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Social surveys are conducted to determine how annoyed people are in a certain noise situation. The results are typically presented as exposure–response curves showing the percentage of the area population that are highly annoyed as a function of the noise exposure level. It
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Social surveys are conducted to determine how annoyed people are in a certain noise situation. The results are typically presented as exposure–response curves showing the percentage of the area population that are highly annoyed as a function of the noise exposure level. It is a well-known fact that the survey results are not only dependent on the accumulated noise exposure, DNL, DENL, or similar, but also on various other factors such as maximum levels, exposure patterns, noise spectra, etc. A re-analysis of previously reported surveys shows that the results are also, to a large extent, dependent on survey-specific factors like the wording of the annoyance questions, how the questionnaires are presented, response scales, methods of scoring highly annoyed, etc. This paper discusses and quantifies the influence of such factors and suggests ways of comparing results from surveys that have been conducted according to different protocols and different analysis methods.
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Nowadays, with the rapid development of consumer Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), utilizing UAV platforms for visual surveillance has become very attractive, and a key part of this is remote vision-based pedestrian attribute recognition. Pedestrian Attribute Recognition (PAR) is dedicated to predicting multiple attribute
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Nowadays, with the rapid development of consumer Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), utilizing UAV platforms for visual surveillance has become very attractive, and a key part of this is remote vision-based pedestrian attribute recognition. Pedestrian Attribute Recognition (PAR) is dedicated to predicting multiple attribute labels of a single pedestrian image extracted from surveillance videos and aerial imagery, which presents significant challenges in the computer vision community due to factors such as poor imaging quality and substantial pose variations. Despite recent studies demonstrating impressive advancements in utilizing complicated architectures and exploring relations, most of them may fail to fully and systematically consider the inter-region, inter-attribute, and region-attribute mapping relations simultaneously and be stuck in the dilemma of information redundancy, leading to the degradation of recognition accuracy. To address the issues, we construct a novel Mask-Relation-Guided Transformer (MRG-T) framework that consists of three relation modeling modules to fully exploit spatial and semantic relations in the model learning process. Specifically, we first propose a Masked Region Relation Module (MRRM) to focus on precise spatial attention regions to extract more robust features with masked random patch training. To explore the semantic association of attributes, we further present a Masked Attribute Relation Module (MARM) to extract intrinsic and semantic inter-attribute relations with an attribute label masking strategy. Based on the cross-attention mechanism, we finally design a Region and Attribute Mapping Module (RAMM) to learn the cross-modal alignment between spatial regions and semantic attributes. We conduct comprehensive experiments on three public benchmarks such as PETA, PA-100K, and RAPv1, and conduct inference on a large-scale airborne person dataset named PRAI-1581. The extensive experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of our method compared to state-of-the-art approaches and validate the effectiveness of mask-relation-guided modeling in the remote vision-based PAR task.
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Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the development of myocardial dysfunction in patients with diabetes despite the absence of comorbidities such as hypertension, atherosclerosis or valvular defect. The cardiovascular complications of poorly controlled diabetes are very well illustrated by the U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS),
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Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the development of myocardial dysfunction in patients with diabetes despite the absence of comorbidities such as hypertension, atherosclerosis or valvular defect. The cardiovascular complications of poorly controlled diabetes are very well illustrated by the U.K. Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), which showed a clear association between increasing levels of glycated hemoglobin and the development of heart failure (HF). The incidence of HF in patients with diabetes is projected to increase significantly, which is why its proper diagnosis and treatment is so important. Providing appropriate therapy focusing on antidiabetic and hypolipemic treatment with the consideration of pharmacotherapy for heart failure reduces the risk of CMD and reduces the incidence of cardiovascular complications. Health-promoting changes made by patients such as a low-carbohydrate diet, regular exercise and weight reduction also appear to be important in achieving appropriate outcomes. New hope for the development of therapies for DCM is offered by novel methods using stem cells and miRNA, which, however, require more thorough research to confirm their efficacy.
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Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are heterogeneous and aggressive tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Although various histological types exist, the most common is squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The incidence of HNSCC is increasing, making it an important public health concern. Tumor resistance
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Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are heterogeneous and aggressive tumors of the upper aerodigestive tract. Although various histological types exist, the most common is squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The incidence of HNSCC is increasing, making it an important public health concern. Tumor resistance to contemporary treatments, namely, chemo- and radiotherapy, and the recurrence of the primary tumor after its surgical removal cause huge problems for patients. Despite recent improvements in these treatments, the 5-year survival rate is still relatively low. HNSCCs may develop local lymph node metastases and, in the most advanced cases, also distant metastases. A key process associated with tumor progression and metastasis is epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), when poorly motile epithelial tumor cells acquire motile mesenchymal characteristics. These transition cells can invade different adjacent tissues and finally form metastases. EMT is governed by various transcription factors, including the best-characterized TWIST1 and TWIST2, SNAIL, SLUG, ZEB1, and ZEB2. Here, we highlight the current knowledge of the process of EMT in HNSCC and present the main protein markers associated with it. This review focuses on the transcription factors related to EMT and emphasizes their role in the resistance of HNSCC to current chemo- and radiotherapies. Understanding the role of EMT and the precise molecular mechanisms involved in this process may help with the development of novel anti-cancer therapies for this type of tumor.
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The incidence and prevalence of cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases are constantly increasing, with chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to current knowledge, the heart–brain axis is more than a theoretical concept, with many
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The incidence and prevalence of cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases are constantly increasing, with chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. According to current knowledge, the heart–brain axis is more than a theoretical concept, with many common pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the onset and evolution of both coronary and cerebral ischemia. Moreover, the focus is on the prevention and early intervention of risk factors in searching for targeted and personalized medical treatment. In this context, this narrative review aims to offer, in a didactic and practice-oriented manner, an up-to-date overview of the role played by lipid-derived biomarkers (from low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to oxylipin and apolipoproteins) in chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke. Firstly, the authors highlight, via relevant epidemiological data, the significant burden of chronic coronary syndrome and ischemic stroke in the general population, thus explaining the need for updated information on this topic. Subsequently, the most important lipid-derived biomarkers and their multiple roles in the pathogenesis of these two disorders are listed. Currently available and experimental targeted therapies based on these lipid-derived biomarkers are presented in the final part of this paper, representing this manuscript’s original and novel input.
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Gizzard shads are facing a continual decline in population, necessitating the implementation of selective gear design for effective resource management. This study aims to prevent the bycatch of young gizzard shads, a non-target fish species, and to derive mesh sizes appropriate for fishery
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Gizzard shads are facing a continual decline in population, necessitating the implementation of selective gear design for effective resource management. This study aims to prevent the bycatch of young gizzard shads, a non-target fish species, and to derive mesh sizes appropriate for fishery management. Experimental fishing (n = 11) was conducted by manufacturing gillnet fishing gear with different mesh sizes (50.5, 55.1, 60.6, and 67.3 mm) in the coastal waters of the southern Gyeongsang Province. Two methods were employed to estimate the appropriate mesh size of the shad gillnet as follows: firstly, by analyzing the selectivity curve based on body length data; secondly, by developing a complex machine learning model considering biological and economic factors. Model 1 was constructed using mesh variables to classify the score groups. As a result of this study, the total length with a 0.5 gillnet selection ratio. which was estimated to be 179.3, 195.6, 215.1, and 238.9 mm for the 50.5, 55.1, 60.6, and 67.3 mm mesh sizes, respectively. In Model 1, a mesh size of 57.85 mm or less was determined as the most appropriate mesh size. Therefore, considering both biological and economic aspects, shad gillnets should have a mesh size in the 50.5 to 55.1 mm range.
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Objective: This study aimed to improve dengue fever predictions in Singapore using a machine learning model that incorporates meteorological data, addressing the current methodological limitations by examining the intricate relationships between weather changes and dengue transmission. Method: Using weekly dengue case and meteorological
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Objective: This study aimed to improve dengue fever predictions in Singapore using a machine learning model that incorporates meteorological data, addressing the current methodological limitations by examining the intricate relationships between weather changes and dengue transmission. Method: Using weekly dengue case and meteorological data from 2012 to 2022, the data was preprocessed and analyzed using various machine learning algorithms, including General Linear Model (GLM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithms. Performance metrics such as Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and R-squared () were employed. Results: From 2012 to 2022, there was a total of 164,333 cases of dengue fever. Singapore witnessed a fluctuating number of dengue cases, peaking notably in 2020 and revealing a strong seasonality between March and July. An analysis of meteorological data points highlighted connections between certain climate variables and dengue fever outbreaks. The correlation analyses suggested significant associations between dengue cases and specific weather factors such as solar radiation, solar energy, and UV index. For disease predictions, the XGBoost model showed the best performance with an MAE = 89.12, RMSE = 156.07, and = 0.83, identifying time as the primary factor, while 19 key predictors showed non-linear associations with dengue transmission. This underscores the significant role of environmental conditions, including cloud cover and rainfall, in dengue propagation. Conclusion: In the last decade, meteorological factors have significantly influenced dengue transmission in Singapore. This research, using the XGBoost model, highlights the key predictors like time and cloud cover in understanding dengue’s complex dynamics. By employing advanced algorithms, our study offers insights into dengue predictive models and the importance of careful model selection. These results can inform public health strategies, aiming to improve dengue control in Singapore and comparable regions.
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The large amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, produced by severe forest fires not only seriously affect the ecosystems in the area where the fires occur but also cause a greenhouse effect that has a profound impact on the natural environment
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The large amounts of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, produced by severe forest fires not only seriously affect the ecosystems in the area where the fires occur but also cause a greenhouse effect that has a profound impact on the natural environment in other parts of the world. Numerical simulations of greenhouse gas transport processes are often affected by uncertainties in the location and timing of the emission sources and local meteorological conditions, and it is difficult to obtain accurate and credible predictions by combining remote sensing satellite data with given meteorological forecasts or reanalyses. To study the regional transport processes and impacts of greenhouse gases produced by sudden large-scale forest fires, this study applies the Lagrangian particle dispersion model Massive-Parallel Trajectory Calculations (MPTRAC) to conduct forward simulations of the CO2 transport process of greenhouse gases emitted from forest fires in the central region of Saskatchewan, Canada, during the period of 17 May to 25 May 2021. The simulation results are validated with the Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 Goddard Earth Observing System (OCO-2 GEOS) Level 3 daily gridded CO2 product over the study area. In order to leverage the high computational costs of the numerical simulations of the model, we implement the forward simulations on the Tianhe-2 supercomputer platform and the JUWELS HPC system, which greatly improves the computational efficiency through parallel computation and makes near-real-time predictions of atmospheric transport processes feasible.
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The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the world, connecting billions of devices that offer assistance in various aspects of users’ daily lives. Context-aware IoT applications exploit real-time environmental, user-specific, or situational data to dynamically adapt to users’ needs, offering tailored experiences. In
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The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the world, connecting billions of devices that offer assistance in various aspects of users’ daily lives. Context-aware IoT applications exploit real-time environmental, user-specific, or situational data to dynamically adapt to users’ needs, offering tailored experiences. In particular, Location-Based Services (LBS) exploit geographical information to adapt to environmental settings or provide recommendations based on users’ and nodes’ positions, thus delivering efficient and personalized services. To this end, there is growing interest in developing IoT localization systems within the scientific community. In addition, due to the sensitivity and privacy inherent to precise location information, LBS introduce new security challenges. To ensure a more secure and trustworthy system, researchers are studying how to prevent vulnerabilities and mitigate risks from the early design stages of LBS-empowered IoT applications. The goal of this study is to carry out an in-depth examination of localization techniques for IoT, with an emphasis on both the signal-processing design and security aspects. The investigation focuses primarily on active radio localization techniques, classifying them into range-based and range-free algorithms, while also exploring hybrid approaches. Next, security considerations are explored in depth, examining the main attacks for each localization technique and linking them to the most interesting solutions proposed in the literature. By highlighting advances, analyzing challenges, and providing solutions, the survey aims to guide researchers in navigating the complex IoT localization landscape.
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Denis Horgan, Marc Van den Bulcke, Umberto Malapelle, Nicola Normanno, Ettore D. Capoluongo, Arsela Prelaj, Carmelo Rizzari, Aliki Stathopoulou, Jaya Singh, Marta Kozaric, France Dube, Manuel Ottaviano, Stefania Boccia, Gabriella Pravettoni, Ivana Cattaneo, Núria Malats, Reinhard Buettner, Karim Lekadir, Francesco de Lorenzo, Catherine Alix-Panabieres, Sara Badreh, Eric Solary, Ruggero De Maria and Paul Hofmanadd
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Understanding the diversity in cancer research priorities and the correlations among different treatment modalities is essential to address the evolving landscape of oncology. This study, conducted in collaboration with the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) and Childhood Cancer International-Europe (CCI-E) as part of
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Understanding the diversity in cancer research priorities and the correlations among different treatment modalities is essential to address the evolving landscape of oncology. This study, conducted in collaboration with the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) and Childhood Cancer International-Europe (CCI-E) as part of the “UNCAN.eu” initiative, analyzed data from a comprehensive survey to explore the complex interplay of demographics, time since cancer diagnosis, and types of treatments received. Demographic analysis revealed intriguing trends, highlighting the importance of tailoring cancer research efforts to specific age groups and genders. Individuals aged 45–69 exhibited highly aligned research priorities, emphasizing the need to address the unique concerns of middle-aged and older populations. In contrast, patients over 70 years demonstrated a divergence in research priorities, underscoring the importance of recognising the distinct needs of older individuals in cancer research. The analysis of correlations among different types of cancer treatments underscored the multidisciplinary approach to cancer care, with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, precision therapy, and biological therapies playing integral roles. These findings support the need for personalized and combined treatment strategies to achieve optimal outcomes. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complexity of cancer research priorities and treatment correlations in a European context. It emphasizes the importance of a multifaceted, patient-centred approach to cancer research and treatment, highlighting the need for ongoing support, adaptation, and collaboration to address the ever-changing landscape of oncology.
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The habitats of giant clams are undergoing environmental changes, and giant clam populations are declining. The present study was conducted to facilitate clam conservation. We conducted three 18-week trials to investigate the effects of nutrient, temperature, and salinity on the growth performance and
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The habitats of giant clams are undergoing environmental changes, and giant clam populations are declining. The present study was conducted to facilitate clam conservation. We conducted three 18-week trials to investigate the effects of nutrient, temperature, and salinity on the growth performance and survival rates (SRs) of juvenile Tridacna noae, adult Tridacna crocea, and subadult Tridacna derasa, respectively. Regarding nutrient sources, no significant differences were observed in shell length gain, specific growth rate, or SR between clams fed with Chaetoceros muelleri or commercial feed (hw nanotip) and those in a control group (juvenile phototrophs). Regarding temperature, clams cultivated at 27 °C exhibited significantly better growth performance and SR than did those cultivated at 19 °C or 31 °C (p < 0.05). By week 6, all clams in the 19 °C and 31 °C groups had died, indicating that suboptimal growth temperatures have severe adverse effects. Regarding salinity, clams cultivated at 34‰ exhibited significantly higher length gains and specific growth rates than did those cultivated at 20‰ or 25‰ (p < 0.05). SR was not significantly affected by salinity. Understanding how environmental factors affect giant clam populations may help researchers devise effective clam conservation strategies.
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Targeting the FLT3 receptor and the IL-1R associated kinase 4 as well as the anti-apoptotic proteins MCL1 and BCL2 may be a promising novel approach in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The FLT3 and IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib (CA4948), the MCL1 inhibitor
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Targeting the FLT3 receptor and the IL-1R associated kinase 4 as well as the anti-apoptotic proteins MCL1 and BCL2 may be a promising novel approach in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The FLT3 and IRAK4 inhibitor emavusertib (CA4948), the MCL1 inhibitor S63845, the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, and the HSP90 inhibitor PU-H71 were assessed as single agents and in combination for their ability to induce apoptosis and cell death in leukemic cells in vitro. AML cells represented all major morphologic and molecular subtypes, including FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutant AML cell lines and a variety of patient-derived AML cells. Emavusertib in combination with MCL1 inhibitor S63845 or BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MOLM-13 cells. In primary AML cells, the response to emavusertib was associated with the presence of the FLT3 gene mutation with an allelic ratio >0.5 and the presence of NPM1 gene mutations. S63845 was effective in all tested AML cell lines and primary AML samples. Blast cell percentage was positively associated with the response to CA4948, S63845, and venetoclax, with elevated susceptibility of primary AML with blast cell fraction >80%. Biomarkers of the response to venetoclax included the blast cell percentage and bone marrow infiltration rate, as well as the expression levels of CD11b, CD64, and CD117. Elevated susceptibility to CA4948 combination treatments with S63845 or PU-H71 was associated with FLT3-mutated AML and CD34 < 30%. The combination of CA4948 and BH3-mimetics may be effective in the treatment in FLT3-mutated AML with differential target specificity for MCL1 and BCL2 inhibitors. Moreover, the combination of CA4948 and PU-H71 may be a candidate combination treatment in FLT3-mutated AML.
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Removing manganese from zinc electrolytes is necessary to pave the way for replacing lead-based anodes with mixed metal oxide (MMO) anodes. MMO anodes offer significantly lower overpotential towards oxygen evolution reactions, thus are attractive from an energy consumption viewpoint. Previous studies had shown
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Removing manganese from zinc electrolytes is necessary to pave the way for replacing lead-based anodes with mixed metal oxide (MMO) anodes. MMO anodes offer significantly lower overpotential towards oxygen evolution reactions, thus are attractive from an energy consumption viewpoint. Previous studies had shown that, thanks to the catalytic effect of cobalt, manganese can be removed successfully from the zinc purification solution through the oxidative precipitation method using a simulated roasting off-gas plant. This study focuses on understanding the primary mechanism behind manganese oxidation precipitation and investigating the influence of various operating parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), and solution potential on the reaction kinetics. The results revealed that the kinetics of the reaction was highly dependent on the temperature and catalyst activity rather than on the reactant concentration. Additives, with radical scavenging effects, were added to identify the radicals responsible for the oxidation of Mn. The manganese oxidation reaction was dramatically suppressed when methanol was added. However, in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), a sensible reduction in manganese removal was not observed, suggesting sulfate radical as the predominant species for oxidizing manganese. The physical and chemical characteristics of the sediments were also presented.
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Finger extension stiffness is a common post-traumatic complication that results in the hand’s functional impairment. In clinical practice, a dynamic splint enables the patient to stretch the affected finger independently. However, current dynamic splints have drawbacks, such as limited stretching efficacy, and interfere
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Finger extension stiffness is a common post-traumatic complication that results in the hand’s functional impairment. In clinical practice, a dynamic splint enables the patient to stretch the affected finger independently. However, current dynamic splints have drawbacks, such as limited stretching efficacy, and interfere with the hand’s functional activities. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a dynamic finger flexion orthosis capable of stretching each finger joint using additive manufacturing (AM) technology, thereby enabling hand functional activity, and analyze the clinical improvement in the range of motion (ROM). One subject with a hand fracture was recruited while undergoing a 7-week home-based rehabilitation program for the orthosis. The outcome measurements included the total active motion (TAM), the tip-to-finger distance (TPD), and the score on the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. The results show that the TAM of the participant’s fingers increased by 72.7 degrees on average, the TPD decreased by 3.5 cm on average, and the DASH score decreased to 9.5 points. The 7-week home-based rehabilitation program for the orthosis resulted in a 53.6% increase in the TAM on average. The developed orthosis improved hand function and enabled a more complete ROM in finger flexion.
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Decentralized Identifiers have recently expanded into Internet of Things devices and are crucial in securing users’ digital identities and data. However, Decentralized Identifiers face challenges in scenarios necessitating authority delegation and anonymity, such as when dealing with legal guardianship for minors, device loss
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Decentralized Identifiers have recently expanded into Internet of Things devices and are crucial in securing users’ digital identities and data. However, Decentralized Identifiers face challenges in scenarios necessitating authority delegation and anonymity, such as when dealing with legal guardianship for minors, device loss or damage, and specific medical contexts involving patient information. This paper aims to strengthen data sovereignty within the Decentralized Identifier system by implementing a secure authority delegation and anonymity scheme. It suggests optimizing verifiable presentations by utilizing a sequential aggregate signature, a Non-Interactive Zero-Knowledge Proof, and a Merkle tree to prevent against linkage and Sybil attacks while facilitating delegation. This strategy mitigates security risks related to delegation and anonymity, efficiently reduces the computational and verification efforts for signatures, and reduces the size of verifiable presentations by about 1.2 to 2 times.
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Giosuè Giordano Incognito, Ferdinando Antonio Gulino, Stefano Cianci, Sara Occhipinti, Dalila Incognito, Orazio De Tommasi, Fortunato Genovese and Marco Palumbo
Surgeries2024, 5(2), 162-171; https://doi.org/10.3390/surgeries5020016 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
The uterine tourniquet is often not used to reduce intraoperative blood loss due to controversial opinions in the literature. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure in laparotomic myomectomy. This is a retrospective, monocentric case-control study, including patients who underwent
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The uterine tourniquet is often not used to reduce intraoperative blood loss due to controversial opinions in the literature. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of this procedure in laparotomic myomectomy. This is a retrospective, monocentric case-control study, including patients who underwent laparotomic myomectomy and were categorized into the Tourniquet Group (A) and No Tourniquet Group (B). The blood loss outcomes were compared. Intra-operative blood loss in Group A was 275 ± 200 mL, while in Group B was 410 ± 390 mL (p = 0.11). Notably, five patients in the No Tourniquet Group lost more than 1000 mL of blood and required blood transfusion, while no such cases were reported in the Tourniquet Group. Furthermore, the decrease in hemoglobin post-procedure was statistically significant, favoring Group A with a decrease of 1.9 ± 0.7 g/dL compared to Group B’s 2.8 ± 2.2 g/dL (p = 0.04). The use of the Foley catheter as a tourniquet during laparotomic myomectomy may represent a remarkable tool that profoundly impacts the surgical process by substantially reducing blood loss. Its use may play a role in significantly diminishing the likelihood of requiring blood transfusions, enhancing patient safety and outcomes, and should be systematically adopted.
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Moufida Atigui, Marwa Brahmi, Pierre-Guy Marnet, Wiem Ben Salem, Maria Concetta Campagna, Antonio Borghese, Giuseppe Todde, Maria Caria, Mohamed Hammadi and Carlo Boselli
Animals2024, 14(7), 1055; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071055 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
While considered as hard milkers, both buffaloes and camels are milked with equipment destined for dairy cows based on external morphological similarities with this species. This work aimed to study similarities and differences in milkability traits between Mediterranean buffaloes and Maghrebi she-camels and
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While considered as hard milkers, both buffaloes and camels are milked with equipment destined for dairy cows based on external morphological similarities with this species. This work aimed to study similarities and differences in milkability traits between Mediterranean buffaloes and Maghrebi she-camels and to evaluate the effect of parity and lactation stage. A total of 422 milk flow curves recorded with an electronic milkmeter (Lactocorder®) for both species were accessed. Milking characteristics including milk yield per milking, peak milk flow, average milk flow, duration of the main milking phase, duration of total milking, duration of various phases of milk flow, lag time and time to milk ejection, stripping yield, overmilking time and incidence of bimodal milk flow curves were evaluated for both species. Results showed that the values of milk yield per milking, duration of the main milking phase and duration of total milking were higher in buffaloes (3.98 ± 0.10 kg; 4.07 ± 0.11 min; 9.89 ± 0.21 min, respectively) compared to camels (3.51 ± 0.08 kg; 3.05 ± 0.09 min; 3.76 ± 0.09 min, respectively). However, camels had significantly higher peak and average milk flow (2.45 ± 0.07 kg/min and 1.16 ± 0.03 kg/min, respectively). Camels took significantly less time for milk ejection to occur. Only 15.49% of recorded curves were bimodal in buffaloes while 34.93% of bimodal curves were recorded for camels. Overmilking was significantly higher in buffaloes (3.64 ± 0.21 min vs. 0.29 ± 0.02 min). Parity and lactation stage had a significant effect on most studied milking traits suggesting the need for some particular practices with primiparous animals and animals at different levels of lactation for both species.
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The ongoing expansion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has led to a diversification of drone applications. Among them, this paper focuses on the critical technology required for load management using drones. Generally, when using autonomous drones, global positioning system (GPS) receivers attached to
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The ongoing expansion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has led to a diversification of drone applications. Among them, this paper focuses on the critical technology required for load management using drones. Generally, when using autonomous drones, global positioning system (GPS) receivers attached to the drones are used to determine the drone’s position. However, GPS integrated into commercially available drones have an error margin on the order of several meters. This paper, proposes a method that uses fixed-size quick response (QR) codes to maintain the error of drone 3D localization within a specific range and enable accurate mapping. In the drone’s 3D localization experiment, the errors were maintained within a specific range, with average errors ranging from approximately 0 to 3 cm, showing minimal differences. During the mapping experiment, the average error between the actual and estimated positions of the QR codes was consistently around 0 to 3 cm.
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, exhibit exceptional chemical stability and resistance to environmental degradation thanks to their strong C-F bonds and nonpolar nature. However, their widespread use and persistence have a devastating impact on the environment. This review
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, exhibit exceptional chemical stability and resistance to environmental degradation thanks to their strong C-F bonds and nonpolar nature. However, their widespread use and persistence have a devastating impact on the environment. This review examines the roles of PFAS in tribological applications, specifically in lubricants and lubricating systems. This article focuses on conventional and advanced lubricants, including ionic liquids (ILs) and their use in modern automotive vehicles. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of the adverse impacts of PFAS whilst acknowledging their outstanding performance in surface coatings, composite materials, and as additives in oils and greases. The pathways through which PFAS are introduced into the environment via lubricating systems such as in seals and O-rings are identified, alongside their subsequent dispersion routes and the interfaces across which they interact. Furthermore, we examine the toxicological implications of PFAS exposure on terrestrial and aquatic life forms, including plants, animals, and humans, along with the ecological consequences of bioaccumulation and biomagnification across trophic levels and ecosystems. This article ends with potential remediation strategies for PFAS use, including advanced treatment technologies, biodegradation, recovery and recycling methods, and the search for more environmentally benign alternatives.
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Obesity is associated with several chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and malignancy. Bariatric surgery, most commonly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, is an effective treatment modality for obesity and can improve associated comorbidities. Over the
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Obesity is associated with several chronic conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and malignancy. Bariatric surgery, most commonly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, is an effective treatment modality for obesity and can improve associated comorbidities. Over the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the rate of bariatric surgeries associated with the growing obesity epidemic. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most widely performed bariatric surgery currently, and while it serves as a durable option for some patients, it is important to note that several complications, including sleeve leak, stenosis, chronic fistula, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, may occur. Endoscopic methods to manage post-sleeve gastrectomy complications are often considered due to the risks associated with a reoperation, and endoscopy plays a significant role in the diagnosis and management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications. We perform a detailed review of the current endoscopic management of post-sleeve gastrectomy complications.
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Background: Psycho-oncology care has emerged as a significant concern in contemporary oncology practice, given its profound impact on patient psychological well-being. Patients undergoing treatment for head–neck or upper gastrointestinal tract cancers often experience complex emotional and psychological challenges, necessitating specialized support and intervention.
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Background: Psycho-oncology care has emerged as a significant concern in contemporary oncology practice, given its profound impact on patient psychological well-being. Patients undergoing treatment for head–neck or upper gastrointestinal tract cancers often experience complex emotional and psychological challenges, necessitating specialized support and intervention. Traditional approaches to psycho-oncological care may be limited in their ability to comprehensively assess and address patients’ needs. Therefore, exploring innovative methodologies, such as leveraging natural language processing (NLP) elements, is crucial to enhancing the effectiveness of psycho-oncological interventions. Methods: In this study, we developed a method utilizing natural language processing (NLP) elements to augment psycho-oncological care for patients with head–neck or upper gastrointestinal tract cancers. The method aimed to facilitate vocabulary, sentiment, and intensity analysis of five basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, disgust, and fear), as well as to explore potential areas of difficulty such as body image, pain, and self-esteem. We conducted research involving 50 patients across three treatment stages. Results: Our method facilitated the identification of characteristic features at each treatment stage, aiding in the tailoring of appropriate therapies to individual patient needs. The results offer insights valuable to psychologists and psychiatrists for expedited diagnosis and intervention, potentially influencing therapy outcomes. Additionally, the data may inform treatment decisions by addressing patient-specific concerns. Furthermore, our method holds promise for optimizing the allocation of psychological care resources, particularly at the initial stages of patient contact. Limitations: The main problem in the research was the fairly wide age range of participants, which explains the potential diversity of vocabulary. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study demonstrates the potential utility of integrating natural language processing (NLP) elements into psycho-oncological care for patients with head–neck or upper gastrointestinal tract cancers. The developed method offers a novel approach to comprehensively assessing patients’ emotional states and areas of difficulty, thereby facilitating tailored interventions and treatment planning. These findings underscore the importance of continued research and innovation in psycho-oncology to enhance patient care and outcomes.
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Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is predominantly characterized by alternating CH2 and CF2 units in a polymer backbone, originating from the head-to-tail addition of monomers or regular propagation. Due, to a small extent, to inverse monomer addition, so-called defect structures occur which influence
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Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is predominantly characterized by alternating CH2 and CF2 units in a polymer backbone, originating from the head-to-tail addition of monomers or regular propagation. Due, to a small extent, to inverse monomer addition, so-called defect structures occur which influence the macroscopic properties of PVDF significantly. The amount of defect structures in the material is determined by the polymerization conditions. Here, the temperature dependence of the fraction of defect structures in PVDF obtained from polymerizations between 45 and 90 °C is reported. We utilized 19F-NMR spectroscopy to determine the fraction of defect structures as a function of temperature. To derive kinetic data, the polymerization of VDF is considered a quasi-copolymerization described by the Terminal Model involving four different propagation reactions. Based on the experimentally determined temperature-dependent fractions of defect structures, the known overall propagation rate coefficient, and taking into account the self-healing behavior of the macroradical, the Arrhenius parameters of the individual propagation rate coefficients were determined using the Monte Carlo methods.
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Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are the only cetacean residents found year-round in Swedish waters and they are exposed to numerous natural and anthropogenic threats. Since the in situ monitoring of cetaceans can be difficult, invasive and often expensive, investigation of stranding patterns
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Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are the only cetacean residents found year-round in Swedish waters and they are exposed to numerous natural and anthropogenic threats. Since the in situ monitoring of cetaceans can be difficult, invasive and often expensive, investigation of stranding patterns and examination of stranded animals can be used as a cost-effective source of data to study these elusive animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the spatiotemporal patterns of harbour porpoise stranding reports and the possible underlying causes in Swedish waters over a ten-year period (2014–2023). Additionally, the Swedish stranding network plays a key role in the collection of stranded carcasses for health and disease surveillance, and geographic coverage of the network also was analysed. When making spatial comparisons, the ten-year period was divided into two five-year blocks. Data on 854 stranded harbour porpoises were analysed from the coasts of the Skagerrak, Kattegat, and Baltic Seas. Both significant spatial and temporal patterns could be identified. Strandings peaked in July through September and hotspots occurred along most of the Swedish west coast, with the most frequent hotspots located around Öresund and especially the area around the Kullen peninsula. The spatial patterns of strandings found in this study are consistent with data on porpoise abundance, prey abundance, and gillnet fisheries’ efforts. The latter is known to be one of the primary causes of porpoise mortality. Furthermore, the coverage of the Swedish stranding network increased between the two periods, likely reflecting an increased awareness of the carcass-based surveillance program, and gaps requiring network expansion efforts were identified. These results also provide baseline data to enable the continued monitoring of stranding trends, as changes may indicate changes in population distribution, size or mortality rates.
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