Search Results (8)

Background/Objectives: In an attempt to combine the benefits of the Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) laser and Thulium Fiber Laser (TFL), the “Magneto” mode lowers the peak power of the Ho:YAG laser, generating longer duration pulses. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of the standard virtual basket (VB) Ho:YAG laser, Magneto Ho:YAG laser and TFL on soft tissue in an ex vivo model. Methods: Two renal units from a female pig were used for the current experiment. Sixteen distinct areas were defined. Each area included three parallel lines, which were made with the three different laser technologies. The VB Ho:YAG laser was used for the first line and the Ho:YAG laser in the “Magneto mode” was used to generate the second line, while the third line was performed with a TFL in short pulse mode. The same laser settings (1 J/10 Hz/10 W) and the same fiber diameter (200 μm) were used for all three laser incisions. The same surgeon performed all incisions with a standardized and repeatable technique, controlling hand speed and distance of laser fiber from kidney surface using the stabilization setup. Sections of the selected areas produced distinct paraffin blocks, each one containing three parallel laser lines. Two independent pathologists evaluated the incision depth, incision width, coagulation depth and carbonization effect of the three different lasers. Results: Although the incision depth and the carbonization effect were comparable between the three lasers, incision width and coagulation depth showed a statistically significant difference. Median incision width was 1.17 (1.04, 1.99) mm for the VB Ho:YAG laser, 1.05 (0.89, 1.50) mm for the Magneto Ho:YAG laser and 0.82 (0.65, 0.88) mm for the TFL (p = 0.001). The coagulation depth was 0.49 (0.41, 0.56) mm for the VB Ho:YAG laser, 0.51 (0.39, 0.59) mm for the Magneto Ho:YAG laser and 0.18 (0.17, 0.23) mm for the TFL (p < 0.001). During post hoc analysis for the three comparisons, the differences between the VB Ho:YAG laser and TFL and between the Magneto Ho:YAG laser and TFL were statistically significant for both parameters. Conclusions: Both the VB and Magneto Ho:YAG lasers produced laser incisions with statistically significant greater incision width and coagulation depth than the TFL on the ex vivo model. Overall, the Magneto Ho:YAG laser was associated with the greatest median coagulation depth. Post Hoc Man–Whitney tests for the three comparisons revealed statistically significant differences only between the VB Ho:YAG laser and TFL and between the Magneto Ho:YAG laser and TFL. This finding could potentially be translated into better haemostasis during endourological soft tissue surgery. The implementation of additional studies, both experimental and clinical ones, is of outmost importance to draw safer conclusions. Full article

The advent of remote control and autonomous technologies is fundamentally transforming ship manning models, necessitating adaptations in seafarer standards for L2-class autonomous vessels. To address these challenges, the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) is developing a non-mandatory Code for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). This paper first conducts an in-depth analysis of the immutable legal obligations and variable technical standards governing seafarer manning for L2 autonomous ships, drawing on the China Classification Society’s (CCS) Rules for Intelligent Ships. It then scrutinizes the international legal barriers confronting CCS manning requirements, particularly concerning remote operator qualifications. The study focuses on aligning China’s regulatory framework with emerging IMO standards and proposes four targeted reforms to facilitate this alignment for L2 vessels: broadening the “seafarer” definition, updating minimum manning principles and procedures, modernizing competency standards, and establishing inclusive operational testing systems. Full article

Background: Body representation is a complex process involving sensory, motor, and cognitive information. Frequently, it is disrupted after a stroke, impairing rehabilitation, emotional functioning, and daily functioning. The human figure graphic representation has emerged as a holistic tool to assess post-stroke outcomes. Objectives: This systematic review examines the methodologies of human figure representation tests and their application in assessing post-stroke body representation, emphasizing its role in bridging subjective patient experiences with objective metrics. Methods: This review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. A literature search was conducted through the databases PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, collecting publications eligible for qualitative analysis. We selected studies where patients drew human figures in the study design to assess body representation, involving exclusively the adult stroke population. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: Ten studies were analyzed. The tool demonstrated versatility in capturing unilateral spatial neglect, emotional disturbances, and functional independence. Qualitative metrics and quantitative indices correlated with cognitive deficits, mood disorders, and activities of daily living. Human figure representation also predicted rehabilitation outcomes, with improvements aligning with motor recovery. Innovations included digital quantification of evaluation metrics. Conclusions: Human figure graphic representation is a low-cost, adaptable tool bridging motor, cognitive, and emotional assessments in stroke survivors. While methodological variability persists, AI-driven analytics and standardized frameworks could enhance objectivity. Future research should prioritize validating parameters and developing hybrid models combining traditional qualitative insights with machine learning, thus advancing precision neurorehabilitation and personalized care. Full article

This study deals with berth allocation for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASSs) in the context of the mixed operation of MASSs and manned vessels from the perspective of port-shipping companies’ collaboration. Two berth allocation strategies, namely the separated-type and the mixed-type, are proposed in this article. Two mixed integer nonlinear programming models aimed at minimizing the total docking cost of the vessels in the port and the waiting time for berths are developed and solved using Gurobi, respectively. A large-scale simulation of the mixed-type berth allocation model is carried out using an improved simulated annealing algorithm. Several experiments are conducted to test the effectiveness of the model and to draw insights for commercializing autonomous vessels. The presented results show that multi-objective modeling and optimization should be conducted from the collaboration of port-shipping companies, which is more efficient from the perspective of shipping companies or ports, respectively. When berth resources are limited or there is a high requirement for operational safety, the separated-type berth allocation strategy is more efficient. When the number of MASS-dedicated berths reaches a certain proportion, the total docking cost of the vessel no longer changes, indicating that more dedicated berths are not better. Full article

The paper depicts and describes the observation of a remarkable post-stroke production of paintings made by a 54-year-old, right-handed man who suffered an acute right hemispheric stroke. The patient’s post-stroke productivity and the spatial distribution of text and drawings were assessed by means of structural analysis of the paintings, as well as neuropsychological and creativity testing. Compared to the age-matched healthy control group, the patient did not only produce more valid answers in the verbal creativity task, but he also drew more images in the figural creativity task. Most strikingly, the painted images were located on the right side in 70% of the paintings, while the text was aligned to the left side in 42% of the paintings. This dissociation between writing and painting behavior was further mirrored in the patient’s neuropsychological performance in a reading test and in a design fluency task. This observation of an increased post-stroke production of paintings may coin a new term, i.e., “hyperzographia”, in analogy to hypergraphia. Additionally, the puzzling dissociation of the writing and painting behavior highlights an important new clinical aspect concerning a differential influence of hemispatial neglect on writing and painting. Full article

How to combine science and technology with the humanities in the research on ancient cities to reveal ancient peoples’ urban planning thoughts is worthy of in-depth study. The capitals of the Western Han dynasty as well as the Sui and Tang dynasties were some of the greatest cities in the world at the time. This paper takes them as its subjects and puts forward a method to study the spatial relationship between ancient cities and the natural environment by combining spatial information technology and cultural analysis. Firstly, satellite images, elevation maps, urban ichnographies, and literature materials were collected and sorted to deeply understand the cultural thoughts involved in ancient urban planning; based on this, key element points were marked and rechecked on the spot, and the above drawings were accurately superimposed by GIS technology to form a geographic information base that integrated multisource information. Then, Python was used to construct a “decision model of spatial relationship between urban elements and natural elements”, and rules as well as parameters were set through man–machine collaboration. The decision model was used to test the geographic information base, and the information of strong correlations between urban objects and natural objects was outputted. The drawings were exported after screening, and a visual expression was realized with Illustrator software. The research results indicated that this analysis method was feasible, effective, and easy to promote. The new archaeological discoveries included eight important line segments with a 9:6 proportional relationship (which represents the balance of Yin and Yang) and two important line segments with a 9:5 proportional relationship (which represents the supreme imperial power) in the capitals of the Western Han dynasty as well as the Sui and Tang dynasties, and 16 contraposition lines in a positive direction or oblique 45° direction (which reflects the close relationship between urban elements and natural elements). We consider that the two capitals were intentionally closely related to natural environments such as mountain peaks and valley entrances in the planning stage, and that proportions and scales with profound humanistic meaning were selected. The capital of the Sui and Tang dynasties was specially aligned with the capital of the Western Han dynasty in space. These characteristics embody ancient Chinese Confucian cultural thoughts such as the “integration of yang and yin”, “harmony between nature and humans”, the “supremacy of emperors”, and the “use of numbers and shapes to convey meaning”. Full article

Background: Tests based on human figure drawings (HFD) have captured the attention of clinicians and psychologists for a long time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of HFD of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) relative to typically developing (TD) controls. Methods: All children were asked to draw three human figures (man, woman, self-portrait) and were evaluated with a neuropsychological battery. HFD were scored according to the Maturity Scale, and correlative approaches testing maturity against neuropsychological scores were applied. Results: ASDs presented marked deficits in maturity. No significant correlation emerged for both groups between maturity and the theory of mind test. On the contrary, positive and significant correlations between maturity and the affect recognition test (AR) were found, with group-specific patterns. In TD, this result regarded drawings of others, but not self-portraits, while an opposite pattern emerged for ASD, whose sole maturity in self-portraits significantly correlated with the AR scores. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the use of HFD tests with individuals with autism may not be used in clinical practices. However, in basic research, HFDs could be used to highlight dependencies between drawing performance and neuropsychological features, thus possibly providing hints on the functioning of autism. Full article

Migraine pain is usually cyclic and may be evocated by inflammatory mediators released around the nerves and blood vessels. Acute migraine pain is more common in women than in men, and correlates with age. In this study, we report the development of an acute migraine attack in a young man (32 years old), which led to his admission to the emergency department. The positive functional brain changes recorded by electroencephalogram (EEG) during the migraine attack, and the non-contrast brain computed tomography scan showed the presence of an arachnoid cyst, which explained the acute migraine attack inducing a misdiagnosis. Using the case described herein, we aim to draw the attention of clinic/scientific communities toward the existence of brain infections in absence of the typical symptoms (e.g., fever and/or rigor nucalis). Considering this case, we propose that when a diagnosis is uncertain the invasive liquor test should be performed. Full article