Search Results (78)

This paper is concerned with the global funnel control (FC) issue of the nonlinear systems with unknown dynamics and time-varying fractional powers. An FC strategy is proposed in this paper, not only the barrier functions but also the tracking and intermediate errors are introduced to our control law in a proportional feedback way, which not only guarantees uniform performance insurance under any initial condition of the control system but also leads to about 50% reduction in control amplitude with respect to the existing solutions. Moreover, it exhibits notable simplicity, with no need for parametric details of time-varying fractional powers, adding a power integrator technique, parameter identification, function approximation or derivative calculation. A comparative simulation demonstrates the effectiveness and superiority of the developed method. Full article

Background/Objectives: Computed tomography (CT)-based radiomic analysis is an emerging technique that enables non-invasive assessment of tumor characteristics. In gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), radiomics may reflect biological behavior such as proliferative activity, often indicated by Ki-67 expression. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing evidence on the ability of CT radiomics to predict the Ki-67 index in GISTs, addressing an important gap in the literature. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the predictive performance of CT radiomics for Ki-67 expression in GISTs. A literature search of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library was performed up to December 2024 using predefined terms. Extracted data included study design, patient demographics, imaging protocols, radiomic features, and diagnostic performance. Study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. A random-effects meta-analysis summarized the pooled area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses explored heterogeneity sources. Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test and funnel plots. Results: Six studies involving 1632 patients were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for predicting Ki-67 expression were 0.71 and 0.76, respectively, with a summary AUC of 0.79. Subgroup analyses showed consistent results across different imaging protocols and radiomic feature sets, though the Ki-67 cutoff (8% vs. 10%) affected diagnostic performance. Moderate heterogeneity and potential publication bias in specificity were observed. Conclusions: CT-based radiomics demonstrates moderate accuracy for non-invasively predicting Ki-67 index in GISTs. While not a substitute for histology, it may support personalized preoperative planning and guide future immunotherapy strategies. In the future, radiomic signatures—particularly when integrated with molecular or immune-related biomarkers—could help refine patient selection and monitoring strategies for emerging therapies, including immunotherapy. Full article

The detection of archeological sites in satellite imagery is often hindered by environmental constraints such as vegetation cover and variability in meteorological conditions, which affect the visibility of subsurface structures. This study aimed to develop predictive models for assessing archeological site visibility in satellite imagery by integrating vegetation indices and meteorological data using machine learning techniques. The research focused on megalithic tombs associated with the Funnel Beaker culture in Poland. The primary objective was to create models capable of detecting archeological features under varying environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of field surveys and reducing associated costs. To this end, a combination of vegetation indices and meteorological parameters was employed. Key indices—including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Normalized Archeological Index (NAI)—were analyzed alongside meteorological variables such as wind speed, temperature, humidity, and total precipitation. By integrating these datasets, the study evaluated how environmental conditions influence the visibility of archeological sites in satellite imagery. The machine learning models, including logistic regression and decision tree-based algorithms, demonstrated strong potential for predicting site visibility. The highest predictive accuracy was achieved during periods of high soil moisture variability and fluctuating weather conditions. These findings enabled the development of visibility prediction maps, guiding the optimal timing of aerial surveys and minimizing the risk of unsuccessful data acquisition. The results underscore the effectiveness of integrating meteorological data with satellite imagery in archeological research. The proposed approach not only improves site detection but also reduces operational costs by concentrating resources on optimal survey conditions. Furthermore, the methodology is applicable to diverse archeological contexts, enhancing the capacity to locate and document heritage sites across varying environmental settings. Full article

Purpose: To evaluate and describe the efficacy and safety of viscodissection in managing complex funnel-shaped retinal detachments, minimizing trauma and facilitating safer perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) application. Methods: A retrospective case series of five patients with funnel-shaped retinal detachments: three due to perforating trauma and two from recurrent detachments. Initial visual acuities ranged from light perception to hand motion. Viscodissection was used to separate adhered retinal tissues in the funnel-shaped retinal detachment in a controlled, minimally traumatic manner, allowing funnel opening and PFCL application. Data collected included demographics, visual acuities, surgical details, and complications. Results: Viscodissection enabled successful funnel opening and PFCL use in all cases, with one instance of subretinal migration of PFCL. No retinal detachment recurrences occurred, but three patients required reoperation for new premacular proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Postoperative visual acuities improved in four patients (up to 20/100), while one remained at hand motion. Conclusions: Viscodissection is a promising technique for complex funnel-shaped retinal detachments, allowing non-traumatic tissue separation and improving visualization and safety during PFCL application. This approach may enhance surgical outcomes and reduce complications. Full article

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, is a major public health issue characterized by subtle neuronal damage that traditional imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often fail to detect. Fluid biomarkers have emerged as promising diagnostic and prognostic tools for mTBI. Objectives: This umbrella meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the key fluid biomarkers, S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1, neurofilament light chain (NfL)) and tau protein, in detecting mTBI and to clarify their roles as screening, confirmatory, and complementary indicators. Methods: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane to identify the published meta-analyses that assessed the biomarkers in mTBI. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios were then calculated using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I² statistic, and publication bias was assessed via funnel plots. The results of S100B demonstrated high sensitivity (91.6%) but low specificity (42.4%), making it an effective rule-out biomarker to minimize unnecessary CT scans. In contrast, GFAP exhibited moderate sensitivity (84.5%) with improved specificity (61.0%), supporting its role in confirming mTBI diagnoses. UCH-L1 revealed a sensitivity of 86.7% alongside low specificity (37.3%), indicating its potential as a complementary marker. Additionally, the NfL levels were notably elevated in sports-related concussions, while the diagnostic utility of tau protein remains inconclusive due to limited available data. Conclusions: The findings underscore the clinical promise of fluid biomarkers in the management of mTBI. S100B and GFAP are particularly valuable as screening and confirmatory markers, respectively. Nonetheless, further standardization of biomarker thresholds and additional longitudinal studies are necessary to validate the roles of UCH-L1, NfL, and Tau protein. The integration of these biomarkers into a multimodal diagnostic panel may enhance mTBI detection accuracy and facilitate improved patient stratification and management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Implant placement in cases of severe bone atrophy or compromised alveolar bone requires careful planning, especially in the anterior maxilla. The nasopalatine canal (NPC) and its cortical walls offer potential anchorage sites. This study evaluates the NPC’s anatomical characteristics using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess its suitability for implant anchorage. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 150 CBCT scans from three dental clinics in Poland was conducted. NPC measurements—including length, width, number of canals, and distances to adjacent anatomical structures—were taken in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. Statistical tests included Pearson correlation and Student’s t-test to explore relationships between NPC dimensions and gender. Results: The mean NPC length was 10.27 mm and mean width 3.55 mm. Significant gender differences were observed in the canal length, width, and distances to the labial and palatal plates (p < 0.05). Strong positive correlations were found between the canal width at the palate base and other parameters, such as the midpoint width (r = 0.58) and diameter (r = 0.44). The distance from the palatal opening to the labial plate showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.67), indicating enhanced cortical anchorage potential with increased canal dimensions. Discussion: NPC morphology varied (cylindrical, funnel-like, hourglass), aligning with prior studies. Larger diameters were linked to single-canal configurations. Implant placement strategies—such as direct canal insertion or lateralization—can be effective, especially with polished, single-piece implants that reduce soft tissue ingrowth and improve primary stability. Conclusions: Understanding NPC anatomy is crucial for implant planning in atrophic maxillae. With the proper technique, NPC use for cortical anchorage is a viable treatment option. Full article

Composite grids serve as reinforcement in concrete structures, offering alternatives to conventional steel reinforcement. These grids can be fabricated from various materials, including synthetic polymers, metals, and natural fibers. This study explores the use of composite grids as lateral confinement of self-compacting concrete (SCC) cylinders and examines their impact on the failure mode under axial compression. In the experiment, the types of grids and mesh shapes used were plastic grids of diamond mesh (PGD) and regular mesh (PGT), metallic grids of diamond mesh (MGD) and square mesh (MGS), vegetable grids of Alfa fiber mesh, 10 × 10 mm (VGAF-1) and 20 × 20 mm (VGAF-2), and vegetable grids of date palm fibers (VGDF). The binder of SCC mixtures incorporated 10% marble powder as a partial replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). SCC mixtures were tested in the fresh state by measuring the slump flow diameter, V-funnel flow time, L-box blocking ratio, and segregation index. Cylinders with a diameter of 160 mm and a height of 320 mm were made to assess the mechanical properties of hardened SCC mixtures under axial compression. The results indicate that most of the confined cylinders exhibited an increase in ductility compared to unconfined cylinders. Grid types MGD and PGD provided the best performance, with ductility increases of 100.33% and 96.45%, respectively. VGAF-2 cylinders had greater compressive strength than cylinders with other grid types. The findings revealed that the type and mesh shape of the grids affects the failure mode of confined cylinders, but has minimal influence on their modulus of elasticity. This study highlights the potential of lateral grid confinement as a technique for rehabilitating, strengthening, and reinforcing weaker structural concrete elements, thereby improving their mechanical properties and extending the service life of building structures. Full article

Background and Objectives. Our recent systematic review and meta-analysis of all studies on meditation as treatment for PTSD (61 studies) found a moderate effect size of Hedges’s g = −0.67 for post-minus-pre change in symptom scores. Separate tests of the four meditation categories found a large effect size of g = −1.13 for the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique that is significantly greater than for each other category. The present follow-up used a different method, calculating effects relative to internal controls, to better characterize the effects of this meditation technique. Materials and Methods. Our study followed Prisma guidelines. Major databases, research anthologies, and bibliographies were searched for studies that used TM for treating PTSD, all military and civilian populations, and all age groups. Results. The searches located 15 controlled trials on TM that met the inclusion criteria (longitudinal and reporting sufficient statistics to calculate effect sizes), 1248 subjects total, mean age 40.5 years (range 20.6 to 54.4 years), and 46.9% males (range 0% to 100%). Using the random effects model, the pooled effect across all studies of TM compared to other treatments was g = −1.01, 95% CI = −1.29 to −0.74, p < 0.000000001. One-study removed analysis found that no study reduced the pooled effect to less than −1.0. Funnel plots indicated no risk of bias. TM was non-inferior to prolonged exposure therapy, p = 0.0001, and it worked significantly faster (p = 0.04 at week six). Conclusions. TM produced clinically meaningful reductions in PTSD for civilian and military personnel, young and older adults, and for both men and women. We recommend phase-III multisite studies comparing TM with known first-line treatments for PTSD. Full article

Background: Cortical and marrow bone layer have different histomorphometric features. The traditional implant insertion technique provides for fixture stabilization through the cortical area. However, this approach has been found to result in an overstress of this bone layer, which may lead to resorption. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate bone healing by applying two different implant site preparation protocols across various bone densities. Materials and Methods: One implant was placed in each femur and tibia of the rabbits (four implants per animal), using two distinct site preparation methods: drilling alone or drilling followed by osteotomes (funnel technique). Three regions around the implant were evaluated: cervical, marrow, and apical. The study included 12 rabbits, divided into two groups of 6 animals each, which were euthanized at 3 and 6 weeks, respectively (n = 6 per group). Results: In the cervical region of both femur and tibia, no marginal bone resorption could be detected. Similar BIC% (bone-to-implant contact percentages) were observed for funnel and drill sites after 3 weeks and 6 weeks of healing. Differences, though not statistically significant, ranged between 2.8% and 4.7%. However, higher BIC% values were observed in the femora compared to the tibia in both periods. Conclusions: No marginal bone loss was observed in both techniques. No statistically significant differences in bone resorption or bone-to-implant contact around the implant collar were observed when comparing two implant site preparation protocols across various bone densities. The use of osteotome did not influence the healing in the marrow region. Full article

In this study, for the first time, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of haemosporidian parasites—namely, Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon—in avian species in Southeast Asia. Following the PRISMA guidelines, 14,211 studies were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect and Scopus, which contain data relevant to ‘Plasmodium’ or ‘Haemoproteus’ or ‘Leucocytozoon’ and ‘birds’ or ‘chickens’. Of these, 15 articles reporting the prevalence of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus or Leucocytozoon in Southeast Asia were selected for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon were analyzed using a meta-analysis of their proportions, implemented in R programming. The publication bias was checked using a funnel plot and Egger’s test. Consequently, the pooled prevalences of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon in Southeast Asia were found to be 21% (95% CI: 18–25%), 18% (95% CI: 15–22%) and 34% (95% CI: 30–37%), respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium in domestic poultry (37.94%) was found significantly higher than in wild birds (6.46%). There was substantial heterogeneity among studies related to Plasmodium (χ² = 171.50, p < 0.0001, I² = 94.84%), Haemoproteus (χ² = 52.20, p < 0.0001, I² = 90.4%) and Leucocytozoon (χ² = 433.90, p < 0.0001, I² = 98.80%). Additionally, this review revealed 23 lineages of Plasmodium, 35 lineages of Haemoproteus and 21 lineages of Leucocytozoon reported from both domestic poultry and wild birds in Southeast Asia. In conclusion, this systematic review suggested that the prevalence of avian haemosporidian parasites in Southeast Asia is high. Particularly, domestic poultry has a high prevalence of Plasmodium, suggesting that monitoring of this parasite should be implemented in the poultry production system. Furthermore, several parasites found in wild birds are undescribed species. Further experimental studies using combined microscopic and molecular techniques might reveal the characteristics of overlooked parasites. Full article

Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy offers a minimally invasive approach to staging lymph node involvement in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Despite its adoption in other cancers, its accuracy in laryngeal SCC remains under investigation. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic performance of SLN mapping in laryngeal cancer. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar was conducted using the keywords “(larynx OR laryngeal) AND sentinel”, with no date or language restrictions. Studies reporting SLN detection rates and/or sensitivity in laryngeal SCC were included. A random-effects model was applied for data pooling, and subgroup analyses were performed based on tumor location (supraglottic versus transglottic) and mapping material (radiotracer versus blue dye). Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and statistical methods. Results: Nineteen studies, encompassing 366 patients, were analyzed. The overall pooled SLN detection rate was 90.8% (95% CI: 86–94.1), and sensitivity was 88% (95% CI: 81–94). Supraglottic tumors demonstrated superior outcomes (detection rate: 93.7%, sensitivity: 96%) compared to transglottic tumors (detection rate: 84.7%, sensitivity: 71%). Radiotracers significantly outperformed blue dye, with detection rates of 90.8% versus 81.5% and sensitivities of 88% versus 77%. Conclusions: SLN mapping is a reliable technique for staging laryngeal SCC, particularly for supraglottic tumors, where high detection rates and sensitivity were observed. Radiotracers offer superior performance compared to blue dye, underscoring their clinical value. These findings support the feasibility and accuracy of SLN biopsy in laryngeal cancer, while emphasizing the importance of tumor location and mapping material. Full article

Several therapeutic methods have been proposed for early class III malocclusion treatment; however, the existing literature does not provide evidence on the most recommended techniques or materials. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the clinical evidence on the efficacy of each method. The PRISMA recommendations were followed. Four databases were searched for articles published up to February 2024. Controlled trials, randomized or non-randomized clinical trials, and prospective or retrospective studies with a control group and a minimum follow-up of 6 months were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration tool. Inconsistency was assessed using the Q test, with a significance level of p < 0.05 and a forest plot. A total of 61 articles were identified, and eight were included in the meta-analysis, which examined three parameters: Sella-Nasion-A (SNA), Sella-Nasion-B (SNB), and A Point-Nasion-B (ANB) values. The meta-analysis was carried out using the random effects model and the inverse variance method. The effect size was determined as the difference between the means of the SNA, SNB, and ANB values in the initial and final intervention groups or between the intervention group and control group. Statistical significance was assessed using the z-test and was declared when p-value < 0.05. The heterogeneity of the meta-analysis was analyzed using the Q test and the I² statistical index. Publication bias was analyzed using the trim-and-fill method to adjust the skewness of the funnel plot. The risk of bias in the selected studies was assessed using the Cochrane collaboration tool to analyze the methodological quality assessment of the clinical trials. There were statistically significant differences between traditional maxillary disjunction and traction and the different types of Alt-RAMEC protocols, with the latter allowing greater skeletal corrections. Full article

Neutrinoless double beta decay ($0\nu \beta \beta$) provides a way to probe physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The upcoming nEXO experiment will search for $0\nu \beta \beta$ decay in ¹³⁶Xe with a projected half-life sensitivity exceeding ${10}^{28}$ years at the 90% confidence level using a liquid xenon (LXe) Time Projection Chamber (TPC) filled with 5 tonnes of Xe enriched to ∼90% in the $\beta \beta$-decaying isotope ¹³⁶Xe. In parallel, a potential future upgrade to nEXO is being investigated with the aim to further suppress radioactive backgrounds and to confirm $\beta \beta$-decay events. This technique, known as Ba-tagging, comprises extracting and identifying the $\beta \beta$-decay daughter ¹³⁶Ba ion. One tagging approach being pursued involves extracting a small volume of LXe in the vicinity of a potential $\beta \beta$-decay using a capillary tube and facilitating a liquid-to-gas phase transition by heating the capillary exit. The Ba ion is then separated from the accompanying Xe gas using a radio-frequency (RF) carpet and RF funnel, conclusively identifying the ion as ¹³⁶Ba via laser-fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Simultaneously, an accelerator-driven Ba ion source is being developed to validate and optimize this technique. The motivation for the project, the development of the different aspects, along with the current status and results, are discussed here. Full article

The most commonly occurring cancer in the world is breast cancer with more than 500,000 cases across the world. The detection mechanism for breast cancer is endoscopist-dependent and necessitates a skilled pathologist. However, in recent years many computer-aided diagnoses (CADs) have been used to diagnose and classify breast cancer using traditional RGB images that analyze the images only in three-color channels. Nevertheless, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a pioneering non-destructive testing (NDT) image-processing technique that can overcome the disadvantages of traditional image processing which analyzes the images in a wide-spectrum band. Eight studies were selected for systematic diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) analysis based on the results of the Quadas-2 tool. Each of these studies’ techniques is categorized according to the ethnicity of the data, the methodology employed, the wavelength that was used, the type of cancer diagnosed, and the year of publication. A Deeks’ funnel chart, forest charts, and accuracy plots were created. The results were statistically insignificant, and there was no heterogeneity among these studies. The methods and wavelength bands that were used with HSI technology to detect breast cancer provided high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. The meta-analysis of eight studies on breast cancer diagnosis using HSI methods reported average sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 78%, 89%, and 87%, respectively. The highest sensitivity and accuracy were achieved with SVM (95%), while CNN methods were the most commonly used but had lower sensitivity (65.43%). Statistical analyses, including meta-regression and Deeks’ funnel plots, showed no heterogeneity among the studies and highlighted the evolving performance of HSI techniques, especially after 2019. Full article

In the planar flow casting process of amorphous strips, the flow behavior of molten metal and the inclusion content in the crucible are crucial to the morphology and magnetic properties of the material. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the effects of non-immersed and immersed funnels, as well as various funnel structures, on the fluid flow and inclusion removal efficiency in the crucible by integrating numerical and physical models. The findings reveal that for the same pouring flow rate, the diameter of the liquid column in non-immersed pouring conditions is smaller than that of the funnel outlet, leading to a faster injection flow velocity. As a result, the melt in the crucible is subjected to severe impacts, accompanied by an increased possibility of slag entrapment. Conversely, immersed pouring substantially reduces the velocity of the molten metal at the funnel outlet, thereby extending the residence time in the crucible and diminishing the volume of the dead zone. Additionally, the molten metal backflows due to the negative pressure formed in the inner chamber of the funnel. The design of a trumpet-shaped funnel increases the effective volume while reducing the height of the backflow fluid, consequently reducing the velocity of the molten metal at the funnel outlet and prolonging the residence time. Compared to the conventional pouring process with the non-immersed funnel, the outlet velocity is reduced from 1.1 m/s to 0.12 m/s by adopting the immersed funnel with an inverted trapezoidal trumpet structure. This reduction results in a stable flow state, a 9.69% reduction in the dead zone volume fraction, and a 22.96% increase in average inclusion removal efficiency. These improvements demonstrate that a crucible funnel with a well-designed structure and the implementation of an immersion process can significantly improve the metallurgical effects in the planar flow casting process. Full article