Large Volume Research Articles

Prolonged Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Exposure After Pleurodesis Increases Pneumothorax Recurrence: A Retrospective Cohort Study

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in patients undergoing pleurodesis remains controversial. Although many surgeons are comfortable prescribing NSAIDs post-operatively, some oppose this practice due to concerns of suppressing the inflammatory response and quality of pleurodesis. Only a small body of inconsistent publications exists with respect to guiding therapy in this common clinical scenario. A retrospective cohort study was undertaken assessing effect of NSAID exposure on pleurodesis outcomes. An institutional thoracic surgery database was reviewed yielding 147 patients who underwent pleurodesis for pneumothorax between 2010 and 2018. Medical records and imaging were reviewed for patient characteristics, NSAID exposure, recurrent pneumothorax and other adverse events. There was no overall difference between rates of recurrence and procedural failure of pleurodesis (Relative Risk [RR] 1.67 [95% CI 0.74-3.77]). However, NSAID exposure of >48 hours was associated with increased risk of recurrent pneumothorax (RR 2.16 [95% CI 1.05-4.45]). There was no increased rate of other adverse events related to NSAID usage. NSAID exposure does not increase failure rates or other adverse events following pleurodesis for pneumothorax. However, prolonged NSAID exposure post-pleurodesis may increase procedural failure rates. Further large volume randomised control trials are required.

Zynq SoC FPGA-based water-immersible ultrasonic instrumentation for pipe inspection and gauging

Abstract A re-programmable Zynq system-on-chip (SoC) FPGA-based water-immersible 2-channel ultrasonic instrumentation has been designed and developed and it is mounted inside the IP67-grade enclosures, which is suitable for ultrasonic pipe inspection and gauging applications. The novel, compact Zynq SoC FPGA-based ultrasonic instrumentation system, powered by lithium-ion batteries for its operation over five hours, exhibits its adaptability for challenging environments, including its ability to travel through pipes carrying oil or water. One of the salient features of the 2-channel system is the capability to acquire echo signals using 12-bit/100 MSPS digitizer to provide highly accurate values of the inner diameter (ID) and wall thickness (WT) of the pipe under test. The system has been utilised to acquire and store 256 MB of A-Scan data in the DDR3 memory module of FPGA. Subsequent to five hours of acquisition, data was transferred to the computer to reconstruct B-Scan cross-sectional images for 300 mm nominal bore (NB) Stainless Steel (SS), and Carbon Steel (CS) pipes machined with volumetric and planar standard flaws. The B-Scan images could reveal both types of defects along with the location and size of these flaws. Such ultrasonic instrumentation has become an advanced tool to acquire a large volume of gauging data for pipes operating in harsh conditions, making it a vital asset for the inspection of pipes containing crude oil or processed water for petrochemical and nuclear industries. This paper provides brief details about the ultrasonic PIG instrument, with few inspection results obtained for SS and CS pipes.

The architecture of basalt reservoirs in the North Atlantic Igneous Province with implications for basalt carbon sequestration

Abstract Offshore CO 2 sequestration in basaltic formations of the North Atlantic Igneous Province may allow permanent storage of large volumes of CO 2 through rapid carbonate mineralization. Characterizing the internal architecture of such reservoirs is key to assessing the storage potential. In this study, six photogrammetry models and three boreholes on the Faroe Islands have been used to characterize the internal lava sequence architectures as a direct analogue to potential offshore North Atlantic Igneous Province storage sites. The studied formations are dominated by c. 5 to 50 m thick simple and compound lava flows, with drill core observations documenting a transition from pāhoehoe moving towards ‘a’ā lava flow types interbedded with thin (<5 m thick) volcaniclastic rock units. The identification of flow margin breccias is potentially important as these units form excellent reservoirs in several other localities globally. Stacked, thick simple flows may present sealing units associated with dense flow interiors. Connected porous and permeable lava flow crusts present potential reservoirs; however, the degree of secondary mineralization and alteration can alter initially good reservoir units to impermeable barriers for fluid flow. Large-scale reservoir volumes may be present mainly within both vesicular, fractured pāhoehoe and brecciated flow margins of transitional simple lava flows.

Magma Evolution During Main‐Phase Continental Flood Basalt Volcanism: A Case for Recharge‐Evacuation‐Assimilation‐Fractional Crystallization in the Ethiopian Low‐Ti Province

AbstractLavas erupted in Continental Flood Basalt (CFB) provinces are not primary magmas; they are differentiated products that result from large volumes of melt migrating and stalling in the lithosphere prior to eruption, resulting in complex liquid lines of descent. Geochemical models can be used to constrain the various influencers of magma differentiation (recharge, assimilation, fractional crystallization (FC), eruption, and mixing). Temporal constraints for changes in plumbing system dynamics are recorded in the petrography and stratigraphy of the erupted lava flows. This study focuses on the flow‐stratigraphy preserved within the Oligocene Ethiopian low‐Ti flood basalt province, located on the NW Ethiopian Plateau. We present new bulk rock geochemistry from 107 lavas and interpret these data within a petrostratigraphic framework. Our model results suggest that both a deep (∼0.6 GPa) and shallow (<0.2 GPa) magmatic system are active throughout the main phase of volcanism. Our recharge evacuation assimilation and fractional crystallization models (REAFC) show that during the main phase of magmatism evacuation from both the deep (65%) and shallow (55%) systems reached an apex. During the terminal phases, magma evacuation from the deeper system ceases while evacuation from the shallow system is much reduced (25%). The degree of crustal contamination predicted by REAFC (4%–10%) is lower than previous estimates determined for this region using assimilation with FC only models (12%–25%). Our study highlights the importance of evaluating petrography while interpreting geochemical models in CFB.

A Study on the Nanostructural Evolution of Bi/C Anode Materials during Their First Charge/Discharge Processes.

As a candidate anode material for Li-ion batteries, Bi-based materials have attracted extensive attention from researchers due to their high specific capacity, environmental friendliness, and simple synthesis methods. However, Bi-based anode materials are prone to causing large volume changes during charging and discharging processes, and the effect of these changes on lithium storage performance is still unclear. This work introduces that Bi/C nanocomposites are prepared by the Bi-based MOF precursor calcination method, and that the Bi/C nanocomposite maintains a high specific capacity (931.6 mAh g-1) with good multiplicative performance after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g-1. The structural evolution of Bi/C anode material during the first cycle of charging and discharging is investigated using in situ synchrotron radiation SAXS. The SAXS results indicate that the multistage scatterers of Bi/C composite, used as an anode material during the first lithiation, can be classified into mesopores, interspaces, and Bi nanoparticles. The different nanostructure evolutions of three types of Bi nanoparticles were observed. It is believed that this result will help to further understand the complex reaction mechanism of Bi-based anode materials in Li-ion batteries.

Environmental Prediction Model of Solar Greenhouse Based on Improved Harris Hawks Optimization-CatBoost

Solar greenhouses provide a favorable climate environment for the production of counter-seasonal crops in northern China. The greenhouse environment is a key factor affecting crop growth, so accurate prediction of greenhouse environment changes helps to precisely regulate the crop growth environment and helps to promote the growth of fruits and vegetables. In this study, an environmental prediction model based on the combination of a gradient boosting tree and the Harris hawk optimization algorithm (IHHO-Catboost) is constructed, and in response to the problems of the HHO algorithm, such as the fact that the adjustment of the search process is not flexible enough, it cannot be targeted to carry out a stage search, and sometimes it will fall into the local optimum to make the algorithm’s search accuracy relatively poor, an algorithm based on the improved Harris hawk optimization (IHHO) algorithm-based parameter identification method is constructed. The model considers the internal and external environmental and regulatory factors affecting crop growth, which include indoor temperature and humidity, light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, soil temperature and humidity, outdoor temperature and humidity, light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, wind direction, wind speed, and opening and closing of upper and lower air openings of the cotton quilt, and is input into a prediction model with a time series for training and testing. The experimental results show that the MAE (mean absolute error) values of temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, and light intensity of the model are reduced to 49.8%, 35.3%, 72.7%, and 32.1%, respectively, compared with LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory), which is a significant decrease in error. It shows that the proposed multi-parameter prediction model for solar greenhouse environments presents an effective method for accurate prediction of environmental data in solar greenhouses. The model not only improves prediction accuracy but also reduces dependence on large data volumes, reduces computational costs, and improves the transparency and interpretability of the model. Through this approach, an effective tool for greenhouse agriculture is provided to help farmers optimize the use of resources, reduce waste, and improve crop yield and quality, ultimately leading to a more efficient and environmentally friendly agricultural production system.

Petrophysical Properties Evaluation Using Well Logging of Jeribe Formation in Mansuriya Gas Field Diyala Governorate, Eastern Iraq

Al-Mansuriya gas field is regarded as one of Iraq's most important gas fields because of its good economic gas reserves. The major gas reserves of the Mansuriya field are situated in the Jeribe Formation. The present study aims to determine the petrophysical properties of the Jeribe Formation in the Mansuriya gas field by using the interpretation of different well logs for the open wells MN-1, MN-2, MN-3, and MN-4. The Jeribe Formation was divided into several reservoir units depending on the final results of CPI computer processing interpretation using the Interactive Petrophysics program (Techlog). According to the results of the CPI, the Jeribe Formation in the Mansuriya gas field was divided into seven units, which are J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, J6, and J7. Matrix definition (MID) and density-neutron cross plots indicate that the lithology of the Jeribe Formation consists of a large proportion of dolomite and limestone and a little anhydrite, also in the direction of the gas evident in the Jeribe Formation. The Gamma-ray log showed that the volume of the shale is very small in the Jeribe Formation, and the formation may be clean of shale content. The reason for this small reading is the presence of some radioactive materials in the rocks of formation. Through the readings of the RHOB and NPHI logs and the results of cutoff boundaries, we can conclude that units J1 and J6 represent non-reservoir units and can be considered a cap rock for the reservoir units, and the units J2, J3, J4, and J5 are the main reservoir units for Jeribe Formation according to CPI results and the results of high porosity in these units, as they are characterized by the porosity of up to 24% and water saturation of 40 to 60%, which makes them reservoirs of high quality. The Mn-4 well showed different results from the rest of the wells, and none of its units can be considered a reservoir due to the large water saturation volume.

Modular segmentation, spatial analysis and visualization of volume electron microscopy datasets.

Volume electron microscopy is the method of choice for the in situ interrogation of cellular ultrastructure at the nanometer scale, and with the increase in large raw image datasets generated, improving computational strategies for image segmentation and spatial analysis is necessary. Here we describe a practical and annotation-efficient pipeline for organelle-specific segmentation, spatial analysis and visualization of large volume electron microscopy datasets using freely available, user-friendly software tools that can be run on a single standard workstation. The procedures are aimed at researchers in the life sciences with modest computational expertise, who use volume electron microscopy and need to generate three-dimensional (3D) segmentation labels for different types of cell organelles while minimizing manual annotation efforts, to analyze the spatial interactions between organelle instances and to visualize the 3D segmentation results. We provide detailed guidelines for choosing well-suited segmentation tools for specific cell organelles, and to bridge compatibility issues between freely available open-source tools, we distribute the critical steps as easily installable Album solutions for deep learning segmentation, spatial analysis and 3D rendering. Our detailed description can serve as a reference for similar projects requiring particular strategies for single- or multiple-organelle analysis, which can be achieved with computational resources commonly available to single-user setups.

Research of the modern state of railway transportation of freight

Railway transport in the overall transport potential plays a decisive role, ensuring logistics processes in the country. In the conditions of extraordinary events such as military actions, social upheavals, natural disasters, man-made disasters, railway transport provides the economic and social needs of the country, thanks to its reliability. The current state of railway freight transportation in Ukraine, the structure of transportation, and its adaptation to modern conditions have been studied. The advantages of railway transportation include: - the possibility of sending a large volume of cargo; - saving time when passing dimensional and weight control; - independence from weather conditions; - cost of transportation. With the beginning of the russian aggression, logistical connections were lost. all Ukrainian farmers faced the problem of grain transportation and export. The grain cargo was concentrated on the borders with European countries. The main technical reasons for the limited ability to transport export goods through the western crossings: - different width of the railway track - in Europe it is 1435 mm, while in Ukraine - 1520 mm.; - shortage of transshipment capacities at the border; - lack of rolling stock; - limited capacity of certain sections of foreign railways; - presence of weight restrictions; - insufficient number of carriages for repositioning. In August 2023, there were positive changes to overcome the decrease in cargo exports that occurred due to port blockades. Polish and Ukrainian railways agreed on joint work on the development of passenger and freight rail transport between the countries in order to increase the export-import potential. The formation of a long-term strategy regarding the possibility of expanding railway corridors to Baltic ports has begun. During 2022, the railway suffered losses; - the acquisition of their own parks by farmers led to a surplus of railway containers; - the increase in tariffs for freight transportation did not compensate for the losses of the railway; - changes in the tariffs for railway transportation led to an increase in transportation by road transport.

Hypokalemia Induced Partial Nephrogenic Diabetes Insipidus: A Case Report

Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterised by a large volume of diluted urine production andincreased thirst. In this case report, a 49-year-old gentleman presented with 3 months of polyuria andpolydipsia. He had a repeated history of hypokalemia. On the evaluation of polyuria and polydipsia,he was diagnosed with partial nephrogenic diabetes insipidus based on his inability to concentrateurine after a water deprivation test and his less than 50% response to exogenous desmopressin.On the evaluation of recurrent hypokalemia, the investigation reports met biochemical criteria forthe diagnosis of Gitelman syndrome. He was encouraged to increase his fluid intake as required,and potassium chloride supplementation relieved his symptoms. This case report demonstrates thereversibility of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus with a correction of hyperkalemia.

ENERGY POTENTIAL OF AGROBIOMASS IN KRASNODAR, STAVROPOL AND ROSTOV REGIONS

At present the use of organic waste for energy production has become a significant part of the world energy industry. Thereby both the problem of energy supply and waste disposal are solved. In connection with the large volumes of annually formed resource, the ability to provide inexpensive logistics and the demand for ener gy at the level of local consumption the task of recycling agricultural waste is of particular interest. The paper presents a methodology for assessing the crop waste energy potential, taking into account the type of crops, the energy content and specific features of their processing to produce thermal energy. The regions of the Russian Federation leading in the production of cereals, sunflower and corn, i. e. Stavropol Territory, Krasnodar Territory and Rostov Region, were chosen as study areas, both due to the significant energy potential and the available experience of producing energy from wastes in the South of Russia. The quantities of thermal energy that can be obtained from the waste of these crops are determined (the totals for all crops are 14 600 000, 30 500 000 and 29 100 000 million Gcal/year for the regions, respectively), as well as the share of heat supply coverage in the residential sector of the regions (124, 120 and 160%, respectively). The cluster analysis methods allowed identifying groups of districts that are self-sufficient in terms of the local energy resource, as well as potential “donors” of fuel from waste. The results are displayed on charts and a series of maps.

Artificial Neural Networks for Long-Bone Fracture Detection Based on X-Ray Image Contour Features

Abstract: Two contour-based fracture detection strategies are presented in the ensuing research. The programs are designed to help medical practitioners identify human long bone fractures from X-ray pictures. The line-based fracture detection systems suggested in [1] served as the foundation for the creation of the contour-based fracture. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) are widely used in current Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems to classify broken X-ray images. Even while the current CAD systems achieve excellent accuracy, doing so comes at a cost: a large volume of training data. By using identified contours in X-ray pictures, the suggested techniques aim to achieve high classification accuracy with little training data. Two methods exist for contour-based fracture detection. The first is the enhanced CHFB scheme, while the second is the Standard Contour Histogram Feature-Based (CHFB). The modified CHFB scheme differs from the other one in that it removes the detected flesh contours surrounding the leg region.

Inventory Management with Advance Booking Information: The Case of Surgical Supplies and Elective Surgeries

Problem definition: Medical operations require a large volume and variety of consumable supplies that are kept in hospital inventory and replenished on a regular basis. Stringent requirements on the availability of these supplies, together with high variability in their daily usage, contribute to the high inventory costs of the surgical departments in hospitals. We investigate the value of utilizing Advance Booking Information (ABI) on elective surgeries—which are often booked up to months in advance—in reducing inventory costs. Methodology/results: We study a single-item, periodic-review, stochastic inventory control problem, where the item demand in each period is driven by the number and type of surgeries requiring the item, and with the available information on elective surgeries integrated into the ordering decisions. Given that item usage from each case is uncertain and only realized after the surgery, ABI provides imperfect information on future demand. Through exact analysis of a simplified version of the problem, as well as extensive numerical experiments using synthetic and real data, enabled using a state aggregation technique, we provide insights on and quantify the value of using ABI as a function of the number of periods of ABI integrated into the ordering decisions. We identify a relevant parameter regime—namely, high backlog (relative to holding) costs and when surgeries are booked sufficiently in advance—where the value of using ABI could be significant and the majority of the benefits can be gained through incorporating only one period of ABI beyond the order lead time. In a case study conducted using real data, we observe up to 26% reduction in average inventory levels, without violating the service levels. Managerial implications: By incorporating readily available elective surgery schedules into replenishment decisions of surgical supplies, hospitals could significantly reduce inventory costs without compromising the availability of the supplies. Funding: This work was partially funded by The Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services (MGCS). The views expressed in the paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Province. Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2021.0063 .

The Effect of Bismuth as A Local Hemostatic Material Post Extraction of Permanent Mandibular First Molars Teeth

Background: Bleeding is a post-extraction complication that is often found in dentistry. Normally post-extraction bleeding stops 12-24 hours after surgery, but it is often found for more than 24 hours. The post-extraction bleeding usually stops by pressing the area with sterile gauze but there is an obstacle due of the large volume of blood. Objective: to evaluate the bismuth subgallate as an effective local hemostatic agent. Methods: This study conducted on patients who came to the Oral Surgery Clinic, Nala Husada Hospital Surabaya, population aged 18-60 years, with permanent mandibular first molars diagnosed with chronic apical periodontitis et causa pulp gangrene or radix gangrene without systemic disorder and planned for extraction teeth with close method. It was divided into 2 groups by simple random sampling group design; the control group and the treatment group. After tooth extraction with the close method, a local hemostatic agent will be applied at the socket. The control group used a paste containing vaseline, while the treatment group used a paste containing bismuth subgallate. This paste contains 2.25% bismuth subgallate mixed with Peruvian balsam. After the application of local hemostatic agents, both the control group and the treatment group will be calculated the bleeding time, bleeding volume, and whether or not the secondary bleeding occurs. Conclusion: of this study is that bismuth subgallate has an effect as a local hemostatic agent after extraction of the mandibular first permanent molars.

Reconstruction and Management Strategies for Pelvic Ablative Surgery

Background: Ablative oncologic procedures for colorectal or gynecologic malignancies can result in large skin or tissue volume defects. Although direct closure may be possible, such attempts can lead to postoperative complications such as wound breakdown, organ prolapse, chronic seroma, or infection. Various procedures, from flap surgery to local wound care, can be useful additions to improve patient outcomes.Methods: This study retrospectively reviews cases of patients with multiple comorbidities who had undergone concomitant interventions after pelvic ablative surgery. Various interventions after pelvic ablative surgery, from reconstructing the defect to managing postoperative complications, are described.Results: Careful planning and selection of the reconstruction method can significantly improve patient outcomes. The authors suggest using gluteal flaps for most reconstructive demands.Conclusion: This case series emphasizes the utility of using various flaps, especially the gluteal flap, in reconstructing oncologic defects in the pelvic and perineal regions. The insights gained from this study will hopefully be of assistance to future research and clinical practice, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Multiplexed Capillary-Flow Driven Immunoassay for Respiratory Illnesses.

Multiplexed analysis in medical diagnostics is widely accepted as a more thorough and complete method compared to single-analyte detection. While analytical methods like polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) exist for multiplexed detection of biomarkers, they remain time-consuming and expensive. Lateral flow assays (LFAs) are an attractive option for point-of-care testing, and examples of multiplexed LFAs exist. However, these devices are limited by spatial resolution of test lines, large sample volume requirements, cross-reactivity, and poor sensitivity. Recent work has developed capillary-flow microfluidic ELISA platforms as a more sensitive alternative to LFAs; however, multiplexed detection on these types of devices has yet to be demonstrated. In the aftermath of the initial SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the need for rapid, sensitive point-of-care devices has become ever clearer. Moving forward, devices that can distinguish between diseases with similar presenting symptoms would be the ideal home diagnostic. Here, the first example of a multiplexed capillary-flow immunoassay device for the simultaneous detection of multiple biomarkers is reported. From a single sample addition step, the reagents and washing steps required for two simultaneous ELISAs are delivered to spatially separated test strips. Visual results can be obtained in <15 min, and images captured with a smartphone can be analyzed for quantitative data. This device was used to distinguish between and quantify H1N1 hemagglutinin (HA) and SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N-protein). Using this device, analytical detection limits of 840 and 133 pg/mL were obtained for hemagglutinin and nucleocapsid protein, respectively. The presence of one target in the device did not increase the signal on the other test line, indicating no cross-reactivity between the assays. Additionally, simultaneous detection of both N-protein and HA was performed as well as simultaneous detection of N-protein and human C-reactive protein (CRP). Elevated levels of CRP in a patient infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been shown to correlate with more severe outcomes and a greater risk of death as well. To further expand on the simultaneous detection of two biomarkers, CRP and N-protein were detected simultaneously, and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 N-protein did not interfere with the detection of CRP when both targets were present in the sample.

Tailoring Interfacial Electric Field by Gold Nanoparticles Enable Electrocatalytic Lithium Polysulfides Conversion for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Although lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered as the promising next rechargeable storage system ascribing to their decent specific capacity of inorganic sulfur, the development is partially impeded by inferior electronic conductivity, severe shuttle effect, and large volume variation. To tackle the issues above, a great deal of effort is made on sulfur-containing polymer (SCP) that shows better electrochemical performance. Nevertheless, sluggish conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) obstructs battery performance yet. Herein, electrocatalytic LiPSs with full conversion by tailoring the interfacial electric field are discovered based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) anchored on sulfurized polyaniline (SPANI). A downhill path of Gibbs free energy from organosulfur polymer to intermediate product means more spontaneously and favorable for full conversion, as the significant enhancement of electron density of state in the vicinity of the HOMO level for the AuNPs increase the electron transition probability rate. This composite delivers satisfactory electrochemical performance, especially increased rate capacity of >300 mAh g-1. Furthermore, catalyst mechanism on molecule level is proposed that AuNPsdominate chemical enhancement and higher electron delocalizablility betweenAuNPs and LiPSs molecules. These results can erect a promising strategy for enhancing lithium polysulfides full conversion.

Competence of radiologists in cardiac CT and MR imaging in Europe: insights from the ESCR Registry.

To provide an overview of the current status of cardiac multimodality imaging practices in Europe and radiologist involvement using data from the European Society of Cardiovascular Radiology (ESCR) MRCT-registry. Numbers on cardiac CT and MRI examinations were extracted from the MRCT-registry of the ESCR, entered between January 2011 and October 2023 (n = 432,265). Data collection included the total/annual numbers of examinations, indications, complications, and reporting habits. Thirty-two countries contributed to the MRCT-registry, including 29 European countries. Between 2011 and 2022, there was a 4.5-fold increase in annually submitted CT examinations, from 3368 to 15,267, and a 3.8-fold increase in MRI examinations, from 3445 to 13,183. The main indications for cardiac CT were suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) (59%) and transcatheter aortic valve replacement planning (21%). The number of patients with intermediate pretest probability who underwent CT for suspected CAD showed an increase from 61% in 2012 to 82% in 2022. The main MRI indications were suspected myocarditis (26%), CAD (21%), and suspected cardiomyopathy (19%). Adverse event rates were very low for CT (0.3%) and MRI (0.7%) examinations. Reporting of CT and MRI examinations was performed mainly by radiologists (respectively 76% and 71%) and, to a lesser degree, in consensus with non-radiologists (19% and 27%, respectively). The remaining examinations (4.9% CT and 1.7% MRI) were reported by non-radiological specialties or in separate readings of radiologists and non-radiologists. Real-life data on cardiac imaging in Europe using the largest available MRCT-registry demonstrate a considerable increase in examinations over the past years, the vast majority of which are read by radiologists. These findings indicate that radiologists contribute to meeting the increasing demands of competent and effective care in cardiac imaging to a relevant extent. The number of cardiac CT and MRI examinations has risen over the past years, and radiologists read the vast majority of these studies as recorded in the MRCT-registry. • The number of cardiac imaging examinations is constantly increasing. • Radiologists play a central role in providing cardiac CT and MR imaging services to a large volume of patients. • Cardiac CT and MR imaging examinations performed and read by radiologists show a good safety profile.

Enhancing the high-temperature constitutive modeling of In706 superalloy using advanced artificial neural networks and attentive staged optimization algorithm

High-temperature constitutive models derived from the Arrhenius equation play a pivotal role in the hot-forging processes of nickel-based superalloys such as In706. However, existing models have limitations owing to insufficient data points, leading to the potential loss of vital information and the need for elaborate modeling methodologies. This study proposes an innovative optimization approach that leverages the attentive staged optimization algorithm (ASOA) and advanced artificial neural networks to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of In706 superalloy modeling. ASOA is a batch-based, multi-stage optimization algorithm inspired by the attention mechanism concept in deep learning. It allocates time and computational resources to the most deserving data for optimization and is well-suited for handling large volumes of data. In this paper, ASOA was employed to perform two rounds of fitting on the thermal simulation experimental data, resulting in the determination of the critical strain ϵc and identifying suitable Arrhenius equation material parameters for each set of deformation conditions. Subsequently, a full parameter responsive constitutive model was established for In706, capable of handling a comprehensive set of deformation conditions and providing a more detailed representation of the high-temperature behavior of the In706 alloy. In developing the FPR model, we designed a fully connected neural network and employed a cosine annealing dual-error dynamic adjust function to address error amplification during training. The cosine annealing learning rate scheduling strategy with amplitude attenuation was also implemented to dynamically adjust the learning rate. As a result, the model developed using the proposed approach outperforms traditional models and shows remarkable potential for the precise and efficient optimization of In706 alloy. The high performance of the final model showcases the prospect of our approach in future development and optimization of superalloys.

Combating plastic pollution in international law: &lt;i&gt;lex lata&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;lex ferenda&lt;/i&gt;

INTRODUCTION. Global plastic production has increased from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to 390 million tons in 2021, of which only 9 % was recycled, 19 % was incinerated, almost 50 % was disposed of in landfills and 22 % was dumped in landfills, where this waste could be openly burned or released back into the environment. Plastics have changed the global economy and the lives of billions of people for the better. However, their use comes with significant environmental and social costs. Plastic waste negatively affects human health and the environment. The life cycle of plastics covers the entire spectrum of activities, from raw material extraction, production, distribution, use, to disposal as waste, and environmental problems can arise at any stage of the plastic life cycle. Most plastic degrades very slowly in the environment. There are currently a number of international commitments to reduce marine litter and plastic waste, particularly from land-based sources, and several applicable international agreements and soſt law instruments related to trade in plastics or reducing impacts on marine life. However, none of the international documents provides a global, mandatory, specific and measurable target to reduce plastic pollution. In this regard, many states, as well as commercial actors and civil society, are calling for the adoption of a global instrument to regulate marine pollution from litter and plastics. In this article, significant attention is paid to the analysis of a future treaty aimed at combating plastic pollution.MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study is based on the analysis of a large volume of materials, including international legal acts, advisory acts, as well as modern doctrinal studies by Russian and foreign authors. The methodological basis of the study was general scientific (method of logical and system analysis, dialectical method, methods of deduction and induction) and special scientific (historical-legal, comparative-legal, formal legal methods, method of legal modeling and forecasting) methods of cognition.RESEARCH RESULTS. In the course of the study, various international acts of a mandatory and recommendatory nature were analyzed, the doctrinal positions set out in the scientific literature, put forward by domestic and foreign legal scholars, were summarized, and the main problems of combating plastic pollution were identified.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. Within the framework of this article, an attempt has been made to give answers to the following questions: to what extent the problem of plastic pollution is an important challenge for modern international law, whether current international law effectively regulates the problem of plastic pollution, what should be the content of a new treaty on plastic and what are the positions of states on its content.