bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing Postoperative Glucose Management in CABG Patients: Exploring Early Transition to Subcutaneous Insulin
Authors: Alzghoul Hamza , Weimer Joel , Antigua Abigail , Maule Geran , Ismail Mohamed F. , Althunibat Ward , Reddy Raju , Khan Abdul Ahad , Sher Nehan , Meadows Robyn , Khan Akram
Published: November 2024

Introduction: Tight glycemic control is essential for optimal outcomes after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, regardless of pre-operative diabetes status. The ideal timing for transitioning from intravenous (IV) to subcutaneous (SC) insulin remains unclear. This study addresses this knowledge gap by comparing the effects of early transition (postoperative day 1, POD1) versus delayed transition on glycemic control and patient outcomes after CABG surgery. Methods: We analyzed data from a single tertiary medical center focusing on patients receiving insulin during their CABG hospitalization between 1 and 31 October 2022. We divided patients into two groups based on their transition timing: (1) Delayed Transition Group, patients transitioned from IV insulin infusion to SC insulin after POD1; and (2) Early Transition Group, patients transitioned on POD1. The primary outcome was the incidence of euglycemia on POD1. Secondary outcomes included rates of maintaining euglycemia from POD1 until POD10 or hospital discharge, hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, mean glucose levels, rates of hyperglycemia (blood glucose > 180 mg/dL) and hypoglycemia (blood glucose < 70 mg/dL), and rate of restarting IV insulin. Statistical analysis adjusted for BMI and diabetes diagnosis. Results: A total of 394 patients were enrolled, with 68 patients (17.3%) in the delayed-transition group and 326 patients (82.7%) in the early-transition group. Majority of the patients were males (74%), with an average age of 67 ± 9 years. Mean HbA1C and creatinine levels were comparable between the two groups. Patients in the early-transition group experienced a shorter ICU and hospital length of stay compared to the delayed-transition group, without a higher risk of restarting IV insulin. Conclusions: Early transition from IV insulin drip to SC insulin on POD1 of CABG surgery reduces ICU and hospital LOS without increasing the risk of transitioning back to IV insulin.
Validity and Reliability of Self-Reported Prevalent and Incident Cardiovascular Disease Among Asian Adults
Authors: Sabanayagam Charumathi , He Feng , Chee Miao Li , Cheng Ching-Yu
Published: November 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Asians. We aimed to examine the validity and reliability of self-reported (SR) CVD in 6762 Chinese, Malay, and Indian adults aged 40–80 years who attended the baseline (November 2004) and 6-year follow-up visit (2011–2017) of a population-based cohort study in Singapore. CVD was defined based on the presence of existing (prevalent) or new onset (incident) cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stroke. The validity of SR-CVD was assessed by comparing it against diagnosed CVD using sensitivity and specificity. The reliability of SR-CVD was evaluated by calculating the percentage of positive agreement between baseline and follow-up visits. The sensitivity and specificity of SR-CVD were 62.7% and 93.8% for prevalent SR-CVD and 50.9% and 98.5% for incident SR-CVD. The negative predictive value (NPV) was 98.1% for both prevalent and incident SR-CVD. The reliability of positive self-reports between the baseline and follow-up was substantial, at 85%. The excellent specificity and NPV of SR-CVD suggest that it could serve as a valuable tool for excluding AMI and stroke. However, its moderate sensitivity suggests that positive SR-CVD reports should prompt further clinical evaluation to prevent potential false positives.
Therapeutic Interventions for Pseudomonas Infections in Cystic Fibrosis Patients: A Review of Phase IV Trials
Authors: Alqasmi Mohammed
Published: November 2024

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) poses a significant threat to individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), as this bacterium is highly adaptable and resistant to antibiotics. While early-stage Pa infections can often be eradicated with aggressive antibiotic therapy, chronic infections are nearly impossible to eliminate and require treatments that focus on long-term bacterial suppression. Without such suppression, these persistent infections can severely damage the lungs, leading to serious complications and a reduced life expectancy for CF patients. Evidence for a specific treatment regimen for managing Pa infections in CF patients remains limited. This narrative review provides a detailed analysis of antimicrobial therapies assessed in completed phase IV trials, focusing on their safety and efficacy, especially with prolonged use. Key antibiotics, including tobramycin, colistin, meropenem, aztreonam, ceftolozane/tazobactam, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin, are discussed, emphasizing their use, side effects, and delivery methods. Inhaled antibiotics are preferred for their targeted action and minimal side effects, while systemic antibiotics offer potency but carry risks like nephrotoxicity. The review also explores emerging treatments, such as phage therapy and antibiofilm agents, which show promise in managing chronic infections. Nonetheless, further research is necessary to enhance the safety and effectiveness of existing therapies while investigating new approaches for better long-term outcomes.
Effectiveness and Safety of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Almohareb Sumaya N. , Alfayez Osamah M. , Aljuaid Shoroq S. , Alshahrani Walaa A. , Bakhsh Ghalia , Alshammari Mohammed K. , Al Yami Majed S. , Alshaya Omar A. , Alomran Abdullah S. , Korayem Ghazwa B. , Almohammed Omar A.
Published: November 2024

Background: GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are used in the management of type II diabetes mellitus or obesity, although its role in patients with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been debated. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of GLP-1RA in patients with T1DM using real-world data. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective study was conducted at three tertiary medical centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study followed up patients (>16 years old) with T1DM treated with insulin followed by GLP-1RA add-on therapy. The efficacy outcomes included changes in HbA1c, body weight, and insulin requirements from baseline to each follow-up visit. The main safety outcomes assessed included hypoglycemic events and gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events. Results: The study included 144 patients with a mean age of 33.0 ± 10.1 years. Semaglutide was the most used GLP-1RA (63.9%) followed by liraglutide (34.0%). From baseline to 3-month follow-up, HbA1c (mean difference (MD) = −0.8%; p = 0.0053), weight (MD = −2.4 kg; p = 0.0253), and daily basal insulin dose (MD = −2.1 units; p = 0.0349) were significantly reduced. Likewise, HbA1c (MD = −0.5%; p = 0.0004), weight (MD = −3.6 kg; p < 0.0001), and daily basal insulin (MD = −2.4 units; p = 0.0282) were significantly reduced at the 4–6-month follow-up. The significant reductions in HbA1c, weight, and daily basal insulin levels were consistent for up to 18-month follow-up. Only one patient had a major hypoglycemic event, whereas 8.3% of the patients had GI adverse events. Conclusions: Overall, significant improvements in glycemic control, weight loss, and insulin requirements were observed with the use of GLP-1RA in patients with T1DM, with a limited number of GI adverse events.
The Comparative Effectiveness of Potent P2Y12 Inhibitors Versus Clopidogrel in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction Undergoing PCI: National Registry Data
Authors: Lukács Réka Aliz , Tornyos Dániel , Kupó Péter , Jánosi András , Komócsi András
Published: November 2024

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), which is essential in AMI management, combines aspirin with a P2Y12 receptor antagonist. This study compared the effectiveness of potent P2Y12 inhibitors versus clopidogrel in AMI patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: 65,986 AMI patients included in a nationwide prospective registry who underwent PCI and received DAPT were studied. In total, 9,014 patients received potent P2Y12 inhibitors, and 56,074 received clopidogrel. This study focused on mortality, recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, repeat revascularization, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) over seven years. The analysis utilized unadjusted models and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) to compare prognosis, and decision curve analyses were constructed to aid clinical decision making. Results: Potent P2Y12 inhibitors significantly reduced mortality risk (unadjusted hazard ratio (HR): 0.58; IPTW HR: 0.68) and MACE (unadjusted HR: 0.66; IPTW HR: 0.78). Diabetic patients showed greater benefits (HR:0.45). In patients at high bleeding risk, the mortality rate was 13% (HR: 0.87, p = 0.08). For patients aged 75–79, the HR for mortality was 0.82, whereas for those aged >80 years, it was 0.79, indicating significant mortality risk reduction. Similar trends were observed for MACE. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that potent P2Y12 inhibitors are more effective than clopidogrel in reducing mortality and MACE in patients with AMI and underscored their potential role in improving outcomes across diverse patient subgroups. The trend was consistent even during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the need for personalized DAPT strategies, particularly for high-bleeding-risk patients, and challenge current guidelines favoring clopidogrel use in older patients.
Next-Generation Immunotherapy: Advancing Clinical Applications in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Garg Pankaj , Pareek Siddhika , Kulkarni Prakash , Horne David , Salgia Ravi , Singhal Sharad S.
Published: November 2024

Next-generation immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, offering hope for patients with hard-to-treat tumors. This review focuses on the clinical applications and advancements of key immune-based therapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and new cancer vaccines designed to harness the immune system to combat malignancies. A prime example is the success of pembrolizumab in the treatment of advanced melanoma, underscoring the transformative impact of these therapies. Combination treatments, integrating immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies, are demonstrating synergistic benefits and improving patient outcomes. This review also explores the evolving role of personalized immunotherapy, guided by biomarkers, genomic data, and the tumor environment, to better target individual tumors. Although significant progress has been made, challenges such as resistance, side effects, and high treatment costs persist. Technological innovations, including nanotechnology and artificial intelligence, are explored as future enablers of these therapies. The review evaluates key clinical trials, breakthroughs, and the emerging immune-modulating agents and advanced delivery systems that hold great promise for enhancing treatment efficacy, reducing toxicity, and expanding access to immunotherapy. In conclusion, this review highlights the ongoing advancements in immunotherapy that are reshaping cancer care, with future strategies poised to overcome current challenges and further extend therapeutic reach.
Investigating the Use of Circulating Tumor DNA for Sarcoma Management
Authors: Darville-O’Quinn Paige , Gokgoz Nalan , Tsoi Kim M. , Andrulis Irene L. , Wunder Jay S.
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of cancers, many with high rates of recurrence and metastasis, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Due to a lack of early diagnostic biomarkers, by the time recurrent disease can be clinically detected, it is often extensive and difficult to treat. Here, we sought to investigate methods of detecting ctDNA in sarcoma patient plasma to potentially monitor disease recurrence, progression, and response to treatment. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing of matched tumor and blood samples revealed patient-specific mutations, which were used to develop personalized assays to detect ctDNA in patient plasma. Since ctDNA is present in extremely low quantities, detection requires highly sensitive methodologies. Droplet digital PCR is highly sensitive; however, it is limited in that it can only be used to target one tumor variant at a time. Therefore, a protocol combining multiplex PCR and targeted amplicon sequencing was developed. Results: ddPCR was successfully able to detect tumor-specific mutations in plasma, confirming the presence of ctDNA in sarcoma patients. Multiplex PCR followed by amplicon sequencing was able to detect multiple tumor variants simultaneously, although it was not as sensitive as ddPCR. Additionally, ctDNA was detected in patient plasma collected at two different time points. Conclusions: This work demonstrates that although there is a lack of recurrent biomarkers, personalized assays detecting ctDNA have the potential to be used to monitor disease progression in sarcoma.
The Frozen Elephant Trunk Procedure—8 Years of Experience from Poland
Authors: Burysz Marian , Horosin Grzegorz , Olejek Wojciech , Kowalewski Mariusz , Bartuś Krzysztof , Słomka Artur , Litwinowicz Radosław , Batko Jakub
Published: November 2024

Background: The frozen elephant trunk method combines the implantation of a Dacron prosthesis with a self-expanding stent graft, which allows for complex repairs of the aortic arch and thoracic aorta in one procedure. Despite the advantages of hybrid treatment for aortic arch aneurysms, in Poland, only a few such surgeries are performed annually compared to in Western countries. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the 8-year outcomes of treatment at the center where the Aortic Team operates, which is one of the centers in Poland with the most extensive experience in hybrid FET treatment. Methods: Patients who underwent frozen elephant trunk surgery for chronic and acute pathologies of the aortic arch and thoracic aorta between March 2016 and March 2024 were comprehensively analyzed retrospectively. Frozen elephant trunk procedures were performed under three consecutive clinical conditions: acute aortic dissection, chronic aortic dissection and redo surgery. Results: A total of 40 patients (median age: 60 years (53–66), 67.5% male) were admitted to our hospital and underwent an FET procedure. The median Euroscore II was 25.9% and the 30-day mortality was 7.5%. The 1-year and 5-year mortalities were the same, equal to 15%, with mortality cases observed only in the first and second groups of consecutive patients during the first two months of follow-up. Spinal cord injury was observed in 2.5% of patients. Conclusions: The FET technique can be successfully used to treat aortic aneurysms with optimal results and low complication rates. The surgery length, including the cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times, decreased significantly with increasing experience.
Drug Survival and Clinical Course of Patients with Cancer Treated with Biologic Therapy for Psoriasis
Authors: Macagno Nicole , Mastorino Luca , Ortoncelli Michela , Borriello Silvia , Astrua Chiara , Verrone Anna , Stroppiana Elena , Dapavo Paolo , Siliquini Niccolò , Ribero Simone , Quaglino Pietro
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Patients with treated solid tumors (TST) are a highly heterogeneous and difficult-to-treat population due to the risk of disease progression/recurrence or infection. Methods: We conducted an observational, retrospective, single-center study at the Dermatology Clinic of Turin with a focus on the special population of cancer patients with psoriasis treated with biologics. Results: As of July 2023, 52 psoriatic patients with a prior/concomitant history of malignancy had taken biologic drugs. The median age was 67 years, and the median age of cancer onset was 55 years. The most common tumors were gastrointestinal cancer and melanoma. After the tumor diagnosis, 61% received an anti-IL17 drug; 37 patients continued the initiated biologic therapy, while 12 switched drugs due to secondary inefficacy. The estimated biologic DS was 55.6% at 50 months. Evidence suggests that IL-17 is a key pathogenic factor involved in tumorigenesis, resulting in a lower risk of malignancies in subjects managed with IL-17 inhibitors. Similarly, IL-23 plays a role in suppressing innate immunity and promoting tumor and metastases development. This is a consistent real-life case series that support the use of biologic drugs in patients with TST. Conclusions: IL-23 and IL-17 inhibitors, being immunomodulators rather than immunosuppressants, may be a safe option for patients in an active oncological setting and for immune-correlated adverse events.
Nutritional Indicators of Bone Nonunion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Christianson Eleanor , Thomas Margaret , Sprague Sheila , Rivera Jessica , Chapple Andrew , Zura Robert
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Bone nonunion remains a clinical challenge in orthopedic surgery with significant impacts on mental and physical wellbeing for patients. There are several previously established risk factors of nonunion that are connected to nutrition, but this has yet to be substantially explored. This review seeks to assess all studies that present associations between nutrition and nonunion to understand the potential for clinical relevance in nonunion prevention. Methods: Case–control and cohort studies comparing nonunion risk based on nutritional factors were gathered through PubMed in July 2024. Data were extracted with dual verification through Covidence and assessed for bias using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results: A total of 21 studies were included in this literature review. Vitamin D deficiency was a significant risk factor of nonunion in six studies and not significant in six other studies. Albumin was significant in three of the five studies addressing this lab value. Iron deficiency anemia was significant in a study assessing its impact on nonunion. Calcium was not significant in the one study mentioned. ICD-10-coded malnutrition was significant in one of the two studies. Sarcopenia, nutritional care plans, and dietitian-diagnosed malnutrition were statistically significant clinical indicators for predicting nonunion, but food insecurity was insignificant. Conclusions: Vitamin D, calcium, albumin, iron deficiency anemia, sarcopenia, and clinically diagnosed malnutrition have all been associated with an increased risk of nonunion in observational studies and should be considered when preventing nonunion development.
Exploring the Impact of Blood Draws on the Intraocular Pressure of Older Adults: A Focus on Physiological Responses
Authors: Ramón-Campillo Aida , Bueno-Gimeno Inmaculada , Gene-Morales Javier , Jiménez-Martínez Pablo , Caballero-Luna Oscar , Gené-Sampedro Andrés
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: This study investigated intraocular pressure (IOP) changes after a blood draw in older adults considering sex, age, and baseline IOP. Methods: Fifty-three subjects (54.7% females; age: 68.50 ± 4.46 years; Visual Function Index [VF14]: 94.50 ± 7.50 points; mean contrast sensitivity function (CSF) for both eyes in each spatial frequency [cdp]: 1.5 cdp [1.41 ± 0.20 log], 3 cdp [1.57 ± 0.29 log], 6 cdp [1.45 ± 0.39 log], 12 cdp [1.04 ± 0.40 log], 18 cdp [0.63 ± 0.31 log]) voluntarily participated. Subjects fasted for at least 8 h before attending the laboratory. First, IOP was measured in a seated position using a portable rebound tonometer. Ten minutes after the initial measurement, two 10 mL tubes of blood were drawn. Five minutes after the blood draw IOP was measured again following the same procedure as the initial measurement. We evaluated the differences using an analysis of variance. Results: Significant, but not clinically relevant, decreases were found in the right eye, with small effect sizes (p = 0.013–0.079, d = 0.35). Only males and subjects older than 68 years showed trends toward IOP reduction in the right eye. Subjects with baseline IOP ≥ 14 mmHg experienced significant IOP reductions in both eyes, with moderate effect sizes (p = 0.001–0.002, d = 0.56–0.69). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a blood draw of 20 mL is safe for the IOP levels of older adults with baseline IOP between 11 and 21 mmHg. Variations in IOP were observed based on baseline IOP, sex, and age, suggesting the importance of personalized clinical assessments. The primary factor influencing IOP changes appears to be the baseline IOP level.
Single-Port Versus Reduced-Port (1 + 1) Robotic Myomectomy and Hysterectomy
Authors: Lee So Young , Lee Sa Ra , Song Jae Yen
Published: November 2024

Background: We aimed to investigate the reduced-port (RP) robotic surgery as an alternative to the single-port (SP) robotic surgery by first comparing the surgical outcomes between the two groups. Methods: A total of 184 patients who underwent SP robotic myomectomy (SP-RM, n = 94), RP robotic myomectomy (RP-RM, n = 38), SP robotic hysterectomy (SP-RH, n = 33), or RP robotic hysterectomy (RP-RH, n = 19) from October 2020 to April 2022 were analyzed. An 8 mm skin incision 8–10 cm away from the umbilical incision was made for the RP robotic surgery. Results: Of the total of 184 patients, 166 (90.2%) underwent surgery for leiomyoma followed by adenomyosis (n = 10, 5.44%). None of the cases were converted to laparotomy or added additional ports during surgery. Demographic characteristics and surgical outcomes were comparable between RP-RM and SP-RM and between RP-H and SP-H, respectively. However, more leiomyoma were removed in the RP-RM group than the SP-RM group [median 4.2 (range 1–21) vs. median 2.7 (range 1–11), p = 0.009]. The total operating time was longer in the SP-RH group than the RP-RH group (159.8 ± 55.0 min vs. 113.6 ± 24.6 min, p = 0.001). Conclusions: RP robotic surgery is a feasible and effective surgical option for myomectomy and hysterectomy with cosmetic benefits compared to conventional multiport robotic surgery. In conclusion, for surgeons who cannot use the da Vinci SP, RP robotic surgery using the da Vinci® Xi or Si systems may be an alternative option.
Evaluating Virtual Reality Patient Education in Cardiac Surgery: Impact on Preoperative Anxiety and Postoperative Patient Satisfaction
Authors: el Mathari Sulayman , Kuitert Lieke , Boulidam Noor , Shehadeh Saadullah , Klautz Robert J. M. , de Lind van Wijngaarden Robert , Kluin Jolanda
Published: November 2024

Background/Objectives: Preoperative anxiety in cardiac surgery patients can adversely affect mental well-being and postoperative outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) patient education has been proposed as a novel method to enhance patient education and potentially reduce preoperative anxiety. The VR Patient Journey Trial aimed to evaluate the impact of VR patient education on preoperative anxiety and patient satisfaction compared to traditional education methods. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 121 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Participants were randomized to receive either VR patient education (intervention group) or traditional education (control group). Preoperative anxiety was measured using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information scale (APAIS). Patient satisfaction was assessed postoperatively through a custom questionnaire. Statistical analyses included linear regression and non-parametric testing. Results: Neither STAI nor APAIS scores showed differences in preoperative anxiety between both groups. However, the intervention group reported significantly higher patient satisfaction with the information provided (median score 9 vs. 8; p < 0.001). Furthermore, women reported higher levels of anxiety than men (p = 0.01), and open-ended feedback from participants indicated a need for more detailed information on postoperative rehabilitation and potential risks. Conclusions: The VR Patient Journey Trial revealed that, although VR patient education did not significantly reduce preoperative anxiety levels, it significantly improved patient satisfaction with the information provided. These results suggest that VR patient education can be a valuable addition to preoperative patient programs.
Portland Cement Pastes and Mortars with Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Voicu Georgeta , Badanoiu Alina-Ioana , Stoleriu Stefania-Paula , Nicoara Adrian-Ionut , Holban Alina-Maria
Published: November 2024

This paper brings new information regarding the influence of partial replacement of portland cement with nano silica and mesoscopic ZnO powders in terms of mechanical and antimicrobial properties. The experimental results demonstrate a reduced growth of the opportunistic pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans and an alteration of monospecific biofilm formation when exposed to the cement pastes modified with these additions. The coexistence of silica and ZnO powders modifies the kinetics of portland cement hydration and hardening processes, as well as the nature and composition of resulting compounds. While ZnO powder initially delays the hydration and hardening of portland cement, the addition of nano silica helps alleviate this delay and improves the compressive strengths. The main properties (mechanical strengths and antibacterial properties) of the cement pastes and derived composites (mortars) are assessed and statistically processed to identify the optimum dosage of each component. These materials could be of a particular interest for buildings exposed to conditions favoring microbial colonization, especially health-care facilities where the microbial load of antibiotic resistant and biofilm species is high.
A Study of the Interply Strengthening of CF/PA6 Composites Using Micro-Size Core-Shell Particles
Authors: Sharma Anurag , Joshi Sunil Chandrakant
Published: November 2024

Thermoplastic composites have become increasingly popular due to their numerous benefits. To enhance the performance of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites, many research efforts have been made using various types of fillers. However, the high melting temperature and viscosity of thermoplastic polymer melt present a primary challenge in achieving uniform filler dispersion. Interply strengthening is one of the simplest and most cost-effective techniques for addressing this challenge. This study utilized micro-size core-shell particles that were dispersed using a sieve. The particles were carefully sprinkled onto the sieve, facilitating their controlled dispersion at the ply interface, after which fabric and thermoplastic films were laid on top. The resulting stacked arrangement was then processed using a hot consolidation cycle via compression molding to produce composite laminate. The impact of incorporating core-shell particles on the mechanical performance of carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide 6 (CF/PA6) laminates was investigated. Results showed that adding 4 wt% core-shell particles led to a maximum improvement of 58.99%, 25.62%, 41.56%, and 47.83% in flexural strength and modulus, interply shear strength, and compression strength, respectively, compared to the pristine composites. Stress-strain curves confirmed that the core-shell particles delayed matrix and interlaminar crack propagation. Furthermore, micrographic images indicated improved interaction of CSPs at the ply interfaces. These findings can improve the interply strength of thermoplastic composites and assist designers in achieving higher performance.
Breaking Down the Concept of Students’ Thinking and Reasoning Skills for Implementation in the Classroom
Authors: Hačatrjana Liena , Namsone Dace
Published: November 2024

Various skills related to critical thinking, reasoning, and scientific reasoning are defined as essential for students in policy documents and curricula around the world as essential both in school and in everyday life. However, these concepts are often too vaguely defined and explained for a clear implementation in the classroom. In this conceptual article, the authors propose the following questions: (1) How are the concepts of thinking and reasoning as defined in policy documents reflected in curriculum descriptions across different disciplines? (2) To what extent do reasoning activities and processes overlap across different disciplines? (3) How can reasoning skills (particularly: analysis, evaluation, and creation) be described based on reasoning activities or processes and the outputs or products? Based on the literature review, it is concluded that researchers in various science disciplines have defined the aspects of reasoning that are typical for their respective disciplines, considering content, procedural knowledge, and epistemic knowledge. Meanwhile, looking from the perspective of cognitive psychology, it is concluded that reasoning processes (deductive, inductive, and analogical reasoning) are activated in the mind while students engage in reasoning activities (such as analysis, evaluation, and synthesis). Thus, similar cognitive processes occur in the mind, despite a student working in different disciplines. A conceptual framework is offered in this article showing (1) how reasoning processes and activities manifest themselves in different study domains both from a theoretical perspective and in everyday classroom work; and (2) what kind of outputs could be expected from students based on various reasoning activities. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration is justified so that students develop their reasoning skills holistically, not fragmentarily.
A Tank Experiment of the Autonomous Detection of Seabed-Contacting Segments for Submarine Pipelaying Operations
Authors: Wang Bo , Wang Jie , Zheng Chen , Li Ye , Cao Jian , Li Yueming
Published: November 2024

Due to the weak structural features of pipelines and underwater light attenuation, the complex and harsh environment of the seabed greatly increases the possibility of an underwater autonomous remotely operated vehicle losing a detected seabed-contacting segment during pipe-laying operations. To address this problem, we propose a cascade attention module and a prefusion module with a convolutional neural network. The cascade attention module samples the feature maps in a non-convolutional form to realize the interaction between structure and channels, and the attention map is generated by cascading attention. The prefusion module pre-fuses the three layers of feature maps from different stages in the backbone, and the delicate features of the shallow feature maps are fused with the deeper feature maps to generate richer feature maps with space location and semantic classification information. We conduct experiments to verify our modules, both on the underwater pipeline dataset and in a tank test. The results show that our modules can improve the performance of different neural network models for seabed-contacting segment detection. The target detection and instance segmentation performance of the best model is improved through a 6.3% increase in AP and a 3.8% increase in mean intersection over union compared with the baseline model.
Research on Underwater Sensor Network Adaptive Clustering Algorithm for Marine Environment Monitoring
Authors: Xue Libin , Cao Chunjie , Zhu Rongxin
Published: November 2024

In recent years, underwater environmental monitoring has primarily relied on monitoring systems based on underwater sensor networks (UWSNs). The underwater sensor node using a self-powered monitoring system has not been widely used because of the complicated design and high cost of its energy-harvesting device. Thus, the mobile monitoring nodes within UWSNs are typically powered by batteries with limited energy, and replacement on the seabed is challenging. As a result, optimizing the energy consumption of the mobile monitoring network is of significant importance. The clustering algorithm for UWSNs is acknowledged as a vital approach to balancing and reducing network energy consumption. Nevertheless, most existing clustering algorithms employ fixed schemes to balance the energy consumption among nodes, which are unable to dynamically adapt to changes in network topology and do not account for the complexities of the underwater channel environment, thus not aligning with the actual scenarios of marine environment monitoring. Consequently, this paper introduces an adaptive clustering algorithm for marine environment monitoring (MEMAC). The algorithm incorporates the multipath channel information of the underwater environment and the traffic weight between nodes into the probability model to calculate the probability of the node being elected as the cluster head (CH). The final calculated expected revenues are the user’s revenues after participating in the game under the influence of the multipath effect, and the revenues of all users jointly determine the performance of the clustering algorithm proposed in this paper. When the energy consumption of the CH node is too much and needs to be rotated, MEMAC, through a CH rotation mechanism and a comprehensive analysis of the overall remaining energy of the network, further optimizes the CH selection strategy while ensuring network stability. Simulation results indicate that the network lifetime of the proposed MEMAC method is extended by 58.9% and 19.17% compared to the two latest clustering algorithms, the Game Theory-Based Clustering Scheme (GTC) and the Centralized Control-Based Clustering Scheme (CCCS), respectively. This demonstrates that the algorithm can achieve efficient energy utilization and notably enhance network performance.
Estimation of Tug Pulling Power (Bollard Pull) and Number of Tugs Required During Ship Mooring Operations
Authors: Paulauskas Vytautas , Paulauskas Donatas , Simutis Martynas
Published: November 2024

Harbour tugs are usually used to moor ships if large ships do not have their own additional propulsion devices (thrusters). Alternatively, during ship loading operations, ships sometimes have to be transferred from one quay to another, and in some cases, port users (shipping companies or other companies) have to pay for port tug services. In such cases, it is very important to guarantee the safety of shipping during mooring operations and to use tugboats optimally and at the same time reduce the cost of tugboat services for ship operators and other companies. For the optimal use of tugboats, it is very important to accurately estimate the required traction force (bollard pull) of tugboats and their quantity, taking into account the parameters of moored ships, the locations of berths, hydro-meteorological and hydrological conditions, and clearance (the gap between the ship’s hull and the bottom of the water area), in order to guarantee the safety of navigation and not to order an excess of tugboats in terms of their quantity and powers. This article presents a methodology developed for estimating the required bollard pull and the number of tugs, taking into account the parameters of the ship, hydro-meteorological and hydrological conditions, clearance, and the locations of berths. The developed methodology for estimating the number of tugboats and their traction force (bollard pull) was tested in real conditions (with real ships and tugboats) and using a calibrated simulator, and we found that it can be successfully applied in any port or other complex shipping area by adapting it to specific conditions. The developed methodology for calculating the traction power (bollard pull) of tugboats allows us to determine the required traction force of tugboats in advance with sufficient accuracy, achieved by assessing the specific parameters and environmental conditions of the vessel served by tugboats. In the most difficult areas of the port, in terms of the use of tugboats, this methodology allows us to make reasonable decisions regarding the number of tugboats and the traction force (bollard pull) required and at the same time reduces the risk of emergency situations.
Variability in Water Temperature Vertical Distribution and Advective Influences: Observations from Early Summer 2021 in the Central Yellow Sea
Authors: Kim Baekjin , Kim Seonghyeon , Kwon Soonyeol , Kang Donhyug , Kim Eung
Published: November 2024

To analyze variations in the vertical distribution of water temperatures and the impact of advection in the central Yellow Sea, multi-layer water temperature and current observations were conducted from 31 May to 8 June 2021. Water temperatures exhibited a typical three-layer summer structure, with a uniform deep-layer temperature averaging 8.23 ± 0.05 °C. The current field was dominated by northeast–southwest tidal currents, but residual current characteristics indicated that non-tidal components significantly influenced circulation. Water temperature changes lagged tidal changes by about 3 h, with strong correlations (R > 0.7), especially in deep layers. Residual currents showed significant correlations with water temperature variations, which were attributed to advective displacement or baroclinic currents. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) and complex EOF analyses revealed that thermocline variations (T1, explaining approximately 75% of total variance) were driven by strong northward (C1, approximately 34%) and cyclonic (C2, approximately 32%) advection. In deep layers, slight temperature changes were caused by southward Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (C1) and northward Yellow Sea Warm Current Water (C2) propagation. This study confirms that vertical water temperature variations result from a complex interaction between various advection patterns, with southward tide-induced residual currents (C3, approximately 12%) playing a key dynamic role.
A Low-Cost Communication-Based Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Positioning System
Authors: Garin Raphaël , Bouvet Pierre-Jean , Tomasi Beatrice , Forjonel Philippe , Vanwynsberghe Charles
Published: November 2024

Underwater unmanned vehicles are complementary with human presence and manned vehicles for deeper and more complex environments. An autonomous underwater vechicle (AUV) has automation and long-range capacity compared to a cable-guided remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Navigation of AUVs is challenging due to the high absorption of radio-frequency signals underwater and the absence of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). As a result, most navigation algorithms rely on inertial and acoustic signals; precise localization is then costly in addition to being independent from acoustic data communication. The purpose of this paper is to propose and analyze the performance of a novel low-cost simultaneous communication and localization algorithm. The considered scenario consists of an AUV that acoustically sends sensor or status data to a single fixed beacon. By estimating the Doppler shift and the range from this data exchange, the algorithm can provide a location estimate of the AUV. Using a robust state estimator, we analyze the algorithm over a survey path used for AUV mission planning both in numerical simulations and at-sea experiments.
A Peridynamics-Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics Coupling Method for Fluid-Structure Interaction
Authors: Cao Chengjie , Gu Chenxu , Wang Chao , Wang Chunhui , Xu Pei , Wang Hui
Published: November 2024

Ice–water interaction is a critical issue of engineering studies in polar regions. This paper proposes a methodology to simulate fluid–ice interactions by employing a structure modeled using ordinary state-based peridynamics (OSB-PD) within a smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) framework, effectively representing a deformable moving boundary. The forces at the fluid–structure interface are delineated by solving the fluid motion equations for normal forces exerted by the fluid on the structure, grounded in the momentum conservation law. Upon validating the PD and SPH methods, a dam break flowing through an elastic gate was simulated. When compared with experimental results, the model exhibited discrepancies of 3.8%, 0.5%, and 4.6% in the maximum horizontal displacement, maximum vertical displacement, and the waterline deviation (W = 0.05 m), respectively. Moreover, the method demonstrated a high degree of accuracy in simulating the fracture of in-situ cantilever ice beams, with deflection closely matching experimental data and a 7.4% error in maximum loading force. The proposed PD-SPH coupling approach demonstrates its effectiveness in capturing the complex fluid–structure interactions and provides a valuable tool for studying the deformation and fracture of structures under the influence of fluid forces.
Formation Mechanism and Petroleum Geological Significance of (Ferro) Dolomite Veins from Fractured Reservoirs in Granite Buried Hills: Insights from Qiongdongnan Basin, South China Sea
Authors: Duan Wei , Luo Cheng-Fei , Shi Lin , Chen Jin-Ding , Li Chun-Feng
Published: November 2024

This study employs logging, petrology, and geochemistry to investigate the characteristics, origin, and hydrocarbon significance of fractures and (ferro) dolomite veins in a buried hill in the Qiongdongnan (QDN) Basin, South China Sea. We show that the study area is mainly characterized by three stages of fracturing with medium-high dipping angles. The orientation of the fractures is mainly NNW–SSE, consistent with the fault system strike formed by the Mesozoic–Cenozoic tectonic activity in the basin. (Ferro) dolomite veins in the fractures can be classified into three stages, all of which can be even observed in individual fractures. The first stage is the powdery crystal dolomite veins grown mainly on the fracture surface, which have the highest strontium isotope values, as well as high contents of the Mg element and extremely low contents of the Fe and Mn elements. The first-stage veins were formed in a relatively open oxidized environment, and the vein-forming fluids exhibit characteristics of mixing formation water and atmospheric freshwater within the fractures. The second stage, involving fine-crystal dolomite veins, was formed in a buried diagenetic environment where groundwater mixed with deep hydrothermal fluids, and contained the highest carbon isotope values, more Fe and Mn elements, and less Mg element than the first stage. The third stage of medium-crystal ankerite veins was formed in the latest stage, with the lowest strontium and oxygen isotope values. This was mainly a result of deep hydrothermal formation in which the rock-forming material formed from the interaction between the hydrothermal fluid and the iron-rich and aluminosilicate minerals in the surrounding granite of the fractures. We conclude that the multi-phase tectonic movements form a massive scale reticulated fracture inside the granite buried hill, which effectively improves the physical condition of the gas reservoirs. The gas reservoirs remain of high quality, despite the filling of the three stages of (ferro) dolomite veins.
Determination of the Effects of Pear-Morchella Intercropping Mode on M. sextelata Quality, Yield, and Soil Microbial Community
Authors: Liu Xiao , Liu Jun-Zhe , Liu Jing , Zhang Jing , Wang Chun-Lei
Published: November 2024

The intercropping of Morchella in pear orchards has important production value in improving the utilization rate and economic benefits of the orchard; however, there is little research on the intercropping model of pear-Morchella. In this study, metabolomics analysis found that compared with greenhouse cultivation, there were 104 and 142 metabolites significantly increased and decreased in the intercropping mode of M. sextelata, respectively. Among them, there was a significant accumulation of amino acids (phenylalanine, lysine, proline, citrulline, and ornithine), sugars (arabinitol and glucosamine), and organic acids (quinic acid, fumaric acid, and malic acid) related to the unique taste of Morchella in intercropping cultivation. In addition, research on the cultivation model using exogenous nutrient bags indicated that placing the density of six exogenous nutrient bags per square meter was most suitable for yield formation. Adding pear sawdust to the nutrient bags (PN) significantly increased the yield of morel per unit area. Moreover, soil microbial community analysis showed that fungal alpha diversity dramatically declined in PN-cultivated soil, which decreased the relative abundance of soil-borne fungal pathogens, including Fusarium and Aspergillus. Some beneficial soil bacteria abundance increased in the PN-used soil, such as Pedobacter, Pseudomonas, and Devosia. This study provides novel insights into the effects of intercropping on the internal quality of Morchella and enriches the theoretical knowledge on the consummation of the pear-Morchella model formation, further improving agricultural resource utilization efficiency and crop productivity.
A Simple Physical Examination Predicts Cognitive Decline in Very Mild Dementia
Authors: Lin Li-Han , Chuang Karen Y. C. , Hsu Chung-Yao , Chen Nai-Ching , Huang Jyun-Bin , Pan Hsiu-Yung , Chuang Yao-Chung
Published: November 2024

Background: Different exercises have different effects upon physical fitness and cognitive domains. In this context, physical fitness behaviors have been identified as a contributing factor to cognitive decline in patients with very mild dementia. The present study aimed to further determine baseline senior fitness behaviors in patients with very mild dementia and possible factors related to rapid cognitive decline. Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed in a medical center in Taiwan, involving 132 patients with very mild dementia who were followed-up over 1 year. Assessments included the Senior Fitness Test (physical function), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale. Patients with a decline in MMSE of at least 2 points within 1 year were defined as having rapid cognitive decline. Results: Age, sex, years of education, and baseline MMSE did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). At 1 year of follow-up, dietary habits and comorbidities did not differ between the rapid decline and not-rapid decline groups. At 1 year, performance on the right back scratch test was significantly better in the not-rapid decline group compared with the rapid decline group (−14 [−39–37.5] cm vs. −17 [−57–7] cm; p = 0.038). In a multiple regression analysis, the only factor that was significantly associated with rapid cognitive decline was the right back scratch test (p = 0.022). Conclusions: Despite the similarity in the status of dementia, the right hand back scratch test appears to serve an important function in detecting cognitive decline in patients with very mild dementia.
A Novel RUL-Centric Data Augmentation Method for Predicting the Remaining Useful Life of Bearings
Authors: He Miao , Li Zhonghua , Hu Fangchao
Published: November 2024

Maintaining the reliability of rotating machinery in industrial environments entails significant challenges. The objective of this paper is to develop a methodology that can accurately predict the condition of rotating machinery in order to facilitate the implementation of effective preventive maintenance strategies. This article proposed a novel RUL-centric data augmentation method, designated as DF-MDAGRU, for the purpose of predicting the remaining useful life (RUL) of bearings. This model is based on an encoder–decoder framework that integrates time–frequency domain feature enhancement with multidimensional dynamic attention gated recurrent units for feature extraction. This method enhances time–frequency domain features through the Discrete Wavelet Downsampling module (DWD) and Convolutional Fourier Residual Block (CFRB). This method employs a Multiscale Channel Attention Module (MS-CAM) and a Multiscale Convolutional Spatial Attention Mechanism (MSSAM) to extract channel and spatial feature information. Finally, the output predictions are processed through linear regression to achieve the final RUL estimation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms other state-of-the-art approaches on the FEMETO-ST and XJTU datasets.