bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Updated classification with spinal dysraphism and treatment outcomes of arteriovenous shunts below conus: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fan Yu-xiang , Yang Cheng-bin , Li Jing-wei , Wang Jia-chen , Hu Peng , Ye Ming , Li Gui-lin , Bian Li-song , Zhang Peng , Ma Yong-jie , Zhang Hong-qi
Published: November 2024

Background

Arteriovenous shunts below conus medullaris (AVS-BC) are understudied, particularly those associated with spinal dysraphism. This study aimed to refine the classification and management of AVS-BC.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients with AVS-BC from two centers over two decades was performed, focusing on clinical presentations, angioarchitecture, and treatment outcomes. AVS-BC was classified into eight subtypes based on angioarchitecture, dural relation, and spinal dysraphism presence. Treatment efficacy was evaluated using changes in the modified Aminoff and Logue’s Scale and the modified Denis Pain and Numbness Scale.

Results

The cohort included 140 patients (85.0% male) with a median onset age of 54 years (IQR 47–62). Spinal dural arteriovenous fistula was the most prevalent subtype (32.1%). AVS-lipoma (58.8%) and AVS with spina bifida/meningocele (75.0%) were mainly located in S3–S5, while others were above S2 (p<0.001). Most AVS-BCs were supplied by the internal iliac artery (37.1%) and drained intradurally (96.4%). Venous lakes were common in spinal epidural arteriovenous fistula (88.2%) and paravertebral arteriovenous fistula (100.0%). Larger drainage veins (>2.0 mm) were found in paravertebral arteriovenous fistula (PVAVF) (50.0%) and AVS with spina bifida/meningocele (AVS-SBD) (50.0%) (p=0.012). Embolization was the preferred treatment (50.7%), achieving a 97.1% anatomical cure rate. Despite functional improvements, 25% experienced deterioration during a median follow-up of 47 months (IQR 20–113).

Conclusions

The refined AVS-BC classification revealed significant angioarchitectural variations. Tailored treatment strategies, especially embolization, resulted in high anatomical cure rates, though post-treatment deterioration warrants further investigation.
Postoperative rectal irrigation after laparoscopic Swenson pull-through: is early instrumentation safe?
Authors: Shah Nikhil R , Maselli Kathryn M , Kim Gabriella , Rollins Paris D , Ehrlich Peter F , Jarboe Marcus D , Ralls Matthew W
Published: November 2024

Background

In approaching surgical correction of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR), laparoscopic Swenson endorectal pull-through (Lap-S-ERPT) requires less transanal dissection and sphincter stretch. This may lead to more immediate postoperative obstructive symptoms. While antibiotics and rectal irrigations are mainstays of treatment, there is concern about rectal instrumentation in the setting of recent low anal anastomosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and safety of early rectal irrigations following Lap-S-ERPT.

Methods

This is a single-center, retrospective review of all pediatric patients who underwent Lap-S-ERPT for HSCR from January 2018 to October 2023. Irrigations were performed if patients had obstructive symptoms including emesis, obstipation, and dilated colonic loops on radiographs. The primary outcome was need for postoperative rectal irrigation. Secondary outcomes included time from surgery to irrigation, duration of irrigation, and incidence of anastomotic leak.

Results

A total of 37 patients (62% male) underwent a Lap-S-ERPT at a median age of 3 months (interquartile range (IQR): 0.5, 5.0). Rectosigmoid disease was the most common diagnosis (n=29, 78.4%). There were 11 patients underwent rectal irrigations with a median time to initiation of irrigation of 46 hours (IQR: 32.0, 114.0) postoperatively and a median duration of irrigations of 3 days (IQR: 2.0, 4.5). There was no difference in anastomotic leak rate between patients who received irrigations and those who did not (9.1%v.s.7.7%,p=0.887).

Conclusion

Following Lap-S-ERPT, nearly 30% of patients underwent rectal irrigation for postoperative obstructive symptoms. Despite concerns about instrumentation with a recent low anastomosis, there was no increase in leak rate in patients who received rectal irrigations.
The first Otodus megalodon remains from Canada and their predicted range limit
Authors: Bateman Louis-Philippe , Larsson Hans C.E.
Published: November 2024

Otodus megalodon (Agassiz, 1835) is an extinct species of giant lamniform shark known from Neogene deposits around the world. Despite having been found decades ago, Canadian specimens of O. megalodon have never been formally described. Here, we identify and describe eight of these specimens, all of which were recovered by scallop dredging activities on Georges Bank, Nova Scotia. Although all these specimens are ex situ, they probably came from Miocene-aged surface deposits on Georges Bank. Similar-aged deposits on the Grand Banks of Newfoundland that have also been dredged for scallops have not yielded any O. megalodon fossils to date. However, several sites with abundant O. megalodon teeth are known from Miocene deposits along the northeast coast of the USA. We therefore cautiously interpret the Canadian specimens as occurring at or near the northern range limit of the species, and discuss the potential limiting factors of this species’ range.
Probing sterile neutrino freeze-in at stronger coupling
Authors: Koivunen Niko , Lebedev Oleg , Raidal Martti
Published: November 2024

The regime of dark matter (DM) freeze-in at stronger coupling interpolates between freeze-in and freeze-out. It relies on Boltzmann-suppressed dark matter production, implying that the Standard Model bath temperature never exceeds the dark matter mass. In this work, we study this regime in the context of sterile neutrino dark matter, which can be sufficiently long-lived for a tiny sterile-active mixing. The sterile neutrino is assumed to couple to a real singlet scalar, providing for a thermal production mechanism of the former. We find that DM mass can range from GeV to tens of TeV consistently with all the constraints. The most interesting aspect of the consequent freeze-in phenomenology is that the sterile neutrino dark matter can be probed efficiently by both direct detection experiments and invisible Higgs decay at the LHC.
Emissivity measurements on noble metals: validation of a free-electron description including the anomalous skin effect
Authors: González de Arrieta Iñigo , Echániz Telmo , Adibekyan Albert , Monte Christian , Hollandt Jörg , López Gabriel A.
Published: November 2024

The optical properties of noble metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) have been studied in the mid-infrared using emissivity measurements at 473 K. Their optical responses can be described using classical free-electron expressions in the Mott–Zener approximation with an additional term to account for the extra emission due to the anomalous skin effect, with no free parameters. Clear differences between the specular and diffuse surface scattering regimes can be observed. These results constitute metrological-quality validations of the thermal radiative properties of these important metals.

Graphical abstract
In-line monitoring of a multi-stage drying process for battery electrodes: vol. 1—applying methods of scattered light measurement
Authors: Mohacsi Jonas , Ly Kevin , Birg Marius , Scharfer Philip , Schabel Wilhelm
Published: November 2024

The drying process of battery electrodes is a crucial and expensive step in the battery manufacturing process as it significantly impacts the performance of the final cell. One major challenge is minimising high scrap rates, which has a marked impact on material efficiency and production costs. One approach is to utilise additional in-line sensors to detect and prevent defects at an early stage. Established sensor technology has been employed primarily to measure parameters prior to and subsequent to the drying process. The objective of this study is to examine the potential of a scattered light sensor for monitoring the electrode surface during drying for the first time. The sensor’s ability to detect surface roughness during drying was demonstrated in initial experiments. Further extensive investigations successfully determined the characteristic point of the onset of pore emptying by the sensor. The results suggest that in-line deployment of the scattered light sensor can be highly beneficial, particularly for multi-stage drying processes. On one hand, the sensor serves as a tool for the straightforward configuration of a multi-stage drying process, and on the other hand, for the in-line utilisation of the sensor with the aim of quality assurance.
Research on the Development Strategy of Digital Fusion Technology Driving Rural Revitalization in the Information Age
Authors: Huang Ying
Published: November 2024

Rural revitalization refers to systematically promoting products and services to individuals residing in rural regions for marketing. It is a branch of marketing that specifically targets those living in more remote places. An organization’s data-driven insights, collaborative culture, adaptive systems, and developing technology may all be a part of a digital fusion strategy, which is an all-encompassing approach. A digital strategy outlines the company’s steps to adopt and use digital technologies to achieve its objectives. Data Fusion Marketing leverages data from several sources depending on the campaign goal. The challenging characteristics are water pollution caused by agricultural production, animal manure affecting the quality of rural water resources in rural revitalization and lack of collaboration among different organizations related to planning for development strategy in marketing. Hence, in this research, the Digital Fusion-enabled Internet of Things (DF-IoT) has been designed to help the marketing of development strategy in driving rural revitalization through the information age. Global economic integration cannot exist apart from national economic development integration, and developing marketing in economic integration cannot live apart from the composition of the rural revitalization unit. Economic integration and development in DF-IoT must be improved to prioritize rural regeneration and push for multi-cell integration of regional growth in marketing and domains of development strategy, with the expectation that they would serve as models for top-notch growth and suggestions for future strategic routes for rural revitalization. The experimental analysis of DF-IoT outperforms the development strategy for rural revitalization in terms of performance, accuracy, error rate, classification error and efficiency.
Groupoid-cograded weak multiplier Hopf (∗-)algebras
Authors: Fu Ruolei , Wang Shuanhong
Published: November 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a groupoid and assume that [Formula: see text] is a family of algebras with identity. First, we introduce the notion of a weak Hopf (groupoid)[Formula: see text]-coalgebra by that if, for each pair [Formula: see text], there is given a unital homomorphism [Formula: see text] satisfying certain properties, generalizing the notion of Hopf group-coalgebras as introduced by Turaev from groups to groupoids and Hopf algebra structures to weak Hopf algebra structures. Then one considers now the direct sum [Formula: see text] of these algebras. It is an algebra, without identity, except when [Formula: see text] is a finite groupoid, but the product is non-degenerate. The maps [Formula: see text] can be used to define a coproduct [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] and the conditions imposed on these maps give that [Formula: see text] is a weak multiplier Hopf algebra. It is [Formula: see text]-cograded as explained in this paper. We study these so-called groupoid-cograded weak multiplier Hopf algebras. They are, as explained above, more general than the weak Hopf group-coalgebras (introduced by Van Daele and Wang), generalizing the Turaev’s Hopf group-coalgebras. Moreover, our point of view makes it possible to use results and techniques from the theory of weak multiplier Hopf algebras in the study of weak Hopf groupoid-coalgebras (and generalizations).
Evolution of the hot dense matter at LHC energies through light and heavy-flavor hadrons using non-extensive thermodynamics
Authors: Gyulai László , Bíró Gábor , Vértesi Róbert , Barnaföldi Gergely Gábor
Published: November 2024

We investigate the formation and evolution of hot systems comprising charmed and light hadrons using non-extensive thermodynamics. We analyze data from pp, p–Pb, and Pb–Pb collisions at center-of-mass energies ranging from [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]TeV to 13[Formula: see text]TeV, measured by the CERN LHC ALICE experiment. The hadron species examined include charged pions and kaons, [Formula: see text], (anti)protons, [Formula: see text] mesons, [Formula: see text] hyperons, and D mesons. Employing our previously established methods, we determine the common Tsallis parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for each hadron type. While charm comes from earlier than light hadrons, we see that [Formula: see text] is ordered by mass, reflecting a similar ordering in the time-scale relevant for the spectrum. Our results also allow for constraining the heat capacity of the system. The current analysis thus enhances our understanding of hadron production dynamics and thermal properties in high-energy collisions.
Machine Learning-Based Reliability Evaluation for Software Defect Prediction and Model Validation Assessment
Authors: Kovur Krishna Mohan , Shaik Harun-Ul-Rasheed , Verma Ajit Kumar , Srividya A.
Published: November 2024

The reliability of software plays a key and decisive role in assessing the quality of software. It is one of the most critical factors to consider before delivering a software product. An integrated data-driven reliability innovative methodology is presented in this paper, which incorporates a machine learning model for defect prediction coupled with its economic feasibility. The combination of ML, real-time ODC data integration, and BOCR analysis for both technical and economic assessment distinguishes this approach from conventional software reliability evaluation methods. The first component of the proposal relies on the application of artificial intelligence, and illustrates in what way machines learn to access big data and train the network along with performance metrics. The second component, validation of the economic feasibility of the machine learning model, was performed by weighing the pros and cons of the envisioned application problem. As a result, the proposed approach supports numerous advantages and potential applications of machine learning models in various interdisciplinary fields to evaluate reliability and further augment industrial globalization. Additionally, the model echoes robustness in executing complex and distributed transactional application problems by addressing a variety of user needs.
ENHANCING SURFACE PROPERTIES OF 34Ni-Cr-Mo6 STEEL THROUGH LASER TREATMENT VARIATIONS: A COMPREHENSIVE CHARACTERIZATION STUDY
Authors: KUMARAN G. MUTHU , BABU P. DINESH
Published: November 2024

Laser-based surface enhancement techniques improve metals’ mechanical properties. Laser Hardening (LH) and Laser Shock Peening (LSP) techniques are effective particularly well with low-alloy steel made of 34Ni-Cr-Mo6, which is a type of steel alloy that is put to use in a wide variety of fields because it possesses excellent levels of both strength and toughness. For specific applications, the laser can be shaped into line or spherical beams. On the other hand, typical industrial requirements of low alloy steel components like 34Ni-Cr-Mo6 are enhanced hardness and mechanical strength with minimum or no distortion. A 3 kW high power fiber laser with a flat top-hat beam of dimension [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]mm and a circular beam of Ø6[Formula: see text]mm are employed in this study. Investigation into the effects of repeated LSP on the microstructures and residual stress of 34Ni-Cr-Mo6 low alloy steel was also done. LSP treatment is carried out at 6.36[Formula: see text]GWcm[Formula: see text] Laser Power Density (LPD) with different laser impacts, i.e. single and double, by keeping 0% overlap along the scanning direction and perpendicular directions, respectively. The shock-peened samples were characterized in terms of residual stress measurements and microstructural evolution using different characterization techniques. A substantial improvement in compressive residual stress was observed at the hardened cross-section i.e. [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]MPa and at shock peened surface [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]MPa respectively as compared to the as-received sample ([Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]MPa). LH samples showed a better result in terms of microhardness values when compared to shock peened samples i.e. for LH, the microhardness values at the cross-section were [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]HV[Formula: see text] nearly 2.5 times increase in hardness. Extreme plastic deformation was found by microstructural examination of cross-sections of LSP-treated areas. Hardness was nearly marginally improved in multiple times LSP-treated samples compared to unpeened ones as a result of LSP.
STUDY PHASE STRUCTURE, CATION DISTRIBUTION AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF COBALT, MAGNESIUM AND COPPER FERRITES
Authors: JABER NASMA A. , ZAKI ALIAA M. , FADHIL GHAIATH A.
Published: November 2024

An analysis to the characteristics of Co, Mg and Cu ferrites that were prepared using sol–gel method and annealed at [Formula: see text]C for 1 hour, performed using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy for structural characteristics, while the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), was used for the magnetic characteristics. The X-ray analysis of both cobalt and magnesium ferrites shows a reverse crystal structure of a cubic spinel, while copper ferrite shows a tetragonal crystal structure characteristic at this annealing temperature. The lattice constant (a) was found to be [Formula: see text] for CoFe2O4, [Formula: see text] for MgFe2O4 and [Formula: see text] for CuFe2O4. The Raman spectrum confirms a spinel crystalline form of the prepared ferrites where a likely distribution of cation is indicated at the tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The peaks of the Raman shift appear between 200–800[Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text]. These peaks indicate the formation of ferrites. The hysteresis loop of CoFe2O4 indicates a hard magnet material. Cu ferrites have relatively lower remnants and magnetocrystalline anisotropy, which indicates soft magnetic characteristics even though it showed higher coercivity. The squareness ratio (Mr/Ms) values varied between 0.52, 0.13 and 0.57 for CoFe2O4, MgFe2O4 and CuFe2O4, respectively. These insights highlight the possibility of tuning the properties of ferrites using a cost-effective sol–gel method.
GEOMETRIC INSIGHTS INTO ROBUST PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION
Authors: DALMEYER LARA , GEBBIE TIM
Published: November 2024

We investigate and extend the result that an [Formula: see text]-weight angle from unconstrained quadratic portfolio optimizations has an upper bound dependent on the condition number of the covariance matrix. This is known to imply that better conditioned covariance matrices produce weights from unconstrained mean-variance optimizations that are better aligned with each asset’s expected return. Here, we relate the inequality between the [Formula: see text]-weight angle and the condition number to extend the result to include portfolio optimizations with gearing constraints to provide an extended family of robust optimizations. We use this to argue that the equally weighted portfolio is in general not preferable to the mean-variance portfolio even with poor forecast ability and a badly conditioned covariance matrix.
A Longitudinal Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Managerial Effectiveness of the “Magnificent Seven” Stocks Firms: An Economic Value-Added Approach
Authors: Peprah Williams Kwasi , Rafaliniony Herimamy , Peprah Patricia
Published: November 2024

This longitudinal study investigated the managerial effectiveness of the “Magnificent Seven” stock firms in enhancing Economic Value Added (EVA) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a within-subject ANOVA analysis on data spanning from 2016 to 2023, this research aimed to explore how managerial decisions within these firms influenced economic profits over time. The study utilized the Stern-Stewart formula for EVA to calculate the average EVA data from 10-K filings of these technology-oriented firms, representing a significant portion of the S&P 500 index, to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their financial performance. Results indicated a large significant effect difference in EVA pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic, with an increase in both the mean value and variability of EVA. The partial eta squared value indicated that the time period accounted for approximately 26.4% of the variance in EVA. This suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on these firms’ EVA, reflecting positively on their managerial decision-making effectiveness in creating economic value. The conclusion highlighted the importance of management efficiency key decisions included leveraging artificial intelligence, maintaining operational agility to mitigate supply chain disruptions, and fostering a culture of innovation in navigating the complexities introduced by the pandemic. It underscored the significant role of external factors such as consumer behavior changes and government policies in influencing company performance. The study recommended exploring how different sectors responded to the pandemic’s challenges, particularly those hit hardest by the crisis. This study contributed to the understanding of EVA as a reliable measure of a company’s financial health and managerial effectiveness in uncertain times.
The Coefficient of Cooperation and CEO Incentive Contracts
Authors: Tremblay Victor J.
Published: November 2024

It has become increasingly common to reward CEOs based on a firm’s performance relative to that of competitors. Although such incentive contracts can encourage greater CEO effort, there also is concern that they may reduce competition. A duopoly model is developed in which the owner of each firm chooses a relative incentive contract for its CEO that maximizes profit and each CEO makes output market decisions to maximize CEO income. Two important results emerge from the analysis that are not found in the literature. First, the model shows how an incentive contract is directly linked to Cyert and DeGroot’s [[1973] An analysis of cooperation and learning in a duopoly context, Am. Econ. Rev. 63(1), 24–37] “coefficient of cooperation”. The model endogenizes the degree of firm cooperation and clearly reveals how incentive contracts affect competition. Second, the model demonstrates that the optimal incentive contract depends on whether choice variables are strategic substitutes or strategic complements. Thus, the analysis applies to all choice variables, not just output and price as found in previous studies.
Phase hardening during cyclic quasi-martensitic transformations in ferroroactive solid solutions of the multicomponent system (Na, K)NbO3-PZT
Authors: Andryushina Inna , Andryushin Konstantin , Glazunova Ekaterina , Khasbulatov Sidek , Reznichenko Larisa
Published: November 2024

Solid solutions (SS) with a quasi-binary cross-section of a four-component system of the composition [Formula: see text](Na[Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text])NbO3–xPb(Ti[Formula: see text]Zr[Formula: see text])O3, based on compositions with fundamentally different physical responses (Na, K)NbO3 (KNN), Pb(Ti, Zr)O3 (PZT), have been prepared by a two-stage solid-phase synthesis followed by sintering using conventional ceramic technology. The influence of thermal cycling on the dielectric properties of ceramic SS with [Formula: see text] has been studied. It has been shown that thermally induced fatigue does not have a significant effect on the Curie temperature and the diffusing of the phase transition (PT) of SS containing only extreme components. It has been found that when the concentration of PZT in the studied system is varied, the [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] dependencies take on a form characteristic of ferroelectrics with a diffuse PT. When the repolarisation cycles are varied, the diffusing parameter and the Curie and Burns temperatures show a wave-like behavior. The observed effects are explained by the interaction of different defect types. A conclusion is drawn on the possible practical applications of the studied SS.
Design Evolution of an Everting Emergency Airway Device
Authors: Lewis Andrew , Hwee Joel , O’Connor Grace , Gong Alex , Burke Daniel M. , Bly Randall A. , Moe Kris S. , Abuzeid Waleed M. , Seibel Eric , Hannaford Blake
Published: November 2024

Airway management is critical to patient survival in cases of cardiac arrest, drug overdose, and trauma. In 2021, there were nearly 150,000 reported cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with over 90% leading to death. Current methods of establishing airways in response to cardiac arrest require a high level of expertise, and improper use can result in serious side-effects and death. This poses a need for a safer Emergency Airway Device (EAD). Our solution is based on everting vine robots, which are pressurized tubes that passively navigate via tip extension. A dual-deployment configuration of sealing cuffs and breathing channels allows for resuscitation in the case of both esophageal and tracheal deployment. This paper summarizes the development efforts and performance characteristics of two previous designs of the EAD before introducing a new prototype that is enabled by novel manufacturing techniques. Through iterative development and testing with anatomically accurate airway phantoms, performance of each of the following metrics are shown to be in acceptable ranges for clinical viability: everting pressure (111 cm H2O), everting forces (0.25 N), airway sealing ratio (1.3), burst pressure safety factor (2.9), and deployment success rate (100%). The proposed Everting Airway Device concept shows promise for future refinement and integration with automated deployment mechanisms and breath delivery systems.
What do we mean by a ground model–the Fookes geomodel legacy
Authors: Griffiths James S.
Published: November 2024

The first Glossop lecture by Professor Fookes in 1996 established the importance of the geological model in predicting ground conditions in engineering geology. The concept of the geological model was expanded in his 2000 paper on ‘total geology’, and this becomes the ‘geomodel’ in a 2015 book. Fookes was clear that the
a priori
geological model/geomodel developed from existing knowledge and site observations and was fundamental to planning and interpreting the ground conditions data that emerged from investigations.

A geological model was referred to in the first iteration (2007) of Eurocode 7 and fed into a geotechnical design model. This usage was reaffirmed in 2022 within an overall Engineering Geological Model Framework by IAEG Commission 25. In Hong Kong the 2007 engineering geology manual identified a geological model as feeding into a ground model and then into a geotechnical model.

The expression ‘ground model’ has subsequently emerged as providing a synopsis of the ground conditions that feeds into geotechnical design. This is recognised in the second iteration of Eurocode 7 and is in the 2023 CIRIA guidance on Geotechnical Baseline reports. The Society for Underwater Technology 2022 Report refers to the ground model and defines it as a database of available information that encompasses written reports, the database of collated information and the geotechnical risk register.

Given these different views it is necessary to agree what constitutes a ground model, as this has important implications for contract documentation and establishing the legal responsibilities of all ground engineering professionals.
Island-Based Evolutionary Computation with Diverse Surrogates and Adaptive Knowledge Transfer for High-Dimensional Data-Driven Optimization
Authors: Zhang Xian-Rong , Gong Yue-Jiao , Cao Zhiguang , Zhang Jun
Published: November 2024

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in data-driven evolutionary algorithms (DDEAs) employing surrogate models to approximate the objective functions with limited data. However, current DDEAs are primarily designed for lower-dimensional problems and their performance drops significantly when applied to large-scale optimization problems (LSOPs). To address the challenge, this paper proposes an offline DDEA named DSKT-DDEA. DSKT-DDEA leverages multiple islands that utilize different data to establish diverse surrogate models, fostering diverse subpopulations and mitigating the risk of premature convergence. In the intra-island optimization phase, a semi-supervised learning method is devised to fine-tune the surrogates. It not only facilitates data argumentation, but also incorporates the distribution information gathered during the search process to align the surrogates with the evolving local landscapes. Then, in the inter-island knowledge transfer phase, the algorithm incorporates an adaptive strategy that periodically transfers individual information and evaluates the transfer effectiveness in the new environment, facilitating global optimization efficacy. Experimental results demonstrate that our algorithm is competitive with state-of-the-art DDEAs on problems with up to 1000 dimensions, while also exhibiting decent parallelism and scalability. Our DSKT-DDEA is open-source and accessible at: https://github.com/LabGong/DSKT-DDEA.
StreamNet++: Memory-Efficient Streaming TinyML Model Compilation on Microcontrollers
Authors: Hsu Chen-Fong , Zheng Hong-Sheng , Liu Yu-Yuan , Yeh Tsung Tai
Published: November 2024

The rapid growth of on-device artificial intelligence increases the importance of TinyML inference applications. However, the stringent tiny memory space on the microcontroller unit (MCU) raises the grand challenge when deploying deep neural network (DNN) models on such a resource-constrained embedded system device. Traditionally, the machine learning system platform executes operators in a layer-wise manner. The layer-wise inference continues to the next operator before completing an operator. Thus, the DNN model compiler needs to allocate the SRAM memory space to store an operator’s entire input and output tensor when using the layer-wise inference on an MCU. However, the layer-wise inference will run out of memory quickly when an operator’s input and output tensor size in a DNN model is large. Consequently, the patch-based inference work divides a tensor into multiple small patches and only stores a small one to reduce the peak SRAM memory usage on an MCU. However, the computation of the overlapping patches tremendously increases the computational overhead of the patch-based inference and makes the patch-based inference undesirable on an MCU. Thus, this work presents StreamNet, a TinyML model compilation framework. StreamNet employs the stream buffer to eliminate redundant computation of patch-based inference while using small SRAM memory space on an MCU. StreamNet typically uses one type of patch configuration in a DNN model and does not completely eliminate the memory bottleneck of TinyML models. Unlike StreamNet, this article designs StreamNet++ patch-based variant inference that uses several types of patch configurations to completely remove the additional memory bottleneck even using StreamNet. Furthermore, StreamNet++ designs a parameter selection algorithm that quickly yields the best patch parameter candidates to meet the memory constraint of different MCUs. As a result, in 10 TinyML models, StreamNet++2D stream processing achieves a geometric mean of 5.7X speedup and removes 78% of redundant MACs over the latest patch-based inference.
State-of-the-Art Deep Learning CT Reconstruction Algorithms in Abdominal Imaging
Authors: Mileto Achille , Yu Lifeng , Revels Jonathan W. , Kamel Serageldin , Shehata Mostafa A. , Ibarra-Rovira Juan J. , Wong Vincenzo K. , Roman-Colon Alicia M. , Lee Jeong Min , Elsayes Khaled M. , Jensen Corey T.
Published: November 2024

Deep learning reconstruction CT algorithms can reduce image noise associated with lower radiation doses while preserving image texture and diagnostic performance, often overcoming the limitations of filtered backprojection and iterative reconstruction methods, and future DLR software developments combined with new CT hardware technologies such as photon-counting CT promise dramatically improved image quality.
The positive impact of virtual microscopy on histopathology education: a comparative, student-centered study
Authors: Magnani Federico , Demaria Elena , Ambrosi Francesca , Sala Claudia , Pasquinelli Gianandrea , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Gri Giorgia
Published: November 2024

Our study examines the didactical impact and perceived value of distance learning and virtual microscopy (VM) teaching among students in histopathology laboratories and at home. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating such issues in the postpandemic setting. These novel teaching methods complement the innovative technologies currently used in diagnostic medicine.
The legacies of A. O. Dennis Willows and Peter A. Getting: neuroscience research using Tritonia
Authors: Frost William N. , Katz Paul S.
Published: November 2024

This review was inspired by a January 2024 conference held at Friday Harbor Laboratories, WA, honoring the pioneering work of A.O. Dennis Willows, who initiated research on the sea slug Tritonia diomedea (now T. exsulans). A chance discovery while he was a student at a summer course there has, over the years, led to many insights into the roles of identified neurons in neural circuits and their influence on behavior. Among Dennis’s trainees was Peter Getting, whose later groundbreaking work on central pattern generators profoundly influenced the field and included one of the earliest uses of realistic modeling for understanding neural circuits. Research on Tritonia has led to key conceptual advances in polymorphic or multifunctional neural networks, intrinsic neuromodulation, and the evolution of neural circuits. It also has enhanced our understanding of geomagnetic sensing, learning and memory mechanisms, prepulse inhibition, and even drug-induced hallucinations. Although the community of researchers studying Tritonia has never been large, its contributions to neuroscience have been substantial, underscoring the importance of examining a diverse array of animal species rather than focusing on a small number of standard model organisms.
The Influence of Coal Gangue Particle Size on Water Retention Characteristics
Authors: Zhu Lei , Zhang Xinfu , Li Jiahui , Wang Mei , Liu Zhicheng , Geng Mingli , Liu Lang , Wang Ruofan
Published: November 2024

This study systematically studied the moisture characteristic curves, water‐holding capacity, and infiltration performance of different particle sizes of gangue in Nanliang coal mine and Dahaize coal mine by comprehensively using numerical simulation and measured data. The HYDRUS model was used to fit the measured moisture characteristic curve, determine the relevant soil parameters, and perform numerical simulations through the set boundary conditions to verify the reliability of the model. The results show that as the particle size of the gangue increases, the saturated water content gradually decreases, and the gangue with a smaller particle size exhibits a superior water‐holding capacity. In terms of wetting front migration, the migration distance of gangue with different particle sizes changes with time in a power function relationship, and the migration speed of gangue with a particle size of 1.25–2.5 mm is the fastest. Infiltration experiments show that gangue with a smaller particle size has a higher infiltration rate and a longer saturation time. The influence of coal gangue particle size on the water retention capacity and permeability of coal gangue is greater than the influence of coal gangue type on the water retention capacity and permeability of coal gangue. The gangue of Nanliang coal mine shows significant advantages in moisture characteristics, and its water‐holding capacity and infiltration performance are significantly better than those of Dahaize coal mine. This study systematically quantified the effects of different particle sizes of coal gangue on soil water retention characteristics, providing a new theoretical basis for its application in soil improvement. By combining numerical simulation and measured data verification methods, the accuracy and reliability of the research results were improved, providing an important reference for similar studies in the future. In addition, the significant effects of coal gangue particle size on soil wetting front migration speed and profile water content were revealed, providing new insights and basis for optimizing water resource management strategies.
Restoration Capacity Prediction of Double‐Row Capsule Grouting to Control Tunnel Deformation
Authors: He Xiaopei , Liu Xiaomin , Liu Zhaopeng , Wang Wenming
Published: November 2024

The double‐row capsule grouting (DRCG) is an innovative technique which can restrain the horizontal and vertical tunnel deformations induced by excavation simultaneously. The real‐time and active control capacity of DRCG can overcome the shortcomings in invariance and inefficiency of the traditional protective approaches. However, the performance of DRCG and the prediction method of control effectiveness have not been investigated. A numerical analysis using the hardening soil model with small‐strain stiffness (HSS model) is conducted to investigate the influences of the relative buried depth and the grouting volume of capsule on the control effect of DRCG in relation to the restoration ratio of horizontal deformation (Rh), and restoration ratio of vertical deformation (Rv). A polynomial relationship between parameters and restoration ratio is observed. Furthermore, a dimensionless formula, developed from hypothetical cases, shows a high conformity between predicted and numerical results. It can accurately predict the control effectiveness of DRCG.
Deviations From μ‐τ Symmetry Using Δ(27) Group on Neutrino Masses and Mixings
Authors: Wilina Ph. , Singh N. Nimai
Published: November 2024

The implication of the neutrino mass model based on Δ(27) discrete flavor symmetry, on parameters of neutrino oscillations, CP violation, and effective neutrino masses is studied using the Type I seesaw mechanism. The standard model particle content is extended by adding two additional Higgs doublets, three right‐handed neutrinos, and two scalar triplets under Δ(27) symmetry predicting diagonal charged lepton mass matrix. This can generate the desired deviation from μ‐τ symmetry. The resulting neutrino oscillation parameters are well agreed with the latest global fit oscillation data. The sum of the three absolute neutrino mass eigenvalues, ∑i|mi| (i = 1, 2, 3), is found to be consistent with the value given by the latest Planck cosmological data, ∑i|mi| < 0.12 eV. The model further predicts effective neutrino masses for neutrinoless double beta decay, 4.15 meV ≤ mee ≤ 30.6 meV; tritium beta decay, 8.4 meV ≤ mβ ≤ 30.5 meV; Jarlskog invariant, JCP = ±0.022 for CP violation; baryon asymmetry YB = 1.15 × 10−10 for normal hierarchical case; and also 49.5 meV ≤ mee ≤ 51.7 meV, 49.5 meV ≤ mβ ≤ 51.4 meV, JCP = ±0.022, and YB = 1.12 × 10−10 for inverted hierarchical case, respectively.
Role of Virtual Ruler‐Based Diameter Measurement in Endoscopic Therapy for Cirrhotic Esophageal Varices: A Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Fang Zhongliang , Bai Yuchuan , Mao Yudi , Jin Jing , Zhang Qianqian , Tang Yangchen , Ding Xiping , Kong Derun
Published: November 2024

Background: Esophageal variceal (EV) diameter is a critical, independent risk factor for hemorrhage, and plays a key role in guiding choices of endoscopic treatment techniques. We developed a novel tool, the virtual ruler (VR), which offers increased precision and expediency in EV diameter (EVD) measurements. This study investigates the clinical value of VR for assessing EVD during the endoscopic treatment of cirrhotic EVs.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter review of 345 cirrhotic patients with EVs who received endoscopic treatment. EVD was measured using VR, and several outcomes, including rebleeding rates, vascular eradication rates, mortality, and complication incidences, were compared in patients stratified by EVD as measured by both VR and endoscopists.

Results: There was moderate agreement between VR and endoscopist measurements of EVD (Kappa = 0.591, p < 0.001). In patients with EVD > 1 cm, the VR group had a lower rebleeding rate after endoscopic treatment compared to the endoscopist group (3.8% vs. 11.3%; p = 0.048). No significant between‐group differences in outcomes were noted in patients with EVD ≤ 1 cm. Additionally, comparisons of endoscopic variceal ligation and endoscopic injection sclerotherapy within the VR‐based diameter groups showed no substantial differences in treatment efficacy or adverse events (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Using VR to accurately measure EVD may help decrease endoscopist misjudgment of larger EVD values and may reduce postoperative rebleeding rates after endoscopic treatment. VR holds potential clinical significance in guiding endoscopic EV treatment.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR2200064028.
Exploring Potential Orbital Metastatic Pathways in Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma: A Case Report
Authors: Scheurleer W. F. Julius , Braunius W. Weibel , de Ridder M. , Voormolen Eduard H. J. , de Bree Remco , Bleys Ronald L. A. W. , Kalmann Rachel , Breimer Gerben E. , Rijken Johannes A.
Published: November 2024

The following case potentially provides insight into the mechanisms of lymphogenic metastasis in sinonasal cancer. A 63‐year‐old patient who presented with progressive diplopia and left‐sided periocular pain was diagnosed with a cT4bN0M0 mucosal melanoma of the ethmoid sinus. She underwent a combined endonasal and transcranial tumor resection, and an orbital exenteration. Upon histopathological examination, besides the primary tumor, two separate localizations of melanoma surrounded by lymphoid tissues and lymph follicles were identified. The tumor was upstaged to pT4bN1, and the patient received a combination of adjuvant immunotherapy and radiotherapy. At present, the patient displays no evidence of disease. The presence of orbital lymph nodes has previously never been confirmed. These findings indicate the potential involvement of lymphatic drainage through the retrobulbar fat in the regional spread of sinonasal tumors closely associated with the orbit.
Histopathological Patterns of Cutaneous and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis Due to L. aethiopica
Authors: Atnafu Abay , Chanyalew Zewditu , Yimam Sofia , Zeleke Meaza , Negussie Shimelis , Girma Selfu , Melaku Aklilu , Chanyalew Menberework
Published: November 2024

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease in Ethiopia, mainly caused by L. aethiopica. Limited reports are available related to histopathological features of the skin lesion caused by L. aethiopica. This study aimed to analyze the histopathological features of CL due to L. aethiopica.

Materials and Methods: A similar cohort polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed CL patients from a previous own study, who were prospectively enrolled from All Africa Leprosy, Tuberculosis and Rehabilitation Training (ALERT) Hospital Addis Ababa, Kela Health Center in Gurage Zone, Siliti Health Center in Silit zone of southern nations and nationalities, as well as Ankober Health Center in Amhara region was used for data analysis. The histopathology was analyzed by performing hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to look for the presence of general and specific histopathology patterns of the disease. Descriptive statistics was utilized using SPSS version 26.0 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, United States of America).

Results: Amastigotes were observed in skin biopsies of 29% (n = 2) mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) and 58% (n = 6) localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) patients. Diffused inflammatory cell infiltrate was observed in the dermal compartment of 77% (n = 20) samples while the remaining 23% (n = 6) had patchy or nodular inflammatory cell infiltrate. The dominant type of inflammatory cell infiltrate in the dermal compartments is macrophages and lymphocytes with a similar proportion, 23/26 (88.5%), followed by plasma cells, 21/26 (80.8%). Among all cases, 38.5% (n = 10) of them were categorized under the Type I pattern while Types IV and V patterns were reported in 26.9% (n = 7) and 34.6% (n = 9) of the remaining samples, respectively. The study found statistically significant correlations between necrosis and MCL (p = 0.01), unorganized granulomas and LCL (p = 0.04), and the presence of eosinophils and giant cell Langerhans with MCL (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion: In our study, the histopathological patterns of the CL caused by L. aethiopica were shown to have a dermal change that was characterized by a domination of diffused inflammatory cell infiltrate. Most of the cell types in the infiltrate were macrophages and lymphocytes. In addition, amastigote resided in the histiocyte with a varying degree of intensity, and both the organized and unorganized granulomas were shown with a considerable proportion.
Conditioned Medium Derived From Human Dental Follicle Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alleviates Macrophage Proinflammatory Responses Through MAPK‐ERK‐EGR1 Axis
Authors: Zhang Chuhan , Lv Peiyi , Liang Qiuying , Zhou Jian , Wu Buling , Xu Wenan
Published: November 2024

The regulation of macrophage polarization by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a prominent area of research but faces challenges due to limited MSC sources and incomplete understanding of underlying mechanisms. We sought to identify an accessible MSC source and investigate how MSCs regulate macrophage polarization using high‐throughput sequencing. We isolated dental follicle MSCs from discarded human third molar dental follicles and cocultured them with THP‐1‐derived macrophages in the conditioned medium. Transcriptome sequencing identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in macrophages, integrating with multiomics database analysis to uncover polarization mechanisms. Our findings demonstrated successful MSC extraction from dental follicles, with the conditioned medium suppressing proinflammatory macrophage functions and influencing macrophage subtyping. MSCs, through paracrine signaling, activated the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, leading to extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation and upregulation of early growth response 1 (EGR1) protein. Elevated EGR1 levels inhibited inflammatory gene expression, inhibiting the pro‐inflammatory immunoregulatory function of macrophages in inflammatory states. This study provides an efficient method for in vitro macrophage polarization identification. It offers insights into MSC‐regulated polarization mechanisms, with potential clinical implications for anti‐inflammatory therapy and immune regulation.