bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Injury Pattern and Current Early Clinical Care of Pediatric Polytrauma Comparing Different Age Groups in a Level I Trauma Center
Authors: Schuster Anna , Klute Lisa , Kerschbaum Maximilian , Kunkel Jürgen , Schaible Jan , Straub Josina , Weber Johannes , Alt Volker , Popp Daniel
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Pediatric polytrauma is a complex condition with unique characteristics and requirements for early clinical care. This study aimed to analyze the injury patterns, early clinical care, and outcomes of pediatric polytrauma patients in a Level I trauma center. The focus was on evaluation between different age groups and the recognition of injuries as potential factors influencing outcomes. Methods: A prospective cohort study model of pediatric polytrauma patients (ISS ≥ 16) was conducted over a 13-year period, stratified by age groups (Group A: 0–5 years; Group B: 6–10 years; Group C: 11–15 years; and Group D: 16–18 years). A comparison of the groups was conducted to examine variations in early clinical care, trauma mechanisms, distribution of affected body regions (as per AIS and ISS criteria), and trauma-related mortality. Additionally, factors contributing to mortality were evaluated. Results: The median age of patients was 16 years, with a male predominance (64.7%). The Injury Severity Score (ISS) varied across age groups, with no significant difference. The 30-day mortality rate was 19.0%, with no significant age-related differences. Trauma mechanisms varied across age groups, with motor vehicle accidents being the most common mechanism in all age groups except 0–5 years, where falls were prevalent. Analysis of injury patterns by AIS body regions indicated that head trauma was a significant predictor of mortality (Hazard Ratio 2.894, p < 0.001), while chest, abdominal, and extremity trauma showed no significant association with mortality. Multiple regression analysis identified the ISS and preclinical GCS as valid predictors of mortality (p < 0.001 and p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: While age-related differences in injury severity and clinical interventions were limited, head trauma emerged as a critical predictor of mortality. Early recognition and management of head injuries are crucial in improving outcomes. Additionally, the ISS and preclinical GCS were identified as valid predictors of mortality, emphasizing the importance of early assessment and resuscitation. A tailored approach to pediatric polytrauma care, considering both age and injury patterns, might contribute to survival benefits in this vulnerable population.
A Deep-Sea Environment Simulated Test System for Subsea Control Modules, Part A: Prototype and Test
Authors: Shang Shoubo , Wang Xiangyu , Han Qingnan , Jia Peng , Yun Feihong , Wen Jing , Li Chao , Ju Ming , Wang Liquan
Published: January 2024

This paper proposes a version of the deep-sea environment simulated test system for subsea control modules to solve the problem of incomplete testing systems for electro-hydraulic subsea control modules. Based on the subsea control module test requirements specified in APISTD17F, the test system in this paper is a highly integrated system, including a test hydraulic power unit, a control module test bench, a signal simulator, an electronic test unit, an umbilical simulator, a high-pressure chamber, and an incubator. Firstly, the design indicators of the test system were determined by analyzing the various functions of the subsea control module and its working environment. Secondly, the design scheme for the test system was proposed, and a detailed design was carried out. Finally, a hydro-electrical subsea control module for the Bohai Sea was fully tested with this system, with tests including the qualification test and the factory acceptance test. The test results show that all parts of the test system coordinated well and have achieved the design indicators, and the test system can simulate the working environment and complete a land test. The effectiveness and feasibility of the test system have been verified through the test. By adopting this system, the risk of subsea control module failure can be minimized, laying the foundations for future research and improvement of subsea control module testing equipment.
StereoYOLO: A Stereo Vision-Based Method for Maritime Object Recognition and Localization
Authors: Shang Yifan , Yu Wanneng , Zeng Guangmiao , Li Huihui , Wu Yuegao
Published: January 2024

Image recognition is vital for intelligent ships’ autonomous navigation. However, traditional methods often fail to accurately identify maritime objects’ spatial positions, especially under electromagnetic silence. We introduce the StereoYOLO method, an enhanced stereo vision-based object recognition and localization approach that serves autonomous vessels using only image sensors. It is specifically refined for maritime object recognition and localization scenarios through the integration of convolutional and coordinated attention modules. The method uses stereo cameras to identify and locate maritime objects in images and calculate their relative positions using stereo vision algorithms. Experimental results indicate that the StereoYOLO algorithm boosts the mean Average Precision at IoU threshold of 0.5 (mAP50) in object recognition by 5.23%. Furthermore, the variation in range measurement due to target angle changes is reduced by 6.12%. Additionally, upon measuring the distance to targets at varying ranges, the algorithm achieves an average positioning error of 5.73%, meeting the accuracy and robustness criteria for maritime object collision avoidance on experimental platform ships.
Cytokine Signatures for Lung Cancer Diagnosis in African American Populations
Authors: Leng Qixin , Dhilipkannah Pushpa , Jiang Feng
Published: January 2024

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among both men and women. African Americans (AAs) experience disproportionately higher incidence and mortality compared to other ethnic groups. Cytokines play multifaceted and crucial roles in the initiation, progression, and spread of cancer. Our aim was to identify cytokine biomarkers for the early detection of lung cancer in AAs. We examined eight key cytokines (Interleukin-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) in the plasma of 104 lung cancer patients and 48 cancer-free individuals using the FirePlex Immunoassay. These findings were subsequently validated in a separate cohort of 58 cases and 58 controls. IL-8, IFN-γ, and TNF-α exhibited elevated levels in both AA and White American (WA) lung cancer cases. Notably, IL-10 and MCP-1 displayed significant increases specifically in AA lung cancer patients, with MCP-1 levels associated with lung adenocarcinoma cases. Conversely, WA lung cancer patients showed heightened IL-6 levels, particularly linked to lung adenocarcinoma. The combined use of specific cytokines showed promise in lung cancer diagnosis, with IL-8, IL-10, and MCP-1 achieving 76% sensitivity and 79% specificity in AAs and IL-6 and IL-8 combined offering 76% sensitivity and 74% specificity in WAs. These diagnostic biomarkers were validated in the independent cohort. The ethnicity-related cytokine biomarkers hold promise for diagnosing lung cancer in AAs and WAs, potentially addressing the observed racial disparity.
Impact of Minimally Invasive Surgery on Anatomic Liver Segmentectomy Using the Extrahepatic Glissonean Approach
Authors: Kato Yutaro , Sugioka Atsushi , Kojima Masayuki , Uyama Ichiro
Published: January 2024

Accurate minimally invasive anatomic liver (sub)segmentectomy (MIAS) is technically demanding and not yet standardized, and its surgical outcomes are undefined. To study the impact of the minimally invasive approach on perioperative outcomes of anatomic liver (sub)segmentectomy (AS), we retrospectively studied and compared perioperative outcomes of 99 open AS (OAS) and 112 MIAS (laparoscopic 77, robotic 35) cases using the extrahepatic Glissonean approach, based on the 1:1 propensity score matched analyses. After matching (71:71), MIAS was superior to OAS in terms of blood loss (p < 0.0001), maximum postoperative serum total bilirubin (p < 0.0001), C-reactive protein (p = 0.034) levels, R0 resection rate (p = 0.021), bile leak (p = 0.049), and length of hospital stay (p < 0.0001). The matched robotic and laparoscopic AS groups (30:30) had comparable outcomes in terms of operative time, blood loss, transfusion, open conversion, postoperative morbidity and mortality, R0 resection, and hospital stay, although the rate of Pringle maneuver application (p = 0.0002) and the postoperative aspartate aminotransferase level (p = 0.002) were higher in the robotic group. Comparing the matched posterosuperior (sub)segmentectomy cases or unmatched repeat hepatectomy cases between MIAS and OAS, we observed significantly less blood loss and shorter hospital stays in MIAS. Robotic AS yielded comparable outcomes with laparoscopic AS in the posterosuperior (sub)segmentectomy and repeat hepatectomy settings, despite the worse tumor and procedural backgrounds in robotic AS. In conclusion, various types of MIAS standardized by the extrahepatic Glissonean approach were feasible and safe with more favorable perioperative outcomes than those of OAS. Although robotic AS had almost comparable outcomes with laparoscopic AS, robotics may serve to decrease the surgical difficulty of MIAS in selected patients undergoing posterosuperior (sub)segmentectomy and repeat hepatectomy.
Evaluating Spatial Coverage of the Greater Sage-Grouse Umbrella to Conserve Sagebrush-Dependent Species Biodiversity within the Wyoming Basins
Authors: Aldridge Cameron L. , Saher D. Joanne , Heinrichs Julie A. , Monroe Adrian P. , Leu Matthias , Hanser Steve E.
Published: January 2024

Biodiversity is threatened due to land-use change, overexploitation, pollution, and anthropogenic climate change, altering ecosystem functioning around the globe. Protecting areas rich in biodiversity is often difficult without fully understanding and mapping species’ ecological niche requirements. As a result, the umbrella species concept is often applied, whereby conservation of a surrogate species is used to indirectly protect species that occupy similar ecological communities. One such species is the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), which has been used as an umbrella to conserve other species within the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystem. Sagebrush-steppe ecosystems within the United States have experienced drastic loss, fragmentation, and degradation of remaining habitat, threatening sagebrush-dependent fauna, resulting in west-wide conservation efforts to protect sage-grouse habitats, and presumably other sagebrush wildlife. We evaluated the effectiveness of the greater sage-grouse umbrella to conserve biodiversity using data-driven spatial occupancy and abundance models for seven sagebrush-dependent (obligate or associated) species across the greater Wyoming Basins Ecoregional Assessment (WBEA) area (345,300 km2) and assessed overlap with predicted sage-grouse occurrence. Predicted sage-grouse habitat from empirical models only partially (39–58%) captured habitats identified by predicted occurrence models for three sagebrush-obligate songbirds and 60% of biodiversity hotspots (richness of 4–6 species). Sage-grouse priority areas for conservation only captured 59% of model-predicted sage-grouse habitat, and only slightly fewer (56%) biodiversity hotspots. We suggest that the greater sage-grouse habitats may be partially effective as an umbrella for the conservation of sagebrush-dependent species within the sagebrush biome, and management actions aiming to conserve biodiversity should directly consider the explicit mapping of resource requirements for other taxonomic groups.
Survival Trends in Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Middle Eastern Perspective
Authors: Al-Ibraheem Akram , Al-Shammaa Mohamed , Abdlkadir Ahmed Saad , Istatieh Feras , Al-Rasheed Ula , Pascual Thomas , Rihani Rawad , Halalsheh Hadeel , Ismael Taleb , Khalaf Aysar , Sultan Iyad , Mohamad Issa , Abdel-Razeq Hikmat , Mansour Asem
Published: January 2024

Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (pedDTC) is a rare pediatric malignancy with an increasing incidence over time. To date, there is a paucity of literature specifically addressing pedDTC within the context of Middle Eastern ethnicity. This retrospective study aimed to assess the risk-stratifying factors for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in pediatric DTC patients from Iraq and Jordan. The medical records of 81 patients from two tertiary cancer institutes were retrieved. Kaplan–Meier analysis was employed to investigate OS and EFS, and the Cox proportional hazards model was employed to estimate hazard ratios. All patients underwent surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, with a median age of 14 and an interquartile range of 12–15. Lymph node involvement was observed in 55% of cases, while distant metastases were present in 13.5%. After a median follow-up period of 68 months, the 10-year survival rate was determined to be 94%, while the 10-year EFS rate was 58%. EFS was negatively impacted by cervical lymph node metastases and early age of diagnosis (p ≤ 0.01, each). Therefore, pediatrics with initial cervical lymph node metastases and those diagnosed before puberty tend to experience poorer EFS, which may justify the need for more aggressive management plans.
Investigating Friction and Antiwear Characteristics of Organic and Synthetic Oils Using h-BN Nanoparticle Additives: A Tribological Study
Authors: Ziyamukhamedova Umida , Wasil Shah , Kumar Sanjay , Sehgal Rakesh , Wani M. F. , Singh Chandra Shekhar , Tursunov Nodirjon , Gupta Himanshu Shekhar
Published: January 2024

Friction and wear are two major elements that influence the life of a variety of equipment. According to estimates, as much as 30% of the energy used is dissipated as friction. However, this figure can be reduced by developing materials that enhance surfaces and apply lubricants appropriately. This study aims to analyze the impact of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles on the rheological and antiwear characteristics of four distinct oil varieties, namely Society of Automotive Engineers SAE-20W50, soybean, Polyalphaolefin PAO-4, and olive oils. The results of the tribological tests demonstrated a noteworthy enhancement in antiwear characteristics with the addition of 0.2 wt.% of h-BN nanolubricant. Among all nanolubricants, the maximum reduction in coefficient of friction (COF) and wear scar diameter was observed at 0.2 wt.% of h-BN in SAE-20W50 oil. Compared to the base oils, the wear scar diameter decreased by 17.93%, 8.80%, 22.65%, and 24.04% for (soybean oil and 0.2 wt.% of h-BN), (SAE20W50 and 0.2 wt.% of h-BN), (PAO4 and 0.2 wt.% of h-BN), and (olive oil and 0.2 wt.% of h-BN), respectively. Rheological test results indicated that with the addition of h-BN nanoparticles, the viscosity of the base oils significantly increased. The maximum viscosity was observed at 40 °C for SAE20W50 base nanolubricants, according to the rheological measurements.
Analysis of the Stability of a Flat Textiles with a Two-Parameter Deflection Curve
Authors: Szablewski Piotr
Published: January 2024

The issue of large deflections of textiles occurs primarily when analyzing the “drape” of curtains, tablecloths and other flat textile products. The correct drape is particularly important from an aesthetic point of view. Additionally, there is a problem with the stability of the folds created during the drape process. The analysis of this problem is difficult due to the occurrence of large deflections and non-linear properties of the material. In this article, a selected fragment of the above-mentioned issue was tested, relating only to the stability of the fold formed under given loading conditions. A typical example is a fabric resting on a flat surface and loaded with compressive forces. The presented considerations lead to obtaining the deflection curve for a given self-weight and compressive force. Additionally, the obtained shape was tested for stability. Two shape parameters used in the analysis can be applied for the simulation of different shapes of the deflection curve. The analysis has been made using the energy method relating to the total potential energy of the object. The obtained results may be used in algorithms and simulation programs for fabric folding, buckling and for another applications in the area of textile mechanics.
Review on Soil Corrosion and Protection of Grounding Grids
Authors: Zhao Jing , Meng Xian , Ren Xiao , Li Shengfang , Zhang Fuhao , Yang Xiaofang , Xu Junyao , Yuan Yuan
Published: January 2024

The corrosion of grounding grid materials in soil is a prominent factor in power and electrical equipment failure. This paper aims to delve into the corrosion characteristics of grounding grid materials and the corresponding methods of safeguarding against this phenomenon. Firstly, the influencing factors of the soil environment on the corrosion of the grounding grid are introduced, including soil physicochemical properties, microorganisms, and stray currents. Then, the corrosion behavior and durability of common grounding grid materials such as copper, carbon steel, and galvanized steel are discussed in detail and compared comprehensively. In addition, commonly used protective measures in China and outside China, including anti-corrosion coatings, electrochemical protection, and other technologies are introduced. Finally, it summarizes the current research progress and potential future directions of this field of study.
Preparation of Sol–Gel-Derived CaO-B2O3-SiO2 Glass/Al2O3 Composites with High Flexural Strength and Low Dielectric Constant for LTCC Application
Authors: Ni Yiqun , Li Shanshan , Hou Bo , Zhuo Weizhuang , Wen Weijia
Published: January 2024

Low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate materials are widely applied in electronic components due to their excellent microwave dielectric properties. However, the absence of LTCC materials with a lower dielectric constant and higher mechanical strength restricts the creation of integrated and minified electronic devices. In this work, sol–gel-derived CaO-B2O3-SiO2 (CBS) glass/Al2O3 composites with high flexural strength and low dielectric constant were successfully prepared using the LTCC technique. Among the composites sintered at different temperatures, the composites sintered at 870 °C for 2 hours possess a dielectric constant of 6.3 (10 GHz), a dielectric loss of 0.2%, a flexural strength of 245 MPa, and a CTE of 5.3 × 10−6 K−1, demonstrating its great potential for applications in the electronic package field. By analyzing the CBS glass’ physical characteristics, it was found that the sol–gel-derived glass has an extremely low dielectric constant of 3.6 and does not crystallize or react with Al2O3 at the sintering temperature, which is conducive to improving the flexural strength and reducing the dielectric constant of CBS glass/Al2O3 composites.
Predicted and Experimental Bending Behaviour of Glulam Bonded by RPF Adhesive
Authors: Kytka Tomáš , Gašparík Miroslav , Sahula Lukáš , Novák David , Karami Elham , Das Sumanta , Sviták Martin
Published: January 2024

In this study, alder, spruce, and beech woods were used for homogeneous symmetric, inhomogeneous symmetric (combined) and inhomogeneous non-symmetric glued laminated timber (glulam) beams glued with resorcinol phenol formaldehyde (RPF) adhesive. The aim of this paper is to determine and compare the modulus of elasticity of glulam beams using three methods, i.e., analytical calculation, numerical model (FEM) and experimental testing. As an additional characteristic, the bending strength (MOR) of the beams was determined during experimental testing. Analytical calculation was used to calculate the modulus of elasticity (MOE) of glued laminated timber based on the knowledge of the modulus of elasticity of solid wood and to estimate the location of the neutral axis during bending. According to calculations, for symmetrical combinations, the deviation from the real neutral axis does not exceed 5%. In the case of the modulus of elasticity, the deviation is an average of 4.1% from that of the actual measured beams. The numerical model includes finite element modelling, where the deflection of the modelled beams can be calculated with a deviation of up to 10%. The last method was experimental testing of glued beams using four-point bending, in which, among homogeneous beams, beech glulam beams achieved the highest MOE and MOR, while alder glulam beams achieved the lowest. The combination of wood species resulted in an increase in both MOE and MOR compared to homogeneous spruce and alder beams.
Process Parameters of High Frequency Welding
Authors: Rogale Dubravko , Firšt Rogale Snježana , Knezić Željko , Fajt Siniša , Časar Veličan Daniel , Jukl Nikolina
Published: January 2024

High frequency (HF) welding of polymer materials is increasingly used in modern manufacturing processes. The literature on HF welding process parameters was reviewed and it was found that 3–5 basic welding parameters were considered, which is insufficient for the scientific study of HF welding of polymeric materials. This article presents the mathematical expressions for the evaluation combining 17 influential parameters. For the first time, the specific and latent heat of the welded polymer material were used. The breaking forces of welds made by RF welding are investigated by varying the anode current, the coupling capacitor, and the exposure time of the HF electromagnetic fields. It was found that the amount of HF energy supplied depends on the breaking forces of the weld. A characteristic inflection point was also observed in the graph of the dependence of the breaking forces on the percentage of the coupling capacitor and the anode current. During elongation, it was observed that the weld is separated by peeling before the inflection point and breaks after the inflection point by tearing at the extruded edges of the weld. If the HF energy is applied to the weld for too long, there will be excessive melting of the material in the weld, thinning of the weld, unfavourable appearance of the extruded edges and electrical breakdown, and a drastic drop in the breaking force.
Effect of 3D-Printed Honeycomb Core on Compressive Property of Hybrid Energy Absorbers: Experimental Testing and Optimization Analysis
Authors: Silva Rita de Cássia , Castro Gabriel Martins de , Oliveira Alessandro Borges de Sousa , Brasil Augusto César de Mendonça
Published: January 2024

This paper presents an innovative method of constructing energy absorbers, whose primary function is to effectively transform kinetic energy into strain energy in events with high deformation rates. Hybrid specimens are proposed considering thin-walled windowed metallic tubes filled with 3D-printed hexagonal honeycombs made of PET-G and ABS thermoplastic. The patterned windows dimensions vary from 20 × 20, 20 × 30, 15 × 20 and 15 × 30 mm2. Although using polymers in engineering and thin-walled sections is not new, their combination has not been explored in this type of structure designed to withstand impacts. Specimens resist out-of-plane quasi-static axial loading, and test results are analyzed, demonstrating that polymer core gives the samples better performance parameters than unfilled samples regarding energy absorption (Ea), load rate (LR), and structural effectiveness (η). An optimization procedure using specialized software was applied to evaluate experimental results, which led to identifying the optimal window geometry (16.4 × 20 mm2, in case) and polymer to be used (ABS). The optimized sample was constructed and tested for axial compression to validate the optimization outcomes. The results reveal that the optimal sample performed similarly to the estimated parameters, making this geometry the best choice under the test conditions.
Plasmonic Nanocomposites of ZnO-Ag Produced by Laser Ablation and Their Photocatalytic Destruction of Rhodamine, Tetracycline and Phenol
Authors: Fakhrutdinova Elena D. , Volokitina Anastasia V. , Kulinich Sergei A. , Goncharova Daria A. , Kharlamova Tamara S. , Svetlichnyi Valery A.
Published: January 2024

Hydrosphere pollution by organic pollutants of different nature (persistent dyes, phenols, herbicides, antibiotics, etc.) is one of the urgent ecological problems facing humankind these days. The task of water purification from such pollutants can be effectively solved with the help of modern photocatalytic technologies. This article is devoted to the study of photocatalytic properties of composite catalysts based on ZnO modified with plasmonic Ag nanoparticles. All materials were obtained by laser synthesis in liquid and differed by their silver content and preparation conditions, such as additional laser irradiation and/or annealing of produced powders. The prepared ZnO-Ag powders were investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Photocatalytic tests were carried out with well- known test molecules in water (persistent dye rhodamine B, phenol and common antibiotic tetracycline) using LED light sources with wavelengths of 375 and 410 nm. The introduction of small concentrations (up to 1%) of plasmonic Ag nanoparticles is shown to increase the efficiency of the ZnO photocatalyst by expanding its spectral range. Both the preparation conditions and material composition were optimized to obtain composite photocatalysts with the highest efficiency. Finally, the operation mechanisms of the material with different distribution of silver are discussed.
NiCoCrFeY High Entropy Alloy Nanopowders and Their Soft Magnetic Properties
Authors: Jiang Donghan , Yuan Zhifen , Zhu Zhenghou , Yao Mengke
Published: January 2024

High entropy alloy nanopowders were successfully prepared by liquid-phase reduction methods and their applications were preliminarily discussed. The prepared high entropy alloy nanopowders consisted of FeNi alloy spherical powders and NiFeCoCrY alloy spherical powders with a particle size of about 100 nm. The powders have soft magnetic properties, the saturation magnetization field strength were up to 5000 Qe and the saturation magnetization strength Ms was about 17.3 emu/g. The powders have the excellent property of low high-frequency loss in the frequency range of 0.3–8.5 GHz. When the thickness of the powders coating was 5 mm, the powders showed excellent absorption performance in the Ku band; and when the thickness of the powders coating was 10 mm; the powders showed good wave-absorbing performance in the X band. The powders have good moulding, and the powders have large specific surface area, so that the magnetic powder core composites could be prepared under low pressure and without coating insulators, and the magnetic powder cores showed excellent frequency-constant magnetization and magnetic field-constant magnetization characteristics. In the frequency range of 1~100 KHz; the μm of the magnetic powder core heat-treated at 800 °C reached 359, the μe was about 4.6 and the change rate of μe with frequency was less than 1%, meanwhile; the magnetic powder core still maintains constant μe value under the action of the external magnetic field from 0 to 12,000 A/m. The high entropy alloy nanopowders have a broad application prospect in soft magnetic composites.
Mathematical Modeling and Simulation in Mechanics and Dynamic Systems, 2nd Edition
Authors: Scutaru Maria Luminita , Pruncu Catalin-Iulian
Published: January 2024

Although it has been considered difficult to make further contributions in the field of mechanics, the spectacular evolution of technology and numerical calculation techniques has made these opinions shift, and increasingly sophisticated models have been developed, which should predict, as accurately as possible, the phenomena that take place in dynamic systems [...]
Upper Extremity Motion-Based Telemanipulation with Component-Wise Rescaling of Spatial Twist and Parameter-Invariant Skeletal Kinematics
Authors: Noh Donghyeon , Choi Haegyeom , Jeon Haneul , Kim Taeho , Lee Donghun
Published: January 2024

This study introduces a framework to improve upper extremity motion-based telemanipulation by component-wise rescaling (CWR) of spatial twist. This method allows for separate adjustments of linear and angular scaling parameters, significantly improving precision and dexterity even when the operator’s heading direction changes. By finely controlling both the linear and angular velocities independently, the CWR method enables more accurate telemanipulation in tasks requiring diverse speed and accuracy based on personal preferences or task-specific demands. The study conducted experiments confirming that operators could precisely control the robot gripper with a steady, controlled motion even in confined spaces, irrespective of changes in the subject’s body-heading direction. The performance evaluation of the proposed motion-scaling-based telemanipulation leveraged Optitrack’s motion-capture system, comparing the trajectories of the operator’s hand and the manipulator’s end effector (EEF). This verification process solidified the efficacy of the developed framework in enhancing telemanipulation performance.
Incisional Small-Bowel Strangulation after a Caesarean Section: A Case Report
Authors: Plume Agne , Bartusevicius Arnoldas , Paskauskas Saulius , Malakauskiene Laura , Bartuseviciene Egle
Published: January 2024

Background and Objectives: Every surgical procedure has the possible risk of complications, and caesarean sections (CSs) are no exception. As CS rates are increasing worldwide, being familiar with rare but possible complications has become extremely important. Case report: We present a case of 25-year-old nulliparous patient who came to our hospital with twin pregnancy for a scheduled induction of labour. An urgent CS was performed due to labour dystocia. On the second postoperative day, the patient started to complain about pain in the epigastrium, but initially showed no signs of bowel obstruction, passing gas, and stools, and could tolerate oral intake. After a thorough examination, an early postoperative complication—small-bowel strangulation at the incision site—was diagnosed. Small bowels protruded in between sutured rectus abdominis muscle causing a strangulation which led to re-laparotomy. During the surgery, there was no necrosis of intestines, bowel resection was not needed, and abdominal wall repair was performed. After re-laparotomy, the patient recovered with no further complications. Conclusions: Although there are discussions about CS techniques, most guidelines recommend leaving rectus muscle unsutured. This case demonstrates a complication which most likely could have been avoided if the rectus muscle had not been re-approximated.
Implementation of Highly Reliable Contacts for RF MEMS Switches
Authors: Jiang Lili , Wang Lifeng , Huang Xiaodong , Huang Zhen , Huang Min
Published: January 2024

A contact is the key structure of RF MEMS (Radio Frequency Microelectromechanical System) switches, which has a direct impact on the switch’s electrical and mechanical properties. In this paper, the implementation of highly reliable contacts for direct-contact RF MEMS switches is provided. As a soft metal material, gold has the advantages of low contact resistance, high chemical stability, and mature process preparation, so it is chosen as the metal material for the beam structure as well as the contacts of the switch. However, a Pt film is used in the bottom contact area to enhance the reliability of the contact. Three kinds of contacts with various shapes are fabricated using different processes. Particularly, a circular-shaped contact is obtained by dry/wet combined processes. The detailed fabrication process of the contacts as well as the Pt film on the bottom contact area are given. The experimental test shows that the contact shape has little effect on the RF performance of the switches. However, the circular contact shows better reliability than other contacts and can work well even after 1.2 × 109 cycles.
A Computational Evaluation of Minimum Feature Size in Projection Two-Photon Lithography for Rapid Sub-100 nm Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Pingali Rushil , Kim Harnjoo , Saha Sourabh K.
Published: January 2024

Two-photon lithography (TPL) is a laser-based additive manufacturing technique that enables the printing of arbitrarily complex cm-scale polymeric 3D structures with sub-micron features. Although various approaches have been investigated to enable the printing of fine features in TPL, it is still challenging to achieve rapid sub-100 nm 3D printing. A key limitation is that the physical phenomena that govern the theoretical and practical limits of the minimum feature size are not well known. Here, we investigate these limits in the projection TPL (P-PTL) process, which is a high-throughput variant of TPL, wherein entire 2D layers are printed at once. We quantify the effects of the projected feature size, optical power, exposure time, and photoinitiator concentration on the printed feature size through finite element modeling of photopolymerization. Simulations are performed rapidly over a vast parameter set exceeding 10,000 combinations through a dynamic programming scheme, which is implemented on high-performance computing resources. We demonstrate that there is no physics-based limit to the minimum feature sizes achievable with a precise and well-calibrated P-TPL system, despite the discrete nature of illumination. However, the practically achievable minimum feature size is limited by the increased sensitivity of the degree of polymer conversion to the processing parameters in the sub-100 nm regime. The insights generated here can serve as a roadmap towards fast, precise, and predictable sub-100 nm 3D printing.
A High-Accuracy RC Time Constant Auto-Tuning Scheme for Integrated Continuous-Time Filters
Authors: Jin Gang , Wu Hao , Yin Yue , Zheng Lei , Zhuang Yiqi
Published: January 2024

The reliability of the resistor-capacitor (RC) time constant of a continuous-time (CT) filter has long been an obstacle with integrated circuits. Due to process and temperature variations in complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, the absolute value of the RC time constant may vary over ±50%, which is a big issue for many integrated continuous-time analog circuits. This study proposes an on-chip RC time constant auto-tuning scheme. The proposed scheme is based on the discrete master–slave auto-tuning concept. Considering the limitations in conventional works, a higher tuning accuracy is achieved by adopting two techniques: firstly, parasitic capacitance cancelation is proposed to eliminate the effects caused by parasitic capacitance; secondly, symmetric comparison is introduced to minimize the influence of the DC offset of the comparator. A successive approximation procedure is applied to improve the tuning speed. The proposed auto-tuning scheme has been validated in 55 nm CMOS technology with a fourth-order active-RC low-pass filter under PVT variations and 60 mV input offset voltage. The average tuning error is 2.21%, and the maximum error is 3.67%. The tuning error of the proposed scheme is considerably lower than the conventional scheme.
Atopic Disease as a Risk Factor for Recurrent Herpetic Keratitis
Authors: Safir Margarita , Mimouni Michael
Published: January 2024

Recurrent herpetic keratitis is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. In this population-based cross-sectional study, the medical records of Israeli adolescents and young adults who underwent systematic preconscription evaluation for mandatory military service were reviewed. The prevalence of atopic conjunctival disease was evaluated in cases with and without documented recurrent herpetic keratitis. The association was tested using uni- and multivariant analyses. Overall, 940,892 adolescents and young adults were included. The mean age was 17.57 ± 1.50 years (range 16–20 years), and 40.70% of participants were female. Recurrent herpetic keratitis was documented in 160 cases, with a prevalence of 0.017% in this age group. Compared to the general population, patients with recurrent herpetic keratitis were significantly more likely to be males (p = 0.003) with a concomitant diagnosis of atopic conjunctival disease (p < 0.0001). Patients with atopic conjunctival disease were 10.60-fold more likely to experience recurrent herpetic keratitis (95% confidence interval (CI): 6.76–16.64, p < 0.0001). Upon multivariate analysis, the results remained significant (p < 0.001). Cases of severe atopic conjunctival disease were more prone to recurrent HSV keratitis compared to mild cases (p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the timely appropriate treatment of atopic conjunctival disease may help reduce the frequency and severity of recurrent HSV keratitis and its complications.
Polyphasic Characterization of Brucella spp. in Livestock Slaughtered from Abattoirs in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Authors: Mazwi Koketso Desiree , Kolo Francis Babaman , Jaja Ishmael Festus , Byaruhanga Charles , Hassim Ayesha , van Heerden Henriette
Published: January 2024

In livestock, brucellosis is mainly an asymptomatic disease except when abortion occurs; therefore, two serological tests are used for diagnosis as no single test is suitable. Abattoir samples enable a combination of culture, molecular, and serological tests to detect brucellosis. This study assessed Brucella-specific PCR (ITS-PCR) to detect brucellosis and to conduct a molecular characterization of Brucella spp. isolated from PCR-positive livestock (n = 565) slaughtered at abattoirs and the appropriate sample tissue(s). ITS-PCR detected Brucella DNA in 33.6% of cattle, 14.5% of sheep, and 4.7% of pig tissues. Impure Brucella cultures from PCR-positive tissues were 43.6% (44/94) of cattle, 51.7% (15/29) of sheep, and 50% (2/4) of pigs with predominantly B. abortus identification with AMOS-PCR and low isolation of mixed B. abortus and B. melitensis in all species. In cattle, 33% of isolates were from lymph nodes, while in sheep 38.0% were from the liver and kidney and only from tonsils in pigs (2/4). Brucella infections identified with AMOS-PCR were present in seropositive and mainly seronegative (75.6–100%) livestock with the potential to cause brucellosis during pregnancy or breeding. This study demonstrated the value of the polyphasic approach, especially with chronic infections and the potential risk of these asymptomatic animals.
Comparison of Different Vascular Biomarkers for Predicting In-Hospital Mortality in Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Sütő Renáta , Pócsi Marianna , Fagyas Miklós , Kalina Edit , Fejes Zsolt , Szentkereszty Zoltán , Kappelmayer János , Nagy Jr. Béla
Published: January 2024

Severe SARS-CoV-2 elicits a hyper-inflammatory response that results in intravascular inflammation with endothelial injury, which contributes to increased mortality in COVID-19. To predict the outcome of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, we analyzed the baseline level of different biomarkers of vascular disorders in COVID-19 subjects upon intensive care unit (ICU) admission and prior to any vaccination. A total of 70 severe COVID-19 patients (37 survivors and 33 non-survivors) were included with 16 age- and sex-matched controls. Vascular dysfunction was monitored via soluble VCAM-1, E-selectin, ACE2 and Lp-PLA2, while abnormal platelet activation was evaluated by soluble P-selectin and CD40L in parallel. These results were correlated with routine laboratory parameters and disease outcomes. Among these parameters, VCAM-1 and ACE2 showed significantly higher serum levels in COVID-19 patients with early death vs. convalescent subjects. VCAM-1 was significantly correlated with the Horowitz index (r = 0.3115) and IL-6 (r = 0.4599), while ACE2 was related to E-selectin (r = 0.4143) and CD40L (r = 0.2948). Lp-PLA2 was altered in none of these COVID-19 subcohorts and showed no relationship with the other parameters. Finally, the pre-treatment level of VCAM-1 (≥1420 ng/mL) and ACE2 activity (≥45.2 μU/mL) predicted a larger risk for mortality (Log-Rank p = 0.0031 and p = 0.0117, respectively). Vascular dysfunction with endothelial cell activation is linked to lethal COVID-19, and highly elevated soluble VCAM-1 and ACE2 at admission to ICU may predict unfavorable outcomes.
Editorial for the Special Issue “Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals”
Authors: Huang Xiaowen
Published: January 2024

Steel is a foundation of national economic construction [...]
Laboratory X-ray Microscopy of 3D Nanostructures in the Hard X-ray Regime Enabled by a Combination of Multilayer X-ray Optics
Authors: Lechowski Bartlomiej , Kutukova Kristina , Grenzer Joerg , Panchenko Iuliana , Krueger Peter , Clausner Andre , Zschech Ehrenfried
Published: January 2024

High-resolution imaging of buried metal interconnect structures in advanced microelectronic products with full-field X-ray microscopy is demonstrated in the hard X-ray regime, i.e., at photon energies > 10 keV. The combination of two multilayer optics—a side-by-side Montel (or nested Kirkpatrick–Baez) condenser optic and a high aspect-ratio multilayer Laue lens—results in an asymmetric optical path in the transmission X-ray microscope. This optics arrangement allows the imaging of 3D nanostructures in opaque objects at a photon energy of 24.2 keV (In-Kα X-ray line). Using a Siemens star test pattern with a minimal feature size of 150 nm, it was proven that features < 150 nm can be resolved. In-Kα radiation is generated from a Ga-In alloy target using a laboratory X-ray source that employs the liquid-metal-jet technology. Since the penetration depth of X-rays into the samples is significantly larger compared to 8 keV photons used in state-of-the-art laboratory X-ray microscopes (Cu-Kα radiation), 3D-nanopattered materials and structures can be imaged nondestructively in mm to cm thick samples. This means that destructive de-processing, thinning or cross-sectioning of the samples are not needed for the visualization of interconnect structures in microelectronic products manufactured using advanced packaging technologies. The application of laboratory transmission X-ray microscopy in the hard X-ray regime is demonstrated for Cu/Cu6Sn5/Cu microbump interconnects fabricated using solid–liquid interdiffusion (SLID) bonding.
A Five-Week Periodized Carbohydrate Diet Does Not Improve Maximal Lactate Steady-State Exercise Capacity and Substrate Oxidation in Well-Trained Cyclists compared to a High-Carbohydrate Diet
Authors: Prieto-Bellver Gorka , Diaz-Lara Javier , Bishop David J. , Fernández-Sáez José , Abián-Vicén Javier , San-Millan Iñigo , Santos-Concejero Jordan
Published: January 2024

There is a growing interest in studies involving carbohydrate (CHO) manipulation and subsequent adaptations to endurance training. This study aimed to analyze whether a periodized carbohydrate feeding strategy based on a daily training session has any advantages compared to a high-carbohydrate diet in well-trained cyclists. Seventeen trained cyclists (VO2peak = 70.8 ± 6.5 mL·kg−1·min−1) were divided into two groups, a periodized (PCHO) group and a high-carbohydrate (HCHO) group. Both groups performed the same training sessions for five weeks. In the PCHO group, 13 training sessions were performed with low carbohydrate availability. In the HCHO group, all sessions were completed following previous carbohydrate intake to ensure high pre-exercise glycogen levels. In both groups, there was an increase in the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) (PCHO: 244.1 ± 29.9 W to 253.2 ± 28.4 W; p = 0.008; HCHO: 235.8 ± 21.4 W to 246.9 ± 16.7 W; p = 0.012) but not in the time to exhaustion at MLSS intensity. Both groups increased the percentage of muscle mass (PCHO: p = 0.021; HCHO: p = 0.042) and decreased the percent body fat (PCHO: p = 0.021; HCHO: p = 0.012). We found no differences in carbohydrate or lipid oxidation, heart rate, and post-exercise lactate concentration. Periodizing the CHO intake in well-trained cyclists during a 5-week intervention did not elicit superior results to an energy intake-matched high-carbohydrate diet in any of the measured outcomes.
Investigation of Potential Drug Targets Involved in Inflammation Contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease Progression
Authors: Sharo Catherine , Zhai Tianhua , Huang Zuyi
Published: January 2024

Alzheimer’s disease has become a major public health issue. While extensive research has been conducted in the last few decades, few drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s disease. There is still an urgent need for understanding the disease pathogenesis, as well as identifying new drug targets for further drug discovery. Alzheimer’s disease is known to arise from a build-up of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques as well as tangles of tau proteins. Along similar lines to Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation in the brain is known to stem from the degeneration of tissue and build-up of insoluble materials. A minireview was conducted in this work assessing the genes, proteins, reactions, and pathways that link brain inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease. Existing tools in Systems Biology were implemented to build protein interaction networks, mainly for the classical complement pathway and G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), to rank the protein targets according to their interactions. The top 10 protein targets were mainly from the classical complement pathway. With the consideration of existing clinical trials and crystal structures, proteins C5AR1 and GARBG1 were identified as the best targets for further drug discovery, through computational approaches like ligand–protein docking techniques.
Neuroprotective Effect of Polyvalent Immunoglobulins on Mouse Models of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Mroué Mohamad , Bessaguet Flavien , Nizou Angélique , Richard Laurence , Sturtz Franck , Magy Laurent , Bourthoumieu Sylvie , Danigo Aurore , Demiot Claire
Published: January 2024

The occurrence of neuropathic pain in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major dose-limiting effect of many commonly-used anticancer agents. Polyvalent human immunoglobulins (hIg), used in the treatment of several peripheral neuropathies, may alleviate neuropathic pain. The aim of this project was to investigate the preventive effect of hIg in two mouse models of CIPN, induced by vincristine (VCR, 100 µg/kg/d) and oxaliplatin (OXP, 6 mg/kg/3d). Human Ig were administered one day before the first injection of chemotherapy. The onset of CIPN and effects of hIg were assessed via functional tests and morphological analyses of sensory nerves. To evaluate the effect of hIg on chemotherapy cytotoxicity, viability assays were performed using hIg (0 to 12 mg/mL) combined with anticancer agents on human cancer cell lines. The preventive treatment with hIg alleviated tactile hypersensitivity and nerve injuries induced by VCR. It also alleviated tactile/cold hypersensitivities and nerve injuries induced by OXP. Treatment with hIg did not affect the cytotoxicity of either chemotherapy. Furthermore, in combination with VCR, hIg potentiated chemo-induced cell death. In conclusion, hIg is a promising therapy to prevent the onset of CIPN and potentiate chemotherapy effect on cancer, reinforcing the interest in hIg in the management of CIPN.