bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Drag Force Estimation in Automotive Design: A Surrogate Model Leveraging Limited Full-Order Model Drag Data and Comprehensive Physical Field Integration
Authors: Naffer-Chevassier Kalinja , De Vuyst Florian , Goardou Yohann
Published: October 2024

In this paper, a novel surrogate model for shape-parametrized vehicle drag force prediction is proposed. It is assumed that only a limited dataset of high-fidelity CFD results is available, typically less than ten high-fidelity CFD solutions for different shape samples. The idea is to take advantage not only of the drag coefficients but also physical fields such as velocity, pressure, and kinetic energy evaluated on a cutting plane in the wake of the vehicle and perpendicular to the road. This additional “augmented” information provides a more accurate and robust prediction of the drag force compared to a standard surface response methodology. As a first step, an original reparametrization of the shape based on combination coefficients of shape principal components is proposed, leading to a low-dimensional representation of the shape space. The second step consists in determining principal components of the x-direction momentum flux through a cutting plane behind the car. The final step is to find the mapping between the reduced shape description and the momentum flux formula to achieve an accurate drag estimation. The resulting surrogate model is a space-parameter separated representation with shape principal component coefficients and spatial modes dedicated to drag-force evaluation. The algorithm can deal with shapes of variable mesh by using an optimal transport procedure that interpolates the fields on a shared reference mesh. The Machine Learning algorithm is challenged on a car concept with a three-dimensional shape design space. With only two well-chosen samples, the numerical algorithm is able to return a drag surrogate model with reasonable uniform error over the validation dataset. An incremental learning approach involving additional high-fidelity computations is also proposed. The leading algorithm is shown to improve the model accuracy. The study also shows the sensitivity of the results with respect to the initial experimental design. As feedback, we discuss and suggest what appear to be the correct choices of experimental designs for the best results.
A Novel Data Analytics Methodology for Discovering Behavioral Risk Profiles: The Case of Diners During a Pandemic
Authors: Labben Thouraya Gherissi , Ertek Gurdal
Published: October 2024

Understanding tourist profiles and behaviors during health pandemics is key to better preparedness for unforeseen future outbreaks, particularly for tourism and hospitality businesses. This study develops and applies a novel data analytics methodology to gain insights into the health risk reduction behavior of restaurant diners/patrons during their dining out experiences in a pandemic. The methodology builds on data relating to four constructs (question categories) and measurements (questions and attributes), with the constructs being worry, health risk prevention behavior, health risk reduction behavior, and demographic characteristics. As a unique contribution, the methodology generates a behavioral typology by identifying risk profiles, which are expressed as one- and two-level decision rules. For example, the results highlighted the significance of restaurants’ adherence to cautionary measures and diners’ perception of seclusion. These and other factors enable a multifaceted analysis, typology, and understanding of diners’ risk profiles, offering valuable guidance for developing managerial strategies and skill development programs to promote safer dining experiences during pandemics. Besides yielding novel types of insights through rules, another practical contribution of the research is the development of a public web-based analytics dashboard for interactive insight discovery and decision support.
CAD Sensitization, an Easy Way to Integrate Artificial Intelligence in Shipbuilding
Authors: Benayas-Ayuso Arturo , Perez Fernandez Rodrigo , Perez-Arribas Francisco
Published: October 2024

There are two main areas in which the Internet of Ships (IoS) can help: firstly, the production stage, in all its phases, from material bids to manufacture, and secondly, the operation of the ship. Intelligent ship management requires a lot of information, as does the shipbuilding process. In these two phases of the ship’s life cycle, IoS acts as a key to the keyhole. IoS tools include sensors, process information and real-time decision-making, fog computing, or delegated processes in the cloud. The key point to address this challenge is the design phase. Getting the design process right will help in both areas, reducing costs and making agile use of technology to achieve a highly efficient and optimal outcome. But this raises a lot of new questions that need to be addressed: At what stage should we start adding control sensors? Which sensors are best suited to our solution? Is there anything that offers more than simple identification? As we begin the process of answering all these questions, we realize that a Computer Aided Design (CAD) tool, as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI), mixed in a single tool, could significantly help in all these processes. AI combined with specialized CAD tools can enhance the sensitization phases in the shipbuilding process to improve results throughout the ship’s life cycle. This is the base of the framework developed in this paper.
Crystallographic and Optical Spectroscopic Study of Metal–Organic 2D Polymeric Crystals of Silver(I)– and Zinc(II)–Squarates
Authors: Ivanova Bojidarka
Published: October 2024

Metal–organic framework materials, as innovative functional materials for nonlinear optical technologies, feature linear and nonlinear optical responses, such as a laser damage threshold, outstanding mechanical properties, thermal stability, and optical transparency. Their non-centrosymmetric crystal structure induces a higher-order nonlinear optical response, which guarantees technological applications. ZnII– and AgI–squarate complexes are attractive templates for these purposes due to their good crystal growth, optical transparency, high thermal stability, etc. However, the space group type of the catena-((μ2-squarato)-tetra-aqua-zinc(II)) complex ([Zn(C4O4)(H2O)4]) is debatable, (1) showing centro- and non-centrosymmetric monoclinic C2/c and Cc phases. The same is valid for the catena-((μ3-squarato)-(μ2-aqua)-silver(I)) complex (Ag2C4O4), (2) exhibiting, so far, only a C2/c phase. This study is the first to report new crystallographic data on (1) and (2) re-determined at different temperatures (293(2) and 300(2)K) and the non-centrosymmetric Cc phase of (2), having different numbers of molecules per unit cell compared with the C2/c phase. There are high-resolution crystallographic measurements of single crystals, experimental electronic absorption, and vibrational spectroscopic data, together with ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometric ones. The experimental results are supported for theoretical optical and nonlinear optical properties obtained via high-accuracy static computational methods and molecular dynamics, using density functional theory as well as chemometrics.
Diversity and Distribution of Australian Stygobiont and Other Groundwater-Associated Amphipods (Crustacea: Malacostraca: Peracarida)
Authors: King Rachael A. , Cooper Steven J. B. , Schwartz Benjamin , Leijs Remko , Stringer Danielle N. , Humphreys William F. , Thornhill Jake , Guzik Michelle T.
Published: October 2024

Numerous and diverse groundwater habitats suitable for sustaining aquatic invertebrate communities exist across Australia. These habitats include enclosed subterranean aquifer systems, fractured rock, alluvial aquifers, perched aquifers, artesian springs, and spring-fed seeps and marshes. Crustaceans are a dominant member of these groundwater-associated invertebrate communities, and amphipods, both stygobiont and associated epigean species, are particularly diverse yet are still relatively poorly known. We review both the diversity and distributions of Australian amphipods associated with groundwater habitats, describing hotspots of diversity, providing notes on the unique Australian habitats, and examining the extraordinary species diversity and endemism of the Australian species. Our review highlights the significance of Australian groundwater ecosystems, their associated biodiversity, and the importance in considering these ecosystems in groundwater conservation management plans.
Evaluating a New Photopheresis System: A Comparison with Two Established Systems on Cell Yield and Collection Efficiency
Authors: Kartal Orkan , Laner-Plamberger Sandra , Rohde Eva , Mrazek Cornelia , Lauth Wanda , Grabmer Christoph
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a well-established and efficacious cell therapy for a range of diseases. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the new Amicus Blue inline system with the Therakos Cellex inline system and the Spectra Optia offline system in terms of collection efficiency, mononuclear cell (MNC) yield of mononuclear cell products (MCPs), processing time and correlation between MCP cell count and peripheral blood count of patients. Methods: This retrospective study compared 127 procedures utilizing the Spectra Optia offline system, 93 procedures employing the Amicus Blue inline system, and 81 procedures applying the Therakos Cellex inline system. The MNCs were subjected to flow cytometry analysis for CD45 and CD14 expression in order to ascertain the precise composition of the collected lymphocyte and monocyte fractions. Results: The Therakos inline system demonstrated the highest MNC collection efficiency (Therakos: 74.42 ± 1.82; Optia: 65.79 ± 1.48; Amicus: 56.32 ± 2.80; p < 0.01). Regarding the content of collected MNCs (×10⁶/kg body weight), the Spectra Optia offline system was superior to the other systems (Optia: 42.69 ± 1.42; Therakos: 31.21 ± 1.66; Amicus: 27.56 ± 1.54; p < 0.01). Conclusions: This study represents the first direct comparison of the new Amicus Blue inline system with the two most commonly used ECP systems in the same patient cohort of a single center. The data show that the Amicus Blue inline system collects sufficient MNCs to perform an ECP, but it has a significantly lower CE than the other systems and a significantly lower amount of collected MNCs than the Spectra Optia offline system.
Interpretable Clinical Decision-Making Application for Etiological Diagnosis of Ventricular Tachycardia Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Min , Hu Zhao , Wang Ziyang , Chen Haoran , Xu Xiaowei , Zheng Si , Yao Yan , Li Jiao
Published: October 2024

Background: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) can broadly be categorised into ischemic heart disease, non-ischemic structural heart disease, and idiopathic VT. There are few studies related to the application of machine learning for the etiological diagnosis of VT, and the interpretable methods are still in the exploratory stage for clinical decision-making applications. Objectives: The aim is to propose a machine learning model for the etiological diagnosis of VT. Interpretable results based on models are compared with expert knowledge, and interpretable evaluation protocols for clinical decision-making applications are developed. Methods: A total of 1305 VT patient data from 1 January 2013 to 1 September 2023 at the Arrhythmia Centre of Fuwai Hospital were included in the study. Clinical data collected during hospitalisation included demographics, medical history, vital signs, echocardiographic results, and laboratory test outcomes. Results: The XGBoost model demonstrated the best performance in VT etiological diagnosis (precision, recall, and F1 were 88.4%, 88.5%, and 88.4%, respectively). A total of four interpretable machine learning methods applicable to clinical decision-making were evaluated in terms of visualisation, clinical usability, clinical applicability, and efficiency with expert knowledge interpretation. Conclusions: The XGBoost model demonstrated superior performance in the etiological diagnosis of VT, and SHAP and decision tree interpretable methods are more favoured by clinicians for decision-making.
Comparing Different Methods for the Diagnosis of Liver Steatosis: What Are the Best Diagnostic Tools?
Authors: Chopinet Sophie , Lopez Olivier , Brustlein Sophie , Uzel Antoine , Moyon Anais , Varlet Isabelle , Balasse Laure , Kober Frank , Bobot Mickaël , Bernard Monique , Haffner Aurélie , Sdika Michaël , Montcel Bruno , Guillet Benjamin , Vidal Vincent , Grégoire Emilie , Hardwigsen Jean , Brige Pauline
Published: October 2024

Background: Due to the ongoing organ shortage, marginal grafts with steatosis are more frequently used in liver transplantation, leading to higher occurrences of graft dysfunction. A histological analysis is the gold standard for the quantification of liver steatosis (LS), but has its drawbacks: it is an invasive method that varies from one pathologist to another and is not available in every hospital at the time of organ procurement. This study aimed to compare non-invasive diagnostic tools to a histological analysis for the quantification of liver steatosis. Methods: Male C57BL6J mice were fed with a methioninecholine-deficient (MCD) diet for 14 days or 28 days to induce LS, and were compared to a control group of animals fed with a normal diet. The following non-invasive techniques were performed and compared to the histological quantification of liver steatosis: magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), CARS microscopy, 99mTc MIBI SPECT imaging, and a new near-infrared spectrometer (NIR-SG1). Results: After 28 days on the MCD diet, an evaluation of LS showed ≥30% macrovesicular steatosis. High correlations were found between the NIR-SG1 and the blinded pathologist analysis (R2 = 0.945) (p = 0.001), and between the CARS microscopy (R2 = 0.801 (p < 0.001); MRS, R2 = 0.898 (p < 0.001)) and the blinded pathologist analysis. The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 1 for both the NIR-SG1 and MRS (p = 0.021 and p < 0.001, respectively), while the AUC = 0.910 for the Oil Red O stain (p < 0.001) and the AUC = 0.865 for the CARS microscopy (p < 0.001). The AUC for the 99mTc MIBI SPECT was 0.640 (p = 0.013), and this was a less discriminating technique for LS quantification. Conclusions: The best-performing non-invasive methods for LS quantification are MRS, CARS microscopy, and the NIR-SG1. The NIR-SG1 is particularly appropriate for clinical practice and needs to be validated by clinical studies on liver grafts.
Role of Liquid Biopsy in Progressive PSA Patients after Radical Prostatectomy
Authors: Figueras Marcel , Mengual Lourdes , Ingelmo-Torres Mercedes , Roldán Fiorella L. , Padullés Bernat , Alfambra Héctor , Herranz Sandra , Paredes Pilar , Amseian Gary , Mases Joel , Ribal Maria J. , Izquierdo Laura , Alcaraz Antonio
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Currently, the prediction of disease recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP) in localized prostate cancer (PCa) relies on clinicopathological parameters, which lack accuracy in predicting clinical outcomes. This study focused on evaluating the utility of cfDNA levels and fragmentation patterns as prognostic biomarkers in progressive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) patients, including those with persistent PSA and biochemical recurrence (BR), after primary treatment in localized PCa patients. Methods: Twenty-nine high-risk localized PCa patients were enrolled in the study between February 2022 and May 2023. Blood samples were obtained before robotic RP. cfDNA concentration and fragment size were quantified using the Quant-it PicoGreen dsDNA Assay kit and Agilent 2200 TapeStation System, respectively. Results: The mean PSA value at diagnosis was 9.4 ng/mL. Seven patients (24.1%) had stage pT2 and 22 (75.9%) pT3. Nine patients (31%) had detectable PSA at the first PSA control six weeks after surgery, and four patients (20%) had BR during a mean follow-up of 18.4 months. No associations were found between cfDNA levels or fragmentation patterns and clinicopathological data. Although not statistically significant, patients with detectable PSA levels post-surgery exhibited higher cfDNA levels and shorter fragments compared with those with undetectable PSA. Conclusions: Our study indicated a tendency toward more fragmented cfDNA levels in PCa patients with persistent PSA. Strikingly, biochemical recurrent PCa patients exhibited similar cfDNA levels and fragmentation patterns compared to non-recurrent patients. Further studies exploring liquid biopsy-derived biomarkers in localized PCa patients are needed to elucidate their clinical utility in predicting PSA persistence.
Fatty Acid β-Oxidation May Be Associated with the Erythropoietin Resistance Index in Stable Patients Undergoing Haemodialysis
Authors: Kidoguchi Shuhei , Torii Kunio , Okada Toshiharu , Yamano Tomoko , Iwamura Nanami , Miyagi Kyoko , Toyama Tadashi , Iwano Masayuki , Miyazaki Ryoichi , Shigematsu Yosuke , Kimura Hideki
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Lipid metabolism and adiponectin modulate erythropoiesis in vitro and in general population studies and may also affect responsiveness to erythropoietin in patients undergoing haemodialysis (HD). However, little is known about the impact of lipid-associated biomarkers on reticulocyte production and erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) in patients undergoing HD. Therefore, we aimed to investigate their impacts in 167 stable patients undergoing HD. Methods: Pre-dialysis blood samples were collected and analysed for reticulocyte counts and serum lipid profiles by routine analyses and serum carnitine profiles (C0–C18) by LC-MS/MS. ERI was calculated as erythropoietin dose/kg/week normalized for haemoglobin levels. Results: The independent positive determinants of reticulocyte count were log [Triglyceride (TG)] and logC18:1. A large proportion of longer-chain acylcarnitines was positively correlated with reticulocyte counts, possibly resulting from the accumulation of acylcarnitines in mitochondria undergoing fateful exocytosis from reticulocytes. These results indicate a possible association between reticulocyte formation and reduced β-oxidation, which occurs during the peripheral phase of erythroblast enucleation. Total cholesterol (TC) and log [C2/(C16 + C18:1)] as a putative marker of β-oxidation efficiency were negative independent determinants of ERI. Moreover, acyl chain length had a significantly positive impact on the correlation coefficients of individual acylcarnitines with ERI, suggesting that enhanced β-oxidation may be associated with reduced ERI. Finally, adiponectin had no independent association with reticulocyte counts or ERI despite its negative association with HDL-C levels. Conclusions: Enhanced fatty acid β-oxidation and higher TC levels may be associated with lower ERI, whereas higher TG levels and longer acylcarnitines may be related to the latest production of reticulocytes in stable patients undergoing HD.
Focal Unspecific Bone Uptake on [18F]PSMA-1007 PET: Evaluation Analog PROMISE Criteria and Validation via PET/CT Follow-Up
Authors: Benecke Jonas-Alexander , Calderón Eduardo , Reischl Gerald , Brendlin Andreas , Tsaur Igor , la Fougère Christian , Vogel Jonas
Published: October 2024

Background: Focal unspecific bone uptake (UBU) is common in [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT, yet its clinical significance remains unclear, causing uncertainty in treatment decisions. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 99 prostate cancer patients (age 69 ± 7) who underwent [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT scans (3 MBq/kg; uptake time 70 ± 14 min) for staging and follow-up (after 13.0 ± 7.2 months). Semiquantitative assessment using the miPSMA score, analogous to the PROMISE criteria, evaluated the prevalence of UBU and bone metastases. Results: In the initial PET/CT scan, 56 patients had 230 lesions classified as UBU. A total of 19 patients were found to have bone metastases and UBU, while 24 patients had no focal bone uptake. UBU distribution was as follows: ribs (50%), spine (30%), pelvis (15%), and other sites (5%). There were no significant differences in age, Gleason score, injected tracer dose, uptake time, SUVpeak of UBU, or SUVmean in the spleen and parotid gland between patients with and without UBU. Follow-up showed stable miPSMA-score and CT appearance in 44/56 patients with UBU (79%), minor changes in 5/56 patients (8%), and new bone metastases in 7/56 patients (12%). Patient-specific analysis indicated at least one bone metastasis initially classified as UBU in 3/56 patients (5%) and new bone metastases in 4/56 patients (7%). In total, 4 of the 24 patients (17%) without initial focal uptake developed osseous metastases at follow-up. Conclusions: No significant differences were found between patients with or without UBU. Only a small portion of UBU (2%) evolved into metastases, a lower rate than the development of new osseous metastases, which appears to be independent of UBU.
Assessment of Condylar Changes in Patients with Degenerative Joint Disease of the TMJ After Stabilizing Splint Therapy: A Retrospective CBCT Study
Authors: Steinbaum Sara , Kelso Anabel , Dairi Nawal Firas , Boucher Normand S. , Yu Wenjing
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the TMJ can impact patients’ quality of life and complicate orthodontic treatment. Stabilizing splints are a common conservative treatment in managing TMDs symptoms, although their long-term effects on condylar morphology are poorly studied. This study aimed to assess the impact of stabilizing splints on condyle morphology using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in patients with various stages of DJD. Forty-two condyles with pre- (T1) and post- (T2) splint therapy scans were analyzed. Methods: CBCT scans were sectioned into sagittal and coronal slices for condyle classification and measurement. T1 and T2 CBCTs were superimposed before linear and area measurements at different poles. Results: Our results indicate that condyles in the normal group remain unchanged after splint therapy. The majority of subjects in the degenerative groups remained in the same classification group: six out of fourteen degenerative-active patients became degenerative-repair, while three out of twenty-two degenerative-repair patients progressed to degenerative-active. There is no significant remodeling of condylar width pre- and post-splint therapy. On average, there is more bone deposition than reduction in condylar height after splint therapy, although individual variation exists. Conclusions: Stabilizing splints offer a low-risk intervention for managing DJD and may contribute to favorable adaptive changes in the condyles.
Neck Schwannoma Masking as Thyroid Tumour: Into the Deep of Diagnostics and Anatomy
Authors: Covantsev Serghei , Bumbu Anna , Sukhotko Anna , Zakurdaev Evghenii , Kuts Ivan , Evsikov Andrey
Published: October 2024

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumours that exhibit a slow rate of growth. In the vast majority of cases, schwannomas manifest as asymptomatic masses. The presence of symptomatic lesions may necessitate surgical removal. The incidence of schwannomas ranges from 4.4 to 5.23 cases per 100,000 population, accounting for approximately 7% of all primary tumours in the central nervous system. There is a limited number of case reports describing schwannomas outside the central nervous system. In rare instances, schwannomas may originate at the level of the thyroid gland. In such cases, incidental neck schwannomas may be mistaken for thyroid or parathyroid tumours. The increasing incidence of thyroid cancer draws more attention to all thyroid nodules, both benign and malignant. Thyroid nodules are detected in up to 65% of autopsies, with only 4–6.5% being malignant. Thyroid tumours are typically diagnosed by USG; however, they are often revealed incidentally during neck CT or MRI for other conditions. To rule out malignancy, tumour verification is required. The modern diagnosis of thyroid cancer is based on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and cytology, which is classified according to the Bethesda classification system. However, not all FNAs are informative, and the differential diagnosis and treatment strategies in cases of unsatisfactory results are not standardized, leading to potential intraoperative challenges. We present a case study of a patient with a thyroid nodule that was ultimately diagnosed with a schwannoma of the neck according to core-needle biopsy.
Epidemiological, Clinical, and Histopathological Features of the Head and Neck Region Schwannomas—Our Experience in the Western Part of Romania with Surgical Insights
Authors: Nicoara Adrian , Rakitovan Marina , Closca Raluca Maria , Militaru Marius , Cindrea Alexandru-Cristian , Zara Flavia
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Schwannomas are benign solitary, slow-growing, encapsulated, asymptomatic tumors arising from Schwann’s sheath of nervous fibers. Objectives: The current paper presents all the cases diagnosed with different types of schwannomas in the head and neck region between January 2009 and December 2023 in the Western part of Romania. In this period, ten cases of schwannoma were identified. Materials and Methods: The pathological exams were performed at the Department of Pathology using morphological Hematoxylin–Eosin staining. In addition, immunohistochemical reactions were used in order to confirm the diagnosis. Results: Demographic and clinical data, imaging features, surgical approach, and morphological and immunohistochemical aspects are presented. The results also display an impressive clinical picture of a gigantic ancient schwannoma. Conclusions: This retrospective study describes our experience with head and neck schwannomas, the diagnostic methods available, the surgical decisions, and the histopathological aspects while analyzing the data and reviewing the published specialized literature in the English language.
Inflammatory Signals Across the Spectrum: A Detailed Exploration of Acute Appendicitis Stages According to EAES 2015 Guidelines
Authors: Dölling Maximilian , Andric Mihailo , Rahimli Mirhasan , Klös Michael , Pachmann Jonas , Stockheim Jessica , Al-Madhi Sara , Wex Cora , Kahlert Ulf D. , Herrmann Martin , Perrakis Aristotelis , Croner Roland S.
Published: October 2024

Background: In this retrospective study, we evaluate the diagnostic utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) and leucocyte count within the EAES 2015 guidelines for acute appendicitis (AA) in differentiating uncomplicated (UAA) from complicated AA (CAA). Methods: Conducted at a tertiary care center in Germany, the study included 285 patients over 18 years who were diagnosed with AA from January 2019 to December 2021. Patient data included demographics, inflammatory markers, and postoperative outcomes. Results: CRP levels (Md: 60.2 mg/dL vs. 10.5 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and leucocyte count (Md: 14.4 Gpt/L vs. 13.1 Gpt/L; p = 0.016) were higher in CAA. CRP had a medium diagnostic value for detecting CAA (AUC = 0.79), with a cutoff at 44.3 mg/L, making it more likely to develop CAA. Leucocyte count showed low predictive value for CAA (AUC = 0.59). CRP ≥ 44.3 mg/L was associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications (OR: 2.9; p = 0.002) and prolonged hospitalization (OR: 3.5; p < 0.001). Conclusions: CRP, within the context of the EAES classification, presents as a valuable diagnostic marker to distinguish CAA from UAA, with a higher risk of postoperative complications and hospitalization. Leucocyte count showed low diagnostic value for the identification of CAA.
Automating Dental Condition Detection on Panoramic Radiographs: Challenges, Pitfalls, and Opportunities
Authors: Mureșanu Sorana , Hedeșiu Mihaela , Iacob Liviu , Eftimie Radu , Olariu Eliza , Dinu Cristian , Jacobs Reinhilde ,   on behalf of Team Project Group
Published: October 2024

Background/Objectives: The integration of AI into dentistry holds promise for improving diagnostic workflows, particularly in the detection of dental pathologies and pre-radiotherapy screening for head and neck cancer patients. This study aimed to develop and validate an AI model for detecting various dental conditions, with a focus on identifying teeth at risk prior to radiotherapy. Methods: A YOLOv8 model was trained on a dataset of 1628 annotated panoramic radiographs and externally validated on 180 radiographs from multiple centers. The model was designed to detect a variety of dental conditions, including periapical lesions, impacted teeth, root fragments, prosthetic restorations, and orthodontic devices. Results: The model showed strong performance in detecting implants, endodontic treatments, and surgical devices, with precision and recall values exceeding 0.8 for several conditions. However, performance declined during external validation, highlighting the need for improvements in generalizability. Conclusions: YOLOv8 demonstrated robust detection capabilities for several dental conditions, especially in training data. However, further refinement is needed to enhance generalizability in external datasets and improve performance for conditions like periapical lesions and bone loss.
Evaluation of External Apical Root Resorption in Cases with Extraction and Non-Extraction Fixed Orthodontic Treatment
Authors: Peker Ramazan Berkay , Meriç Pamir
Published: October 2024

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate external apical root resorption (EARR) in cases with extraction and non-extraction fixed orthodontic treatment. Methods: Ninety subjects were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: 43 with extraction treatment and 47 with non-extraction orthodontic treatment. EARR was measured using the crown-to-root ratio of the maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines on panoramic radiographs taken at the beginning (T0) and end of the treatment (T1). The Bonferroni corrected Z test was used for multiple comparisons. Results: There were 24 (55.8%) individuals in the extraction group and 12 (25.5%) in the non-extraction group, with a minimum of one tooth with severe resorption. There was no resorption in 0% of individuals in the extraction group and five (10.6%) individuals in the non-extraction group. There was a statistically significant correlation between the groups and the degree of resorption (p = 0.008). When the maxillary and mandibular teeth in the extraction group were compared, a significant difference was found in all degrees of resorption except for mild resorption. Conclusions: There was a significant difference in EARR between the extraction and non-extraction treatment groups, with maxillary incisors showing more resorption in the extraction treatment.
Comments and Illustrations of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine (EFSUMB) Guidelines: Rare Malignant Pulmonal and Pleural Tumors: Primary Pulmonary Sarcoma and Mesothelioma, Imaging Features on Transthoracic Ultrasound
Authors: Möller Kathleen , Dietz Florian , Ludwig Michael , Eisenmann Stephan , Görg Christian , Safai Zadeh Ehsan , Blank Wolfgang , Jenssen Christian , Vetchy Veronika , Möller Burkhard , Dietrich Christoph Frank
Published: October 2024

Primary pulmonary sarcoma and mesothelioma are rare malignancies. The review article discusses the appearance of these tumors in B-mode ultrasound (US), color Doppler ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). In particular, the article is intended to inspire the examination of thoracic wall tumors and pleural masses with the possibilities of ultrasonography and to obtain histologically evaluable material using US or CEUS-guided sampling.
Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Diabetic Patients from Northeastern Bulgaria
Authors: Zlatarova Zornitsa , Hristova Elitsa , Bliznakova Kristina , Atanasova Virginia , Yaneva Zhaneta , Koseva Darina , Zaduryan Lidiya , Vasileva Gabriela , Stefanova Daliya , Dokova Klara
Published: October 2024

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of visual impairment globally among working-aged individuals. This study aims to update data on DR prevalence in Bulgaria. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted between 1 January 2022 and 1 January 2023, using a local diabetes registry from the city of Varna as a sampling framework. In total, 587 diabetic patients underwent DR examination. Data included demographics, diabetes type/duration, treatment, and ophthalmic history. DR status was assessed using indirect slit-lamp biomicroscopy or digital fundus photography, graded by the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Scale. Results: Of 587 participants, 13 were excluded due to cataract-related ungradable images. The median age was 65 years (IQR 56–73), with a slight female predominance (54%). The overall prevalence of any DR was 39.9% (95% CI 35.9–44.0), with non-proliferative DR (NPDR) at 27.5%, proliferative DR (PDR) at 7.3%, and macular edema (DME) at 5%. Type 1 diabetes patients had significantly higher DR prevalence (68.8%) than type 2 (34.1%, p < 0.001). Men exhibited higher DR prevalence. Age and diabetes duration correlated positively with DR prevalence. Insulin treatment was associated with higher DR prevalence (55.6%) than oral antidiabetic treatment (22.5%, p < 0.001) for type 2 diabetes patients. Among those diagnosed with DR, 70.9% received treatment, mainly laser therapy. Conclusions: These findings provide epidemiological insights for future research and emphasize the need for a comprehensive national DR screening program in Bulgaria. Technological advancements enable proactive measures to mitigate DR-related visual impairment and blindness, including widespread screening, even in rural areas.
Clinical Significance of Whole-Body Computed Tomography Scans in Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients Without Prehospital Return of Spontaneous Circulation
Authors: Ishida Masanori , Tanaka Taro , Morichi Shinichiro , Uesugi Hirotaka , Nakazawa Haruka , Watanabe Shun , Nakai Motoki , Yamanaka Gaku , Homma Hiroshi , Saito Kazuhiro
Published: October 2024

Background. Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is commonly employed for primary screening in pediatric patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). This study aimed to evaluate the cause of OHCA on WBCT and compare WBCT findings between ROSC and non-ROSC groups in non-traumatic pediatric OHCA cases in an emergency department setting. Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 27 pediatric patients (mean age: 32.4 months; median age: 10 months) who experienced non-traumatic OHCA without prehospital ROSC and were transported to our tertiary care hospital between January 2013 and December 2023. WBCT scans were performed to investigate the cause of OHCA, with recorded findings in the head, chest, abdomen, and subcutaneous tissues. Results. In all cases, the direct causes of OHCA were undetermined, and WBCT identified no fatal findings. Statistical comparisons of CT findings between the ROSC and non-ROSC groups revealed significant differences. The non-ROSC group had a higher incidence of brain swelling, loss of cerebral gray-white matter differentiation, symmetrical lung consolidation/ground-glass opacity, cardiomegaly, hyperdense aortic walls, narrowed aorta, gas in the mediastinum, and hepatomegaly compared to the ROSC group. Conclusions. Although WBCT did not reveal the direct cause of OHCA, several CT findings were significantly more frequent in the non-ROSC group, including brain swelling, loss of cerebral gray-white matter differentiation, symmetrical lung consolidation/ground-glass opacity, cardiomegaly, hyperdense aortic wall, narrowed aorta, gas in the mediastinum, and hepatomegaly. These findings, resembling postmortem changes, may aid in clinical decision making regarding the continuation or cessation of resuscitation efforts in pediatric OHCA cases.
Evaluation of a New Technique of Gingival Smile Reduction after Hyaluronic Acid Infiltration: A Cohort Study Focusing on Gingival Exposure and Patient-Oriented Outcomes
Authors: Angulo-Manzaneque Gema , Baus-Domínguez María , Ruiz-de-León-Hernández Gonzalo , Serrera-Figallo María-Ángeles , Torres-Lagares Daniel , Aguilera Fátima S.
Published: October 2024

A gummy smile is the visualization of more than 3 mm of gingiva above the maxillary incisors. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects on aesthetics and patient satisfaction of a new hyaluronic acid infiltration technique in reducing the gummy smile. Fifty patients with gummy smiles were treated using hyaluronic acid infiltration points by applying 0.1 mL per injection at specific points. Post-treatment evaluations were performed one week, one month, three months, six months, and 12 months later. A questionnaire assessed patient satisfaction, willingness to recommend the treatment, and side effects (pain and bruising during and after treatment). An average reduction of 2.5 mm in gingival exposure during smiling was observed. After one week, the reduction was constant. At six months, 40% of the original gingival exposure was recovered, and recovery was complete at 12 months. Patient satisfaction was 82.1%, and 100% of patients would recommend the treatment. Bruising, swelling, and pain decreased to 0% from the first month. In conclusion, this technique is a safe and effective option to improve the smile’s appearance with minimal complications.
Home Biofilm Management in Orthodontic Aligners: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pardo Alessia , Signoriello Annarita , Zangani Alessandro , Messina Elena , Gheza Selene , Faccioni Paolo , Albanese Massimo , Lombardo Giorgio
Published: October 2024

Background. Transparent aligners are recently introduced orthodontic devices considered promising for the improvement of oral health conditions, in terms of faster treatment times and enhanced comfort, especially if compared with traditional fixed orthodontic therapy. This systematic review aimed to evaluate at-home protocols for proper oral hygiene and aligners cleaning during orthodontic treatment. Methods. A search was conducted using the following four databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus. The systematic review (registered as CRD 42024562215) followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and included prospective studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), controlled clinical trials, and in vivo and ex vivo studies; they had to assess treatment with invisible orthodontics compared to treatment with fixed orthodontics, home oral hygiene, or aligner disinfection protocols. The evidence in the studies was evaluated for risk of bias using the RoB-2 (for RCTs and randomized crossover studies) and ROBINS-I tools (for observational studies). Results. Eleven studies were included in this systematic review: four RCTs, four crossover studies, and three cross-sectional observational studies. Seven studies considered patients undergoing orthodontic treatment, whereas four examined orthodontic aligners. The cleaning protocols of the aligners were evaluated based on the analysis of residual biofilm on the thermoplastic surfaces. Studies included were characterized by a low level of certainty, thus further evidence is needed. Conclusions. The most effective protocols entailed a combination of mechanical and chemical agents, suggesting that it is fundamental for patients undergoing aligner treatment to focus on individually tailored home oral hygiene protocols.
Secure Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Communication in Dual-Function Radar Communication System by Exploiting Constructive Interference
Authors: Xu Qian , Yi Jia , Wang Xianyu , Niu Ming-bo , Miah Md. Sipon , Wang Ling
Published: October 2024

In contrast from traditional unmanned aerial vehicle communication via unlicensed spectrum, connecting unmanned aerial vehicles with cellular networks can extend their communication coverage and improve the quality of their service. In addition, the emerging dual-functional radar communication paradigm in cellular systems can better meet the requirements of location-sensitive tasks such as reconnaissance and cargo delivery. Based on the above considerations, in this paper, we study the simultaneous communication and target sensing issue in cellular-connected unmanned aerial vehicle systems. Specifically, we consider a two-cell coordinated system with two base stations, cellular unmanned aerial vehicles, and potential aerial targets. In such systems, the communication security issue of cellular unmanned aerial vehicles regarding eavesdropping on their target is inevitable since the main beam of the transmit waveform needs to point to the direction of the target for achieving a sufficient detection performance. Aiming at protecting the privacy of cellular transmission as well as performing target sensing, we exploit the physical layer security technique with the aid of constructive interference-based precoding. A transmit power minimization problem is formulated with constraints on secure and reliable cellular transmission and a sufficient radar signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio. By specially designing the transmit beamforming vectors at the base stations, the received signals at the cellular users are located in the decision regions of the transmitted symbols while the targets can only receive wrong symbols. We also compare the performance of the proposed scheme with that of the traditional one without constructive interference. The simulation results show that the proposed constructive interference-based strategy can meet the requirements of simultaneous target sensing and secure communication, and also save transmit power compared with the traditional scheme.
A Drone-Based Structure from Motion Survey, Topographic Data, and Terrestrial Laser Scanning Acquisitions for the Floodgate Gaps Deformation Monitoring of the Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico System (Venice, Italy)
Authors: Fabris Massimo , Monego Michele
Published: October 2024

The structural deformation monitoring of civil infrastructures can be performed using different geomatic techniques: topographic measurements with total stations and levels, TLS (terrestrial laser scanning) acquisitions, and drone-based SfM (structure from motion) photogrammetric surveys, among others, can be applied. In this work, these techniques are used for the floodgate gaps and the rubber joints deformation monitoring of the MOSE system (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico), the civil infrastructure that protects Venice and its lagoon (Italy) from high waters. Since the floodgates are submerged most of the time and cannot be directly measured and monitored using high-precision data, topographic surveys were performed in accessible underwater tunnels. In this way, after the calculation of the coordinates of some reference points, the coordinates of the floodgate corners were estimated knowing the geometric characteristics of the system. A specific activity required the acquisition of the TLS scans of the stairwells in the shoulder structures of the Treporti barrier because many of the reference points fixed on the structures were lost during the placement of elements on the seabed. They were replaced with new points whose coordinates in the project/as-built reference system were calculated by applying the Procrustean algorithm by means of homologous points. The procedure allowed the estimation of the transformation parameters with maximum residuals of less than 2.5 cm, a value in agreement with the approximation of the real concrete structures built. Using the obtained parameters, the coordinates of the new reference points were calculated in the project reference system. Once the 3D orientation of all caissons in the barrier was reconstructed, the widths of the floodgate gaps were estimated and compared with the designed values and over time. The obtained values were validated in the Treporti barrier using a drone-based SfM photogrammetric survey of the eight raised floodgates, starting from the east shoulder caisson. The comparison between floodgate gaps estimated from topographic and TLS surveys, and those obtained from measurements on the 3D photogrammetric model, provided a maximum difference of 1.6 cm.
Dynamic Inversion-Enhanced U-Control of Quadrotor Trajectory Tracking
Authors: Lone Ahtisham , Zhu Quanmin , Nemati Hamidreza , Mercorelli Paolo
Published: October 2024

This study proposes a universal (U)-control enhanced with dynamic inversion for a class of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) quadrotor flight tracking operations. In the technique, a robust compensator is integrated with the U-controller to achieve stabilisation at the equilibrium and setpoint tracking in the presence of any unmodelled uncertainties and external disturbances. A series of bench tests of simulated and real experiments on a Parrot Mambo quadrotor are conducted to show the design framework from the academic formulation to Simulink simulation and real flight tests.
Latency Analysis of Drone-Assisted C-V2X Communications for Basic Safety and Co-Operative Perception Messages
Authors: Gupta Abhishek , Fernando Xavier N.
Published: October 2024

Drone-assisted radio communication is revolutionizing future wireless networks, including sixth-generation (6G) and beyond, by providing unobstructed, line-of-sight links from air to terrestrial vehicles, enabling robust cellular cehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) communication networks. However, addressing communication latency is imperative, especially when considering autonomous vehicles. In this study, we analyze different types of delay and the factors impacting them in drone-assisted C-V2X networks. We specifically investigate C-V2X Mode 4, where multiple vehicles utilize available transmission windows to communicate the frequently collected sensor data with an embedded drone server. Through a discrete-time Markov model, we assess the medium access control (MAC) layer performance, analyzing the trade-off between data rates and communication latency. Furthermore, we compare the delay between cooperative perception messages (CPMs) and periodically transmitted basic safety messages (BSMs). Our simulation results emphasize the significance of optimizing BSM and CPM transmission intervals to achieve lower average delay as well as utilization of drones’ battery power to serve the maximum number of vehicles in a transmission time interval (TTI). The results also reveal that the average delay heavily depends on the packet arrival rate while the processing delay varies with the drone occupancy and state-transition rates for both BSM and CPM packets. Furthermore, an optimal policy approximates a threshold-based policy in which the threshold depends on the drone utilization and energy availability.