bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Cooperative Decision-Making and Control Algorithm for UAV Formation Based on Non-Cooperative Game Theory
Authors: Jiao Yongkang , Fu Wenxing , Cao Xinying , Kou Kunhu , Tang Ji , Shen Rusong , Zhang Yiyang , Du Haibo
Published: November 2024

The formation control problem of distributed fixed-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is investigated in this paper. By utilizing the theoretical foundations of non-cooperative game theory, a novel control strategy is introduced, which allows UAVs to autonomously determine the optimal flight trajectory without relying on centralized coordination while concurrently mitigating conflicts with other UAVs. By transforming the UAV model into a double integrator form, the control complexity is reduced. Additionally, the incorporation of a homogeneous differential disturbance observer enhances the UAV’s resilience against disturbances during the control process. Through the development and validation of a Nash equilibrium-based algorithm, it is demonstrated that UAVs can sustain a predefined formation flight and autonomously adapt their trajectories in complex environments. Simulations are presented to confirm the efficiency of the proposed method.
The Path to Poverty Reduction: How Do Economic Growth and Fiscal Policy Influence Poverty Through Inequality in Indonesia?
Authors: Agussalim Agussalim , Nursini Nursini , Suhab Sultan , Kurniawan Randi , Samir Salman , Tawakkal Tawakkal
Published: November 2024

One of the factors impeding the decline in poverty in Indonesia is the government’s lack of attention to the need to reduce income inequality. Fiscal policy and economic growth can effectively reduce poverty by lowering income inequality, so the inequality channel must be considered. Socioeconomic and infrastructure differences between provinces can influence the effectiveness of economic growth and fiscal policy in reducing poverty. This study aimed to assess the effects of economic growth and fiscal policy regarding spending and taxes on direct and indirect poverty reduction through lowering income inequality, as well as considering how these variables influence poverty by province. This study employed secondary data, including panel data for 2010–2023 from 34 provinces in Indonesia, which were analyzed using autoregressive cross-lagged SEM. This study found that economic growth and fiscal policy regarding spending on education and health are statistically significant in directly reducing poverty in regions outside Java but do not affect it through income inequality. Taxes increase income inequality, and the social safety net does not reduce poverty outside Java. The increased spending on education and health should continue, but improvements are needed in terms of targeting social safety nets and tax reforms to strengthen the system and reduce inequality.
Accelerating Die Bond Quality Detection Using Lightweight Architecture DSGβSI-Yolov7-Tiny
Authors: Chang Bao Rong , Tsai Hsiu-Fen , Chang Wei-Shun
Published: November 2024

The die bonding process is one of the most critical steps in the front-end semiconductor packaging process, as it significantly affects the yield of the entire IC packaging process. This research aims to find an efficient, intelligent vision detection model to identify whether each chip correctly adheres to the IC substrate; by utilizing the detection model to classify the type of defects occurring in the die bond images, the engineers can analyze the leading causes, enabling timely adjustments to key machine parameters in real-time, improving the yield of the die bond process, and significantly reducing manufacturing cost losses. This study proposes the lightweight Yolov7-tiny model using Depthwise-Separable and Ghost Convolutions and Sigmoid Linear Unit with β parameter (DSGβSI-Yolov7-tiny), which we can apply for real-time and efficient detection and prediction of die bond quality. The model achieves a maximum FPS of 192.3, a precision of 99.1%, and an F1-score of 0.97. Therefore, the performance of the proposed DSGβSI-Yolov7-tiny model outperforms other methods.
A Convolutional Neural Network for the Removal of Simultaneous Ocular and Myogenic Artifacts from EEG Signals
Authors: Azhar Maryam , Shafique Tamoor , Amjad Anas
Published: November 2024

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a non-invasive technique widely used in neuroscience to diagnose neural disorders and analyse brain activity. However, ocular and myogenic artifacts from eye movements and facial muscle activity often contaminate EEG signals, compromising signal analysis accuracy. While deep learning models are a popular choice for denoising EEG signals, most focus on removing either ocular or myogenic artifacts independently. This paper introduces a novel EEG denoising model capable of handling the simultaneous occurrence of both artifacts. The model uses convolutional layers to extract spatial features and a fully connected layer to reconstruct clean signals from learned features. The model integrates the Adam optimiser, average pooling, and ReLU activation to effectively capture and restore clean EEG signals. It demonstrates superior performance, achieving low training and validation losses with a significantly reduced RRMSE value of 0.35 in both the temporal and spectral domains. A high cross-correlation coefficient of 0.94 with ground-truth EEG signals confirms the model’s fidelity. Compared to the existing architectures and models (FPN, UNet, MCGUNet, LinkNet, MultiResUNet3+, Simple CNN, Complex CNN) across a range of signal-to-noise ratio values, the model shows superior performance for artifact removal. It also mitigates overfitting, underscoring its robustness in artifact suppression.
Noise-Robust Radar High-Resolution Range Profile Target Recognition Based on Residual Scattering Attention Network
Authors: Huang Pengjun , Li Shuai , Li Wentao , Zheng Muhai , Tian Biao , Xu Shiyou
Published: November 2024

In recent years, radar automatic target recognition (RATR) utilizing high-resolution range profiles (HRRPs) has received significant attention. Approaches based on deep learning have demonstrated remarkable efficacy in HRRP recognition tasks. However, the performance of neural networks is notably vulnerable to noise, leading to a detrimental effect on their recognition accuracy and overall robustness. To address this issue, a residual scattering attention network (RSAN) is proposed for HRRP target recognition, which comprises a residual scattering network, ResNet18, and a self-attention module. The residual scattering network is designed to suppress noise components and extract noise-robust features. It is derived from the improvement of a scattering network and does not need to learn parameters from the data. ResNet18 is employed for the purpose of extracting a deep representation of scattering features for HRRPs. Furthermore, a self-attention module is integrated into ResNet18, enabling the model to focus on target regions, thereby enhancing its feature-learning capability. The effectiveness and noise robustness of the proposed method are validated through experiments conducted on two measured datasets.
A Mixed-Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Model of a Capped-T-Ring Seal with a Sectioned Multi-Material Film Thickness in Landing Gear Shock Absorber Applications
Authors: Feria Alanis Aaron , Sheikh Al-Shabab Ahmed A. , Antoniadis Antonis F. , Tsoutsanis Panagiotis , Skote Martin
Published: November 2024

Numerical investigations of capped T-ring (CTR) seals performance in reciprocating motion for landing gear shock absorber applications are presented. A lubrication model using the Elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory and deformation mechanics is developed in a multi-material contact zone, and a procedure for coupling fluid and deformation mechanics is introduced. By conducting Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations, the static contact pressure is obtained, which subsequently is used within the model developed herein consisting of a modified Reynolds equation and an asperity contact model, to calculate the fluid film pressure, and the deformation of the fluid channel is determined using an elastic deformation model applied to a multi-component multi-mechanical property channel. These computational results are used for estimations of the seal leakage and friction under various conditions. In addition, the influence of asperity orientation is compared with other parameters, such as sealing pressure and piston velocity. A correlation between asperity orientation and leakage was found, and a general trend of reduced leakage with longitudinally oriented asperities was established.
Boundary Control-Based Finite-Time Passivity for Fractional Spatiotemporal Directed Networks with Multiple Weights
Authors: Zhao Li , Hu Cheng , Yu Juan
Published: November 2024

This article mainly delves into finite-time passivity and finite-time synchronization of fractional-order spatiotemporal directed networks with multiple weights via boundary control schemes. Firstly, several concepts of finite-time passivity for fractional spatiotemporal models are proposed by virtue of a fractional-order differential inequality. Next, a boundary controller is presented to realize the passivity, which only relies on the information of the state at the spatial boundary. Subsequently, by constructing the Lyapunov function and leveraging some inequality techniques, some sufficient conditions in the form of linear matrix inequalities are established to ensure the finite-time strict passivity, finite-time input strict passivity, and finite-time output strict passivity. As a consequence of the derived result of finite-time output strict passivity, several criteria are obtained for realizing finite-time synchronization of the addressed fractional spatiotemporal networks. A numerical example is eventually presented to verify the developed control protocol and the theoretical criteria.
The Frequency and Main Characteristics of Obesity in Undocumented Migrants Receiving Medical Assistance from a Charitable Organisation in Italy
Authors: Franchi Matteo , Fiorini Gianfrancesco , Conflitti Claudia , Schibuola Fabio Riccardo , Rigamonti Antonello Emilio , Sartorio Alessandro , Corrao Giovanni , Cella Silvano Gabriele
Published: November 2024

Background: Obesity is continually growing not only in medium- and high-income countries but also in low-income countries, from where increasing numbers of migrants arrive in Western countries. We aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of obesity in a sample of undocumented migrants, a population for which official health data are not available. Methods: We collected demographic and socio-economic data and information on medical diagnoses and pharmacologic treatments for 341 undocumented migrants consecutively attending the outpatient clinic of a big non-governmental organisation in Milan, Italy, from March to July 2023. To measure obesity, we used both body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). We used multivariate robust Poisson regression models to calculate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) of overweight or obesity according to socio-demographic conditions and other risk factors. Results: Using BMI, the proportion of migrants with obesity was 28.7% (95% CI 24.0–33.0%) and those with overweight represented 32.3% (95% CI 27.3–37.5%). Obesity was more frequent among Asians (53.9%, 95% CI 37.2–69.9%), followed by Latinos (38.7%, 95% CI 29.6–48.5%) and Eastern Europeans (38.2%, 95% CI 25.4–52.3%). Using WC, 68.3% (95% CI 63.1–73.2%) of migrants had values suggestive of overweight or obesity. In the multivariate analyses, overweight and obesity were more frequent in migrants with older age, with a stable employment, and who had been present in Italy for a long time, as well as in those with CV diseases. Moreover, individuals with obesity needed more medications for the cardiovascular system and for the alimentary tract and metabolism. Conclusions: In our sample of undocumented migrants, overweight and obesity were frequent, representing an important public health issue, considering the difficulty experienced by such individuals in finding access to both prevention and healthcare services.
The Effects of a 12-Week Training Multicomponent Exercise Program on Landing Mechanics in Recreational Athletes
Authors: Feria-Madueño Adrián , Hewett Timothy , Dos’Santos Thomas , Sañudo Borja
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: This study investigated the impacts of a 12-week training program on kinetic parameters during landings in non-professional recreational athletes. Methods: Fifty-seven non-elite recreational athletes performed three unilateral-landing trials from a 30 cm high structure on a force platform. The following outcome measures were analyzed: the ground reaction forces at initial ground contact (PF1) and the highest value (PF2), impulse (change in the moment of force during landing), stabilization time, and ankle and knee accelerations. The ground reaction forces, momentum, and accelerations were evaluated in the vertical, medio-lateral, and anteroposterior axes. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. The experimental group (EG) underwent a 12-week intervention, three times per week, consisting of various exercises, such as strength, eccentric, proprioceptive, whole-body vibration (WBV), and neuromuscular exercises. After 12 weeks, the same outcome measures were analyzed. Results: The effects of the training program on vertical ground reaction forces were not clear (0.3% and 0.9%, respectively). Medio-lateral (64.8%, d = 0.51) and anteroposterior (43.9%, d = 1.34) forces were probably reduced due to the training program. The stabilization time was also reduced in the experimental group (44.2%). The training program most likely decreased the vertical impulse (47.3%, d = −1.56), whereas the total ankle acceleration increased (18.4%, d = 0.79). Conclusions: The findings reveal significant improvements in neuromuscular control and stability during landings, specifically demonstrating reduced medio-lateral forces, vertical momentum, and acceleration during monopodal landings. This study focuses on the importance of proper landing techniques in minimizing the risk of knee injuries, emphasizing the falling strategy’s role in injury prevention.
How Does the Pre-Registration Midwifery Programme Prepare the Newly Qualified Midwives for Their Post-Registration Perinatal Mental Health Role? A Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Onilude Yemi , Ojo Omorogieva , Evans David , Crowley John , Chopra Priti , Ade-Ojo Gordon , Knightly-Jones Kate
Published: November 2024

Objective: In the United Kingdom (UK) and most countries worldwide, midwives are professionally required to undertake an initial perinatal mental health (PMH) risk assessment at every maternity contact. However, studies have found that midwives feel that they are not well-equipped to provide effective care for women with PMH needs. This study explores how the newly qualified midwives (NQMs) are prepared through pre-registration midwifery education and placements to have sufficient confidence in their knowledge, attitude, skills, and habits (KASH) for their post-registration PMH role. Methods: This explanatory sequential mixed methods study collected survey data from two independent groups: NQMs (n = 50), who qualified from 10 UK universities, and senior specialist midwives (SSMs) (n = 32). Descriptive and inferential responses were analysed using SPSS. Statistical differences between the ranged Likert scale responses of the NQMs and SSMs were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The semi-structured interview phase comprised of NQMs (n = 12) and SSMs (n = 8). The qualitative data were thematically analysed using NVivo. Results: The pre-registration midwifery programme significantly prepared the NQMs to have sufficient confidence in their knowledge of the related PMH role, multidisciplinary team (MDT) role, and available services (p < 0.05) and good attitude towards women with varying PMH conditions (p < 0.0005). The NQMs had sufficient confidence in their skills in using the validated tool for PMH assessment, to build rapport to facilitate disclosure, and recognise deteriorating PMH (p < 0.01). They had regular habits of discussing PMH well-being at booking and made prompt referrals (p < 0.05). The NQMs were not prepared to have sufficient knowledge of PMH medications, perinatal suicide prevention, and the impact of maternal mental health on partners (p < 0.01) including children (p < 0.05); skills in managing PMH emergencies (p < 0.05), and to regularly discuss suicidal thoughts (p < 0.01), issues of self-harm, and debrief women following pregnancy or neonatal losses and traumatic births (p < 0.05). Some aspects were either confirmed or contradicted at the interviews. Conclusions and recommendations: The pre-registration midwifery programme prepares the NQMs to some extent for their post-registration PMH role. Perceived areas for improvement suggest implications for the development of educational, practice, policy, and preceptorship to facilitate the NQMs’ sustainable confidence in their KASH.
Mobile Financial Services and the Shadow Economy in Southern African Countries: Does Regulatory Quality Matter?
Authors: Hassan Adewale
Published: November 2024

This study investigated the impact of mobile financial services on the shadow economy in Southern Africa countries and explored how regulatory quality moderates this relationship. Utilising panel data from 1993 to 2022, this study employed dynamic common-correlated effect (DCCE) and dynamic seemingly unrelated regression (DSUR) methods to assess long-run effects. The findings reveal that increased mobile financial services adoption markedly diminishes the scale of the underground economy by enhancing transaction transparency and accessibility, thus drawing more participants into the formal economy. The results are consistent across DCCE and DSUR estimations. Additionally, improvements in regulatory quality further diminish the shadow economy by bolstering trust and compliance within the financial system, suggesting that well-crafted regulations enhance the effectiveness of mobile financial services. Economic and financial sector developments also contribute to a reduced shadow economy, indicating that broader economic growth and advanced financial systems facilitate formal sector participation. Conversely, larger public sector expenditures appear to expand the shadow economy enterprises, likely due to inefficient resource allocation and increased fiscal burdens that push economic activities underground. Policy recommendations include the need to expand mobile financial services infrastructure, enhance financial literacy, and optimise financial regulatory frameworks to balance oversight with innovation encouragement.
Influencing Mechanism of Signal Design Elements in Complex Human–Machine System: Evidence from Eye Movement Data
Authors: Man Siu Shing , Hu Wenbo , Zhou Hanxing , Zhang Tingru , Chan Alan Hoi Shou
Published: November 2024

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, human–machine interaction has become an issue that should be systematically explored. This research aimed to examine the impact of different pre-cue modes (visual, auditory, and tactile), stimulus modes (visual, auditory, and tactile), compatible mapping modes (both compatible (BC), transverse compatible (TC), longitudinal compatible (LC), and both incompatible (BI)), and stimulus onset asynchrony (200 ms/600 ms) on the performance of participants in complex human–machine systems. Eye movement data and a dual-task paradigm involving stimulus–response and manual tracking were utilized for this study. The findings reveal that visual pre-cues can captivate participants’ attention towards peripheral regions, a phenomenon not observed when visual stimuli are presented in isolation. Furthermore, when confronted with visual stimuli, participants predominantly prioritize continuous manual tracking tasks, utilizing focal vision, while concurrently executing stimulus–response compatibility tasks with peripheral vision. Furthermore, the average pupil diameter tends to diminish with the use of visual pre-cues or visual stimuli but expands during auditory or tactile stimuli or pre-cue modes. These findings contribute to the existing literature on the theoretical design of complex human–machine interfaces and offer practical implications for the design of human–machine system interfaces. Moreover, this paper underscores the significance of considering the optimal combination of stimulus modes, pre-cue modes, and stimulus onset asynchrony, tailored to the characteristics of the human–machine interaction task.
Machine Learning Applications in Road Pavement Management: A Review, Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Tamagusko Tiago , Gomes Correia Matheus , Ferreira Adelino
Published: November 2024

Effective road pavement management is vital for maintaining the functionality and safety of transportation infrastructure. This review examines the integration of Machine Learning (ML) into Pavement Management Systems (PMS), presenting an analysis of state-of-the-art ML techniques, algorithms, and challenges for application in the field. We discuss the limitations of conventional PMS and explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms can overcome these shortcomings by improving the accuracy of pavement condition assessments, enhancing performance prediction, and optimizing maintenance and rehabilitation decisions. Our findings indicate that ML significantly advances PMS capabilities by refining data collection processes and improving decision-making, thereby addressing the intricacies of pavement deterioration. Additionally, we identify technical challenges such as ensuring data quality and enhancing model interpretability. This review also proposes directions for future research to overcome these hurdles and to help stakeholders develop more efficient and resilient road networks. The integration of ML not only promises substantial improvements in managing pavements but is also in line with the increasing demands for smarter infrastructure solutions.
Enhanced Transparency and Resistive Switching Characteristics in AZO/HfO2/Ti RRAM Device via Post Annealing Process
Authors: Jang Yuseong , Hwang Chanmin , Bang Sanggyu , Kim Hee-Dong
Published: November 2024

As interest in transparent electronics increases, ensuring the reliability of transparent RRAM (T-RRAM) devices, which can be used to construct transparent electronics, has become increasingly important. However, defects and traps within these T-RRAM devices can degrade their reliability. In this study, we investigated the improvement of transparency and reliability of T-RRAM devices with an AZO/HfO2/Ti structure through rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 450 °C for 60 s in a nitrogen atmosphere. The device without RTA exhibited a low transmittance of 30%, whereas the device with RTA showed a significantly higher transmittance of over 75%. Furthermore, the device operated at lower current levels after RTA, which resulted in a reduction in its operating voltages, and the forming, setting, and reset voltages changed from 3.3, 2.4, and −5.1 V, respectively, to 2, 1, and −2.7 V. This led to an improvement in the endurance characteristics of the device, which thereby suggests that these improvements can be attributed to a reduction in the defects and trap density within the T-RRAM device caused by RTA.
The Unveiled Potential of Telehealth Practice in Vestibular Rehabilitation: A Comparative Randomized Study
Authors: Lilios Andreas , Nikitas Christos , Skoulakis Charalampos , Alagianni Aggeliki , Chatziioannou Ioannis , Asimakopoulou Panagiota , Chimona Theognosia
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives: Unilateral vestibular hypofunction (UVH) in cases of insufficient central nervous system compensation leads to chronic dizziness. A customized vestibular rehabilitation (VR) program is more beneficial than a generic set of exercises for patients with chronic UVH. The purpose of the present study is to compare a customized remotely supervised VR program with a customized unsupervised VR program in chronic UVH patients. Methods: Participants were randomly allocated into two groups (Group A and Group B) and received an individualized 6-week home-based VR program that included adaptation and habituation exercises, balance and gait training. All individuals’ VR program implementation was evaluated weekly, allowing for exercise modifications. Moreover, Group A received additional remote supervision via phone communication (twice per week). The effectiveness of each VR program was evaluated using the scores of the Mini-BESTest, the Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Results: At the 6-week assessment, participants in Group A had significantly better scores in objective and subjective evaluated parameters than those in Group B (p < 0.001). Group A also showed better compliance with the VR program. On the contrary, participants’ conformity in their individualized exercises was not affected by gender, duration of symptoms, or BMI (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our clinical study highlights the advantages of using telephone communication, with a structured design and implementation, to assist individuals in successfully following a VR protocol.
Association of CHD8 Gene Polymorphic Variants with the Clinical Phenotype of Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Iwanicki Tomasz , Iwanicka Joanna , Balcerzyk-Matić Anna , Jarosz Alicja , Nowak Tomasz , Emich-Widera Ewa , Kazek Beata , Kapinos-Gorczyca Agnieszka , Kapinos Maciej , Gawron Katarzyna , Auguściak-Duma Aleksandra , Likus Wirginia , Niemiec Paweł
Published: November 2024

Background: The CHD8 gene encodes chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 8 (CHD8), which is a transcriptional regulator involved in neuron development, myelination, and synaptogenesis. Some CHD8 gene mutations lead to neurodevelopmental syndromes with core symptoms of autism. The aim of this study was to perform an analysis of the family-based association of CHD8 gene polymorphisms with the occurrence and clinical phenotype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: We analyzed 210 Caucasian children with ASD and their biological parents. The genotyping of specified polymorphisms, i.e., rs7148741, rs35057134, and rs10467770, was performed using TaqMan-PCR and compared with specific symptoms of ASD. Results: The G allele (rs7148741) was associated with muscle hypotonia as compared with the AA homozygotes. AA homozygosity (rs35057134) predisposed an individual to the use of an incubator, heart rate fluctuations, and the necessity of hospitalization. Moreover, the alleles and genotypes of this polymorphism were characterized by different Apgar scores and distributions. Additionally, CC homozygotes of rs10467770 were more often predisposed to the use of an incubator and hospitalization relative to T allele carriers. The average Apgar score was higher in TT homozygotes. Conclusions: Polymorphisms of the CHD8 gene may determine specific clinical phenotypes of ASD.
Postoperative Hemorrhage and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Pituitary Adenomas Under Acetylsalicylic Acid
Authors: Tonchev Nikolay , Pinchuk Anatoli , Dumitru Claudia A. , Stein Klaus-Peter , Neyazi Belal , Sandalcioglu I. Erol , Rashidi Ali
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Postoperative hemorrhages (POHs) after pituitary adenoma surgery can have devastating consequences for patients. Many patients take acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular or stroke events. However, the impact of continued low-dose ASA use on the risk of postoperative hemorrhage and the frequency of thromboembolic events after discontinuing ASA in these patients remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the potential interaction and correlation between low-dose ASA intake and two of the most common complications after neurosurgical surgery—acute postoperative hemorrhage and thromboembolism. Methods: A retrospective study involving 1862 patients who underwent brain tumor surgery over a decade at our neurosurgical institute examined the risk of postoperative hemorrhage and thromboembolic events. The study compared bleeding rates in patients with pituitary adenomas who received low-dose ASA medication to those who did not. Additionally, the study investigated the occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) or arterial pulmonary embolisms (PEs) following surgery, as well as the impact of laboratory parameters, demographic characteristics and intraoperative factors. Results: A total of 108 patients underwent surgery for primary pituitary tumors between January 2008 and January 2018. Only six patients (5.6%) experienced POH. Among those with POH, just two (1.9%) required revision surgery due to neurological decline. Interestingly, none of the 13 patients (12%) taking ASA preoperatively suffered POH. No correlation was found between laboratory results, demographics and postoperative complications. The study also did not find an increase in VTE or PE events. Conclusions: In this analysis, the perioperative intake of low-dose ASA could not be associated with an increased rate of hemorrhagic complications following pituitary adenoma surgery. Low-dose ASA can be safely continued during brain tumor surgery in patients with a high cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk.
Redifferentiation Therapies in Thyroid Oncology: Molecular and Clinical Aspects
Authors: Petranović Ovčariček Petra , Tuncel Murat , Aghaee Atena , Campennì Alfredo , Giovanella Luca
Published: November 2024

Since the 1940s, 131-I radioiodine therapy (RIT) has been the primary treatment for metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Approximately half of these patients respond favorably to RIT, achieving partial or complete remission or maintaining long-term stable disease, while the other half develop radioiodine-refractory DTC (RAI-R DTC). The main genomic alteration involved in radioiodine resistance is the activated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which results in the loss of sodium iodide symporters (NIS). Therefore, RAI-R DTC requires alternative treatment options such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Over the past decade, several studies have investigated pharmacological induction or enhancement of NIS expression through “redifferentiation” therapies, mainly targeting the MAPK pathway. These novel approaches can restore radioiodine sensitivity in previously refractory patients and, therefore, potentially reestablish the efficacy of RIT. This review discusses various redifferentiation strategies, including their molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.
Dental Health in Children with Congenital Heart Defects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Moussa Carol , Savard Guillaume , Estrade Laurent , Bourgi Rim , Kharouf Naji , Denis Frédéric , Daou Maha H.
Published: November 2024

Background: Oral health outcomes in children with Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) have significant implications. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to update the current understanding of oral health outcomes in children with CHD and compare caries prevalence between CHD children and healthy controls. Methods: All studies between 2014 and 2024 comparing oral health status between children with and without CHD were considered for inclusion. Studies had to use the DMF/dmf index (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth or Surface index), in permanent and deciduous teeth. Two separate meta-analyses were conducted: one analyzing DMFS scores and another focusing on dmft scores. Medline, Central, and Embase databases were screened. Twelve articles were included in the qualitative synthesis, and two studies were finally included in each quantitative synthesis. Results: Several studies identified significant differences in oral health outcomes, suggesting that children with CHD are at a higher risk of dental caries compared with healthy controls, particularly as they become older. However, the differences were not uniformly observed across all studies and age groups. Based on the meta-analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in either DMFS scores (MD: 0.07 [95% CI: −0.13, 0.27]; p = 0.48) or in dmft scores (MD: 1.39 [95% CI: −1.05, 3.83]; p = 0.26). Conclusions: This systematic review and meta-analysis highlight a possible increased risk of dental caries in children with CHD, although results were not statistically significant and varied across studies. More standardized and rigorous studies are required to provide clearer insights into oral health outcomes for this population.
Kidney Damage in Pediatric Obesity: Insights from an Emerging Perspective
Authors: Forcina Gianmario , Luciano Margherita , Frattolillo Vittoria , Mori Simona , Monaco Noemi , Guarino Stefano , Marzuillo Pierluigi , Miraglia del Giudice Emanuele , Di Sessa Anna
Published: November 2024

The role of obesity as a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adulthood has been well established. Over the last years, kidney damage (KD) has emerged as a significant consequence of obesity since childhood. Indeed, a complex interplay of metabolic factors, including insulin resistance (IR), hypertension, oxidative stress, adipose tissue dysfunction, and systemic inflammation, might affect renal hemodynamics, contributing to CKD development over time in at-risk young patients. As the prevalence of pediatric obesity continues to rise globally, understanding the implications for kidney health in terms of early intervention is of paramount importance. Careful monitoring of kidney function within a multidisciplinary approach in children with obesity is crucial for detecting early KD, allowing for timely lifestyle modifications and treatment. In this framework, continued research is essential to further elucidate mechanisms linking obesity and KD and to explore not only effective preventive strategies but also the long-term impact of obesity on kidney health in children with obesity. Given the intimate link of KD with the metabolic milieu in children with obesity, we aimed to provide a comprehensive and insightful overview on KD and its implications in pediatric obesity by reviewing the most recent literature in the field.
Simplifying Mitral Valve Repair with Novel Premeasured Chordal Loops
Authors: Shell Daniel , Bunwatcharaphan Natcha , Seitz Michael , Rowland Michael , Chengalath Manoras , Yap Cheng-Hon
Published: November 2024

Background: The ”respect” approach to surgical mitral valve repair, which involves implanting artificial neochordae, is gaining increased adoption. Surgeons are possibly prone to error in the manual construction of neochordae, which can lead to prolonged cross-clamp times. Novel systems such as Chord-X Pre-Measured Loops (On-X Life Technologies, Inc., Austin, TX, USA) eliminate the need for manual neochordae construction, potentially simplifying the mitral repair procedure. However, clinical data on its use are currently limited to a small publication. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the use of Chord-X loops in 40 consecutive patients who underwent surgery in Geelong, Victoria, Australia, between May 2020 and February 2024. Three surgeons participated in this study. Results: All patients were referred for severe mitral valve regurgitation secondary to myxomatous degeneration, with P2 prolapse being the most common pathology. Chord-X Pre-Measured Loops effectively corrected a variety of leaflet pathologies, including bi-leaflet disease, with a single set of loops sufficing in most patients. Intraoperative and follow-up echocardiographic assessments revealed no greater than mild mitral regurgitation in any patient, with 75% exhibiting no or trace mitral regurgitation. Conclusions: The Chord-X Pre-Measured Loops system demonstrated safety, efficacy, and reproducibility across all patients. Surgeons were able to easily adopt this technology without requiring additional training. We believe this technology offers a safe option for surgeons performing low-volume mitral repair surgeries.
Gender Differences in Head and Neck Posture Among Smartphone Users While Walking: Insights from Field Observations in Taipei
Authors: Chen Yi-Lang , Wang Ting-Hsuan , Chang Wei-An , Nguyen Hong-Tam
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Despite the increasing prevalence of smartphone use while walking, few studies have comprehensively investigated head and neck posture in real-world settings. This study employed a single-blind observation of smartphone users walking in public areas of Taipei, Taiwan, to examine head and neck movements, with a particular focus on the effects of gender and hand-operation type. Methods: We conducted observations of 120 smartphone users (60 males and 60 females), recording neck flexion (NF), head flexion (HF), gaze angle (GA), and viewing distance (VD) in the sagittal plane during walking. The analysis included four combinations of gender and smartphone hand operation (one-handed and two-handed use). Results: Significant gender differences were found in NF (p < 0.001), GA (p < 0.01), and VD (p < 0.01), with males exhibiting greater NF, GA, and VD than females. HF was similar between genders, but males’ larger NF suggested a more pronounced forward head posture, potentially increasing neck and shoulder strain. Hand operations also significantly affected VD (p < 0.001). Most users displayed a GA exceeding 60°, possibly an involuntary adjustment for better visibility of the walking path, potentially increasing eyestrain. Conclusions: Previous studies have primarily simulated smartphone use while walking in controlled environments, such as on treadmills or in laboratories. In contrast, our single-blind field study highlights the real-world risks associated with smartphone use during walking, including neck and shoulder strain and eyestrain, with notable differences observed between genders.
Multimodal Machine Learning for Predicting Post-Surgery Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients
Authors: Rhanoui Maryem , Mikram Mounia , Amazian Kamelia , Ait-Abderrahim Abderrahim , Yousfi Siham , Toughrai Imane
Published: November 2024

Colorectal cancer is a major public health issue, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Treatment for colorectal cancer often has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life, which can vary over time and across individuals. The application of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques has great potential for optimizing patient outcomes by providing valuable insights. In this paper, we propose a multimodal machine learning framework for the prediction of quality of life indicators in colorectal cancer patients at various temporal stages, leveraging both clinical data and computed tomography scan images. Additionally, we identify key predictive factors for each quality of life indicator, thereby enabling clinicians to make more informed treatment decisions and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. Our approach integrates data from multiple sources, enhancing the performance of our predictive models. The analysis demonstrates a notable improvement in accuracy for some indicators, with results for the Wexner score increasing from 24% to 48% and for the Anorectal Ultrasound score from 88% to 96% after integrating data from different modalities. These results highlight the potential of multimodal learning to provide valuable insights and improve patient care in real-world applications.
New Techniques and Equipment in Large Offshore Aquaculture Platform
Authors: Ma Zhenhua , Qin Jianguang
Published: November 2024

The expansion of far-reaching marine aquaculture represents a critical frontier for the sustainable growth of global aquaculture [...]
Exploration of the Formation Mechanism of Underground Brine Based on Hydrodynamic Environment Analysis Using Grain-Size Data of One Drilling Core
Authors: Su Qiao , Yu Ying , Chen Mingjun , Fu Tengfei , Lyu Wenzhe , Liu Wenquan
Published: November 2024

The Laizhou Bay area in China harbors a significant amount of Quaternary brine resources, which have been gradually depleted due to intensive long-term exploitation. It is widely accepted that underground Quaternary brine in Laizhou Bay originates from seawater. However, there are disputes regarding the specific form of seawater concentration and the geological processes leading to brine formation. Revealing the genesis of shallow brine in different geological environments is of great scientific significance for resource production and environmental protection. This study analyzed the hydrodynamic conditions of underground brine and adjacent strata based on grain size data, and the possible formation mechanisms of brine layers at different depths were discussed. The mineralization of underground brine is a complex process controlled by various factors, such as specific meteorological and paleogeographic environments, topography, and hydrogeological conditions. On the southern coast of Laizhou Bay, there are three ways in which underground brine layers are formed: residual evaporation from lagoons during the initial regression stage, the hypersaline zone in estuarine lagoons during high-sea-level periods, and brine formation from seawater evaporation on intertidal flats. Turbulent sea–land interactions and the development of river deltas are also necessary conditions for brine mineralization, as they are favorable for replenishing, transporting, and storing underground brine layers.
Numerical Study on the Hydrodynamics of Manta Rays Exiting Water
Authors: Zhou Dong-Hui , Zhang Min-Hui , Wu Xiao-Yang , Pei Yu , Liu Xue-Jing , Xing Cheng , Cao Yong , Cao Yong-Hui , Pan Guang
Published: November 2024

Observation of manta rays exiting water has been rarely reported, as there are various difficulties in observing and obtaining data on their behavior in a marine environment. Therefore, the movement mechanism of manta rays exiting water is still unclear. This paper proposes the idea of using CFD (based on Ansys Fluent, version 2022) to simulate the water-exit process of the manta ray. The study discusses the changes in the mechanical and kinematic parameters of the manta ray over time and obtains the evolution of vortex structures during the underwater movement phase of the manta ray. Time history variations of the mechanical and kinematics parameters in the vertical water-exit motion are discussed. The evolution of vortex structures during the underwater movement of the manta ray is obtained. The direction in which the manta ray approaches the free surface is the X-direction and the direction of its flapping motion is the Z-direction. VX and VZ are the velocities of the manta ray in the X- and Z-directions, respectively. FX and FZ represent the forces acting on the manta ray in the X- and Z-directions, respectively. The results indicate that the vertical water-exit of the manta ray mainly undergoes three stages: underwater acceleration, crossing the free surface, and aerial movement. During the underwater acceleration phase, the force FX of the manta ray fluctuates, but its average value is positive within one cycle. VX also shows a stepwise increase, while FZ and VZ exhibit periodic changes. During the stage of crossing the free liquid surface, FX first increases and then sharply decreases, VX also shows an increase and then decrease, FZ fluctuates greatly, producing a peak, and the swimming speed VZ of the manta ray is negative. During the aerial motion phase, FX is mainly affected by gravity, VX decreases linearly, FZ approaches 0, and VZ remains constant. During the process of swimming underwater, the tail vortex of the manta ray presents a double row staggered structure to generate thrust. Increasing the flapping frequency and decreasing the wave number can improve the swimming speed of the manta ray, and then increase its water-exit height. The findings may provide an important hydrodynamics basis for biomimetic trans-media vehicle designs.
Singular Cauchy Problem for a Nonlinear Fractional Differential Equation
Authors: Orlov Victor
Published: November 2024

The paper studies a nonlinear equation including both fractional and ordinary derivatives. The singular Cauchy problem is considered. The theorem of the existence of uniqueness of a solution in the neighborhood of a fixed singular point of algebraic type is proved. An analytical approximate solution is built, an a priori estimate is obtained. A formula for calculating the area where the proven theorem works is obtained. The theoretical results are confirmed by a numerical experiment in both digital and graphical versions. The technology of optimizing an a priori error using an a posteriori error is demonstrated.
Correction: Camazón Portela, D.; López Ramos, J.A. Error-Correcting Codes on Projective Bundles over Deligne–Lusztig Varieties. Mathematics 2023, 11, 3079
Authors: Camazón Portela Daniel , López Ramos Juan Antonio
Published: November 2024

In the published publication [...]
Identification of the Mathematical Model of Tuberculosis and HIV Co-Infection Dynamics
Authors: Kabanikhin Sergey , Krivorotko Olga , Neverov Andrei , Kaminskiy Grigoriy , Semenova Olga
Published: November 2024

This paper proposes and analyzes a mathematical model of tuberculosis and HIV co-infection that specifies for Russian Federation regions, based on mass balance law and described by eight ordinary differential equations. A sensitivity-based identifiability analysis of this mathematical model was performed, which revealed the sensitivity of the averaged parameters of the models to statistical real data of infectious individuals based on the Sobol method. The problem of identifying the sensitive epidemiological parameters (contagiousness, the rate of tuberculosis activation, additional mortality rate, etc.) for the model was reduced to the problem of minimization of the quadratic misfit function. The numerical results of the modeling of the number of people expected to be infected with tuberculosis and HIV were shown and discussed for the Sverdlovsk and Moscow regions of the Russian Federation. It has been shown that increasing the capacity of the medical system by 10% will make it possible to reduce the number of diagnosed cases of active tuberculosis by 2 times over the next 3 years in some regions of Russian Federation.
An Attribute Graph Embedding Algorithm for Sensing Topological and Attribute Influence
Authors: Chen Dongming , Zhang Shuyue , Zhao Yumeng , Xie Mingzhao , Wang Dongqi
Published: November 2024

The unsupervised attribute graph embedding technique aims to learn low-dimensional node embedding using neighborhood topology and attribute information under unlabeled data. Current unsupervised models are mostly based on graph self-encoders, but full-batch training limits the scalability of the model and ignores attribute integrity when reconstructing the topology. In order to solve the above problems while considering the unsupervised learning of the model and full use of node information, this paper proposes a graph neural network architecture based on a graph self-encoder to capture the nonlinearity of the attribute graph data, and an attribute graph embedding algorithm that explicitly models the influence of neighborhood information using a multi-level attention mechanism. Specifically, the proposed algorithm fuses topology information and attribute information using a lightweight sampling strategy, constructs an unbiased graph self-encoder on the sampled graph, implements topology aggregation and attribute aggregation, respectively, models the correlation between topology embedding and attribute embedding, and considers multi-level loss terms.