bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1C) in Cardiac Surgery: A Narrative Review
Authors: Luthra Suvitesh , Viola Laura , Navaratnarajah Manoraj , Thirukumaran David , Velissaris Theodore
Published: December 2024

Background: Perioperative dysglycaemia in cardiac surgery is associated with poor outcomes. Glycaemic variability rather than glucose levels is a predictor of the length of an ICU stay, a rise in creatinine and acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C) values correspond closely to average blood glucose levels and cut-off values can be used to define a diabetic and pre-diabetic status. These have been correlated with perioperative events. Methods: In this narrative review, MEDLINE (via PubMed) and the Cochrane Library were used to search for the effects of different preoperative HbA1C levels on the postoperative outcomes after cardiac surgery. HbA1C values correspond closely with average blood glucose levels and cut-off values can be used to define a diabetic and pre-diabetic status; these have been correlated with perioperative events. This narrative review discusses the role of HbA1C in cardiac surgery. Discussion: The scientific data show controversial results: some systematic reviews and randomised control trials demonstrated that a high level of HbA1C seems to be an indicator for postoperative complications in cardiac surgery; other studies dissented and reported that mortality and morbidity cannot be directly attributed to HbA1c levels. Conclusions: The scientific community seems to be in general agreement that high levels of HbA1C are prognostic markers of adverse outcomes post cardiac surgery, but it has also been proved that there could be multiple underlying factors contributing to them.
Quantifying the Deficits of Body Water and Monovalent Cations in Hyperglycemic Emergencies
Authors: Wagner Brent , Unruh Mark L. , Lew Susie Q. , Roumelioti Maria-Eleni , Sam Ramin , Argyropoulos Christos P. , Dorin Richard I. , Ing Todd S. , Rohrscheib Mark , Tzamaloukas Antonios H.
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Hyperglycemic emergencies cause significant losses of body water, sodium, and potassium. This report presents a method for computing the actual losses of water and monovalent cations in these emergencies. Methods: We developed formulas for computing the losses of water and monovalent cations as a function of the presenting serum sodium and glucose levels, the sum of the concentrations of sodium plus potassium in the lost fluids, and body water at the time of hyperglycemia presentation as measured by bioimpedance or in the initial euglycemic state as estimated by anthropometric formulas. The formulas for computing the losses from hyperglycemia were tested in examples of hyperglycemic episodes. Results: The formulas were tested in two patient groups, those with or without known weight loss during the development of hyperglycemia. In the first group, these formulas were applied to estimate the losses of body water and monovalent cations in (a) a previously published case of a boy with diabetic ketoacidosis and known weight loss who, during treatment not addressing his water deficit, developed severe hypernatremia and (b) a comparison of water loss computed by this new method with the reported average fluid gained during treatment of the hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state in a published study. In the second group, the formulas were applied in hypothetical subjects with varying levels of initial body water, serum sodium, and glucose at the time of hyperglycemia and sums of sodium and potassium concentrations in the lost fluids. Conclusions: Losses of body water and monovalent cations, which determine the severity of dehydration and hypovolemia, vary significantly between patients with hyperglycemic emergencies presenting with the same serum glucose and sodium concentrations. These losses can be calculated using estimated or measured body water values. Prospective studies are needed to test this proof-of-concept report.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Potential Predictors of Sudden Cardiac Death and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Ji Young , Kong So Yeon Joyce , Jung Eujene , Cho Yong Soo
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) poses a significant burden on the modern-day public health system; however, while our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology is still evolving and may not be complete, many insights are known and applied every day. Targeted prevention methods are continually being developed and refined. We conducted a systemic review and meta-analysis to identify a blood nutritional biomarker that can predict and screen population groups at high risk for cardiovascular disease mortality (CVD mortality) or SCD. Methods: The literature search was conducted from November 2023 to 31 January 2024. Based on previous literature research, we studied the association between omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA; eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA], docosapentaenoic acid [DPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) and SCD and/or CVD mortality individually and in combination. We evaluated and selected 10 prospective cohort studies out of 1789 related publications, with an average follow-up period of 8.7 years. A multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated and sub-analyzed to obtain a general trend of reduced risk of SCD in a high n-3 FA intake group from the general population. Results: Finally, we included 10 articles with a total sample size of 310,955 participants. We found an inverse association between circulating n-3 FA levels and SCD. The summary HR of SCD and CVD mortality for high versus low circulating n-3 FA levels (EPA + DHA + DPA) in serum plasma phospholipid was 0.55 (95% CI: 0.37–0.82) and that of EPA + DHA in RBC was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.45–0.99). Based on the sub-analysis, the HR of EPA (%) was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.60–0.82) and that of DHA (%) was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.60–0.87). Conclusions: Our results suggest a potential cardio-protective association between high EPA and DHA levels in blood and a reduced incidence of adverse cardiac events.
Impact of American Thyroid Association’s Revised Cancer Management Guidelines on Thyroid Cancer Incidence Trends: A Retrospective Cohort Study, 2000–2020
Authors: Fwelo Pierre , Heredia Natalia I. , Li Ruosha , Bangolo Ayrton , Nagesh Vignesh K. , Weissman Simcha , Du Xianglin L.
Published: December 2024

Background: The past four decades have seen a steady increase in thyroid cancer in the United States (US). This study investigated the impact of the American Thyroid Association (ATA)’s revised cancer management guidelines on thyroid cancer incidence trends and how the trends varied by socioeconomic, histologic, geographic, and racial and ethnic characteristics from 2000 to 2020. Methods: We used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database to identify thyroid cancer cases diagnosed among US patients between 2000 and 2020. We employed joinpoint regression software to fit, assess, and compare thyroid cancer incidence trends over time stratified by socioeconomic status (SES), histologic type, geographic location, and race/ethnicity. Results: Between 2000 and 2009, there was an average annual increase of 5.8% in thyroid cancer incidence (average annual percent change (AAPC): 5.8, p < 0.05). Subsequently, there was a modest rise (AAPC: 1.1, p < 0.05) from 2010 to 2015, followed by a significant annual decrease of 4.8% from 2016 to 2020 (AAPC: −4.8, p < 0.05). The joinpoint regression models identified prominent inflection points around 2009 and 2015, aligning with the years of the ATA’s cancer management revisions. These intricate dynamics in thyroid cancer incidence trends from 2000 to 2020 were shaped by SES and histologic, geographic, and racial/ethnic factors. Conclusions: Thyroid cancer incidence trends over the past two decades can be partially explained by the changes in thyroid cancer screening and management recommendations. These findings underscore the importance of cancer management strategies and highlight the need for targeted interventions to address disparities in thyroid cancer incidence across minority demographic groups.
Predictors of Splenectomy Response in Immune Thrombocytopenia: A Multicentric Italian Study
Authors: Zoletto Simone , Pizzi Marco , De Crescenzo Andrea , Friziero Alberto , D’Amore Fabio , Carli Giuseppe , Vianelli Nicola , Auteri Giuseppe , Bertozzi Irene , Nichele Ilaria , Binotto Gianni , Dei Tos Angelo Paolo , Scarmozzino Federico , D’Amore Emanuele S. G. , Ceccato Jessica , Sabattini Elena , Cinetto Francesco , Piazza Francesco , Visentin Andrea , Zambello Renato , Trentin Livio , Vianello Fabrizio
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Splenectomy leads to a high rate of remission in chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), but its unpredictable long-term positive outcomes and that it is a irreversible surgical approach discourage clinicians and patients. The identification of predictors of response may redefine the timing of splenectomy. In this retrospective, multicentric study we aimed to investigate clinical–histological predictors of splenectomy response in ITP patients and provide an easy-to-use score to predict splenectomy response in ITP. Methods: We considered a discovery set (n = 17) and a validation set (n = 30) of adult ITP patients, who underwent splenectomy for refractory disease in three Italian referral centers for ITP. Results: We found that the presence of autoimmune comorbidities, daily steroid dose prior to splenectomy, age at diagnosis and age at splenectomy were significantly associated with the outcome. Variables singly associated with an adverse outcome were combined into a clinical and a clinical–pathological score, allowing us to define a “high-risk” group which accounted for about 80% of the disease relapses observed in this cohort. At the same time, a certain clinical–pathological score indicated a “high-risk” group characterized by significantly poorer outcomes. Results were confirmed in the validation cohort. Conclusions: An integrated set of clinical and histological parameters may predict the response to splenectomy in ITP patients. While these findings provide valuable insights, they were derived from a small cohort of patients and therefore require validation in larger, more diverse populations to ensure their generalizability and robustness.
Telerehabilitation and Its Impact Following Stroke: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Alwadai Bayan , Lazem Hatem , Almoajil Hajar , Hall Abigail J. , Mansoubi Maedeh , Dawes Helen
Published: December 2024

Objectives: To summarize the impact of various telerehabilitation interventions on motor function, balance, gait, activities of daily living (ADLs), and quality of life (QoL) among patients with stroke and to determine the existing telerehabilitation interventions for delivering physiotherapy sessions in clinical practice. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched to identify relevant quantitative systematic reviews (SRs). Due to substantial heterogeneity, the data were analysed narratively. Results: A total of 28 systematic reviews (n = 245 primary studies) were included that examined various telerehabilitation interventions after stroke. Motor function was the most studied outcome domain across the reviews (20 SRs), followed by ADL (18 SRs), and balance (14 SRs) domains. For primary outcomes, our findings highlight moderate- to high-quality evidence showing either a significant effect or no significant difference between telerehabilitation and other interventions. There was insufficient evidence to draw a conclusion regarding feasibility outcomes, including participant satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and cost. Most reviews under this umbrella included patients with stroke in the subacute or chronic phase (12 SRs). Simple and complex telerehabilitation interventions such as telephone calls, videoconferencing, smartphone- or tablet-based mobile health applications, messaging, virtual reality, robot-assisted devices, and 3D animation videos, either alone or in combination with other interventions, were included across reviews. Conclusions: Various telerehabilitation interventions have shown either a significant effect or no significant difference compared to other interventions in improving upper and lower limb motor function, balance, gait, ADLs, and QoL, regardless of whether simple or complex approaches were used. Further research is needed to support the delivery of rehabilitation services through telerehabilitation intervention following a stroke.
En Caul Cesarean Delivery—A Safer Way to Deliver a Premature Newborn? Narrative Review
Authors: Pabin Izabela , Stefańska Katarzyna , Jassem-Bobowicz Joanna Maria , Wydra Dariusz
Published: December 2024

Premature deliveries and preterm newborns are of a special significance to obstetricians. Despite great improvement in neonatal intensive care in the last two decades, prematurity is still the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Complications associated with premature deliveries are malpresentation, prolapse of the umbilical cord, entrapment of some parts of the fetal body, as well as severe bruising or bone fractures. The injuries may also include soft tissue damage, neurological injury, or intracranial hemorrhage. Small body weight as well as the unaccomplished development of fetal vital systems make preterm newborns vulnerable to delivery trauma. The main goal of a cesarean section in extremely preterm deliveries is to reduce the number of these complications. On the other hand, premature deliveries are associated with an undeveloped lower uterine segment and other difficulties encountered during the operation, which make the procedure more complicated and difficult to perform. Therefore, the preterm delivery or delivery of a fetus with growth retardation is of great concern. In our review, we investigated previous publications regarding en caul deliveries, mostly cesarean sections. We concentrated on the neonatal outcomes and tried to establish the optimal mode and time for a premature delivery.
Predictors of Peripheral Retinal Non-Perfusion in Clinically Significant Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Hein Martin , Mehnert Andrew , Josephine Fiona , Athwal Arman , Yu Dao-Yi , Balaratnasingam Chandrakumar
Published: December 2024

Background/Objectives: Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a significant cause of vision loss. The development of peripheral non-perfusion (PNP) might be associated with the natural course, severity, and treatment of DME. The present study seeks to understand the predictive power of central macular changes and clinico-demographic features for PNP in patients with clinically significant DME. Methods: A prospective study using contemporaneous multi-modal retinal imaging was performed. In total, 48 eyes with DME from 33 patients were enrolled. Demographic, clinical history, laboratory measures, ultrawide field photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography results were acquired. Anatomic and vascular features of the central macula and peripheral retina were quantified from retinal images. Separate (generalized) linear mixed models were used to assess differences between PNP present and absent groups. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to assess which features have predictive power for PNP. Results: Variables with significant differences between eyes with and without PNP were insulin use (p = 0.0001), PRP treatment (p = 0.0003), and diffuse fluorescein leakage (p = 0.013). Importantly, there were no significant differences for any of the macular vascular metrics including vessel density (p = 0.15) and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area (p = 0.58 and capillary tortuosity (p = 0.55). Features with significant predictive power (all p < 0.001) were subretinal fluid, FAZ eccentricity, ellipsoid zone disruption, past anti-VEGF therapy, insulin use, and no ischemic heart disease. Conclusions: In the setting of DME, macular vascular changes did not predict the presence of PNP. Therefore, in order to detect peripheral non-perfusion in DME, our results implicate the importance of peripheral retinal vascular imaging.
Improving the Push-Out Bond Strength of Fiber Posts in Diabetic Dentin: The Role of Chlorexidine Irrigation and Resin Cements
Authors: Arslandaş Dinçtürk Beyza , Şahin Mantı Arzu , Kedici Alp Cemile , Altuğ Yıldırım Ayşenur , Kaya Mumcu Arzu
Published: December 2024

This study evaluated the effect of resin cements and post-space irrigation solutions on the push-out bond strength of diabetic and non-diabetic dentin. A total of 160 human central teeth (80 diabetic, 80 non-diabetic) were prepared using X5 files and obturated with AH Plus sealer and X5 gutta-percha. Post spaces were prepared, and teeth were divided into eight groups based on resin cements (Variolink N, Panavia SA Universal) and irrigation protocols (saline, saline + 2% CHX). A 1 mm slice from each tooth’s middle third was tested for push-out bond strength. Statistical analysis was performed using three-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests. In non-diabetic dentin, saline + CHX with Variolink N achieved the highest bond strength. In diabetic dentin, saline with Panavia SA Universal resulted in the lowest bond strength (p < 0.05). The dentin type, resin cement, and irrigation solution significantly impacted fiber post bond strength, and CHX irrigation improved it.
Isopods in the Bioremediation of Invasive Seaweeds? First Experience with the Seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae Mass Dumped on Beaches
Authors: Patón Daniel , García-Gómez José Carlos
Published: December 2024

Since 2015, the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae has triggered the most serious marine macrophyte invasion in Europe. Its huge coastal biomass dumped on beaches generates health problems, strong odors, impacts on tourism, and high clean-up costs, but it also constitutes a new potential marine resource that offers significant prospects for exploitation. In this sense, as a circular economy strategy, seaweed bioremediation with isopods (Isopoda, Crustacea, Arthropoda) was experimented on for the first time. Specimens of Porcellio laevis (native terrestrial isopod) were obtained from urban parks and kept in terrariums with adequate humidity and temperature control. A sample of 150 adult specimens was divided into six batches of 25 animals. Three batches were fed with 100 g of mulch of Quercus pyrenaica leaves (control) and three with a diet composed of 100 g of mulch of algae (treatment). P. laevis consumed up to 1.5 times their weight per day on the algae diet, with little or no weight loss and adequate reproduction rates. The weight of the isopods averaged 1.6 g in the seaweed group and 2.5 g in the control group. However, high mortality was observed in both mancas and adults in the treatment group. In this sense, the average number of mancas per cm2 was 0 in the algae group and 325 in the control group. Despite this, the results are promising, and consequently, we propose to encourage research with isopods due to their high voracity, high prolificacy, and resistance to invasive algal recycling. Future work should explore what percentage of R. okamurae prevents diterpene mortality of isopods and other invertebrates. This is a preliminary step towards the massive bioremediation of spring and summer blooms of R. okamurae. This work contributes to highlighting this abundant marine resource.
New Species of Diaporthales (Ascomycota) from Diseased Leaves in Fujian Province, China
Authors: Guan Xiayu , Mu Taichang , Keyhani Nemat O. , Shang Junya , Mao Yuchen , Yang Jiao , Zheng Minhai , Yang Lixia , Pu Huili , Lin Yongsheng , Zhu Mengjia , Lv Huajun , Heng Zhiang , Liang Huiling , Fan Longfei , Ma Xiaoli , Ma Haixia , Qiu Zhenxing , Qiu Junzhi
Published: December 2024

Fungal biota represents important constituents of phyllosphere microorganisms. It is taxonomically highly diverse and influences plant physiology, metabolism and health. Members of the order Diaporthales are distributed worldwide and include devastating plant pathogens as well as endophytes and saprophytes. However, many phyllosphere Diaporthales species remain uncharacterized, with studies examining their diversity needed. Here, we report on the identification of several diaporthalean taxa samples collected from diseased leaves of Cinnamomum camphora (Lauraceae), Castanopsis fordii (Fagaceae) and Schima superba (Theaceae) in Fujian province, China. Based on morphological features coupled to multigene phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA (LSU), the partial beta-tubulin (tub2), histone H3 (his3), DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1) and calmodulin (cal) genes, three new species of Diaporthales are introduced, namely, Diaporthe wuyishanensis, Gnomoniopsis wuyishanensis and Paratubakia schimae. This study contributes to our understanding on the biodiversity of diaporthalean fungi that are inhabitants of the phyllosphere of trees native to Asia.
Perceived Internal Audit Quality and External Auditors’ Attributes in Iranian and Iraqi Banks
Authors: Mashayekhi Bita , Mohammed Yousif
Published: December 2024

The significance of internal auditing and its quality cannot be overstated, making it essential to investigate the factors influencing this quality. This study, employing a cross-sectional analysis, aims to assess how the characteristics of external auditors affect the perceived quality of internal audits in Iranian and Iraqi banks. In 2024, data regarding the attributes of external auditors and the perceived quality of internal audits were collected through a questionnaire distributed to external auditors from various banks in Iran and Iraq. The data analysis was conducted using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The study reveals a positive relationship between external auditors’ competence and independence and the perceived quality of internal audits, while it shows a negative impact of external audit methodologies on this perceived quality. These findings highlight the importance of external auditors’ independence as a key determinant of perceived internal audit quality.
Impact of AI Disclosure on the Financial Reporting and Performance as Evidence from US Banks
Authors: Alzeghoul Ahmad , Alsharari Nizar Mohammad
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence disclosure within the US banking sector. It may explore the implications of AI disclosure on issues like financial reporting, transparency, accountability, and ethical considerations within the banking sector. Design/methodology/approach: Using a blend of qualitative and quantitative analyses, the researchers utilized SEC and NASDAQ databases to scrutinize AI disclosures within the top 10 banks. The sample comprised 100 annual reports, and through multiple regression analysis, the research discerned a noteworthy enhancement in performance metrics. Findings: The study found that AI influences financial performance only when moderated by the interaction of shareholders, the board of directors, and independent board members. The findings indicate a rising trend of AI disclosure in financial reports. The study indicates that AI disclosure impacts NII, TEXP, and P/E. Additionally, the study indicated a conflict of interest between agents and principals. Large shareholders tended to favor more AI disclosures, whereas the board of directors either did not support or adopted a more conservative stance on disclosure. Research limitations/implications: This study acknowledges a limitation in the dataset; initially comprising 100 annual reports, it was later refined to meet regression analysis assumptions. Despite this limitation, the study’s insightful results contribute significantly to our understanding of the dynamic relationship between AI disclosure and the performance of top-tier banks in the USA. Originality/Value: By investigating the impact of AI disclosure, the study aims to provide insights into the broader considerations associated with artificial intelligence disclosures in the US banking sector. This study also analyzes how stakeholders respond to the disclosed information about artificial intelligence.
Baseline Knowledge of Peripheral Arterial Disease and Factors Influencing Learning Material Preferences in the San Francisco Chinese-Speaking Community: A Survey Analysis
Authors: Shih Chia-Ding , Lee Tiffany , Hassan Sarah , Chau Hoanganh , Brooks Brandon M. , Zhang Benjamin , Rosario Emily R.
Published: December 2024

Background: The influence of health literacy on PAD outcomes remains poorly understood, particularly in minoritized communities. The objective of this study is to examine the understanding of PAD within San Francisco’s Chinese-speaking population while discerning preferences regarding learning methods. Materials and Methods: An anonymous 14-question survey in Mandarin and English was conducted in two San Francisco Chinatown health fairs. Results: About one-third of the respondents (29/91) reported prior knowledge about PAD and that arthritis was the leading symptom related to PAD (32/65). Half of respondents (44/88) preferred consulting a family doctor for foot wounds, followed by a podiatrist (27/88) and a general surgeon (19/88). The top three methods to receive health information were radio, television and newspaper. Those who were 65 years old and above (OR 0.124, 95% CI [0.021–0.0728]) and participants who were proficient in English (OR 0.078; 95% CI [0.012–0.52]) less preferred using radio to receive health information. Male gender preferred newspapers to receive health information (p = 0.003, OR 5.26; 95% CI [1.76–15.69]). Discussion: Our findings may suggest a community-specific campaign to increase the awareness of PAD given that age, education level, gender and English proficiency may influence the media of choice to receive health information. Conclusions: The two cohorts that were surveyed had similar and suboptimal understanding of PAD, and a community-specific strategy is needed to address such inequity, which may improve awareness of PAD and health outcomes.
An Improved Method for Measuring the Distribution of Water Droplets in Crude Oil Based on the Optical Microscopy Technique
Authors: Wang Qiaohui , Liu Yifan , Zhou Lei , Yang Shizhong , Gu Jidong , Mu Bozhong
Published: December 2024

The distribution of water droplets in crude oil is one of the key issues involved in the processes of oil extraction and transportation, and these water droplets might also be habitats for microorganisms in oil reservoirs. However, it is still a challenge to observe and measure the distribution of water droplets in crude oil quickly and directly. In this work, an improved method based on the optical microscopy technique is introduced, which is named the Plate Pressing (PP) method and can observe and determine the distribution of water droplets in crude oil directly. The reliability of this method was verified by comparing the results with those of a computed tomography (CT) scan, indicating that the PP method can measure the distribution of water droplets accurately. Meanwhile, the total number and size distribution of water droplets in three crude oil samples from different oilfields were obtained by the PP method, which consolidated the idea that the PP method is capable of determining the distribution of the water droplets in crude oil directly and is suitable for the statistical analysis of water droplets in multiple samples of crude oil.
Impact of Urban Neighborhood Morphology on PM2.5 Concentration Distribution at Different Scale Buffers
Authors: Wang Zhen , Hu Kexin , Wang Zheyu , Yang Bo , Chen Zhiyu
Published: December 2024

PM2.5 air pollution is a critical global health issue. This paper introduces an innovative framework to explore the multi-scale relationship between urban morphology and PM2.5 concentrations. An enhanced Land Use Regression (LUR) model integrates geographic, architectural, and visual factors, enabling analysis from neighborhood to regional scales. A stratified sampling strategy, combined with standardized mobile monitoring and fixed-site data, establishes a robust and verifiable data collection methodology. Cross-validation (CV R2 > 0.70) further confirms the model’s reliability and robustness. The nested buffer analysis reveals scale-dependent effects of urban morphology on PM2.5 concentrations, providing quantitative evidence for planning interventions. Quantitative analysis shows land use (β = 0.42, p < 0.01), visual factors (β = 0.38, p < 0.01), and building density (β = 0.35, p < 0.01) in descending order of influence. Geographic factors are significant at the regional scale (2000–3000 m) while architectural parameters dominate at the neighborhood scale (50–500 m), informing both macro-scale spatial optimization and micro-scale design. This framework, through standardized parameters and reproducible procedures, supports cross-regional and cross-scale air quality assessments, providing quantitative metrics for urban planning, neighborhood optimization, and public space design.
The Impacts of Urbanization on Carbon Emission Performance: New Evidence from the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration, China
Authors: Qiao Wenyi , Xie Yike , Liu Jun , Huang Xianjin
Published: December 2024

Regarding the carbon emission performance of urbanization, the changes in carbon emissions and carbon sinks have attracted particular attention, while the internal impact mechanism has been under-researched. Conventionally, urbanization has either improved or hindered carbon performance. However, this is not always the case as the paths of urbanization affecting carbon emission performance are diverse. Hence, this paper proposes a theoretical framework to investigate how urbanization influences carbon emission performance, specifically the indirect effects of land development/land-use efficiency, by taking the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, China, as a study case. Empirical results show that urbanization improves carbon emission performance due to the agglomeration effect. As an intermediary pathway, land-use change has a two-sided impact on carbon emission performance. Urbanization can both worsen and improve carbon emission performance through increasing land-development intensity and promoting land-use efficiency, respectively. However, the positive impact of land-use efficiency can alleviate the problem of increasing carbon emissions caused by land over-development. Hence, the integration of urban planning strategies with land use management policies can help to achieve sustainable urbanization.
Method for Evaluating Urban Building Renewal Potential Based on Multimachine Learning Integration: A Case Study of Longgang and Longhua Districts in Shenzhen
Authors: Sun Dengkuo , Lu Yuefeng , Qin Yong , Lu Miao , Song Zhenqi , Ding Ziqi
Published: December 2024

With the continuous advancement of urbanization, urban renewal has become a vital means of enhancing urban functionality and improving living environments. Traditional urban renewal research primarily focuses on the macro level, analyzing regions or units, with limited studies targeting individual buildings. Consequently, the unique characteristics and specific requirements of individual buildings during urban renewal have often been overlooked. This study first identified individual buildings undergoing urban renewal in the Longgang and Longhua Districts of Shenzhen, China, from 2018 to 2023 using multisource data such as the 2018 Shenzhen Building Census. A regression analysis based on building characteristics and locational factors was conducted using a stacking ensemble machine learning model. In addition, buildings were categorized into residential, industrial, and commercial types based on their usage, enabling both overall- and category-specific predictions of building renewal. The results show the following: (1) Using the prediction results of multilayer perceptron (MLP) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) base models as inputs and fusing them with an AdaBoost classifier as the final metamodel, the goodness of fit of the overall building renewal regression model increased by 2.19%. (2) The regression model achieved an overall urban renewal prediction accuracy of 89.41%. Categorizing urban renewal projects improved the goodness of fit for residential and industrial building renewal by 0.14% and 6.13%, respectively. (3) Compared with traditional macro-level evaluation methods, the experimental results of this study improved by 8.41%, and compared with single-model approaches based on planning permit data, the accuracy improved by 29.11%.
Less Is More: Evaluating the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Authors: Mohamed Ali A. , Alshaibi Rakan , Faragalla Steven , Flynn Garrett , Khan Asad , Sargent Emma , Mohamed Youssef , Moriconi Camberly , Williams Cooper , Karve Zev , Colome Daniel , Johansen Phillip Mitchell , Lucke-Wold Brandon
Published: December 2024

This review aims to explore the evolution, techniques, and outcomes of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) within the field of neurosurgery. We sought to address the increasing burden of spine degeneration in a rapidly aging population and the need for optimizing surgical management. This review explores various techniques in MISS, drawing upon evidence from retrospective studies, case series, systematic reviews, and technological advancements in neurosurgical spine treatment. Various approaches, including endonasal cervical, transoral cervical, transcervical, mini-open/percutaneous, tubular, and endoscopic techniques, provide alternatives for current approaches to a range of spinal pathologies. The main findings of this review highlight potential advantages of MISS over traditional open surgery, including reduced complications, shorter hospital stays, and improved patient outcomes. Our research underscores the importance of adopting MISS techniques to optimize patient care in neurosurgical spine treatment.
A Validation Framework for Bulk Distribution Logistics Simulation Models
Authors: Guiguet Andres , Pons Dirk
Published: December 2024

Background: Simulation of business processes allows decision-makers to explore the implications and trade-offs of alternative approaches, policies and configurations. Trust in the simulation as a stand-in proxy of the real system depends on the validation of the computer model as well as on that of the data used to run it and judge its behaviour. Though validation frameworks exist, they provide little guidance for validation in the context of data-poor endeavours, such as those where observations as sourced from historical records were acquired for purposes other than the simulation itself. As simulation of complex business systems as logistic distribution networks can only rely on this type of data, there is a need to address this void and provide guidance for practitioners and fostering the conversation among academics. This paper presents a high-level development and validation framework applicable to simulation in data-poor environments for modelling the process of bulk distribution of commodities. Method: Traditionally accepted approaches were synthesised so as to develop an into a flexible three-stage modelling and validation approach to guide the process and improve the transparency of adapting available data sources for the simulation itself. The framework suggests the development of parallel paths for the development of computer and data models which, in the last stage, are merged into a phenomenological model resulting from the combination of both. The framework was applied to a case study involving the distribution of bulk commodities over a country-wide network to show its feasibility. Results: The method was flexible, inclusive of other frameworks, and suggested considerations to be made during the acquisition and preparation of data to be used for the modelling and exploration of uncharted scenarios. Conclusions: This work provides an integrative, transparent, and straightforward method for validating exploratory-type simulation models for endeavours in which observations cannot be acquired through direct experimentation on the target system.
Stress Relaxation Behavior of Azido Propellant Based on BAMO-THF at High Temperatures
Authors: Hu Yiwen , Song Xiuduo , Yang Weilu , Kang Jian
Published: December 2024

The azido propellant, with high energy and low signature, has been a hotpot in the field of propellants. However, the risk of low heat resistance and mechanical performance restricts their range of applications in high-energy formulations. In this study, four azido propellants based on 3,3-bis (azidomethyl) oxetane-tetrahydrofuran copolyether (BAMO-THF) have been prepared, their basic physical properties including energetic properties, internal micro-structure and true density were studied; their tensile properties, dynamic mechanical performances, were investigated, the structure-properties relationship was proposed. The results demonstrate that the obtained propellant shows an elastomeric composite material behavior, with an obvious relaxation in the initial stage and susceptibility to loading condition. The formula structure not only causes obvious difference in the second stage of relaxation, but also strongly affects the initial stage, which is quite different from the influence of testing condition. Besides, the low temperature toughness of the azido propellant is improved by using diol partly replaces diamine as a chain extender, but their stress modulus drop down obviously, leading to the notable stress relaxation behavior at high temperatures. It was found that the improvement of the ordering degree of microstructure or network integrity could restrict the stress relaxation, which was an effective approach to improve the heat resistance and mechanical performance of azido propellant at high temperatures.
An Electrical Method to Detect Both Crack Creation and Propagation in Solid Electrical Insulators
Authors: Niakan Tara , Valdez-Nava Zarel , Malec David
Published: December 2024

Fracto-emission is the ejection of electrons and positive ions from matter undergoing a mechanical fracture. The creation and propagation of fractures in insulating material can generate an electrical signal that can be detected using a sufficiently fast signal recorder. The theoretical equations related to crack creation/propagation that induce an externally electric signal are detailed for two conditions: with and without an external applied electric voltage. Results from an experiment with no externally applied voltage are presented for fibreglass-reinforced epoxy laminate samples, in which current signals ranging from 50 mA to 100 mA are measured in a time frame of 200 ns. The signal-to-noise ratio is high enough to consider that the signal that was recorded is not a measurement artifact. This method may help to identify and track a crack propagating inside dielectric materials.
Impact of Heat Treatment and Building Direction on Selective Laser-Melted 316L Stainless Steel: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties
Authors: Feng Zequn , Pan Haijun , Wu Wangping , Wang Zhizhi , Jiang Peng
Published: December 2024

Variations in the microstructural morphology with building direction during selective laser melting (SLM) result in the anisotropic mechanical properties of the specimens, while heat treatment effectively reduces this anisotropy. The degree of anisotropy of the material can be assessed by calculating the variance (σ) of the mechanical properties (strength, hardness) at different building directions at different temperatures. In this work, the effects of heat treatment temperatures (450°, 750 °C, and 1050 °C) and building directions (0°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) on the microstructure, hardness, and tensile properties of selective laser melting (SLM) SS316L were investigated. Unheated SLM SS316L specimens exhibit significant anisotropy (σUTS = 16.67, σUE = 9.60, and σHV = 9.60), while heat treatment effectively reduces this anisotropy. As the heat treatment temperature increases, the melt pool boundaries disappear and grains become uniform at 750 °C, significantly reducing the anisotropy of the mechanical properties (σUTS = 14.65, σUE = 4.33, σHV = 6.72). At 1050 °C, the grain size increases slightly, resulting in a minor rise in anisotropy (σUTS = 14.93, σUE = 4.97, σHV = 8.39) compared to that seen at 750 °C. After heat treatment, the SLM SS316L specimen heated at 450 °C shows the lowest anisotropy. Notably, the specimens built in the 0° direction and heated at 450 °C exhibit finer sub-grains and enhanced mechanical properties, achieving a hardness of 244.43 HV, a tensile strength of 655.85 MPa, and an elongation of 21.25%.
Design and Optimization of W-Mo-V High-Speed Steel Roll Material and Its Heat-Treatment-Process Parameters Based on Numerical Simulation
Authors: Zhu Zhiting , Duan Mingyu , Pi Hao , Li Zhuo , Chen Jibing , Wu Yiping
Published: December 2024

W-Mo-V high-speed steel (HSS) is a high-alloy high-carbon steel with a high content of carbon, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium components. This type of high-speed steel has excellent red hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance. In this study, the alloying element ratios were adjusted based on commercial HSS powders. The resulting chemical composition (wt.%) is C 1.9%, W 5.5%, Mo 5.0%, V 5.5%, Cr 4.5%, Si 0.7%, Mn 0.55%, Nb 0.5%, B 0.2%, N 0.06%, and the rest is Fe. This design is distinguished by the inclusion of a high content of molybdenum, vanadium, and trace boron in high-speed steel. When compared to traditional tungsten-based high-speed steel rolls, the addition of these three types of elements effectively improves the wear resistance and red hardness of high-speed steel, thereby increasing the service life of high-speed steel mill-roll covers. JMatPro (version 7.0) simulation software was used to create the composition of W-Mo-V HSS. The phase composition diagrams at various temperatures were examined, as well as the contents of distinct phases within the organization at various temperatures. The influence of austenite content on the martensitic transformation temperature at different temperatures was estimated. The heat treatment parameters for W-Mo-V HSS were optimized. By studying the phase equilibrium of W-Mo-V high-speed steel at different temperatures and drawing CCT diagrams, the starting temperature for the transformation of pearlite to austenite (Ac1 = 796.91 °C) and the ending temperature for the complete dissolution of secondary carbides into austenite (Accm = 819.49 °C) during heating was determined. The changes in carbide content and grain size of W-Mo-V high-speed steel at different tempering temperatures were calculated using JMatPro software. Combined with analysis of Ac1 and Accm temperature points, it was found that the optimal annealing temperatures were 817–827 °C, quenching temperatures were 1150–1160 °C, and tempering temperatures were 550–610 °C. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the samples obtained with the aforementioned heat treatment parameters revealed that the martensitic substrate and vanadium carbide grains were finely and evenly scattered, consistent with the simulation results. This suggests that the simulation is a useful reference for guiding actual production.
Combined Catalytic Conversion of NOx and VOCs: Present Status and Prospects
Authors: Li Mengzhao , Wang Rui
Published: December 2024

This article presents a comprehensive examination of the combined catalytic conversion technology for nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the primary factors contributing to the formation of photochemical smog, ozone, and PM2.5. These pollutants present a significant threat to air quality and human health. The article examines the reaction mechanism and interaction between photocatalytic technology and NH3-SCR catalytic oxidation technology, highlighting the limitations of the existing techniques, including catalyst deactivation, selectivity issues, regeneration methods, and the environmental impacts of catalysts. Furthermore, the article anticipates prospective avenues for research, underscoring the necessity for the development of bifunctional catalysts capable of concurrently transforming NOx and VOCs across a broad temperature spectrum. The review encompasses a multitude of integrated catalytic techniques, including selective catalytic reduction (SCR), photocatalytic oxidation, low-temperature plasma catalytic technology, and biological purification technology. The article highlights the necessity for further research into catalyst design principles, structure–activity relationships, and performance evaluations in real industrial environments. This research is required to develop more efficient, economical, and environmentally friendly waste gas treatment technologies. The article concludes by outlining the importance of collaborative management strategies for VOC and NOx emissions and the potential of combined catalytic conversion technology in achieving these goals.
Analyzing the Impact of Data Augmentation on the Explainability of Deep Learning-Based Medical Image Classification
Authors: Liu (Freddie) , Karagoz Gizem , Meratnia Nirvana
Published: December 2024

Deep learning models are widely used for medical image analysis and require large datasets, while sufficient high-quality medical data for training are scarce. Data augmentation has been used to improve the performance of these models. The lack of transparency of complex deep-learning models raises ethical and judicial concerns inducing a lack of trust by both medical experts and patients. In this paper, we focus on evaluating the impact of different data augmentation methods on the explainability of deep learning models used for medical image classification. We investigated the performance of different traditional, mixing-based, and search-based data augmentation techniques with DenseNet121 trained on chest X-ray datasets. We evaluated how the explainability of the model through correctness and coherence can be impacted by these data augmentation techniques. Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME) and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) methods were used. Sanity checks and overlapping scores were applied to confirm the correctness and coherence of explainability. The results indicate that both LIME and SHAP passed the sanity check regardless of the type of data augmentation method used. Overall, TrivialAugment performs the best on completeness and coherence. Flipping + cropping performs better on coherence using LIME. Generally, the overlapping scores for SHAP were lower than those for LIME, indicating that LIME has a better performance in terms of coherence.
Introducing the Second-Order Features Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Fredholm-Type Neural Integral Equations
Authors: Cacuci Dan Gabriel
Published: December 2024

This work presents the “First-Order Features Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Fredholm-Type Neural Integral Equations” (1st-FASAM-NIE-Fredholm) and the “Second-Order Features Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Fredholm-Type Neural Integral Equations” (2nd-FASAM-NIE-Fredholm). It is shown that the 1st-FASAM-NIE-Fredholm methodology enables the efficient computation of exactly determined first-order sensitivities of decoder response with respect to the optimized NIE-parameters, requiring a single “large-scale” computation for solving the First-Level Adjoint Sensitivity System (1st-LASS), regardless of the number of weights/parameters underlying the NIE-net. The 2nd-FASAM-NIE-Fredholm methodology enables the computation, with unparalleled efficiency, of the second-order sensitivities of decoder responses with respect to the optimized/trained weights involved in the NIE’s decoder, hidden layers, and encoder, requiring only as many “large-scale” computations as there are first-order sensitivities with respect to the feature functions. The application of both the 1st-FASAM-NIE-Fredholm and the 2nd-FASAM-NIE-Fredholm methodologies is illustrated by considering a system of nonlinear Fredholm-type NIE that admits analytical solutions, thereby facilitating the verification of the expressions obtained for the first- and second-order sensitivities of NIE-decoder responses with respect to the model parameters (weights) that characterize the respective NIE-net.