Dynamic Assessment Research Articles

Dynamic assessment of atrial function in decompensated heart failure

Dynamic assessment of atrial function in decompensated heart failure

The relation between meniscal dynamics and tibiofemoral kinematics

Over the past 30 years, research on meniscal kinematics has been limited by challenges such as low-resolution imaging and capturing continuous motion from static data. This study aimed to develop a computational knee model that overcomes these limitations and enables the continuous assessment of meniscal dynamics. A high-resolution MRI dataset (n = 11) was acquired in 4 configurations of knee flexion. In each configuration, the menisci were modeled based on the underlying osseous anatomy. Principal Polynomial Shape Analysis (PPSA) was employed for continuous meniscal modeling. Maximal medial anterior horn displacement occurred in 60° of flexion, equaling 6.24 mm posteromedial, while the posterior horn remained relatively stable. At 90° of flexion, the lateral anterior and posterior horn displaced posteromedially, amounting 5.70 mm and 6.51 mm respectively. The maximal observed Average Surface Distance (ASD) equaled 0.70 mm for lateral meniscal modeling in 90° of flexion. Based on our results, a strong relation between meniscal dynamics and tibiofemoral kinematics was confirmed. Expanding on static meniscal modeling and employing PPSA, we derived and validated a standardized and systematic methodological workflow.

Factors of influence on flood risk perceptions related to Hurricane Dorian: an assessment of heuristics, time dynamics, and accuracy of risk perceptions

Abstract. Flood damage caused by hurricanes is expected to rise globally due to climate and socio-economic change. Enhanced flood preparedness among the coastal population is required to reverse this trend. The decisions and actions taken by individuals are thought to be influenced by risk perceptions. This study investigates the determinants that shape flood risk perceptions and the factors that drive flood risk misperceptions of coastal residents. We conducted a survey among 871 residents in flood-prone areas in Florida during a 5 d period in which the respondents were threatened to be flooded by Hurricane Dorian. This approach allows us to assess temporal dynamics in flood risk perceptions during an evolving hurricane threat. Among 255 of the same households, a follow-up survey was conducted to examine how flood risk perceptions varied after Hurricane Dorian failed to make landfall in Florida. Our results show that the flood experience and social norms have the most consistent relationship with flood risk perceptions. Furthermore, participants indicated that their level of worry regarding the dangers of flooding decreased after the near-miss of Hurricane Dorian compared to their feelings of worry during the hurricane event. Based on our findings, we offer recommendations for improving flood risk communication policies.

Data-driven prediction of natural period for existing RC high-rise buildings using probabilistic machine learning methods

The natural period of existing reinforced concrete (RC) high-rise buildings is a fundamental structural parameter for dynamic analysis and condition assessment, while the estimation of such structural characteristic is an important task for life-cycle maintenance. A commonly adopted approach for predicting natural periods involves the use of design-oriented empirical formulas. However, as shown by real-world observations in both this study and others, these formulas with limited building features may not fully capture the complexity and uncertainty of the natural period for existing buildings. Therefore, it is desired to develop an alternative method that is both feature-based and data-driven, to predict natural periods accurately. This study proposes a feature-based probabilistic machine learning method to determine the natural periods and quantify the uncertainty intervals of the predictions for existing RC high-rise buildings. Specifically, the proposed method comprises a random-forest method using quantile regression. Through in situ measurements and an extensive literature review, a database comprising over 500 actual records was constructed, including the building features and their dynamic properties. The results show that the proposed method achieves a coefficient of determination of 0.96 and an uncertainty interval confined within 20 % for the test set. These findings indicate that the proposed method may be both more accurate and reliable. Furthermore, an in-depth investigation into the model interpretability was conducted to reveal the relative importance of different building features. The analyses indicate that the building height emerges as the most crucial feature, while the building width and its lateral resistant system may also demonstrate noticeable influence on predicting natural periods.

A dynamic risk assessment model based on multidimensional and quantitative inference theory

With the continuous increase in petroleum consumption and the trend towards more refined management, crude oil storage tanks are playing an increasingly crucial role in the petrochemical industry. However, the corrosion issue of crude oil storage tanks has consistently been a major factor limiting their service life, and leaks in crude oil tanks are often attributed to corrosion of the tank bottom. Due to the high cost and complexity associated with tank opening inspections, in this paper, directly observable information and physical quantities are utilized as indirect evidence, combined with Bayesian network, to indirectly determine the probability of tank corrosion. This approach allows for selective internal tank inspections, enabling effective risk assessment while also facilitating cost savings. Some parameters in the Bayesian network model are obtained through a probability estimation model combining expert experience and fuzzy set theory. Finally, the feasibility of the method is demonstrated by citing examples. The current model can offer a relatively reliable reference for evaluating the risks associated with tanks and their ancillary facilities, while also reducing the costs of tank inspections to some extent.

Dynamic assessment of prealbumin for nutrition support effectiveness in critically ill patients

Background & AimsSerum prealbumin is considered to be a sensitive predictor of clinical outcomes and a quality marker for nutrition support. However, its susceptibility to inflammation restricts its usage in critically ill patients according to current guidelines. We assessed the performance of the initial value of prealbumin and dynamic changes for predicting the ICU mortality and the effectiveness of nutrition support in critically ill patients. MethodsThis monocentric study included patients admitted to the ICU between 2009-2016, having at least one initial prealbumin value available. Prospectively recorded data were extracted from the electronic ICU charts. We used both univariable and multivariable logistic regressions to estimate the performance of prealbumin for the prediction of ICU mortality. Additionally, the association between prealbumin dynamic changes and nutrition support was assessed via a multivariable linear mixed-effects model and multivariable linear regression. Performing subgroup analysis assisted in identifying patients for whom prealbumin dynamic assessment holds specific relevance. ResultsWe included 3136 patients with a total of 4942 prealbumin levels available. Both prealbumin measured at ICU admission (adjusted odds-ratio (aOR) 0.04, confidence interval (CI) 95% 0.01-0.23) and its change over the first week (aOR 0.02, CI95 0.00-0.19) were negatively associated with ICU mortality. Throughout the entire ICU stay, prealbumin dynamic changes were associated with both cumulative energy (estimate: 33.2, standard error (SE) 0.001, p < 0.01) and protein intakes (1.39, SE 0.001, p<0.01). During the first week of stay, prealbumin change was independently associated with mean energy (6.03e-04, SE 2.32e-04, p<0.01) and protein intakes (1.97e-02, SE 5.91e-03, p<0.01). Notably, the association between prealbumin and energy intake was strongest among older or malnourished patients, those suffering from increased inflammation and those with high disease severity. Finally, prealbumin changes were associated with a positive mean nitrogen balance at day 7 only in patients with SOFA<4 (p=0.047). ConclusionPrealbumin measured at ICU admission and its change during the first-week serve as an accurate predictor of ICU mortality. Prealbumin dynamic assessment may be a reliable tool to estimate the effectiveness of nutrition support in the ICU, especially among high-risk patients.

Assessing Seasonal and Inter-Annual Changes in the Total Cover of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Using Sentinel-2 Imagery

Remote sensing is a valuable tool for surveying submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) distribution patterns at extensive spatial and temporal scales. Only regular mapping over successive time periods (e.g., months, years) allows for a quantitative assessment of SAV loss or recolonization extent. Still, there are only a limited number of studies assessing temporal changes in SAV patterns. ESA Sentinel-2 (S2) has a high revisiting frequency permitting the multi-temporal assessment of SAV dynamics both seasonally and inter-annually. In the current study, a physics-based IDA (Image Data Analysis) model was used for the reconstruction of past SAV percent cover (%cover) patterns in the Baltic Sea coastal waters based on S2 archived images. First, we aimed at capturing and quantifying intra-annual spatiotemporal SAV dynamics happening during a growing season. Modeling results showed that significant changes took place in SAV %cover: the extent of low-cover (0–30% coverage) and intermediate-cover (30–70% coverage) areas decreased, while high-cover (70–100% coverage) areas increased during the growing period. Secondly, we also aimed at detecting SAV %cover spatiotemporal variations inter-annually (over the years 2016–2022). Inter-annual variability in %cover patterns was greater in the beginning of the vegetation period (May). The peak of the growing period (July/August) showed greater stability in the areal extent of the %cover classes.

Characteristics of Key Biological Assemblage Dynamics and Biotic Integrity Assessment in the Upper Yellow River, China

Characteristics of Key Biological Assemblage Dynamics and Biotic Integrity Assessment in the Upper Yellow River, China

Modelling and Analysis of High Performance for Solar Power Injection with Distribution Networks

Given the growing emphasis on environmental consciousness, there is a spike in the integration of solar photovoltaic energy into contemporary distribution networks. Interestingly, there is a non-linear relationship between the energy production of solar modules and changing external environmental conditions. In response, this study aims to increase the effectiveness of solar photovoltaic systems (SPVS) by putting out a careful analysis to ascertain the ideal performance criteria for the integration of renewable energy sources into distribution networks. The use of a Maximum Power Point Tracker is crucial to this assessment (MPPT). The model provides important insights into the possible increases in energy efficiency, making it a strong tool in this optimization process. In addition, the research conducts a comparison analysis, examining the distribution system properties in relation to different levels of solar PV system penetration. This aspect of the research illuminates the consequences of harmonic-induced distortions in current and voltage on the feeder networks in the distribution system. The simulation findings clearly show that as the penetration capacity of the PV system increases, so does the amount of harmonic dispersion that is introduced into the network. This suggests that it would be wise to incorporate the photovoltaic (PV) array only as far as the network can support it in order to prevent any possible performance reduction. Using MATLAB/SIMULINK as a computational tool, the research carefully examines the important characteristics from the technical data in order to examine the overall model. Further testing of the model's flexibility and resilience under a range of weather scenarios and partial shade conditions offers a thorough assessment of the model's performance dynamics. Positively, the investigation concluded with results that were satisfactory and confirmed the system's exceptional performance capabilities, which are supported by the MPPT. This result reflects a positive trend toward maximizing the integration of renewable energy sources into distribution networks, which will help to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape.

Maneuvers in Vietnamese-Chinese relations against the back-ground of the US-Chinese confrontation in the region

The article is devoted to the assessment of dynamics and nature of relations between Vietnam and China against the background of events taking place in the region and the world. The main attention in this work is paid to a new stage of bilateral cooperation, which began with the creation of a «Community with a shared future that carries strategic significance», to the reasons for the stated deepening of interaction between Vietnam and China in the context of the US-Chinese confrontation.&#x0D; Despite the publication of many works devoted to various aspects of relations between these two countries, the large dynamics of events taking place in Southeast Asia requires additional research aimed at rethinking old and revealing new trends.&#x0D; The article is based on an analysis of the recent China-Vietnam joint statement (December 2023) and its comparison with other similar documents – the China-Vietnam statement of 2022, the US-Vietnam and Japan-Vietnam statements of 2023. This method allows us to more accurately assess the current state of Vietnamese-Chinese relations and predict their further development.

Light-duty passenger vehicle electrification in China from 2021 to 2050 and associated greenhouse gas emissions: A dynamic fleet perspective

The electric vehicle is seen as a promising technology to decarbonize road transportation. However, the long-term and fleet-scale impacts of the electric vehicle promotion in China are still underexplored. To investigate the mitigation potential of light-duty passenger vehicles electrification, a dynamic fleet-based life cycle assessment framework is constructed to calculate the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in China from 2021 to 2050. It is estimated that the annual fleet GHG emissions will peak at 1.10 ∼ 1.18 Gt between 2028 and 2031, and gradually decrease to 0.53 ∼ 1.04 Gt CO2 eq in 2050. Under the most sustainable pathway (SSP1), the aggressive electrification scenario (SSP1-EV2040) is projected to reduce accumulative life cycle GHG emissions by 5.4Gt CO2 eq (17 % of the accumulative emissions in SSP2-BAU). The regional distribution of GHG emissions and electricity use shows a downward trend from east to west, revealing the necessity of China’s regional-specified strategy..

Methods for Assessing Renal Нemodynamics after Minimally lnvasive Treatment of Urolithiasis

The purpose of research. Urolithiasis occupies a leading place among all urological diseases after infectious and inflammatory ones. /n addition, it does not lose its relevance due to the fact that the number of patients with this disease is steadily increasing. Тhe aim of the study is to study the peculiarities of changes in renal hemodynamics after minimally invasive methods of treatment of urolithiasis remote shock wave lithotripsy (DLТ) and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (РNL) to improve the quality of medical care for urological patients.Methods. Numerous studies have shown in detail the effectiveness of using remote shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotorypsy in the treatment of kidney stones. Тhese methods are minimally invasive, well tolerated by patients, and reduce the risks of complications, but they are accompanied by kidney injury, in particular, microcirculation disorders. Тhe use of the Dopplerographic method of investigation allows for a highly informative assessment of the degree of impaired renal microcirculation for the diagnosis of urolithiasis, including for the assessment of hemodynamics after minimally invasive treatment methods.Results. Тhe work shows that when using dopplerography of renal vessels after remote shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotorypsy, a violation of hemodynamics after DLТ is noted in dynamics already on the first day. In addition, the terms of normalization of indicators are longer in comparison with hemodynamics after РNL. Аlso, with РNL, there is a gradual increase in blood flow indicators in the dynamics of the postoperative period.Conclusion. Тhe work shows that ultrasound Dopplerography is an effective method of dynamic assessment of renal blood flow, and the indicator of renal damage is the resistance index, mainly in the interlobular arteries.

Dynamic geothermal resource assessment: Integrating reservoir simulation and Gaussian Kernel Density Estimation under geological uncertainties

This paper presents a dynamic geothermal resource assessment method that integrates reservoir simulation and Gaussian kernel density estimation (KDE). This approach addresses geological uncertainties by employing reservoir simulation techniques to model the fluid and heat flow under the condition of permeability heterogeneity. Incorporating probabilistic resource assessment through Gaussian KDE, the study quantifies uncertainties, estimating the probability density function (PDF) of ensemble results under conditions like thermal breakthrough thresholds, fixed reservoir lifespans, and target energy production. The demonstrations of assessment start with a simple homogeneous model. The results show that larger doublet well distances result in extended lifespan, higher final production well temperatures, and increased energy production. Brugge reservoir emphasizes the impact of heterogeneity and uncertainty on production outcomes, especially at smaller doublet well distances. Assessment of fluvial Egg model reveals that drilling in fluvial channels causes rapid thermal breakthrough. This result indicates that, to optimize reservoir performance, it is recommended to refrain from drilling doublet wells within high-permeability fluvial channels. Furthermore, it is worthy of mention that the Gaussian kernel is not always favored for KDE, particularly in scenarios involving non-Gaussian distribution ensembles. The proposed method, which integrates reservoir simulation and Gaussian KDE, enhances understanding of geological uncertainties and the intricate nature of geothermal reservoirs, facilitating more reliable and accurate resource assessments.

Assessment of salivary cortisol dynamics in an infantry training exercise: a pilot study

IntroductionMeasuring cortisol during military training offers insights into physiological responses to stress. We attempted precisely timed, cortisol awakening response (CAR) and pre-sleep cortisol (PSC), and diurnal slope (peak morning minus...

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in pediatric practice, diagnosis, and intensive care: A review

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is one of the main causes of life-threatening complications and deaths in pediatric intensive care units. This study aimed to analyze the current features of epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of acute respiratory distress syndrome in children aged 1 months according to the literature. The analysis included 100 publications extracted from eLibrary and PubMed abstract databases. The search was performed using the following keywords: acute respiratory distress syndrome, epidemiology, pediatric, outcome, and control mechanical ventilation. After the initial study of abstracts, 64 articles containing previously published information were excluded from the review. The recommendations of the Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference, which were published in April 2023, were taken as the main source. The review presents current definitions, risk factors, and criteria for the severity of acute respiratory distress syndrome in pediatric practice, discusses in detail the features of invasive ventilation and adjuvant therapy, and pays special attention to infusion and transfusion therapy, nutrition, and sedation. One of the sections is devoted to monitoring the patient’s condition, assessing the effectiveness of gas exchange and hemodynamics, and emphasizing the importance of a dynamic assessment of delirium in patients and the readiness for extubation. The recommendations of Pediatric Acute Lung Injury Consensus Conference-2 for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in children make it possible to more accurately stratify the severity of the pathological process, identify patients at risk with a high probability of developing this syndrome, and begin timely protective respiratory support to restore lung parenchyma and optimize oxygen delivery and consumption.

Clinical observation of the long-term course of COVID- 19 infection in a patient with an immunodeficiency condition

The new coronavirus infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has become a real challenge for the world’s population. Despite the fact that vaccines have been developed and the effectiveness of antiviral drugs has been demonstrated, COVID-19 continues to be an urgent problem. SARS-CoV-2 is genetically modified due to the accumulation of mutations, new strains with high virulence appear that distort the immune response. In addition, it has been shown that the virus can persist in the body for a long time, which ensures the maintenance of an inflammatory response and causes the persistence and recurrence of symptoms after acute infection, especially in certain groups of patients. The article presents a clinical case of a long-term course of new coronavirus infection with predominant lung damage in the form of interstitial changes and persistent inflammation for 7 months from the moment of diagnosis against the background of an immunodeficiency condition due to the patient’s lymphoma in remission after polychemotherapy, exclusion of pulmonary embolism and progression of lymphoproliferative disease. The article highlights the difficulties of determining the criteria for a post-COVID and the features of its treatment using long-term therapy with systemic glucocorticosteroids, inhalation administration of tauractant (Surfactant-BL) in comparison with the dynamic assessment of total ventilation disorders and dynamic control of MSCT of the chest organs. Thus, the importance of identifying risk factors for the progression of COVID-19-associated conditions in patients with different comorbid backgrounds and identifying criteria for the development of new long-COVID treatment strategies is emphasized.

Dynamic Assessment of Modified Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment in Acutely Deteriorated Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

Quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) has been suggested to identify those who have poor outcomes in patients with suspected infection. We aimed to evaluate the ability of the modified qSOFA (m-qSOFA) to identify high-risk patients in acutely deteriorated patients with chronic liver disease (CLD), especially acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). We used the data of both Korean Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure (KACLiF) and Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver ACLF Research Consortium (AARC) cohorts. qSOFA was modified by replacing the Glasgow Coma Scale with hepatic encephalopathy, and m-qSOFA≥2 was considered high. Patients with high m-qSOFA had a significantly lower 1-month transplant-free survival (TFS) in both cohorts and higher organ failure development in KACLiF than patients with low m-qSOFA (Ps<0.05). Subgroup analysis by ACLF showed that patients with high m-qSOFA had lower TFS than patients with low m-qSOFA. m-qSOFA was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratios (HR)=2.604, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.353-5.013, P=0.004 in KACLiF and HR=1.904, 95% CI 1.484-2.442, P<0.001 in AARC). The patients with low m-qSOFA at baseline but high m-qSOFA on the 7th day had a significantly lower 1-month TFS than the patients with high m-qSOFA at baseline but low m-qSOFA on the 7th day (52.6% vs. 89.4%, P<0.001 in KACLiF and 26.9% vs. 61.5%, P<0.001 in AARC). Baseline and dynamic changes in m-qSOFA were useful to identify patients with a high risk of organ failure development and short-term mortality among CLD patients with acute deterioration.

Foot Posture Index Does Not Correlate with Dynamic Foot Assessment Performed via Baropodometric Examination: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Clinicians employ foot morphology assessment to evaluate the functionality of the method and anticipate possible injuries. This study aims to correlate static foot posture and the dynamic barefoot evaluation in a sample of healthy adult participants. The foot posture was evaluated using the Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6) and the dynamics were evaluated through baropodometric examination. Two operators independently assessed the participants' foot posture through FPI-6, and then a dynamic evaluation was performed by asking them to walk 8 times across a platform. One hundred participants (mean age: 32.15 ± 7.49) were enrolled. The inter-rater agreement between the two assessors was found to be excellent. The majority of the feet belonged to the 0 < FPI < 4 class (32%), followed by the 4 < FPI < 8 (31%) and the FPI > 8 ranges (19.5%). Our "area of contact" analysis showed a significant poor correlation between FPI and total foot, midfoot, and the second metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) (-0.3 < r < 0). Regarding "force" parameters, the analysis showed a poor correlation between the midfoot, hallux, and the second toe (-0.2 < r < 2); finally the "pressure" analysis showed a poor correlation between FPI, the fourth MTPJ, and the second toe (-0.2 < rs < 0.3) and a moderate correlation between the hallux (r = 0.374) and the fifth MTPJ (r = 0.427). This study emphasizes the constrained correlation between static foot posture observation and dynamic barefoot examination.

A paclitaxel-hyaluronan conjugate (ONCOFID-P-B™) in patients with BCG-unresponsive carcinoma in situ of the bladder: a dynamic assessment of the tumor microenvironment

BackgroundThe intravesical instillation of the paclitaxel-hyaluronan conjugate ONCOFID-P-B™ in patients with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-unresponsive bladder carcinoma in situ (CIS; NCT04798703 phase I study), induced 75 and 40% of complete response (CR) after 12 weeks of intensive phase and 12 months of maintenance phase, respectively. The aim of this study was to provide a detailed description of the tumor microenvironment (TME) of ONCOFID-P-B™-treated BCG-unresponsive bladder CIS patients enrolled in the NCT04798703 phase I study, in order to identify predictive biomarkers of response.MethodsThe composition and spatial interactions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the expression of the most relevant hyaluronic acid (HA) receptors on cancer cells, were analyzed in biopsies from the 20 patients enrolled in the NCT04798703 phase I study collected before starting ONCOFID-P-B™ therapy (baseline), and after the intensive and the maintenance phases. Clinical data were correlated with cell densities, cell distribution and cell interactions. Associations between immune populations or HA receptors expression and outcome were analyzed using univariate Cox regression and log-rank analysis.ResultsIn baseline biopsies, patients achieving CR after the intensive phase had a lower density of intra-tumoral CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), but also fewer interactions between CTL and macrophages or T-regulatory cells, as compared to non-responders (NR). NR expressed higher levels of the HA receptors CD44v6, ICAM-1 and RHAMM. The intra-tumoral macrophage density was positively correlated with the expression of the pro-metastatic and aggressive variant CD44v6, and the combined score of intra-tumoral macrophage density and CD44v6 expression had an AUC of 0.85 (95% CI 0.68–1.00) for patient response prediction.ConclusionsThe clinical response to ONCOFID-P-B™ in bladder CIS likely relies on several components of the TME, and the combined evaluation of intra-tumoral macrophages density and CD44v6 expression is a potentially new predictive biomarker for patient response. Overall, our data allow to advance a potential rationale for combinatorial treatments targeting the immune infiltrate such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, to make bladder CIS more responsive to ONCOFID-P-B™ treatment.

A synergistic framework for dynamic water scarcity assessment: integrated blue and green water

Abstract Dynamic assessment of water scarcity utilising blue water (BW) and green water (GW) can enhance water resource management. The traditional water scarcity assessment mainly considers blue water, ignoring GW, for static evaluation. The improvement objective of this study is dynamically quantifying water scarcity, integrated BW and GW. This study proposed a framework to present an overview of water scarcity within multiple indicators and pinpoint water-stressed areas within an ever-changing process. The framework is based on the theorem of mutual change of quality and quantity to assess the spatiotemporal variability of BW and GW availability and to quantify the water scarcity in watersheds. A case study was carried out in Taoer River Basin, a semiarid region of China, to demonstrate the use of the framework. The anthropogenic elements (such as water demand) and natural conditions were combined to quantify water scarcity, as measured by BW and GW scarcity indices. This study also analysed the variation of water scarcity on different spatiotemporal scales. The findings demonstrate that severe water scarcity has been occurring downstream with a tendency towards upstream of the watershed. Collectively, this study provides a useful tool for dynamic water scarcity assessment, helping develop policies to promote sustainable development.