Repair Strategies Research Articles

Floating mora affixation in Huozhou diminutive subtraction

This paper argues for an item-and-arrangement approach by demonstrating that the diminutive form in Huozhou Chinese results from the affixation of a floating mora. Diminutives in Huozhou Chinese are formed by deleting the final non-vocalic segment of a syllable, along with some subsegmental changes (e.g., [pʰɑŋ35] ‘plate’, [pʰaː35] ‘plate.DIM’). This paper provides a detailed description of these patterns and proposes that the underlying representation of the diminutive morpheme is a floating mora, with subtraction serving as a repair strategy for this floating mora affix. This paper makes two main contributions. First, it introduces new data on subtractive morphology. Second, it provides a formal analysis and further supports this proposal from a typological perspective, thereby supporting the item-and-arrangement approach to morphology. Overall, by combining a case study of Huozhou Chinese with a typological discussion, this analysis shows that nonconcatenative morphology can be interpreted as additive, leading to a more economical grammar and more restrictive predictions.

Gluing osteochondral fragments: development of a novel strategy for dual adhesive application in a preclinical model

This study proposes a novel dual adhesive approach for fixing osteochondral fractures, aiming to address the limitations of current fixation methods by incorporating both a bone adhesive (phosphoserine modified calcium phosphate cement PM-CPC) and a cartilage adhesive (methacrylated phosphoserine-containing gelatin MePGa hydrogel). The feasibility and efficacy of this approach were investigated using an ex vivo bovine knee model. Results indicate successful gluing of osteochondral cylinders with both adhesives, with no significant difference in adhesion strength between the groups (adhesion strength mean of 1211.6 kPa, SD 602.4 kPa, and mean of 1299.6 kPa, SD 850.9 kPa for groups 1 and 2 respectively). Importantly, the inclusion of the hydrogel component in the dual adhesive system aims to enhance cartilage repair potential, complementing the mechanical support provided by the bone adhesive. Each adhesive offers distinctive benefits: PM-CPC for mechanical support and bone repair, and MePGa hydrogel for cartilage repair. The study demonstrates the potential of the dual adhesive strategy for osteochondral repair, though further refinement and in vivo validation are needed.

An analysis of dialogue repair in virtual assistants

Conversational user interfaces have transformed human-computer interaction by providing nearly real-time responses to queries. However, misunderstandings between the user and system persist. This study explores the significance of interactional language in dialogue repair between virtual assistants and users by analyzing interactions with Google Assistant and Siri in both English and Spanish, focusing on the assistants’ utilization and response to the colloquial other-initiated repair strategy “huh?”, which is prevalent as a human-human dialogue repair strategy. Findings revealed ten distinct assistant-generated repair strategies, but an inability to replicate human-like strategies such as “huh?”. Despite slight variations in user acceptability judgments among the two surveyed languages, results indicated an overall hierarchy of preference towards specific dialogue repair strategies, with a notable disparity between the most preferred strategies and those frequently used by the assistants. These findings highlight discrepancies in how interactional language is utilized in human-computer interaction, underscoring the need for further research on the impact of interactional elements among different languages to advance the development of conversational user interfaces across domains, including within human-robot interaction.

Injectable Photocrosslinked Hydrogel Dressing Encapsulating Quercetin-Loaded Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 for Skin Wound Healing

Background: Wound management is a critical component of clinical practice. Promoting timely healing of wounds is essential for patient recovery. Traditional treatments have limited efficacy due to prolonged healing times, excessive inflammatory responses, and susceptibility to infection. Methods: In this research, we created an injectable hydrogel wound dressing formulated from gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) that encapsulates quercetin-loaded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (Qu@ZIF-8) nanoparticles. Next, its ability to promote skin wound healing was validated through in vitro experiments and animal studies. Results: Research conducted both in vitro and in vivo indicated that this hydrogel dressing effectively mitigates inflammation, inhibits bacterial growth, and promotes angiogenesis and collagen synthesis, thus facilitating a safe and efficient healing process for wounds. Conclusions: This cutting-edge scaffold system provides a novel strategy for wound repair and demonstrates significant potential for clinical applications.

Tricuspid Anterior and Posterior Patch (TRAPP) Repair of Functional Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Annuloplasty is the most common strategy for repair of functional tricuspid regurgitation (FTR) but is not effective in patients with massive/torrential FTR or leaflet tethering. To address the deficits of tricuspid annuloplasty, TRicuspid Anterior and Posterior Patch (TRAPP) repair was developed, which is a pericardial patch augmentation of the anterior and posterior leaflets. To test this repair, a previously validated ex vivo model in an explanted porcine heart was used, wherein annular and leaflet geometry were evaluated using a 3-dimensional structured light scanner at 4 time points: (1) baseline, (2) induction of FTR, (3) annuloplasty repair, and (4) patch repair. Compared with the regurgitant tricuspid valve, annuloplasty reduced annular circumference (13.7 to 9.5 cm) and area (13.7 vs 6.1 cm2), whereas TRAPP repair did not alter annular dimensions (circumference: 13.7 vs 13.5 cm; area: 13.7 vs 13.6 cm2). Annuloplasty increased leaflet tenting angles (anterior: 53.5° vs 41.0°; posterior: 59.7° vs 48.2°; septal: 38.9° vs 31.4°) whereas TRAPP repair relieved anterior and posterior leaflet tenting (anterior: 28.9° vs 41.0°; posterior: 34.9° vs 48.2°; septal: 33.2° vs 31.4°) and restored geometry comparable to the native tricuspid valve. Central coaptation lengths were greater with TRAPP repair than with annuloplasty for all 3 leaflets (anterior: 12.7 vs 9.5 mm; posterior: 12.2 vs 8.2 mm; septal: 7.4 vs 4.6 mm). Compared with annuloplasty, TRAPP repair yielded greater coaptation length, resolved leaflet tethering, and resulted in a larger annular area that may facilitate durable repair of advanced FTR, which previously would have required replacement.

Boosting mRNA-Engineered Monocytes via Prodrug-Like Microspheres forBone Microenvironment Multi-Phase Remodeling.

Monocytes, as progenitors of macrophages and osteoclasts, play critical roles in various stages of bone repair, necessitating phase-specific regulatory mechanisms. Here, icariin (ICA) prodrug-like microspheres (ICA@GM) are developed, as lipid nanoparticle (LNP) transfection boosters, to construct mRNA-engineered monocytes for remodeling the bone microenvironment across multiple stages, including the acute inflammatory and repair phases. Initially, ICA@GM is prepared from ICA-conjugated gelatin methacryloyl via a microfluidics system. Then, monocyte-targeting IL-4 mRNA-LNPs are then prepared and integrated into injectable microspheres (mRNA-ICA@GM) via electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions. After bone-defect injection, LNPs are controlled released from mRNA-ICA@GM within 3 days, rapidly transfecting monocytes for monocyte IL-4 mRNA-engineering, which effectively suppressed acute inflammatory responses via polarization programming and paracrine signaling. Afterwards, ICA is sustainably released as well via cleavable boronate esters across multiple stages, cooperatively boosting the mRNA-engineered monocytes to inhibit coenocytic fusion and osteoclastic function. Both in vitro and in vivo data indicated that mRNA-ICA@GM can not only reverse the inflammatory environment but also suppress monocyte-derived osteoclast formation to accelerate bone repair. In summary, mRNA-engineered monocytes and ICA prodrug-like microspheres are combined to achieve long-lasting multi-stage bone microenvironment regulation, offering a promising repair strategy.

Efficient Constrained Real-World Problem-Solving Using Gradient-Based Mutation Manta Ray Foraging Optimization (GM-MRFO)

This paper presents a Gradient-based Mutation Manta ray foraging optimization (GM-MRFO) that is designed to solve real-world optimization problems with constraints. GM-MRFO combines the basic strategy of MRFO with the Gradient-based Mutation (GM) strategy, which is a feasibility-and-solution repair strategy adopted from the ϵ-Matrix-Adaptation Evolution Strategy ( MAgES). MRFO algorithm is not immune to the common problems confronted by constrained optimization algorithms where constraints in the optimization problem are incompatible, and a solution that satisfies all constraints does not exist. In such cases, the MRFO algorithm may not be able to find a feasible solution. Another challenge is the optimization algorithm converges to a solution that is not globally optimal. By introducing the GM strategy and using Jacobian approximation in finite differences, GM-MRFO can improve the feasibility of solutions throughout the search process, which enables it to handle constraints more effectively than its predecessor. The proposed algorithm's performance is evaluated by assessing the accuracy of the best solution produced, the feasibility rate, mean of violation, success rate, and the ranking based on a ranking scheme in the Congress on Evolutionary Computation 2020 (CEC2020). Specifically, GM-MRFO achieved a feasibility rate of 100% on 47 out of 57 CEC2020 real-world problems and improved adequately best-known solutions.

Primary Aortic Coarctation Repair in Adolescents and Adults

ObjectiveOptimal management of primary aortic coarctation in adolescents and adults remains controversial. We assess early and late mortality of repair, longitudinal anti-hypertensive regimens, and freedom from reintervention for repair-related complications. MethodsFrom 01/01/1999–07/01/2023, 110 adolescents or adults, mean age 39±16 years, underwent primary aortic coarctation repair at Cleveland Clinic. Patients were grouped by repair strategy: stented (60, 55%), grafted (interposition graft or extra-anatomic bypass; 36, 33%), or other (14, 13%). Longitudinal anti-hypertensive regimens were assessed parametrically. Freedom from reintervention and survival were assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Median follow-up for survival was 9.2 years. ResultsOne patient (0.91%) died in-hospital. Major morbidity included stroke (2/107, 1.9%), tracheostomy (2/107, 1.9%), acute renal failure requiring dialysis (1/108, 0.93%), iatrogenic aortic dissection (1/107, 0.93%) and vascular access complication (1/56, 1.8%). Prevalence of patients requiring zero anti-hypertensive medications postoperatively peaked within two years. Twelve-year freedom from reintervention was 69% in the stented group and 97% in the grafted group (P log-rank = .003). Most reinterventions were for in-stent restenosis of bare metal stents. Overall freedom from reintervention at one, five, and 12 years was 91%, 80%, and 76%. Overall survival was 98%, 95%, and 80% at five, 10, and 14 years. ConclusionsA tailored approach to coarctation repair in adolescents and adults utilizing stented repair when anatomically feasible yields excellent short-term outcomes, but patients require persistent hypertension monitoring and have lower than expected long-term survival. Covered stents or stent grafts are preferred to bare metal stents which are subject to in-stent restenosis.

A Comparison Between Culprit Versus Complete Revascularization in Diabetic Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction.

The benefit of complete revascularization in diabetic patients with myocardial infarction remains unclear. this study aims to find the optimal strategy of total vascular repair for diabetic patients with acute myocardial infarction. In an analysis of a cohort, we assigned diabetic patients with myocardial infarction who were undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of the culprit lesion to receive either staged complete revascularization of nonculprit lesions or to receive no further revascularization in Madani Hospital (Tabriz, Iran). Functionally significant nonculprit lesions were identified either by angiography. The primary outcome was rates of readmission, cardiac deaths, nonfatal myocardial re-infarction, and overall mortality at 1 year. In our center, a total of 1186 patients underwent primary-PCI treatment, among which 521 were diagnosed with diabetes. Ultimately, 393 patients were selected for inclusion in the study. Within this cohort, 271 individuals (68.9%) underwent repair of only the culprit vessels (group 1), while 122 individuals (31.1%) received a comprehensive staged restoration of the vessels (group 2). During this time, group 1 in comparison with group 2 experienced 204 (75.3%) versus 97 (79.5%) cases of readmission, 48 (17.7%) versus 8 (6.5%) instances of cardiac death, 22 (8.1%) versus 18 (14.7%) occurrences of nonfatal myocardial re-infarction. Notably, the incidence of cardiac death in group 2 were significantly lower than that in group 1 (p ≤ 0.05). For individuals diagnosed with diabetes, staged complete revascularization demonstrated a lower frequency of readmission, cardiac deaths, nonfatal myocardial reinfarction, and overall mortality, in contrast to revascularization that targeted only the culprit lesion.

Conductive hydrogels: Intelligent dressings for monitoring and healing chronic wounds

Abstract Conductive hydrogels (CHs) represent a burgeoning class of intelligent wound dressings, providing innovative strategies for chronic wound repair and monitoring. Notably, CHs excel in promoting cell migration and proliferation, exhibit powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and enhance collagen deposition and angiogenesis. These capabilities, combined with real-time monitoring functions, play a pivotal role in accelerating collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and continuous wound surveillance. This review delves into the preparation, mechanisms, and applications of CHs in wound management, highlighting their diverse and significant advantages. It emphasizes the effectiveness of CHs in treating various chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, infected wounds, temperature-related injuries, and athletic joint wounds. Additionally, it explores the diverse applications of multifunctional intelligent CHs in advanced wound care technologies, encompassing self-powered dressings, electrically-triggered drug delivery, comprehensive diagnostics and therapeutics, and scar-free healing. Furthermore, the review highlights the challenges to their broader implementation, explores the future of intelligent wound dressings, and discusses the transformative role of CHs in chronic wound management, particularly in the context of the anticipated integration of artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, this review underscores the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of CHs, delves into the prospects of intelligent wound dressings, and elucidates the transformative impact of CHs in managing chronic wounds, especially with the forthcoming integration of artificial intelligence (AI). This integration promises to facilitate predictive analytics and tailor personalized treatment plans, thereby further refining the healing process and elevating patient satisfaction. Addressing these challenges and harnessing emerging technologies, we postulate, will establish CHs as a cornerstone in revolutionizing chronic wound care, significantly improving patient outcomes.

Harnessing Hydrogen Sulfide in Injectable Hydrogels That Guide the Immune Response and Osteoclastogenesis Balance for Osteoporosis Treatment

Elevated levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and a dysregulated osteoclastogenesis balance frequently characterize the microenvironment of osteoporosis, which impedes the processes of healing and repair. Existing treatment approaches are limited in scope and rely primarily on factors and drugs. An injectable hydrogel designed for the ROS-responsive release of H2S gas is presented in this study. The first network of the hydrogel comprises sodium alginate (SA-SATO) chelated with S-aroylthiooxime (SATO) and an H2S-generating group, while the second network is composed of photocrosslinkable PEGDA. Through the integration of Cys-releasing microspheres that are reactive with ROS, a composite hydrogel was developed that exhibited advantageous mechanical characteristics and biosafety. The composite hydrogel effectively promoted osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells, modulated macrophage polarization, decreased inflammatory responses, and halted cell apoptosis, as evidenced by in vitro experiments. Additionally, it released H2S gas and mitigated excess ROS in cells. The efficacy of the composite hydrogel in promoting bone defect repair and regeneration in an osteoporotic model was further validated by in vivo findings. In summary, the composite hydrogel exhibits potential as a viable approach to address osteoporotic bone defects by harmonizing osteogenesis and osteoclast activity, modulating the microenvironment of bone injuries, and reducing inflammation. Consequently, it presents a viable strategy for the efficient repair of bone defects.

Enhancing intrinsic TGF-β signaling via heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycan regulation to promote mesenchymal stem cell capabilities and chondrogenesis for cartilage repair

Osteoarthritis burdens patients due to the limited regenerative capacity of chondrocytes. Traditional cartilage repair often falls short, necessitating innovative approaches. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for regeneration. Heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HS-GAGs) regulate cellular functions, making them a target for cartilage repair. This study highlights how Heparinase III (HepIII) cleaves intact HS-GAGs in bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs), enhancing their capabilities and specifically promoting chondrogenesis. HepIII-treated BM-MSCs cultured in a hanging drop device for three days, significantly increased cell number and aggregation into a cell sphere with early chondrogenesis. HepIII promoted BM-MSCs toward chondrogenesis, increasing type II collagen, intact HS-GAGs, and sulfated GAG content, while upregulating chondrogenic and heparan sulfate proteoglycan genes. Treatment with the TGF-β inhibitor (SB-431542) in HepIII-treated BM-MSCs demonstrated enhanced intrinsic transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and fibronectin expression. This approach also boosted BM-MSC self-renewal, immunosuppressive potential, and modified acetylated histone signatures, offering a cost-effective strategy for cartilage repair by addressing inflammation, metabolic changes, and the high costs of traditional TGF-β methods. From the results, HepIII-treated BM-MSCs show potential for use in combination with other biopolymers as injectable gels to improve cartilage repair in osteoarthritis patients in the near future.

Unveiling the Gut-Disc Axis: How Microbiome Dysbiosis Accelerates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

The gut microbiome (GM), often referred to as the second genome of the human body, plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes and mediates the development of numerous diseases. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is an age-related degenerative spinal disease characterized by the loss of disc height, hydration, and integrity, leading to pain and reduced mobility. Although the pathogenesis of IDD is not fully understood, recent studies suggest that dysbiosis of the gut microbiome may accelerate the progression of IDD through multiple mechanisms. This article begins by discussing the potential relationship between GM dysbiosis and human diseases, followed by a comprehensive review of the regulatory mechanisms of GM in skeletal diseases within the gut-disc axis framework. Furthermore, it explores three potential pathways through which GM dysbiosis may mediate the development of IDD: immunomodulation, bacterial translocation and colonization, and the decomposition and absorption of intestinal metabolites. These pathways can disrupt disc cell homeostasis and promote degenerative changes. Finally, this paper summarizes for the first time the potential therapeutic approaches for delaying IDD by targeting the gut-disc axis, providing new insights into the pathogenesis and regenerative repair strategies for IDD.

One-Step Gas Foaming Strategy for Constructing Strontium Nanoparticle Decorated 3D Scaffolds: a New Platform for Repairing Critical Bone Defects.

The management of critical-sized bone defects poses significant clinical challenges, particularly in the battlefield and trauma-related injuries. However, bone tissue engineering scaffolds that satisfy high porosity and good angiogenic and osteogenic functions are scarce. In this study, 3D nanofiber scaffolds decorated with strontium nanoparticles (3DS-Sr) were fabricated by combining electrospinning and gas foaming. Sodium borohydride (NaBH4) served a dual role as both a reducing and gas-foaming agent, enabling a one-step process for expansion and modification. In vitro experimental results demonstrated that 3DS-Sr possessed an integrated multilayered porous structure. It promoted angiogenesis by upregulating the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein and phosphorylation of ERK through the sustained release of Sr2+ and created a favorable microenvironment for osteogenesis by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In vivo experiments indicated that 3DS-Sr promoted cranial bone regeneration by synergistically promoting the effects of vascularization and osteogenesis. In summary, this study proposed a bioactive bone scaffold in a "one stone, two birds" manner, providing a promising strategy for bone defect repair.

A physics-informed neural network method for identifying parameters and predicting remaining life of fatigue crack growth

Predicting the remaining life of fatigue cracks is crucial for planning maintenance and repair strategies to prevent untoward incidents. This paper proposes a novel physics-informed neural network (PINN) method for identifying parameters and predicting remaining fatigue crack growth life (FCGL). Initially, the relationship between crack length and fatigue cycles is established through a neural network, and the gradient of fatigue cycles with respect to crack length is obtained by automatic differentiation. Subsequently, a composite loss function is designed to incorporate this gradient within the confines of physical knowledge, ensuring that the established relationship not only aligns with observed data but also adheres to physical knowledge. Furthermore, during the network training, the parameters in physical models are simultaneously updated to better conform to the individuality of the monitored subject. All predicted remaining FCGLs fall within the 1.5 times error band. Compared to purely data-driven or physics-based methods, the proposed method offers more robust and accurate predictions of remaining FCGLs.

The clinical prospects and challenges of photothermal nanomaterials in myocardium recovery after myocardial infarction.

The high morbidity and mortality rates associated with myocardial infarction pose a serious threat to human health. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial in saving the lives of patients. In recent years, nanomaterials-based technologies have played a significant role in developing new strategies for cardiac repair, particularly in the use of photothermal nanomaterials, which show great potential in treating myocardial infarction. This review aims to describe the characteristics of photothermal nanomaterials, their effects on cardiomyocyte proliferation and angiogenesis, and the mechanism of cardiac tissue repair. This review serves as a valuable reference for the application of photothermal nanomaterials in the treatment of myocardial infarction, with the ultimate goal of expediting the translation of these treatment strategies into clinical practice.

A photo-triggered bioactive nanohydrogel loaded with niobium carbide for stem cell osteogenic differentiation

Photo-Cross-Linkable hydrogel has attracted immense interest in the regeneration of bone repair and regeneration strategies due to its superior biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties. Recently, Nb was reported to strongly promote the bone regeneration process via an accelerated osteoblast-modulated alkaline phosphatase activity mechanism. In particular, Nb2C MXenes have drawn widespread attention due to their excellent biocompatibility and ability to induce bone formation. However, the easy agglomeration of Nb2C nanosheets and subsequent low cell endocytosis efficacy greatly suppressed the osteogenesis effect. In this study, a subtractive nanopore-engineered Nb2C MXene was prepared through a microwave combustion method, gelatin methacrylate was used as the carrier hydrogel, and the photo-triggered Porous-Nb2C@GelMA hydrogel was fabricated by a photo-triggered process. The pore-forming strategy not only successfully improved the distribution of Nb2C and formed more homogenous Porous-Nb2C@GelMA hydrogels but also guided bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) toward osteoblast differentiation. Porous Nb2C provided convenient cellular grasping and endocytosis for BMSCs, which further created a favorable environment for differentiation and osteogenesis. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the expression of osteogenic markers, such as ALP and ARS, as well as osteogenic factors, such as BMP-2, COL-1, OCN, and OPN. Consequently, enhancing the regenerative microenvironment by incorporating porous Nb2C composite hydrogels shows promise for application in bone regeneration.

From structure to therapy: the critical influence of cartilaginous endplates and microvascular network on intervertebral disc degeneration.

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is the largest avascular structure in the human body. The cartilaginous endplate (CEP) is a layer of translucent cartilage located at the upper and lower edges of the vertebral bodies. On one hand, CEPs endure pressure from within the IVD and the tensile and shear forces of the annulus fibrosus, promoting uniform distribution of compressive loads on the vertebral bodies. On the other hand, microvascular diffusion channels within the CEP serve as the primary routes for nutrient supply to the IVD and the transport of metabolic waste. Degenerated CEP, characterized by increased stiffness, decreased permeability, and reduced water content, impairs substance transport and mechanical response within the IVD, ultimately leading to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Insufficient nutrition of the IVD has long been considered the initiating factor of IDD, with CEP degeneration regarded as an early contributing factor. Additionally, CEP degeneration is frequently accompanied by Modic changes, which are common manifestations in the progression of IDD. Therefore, this paper comprehensively reviews the structure and physiological functions of CEP and its role in the cascade of IDD, exploring the intrinsic relationship between CEP degeneration and Modic changes from various perspectives. Furthermore, we summarize recent potential therapeutic approaches targeting CEP to delay IDD, offering new insights into the pathological mechanisms and regenerative repair strategies for IDD.

3D printed collagen scaffold for heart valve repair

Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting has emerged as a promising approach for the development of functional tissues and organs, including the heart valves. In this study, we investigated the interaction of 3D printed collagen scaffolds with H9c2(2–1) and NIH/3T3 cells to improve heart-valve repair strategies. Type I collagen was extracted from rat tails, characterized using SDS-PAGE and Raman spectroscopy, and used as a biomaterial ink for 3D printing. The rheological properties were evaluated. The FRESH technique was used to support the printed construct. In vitro assessments were performed to determine the cell viability and distribution within the scaffold. These results demonstrated the successful extraction and characterization of Type I collagen, which exhibited suitable rheological properties for 3D bioprinting. The printed collagen scaffolds supported the growth and distribution of H9c2(2–1) and NIH/3T3 cells, indicating their potential application in heart valve repair. This study highlights the importance of collagen as a biomaterial in 3D bioprinting and provides insights into the development of advanced strategies for heart valve repair.

PDS-UAV: A Deep Learning-Based Pothole Detection System Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Images

Smart cities utilize advanced technologies to enhance quality of life by improving urban services, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability. Effective pothole detection and repair strategies are essential for improving quality of life as they directly impact the comfort and safety of road users. In addition to causing serious harm to residents’ lives, potholes can also cause costly vehicle damage. In this study, a pothole detection system utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles, called PDS-UAV, is developed. The system aids in automatically detecting potholes using deep learning techniques and managing their status and repairs. In addition, it allows road users to view an overlay of the detected potholes on the maps based on their selected route, enabling them to avoid the potholes and increase their safety on the roads. Two data collection methods were used, an interview and a questionnaire, to gather data from the target system users. Based on the data analysis, the system’s requirements, design, and implementation were completed. For the pothole detection, a deep learning model using YOLOv8 was developed, which achieved an overall performance of 95%, 98%, and 92% for F1 score, precision, and recall, respectively. Different types of testing has been performed on the target users to ensure the system’s validity, effectiveness, and ease of use, including unit testing, integration testing, and usability testing. As a future work, more features will be added to the system in addition to improving the deep learning model accuracy.