bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical Assessment, Practical Management, and Future Recommendations for Abnormal Amniotic Fluid Volumes
Authors: Whittington Julie R. , Chauhan Suneet P. , Wendel Michael P. , Ghahremani Taylor L. , Pagan Megan E. , Carter Meagen M. , Magann Everett F.
Published: August 2024

Objective: The purpose of this review is to examine the evidence that defines normal and abnormal amniotic fluid volumes (AFVs) and current recommendations on the management of abnormalities of AFV. Methods: The studies establishing normal actual AFVs and the ultrasound estimates used to identify normal and abnormal AFVs were evaluated. Recommendations from national and international organizations were reviewed for guidance on the definitions and management of abnormal AFVs. Results: A timeline of the development of the thresholds that define abnormal AFVs was created. Recommendations from 13 national and international guidelines were identified, but the definitions and management recommendations for abnormal AFVs varied considerably between groups. An algorithm for the management of oligohydramnios and polyhydramnios was developed. Knowledge gaps and the structure of future studies were examined. Conclusions: Assessment of AFV is performed multiple times per day in antenatal clinics and hospitals. Current recommendations on defining and managing abnormal AFVs differ between national and international organizations. We have proposed algorithms to assist in the management of abnormal AFVs until further studies can be undertaken.
The Burden of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Risk Factors in Pregnancy and Postpartum—Mirroring Our Region’s Particularities
Authors: Filip Catalina , Socolov Sofia Alexandra , Matasariu Daniela Roxana , Ursache Alexandra , Pisla Karina Delia , Gisca Tudor Catalin , Mihalceanu Elena , Boiculese Vasile Lucian , Socolov Demetra
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: The three factors within the Virchow triad play the leading role in the development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during pregnancy. (2) Methods: This research approaches the various risk factors associated with DVT and its most representative complications, pulmonary thromboembolism and cerebral venous thrombosis, in pregnant and postpartum women across a 15-year period (2007–2021). (3) Results: A total of 201 out of 287 patients with DVT had associated risk factors, while 86 did not present with any. Out of the 201 patients with risk factors, 47 developed pulmonary thromboembolism, while 12 experienced cerebral thrombosis. The statistical analysis of risk factors involved in DVT revealed high significance for obesity (OR 3.676; CI 2.484–5.439), gestational diabetes (OR 3.394; CI 2.101–5.483), hypertension (OR 2.325; CI 1.591–3.397), preeclampsia (OR 4.753; CI 2.342–9.645), thrombophilia (OR 12.138; CI 8.973–16.417), and varicose veins (OR 9.678; CI 7.321–12.793); for pulmonary thromboembolism, there was high significance for obesity (OR 7.867; CI 4.297–14.401), hypertension (OR 2.605; CI 1.246–5.446), preeclampsia (OR 7.483; CI 2.346–23.872), thrombophilia (OR 11.035; CI 5.910–20.602), and varicose veins (OR 6.837; CI 3.665–12.757); and for cerebral thromboembolism (CTE), the risk factors identified were obesity (OR 6.755; CI 1.954–23.347), hypertension (OR 1.167; CI 0.155–8.770), preeclampsia (OR 9.655; CI 1.283–72.672), and thrombophilia (OR 33.275; CI 12.884–85.939). (4) Conclusions: Obesity was the only significant factor found to influence DVT, pulmonary embolism and CTE risks, and hereditary thrombophilia was the main factor influencing the risk for pulmonary thromboembolism and CTE. Systemic lupus erythematosus and gestational diabetes revealed conflicting results that require further investigation.
Advancements in Early Detection and Screening Strategies for Pancreatic Cancer: From Genetic Susceptibility to Novel Biomarkers
Authors: Shah Yash , Dahiya Dushyant Singh , Tiwari Angad , Kumar Harendra , Gangwani Manesh Kumar , Ali Hassam , Hayat Umar , Alsakarneh Saqr , Singh Sahib , Malik Sheza , Sohail Amir H. , Chandan Saurabh , Ali Meer A. , Inamdar Sumant
Published: August 2024

Pancreatic cancer is a rare but lethal cancer due to its biologically aggressive nature, advanced stage at the time of diagnosis, and poor response to oncologic therapies. The risk of pancreatic cancer is significantly higher to 5% in certain high-risk individuals with inherited genetic susceptibility. Screening for pancreatic cancer in these individuals from high-risk groups can help with the early detection of pancreatic cancer as well as the detection of precursor lesions leading to early surgical resection and improved overall outcomes. The advancements in radiological imaging as well as advanced endoscopic procedures has made a significant impact on the early diagnosis, surveillance, and staging of pancreatic cancer. There is also a significant advancement in the development of biomarkers for the early detection of pancreatic cancer, which has also led to the development of liquid biopsy, allowing for microRNA detection in serum and circulating tumor cells. Various societies and organizations have provided guidelines for pancreatic cancer screening and surveillance in high-risk individuals. In this review, we aim to discuss the hereditary risk factors for developing pancreatic cancer, summarize the screening recommendations by different societies, and discuss the development of novel biomarkers and areas for future research in pancreatic cancer screening for high-risk individuals.
Early Hip Fracture Surgery in Patients Taking Direct Oral Anticoagulants Improves Outcome
Authors: Devlieger Benjamin K. , Rommens Pol M. , Baranowski Andreas , Wagner Daniel
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: The increasing numbers of already endemic hip fractures in the elderly taking anticoagulants is a growing concern for daily surgical practice. Ample evidence demonstrates decreased morbidity and mortality in the general population when surgery is performed at the earliest possibility. Direct anticoagulants are relatively new drugs that can cause increased perioperative bleeding. Current guidelines propose stopping the drug to allow for elimination before performing elective surgery. Optimal management in urgent hip surgery is presently based on expert opinion with arbitrary cut-offs. In this study, we investigated whether patients taking direct anticoagulants would benefit from early surgical treatment, regardless of the timing since last intake. Methods: A total of 340 patients were included in the analysis, of which 59 took direct anticoagulants. The primary outcomes were time to surgery, postoperative transfusion rate, postoperative hemoglobin decrease, length of postoperative in-hospital stay (LOPS), revision rate, and complication rate (medical and surgical). Results: Our findings showed that the anticoagulated group was fit for discharge earlier when operated on within 24 h (p = 0.0167). Postoperative transfusion and medical complication rate tended to be lower when the operation was performed earlier. Revision rate due to hematomas were higher in the direct anticoagulant group without a relationship to time to surgery. Simple linear regression could not determine a relationship between postoperative hemoglobin change and time to surgery. Conclusions: We suggest that directly anticoagulated patients needing hip fracture surgery must be considered for early surgery.
Characteristics, Outcome and Prognostic Factors of Patients with Emergency Department Cardiac Arrest: A 14-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Giamello Jacopo Davide , D’Agnano Salvatore , Paglietta Giulia , Bertone Chiara , Bruno Alice , Martini Gianpiero , Poggi Alessia , Sciolla Andrea , Lauria Giuseppe
Published: August 2024

Introduction: Cardiac arrests are traditionally classified according to the setting in which they occur, including out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). However, cardiac arrests that occur in the emergency department (EDCA) could constitute a third category, due to the peculiar characteristics of the emergency department (ED). In recent years, the need to study EDCAs separately from other intra-hospital events has emerged. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of a cohort of patients experiencing EDCA in an Italian hospital over a 14-year period. Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective observational study conducted in the ED of the Santa Croce e Carle Hospital in Cuneo, Italy. All adult patients who experienced EDCA between 1 January 2010 and 30 June 2023 were included. OHCA patients, those arriving in the ED with on-going resuscitation measures, patients with EDCA not undergoing resuscitation, and patients with post-traumatic cardiac arrest were excluded from the study. The main outcome of the study was survival at hospital discharge with a favourable neurological outcome. Results: 350 cases of EDCA were included. The median age was 78 (63–85) years, and the median Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 5 (3–6). A total of 35 patients (10%) survived to hospital discharge with a cerebral performance category (CPC) Score of 1–2; survival in the ED was 28.3%. The causes of cardiac arrests were identified in 212 cases (60.6%) and included coronary thrombosis (35%), hypoxia (22%), hypovolemia (17%), pulmonary embolism (11%), metabolic (8%), cardiac tamponade (4%), toxins (2%) and hypothermia (1%). Variables associated with survival with a favourable neurological outcome were young age, a lower Charlson Comorbidity Index, coronary thrombosis as the primary EDCA cause, and shockable presenting rhythm; however, only the latter was associated with the outcome in a multivariate age-weighted model. Conclusions: In a cohort of patients with EDCA over a period of more than a decade, the most frequent cause identified was coronary thrombosis; 10% of patients survived with a good neurological status, and the only factor associated with the best prognosis was presenting a shockable rhythm. EDCA should be considered an independent category in order to fully understand its characteristics and outcomes.
Influence of Cochlear Anatomy on Intraoperative Electrically Evoked Compound Action Potentials
Authors: Fatani Nawaf , Abdelsamad Yassin , Alsanosi Abdulrahman
Published: August 2024

Objective: The electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) is an objective measure to indirectly assess spiral ganglion neurons. The ECAP provides inputs about the prognoses of cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Several factors such as cochlear morphology can affect ECAP measurements. This study aims to investigate the variation effect of cochlear parameters on intraoperative ECAP thresholds. Methods: This is a retrospective study on patients who underwent CI surgery with normal inner ear morphology at our center between 2017 and 2023. Cochlear anatomical parameters, including diameter (A value), width (B value), and height (H value), as well as cochlear duct length (CDL), were measured pre-operatively using OTOPLAN software (Version 3.0). Cochlear implant intraoperative objective measures were also collected. The correlation between the cochlear parameters and intraoperative objective measures was studied. Results: A total of 45 patients underwent cochlear implantation. The mean age was 2.4 ± 0.9 years. The mean CDL and cochlear coverage values were 33.2 ± 2.0 mm and 76.0 ± 5.7%, respectively. The ECAP threshold increased toward basal electrodes, with ECAP values as follows: apical 13.1 ± 3.8; middle 14.3 ± 3.7; and basal 15.6 ± 4.8. Additionally, the A, B, and H values showed a positive correlation with ECAP thresholds in different cochlear regions. The B value showed a significant moderate correlation with ECAP thresholds in the middle and basal electrodes but not in the apical electrodes. Conclusions: Cochlear anatomical parameters correlate with intraoperative ECAP thresholds. The B value showed a significant association with ECAP thresholds in the middle and basal electrodes. These findings could delineate the impact of the B value in CI and optimize electrode selection. Further research is required to study this correlation and its impact on postoperative outcomes.
Breast Reconstruction: The Oncoplastic Approach
Authors: Vindigni Vincenzo , Marena Francesco , Zanettin Chiara , Bassetto Franco
Published: August 2024

Breast reconstruction surgery is continualladvancing, significantly enhancing patient well-being. Current surgical techniques prioritize minimizing donor site morbidity while achieving a more natural breast appearance. Increasing patient preferences for avoiding prosthetic materials in reconstruction, along with advancements in oncological safety and heightened aesthetic expectations, are driving the exploration and development of innovative approaches. Today’s reconstructive options range from straightforward oncoplastic glandular remodeling to intricate microsurgical procedures. This narrative review, titled “Breast reconstruction: the oncoplastic approach,” provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary trends in breast-conserving treatment. It evaluates the indications for these techniques and offers guidance to plastic surgeons in crafting personalized treatment plans. This approach presents a valuable single-stage alternative or adjunct to traditional prosthetic or microsurgical reconstruction methods.
Aortic Valve-in-Valve Procedures: Challenges and Future Directions
Authors: Cao Davide , Albani Stefano , Gall Emmanuel , Hovasse Thomas , Unterseeh Thierry , Seknadji Patrick , Champagne Stéphane , Garot Philippe , Sayah Neila , Akodad Mariama
Published: August 2024

Aortic valve-in-valve (ViV) procedures are increasingly performed for the treatment of surgical bioprosthetic valve failure in patients at intermediate to high surgical risk. Although ViV procedures offer indisputable benefits in terms of procedural time, in-hospital length of stay, and avoidance of surgical complications, they also present unique challenges. Growing awareness of the technical difficulties and potential threats associated with ViV procedures mandates careful preprocedural planning. This review article offers an overview of the current state-of-the-art ViV procedures, with focus on patient and device selection, procedural planning, potential complications, and long-term outcomes. Finally, it discusses current research efforts and future directions aimed at improving ViV procedural success and patient outcomes.
The Child Oral Health Impact Profile—Short Form 19 Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validity for the Portuguese Pediatric Population
Authors: Laborne Fanny , Machado Vanessa , Botelho João , Bandeira Lopes Luísa
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: To better understand the impact of different oral conditions on children, several instruments are available to measure oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). To adapt and validate cross-culturally the Child Oral Health Impact Profile—Short Form 19 (COHIP-SF19) questionnaire to the Portuguese language. Methods: The COHIP SF-19 was translated and back-translated, and tested for its reliability and for psychometric properties in children who were aged between 8 and 17 years old. The COHIP-19-PT was tested for its internal consistency, construct validity, content validity, and test–retest reliability. Results: The COHIP-19-PT revealed good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.88) and test–retest reliability (interclass correlation = 0.78). The CFA analysis confirmed the structure of COHIP-19-PT. The first-order model showed an adequate fit: GFI = 0.878; CFI = 0.812; RMSEA = 0.083 (90% CI: 0.077–0.090). No invariance was found for the gender-based groups. The correlation between the sub-scales was also assessed, confirming significant correlations between all subdomains. Conclusions: The COHIP-19-PT is a valid and reliable scale for measuring children’s oral health-related quality of life.
Plasma Somatostatin Levels Are Lower in Patients with Coronary Stenosis and Significantly Increase after Stent Implantation
Authors: Sütő Balázs , Kun József , Bagoly Teréz , Németh Timea , Pintér Erika , Kardos Dorottya , Helyes Zsuzsanna
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: Stimulated capsaicin-sensitive peptidergic sensory nerves release somatostatin (SST), which has systemic anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, correlating with the severity of tissue injury. Previous studies suggest that SST release into the systemic circulation is likely to serve as a protective mechanism during thoracic and orthopedic surgeries, scoliosis operations, and septic conditions, all involving significant tissue damage, pain, and inflammation. In a severe systemic inflammation rat model, SST released from sensory nerves into the bloodstream enhanced innate defense, reducing mortality. Inflammation is the key pathophysiological process responsible for the formation, progression, instability, and healing of atherosclerotic plaques. Methods: We measured SST-like immunoreactivity (SST-LI) in the plasma of healthy volunteers in different age groups and also that of stable angina patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) using ELISA and tracked changes during invasive coronary interventions (coronarography) with and without stent implantation. Samples were collected at (1) pre-intervention, (2) after coronarography, (3) 2 h after coronarography initiation and coronary stent placement, and (4) the next morning. Results: There was a strong negative correlation between SST-LI concentrations and age; the plasma SST-LI of older healthy volunteers (47–73 years) was significantly lower than in young ones (24–27 years). Baseline SST-LI in CHD patients who needed stents was significantly reduced compared to those not requiring stents. Plasma SST-LI significantly increased two hours post stent insertion and the next morning compared to pre-intervention levels. Conclusions: Age-related SST decrease might be a consequence of lower gene expression within specific hypo-thalamic nuclei as has been previously demonstrated in rodent animals. Reperfusion of ischemic myocardium post-stent implantation may trigger SST release, potentially offering protective benefits in coronary heart disease. Investigating this SST-mediated mechanism could offer valuable insights for future therapies.
The Importance of Mind–Body in Pilates Method in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Vera-Saura Pablo , Agudo-Pavón Jesús , Velázquez-Torres Dara María , Martín-Alemán María , León-Morillas Felipe , Infante-Guedes Aday , Cruz-Díaz David
Published: August 2024

Background/Objectives: Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) is a prevalent condition causing significant distress and healthcare costs globally. Despite various treatments, effective management remains challenging. Pilates, recognized for its focus on core strength and postural alignment, has emerged as a promising intervention. This study investigates the impact of mind–body in Pilates for directing participants on CNSLBP outcomes. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 67 participants, aged 18 to 65 years, suffering from CNSLBP. They were allocated into two groups: Pilates with mind–body cueing (n = 34) and Pilates without cueing (n = 33). Both groups underwent 60 min sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale), functional disability (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire), fear of movement (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), and adherence (percentage of sessions attended). Statistical significance was determined through repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in pain reduction, functional ability, and kinesiophobia. However, the mind–body group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in kinesiophobia compared to the non-cueing group (p = 0.048), indicating the potential additional benefit of mind–body cueing in managing movement-related fear in CNSLBP. Conclusions: This study underscores the effectiveness of an 8-week Pilates intervention in managing CNSLBP, highlighting the added value of mind–body cueing in reducing fear of movement. These findings suggest incorporating mind–body cueing in Pilates could enhance the therapeutic benefits, particularly for patients with high levels of movement-related fear, potentially improving long-term adherence to physical activity and rehabilitation outcomes.
Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Inflammatory and Infiltrative Cardiomyopathies: A Narrative Review
Authors: Marchetti Davide , Buzzi Federica , Di Febo Riccardo , Modugno Sara , Schillaci Matteo , Paolisso Pasquale , Doldi Marco , Melotti Eleonora , Ratti Angelo , Provera Andrea , Guarnieri Gianluca , Terzi Riccardo , Gallazzi Michele , Conte Edoardo , Andreini Daniele
Published: August 2024

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has acquired a pivotal role in modern cardiology. It represents the gold standard for biventricular volume and systolic function assessment. Moreover, CMR allows for non-invasive myocardial tissue evaluation, highlighting tissue edema, fibrosis, fibro-fatty infiltration and iron overload. This manuscript aims to review the impact of CMR in the main inflammatory and infiltrative cardiomyopathies, providing details on specific imaging patterns and insights regarding the most relevant trials in the setting.
Fistulizing Perianal Disease as a First Manifestation of Crohn’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Munster Liesbeth Jozefien , Mönnink Giulia Louise Emilia , van Dieren Susan , Mundt Marco William , D’Haens Geert Renaat Alfons Maria , Bemelman Willem Adrianus , Buskens Christianne Johanna , van der Bilt Jarmila Dagmara Wendelien
Published: August 2024

Background: Incidences of perianal fistulas (PAFs) as a first manifestation of Crohn’s disease (CD) vary widely in the literature. Aim: To analyse the percentage of patients with a PAF preceding CD diagnosis and assess the time to diagnosis. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted. Studies reporting on patients with a PAF preceding CD diagnosis were identified. Primary outcomes were the (weighted) percentage of patients with CD with a PAF preceding CD and their time to CD diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were the (weighted) percentage of patients with CD with a PAF preceding CD diagnosis in predefined patient subgroups, including (1) sex (men vs. women), (2) ethnicity (Asian vs. non-Asian), and (3) age (paediatric (0–18 y) and patients with elderly onset CD (>60 y) vs. adult patients (18–60 y)). Results: Seventeen studies were included (34,030 patients with CD). In the overall CD population, a PAF preceded CD in 8.6% [95%CI; 5.72; 12.71] with a weighted mean time to CD diagnosis of 45.9 (31.3) months. No studies reported details on sex differences in patients with a PAF as a manifesting sign of CD. In Asian populations, a PAF preceded CD in 17.66% [95%CI; 11.45; 26.25], which was significantly higher when compared with non-Asians (4.99% [95%CI; 3.75; 6.60], OR:3.99, p < 0.0001). In adolescents, an incidence of 9.17% [95%CI; 5.92; 13.93] was found with significantly lower incidences in paediatric patients (6.38% [95%CI; 1.84; 19.85], OR:0.53, p < 0.0001), and elderly-onset patients (3.77% [95%CI; 1.68; 8.25], OR:0.44, p = 0.0035). Conclusions: This systematic review shows that in the literature, almost 10% of patients present with a PAF as a first manifestation of CD, with a mean time to diagnosis of almost four years. These results emphasise that increased clinical awareness is needed.
Omentoplasty for Cervical Lymphocele after Aortic Arch Replacement
Authors: Hertel Nora , Dastagir Khaled , Schmelzle Moritz , Feldbrügge Linda , Helms Florian , Vogt Peter M. , Ruhparwar Arjang , Popov Aron-Frederik
Published: August 2024

Lymphocele formation is a rare complication after surgical procedures involving the mediastinum. While uncomplicated lymphoceles show high rates of spontaneous closure and are usually treated conservatively, surgical treatment might be required in cases with persistent or recurrent lymphoceles. We present the case of a 53-year-old male with reoccurring cervical swelling after two surgeries of the thoracic aorta. After 1.5 years, the swelling occurred for the first time and appeared for the next 2 years repeatedly without clinical or laboratory signs of infection. A cervical lymphocele was suspected, and the decision for surgical revision was made. Fibrin glue was applied to the potential leakage of the thoracic duct, and the cavity was filled with a free omental flap. This resulted in a complete regression of the swelling.
A Review on the Modelling of Aligned Discontinuous Fibre Composites
Authors: Lewis Chantal , Yavuz Burak Ogun , Longana Marco L. , Belnoue Jonathan P.-H. , Ramakrishnan Karthik Ram , Ward Carwyn , Hamerton Ian
Published: August 2024

Aligned discontinuous fibre-reinforced composites are becoming more popular because they have the potential to offer stiffness and strength comparable to their continuous counterparts along with better manufacturability. However, the modelling of highly aligned discontinuous fibre composites is still in its infancy. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the available literature to understand how modelling techniques have developed and consider whether all aspects which could affect the performance of aligned discontinuous fibre composites have been addressed. Here, for the first time, a broad view of the advantages, perspectives, and limitations of current approaches to modelling the performance and behaviour of aligned discontinuous fibre composites during alignment, forming, and mechanical loading is provided in one place as a route to design optimisation.
Fundamental Investigation of the Application Behavior and Stabilization Potential of Milling Tools with Structured Flank Faces on the Minor Cutting Edges
Authors: Schönecker Raphael Isaak Elias , Baumann Jonas , Garcia Carballo Rafael , Biermann Dirk
Published: August 2024

In milling processes in which material removal is performed periodically from solid material, dynamic effects are generally considered to be responsible for instabilities and subsequent productivity limits. Usually, in such applications, the process-inherent complex dynamic load spectrum on machines, tools and workpieces is considered together with vibration-based relative displacements that can be attributed to the regenerative effect. There are numerous techniques in the literature addressing the suppression of these dynamic effects, but they require a large amount of analysis and implementation effort as well as specific expert knowledge. The approach presented here, however, provides a universally applicable method for suppressing chatter vibrations and deflections. By applying structure elements to the flanks of the minor cutting edges of HSS end mills, it was possible to increase the chatter-free limiting depth of cut ap,crit in the milling processes of the aluminum alloy EN AW-7075. Structured tools were used in ramp milling tests to investigate various effects, such as the influence of certain geometric design features on the stabilization potential compared to a reference tool. Furthermore, the effects of varied process parameter configurations and wear-related effects on the performance of the tool concept were focused on as well. The three key design features of the cutting edge and the structured profiles were identified from the results of the investigation, which, when combined in the most efficient design, in each case led to the development of an optimized structure and process configuration with cumulative potential for increasing the stability limit up to 200%.
Three-Dimensional Coverage Path Planning for Cooperative Autonomous Underwater Vehicles: A Swarm Migration Genetic Algorithm Approach
Authors: Xie Yangmin , Hui Wenbo , Zhou Dacheng , Shi Hang
Published: August 2024

Cooperative marine exploration tasks involving multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) present a complex 3D coverage path planning challenge that has not been fully addressed. To tackle this, we employ an auto-growth strategy to generate interconnected paths, ensuring simultaneous satisfaction of the obstacle avoidance and space coverage requirements. Our approach introduces a novel genetic algorithm designed to achieve equivalent and energy-efficient path allocation among AUVs. The core idea involves defining competing gene swarms to facilitate path migration, corresponding to path allocation actions among AUVs. The fitness function incorporates models for both energy consumption and optimal path connections, resulting in iterations that lead to optimal path assignment among AUVs. This framework for multi-AUV coverage path planning eliminates the need for pre-division of the working space and has proven effective in 3D underwater environments. Numerous experiments validate the proposed method, showcasing its comprehensive advantages in achieving equitable path allocation, minimizing overall energy consumption, and ensuring high computational efficiency. These benefits contribute to the success of multi-AUV cooperation in deep-sea information collection and environmental surveillance.
Modeling Ocean Swell and Overtopping Waves: Understanding Wave Shoaling with Varying Seafloor Topographies
Authors: Wong Chak-Nang , Chow Kwok-Wing
Published: August 2024

One risk posed by hurricanes and typhoons is local inundation as ocean swell and storm surge bring a tremendous amount of energy and water flux to the shore. Numerical wave tanks are developed to understand the dynamics computationally. The three-dimensional equations of motion are solved by the software ‘Open Field Operation And Manipulation’ v2206. The ‘Large Eddy Simulation’ scheme is adopted as the turbulence model. A fifth-order Stokes wave is taken as the inlet condition. Breaking, ‘run-up’, and overtopping waves are studied for concave, convex, and straight-line seafloors for a fixed ocean depth. For small angles of inclination (<10°), a convex seafloor displays wave breaking sooner than a straight-line one and thus actually delivers a smaller volume flux to the shore. Physically, a convex floor exhibits a greater rate of depth reduction (on first encounter with the sloping seafloor) than a straight-line one. Long waves with a speed proportional to the square root of the depth thus experience a larger deceleration. Nonlinear (or ‘piling up’) effects occur earlier than in the straight-line case. All these scenarios and reasoning are reversed for a concave seafloor. For large angles of inclination (>30°), impingement, reflection, and deflection are the relevant processes. Empirical dependence for the setup and swash values for a convex seafloor is established. The reflection coefficient for waves reflected from the seafloor is explored through Fourier analysis, and a set of empirical formulas is developed for various seafloor topographies. Understanding these dynamical factors will help facilitate the more efficient designing and construction of coastal defense mechanisms against severe weather.
Blockchain-Based Cold Chain Traceability with NR-PBFT and IoV-IMS for Marine Fishery Vessels
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Zhu Haonan , Liang Hejun
Published: August 2024

Due to limited communication, computing resources, and unstable environments, traditional cold chain traceability systems are difficult to apply directly to marine cold chain traceability scenarios. Motivated by these challenges, we construct an improved blockchain-based cold chain traceability system for marine fishery vessels. Firstly, an Internet of Vessels system based on the Iridium Satellites (IoV-IMS) is proposed for marine cold chain monitoring. Aiming at the problems of low throughput, long transaction latency, and high communication overhead in traditional cold chain traceability systems, based on the Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) consensus algorithm, a Node-grouped and Reputation-evaluated PBFT (NR-PBFT) is proposed to improve the reliability and robustness of blockchain system. In NR-PBFT, an improved node grouping scheme is designed, which introduces a consistent hashing algorithm to divide nodes into consensus and candidate sets, reducing the number of nodes participating in the consensus process, to lower communication overhead and transaction latency. Then, a reputation evaluation model is proposed to improve the node selection mechanism of NR-PBFT. It enhances the enthusiasm of nodes to participate in consensus, which considers the distance between fishery vessels, data size, and refrigeration temperature factors of nodes to increase throughput. Finally, we carried out experiments on marine fishery vessels, and the effectiveness of the cold chain traceability system and NR-PBFT were verified. Compared with PBFT, the transaction latency of NR-PBFT shortened by 81.92%, the throughput increased by 84.21%, and the communication overhead decreased by 89.4%.
Ship Trajectory Planning and Optimization via Ensemble Hybrid A* and Multi-Target Point Artificial Potential Field Model
Authors: Huang Yanguo , Zhao Sishuo , Zhao Shuling
Published: August 2024

Ship path planning is the core problem of autonomous driving of smart ships and the basis for avoiding obstacles and other ships reasonably. To achieve this goal, this study improved the traditional A* algorithm to propose a new method for ship collision avoidance path planning by combining the multi-target point artificial potential field algorithm (MPAPF). The global planning path was smoothed and segmented into multi-target sequence points with the help of an improved A* algorithm and fewer turning nodes. The improved APF algorithm was used to plan the path of multi-target points locally, and the ship motion constraints were considered to generate a path that was more in line with the ship kinematics. In addition, this method also considered the collision avoidance situation when ships meet, carried out collision avoidance operations according to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs), and introduced the collision risk index (CRI) to evaluate the collision risk and obtain a safe and reliable path. Through the simulation of a static environment and ship encounter, the experimental results show that the proposed method not only has good performance in a static environment but can also generate a safe path to avoid collision in more complex encounter scenarios.
Prescribed-Time Trajectory Tracking Control for Unmanned Surface Vessels with Prescribed Performance Considering Marine Environmental Interferences and Unmodeled Dynamics
Authors: Sui Bowen , Liu Yiping , Zhang Jianqiang , Liu Zhong , Zhang Yuanyuan
Published: August 2024

This article investigates a prescribed-time trajectory tracking control strategy for USVs considering marine environmental interferences and unmodeled dynamics. Firstly, a fixed-time extended state observer is introduced to quickly and accurately observe the compound perturbations including ocean disturbances and unmodeled dynamics. Subsequently, a prescribed-time prescribed performance function is utilized to obtain guaranteed transient performance within a predefined time. Finally, combining the fixed-time extended state observer, dynamic surface control technique, and prescribed-time prescribed performance control, a prescribed-time prescribed performance control strategy is developed to guarantee that the tracking errors converge to a predefined performance constraint boundary within a prescribed time. The effectiveness and superiority of the presented control strategy is verified by the simulation results.
One Man’s Bubble Is Another Man’s Rational Behavior: Comparing Alternative Macroeconomic Hypotheses for the US Housing Market
Authors: Malliaris Anastasios G. , Malliaris Mary , Rzepczynski Mark S.
Published: August 2024

Competing macroeconomic hypotheses have been developed to explain the US housing market and possible bubble behavior. We employ both seasonally adjusted (SA) and non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) monthly data for about 30 independent variables to examine alternative macro hypotheses for home prices. Using a neural network model as an atheoretical non-linear approach to capture the relative importance of alternative macro variables, we show that these hypotheses generate different macro relevance. As an alternative to testing housing time series, we focus on bubble identification being hypothesis dependent. Model forecast errors (residuals) identify the potential presence of bubbles through standardized residual CUSUM tests for structural breaks. By testing for housing bubbles from these unstructured models, we generate conclusions on the presence of bubbles prior to the Great Financial Crisis and the post-pandemic periods. Competing macro hypotheses or narratives will generate different conclusions on the presence of bubbles and create bubble identification issues.
Eye-Net: A Low-Complexity Distributed Denial of Service Attack-Detection System Based on Multilayer Perceptron
Authors: Khantouchi Ramzi , Gasmi Ibtissem , Ferrag Mohamed Amine
Published: August 2024

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks disrupt service availability, leading to significant financial setbacks for individuals and businesses. This paper introduces Eye-Net, a deep learning-based system optimized for DDoS attack detection that combines feature selection, balancing methods, Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), and quantization-aware training (QAT) techniques. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) algorithm is initially applied to the dataset to identify the most distinctive features. Subsequently, the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) balances the dataset by augmenting samples for under-represented classes. Two distinct MLP models are developed: one for the binary classification of flow packets as regular or DDoS traffic and another for identifying six specific DDoS attack types. We store MLP model weights at 8-bit precision by incorporating the quantization-aware training technique. This adjustment slashes memory use by a factor of four and reduces computational cost similarly, making Eye-Net suitable for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Both models are rigorously trained and assessed using the CICDDoS2019 dataset. Test results reveal that Eye-Net excels, surpassing contemporary DDoS detection techniques in accuracy, recall, precision, and F1 Score. The multiclass model achieves an impressive accuracy of 96.47% with an error rate of 8.78%, while the binary model showcases an outstanding 99.99% accuracy, maintaining a negligible error rate of 0.02%.
Assessment of Urban Spatial Integration Using Human Settlement Environmental Geographic Dataset: A Case Study in the Guangzhou–Foshan Metropolitan Area
Authors: Chen Rui , Zhou Siyu , Liu Shuyuan , Li Zifeng , Xie Jing
Published: August 2024

Urbanization is an important process in China’s urban development, significantly contributing to resource allocation and the cooperative development of neighboring cities. In recent years, remote-sensing technology has emerged as a powerful tool in urbanization research. However, the disparity in development between urban and rural areas poses challenges in evaluating the degree of urbanization within a region. This paper addresses this issue by using LCZ (Local Climate Zone) data to provide a unified framework for analyzing a human settlement environmental geographic dataset. This study focuses on the spatial development and transformation of the Guangzhou–Foshan urbanization from 2000 to 2020. The LCZ data offer a suitable framework for examining urban–rural gradients, facilitating the analysis of spatial characteristics under varying development conditions. This unified framework enables a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal characteristics of urban spatial integration. The results show that the analysis of the Guangzhou–Foshan metropolitan area reveals that the region has maintained a “core–edge” spatial structure over the past 20 years. The development rate has decelerated following policy changes in 2010, with the adjacent area experiencing significantly slower development compared to the overall study area. LCZ data are effective for comparative analysis of internal spatial development within urban areas, offering a novel approach to studying spatial integration amid urban development.
Harnessing Machine Learning Algorithms to Model the Association between Land Use/Land Cover Change and Heatwave Dynamics for Enhanced Environmental Management
Authors: Ashwini Kumar , Sil Briti Sundar , Kafy Abdulla Al , Altuwaijri Hamad Ahmed , Nath Hrithik , Rahaman Zullyadini A.
Published: August 2024

As we navigate the fast-paced era of urban expansion, the integration of machine learning (ML) and remote sensing (RS) has become a cornerstone in environmental management. This research, focusing on Silchar City, a non-attainment city under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), leverages these advanced technologies to understand the urban microclimate and its implications on the health, resilience, and sustainability of the built environment. The rise in land surface temperature (LST) and changes in land use and land cover (LULC) have been identified as key contributors to thermal dynamics, particularly focusing on the development of urban heat islands (UHIs). The Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) can assess the influence of UHIs, which is considered a parameter for ecological quality assessment. This research examines the interlinkages among urban expansion, LST, and thermal dynamics in Silchar City due to a substantial rise in air temperature, poor air quality, and particulate matter PM2.5. Using Landsat satellite imagery, LULC maps were derived for 2000, 2010, and 2020 by applying a supervised classification approach. LST was calculated by converting thermal band spectral radiance into brightness temperature. We utilized Cellular Automata (CA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to project potential scenarios up to the year 2040. Over the two-decade period from 2000 to 2020, we observed a 21% expansion in built-up areas, primarily at the expense of vegetation and agricultural lands. This land transformation contributed to increased LST, with over 10% of the area exceeding 25 °C in 2020 compared with just 1% in 2000. The CA model predicts built-up areas will grow by an additional 26% by 2040, causing LST to rise by 4 °C. The UTFVI analysis reveals declining thermal comfort, with the worst affected zone projected to expand by 7 km2. The increase in PM2.5 and aerosol optical depth over the past two decades further indicates deteriorating air quality. This study underscores the potential of ML and RS in environmental management, providing valuable insights into urban expansion, thermal dynamics, and air quality that can guide policy formulation for sustainable urban planning.
Leveraging Electronic Health Records to Predict the Risk of Acute Kidney Injury after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Authors: Bischoff Elena , Kirilov Nikola
Published: August 2024

Background: The objective of this study is to assess the electronic health records (EHRs), which are potential risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) after allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT), and to propose a basic dataset and score for the calculation of HCT-acute kidney injury risk (HCT-AKIR). Methods: We undertook a retrospective analysis of the EHRs of 312 patients. Pre- and post-transplant factors were assessed, recognizing the following structured entries: laboratory data, encounters, medication, imaging studies, diagnoses, and procedures. Composite variables were used to create patient groups by combining two or more multivariate significant risk factors for AKI. The EHRs dataset and HCT-AKIR score were created based on the multivariate analysis of the composite variables. Results: A multivariate analysis showed that previous CKD and once-impaired pre-transplant kidney function, sepsis, imaging procedures with contrast media, and cumulative length of intensive care unit stay after transplantation were significant risk factors. A new unit-weighted composite score based on the combination of significant risk factors contained in common EHR resources was proposed. Conclusions: Using our novel HCT-AKIR score calculated from the basic EHR dataset could be an easy way to increase awareness of post-transplant AKI and provide risk stratification.
Endoscopic Surveillance after (Procto)Colectomy with Gastrointestinal Reconstruction in Patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)—Principles, Goals and Practical Aspects Based on 12 Years of Observation
Authors: Cwaliński Jarosław , Zasada Wiktoria , Cholerzyńska Hanna , Andrzejewska Wiktoria , Michalak Hanna , Banasiewicz Tomasz , Paszkowski Jacek
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary condition characterized by the development of numerous adenomas in the large intestine, often necessitating colectomy due to an elevated risk of colorectal cancer. Despite surgical intervention, adenomas frequently recur, underscoring the importance of ongoing surveillance. This study evaluates the outcomes of a 12-year endoscopic follow-up after colectomy and gastrointestinal reconstruction for FAP. (2) Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 41 FAP patients who underwent at least one postoperative endoscopic examination. Assessments of the pouch or rectum were performed every 12–18 months following ileorectal anastomosis and every 18–24 months after ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. Follow-up biopsies were assessed using the adopted Spigelman classification. (3) Results: Postoperative pathology revealed invasive colorectal cancer in three patients. Abdominoperineal resection was performed in two cases due to secondary invasive carcinoma, and one T1 tumor was radically removed with ESD. One patient underwent radical pouch excision following a nodal pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer. Over a 12-year observation period, the mean Spigelman score increased by 2 points, and the proportion of patients with low-grade polypoid lesions decreased. The quantity or size of polyps increased in 24 patients, decreased in 8 patients, and remained stable in 9 patients. In four patients, granular, laterally spreading tumors were discovered in the rectal stump. (4) Conclusions: Regular endoscopic surveillance in FAP patients facilitates early identification of neoplastic and inflammatory changes. The downstaging potential highlights the effectiveness of early interventions. While the Spigelman classification assessed polyps well, it did not predict cancer occurrence. A notable number of patients had invasive cancer at the time of surgery, underscoring the importance of early surgical qualification, which is particularly crucial for identifying upstaging or secondary cancer.
Design, Analysis and Experiment of a Modular Deployable Continuum Robot
Authors: Jia Aihu , Liu Xinyu , Guan Yuntao , Liu Yongxi , Helian Qianze , Liu Chenshuo , Zhuang Zheming , Kang Rongjie
Published: August 2024

Continuum robots, possessing great flexibility, can accomplish tasks in complex work scenes, regarded as an important direction in robotics. However, the current continuum robots are not satisfying enough in terms of fabrication and maintenance, and their workspace is limited by structure and other aspects. In this paper, to address the above problems, a modular deployable robot, which adopts an origami structure instead of a flexible hinge, is proposed. A fabrication method is innovated, the Spherical Linkage Parallel Mechanism (SLPM) unit is optimized, and the installation and fabrication process of the robot is simplified through modularization. The forward kinematics and inverse kinematics of the robot and its workspace are analyzed by using the screw theory. The prototype of the robot is constructed, and its folding performance, bending performance, and motion accuracy are tested, and the error analysis and compensation optimization are carried out. After the optimization, the position error of the robot is reduced by about 65%, and the standard deviation is greatly lowered, which effectively improves the motion accuracy and stability of the robot.