bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revolutionising orthopaedic implants—a comprehensive review on metal 3D printing with materials, design strategies, manufacturing technologies, and post-process machining advancements
Authors: Shaikh Mustafiz , Kahwash Fadi , Lu Zhilun , Alkhreisat Mohammad , Mohammad Ashfaq , Shyha Islam
Published: August 2024

This paper conceptualises an understanding of advanced manufacturing methods to develop 3D-printed metallic orthopaedic implants, including a brief discussion on post-process machining. The significance of Metallic Additive Manufacturing (MAM) and its practicality for industrial applications is discussed through a juxtaposition with conventional casting and machining approach. Different alloys and suitable MAM techniques are thoroughly reviewed to determine optimum operating conditions. Although MAM can produce near-net shape parts, post-processing is an unavoidable requirement to improve surface quality and dimensional accuracy. A comparative study is presented, highlighting the importance of machining for post-processing in terms of cost savings and performance. Different materials are evaluated aiming to overcome problems associated with existing orthopaedic implants. The consequence of bone-implant mechanical mismatch leading to stress shielding and inadequate corrosion properties obstructing biodegradability are explored in detail. The effect of additive manufacturing parameters on mechanical, corrosion, and surface properties including biocompatibility is analysed. Evidence of MAM’s advantages over conventional manufacturing approaches, such as the use of functionally graded lattices and patient-specific customised designs, is also presented. Finally, for future studies, a two-way approach is conceptualised with material selection and manufacturing process control in progressions of implant development using MAM.

Graphical Abstract
[99mTc]Tc-hydroxydiphosphonate uptake in soft tissue is associated with amyloid load in subcutaneous abdominal fat tissue and mortality in wild-type transthyretin amyloidosis patients
Authors: Tingen Hendrea Sanne Aletta , Groothof Dion , Tubben Alwin , Bijzet Johan , Houwerzijl Ewout J. , Muntinghe Friso L. H. , van der Zwaag Paul A. , van der Meer Peter , Hazenberg Bouke P. C. , Slart Riemer H. J. A. , Nienhuis Hans L. A.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Bone scintigraphy is key to non-invasively diagnosing wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) amyloidosis, and is mainly used to assess cardiac radiotracer uptake. However, extracardiac radiotracer uptake is also observed. We investigated whether intensity of soft tissue radiotracer uptake is associated with amyloid load in subcutaneous abdominal fat tissue and with mortality.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 94 ATTRwt amyloidosis patients and 26 amyloid-negative heart failure controls who underwent whole-body [99mTc]Tc-hydroxydiphosphonate scintigraphy. Site-to-background ratios were calculated for heart, elbows, subcutaneous tissue, shoulders and wrists on anterior planar bone scintigraphy images using rib and whole-body radiotracer uptake as background. Fat tissue aspirates were stained with Congo red to grade amyloid load. Site-to-rib ratios were compared between ATTRwt amyloidosis patients and controls, and associations of site-to-background ratio with Congo red score and all-cause mortality were studied.

Results

ATTRwt amyloidosis patients had higher soft tissue-to-rib, heart-to-rib and heart-to-whole body ratios compared with controls. The intensity of soft tissue uptake was positively associated with amyloid load in fat tissue in ATTRwt amyloidosis patients. Estimated glomerular filtration rate, N-terminal brain natriuretic propeptide, high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT), and the prognostic Mayo and NAC staging system were associated with all-cause mortality in univariable models. Soft tissue/rib ratio, hs-cTnT and the prognostic staging systems were the only two variables that were independently associated withall-cause mortality.

Conclusion

Soft tissue radiotracer uptake on bone scintigraphy in ATTRwt amyloidosis patients is positively associated with amyloid load in abdominal fat tissue and is independently associated with mortality.
Investigation of the Effect of Mobile and Immobile Regions on Fat Graft Viability: An Experimental Study in a New Model
Authors: Çakır Bozkurt Gökçen , Yoleri Levent , Temiz Peyker
Published: August 2024

Background

Fat grafts are widely used in plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Their unpredictable resorption is their main disadvantage. A review of the literature shows that there is a lack of research on the effect of mobile and immobile regions on fat graft survival in fat graft applications.

Objective

Our aim was to investigate the relationship of fat graft survival with mobile and immobile region in a new experimental model.

Methods

Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups (n=12). Fat grafts were harvested from the right inguinal region of the rat. In Group 1, the fat graft was placed in the subcutaneous pouch formed in the scalp region of the rat. In Group 2, fat grafts were placed in the pouch formed in the posterior cervical region of the rat. At the end of 6 weeks, the weights and histopathology of the fat grafts were evaluated. Histopathological examinations were performed in a blinded fashion.

Results

The weights of the fat grafts were found to be higher in Group 1. At the same time, histopathological examinations showed that vascular density was higher in Group 1. There was no statistically significant difference in other histopathological examinations.

Conclusion

The mobile and immobile areas may have different effects on the survival of transplanted fat grafts. Sliding movement between muscle and skin in the mobile zone puts stress on the fat graft. In our study, the mobile site was shown to have a negative effect on the vascularity of the fat graft. It was observed that the vascular density was higher in the fat graft placed in the immobilised area. Further studies on the increase in vascularity can be carried out using the new experimental model we have created.

No Level Assigned

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Bedarfe und klinische Versorgung Betroffener von SED-Unrecht
Authors: Gallistl A. , Schneider N. , Strauß B.
Published: August 2024

Seit dem Beitritt der DDR zur BRD wurde die schlechte klinische Versorgungslage Betroffener von Unrecht, das die Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands (SED) begangen hat, immer wieder kritisiert und eine Verbesserung gefordert. Im Folgenden wird ein Überblick über die bestehende klinisch relevante Literatur zur Versorgungslage der Betroffenen gegeben. Hierzu werden zunächst Definitionsprobleme und die Frage der klinischen Spezifika dieser Zielgruppe diskutiert. Anschließend erfolgt ein Überblick über die aktuelle psychosoziale Versorgung in der „Aufarbeitungslandschaft“, bevor weitere Befunde aus der klinischen Literatur referiert werden. Es gibt Hinweise, dass es sich bei den Betroffenen v. a. um Personengruppen mit gesundheitlicher und sozialer Mehrfachbelastung handelt, bei denen traumabedingte Barrieren der Inanspruchnahme, Kompetenzbarrieren bei Behandlern und strukturelle Probleme des Gesundheitssystems manifest werden. Fragen individuellen Leidens sind zudem untrennbar verklammert mit Fragen des politischen Diskurses und der Ausgestaltung von Entschädigungsregelungen. Bei genauer Betrachtung zeigt sich jedoch, dass klinische Grundlagen- und Versorgungsforschung bei diesem Thema aktuell an ihre Grenzen stoßen und vorläufig viele Fragen offenbleiben müssen.
Neuropsychiatric involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus contributes to organ damage beyond the nervous system: a post-hoc analysis of 5 phase III randomized clinical trials
Authors: Nikolopoulos Dionysis , Cetrez Nursen , Lindblom Julius , Parodis Ioannis
Published: August 2024

Objective

To investigate the association between neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) and SLICC/ACR damage index (SDI) items, especially non-neuropsychiatric items.

Methods

Baseline data from five phase III trials (BLISS-52, BLISS-76, BLISS-SC, BLISS-NEA, EMBRACE) were analysed. NPSLE involvement was defined as NP BILAG A/B/C/D (n = 272); NP BILAG E denoted non-neuropsychiatric SLE (n = 3273). We employed multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, disease duration, and ethnicity.

Results

The median (IQR) and mean ± SD SDI scores were 0 (0–1) and 0.62 ± 1.09. Compared with the non-neuropsychiatric SLE group, NPSLE patients were more likely to develop damage (adjusted (a)OR = 2.86; 95% CI = 2.28–3.59). This held true also after suppression of the NP SDI items (aOR = 1.70; 95% CI = 1.36–2.12). Beyond the neuropsychiatric domain, NPSLE was associated with damage in the cardiovascular (aOR = 2.63; 95% CI = 1.75–3.95), musculoskeletal (aOR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.43–2.52), and skin (aOR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.06–2.22) SDI domains. Dissecting domains into items, NPSLE was associated with coronary artery disease (aOR = 3.08; 95% CI = 1.44–6.58), myocardial infraction (aOR = 3.11; 95% CI = 1.54–6.27), muscle atrophy (aOR = 3.34; 2.16–5.16), scarring alopecia (aOR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.19–2.70), bowel infarction (aOR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.20–3.26), retinopathy (aOR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.15–4.32), and premature gonadal failure (aOR = 2.10; 95% CI = 1.11–3.90).

Conclusion

The intricate association between NPSLE and damage accrual extends beyond the nervous system to also comprise the musculoskeletal, skin, and cardiovascular organ systems.
Direct correlation of MR-DWI and histopathology of Wilms’ tumours through a patient-specific 3D-printed cutting guide
Authors: van der Beek Justine N. , Fitski Matthijs , de Krijger Ronald R. , Vermeulen Marijn A. , Nikkels Peter G. J. , Maat Arie , Buser Myrthe A. D. , Wijnen Marc H. W. A. , Hendrikse Jeroen , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M. , van der Steeg Alida F. W. , Littooij Annemieke S.
Published: August 2024

Objectives

The International Society of Paediatric Oncology-Renal Tumour Study Group (SIOP-RTSG) discourages invasive procedures to determine the histology of paediatric renal neoplasms at diagnosis. Therefore, the histological subtype of Wilms’ tumours (WT) is unknown at the start of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. MR-DWI shows potential value as a non-invasive biomarker through apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs). This study aimed to describe MR characteristics and ADC values of paediatric renal tumours to differentiate subtypes.

Materials and methods

Children with a renal tumour undergoing surgery within the SIOP-RTSG 2016-UMBRELLA protocol were prospectively included between May 2021 and 2023. In the case of a total nephrectomy, a patient-specific cutting guide based on the neoadjuvant MR was 3D-printed, allowing a correlation between imaging and histopathology. Whole-tumour volumes and ADC values were statistically compared with the Mann-Whitney U-test. Direct correlation on the microscopic slide level was analysed through mixed model analysis.

Results

Fifty-nine lesions of 54 patients (58% male, median age 3.0 years (range 0–17.7 years)) were included. Forty-four lesions involved a WT. Stromal type WT showed the lowest median decrease in volume after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (48.1 cm3, range 561.5–(+)332.7 cm3, p = 0.035). On a microscopic slide level (n = 240 slides) after direct correlation through the cutting guide, stromal areas showed a significantly higher median ADC value compared to epithelial and blastemal foci (p < 0.001). With a cut-off value of 1.195 * 10−3 mm2/s, sensitivity, and specificity were 95.2% (95% confidence interval 87.6–98.4%) and 90.5% (95% confidence interval 68.2–98.3%), respectively.

Conclusion

Correlation between histopathology and MR-DWI through a patient-specific 3D-printed cutting guide resulted in significant discrimination of stromal type WT from epithelial and blastemal subtypes.

Clinical relevance statement

Stromal Wilms’ tumours could be discriminated from epithelial- and blastemal lesions based on high apparent diffusion coefficient values and limited decrease in volume after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This may aid in future decision-making, especially concerning discrimination between low- and high-risk neoplasms.

Key Points

MR-DWI shows potential value as a non-invasive biomarker in paediatric renal tumours.

The patient-specific cutting guide leads to a correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient values and Wilms’ tumour subtype.

Stromal areas could be discriminated from epithelial and blastemal foci in Wilms’ tumours based on apparent diffusion coefficient values.
Prädiktive Parameter für den anatomischen Operationserfolg bei durchgreifenden Makulaforamina
Authors: von Goscinski C. , Gözlügöl N. , Schick T. , Schöneberger V. , Gietzelt C. , Altay L. , Cursiefen C. , Schaub F.
Published: August 2024

Hintergrund

Das durchgreifende Makulaforamen stellt eine seltene Erkrankung dar, bei der nicht alle Defekte mittels primärer chirurgischer Intervention verschlossen werden können.

Ziel der Arbeit

Charakterisierung eines umfangreichen Patientenkollektivs dieser seltenen Erkrankung und Detektion möglicher prädiktiver Faktoren für den anatomischen Behandlungserfolg.

Material und Methoden

Retrospektive Analyse aller konsekutiven idiopathischen durchgreifenden Makulaforamina im Zeitraum März 2008 bis Juni 2019 an der Universitätsaugenklinik Köln. Untersucht wurden u. a. epidemiologische Daten, präoperative Parameter (Foramengröße) und Operationstechnik in Bezug auf die Verschlussrate nach primärer Operation.

Ergebnisse

Die anatomische Verschlussrate bei idiopathischen Makulaforamina nach primärer Operation lag bei 83,6 %. Es konnte kein Einfluss des Alters, des Geschlechts oder des Linsenstatus auf die Verschlussrate aufgezeigt werden. Die identifizierten prognostisch günstigen Faktoren in Bezug auf den anatomischen Operationserfolg waren: eine kleine Foramengröße, eine kurze Symptomdauer, die Durchführung einer transkonjunktivalen 23-Gauge Vitrektomie sowie die Anwendung der invertierten Flap-Technik der Membrana limitans interna (ILM).

Schlussfolgerung

Die operative Behandlung des durchgreifenden Makulaforamens stellt aufgrund guter Erfolgsaussichten eine wertvolle Behandlungsoption dar. Eine zeitnahe Intervention nach Diagnosestellung mittels 23-Gauge-Vitrektomie und ILM-Flap mit Gastamponade scheint für das Outcome am günstigsten zu sein.
Community-based analysis of stroke prevention and effect of public interventions in atrial fibrillation: results from the ARENA project
Authors: Zylla Maura M. , Özdemir Belgin , Hochadel Matthias , Zeymer U. , Akin Ibrahim , Grau Armin , Schneider Steffen , Alonso Angelika , Waldecker Bernd , Süselbeck Tim , Schwacke Harald , Haass Markus , Zahn Ralf , Borggrefe Martin , Senges Jochen , Frey Norbert , Thomas Dierk
Published: August 2024

Background

Community-based interventions may promote awareness and adherence to atrial fibrillation (AF)-related therapies, potentially reducing adverse events. The ARENA project investigated the health status, therapies and events in AF patients in the Rhein–Neckar Region, Germany. The subproject “ARENA intervention” studied the effect of community-based interventions on AF-associated outcomes.

Methods

From 2016 onward, patients with diagnosed AF were recruited for the observational ARENA registry. In 2018, an intervention period was initiated involving population-based information campaigns on AF diagnosis and therapies. The “control group” was recruited prior to initiation, and the “intervention group” afterward. Patients underwent standardized follow-up > 1 year after recruitment. Clinical outcomes, therapy and quality of life were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 2769 patients were included. This real-world cohort showed high adherence to oral anticoagulation therapy (OAC) and an increased use of NOACs over vitamin K antagonists over time. In the intervention group (n = 1362), more patients continued OAC at follow-up (87.1% vs. 81.5%, P = 0.002). However, this difference was not significant in the patient subgroup with class I/IIa indications for OAC (90.1% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.11). AF-related re-hospitalization was lower in the intervention group (6.8% vs. 12.3%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in quality of life. AF-related anxiety was reduced at follow-up. Of note, nearly a quarter of all patients stated that ARENA had influenced their health perception.

Conclusion

Tailored community-based campaigns may raise awareness for AF-related health issues, supporting therapy adherence. Future public strategies to improve quality of life in AF patients should be investigated, as the ARENA project hints at a potential benefit of population-based campaigns.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT02978248).
Thermodynamic and kinetic controls on phase stability and incorporation of water in larnite (β-Ca2SiO4): implications for calcium silicate inclusions in diamonds
Authors: Gregson Chris , Brooker Richard A. , Kohn Simon C. , Lord Oliver T.
Published: August 2024

Larnite (β-Ca2SiO4) has previously been reported as an inclusion in sub-lithospheric diamonds and is generally interpreted as a retrograde reaction product of calcium silicate perovskite. In this study, we review the controls on the stability of the Ca2SiO4 polymorphs and show that phosphorus is likely essential for the preservation of β-Ca2SiO4. We also report a detailed study of the solubility of water and its incorporation mechanisms in γ-Ca2SiO4 and phosphorus-doped β-Ca2SiO4 using FTIR spectroscopy on high-pressure experiments quenched from 4–9.5 GPa and 1000–1200 °C combined with ab initio calculations. The experimentally determined water solubilities are in the range of 107–178 ppm. Our FTIR spectra and ab initio calculations indicate that for phosphorus-free γ-Ca2SiO4 the incorporation mechanism involves protonated Si and Ca1 vacancies. For phosphorus-bearing β-Ca2SiO4, our preferred incorporation mechanism involves one Si4+ ion replaced by one P5+ ion with a single protonated Ca2 vacancy. The low water solubility observed here for larnite implies that if primary calcium silicate perovskite inclusions trap high water concentrations during diamond growth from a volatile-rich fluid, measurements of the concentration of water in larnite will not provide a useful record of the initial volatile concentration. Instead, water would be hosted in other retrograde reaction products, possibly including exsolved fluids.
Absence of claudin-3 does not alter intestinal absorption of phosphate in mice
Authors: Radványi Zsuzsa , Schnitzbauer Udo , Pastor-Arroyo Eva Maria , Hölker Simone , Himmerkus Nina , Bleich Markus , Müller Dominik , Breiderhoff Tilman , Hernando Nati , Wagner Carsten A.
Published: August 2024

Intestinal absorption of phosphate is bimodal, consisting of a transcellular pathway and a poorly characterized paracellular mode, even though the latter one contributes to the bulk of absorption under normal dietary conditions. Claudin-3 (Cldn3), a tight junction protein present along the whole intestine in mice, has been proposed to tighten the paracellular pathway for phosphate. The aim of this work was to characterize the phosphate-related phenotype of Cldn3-deficient mice. Cldn3-deficient mice and wildtype littermates were fed standard diet or challenged for 3 days with high dietary phosphate. Feces, urine, blood, intestinal segments and kidneys were collected. Measurements included fecal, urinary, and plasma concentrations of phosphate and calcium, plasma levels of phosphate-regulating hormones, evaluation of trans- and paracellular phosphate transport across jejunum and ileum, and analysis of intestinal phosphate and calcium permeabilities. Fecal and urinary excretion of phosphate as well as its plasma concentration was similar in both genotypes, under standard and high-phosphate diet. However, Cldn3-deficient mice challenged with high dietary phosphate had a reduced urinary calcium excretion and increased plasma levels of calcitriol. Intact FGF23 concentration was also similar in both groups, regardless of the dietary conditions. We found no differences either in intestinal phosphate transport (trans- or paracellular) and phosphate and calcium permeabilities between genotypes. The intestinal expression of claudin-7 remained unaltered in Cldn3-deficient mice. Our data do not provide evidence for a decisive role of Cldn3 for intestinal phosphate absorption and phosphate homeostasis. In addition, our data suggest a novel role of Cldn3 in regulating calcitriol levels.
Mucositis-associated bloodstream infections in adult haematology patients with fever during neutropenia: risk factors and the impact of mucositis severity
Authors: de Jonge Nick A. , Janssen Jeroen J. W. M. , Ypma Paula , Herbers Alexandra H. E. , de Kreuk Arne , Vasmel Wies , van den Ouweland Jody M. W. , Beeker Aart , Visser Otto , Zweegman Sonja , Blijlevens Nicole M. A. , van Agtmael Michiel A. , Sikkens Jonne J.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Haematology patients with high-risk neutropenia are prone to mucosal-barrier injury-associated laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infections (MBI-LCBI). We assessed risk factors for MBI-LCBI including candidaemia in neutropenic haematology patients with fever.

Methods

This prospective observational study was performed in six dedicated haematology units in the Netherlands. Eligible haematology patients had neutropenia < 500/mL for ≥ 7 days and had fever. MBI-LCBIs were classified according to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) definitions and were followed until the end of neutropenia > 500/mL or discharge.

Results

We included 416 patients from December 2014 until August 2019. We observed 63 MBI-LCBIs. Neither clinical mucositis scores nor the blood level of citrulline at fever onset was associated with MBI-LCBI. In the multivariable analysis, MASCC-score (odds ratio [OR] 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 1.29 per point decrease), intensive chemotherapy (OR 3·81, 95% CI 2.10 to 6.90) and Pichia kudriavzevii (formerly Candida krusei) colonisation (OR 5.40, 95% CI 1.75 to 16.7) were retained as risk factors for MBI-LCBI, while quinolone use seemed protective (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.92). Citrulline level (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.31 per µmol/L decrease), active chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR 15.4, 95% CI 1.61 to 14.7) and colonisation with fluconazole-resistant Candida (OR 8.54, 95% CI 1.51 to 48.4) were associated with candidaemia.

Conclusion

In haematology patients with fever during neutropenia, hypocitrullinaemia at fever onset was associated with candidaemia, but not with bacterial MBI-LCBI. Patients with intensive chemotherapy with a low MASCC-score and colonisation with Pichia kudriavzevii had the highest risk of MBI-LCBI.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02149329) at 19-NOV-2014.
Resnet50 and logistic Gaussian map-based zero-watermarking algorithm for medical color images
Authors: Farhat Amal A. , Darwish Mohamed M. , El-Gindy T. M.
Published: August 2024

Medical image copyright protection is becoming increasingly relevant as medical images are used more frequently in medical networks and institutions. The traditional embedded watermarking system is inappropriate for medical images since it degrades the original images’ quality. Furthermore, medical-colored image watermarking options are constrained since most medical watermarking systems are built for gray-scale images. This paper proposes a zero-watermarking scheme for medical color image copyright protection based on a chaotic system and Resnet50, which is a convolutional neural network method. The network Resnet50 is used to extract features from the color medical image, and then a logistic Gaussian map is used to scramble these features and scramble the binary image. Finally, an exclusive OR operation is performed (scrambled binary image, scrambled features for the medical color image) to form a zero watermarking. The experimental result proves that our scheme is effective and robust to geometric and common image processing attacks. The BER values of the extracted watermarks are below 0.0039, and the NCC values are above 0.9942, while the average PSNR values of the attacked images are 29.0056 dB. Also, it is superior to other zero-watermark schemes for medical images in terms of robustness to conventional image processing and geometric attacks. Furthermore, the experimental results show that the Resnet50 model outperforms other models in terms of reducing the mean squared errors of the features between the attacked and original image.
Post-surgical photobiomodulation therapy improves outcomes following elective gastropexy in dogs
Authors: Alves J. C. , Filipe Ana , Santos Ana
Published: August 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of post-surgical photobiomodulation therapy in dogs.

Methods

Twenty dogs were selected for elective gastropexy and randomly divided into a control (CG, n = 10) and a PBMT group (PBMTG, n = 10). Pre‑medication consisted of medetomidine and butorphanol. Meloxicam was administered before the procedure. Induction was performed with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Local blocks with lidocaine were used. Incisional gastropexy was performed in all animals. PBMTG received PBMT immediately after surgery. The need for postoperative rescue analgesia, if the animal had eaten by the evaluation momen, and pain scores were collected using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale – Short Form (CMPS‑SF) at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 h post‑endotracheal extubation. CMPS‑SF scores were compared with the Mann-Whitney Test and proportions of animals that required rescue analgesia and had eaten with a χ2 test. P was set at < 0.05.

Results

No rescue analgesia was needed for any animal. Still, significant differences were observed in CMPS-SF scores between CG and PBMTG between 1 and 4 h post-extubation. PBMTG had a significantly higher proportion of animals eating up to the 8 h post-extubation evaluation moment.

Conclusion

Adding post-surgical photobiomodulation to a standard anesthesia and analgesia protocol reduced CMPS-SF scores and increased the proportion of animals that resumed eating compared to the standard protocol alone.
On the correlation gap of matroids
Authors: Husić Edin , Koh Zhuan Khye , Loho Georg , Végh László A.
Published: August 2024

A set function can be extended to the unit cube in various ways; the correlation gap measures the ratio between two natural extensions. This quantity has been identified as the performance guarantee in a range of approximation algorithms and mechanism design settings. It is known that the correlation gap of a monotone submodular function is at least

$$1-1/e$$

1
-
1
/
e

, and this is tight for simple matroid rank functions. We initiate a fine-grained study of the correlation gap of matroid rank functions. In particular, we present an improved lower bound on the correlation gap as parametrized by the rank and girth of the matroid. We also show that for any matroid, the correlation gap of its weighted rank function is minimized under uniform weights. Such improved lower bounds have direct applications for submodular maximization under matroid constraints, mechanism design, and contention resolution schemes.
Nonsmooth convex–concave saddle point problems with cardinality penalties
Authors: Bian Wei , Chen Xiaojun
Published: August 2024

In this paper, we focus on a class of convexly constrained nonsmooth convex–concave saddle point problems with cardinality penalties. Although such nonsmooth nonconvex–nonconcave and discontinuous min–max problems may not have a saddle point, we show that they have a local saddle point and a global minimax point, and some local saddle points have the lower bound properties. We define a class of strong local saddle points based on the lower bound properties for stability of variable selection. Moreover, we give a framework to construct continuous relaxations of the discontinuous min–max problems based on convolution, such that they have the same saddle points with the original problem. We also establish the relations between the continuous relaxation problems and the original problems regarding local saddle points, global minimax points, local minimax points and stationary points. Finally, we illustrate our results with distributionally robust sparse convex regression, sparse robust bond portfolio construction and sparse convex–concave logistic regression saddle point problems.
gdcov2sinex: a Python conversion tool from GipsyX’s gdcov file to SINEX file
Authors: García-Armenteros Juan A.
Published: August 2024

The Solution INdependent EXchange (SINEX) file format, an international standard for the exchange of information, is essential in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) processing strategies that integrate different software applications. GNSS data processing using Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL) GipsyX software, which employs the Precise Point Positioning (PPP) technique, generates positions and covariance matrices in gdcov files, a GipsyX file format specific for storing this information. GipsyX software provides a tool, named mkDailySinex.py, to convert from gdcov file to SINEX file, but it is designed specifically for creating daily JPL SINEX files and does not function properly for non-JPL GipsyX users. I have developed a Python 3 program, named gdcov2sinex.py, which solves this problem, enabling any user to perform the SINEX conversion and, therefore, apply the processing strategies that integrate GipsyX with other software, such as GAMIT/GLOBK. The new python tool presented herein takes advantage of the capabilities of mkDailySinex.py and provides all its default options, but also expands the number of selectable options, which can be useful to the user. The source code, user manual, and a sample dataset of gdcov2sinex.py are provided as electronic supplementary material of this paper.
Balanced truncation for quadratic-bilinear control systems
Authors: Benner Peter , Goyal Pawan
Published: August 2024

We discuss model order reduction (MOR) for large-scale quadratic-bilinear (QB) systems based on balanced truncation. The method for linear systems mainly involves the computation of the Gramians of the system, namely reachability and observability Gramians. These Gramians are extended to a general nonlinear setting in Scherpen (Systems Control Lett. 21, 143-153 1993). These formulations of Gramians are not only challenging to compute for large-scale systems but hard to utilize also in the MOR framework. This work proposes algebraic Gramians for QB systems based on the underlying Volterra series representation of QB systems and their Hilbert adjoint systems. We then show their relation to a certain type of generalized quadratic Lyapunov equation. Furthermore, we quantify the reachability and observability subspaces based on the proposed Gramians. Consequently, we propose a balancing algorithm, allowing us to find those states that are simultaneously hard to reach and hard to observe. Truncating such states yields reduced-order systems. We also study sufficient conditions for the existence of Gramians, and a local stability of reduced-order models obtained using the proposed balanced truncation scheme. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed balancing-type MOR for QB systems using various numerical examples.
Blockchain, artificial intelligence, and healthcare: the tripod of future—a narrative review
Authors: Bathula Archana , Gupta Suneet K. , Merugu Suresh , Saba Luca , Khanna Narendra N. , Laird John R. , Sanagala Skandha S. , Singh Rajesh , Garg Deepak , Fouda Mostafa M. , Suri Jasjit S.
Published: August 2024

The fusion of blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) marks a paradigm shift in healthcare, addressing critical challenges in securing electronic health records (EHRs), ensuring data privacy, and facilitating secure data transmission. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the adoption of blockchain and AI within healthcare, spotlighting their role in fortifying security and transparency leading the trajectory for a promising future in the realm of healthcare. Our study, employing the PRISMA model, scrutinized 402 relevant articles, employing a narrative analysis to explore the fusion of blockchain and AI in healthcare. The review includes the architecture of AI and blockchain, examines AI applications with and without blockchain integration, and elucidates the interdependency between AI and blockchain. The major findings include: (i) it protects data transfer, and digital records, and provides security; (ii) enhances EHR security and COVID-19 data transmission, thereby bolstering healthcare efficiency and reliability through precise assessment metrics; (iii) addresses challenges like data security, privacy, and decentralized computing, forming a robust tripod. The fusion of blockchain and AI revolutionize healthcare by securing EHRs, and enhancing privacy, and security. Private blockchain adoption reflects the sector’s commitment to data security, leading to improved efficiency and accessibility. This convergence promises enhanced disease identification, response, and overall healthcare efficacy, and addresses key sector challenges. Further exploration of advanced AI features integrated with blockchain promises to enhance outcomes, shaping the future of global healthcare delivery with guaranteed data security, privacy, and innovation.
Subsidy free-riding is positively correlated to the development of energy efficiency in the housing stock
Authors: Neef Nicolas E. , Egner Lars E. , Klöckner Christian A.
Published: August 2024

Incentivizing energy-efficient retrofits in residential sectors often involves subsidies, which are aimed at lowering a building’s environmental impact. However, the effectiveness of these subsidies has been debated, particularly concerning an unintended consequence known as free-riding. Free-riders are investors who would have made energy-efficient retrofits even without the subsidy. Typically, a high prevalence of free-riding is perceived negatively from an economic perspective in terms of the impact and efficiency of a policy. However, apart from economic efficiency, it is unclear what the relation between free-riding and the progression of the buildings’ energy standards is. We employed an agent-based model to mimic a neighborhood and discovered an intriguing pattern: Areas with more free-riders actually showed advanced energy standards in their building infrastructure now and 7 years into the future. These insights enhance our comprehension of free-riding and can help policymakers take this relation into account when designing subsidy schemes.
Dynamic Capabilities for the Twin Transformation Climb: A Capability Maturity Model
Authors: Breiter Katharina , Crome Carlotta , Oberländer Anna Maria , Schnaak Feline
Published: August 2024

Digital transformation and sustainability transformation are at the top of organizations’ agendas to remain competitive. While guidance on both transformations exists separately, even more research on integrating digital and sustainability transformation, namely twin transformation, is required. Specifically, deeper knowledge about relevant twin transformation capabilities and progress is needed for effective implementation. To enhance the understanding and provide corresponding guidance, we developed a twin transformation capability maturity model focusing on dynamic capabilities required to realize twin transformation based on a structured literature review and interviews with 13 experts. Further, we demonstrated its use with a technology service provider. Our contribution is twofold: First, accounting for organizations’ twin transformation starting points in terms of their digitalization and sustainability experience and expertise, we reveal three pathways to becoming a twin transformer. Second, our work provides an overview of 45 relevant twin transformation capabilities structured along six capability dimensions and four maturity stages. Our work also provides relevant practical implications supporting organizations in assessing their twin transformation maturity building the foundation for targeted capability development.
Enhancing E-learning effectiveness: a process mining approach for short-term tutorials
Authors: Nai Roberto , Sulis Emilio , Genga Laura
Published: August 2024

The rise of e-learning systems has revolutionized education, enabling the collection of valuable students’ activity data for continuous improvement. While existing studies have predominantly focused on prolonged learning paths, short-term tutorials offer a flexible and efficient alternative that is recently gaining increasing popularity. This article presents a methodology for investigating e-learning systems for short-term tutorials leveraging user behavior tracking and process mining techniques. A case study involving a web-based tutorial with approximately one hour of learning explores the learning processes of 250 students in Italy. The study analyzes learning outcomes and investigates the impact of different learning paths on student progress. The research questions concern i) the extraction of activity flows in short-term tutorials; ii) the prediction of outcomes in the early stages of short-term learning process. The proposed approach provides descriptive insights into the learning process which can also be used to offer prescriptive guidance.
A Comprehensive Review of Recent Developments in VANET for Traffic, Safety & Remote Monitoring Applications
Authors: Dutta Arijit , Samaniego Campoverde Luis Miguel , Tropea Mauro , De Rango Floriano
Published: August 2024

Strategic integration of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and IoT (Internet of Things) into VANET infrastructure is crucial for ensuring vehicular safety, mobility management, and vehicular applications. The integration collects information on traffic and road conditions without relying on traditional internet connectivity. It also addresses applications such as early warnings in areas with limited coverage, safety and health emergency messages in highly congested zones, and air monitoring without depending on traditional TCP/IP internet connectivity. This article provides a comprehensive view of network technologies, data acquisition devices, clustering techniques, and energy-efficient routing protocols to optimize Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communications in VANETs. This study also addresses how to leverage the frequency channels of the 802.11p protocol and expands the possibilities for developing numerous applications dedicated to remote ambient, traffic and safety monitoring without compromising network performance. Moreover, the recent developments of clustering algorithms and energy-efficient schemes for these VANET applications are analyzed from a novel perspective.
Disentangling associations of human wellbeing with green infrastructure, degree of urbanity, and social factors around an Asian megacity
Authors: Thapa Pramila , Torralba Mario , Nölke Nils , Chowdhury Koushik , Nagendra Harini , Plieninger Tobias
Published: August 2024

Context

Often called a ‘Garden city’, Bengaluru is renowned for its green infrastructure. However, the association of human wellbeing with the amount of tree cover (as an example of green infrastructure), degree of urbanization, and local people's socio-demographics has not been explored.

Objective

We investigated how human wellbeing is related to the amount of tree cover at household and neighborhood levels, the degree of urbanity, and underlying social factors among respondents.

Methods

The study was conducted in 61 towns along the rural–urban gradient of Bengaluru, surveying 836 respondents in total. Data on multiple dimensions of respondents’ wellbeing was collected between December 2016 and May 2017. The percentage of tree cover at the household and neighborhood levels was obtained based on WorldView-3 images. Logistic regression models were applied to assess correlations between human wellbeing and tree cover. Kruskal–Wallis tests, Mann–Whitney tests, and cross tabulation with chi-square tests were conducted to investigate relations of human wellbeing with the degree of urbanity, and with social factors.

Results

We found that several variables of human wellbeing were positively associated with tree cover. Measures of wellbeing also differed along the rural–urban gradient and among social groups.

Conclusions

Though urbanization is often considered to promote material wellbeing, non-material aspects (e.g., community activities and social relationships) are also important components of overall human wellbeing in urbanizing landscapes. Holistic interactions among natural, spatial, and social factors should be considered while designing interventions for equitable urban landscapes that promote human wellbeing and ecological restoration.
Landscape context and wetland attributes influence wintering waterbirds in important bird and biodiversity areas: implications for conservation and management
Authors: Hamza Foued , Abdi Abdulhakim M. , Chokri Mohamed-Ali , Yacoubi Lamia , Dlensi Habib , Hammouda Naoufel , Ghlis Abdenaceur , Jemaa Badreddine , Elghoul Marwa , Hedhili Ahlem , Hanane Saâd
Published: August 2024

Context

The intensification and expansion of human activities have caused profound changes in global wetlands and their associated aquatic bird communities. Understanding the mechanisms that drive the spatial assemblages of wetland birds is important for the development of effective conservation and management strategies.

Objectives

The overall objective was to evaluate the influence of wetland features such as size and distance to the nearest coastline, and landscape composition, configuration, and function in shaping waterbird richness and abundance in 43 Tunisian Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs).

Methods

Systematic waterbird surveys on species abundance and richness at each IBA were carried out between December and January in 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. Satellite remote sensing indices were used to map wetlands and characterize the vegetation condition in the landscape surrounding them. Landscape metrics were used to describe the habitat configuration around the wetlands.

Results

Our results show that landscape composition, configuration and function have significant effects on waterbirds (i.e., shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, and open-water birds). We found that wetland surface area and distance to the coast were important factors influencing the richness and abundance of waterbirds. Our results also indicate that landscape diversity is an important predictor of waterbird richness and abundance, and that there is a significant interaction between wetland surface area and distance to the nearest wetland in explaining the richness and abundance of waterbirds.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that the richness and abundance of waterbirds are robustly dependent on the interaction between wetland surface area and distance to the nearest wetland. Furthermore, local wetland characteristics (wetland surface area and distance to the nearest coastline), landscape composition (forest area and urban area), landscape configuration (spatial heterogeneity), and landscape function (maximum and minimum NDVI), significantly affect wintering waterbird communities. This study also highlights the importance of large and connected wetlands in conserving various bird communities in Tunisian IBAs and provides recommendations for their conservation and sustainable management.
Understanding the Phenomenon of High Temperature Hydrogen Attack (HTHA) Responsible for Ferrito-Pearlitic Steels Damage
Authors: Chevreux N. , Flament C. , Gillia O. , David T. , Goti R. , Le Nevé C. , Andrieu E.
Published: August 2024

This article focuses on the fine characterization of steels commonly used in the petrochemical industry damaged by the phenomenon of high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA). The study was conducted in two steps. To begin with, a damaged 0.5-Mo pearlitic steel from the petroleum refineries, submitted to HTHA for decades, was characterized in detail using multiscale electron microscopy techniques. As part of an upstream study to better understand the onset and the growth of cavities, a brand new SA516 grade 60 low carbon–manganese steel was subsequently exposed to accelerated HTHA conditions through interrupted cycles carried out in autoclaves and then examined. Numerous cavities, plausibly filled with methane, were noticed in both materials. These cavities were mostly located at ferrite–pearlite grain boundaries along carbides and at triple grain boundaries near large carbides. The 0.5-Mo pearlitic steel showed cavities reaching significant sizes, up to 1 µm, but surprisingly no cracks were observed in the depth of the pipe. The major outcome is that 3D focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy combined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses unveiled different natures of precipitates as well as in and nearby HTHA cavities for both 0.5-Mo and low carbon–manganese steels. Inclusions, likely AlN, but also Mo- and Cu-rich precipitates were observed in cavities of the industrial steel. These results confirmed a previous study performed on a similar industrial steel that drew a possible correlation between cavities nucleation and the intersection of transgranular inclusion-enriched plane with a grain boundary or carbides in pearlite grains (Flament in Microscopy and Microanalysis 28:1602–1604, 2022).
Wholesale Pricing with Asymmetric Information About the Quality of a Private Label
Authors: Paha Johannes
Published: August 2024

This article derives the optimal wholesale tariff that is proposed by the monopolistic manufacturer of a branded product to a monopolistic retailer if the retailer also sells a private label whose quality is unobserved by the brand manufacturer. The focus is on market-share contracts where the manufacturer controls the quantities of both products. To learn the quality of the private label and diminish the retailer’s information rent, it distorts the quantity of the branded product downwards and that of the private label upwards. The manufacturer can control the quantity of the private label if it combines an excess payment with an end-of-year repayment.
Co-response and homelessness: the SEPTA transit police SAVE experiment
Authors: Ratcliffe Jerry H. , Wight Hayley
Published: August 2024

Objectives

We test the benefit of adding an outreach specialist to a dedicated police team tasked with helping the vulnerable community in the transit system move to treatment or shelter.

Methods

For a year, officer shifts were randomized to determine when they were accompanied by an outreach specialist. One hundred and fifty-eight in-depth treatment conversations regarding treatment or shelter with 165 vulnerable people were assessed for whether they were subsequently transported to a suitable facility.

Results

Likelihood of an individual in a treatment conversation with a specialist and a police officer being transported to a facility was 29% greater than the likelihood for an individual talking with only a police officer; however, this finding was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

With the outcome of getting vulnerable people (mainly people experiencing homelessness) to accept transportation to a shelter or treatment facility, the co-responder model did not significantly outperform the effect of specially trained police officers working independently of the outreach specialist.