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most DH strains were located in lineage 1.ORI2, which could be further subdivided into seven sub-phylogroups (SPG1-SPG7). The dominant sub-phylogroups of Y. pestis in DH varied during different periods and presented a population shift. Genomic evidence showed that plague might have emerged from the southwest of DH (e.g., Longchuan or Ruili counties) or its bordering countries, and subsequently spread to the northeast in multiple waves between 1982 and 2007. Our study infers a fine-scale phylogeny and spread pattern of the DH Y. pestis population, which extends our knowledge regarding its genetic diversity and provides clues for the future prevention and control of plague in this region.
Green synthesised AuNps using Ajuga Bracteosa extract and AuNps-Free supernatant exhibited equivalent antibacterial and anticancerous efficacies
Authors: Raja Sadaf Azad , Andleeb Saiqa , Javed Aneela , Sabahat Sana , Parvaiz Fahed , Mureed Hafsah , Ahmad Sohaib , Naz Falak
Published: August 2023

The current study is designed to synthesize gold nanoparticles using Ajuga bracteosa extract, which is a highly known medicinal herb found in the northern Himalayas. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were initially characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, SEM, FTIR, pXRD, and, GC-MS. Antibacterial efficacy of A. bracteosa extract, AuNps, and AuNps-free supernatant activity was checked against highly pathogenic clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa via agar well diffusion method, assuming that supernatant might have active compounds. The Nps-free supernatant showed the maximum antibacterial activity against E. coli (20.8±0.3 mm), Staphylococcus aureus (16.5±0.5), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13±0.6). While green synthesized AuNps showed effective antibacterial activity (Escherichia coli (16.4±0.3mm), Staphylococcus aureus (15.05±0.5mm), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.07±0.6mm)) which was high compared to A. bracteosa extract. Anticancer activity was assessed by MTT assay on U87 and HEK293 cell lines. Aj-AuNps have an antigrowth effect on both the cell lines however Aj-AuNps-free supernatant which was also evaluated along with the Aj-AuNps, showed high toxicity toward HEK293 cell line compared to U87. Further, the GC-MS analysis of supernatant showed the presence of resultant toxic compounds after the reduction of gold salt, which include Trichloromethane, Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, Methyl isovalerate, Pentanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-, Benzene-propanoic acid, and alpha-hydroxy. Based on the observation small molecular weight ligands of Ajuga bracteosa were analyzed in-silico for their binding efficacy towards selected membrane proteins of our target pathogens. RMSD is also calculated for the best docked protein ligand pose. The results revealed that among all listed ligands, Ergosterol and Decacetylajugrin IV have high virtuous binding affinities towards the membrane proteins of targeted pathogens. The current findings revealed that the Aj-AuNps are good antibacterial as well as anticancerous agents while the Nps-free supernatant is also exceedingly effective against resistant pathogens and cancer cell lines.
Environmental drivers of size-based population structure, sexual maturity and fecundity: A study of the invasive blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Marchessaux Guillaume , Gjoni Vojsava , Sarà Gianluca
Published: August 2023

The blue crab Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896) is one of the most invasive species in the Mediterranean Sea. Understand how the populations are maintained and how the environment is driving the populations in the areas invaded is the key to an effective future management. This current study is presenting a monthly long-term monitoring of the blue crabs’ population structure, body size, sexual maturity, reproduction periods and fecundity, and their relationships with environmental factors in a saltmarshes system in Italy. During winter, high densities (15 ± 8 ind m-2) of early juveniles (< 2 cm) were observed, and their numbers decreased due the population growth until summer. The size-spectra showed that across different temperature (18–26°C) and salinity (24–40 psu) gradients, the growth period for males is faster than for females. Based on abdominal analysis, sexual maturity was defined at ∼12 cm for males and females but the population was in favor of males that were more than 66% of the time mature throughout the year. Copulations periods were identified between spring and autumn when more than 50% of females were matures, and ovigerous females’ migrations were observed in late summer. Our study expand our understanding of how the environment interacts to effect physiological and biological processes of alien species and improve our ability to make predictions of how environmental change the distribution of the alien species in the future. Based on our results, we also discuss which population control strategy would be most effective based on the data available in the literature.
Cross-frequency coupling between slow harmonics via the real brainstem oscillators: An in vivo animal study
Authors: Kawai Yoshinori
Published: August 2023

Brain waves of discrete rhythms (gamma to delta frequency ranges) are ubiquitously recorded and interpreted with respect to probable corresponding specific functions. The most challenging idea of interpreting varied frequencies of brain waves has been postulated as a communication mechanism in which different neuronal assemblies use specific ranges of frequencies cooperatively. One promising candidate is cross-frequency coupling (CFC), in which some neuronal assemblies efficiently utilize the fastest gamma range brain waves as an information carrier (phase-amplitude CFC); however, phase-phase CFC via the slowest delta and theta waves has rarely been described to date. Moreover, CFC has rarely been reported in the animal brainstem including humans, which most likely utilizes the slowest waves (delta and theta ranges). Harmonic waves are characterized by the presence of a fundamental frequency with several overtones, multiples of the fundamental frequency. Rat brainstem waves seemed to consist of slow harmonics with different frequencies that could cooperatively produce a phase-phase CFC. Harmonic rhythms of different frequency ranges can cross-couple with each other to sustain robust and resilient consonance via real oscillators, notwithstanding any perturbations.
Complexity in the dengue spreading: A network analysis approach
Authors: Lima L. L. , Atman A. P. F.
Published: August 2023

In an increasingly interconnected society, preventing epidemics has become a major challenge. Numerous infectious diseases spread between individuals by a vector, creating bipartite networks of infection with the characteristics of complex networks. In the case of dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, these infection networks include a vector—the Aedes aegypti mosquito—which has expanded its endemic area due to climate change. In this scenario, innovative approaches are essential to help public agents in the fight against the disease. Using an agent-based model, we investigated the network morphology of a dengue endemic region considering four different serotypes and a small population. The degree, betweenness, and closeness distributions are evaluated for the bipartite networks, considering the interactions up to the second order for each serotype. We observed scale-free features and heavy tails in the degree distribution and betweenness and quantified the decay of the degree distribution with a q–Gaussian fit function. The simulation results indicate that the spread of dengue is primarily driven by human-to-human and human-to-mosquito interaction, reinforcing the importance of controlling the vector to prevent episodes of epidemic outbreaks.
Convergence of mechanistic modeling and artificial intelligence in hydrologic science and engineering
Authors: Muñoz-Carpena Rafael , Carmona-Cabrero Alvaro , Yu Ziwen , Fox Garey , Batelaan Okke
Published: August 2023

Hydrology is a mature physical science based on application of first principles. However, the water system is complex and its study requires analysis of increasingly large data available from conventional and novel remote sensing and IoT sensor technologies. New data-driven approaches like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are attracting much “hype” despite their apparent limitations (transparency, interpretability, ethics). Some AI/ML applications lack in addressing explicitly important hydrological questions, focusing mainly on “black-box” prediction without providing mechanistic insights. We present a typology of four main types of hydrological problems based on their dominant space and time scales, review their current tools and challenges, and identify important opportunities for AI/ML in hydrology around three main topics: data management, insights and knowledge extraction, and modelling structure. Instead of just for prediction, we propose that AI/ML can be a powerful inductive and exploratory dimension-reduction tool within the rich hydrological toolchest to support the development of new theories that address standing gaps in changing hydrological systems. AI/ML can incorporate other forms of structured and non-structured data and traditional knowledge typically not considered in process-based models. This can help us further advance process-based understanding, forecasting and management of hydrological systems, particularly at larger integrated system scales with big models. We call for reimagining the original definition of AI in hydrology to incorporate not only today’s main focus on learning, but on decision analytics and action rules, and on development of autonomous machines in a continuous cycle of learning and refinement in the context of strong ethical, legal, social, and economic constrains. For this, transdisciplinary communities of knowledge and practice will need to be forged with strong investment from the public sector and private engagement to protect water as a common good under accelerated demand and environmental change.
Análisis de la relación entre el Índice de Masa Corporal y la somnolencia diurna en universitarios mexicanos.
Authors: Rodríguez-Pérez Candelario , Carreño-Ruíz Santa Dolores , Ortiz Ojeda Rosa Felicitas , Avalos Lázaro Abisag Antonieta
Published: August 2023

Introducción. La prevalencia del sobrepeso, obesidad y la somnolencia se incrementan cada vez más en la población joven mexicana, sin embargo, esta relación ha sido escasamente estudiada en universitarios, por lo que, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la relación del Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) con la somnolencia en una población estudiantil de pregrado en Tabasco, México.
Metodología. Se realizó un estudio transversal analítico en 155 estudiantes, determinándose en ellos el IMC, mientras que la somnolencia se evaluó mediante la Escala de Somnolencia Epworth (ESE). Los datos obtenidos se analizaron de manera independiente y fueron conjuntados para poder analizar la posible relación entre ellos. La validez estadística de este estudio se obtuvo a través de análisis desarrollados en el software SPSS statistics versión 21.
Resultados. El 69,7% de la población estudiada la conformaron los hombres. La presencia de sobrepeso y obesidad se presentó en casi la mitad de la población con el 41,2%, siendo el grupo de las mujeres quienes presentan medias del IMC mayores en comparación con los hombres [media 25,9 kg/m2 (DE: 4,7) vs media 24,1kg/m2 (DE: 3,9)] p<0,01). Con la ESE se pudo observar que el 37,4% de los estudiantes presentan algún tipo de somnolencia, siendo el grupo de los hombres el que se observó con mayores afectaciones. En cuanto al análisis del IMC con la somnolencia se mostró una p=0,00 con nivel de confianza del 95% que confirma una relación entre estos factores, con un coeficiente de correlación bajo.
Conclusión. El grado de IMC tiende aumentar el nivel de somnolencia.
Design of Autonomous Position and Secondary Estimation of Atmospheric Parameters Sensor Using Low-cost GNSS
Authors: Běloch Lukáš
Published: August 2023

The article focuses on the design and implementation of a Low-cost GNSS device for autonomous position monitoring and for determining parameters of the atmosphere. The first part is dedicated to the specification of individual components and their combination into several devices. The primary part includes a test of these GNSS devices and the parameters of data collection. This is followed by a quality test of these collected datasets, in several graphs is shown device capabilities. Also, we can see some problems with components, but we were able to specify what causes them. The final part deals with positioning and determining atmospheric parameters by G-Nut software with the selected GNSS sensor.
THE EFFECT OF RECYCLED RUBBER AGGREGATES AND DUNE SAND OF EL-OUED REGION ON THE COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH OF CEMENTITIOUS MORTAR: OPTIMIZATION USING TAGUCHI METHOD
Authors: KAAB Mohamed Zohair , KHELAIFA Hamad , ATHAMNIA Brahim , DJEDID Tarek , HIMA Abdelkader
Published: August 2023

This study optimizes the effect of recycled rubber aggregates and dune sand of El-Oued's region by maximizing the compressive strength of cementitious mortar using Taguchi's design experiments. The experiments were designed using an L9 orthogonal array to see the different relationships between the factors targeted in our research, namely: water/cement (W/C) ratio, rubber aggregates (RA) content, and dune sand (SD) content, with the levels of each factor in the mortar mixture. The samples were tested at 28 days in each of the nine trial conditions for two responses: compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The results of the analysis of variation (ANOVA) show that RA content is the factor that has the largest effect on the two tests, and the second factor affecting the two tests is the W/C ratio. Then, the analysis shows that the SD content has no significant effect on the mechanical resistance of the mortar for the two tests. And from the mathematical models investigated in this study, we conclude that the factors RA content and W/C ratio have a negative influence on the responses of the compression test and the ultrasonic test together
Preparation of the composite asphalt material and its performance in road rehabilitation
Authors: Zhu Tiezeng , Li Xudan
Published: August 2023

Asphalt materials have a very wide range of applications in roads, but with the increase of traffic pressure and the intensification of cracking and rutting in traditional asphalt pavements, there is an urgent need to further improve the performance of asphalt materials. In this paper, composite asphalt materials containing 10%, 20%, and 30% trinidad lake asphalt (TLA) and 0%, 2%, 3%, and 4% styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) were prepared. Their basic properties and the properties of the mixes used for road rehabilitation were analyzed. It was found that the addition of TLA and SBR caused a decrease in the penetration degree of the material, but significantly increased the softening point of the material, TLA was detrimental to the ductility of the material, and SBR could improve the ductility. From the analysis of the performance of road rehabilitation mixes, the comprehensive performance of 20% TLA+3% SBR was good, its dynamic stability reached 3,712.66 times/mm, its water stability was also good, and its stiffness modulus was 3,332.64 MPa. The results prove the improvement of TLA and SBR for asphalt performance, and this method can be applied in practical projects.
A DENGUE: RETRATO DE SUA INCIDÊNCIA ENTRE 2016 A 2020 NA CIDADE DE ARAPIRACA EM ALAGOAS, BRASIL
Authors: Tenório Fabiana de Melo , Lopes José Lidemberg de Sousa
Published: August 2023

A dengue é atualmente uma das arboviroses de maior impacto na saúde pública do mundo. Uma doença que tem como fonte de transmissão o mosquito Aedes aegypti, seu principal vetor, de origem africana, que se espalhou pelo mundo através das grandes navegações, tendo como habitat o meio urbano, que fornece elementos geográficos essenciais para a dispersão da doença. O objetivo deste trabalho concentrou-se em realizar uma análise sobre a distribuição espacial e temporal da dengue nos 40 bairros da cidade de Arapiraca, no agreste alagoano, entre o período de 2016 a 2020. Utilizando a compreensão da distribuição espacial e temporal, investigou-se como essa doença se comporta na cidade e quais os principais fatores epidemiológicos que fazem da dengue uma epidemia explosiva em quase todos os anos deste estudo. Para isso, elaboraram-se mapas que serviram para apontar a situação de vulnerabilidade da doença na cidade, ilustrando os Índices de Infestação Predial (IIP) nos bairros da zona urbana e a evolução dos casos durante os episódios analisados anualmente, adquiridos por meio dos dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) do Setor de Vigilância Epidemiológica e do Centro de Controle de Zoonoses do município.
OS ESPAÇOS PÚBLICOS NAS CIDADES: AVALIAÇÃO QUALIQUANTITATIVA DAS PRAÇAS DE ITUIUTABA-MG
Authors: Pereira Lucas Alves , Ferreira William Rodrigues
Published: August 2023

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar as praças da cidade de Ituiutaba (MG). Os critérios para a avaliação foram tomados a partir das funções de uma área verde urbana, sendo considerados os elementos ambientais, sociais e estéticos. Metodologicamente, o estudo esteve delimitado a partir de uma busca bibliográfica contendo os termos “espaço público”, “praças”, “espaços livres” e “áreas verdes”. Também foram realizadas atividades de campo para a apreensão da realização das funções, sendo a observação mediada pela utilização de ficha adaptada de Angelis, Castro & De Angelis Neto (2004) e de Souza & Amorim (2019); bem como a espacialização dos dados obtidos e a demonstração da avaliação qualiquantitativa com os respectivos desdobramentos. Foi possível constatar que a função ambiental está mais bem distribuída nas praças, ao longo de toda a cidade; por outro lado, qualitativamente, as funções sociais e estéticas se concentram nas praças centrais ou na proximidade do centro.
GASTON BACHELARD E O ESPAÇO: FENOMENOLOGIA E ONTOLOGIA COMO POÉTICAS DO VIVIDO
Authors: Silva Valéria Cristina Pereira da
Published: August 2023

Gaston Bachelard cultivava uma imagem do Geógrafo em seus textos filosóficos: um geógrafo universal e imaginário, da imaginação bachelardiana que, talvez, tivesse o seu espelhamento emblemático e romântico em Humboldt. Todavia, mal sabia Bachelard que fornecer-nos-ia, a nós geógrafos, um método em profundidade. Este texto buscará compreender a fenomenologia bachelardiana como as manifestações do espaço na consciência e a sua importância como motor e mecanismo ontológico da imaginação. O espaço é fator de partida da imagem que permitiu a Bachelard, a partir da fenomenologia como método de abordagem, a compreensão ontológica do espaço vivido.
O QUE FITÓLITOS, ESPÍCULAS DE ESPONJAS E CONCHAS NOS “CONTAM” SOBRE O PASSADO DO SAMBAQUI DA FOZ DO RIO PORUQUARA, GUARAQUEÇABA, PARANÁ?
Authors: Villwock Fernando Henrique , Parolin Mauro , Parellada Claudia Inês
Published: August 2023

As diferentes ocupações humanas pretéritas estão correlacionadas a filtros culturais entrelaçados às condições paleoambientais, dentre esses vestígios estão os sambaquis, que podem ser caracterizados como morros artificiais. A pesquisa foi realizada no sambaqui da Foz do Rio Poruquara, município de Guaraqueçaba, Paraná, tendo como objetivo interpretar o significado paleoambiental dos fitólitos, das espículas de esponja e das conchas de moluscos recuperados na área de estudo. Nas amostras de perfis estratigráficos, do acervo do Museu Paranaense, para a recuperação dos fitólitos e espículas de esponja utilizou-se de protocolos já descritos na literatura para esses “proxies”, enquanto as conchas foram identificadas por meio de método comparativo. Estabeleceu-se para o sambaqui da Foz do Rio Poruquara datação relativa de aproximadamente 4.000 anos AP. Com base na ocorrência dos fitólitos ao longo do perfil, foi possível estabelecer três zonas com características de vegetação diferentes: I) base: gramíneas; II) intermediária: gramíneas-arbustivo; III) topo: arbóreo-gramíneas. Quanto às espículas de esponjas verificou-se que a área do sambaqui sempre esteve sob influência das oscilações do nível do mar. As conchas de moluscos indicam que durante todo o período de construção do sambaqui a vegetação manteve características similares às observadas na atualidade (baías, estuários e mangues).
ANÁLISE HIPSOMÉTRICA E MORFOESTRUTURAL DO DOMÍNIO VAZA-BARRIS, SERGIPE
Authors: Lima Luana Pereira , Araújo Hélio Mário de
Published: August 2023

Estudos de parâmetros morfométricos e morfoestruturais são essenciais para o entendimento da paisagem geomorfológica. Avaliam quantitativamente a dinâmica fisiográfica e a atuação da rede de drenagem nos modelados. O Domínio Vaza-Barris é uma unidade geotectônica inserida na Faixa de Dobramentos Sergipana e abrange os estados de Sergipe e Bahia. Inserem-se na unidade quatro bacias hidrográficas: Rio Sergipe, Rio Vaza-Barris, Rio Piauí e Rio Real. Essa pesquisa analisa os índices morfométricos de hipsometria e morfoestrutura aplicados nas áreas das quatro bacias hidrográficas, avaliando quantitativamente o comportamento da drenagem no processo evolutivo da paisagem morfológica e o controle litológico/estrutural na definição e arranjo espacial da drenagem. A metodologia consistiu na compilação dos dados existentes e na aquisição de novos dados através do processamento de imagens de satélite e Modelo Digital de Elevação, no tratamento e interpretação para a elucidação dos fatos. Os índices morfométricos revelaram a intensidade da atuação da rede de drenagem em consonância com a litoestrutura. Conclui-se que as singularidades estruturais, litológicas, tectônicas e fisiográficas interferiram na atuação da rede de drenagem sobre a esculturação do relevo do Domínio Vaza-Barris.
AVALIAÇÃO DAS EMISSÕES DE CO2 DO SOLO EM AMBIENTES DE CAATINGA, EM ALAGOAS
Authors: Santos Geovânia Ricardo dos , Araujo Kallianna Dantas , Souza Mayara Andrade , Guimarães Júnior Sinval Autran Mendes
Published: August 2023

O CO2 medido do solo é a atividade microbiana provido de diversos processos biogeoquímicos e sua investigação pode responder sobre os fatores associados a condição ambiental na Caatinga. Desse modo, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar as emissões de CO2 do solo em dois ambientes de Caatinga, comparando com os condicionantes ambientais do solo e do clima, no Semiárido de Alagoas. A atividade microbiana foi avaliada pelo CO2 liberado do solo, onde foi absorvido por uma solução de KOH. Foi instalado pluviômetro para obter índices de precipitação e a leituras de temperatura do solo a 10 cm da superfície. Foram avaliados o conteúdo de água, teores de carbono e matéria orgânica do solo. A maior emissão de CO2 do solo nas duas áreas avaliadas ocorreram no período noturno, em virtude da temperatura do solo apresentar-se mais amena; A liberação de CO2 apresenta variável, em decorrência das propriedades do solo, clima e vegetação; O carbono e a matéria orgânica do solo apresentaram valores elevados nas áreas de Caatinga, demonstrando grande atividade biogeoquímica e de ciclagem de nutrientes; Recomenda-se que estudos futuros sobre cinética de CO2 sejam realizados, de modo a comparar valores e compreender mais a fundo a dinâmica do ambiente.
O SOLO NO ENSINO DE GEOGRAFIA: ESTADO DO CONHECIMENTO, PERSPECTIVAS E DESAFIOS
Authors: Mendes Samuel de Oliveira , Tavares Kassio Samay Ribeiro , Morais Eliana Marta Barbosa de
Published: August 2023

O presente artigo analisa como tem se realizado as abordagens acerca dos componentes físico-naturais do espaço geográfico, com ênfase no solo, em pesquisas desenvolvidas no campo da Geografia Física e do Ensino de Geografia. Para tanto, selecionou-se dois eventos significativos de cada uma dessas áreas, em edições realizadas de maneira ininterrupta, em um recorte temporal de 10 anos. No primeiro caso, o levantamento foi realizado no SINAGEO e no SBGFA; e como representantes da segunda, o ENPEG e o Fórum NEPEG, por entender que esses eventos se configuram como uma das principais plataformas de divulgação e debate das pesquisas desenvolvidas em ambas as áreas da Geografia brasileira. Mobilizando o Estado do conhecimento e a Análise de Conteúdo, na metodologia, contabilizou-se e analisou-se os textos que versam sobre o ensino do solo no contexto dos componentes físico-naturais. As análises indicaram que o solo não tem assumido papel de protagonismo; que os eventos da Geografia Física tem sido a plataforma preferencialmente escolhida pelos autores para divulgar suas contribuições; e que ainda existe um paradigma favorecedor de interpretações fragmentadas e dicotômicas nas abordagens acerca do solo, em especial, nas pesquisas conduzidas por uma das vertentes da Educação Ambiental, a perspectiva preservacionista.
ANÁLISE DA VULNERABILIDADE SOCIAL DIANTE DA PRECIPITAÇÃO DE GRANIZO PARA RIO GRANDE/RS
Authors: Gautério Bruna Cavalcanti , Maier Éder Leandro Bayer
Published: August 2023

Rio Grande/RS localiza-se em latitudes subtropicais de intensa atividade ciclogenética, as quais podem causar efeitos e danos à população. Diante disso, o objetivo foi elaborar e analisar a distribuição espacial da vulnerabilidade social diante da precipitação de granizo através de um índice elaborado em Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIG). A proposta metodológica visa associar fatores de ponderação para variáveis que expressam indicadores socioeconômicos (densidade demográfica, pessoas residentes, analfabetismo e pedidos de auxílios financeiros) e de infraestrutura urbana (abastecimento de água, energia elétrica, esgotamento sanitário, presença de banheiro e coleta de lixo), os quais caracterizam a vulnerabilidade social. A base de dados compreende o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) e o relatório de atingidos por chuva de granizo da Coordenadoria de Proteção e Defesa Civil Municipal. Diante disso, a metodologia aplicada foi validade através da Análise de Dependência por Regressão Linear para mensurar a dependência entre o índice de vulnerabilidade e os pedidos de auxílios. Os resultados constatam que as vulnerabilidades socioeconômicas muito alta situam-se à oeste da cidade e no distrito Industrial e as classificadas como altas foram identificadas em todos os distritos do município, com ênfase na porção oeste. O processo metodológico apresentou confiabilidade em 63% da vulnerabilidade nos Setores Censitários.
PROPOSTA DE ZONEAMENTO AMBIENTAL PARA O PARQUE MUNICIPAL MAURÍCIO DE OLIVEIRA EM MOSSORÓ/RN
Authors: Ferreira Filho Joilson Marques , Bezerra Joel Medeiros , Carvalho Rodrigo Guimarães de , Oliveira Palloma  Vitória Carlos de , Rosa Thiago José Lima
Published: August 2023

O Parque Municipal Maurício de Oliveira em Mossoró-RN foi inaugurado em 2016 e a sua criação se deu por meio da Lei Municipal N.º 3.372, possuindo uma área de 7,8 ha, contendo vestígios de vegetação nativa do bioma Caatinga como mantenedora de mata ciliar de margem do rio Apodi-Mossoró. Diante desta problemática, o presente estudo tem como objetivo realizar proposta de zoneamento ambiental do Parque Municipal de Mossoró Maurício de Oliveira, pois o parque ainda não possui regulamento, plano de gerenciamento e seus limites determinados por meio de coordenadas geográficas definidos em lei. Para a elaboração do zoneamento realizou-se etapas de diagnóstico socioambiental, delimitação da área de interesse, levantamento de imagens por veículo aéreo não tripulado, processamento das imagens e manipulação dos dados por meio do software livre QGIS. Como resultado foi proposto a criação de quatro zonas, são elas: Uso Extensivo, Uso Intensivo, Recuperação e de Uso Especial. Ocorrendo a predominância da zona de Uso Extensivo, em virtude de sua ocupação como mata ciliar com uma abrangência do Parque.