Over the past decade,the landscape of cybersecurity has been increasingly shaped by the growing sophistication and frequency of malware attacks.Traditional detection techniques,while still in use,often fall short when...Over the past decade,the landscape of cybersecurity has been increasingly shaped by the growing sophistication and frequency of malware attacks.Traditional detection techniques,while still in use,often fall short when confronted with modern threats that use advanced evasion strategies.This systematic review critically examines recent developments in malware detection,with a particular emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence(AI)and machine learning(ML)in enhancing detection capabilities.Drawing on literature published between 2019 and 2025,this study reviews 105 peer-reviewed contributions from prominent digital libraries including IEEE Xplore,SpringerLink,ScienceDirect,and ACM Digital Library.In doing so,it explores the evolution of malware,evaluates detection methods,assesses the quality and limitations of widely used datasets,and identifies key challenges facing the field.Unlike existing surveys,this work offers a structured comparison of AI-driven frameworks and provides a detailed account of emerging techniques such as hybrid detection frameworks and image-based analysis.The findings indicate that AIbased models trained on diverse,high-quality datasets consistently outperform conventional methods,particularly when supported by feature engineering,explainable AI and a multi-faceted strategy.The review concludes by outlining future research directions,including the need for standardized datasets,enhanced adversarial robustness,and the integration of privacy-preserving mechanisms in malware detection systems.展开更多
Traffic forecasting with high precision aids Intelligent Transport Systems(ITS)in formulating and optimizing traffic management strategies.The algorithms used for tuning the hyperparameters of the deep learning models...Traffic forecasting with high precision aids Intelligent Transport Systems(ITS)in formulating and optimizing traffic management strategies.The algorithms used for tuning the hyperparameters of the deep learning models often have accurate results at the expense of high computational complexity.To address this problem,this paper uses the Tree-structured Parzen Estimator(TPE)to tune the hyperparameters of the Long Short-term Memory(LSTM)deep learning framework.The Tree-structured Parzen Estimator(TPE)uses a probabilistic approach with an adaptive searching mechanism by classifying the objective function values into good and bad samples.This ensures fast convergence in tuning the hyperparameter values in the deep learning model for performing prediction while still maintaining a certain degree of accuracy.It also overcomes the problem of converging to local optima and avoids timeconsuming random search and,therefore,avoids high computational complexity in prediction accuracy.The proposed scheme first performs data smoothing and normalization on the input data,which is then fed to the input of the TPE for tuning the hyperparameters.The traffic data is then input to the LSTM model with tuned parameters to perform the traffic prediction.The three optimizers:Adaptive Moment Estimation(Adam),Root Mean Square Propagation(RMSProp),and Stochastic Gradient Descend with Momentum(SGDM)are also evaluated for accuracy prediction and the best optimizer is then chosen for final traffic prediction in TPE-LSTM model.Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed model in terms of accuracy of prediction over the benchmark schemes.展开更多
Predictive maintenance often involves imbalanced multivariate time series datasets with scarce failure events,posing challenges for model training due to the high dimensionality of the data and the need for domain-spe...Predictive maintenance often involves imbalanced multivariate time series datasets with scarce failure events,posing challenges for model training due to the high dimensionality of the data and the need for domain-specific preprocessing,which frequently leads to the development of large and complex models.Inspired by the success of Large Language Models(LLMs),transformer-based foundation models have been developed for time series(TSFM).These models have been proven to reconstruct time series in a zero-shot manner,being able to capture different patterns that effectively characterize time series.This paper proposes the use of TSFM to generate embeddings of the input data space,making them more interpretable for machine learning models.To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach,we trained three classical machine learning algorithms and one neural network using the embeddings generated by the TSFM called Moment for predicting the remaining useful life of aircraft engines.We test the models trained with both the full training dataset and only 10%of the training samples.Our results show that training simple models,such as support vector regressors or neural networks,with embeddings generated by Moment not only accelerates the training process but also enhances performance in few-shot learning scenarios,where data is scarce.This suggests a promising alternative to complex deep learning architectures,particularly in industrial contexts with limited labeled data.展开更多
BACKGROUND Osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)is an ischaemic disorder often leading to collapse of the femoral head and severe hip dysfunction.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have a key role in bone repair,through th...BACKGROUND Osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)is an ischaemic disorder often leading to collapse of the femoral head and severe hip dysfunction.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have a key role in bone repair,through their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and their paracrine regulation of the bone microenvironment.While altered MSCs behaviour has been reported in some secondary forms of ONFH,the proliferative and differentiation programmes of MSCs in human idiopathic ONFH have not been previously characterized.AIM To compare the proliferative capacity,differentiation potential and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)pathway activation of bone marrow MSCs(BM-MSCs)from idiopathic ONFH patients with those from osteoarthritis controls.METHODS Femoral heads were collected during total hip replacement surgeries.Idiopathic ONFH was defined by imaging and histological criteria.Secondary causes were excluded.BM-MSCs were isolated from trabecular bone cylinders and expanded to passage 2 prior characterizations.Proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay at various seeding densities.Osteogenic potential was assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity,osteogenic gene expression(RUNX2,ALPL,COL1A1 and BGLAP)and Alizarin Red staining.Adipogenesis was quantified by Oil Red O staining.Expression of NF-κB target genes(IL6,NFKBIA,CCL2)was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS Idiopathic ONFH MSCs exhibited significantly higher proliferation rates than osteoarthritis controls.However,they showed reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic gene expression but paradoxically,increased mineralization,suggesting non-canonical mineral deposition mechanisms.These cells also display increased adipogenic differentiation.Importantly,ONFH-MSCs expressed higher,although non-significant levels of certain NF-κB target gene genes,consistent with an activated inflammatory state.CONCLUSION Human BM-MSCs from idiopathic ONFH display a paradoxical phenotype:Hyperproliferative yet osteogenically impaired with greater adipogenesis and activation of NF-κB signalling.This functional compromise and inflammatory bias may underline the failure of bone regeneration in ONFH,highlighting the need for therapies redirecting MSCs fate and modulating the bone marrow niche.展开更多
Hip pain in young patients is a common complaint that can pose diagnostic challenges.Clinical evaluation of hip pain requires strong foundational knowledge of relevant anatomy,careful history-taking,focused physical e...Hip pain in young patients is a common complaint that can pose diagnostic challenges.Clinical evaluation of hip pain requires strong foundational knowledge of relevant anatomy,careful history-taking,focused physical examination,and appropriate imaging techniques.Rapid advancements in hip arthroscopy techniques over the past decade has made it an essential tool in assessing and managing hip pain.This article aims to provide an evidence-based update on ten common causes of non-arthritic hip pain.These causes are categorized into three groups based on predominant symptom location to facilitate the readers’understanding and enhance evaluation of hip pain in the clinical setting.Each condition is discussed with an overview of relevant anatomy,clinical features and evaluation methods,as well as management strategies,emphasizing arthroscopic techniques where applicable.展开更多
This study examines the molecular and isotopic composition of 193 gas samples collected from oil and gas fields across Colombia's onshore basins with active hydrocarbon production.Comparative analyses were conduct...This study examines the molecular and isotopic composition of 193 gas samples collected from oil and gas fields across Colombia's onshore basins with active hydrocarbon production.Comparative analyses were conducted on both isotopic and molecular compositions across the Lower Magdalena Basin(LMB),Middle Magdalena Basin(MMB),Upper Magdalena Basin(UMB),Putumayo Cagu an Basin(PUTCAB),Catatumbo Basin(CATB),Eastern Llanos Basin(LLAB),and Eastern Cordillera Basin(ECB).The primary objectives were to classify the gases produced,characterize their origins,assess transformation processes such as biodegradation and migration,and analyze the statistical distribution patterns of their components.This geochemical characterization aims to support the discovery of new reserves for both natural gas(NG)and liquefied petroleum gas(LPG),given Colombia's potential risk of diminished energy selfsufficiency in gas resources.The basins under study produce dry gas,wet gas,and liquefied petroleum gas(LPG/C_(3+)),all associated with oil and gas fields of commercial hydrocarbon production.Notably,the LLAB contains the highest proportions of heavy isotopic carbon and C_(3+)(LPG)concentrations,whereas LMB is characterized by isotopically lighter methane,indicative of dry gas predominance.Results suggest a predominantly thermogenic origin for the gases studied,generated within the oil and gas windows,with several samples originating from secondary oil cracking,while some samples from LMB display a likely biogenic origin.Additionally,evidence of gas migration and biodegradation was observed in a significant subset of samples.The analysis of statistical distributions and compositional trends reveals a prevalent high methane content,with substantial C_(2)-C_(5)(C_(2+))gas concentrations across all basins studied.This composition underscores the potential for both natural gas(NG)and LPG production.The C_(3+)(LPG)content varies between 1%and 92%,with 35%of the samples containing less than 5%LPG.High original gas-in-place(OGIP)volumes and substantial LPG content in the Eastern Llanos foothills,encompassing fields such as Cusiana and Cupiagua,highlight the prospective potential of this region.Near-field exploration could further add reserves of both NG and LPG.展开更多
Nature-based learning is essential for holistic child development,as it integrates direct experiences with the natural environment into educational practices.It cultivates environmental awareness and stewardship,prepa...Nature-based learning is essential for holistic child development,as it integrates direct experiences with the natural environment into educational practices.It cultivates environmental awareness and stewardship,preparing students to be more conscious and responsible toward ecological sustainability.This paper explored the experiences of science high school teachers in implementing nature-based learning in science education and identify the changes in students’discovery-oriented skills.This qualitative exploration provides insights into the role of nature-based learning in shaping students’inquiry skills and their overall engagement in science education.High school science teachers(n=30)from Central Visayas,Philippines were purposively sampled to be interviewed.The findings indicated that exposure to nature-based learning environments cultivated key discovery-oriented skills,including problem-solving,curiosity,and observation.Students were engaged in real-world environmental challenges,developing adaptive problem-solving abilities through experiences such as field research and ecosystem assessments.Curiosity can be developed as students encountered dynamic natural settings that encouraged inquiry and independent exploration,leading to engagement with scientific phenomena.Observation skills were also relevant,as students learned to track patterns,recognize trends,and make scientific predictions.Furthermore,nature-based educational activities contributed to behavioral shifts,encouraged a growth mindset,resilience,and increased inquisitiveness.Learners embraced uncertainty as a natural aspect of scientific exploration,demonstrating a willingness to adapt their approaches and seek deeper understanding through analytical questioning.There is a promise of integrating nature-based learning into educational policies and pedagogical development by promoting inquiry-based instruction,encouraging adaptive problem-solving skills,and strengthening growth mindset among students.展开更多
Objective To evaluate the prevalence and one-year prognosis associated with frailty in a contemporary cohort of older patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome(NSTEACS).Methods The IMPACT-TIMING-GO regist...Objective To evaluate the prevalence and one-year prognosis associated with frailty in a contemporary cohort of older patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome(NSTEACS).Methods The IMPACT-TIMING-GO registry(IMPACT of Time of Intervention in patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non-ST seGment elevation.ManaGement and Outcomes)prospectively included 1020 patients with NSTEACS undergoing invasive coronary angiography between April and May 2021.For this sub-study,patients≥65 years were selected.Frailty was assessed according to FRAIL scale.We studied all-cause mortality and the composite of all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalizations at one-year follow-up after discharge.Results Five hundred and sixty seven patients(mean age:75.8±6.7 years,28.2%women)were included:316(55.7%)were robust,183(32.3%)prefrail,and 68(12.0%)frail.Frail patients were significantly older,more often women,and presented a worse baseline clinical profile.There were no differences among groups regarding pretreatment with a P2Y12 inhibitor.An urgent angiography(<24 h)was less frequently performed in frail patients,with no differences regarding revascularization approach or in main in-hospital adverse events,although acute kidney disease occurred more frequently in frail patients.At 1-year follow-up,20 patients died(3.6%).Chronic kidney disease was independently associated with 1-year all-cause death,although a trend towards higher mortality was observed in frail patients(HR=3.01;95%CI:0.93-9.78;P=0.065).Frailty was independently associated with higher 1-year all-cause mortality or all-cause rehospitalizations(HR=2.23;95%CI:1.43-3.46;P<0.001)Conclusions In older patients with NSTEACS,frailty independently associates higher all-cause mortality or all-cause hospital admissions at one-year follow-up.展开更多
Laparoscopic surgery is applied today worldwide to most digestive procedures. In some of them, such as cholecystectomy, Nissen's fundoplication or obesity surgery, laparoscopy has become the standard in practice. ...Laparoscopic surgery is applied today worldwide to most digestive procedures. In some of them, such as cholecystectomy, Nissen's fundoplication or obesity surgery, laparoscopy has become the standard in practice. In others, such as colon or gastric resection, the laparoscopic approach is frequently used and its usefulness is unquestionable. More complex procedures, such as esophageal, liver or pancreatic resections are, however, more infrequently performed, due to the high grade of skill necessary. As a result, there is less clinical evidence to support its implementation. In the recent years, robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has been increasingly applied, again with little evidence for comparison with the conventional laparoscopic approach. This review will focus on the complex digestive procedures as well as those whose use in standard practice could be more controversial. Also novel robot-assisted procedures will be updated.展开更多
Vitamin D is an important secosteroid hormone with known effect on calcium homeostasis,but recently there is increasing recognition that vitamin D also is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation,has immunom...Vitamin D is an important secosteroid hormone with known effect on calcium homeostasis,but recently there is increasing recognition that vitamin D also is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation,has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.Vitamin D deficiency has been frequently reported in many causes of chronic liver disease and has been associated with the development and evolution of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and chronic hepatitis C(CHC)virus infection.The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and CHC is not completely known,but it seems that the involvement of vitamin D in the activation and regulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems and its antiproliferative effect may explain its importance in these liver diseases.Published studies provide evidence for routine screening for hypovitaminosis D in patients with liver disease.Further prospectives studies demonstrating the impact of vitamin D replacement in NAFLD and CHC are required.展开更多
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) is the most frequent episodic vestibular disorder. It is due to otolith rests that are free into the canals or attached to the cupulas. Well over 90% of patients can be succe...Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) is the most frequent episodic vestibular disorder. It is due to otolith rests that are free into the canals or attached to the cupulas. Well over 90% of patients can be successfully treated with manoeuvres that move the particles back to the utriculus. Among the great variety of procedures that have been described, the manoeuvres that are supported by evidenced-based studies or extensive series are commented in this review. Some topics regarding BPPV treatment, such as controlling the accuracy of the procedures or the utility of post-manoeuvre restrictions are also discussed.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the plasma levels of betatrophin in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed at the clinic with liver cirrhosis according to biological, ultrasonographic,or histological criteria w...AIM: To investigate the plasma levels of betatrophin in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed at the clinic with liver cirrhosis according to biological, ultrasonographic,or histological criteria were included.The severity of cirrhosis was classified according to Pugh's modification of Child's classification and MELD score. Insulin resistance(IR) was assessed by the Homeostasis Model Assessment. A total of 20 patients showed a MELD score higher than 14. The control group consisted in 15 sex-and aged-matched subjects.Fasting blood samples were obtained for subsequent analysis. Serum insulin was determined by Liaison automated immune chemiluminiscence assay(DiaSorin S.p.A.) using a sandwich assay. The sensitivity of the assay was 0.2 μU/mL. The intra and interassay variation coefficients were < 4% and < 10%,respectively. The normal values were between 2 and17 μU/mL. Human active betatrophin was analyzed by specific quantitative sandwich ELISA(Aviscera Bioscience). The sensitivity of the assay was 0.4 ng/mL, and the intra and interassay reproducibility were< 6% and < 10%, respectively.RESULTS: Plasma betatrophin levels were significantly increased in patients with cirrhosis compared with those in healthy subjects(P = 0.0001). Betatrophin levels were also associated with disease severity, being higher in Child-Pugh C patients compared to Child-Pugh B(P< 0.0005) and in patients who displayed a MELD score higher than 14 points compared to patients with lower punctuation(P = 0.01). In addition, we found a positive correlation between plasma betatrophin levels and the severity of cirrhosis according to Child-Pugh classification(r = 0.53; P < 0.01) or MELD score(r = 0.45; P <0.01). In the overall cohort, a moderate correlation between serum betatrophin and plasmatic bilirrubin(r= 0.39; P < 0.01) has been observed, as well as an inverse correlation between betatrophin and albumin(r =-0.41; P < 0.01) or prothrombin time(r =-0.44;P <0.01). Moreover, insulin resistance was observed in82.5% of the cirrhotic patients. In this group of patients,betatrophin levels were significantly higher than those in the group of patients without IR(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Plasma betatrophin is increased in patients with cirrhosis. This increase is related to the severity of cirrhosis, as well as with the emergence of insulin resistance.展开更多
Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are the most frequently used stem cells in clinical trials due to their easy isolation from various adult tissues,their ability of homing to injury sites and their potential to differentiat...Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are the most frequently used stem cells in clinical trials due to their easy isolation from various adult tissues,their ability of homing to injury sites and their potential to differentiate into multiple cell types.However,the realization that the beneficial effect of MSCs relies mainly on their paracrine action,rather than on their engraftment in the recipient tissue and subsequent differentiation,has opened the way to cell-free therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine.All the soluble factors and vesicles secreted by MSCs are commonly known as secretome.MSCs secretome has a key role in cell-to-cell communication and has been proven to be an active mediator of immunemodulation and regeneration both in vitro and in vivo.Moreover,the use of secretome has key advantages over cell-based therapies,such as a lower immunogenicity and easy production,handling and storage.Importantly,MSCs can be modulated to alter their secretome composition to better suit specific therapeutic goals,thus,opening a large number of possibilities.Altogether these advantages now place MSCs secretome at the center of an important number of investigations in different clinical contexts,enabling rapid scientific progress in this field.展开更多
Erectile dysfunction （ED） is considered a condition with a broad range of etiologies. Obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） syndrome is one of the lesser studied risk factors for ED. We intend to summarize the current evi...Erectile dysfunction （ED） is considered a condition with a broad range of etiologies. Obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） syndrome is one of the lesser studied risk factors for ED. We intend to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between OSA and sexual impairment, focusing on the results in terms of erectile function of the different therapies offered to OSA patients. A systematic review was conducted, selecting articles related to the physiology of OSA and ED, and to the treatments of OSA syndrome and their reported outcomes in erectile and sexual function. Higher prevalences of ED in the OSA groups have been published. However, whether this effect on the erectile function occurs in the entire range of OSA severities remains unclear. Several hypotheses were proposed to explain the physiology of this association. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure as a treatment for OSA patients with ED has achieved a significative improvement in the sexual parameters in most of the studies. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors （iPDE5） on demand are useful as a treatment for ED in this subgroup of patients, with high satisfaction rates. The surgical treatment for the OSA evidenced benefits over the erectile function, and the effect on the sexual satisfaction of the therapy using Mandibular Advancement Devices is still undefined.展开更多
Currently,alcoholic cirrhosis is the second leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States and Europe.The quality of life and survival after a liver transplantation(LT)in patients with alcoholic liv...Currently,alcoholic cirrhosis is the second leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States and Europe.The quality of life and survival after a liver transplantation(LT)in patients with alcoholic liver disease(ALD)are similar to those in patients with other cirrhosis etiologies.The alcoholic relapse rate after a LT varies from 10%-50%,and these relapse patients are the ones who present a reduced long-term survival,mainly due to cardiovascular diseases and the onset of de novo neoplasms,including lung and upper aerodigestive tract.Nearly 40%of ALD recipients resume smoking and resume it early post-LT.Therefore,our pre-and post-LT follow-up efforts regarding ALD should be focused not only on alcoholic relapse but also on treating and avoiding other modifiable risk factors such as tobacco.The psychiatric and psychosocial pre-LT evaluation and the post-LT follow-up with physicians,psychiatrists and addiction specialists are important for reversing these problems because these professionals help to identify patients at risk for relapse as well as those patients who have relapsed,thus enabling responsive actions.展开更多
Background: Probable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, spontaneously resolved (pBPPVsr), is a variant of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in which there is no observable nystagmus and no vertigo with an...Background: Probable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, spontaneously resolved (pBPPVsr), is a variant of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in which there is no observable nystagmus and no vertigo with any positional maneuver. Objectives: To calculate the incidence pBPPVsr, compare the characteristics of the patients with pBPPVsr and BPPV not spontaneously resolved and describe the spontaneous resolution in the natural course of BPPV. Methods: Multicenter prospective descriptive study. During a one-year period, all patients with suspected BPPV that presented to the Neurotology Units of five participating centers were recruited. The incidence of pBPPVsr was calculated as a percentage of the total number of patients with BPPV. The prevalence of several variables was compared between pBPPVsr and BPPV not spontaneously resolved. The timing of spontaneous resolution was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: 457 patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of pBPPVsr was 33.5%. It was significantly higher in males, in patients with normal bone mass and in patients who were not taking sulpiride. A rate of 18% of spontaneous resolution after the first month and 51% after the first year was found. This percentage did not change in a significant way after this moment. The curves for males, patients under 50 and patients with normal blood pressure decreased significantly faster. Conclusions: In our serie, BPPV spontaneously resolved in half of the patients with BPPV during the first year. This seemed to occur more commonly in males and could have been hindered by sulpiride intake, osteoporosis, advanced age and high blood pressure.展开更多
Rank Histograms are suitable tools to assess the quality of ensembles within an ensemble prediction system or framework. By counting the rank of a given variable in the ensemble, we are basically making a sample analy...Rank Histograms are suitable tools to assess the quality of ensembles within an ensemble prediction system or framework. By counting the rank of a given variable in the ensemble, we are basically making a sample analysis, which does not allow us to distinguish if the origin of its variability is external noise or comes from chaotic sources. The recently introduced Mean to Variance Logarithmic （MVL） Diagram accounts for the spatial variability, being very sensitive to the spatial localization produced by infinitesimal perturbations of spatiotemporal chaotic systems. By using as a benchmark a simple model subject to noise, we show the distinct information given by Rank Histograms and MVL Diagrams. Hence, the main effects of the external noise can be visualized in a graphic. From the MVL diagram we clearly observe a reduction of the amplitude growth rate and of the spatial localization （chaos suppression）, while from the Rank Histogram we observe changes in the reliability of the ensemble. We conclude that in a complex framework including spatiotemporal chaos and noise, both provide a more complete forecasting picture.展开更多
The present study aims to develop multilayer barrier-bioactive hybrid sol-gel coatings from a mixture of the silane precursors tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS)and glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane(GPTMS)deposited on the Ele...The present study aims to develop multilayer barrier-bioactive hybrid sol-gel coatings from a mixture of the silane precursors tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS)and glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane(GPTMS)deposited on the Elektron 21 magnesium alloy.The purpose of the inner layer(barrier coating)was to provide corrosion protection to the magnesium alloy,whereas the outer layer(bioactive coating)was doped with different Ca and Mg contents to produce a bioactive material.The coatings were characterised using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and their corrosion behaviour was evaluated by anodic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy after immersion in simulated body fluid(SBF)at 37±0.5°C.The experimental results showed that the multilayer coatings increased the corrosion resistance of the alloy up to three orders of magnitude during immersion in SBF solution.On the other hand,the presence of Ca and Mg in the bioactive coating promoted the growth of apatite-like phases.However,an increment of salt content favoured the formation of porous coatings,which allowed the access of the electrolyte to the substrate leading to their rapid deterioration.Despite the latter,this research endorses the premise that the TEOS-GPTMS hybrid system represents a promising alternative to produce bifunctional barrier-bioactive coatings.展开更多
Penile urethral strictures have been managed by a staged surgical approach.In selected cases,spongiofibrosis can be excised,a neo-urethral plate created using buccal mucosa graft(BMG)and tubularized during the same pr...Penile urethral strictures have been managed by a staged surgical approach.In selected cases,spongiofibrosis can be excised,a neo-urethral plate created using buccal mucosa graft(BMG)and tubularized during the same procedure,performing a“twoin-one”stage approach.We aim to identify stricture factors which indicate suitability for this two-in-one stage approach.We assess surgical outcome and compare with staged reconstruction.We conducted an observational descriptive study.The data were prospectively collected from two-in-one stage and staged penile urethroplasties using BMG in a single center between 2007 and 2017.The minimum follow-up was 6 months.Outcomes were assessed clinically,radiologically,and by flow-rate analysis.Failure was defined as recurrent stricture or any subsequent surgical or endoscopic intervention.Descriptive analysis of stricture characteristics and statistical comparison was made between groups.Of 425 penile urethroplasties,139 met the inclusion criteria:59 two-in-one stage and 80 staged.The mean stricture length was 2.8 cm(single stage)and 4.5 cm(staged).Etiology was lichen sclerosus(LS)52.5%(single stage)and 73.8%hypospadias related(staged).40.7%of patients had previous failed urethroplasties in the single-stage group and 81.2%in the staged.The most common stricture locations were navicular fossa(39.0%)and distal penile urethra(59.3%)in the single-stage group and mid or proximal penile urethra(58.7%)in the staged group.Success rates were 89.8%(single stage)and 81.3%(staged).A trend toward a single-stage approach for select penile urethral strictures was noted.We conclude that a single-stage substitution penile urethroplasty using BMG as a“two-in-one”approach is associated with excellent functional outcomes.The most suitable strictures for this approach are distal,primary,and LS-related strictures.展开更多
AIM: To assess the performance of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score(FINDRISC) questionnaire for detecting and predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM2) in a Colombian population.METHODS: This is a longitudinal observatio...AIM: To assess the performance of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score(FINDRISC) questionnaire for detecting and predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM2) in a Colombian population.METHODS: This is a longitudinal observational study conducted in Floridablanca, Colombia. Adult subjects(age ≥ 35 years) without known diabetes, were included. A modified version of FINDRISC was completed, and the glycemia values from all the subjects were collected from the hospital's database. Firstly, a cross-sectional analysis was performed and then, the subsample of prediabetic participants was followed for diabetes incidence. RESULTS: A total of 772 subjects were suitable for the study. The overall prevalence of undiagnosed DM2 was 2.59%, and the incidence of DM2 among the prediabetic participants was 7.5 per 100 person-years after a total of 265257 person-years follow-up. The FINDRISC at baseline was significantly associated with undiagnosed and incident DM2. The area under receiver operating characteristics curve of the FINDRISC score for detecting undiagnosed DM2 in both men and women was 0.7477 and 0.7175, respectively; and for predicting the incidence of DM2 among prediabetics was 71.99% in men and 67.74% in women. CONCLUSION: The FINDRISC questionnaire is a useful screening tool to identify cross-sectionally unknown DM2 and to predict the incidence of DM2 among prediabetics in the Colombian population.展开更多
文摘Over the past decade,the landscape of cybersecurity has been increasingly shaped by the growing sophistication and frequency of malware attacks.Traditional detection techniques,while still in use,often fall short when confronted with modern threats that use advanced evasion strategies.This systematic review critically examines recent developments in malware detection,with a particular emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence(AI)and machine learning(ML)in enhancing detection capabilities.Drawing on literature published between 2019 and 2025,this study reviews 105 peer-reviewed contributions from prominent digital libraries including IEEE Xplore,SpringerLink,ScienceDirect,and ACM Digital Library.In doing so,it explores the evolution of malware,evaluates detection methods,assesses the quality and limitations of widely used datasets,and identifies key challenges facing the field.Unlike existing surveys,this work offers a structured comparison of AI-driven frameworks and provides a detailed account of emerging techniques such as hybrid detection frameworks and image-based analysis.The findings indicate that AIbased models trained on diverse,high-quality datasets consistently outperform conventional methods,particularly when supported by feature engineering,explainable AI and a multi-faceted strategy.The review concludes by outlining future research directions,including the need for standardized datasets,enhanced adversarial robustness,and the integration of privacy-preserving mechanisms in malware detection systems.
文摘Traffic forecasting with high precision aids Intelligent Transport Systems(ITS)in formulating and optimizing traffic management strategies.The algorithms used for tuning the hyperparameters of the deep learning models often have accurate results at the expense of high computational complexity.To address this problem,this paper uses the Tree-structured Parzen Estimator(TPE)to tune the hyperparameters of the Long Short-term Memory(LSTM)deep learning framework.The Tree-structured Parzen Estimator(TPE)uses a probabilistic approach with an adaptive searching mechanism by classifying the objective function values into good and bad samples.This ensures fast convergence in tuning the hyperparameter values in the deep learning model for performing prediction while still maintaining a certain degree of accuracy.It also overcomes the problem of converging to local optima and avoids timeconsuming random search and,therefore,avoids high computational complexity in prediction accuracy.The proposed scheme first performs data smoothing and normalization on the input data,which is then fed to the input of the TPE for tuning the hyperparameters.The traffic data is then input to the LSTM model with tuned parameters to perform the traffic prediction.The three optimizers:Adaptive Moment Estimation(Adam),Root Mean Square Propagation(RMSProp),and Stochastic Gradient Descend with Momentum(SGDM)are also evaluated for accuracy prediction and the best optimizer is then chosen for final traffic prediction in TPE-LSTM model.Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed model in terms of accuracy of prediction over the benchmark schemes.
基金Funded by the Spanish Government and FEDER funds(AEI/FEDER,UE)under grant PID2021-124502OB-C42(PRESECREL)the predoctoral program“Concepción Arenal del Programa de Personal Investigador en formación Predoctoral”funded by Universidad de Cantabria and Cantabria’s Government(BOC 18-10-2021).
文摘Predictive maintenance often involves imbalanced multivariate time series datasets with scarce failure events,posing challenges for model training due to the high dimensionality of the data and the need for domain-specific preprocessing,which frequently leads to the development of large and complex models.Inspired by the success of Large Language Models(LLMs),transformer-based foundation models have been developed for time series(TSFM).These models have been proven to reconstruct time series in a zero-shot manner,being able to capture different patterns that effectively characterize time series.This paper proposes the use of TSFM to generate embeddings of the input data space,making them more interpretable for machine learning models.To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach,we trained three classical machine learning algorithms and one neural network using the embeddings generated by the TSFM called Moment for predicting the remaining useful life of aircraft engines.We test the models trained with both the full training dataset and only 10%of the training samples.Our results show that training simple models,such as support vector regressors or neural networks,with embeddings generated by Moment not only accelerates the training process but also enhances performance in few-shot learning scenarios,where data is scarce.This suggests a promising alternative to complex deep learning architectures,particularly in industrial contexts with limited labeled data.
文摘BACKGROUND Osteonecrosis of the femoral head(ONFH)is an ischaemic disorder often leading to collapse of the femoral head and severe hip dysfunction.Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)have a key role in bone repair,through their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and their paracrine regulation of the bone microenvironment.While altered MSCs behaviour has been reported in some secondary forms of ONFH,the proliferative and differentiation programmes of MSCs in human idiopathic ONFH have not been previously characterized.AIM To compare the proliferative capacity,differentiation potential and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)pathway activation of bone marrow MSCs(BM-MSCs)from idiopathic ONFH patients with those from osteoarthritis controls.METHODS Femoral heads were collected during total hip replacement surgeries.Idiopathic ONFH was defined by imaging and histological criteria.Secondary causes were excluded.BM-MSCs were isolated from trabecular bone cylinders and expanded to passage 2 prior characterizations.Proliferation was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay at various seeding densities.Osteogenic potential was assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity,osteogenic gene expression(RUNX2,ALPL,COL1A1 and BGLAP)and Alizarin Red staining.Adipogenesis was quantified by Oil Red O staining.Expression of NF-κB target genes(IL6,NFKBIA,CCL2)was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.RESULTS Idiopathic ONFH MSCs exhibited significantly higher proliferation rates than osteoarthritis controls.However,they showed reduced alkaline phosphatase activity and osteogenic gene expression but paradoxically,increased mineralization,suggesting non-canonical mineral deposition mechanisms.These cells also display increased adipogenic differentiation.Importantly,ONFH-MSCs expressed higher,although non-significant levels of certain NF-κB target gene genes,consistent with an activated inflammatory state.CONCLUSION Human BM-MSCs from idiopathic ONFH display a paradoxical phenotype:Hyperproliferative yet osteogenically impaired with greater adipogenesis and activation of NF-κB signalling.This functional compromise and inflammatory bias may underline the failure of bone regeneration in ONFH,highlighting the need for therapies redirecting MSCs fate and modulating the bone marrow niche.
文摘Hip pain in young patients is a common complaint that can pose diagnostic challenges.Clinical evaluation of hip pain requires strong foundational knowledge of relevant anatomy,careful history-taking,focused physical examination,and appropriate imaging techniques.Rapid advancements in hip arthroscopy techniques over the past decade has made it an essential tool in assessing and managing hip pain.This article aims to provide an evidence-based update on ten common causes of non-arthritic hip pain.These causes are categorized into three groups based on predominant symptom location to facilitate the readers’understanding and enhance evaluation of hip pain in the clinical setting.Each condition is discussed with an overview of relevant anatomy,clinical features and evaluation methods,as well as management strategies,emphasizing arthroscopic techniques where applicable.
文摘This study examines the molecular and isotopic composition of 193 gas samples collected from oil and gas fields across Colombia's onshore basins with active hydrocarbon production.Comparative analyses were conducted on both isotopic and molecular compositions across the Lower Magdalena Basin(LMB),Middle Magdalena Basin(MMB),Upper Magdalena Basin(UMB),Putumayo Cagu an Basin(PUTCAB),Catatumbo Basin(CATB),Eastern Llanos Basin(LLAB),and Eastern Cordillera Basin(ECB).The primary objectives were to classify the gases produced,characterize their origins,assess transformation processes such as biodegradation and migration,and analyze the statistical distribution patterns of their components.This geochemical characterization aims to support the discovery of new reserves for both natural gas(NG)and liquefied petroleum gas(LPG),given Colombia's potential risk of diminished energy selfsufficiency in gas resources.The basins under study produce dry gas,wet gas,and liquefied petroleum gas(LPG/C_(3+)),all associated with oil and gas fields of commercial hydrocarbon production.Notably,the LLAB contains the highest proportions of heavy isotopic carbon and C_(3+)(LPG)concentrations,whereas LMB is characterized by isotopically lighter methane,indicative of dry gas predominance.Results suggest a predominantly thermogenic origin for the gases studied,generated within the oil and gas windows,with several samples originating from secondary oil cracking,while some samples from LMB display a likely biogenic origin.Additionally,evidence of gas migration and biodegradation was observed in a significant subset of samples.The analysis of statistical distributions and compositional trends reveals a prevalent high methane content,with substantial C_(2)-C_(5)(C_(2+))gas concentrations across all basins studied.This composition underscores the potential for both natural gas(NG)and LPG production.The C_(3+)(LPG)content varies between 1%and 92%,with 35%of the samples containing less than 5%LPG.High original gas-in-place(OGIP)volumes and substantial LPG content in the Eastern Llanos foothills,encompassing fields such as Cusiana and Cupiagua,highlight the prospective potential of this region.Near-field exploration could further add reserves of both NG and LPG.
文摘Nature-based learning is essential for holistic child development,as it integrates direct experiences with the natural environment into educational practices.It cultivates environmental awareness and stewardship,preparing students to be more conscious and responsible toward ecological sustainability.This paper explored the experiences of science high school teachers in implementing nature-based learning in science education and identify the changes in students’discovery-oriented skills.This qualitative exploration provides insights into the role of nature-based learning in shaping students’inquiry skills and their overall engagement in science education.High school science teachers(n=30)from Central Visayas,Philippines were purposively sampled to be interviewed.The findings indicated that exposure to nature-based learning environments cultivated key discovery-oriented skills,including problem-solving,curiosity,and observation.Students were engaged in real-world environmental challenges,developing adaptive problem-solving abilities through experiences such as field research and ecosystem assessments.Curiosity can be developed as students encountered dynamic natural settings that encouraged inquiry and independent exploration,leading to engagement with scientific phenomena.Observation skills were also relevant,as students learned to track patterns,recognize trends,and make scientific predictions.Furthermore,nature-based educational activities contributed to behavioral shifts,encouraged a growth mindset,resilience,and increased inquisitiveness.Learners embraced uncertainty as a natural aspect of scientific exploration,demonstrating a willingness to adapt their approaches and seek deeper understanding through analytical questioning.There is a promise of integrating nature-based learning into educational policies and pedagogical development by promoting inquiry-based instruction,encouraging adaptive problem-solving skills,and strengthening growth mindset among students.
文摘Objective To evaluate the prevalence and one-year prognosis associated with frailty in a contemporary cohort of older patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome(NSTEACS).Methods The IMPACT-TIMING-GO registry(IMPACT of Time of Intervention in patients with Myocardial Infarction with Non-ST seGment elevation.ManaGement and Outcomes)prospectively included 1020 patients with NSTEACS undergoing invasive coronary angiography between April and May 2021.For this sub-study,patients≥65 years were selected.Frailty was assessed according to FRAIL scale.We studied all-cause mortality and the composite of all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalizations at one-year follow-up after discharge.Results Five hundred and sixty seven patients(mean age:75.8±6.7 years,28.2%women)were included:316(55.7%)were robust,183(32.3%)prefrail,and 68(12.0%)frail.Frail patients were significantly older,more often women,and presented a worse baseline clinical profile.There were no differences among groups regarding pretreatment with a P2Y12 inhibitor.An urgent angiography(<24 h)was less frequently performed in frail patients,with no differences regarding revascularization approach or in main in-hospital adverse events,although acute kidney disease occurred more frequently in frail patients.At 1-year follow-up,20 patients died(3.6%).Chronic kidney disease was independently associated with 1-year all-cause death,although a trend towards higher mortality was observed in frail patients(HR=3.01;95%CI:0.93-9.78;P=0.065).Frailty was independently associated with higher 1-year all-cause mortality or all-cause rehospitalizations(HR=2.23;95%CI:1.43-3.46;P<0.001)Conclusions In older patients with NSTEACS,frailty independently associates higher all-cause mortality or all-cause hospital admissions at one-year follow-up.
文摘Laparoscopic surgery is applied today worldwide to most digestive procedures. In some of them, such as cholecystectomy, Nissen's fundoplication or obesity surgery, laparoscopy has become the standard in practice. In others, such as colon or gastric resection, the laparoscopic approach is frequently used and its usefulness is unquestionable. More complex procedures, such as esophageal, liver or pancreatic resections are, however, more infrequently performed, due to the high grade of skill necessary. As a result, there is less clinical evidence to support its implementation. In the recent years, robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has been increasingly applied, again with little evidence for comparison with the conventional laparoscopic approach. This review will focus on the complex digestive procedures as well as those whose use in standard practice could be more controversial. Also novel robot-assisted procedures will be updated.
文摘Vitamin D is an important secosteroid hormone with known effect on calcium homeostasis,but recently there is increasing recognition that vitamin D also is involved in cell proliferation and differentiation,has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.Vitamin D deficiency has been frequently reported in many causes of chronic liver disease and has been associated with the development and evolution of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and chronic hepatitis C(CHC)virus infection.The role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and CHC is not completely known,but it seems that the involvement of vitamin D in the activation and regulation of both innate and adaptive immune systems and its antiproliferative effect may explain its importance in these liver diseases.Published studies provide evidence for routine screening for hypovitaminosis D in patients with liver disease.Further prospectives studies demonstrating the impact of vitamin D replacement in NAFLD and CHC are required.
文摘Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV) is the most frequent episodic vestibular disorder. It is due to otolith rests that are free into the canals or attached to the cupulas. Well over 90% of patients can be successfully treated with manoeuvres that move the particles back to the utriculus. Among the great variety of procedures that have been described, the manoeuvres that are supported by evidenced-based studies or extensive series are commented in this review. Some topics regarding BPPV treatment, such as controlling the accuracy of the procedures or the utility of post-manoeuvre restrictions are also discussed.
文摘AIM: To investigate the plasma levels of betatrophin in patients with cirrhosis.METHODS: Forty patients diagnosed at the clinic with liver cirrhosis according to biological, ultrasonographic,or histological criteria were included.The severity of cirrhosis was classified according to Pugh's modification of Child's classification and MELD score. Insulin resistance(IR) was assessed by the Homeostasis Model Assessment. A total of 20 patients showed a MELD score higher than 14. The control group consisted in 15 sex-and aged-matched subjects.Fasting blood samples were obtained for subsequent analysis. Serum insulin was determined by Liaison automated immune chemiluminiscence assay(DiaSorin S.p.A.) using a sandwich assay. The sensitivity of the assay was 0.2 μU/mL. The intra and interassay variation coefficients were < 4% and < 10%,respectively. The normal values were between 2 and17 μU/mL. Human active betatrophin was analyzed by specific quantitative sandwich ELISA(Aviscera Bioscience). The sensitivity of the assay was 0.4 ng/mL, and the intra and interassay reproducibility were< 6% and < 10%, respectively.RESULTS: Plasma betatrophin levels were significantly increased in patients with cirrhosis compared with those in healthy subjects(P = 0.0001). Betatrophin levels were also associated with disease severity, being higher in Child-Pugh C patients compared to Child-Pugh B(P< 0.0005) and in patients who displayed a MELD score higher than 14 points compared to patients with lower punctuation(P = 0.01). In addition, we found a positive correlation between plasma betatrophin levels and the severity of cirrhosis according to Child-Pugh classification(r = 0.53; P < 0.01) or MELD score(r = 0.45; P <0.01). In the overall cohort, a moderate correlation between serum betatrophin and plasmatic bilirrubin(r= 0.39; P < 0.01) has been observed, as well as an inverse correlation between betatrophin and albumin(r =-0.41; P < 0.01) or prothrombin time(r =-0.44;P <0.01). Moreover, insulin resistance was observed in82.5% of the cirrhotic patients. In this group of patients,betatrophin levels were significantly higher than those in the group of patients without IR(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Plasma betatrophin is increased in patients with cirrhosis. This increase is related to the severity of cirrhosis, as well as with the emergence of insulin resistance.
基金Supported by Spanish Ministerio de Economía y competitividad,No.RTI2018-097324Predoctoral program in Biomedicine from the University of Cantabria and the Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla(IDIVAL),No.PREVAL 19/02 and PREVAL 20/01.
文摘Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are the most frequently used stem cells in clinical trials due to their easy isolation from various adult tissues,their ability of homing to injury sites and their potential to differentiate into multiple cell types.However,the realization that the beneficial effect of MSCs relies mainly on their paracrine action,rather than on their engraftment in the recipient tissue and subsequent differentiation,has opened the way to cell-free therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine.All the soluble factors and vesicles secreted by MSCs are commonly known as secretome.MSCs secretome has a key role in cell-to-cell communication and has been proven to be an active mediator of immunemodulation and regeneration both in vitro and in vivo.Moreover,the use of secretome has key advantages over cell-based therapies,such as a lower immunogenicity and easy production,handling and storage.Importantly,MSCs can be modulated to alter their secretome composition to better suit specific therapeutic goals,thus,opening a large number of possibilities.Altogether these advantages now place MSCs secretome at the center of an important number of investigations in different clinical contexts,enabling rapid scientific progress in this field.
文摘Erectile dysfunction （ED） is considered a condition with a broad range of etiologies. Obstructive sleep apnea （OSA） syndrome is one of the lesser studied risk factors for ED. We intend to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between OSA and sexual impairment, focusing on the results in terms of erectile function of the different therapies offered to OSA patients. A systematic review was conducted, selecting articles related to the physiology of OSA and ED, and to the treatments of OSA syndrome and their reported outcomes in erectile and sexual function. Higher prevalences of ED in the OSA groups have been published. However, whether this effect on the erectile function occurs in the entire range of OSA severities remains unclear. Several hypotheses were proposed to explain the physiology of this association. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure as a treatment for OSA patients with ED has achieved a significative improvement in the sexual parameters in most of the studies. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors （iPDE5） on demand are useful as a treatment for ED in this subgroup of patients, with high satisfaction rates. The surgical treatment for the OSA evidenced benefits over the erectile function, and the effect on the sexual satisfaction of the therapy using Mandibular Advancement Devices is still undefined.
文摘Currently,alcoholic cirrhosis is the second leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States and Europe.The quality of life and survival after a liver transplantation(LT)in patients with alcoholic liver disease(ALD)are similar to those in patients with other cirrhosis etiologies.The alcoholic relapse rate after a LT varies from 10%-50%,and these relapse patients are the ones who present a reduced long-term survival,mainly due to cardiovascular diseases and the onset of de novo neoplasms,including lung and upper aerodigestive tract.Nearly 40%of ALD recipients resume smoking and resume it early post-LT.Therefore,our pre-and post-LT follow-up efforts regarding ALD should be focused not only on alcoholic relapse but also on treating and avoiding other modifiable risk factors such as tobacco.The psychiatric and psychosocial pre-LT evaluation and the post-LT follow-up with physicians,psychiatrists and addiction specialists are important for reversing these problems because these professionals help to identify patients at risk for relapse as well as those patients who have relapsed,thus enabling responsive actions.
文摘Background: Probable benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, spontaneously resolved (pBPPVsr), is a variant of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in which there is no observable nystagmus and no vertigo with any positional maneuver. Objectives: To calculate the incidence pBPPVsr, compare the characteristics of the patients with pBPPVsr and BPPV not spontaneously resolved and describe the spontaneous resolution in the natural course of BPPV. Methods: Multicenter prospective descriptive study. During a one-year period, all patients with suspected BPPV that presented to the Neurotology Units of five participating centers were recruited. The incidence of pBPPVsr was calculated as a percentage of the total number of patients with BPPV. The prevalence of several variables was compared between pBPPVsr and BPPV not spontaneously resolved. The timing of spontaneous resolution was estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: 457 patients met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of pBPPVsr was 33.5%. It was significantly higher in males, in patients with normal bone mass and in patients who were not taking sulpiride. A rate of 18% of spontaneous resolution after the first month and 51% after the first year was found. This percentage did not change in a significant way after this moment. The curves for males, patients under 50 and patients with normal blood pressure decreased significantly faster. Conclusions: In our serie, BPPV spontaneously resolved in half of the patients with BPPV during the first year. This seemed to occur more commonly in males and could have been hindered by sulpiride intake, osteoporosis, advanced age and high blood pressure.
基金support from MEC,Spain,through Grant No.CGL2007-64387/CLIthe AECID,Spain,for support through projects A/013666/07 and A/018685/08
文摘Rank Histograms are suitable tools to assess the quality of ensembles within an ensemble prediction system or framework. By counting the rank of a given variable in the ensemble, we are basically making a sample analysis, which does not allow us to distinguish if the origin of its variability is external noise or comes from chaotic sources. The recently introduced Mean to Variance Logarithmic （MVL） Diagram accounts for the spatial variability, being very sensitive to the spatial localization produced by infinitesimal perturbations of spatiotemporal chaotic systems. By using as a benchmark a simple model subject to noise, we show the distinct information given by Rank Histograms and MVL Diagrams. Hence, the main effects of the external noise can be visualized in a graphic. From the MVL diagram we clearly observe a reduction of the amplitude growth rate and of the spatial localization （chaos suppression）, while from the Rank Histogram we observe changes in the reliability of the ensemble. We conclude that in a complex framework including spatiotemporal chaos and noise, both provide a more complete forecasting picture.
基金the Vicerrectorìa de Investigación y Extension of the Universidad Industrial de Santander,Colombia(grant number 2508)for the financial support of the present work
文摘The present study aims to develop multilayer barrier-bioactive hybrid sol-gel coatings from a mixture of the silane precursors tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS)and glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane(GPTMS)deposited on the Elektron 21 magnesium alloy.The purpose of the inner layer(barrier coating)was to provide corrosion protection to the magnesium alloy,whereas the outer layer(bioactive coating)was doped with different Ca and Mg contents to produce a bioactive material.The coatings were characterised using scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and their corrosion behaviour was evaluated by anodic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy after immersion in simulated body fluid(SBF)at 37±0.5°C.The experimental results showed that the multilayer coatings increased the corrosion resistance of the alloy up to three orders of magnitude during immersion in SBF solution.On the other hand,the presence of Ca and Mg in the bioactive coating promoted the growth of apatite-like phases.However,an increment of salt content favoured the formation of porous coatings,which allowed the access of the electrolyte to the substrate leading to their rapid deterioration.Despite the latter,this research endorses the premise that the TEOS-GPTMS hybrid system represents a promising alternative to produce bifunctional barrier-bioactive coatings.
文摘Penile urethral strictures have been managed by a staged surgical approach.In selected cases,spongiofibrosis can be excised,a neo-urethral plate created using buccal mucosa graft(BMG)and tubularized during the same procedure,performing a“twoin-one”stage approach.We aim to identify stricture factors which indicate suitability for this two-in-one stage approach.We assess surgical outcome and compare with staged reconstruction.We conducted an observational descriptive study.The data were prospectively collected from two-in-one stage and staged penile urethroplasties using BMG in a single center between 2007 and 2017.The minimum follow-up was 6 months.Outcomes were assessed clinically,radiologically,and by flow-rate analysis.Failure was defined as recurrent stricture or any subsequent surgical or endoscopic intervention.Descriptive analysis of stricture characteristics and statistical comparison was made between groups.Of 425 penile urethroplasties,139 met the inclusion criteria:59 two-in-one stage and 80 staged.The mean stricture length was 2.8 cm(single stage)and 4.5 cm(staged).Etiology was lichen sclerosus(LS)52.5%(single stage)and 73.8%hypospadias related(staged).40.7%of patients had previous failed urethroplasties in the single-stage group and 81.2%in the staged.The most common stricture locations were navicular fossa(39.0%)and distal penile urethra(59.3%)in the single-stage group and mid or proximal penile urethra(58.7%)in the staged group.Success rates were 89.8%(single stage)and 81.3%(staged).A trend toward a single-stage approach for select penile urethral strictures was noted.We conclude that a single-stage substitution penile urethroplasty using BMG as a“two-in-one”approach is associated with excellent functional outcomes.The most suitable strictures for this approach are distal,primary,and LS-related strictures.
基金Supported by The Ophthalmological Foundation of Santander-FOSCAL
文摘AIM: To assess the performance of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score(FINDRISC) questionnaire for detecting and predicting type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM2) in a Colombian population.METHODS: This is a longitudinal observational study conducted in Floridablanca, Colombia. Adult subjects(age ≥ 35 years) without known diabetes, were included. A modified version of FINDRISC was completed, and the glycemia values from all the subjects were collected from the hospital's database. Firstly, a cross-sectional analysis was performed and then, the subsample of prediabetic participants was followed for diabetes incidence. RESULTS: A total of 772 subjects were suitable for the study. The overall prevalence of undiagnosed DM2 was 2.59%, and the incidence of DM2 among the prediabetic participants was 7.5 per 100 person-years after a total of 265257 person-years follow-up. The FINDRISC at baseline was significantly associated with undiagnosed and incident DM2. The area under receiver operating characteristics curve of the FINDRISC score for detecting undiagnosed DM2 in both men and women was 0.7477 and 0.7175, respectively; and for predicting the incidence of DM2 among prediabetics was 71.99% in men and 67.74% in women. CONCLUSION: The FINDRISC questionnaire is a useful screening tool to identify cross-sectionally unknown DM2 and to predict the incidence of DM2 among prediabetics in the Colombian population.
