bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutral to slightly undercorrected mechanical leg alignment provides superior long‐term results in patients undergoing matrix‐associated autologous chondrocyte implantation
Authors: Weishorn Johannes , Koch Kevin‐Arno , Zietzschmann Severin , Trefzer Raphael , Walker Tilman , Renkawitz Tobias , Bangert Yannic
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of leg alignment on long‐term clinical outcome after matrix‐associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M‐ACI) and to define an individualized target range to optimize clinical outcome.

Methods

The present study examined patients who underwent M‐ACI of the femoral condyle. The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Magnetic Resonance Observation of Cartilage Repair Tissue (MOCART) were used to assess the results. Clinical outcomes were related to Patient Acceptable Symptomatic State (PASS). For intra‐ and interobserver reliability of mechanical tibiofemoral angle, mechanical medial proximal tibial angle and mechanical lateral distal femoral angle, we calculated intraclass correlation coefficients using a two‐way mixed model with absolute agreement. A regression model and receiver‐operating characteristics curve were used to identify an individual range of alignment where a favourable clinical outcome could be expected in the long term.

Results

Additional osteotomy was performed in 50% of patients with similar clinical outcomes as physiologically aligned patients (p > 0.05). The curve‐fitting regression model identified a target range of −2.5° valgus to 4.5° varus for ideal postoperative alignment (R2 = 0.12, p = 0.01). Patients within this range were more likely to achieve PASS (70% vs. 27%, p = 0.001). In medially treated defects, a refined range of −2.5° valgus to 4° varus alignment was found (R2 = 0.15, p = 0.01). These patients were more likely to achieve PASS (67% vs. 30%, p = 0.01) and showed favourable postoperative KOOS and MOCART scores (p = 0.02). Patients with lateral defects were more likely to achieve PASS within a range of −2° valgus and 0.5° varus (90% vs. 45%, p = 0.03) and showed favourable postoperative KOOS and MOCART scores (p = not significant).

Conclusions

An individual range of leg alignment—whether achieved by osteotomy or physiologic alignment—should be respected in M‐ACI treatment. A neutral to slightly undercorrected alignment favours the postoperative outcome after M‐ACI. When planning surgery for patients with focal cartilage defects of the femoral condyle, these ranges should be recognized as critical factors.

Level of Evidence

Level III.
The effects of common ownership on price and quality decisions in competing supply chains
Authors: Li Chaofan , Chen Xiaofang , Xia Wenlei
Published: May 2024

This paper examines the implications of common ownership on pricing and quality decisions in supply chains. Our results indicate that the presence of common ownership enhances the quality investment but increases the wholesale price. However, the presence of common ownership induces the retailers to charge lower sales price. Because of higher wholesale price and lower sales price, the manufacturer always benefits from the common ownership but the common ownership always hurts the retailers. The presence of common ownership always benefits consumer surplus and social welfare. The benefits of common ownership are more significant as the common ownership level becomes strong.
Real‐time topology optimization via learnable mappings
Authors: Garayalde Gabriel , Torzoni Matteo , Bruggi Matteo , Corigliano Alberto
Published: May 2024

In traditional topology optimization, the computing time required to iteratively update the material distribution within a design domain strongly depends on the complexity or size of the problem, limiting its application in real engineering contexts. This work proposes a multi‐stage machine learning strategy that aims to predict an optimal topology and the related stress fields of interest, either in 2D or 3D, without resorting to any iterative analysis and design process. The overall topology optimization is treated as regression task in a low‐dimensional latent space, that encodes the variability of the target designs. First, a fully‐connected model is employed to surrogate the functional link between the parametric input space characterizing the design problem and the latent space representation of the corresponding optimal topology. The decoder branch of an autoencoder is then exploited to reconstruct the desired optimal topology from its latent representation. The deep learning models are trained on a dataset generated through a standard method of topology optimization implementing the solid isotropic material with penalization, for varying boundary and loading conditions. The underlying hypothesis behind the proposed strategy is that optimal topologies share enough common patterns to be compressed into small latent space representations without significant information loss. Results relevant to a 2D Messerschmitt‐Bölkow‐Blohm beam and a 3D bridge case demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed framework to provide accurate optimal topology predictions in a fraction of a second.
Clinical Portrait of Cochlear Implantation in Patients With CHARGE Syndrome
Authors: Song Bokhyun , Hwang Kyuhyeon , Koh Sung Min , Moon Il Joon , Cho Young Sang
Published: May 2024

Objective

To examine the clinical characteristics and auditory performance of patients with CHARGE syndrome following cochlear implantation (CI), as well as the prognostic factors affecting auditory outcomes.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Tertiary academic center.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed in patients with CHARGE syndrome who underwent CI from 2007 to 2022. The category of auditory performance (CAP) score was used to assess the CI outcomes, and factors that may affect the speech outcomes were also evaluated.

Results

In 14 children with CHARGE syndrome, 22 CIs were performed, 6 unilaterally and 8 bilaterally. The mean age at CI was 25.9 months (range: 10‐62). All patients had ear abnormalities and developmental delays, and cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) was present in all ears. At the last follow‐up (mean: 49.6 months), the mean CAP score improved significantly compared to the preoperative measure (from 0.36 ± 0.81 to 3.21 ± 1.70, P = .001), with 6 patients (42.9%) achieving a CAP score of 4 points or higher. However, between the unilateral and bilateral CI groups, the final CAP score or change in CAP score was similar. Factors including age, coloboma, and CND did not significantly affect speech outcomes (all P > .05).

Conclusion

Even though CHARGE syndrome features challenging anomalies, CI can be conducted safely and can offer effective contribution to significant speech improvement. Patients with CHARGE syndrome should be given the opportunity to undergo CI to maximize their audiological progress.
How Variable are Patient Comorbidity Profiles Among Practicing Otolaryngologists?
Authors: Torabi Sina J. , Hong Ellen M. , Patel Rahul A. , Nguyen Theodore V. , Huck Nolan A. , Khosravi Pooya , Peter Manes R. , Kuan Edward C.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To determine whether certain groups of otolaryngologists (ORLs) are treating cohorts of patients with more comorbidities.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional population‐based analysis.

Setting

2019 Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Dataset.

Methods

Each ORL's average Medicare hierarchical condition category (HCC) risk score, a comorbidity index calculated from a patient's comorbidities, was collected. These were stratified and compared by various physician characteristics, including practice region and rurality, years in practice, gender, subspecialty, and setting (academic vs community).

Results

Among 8959 ORLs, the mean HCC risk score for Medicare patients was 1.35 ± 0.35. On univariate analysis, ORLs practicing in urban (compared to rural), ORLs in academic settings (compared to community), and early career ORLs all had a patient population with a higher HCC risk score (P < .001 for all). On multivariate analysis controlling for gender, rurality, graduation year, and region, rural setting was associated with decreased odds of having a high‐risk patient population (odds ratio: 0.58 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.48‐0.71]; P < .001), while those more recently graduated has an increased risk (2000‐2009: 1.41 [1.01‐1.96], P = .046; 2010‐2015: 2.30 [1.63‐3.25], P < .001). In a separate subgroup analysis, subspecialty differences were seen and community setting was associated with decreased odds of having a high‐risk patient population (0.36 [0.23‐0.55]; P < .001).

Conclusion

There is variability in patient comorbidity profiles among ORLs, with those in urban settings, those more recently graduated, and those in academic settings treating a group with more comorbidities. As the comorbidity burden may increase the cost of practice and complications, these findings may have important implications for health inequity.
Preclinical side effect prediction through pathway engineering of protein interaction network models
Authors: Alidoost Mohammadali , Wilson Jennifer L.
Published: May 2024

Modeling tools aim to predict potential drug side effects, although they suffer from imperfect performance. Specifically, protein–protein interaction models predict drug effects from proteins surrounding drug targets, but they tend to overpredict drug phenotypes and require well‐defined pathway phenotypes. In this study, we used PathFX, a protein–protein interaction tool, to predict side effects for active ingredient‐side effect pairs extracted from drug labels. We observed limited performance and defined new pathway phenotypes using pathway engineering strategies. We defined new pathway phenotypes using a network‐based and gene expression‐based approach. Overall, we discovered a trade‐off between sensitivity and specificity values and demonstrated a way to limit overprediction for side effects with sufficient true positive examples. We compared our predictions to animal models and demonstrated similar performance metrics, suggesting that protein–protein interaction models do not need perfect evaluation metrics to be useful. Pathway engineering, through the inclusion of true positive examples and omics measurements, emerges as a promising approach to enhance the utility of protein interaction network models for drug effect prediction.
Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of nasal glucagon in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes
Authors: James Douglas E. , Shen Tong , Geiser Jeanne S. , Garhyan Parag , Chigutsa Emmanuel
Published: May 2024

The objective was to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of glucagon after injectable or nasal administration and confirm the appropriate therapeutic dose of nasal glucagon (NG) for adult patients. Six clinical studies with PK and five clinical studies with PD (glucose) data were included in the analysis. Doses ranging from 0.5 to 6 mg NG, and 0.5 to 1 mg injectable glucagon were studied. A total of 6284 glucagon and 7130 glucose concentrations from 265 individuals (patients and healthy participants) were available. Population PK/PD modeling was performed using NONMEM. Glucagon exposure and glucose response were simulated for patients administered various doses of NG to confirm the optimal dose. Glucagon PK was well‐described with a single compartment disposition with first‐order absorption and elimination processes. Bioavailability of NG relative to injectable glucagon was 16%. Exposure–response modeling revealed that lower baseline glucose was associated with higher maximum drug effect. The carry‐over effect from prior insulin administration was incorporated into the model through a time‐dependent increase in elimination rate of glucose. Simulations showed that more than 99% of hypoglycemic adult patients would experience treatment success, defined as an increase in blood glucose to ≥70 mg/dL or an increase of ≥20 mg/dL from nadir within 30 min after administration of NG 3 mg. The population PK/PD model adequately described the PK and PD profiles of glucagon after nasal administration. Modeling and simulations confirmed that NG 3 mg is the most appropriate dose for rescue treatment during hypoglycemia emergencies.
Diffusion and Translation of the Barnahus Model Through the Lens of Institutional Tensions
Authors: Johansson Susanna , Stefansen Kari , Kaldal Anna , Bakketeig Elisiv
Published: May 2024

Since the Barnahus model was first introduced in Iceland in 1998, it has spread to a number of European countries, both within and beyond the Nordic region. This introductory chapter has two main objectives: The first is to describe the further diffusion of the Barnahus model throughout Europe and to exemplify various translations at local levels; the second is to set the framework for the book by introducing the concepts of institutional tensions and logics. We introduce the concepts involved in understanding the Barnahus model in the light of its ongoing implementation within different institutional contexts and related to this book’s four main themes: (1) legal tensions, (2) organisational tensions, (3) professional-ethical tensions, and (4) balancing institutional tensions.
Rock Art Research and Knowledge-Production in the Context of Globalizations. A Comparative Approach to the Cases of Patagonia-Argentina and Eastern Canada
Authors: Fiore Danae , Tapper Bryn , Zawadzka Dagmara , Acevedo Agustín
Published: May 2024

In this chapter, we discuss the impacts different globalizations (in plural) have had on the development of rock art research in Argentina and Canada over time. In particular, we focus on: (1) the initial or pioneer views on deep-time rock art in Eastern Canada and Patagonia (those of voyagers, explorers, militaries, and missionaries); (2) the development of archaeologies of art in the strict academic sense of the term (e.g. culture-history and stylistic approaches as well as processual approaches, following and creatively adapting international academic trends); and (3) a number of new theoretical approaches associated with post-processualism, including landscape archaeology, ecological approaches, materiality, and, more recently, the ‘ontological turn’. These three periods in the history of Western thought on deep-time rock art emerged in different contexts and under specific historical conditions, yet are characterised by the globalization of theoretical concepts from central areas of traditional academic theoretical production (i.e. Europe and USA), towards South America and Canada. In sum, we show how interpretations of deep-time Indigenous rock art in Eastern Canada and in Argentinean Patagonia were conceived under different conceptual frameworks according to different contexts of globalizations over time.
Exploring Transformation in and Across Clusters of Excellence
Authors: Collienne Nina , Padberg Melanie , Lehrheuer Bastian , Dreßen Jule , Borowski Esther , Isenhardt Ingrid
Published: May 2024

At the RWTH Aachen University, there are two Clusters of Excellence: The Fuel Science Centre (FSC) and the Internet of Production (IoP). Due to their complex structures, long-term funding, broad variety of disciplines involved and other exclusive characteristics, they provide high chances of change and might, thus, be seen as levers for transformation. In this article, the focus is put on the potential transformation on the content-level and the structures as well as the implications of transformation on the team and work processes are described since the Clusters of Excellence do not only underlie external influences fostering transformation (e.g. political decisions or environmental conditions) but also internal ones due to, for instance, staff turnover or new research findings influencing the future visions and operating of the clusters.
Quantification of Bottom Trawl Damage to Ancient Shipwrecks: A Case Study from the Coastal Waters of Turkey
Authors: Brennan Michael L.
Published: May 2024

Ancient shipwrecks in the Mediterranean region are particularly susceptible to damage by bottom trawl fishing activities because of their low relief on the seabed. Shipwrecks from the Greek and Roman periods typically consist of mounds of amphora cargoes, which slump onto the seabed in the shape of the vessel outline once the wooden hulls deteriorate following consumption by wood boring organisms. These low relief mounds do not snag trawl nets the way steel-hulled shipwrecks do in which fishers lose gear and could avoid those locations later. Instead, the fragile ceramic artefacts that comprise ancient wrecks are exposed to repeated strikes by trawls until they are broken and scattered across the seabed, potentially to the extent that they can no longer be found. Expeditions from 2008 through 2013 by Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) and the Exploration Vessel Nautilus documented numerous ancient shipwrecks in the Black and Aegean Sea coastal waters of Turkey that exhibited a range of damage from trawls, and which allowed for quantification of some of this damage.
Multi-use and Multi-vocal Challenges of Preserving Underwater Cultural Heritage in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Authors: Mires Calvin , Haskell Benjamin , Meyer-Kaiser Kirstin
Published: May 2024

The cultural identity of Massachusetts is intrinsically linked to the sea. For hundreds of years, ship-borne trade, migration, whaling, and fishing have tied Massachusetts to a world system of maritime commerce and culture and brought the world back to it through the area that is now Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS). Established in 1992, SBNMS is an 842-square mile area in the mouth of Massachusetts Bay, located 25 miles east of Boston, 3 miles southeast of Cape Ann, and 3 miles north of Provincetown, Massachusetts. Named for Lt. Henry S. Stellwagen, a nineteenth-century Navy surveyor, the sanctuary protects a productive and diverse marine ecosystem which has been the subject of centuries of fishing activity. It is also estimated that 200 shipwrecks rest on the seafloor within the sanctuary’s boundaries, representing more than 400 years of maritime history, industry, and culture (Fig. 6.1).
Pre-procedural and intra-procedural computerized tomography: providing a roadmap for successful adrenal venous sampling procedures
Authors: Jonasch Darius , Habibollahi Peiman , Kyle Jones A. , Avritscher Rony , Habra Mouhammed Amir , Perrier Nancy D. , Graham Paul H. , Huang Steven Y.
Published: May 2024

Background and purpose

Adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is used for the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism. Technical difficulties with right adrenal vein (RAV) catheterization can lead to erroneous results. Our purpose was to delineate the location of the RAV on pre-procedural CT imaging in relation to the location identified during AVS and to report on the impact of successful RAV cannulation with and without the use of intra-procedural CT scanning.

Methods

Retrospective case series including patients who underwent AVS from October 2000 to September 2022. Clinical and laboratory values were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Successful cannulation of the RAV was defined as a selectivity index > 3.

Results

110 patients underwent 124 AVS procedures. Pre-AVS CT imaging was available for 118 AVS procedures. The RAV was identified in 61 (51.7%) CT datasets. Biochemical confirmation of successful RAV cannulation occurred in 98 (79.0%) of 124 AVS procedures. There were 52 (85.2%) procedures in which the RAV was identified on pre-AVS CT and there was biochemical confirmation of successful RAV sampling. Among these 52 procedures, the RAV was localized during AVS at the same anatomic level or within 1 vertebral body level cranial to the level identified on pre-AVS CT in 98.1% of cases. The rate of successful RAV cannulation was higher in patients who underwent intra-procedural CT (93.8% versus 63.9%), P < 0.01.

Conclusions

Pre-AVS and intra-procedural CT images provide an invaluable roadmap that resulted in a higher rate of accurate identification of the RAV and successful AVS procedures; in particular, search for the RAV orifice during AVS can be limited to 1 vertebral body cranial to the level identified on pre-AVS CT imaging and successful cannulation can be confidently verified with intra-procedural CT.
Temporalis Muscle Changes Following Botulinum Toxin A Injections in Masseter Hypertrophy Patients: A Randomized Triple-Blinded Trial
Authors: de Souza Nobre Bryanne B. , de Oliveira Resende Machado Luciana , Poluha Rodrigo Lorenzi , Câmara-Souza Mariana Barbosa , Carbone Ana Claudia , de Almeida Andre Mariz , Grigoriadis Anastasios , Kumar Abhishek , De la Torre Canales Giancarlo
Published: May 2024

Background

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) treatment for patients diagnosed with masseter hypertrophy on the temporalis muscle, with a particular focus on assessing alterations in muscle thickness, electromyographic (EMG) activity, and the development of muscle pain.

Methods

The present randomized triple-blinded clinical trial enrolled 26 female participants aged between 25 and 50 years complaining about masseter hypertrophy. Participants received 75U of BoNT-A (abobotulinumtoxinA) in both masseter muscles and after three months were randomized to receive a second treatment session of saline solution (S-BoNT-A) or BoNT-A (M-BoNT-A). Longitudinal assessments included temporalis muscle thickness through ultrasound, EMG activity, subjective pain, and masseter prominence severity after one, three, and six months of the first injection session. Muscle thickness, EMG, and subjective pain were analysed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures and post hoc Sidak test, and for masseter prominence severity, Friedman and Mann–Whitney tests were used.

Results

Regarding inter-group comparisons, a higher muscle thickness (p < 0.02) and a higher EMG activity (p < 0.01) were found in the M-BoNT-A group at the 6-month follow-up. For subjective pain assessments, inter-group comparisons showed a higher prevalence of painful regions in M-BoNT-A group at the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.02). No significant differences were found in masseter prominence severity at the 6 months assessment between groups.

Conclusion

BoNT-A treatment for masseter hypertrophy lead to structural and functional changes in the temporalis muscle, presenting higher changes after multiple injections of this treatment.

Level of Evidence I

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Distribution and ecology of shallow-water black corals across a depth gradient on Galápagos rocky reefs
Authors: Agarwal Marisa , Lamb Robert W. , Smith Franz , Witman Jon D.
Published: May 2024

Antipathes galapagensis is a prevalent habitat-forming black coral in subtidal ecosystems of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR). Despite their ecological importance and status as a CITES-regulated order, little is known about their depth distribution, population structure and ecology in the GMR. Surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2022 at 9 sites in the central Galápagos Archipelago to investigate how black coral densities, occupancy, size, habitat utilization, and epizoan overgrowth varied between 2.0 and 20.0 m depth. The shallowest black corals occurred at 3.4 m depth, one of the shallowest occurrences of an Antipathes spp. in the world. Coral density increased with depth, with a maximum density of 5.2 colonies per m2 observed across the depth range surveyed. Occupancy modeling also yielded curves with increasing probabilities of black coral presence with depth at all sites. Colony height increased with depth at 8 out of 9 sites and was positively correlated with coral density at 6 of 9 sites. Overall, 47% of colonies surveyed occupied cryptic habitats and 53% were attached to exposed substrate, but black coral habitat usage patterns varied with depth at 5 of 9 sites. At these sites, colonies on shallower transects (5.0, 10.0 m depth) more frequently displayed cryptic habitat usage while colonies along the deeper transects (15.0, 20.0 m) were more often exposed. In general, coral density, probability of occupancy, height, and exposed habitat utilization increased with depth, while the average degree of overgrowth and number of epibiont taxa were unrelated to depth. Five hypotheses regarding factors potentially limiting the shallow (upper) depth distribution of A. galapagensis—ranging from negative impacts of the physical environment to high predation on exposed substrates—are presented for future testing. These results provide a comprehensive ecological characterization of Galápagos black coral populations that can be used to assess the impact of future environmental change and applied to management decisions for this key marine foundation species in the GMR.
Stapler versus conventional pharyngeal repair after total laryngectomy: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Mandor Elsaeed Ahmed , Ebada Hisham Atef , El-Fattah Ahmed Musaad Abd , Kamal Elsharawy , Baz Hemmat , Tawfik Ali
Published: May 2024

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of stapler pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy by the incidence of PCT and assessment of swallowing after surgery. In addition, the study aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes in terms of patients’ survival rates.

Methods

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 58 patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma who underwent total laryngectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to the method of pharyngeal repair after laryngectomy: manual closure group (n = 28), and stapler group (n = 30). Functional and oncological outcomes were assessed and compared.

Results

The incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula was significantly less in the stapler group. Additionally, operative time was significantly shorter and swallowing function was better in the stapler group compared to the manual group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding survival rates.

Conclusion

The stapler is a reliable method for pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy if the limits of its indications regarding the primary tumor are considered. Stapler closure decreases the incidence of PCF and decreases the surgical time. Good swallowing outcomes are achieved without compromising the oncological outcomes.
Plateau’s problem via the Allen–Cahn functional
Authors: Guaraco Marco A. M. , Lynch Stephen
Published: May 2024

Let $$\Gamma $$
Γ
be a compact codimension-two submanifold of $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

, and let L be a nontrivial real line bundle over $$X = {\mathbb {R}}^n {\setminus } \Gamma $$

X
=

R

n

\
Γ

. We study the Allen–Cahn functional, $$\begin{aligned}E_\varepsilon (u) = \int _X \varepsilon \frac{|\nabla u|^2}{2} + \frac{(1-|u|^2)^2}{4\varepsilon }\,dx, \\\end{aligned}$$

E
ε

(
u
)

=

∫
X

ε

|
∇
u
|

2

2

+

(
1
-
|
u
|

2

)

2

4
ε

d
x
,

on the space of sections u of L. Specifically, we are interested in critical sections for this functional and their relation to minimal hypersurfaces with boundary equal to $$\Gamma $$
Γ
. We first show that, for a family of critical sections with uniformly bounded energy, in the limit as $$\varepsilon \rightarrow 0$$

ε
→
0

, the associated family of energy measures converges to an integer rectifiable $$(n-1)$$

(
n
-
1
)

-varifold V. Moreover, V is stationary with respect to any variation which leaves $$\Gamma $$
Γ
fixed. Away from $$\Gamma $$
Γ
, this follows from work of Hutchinson–Tonegawa; our result extends their interior theory up to the boundary $$\Gamma $$
Γ
. Under additional hypotheses, we can say more about V. When V arises as a limit of critical sections with uniformly bounded Morse index, $$\Sigma := {{\,\textrm{supp}\,}}\Vert V\Vert $$

Σ
:
=

supp

‖
V
‖

is a minimal hypersurface, smooth away from $$\Gamma $$
Γ
and a singular set of Hausdorff dimension at most $$n-8$$

n
-
8

. If the sections are globally energy minimizing and $$n = 3$$

n
=
3

, then $$\Sigma $$
Σ
is a smooth surface with boundary, $$\partial \Sigma = \Gamma $$

∂
Σ
=
Γ

(at least if L is chosen correctly), and $$\Sigma $$
Σ
has least area among all surfaces with these properties. We thus obtain a new proof (originally suggested in a paper of Fröhlich and Struwe) that the smooth version of Plateau’s problem admits a solution for every boundary curve in $${\mathbb {R}}^3$$

R

3

. This also works if $$4 \le n\le 7$$

4
≤
n
≤
7

and $$\Gamma $$
Γ
is assumed to lie in a strictly convex hypersurface.
Regularity of flat free boundaries for two-phase p(x)-Laplacian problems with right hand side
Authors: Ferrari Fausto , Lederman Claudia
Published: May 2024

We consider viscosity solutions to two-phase free boundary problems for the p(x)-Laplacian with non-zero right hand side. We prove that flat free boundaries are $$C^{1,\gamma }$$

C

1
,
γ

. No assumption on the Lipschitz continuity of solutions is made. These regularity results are the first ones in literature for two-phase free boundary problems for the p(x)-Laplacian and also for two-phase problems for singular/degenerate operators with non-zero right hand side. They are new even when $$p(x)\equiv p$$

p
(
x
)
≡
p

, i.e., for the p-Laplacian. The fact that our results hold for merely viscosity solutions allows a wide applicability.
Structure and particle surface analysis of Li2S–P2S5–LiI-type solid electrolytes synthesized by liquid-phase shaking
Authors: Hikima Kazuhiro , Ogawa Kaito , Indrawan Radian Febi , Tsukasaki Hirofumi , Hiroi Satoshi , Ohara Koji , Ikeda Kazutaka , Watanabe Toshiki , Matsunaga Toshiyuki , Yamamoto Kentaro , Mori Shigeo , Uchimoto Yoshiharu , Matsuda Atsunori
Published: May 2024

Li2S–P2S5–LiI-type solid electrolytes, such as Li4PS4I, Li7P2S8I, and Li10P3S12I, are promising candidates for anode layers in all-solid-state batteries because of their high ionic conductivity and stability toward Li anodes. However, few studies have been conducted on their detailed local structure and particle surface state. In this study, Li7P2S8I (Li2S: P2S5:LiI = 3:1:1) solid electrolytes as the chemical composition were synthesized by mechanical milling and liquid-phase shaking, and their local structures were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The particle surface states were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-energy X-ray scattering measurements, and neutron total scattering experiments. The results showed that Li7P2S8I solid electrolytes are composed of nanocrystals, such as Li4PS4I, LiI, Li10P3﻿S12I and an amorphous area as the main region, indicating that the crystalline components alone do not form ionic conductive pathways, with both the amorphous and crystalline regions contributing to the high ionic conductivity. Moreover, the ionic conductivity of the crystalline/amorphous interface of the glass-ceramic was higher than that of the Li2S–P2S5–LiI glass. Finally, an organic-solvent-derived stable surface layer, which was detected in the liquid-phase shaking sample, served as one of the factors that contributed to its high stability (which surpassed that of the mechanically milled sample) toward lithium anodes. We expect these findings to enable the effective harnessing of particle surface states to develop enhanced sulfide solid electrolytes.
Optimal solving of a binary knapsack problem on a D-Wave quantum machine and its implementation in production systems
Authors: Bożejko Wojciech , Burduk Anna , Pempera Jarosław , Uchroński Mariusz , Wodecki Mieczysław
Published: May 2024

The efficient management of complex production systems is a challenge in today’s logistics. In the field of intelligent and sustainable logistics, the optimization of production batches, especially in the context of a rapidly changing product range, requires fast and precise computational solutions. This paper explores the potential of quantum computers for solving these problems. Traditional computational methods are often limited when it comes to optimizing complex logistics systems. In response to these challenges, the paper proposes the use of a hybrid algorithm that combines quantum technologies with classical computational methods. Such integration allows the computational power of both types of technologies to be harnessed, leading to faster and more efficient identification of optimal solutions. In this work, we consider the knapsack problem, a classic NP-hard optimization problem that is commonly used to verify the effectiveness of new algorithm construction methods. The algorithm presented is based on the Branch and Bound method and aims to ensure solution optimality in the context of the non-determinism of quantum computers. Within the algorithm, computations are performed alternately on a classical processor and a quantum processor. In addition, the lower and upper bounds of the objective function are computed in constant time using the D-Wave quantum machine.
Global practical stabilization of the double integrator system with an imperfect sensor and subject to a bounded disturbance
Authors: Zhu Zhiyuan , Li Yuanlong , Lin Zongli
Published: May 2024

This paper is concerned with global practical stabilization of the double integrator system with an imperfect sensor and subject to an additive bounded output disturbance. The imperfect sensor nonlinearity possesses the nonlinear characteristics of saturation and dead zone. Because of the presence of output dead zone and the additive disturbance, the states cannot be expected to driven into an arbitrarily small neighborhood of the origin. To solve the global practical stabilization problem, we proposes a low gain-based linear dynamic output feedback law, under which the first state enters and remains in a bounded set whose size is depended on the bound of disturbance and the range of dead zone and the second state enters and remains in a pre-specified arbitrarily small set, both in finite time. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed control method.
Valorisation of Agricultural Residue Bio-Mass Date Palm Fibre in Dry-Blended Polycaprolactone (PCL) Bio-Composites for Sustainable Packaging Applications
Authors: Saifullah Abu , Chacko Nirmal George , Dhakal Hom Nath , Khan Sakib Hossain , Sarker Forkan , Zhang Zhongyi
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study experimentally developed and characterised dry-blended Polycaprolactone (PCL)/date palm fibre biodegradable composites for sustainable packaging applications. Date palm fibres are collected from date palm trees as by-products or waste materials. They will be valorised in bio-composite application to promote fibre-based sustainable packaging items over their non-biodegradable synthetic polymer based conventional packaging products. In the dry-blending process, fibre and polymer are mixed with a shear mixer, while, in a melt-blending process, an extruder is used to extrude fibre/polymer blends after applying heating and high shear pressure to melt and mix polymer with fibres. Dry-blending process offers many comparative advantages, such as less equipment, steps, cost, process degradation, energy consumption and hence, lower harmful environmental emissions; while, a proper fibre/polymer mixing is a challenge and it needs to be achieved properly in this process. Therefore, it is important to understand the effects of dry-blending process on manufacturing of PCL/date palm fibre bio-composites for packaging applications, before promoting the dry-blending as a suitable alternative to the melt-blending process.

Methods

Short chopped fibres were grinded as powders and dry-blended at a ratio of (0 − 10%) (w/w) with PCL polymer using hand and a shear mixer for 30 min, following a compression moulding process to produce bio-composite samples. Tensile, water contact angle, SEM, TGA, DSC and DMA tests and analysis were conducted. The dry-blended PCL/date palm fibre composites’ properties were compared with reported melt-blended samples’ results found in literature.

Results

Dry-blended samples showed an increase in tensile modulus values (up-to 20%) with fibre inclusion and these values were found close to the melt-blended samples in the literature. Tensile strength and strain values were reduced which could be related to the poor fibre/polymer interface. Fibre addition affected the thermal, thermo-mechanical and crystallisation processes in PCL polymer matrix.

Conclusion

Dry-blending is capable of producing bio-composites with a very comparable properties to melt-blended counterparts, although a more details study is needed to conduct in future. The results of this study, could be used carefully to design dry-blended PCL/date palm fibre bio-composites for possible packaging applications. The irregular fibre distribution in dry-blended samples could be improved in different ways which should be investigated in future.

Graphical Abstract
Preparation and modification of PVDF membrane via VIPS method for membrane distillation
Authors: Li Zhen , Wang Jianbing , Liu Shuqin , Li Jingfeng
Published: May 2024

Membrane distillation (MD) is a promising technology for treating high-salinity mine water. However, MD membranes are known to have low membrane flux and are prone to fouling. In this study, we used the cost-effective and controllable vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) technology to prepare polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes, replacing the traditional immersion precipitation method and optimizing the membrane structure by including LiCl and acetone as porogen in the casting solution. The results showed that the membrane prepared using the VIPS method exhibited a highly open interconnected porous surface. Unlike traditional MD membranes with a dense epidermal layer and large finger-like pores, these optimized membranes had a symmetrical and uniform internal structure, leading to a high flux of 8.62 kg·(m2·h)−1 during direct contact membrane distillation testing. Different porogens produced varied results on the VIPS process and varying effects on membrane structure. The use of LiCl promoted the formation of PVDF β-phase, resulting in a decrease in the number of spherical nodules on the membrane surface, as well as improved density and smoothness. Consequently, this reduced fouling risk during membrane distillation while slightly decreasing membrane flux. On the other hand, acetone rapidly evaporated during the VIPS process, facilitating pre-gelatinization and α-phase formation of PVDF. This concurrent effect effectively restricted excessive nodule growth on the membrane surface, endowing the membrane with antifouling capabilities while preserving high flux.
Experimental investigation of temporal evaluations of scouring downstream of culvert
Authors: Jafari Soroush , Vaghefi Mohammad , Mahmoudi Amin
Published: May 2024

The investigation of bed topography downstream of culverts is very important. Since bed topography goes through extreme changes through time, this study investigated the temporal evaluations of bed topography. Also, the bed level downstream of culverts, as one of effective parameters in topography in different time spans, was investigated. One of the most important findings of the study is that with increasing the experiment time and approaching the equilibrium moment, the change percentage of the maximum scour depth decreased. Also with changes to and decrease in the bed level downstream of the culvert, the change percentage of the depth scour decreased. Another salient finding of this study was that the maximum scour over the beginning durations of the tests in case of equal downstream level and culvert bed level was approximately equal to the maximum scour in cases where the downstream bed level differed from the culvert bed level by 0.067 and 0.13 times the culvert mouth width.
Development and characterization of lipid nanocapsules loaded with iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic targeting to the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Aparicio-Blanco Juan , Pucci Carlotta , De Pasquale Daniele , Marino Attilio , Debellis Doriana , Ciofani Gianni
Published: May 2024

Brain drug delivery is severely hindered by the presence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Its functionality relies on the interactions of the brain endothelial cells with additional cellular constituents, including pericytes, astrocytes, neurons, or microglia. To boost brain drug delivery, nanomedicines have been designed to exploit distinct delivery strategies, including magnetically driven nanocarriers as a form of external physical targeting to the BBB. Herein, a lipid-based magnetic nanocarrier prepared by a low-energy method is first described. Magnetic nanocapsules with a hydrodynamic diameter of 256.7 ± 8.5 nm (polydispersity index: 0.089 ± 0.034) and a ξ-potential of -30.4 ± 0.3 mV were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed efficient encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles within the oily core of the nanocapsules. Both thermogravimetric analysis and phenanthroline-based colorimetric assay showed that the iron oxide percentage in the final formulation was 12 wt.%, in agreement with vibrating sample magnetometry analysis, as the specific saturation magnetization of the magnetic nanocapsules was 12% that of the bare iron oxide nanoparticles. Magnetic nanocapsules were non-toxic in the range of 50–300 μg/mL over 72 h against both the human cerebral endothelial hCMEC/D3 and Human Brain Vascular Pericytes cell lines. Interestingly, higher uptake of magnetic nanocapsules in both cell types was evidenced in the presence of an external magnetic field than in the absence of it after 24 h. This increase in nanocapsules uptake was also evidenced in pericytes after only 3 h. Altogether, these results highlight the potential for magnetic targeting to the BBB of our formulation.

Graphical Abstract
On variable-order fractional linear viscoelasticity
Authors: Giusti Andrea , Colombaro Ivano , Garra Roberto , Garrappa Roberto , Mentrelli Andrea
Published: May 2024

A generalization of fractional linear viscoelasticity based on Scarpi’s approach to variable-order fractional calculus is presented. After reviewing the general mathematical framework, a variable-order fractional Maxwell model is analysed as a prototypical example for the theory. Some physical considerations are then provided concerning the fractionalisation procedure and the choice of the transition functions. Lastly, the material functions for the considered model are derived and numerically evaluated for exponential-type and Mittag-Leffler-type order functions.
Environmental impacts of artificial turf: a scoping review
Authors: Bø S. M. , Bohne R. A. , Lohne J.
Published: May 2024

Artificial turfs represent a large environmental issue in terms of waste, microplastic pollution and leaching of chemicals. Artificial turfs are made of several components, the shock absorbing pad, backing, stabilizing infill, performance infill and artificial grass fibers. Common for these, except the stabilizing infill, is being made of plastic and chemicals being released to the environment. The purpose of this article is to investigate current research on the environmental impact of artificial turfs for football fields. This is done by presenting the state-of-the-art through a review of 40 articles and grey reports. Studies concerning the chemical content of rubber granules and microplastics lost to the environment represent most of the findings. The methods applied vary to a great extent, and more research is needed to further understand the environmental impact of artificial turfs. This study provides an overview of the previous work performed and highlights knowledge gaps and will be of help during further research on the environmental impacts of artificial turfs.
Disease prevalence, incidence, morphological and molecular characterisation of Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae causing collar rot disease on peanut plants in Turkey
Authors: Özkaya Senem , Soylu Soner , Kara Merve , Gümüş Yusuf , Soylu Emine Mine , Teke İbrahim , Özcan Oktay Burak , Sevilmiş Deniz , Ölmez Yaşar Ahu , Bilaloğlu İsa , Lavkor Işılay
Published: May 2024

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) holds significant commercial and dietary importance as a major source of edible oil and protein in Turkey. Stem, collar or root rot, caused by several fungal disease agent, are serious soil-borne diseases of peanut. Accurate and precise identification of the disease agent provides fundamental and precise information for integrated plant management. During the period from June to September 2021, symptoms consistent with collar rot disease, including dark-brown stem rot, chlorotic leaves, wilting, and eventual whole plant death, were observed on peanut plants cultivated in the different districts of Osmaniye Province of Turkey. The disease incidence ranged from 8.0 to 45.0% in the inspected fields with an average of 3.4% overall. Twenty-four single-spore representative isolates were obtained from surface-disinfected symptomatic tissues. Morphological characteristics of fungal mycelium, conidial and pycnidial structures on potato sucrose agar (PSA) and water agar (WA) closely resembled those described for Lasiodiplodia spp. All isolates caused typical collar rot symptoms upon artificial inoculation of peanut seedlings. Morphological identification of Lasiodiplodia spp. isolates was corroborated by MALDI-TOF and molecular analyses utilizing sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin 2 (tub2) and translation elongation factor-1 alpha (TEF1-α) loci. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the representative fungal isolates (MKUBK-B1 and MKUBK-K22) belong to Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of L. pseudotheobromae infecting peanut plants in Turkey. This work is expected to contribute to previously limited knowledge regarding the host range, incidence and prevalence of L. pseudotheobromae as a soilborne pathogen of peanuts. Due to the potential destructiveness and broad host range of this pathogen, it is essential to develop new strategies to establish more reliable, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective management approaches for this disease.
Prefrontal Correlates of Passengers’ Mental Activity Based on fNIRS for High-Level Automated Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Li Chuzhao , Li Jun , Cao Bin , Fu Junwen , Wang Qiaoya , Wang Hong
Published: May 2024

With the spread adoption of artificial intelligence, the great challenges confronted by the intelligent safety concern-safety of the intended functionality has become the biggest roadblock to the mass production of high-level automated vehicles, notably arising from perception algorithm deficiencies. This paper focuses a cut-in scenario, dividing this scenario into low-risk and high-risk segments predicated on the kinetic energy field, and the mental activities of passengers on prefrontal cortex, are analyzed within these delineated segments. Two experiments are then conducted, leveraging driving simulators and real-world vehicles, respectively. Experiment results indicate that high risk may result in the passengers’ mental activity on prefrontal cortex change. This revelation posits a potential avenue for augmenting the intended functionality of automated vehicle by using passengers’ physiological state.