bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Pseudoepithelial Hyperplasia Secondary to Red Ink Tattoo: A Case Series and Review
Authors: Rahbarinejad Yasmina , Guio-Aguilar Pedro , Vu Anh Ngoc , Lo Michael , McTigue Christine , Nirenberg Alex , Rozen Warren M.
Published: March 2023

The increasing popularity of tattooing has paralleled an increase in associated cutaneous reactions. Red ink is notorious for eliciting cutaneous reactions. A common reaction is pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH), which is a benign condition closely simulating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Differentiating PEH from SCC is challenging for pathologists and clinicians alike. The exact pathogenesis of these lesions secondary to red ink is not known, and there are no sources outlining diagnostic and treatment options and their efficacy. We present four study cases with different pathologies associated to red ink tattoos including lichenoid reaction, granulomatous reaction, PEH, and an SCC. Additionally, an extensive review of 63 articles was performed to investigate pathogenesis, diagnostic approaches, and treatment options. Hypotheses surrounding pathogenesis include but are not limited to the carcinogenic components of pigments, their reaction with UV and the traumatic process of tattooing. Pathogenesis seems to be multifactorial. Full-thickness biopsies with follow-up is the recommended diagnostic approach. There is no evidence of a single universally successful treatment for PEH. Low-dose steroids are usually tried following a step up in lack of clinical response. For SCC lesions, full surgical excision is widely used. A focus on clinicians’ awareness of adverse reactions is key for prevention. Regulation of the unmonitored tattoo industry remains an ongoing problem.
One-Lung Ventilation during Rigid Bronchoscopy Using a Single-Lumen Endotracheal Tube: A Descriptive, Retrospective Single-Center Study
Authors: Steinack Carolin , Balmer Helene , Ulrich Silvia , Gaisl Thomas , Franzen Daniel P.
Published: March 2023

Using one-lung ventilation (OLV) through a single-lumen endotracheal tube (SLT) in the untreated lung during rigid bronchoscopy (RB) and jet ventilation, high oxygenation can be guaranteed, whilst procedures requiring thermal energy in the other lung are still able to be used. This pilot study aimed to examine the bronchoscopy-associated risks and feasibility of OLV using an SLT during RB in patients with malignant airway stenosis. All consecutive adult patients with endobronchial malignant lesions receiving OLV during RB from 1 January 2017 to 12 May 2021 were included. We assessed perioperative complications in 25 RBs requiring OLV. Bleeding grades 1, 2, and 3 complicated the procedure in two (8%), five (20%), and five (20%) patients, respectively. The median saturation of peripheral oxygen remained at 94% (p = 0.09), whilst the median oxygen supply did not increase significantly from 0 L/min to 2 L/min (p = 0.10) within three days after the bronchoscopy. The 30-day survival rate of the patients was 79.1% (95% CI 58.4–91.1%), all of whom reported an improvement in subjective well-being after the bronchoscopy. OLV using an SLT during RB could be a new treatment approach for endobronchial ablative procedures without increasing bronchoscopy-associated risks, allowing concurrent high-energy treatments.
Durable Left Ventricular Assist Device Outflow Graft Obstructions: Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes
Authors: Peters Carli , Zhang Robert , Vidula Mahesh , Giri Jay , Atluri Pavan , Acker Michael , Bermúdez Christian , Levin Allison , Urgo Kim , Wald Joyce , Mazurek Jeremy , Hanff Thomas , Goldberg Lee , Jagasia Dinesh , Birati Edo
Published: March 2023

Purpose: We report on the clinical course and management of patients supported with durable implantable LVADs who developed outflow graft obstructions at a large academic center. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients receiving LVAD support from 2012 through 2020. Patients who developed an outflow graft obstruction diagnosed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) or angiogram were identified, and patient characteristics and outcomes were reported. Results: Of the 324 patients supported by LVAD at our institution, 11 patients (3.4%) were diagnosed with outflow graft obstructions. The most common presentation was low flow alarms, which was present in 10/11 patients, and the remaining patient presented with lightheadedness. Patients had minimal LDH elevation with 8/11 presenting with less than 2-fold the upper limit of normal. Transthoracic echocardiograms were not diagnostic, but CTA enabled non-invasive diagnoses in 8/11 of the patients. Three patients with extrinsic compression of the outflow graft successfully underwent endovascular stent placement, and three patients with outflow cannula kinks received supportive care. Of the five patients diagnosed with intraluminal thromboses, one received a heart transplant, one underwent an outflow graft revision, and three received supportive care due to comorbidities. Conclusion: Outflow graft obstructions remain a rare, but serious complication. The true prevalence of this entity is likely underestimated due to the non-specific clinical presentation. CTA is a pivotal non-invasive diagnostic step. Patients with external compression were successfully treated with endovascular stenting.
Inhaled Medications in Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Analysis of Real-Life Use in Puglia (Apulia), Italy
Authors: Scioscia Giulia , Tondo Pasquale , Cagnazzo Maria Grazia , Hoxhallari Anela , Satriano Francesco , Rollo Giulio , Cinquepalmi Donato , Grieco Antonio , Foschino Barbaro Maria Pia , Lacedonia Donato
Published: March 2023

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) are common diseases with a heterogeneous distribution worldwide. Due to their impact on disability, weight assistance and pharmaceutical spending, they represent an important global burden for national health systems. However, few studies have investigated the use and consumption of inhaled drugs in real life in patients with CRDs. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the real-life consumption of health care resources of main CRDs through an analysis of the administrative databases of the local health authority (ASL) in the Puglia region (Italy). Methods: The present study is an observational study that longitudinally reviewed the administrative and health databases associated with patients’ consumption of health resources between 2017 and 2018. Results: The first important finding is a marked underestimation of the true incidence of CRDs despite the search for disease-specific exemption codes. Another important result is that the real-life consumption of inhaled drugs among these patients is well below the minimum acceptable values for adherence. The most commonly used inhaled drugs, for which at least one pack was withdrawn, were inhaled steroids (61.6%), followed by the ICS/LABA combination (43.7%) and LABAs (32.4%). However, less than one-third of patients (31%) withdrew at least three packages of ICS or ICS/LABA during the year, while the percentage was reduced to less than 15% for other combinations. Another alarming finding is that only 8.4% of patients taking CRDs drugs reported at least one spirometry during the study period. Conclusions: The wide availability of computerized systems may be an important tool for increasing therapeutic adherence and optimizing the resources of health systems in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with CRDs.
Composite of Cellulose-Nanofiber-Reinforced Cellulose Acetate Butyrate: Improvement of Mechanical Strength by Cross-Linking of Hydroxyl Groups
Authors: Milotskyi Romain , Serizawa Ryo , Yanagisawa Kaoru , Sharma Gyanendra , Ito Elisabeth Rada Desideria , Fujie Tetsuo , Wada Naoki , Takahashi Kenji
Published: March 2023

A great challenge hindering the use of cellulose nanofibers (CNF) as a reinforcing filler in bio-based polymeric matrices are their poor chemical compatibility. This is because of the inherent hydrophilic nature of CNF and the hydrophobic nature of the polymeric matrix. In this study, cellulose laminates were prepared by using CNF as a filler and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) as the polymer matrix. To improve the compatibility between CAB and CNF, the residual hydroxyl groups of CAB and the hydroxyl groups on the surface of CNF were cross-linked with bio-derived polyisocyanurate D376N (STABiO™). The composite material was obtained in one step by sandwiching a CNF sheet (10 wt%) coated with a cross-linking agent between CAB films (90 wt%) using hot pressing. When 14.3 wt% of the cross-linking agent to the total weight of CNF and CAB was added, the tensile strength and flexural strength were improved by 72.4% and 16.3%, respectively, compared with neat CAB. It was concluded that this increase in strength is a result of both: cross-linking between the CNF sheets as well as the cross-linking occurring at the CNF/CAB interface.
A Novel One-Pot Synthesis of PVP-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Biocompatible Contrast Agents for Enhanced T2-Weighted MRI
Authors: Alzoubi Fedda Y. , Abu Noqta Osama , Al Zoubi Tariq , Al-Khateeb Hasan M. , Alqadi Mohammed K. , Abuelsamen Abdulsalam , Makhadmeh Ghaseb Naser
Published: March 2023

A contrast agent with specific characteristics is essential for high-quality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It plays a crucial role in enhancing the visibility of certain tissues and structures, making it imperative for diagnostic procedures. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional contrast agents for MRI due to their non-toxicity and superior magnetic properties. However, a suitable surface coating strategy is needed to produce polymer-coated SPIONs with controllable sizes in order to enhance their stability and biocompatibility. This study presents a novel one-pot synthesis method for the production of highly stable polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated SPIONs. By systematically manipulating the physicochemical properties of SPIONs, the effect of different molecular weights of PVP was studied. The results showed that SPIONs coated with PVP with molecular wight 40,000 g/mol (40 K) exhibited a high magnetization (Ms = 48.4 emu/g), an average size distribution (11.61 nm), and excellent stability. The relaxivity of coated and uncoated SPIONs was investigated using MRI images. The results revealed that the (r2/r1) ratio of PVP40K-SPIONs was 72.55, compared to 55.72 for the bare SPIONs, making them a highly promising T2-contrast agent for future development of MRI applications. This study opens new avenues for the development of biocompatible and stable SPIONs for improved medical diagnostic and imaging.
Real-World Underwater Image Enhancement Based on Attention U-Net
Authors: Tang Pengfei , Li Liangliang , Xue Yuan , Lv Ming , Jia Zhenhong , Ma Hongbing
Published: March 2023

In recent years, with the increasingly serious problems of resource shortage and environmental pollution, the exploration and development of underwater clean energy were particularly important. At the same time, abundant underwater resources and species have attracted a large number of scientists to carry out research on underwater-related tasks. Due to the diversity and complexity of underwater environments, it is difficult to perform related vision tasks, such as underwater target detection and capture. The development of digital image technology has been relatively mature, and it has been applied in many fields and achieved remarkable results, but the research on underwater image processing technology is rarely effective. The underwater environment is much more complicated than that on land, and there is no light source underwater. Underwater imaging systems must rely on artificial light sources for illumination. When light travels through water, it is severely attenuated by water absorption, reflection, and scattering. The collected underwater images inevitably have problems such as limited visible range, blur, low contrast, uneven illumination, incoherent colors, and noise. The purpose of image enhancement is to improve or solve one or more of the above problems in a targeted manner. Therefore, underwater image enhancement technology has become one of the key contents of underwater image processing technology research. In this paper, we proposed a conditional generative adversarial network model based on attention U-Net which contains an attention gate mechanism that could filter invalid feature information and capture contour, local texture, and style information effectively. Furthermore, we formulate an objective function through three different loss functions, which can evaluate image quality from global content, color, and structural information. Finally, we performed end-to-end training on the UIEB real-world underwater image dataset. The comparison experiments show that our method outperforms all comparative methods, the ablation experiments show that the loss function proposed in this paper outperforms a single loss function, and finally, the generalizability of our method is verified by executing on two different datasets, UIEB and EUVP.
Underwater Target Detection Based on Improved YOLOv7
Authors: Liu Kaiyue , Sun Qi , Sun Daming , Peng Lin , Yang Mengduo , Wang Nizhuan
Published: March 2023

Underwater target detection is a crucial aspect of ocean exploration. However, conventional underwater target detection methods face several challenges such as inaccurate feature extraction, slow detection speed, and lack of robustness in complex underwater environments. To address these limitations, this study proposes an improved YOLOv7 network (YOLOv7-AC) for underwater target detection. The proposed network utilizes an ACmixBlock module to replace the 3 × 3 convolution block in the E-ELAN structure, and incorporates jump connections and 1 × 1 convolution architecture between ACmixBlock modules to improve feature extraction and network reasoning speed. Additionally, a ResNet-ACmix module is designed to avoid feature information loss and reduce computation, while a Global Attention Mechanism (GAM) is inserted in the backbone and head parts of the model to improve feature extraction. Furthermore, the K-means++ algorithm is used instead of K-means to obtain anchor boxes and enhance model accuracy. Experimental results show that the improved YOLOv7 network outperforms the original YOLOv7 model and other popular underwater target detection methods. The proposed network achieved a mean average precision (mAP) value of 89.6% and 97.4% on the URPC dataset and Brackish dataset, respectively, and demonstrated a higher frame per second (FPS) compared to the original YOLOv7 model. In conclusion, the improved YOLOv7 network proposed in this study represents a promising solution for underwater target detection and holds great potential for practical applications in various underwater tasks.
Mebendazole Inhibits Histoplasma capsulatum In Vitro Growth and Decreases Mitochondrion and Cytoskeleton Protein Levels
Authors: Almeida Marcos Abreu , Bernardes-Engemann Andrea Reis , Coelho Rowena Alves , Lugones Camila Jantoro Guzman , de Andrade Iara Bastos , Corrêa-Junior Dario , de Oliveira Simone Santiago Carvalho , dos Santos André Luis Souza , Frases Susana , Rodrigues Márcio Lourenço , Valente Richard Hemmi , Zancopé-Oliveira Rosely Maria , Almeida-Paes Rodrigo
Published: March 2023

Histoplasmosis is a frequent mycosis in people living with HIV/AIDS and other immunocompromised hosts. Histoplasmosis has high rates of mortality in these patients if treatment is unsuccessful. Itraconazole and amphotericin B are used to treat histoplasmosis; however, both antifungals have potentially severe pharmacokinetic drug interactions and toxicity. The present study determined the minimal inhibitory and fungicidal concentrations of mebendazole, a drug present in the NIH Clinical Collection, to establish whether it has fungicidal or fungistatic activity against Histoplasma capsulatum. Protein extracts from H. capsulatum yeasts, treated or not with mebendazole, were analyzed by proteomics to understand the metabolic changes driven by this benzimidazole. Mebendazole inhibited the growth of 10 H. capsulatum strains, presenting minimal inhibitory concentrations ranging from 5.0 to 0.08 µM. Proteomics revealed 30 and 18 proteins exclusively detected in untreated and mebendazole-treated H. capsulatum yeast cells, respectively. Proteins related to the tricarboxylic acid cycle, cytoskeleton, and ribosomes were highly abundant in untreated cells. Proteins related to the nitrogen, sulfur, and pyrimidine metabolisms were enriched in mebendazole-treated cells. Furthermore, mebendazole was able to inhibit the oxidative metabolism, disrupt the cytoskeleton, and decrease ribosomal proteins in H. capsulatum. These results suggest mebendazole as a drug to be repurposed for histoplasmosis treatment.
Genetic Variation of Puccinia triticina Populations in Iran from 2010 to 2017 as Revealed by SSR and ISSR Markers
Authors: Nemati Zahra , Dadkhodaie Ali , Mostowfizadeh-Ghalamfarsa Reza , Mehrabi Rahim , Cacciola Santa Olga
Published: March 2023

Puccinia triticina is a major wheat pathogen worldwide. Although Iran is within the Fertile Crescent, which is supposed to be the center of origin of both wheat and P. triticina, the knowledge of the genetic variability of local populations of this basidiomycete is limited. We analyzed 12 inter simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) and 18 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) of 175 P. triticina isolates sampled between 2010 and 2017 from wheat and other Poaceae in 14 provinces of Iran. SSRs revealed more polymorphisms than ISSRs, indicating they were more effective in differentiating P. triticina populations. Based on a dissimilarity matrix with a variable mutation rate for SSRs and a Dice coefficient for ISSRs, the isolates were separated into three large groups, each including isolates from diverse geographic origins and hosts. The grouping of SSR genotypes in UPGMA dendrograms was consistent with the grouping inferred from the Bayesian approach. However, isolates with a common origin clustered into separate subgroups within each group. The high proportion of heterozygous alleles suggests that in Iran clonal reproduction prevails over sexual reproduction of the pathogen. A significant correlation was found between SSR and ISSR genotypes and the virulence phenotypes of the isolates, as determined in a previous study.
Comparison of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in the Ambulatory Surgery Center and Traditional Hospital Settings, Part 2: Assessment of Surgical Safety in Medicare Beneficiaries
Authors: Schlesinger Scott M. , Maggio Dominic , Lorio Morgan P. , Lewandrowski Kai-Uwe , Block Jon E.
Published: March 2023

(1) Background: The clinical benefits and procedural efficiencies of performing minimally invasive fusion procedures, such as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) are becoming increasingly well established. Currently, Medicare does not provide reimbursement for its beneficiaries eligible for TLIF in the ASC due to a lack of evidence regarding procedural safety. However, the initiation of the Hospital Without Walls program allowed for traditional hospital procedures to be relocated to other facilities such as ASCs, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate the utility of TLIF in the ASC in Medicare-age patients. (2) Methods: This single-center, retrospective study compared baseline characteristics, intraoperative variables, and 30-day postoperative safety outcomes between 48 Medicare-age patients undergoing TLIF in the ASC and 48 patients having the same procedure as hospital in-patients. All patients had a one-level TLIF using the VariLift®-LX expandable lumbar interbody fusion device. (3) Results: There were similar patient characteristics, procedural efficiency, and occurrence of clinical 30-day safety events between the two study groups. However, there was a marked and statistically significant difference in the median length of stay favoring TLIF patients treated in the ASC (23.9 h vs. 1.6 h, p = 0.001). All ASC-treated patients were discharged on the day of surgery. Postoperative visits to address adverse events were rare in either group. (4) Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that minimally invasive TLIF can be performed safely and efficiently in the ASC in Medicare-age patients. With same-day discharge, fusion procedures performed in the ASC offer a similar safety and more attractive cost–benefit profile for older patients than the same surgery undertaken in the traditional hospital setting. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should strongly consider extending the appropriate reimbursement codes (CPT ® 22630, 22633) for minimally invasive TLIF and PLIF to the ASC Covered Procedure List so that Medicare-age patients can realize the clinical benefits of surgeries performed in this setting.
Data Valuation Model for Estimating Collateral Loans in Corporate Financial Transaction
Authors: Cheong Hyongmook , Kim Boyoung , Vaquero Ivan Ureta
Published: March 2023

The importance of data assets as intangible corporate assets is being emphasized as more business activities based on digital technology are being carried out. This study proposes the development of a data valuation model that can enable companies to use data assets as collateral for loans in financial transactions. To this end, a model was designed with a focus on the cost approach, which is less likely to involve arbitrariness and error among other valuation model approaches. Furthermore, a model simulation was conducted after securing transaction data of a Korean secondhand marketplace provider. Among the total costs of this marketplace provider, the cost of using data reflecting the ratio of data activities was derived, focusing on financial statements and tangible and intangible assets for the last five years. The data asset acquisition costs were derived, and the data replacement costs were calculated by reflecting the past price and wage growth rates. The results revealed that simulation companies could use a total of KRW 26.8 billion worth of data as collateral for a loan. Accordingly, the data valuation model developed in this study will contribute to reinforcing the value of corporate data assets and proposing a new means of corporate financing.
Blockchain Technology in the Environmental Economics: A Service for a Holistic and Integrated Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
Authors: Tišma Sanja , Škrtić Mira
Published: March 2023

The application of blockchain technology in the field of environmental economics is still in its inception so it is not sufficiently used in a holistic and integrated life cycle sustainability assessment (HILCSA). The capability of the blockchain to provide a verifiable and transparent record can make it a good tool in environmental economics for an agile reflection in doing business and production. The research is focused on the advantages and challenges in the inclusion of blockchain technology into a holistic life cycle assessment. Based on the existing possibilities of using blockchain technology in environmental economics and life cycle assessments (LCAs), a framework and a model for applying the blockchain in the holistic life cycle sustainability assessment are proposed. A Design Science methodology was used as a research strategy. Particular emphasis in this paper is put on risk management when integrating blockchain methodologies through environmental economics into the life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) in order to use all the advantages of the blockchain technology optimally.
A Selective Review of Event-Related Potential Investigations in Second and Third Language Acquisition of Syntax
Authors: Angelovska Tanja , Roehm Dietmar
Published: March 2023

The aim of this contribution is to highlight the role and relevance of neurolinguistics accounts for second and third language syntactic acquisition/processing. This chapter begins with a brief historical overview of the field of experimental psychology and the birth of the EEG methodology. We then provide a general introduction of the ERP methodology and the language-related ERP components, explaining what they show and how they are to be interpreted. A special focus is given on the clear distinction between behavioral measurements in contrast to real-time measures and the leading role of ERPs is elaborated on. We then provide a selective narrative review of existing L2 and L3 syntax acquisition studies with the EEG methodology within the domain of syntax that we consider relevant for deriving implications for language instructed settings. We discuss results from EEG studies on second and third language syntactic acquisition/processing and finally, highlight several conclusions important for the field.
Sensitivity of TEHL Simulations to the Use of Different Models for the Constitutive Behaviour of Lubricants
Authors: Havaej Peyman , Degroote Joris , Fauconnier Dieter
Published: March 2023

This study compares the film thickness, lubricant temperature, and traction curves of two groups of commonly used constitutive models for lubricants in thermo-elastohydrodynamic lubrication (TEHL) modelling. The first group consists of the Tait equation of state, the Doolittle Newtonian viscosity model, and the Carreau shear thinning model. The second group includes the Dowson equation of state, the Roelands–Houpert Newtonian viscosity model, and the Eyring shear thinning model. The simulations were conducted using a Computational Fluid Dynamic and Fluid-Structure Interaction (CFD-FSI) approach, which employs a homogeneous equilibrium model for the flow simulation along with a linear elastic solver to describe the deformation of the solid materials. The simulations were conducted under a load range of 100 kN/m to 200 kN/m and a slide-to-roll-ratio (SRR) range between 0 and 2 using Squalane lubricant. The results show up to a 10% deviation in central film thickness, a 31% deviation in coefficient of friction (CoF), and a 38% deviation in maximum lubricant temperature when using the different constitutive models. This study highlights the sensitivity of TEHL simulation results to the choice of constitutive models for lubricants and the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate models for specific applications.
Study on the Engagement Characteristics and Control Strategy of High Speed Difference Dry Friction Clutch
Authors: Zhu Chu , Chen Zhi , Shi Zongcai , Zhang Yingdong
Published: March 2023

In the short/vertical take-off and landing aircraft propulsion system, the vertical take-off/landing and rapid flight are switched through the engagement and disconnection of the dry friction clutch. The smooth and rapid connection of the friction clutch is crucial for the mobility and reliability of this type of aircraft. However, the friction clutch vibrates and generates a large amount of heat at high speed, which affects the engagement performance of the clutch. In practice, when the engagement pressure rises quickly, the clutch engagement time is short, and the temperature rise is small, but the impact torque is large, and vice versa. In view of this problem, with a short/vertical take-off aircraft dry friction clutch as the research object, considering the nonlinear variation of friction coefficient and lift fan load torque, the dynamics model and temperature field model of the high speed difference dry friction clutch are established to analyze the clutch engagement time, impact torque, and temperature change. The engagement test at the high speed of the clutch shows that the simulation results of the kinetic model and temperature field model are consistent with the test results. To realize low temperature rise, low impact torque, and short engagement time, the variable slope engagement pressure control method is proposed. Compared with the traditional fixed slope engagement pressure, the proposed variable slope engagement pressure can reduce the engagement time, impact torque and temperature rise simultaneously. The research results can provide a reference for the friction clutch engagement control of short-range take-off and landing aircraft, reduce the development cost of such aircraft, and improve the reliability of the design.
Station Layout Optimization and Route Selection of Urban Rail Transit Planning: A Case Study of Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Authors: Yin Pei , Peng Miaojuan
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a cost-oriented optimization model of station spacing is presented to analyze the influencing factors of station spacing and layout near Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (HDBSCAN) algorithm is used to cluster and analyze the high population density, and optimize the station layout in the southwest of Pudong International Airport. A spatial analysis of the land use and geological conditions in Pudong New Area is given. Combining the optimal station spacing, ideal location and spatial analysis, five routing schemes to Pudong International Airport are proposed. The DBSCAN and K-means algorithms are used to analyze the “PDIA-SL” dataset. The results show that the space complexity of the HDBSCAN is O(825), and the silhouette coefficient is 0.6043, which has obvious advantages over the results of DBSCAN and K-means. This paper combines urban rail transit planning with the HDBSCAN algorithm to present some suggestions and specific route plans for local governments to scientifically plan rail transit lines. Meanwhile, the research method of station layout, which integrates station spacing, ideal location and spatial analysis optimization, is pioneering and can provide a reference for developing rail transit in metropolises.
Cooperative Control for Signalized Intersections in Intelligent Connected Vehicle Environments
Authors: Agafonov Anton , Yumaganov Alexander , Myasnikov Vladislav
Published: March 2023

Cooperative control of vehicle trajectories and traffic signal phases is a promising approach to improving the efficiency and safety of transportation systems. This type of traffic flow control refers to the coordination and optimization of vehicle trajectories and traffic signal phases to reduce congestion, travel time, and fuel consumption. In this paper, we propose a cooperative control method that combines a model predictive control algorithm for adaptive traffic signal control and a trajectory construction algorithm. For traffic signal phase selection, the proposed modification of the adaptive traffic signal control algorithm combines the travel time obtained using either the vehicle trajectory or a deep neural network model and stop delays. The vehicle trajectory construction algorithm takes into account the predicted traffic signal phase to achieve cooperative control. To evaluate the method performance, numerical experiments have been conducted for three real-world scenarios in the SUMO simulation package. The experimental results show that the proposed cooperative control method can reduce the average fuel consumption by 1% to 4.2%, the average travel time by 1% to 5.3%, and the average stop delays to 27% for different simulation scenarios compared to the baseline methods.
Robust Optimal Investment Strategies with Exchange Rate Risk and Default Risk
Authors: Wang Wei , Li Qianyan , Li Quan , Xu Song
Published: March 2023

The problem of robust optimal investment with exchange rate risk and default risk is studied. We assume that investors are ambiguity averse and they have access not only to the domestic market but also to the foreign market. The corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equations are first obtained through the robust stochastic optimal control theory. Then, we discuss the optimal investment problems before and after default, and the value functions and optimal investment strategies are obtained. Finally, we find that the optimal investment strategies of pre-default are affected by the intensity of default and the credit spread, and the investors cannot hold defaultable bonds in the post-default case. Numerical results also show that the exchange rate risk, default risk and ambiguity aversion have a great effect on the optimal investment strategies.
Ph-Positive B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Occurring after Receipt of Bivalent SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Booster: A Case Report
Authors: Ang Shy-Yau , Huang Yi-Fang , Chang Chung-Ta
Published: March 2023

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a universal emergency public health issue. A large proportion of the world’s population has had several spike antigen exposures to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and/or COVID-19 vaccinations in a relatively short-term period. Although sporadic hematopoietic adverse events after COVID-19 vaccine inoculation were reported, there is currently no sufficient evidence correlating anti-spike protein immune responses and hematopoietic adverse events of vaccinations. We reported the first case of Ph-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) occurring after a bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine inoculation. The otherwise healthy 43-year-old female patient had a total of six spike antigen exposures in the past 1.5 years. Informative pre-vaccine tests and bone marrow study results were provided. Although the causal relationship between bivalent vaccinations and the subsequent development of Ph–positive B-cell ALL cannot be determined in the case report, we propose that anti-spike protein immune responses could be a trigger for leukemia. Clinicians must investigate the hematopoietic adverse events closely after COVID-19 vaccinations. Further pre-clinical studies to investigate the safety of bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccine are required.
How Accurate Is the Diagnosis of “Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” in Patients Hospitalized with an Acute Exacerbation?
Authors: Darawshy Fares , Abu Rmeileh Ayman , Kuint Rottem , Goychmann-Cohen Polina , Fridlender Zvi G. , Berkman Neville
Published: March 2023

Rationale: COPD diagnosis requires relevant symptoms and an FEV1/FVC ratio of <0.7 post-bronchodilator on spirometry. Patients are frequently labeled as COPD based on clinical presentation and admitted to the hospital with this diagnosis even though spirometry is either not available or has never been performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of COPD diagnosis based on post-bronchodilator spirometry, following hospital admission for COPD exacerbation. Methods: This is a retrospective study with a cross-sectional analysis of a subgroup of patients. Demographic and clinical data and pre-admission spirometry were collected from electronic records of patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of COPD. Patients without available spirometry were contacted for a pulmonary consultation and spirometry. Three groups were compared: patients with a confirmed COPD diagnosis (FEV1/FVC < 0.7), without COPD (FEV1/FVC > 0.7), and those who have never performed spirometry. Results: A total of 1138 patients with a recorded diagnosis of COPD were identified of which 233 patients were included in the analysis. Only 44.6% of patients had confirmed COPD according to GOLD criteria. In total, 32.6% of the patients had never undergone spirometry but were treated as COPD, and 22.7% had performed spirometry without evidence of COPD. Recurrent admission due to COPD was a strong predictor of a confirmed COPD diagnosis. Conclusions: Among the patients admitted to the hospital with a COPD diagnosis, a high proportion were not confirmed by the current GOLD report or had never performed spirometry. Stricter implementation of the diagnostic criteria of COPD in admitted patients is necessary to improve diagnosis and the treatment outcomes in these patients.
McKittrick–Wheelock Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Marcinkevičiūtė Kristina , Kryžauskas Marius , Poškus Tomas
Published: March 2023

An adenoma is the most typical large bowel tumor found in 30% of all screening colonoscopies. However, it is often asymptomatic but sometimes might lead to abdominal pain or bleeding of the rectum. Critical electrolyte disbalance and acute kidney injury caused by secretory diarrhea is an untypical clinical manifestation of adenoma. It has rarely been reported in the literature and is defined as McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome. A 61-year-old patient was hospitalized for heavy dyselectrolytemia, diarrhea, acute kidney injury, sepsis, and fever. After the renal function was corrected and electrolyte imbalance persisted, visual instrumental diagnostics tests revealed a large tumor in the sigmoid colon. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgical resection, which exhibited evidence of tubulovillous adenoma on pathology. The atypical signs of McKittrick–Wheelock syndrome and comorbidities can make the diagnostics challenging. When severe hyponatremia and hypokalemia are followed by persistent mucous diarrhea, the clinicians should suspect MWS as a possible reason for it.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate versus Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Combined Cartilage Regeneration Procedure in Patients Undergoing High Tibial Osteotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Park Dojoon , Choi Youn , Kang Se , Koh Hae , In Yong
Published: March 2023

Background and objectives: Cartilage regeneration using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been attempted to improve articular cartilage regeneration in varus knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs) have been reported to be effective. However, whether BMAC is superior to hUCB-MSCs remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the clinical efficacy of cartilage repair procedures with BMAC or hUCB-MSCs in patients undergoing HTO. Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted using three global databases, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, for studies in which the clinical outcomes after BMAC or hUCB-MSCs were used in patients undergoing HTO for varus knee OA. Data extraction, quality control, and meta-analysis were performed. To compare the clinical efficacy of BMAC and hUCB-MSCs, reported clinical outcome assessments and second-look arthroscopic findings were analyzed using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The present review included seven studies of 499 patients who received either BMAC (BMAC group, n = 169) or hUCB-MSCs (hUCB-MSC group, n = 330). Improved clinical outcomes were found in both BMAC and hUCB-MSC groups; however, a significant difference was not observed between procedures (International Knee Documentation Committee score; p = 0.91, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities OA Index; p = 0.05, Knee Society Score (KSS) Pain; p = 0.85, KSS Function; p = 0.37). On second-look arthroscopy, the hUCB-MSC group showed better International Cartilage Repair Society Cartilage Repair Assessment grade compared with the BMAC group (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both BMAC and hUCB-MSCs with HTO improved clinical outcomes in varus knee OA patients, and there was no difference in clinical outcomes between them. However, hUCB-MSCs were more effective in articular cartilage regeneration than BMAC augmentation.
A Comprehensive Review on Bariatric Endoscopy: Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going
Authors: Mauro Aurelio , Lusetti Francesca , Scalvini Davide , Bardone Marco , De Grazia Federico , Mazza Stefano , Pozzi Lodovica , Ravetta Valentina , Rovedatti Laura , Sgarlata Carmelo , Strada Elena , Torello Viera Francesca , Veronese Letizia , Olivo Romero Daniel Enrique , Anderloni Andrea
Published: March 2023

Background: Obesity is a chronic disease that impairs quality of life and leads to several comorbidities. When conservative therapies fail, bariatric surgical options such as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are the most effective therapies to induce persistent weight loss. Over the last two decades, bariatric endoscopy has become a valid alternative to surgery in specific settings. Primary bariatric endoscopic therapies: Restrictive gastric procedures, such as intragastric balloons (IGBs) and endoscopic gastroplasty, have been shown to be effective in inducing weight loss compared to diet modifications alone. Endoscopic gastroplasty is usually superior to IGBs in maintaining weight loss in the long-term period, whereas IGBs have an established role as a bridge-to-surgery approach in severely obese patients. IGBs in a minority of patients could be poorly tolerated and require early removal. More recently, novel endoscopic systems have been developed with the combined purpose of inducing weight loss and improving metabolic conditions. Duodenal mucosal resurfacing demonstrated efficacy in this field in its early trials: significant reduction from baseline of HbA1c values and a modest reduction of body weight were observed. Other endoscopic malabsorptive have been developed but need more evidence. For example, a pivotal trial on duodenojejunal bypasses was stopped due to the high rate of severe adverse events (hepatic abscesses). Optimization of these more recent malabsorptive endoscopic procedures could expand the plethora of bariatric patients that could be treated with the intention of improving their metabolic conditions. Revisional bariatric therapies: Weight regain may occur in up to one third of patients after bariatric surgery. Different endoscopic procedures are currently performed after both RYGB and SG in order to modulate post-surgical anatomy. The application of argon plasma coagulation associated with endoscopic full-thickness suturing systems (APC-TORe) and Re-EndoSleeve have shown to be the most effective endoscopic treatments after RYGB and SG, respectively. Both procedures are usually well tolerated and have a very low risk of stricture. However, APC-TORe may sometimes require more than one session to obtain adequate final results. The aim of this review is to explore all the currently available primary and revisional endoscopic bariatric therapies focusing on their efficacy and safety and their potential application in clinical practice.
Fabrication of Anatase TiO2/PVDF Composite Membrane for Oil-in-Water Emulsion Separation and Dye Photocatalytic Degradation
Authors: Li Chengcai , Yu Hewei , Huang Biao , Liu Guojin , Guo Yuhai , Zhu Hailin , Yu Bin
Published: March 2023

At present, the types of pollutants in wastewater are more and more complicated, however, the multifunctional membrane materials are in short supply. To prepare a membrane with both high efficient oil-in-water emulsion separation performance and photocatalytic degradation performance of organic dyes, the bifunctional separation membrane was successfully prepared by electrostatic spinning technology of PVDF/PEMA and in situ deposition of anatase TiO2 nanoparticles containing Ti3+ and oxygen vacancies (Ov). The prepared composite membrane has excellent hydrophilic properties (WCA = 15.65), underwater oleophobic properties (UOCA = 156.69), and photocatalytic performance. These composite membranes have high separation efficiency and outstanding anti-fouling performance, the oil removal efficiency reaches 98.95%, and the flux recovery rate (FRR) reaches 99.19% for soybean oil-in-water emulsion. In addition, the composite membrane has outstanding photocatalytic degradation performance, with 97% and 90.2% degradation of RhB and AG-25 under UV conditions, respectively. Several oil-in-water separation and dye degradation experiments show that the PVDF composite membrane has excellent reuse performance. Based on these results, this study opens new avenues for the preparation of multifunctional reusable membranes for the water treatment field.
An Improved Multiaxial Low-Cycle Fatigue Life Prediction Model Based on Equivalent Strain Approach
Authors: Zhu Peng-Nian , Gao Jian-Xiong , Yuan Yi-Ping , Wu Zhi-Feng , Xu Rong-Xia
Published: March 2023

The fatigue life of the materials is significantly reduced under non-proportional loading. In this study, the factors affecting additional hardening are explored, and a hardening function is proposed. Firstly, the stress and strain states of the specimen under multiaxial loading are analyzed, and the deficiencies of the equivalent strain models are discussed. Secondly, the factors affecting the additional hardening are analyzed from both stress and strain perspectives, and the effect of phase differences on fatigue life is investigated. The stress on the critical plane is considered to reflect its effect on crack initiation and growth. An improved multiaxial low-cycle fatigue life prediction model is developed based on the equivalent strain approach. Finally, experimental data from five metals are used to verify the established model and are compared with existing classical models. The results show that the proposed model has good accuracy.
Effect of Annealing and Hot Isostatic Pressing on the Structure and Hydrogen Embrittlement Resistance of Powder-Bed Fusion-Printed CoCrFeNiMn High-Entropy Alloys
Authors: Feng Shulu , Ai Zhijiu , He Jiayi , Yang Bangjian , Gou Guoqing , Han Lei
Published: March 2023

As an additive-manufacturing (AM) technique, powder-bed fusion (PBF) shows tremendous potential in both the research and industrial communities. Research on the post-treatment of PBF-prepared products is a hot topic. Hydrogen embrittlement (HE) resistance is a practical necessity, especially in microstructures. Here, the effect of annealing and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the properties of PBF technology-printed CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloys (HEAs) is investigated. The results show that these two post-thermal treatment approaches can release residual stress (from approximately 338 to 44 MPa) from PBF-printed samples, which is the main reason for declines in hardness (from approximately 211 to 194 HV). In addition, both annealing and HIP can reduce HE sensitivity, thus improving resistance to HE, with elongation increasing by 75.4% and 85.4% after annealing and HIP, respectively. In summary, both post-thermal treatments are of great significance to the development of HEAs with optimized structures and protection against HE, which can contribute to the development of these behaviors during application.
Effects of Mode of Preparation of Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays on Their Photocatalytic Properties: Application to p-Nitroaniline Degradation
Authors: Alshibeh Alwattar Nisreen , Vacandio Florence , Vassalo Laurent , Djenizian Thierry , Coulomb Bruno , Boudenne Jean-Luc
Published: March 2023

The aim of this study was to investigate the photoactivity of dioxide titanium (TiO2) nanotube films depending on different structure factors including pore size, tube length, tube wall thickness and crystallinity. Aqueous p-nitroaniline was used as a probe to assess the photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide nanotube layers under UV irradiations. Self-organized titanium dioxide nanotube thin films were prepared by electrochemical anodization of titanium (Ti) foils and Ti thin films sputtered onto silicon (Si). The amorphous as-formed titanium nanotube layers were then annealed at different temperatures ranging from 450 to 900 °C in order to form crystalline phases. The structure and the morphology of the films were characterized by surface analysis techniques and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the resulting TiO2 thin films was evaluated by monitoring the UV degradation of p-nitroaniline by UV spectrophotometry and by determining nitrification yields of by ion chromatography. The highest photocatalytic activity was exhibited for titanium nanotubes annealed at 450 °C. The presence of rutile -obtained for an annealing temperature of 900 °C—appeared to reduce the photodegradation yield of p-nitroaniline. Finally, the TiO2 nanotubes obtained from Ti foils revealed the most efficient photocatalytic properties.