Additional Methods Research Articles

BinWaves: An additive hybrid method to downscale directional wave spectra to nearshore areas

Accurate and timely early warning systems are a vital component in mitigating the risks faced by coastal communities worldwide. Unlike aggregated wave parameters, information extracted from the complete directional wave spectra is often indispensable in the development of such systems in multi-modal environments, such as remote islands, where concurrent waves from various directions are common. Dynamically simulating the wave propagation, although accurate, can be computationally demanding and time-consuming, particularly for resource-constrained communities. In this study, we introduce as an alternative, a novel additive hybrid model known as BinWaves. This model relies on the propagation of a reduced number of monochromatic wave systems and linear wave theory, facilitating the efficient reconstruction of the full directional wave spectra in nearshore areas. To showcase the capabilities of BinWaves, we have implemented the system in the Pacific Islands of Samoa and American Samoa and validated it against full spectral numerical simulations and available buoy data. Given its similar accuracy and higher computational efficiency when compared with dynamic wave models, BinWaves has proven to be a great alternative for reconstructing historical time series, or, more importantly analysing climate change scenarios, tasks that go beyond the capacities of small islands developing states.

Incidence of Skin Melanoma in the Precarpathian Region. Overview of Trends of the Last Decade and Demonstration of Clinical Cases

Introduction. Melanoma is a malignant tumour that develops from melanocytes and in most cases affects the skin. Although melanomas are usually highly pigmented, they can also be amelanotic. In the structure of mortality from skin cancers, melanoma takes the leading place with a rate of 90%.
 Even small tumours can metastasise. Under such conditions, early diagnosis is of paramount importance, as its main task is to detect and eliminate the primary lesion before it becomes deeply invasive.
 However, naked eye examination is limited to a sensitivity of about 75%, and is more effective when the tumour size is more than 5 mm. Among the additional examination methods, dermoscopy has become widespread. The technique has been introduced into the world dermatological practice for a long time and is actively used in Ukraine, demonstrating high efficiency at a relatively low cost of equipment.
 Materials and methods. Statistical data on 901 cases of newly diagnosed skin melanoma in the Ivano-Frankivsk region were obtained from the bulletins of the National Cancer Registry of Ukraine for the period 2012-2022.
 Results and discussion. There has been a gradual decline in the number of undetermined melanoma cases according to the TNM classification. The indicator has changed by more than 50 percentage points, with the lowest values at the turn of 2017-2018, and a subsequent increase of 10 percentage points until 2022.
 The number of reported cases of skin melanoma where the primary tumour distribution corresponds to the TI-TII category has increased, with a peak value of 92.7% as of 2017. However, in the period 2019-2022, the trend changed dramatically. Since 2019, cases of skin melanoma diagnosed in the state of spread, which corresponds to category TIII, have prevailed – 51.1%, while cases of TI-TII accounted for 32.2%
 The global COVID pandemic that began in 2019 led to negative trends, contributed to the isolation of patients, and complicated their access to specialists. russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 exacerbated this impact, which was reflected in the indicators of 2019-2022.
 The clinical cases from our practice in 2018 and 2021 were presented in the article.
 Conclusions. Melanoma is a malignant tumour with a high metastatic potential, with a better prognosis for recovery if diagnosed early. The increase in the number of registered cases of skin melanoma with primary tumour distribution in category TI-TII in 2013-2017 may indicate the effectiveness of measures aimed at promoting self-examination and timely treatment of patients for specialised care. The global COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine led to an increase in the proportion of melanomas diagnosed at the stage when the prevalence of the primary tumour corresponds to category TIII. It is necessary to resume measures that have had a positive impact on the health of residents of the Precarpathian region.

Weight telemonitoring of heart failure versus standard of care in a real-world setting: Results on mortality and hospitalizations in a 6-month nationwide matched cohort study.

Evaluating the benefit of telemonitoring in heart failure (HF) management in real-world settings is crucial for optimizing the healthcare pathway. The aim of this study was to assess the association between a 6-month application of the telemonitoring solution Chronic Care Connect™ (CCC) and mortality, HF hospitalizations, and associated costs compared with standard of care (SOC) in patients with a diagnosis of HF. From February 2018 to March 2020, a retrospective cohort study was conducted using the largest healthcare insurance system claims database in France (Système National des Données de Santé) linked to the CCC telemonitoring database of adult patients with an ICD-10-coded diagnosis of HF. Patients from the telemonitoring group were matched with up to two patients from the SOC group based on their high-dimensional propensity score, without replacement, using the nearest-neighbour method. A total of 1358 telemonitored patients were matched to 2456 SOC patients. The cohorts consisted of high-risk patients with median times from last HF hospitalization to index date of 17.0 (interquartile range: 7.0-66.0) days for the telemonitoring group and 27.0 (15.0-70.0) days for the SOC group. After 6 months, telemonitoring was associated with mortality risk reduction (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56-0.89), a higher risk of first HF hospitalization (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.55-2.13), and higher HF healthcare costs (relative cost 1.38, 95% CI 1.26-1.51). Compared with the SOC group, the telemonitoring group experienced a shorter average length of overnight HF hospitalization and fewer emergency visits preceding HF hospitalizations. The results of this nationwide cohort study highlight a valuable role for telemonitoring solutions such as CCC in the management of high-risk HF patients. However, for telemonitoring solutions based on weight and symptoms, consideration should be given to implement additional methods of assessment to recognize imminent worsening of HF, such as impedance changes, as a way to reduce mortality risk and the need for HF hospitalizations. Further studies are warranted to refine selection of patients who could benefit from a telemonitoring system and to confirm long-term benefits in high-risk and stable HF patients.

Comparing application methods of reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) extract in deep-fried meatballs: impact on heterocyclic aromatic amine formation.

The present research was conducted to investigate the impact of reishi mushroom extract (RME) on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) in meatballs. Sample preparations involved applying RME using either the spreading or addition method, with varying concentrations (0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% of RME), followed by deep-frying at temperatures of 150 and 190 °C for 3 min. The types and levels of HAAs varied based on the frying temperature, method of extract application, and the extract concentration. Notably, total HAA contents increased with rising the frying temperature (P < 0.01) and varied from undetectable levels to 4.91 ng g-1 across all analyzed meatballs. The addition method was more effective than the spreading method (P < 0.01), and among the concentrations tested 0.25% RME exhibited the highest efficacy in reducing total HAAs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the addition method inhibited lipid oxidation more efficiently compared to the surface spreading method (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that RME had mitigating effects on HAAs depending on the concentration and frying conditions in deep-fried meatball samples. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Hybrid Laser Additive Manufacturing of Metals: A Review

Due to the unparalleled benefits of traditional processing techniques, additive manufacturing technology has experienced rapid development and continues to expand its applications. However, as industrial standards advance, the pressing needs for high precision, high performance, and high efficiency in the manufacturing sector have emerged as critical bottlenecks hindering the technology’s progress. Single-laser additive manufacturing methods are insufficient to meet these demands. This review presents a comprehensive exploration of metal hybrid laser additive manufacturing technology, encompassing various aspects, such as multi-process hybrid laser additive manufacturing, additive–subtractive hybrid manufacturing, multi-energy hybrid additive manufacturing, and multi-material hybrid additive manufacturing. Through a thorough examination of the principles of laser additive manufacturing technology and the concept of hybrid manufacturing, this paper investigates in depth the notable advantages of hybrid laser additive manufacturing technology. It provides valuable insights and recommendations to guide the development and research of innovative machining technologies.

Integration of Mechatronic Functions on Additively Manufactured Components via Laser‐Assisted Selective Metal Deposition

AbstractThe current industrial revolution derives much of its momentum from value creation based on interconnected products and related data based services. Such products must fulfill both mechanical and electrical requirements, making them mechatronic systems. The production of such systems via additive manufacturing (AM) processes offers advantages in achievable complexity, reduction of the amount of individual components, and cost‐effective as well as sustaina ble production of small quantities. In this work, a process chain is presented that allows for refining additively manufactured 3D structures made from industry‐standard materials into mechatronic components by creating electrically conductive structures directly on their surfaces. The process chain is based on masking the component's surface and selectively removing the masking according to the circuit geometry using laser radiation. In a wet–chemical bath process, the surface is then exposed to palladium nuclei, the masking is fully removed and metal layers (copper/nickel/gold) are deposited by electroless plating. The procedure is developed using stereolithography as a model process for AM and transferred to four additional AM methods. In all cases, despite markedly different surface properties, good selectivity of metal deposition is observed as well as adhesion strength and conductivity comparable to industrially common injection‐molded laser direct structured mechatronic interconnect devices.

Energy absorption and low-velocity impact responses of the sandwich panels with lattice truss core

This study investigates the dynamic energy absorption performance of composite sandwich panels with two different configurations of lattice truss core. Two types of core structures were designed and created using polyamide 12 through the selective laser sintering (SLS) additive manufacturing method. These structures, with uniform and graded cell topologies, were created by changing the geometry and layer density of the body-centered cubic (BCC) unit cell. The cores were used to fabricate composite sandwich panels, which were made with E-glass/epoxy face sheets. Then, their ability to absorb energy during low-velocity impact and quasi-static compressive strength was tested using both experimental and numerical methods. It was found that the graded structure absorbed 10, 5, and 3% more energy than the uniform structure for the energy levels of 12.4, 16.5, and 17.9 J, respectively. It was also found that both structures could absorb at least 90% of the impact energy. In terms of strength, the uniform structure was able to tolerate 1.15 times larger impact loads, indicating its higher strength than the graded structure. The uniform structure had 8% more compressive strength.

A Novel Powder Addition Method for Improving Tensile Strength of Polylactic-Acid Prepared by Using Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)

Although Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technology has gained popularity and is used extensively since the last decade, the low mechanical properties of the resulting product have been recognized as the major limitation of this technique. The anisotropic nature of the printed products due to the layered structure and many cavities that are present inside the printed parts are among the main causes of this problem. In this study, the powder addition reinforcement (PAR) method had been developed by introducing reinforcing powder into the polylactic acid (PLA) as the base material during the printing process so that nozzle clogging can be avoided and powders can be placed between the layers. In this work, iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3) were used as a reinforcing powder. The addition of this powder was carried out by using two methods, namely brushing and compressed air-assisted techniques. The results showed that the compressed-air assisted technique demonstrated better results in terms of mechanical properties. In this case, the tensile strength of the composite with the compressed-air assisted technique was higher by 28.95% than that of the PLA and by 5.53% - 25.2% than that of the brushing method. Finally, this study showed that the compressed air-assisted method is the potential to be developed in the future as a powder addition reinforcement technique in the FFF process.

DAYA DUKUNG LINGKUNGAN HIDUP BERBASIS JASA EKOSISTEM PENYEDIA AIR DAN PANGAN DI KABUPATEN HULU SUNGAI UTARA

The population growth in Hulu Sungai Utara District has led to an unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, negatively impacting environmental quality. This study aims to analyze the environmental support of ecosystem services, specifically focusing on water and food provision in the region. The analytical method involves calculating indicative environmental support based on ecosystem services. It includes the classification of ecoregion characteristics (landscapes and natural vegetation types), land cover assessment, and the creation of service/performance maps using the Simple Additive Weighting method. The results indicate a predominance of high to very high categories in the ecosystem service of water provision, covering 71.77% of the total area. Similarly, the ecosystem service of food provision is characterized by moderate to very high categories, with the moderate category covering 30.13%, the high category covering 36.32%, and the very high category comprising 24.83% of the total area in Hulu Sungai Utara District. These findings provide crucial insights for policymakers and local communities to formulate informed strategies and policies for sustainable water and food resource management.

Plasma‐Based Additive Manufacturing Method for MEMS Using APSLD (Atmospheric Pressure Sputtering Layer Deposition) Technology†

This paper reports a novel additive manufacturing technique for MEMS devices using newly developed APSLD (atmospheric pressure sputtering layer deposition) technology. It uses a microplasma at atmospheric pressure to deposit microstructures with defined properties, such as conducting or isolating directly at different surfaces additively without complex and time‐consuming manufacturing routes like planar technology. Feasibility tests have been successfully done to deposit metal lines, isolating and metal oxide layers on 3D surfaces to manufacture high stable MEMS sensor system for harsh environments. This is a promising technology in the field of MEMS manufacturing, as it can simplify the manufacturing process and reduce the cost. The ability to deposit different materials can expand the design possibilities for MEMS devices. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Can plethysmography have a greater place in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of chronic venous insufficiency?

Objectives: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is one of the most common venous diseases. CVI is an important clinical picture with a high prevalence, low quality of life, and high diagnosis and treatment costs. Therefore, diagnosis, follow-up, and treatment are important for the patient's socioeconomic and life quality. In this study, we aimed to better examine a test used in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of CVI. Methods: In this retrospective study, 683 patients diagnosed with CVI, who had endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) indications were evaluated between June 2013 and November 2018. EVLA procedure performed on all patients. Preoperative, postoperative 1st and 6th month Doppler USG (ultrasonography), plethysmography, and VCSS (Venous Clinical Severity Score) questionnaire was made to all patients. Results: As a result of our study, we found that there was a significant difference between the preoperative plethysmography and VCSS results of the patients and the postoperative 1st and 6th month results. With the significant difference in the VCSS questionnaire, we have shown that plethysmography gives accurate results in the diagnosis and treatment of CVI since it is an individual, quantitative, and easy test. Conclusions: EVLA is an effective and safe method in patients with venous insufficiency. Since Doppler USG is person and device dependent, we think that plethysmography, which can be used in every clinical setting and provides quantitative results independent of the person, can be used more frequently in the diagnosis and treatment of venous insufficiency. In addition, we think that plethysmography can be used as a valuable additional method in the diagnosis and follow-up of such patients, due to the venous hemodynamic data that Doppler USG cannot provide.

Nursing students led simulations to improve healthcare workers’ hand hygiene compliance

Background Hand hygiene compliance (HHC) is recognised as a major factor in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections. Healthcare workers (HCWs) compliance is still suboptimal. Simulation as an educational strategy may contribute to improved performance. Objective This study aimed to assess the effect of simulation interventions led by nursing students on HCWs’ HHC. Method A prospective quasi-experimental design with before and after intervention measurements was implemented in an 1150-bed tertiary hospital. Four consecutive periods, measuring before and after HHC, were examined in four hospital divisions. For each division, unique simulation activities were developed and led by nursing students, educators, and hospital leaders. Sixty seven students and 286 healthcare workers, along with two nurse educators, participated in the simulation sessions. HHC of all HCWs in the divisions was assessed by hospital infection control personnel. Results Hospital HHC rose across the four periods in all four divisions during this study. In three out of four periods and divisions, HHC increased significantly more in the simulation intervention groups compared to the overall hospital improvement. Conclusion Student-led simulation for HCWs is an additional effective method to improve HHC. Nursing managers should consider joining forces with nursing educators to enable students to become agents of change in healthcare settings and encourage further collaboration.

The Effect of Nano-Hydrated Lime on the Durability of Hot Mix Asphalt

Recently, some of Iraq's newly constructed asphalt concrete pavements showed premature failures with significant negative impacts on roadway safety and the economy. Using Nano hydrated lime (NHL) in pavement construction could be one of the possible steps to improve pavement durability. This article discusses how NHL affects the durability of hot mix asphalt. NHL was added in two methods to the asphalt concrete mixture for the wearing course. The first is the dry method, i.e., on the aggregate, whereas the second is the wet addition method, i.e., to the bitumen. The percentages were tried for each additional method; 1, 2, and 3% by weight of aggregate for the dry method and 0.5, 1, and 1.5% by weight of asphalt concrete for the wet method. The optimum asphalt cement contents were evaluated using the Marshall procedure. Asphalt concrete mixes were prepared at their optimum asphalt content and then tested to evaluate their durability properties, including moisture damage and permanent deformation. These properties have been evaluated using indirect tensile strength and uniaxial repeated loading tests. The results show that the NHL has improved the permanent deformation characteristics and resistance to moisture susceptibility.

An Improved Additional Control Method for Extending Stable Operating Region of Multi-Terminal LVDC System

An Improved Additional Control Method for Extending Stable Operating Region of Multi-Terminal LVDC System

Emerging Additive Manufacturing Methods for Wearable Sensors: Opportunities to Expand Access to Personalized Health Monitoring (Adv. Sensor Res. 3/2024)

Emerging Additive Manufacturing Methods for Wearable Sensors: Opportunities to Expand Access to Personalized Health Monitoring (Adv. Sensor Res. 3/2024)

Polysaccharides from fructus corni: Extraction, purification, structural features, and biological activities

Fructus Corni, derived from the dried fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. Et Zucc., is widely used as a food source and Chinese herb. Fructus Corni, as an indispensable ingredient in Liuwei Dihuang decoction, tonifies the liver and kidneys. As the main component of water decoctions, Fructus Corni polysaccharides demonstrate multifaceted effects, including hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-aging, sexual function regulation, and anti-epileptic, The ultrasound-assisted extraction method obtained the highest yields of Fructus Corni polysaccharides. However, it has notable shortcomings and lacks further innovation. The homogeneous polysaccharides obtained from Fructus Corni are mostly neutral polysaccharides with relatively limited structure, and the mechanism of their biological activity needs to be further elucidated. In addition, different extraction, isolation and purification methods may change the molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and biological activity of polysaccharides. Therefore, this study systematically summarized the extraction, purification, structural features, and biological activities of Fructus Corni polysaccharides. This study aimed to provide support for the ongoing development and application of Fructus Corni polysaccharides.

Subcutaneous Emphysema Following Laser Assisted Dilation of Subglottic Stenosis: A Case Report

Introduction: Subcutaneous emphysema is characterized by the accumulation of air beneath the dermal layers of the skin. We present a case of extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the neck, face and arms in a patient who was two days post operative from laser assisted dilation of subglottic stenosis. Materials and Methods: We present a case of subcutaneous emphysema in a patient who presented to the emergency department. As this is a case report, no additional materials or specific methods were required. Case Presentation: A 71-year-old man with history of tracheal stenosis status post laser assisted subglottic dilation presented to the emergency department two days post-operatively for progressively worsening swelling of the face, neck and arms. Physical exam was notable for crepitus of the face, neck and arms. Oropharyngeal exam showed no edema to the posterior oropharynx or tongue. Breathing was non-labored without stridor. Imaging revealed extensive subcutaneous emphysema without any obvious source. The otolaryngology (ENT) service evaluated the patient and admitted him to their service. Initially he was managed conservatively via observation and supportive care however, on day two of hospitalization his respiratory status worsened. He required intubation and tracheal stent placement. The tracheal defect was never found on exploration in the operating room, suggesting the defect was sub-centimeter in size. He was extubated on hospital day four and discharged with a plan to have the tracheal stent in place for three months. Conclusion: Subcutaneous emphysema secondary to a tracheobronchial tree defect is a known complication of laser dilatation of subglottic stenosis. Most cases resolve spontaneously and can be managed conservatively. However, patients require close airway monitoring as some may require emergent airway management. Clinicians should be aware of this complication and subsequent management.

Prediction of Antibiotic Resistance in Patients With a Urinary Tract Infection: Algorithm Development and Validation.

The early prediction of antibiotic resistance in patients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) is important to guide appropriate antibiotic therapy selection. In this study, we aimed to predict antibiotic resistance in patients with a UTI. Additionally, we aimed to interpret the machine learning models we developed. The electronic medical records of patients who were admitted to Yongin Severance Hospital, South Korea were used. A total of 71 features extracted from patients' admission, diagnosis, prescription, and microbiology records were used for classification. UTI pathogens were classified as either sensitive or resistant to cephalosporin, piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP), carbapenem, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), and fluoroquinolone. To analyze how each variable contributed to the machine learning model's predictions of antibiotic resistance, we used the Shapley Additive Explanations method. Finally, a prototype machine learning-based clinical decision support system was proposed to provide clinicians the resistance probabilities for each antibiotic. The data set included 3535, 737, 708, 1582, and 1365 samples for cephalosporin, TZP, TMP-SMX, fluoroquinolone, and carbapenem resistance prediction models, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values of the random forest models were 0.777 (95% CI 0.775-0.779), 0.864 (95% CI 0.862-0.867), 0.877 (95% CI 0.874-0.880), 0.881 (95% CI 0.879-0.882), and 0.884 (95% CI 0.884-0.885) in the training set and 0.638 (95% CI 0.635-0.642), 0.630 (95% CI 0.626-0.634), 0.665 (95% CI 0.659-0.671), 0.670 (95% CI 0.666-0.673), and 0.721 (95% CI 0.718-0.724) in the test set for predicting resistance to cephalosporin, TZP, carbapenem, TMP-SMX, and fluoroquinolone, respectively. The number of previous visits, first culture after admission, chronic lower respiratory diseases, administration of drugs before infection, and exposure time to these drugs were found to be important variables for predicting antibiotic resistance. The study results demonstrated the potential of machine learning to predict antibiotic resistance in patients with a UTI. Machine learning can assist clinicians in making decisions regarding the selection of appropriate antibiotic therapy in patients with a UTI.

Encapsulation and Characterization of Proanthocyanidin Microcapsules by Sodium Alginate and Carboxymethyl Cellulose.

Proanthocyanidins are important compounds known for their antioxidant and radical scavenging properties, but they are highly sensitive to light, heat, oxygen, and pH. In our study, proanthocyanidin was encapsulated using sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose to enhance controlled release, pH stability, metal ion tolerance, temperature resistance, time release, the microencapsulation of food additives stability, antioxidant capacity analysis, and the storage period tolerance of proanthocyanidin. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) analysis and full-wavelength UV scanning indicated the successful immobilization of proanthocyanidins into the polymeric microcapsules. The flowability and mechanical properties of the microcapsules were enhanced. Moreover, proanthocyanidin microcapsules exhibited higher thermal, pH, metal ion, time, and microencapsulation food additive stability. In addition, due to their high antioxidant properties, the proanthocyanidin microcapsules retained a greater amount of proanthocyanidin content during the gastric phase, and the proanthocyanidin was subsequently released in the intestinal phase for absorption. Thus, the study provided a systematic understanding of the antioxidant capabilities and stability of proanthocyanidin microcapsules, which is beneficial for developing preservation methods for food additives.

Affine medical image registration with fusion feature mapping in local and global.

Objective. Medical image affine registration is a crucial basis before using deformable registration. On the one hand, the traditional affine registration methods based on step-by-step optimization are very time-consuming, so these methods are not compatible with most real-time medical applications. On the other hand, convolutional neural networks are limited in modeling long-range spatial relationships of the features due to inductive biases, such as weight sharing and locality. This is not conducive to affine registration tasks. Therefore, the evolution of real-time and high-accuracy affine medical image registration algorithms is necessary for registration applications.Approach. In this paper, we propose a deep learning-based coarse-to-fine global and local feature fusion architecture for fast affine registration, and we use an unsupervised approach for end-to-end training. We use multiscale convolutional kernels as our elemental convolutional blocks to enhance feature extraction. Then, to learn the long-range spatial relationships of the features, we propose a new affine registration framework with weighted global positional attention that fuses global feature mapping and local feature mapping. Moreover, the fusion regressor is designed to generate the affine parameters.Main results. The additive fusion method can be adaptive to global mapping and local mapping, which improves affine registration accuracy without the center of mass initialization. In addition, the max pooling layer and the multiscale convolutional kernel coding module increase the ability of the model in affine registration.Significance. We validate the effectiveness of our method on the OASIS dataset with 414 3D MRI brain maps. Comprehensive results demonstrate that our method achieves state-of-the-art affine registration accuracy and very efficient runtimes.