bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Primary Tumor Location on Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Patients with Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with Radical Nephroureterectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Krajewski Wojciech , Nowak Łukasz , Małkiewicz Bartosz , Chorbińska Joanna , Kiełb Paweł , Poterek Adrian , Sporniak Bartłomiej , Sut Michał , Moschini Marco , Lonati Chiara , Carando Roberto , Teoh Jeremy Yuen-Chun , Mori Keiichiro , Kaliszewski Krzysztof , Szydełko Tomasz ,   on behalf of the European Association of Urology–Young Academic Urologists (EAU–YAU) Urothelial Carcinoma Working Group
Published: December 2021

Background: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) accounts for up to 10% of all urothelial neoplasms. Currently, various tumor-related factors are proposed to be of importance in UTUC prognostic models; however, the association of the primary UTUC location with oncological outcomes remains controversial. Thus, we sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the latest available evidence and assess the impact of primary tumor location on long-term oncological outcomes in patients with UTUC undergoing radical nephroureterectomy. Materials and Methods: A computerized systematic literature search was conducted in October 2021 through the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. The primary endpoint was cancer-specific survival (CSS), and the secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Effect measures for the analyzed outcomes were reported hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Among the total number of 16,836 UTUC in 17 included studies, 10,537 (62.6%) were renal pelvic tumors (RPTs), and 6299 (37.4%) were ureteral tumors (UTs). Pooled results indicated that patients with UT had significantly worse CSS (HR: 1.37, p < 0.001), OS (HR: 1.26, p = 0.003, and DFS (HR: 1.51, p < 0.001) compared to patients with RPT. Based on performed subgroup analyses, we identified different definitions of primary tumor location and geographical region as potential sources of heterogeneity. Conclusions: Ureteral location of UTUC is associated with significantly worse long-term oncological outcomes. Our results support the need for close follow-up and the consideration of perioperative chemotherapy in patients with UTUC located in the ureter. However, further prospective studies are needed to draw final conclusions.
Making More Womb: Clinical Perspectives Supporting the Development and Utilization of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Endometrial Regeneration and Infertility
Authors: Strug Michael , Aghajanova Lusine
Published: December 2021

The uterus is a homeostatic organ, unwavering in the setting of monthly endometrial turnover, placental invasion, and parturition. In response to ovarian steroid hormones, the endometrium autologously prepares for embryo implantation and in its absence will shed and regenerate. Dysfunctional endometrial repair and regeneration may present clinically with infertility and abnormal menses. Asherman’s syndrome is characterized by intrauterine adhesions and atrophic endometrium, which often impacts fertility. Clinical management of infertility associated with abnormal endometrium represents a significant challenge. Endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) occupy a perivascular niche and contain regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Given these characteristics, mesenchymal stem cells of endometrial and non-endometrial origin (bone marrow, adipose, placental) have been investigated for therapeutic purposes. Local administration of human MSC in animal models of endometrial injury reduces collagen deposition, improves angiogenesis, decreases inflammation, and improves fertility. Small clinical studies of autologous MSC administration in infertile women with Asherman’s Syndrome suggested their potential to restore endometrial function as evidenced by increased endometrial thickness, decreased adhesions, and fertility. The objective of this review is to highlight translational and clinical studies investigating the use of MSC for endometrial dysfunction and infertility and to summarize the current state of the art in this promising area.
Lifestyle Variables Such as Daily Internet Use, as Promising Protective Factors against Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Subjective Memory Complaints. Preliminary Results
Authors: Ramos Hernán , Alacreu Mónica , Guerrero María Dolores , Sánchez Rafael , Moreno Lucrecia
Published: December 2021

Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) may be important markers in the prediction of cognitive deterioration. The aim of this study was to find associations between individual lifestyle factors, which may contribute to cognitive impairment (CI) in people with SMCs and to conduct a literature review on the relationship between internet use and CI in subjects over 50 years old, as a related factor. This was a case-controlled study that included 497 subjects aged over 50 years with SMCs who were recruited from 19 community pharmacies. Three screening tests were used to detect possible CIs, and individuals with at least one test result compatible with a CI were referred to primary care for evaluation. Having self-referred SMC increased the odds of obtaining scores compatible with CI and this factor was significantly related to having feelings of depression (OR = 2.24, 95% CI [1.34, 3.90]), taking anxiolytics or antidepressants (OR = 1.93, 95% CI [1.23, 3.05]), and being female (OR = 1.83, 95% CI [1.15, 2.88]). Thirty percent of our sample obtained scores compatible with CI. Age over 70 years increased the odds of obtaining scores compatible with CI. A high-level education, reading, and daily internet use were factors associated with a reduced risk of positive scores compatible with CI (37–91%, 7–18%, and 67–86%, respectively), while one extra hour television per day increased the risk by 8–30%. Among others, modifiable lifestyle factors such as reading, and daily internet usage may slow down cognitive decline in patients over 50 with SMCs. Four longitudinal studies and one quasi-experimental study found internet use to be beneficial against CI in patients over 50 years of age.
Chronic Kidney Disease and Its Relationship with Mental Health: Allostatic Load Perspective for Integrated Care
Authors: Guerra Federica , Di Giacomo Dina , Ranieri Jessica , Tunno Marilena , Piscitani Luca , Ferri Claudio
Published: December 2021

Background: Chronic renal failure is a chronic medical condition characterized by a progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function. Up to 50% of patients undergoing dialysis experience symptoms of depression and anxiety: what is the impact of individual factors and medical conditions on the mental health issue? The present study was carried out to investigate the individual factors (biomarkers and psychological dimensions) of end-stage renal disease patients dealing with dialysis, analyzing their predictor values for developing negative disease adaptations by an allostatic paradigm. Methods: We conducted an observational study on 35 patients affected by end-stage renal disease; biological and psychological markers have been detected. We conducted descriptive statistical analyses (t-tests) and performed a hierarchical regression analysis to investigate the relationship between pathological medical conditions and psychological dimensions. Results: The findings showed a positive correlation between creatinine levels and psychological distress as well as stress index. No significant effect of “time of dialysis”, “time from diagnosis”, “age” and “personality traits” was found. Conclusion: Our findings showed that personality traits did not represent a protective factor by moderating positive emotional adaptations; conversely, creatinine levels appeared predictive for negative emotional adaptations. High levels of creatinine were found to be positively associated with high stress levels as well psychological distress. According to the allostatic paradigm, end-stage renal disease patients could experience an allostatic load and more overload towards poor health outcomes; integrated biological and psychological measurements could prevent increased negative mental health through a patient-centered approach.
Challenges and Opportunities for Public Participation in Urban and Regional Planning during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Lessons Learned for the Future
Authors: Pantić Marijana , Cilliers Juaneé , Cimadomo Guido , Montaño Fernando , Olufemi Olusola , Torres Mallma Sally , van den Berg Johan
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred significant changes in the fields of economic development, social issues, everyday life, etc. Activities that used to depend on face-to-face communication were firstly suspended and then shifted to new forms of communication. This includes the public participation process in urban and spatial planning. Therefore, this study explores the new domain developed in urban and spatial planning with regard to public participation and surmises future realms in the post-pandemic era. On the occasion of the virtual collaboration platform Cyber Agora organized by the ISOCARP (International Society of City and Regional Planners), chosen participants got together virtually to share, discuss, and compare their practical knowledge in public participation before and during COVID-19. In addition, they addressed the potential benefits of shifting from traditional to virtual participation and potential benefits in the post-COVID-19 era. Considering the collected data and understanding them in the light of the available literature, this study concludes that the application of a combined approach (using both traditional and virtual modes of participation) is recommended because it would enable a larger number and higher diversity of participants. The study also elaborates particular modes of virtual participation with the pros and cons of their use in a particular context.
Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey
Authors: Arslan Dilara , Çiçek Kerim , Döndüren Ömer , Ernoul Lisa
Published: December 2021

Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systematic identification of threats to find sustainable conservation strategies. In this case study, we evaluated current threats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey) using a multi-method approach. First, we did a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify existing threats. We then did a complete survey of the Delta through intensive fieldwork. The threats were coded and ranked using the conservation standards. We used the threat ranking and field survey to map the most vulnerable areas of the Delta. The most commonly observed threats in the field were pollution and agriculture and aquaculture activities. According to the threat ranking, the most important threats are climate change and residential and commercial development. The habitats that are most at risk are agricultural grassland habitats. The results indicate a need to extend conservation actions in the inner part of the Delta. In addition, the multi-method threat ranking approach could serve as a model to improve conservation planning in other sites worldwide.
Crop Intensity Mapping Using Dynamic Time Warping and Machine Learning from Multi-Temporal PlanetScope Data
Authors: Rafif Raihan , Kusuma Sandiaga Swahyu , Saringatin Siti , Nanda Giara Iman , Wicaksono Pramaditya , Arjasakusuma Sanjiwana
Published: December 2021

Crop intensity information describes the productivity and the sustainability of agricultural land. This information can be used to determine which agricultural lands should be prioritized for intensification or protection. Time-series data from remote sensing can be used to derive the crop intensity information; however, this application is limited when using medium to coarse resolution data. This study aims to use 3.7 m-PlanetScope™ Dove constellation data, which provides daily observations, to map crop intensity information for agricultural land in Magelang District, Indonesia. Two-stage histogram matching, before and after the monthly median composites, is used to normalize the PlanetScope data and to generate monthly data to map crop intensity information. Several methods including Time-Weighted Dynamic Time Warping (TWDTW) and the machine-learning algorithms: Random Forest (RF), Extremely Randomized Trees (ET), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) are employed in this study, and the results are validated using field survey data. Our results show that XGB generated the highest overall accuracy (OA) (95 ± 4%), followed by RF (92 ± 5%), ET (87 ± 6%), and TWDTW (81 ± 8%), for mapping four-classes of cropping intensity, with the near-infrared (NIR) band being the most important variable for identifying cropping intensity. This study demonstrates the potential of PlanetScope data for the production of cropping intensity maps at detailed resolutions.
A Framework for Reviewing Silvopastoralism: A New Zealand Hill Country Case Study
Authors: Mackay-Smith Thomas H. , Burkitt Lucy , Reid Janet , López Ignacio F. , Phillips Chris
Published: December 2021

Silvopastoral systems can be innovative solutions to agricultural environmental degradation, especially in hilly and mountainous regions. A framework that expresses the holistic nature of silvopastoral systems is required so research directions can be unbiased and informed. This paper presents a novel framework that relates the full range of known silvopastoral outcomes to bio-physical tree attributes, and uses it to generate research priorities for a New Zealand hill country case study. Current research is reviewed and compared for poplar (Populus spp.), the most commonly planted silvopastoral tree in New Zealand hill country, and kānuka (Kunzea spp.), a novel and potentially promising native alternative. The framework highlights the many potential benefits of kānuka, many of which are underappreciated hill country silvopastoral outcomes, and draws attention to the specific outcome research gaps for poplar, despite their widespread use. The framework provides a formalised tool for reviewing and generating research priorities for silvopastoral trees, and provides a clear example of how it can be used to inform research directions in silvopastoral systems, globally.
Sub-Watershed Parameter Transplantation Method for Non-Point Source Pollution Estimation in Complex Underlying Surface Environment
Authors: Chen Xuekai , He Guojian , Liu Xiaobo , Li Bogen , Peng Wenqi , Dong Fei , Huang Aiping , Wang Weijie , Lian Qiuyue
Published: December 2021

The prevention and control of non-point source pollution is an important link in managing basin water quality and is an important factor governing the environmental protection of watershed water in China over the next few decades. The control of non-point source pollution relies on the recognition of the amount, location, and influencing factors. The watershed nonpoint source pollution mechanism model is an effective method to address the issue. However, due to the complexity and randomness of non-point source pollution, both the development and application of the watershed water environment model have always focused on the accuracy and rationality of model parameters. In this pursuit, the present study envisaged the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of non-point source pollution caused by the complex underlying surface conditions of the watershed, and the insufficient coverage of hydrological and water quality monitoring stations. A refined watershed non-point source pollution simulation method, combining the Monte Carlo analytic hierarchy process (MCAHP) and the sub-watershed parameter transplantation method (SWPT), was established on the basis of the migration and transformation theory of the non-point source pollution, considering the index selection, watershed division, sub-watershed simulation, and parameter migration. Taking the Erhai Lake, a typical plateau lake in China, as the representative research object, the MCAHP method effectively reduced the uncertainty of the weights of the watershed division indexes compared to the traditional AHP method. Furthermore, compared to the traditional all watershed parameter simulation (AWPS) approach, the simulation accuracy was improved by 40% using the SWPT method, which is important for the prevention and control of non-point source pollution in large-scale watersheds with significant differences in climatic and topographic conditions. Based on the simulation results, the key factors affecting the load of the non-point source pollution in the Erhai watershed were identified. The results showed that the agricultural land in Erhai Lake contributed a majority of the load for several reasons, including the application of nitro phosphor complex fertilizer. Among the different soil types, paddy soil was responsible for the largest pollution load of total nitrogen and total phosphorus discharge into the lake. The zones with slopes of 0–18° were found to be the appropriate area for farming. Our study presents technical methods for the assessment, prevention, and control of non-point source pollution load in complex watersheds.
Conformational Consequences for Compatible Osmolytes on Thermal Denaturation
Authors: Shukla Nimesh , Bembenek Brianna , Taylor Erika A. , Othon Christina M.
Published: December 2021

Compatible osmolytes are a broad class of small organic molecules employed by living systems to combat environmental stress by enhancing the native protein structure. The molecular features that make for a superior biopreservation remain elusive. Through the use of time-resolved and steady-state spectroscopic techniques, in combination with molecular simulation, insight into what makes one molecule a more effective compatible osmolyte can be gained. Disaccharides differing only in their glycosidic bonds can exhibit different degrees of stabilization against thermal denaturation. The degree to which each sugar is preferentially excluded may explain these differences. The present work examines the biopreservation and hydration of trehalose, maltose, and gentiobiose.
Molecular Pathogenesis and the Possible Role of Mitochondrial Heteroplasmy in Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Authors: Suslov A. V. , Afanasyev M. A. , Degtyarev P. A. , Chumachenko P. V. , Ekta M. Bagheri , Sukhorukov V. N. , Khotina V. A. , Yet S.-F. , Sobenin I. A. , Postnov A. Yu
Published: December 2021

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality, in which the aortic wall is deformed due to congenital or age-associated pathological changes. The mechanisms of TAA development remain to be studied in detail, and are the subject of active research. In this review, we describe the morphological changes of the aortic wall in TAA. We outline the genetic disorders associated with aortic enlargement and discuss the potential role of mitochondrial pathology, in particular mitochondrial DNA heteroplasmy, in the disease pathogenesis.
The Most Common Functional Disorders and Factors Affecting Female Pelvic Floor
Authors: Tim Sabina , Mazur-Bialy Agnieszka I.
Published: December 2021

The pelvic floor (PF) is made of muscles, ligaments, and fascia, which ensure organ statics, maintain muscle tone, and are involved in contractions. This review describes the myofascial relationships of PF with other parts of the body that determine the proper functions of PF, and also provides insight into PF disorders and the factors contributing to them. PF plays an important role in continence, pelvic support, micturition, defecation, sexual function, childbirth, and locomotion, as well as in stabilizing body posture and breathing, and cooperates with the diaphragm and postural muscles. In addition, PF associates with distant parts of the body, such as the feet and neck, through myofascial connections. Due to tissue continuity, functional disorders of muscles, ligaments, and fascia, even in the areas that are distant from PF, will lead to PF disorders, including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, prolapse, sexual dysfunction, and pain. Dysfunctions of PF will also affect the rest of the body.
Deficiency of MMP-10 Aggravates the Diseased Phenotype of Aged Dystrophic Mice
Authors: Baraibar-Churio Arantxa , Bobadilla Míriam , Machado Florencio J. D. , Sáinz Neira , Roncal Carmen , Abizanda Gloria , Prósper Felipe , Orbe Josune , Pérez-Ruiz Ana
Published: December 2021

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the progression of muscular dystrophy, and recent studies have reported the role of MMP-10 in skeletal muscle pathology of young dystrophic mice. Nevertheless, its involvement in dystrophin-deficient hearts remains unexplored. Here, we aimed to investigate the involvement of MMP-10 in the progression of severe muscular dystrophy and to characterize MMP-10 loss in skeletal and cardiac muscles of aged dystrophic mice. We examined the histopathological effect of MMP-10 ablation in aged mdx mice, both in the hind limb muscles and heart tissues. We found that MMP-10 loss compromises survival rates of aged mdx mice, with skeletal and cardiac muscles developing a chronic inflammatory response. Our findings indicate that MMP-10 is implicated in severe muscular dystrophy progression, thus identifying a new area of research that could lead to future therapies for dystrophic muscles.
Predictive Factors for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development after Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment of HCV
Authors: Macek Jilkova Zuzana , Saleem Komal , Afzal Samia , Decaens Thomas
Published: December 2021

Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is still one of the major risk factors for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most frequent type of primary liver cancer. Direct-acting antivirals have substantially improved the cure rate of the virus, but the risk of hepatitis C virus-related HCC remains high, mainly in patients with advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. HCC is often asymptomatic and, therefore, remains undetected until the late tumor stage, which is associated with poor survival rates. Therefore, to improve the surveillance programs following HCV eradication, there is a need to summarize predictive factors or potential biomarkers, to specifically identify patients likely to develop HCC after direct-acting antiviral treatment. This review outlines the most recent data about different predictive factors for HCC development after direct-acting antiviral treatment of hepatitis C virus-infected patients, to improve the clinical management of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus.
Antimicrobial Activity of 3D-Printed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Polymer-Coated with Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Tse Isabel , Jay Atishay , Na Ina , Murphy Sean , Niño-Martínez Nereida , Martínez-Castañon Gabriel Alejandro , Magrill Jamie , Bach Horacio
Published: December 2021

Medical devices with antimicrobial properties are a potential long-term solution to the high rate of multi-drug-resistant healthcare-associated infections. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are an established agent for effectively eliminating a wide range of microbial strains. AgNPs have been commonly incorporated into traditional plastic materials; however, recently, there has been increased interest in using AgNPs combined with 3D-printing technology for medical devices due to the accessibility and customizability of 3D-printed products. This study reports a novel method of utilizing acetone to partially dissolve 3D-printed polymer acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic to attach a layer of AgNPs. The antimicrobial properties of this AgNP-coated surface were tested against several microbial strains prevalent in healthcare-associated infections. AgNP-coated ABS (AgNP-ABS) plastic demonstrated significant elimination of viable bacteria within 4 h for all tested bacterial species (Acinetobacter baumannii, non-pathogenic and pathogenic Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and within 19 h for the tested fungus Candida albicans. The longevity of adhesion of AgNPs to the ABS plastic was assessed by checking antibacterial activity against A. baumannii after repeat use cycles. AgNP-ABS plastic showed decreased antibacterial efficacy with repeated use but maintained the ability to eliminate microbes within 3 h for up to eight use cycles. The AgNP-coated ABS plastic showed efficacy as an antimicrobial surface, and future studies will consider its applicability in the production of medical devices.
Experimental Study on Bead on Plate (BOP) Welding of 6 mm Thick 9% Nickel Steel by Fiber Laser Welding
Authors: Kim Jaewoong , Pyo Changmin , Kim Yonghyun , Kang Sungwook , Yeo Taegon , Chun Kwangsan , Kim Du-Song
Published: December 2021

Nine percent nickel steel has excellent properties in a cryogenic environment, so it has recently been used as a tank material for most LNG fuel-powered ships. However, 9% nickel steel causes arc deflection due to its tendency of magnetization during manual FCAW welding and the currently used filler metal is 10–25 times more expensive as a base metal compared to other materials, depending on manufacturers. Furthermore, the properties of its filler metal cause limitation in the welding position. To overcome these disadvantages, in this study, the tendency of penetration shape was analyzed through a fiber laser Bead on Plate (BOP) welding for 9% nickel steel with a thickness of 6 mm and a range of welding conditions for 1-pass laser butt welding of 6 mm thick 9% nickel steel with I-Groove were derived. Through this study, basic data capable of deriving optimal conditions for laser butt welding of 9% nickel steel with a thickness of 6 mm were obtained.
Kinetics Study of Al Extraction from Desilicated Coal Fly Ash by NaOH at Atmospheric Pressure
Authors: Shoppert Andrei , Loginova Irina , Valeev Dmitry
Published: December 2021

The most promising source of alumina in the 21st century is the coal fly ash (CFA) waste of coal-fired thermal plants. The methods of alumina extraction from CFA are often based on the pressure alkaline or acid leaching or preliminary roasting with different additives followed by water leaching. The efficiency of the alumina extraction from CFA under atmospheric pressure leaching is low due to the high content of acid-insoluble alumina phase mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2). This research for the first time shows the possibility of mullite leaching under atmospheric pressure after preliminary desilication using high liquid to solid ratios (L:S ratio) and Na2O concentration. The analysis of the desilicated CFA (DCFA) chemical and phase composition before and after leaching has been carried out by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology and elemental composition of solid product particles has been carried out by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). An automated neural network and a shrinking core model (SCM) were used to evaluate experimental data. The Al extraction efficiency from DCFA has been more than 84% at T = 120 °C, leaching time 60 min, the L/S ratio > 20, and concentration of Na2O—400 g L−1. The kinetics analysis by SCM has shown that the surface chemical reaction controls the leaching process rate at T < 110 °C, and, at T > 110 °C after 15 min of leaching, the process is limited by diffusion through the product layer, which can be represented by titanium compounds. According to the SEM-EDX analysis of the solid residue, the magnetite spheres and mullite acicular particles were the main phases that remained after NaOH leaching. The spheric agglomerates of mullite particles with non-porous surface have also been found.
Application of Surfactant Modified Natural Zeolites for the Removal of Salicylic Acid—A Contaminant of Emerging Concern
Authors: Smiljanić Danijela , Daković Aleksandra , Obradović Milena , Ožegović Milica , Izzo Francesco , Germinario Chiara , de Gennaro Bruno
Published: December 2021

This work aimed to test composites (surfactant modified zeolites prepared by treatment of natural zeolites—clinoptilolite (IZ CLI) and/or phillipsite (PHIL75)-rich tuffs with two different amounts of cationic surfactants: cetylpyridinium chloride (CPyCl) and Arquad® 2HT-75 (ARQ)) for the adsorption of salicylic acid (SA)—a common contaminant of emerging concern. Adsorption of SA was studied at different initial drug concentrations (in the range of 2–100 mg/L) in water solution. The Langmuir isotherm model showed the highest adsorption was achieved by bilayer composite of IZ CLI and CPyCl—around 11 mg/g. Kinetic runs were performed by using the initial drug concentration of 20 mg/L in the time interval from 0 to 75 min and pseudo-second order had good correlation with experimental data. The influence of the four different temperatures on the SA adsorption was also investigated and thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption drug onto composites is an exothermic and nonspontaneous process, followed by the decrease of randomness at the solid/liquid interface during the adsorption. Zeta potential and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) had been performed for the characterization of composites after adsorption of SA confirming the presence of the drug at composite surfaces.
Dynamical Behavior of a New Chaotic System with One Stable Equilibrium
Authors: M.D. Vijayakumar , Karthikeyan Anitha , Zivcak Jozef , Krejcar Ondrej , Namazi Hamidreza
Published: December 2021

This paper reports a simple three-dimensional autonomous system with a single stable node equilibrium. The system has a constant controller which adjusts the dynamic of the system. It is revealed that the system exhibits both chaotic and non-chaotic dynamics. Moreover, chaotic or periodic attractors coexist with a single stable equilibrium for some control parameter based on initial conditions. The system dynamics are studied by analyzing bifurcation diagrams, Lyapunov exponents, and basins of attractions. Beyond a fixed-point analysis, a new analysis known as connecting curves is provided. These curves are one-dimensional sets of the points that are more informative than fixed points. These curves are the skeleton of the system, which shows the direction of flow evolution.
Guaranteed Estimation of Solutions to the Cauchy Problem When the Restrictions on Unknown Initial Data Are Not Posed
Authors: Nakonechnyi Oleksandr , Podlipenko Yuri , Shestopalov Yury
Published: December 2021

The paper deals with Cauchy problems for first-order systems of linear ordinary differential equations with unknown data. It is assumed that the right-hand sides of equations belong to certain bounded sets in the space of square-integrable vector-functions, and the information about the initial conditions is absent. From indirect noisy observations of solutions to the Cauchy problems on a finite system of points and intervals, the guaranteed mean square estimates of linear functionals on unknown solutions of the problems under consideration are obtained. Under an assumption that the statistical characteristics of noise in observations are not known exactly, it is proved that such estimates can be expressed in terms of solutions to well-defined boundary value problems for linear systems of impulsive ordinary differential equations.
Faster and Slower Soliton Phase Shift: Oceanic Waves Affected by Earth Rotation
Authors: Khater Mostafa M. A. , Alabdali Aliaa Mahfooz
Published: December 2021

This research paper investigates the accuracy of a novel computational scheme (Khater II method) by applying this new technique to the fractional nonlinear Ostrovsky (FNO) equation. The accuracy of the obtained solutions was verified by employing the Adomian decomposition (AD) and El Kalla (EK) methods. The AD and EK methods are considered as two of the most accurate semi-analytical schemes. The FNO model is a modified version of the well-known Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation that considers the effects of rotational symmetry in space. However, in the KdV model, solutions to the KdV equations substitute this effect with radiating inertia gravity waves, and thus this impact is ignored. The analytical, semi-analytical, and accuracy between solutions are represented in some distinct plots. Additionally, the paper’s novelty and its contributions are demonstrated by comparing the obtained solutions with previously published results.
A New Hybrid AHP and Dempster—Shafer Theory of Evidence Method for Project Risk Assessment Problem
Authors: Albogami Saad Muslet , Ariffin Mohd Khairol Anuar Bin Mohd , Supeni Eris Elianddy Bin , Ahmad Kamarul Arifin
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a new hybrid AHP and Dempster—Shafer theory of evidence is presented for solving the problem of choosing the best project among a list of available alternatives while uncertain risk factors are taken into account. The aim is to minimize overall risks. For this purpose, a three-phase framework is proposed. In the first phase, quantitative research was conducted to identify the risk factors that can influence a project. Then, a hybrid PCA-agglomerative unsupervised machine learning algorithm is proposed to classify the projects in terms of Properties, Operational and Technological, Financial, and Strategic risk factors. In the third step, a hybrid AHP and Dempster—Shafer theory of evidence is presented to select the best alternative with the lowest level of overall risks. As a result, four groups of risk factors, including Properties, Operational and Technological, Financial, and Strategic risk factors, are considered. Afterward, using an L2^4 Taguchi method, several experiments with various dimensions have been designed which are then solved by the proposed algorithm. The outcomes are then analyzed using the Validating Index, Reduced Risk Indicator, and Solving Time. The findings indicated that, compared to classic AHP, the results of the proposed hybrid method were different in most cases due to uncertainty of risk factors. It was observed that the method could be safely used for selecting project problems in real industries.
A Channel-Wise Spatial-Temporal Aggregation Network for Action Recognition
Authors: Wang Huafeng , Xia Tao , Li Hanlin , Gu Xianfeng , Lv Weifeng , Wang Yuehai
Published: December 2021

A very challenging task for action recognition concerns how to effectively extract and utilize the temporal and spatial information of video (especially temporal information). To date, many researchers have proposed various spatial-temporal convolution structures. Despite their success, most models are limited in further performance especially on those datasets that are highly time-dependent due to their failure to identify the fusion relationship between the spatial and temporal features inside the convolution channel. In this paper, we proposed a lightweight and efficient spatial-temporal extractor, denoted as Channel-Wise Spatial-Temporal Aggregation block (CSTA block), which could be flexibly plugged in existing 2D CNNs (denoted by CSTANet). The CSTA Block utilizes two branches to model spatial-temporal information separately. In temporal branch, It is equipped with a Motion Attention Module (MA), which is used to enhance the motion regions in a given video. Then, we introduced a Spatial-Temporal Channel Attention (STCA) module, which could aggregate spatial-temporal features of each block channel-wisely in a self-adaptive and trainable way. The final experimental results demonstrate that the proposed CSTANet achieved the state-of-the-art results on EGTEA Gaze++ and Diving48 datasets, and obtained competitive results on Something-Something V1&V2 at the less computational cost.
Modeling Uncertainty in Fracture Age Estimation from Pediatric Wrist Radiographs
Authors: Hržić Franko , Janisch Michael , Štajduhar Ivan , Lerga Jonatan , Sorantin Erich , Tschauner Sebastian
Published: December 2021

In clinical practice, fracture age estimation is commonly required, particularly in children with suspected non-accidental injuries. It is usually done by radiologically examining the injured body part and analyzing several indicators of fracture healing such as osteopenia, periosteal reaction, and fracture gap width. However, age-related changes in healing timeframes, inter-individual variabilities in bone density, and significant intra- and inter-operator subjectivity all limit the validity of these radiological clues. To address these issues, for the first time, we suggest an automated neural network-based system for determining the age of a pediatric wrist fracture. In this study, we propose and evaluate a deep learning approach for automatically estimating fracture age. Our dataset included 3570 medical cases with a skewed distribution toward initial consultations. Each medical case includes a lateral and anteroposterior projection of a wrist fracture, as well as patients’ age, and gender. We propose a neural network-based system with Monte-Carlo dropout-based uncertainty estimation to address dataset skewness. Furthermore, this research examines how each component of the system contributes to the final forecast and provides an interpretation of different scenarios in system predictions in terms of their uncertainty. The examination of the proposed systems’ components showed that the feature-fusion of all available data is necessary to obtain good results. Also, proposing uncertainty estimation in the system increased accuracy and F1-score to a final 0.906±0.011 on a given task.
Controlling Stochastic Sensitivity by Feedback Regulators in Nonlinear Dynamical Systems with Incomplete Information
Authors: Bashkirtseva Irina
Published: December 2021

The problem of synthesis of stochastic sensitivity for equilibrium modes in nonlinear randomly forced dynamical systems with incomplete information is considered. We construct a feedback regulator that uses noisy data on some system state coordinates. For parameters of the regulator providing assigned stochastic sensitivity, a quadratic matrix equation is derived. Attainability of the assigned stochastic sensitivity is reduced to the solvability of this equation. We suggest a constructive algorithm for solving this quadratic matrix equation. These general theoretical results are used to solve the problem of stabilizing equilibrium modes of nonlinear stochastic oscillators under conditions of incomplete information. Details of our approach are illustrated on the example of a van der Pol oscillator.
Patient and Provider Perspective of Smart Wearable Technology in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Prevention: A Systematic Review
Authors: Orlando Giorgio , Prior Yeliz , Reeves Neil D. , Vileikyte Loretta
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives: Smart wearable devices are effective in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) prevention. However, factors determining their acceptance are poorly understood. This systematic review aims to examine the literature on patient and provider perspectives of smart wearable devices in DFU prevention. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched up to October 2021. The selected articles were assessed for methodological quality using the quality assessment tool for studies with diverse designs. Results: A total of five articles were identified and described. The methodological quality of the studies ranged from low to moderate. Two studies employed a quantitative study design and focused on the patient perspective, whereas three studies included a mixed, quantitative/qualitative design and explored patient or provider (podiatrist) perspectives. Four studies focused on an insole system and one included a smart sock device. The quantitative studies demonstrated that devices were comfortable, well designed and useful in preventing DFU. One mixed design study reported that patients did not intend to adopt an insole device in its current design because of malfunctions, a lack of comfort. and alert intrusiveness, despite the general perception that the device was a useful tool for foot risk monitoring. Two mixed design studies found that performance expectancy was a predictor of a podiatrist’s behavioural intention to recommend an insole device in clinical practice. Disappointing participant experiences negatively impacted the podiatrists’ intention to adopt a smart device. The need for additional refinements of the device was indicated by patients and providers before its use in this population. Conclusions: The current evidence about patient and provider perspectives on smart wearable technology is limited by scarce methodological quality and conflicting results. It is, thus, not possible to draw definitive conclusions regarding acceptability of these devices for the prevention of DFU in people with diabetes.
COVID-19 Related Fears of Patients Admitted to a Psychiatric Emergency Department during and Post-Lockdown in Switzerland: Preliminary Findings to Look Ahead for Tailored Preventive Mental Health Strategies
Authors: Costanza Alessandra , Macheret Laura , Folliet Aline , Amerio Andrea , Aguglia Andrea , Serafini Gianluca , Prada Paco , Bondolfi Guido , Sarasin François , Ambrosetti Julia
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives: While the impact on mental health of 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) has been extensively documented, little is known about its influence on subjective fears. Here, we investigate the COVID-19 impact and its related restrictions on fears of patients admitted to a psychiatric Emergency Department (ED) during and post-lockdown. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study on 1477 consultations at the psychiatric ED of the University Hospital of Geneva (HUG) was performed using a mixed-methods analysis. The first analysis section was qualitative, aiming to explore the type of fears, while the second section statistically compared fears (i) during lockdown (16 March 2020–10 May 2020) and (ii) post-lockdown (11 May 2020–5 July 2020). Fears were also explored among different patient-age sub-groups. Results: 334 patients expressed one/more fears. Both in lockdown and post-lockdown, fears mostly pertained to “containment measures” (isolation, loneliness). When compared lockdown vs. post-lockdown, fears about “work status” (deteriorating, losing work) prevailed in lockdown (p = 0.029) while “hopelessness” (powerless feeling, inability to find solutions) in post-lockdown (p = 0.001). “Self around COVID-19” (dying, getting sick) fear was relatively more frequent in youth (p = 0.039), while “hopelessness” in the elderly (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Collectively, these findings highlight that lockdown/post-lockdown periods generated temporally and demographically distinct COVID-19 related fears patterns, with special regard to youth and elderly, two particularly vulnerable populations when faced with sudden and unexpected dramatic events. For this reason, the particular ED “front-line service” status makes it a privileged observatory that can provide novel insights. From a mental health perspective, these latter can be translated into pragmatic, more personalized prevention strategies to reinforce specific resilience resources and mitigate the current and long-term pandemic’s impact.
The Application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for the Optimization of the Conditions of Fabrication of Electrospun Nanofibrous Membrane for Desalination and Ion Removal
Authors: Younes Khaled , Mouhtady Omar , Chaouk Hamdi , Obeid Emil , Roufayel Rabih , Moghrabi Ahmad , Murshid Nimer
Published: December 2021

Nowadays, acquiring a water supply for urban and industrial uses is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity for ensuring sustainability. Membrane technology has been considered cost-effective, encompasses lower energy requirements, and at the same time, offers acceptable performance. Electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs) are considered a novel and promising strategy for the production of membranes that could be applied in several treatment processes, especially desalination and ion removal. In this study, we apply an unsupervised machine-learning strategy, the so-called principal component analysis (PCA), for the purpose of seeking discrepancies and similarities between different ENMs. The main purpose was to investigate the influence of membrane fabrication conditions, characteristics, and process conditions in order to seek the relevance of the application of different electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENMs). Membranes were majorly classified into single polymers/layers, from one side, and dual multiple layer ENMs, from another side. For both classes, variables related to membrane fabrication conditions were not separated from membrane characterization variables. This reveals that membranes’ characteristics not only depend on the chemical composition, but also on the fabrication conditions. On the other hand, the process conditions of ENM fabrication showed an extensive effect on membranes’ performance.
Insight into the Influence of Punch Velocity and Thickness on Forming Limit Diagrams of AA 6061 Sheets—Numerical and Experimental Analyses
Authors: Sattarpanah Karganroudi Sasan , Shojaei Shahab , Hashemi Ramin , Rahmatabadi Davood , Jamalian Sahar , Aminzadeh Ahmad , Ibrahim Hussein
Published: December 2021

In this article, the forming limit diagram (FLD) for aluminum 6061 sheets of thicknesses of 1 mm and 3 mm was determined numerically and experimentally, considering different punch velocities. The punch velocity was adjusted in the range of 20 mm/min to 200 mm/min during the Nakazima test. A finite element (FE) simulation was carried out by applying the Johnson–Cook material model into the ABAQUSTM FE software. In addition, a comparison between the simulation and the experimental results was made. It was observed that by increasing the punch velocity, the FLD also increased for both thicknesses, but the degree of the improvement was different. Based on these results, we found a good agreement between numerical and experimental analyses (about 10% error). Moreover, by increasing the punch velocity from 20 mm/min to 100 mm/min in 1 mm-thick specimens, the corresponding FLD increased by 3.8%, while for 3 mm-thick specimens, this increase was 5.2%; by increasing the punch velocity from 20 mm/min to 200 mm/min in the 3 mm-thick sheets, the corresponding FLD increased by 9.3%.