bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections among Hospitalized Children in Poland during 2010–2020: Study Based on the National Hospital Registry
Authors: Rząd Michał , Kanecki Krzysztof , Lewtak Katarzyna , Tyszko Piotr , Szwejkowska Martyna , Goryński Paweł , Nitsch-Osuch Aneta
Published: November 2022

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for infections mainly affecting the lower respiratory tract in infants and young children after the first exposure. The aim of the study is to show up-to-date information on RSV hospitalization cases in Poland in children aged < 5 years. Methods: A retrospective, population-based study was conducted using data from hospital discharge records of patients hospitalized from 2010–2020. Results: The study group consisted of 57,552 hospitalizations of RSV children. The mean and median ages were 232 (95% CI: 230–234) and 132 (IQR 63–271) days. The mean annual hospitalization rate for patients with RSV infection was estimated to be 267.5 per 100,000, and the highest was observed in children < 1 year (1132.1 per 100,000). The mean annual hospitalization rate was significantly higher in patients living in urban than rural regions (p < 0.001). A statistically significant increase in the number of hospitalizations was observed (p < 0.0001) during the analyzed period. The seasonal pattern was found with the highest rates of hospitalizations in the January–March period. Conclusions: The increasing RSV hospitalization rate requires further research and may be the basis for urgent healthcare measures. The results may be helpful in comparative analyses in the European and global context.
Applying an Improved Stacking Ensemble Model to Predict the Mortality of ICU Patients with Heart Failure
Authors: Chiu Chih-Chou , Wu Chung-Min , Chien Te-Nien , Kao Ling-Jing , Li Chengcheng , Jiang Han-Ling
Published: November 2022

Cardiovascular diseases have been identified as one of the top three causes of death worldwide, with onset and deaths mostly due to heart failure (HF). In ICU, where patients with HF are at increased risk of death and consume significant medical resources, early and accurate prediction of the time of death for patients at high risk of death would enable them to receive appropriate and timely medical care. The data for this study were obtained from the MIMIC-III database, where we collected vital signs and tests for 6699 HF patient during the first 24 h of their first ICU admission. In order to predict the mortality of HF patients in ICUs more precisely, an integrated stacking model is proposed and applied in this paper. In the first stage of dataset classification, the datasets were subjected to first-level classifiers using RF, SVC, KNN, LGBM, Bagging, and Adaboost. Then, the fusion of these six classifier decisions was used to construct and optimize the stacked set of second-level classifiers. The results indicate that our model obtained an accuracy of 95.25% and AUROC of 82.55% in predicting the mortality rate of HF patients, which demonstrates the outstanding capability and efficiency of our method. In addition, the results of this study also revealed that platelets, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen were the clinical features that had the greatest impact on model prediction. The results of this analysis not only improve the understanding of patients’ conditions by healthcare professionals but allow for a more optimal use of healthcare resources.
Mild-to-Moderate COVID-19 Convalescents May Present Pro-Longed Endothelium Injury
Authors: Kozłowski Paweł , Śmiarowski Marcin , Przyborska Wiktoria , Zemlik Karolina , Małecka-Giełdowska Milena , Leszczyńska Aleksandra , Garley Marzena , Ciepiela Olga
Published: November 2022

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic posed a great threat to public health, healthcare systems and the economy worldwide. It became clear that, in addition to COVID-19 and acute disease, the condition that develops after recovery may also negatively impact survivors’ health and quality of life. The damage inflicted by the viral infection on endothelial cells was identified quite early on as a possible mechanism underlying the so-called post-COVID syndrome. It became an urgent matter to establish whether convalescents present chronic endothelial impairment, which could result in an increased risk of cardiovascular and thrombotic complications. Methods: In this study, we measured the levels of CRP, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin and syndecan-1 as markers of inflammation and endothelial injury in generally healthy convalescents selected from blood donors and compared these to a healthy control group. Results: We found higher concentrations of E-selectin and a lower level of syndecan-1 in convalescents in comparison to those of the control group. Conclusion: Based on our results, it can be concluded that, at least 6 months after infection, there is only slight evidence of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 convalescents who do not suffer from other comorbidities related to endothelial impairment.
Quantification of Iris Atrophy by Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography in Posner–Schlossman Syndrome
Authors: Yan Xiaoqin , Li Mu , Chen Wei , Chen Zhiqi
Published: November 2022

Purpose: To investigate iris atrophy in Posner–Schlossman syndrome (PSS). Methods: Sixty-one patients with PSS were included. Using swept-source optical coherence tomography, the thickness of anterior border layer (A), middle stromal layer (M), and the posterior pigmented epithelial layer (P) of iris were measured at 500 μm, 1000 μm, 1500 μm, 2000 μm, and 2500 μm from the pupillary edge in both PSS-affected and fellow eyes. The relationships between iris thickness and corneal endothelium density, cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio, and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness were also estimated in PSS-affected eyes. Results: Iris thickness parameters, including M500, M1000, A1500, A2000, P2000, and P2500, were significantly thinner in PSS-affected eyes than in fellow eyes (all p < 0.05). Moreover, M500 and M1000 were significantly associated with corneal endothelium density (p = 0.047 and 0.018, respectively), and M500 was significantly associated with C/D ratio (p = 0.001) and RNFL thickness (p = 0.037) in PSS-affected eyes. Conclusions: Iris showed significant thinning and atrophy in PSS-affected eyes, and iris stromal thickness close to the pupillary edge could be a novel clinical predictor of the changes in corneal endothelium, C/D ratio, and RNFL thickness in PSS.
The Impact of Different Antihypertensive Drugs on Cardiovascular Risk in Isolated Systolic Hypertension with Type 2 Diabetes Patients
Authors: Gao Ming , Lin Wenrui , Ma Tianqi , Luo Yi , Xie Hejian , Cheng Xunjie , Bai Yongping
Published: November 2022

Backgrounds: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), calcium channel blocker (CCB) and thiazide diuretics (TD) are common antihypertensive drugs for diabetes patients with hypertension. The purpose of this study was to compare the cardiovascular risks of these drugs in patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: We used Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes trial data to explore the relationship between antihypertensive drugs and cardiovascular risks in ISH with T2DM patients by performing propensity score matching, Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional regression. Results: The cumulative incidence rates of primary outcomes (PO, including cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and non-fatal stroke) in the ARB use group were significantly lower than those without (hazard ratio (HR) 0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34–0.83; p = 0.006). However, for ACEI, CCB and TD, they were negligible (ACEI: p = 0.209; CCB: p = 0.245; TD: p = 0.438). ARB decreased cardiovascular mortality (CM) in PO rather than non-fatal myocardial infarction (NMI) and non-fatal stroke (NST) (CM: HR 0.32; 95%CI 0.18–0.90; p = 0.004; NMI: p = 0.692; NST: p = 0.933). Conclusion: ARB may alleviate the cardiovascular risks in ISH with T2DM patients, but ACEI, CCB, and TD did not.
Prediction Model for 30-Day Mortality after Non-Cardiac Surgery Using Machine-Learning Techniques Based on Preoperative Evaluation of Electronic Medical Records
Authors: Choi Byungjin , Oh Ah Ran , Lee Seung-Hwa , Lee Dong Yun , Lee Jong-Hwan , Yang Kwangmo , Kim Ha Yeon , Park Rae Woong , Park Jungchan
Published: November 2022

Background: Machine-learning techniques are useful for creating prediction models in clinical practice. This study aimed to construct a prediction model of postoperative 30-day mortality based on an automatically extracted electronic preoperative evaluation sheet. Methods: We used data from 276,341 consecutive adult patients who underwent non-cardiac surgery between January 2011 and December 2020 at a tertiary center for model development and internal validation, and another dataset from 63,384 patients between January 2011 and October 2021 at another center for external validation. Postoperative 30-day mortality was 0.16%. We developed an extreme gradient boosting (XGB) prediction model using only variables from preoperative evaluation sheets. Results: The model yielded an area under the curve of 0.960 and an area under the precision and recall curve of 0.216, which were 0.932 and 0.122, respectively, in the external validation set. The optimal threshold calculated by Youden’s J statistic had a sensitivity of 0.885 and specificity of 0.914. In an additional analysis with balanced distribution, the model showed a similar predictive value. Conclusion: We presented a machine-learning prediction model for 30-day mortality after non-cardiac surgery using preoperative variables automatically extracted from electronic medical records and validated the model in a multi-center setting. Our model may help clinicians predict postoperative outcomes.
The Influence of Sleep Talking on Nocturnal Sleep and Sleep-Dependent Cognitive Processes
Authors: Camaioni Milena , Scarpelli Serena , Alfonsi Valentina , Gorgoni Maurizio , De Bartolo Mina , Calzolari Rossana , De Gennaro Luigi
Published: November 2022

Background: Sleep talking (ST) is characterized by the production of unaware verbal vocal activations (VBs) during sleep. ST seems potentially linked to linguistic and memory consolidation processes. However, sleep and dream characteristics and the relationship between verbal vocalizations (VBs) and cognitive functions are still unknown. Our study aimed to investigate qualitative sleep and dream features in sleep talkers (STs) compared to healthy subjects (CNTs) through retrospective and longitudinal measures and explore the relationship between ST and memory consolidation. Methods: We recruited N = 29 STs and N = 30 CNTs (age range of 18–35). Participants recorded their dreams and filled out sleep logs for seven consecutive days. Vocal activations of STs were audio-recorded. On the eighth day, we administered a word-pair task. Results: We showed that STs had significantly worse self-reported sleep quality. VBs were positively correlated with sleep fragmentation and negatively associated with the oneiric emotional load. No difference between groups was found in the memory consolidation rate. Conclusions: Although ST is a benign phenomenon, we revealed that ST is associated with more sleep alterations and lower emotional intensity of dreams. In this vein, we support that ST depends on sleep fragmentation and could represent a potential window into sleep-dependent cognitive processes.
1H-NMR-Based Metabolomics in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome
Authors: Gagliano Antonella , Murgia Federica , Capodiferro Agata Maria , Tanca Marcello Giuseppe , Hendren Aran , Falqui Stella Giulia , Aresti Michela , Comini Martina , Carucci Sara , Cocco Eleonora , Lorefice Lorena , Roccella Michele , Vetri Luigi , Sotgiu Stefano , Zuddas Alessandro , Atzori Luigi
Published: November 2022

We recently described a unique plasma metabolite profile in subjects with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS), suggesting pathogenic models involving specific patterns of neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Here, we extend the analysis to a group of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as a consensus has recently emerged around its immune-mediated pathophysiology with a widespread involvement of brain networks. This observational case-control study enrolled patients referred for PANS and ASD from June 2019 to May 2020, as well as neurotypical age and gender-matched control subjects. Thirty-four PANS outpatients, fifteen ASD outpatients, and twenty-five neurotypical subjects underwent physical and neuropsychiatric evaluations, alongside serum metabolomic analysis with 1H-NMR. In supervised models, the metabolomic profile of ASD was significantly different from controls (p = 0.0001), with skewed concentrations of asparagine, aspartate, betaine, glycine, lactate, glucose, and pyruvate. Metabolomic separation was also observed between PANS and ASD subjects (p = 0.02), with differences in the concentrations of arginine, aspartate, betaine, choline, creatine phosphate, glycine, pyruvate, and tryptophan. We confirmed a unique serum metabolomic profile of PANS compared with both ASD and neurotypical subjects, distinguishing PANS as a pathophysiological entity per se. Tryptophan and glycine appear as neuroinflammatory fingerprints of PANS and ASD, respectively. In particular, a reduction in glycine would primarily affect NMDA-R excitatory tone, overall impairing downstream glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and GABAergic transmissions. Nonetheless, we found metabolomic similarities between PANS and ASD that suggest a putative role of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) dysfunction in both disorders. Metabolomics-based approaches could contribute to the identification of novel ASD and PANS biomarkers.
Benefits and Challenges of the Use of Two Novel vB_Efa29212_2e and vB_Efa29212_3e Bacteriophages in Biocontrol of the Root Canal Enterococcus faecalis Infections
Authors: Moryl Magdalena , Palatyńska-Ulatowska Aleksandra , Maszewska Agnieszka , Grzejdziak Iwona , Dias de Oliveira Silvia , Pradebon Marieli Chitolina , Steier Liviu , Różalski Antoni , Poli de Figueiredo Jose Antonio
Published: November 2022

Bacteriophage therapy has emerged as a strategy supplementing traditional disinfection protocols to fight biofilms. The aim of the study was to isolate the phages against E. faecalis and to characterize its biological features, morphology, and lytic activity in a formed biofilm model. Methods: E. faecalis ATCC 29212 strain was used for the trial. Two novel vB_Efa29212_2e and vB_Efa29212_3e virulent phages were isolated from urban wastewater and characterized. The E. faecalis biofilm was established in 15 bovine teeth for 21 days. Transmission (TEM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopes with the colony-forming unit (CFU) counting were used for assessment. Results: Isolated phages differed in morphology. Taxonomy for vB_Efa29212_2e (Siphoviridae, Efquatovirus) and for vB_Efa29212_3e (Herelleviridae, Kochikohdavirus) was confirmed. Both phages were stable at a temperature range of 4–50 °C and showed a different tolerance to chemicals: 15% EDTA, 1–3% sodium hypochlorite, and chlorhexidine. SEM analysis showed distortion of bacteria cells after phage inoculation, which proved the lytic activity against E. faecalis. A 54.6% reduction in the E. faecalis biofilm confirmed bacteriophage efficacy against isolates in the ex vivo model. Conclusions: Results strongly support the concept that phage therapy has a real therapeutic potential for the prevention and treatment of E. faecalis-associated infections.
Increased Surgical Experience in Microendoscopic Spinal Surgery Can Reduce Development of Postoperative Spinal Epidural Hematoma and Improve the Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Iwamae Masayoshi , Tamai Koji , Kaneda Kunikazu , Terai Hidetomi , Katsuda Hiroshi , Shimada Nagakazu , Nakamura Hiroaki
Published: November 2022

No reports have previously evaluated the association between surgical technique and the incidence of postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (PSEH) following microendoscopic decompression surgery (MED). This study aimed to evaluate the association between the development of radiographic PSEH (rPSEH) following MED and microendoscopic surgical experience and postoperative clinical outcomes related to the quality of life (QoL). This retrospective cohort study included 3922 patients who had undergone MED performed by a single surgeon. rPSEH was defined as a hematoma that was identified via routine magnetic resonance images performed 3–4 days postoperatively. Patients were divided into rPSEH and control groups to identify the risk factor of rPSEH and assess clinical outcomes. In the multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.002), surgical experience (p = 0.003), surgical time (p = 0.038), multilevel decompression (p < 0.001), and diagnosis (p = 0.004) were identified as independent variables associated with rPSEH. Moreover, in mixed-effect models, the rPSEH group showed less improvement in Oswestry Disability Index (p = 0.014) than the control group. In conclusion, the surgical experience was identified as a risk factor for rPSEH that could lead to poor QoL. The sharing of microendoscopic surgical techniques among surgeons may reduce rPSEH incidence and improve patients’ QoL.
Serum Zinc and Long-Term Prognosis after Acute Traumatic Brain Injury with Intracranial Injury: A Multicenter Prospective Study
Authors: Kim Ki Hong , Ro Young Sun , Yoon Hanna , Lee Stephen Gyung Won , Jung Eujene , Moon Sung Bae , Park Gwan Jin , Shin Sang Do
Published: November 2022

Serum zinc levels in the acute stages after traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be capable of predicting cinical and functional prognoses. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum zinc levels and long-term survival and neurological outcomes in TBI patients with intracranial injury. This multicenter prospective cohort study enrolled adult TBI patients with intracranial injury who visited emergency departments between December 2018 and June 2020. Serum zinc levels drawn within 24 h after injury were categorized into four groups: low (<80.0 mcg/dL), low–normal (80.0–100.0 mcg/dL), high–normal (100.1–120.0 mcg/dL), and high (>120.0 mcg/dL). The study outcomes were 6-month mortality and disability (Glasgow Outcome Scale, 1–3). A multilevel multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate associations between serum zinc and study outcomes. From the eligible TBI patients (N = 487), the median (interquartile range) serum zinc level was 112.0 mcg/dL (95.0–142.0). Six-month mortality and disability were 21.1% (103/487) and 29.6% (144/487), respectively. Compared to the high–normal zinc group, there were significant associations with 6-month mortality and disability observed in the low zinc group (aORs (95% CIs): 1.91 (1.60–2.28) and 1.95 (1.62–2.36) for the low group; 1.14 (0.67–1.94) and 1.15 (0.91–1.46) for the low–normal group; and 0.72 (0.44–1.16) and 0.88 (0.61–1.27) for the high group, respectively). Among the 122 TBI patients with diabetes mellitus, the low zinc group showed a higher incidence of 6-month mortality (aOR (95% CI): 9.13 (4.01–20.81)) compared to the high–normal zinc group. Moreover, the low and low–normal groups had higher odds for 6-month disability (aORs (95% CIs): 6.63 (3.61–12.15) for the low group and 2.37 (1.38–4.07) for the low–normal group). Serum zinc deficiency is associated with a higher incidence of 6-month mortality and disability after injury for TBI patients with intracranial injury.
Clinical Application of Gait Retraining in the Injured Runner
Authors: Gaudette Logan W. , Bradach Molly M. , de Souza Junior José Roberto , Heiderscheit Bryan , Johnson Caleb D. , Posilkin Joshua , Rauh Mitchell J. , Sara Lauren K. , Wasserman Lindsay , Hollander Karsten , Tenforde Adam S.
Published: November 2022

Despite its positive influence on physical and mental wellbeing, running is associated with a high incidence of musculoskeletal injury. Potential modifiable risk factors for running-related injury have been identified, including running biomechanics. Gait retraining is used to address these biomechanical risk factors in injured runners. While recent systematic reviews of biomechanical risk factors for running-related injury and gait retraining have been conducted, there is a lack of information surrounding the translation of gait retraining for injured runners into clinical settings. Gait retraining studies in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome have shown a decrease in pain and increase in functionality through increasing cadence, decreasing hip adduction, transitioning to a non-rearfoot strike pattern, increasing forward trunk lean, or a combination of some of these techniques. This literature suggests that gait retraining could be applied to the treatment of other injuries in runners, although there is limited evidence to support this specific to other running-related injuries. Components of successful gait retraining to treat injured runners with running-related injuries are presented.
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Cholangiocarcinoma: Current Knowledge and Possible Implications for Therapy
Authors: Montori Michele , Scorzoni Chiara , Argenziano Maria Eva , Balducci Daniele , De Blasio Federico , Martini Francesco , Buono Tiziana , Benedetti Antonio , Marzioni Marco , Maroni Luca
Published: November 2022

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive neoplasia with an increasing incidence and mortality. It is characterized by a strong desmoplastic stroma surrounding cancer cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main cell type of CCA stroma and they have an important role in modulating cancer microenvironments. CAFs originate from multiple lines of cells and mainly consist of fibroblasts and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive myofibroblast-like cells. The continuous cross-talking between CCA cells and desmoplastic stroma is permitted by CAF biochemical signals, which modulate a number of pathways. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 expression increases CAF recruitment to the tumor reactive stroma and influences apoptotic pathways. The Bcl-2 family protein enhances susceptibility to CAF apoptosis and PDGFRβ induces fibroblast migration and stimulates tumor lymphangiogenesis. Many factors related to CAFs may influence CCA prognosis. For instance, a better prognosis is associated with IL-33 expression and low stromal IL-6 (whose secretion is stimulated by microRNA). In contrast, a worst prognosis is given by the expression of PDGF-D, podoplanin, SDF-1, α-SMA high expression, and periostin. The maturity phenotype has a prognostic relevance too. New therapeutic strategies involving CAFs are currently under study. Promising results are obtained with anti-PlGF therapy, nintedanib (BIBF1120), navitoclax, IPI-926, resveratrol, and controlled hyperthermia.
The Role of Adaptive Immunity in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Xue Mengting , Mao Xiying , Chen Mingkang , Yin Wenjie , Yuan Songtao , Liu Qinghuai
Published: November 2022

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is currently one of the common causes of vision loss in working-age adults. It is clinically diagnosed and classified according to the vascular changes in the fundus. However, the activation of immune cells occurs before these vascular changes become detectable. These, together with molecular studies and the positive clinical outcomes of anti-inflammatory treatment, highlight the pivotal involvement of the immune system. The role of innate immunity in DR pathophysiology has been studied in depth, but the contribution of adaptive immunity remains largely elusive. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the activation mechanism of adaptive immunity in DR microenvironments and to discuss the relationship between adaptive immunity and local vascular units or innate immunity, which opens new avenues for clinical applications in DR treatment.
Ways of Coping with Stress among Patients with Depressive Disorders
Authors: Orzechowska Agata , Bliźniewska-Kowalska Katarzyna , Gałecki Piotr , Szulc Agata , Płaza Olga , Su Kuan-Pin , Georgescu Dan , Gałecka Małgorzata
Published: November 2022

Background: Experiencing stressful life events and ways of coping with them can predispose to the onset of depressive mood disorders, while depression itself can be responsible for severe stress and can weaken resilience to stressors. Thus, variables relevant to the onset of depressive episodes and the course of depression have significant relationships with coping strategies to stressors. The aim of this research was to evaluate the most commonly used stress-coping strategies in patients treated for depression compared to patients with anxiety disorders and to healthy subjects. Methods: The multidimensional coping inventory (COPE Inventory) by C. S. Carver, M. F. Scheier, and J. K. Weintraub, covering 15 stress response strategies included in more general and overarching coping styles, was used in the study. Results: Patients with depression differed from the healthy subjects in a statistically significant way. Statistical analysis showed that people with depression are less likely than healthy subjects to use Active Coping, Planning, Seeking of Instrumental and Emotional Social Support, Suppression of Competing Activities, and Positive Reinterpretation. In contrast, they are more likely to use Denial, Mental Disengagement, and Behavioral Disengagement compared to those not treated for mental disorders. The patients with depressive disorders, compared to the group of patients with anxiety disorders, scored significantly differently on stress coping strategies in only two types of actions taken in stressful situations. Conclusion: The patients with depression differed from the healthy subjects in terms of the highest number of the stress coping strategies assessed. Compared to the healthy individuals, a tendency toward an avoidant behavior style was prevalent among the depressed patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients with the first episode of the disease and recurrent depressive disorders in terms of stress coping strategies.
Is Flexibility More than Fluency and Originality?
Authors: Weiss Selina , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: November 2022

Flexibility (i.e., the number of categorically different ideas), fluency (i.e., the answer quantity), and originality (i.e., the quality of ideas) are essential aspects of the ability to think divergently. Theoretically, fluency and ideational flexibility tasks are akin to one another. However, flexibility was also considered to be uniquely related to working memory capacity due to the task requirements involved in generating diverse answers (e.g., self-monitoring, suppression, and category generation). Given that the role of working memory is strengthened in flexibility tasks relative to fluency and originality tasks, flexibility should be more strongly related with working memory. Additionally, mental speed should show a similar pattern of results because mental speed has been previously related to task complexity. Based on a sample of N = 409 adults (Mage = 24.01 years), we found in latent variable models that fluency/originality strongly predicts flexibility and accounts for 61% of its variance. Creative flexibility was unrelated to working memory and mental speed after controlling for fluency/originality. Additionally, the residual of a latent flexibility factor was unrelated to self-reported creative activities. We concluded that flexibility, as measured here, can be deemed primarily a method factor that did not show value over and above fluency/originality as assessed in traditional fluency and originality tasks. We discussed perspectives for disentangling trait and method variance in flexibility tasks.
Numerical Simulation Investigation of Vortex Finder Depth Effects on Flow Field and Performance of Desanding Mini-Hydrocyclones
Authors: He Fengqin , Zhao Decao , Wang Jiangang , Huang Yuan , Liu Qibin
Published: November 2022

Sand has significant side effects on oil production and offshore platform processing system. Mini-hydrocyclones is a very important component to desanding operation system. However, even a slight modification on the structural parameter of hydrocylone might result in a significant influence on its flow field and separation efficiency. So, analysis on flow field characteristics and separation efficiency of the mini-hydrocyclones can help to optimize its structural parameters. In this work, five mini-hydrocycloness were designed, and flow patterns and particle separation ability of a mini-hydrocyclones with various vortex finder depths were investigated through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation method. The research shows that vortex finder depth has a significant influence on the separation function partition of mini-hydrocyclones. The deeper the vortex finder depth is, the larger the volume of pre-separation area, the smaller the volume of the main separation area and the bigger the energy consumption are. These characteristics are disadvantage to improve separation performance of hydrocyclone. Ratio (L0/D) of vortex finder depth (L0) to the hydrocyclone cylinder diameter (D) is about 1.0.
Dune Erosion at the German Baltic Coast—Investigation and Analysis of a Large-Scale Field Experiment Compared to Life Dunes
Authors: Kaehler Christian , Cantré Stefan , Schweiger Constantin , Saathoff Fokke
Published: November 2022

A large part of the Baltic Sea coastline in the north-eastern provinces of Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Schleswig-Holstein) is protected by coastal protection dunes, which are constructed and maintained to preserve a quasi-natural beach environment. The latest IPCC report predicts a significant sea level rise even in the Baltic, together with an increase in storm surges within the next decades. Sand dune constructions are particularly affected by these developments, in close connection to the increasing problems of sediment mining for beach nourishment and dune maintenance. In the BMBF research project PADO (Processes and Implications of Dune Breaching at the German Baltic Sea Coast), scientists from Rostock University and RWTH Aachen University investigated together with various partners how constructed sand dunes would fail during a storm surge, focusing on the erosion and the initiation and development of a breach. Therefore, a large-scale field experiment was installed at the beach of Rostock-Warnemünde, which was instrumented and surveyed in high resolution during the storm surge in November 2018, leading to the collapse of the dune, using innovative measurement systems, including terrestrial laser scanning and photogrammetry. The measurements were used to run a numerical model (XBeach) to simulate dune breaching for three different sections of existing sand dunes at the coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Additional investigations were made to analyse the filling and emptying of the polder areas behind the coastal protection dunes and the consequences of the floods with respect to saltwater intrusion. In this paper, the field experiment and the results from measurements and simulations are compared to one of the real reference dunes, and the transfer of results to a dune breach incident near Rostock in 2019 is discussed.
Research on the Enhancement of the Separation Efficiency for Discrete Phases Based on Mini Hydrocyclone
Authors: Liu Lin , Zhao Lixin , Wang Yahong , Zhang Shuang , Song Minhang , Huang Xueqiang , Lu Zhongrun
Published: November 2022

The economic and efficient treatment of mixed media in offshore produced fluids is of great significance to oilfield production. Due to the small space and limited load-bearing capacity of offshore platforms, some mature multiphase media separation processes in onshore oilfields are difficult to apply. Therefore, high-efficiency processing methods with small-occupied space are required. Mini hydrocyclones (MHCs) are a potential separation method due to their simple structure, small footprint, and high separation efficiency (especially for fine particles or droplets). However, for discrete phases with different densities and sizes, the enhancement rule of the separation efficiency of MHCs is not yet clear. In this paper, numerical simulation methods were used to study the separation performance of hydrocyclones with different main diameters (including conventional hydrocyclones (CHCs) and MHCs) for discrete phases with different densities and particle sizes. Results show that MHC has the optimal enhancement range for oil–water separation when oil-droplet sizes are 60–300 μm, while the optimal enhancement range for silica particle and water separation is 10–40 μm. For other droplet/particle size ranges, the efficiency enhancement effect of MHC is not obvious compared to conventional hydrocyclones. By calculating the radial force of particles in MHC and CHC, the reasons for the enhanced efficiency of MHC are theoretically analyzed. The pressure drop of MHC is higher than CHC under the same feed velocity, which can be improved by connecting CHC with MHC. Additionally, the fluid velocity test experiments based on particle image velocimetry (PIV) were carried out to verify the accuracy of the numerical simulations. This study clarified the scope of application of MHCs to different discrete phase types, in order to provide a basis for the precise application of MHCs.
Multi-Timescale Analysis of the Evolution of Sandy Coastline: A Case Study in South China
Authors: Yang Zhangfeng , Yang Zhendi , Deng Ziming , Chen Yifei , Yang Bin , Hou Yong , Deng Zijun , Tong Minxia
Published: November 2022

The coastal zone is essential to economic and social development. However, coastline evolution is a complex research topic, owing to the intersection and coupling of different fields such as wind, wave, and current. Research is further complicated by variations in these fields’ temporal and spatial scales. This study acquired and preprocessed multi-phase Landsat remote sensing satellite images of the eastern coast, from Wailuo to Zhuzi, from 1987 to 2021. Then, the decoded and extracted instantaneous coastline images were corrected, and quantitative analysis was carried out through the Digital Coastline Analysis System (DSAS). The results showed that trends of coastline evolution in the study area in the medium–long term were overall balanced. All the transects manifested temporal and spatial differences, and erosional hot spots were mainly concentrated on the coastal cape and its vicinity. To investigate storm-induced beach erosion in the short term, the 400 m coastline of Baimao in the area was selected as a field site, and the field survey was conducted during two storms. The distribution of the dynamic parameters of sediment deposition was also investigated. The results showed that the beach in the field site had an excellent ability to resist storm erosion and that the topographic change was greatly affected by geological conditions in the area, such as reef masking and a typical headland beach. The grain size parameters of the beach sediments were sensitive to storms, reflecting the adjustment of the beach surface during typhoons. This study shows how a multi-timescale analysis could represent an efficient approach to understanding the dynamic evolution of the coastline. It showed a detailed description of the historical coastline evolution of the eastern coast of the Leizhou Peninsula after 1987. Additionally, the coastline evolution and sediment distribution for the sedimentation dynamic environment of Baimao tourist area in the short term were also investigated. In conclusion, this study can contribute to the rational utilization of coastal resources, to coastal disaster prevention, and the mitigation of local coastal areas.
New Wave Energy Converter Design Inspired by the Nenuphar Plant
Authors: Díaz Hugo , Rodrigues José Miguel , Guedes Soares C.
Published: November 2022

This paper presents the Nenuphar concept, an innovative wave energy converter designed to use the kinetic and the potential energy of sea waves, based on the motions of seven modules. First, the main characteristics of the Nenuphar and its work principle are presented. Afterwards, the mathematical formulation of its dynamics is introduced and its validation with a simplified device. A specific MATLAB code was developed to determine the dynamics of hinged, multi-directional bodies. Then, the system’s behaviour was analysed under different wave conditions. The system performance was not strongly dependent on the wave characteristics or the device inclination angle. This initial study confirms the Nenuphar as a potential technology to extract energy from waves.
Adaptive Proportional-Integral Sliding Mode-Based Fault Tolerant Control for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles with Thrusters Saturation and Potential Failure
Authors: Xu Jian , Wang Xing , Liu Ping , Duan Qiaoyu
Published: November 2022

This paper focuses on the fault tolerant control of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in the presence of dynamic uncertainties and potential thruster failure issues. For this, an adaptive proportional-integral sliding mode-based fault tolerant control (APISM-FTC) is proposed to drive the AUV to follow the desired trajectory, in the event of unknown thrusters failure and thrusters saturation. Radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and an adaptive approach are used to evaluate the dynamics uncertainty during the construction of the APISM-FTC controller. To guarantee that all tracking errors asymptotically converge to zero, a comprehensive theoretical analysis and mathematical proof based on Lyapunov stability analysis are implemented. The simulation experiments on two fault conditions are carried out, respectively, and the control effects under normal conditions are compared. It can be shown that the designed APISM-FTC method can make the system reach a stable state quickly, and can still have a good control performance in the case of the failure of the thruster.
Identifying Hydraulic Characteristics Related to Fishery Activities Using Numerical Analysis and an Automatic Identification System of a Fishing Vessel
Authors: Jang Sung-Chul , Jeong Jin-Yong , Lee Seung-Woo , Kim Dongha
Published: November 2022

Many countries worldwide promote artificial reef projects to increase and preserve fishery resources; however, how artificial reefs form fisheries is unclear. Nevertheless, specific hydraulic features of artificial reefs may attract fish. We selected an underwater reef as a research site to clarify this hypothesis. In this study, environmental conditions around the underwater reef were modeled and quantitatively assessed using numerical analysis. We identified two hydraulic features related to fish attraction: the wake region and the local upwelling region. Their spatial distributions were superimposed on the path of a fishing vessel that was monitored using an automatic identification system (AIS). We showed that various hydraulic characteristics (such as wake region, local upwelling region, and flow velocity) identified in the path of the fishing vessel can be quantitatively evaluated. Increasing amounts of information from the AIS can be used to identify the hydraulic features that attract the most fish and therefore improve the productivities of artificial reefs.
GPI-Anchored Protein Homolog IcFBR1 Functions Directly in Morphological Development of Isaria cicadae
Authors: Li Dong , Gai Yunpeng , Meng Junlong , Liu Jingyu , Cai Weiming , Lin Fu-Cheng , Wang Hongkai
Published: November 2022

Isaria cicadae is a famous edible and medicinal fungus in China and Asia. The molecular basis of morphogenesis and synnemal formation needs to be understood in more detail because this is the main source of biomass production in I. cicadae. In the present study, a fruiting body formation-related gene with a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring protein (GPI-Ap) gene homolog IcFBR1 was identified by screening random insertion mutants. Targeted deletion of IcFBR1 resulted in abnormal formation of synnemata, impairing aerial hyphae growth and sporulation. The IcFBR1 mutants were defective in the utilization of carbon sources with reduced polysaccharide contents and the regulation of amylase and protease activities. Transcriptome analysis of ΔIcfbr1 showed that IcFBR1 deletion influenced 49 gene ontology terms, including 23 biological processes, 9 molecular functions, and 14 cellular components. IcFBR1 is therefore necessary for regulating synnemal development, secondary metabolism, and nutrient utilization in this important edible and medicinal fungus. This is the first report illustrating that the function of IcFBR1 is associated with the synnemata in I. cicadae.
PIK3CAMutations in Breast Cancer Subtypes Other Than HR-Positive/HER2-Negative
Authors: Ascione Liliana , Zagami Paola , Nicolò Eleonora , Crimini Edoardo , Curigliano Giuseppe , Criscitiello Carmen
Published: November 2022

The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway plays a key role in cancer, influencing growth, proliferation, and survival of tumor cells. PIK3CA mutations are generally oncogenic and responsible for uncontrolled cellular growth. PI3K inhibitors (PI3Ki) can inhibit the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, although burdened by not easily manageable toxicity. Among PI3Ki, alpelisib, a selective p110α inhibitor, is approved for the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)+/HER2- PIK3CA mutant metastatic breast cancer (BC) that has progressed to a first line endocrine therapy. PIK3CA mutations are also present in triple negative BC (TNBC) and HER2+ BC, although the role of PI3K inhibition is not well established in these subtypes. In this review, we go through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, describing most common mutations found in PI3K genes and how they can be detected. We describe the available biological and clinical evidence of PIK3CA mutations in breast cancers other than HR+/HER2-, summarizing clinical trials investigating PI3Ki in these subtypes.
Degenerative Disc Disease of the Spine: From Anatomy to Pathophysiology and Radiological Appearance, with Morphological and Functional Considerations
Authors: Scarcia Luca , Pileggi Marco , Camilli Arianna , Romi Andrea , Bartolo Andrea , Giubbolini Francesca , Valente Iacopo , Garignano Giuseppe , D’Argento Francesco , Pedicelli Alessandro , Alexandre Andrea Maria
Published: November 2022

Degenerative disc disease is a common manifestation in routine imaging of the spine; this finding is partly attributable to physiological aging and partly to a pathological condition, and sometimes this distinction is simply not clear. In this review, we start focusing on disc anatomy and pathophysiology and try to correlate them with radiological aspects. Furthermore, there is a special focus on degenerative disc disease terminology, and, finally, some considerations regarding disc morphology and its specific function, as well as the way in which these aspects change in degenerative disease. Radiologists, clinicians and spine surgeons should be familiar with these aspects since they have an impact on everyday clinical practice.
Landscapes of Mobility and Movement in North-West Arabia: A Remote Sensing Study of the Neom Impact Zone
Authors: Fradley Michael , Gyngell Sarah
Published: November 2022

The historic environment of north-west Saudi Arabia is likely to be severely impacted by the construction of the Neom mega-city complex and the development of the city’s hinterland. This region, located east of the Gulf of Aqaba, has only been subject to limited archaeological survey in the past, limiting any assessment of this negative impact. This paper presents data collected through a remote sensing survey of the region undertaken by the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa (EAMENA) project, independent of the Neom project. It is argued that this data reflects a landscape of movement between north and south, with evidence of structures and monuments from at least the Bronze Age through to the pre-Islamic period, but little evidence of permanent settlement or agriculture. This should not be dismissed as a peripheral landscape, but one that contains rich archaeological evidence of concentrated activity, suggesting that some areas have held long-term significance to the people inhabiting and moving through this region.
Change in Landscape Multifunctionality and Its Trade-off–Synergy Relationship in Mined Land
Authors: Zhang Yiyan , Zhao Dong , Hou Huping , Yang Yongjun , An Shi , Chen Zanxu , Zhang Shaoliang
Published: November 2022

Mining often generates large amounts of inefficiently used land. Clarifying the multifunctional characteristics of mined land and its spatial and temporal evolution is important to environmental protection and promoting the economic and social benefits of mined areas. This article analyzed the conditions of mined land in Jiawang, Jiangsu province, China. The InVEST model was used to assess landscape functions, including those related to water and soil conservation, productivity, habitats, carrying capacity, recreation, and carbon sequestration, to explore the multifunctional changes and trade-off–synergy relationships of the landscape from 2005 to 2020. The results show that (1) ecological restoration of the mined land significantly improved the regional landscape multifunctionality during the study period, with each function enhanced more obviously after restoration was completed in 2012, and (2) the trade-offs and synergistic relationships for landscape multifunctionality varied during the study period because the time series evolved; some trade-offs gradually transformed into synergistic relationships. This study establishes a set of effective systems useful in evaluating the multifunctionality of mined land, and initially evaluated the trade-off–synergistic relationships among eight landscape functions. This will provide ideas supporting the management and restoration of mined land and help in the formulation of spatial planning strategies for ecological restoration.
Evaluating the Comprehensive Development Level and Coordinated Relationships of Urban Multimodal Transportation: A Case Study of China’s Major Cities
Authors: Hu Beibei , Xu Airong , Dong Xianlei
Published: November 2022

Urban multimodal transportation effectively meets the diversified travel demand of residents. However, it also generates extensive development problems such as traffic congestion, exhaust emissions and low operational efficiency. Therefore, there is an urgent need in urban sustainable development to achieve the coordinated and stable development of various modes of transportation. In this study, we took 36 major cities in China as the research object; measured the comprehensive development level of urban multimodal transportation; used the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) to research the coordinated development relationship among buses, rail transit, and taxis; and clarified the shortcomings of the coordinated development of multimodal transportation. The results show that the comprehensive development of urban multimodal transportation in China has shown a significant upward trend from 2016 to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of about 7.36%. There are significant differences in the development levels of multimodal transportation in different cities. In addition, the relationship among buses, rail transit, and taxis in the major cities in China presents a state of uncoordinated development. Therefore, the relevant departments of cities should optimize the allocation of transportation resources, in terms of infrastructure construction and operation, according to these development levels and coordination of multimodal transportation.