bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buying Game Derivative Products Is Different from In-Game Purchases: A Mixed-Method Approach
Authors: An Xinyi , Peng Yuhan , Dai Zexi , Wang Yunheng , Zhou Zizhen , Zeng Xianglong
Published: July 2024

The consumption of games has received increasing attention due to their high profits and addiction issues. However, previous studies have focused mainly on players’ in-game purchases, neglecting the purchase of game derivative products. This article provides the first exploration of the differences and similarities between in-game purchases and derivative product purchases with a mixed-method approach. A quantitative survey collected data from 9864 game players, and the results suggested that there were differences between in-game purchases and derivative product consumption in terms of consumption amount and number of participants, and that derivative product purchases had a stronger relationship with character attachment and game loyalty. Subsequent interviews were conducted with 22 players. The findings supported the quantitative results and revealed that players exhibited a distinct understanding of each type of purchase in terms of ownership. Overall, these findings contribute to the understanding of game derivative product purchases and explore the factors influencing in-game purchases and derivative product purchases. We strongly argue that the pattern of spending on game derivative products is very different from that of spending on in-game purchases and is, thus, worthy of dedicated research.
Novel Frame-Type Seismic Surface Wave Barrier with Ultra-Low-Frequency Bandgaps for Rayleigh Waves
Authors: Jiang Hui , Zhao Chunfeng , Chen Yingjie , Liu Jian
Published: July 2024

Seismic surface waves carry significant energy that poses a major threat to structures and may trigger damage to buildings. To address this issue, the implementation of periodic barriers around structures has proven effective in attenuating seismic waves and minimizing structural dynamic response. This paper introduces a framework for seismic surface wave barriers designed to generate multiple ultra-low-frequency band gaps. The framework employs the finite-element method to compute the frequency band gap of the barrier, enabling a deeper understanding of the generation mechanism of the frequency band gap based on vibrational modes. Subsequently, the transmission rates of elastic waves through a ten-period barrier were evaluated through frequency–domain analysis. The attentional effects of the barriers were investigated by the time history analysis using site seismic waves. Moreover, the influence of the soil damping and material damping are separately discussed, further enhancing the assessment. The results demonstrate the present barrier can generate low-frequency band gaps and effectively attenuate seismic surface waves. These band gaps cover the primary frequencies of seismic surface waves, showing notable attenuation capabilities. In addition, the soil damping significantly contributes to the attenuation of seismic surface waves, resulting in an attenuation rate of 50%. There is promising potential for the application of this novel isolation technology in seismic engineering practice.
A Component Method for Full-Range Behaviour of Embedded Steel Column Bases
Authors: Xu Xiaoxu , Lyu Jiafeng , Yan Shen
Published: July 2024

This paper introduces a component model for analysing embedded column bases to predict rotational stiffness, moment resistance, and the full-range moment–rotation response. The key components identified include the embedded column, concrete in compression on the column side, concrete in compression beneath the base plate, concrete in punching shear above the base plate, and anchor bolts. The embedded column is modelled as a Timoshenko beam, considering both shear and flexural deformations, while other components are represented by springs. Methods are provided for determining their uniaxial constitutive behaviour. A simplified iterative solution method is proposed, where the embedded column is further simplified into three rigid segments to specifically address shear and bending deformations. A corresponding simplified finite element model is developed for accurate numerical solutions. The validity of the component model is confirmed through comparisons with the results of existing tests and refined solid finite element analysis for H-steel column bases. The simplified iterative solution method effectively predicts strength but underestimates the stiffness of deeply embedded column bases. This is due to the trilinear deformation pattern simplification, which concentrates flexural deformation at the upper bearing stress resultant force point, leading to an overestimation of steel column rotation on the foundation surface.
Electrochemical Detection of Dopamine: Novel Thin-Film Ti-Nanocolumnar Arrays/Graphene Monolayer-Cufoil Electrodes
Authors: Balkourani Georgia , García-Martín José Miguel , Gorbova Elena , Lo Vecchio Carmelo , Baglio Vincenzo , Brouzgou Angeliki , Tsiakaras Panagiotis
Published: July 2024

Deposition at oblique vapor incidence angles can lead to the growth of thin films with dramatically changed morphological features. Herein, thin-film titanium nanocolumnar arrays were grown on a graphene monolayer/copper foil substrate (TiNCs/Gm-Cufoil) by applying a physical vapor deposition method, through magnetron sputtering at an oblique angle. Ti-nanocolumnar arrays with ca. 200 nm length were developed throughout the substrate with different morphologies depending on the substrate topography. It was found that over the as-fabricated electrocatalyst, the electrooxidation reaction of dopamine is facilitated, allowing quasi-reversible electrooxidation of protonated dopamine to dopamine quinone. Additionally, contrary to works that appeared in the literature, TiNCs/Gm-Cufoil also promotes further quasi-reversible oxidation of leucodopaminechrome to dopaminechrome. The electrode exhibited two linear ranges of dopamine detection (10–90 μM with a sensitivity value of 0.14 μAμM−1cm−2 and 100–400 μM with a sensitivity value of 0.095 μAμM−1cm−2), a good stability over time of about 30 days, and a good selectivity for dopamine detection.
Efficient Methylene Blue Degradation by Activation of Peroxymonosulfate over Co(II) and/or Fe(II) Impregnated Montmorillonites
Authors: Barrios-Bermúdez Niurka , Cerpa-Naranjo Arisbel , Rojas-Cervantes María Luisa
Published: July 2024

Two commercial montmorillonites, namely montmorillonite K10 (MK10) and montmorillonite pillared with aluminum (MPil) were impregnated with cobalt(II) and/or iron(II) acetates by incipient wetness impregnation and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in water. Various characterization techniques, including ICP-MS, XRD, SEM and TEM with EDX, and N2 physisorption, confirmed the successful impregnation process. The removal of the dye resulted from a combined effect of adsorption and PMS activation through Co3+/Co2+ redox couples. The MK10 series exhibited a higher degree of dye adsorption compared to the MPil series, leading to enhanced dye decomposition and superior catalytic performance in the former. The influence of catalyst mass, dye concentration, and initial pH was investigated. SO4•− radicals were found as the dominant reactive oxygen species. Co2+-impregnated montmorillonites showed better performance than their Fe2+-impregnated counterparts, with MK10-Co achieving complete MB removal in just 20 min. High degradation values of MB were achieved using lower PMS/MB ratios and amount of catalyst than others reported in the literature, showing the efficiency of cobalt-impregnated montmorillonites. Moreover, the catalysts maintained excellent catalytic activity after three reaction cycles.
NiFeP Microsphere Electrocatalyst for High-Efficiency Electrolysis of Water
Authors: Li Ding , Wu Xiang
Published: July 2024

Electrochemical water splitting is a viable solution for producing clean energy sources. However, the sluggish reaction kinetics and high overpotential restrict their further application in large-scale hydrogen generation. In this work, we prepared NiFeP catalysts by a hydrothermal reaction and phosphorization treatment and studied the effect of the reaction temperature on the morphology and properties of the samples. The prepared NiFeP-140 samples possess a specific surface area of 25.13 m2g−1, which provides many active sites for the electrochemical reaction. They show an overpotential of 93 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 233 mV @ 50 mA cm−2 for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Also, the samples show Tafel slopes of 79.24 mV dec−1 (HER) and 80.73 mV dec−1 (OER). This facile strategy can be extended to prepare other transition-metal electrocatalysts.
Emergence of Arctic Extremes
Authors: Overland James E.
Published: July 2024

Recent increases in extreme events, especially those near and beyond previous records, are a new index for Arctic and global climate change. They vary by type, location, and season. These record-shattering events often have no known historical analogues and suggest that other climate surprises are in store. Twenty-six unprecedented events from 2022, 2023, and early 2024 include record summer temperatures/heatwaves, storms, major Canadian wildfires, early continental snow melt, Greenland melt, sea temperatures of 5–7 °C above normal, drought in Iceland, and low northern Alaskan salmon runs. Collectively, such diverse extremes form a consilience, the principle that evidence from independent, unrelated sources converge as a strong indicator of ongoing Arctic change. These new behaviors represent emergent phenomenon. Emergence occurs when multiple processes interact to produce new properties, such as the interaction of Arctic amplification with the normal range of major weather events. Examples are typhon Merbok that resulted in extensive coastal erosion in the Bering Sea, Greenland melt, and record temperatures and melt in Svalbard. The Arctic can now be considered to be in a different state to before fifteen years ago. Communities must adapt for such intermittent events to avoid worst-case scenarios.
Extreme Seasonal Droughts and Floods in the Madeira River Basin, Brazil: Diagnosis, Causes, and Trends
Authors: Laureanti Nicole Cristine , Tavares Priscila da Silva , Tavares Matheus , Rodrigues Daniela Carneiro , Gomes Jorge Luís , Chou Sin Chan , Correia Francis Wagner Silva
Published: July 2024

The Madeira River, a major tributary of the Amazon River, often undergoes severe flood and drought conditions. This study seeks to investigate the climate processes associated with the opposing extreme precipitation events in the Madeira River basin and to relate them to river discharge variability based on a flood awareness dataset. Despite the uncertainty in the observational datasets, the annual precipitation cycle exhibits a rainy season from November to March. A significant result is the high correlation between the rainy season variability in the Madeira River basin and the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean and the southwestern South Atlantic Ocean. This result indicates that improving the Atlantic SST representation in climate modeling allows for capturing extreme precipitation events in the region. In addition to this impact, certain Madeira River tributaries present significant climate trends. The river discharge variability reveals an increase in hydrological extremes in recent years in the upper sector, but more significantly, in the lower basin, where it has reduced by more than 400 m3/s per decade. These findings highlight the need to improve in situ data and climate and hydrological modeling, with a focus on describing the intense climate variability and trends in river discharges.
Interstitial Fibrosis as a Common Counterpart of Histopathological Risk Factors in Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Sahin Can , Inan Mehmet Arda , Bilezikci Banu , Bostanci Hasan , Taneri Ferit , Kozan Ramazan
Published: July 2024

Purpose. Interstitial fibrosis in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is a subject which is under-investigated. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between interstitial fibrosis, the subtypes of papillary microcarcinoma, and the established prognostic factors. Material and Methods. A total of 75 patients diagnosed with papillary microcarcinoma of the thyroid from January 2011 to December 2020 have been evaluated retrospectively, using demographic features, tumor size, subtype of the tumor, surgical margin status, unifocality, lymphovascular invasion, extracapsular spread and lymph node metastasis as parameters. Hematoxylin and eosin slides were reviewed for interstitial fibrosis. Results. The study includes 13 males and 62 females, in a total of 75 patients. There were 51 patients (68%) with interstitial fibrosis and 24 (32%) patients without interstitial fibrosis. Among them, 45 (60%) were classic, 27 (36%) were follicular variant and 3 (4%) were other subtypes. Interstitial fibrosis is significantly associated with bilaterality (p = 0.023), multifocality (p = 0.004), capsule invasion (p < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.043). Evaluation of tumor sub groups showed significant increased risk of lymphovascular invasion in the follicular variant (p = 0.019). Conclusion. Although the relationship of interstitial fibrosis and prognosis of other cancer types has been discussed, there are few studies in the literature regarding its effect on the prognosis of papillary microcarcinoma. Our results show that interstitial fibrosis can be used as a risk factor. However, new studies are needed to clearly reveal the physiopathology of interstitial fibrosis and its effect on tumorigenesis.
Analyzing the Relationship between Dose and Geometric Agreement Metrics for Auto-Contouring in Head and Neck Normal Tissues
Authors: Marquez Barbara , Wooten Zachary T. , Salazar Ramon M. , Peterson Christine B. , Fuentes David T. , Whitaker T. J. , Jhingran Anuja , Pollard-Larkin Julianne , Prajapati Surendra , Beadle Beth , Cardenas Carlos E. , Netherton Tucker J. , Court Laurence E.
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to determine the relationship between geometric and dosimetric agreement metrics in head and neck (H&N) cancer radiotherapy plans. A total 287 plans were retrospectively analyzed, comparing auto-contoured and clinically used contours using a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), surface DSC (sDSC), and Hausdorff distance (HD). Organs-at-risk (OARs) with ≥200 cGy dose differences from the clinical contour in terms of Dmax (D0.01cc) and Dmean were further examined against proximity to the planning target volume (PTV). A secondary set of 91 plans from multiple institutions validated these findings. For 4995 contour pairs across 19 OARs, 90% had a DSC, sDSC, and HD of at least 0.75, 0.86, and less than 7.65 mm, respectively. Dosimetrically, the absolute difference between the two contour sets was <200 cGy for 95% of OARs in terms of Dmax and 96% in terms of Dmean. In total, 97% of OARs exhibiting significant dose differences between the clinically edited contour and auto-contour were within 2.5 cm PTV regardless of geometric agreement. There was an approximately linear trend between geometric agreement and identifying at least 200 cGy dose differences, with higher geometric agreement corresponding to a lower fraction of cases being identified. Analysis of the secondary dataset validated these findings. Geometric indices are approximate indicators of contour quality and identify contours exhibiting significant dosimetric discordance. For a small subset of OARs within 2.5 cm of the PTV, geometric agreement metrics can be misleading in terms of contour quality.
Clinical Outcomes of CAD-CAM Subperiosteal Implants for the Rehabilitation of Atrophic Jaws
Authors: Gasparini Giulio , Todaro Mattia , De Angelis Paolo , Boniello Roberto , Saponaro Gianmarco , Rella Edoardo , Foresta Enrico , Hreniuc Horia Vasile , Azzuni Francesca , Pashaj Ermal , Moro Alessandro , D’Amato Giuseppe
Published: July 2024

Thanks to the use of new digital technologies and innovations in materials, there has been an increasing interest in subperiosteal implants. These implants are considered to be helpful for the rehabilitation of severe jaw atrophies, as they overcome some disadvantages of endosseous implantology. In the present clinical retrospective study, 18 patients were treated and the clinical outcomes of the treatment were recorded after 12 months of follow-up.
Revisiting Dynamics of Quantum Causal Structures—When Can Causal Order Evolve?
Authors: Selby John H. , Sainz Ana Belén , Horodecki Paweł
Published: July 2024

Recently, there has been substantial interest in studying the dynamics of quantum theory beyond that of states, in particular, the dynamics of channels, measurements, and higher-order transformations. Castro-Ruiz et al. pursues this using the process-matrix formalism, together with a definition of the possible dynamics of such process matrices, and focusing especially on the question of evolution of causal structures. One of its major conclusions is a strong theorem saying that within the formalism, under continuous and reversible transformations, the causal order between operations must be preserved. Our result here challenges that of Castro-Ruiz et al.: if one is to take into account a full picture of the physical evolution of operations within the standard quantum–mechanical formalism, then the conclusion of Castro-Ruiz et al. does not hold. That is, we show that under certain continuous and reversible dynamics, the causal order between operations is not necessarily preserved. We moreover identify and analyse the root of this apparent contradiction, specifically, that the commonly accepted and widely applied framework of higher-order processes, whilst mathematically sound, is not always appropriate for drawing conclusions on physical dynamics. Finally, we show how to reconcile the elements of the whole picture following the intuition based on entanglement processing by local operations and classical communication.
AmazingFS: A High-Fidelity and Occlusion-Resistant Video Face-Swapping Framework
Authors: Zeng Zhiqiang , Shao Wenhua , Tong Dingli , Liu Li
Published: July 2024

Current video face-swapping technologies face challenges such as poor facial fitting and the inability to handle obstructions. This paper introduces Amazing FaceSwap (AmazingFS), a novel framework for producing cinematic quality and realistic face swaps. Key innovations include the development of a Source-Target Attention Mechanism (STAM) to improve face-swap quality while preserving target face expressions and poses. We also enhanced the AdaIN style transfer module to better retain the identity features of the source face. To address obstructions like hair and glasses during face-swap synthesis, we created the AmazingSeg network and a small dataset AST. Extensive qualitative and quantitative experiments demonstrate that AmazingFS significantly outperforms other SOTA networks, achieving amazing face swap results.
Adaptive Sparse Regular Split Gaussian Kernel Least Mean Square Algorithm for Super-Low-Frequency Motion-Induced Noise Cancellation
Authors: Zuo Hao , Xie Xu , Wei Shize , Jiang Yanxin
Published: July 2024

In super-low-frequency (SLF) submarine communication, the motion-induced noise of the towed antenna is the primary noise source, and below 500 Hz, it increases with increasing speed. We propose an improved quadratic Approximate Forward–Backward Split Gaussian Kernel Least Mean Square Algorithm (ASRSG–KLMS) based on the forward–backward split criterion using noise approximation of the nonlinear kernel least mean square, which introduces an L2-paradigm regularization term and has good sparsity while maintaining optimization stability. The ASRSG–KLMS algorithm could improve the narrowband signal-to-noise ratio by approximately 6.93 dB in the frequency range of 45–55 Hz, making it suitable for motion-induced noise cancellation in the SLF band.
Enhancing the Performance of Savonius Wind Turbines: A Review of Advances Using Multiple Parameters
Authors: Chitura Anesu Godfrey , Mukumba Patrick , Lethole Ndanduleni
Published: July 2024

The need to globalize and implement the fourth industrial revolution has led to increased interest in research on renewable energy harvesting equipment. Wind and solar have been the fastest growing sources of energy and have been used to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels for energy. The Savonius wind turbine is an attractive option for regions with high turbulence intensity and low wind speeds due to its advantages over other small-scale vertical-axis wind turbines. These advantages include its simple design, satisfactory performance at lower speeds, and ability to turn independent of the wind flow direction. However, Savonius wind turbines face several challenges. The most significant one being the negative torque generated during operation. This negative torque is caused by the interaction between the exhaust air and the returning blade, thus reducing efficiency, as the turbine has to overcome this additional force. To improve on the efficiency, various assessments and optimization techniques have been employed. These focus on the geometric parameters of the Savonius wind turbine as well as installation augmentation techniques. This article reviews and reports on several combinations of parametric performance-influencing adjustments and power augmentation techniques applied to Savonius wind turbines. The article concludes by proposing future research directions.
Adaptive Bi-Directional LSTM Short-Term Load Forecasting with Improved Attention Mechanisms
Authors: Yu Kun
Published: July 2024

Special load customers such as electric vehicles are emerging in modern power systems. They lead to a higher penetration of special load patterns, raising difficulty for short-term load forecasting (STLF). We propose a hierarchical STLF framework to improve load forecasting accuracy. An improved adaptive K-means clustering algorithm is designed for load pattern recognition and avoiding local sub-optimal clustering centroids. We also design bi-directional long-short-term memory neural networks with an attention mechanism to filter important load information and perform load forecasting for each recognized load pattern. The numerical results on the public load dataset show that our proposed method effectively forecasts the residential load with a high accuracy.
Identifying Economic Factors of Renewable Energy Consumption—A Global Perspective
Authors: Osińska Magdalena , Khan Atif Maqbool , Kwiatkowski Jacek
Published: July 2024

This study aims to identify the factors most likely to affect renewable energy consumption (REC) across mostly homogenous country groups worldwide. Classifying countries into a relatively homogenous group is taken from their economic and social development level measured with the Human Development Index. We delimited highly, medium-, and low-developed countries and checked whether the sets of determinants for using renewable energy sources are the same. We constructed a panel dataset as a basis for the panel Bayesian model averaging (panel BMA) as a factor selection method. The most likely factors were found and compared between the groups of countries. Then, the panel fixed-effects models for each country group were estimated. The results allowed us to confirm that CO2 per capita emissions, terms of trade, GDP, foreign direct investment, crude oil price, and energy consumption from alternative sources are the most critical drivers of REC in group I. The most important factors in group II are CO2 per capita, labor force, forest area, and gas and coal consumption. In the third group, REC consumption differs from that of the more advanced groups and strongly depends on foreign direct investment inflow. The results allow the formulation of policy recommendations on a global scale.
Optimization of Fuel Consumption by Controlling the Load Distribution between Engines in an LNG Ship Electric Propulsion Plant
Authors: Martinić-Cezar Siniša , Jurić Zdeslav , Assani Nur , Lalić Branko
Published: July 2024

Due to growing environmental concerns and stringent emissions regulations, optimizing the fuel consumption of marine propulsion systems is crucial. This work deals with the potential in an LNG ship propulsion system to reduce fuel consumption through controlled load distribution between engines in Dual-Fuel Diesel Electric (DFDE) plant. Based on cyclical data acquisition measured onboard and using an optimization model, this study evaluates different load distribution strategies between setups according to the optimization model results and automatic (equal) operation to determine their effectiveness in improving fuel efficiency. The analysis includes scenarios with different fuel types, including LNG, MDO and HFO, at different engine loads. The results indicate that load distribution adjustment based on the optimization model results significantly improves fuel efficiency compared to conventional methods of uniform load distribution controlled by power management systems in almost all load intervals. This research contributes to the maritime industry by demonstrating that strategic load management can achieve significant fuel savings and reduce environmental impact, which is in line with global sustainability goals. This work not only provides a framework for the implementation of more efficient energy management systems on LNG vessels, but also sets a benchmark for future innovations in maritime energy optimization as well as in the view of exhaust emission reduction.
Improved Performance of Low-Frequency Harmonic Current Suppression Based on Hybrid Active Power Filter
Authors: Shen Xianshun , Tao Jun , Wu Yanan , Deng Tianbai , Zhu Qianlong , Peng Feixiang
Published: July 2024

The hybrid active power filter (HAPF) can effectively suppress the 75–125 Hz low-frequency harmonic current generated by the EAST poloidal field power supply. However, the low-frequency harmonic current suppression performance of HAPF is greatly affected by its control parameters when the circuit parameters are determined. In this paper, the state–space equation of the HAPF system is established, and the relationship between the eigenvalues of the state–space matrix and the HAPF control parameters is analyzed using the Lyapunov method. Based on the variation law of the eigenvalues, by optimizing the control parameters of the HAPF system, the low-frequency harmonic current suppression performance of HAPF is improved by 41.9%.
Impact of Building Envelope Materials on Energy Usage and Performance of Evaporative Cooling System in Residential Building
Authors: Thongsuk Surakit , Songsukthawan Panapong , Lertwanitrot Praikanok , Ananwattanaporn Santipont , Yoomak Suntiti , Pothisarn Chaichan
Published: July 2024

A large proportion of building energy consumption in tropical countries like Thailand primarily comes from air conditioning systems used to maintain the comfort level of building occupants. This paper aims to evaluate the performance of an alternative cooling system based on the evaporative principle in terms of thermal characteristics and energy consumption. A simulation model using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS version 16.0 and an actual experimental setup at the laboratory level were built to verify the results of the proposed cooling system. Additionally, factors that influence performance, such as components of the building envelope and the building’s orientation, are considered. This research aims to demonstrate the impact of building envelope material and building characteristics on the energy usage in air conditioning systems and to propose an energy-efficient cooling system. The results demonstrate that the proposed cooling system can reduce the temperature inside the building. However, the characteristics of the building also affect the energy performance. Thus, the proposed cooling system, in combination with an efficient envelope material, can achieve energy savings of around 35–43%. Therefore, a combination of the proposed cooling system and optimal building design can ensure comfort for building occupants while saving energy.
Modeling the Dispersion of Waves in a Multilayered Inhomogeneous Membrane with Fractional-Order Infusion
Authors: Mubaraki Ali M. , Nuruddeen Rahmatullah Ibrahim , Nawaz Rab , Nawaz Tayyab
Published: July 2024

The dispersion of elastic shear waves in multilayered bodies is a topic of extensive research due to its significance in contemporary science and engineering. Anti-plane shear motion, a two-dimensional mathematical model in solid mechanics, effectively captures shear wave propagation in elastic bodies with relative mathematical simplicity. This study models the vibration of elastic waves in a multilayered inhomogeneous circular membrane using the Helmholtz equation with fractional-order infusion, effectively leveraging the anti-plane shear motion equation to avoid the computational complexity of universal plane motion equations. The method of the separation of variables and the conformable Bessel equation are utilized for the analytical examination of the model’s resulting vibrational displacements, as well as the dispersion relation. Additionally, the influence of various wave phenomena, including the dependencies of the wavenumber on the frequency and the phase speed on the wavenumber, respectively, with the variational effect of the fractional order on wave dispersion is considered. Numerical simulations of prototypical cases validate the formulated model, illustrating its applicability and effectiveness. The study reveals that fractional-order infusion significantly impacts the dispersion of elastic waves in both single- and multilayer membranes. The effects vary depending on the membrane’s structure and the wave propagation regime (long-wave vs. short-wave). These findings underscore the potential of fractional-order parameters in tailoring wave behavior for diverse scientific and engineering applications.
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma in Patients with Graves’ Disease—A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Popa Oana , Balaș Melania , Golu Ioana , Amzăr Daniela , Varcuș Flore , Cornianu Mărioara , Iacob Mihaela , Popa Valentin-Tudor , Vlad Mihaela
Published: July 2024

Introduction: Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland, leading to systemic manifestations such as hyperthyroidism, Graves’ orbitopathy, and pretibial myxedema. Contrary to previous beliefs that hyperthyroidism protects against thyroid cancer, recent studies reveal an increased incidence of thyroid malignancies in GD patients, particularly differentiated thyroid carcinomas and, in rare cases, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Case series: This case series presents three female GD patients diagnosed with MTC, highlighting the complexities of diagnosis and management. All patients exhibited thyroid nodules with suspicious ultrasonographic features, elevated plasma calcitonin levels, and required total thyroidectomy. Histological examination confirmed MTC. Discussion: These cases underscore the importance of routine calcitonin screening in GD patients with thyroid nodules to facilitate early detection and improve prognosis. Our findings suggest that while the coexistence of GD and MTC is likely incidental, vigilant monitoring and comprehensive evaluation are crucial for timely intervention. Conclusions: This study advocates for integrating calcitonin testing into the standard diagnostic protocol for GD patients presenting with thyroid abnormalities.
Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Formulas in Children—A Systematic Review
Authors: Stopyra Wiktor , Grzybowski Andrzej
Published: July 2024

Objectives: The selection of an appropriate formula for intraocular lens power calculation is crucial in phacoemulsification, particularly in pediatric patients. The most commonly used formulas are described and their accuracy evaluated in this study. Methods: This review includes papers evaluating the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas for children’s eyes published from 2019–2024. The articles were identified by a literature search of medical and other databases (Pubmed/MEDLINE, Crossref, Google Scholar) using the combination of the following key words: “IOL power calculation formula”, “pediatric cataract”, “congenital cataract”, “pediatric intraocular lens implantation”, “lens power estimation”, “IOL power selection”, “phacoemulsification”, “Hoffer Q”, “Holladay 1”, “SRK/T”, “Barrett Universal II”, “Hill-RBF”, and “Kane”. A total of 14 of the most recent peer-reviewed papers in English with the maximum sample sizes and the greatest number of compared formulas were considered. Results: The outcomes of mean absolute error and percentage of predictions within ±0.5 D and ±1.0 D were used to assess the accuracy of the formulas. In terms of MAE, Hoffer Q yielded the best result most often, just ahead of SRK/T and Barrett Universal II, which, together with Holladay 1, most often yielded the second-best outcomes. Considering patients with PE within ±1.0 D, Barrett Universal II most often gave the best results and Holladay 1 most often gave the second-best. Conclusions: Barrett Universal II seems to be the most accurate formula for intraocular lens calculation for children’s eyes. Very good postoperative outcomes can also be achieved using the Holladay 1 formula. However, there is still no agreement in terms of formula choice.
Effects of the Severity of Stenosis on Clinical Outcomes of Indirect Decompression Using Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Authors: Kang Dong-Ho , Baek Jonghyuk , Chang Bong-Soon , Kim Hyoungmin , Hong Seong Hwa , Chang Sam Yeol
Published: July 2024

Background: No consensus has been reached regarding the efficacy of indirect decompression through oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) in severe lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). This study investigated the impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based grading of central and foraminal stenosis on OLIF outcomes in LSS patients and identified risk factors for postoperative clinical dissatisfaction. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed LSS patients who underwent OLIF with a minimum 1-year follow-up. Clinical scores obtained preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively were analyzed using the substantial clinical benefit (SCB) framework. The severity of central and foraminal stenosis in the initial MRI was assessed through qualitative grading systems. Results: Among the 145 patients, with a mean follow-up of 33.7 months, those with severe central stenosis showed a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving SCB in the visual analog scale for leg pain (94.5% versus 83.1%; p = 0.044) at one year postoperatively than those without. However, those with severe foraminal stenosis showed significantly higher Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores (p = 0.024), and lower walking ability scores in the Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) (p = 0.004) at one year postoperatively than those without. The presence of a foraminal osteophyte of the superior articular process (SAP) was a significant risk factor responsible for not achieving SCB in ODI and walking ability in JOABPEQ at one year postoperatively (odds ratio: 0.20 and 0.22, respectively). Conclusions: After OLIF, patients with severe central stenosis showed clinical outcomes comparable to those without. The improvement in ODI and walking ability in JOABPEQ was limited in patients with severe foraminal stenosis. Surgeons should consider direct decompression in cases with the presence of foraminal osteophytes of SAP.
The Sensitivity and Specificity of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Predicting Seminal Vesicle Invasion in Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Sitharthan Darshan , Kang Song , Treacy Patrick-Julien , Bird Jacob , Alexander Kate , Karunaratne Sascha , Leslie Scott , Chan Lewis , Steffens Daniel , Thanigasalam Ruban
Published: July 2024

Background/Objectives: The presence of seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) in prostate cancer (PCa) is associated with poorer postoperative outcomes. This study evaluates the predictive value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) for SVI in PCa. Methods: This cohort study included consecutive robotic prostatectomy patients for PCa at three Australian tertiary referral centres between April 2016 and September 2022. MRI and PSMA PET/CT results, clinicopathological variables, including age, BMI, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density, DRE, Biopsy Gleason score, Positive biopsy cores, PIRADS v2.1 score, MRI volume and MRI lesion size were extracted. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI and PSMA PET/CT for predicting SVI were compared with the histopathological results by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Subgroup univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. Results: Of the 528 patients identified, 86 had SVI on final pathology. MRI had a low sensitivity of 0.162 (95% CI: 0.088–0.261) and a high specificity of 0.963 (95% CI: 0.940–0.979). The PSMA PET/CT had a low sensitivity of 0.439 (95% CI: 0.294–0591) and a high specificity of 0.933 (95% CI: 0.849–0.969). When MRI and PSMA PET/CT were used in combination, the sensitivity and specificity improved to 0.514 (95%CI: 0.356–0.670) and 0.880 (95% CI: 0.813–0.931). The multivariate regression showed a higher biopsy Gleason score (p = 0.033), higher PSA (p < 0.001), older age (p = 0.001), and right base lesions (p = 0.003) to be predictors of SVI. Conclusions: MRI and PSMA PET/CT independently underpredicted SVI. The sensitivity and AUC improved when they were used in combination. Multiple clinicopathological factors were associated with SVI on multivariate regression and predictive models incorporating this information may improve oncological outcomes.
Identification of Achille’s Tendon Tears: Diagnostic Accuracy of Dual-Energy CT with Respect to MRI
Authors: Foti Giovanni , Bortoli Luca , Tronu Matteo , Montefusco Sabrina , Serra Gerardo , Filippini Roberto , Iacono Venanzio
Published: July 2024

Background: The aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of DECT in diagnosing Achilles tendon tears, using MRI as the reference for diagnosis. Methods: This feasibility study conducted prospectively at a single center included consecutive patients suffering from ankle pain who underwent DECT and MRI between April 2023 and October 2023. A total of three radiologists, blinded to the patient’s clinical data, assessed the images. Achille Tendon injuries were diagnosed in case of thickened and inflamed tendons or in case of a partial or complete tear. Diagnostic accuracy values of DECT were calculated using a multi-reader approach. Inter-observer agreement was calculated using k statistics. Results: The final study population included 22 patients (mean age 48.5 years). At MRI, Achille’s tendon lesion was present in 12 cases (54.5%) with 2 cases of complete rupture, 8 cases of partial tear (5 with tendon retraction), and 2 cases of tendon thickening. The mean thickness of injured tendons was 10 mm. At DECT, R1 was allowed to correctly classify 20/22 cases (90.9%), R2 19/22 cases (86.4%), and R3 18/22 cases (81.8%). At DECT, the mean thickness of the positively scored tendon was 10 mm for R1, 10.2 mm for R2, and 9.8 mm for R3. A very good agreement was achieved with regard to the evaluation of tears (k = 0.94), thickness (k = 0.96), and inflammatory changes (k = 0.82). Overall agreement was very good (k = 0.88). Conclusions: DECT showed a good diagnostic performance in identifying Achille’s tendon tears, with respect to MRI.
Hyperactivity and Risk for Dysregulation of Mood, Energy, and Social Rhythms Syndrome (DYMERS): Standardization of a Simple One-Item Screener versus the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
Authors: Ouali Uta , Aissa Amina , Rejaibi Salsabil , Zoghlami Nada , Larnaout Amine , Zgueb Yosra , Zid Mejdi , Skhiri Hajer Aounallah , Kalcev Goce , Tusconi Massimo , Aviles Gonzales Cesar Ivan , Preti Antonio , Primavera Diego
Published: July 2024

Background: This study aims to verify the accuracy of item 10 on the energy level of the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) in an item screening according to Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) results, providing a measure of hyper-energy. Methods: Regression techniques were employed in a dataset comprising 4093 records of respondents to test both linear and nonlinear relationships between predictor and outcome variables (energy level and symptoms considered in the MDQ). We examined the relationship of energy level with cases identified using MDQ with a cut-off of 7. Results: Levels of energy, as rated on item 10 of the SF-12, were related to the MDQ score with sensitivity = 0.72 and specificity = 0.70. In linear regression, the associations were stronger with MDQ items on excessive energy or activity, showing a medium effect size and an explained variance of 10% or higher. A greater association was observed for items on excessive energy and activity, as expected, as well as for items concerning self-confidence, sociability, and talkativeness. Conclusions: This result may have implications for the research on risk factors and the pathogenesis of the dysregulation of mood, energy, and social rhythms syndrome (DYMERS), a syndrome that is hypothesized to occur in stressful conditions like those shown under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Macrophages and Mast Cells in the Gastric Mucosa of Patients with Obesity Undergoing Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Ammendola Michele , Vescio Francesca , Rotondo Cataldo , Arturi Franco , Luposella Maria , Zuccalà Valeria , Battaglia Caterina , Laganà Domenico , Ranieri Girolamo , Navarra Giuseppe , Curcio Silvia , Danese Viviana , Franzoso Lucia , De Luca Giuseppe Massimiliano , Prete Francesco Paolo , Testini Mario , Currò Giuseppe
Published: July 2024

Background. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and mast cells (MCs) play a role in immune responses. More recently, their involvement in tumor angiogenesis and chronic inflammatory conditions in patients with obesity has been discovered. Furthermore, a higher BMI (Body Mass Index) value corresponds to a higher inflammatory state. In particular, gastric tissue in obesity (GTO) is characterized by Macrophages, Mast Cells Positive to Triptase (MCPT), and neo-formed microvessels (MVD). Materials and Methods. We collected gastric tissue samples from December 2021 to December 2022. The patients selected had a BMI > 35 kg/m2 with different comorbidities. Regarding the surgery, surgeons executed a Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LapSG). Gastric tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and morphometrical assay, comparing “obese-related” gastric tissue to normal gastric tissue. Furthermore, tissue parameters were correlated with important clinicopathological features. Results. We collected thirty gastric tissue samples from thirty patients with obesity. Blood tests, Electrocardiogram (ECG), esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) associated with a urea breath test, and chest X.R. were performed. A significant correlation between ATMs, MCPT, MVD, and BMI was found in GTO. Pearson t-test analysis was conducted (r ranged from 0.67 to 0.71; p-value < 0.05). Conclusions. These preliminary data suggest that ATMs, MCPT, and MVD related to BMI can play a role in both gastric tissue angiogenesis and inflammation inducing a tissue change that could lead to gastric inflammation or cancer diseases.
Evaluation of the Management and Outcome of Patients with Retained Products of Conception after Gestational Week 23+0: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Pateisky Petra , Mikula Fanny , Adamovic Marija , Neumüller Jana , Chalubinski Kinga , Falcone Veronica , Springer Stephanie
Published: July 2024

Background: Retained products of conception after childbirth or miscarriage are associated with an increased rate of maternal complications, such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and infections. Late complications may also include intrauterine adhesions, causing infertility. Surgical interventions carry a certain risk. Thus, conservative management is often discussed as an alternative. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical outcomes of patients with retained products of conception, comparing a primary surgical approach to conservative management. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 88 patients diagnosed with retained products of conception after 23+0 weeks of gestation at the Medical University Vienna between 2014 and 2022. Results: Forty-seven (53.4%) patients underwent primary surgical management and 41 (46.6%) primary conservative management. After primary conservative treatment, a complication could be observed in 10 (24.4%) women. In contrast, complications occurred in 32 (68.1%) women in the group with primary surgical treatment (p < 0.001). The most common complication in both groups was the ongoing suspicion of retained products of conception. Patients after primary surgical treatment were significantly more likely to require a secondary change in treatment (p < 0.001). Ultimately, secondary conservative management was applied in 30 (63.8%) patients. In contrast, only nine (21.95%) patients with primary conservative management required secondary surgical management. Conclusions: Due to the high risk of complications and persistent retained products of conception, primary surgical management should only be prioritized in hemodynamically instable or septic patients.