bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Beneficial Impact of Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Review of the Current Literature
Authors: Zamparelli Stefano Sanduzzi , Lombardi Carmen , Candia Claudio , Iovine Paola Rebecca , Rea Gaetano , Vitacca Michele , Ambrosino Pasquale , Bocchino Marialuisa , Maniscalco Mauro
Published: March 2024

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and irreversible fibrotic disease whose natural history is characterised by a progressive worsening of the pulmonary function, exertional dyspnoea, exercise intolerance, reduced physical activity, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) impairment. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary programme that uses a combination of strength training, teaching, counselling, and behaviour modification techniques to reduce symptoms and optimise functional capacity in patients with chronic lung disease. Based on the well-documented effectiveness of PR in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), over the years supportive evidence of its benefits for other respiratory diseases has been emerging. Although the latest rehabilitation guidelines recognised PR’s efficacy for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and IPF in particular, this comprehensive approach remains underused and under-resourced. In this review, we will discuss the advantages and beneficial effects of PR on IPF, analysing its impact on exercise capacity, disease-related symptoms, cardiovascular outcomes, body composition, and HRQOL.
Psychological Discomfort in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) in West Bank: A Cohort Study
Authors: Sawalha Osama , Ariza-Vega Patrocinio , Alhalaiqa Fadwa , Pérez-Rodríguez Sonia , Romero-Ayuso Dulce
Published: March 2024

Background/Objetives: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a significant contributor to global morbidity and mortality rates. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is a critical intervention for patients with coronary artery disease, yet it poses psychological challenges that can impact recovery. Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted across six hospitals in the West Bank/Palestine, aimed to assess changes in depression, anxiety, and stress levels among CABG patients and identify associated factors. The Arabic version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) was administered before (one week) and after surgery (two and three weeks). Results: Of the 200 participants, 116 were men (58%). High levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were observed both before and after surgery, with statistically significant reductions in all these variables after surgery (p < 0.001). Regarding demographic factors, age displayed a weak positive correlation with depression (r = 0.283; p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.221; p = 0.002), and stress (r = 0.251; p < 0.001). Sex showed a weak correlation with stress pre-surgery (r = −0.160; p = 0.024). Conclusions: Patient outcomes could be improved by early identification and the provision of efficient treatments such as psychosocial therapy both before and after surgery.
Acute Pancreatitis during and after Pregnancy: A Review
Authors: Maringhini Alberto , Rossi Margherita , Patti Rosalia , Maringhini Marco , Vassallo Valerio
Published: March 2024

During pregnancy and in the post-partum period, several diseases may arise or become exacerbated. Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease with an increasing incidence in Western countries. The incidence of acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is not different with respect to the general population, but this incidence increases in the first 2 years after delivery. Biliary sludge and stones are the most frequent aetiologies, followed by hypertriglyceridemia. Taking care of the mother and foetus through a potentially severe disease requires a team consisting of an obstetrician, a gastroenterologist, an anaesthesiologist, and a surgeon. It is necessary to monitor the health of the foetus/child and the mother during pregnancy, childbirth, and puerperium. The management of this care depends on the systemic and local complications, the severity of the acute pancreatitis, and the trimester of pregnancy. Some diagnostic tools and many drugs are not safe for foetuses, while interventional endoscopy and surgery have limitations and can only be used after an accurate evaluation of benefit/risk ratios. Despite these limitations, maternal mortality due to acute pancreatitis is low during pregnancy, mainly thanks to multidisciplinary approaches for these patients. A careful diet to prevent obesity, alcohol abstinence, routine serum triglyceride control, and breastfeeding for at least three months may prevent acute pancreatitis during and after pregnancy.
Endothelial Protein C Receptor and Its Impact on Rheumatic Disease
Authors: O’Hehir Zachary Daniel , Lynch Tom , O’Neill Sean , March Lyn , Xue Meilang
Published: March 2024

Endothelial Protein C Receptor (EPCR) is a key regulator of the activated protein C anti-coagulation pathway due to its role in the binding and activation of this protein. EPCR also binds to other ligands such as Factor VII and X, γδ T-cells, plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1, and Secretory group V Phospholipases A2, facilitating ligand-specific functions. The functions of EPCR can also be regulated by soluble (s)EPCR that competes for the binding sites of membrane-bound (m)EPCR. sEPCR is created when mEPCR is shed from the cell surface. The propensity of shedding alters depending on the genetic haplotype of the EPCR gene that an individual may possess. EPCR plays an active role in normal homeostasis, anti-coagulation pathways, inflammation, and cell stemness. Due to these properties, EPCR is considered a potential effector/mediator of inflammatory diseases. Rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus are autoimmune/inflammatory conditions that are associated with elevated EPCR levels and disease activity, potentially driven by EPCR. This review highlights the functions of EPCR and its contribution to rheumatic diseases.
Possible Mental Health Interventions for Family Members of a Close Relative Who Has Suicidal Thoughts or Committed Suicide: A Pilot Project at a Mental Health Center
Authors: Lesinskienė Sigita , Karalienė Virginija , Pociūtė Kamilė , Šambaras Rokas
Published: March 2024

Background: Suicides are an actual issue, especially in Lithuania, where, despite significant efforts, the number of suicides remains very high. In cases of suicide, society painfully loses its members, and the relatives of the person who committed suicide, engaged in self-harm, or attempted suicide face many negative experiences. Methods: The purpose of this article is to describe the pilot project applied for 2 years in the Mental Health Center (MHC) in the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, in organizing and providing services to people whose relatives committed suicide or attempted suicide or self-harm. This prevention and early intervention program, organized by an interdisciplinary team at an MHC, appeared appropriate, effective, and well-attended. Program clients could participate anonymously and have the opportunity to choose the time and the right services for themselves from the offered program services package. Results: Providing the possibility for family members to receive flexible mental health services at the primary center increased the attractiveness of the program and reduced stigma. Conclusions: The program results demonstrated the applicability of the implementation of such an initiative as a relevant possibility when providing complex help for the relatives of self-harming and/or suicidal people.
A Finite Element Method Study on a Simulation of the Thermal Behaviour of Four Methods for the Restoration of Class II Cavities
Authors: Staicu Adela Nicoleta , Țuculină Mihaela Jana , Cumpătă Cristian Niky , Rîcă Ana Maria , Beznă Maria Cristina , Popa Dragoș Laurențiu , Popescu Alexandru Dan , Diaconu Oana Andreea
Published: March 2024

The possibility of dental pulp damage during dental procedures is well known. According to studies, during finishing and polishing without cooling, temperatures of up to 140 °C or more can be generated. There are many studies that have analysed the influence of the finishing and polishing of fillings on the mechanical parameters, but the analysis of thermal parameters has led to uncertain results due to the difficulty of performing this in vivo. Background: We set out to conduct a study, using the finite element method, to determine the extent to which the type of class II cavity and the volume of the composite filling influence the duration of heat transfer to the pulp during finishing and polishing without cooling. Materials and Methods: A virtual model of an upper primary molar was used, with a caries process located on the distal aspect, in which four types of cavities were digitally prepared: direct access, horizontal slot, vertical slot and occlusal–proximal. All four cavity types were filled using a Filtek Supreme XT nanocomposite. Results: The study showed that the filling volume almost inversely proportionally influences the time at which the dental pulp reaches the critical temperature of irreversible damage. The lowest duration occurred in occlusal–distal restorations and the highest in direct access restorations. Conclusions: based on the results of the study, a working protocol can be issued so that finishing and polishing restorations without cooling are safe for pulpal health.
Dual-Band Large-Frequency Ratio Power Divider Using Mode Composite Transmission Line for 5G Communication Systems
Authors: Song Kaijun , Fang Lele , Zhou Yedi
Published: March 2024

In this paper, a novel kind of mode composite transmission line (MC-TL) is proposed, and a dual-band power divider with a large frequency ratio using this novel MC-TL for 5G communication systems was developed. The proposed MC-TL was developed using spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) and a corrugated substrate-integrated waveguide (CSIW) transmission line, which supports both a surface plasmon mode and TE10 mode, independently. The surface plasmon mode operates in the grooves of the surface metal layer, while the TE10 mode works in the substrate between two metal layers. These two parts can transmit different modes at independent frequencies. This structure can be used in dual-band transmission lines with a high frequency ratio. The characteristics and design of the MC-TL (SSPPs and CSIW) are analyzed and illustrated. The MC-TL was fabricated and measured to demonstrate its performance. Moreover, based on the proposed MC-TL, a dual-band power divider with a large frequency ratio (operating at 3 GHz and 28 GHz simultaneously) was also designed and fabricated. It can cover the frequency of a fifth-generation communication system perfectly. The measured outcomes align closely with the simulated results, demonstrating robust agreement and showcasing excellent transmission capabilities.
Enhancing Tool Performance in High-Speed End Milling of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy: The Role of AlCrN PVD Coatings and Resistance to Chipping Wear
Authors: He Qianxi , Saciotto Victor , DePaiva Jose M. , Guimaraes Monica C. , Kohlscheen Joern , Martins Marcelo M. , Veldhuis Stephen C.
Published: March 2024

The conventional cutting tools used for machining titanium alloys normally experience rapid tool wear, and it is generally difficult to achieve a cutting speed over 60 m/min. In this paper, a comprehensive study on improving the machining of Ti-6Al-4V alloy is presented, focusing on high-speed end milling at 100 m/min. Three different AlCrN PVD-coated cemented carbide tools were employed over cemented solid carbide endmills. The study aimed to understand the factors influencing tool performance and, particularly, the uncommon tool wear behavior characterized by chipping on the rake face. The research methodology involves a detailed investigation of coating properties, mechanical characteristics, surface defects, and tool edge geometries. Mechanical properties were measured to assess the resistance to plastic deformation and impact fatigue fracture resistance. Surface defects were meticulously observed, and tool edge geometries were evaluated through optical microscopies. These analyses uncover the key factors contributing to the best tool performance, notably the resistance to plastic deformation (H3/E2 ratio), impact fatigue fracture resistance, and maintaining uniform tool edge geometries. The results of this study reveal that the moderate stress C3 coating outperformed the other two coatings, exhibiting a 1.5-times-longer tool life, a relatively stable cutting force curve, and favorable friction conditions in the cutting zone.
Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) Supply through Internal Cooling Channels in Drilling Processes
Authors: Schumski Lukas , Tonn Teresa , Sölter Jens , Avila Kerstin , Buss Lizoel , Karpuschewski Bernhard , Fritsching Udo
Published: March 2024

Minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technologies possess great potential for improving the sustainability of manufacturing processes, which can reduce the absolute quantity of metalworking fluid (MWF) and also enable near-dry chips that are easier to recycle. During drilling in particular, the MWF is transported to the contact zone through internal cooling channels of the drilling tool. The MWF supply and its associated flow behaviour in the transfer from the outlet of the cooling channels to the contact zone have not been sufficiently investigated yet. Great potential is seen in the proper delivery of the MQL into the contact zone. This work aims to visualize and quantify the cooling lubricant supply into the cutting zone using the MQL technique. The visualization of the MQL application is made possible by high-speed shadowgraphic imaging. Detailed image processing is used to evaluate the resulting images. The developed evaluation routine allows for the assessment of the impact of the main process parameters such as the varying pressure of the aerosol generator and the cooling channel diameter. It is found that the oil leaves the cooling channels at the tip of the drill bit in the form of ligaments. An increase in pressure and cooling channel diameter leads to an increase in the frequency of oil ligament separation. Three main flow regimes are identified with different separation frequencies. Low inlet pressures result in intermittently dispersed droplets. The most upper pressure levels lead to an almost continuous dispersion of the oil. At the same time, the air and oil mass flow rates also increase.
Sea-Surface Small Target Detection Based on Improved Markov Transition Fields
Authors: Ye Ru , Xing Hongyan , Zhou Xing
Published: March 2024

Addressing the limitations of manually extracting features from small maritime target signals, this paper explores Markov transition fields and convolutional neural networks, proposing a detection method for small targets based on an improved Markov transition field. Initially, the raw data undergo a Fourier transform, feature fusion is performed on the series, and a spectrogram is generated using Markov transition fields to extract radar data features from both the time domain and frequency domain, providing a more comprehensive data representation for the detector. Then, the InceptionResnetV2 network is employed as a classifier, setting decision thresholds based on the softmax layer’s output, thus achieving controllable false alarms in the detection of small maritime targets. Additionally, transfer learning is introduced to address the issue of sample imbalance. The IPIX dataset is used for experimental verification. The experimental results show that the proposed detection method can deeply mine the differences between targets and the maritime clutter background, demonstrating superior detection performance. When the observation time is set to 1.024 s, the IMIRV2 detector performs best. Cross-validation with different data preprocessing methods and classification models reveals a significant advantage in the performance of the IMIRV2 detector, especially at low signal-to-noise ratios. Finally, a comparison with the performance of existing detectors indicates that the proposed method offers certain improvements.
High-Resistance Connection Fault Diagnosis in Ship Electric Propulsion System Using Res-CBDNN
Authors: Xie Jia-Ling , Shi Wei-Feng , Xue Ting , Liu Yu-Hang
Published: March 2024

The fault detection and diagnosis of a ship’s electric propulsion system is of great significance to the reliability and safety of large modern ships. The traditional fault diagnosis method based on mathematical models and expert knowledge is limited by the difficulty of establishing an accurate model of the complex system, and it is easy to cause false alarms. Data-driven methods, such as deep learning, can automatically learn from the mass of data, extract and analyze fault characteristics, and create a more objective distinction system state. A deep learning fault diagnosis model based on ResNet feature extraction capability and bidirectional long-term memory network timing processing capability is proposed to realize fault diagnosis of high resistance connections in ship electric propulsion systems. The results show that the res-convolutional BiLSTM deep neural network (Res-CBDNN) can fully integrate the advantages of the two networks, efficiently process fault current data, and achieve high-performance fault diagnosis. The accuracy of Res-CBDNN can be kept above 85% in a noisy environment, and it can effectively monitor the high resistance connection fault of ship electric propulsion systems.
Fixed-Time Trajectory Tracking Control of Fully Actuated Unmanned Surface Vessels with Error Constraints
Authors: Sui Bowen , Zhang Jianqiang , Liu Zhong , Wei Junbao
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes a fixed-time prescribed performance control technique to address the challenge of precise trajectory tracking control for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in the presence of external time-varying disturbances and input saturation. To begin with, a fixed-time disturbance observer is created to handle the time-varying external interference. The observer can accurately estimate and compensate for the disturbance in a fixed time, which effectively improves the robustness of the system. Furthermore, to guarantee both the transient and steady-state response of the system, we employed a specific control technology that ensures the trajectory tracking error remains within a preset bounded range. Then, combined with the fixed-time disturbance observer, the command filter, the prescribed performance control technology, and the fixed-time stability theory, a fixed-time trajectory tracking control law is designed to make the trajectory tracking error of the system converge in a fixed time. Finally, an experiment was designed to validate the suggested control scheme. The results show that under the same conditions, compared with the nonlinear controller and the finite-time controller, the absolute error tracking index of this paper is the lowest, which means that the presented control scheme has higher accuracy.
Coupled Inversion of Amplitudes and Traveltimes of Primaries and Multiples for Monochannel Seismic Surveys
Authors: Vesnaver Aldo , Baradello Luca
Published: March 2024

Engineers need to know properties of shallow marine sediments to build piers, pipelines and even offshore windfarms. We present a method for estimating the density, P velocity and thickness of these sediments. The traveltime inversion of primary and multiple reflections enables their semiquantitative estimation in marine surveys when using a minimal acquisition system such as a monochannel Boomer. Picking errors, ambient noise and interfering events lead to significant errors in the estimates. Similar, albeit milder, instabilities occur when inverting the signal amplitudes to determine the reflectivity of the layer interfaces. In this paper, we introduce a coupling between the separate inversion of amplitudes and traveltimes to obtain a better Earth model. The P velocity shows up in two stable terms provided by the separate inversions: the acoustic impedance of shallow sediments (through the amplitudes) and the transit time across the sediment layer (through the traveltimes). We couple the two inversion engines by imposing a smoothness condition on velocity and density and thickness of the layer while keeping the impedance and traveltime constant. We thus exploit the ambiguity of the solution to introduce geological criteria and reduce the noise contribution. We validated the proposed method with synthetic and real data.
Study on Wear Characteristics of a Guide Vane Centrifugal Pump Based on CFD–DEM
Authors: Cao Weidong , Wang He , Tang Jian
Published: March 2024

Guide vane submersible centrifugal pumps are a kind of submersible pump, and the fluid inside the pump is often mixed with gravel and other impurities during operation, affecting the pump’s operating efficiency and life expectancy. However, past studies on solid–liquid two-phase flow (STF) and wear characteristics in guided vane centrifugal pumps have been limited to the particle trajectory and wear region distribution. These studies have lacked research on the effect of particles on the fluid flow and the specific amount of wear on the overflow components. Additionally, most of them have used the DPM discrete-phase model, which does not consider the particle–particle and particle–wall interactions. This paper is based on the CFD–DEM method, combined with the Archard wear model. A solid–liquid two-phase flow simulation is carried out for pumps with different particle sizes and particle shapes to analyze the particle movement inside the pump, the wear distribution and average wear amount of the overflow components, and the effect of particles on the turbulent kinetic energy of the fluid. The results show that the particles mainly collide with the leading and trailing edges of the impeller blades and the leading edge of the guide vane blades and form a buildup at the trailing edge of the concave surface of the guide vane blades, resulting in the wear being mainly distributed in these regions. With an increase in particle size and a decrease in sphericity, the average wear on the overflow components increases. The change of particle size directly affects the resistance of the fluid and the structure of the flow field, which has a large impact on the fluid flow pattern and generates large turbulent kinetic energy fluctuations. The shape of the particles only changes the structure of the local flow field, which has a small impact on the fluid flow pattern.
Integrated 1D Simulation of Aftertreatment System and Chemistry-Based Multizone RCCI Combustion for Optimal Performance with Methane Oxidation Catalyst
Authors: Kakoee Alireza , Hunicz Jacek , Mikulski Maciej
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the design of a methane oxidation catalyst aftertreatment system specifically tailored for the Wärtsilä W31DF natural gas engine which has been converted to a reactivity-controlled compression ignition NG/Diesel engine. A GT-Power model was coupled with a predictive physical base chemical kinetic multizone model (MZM) as a combustion object. In this MZM simulation, a set of 54 species and 269 reactions as chemical kinetic mechanism were used for modelling combustion and emissions. Aftertreatment simulations were conducted using a 1D air-path model in the same GT-Power model, integrated with a chemical kinetic model featuring 15 catalytic reactions, based on activation energy and species concentrations from combustion outputs. The latter offered detailed exhaust composition and exhaust thermodynamic data under specific operating conditions, effectively capturing the intricate interactions between the investigated aftertreatment system, combustion, and exhaust composition. Special emphasis was placed on the formation of intermediate hydrocarbons such as C2H4 and C2H6, despite their concentrations being lower than that of CH4. The analysis of catalytic conversion focused on key species, including H2O, CO2, CO, CH4, C2H4, and C2H6, examining their interactions. After consideration of thermal management and pressure drop, a practical choice of a 400 mm long catalyst with a density of 10 cells per cm2 was selected. Investigations of this catalyst’s specification revealed complete CO conversion and a minimum of 89% hydrocarbon conversion efficiency. Integrating the exhaust aftertreatment system into the air path resulted in a reduction in engine-indicated efficiency by up to 2.65% but did not affect in-cylinder combustion.
Erosional and Depositional Features along the Axis of a Canyon in the Northern South China Sea and Their Implications: Insights from High-Resolution AUV-Based Geophysical Data
Authors: Li Xishuang , Liu Lejun , Huang Bigui , Zhou Qingjie , Zhang Chengyi
Published: March 2024

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)-based multibeam bathymetry, sub-bottom profiles, and side-scan sonar images were collected in 2009 and 2010 to map the geomorphic features along the axial zone of a canyon (referred to as C4) within the canyon system developed on the northern slope of the South China Sea. These data significantly improved the spatial resolution of acoustic data, leading to a better understanding of the sedimentary processes within the modern canyon system. The bathymetric data reveal that sections across the canyon axis exhibit either asymmetrical or symmetrical characteristics, which differ from the overall asymmetrical pattern of the entire canyon. This suggests that the overall asymmetrical pattern of the canyon is not primarily due to axial incision. Various morphological elements were identified along the canyon axis, including failure scars, undulating features, knickpoints, flat terraces, furrows, and mass transport deposits (MTDs). Landslides, predominantly located in the upper canyon, were formed after at least 5000 years BP. Between the beginning of the canyon and a water depth of approximately 1300 m, there are alternating flat terraces and knickpoints. The large knickpoints’ low slope gradients are likely formed by the presence of undulating features. The internal configurations of undulating features suggest that they are depositional structures rather than sediment deformation. The formation of small-scale furrows below a depth of 1200 m may be associated with occasional gravity flows down the canyon. It is suggested that the canyon was generally inactive during the Holocene but experienced sporadic processes of sediment erosion, transport, and re-deposition in the axial zone that were triggered by landslide events occasionally in the upper canyon.
Effect of Stratified Flow on the Vibration of Anchor Cables in a Submerged Floating Tunnel
Authors: Xiong Jiaming , Sang Song , Shi Xiao , Gan Chaojie
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the vertical-type submerged floating tunnel with anchor cables. Based on the characteristics of the anchor cables, the anchor cables are simplified as a nonlinear beam model with hinged ends. Disregarding the axial displacement of the tunnel body, the loads will cause displacements in the x and z directions of the tunnel body. The vibrations of the anchor cables are decomposed into three directions, and the parameter excitation at the connection point between the anchor cables and the tunnel body is taken into account. The equations of motion for the three degrees of freedom of the anchor cables are established using Hamilton’s principle, and then the three equations are solved using the Galerkin method and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. The basic characteristics of an internal wave stratified flow acting on the anchor cables are considered, as well as the influence of the incident angle of the ocean currents on the three degrees of freedom of the anchor cables. The results indicate that (1) stratified flow weakens the first- and third-order vortex-induced vibrations of the anchor cables while enhancing the second-order vortex-induced vibrations. When considering the parameter excitation of the anchor cables, the first- and third-order vibrations are weakened, while the second-order vibration remains significant; (2) the first-order vibration of the anchor cables reaches its maximum value when the transverse oscillation frequency of the tunnel body is twice its natural frequency, and the second-order vibration of the anchor cables reaches its maximum value when the transverse oscillation frequency of the tunnel body is twice its natural frequency; (3) the downstream vibration of the anchor cables increases with the increase in the incident angle of the ocean currents, the cross-flow vibration of the anchor cables decreases with the increase in the incident angle of the ocean currents, and the axial vibration of the anchor cables reaches its maximum value when the incident angle of the ocean currents is 60 degrees; (4) stratified flow weakens the lock-in phenomenon of the anchor cables, and the influence of the 1/2 stratified flow on the vibrations of the anchor cables is greater than the influence of the 1/2 stratified flow.
YOLO-RSA: A Multiscale Ship Detection Algorithm Based on Optical Remote Sensing Image
Authors: Fang Zhou , Wang Xiaoyong , Zhang Liang , Jiang Bo
Published: March 2024

Currently, deep learning is extensively utilized for ship target detection; however, achieving accurate and real-time detection of multi-scale targets remains a significant challenge. Considering the diverse scenes, varied scales, and complex backgrounds of ships in optical remote sensing images, we introduce a network model named YOLO-RSA. The model consists of a backbone feature extraction network, a multi-scale feature pyramid, and a rotated detection head. We conduct thorough tests on the HRSC2016 and DOTA datasets to validate the proposed algorithm. Through ablation experiments, we assess the impact of each improvement component on the model. In comparative experiments, the proposed model surpasses other models in terms of Recall, Precision, and MAP on the HRSC2016 dataset. Finally, in generalization experiments, our proposed ship detection model exhibits excellent detection performance across various scenarios. The method can accurately detect multi-scale ships in the image and provide a basis for marine ship monitoring and port management.
Design and Optimization of the Wall Climbing Robot for Magnetic Particle Detection of Ship Welds
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Zhang Minglu , Jiao Shilong , Sun Lingyu , Li Manhong
Published: March 2024

At present, numerous wall-climbing robots have been developed, and applied in ship manufacturing for weld detection to ensure safe navigation. Limited by rigid mechanical structure and complex detection, mostly existing robots are hardly to complete weld detection by using fluorescent magnetic particles. Based on permanent magnet adsorption, a wheeled wall-climbing robot is developed to realize the stable adsorption and flexible movement on ship wall. A detection mechanism is designed using a series and parallel flexible adaptation structure to keep cross yokes and detection area close for effective detection. A unified mechanical model is established by analyzing the angle between robot attitude and gravity, to solve safe adsorption and flexible movement for different detection conditions. Integrated the multisensor information and collaboration between control component, an automatic detection control workflow conforms to the standard process is proposed. Experiments show that the robot can move on curvature wall flexibly and stably, complete the weld detection with the standard process, and clearly display the shape and depth of the small defects (groove depth ≥ 30 μm) in standard specimen.
A Framework for Structural Analysis of Icebreakers during Ramming of First-Year Ice Ridges
Authors: Zhao Weidong , Leira Bernt Johan , Høyland Knut Vilhelm , Kim Ekaterina , Feng Guoqing , Ren Huilong
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a framework for structural analysis of icebreakers during ramming of first-year ice ridges. The framework links the ice-ridge load and the structural analysis based on the physical characteristics of ship–ice-ridge interactions. A ship–ice-ridge interaction study was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed framework. A PC-2 icebreaker was chosen for the ship–ice interaction study, and the geometrical and physical properties of the ice ridge were determined based on empirical data. The ice ridge was modeled by solid elements equipped with the continuous surface cap model (CSCM). To validate the approach, the simulated ice resistance was computed using the Lindqvist solution and in situ tests of R/V Xuelong 2. First, the local ice-induced pressure on the hull shell was determined based on numerical simulations. Subsequently, the local ice pressure was applied to local deformable sub-structural models of the PC-2 icebreaker hull by means of triangular impulse loads. Finally, the structural response of sub-structural models with refined meshes was computed. This case study demonstrates that the proposed framework is suitable for structural analysis of ice-induced stresses in local hull components. The results show that the ice load and the structural response obtained based on the four first-year ice-ridge models show obvious differences. Furthermore, the ice load and corresponding structural response increases with the width of the ridge and with increasing ship speed.
Taxonomic Investigations on Cladorhizidae (Carnivorous Sponges) of the East Scotia Ridge (Antarctica) with the Description of Three New Species
Authors: Eck Camino , Kröner Xiaoyu , Janussen Dorte
Published: March 2024

This study investigates taxonomic characteristics of carnivorous sponges from the Southern Ocean. The specimens were collected in 2010 from deep-sea hydrothermal vents of the East Scotia Ridge during the RRS James Cook Cruise JC42. All the investigated sponges are new to science. They belong to the genera Abyssocladia and Cladorhiza within the family Cladorhizidae. This study provides descriptions and remarks for the three new species Abyssocladia truespacemeni, Abyssocladia hendrixii and Cladorhiza elsaae. Comparative faunistic and ecological aspects of these sponge genera within the Southern Ocean sponge fauna are discussed. The genera Abyssocladia and Cladorhiza are recorded here for the first time from the ecosystem around hydrothermal vents in the Antarctic deep sea. The descriptions of new species contribute to and expand the current knowledge of the Cladorhizidae and consequently support future taxonomic identifications and descriptions of Antarctic deep-sea carnivorous sponges. The appearance of these newly discovered species underlines the hypothesis that Cladorhizidae is the second most species-rich family of Demospongiae in the Southern Ocean, and many new species of this deep-sea sponge family are still to be discovered.
Fungicide Sensitivity Profile of Pyrenophora teres f. teres in Field Population
Authors: Pütsepp Regina , Mäe Andres , Põllumaa Lee , Andresen Liis , Kiiker Riinu
Published: March 2024

Pyrenophora teres f. teres (Ptt) is a severe pathogen to spring barley in Northern Europe. Ptt with relevant mutations in fungicide target proteins, sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51A), cytochrome b (Cyt b), and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) would put efficient disease control at risk. In the growing seasons of 2021 and 2022, 193 Ptt isolates from Estonia were analysed. In this study, mutation detection and in vitro fungicide sensitivity assays of single-spore isolates were carried out. Reduced sensitivity phenotype to mefentrifluconazole was evident in Ptt isolates with a F489L mutation in CYP51A or with 129 bp insert in the Cyp51A gene-promoter region. However, sensitivity to a prothioconazole-desthio remained high regardless of these molecular changes. The Ptt population was mostly sensitive to bixafen, fluxapyroxad, pyraclostrobin, and azoxystrobin. The sensitivity of fluxapyroxad and bixafen has been affected by two mutations, C-S135R and D-H134R, found in SDH subunits. The F129L mutation in Cyt b influenced azoxystrobin but not pyraclostrobin sensitivity. In total, 30 isolates from five fields had relevant mutations in three target protein genes simultaneously. Most of these isolates had a reduced sensitivity phenotype to mefentrifluconazole, fluxapyroxad, and azoxystrobin, while sensitivity to other tested fungicides remained high. Furthermore, possible sexual reproduction may enhance the pathogen’s fitness and help it adapt to fungicides.
Characterization of Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae Secreted Effector Proteins, Their Potential Host Targets, and Localization in a Heterologous Host Plant
Authors: Tsai Ming-Chang , Barati Michelle T. , Kuppireddy Venkata S. , Beckerson William C. , Long Grace , Perlin Michael H.
Published: March 2024

Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae is an obligate fungal species colonizing the plant host, Silene latifolia. The fungus synthesizes and secretes effector proteins into the plant host during infection to manipulate the host for completion of the fungal lifecycle. The goal of this study was to continue functional characterization of such M. lychnidis-dioicae effectors. Here, we identified three putative effectors and their putative host-plant target proteins. MVLG_02245 is highly upregulated in M. lychnidis-dioicae during infection; yeast two-hybrid analysis suggests it targets a tubulin α-1 chain protein ortholog in the host, Silene latifolia. A potential plant protein interacting with MVLG_06175 was identified as CASP-like protein 2C1 (CASPL2C1), which facilitates the polymerization of the Casparian strip at the endodermal cells. Proteins interacting with MVLG_05122 were identified as CSN5a or 5b, involved in protein turnover. Fluorescently labelled MVLG_06175 and MVLG_05122 were expressed in the heterologous plant, Arabidopsis thaliana. MVLG_06175 formed clustered granules at the tips of trichomes on leaves and in root caps, while MVLG_05122 formed a band structure at the base of leaf trichomes. Plants expressing MVLG_05122 alone were more resistant to infection with Fusarium oxysporum. These results indicate that the fungus might affect the formation of the Casparian strip in the roots and the development of trichomes during infection as well as alter plant innate immunity.
Habitat Diversity, Environmental Conditions, and Distribution of Endangered Fungus Sarcosoma globosum (Ascomycota) in Lithuania
Authors: Vabuolė Eglė , Juzėnas Sigitas , Kutorga Ernestas
Published: March 2024

Sarcosoma globosum (Pezizales, Ascomycota) is a rare and endangered fungus, and it is believed to be extinct in most central European countries. Known records of S. globosum in Lithuania reveal that it is situated on the south-western edge of a shrinking geographical distribution range in Europe. An assessment of the species’ current habitat conditions and threats could enhance and provide new knowledge and guidelines to facilitate the efficient conservation of this threatened fungus and its habitats. The main aim of this study was to analyse the habitats and environmental conditions of S. globosum in Lithuania. We examined the diversity of habitats, various soil and tree stand characteristics, forest management activities, and natural disturbances in all 28 known fungus localities. S. globosum habitats in Lithuania are restricted to coniferous forests with the presence of Picea abies; the species was observed in boreo-nemoral bilberry western spruce taiga (the European Nature Information System habitat type T3F14), continental tall-herb western spruce taiga (T3F44), and native fir, spruce, larch, and cedar plantations (T3N1). An analysis of forest stand age structures in Lithuanian S. globosum localities revealed a rather large proportion of young Norway spruce stands of cultural origin (25.6% of study plots were assigned to age classes from 21 to 50 years); nevertheless, the majority of fungus growth sites were situated in older forests. Various natural and anthropogenic disturbances that threaten S. globosum habitats were assessed.
Disseminated Histoplasmosis in a Patient with Myelofibrosis on Ruxolitinib: A Case Report and Review of the Literature on Ruxolitinib-Associated Invasive Fungal Infections
Authors: Chiu Chia-Yu , John Teny , Matsuo Takahiro , Wurster Sebastian , Hicklen Rachel , Khattak Raihaan , Ariza-Heredia Ella , Bose Prithviraj , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios
Published: March 2024

Ruxolitinib, a selective inhibitor of Janus kinases, is a standard treatment for intermediate/high-risk myelofibrosis (MF) but is associated with a predisposition to opportunistic infections, especially herpes zoster. However, the incidence and characteristics of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in these patients remain uncertain. In this report, we present the case of a 59-year-old woman with MF who developed disseminated histoplasmosis after seven months of ruxolitinib use. The patient clinically improved after ten weeks of combined amphotericin B and azole therapy, and ruxolitinib was discontinued. Later, the patient received fedratinib, a relatively JAK2-selective inhibitor, without relapse of histoplasmosis. We also reviewed the literature on published cases of proven IFIs in patients with MF who received ruxolitinib. Including ours, we identified 28 such cases, most commonly due to Cryptococcus species (46%). IFIs were most commonly disseminated (39%), followed by localized lung (21%) infections. Although uncommon, a high index of suspicion for opportunistic IFIs is needed in patients receiving JAK inhibitors. Furthermore, the paucity of data regarding the optimal management of IFIs in patients treated with JAK inhibitors underscore the need for well-designed studies to evaluate the epidemiology, pathobiology, early diagnosis, and multimodal therapy of IFIs in patients with hematological malignancies receiving targeted therapies.
Oropharyngeal Microbiome Analysis in Patients with Varying SARS-CoV-2 Infection Severity: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Siasios Panagiotis , Giosi Evangelia , Ouranos Konstantinos , Christoforidi Maria , Dimopoulou Ifigenia , Leshi Enada , Exindari Maria , Anastassopoulou Cleo , Gioula Georgia
Published: March 2024

Patients with COVID-19 infection have distinct oropharyngeal microbiota composition and diversity metrics according to disease severity. However, these findings are not consistent across the literature. We conducted a multicenter, prospective study in patients with COVID-19 requiring outpatient versus inpatient management to explore the microbial abundance of taxa at the phylum, family, genus, and species level, and we utilized alpha and beta diversity indices to further describe our findings. We collected oropharyngeal washing specimens at the time of study entry, which coincided with the COVID-19 diagnosis, to conduct all analyses. We included 43 patients in the study, of whom 16 were managed as outpatients and 27 required hospitalization. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Saccharibacteria TM7, Fusobacteria, and Spirochaetes were the most abundant phyla among patients, while 61 different families were detected, of which the Streptococcaceae and Staphylococcaceae families were the most predominant. A total of 132 microbial genera were detected, with Streptococcus being the predominant genus in outpatients, in contrast to hospitalized patients, in whom the Staphylococcus genus was predominant. LeFSe analysis identified 57 microbial species in the oropharyngeal washings of study participants that could discriminate the severity of symptoms of COVID-19 infections. Alpha diversity analysis did not reveal a difference in the abundance of bacterial species between the groups, but beta diversity analysis established distinct microbial communities between inpatients and outpatients. Our study provides information on the complex association between the oropharyngeal microbiota and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although our study cannot establish causation, knowledge of specific taxonomic changes with increasing SARS-CoV-2 infection severity can provide us with novel clues for the prognostic classification of COVID-19 patients.
Preventing Bone Loss in Breast Cancer Patients: Designing a Personalized Clinical Pathway in a Large-Volume Research Hospital
Authors: Amar Inbal Dona , Franceschini Gianluca , Nero Camilla , Pasqua Ilaria , Paris Ida , Orlandi Armando , Gori Stefania , Fabi Alessandra , Garganese Giorgia , Scambia Giovanni , Villa Paola
Published: March 2024

Background: We assess the impact of bone health clinical management in breast cancer (BC) patients receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy and design a personalized clinical pathway to reduce bone loss in an Italian research hospital. Methods: The primary endpoint was to assess (through the process improvement organizational method) the clinical pathway that post-surgical BC patients prescribed with endocrine therapy undergo to prevent bone loss. The secondary endpoint was to design a personalized clinical pathway for a prompt implementation of guidelines, to assess and possibly prescribe antiresorptive therapy. Results: During the first year of the execution of the new Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Pathway, a 60% increase in Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry evaluations within 30 days and a 39.5% increase in antiresorptive therapy prescription within 90 days (since the prescription of endocrine therapy) were shown, thus increasing patients’ compliance. Conclusion: Case managers and bone health specialists in this context can improve patients’ adherence to therapies and bone health, helping physicians to expand their collaboration.
Exploring Blood Cell Count-Derived Ratios as Practical Diagnostic Tools for Scabies in Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Thao Giang , Le Ha Long Hai , Nguyen Hoang Viet , Le Huyen My , Vu Huy Luong , Inaoka Pleiades T. , Tetsuo Ota , Ly Quoc Trung , Espinoza J. Luis
Published: March 2024

Scabies is a neglected tropical disease and represents a considerable global burden. Although consensus diagnostic criteria for scabies have been recently published, diagnosing scabies infestation remains challenging in clinical practice. We investigated the diagnostic utility of complete blood cell count (CBC) and CBC-derived ratios obtained at diagnosis in a set of 167 patients who are Vietnamese with confirmed scabies. These parameters were compared with those of patients with dermatophytosis (N = 800) and urticaria (N = 2023), two diseases frequent in Vietnam, which can present with similar skin manifestations to scabies and tend to pose a diagnostic challenge in vulnerable populations. Our analysis revealed that white blood cell, monocyte, and eosinophil counts were significantly higher among patients with scabies than the other two diseases. Similarly, the monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) and eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR) were significantly higher among patients with scabies. The optimal cut-off values to distinguish scabies from dermatophytosis and urticaria were 0.094 for ELR (sensitivity: 74.85%, specificity: 70.7%) and 0.295 for MLR (sensitivity: 52.69%, specificity: 73.54%). CBC, ELR, and MLR are low-cost and easily calculated parameters that may be helpful for the diagnosis of scabies.