Characteristics of river heatwaves in the Vistula River basin, Europe.

Rivers worldwide are warming due to the impact of climate change and human interventions. This study investigated river heatwaves in the Vistula River Basin, one of the largest river systems in Europe using long-term observed daily river water temperatures from the past 30 years (1991-2020). The results showed that river heatwaves are increased in frequency and intensity in the Vistula River Basin.

Streamflow trends and flood frequency analysis: a regional study of the UK.

In recent years, the escalating effects of climate change on surface water bodies have underscored the critical importance of analyzing streamflow trends for effective water resource planning and management. This study conducts a comprehensive regional investigation into the streamflow rate trends of 18 rivers across the United Kingdom (UK). An enhanced Mann-Kendall (MK) test was employed to meticulously analyze both rainfall and streamflow trends on monthly and annual scales.

Analysis, design, and maintenance of isolation valves in water distribution networks: State of the art review, insights from field experiences and future directions.

Isolation valves play a primary role in water distribution networks as their operation enables isolating the part of the network undergoing planned or extraordinary maintenance, in the context of rehabilitation or pipe break repairs, respectively. This paper presents a review of the current state of the art of isolation valves, with a focus on the problems of analysis, e.g.

An optimized NARX-based model for predicting thermal dynamics and heatwaves in rivers.

The thermal dynamics within river ecosystems represent critical areas of study due to their profound impact on overall aquatic health. With the rising prevalence of heatwaves in rivers, a consequence of climate change, it is imperative to deepen our understanding through comprehensive research efforts. Despite this urgency, there remains a noticeable dearth in studies aimed at refining modeling techniques to precisely characterize the duration and intensity of these events.

A novel optimized model based on NARX networks for predicting thermal anomalies in Polish lakes during heatwaves, with special reference to the 2018 heatwave.

In 2018, Europe experienced one of the most severe heatwaves ever recorded. This extreme event's impact on lake surface water temperature (LSWT) in Polish lakes has largely remained unknown. In this study, the impact of the 2018 European heatwave on LSWT in 24 Polish lakes was investigated based on a long-term observed dataset (1987-2020).

A stacked machine learning model for multi-step ahead prediction of lake surface water temperature.

Lake surface water temperature is one of the most important physical and ecological indices of lakes, which has frequently been used as the indicator to evaluate the impact of climate change on lakes. Knowing the dynamics of lake surface water temperature is thus of great significance. The past decades have witnessed the development of different modeling tools to forecast lake surface water temperature, yet, simple models with fewer input variables, while maintaining high forecasting accuracy are scarce.

Short-term forecasts of streamflow in the UK based on a novel hybrid artificial intelligence algorithm.

In recent years, the growing impact of climate change on surface water bodies has made the analysis and forecasting of streamflow rates essential for proper planning and management of water resources. This study proposes a novel ensemble (or hybrid) model, based on the combination of a Deep Learning algorithm, the Nonlinear AutoRegressive network with eXogenous inputs, and two Machine Learning algorithms, Multilayer Perceptron and Random Forest, for the short-term streamflow forecasting, considering precipitation as the only exogenous input and a forecast horizon up to 7 days. A large regional study was performed, considering 18 watercourses throughout the United Kingdom, characterized by different catchment areas and flow regimes.

A nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) model to predict nitrate concentration in rivers.

Forecasting nitrate concentration in rivers is essential for environmental protection and careful treatment of drinking water. This study shows that nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous inputs neural networks can provide accurate models to predict nitrate plus nitrite concentrations in waterways. The Susquehanna River and the Raccoon River, USA, were chosen as case studies.

Previous Surgery and the Temporal Evolution of Functional Outcomes and Complication Rates in Total Ankle Replacement.

Given that most ankle replacements are post-traumatic in origin, it is important to investigate if prior interventions affect a patient's functional outcomes or increase the possibility of complications. Prior ankle surgeries create scar tissue and zones of impaired vascularity which could ultimately interfere with surgical healing. The purpose of this study is to assess the pain and functional temporal outcomes of patients with and without prior surgeries in the ipsilateral ankle.

Prediction of spring flows using nonlinear autoregressive exogenous (NARX) neural network models.

In the Mediterranean area, climate changes have led to long and frequent droughts with a drop in groundwater resources. An accurate prediction of the spring discharge is an essential task for the proper management of the groundwater resources and for the sustainable development of large areas of the Mediterranean basin. This study shows an unprecedented application of non-linear AutoRegressive with eXogenous inputs (NARX) neural networks to the prediction of spring flows.

Shortcut nitrification-denitrification and biological phosphorus removal in acetate- and ethanol-fed moving bed biofilm reactors under microaerobic/aerobic conditions.

This study investigated the feasibility of coupling simultaneous partial nitrification and denitrification (SPND) to biological phosphorus removal in continuous-flow intermittently-aerated moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) fed with different carbon sources, i.e. ethanol and acetate.

Groundwater level prediction in Apulia region (Southern Italy) using NARX neural network.

In the Mediterranean area, the high water demand frequently leads to an excessive exploitation of the water resource, which involves a qualitative degradation of the freshwaters stored in coastal karst aquifers, as a result of phenomena such as sea saltwater intrusion. In this study, the NARX network was used to predict the daily groundwater level fluctuation for 76 monitored wells located on the Apulian territory. A preliminary analysis on reference wells was performed in order to assess the impact on the groundwater level prediction of two input parameters, rainfall and evapotranspiration, and the sensitivity to changes of training algorithm and input time delay.

Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and phosphorus removal in a continuous-flow moving bed biofilm reactor alternating microaerobic and aerobic conditions.

A continuous-flow moving bed biofilm reactor (IAMBBR) alternating microaerobic and aerobic conditions was used to remove carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus through simultaneous nitrification and denitrification coupled to phosphorus removal (SNDPR). The IAMBBR was operated under different dissolved oxygen (DO) ranges (0.2-2, 0.

Artificial intelligence based approaches to evaluate actual evapotranspiration in wetlands.

Wetlands are extraordinary ecosystems and important climate regulators that also contribute to reduce natural disaster risk. Unfortunately, wetlands are declining much faster than forests. The safeguarding of the wetlands also needs knowledge of the dynamics that control the water balance of these environments.

Effect of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio on simultaneous nitrification denitrification and phosphorus removal in a microaerobic moving bed biofilm reactor.

In this study, long-term simultaneous nitrification denitrification (SND) and phosphorous removal were investigated in a continuous-flow microaerobic MBBR (mMBBR) operated at a dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of 1.0 (±0.2) mg L.

Sirolimus-Eluting Magnesium Resorbable Scaffold Implantation in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction.

To date, very little is known about the performance of a sirolimus-eluting bioresorbable magnesium scaffold (Mg-BRS) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A multicenter cohort analysis was performed on 69 consecutive AMI subjects treated with Mg-BRS. Procedural success was obtained in all cases, and no in-hospital events were reported.

One-Year Results Following a Pre-Specified ABSORB Implantation Strategy in ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (BVS STEMI STRATEGY-IT Study).

Background: data from clinical experiences with Absorb bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) in STEMI raised concerns among clinicians about the device safety because a noteworthy scaffold thrombosis (ScT) rate was reported at early and long-term follow-up. Nevertheless, pre-specified technical suggestions of how to perform an optimal BRS procedure in STEMI were lacking. In this study we sought to assess the 1-year results following a pre-specified BRS implantation strategy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary PCI (pPCI).

Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Transfibular Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Background:: Ankle arthritis is a highly limiting pathology that causes pain and functional limitation with subsequent deterioration of quality of life. With recent advances in surgical instrumentation and techniques, prosthetic replacement of the ankle has proven to be a valid alternative to arthrodesis with comparable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological findings in a transfibular total ankle replacement with follow-up of at least 2 years.

Early radiological assessment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer treated with electrochemotherapy.

Aim: To report early imaging assessment of ablated area post electrochemotherapy (ECT) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).

Methods: ECT was performed in 19 LAPC patients enrolled in an approved ongoing clinical phase I/II study. Before and after ECT, 18 patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan, 11 patients underwent morphological and functional magnetic resonance (MR) scan (dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI) calculating wash-in slope (WIS) and wash-out slope (WOS); diffusion weighted imaging calculating pseudo-diffusivity (Dp), perfusion fraction (fp) and tissue diffusivity (Dt); 10 patients underwent positron emission tomography (PET).

Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance, computed tomography and contrast enhanced ultrasound in radiological multimodality assessment of peribiliary liver metastases.

Purpose: We compared diagnostic performance of Magnetic Resonance (MR), Computed Tomography (CT) and Ultrasound (US) with (CEUS) and without contrast medium to identify peribiliary metastasis.

Methods: We identified 35 subjects with histological proven peribiliary metastases who underwent CEUS, CT and MR study. Four radiologists evaluated the presence of peribiliary lesions, using a 4-point confidence scale.

Clinical and microbiological outcomes in haematogenous spondylodiscitis treated conservatively.

Introduction: Spondylodiscitis refers to infections of the intervertebral disc and the adjacent vertebral body. Although it is still considered a rare condition, its rate is projected to increase. Mortality rate is considered to be low, but an estimated one third of the survivors experience residual disabilities.

Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging and 3D endoanal ultrasound in detection, staging and assessment post treatment, in anal cancer.

We compared Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and 3D Endoanal Ultrasound (EAUS) imaging performance to confirm anal carcinoma and to monitor treatment response.58 patients with anal cancer were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent clinical examination, anoscopic examination; EAUS and contrast-enhanced MRI study before and after treatment.

Multidetector computer tomography in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma assessment: an update.

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, with only a minority of cases being resectable at the moment of their diagnosis. The accurate detection and characterization of pancreatic carcinoma is very important for patient management. Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has become the cross-sectional modality of choice in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and follow-up of patients with pancreatic tumors.

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for Hepatocellular carcinoma: correlation with histologic grade.

Purpose: To assess the correlation between DWI diffusion parameters obtained using Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Method (IVIM) and histological grade of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Results: According to Edmondson-Steiner grade lesions were classified with grade 1 (14), grade 2 (30), grade 3 (18), and grade 4 (0). Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC), perfusion fraction (fp), tissue diffusion coefficient (Dt) median values were statistically different in HCC groups with 1, 2, 3 histological grade (p<0.

Radiological assessment of anal cancer: an overview and update.

Anal cancer is uncommon neoplasm with an incidence of 2 new cases per 100,000 per year in the USA, accounting approximately 0.4 % of all tumors and 2.5 % of gastrointestinal malignancies.