Segmental Units Research Articles

Risk Factors for Early Subsidence of 3D-Printed Artificial Vertebral After Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion

ObjectiveThe subsidence of vertebral body replacement may occur after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) , which may lead to cervical kyphosis, spinal cord compression and neurological dysfunction. The authors aim to investigate the risk factors for early subsidence of 3D printed artificial vertebral (3D-PAVB) after ACCF surgery and to provide guidance for clinical practice. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of consecutive patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent ACCF surgery at Bethune Hospital of Shanxi from 2017 to 2020. The statistical data included age, gender, disease type, body mass index (BMI), surgical segment, vertebral height, Cobb Angle, and Hounsfeld Units (HU) values of the vertebral body and endplate. The clinical efficacy of the surgery was evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Follow-up data, such as VAS, JOA, NDI, and Cobb Angle, were obtained using a repeated-measures ANOVA analysis. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify the factors contributing to the early subsidence of the3D-PAVB, and independent risk factors were determined using logistic regression. The HU value was analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the Area Under Curve (AUC) to predict the subsidence of the 3D-PAVB. ResultsA total of 66 patients were included in the study, out of which 19 patients experienced subsidence of 3D-PAVB,resulting in an incidence rate of 28.8%. The postoperative JOA, VAS, and NDI scores showed significant improvement in both the subsidence and non-subsidence groups. Upon conducting univariate analysis, significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, diabetes, smoking, and lower vertebral Computed Tomography (CT) values. The average HU value of the subsidence group (251.39±52.615, n=19) was significantly lower than that of the non-subsidence group (317.06±73.587, n=47, p＜0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking and HU of the lower vertebra were independent risk factors for 3D-PAVB subsidence, with an AUC of 0.772 and an optimal threshold of 272 for HU (sensitivity 78.9%, specificity 74.5%). ConclusionThe occurrence of early subsidence of 3D-PAVB post ACCF surgery is influenced by two independent risk factors - smoking and low HU. To predict the likelihood of this outcome, it is advisable to consider smoking history and measure CT HU value prior to surgery. A lower CT HU value is indicative of a greater risk of subsidence.

Improved thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(ester amide)s containing lactam-derived segmental units

We prepared two different series of thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(ester amide)s (TPEAs) via bulk polycondensation reactions of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA, 75.0 mol %) and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA, 25.0–17.5 mol %) with ε-caprolactam (CL, 0.0–7.5 mol %) or γ-butyrolactam (BL, 0.0–7.5 mol %). Our investigation aimed to explore the impact of lactam-derived aliphatic amide units’ length and content on the liquid crystalline feature, microstructure, thermal transition, thermal stability, mechanical/relaxational/rheological behavior, and dielectric characteristics of TPEAs. The molecular structure and fibrillar formation of TPEAs containing aliphatic amide units were confirmed through FT-IR and SEM analysis. With increasing CL or BL-derived units from 1.0 mol % to 5.0 mol %, we observed an increase in crystallinity, glass transition temperature, melting temperature, complex melt viscosity, and storage modulus of TPEAs, attributed to the enhanced intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. However, at 7.5 mol % CL or BL-derived unit content, these properties decreased due to increased chain irregularity as well as lowered crystallinity. Notably, the dielectric constants (3.31–3.04 at 2 MHz) of TPEAs decreased with the increase of lactam-derived aliphatic amide units owing to the restricted chain mobility by intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. We believe that the TPEAs synthesized in this study hold significant potential for applications in technical plastics, superfibers, and printed circuit board materials.

Design and synthesis of dicyanoethylene derivatives functionalized with carbazole possessing the properties of obvious aggregation-induced emission and reversible high-contrast mechanofluorochromism

This study devotes to the design, preparation, and examination of two novel D-A structured molecules, designated as CCEDBF and BCCEDBF, which are derived from carbazole unit, dicyanoethylene segment, and dibenzofuran unit. The distinctive D-A molecular architectures and highly twisted spatial configurations of these compounds facilitate pronounced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) while also imparting robust solid-state luminescence, exhibiting emission efficiencies of 0.518 and 0.739, respectively, and notable aggregation-induced emission (AIE) with AIE factors of 43 and 30. Significantly, both CCEDBF and BCCEDBF demonstrate reversible mechanofluorochromic (MFC) behavior characterized by high fluorescence contrast. Mechanical grinding of the initial powders results in a shift in their emission colors, transitioning from green and yellow-green to yellow and orange-red, respectively, alongside a corresponding shift in emission peaks from 525 nm to 536 nm–558 nm and 597 nm. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) examination of the initially synthesized, mechanically processed, and vaporized samples reveals that the observed fluorescence color change is due to a structural transformation between ordered crystalline and disordered amorphous configurations induced by the application of the external force. The red shift in photoluminescence (PL) spectra post-grinding is attributed to a reduced band gap, driven by factors such as extended π-conjugation length, enhanced planar intramolecular charge transfer (PICT) effect, strengthened π-π interactions and exciton coupling, as well as the increase in the orbitals overlap between neighboring molecular. Moreover, the presence or absence of tert-butyl substituents attaching to the 3- and 6-positions of the carbazole units significantly impacts the photophysical properties of these materials.

Uncountable group of continuous transformations of unit segment preserving tails of Q_2-representation of numbers

We consider two-base Q2-representation of numbers of segment [0;1] which is defined by two bases q0 ∈ (0;1), q1 = 1-q0 and alphabet A={0,1}, (αn) ∈ A × A × .... It is a generalization of classic binary representation q0=1/2. In the article we prove that the set of all continuous bijections of segment [0;1] preserving "tails" of Q2-representation of numbers forms an uncountable non-abelian group with respect to composition such that it is a subgroup of the group of continuous transformations preserving frequencies of digits of Q2-representation of numbers. Construction of such transformations (bijections) is based on the left and right shift operators for digits of Q2-representation of numbers.

Design and mediated hydrogen bonding strength of Poly(styrene-alt- N–(ethyl–4–hydroxyphenyl)maleimide) copolymer to enhance miscibility with hydrogen bonded acceptor homopolymers

In this study, the monomer N–(ethyl–4–hydroxyphenyl)maleimide (TyHPMI) was synthesized from tyramine and maleic anhydride. Subsequently, free radical copolymerization was used to prepare the poly(S–alt–TyHPMI) alternating copolymer by reacting TyHPMI with styrene. We confirmed the chemical structure using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The sequence distribution of the poly(S–alt–TyHPMI) alternating copolymer was analyzed using mass–analyzed laser desorption ionization/time–of–flight (MALDI–TOF) mass spectrometry. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements showed a single glass transition temperature (Tg) across various weight fractions of binary blended systems containing strong hydrogen–bonded acceptors, such as poly(S–alt–TyHPMI)/poly(4–vinyl pyridine) (P4VP) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) PVP, implying full miscibility. The Tg values predicted by kwei equation for the poly(S–alt–TyHPMI)/P4VP and poly(S–alt–TyHPMI)/PVP blends show a positive deviation from linearity. This deviation is due to the short alkyl chain reinforcing the addition of acidic TyHPMI units, which enhances intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the pyridyl or C=O groups and the OH units of the TyHPMI segment. As a result, FTIR spectral analyses indicate that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between pyridyl and C=O groups is stronger in the poly(S–alt–TyHPMI) copolymer compared to the poly(S–alt–HPMI) copolymer. This is supported by the larger ratio of the inter/self-association equilibrium constant (KA/KB) value.

Synthesis and Characterizations of Novel Copolymers with Zwitterionic Moiety-Based Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Solid-State Lithium Metal Battery

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become the dominant choice in the automotive industry, displacing internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) to some extent. The development of high-efficiency batteries is essential to meet these market demands. Conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which consist of a cathode, anode, separator, and liquid electrolyte (such as 1M LiPF6 in carbonate solvents), have been widely utilized in portable electronic devices, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and EVs. This popularity is attributed to their relatively high energy density and extended cycle life [1]. However, LIBs with energy density exceeding 240 Wh kg-1 face challenges in terms of thermal stability, potentially leading to fire and explosions by overcharging or accidental cell penetration. This drawback significantly hinders their application in automotive settings [2, 3]. In response to these safety concerns, there is a shift towards incorporating solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) as a replacement for liquid electrolytes. SSEs include solid polymer electrolyte (SPE), inorganic solid electrolyte (ISE), and composite polymer electrolyte (CPE).Solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) incorporating SPE hold significant promise for advancing energy storage technologies due to their high energy density and improved safety features. However, the low ionic conductivity and ionic transference number of SPEs present challenges in their application for solid-state batteries. This work focuses on designing novel copolymers with polar soft unit and zwitterionic unit to address these challenges.In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) and sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) were selected as the polar soft segment and zwitterionic unit, respectively. Various ratios of PEGMEA/SBMA in copolymers were synthesized and characterized, and the resultant SPEs consisting of resultant copolymers and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) were prepared. Subsequently, their electrochemical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties were systematically investigated. The copolymers-based SPEs exhibited improved electrochemical properties. The optimized SPE comprising the copolymer with the molar ratio of PEGMEA/SBMA = 1/3 and 50 wt% LiTFSI exhibited the ionic conductivity of approx. 2×10–4 S cm–1, lithium-ion transference number of approx. 0.3, Li+ diffusion coefficient of 15×10-12 cm² s-1, and oxidation stability of 5.2 V (vs. Li/Li+) at 25 oC. Additionally, the mechanical properties of such SPEs were assessed, showing improved tensile strength (up to approx. 6 MPa) and Young’s modulus (up to approx. 83 MPa) with increasing SBMA content. The selected SPE with the best electrochemical properties was sandwiched between a Li metal electrode and a LiFePO4 electrode to assemble a SSLMB. As a result, the discharge capacity (DC) at 0.1 C-rate and room temperature was approx. 170 mA h g–1. Furthermore, the DC at a 0.5 C-rate was approx. 146 mA h g–1, and the capacity retention of 70% obtained after 470 cycles. In summary, this work demonstrates the potential of tailored copolymers with zwitterionic moiety-based SPEs for SSLMB. The comprehensive characterization and performance assessments provide valuable insights into the design and optimization of polymer electrolytes for next-generation energy storage systems.The copolymers and corresponding SPEs underwent characterization through various techniques such as DSC, SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The Ionic conductivity of the SPEs was determined by analyzing the results obtained from EIS measurement. The lithium-ion diffusion coefficient (DLi+) for SPE in a symmetric SSLMB cell, Li/SPE/Li, was also calculated based on the EIS results [4]. The oxidation stability window of the SPE was measured using the linear sweep voltammetry technique, and the ion transfer number was determined using the Evans-Vincent-Bruce method [5].

Differentiation of Acute Internal Carotid Artery Occlusion Etiology on Computed Tomography Angiography: Diagnostic Tree for Preparing Endovascular Treatment.

This study aimed to identify the imaging characteristics and discriminate the etiology of acute internal carotid artery occlusion (ICAO) on computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients who underwent endovascular thrombectomy for acute ICAO. Contrast filling of the extracranial ICA in preprocedural CTA was considered apparent ICAO. Non-contrast filling of the extracranial ICA was evaluated according to the contrast-filled lumen configuration, lumen margin and location, Hounsfield units of the non-attenuating segment, and presence of calcification or an intimal flap. Digital subtraction angiography findings were the reference standard for ICAO etiology and the occlusion site. A diagnostic tree was derived using significant variables according to pseudo-occlusion, atherosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD), thrombotic occlusion, and dissection. A total of 114 patients showed apparent ICAO (n = 21), pseudo-occlusion (n = 51), ASVD (n = 27), thrombotic occlusion (n = 9), or dissection (n = 6). Most pseudo-occlusions (50/51, 98.0%) showed dependent locations with ill-defined contrast column margins and classic flame or beak shapes. The most common occlusion site of pseudo-occlusion was the petro-cavernous ICA (n = 32, 62.7%). Apparent ICAO mainly appeared in cases with occlusion distal to the posterior communicating artery orifice. ASVD showed beak or blunt shapes in the presence of low-density plaques or dense calcifications. Dissection revealed flame- or beak-shaped appearances with circumscribed margins. Thrombotic occlusions tended to appear blunt-shaped. The decision-tree model showed a 92.5% overall accuracy. CTA characteristics may help diagnose ICAO etiology. We provide a simple and easy decision-making model to inform endovascular thrombectomy.

Automatic vessel attenuation measurement for quality control of contrast-enhanced CT: Validation on the portal vein.

Adequate image enhancement of organs and blood vessels of interest is an important aspect of image quality in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT). There is a need for an objective method for evaluation of vessel contrast that can be automatically and systematically applied to large sets of CTexams. The purpose of this work was to develop a method to automatically segment and measure attenuation Hounsfield Unit (HU) in the portal vein (PV) in contrast-enhanced abdomen CTexaminations. Input CT images were processed by a vessel enhancing filter to determine candidate PV segmentations. Multiple machine learning (ML) classifiers were evaluated for classifying a segmentation as corresponding to the PV based on segmentation shape, location, and intensity features. A public data set of 82 contrast-enhanced abdomen CT examinations was used to train the method. An optimal ML classifier was selected by training and tuning on 66 out of the 82 exams (80% training split) in the public data set. The method was evaluated in terms of segmentation classification accuracy and PV attenuation measurement accuracy, compared to manually determined ground truth, on a test set of the remaining 16 exams (20% test split) held out from public data set. The method was further evaluated on a separate, independently collected test set of 21examinations. The best classifier was found to be a random forest, with a precision of 0.892 in the held-out test set to correctly identify the PV from among the input candidate segmentations. The mean absolute error of the measured PV attenuation relative to ground truth manual measurement was 13.4HU. On the independent test set, the overall precision decreased to 0.684. However, the PV attenuation measurement remained relatively accurate with a mean absolute error of 15.2HU. The method was shown to accurately measure PV attenuation over a large range of attenuation values, and was validated in an independently collected dataset. The method did not require time-consuming manual contouring to supervise training. The method may be applied to systematic quality control of contrast-enhanced CTexaminations.

Consumer reactions to packaging-free product dispensers: a variety of buyers' profiles to consider

PurposeThis study investigates consumer reactions to dispensers offering solid packaging-free products (e.g. pasta, lentils, cereals) integrated in a delimitated area in a grocery store. More specifically, the research examines the impacts of the overall appeal of packaging-free solid food product dispensers and their perceived ease of use on consumers' intention to use these dispensers and purchase packaging-free products. Moreover, using a set of variables, different buyer profiles are highlighted.Design/methodology/approachThe field study for this research was conducted in a delimitated area (i.e. a shop within a shop) dedicated to solid packaging-free products (e.g. pasta, lentils, cereals) in a university cooperative store in the province of Quebec, Canada. A total of 456 buyers and consumers of packaging-free products from this store took part in the field study and completed our survey.FindingsThis study shows packaging-free dispensers' overall appeal and perceived ease of use to be determinants of consumers' intention to use these dispensers and purchase packaging-free products. The Rebus (response-based procedure for detecting unit segments) method highlights the need to consider three buyer profiles (enthusiastic, pragmatic, and sceptical) with different reactions to the specific dispensers used by retailers for packaging-free products.Originality/valueThis study focuses on buyers' reactions to packaging-free dispensers in stores, during the purchase process, whereas previous ones highlighted the drivers of and barriers to consumer adoption of packaging-free products (before the purchasing process starts). It also points to the need to fine-tune the segmentation of consumers of packaging-free products, which must be based not only on consumers' previous experience or familiarity with these products but also on the integration of their drivers and barriers.

The interplay between spatial and non-spatial grouping cues over approximate number perception.

Humans and animals share the cognitive ability to quickly extract approximate number information from sets. Main psychophysical models suggest that visual approximate numerosity relies on segmented units, which can be affected by Gestalt rules. Indeed, arrays containing spatial grouping cues, such as connectedness, closure, and even symmetry, are underestimated compared to ungrouped arrays with equal low-level features. Recent evidence suggests that non-spatial cues, such as color-similarity, also trigger numerosity underestimation. However, in natural vision, several grouping cues may coexist in the scene. Notably, conjunction of grouping cues (color and closure) reduces perceived numerosity following an additive rule. To test whether the conjunction-effect holds for other Gestalt cues, we investigated the effect of connectedness and symmetry over numerosity perception both in isolation and, critically, in conjunction with luminance similarity. Participants performed a comparison-task between a reference and a test stimulus varying in numerosity. In Experiment 1, test stimuli contained two isolated groupings (connectedness or luminance), a conjunction (connectedness and luminance), and a neutral condition (no groupings). Results show that point of subjective equality was higher in both isolated grouping conditions compared to the neutral condition. Furthermore, in the conjunction condition, the biases from isolated grouping cues added linearly, resulting in a numerosity underestimation equal to the sum of the isolated biases. In Experiment 2 we found that conjunction of symmetry and luminance followed the same additive rule. These findings strongly suggest that both spatial and non-spatial isolated cues affect numerosity perception. Crucially, we show that their conjunction effect extends to symmetry and connectedness.

Hydromorphological analysis of the middle Sebou river system (Eastern Saïss basin, Morocco): Functioning, morphogenesis, and antecedent controls

The hydromorphological characteristics of the Middle Sebou Valley were examined across various scales within a nested fluvial system, including catchment, landscape unit, valley segment, reach, and geomorphic unit. This study aims to explore hydromorphological functioning, morphogenesis of sedimentary forms, and antecedent controls on contemporary hydromorphological processes. The valley spans two distinct landscapes: the tabular plateaus of the Middle Atlas and the hills of the Saïss foreland basin. The valley is divided into three homogeneous reaches based on the landscape unit traversed and the valley setting, including the degree of confinement, the absence or presence of the floodplain, and the channel planform. In the Plateaus landscape unit, the upstream reach R1 is confined to deep gorges and displays a sinuous pattern. In contrast, the middle reach R2 in the rounded hills landscape unit is partially confined, showing a sinuous to slightly sinuous pattern with entrenched meanders and a tendency to braid. Finally, the downstream reach R3 is laterally unconfined and generally meandering, with free meanders. Along these reaches, floodplain pockets are respectively absent, discontinuous, and continuous. Each type of reach is characterized by an assemblage of instream and floodplain units genetically linked by a process-form association and by a different natural capacity for adjustment. The geomorphic river diversity and its behavior along the Middle Sebou catchment are shaped by the imprint of geological, climatic, and anthropic memory, which continues to influence contemporary processes.

Restoration of Range of Motion in the Cervical Spine through Single-Segment Artificial Disc Replacement Using the Baguera®C Prosthesis.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a standard procedure for degenerative diseases of the cervical spine, providing nerve decompression and spinal stabilization. However, it limits cervical spine motility, restricts fused segment activity, and may lead to adjacent degeneration. Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is an accepted alternative that preserves the structure and flexibility of the cervical spine. This study aimed to explore the dynamic changes in the range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine after CDA using a viscoelastic artificial disc, as well as the factors affecting mobility restoration. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 132 patients who underwent single-level anterior cervical discectomy and CDA from January 2015 to June 2022. Result: Analysis of data from 132 patients revealed a significant improvement in clinical outcomes. The mean ROM of C2-C7 and functional spinal unit (FSU) segments significantly increased from 2 to 36 months post-operatively. Cervical spine flexibility was preserved and enhanced after prosthesis implantation. However, it took six months for the cervical spine motility to stabilize. In addition, sex and age were found to impact motility restoration, with female and younger patients exhibiting larger ROMs post-surgery. Additionally, CDA at the C5-C6 level resulted in the greatest increase in ROM, potentially improving overall kinematic ability. Conclusions: Single-segment artificial disc arthroplasty effectively restores the ROM in degenerative cervical spine conditions.

Evaluating the BBC’s L2 approach to teaching English consonants online: A digitally oriented pedagogic phonetic analysis

The vast majority of online L2 teaching platforms have always remained preoccupied with digitalising demonstrable pedagogic practices that facilitate the learners’ comprehension of linguistic input on the digital screen. This is particularly observable in the field of L2 phonetics where instructors’ performance (vocalic, facial, and bodily) typically reflects such pedagogic practices based on their theoretical knowledge of the field. However, it is not always the case that instructors’ pedagogic-phonetic performance can demonstrate or stage this form of phonetics knowledge, even with the ubiquitous presence of Internet ‘digital gadgets’ that are technologically enabled by L2 teaching platforms online. As a corollary to this problem, the present study continues and develops previous research conducted by the author on a pedagogic-phonetic critique of the BBC’s Internet-based L2 teaching of English vowels. A synthetic methodology of Bernstein’s model of Pedagogic Recontextualising Field (PRF) and Moinuddin’s theoretical notion of ‘digital gadgets’ is utilised as DPRF to demonstrate how the BBC’s online L2 teaching of English consonantal pronunciations, though digitally transforming text-theoretic phonetics descriptions, has partially failed to employ crucial aspects of pronunciation pertaining specifically to voicing and manner of articulation. The research data comprises 22 video-based screenshots drawn from the BBC Learning English website with materials archived for public use. Informed by the above synthetic methodology of DPRF, the present study concluded that the BBC’s online teaching of English consonants has set up what can be described as a partial digital PRF; this has been ascribed to the proven hypothesis that the BBC-based website proffers a restricted space for digitally recontextualising ‘visible’ practices associated with consonantal pronunciation to the exclusion of phonetically productive aspects of L2 teaching segmental units of English consonants. As such, these aspects are recommended to be incorporated into the phonetic-pedagogic practices afforded by the BBC’s digital PRF (DPRF).

Shape‐Memory Alloy‐Based Auxetic Smart Metamaterials: Enabling Inherently Bidirectional Actuation

Auxetic metamaterials, characterized by their negative Poisson's ratio, have garnered significant interest in various fields due to their unique mechanical properties. This article presents a pioneering approach to the development of auxetic smart metamaterials using shape memory alloy (SMA) as the core material. As SMAs can be Joule heated to change between their low‐ and high‐temperature phases to trigger the actuation of the structure, the auxetic smart metamaterial can actively modify its shape and stiffness to produce bidirectional actuation with a single power input and using a single bias mechanical element. The proposed active auxetic metamaterial consists of an SMA plate patterned with auxetic cuts, creating hinges that modulate the deformation of the structure to produce an auxetic behavior. This work looks at the impact of different geometric parameters on the behavior of the structure, including its generated force, its maximum strain, and its Poisson's ratio. The study also investigates the effect of the number of segmented units, revealing that designs with more segmented units suffer from stress concentrations near attachment points, limiting their advantages. This article shows that smart materials can help imbue metamaterials such as auxetic metamaterials with active properties to facilitate their implementation in future robotic applications.

Study of the antigenic characteristics of red blood cells units and their sickle cell disease recipients and the G6PD activity of transfused red blood cells units

IntroductionTransfusion has a central place in the treatment of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Matching blood groups of red blood cell (RBC) units with the blood groups of the patient is essential to prevent alloimmunization and delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction. African ancestry donors have the best phenocompatibility with patients of the same origin, however their RBCs may present characteristic that can alter quality of the unit such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. The objective is to analyze transfusion protocol, immunization rate and mismatch situations of SCD recipients and to evaluate the frequency of G6PD deficiency in RBCs units from African ancestry donors. MethodsSamples of units transfused to SCD patients were analyzed. Transfusion data were collected from institutional databases. The activity of G6PD was measured in the segment of the RBC units. ResultsA total of 98 segments of units transfused to 37 SCD recipients in 41 transfusions episodes was collected. Among patients, 35.1% (n = 13) had no antibodies; 10.8% (n = 4) had antibodies against Fya/Fyb, Jka/Jkb, M/N, S/s; 21.6% (n = 8) against RH/K antigens. In all cases, the protocols were in line with the recommendations. G6PD deficiency was observed in 9 units, that were all collected from Afro-Caribbean donors. ConclusionThe transfusion protocol is established to prevent immunological reactions due to disparities in blood group antigens between donors and SCD recipients. However, the units of African ancestry donors, which allowed the best compatibility, displayed a high rate of G6PD deficiency. The storage and recovery impact of this deficiency must be evaluated.

An MIU-based deep embedded clustering model for urban functional zoning from remote sensing images and VGI data

Urban functional zoning offers valuable insights into urban morphology and sustainable development. However, the conventional fixed spatial units, such as blocks and grids, cannot easily capture the morphological characteristics inherent in functional union and separation during urban evolution. In this paper, by taking advantage of remote sensing images and geospatial big data, we propose a minimum identification unit (MIU)-based urban functional zoning model. This approach integrates the deep embedded clustering of buildings to generate the spatial unit segmentation, and then identifies the urban function by generating semantic vectors with the Word2Vec model. The effectiveness of the proposed method was tested in the city of Wuhan in China. The results highlight that MIUs provide a more flexible and suitable unit for segmenting urban functional zones compared to traditional street blocks. The proposed method is a feasible way to deal with the semantic redundancy of volunteered geographic information (VGI) data when identifying urban function, and the quality issue only has a significant impact on the minor functional types. Moreover, the building clustering results can effectively reveal the fine-scale urban structure, especially for the administration, manufacturing, and residential types. This demonstrates the potential of our approach in enhancing the understanding of urban morphology and supporting sustainable urban development.

Research on vibration response of 550 kV GIL isolation compensation unit against earthquake loading

To analyze the vibration response of Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GIL) of urban power grid under different seismic intensity levels, based on the actual structure of the standard isolation compensation unit (isolation unit and compensation unit) of 550kV GIL, A fine 3D model of isolation compensation unit segment of 550 kV GIL was established, and the actual vibration response of each standard unit segment of GIL under different seismic conditions was studied by response spectrum analysis. This study clarified the action mechanism and law of GIL vibration characteristics under seismic conditions of urban power grids, provided the relative support for the research of shock absorption of GIL, and was great significance to the actual project of GIL.

From work unit segmentation to occupational segmentation: non-smooth structural changes in China’s labor market from 1994 to 2018

China’s labor market has changed dramatically since the beginning of reform and opening up. Previous studies have pointed out that marketization changed the segmentation structure of China’s labor market. However, there was a lack of theoretical derivation of the mechanism, and empirical analysis was relatively rough due to methodological limitations. In this study, a pseudo-employer mobility temporal network was constructed for China’s labor market from 1994 to 2018. Based on the temporal network analysis, this study finds the following: first, China’s labor market is now structurally more open and flexible than it was before market-oriented reforms; second, the labor market in China has seen a shift from work unit segmentation to occupational segmentation; third, non-smoothness manifests itself in the structural changes in China’s labor market. China’s labor market quickly disintegrated after the launch of market-oriented reforms in the 1990s and then ushered in a turbulent period of drastic changes. It was after this turbulent period had ended that the present labor market structure took shape.

Singular cell homology

In the paper we generalize the singular cubical homology theory of digraphs and introduce a collection of cell singular homologies that are parametrized by a natural parameter of the category of digraphs. The natural parameter corresponds to the “length” of a directed line digraph that corresponds to the unit segment in algebraic topology. The introduced earlier singular cubical homology is a particular case of this collection that corresponds to the line digraph with one arrow. We describe relations between these theories for different parameters given by a natural number and study their basic properties. In particular, we prove the functoriality and homotopy invariance of these theories and compare the theory with the path homology theory that was introduced in our previous papers. Then we describe the transfer of the cell singular homology theories to the categories of graphs, quivers, and multigraphs.

가능세계의 양상 논리 시스템을 활용한 전설 서사 분석 모델 연구

This study develops a new analysis methodology for legendary narratives based on the possible world theory. As part of this, it develops a narrative analysis model. Unlike “traditional narratology,” possible world theory enables new and diverse approaches related to narrative by establishing various worlds created through stories, and it allows the establishment of related hypotheses and theories. Particularly, it provides a methodology for a new understanding of narratives that are difficult to establish in literature or history, such as legendary narratives.
 Legends are often regarded as fictional narratives that have a certain degree of historicity with temporal and spatial limitations and evidence but are differentiated from history. However, according to White, history is also a fictional narrative that creates a specific world by constructing a plot and indicates a specific ideology or meaning. Finally, historical narratives are simply narratives related to the history of actual events, whereas legendary narratives are non-historical narratives about a world believed to have existed. By breaking away from the conventional perspective of mimesis and assuming various possible worlds, we can plan a new methodology for narrative research by examining the worlds presented by narratives.
 In this discussion, a model for analyzing legend narratives was presented using Doležel's modal logic system. The alethic, deontic, axiological, and epistemic plots were established as segmented units and analysis items that operate in the story world. The modes of each stage of the narrative were analyzed and connected to create meaning in the form of a single sentence. This analysis model was applied to Song Si-yeol legends handed down in the Goesan region to analyze the composition principles of the narrative text and the meaning of the narrative. By applying the secondary narrative analysis model using a modal logic system, it is possible to examine the semantics of the story world within a systematic framework, rather than simply finding the primary indicative meaning or subjective and abstract commentary of the legendary narratives.