Evaluating Structural Details' Influence on Elastic Wave Propagation for Composite Structures via Ray Tracing.

This study presents a novel method based on ray tracing for analyzing wave propagation in composites specifically tailored for structural health monitoring applications. This method offers distinct advantages over the commonly used finite element method mainly in computational resource utilization, which has become a limiting factor for these kinds of analyses. The ray tracing method is evaluated against a number of example cases representing structural details such as thickness changes, stringers, or simulated damage, and the significance of ray tracing to study wave propagation under these conditions and how it can serve as a valuable tool for structural health monitoring are highlighted.

Study of the Feasibility of Decoupling Temperature and Strain from a -PA-OFDR over an SMF Using Neural Networks.

Despite several existing techniques for distributed sensing (temperature and strain) using standard Single-Mode optical Fiber (SMF), compensating or decoupling both effects is mandatory for many applications. Currently, most decoupling techniques require special optical fibers and are difficult to implement with high-spatial-resolution distributed techniques, such as OFDR. Therefore, this work's objective is to study the feasibility of decoupling temperature and strain out of the readouts of a phase and polarization analyzer OFDR (ϕ-PA-OFDR) taken over an SMF.

Three-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation Based on Speckle Pattern Projection for Non-Invasive Vibrational Analysis.

Non-contact vibration measurements are relevant for non-invasively characterizing the mechanical behavior of structures. This paper presents a novel methodology for full-field vibrational analysis at high frequencies using the three-dimensional digital image correlation technique combined with the projection of a speckle pattern. The method includes stereo calibration and image processing routines for accurate three-dimensional data acquisition.

Surgical acute abdomen and COVID-19 vaccination.

In response to the publication "Acute appendicitis, foreign bodies and COVID-19 vaccination: correspondence", we reviewed the association between acute surgical abdomen and COVID-19 vaccination.

Evaluation of health outcomes after the implementation of rotational thromboelastometry in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Background: Viscoelastic tests (rotational thromboelastometry, ROTEM), together with the implementation of a specific algorithm for coagulation management in cardiac surgery, enable perioperative coagulopathy to be better controlled.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study including 675 patients who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The incidence of allogeneic blood transfusions and clinical postoperative complications were analyzed before and after ROTEM implementation.

Uncommon causes of acute appendicitis: foreign bodies in the cecal appendix.

A 50-year-old woman with a history of hysterectomy for endometrial cancer in 2015 visited because of abdominal pain for 1 week and fever simultaneous with her third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Physical examination revealed a mobile mass in the right iliac fossa, and laboratory testing showed C-reactive protein at 3 mg/dL, with no further changes. Ultrasound results were consistent with an appendiceal inflammatory mass, and a CT scan revealed an appendicolith as likely cause.

Role of Isolated Limb Perfusion in the Era of Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy in Melanoma. A Systematic Review of The Literature.

Background: Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a locoregional procedure indicated by the unresectable melanoma of the limbs. Its complexity and highly demanding multidisciplinary approach means that it is a technique only implemented in a few referral centers around the globe. This report aims to examine its potential role in the era of targeted therapies and immunotherapy by conducting a systematic review of the literature on ILP.

Disposition of Dietary Polyphenols in Breast Cancer Patients' Tumors, and Their Associated Anticancer Activity: The Particular Case of Curcumin.

Scope: Some polyphenol-derived metabolites reach human breast cancer (BC) tissues at concentrations that induce cell senescence. However, this is unknown for isoflavones, curcuminoids, and lignans. Here, their metabolic profiling in normal (NT) and malignant (MT) mammary tissues of newly-diagnosed BC patients and the tissue-occurring metabolites' anticancer activity are evaluated.

Directional Response of Randomly Dispersed Carbon Nanotube Strain Sensors.

Tests on a double lap bonded joint, with transverse strips of randomly oriented carbon nanotubes (CNT) sprayed onto an epoxy adhesive film, showed a positive increment in electrical resistance under tensile load, even though the transverse strains were negative. Other experiments included in this work involved placing longitudinal and transversal CNT sensors in a tensile loaded aluminum plate, and, as reported by other authors, the results confirm that the resistance change is not only dependent on the strains oriented with the electrode line, while the other strain components also influence the response. This behavior is quite different to that of conventional strain gages which have a near zero sensitivity to strains not aligned to the sensor direction.

Management of duodenal perforations after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Objective: To describe our experience regarding post-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) perforations and its conservative management.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study of the therapeutic management of post-ERCP perforations occurred over the period 2012-2017 in our hospital.

Results: There were 12 perforations after ERCP, with choledocholithiasis being the main indication for the test (66.

Structural Health Monitoring in Composite Structures by Fiber-Optic Sensors.

Fiber-optic sensors cannot measure damage; to get information about damage from strain measurements, additional strategies are needed, and several alternatives are available in the existing literature. This paper discusses two independent procedures. The first is based on detecting new strains appearing around a damage spot.

Bamboo-Polylactic Acid (PLA) Composite Material for Structural Applications.

Developing an eco-friendly industry based on green materials, sustainable technologies, and optimum processes with low environmental impact is a general societal goal, but this remains a considerable challenge to achieve. Despite the large number of research on green structural composites, limited investigation into the most appropriate manufacturing methodology to develop a structural material at industrial level has taken place. Laboratory panels have been manufactured with different natural fibers but the methodologies and values obtained could not be extrapolated at industrial level.

Sternal cutaneous metastasis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Subcutaneous metastasis is a rare initial manifestation of visceral tumors, and represent advanced stages with poor prognosis. We report the case of a female patient with a subcutaneous nodule over the sternum, which was ultimately found to be a metastasis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Only 20 cases of subcutaneous metastasis from Klatskin tumors have been reported - a rare occurrence with poor survival rates.

Esophageal perforation by a Sengstaken balloon.

Iatrogenic esophageal perforations are rare but associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Secondary to placing a Sengstaken ballon are even more extraordinary because of the infrequency which this measure is used to control upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, we think it is of interest to communicate this complication, to remember the need to check the correct placement of the Sengstaken ballon before insufflation, since it would help further decrease this complication.

Acute abdomen from duodenal diverticulitis. A case report.

Duodenal diverticula are a rare, usually asymptomatic clinical condition. When a complication arises clinical suspicion is key for the diagnosis. On occasion these patients receive a delayed diagnosis and undergo inadequate medical therapy.

Small bowel mesenchymal tumors: description of two unusual cases.

We present two cases of intestinal ileal GIST who developed complications of nonspecific signs and required to be operated urgently, providing unusual images of tumors because of its characteristics.

Management of non-surgical pneumoperitoneum.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the best approach to feeding patients not eligible for oral nutrition who have a functioning digestive system. Pneumoperitoneum after PEG is a relatively common complication. As regards management, the most important decision is whether conservative therapy or an exploratory laparotomy should be indicated.

Postoperative costs associated with outcomes after cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation: role of antithrombin levels.

Objective: To study the impact on postoperative costs of a patient's antithrombin levels associated with outcomes after cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation.

Design: An analytic decision model was designed to estimate costs and clinical outcomes after cardiac surgery in a typical patient with low antithrombin levels (<63.7%) compared with a patient with normal antithrombin levels (≥63.

[Hormonal alterations on young morbid obese women].

Background: Human obesity is a widespread disease with considerable variability as to its severity, metabolic and endocrine manifestations and etiology. In the present study we have determined whether the alterations of uncomplicated severe obesity in adult young women affect with different intensity the circulating levels of hormones that have been postulated to intervene in the development and maintenance of obesity.

Subjects And Method: Age-matched 20 morbidly obese (BMI 52.