Unexplained disabling and long-lasting cough: a case report.

Background: A 51-year-old woman was referred to our department due to chronic dry cough lasting six years without an etiological diagnosis. The patient suffered from chronic deterioration in her quality of life due to a persistent cough that sounded like a barking seal.

Case Presentation: A severe form of malacia involving the inferior third of trachea and the main bronchi was diagnosed.

Vortex-Mixing Microfluidic Fabrication of Micafungin-Loaded Magnetite-Salicylic Acid-Silica Nanocomposite with Sustained-Release Capacity.

Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using a vortex microfluidic system and subsequently functionalized with a primary shell of salicylic acid, recognized for its ability to increase the stability and biocompatibility of coated materials. In the second stage, the vortex platform was placed in a magnetic field to facilitate the growth and development of a porous silica shell. The selected drug for this study was micafungin, an antifungal agent well regarded for its effectiveness in combating fungal infections and identified as a priority compound by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Retrospective study of the factors involved in the development of adenomyosis and the link between adenomyosis and breast cancer.

Background And Aims: Adenomyosis is a heterogeneous disease, which differs from patient to patient. The objective of our study was to evaluate the risk factors that influence the occurrence of adenomyosis, more precisely to highlight aspects that may be used in practice. In addition, the impact of levonorgestrel (a possible predisposing factor in the occurrence of adenomyosis) on MDA-MB-231 cells was evaluated, trying to obtain a link between adenomyosis and mammary cancer.

Controlling action potentials with magnetoelectric nanoparticles.

Non-invasive or minutely invasive and wireless brain stimulation that can target any region of the brain is an open problem in engineering and neuroscience with serious implications for the treatment of numerous neurological diseases. Despite significant recent progress in advancing new methods of neuromodulation, none has successfully replicated the efficacy of traditional wired stimulation and improved on its downsides without introducing new complications. Due to the capability to convert magnetic fields into local electric fields, MagnetoElectric NanoParticle (MENP) neuromodulation is a recently proposed framework based on new materials that can locally sensitize neurons to specific, low-strength alternating current (AC) magnetic fields (50Hz 1.

Novel Gas Sensing Approach: ReS/TiCT Heterostructures for NH Detection in Humid Environments.

Continuous monitoring of ammonia (NH) in humid environments poses a notable challenge for gas sensing applications because of its effect on sensor sensitivity. The present work investigates the detection of NH in a natural humid environment utilizing ReS/TiCT heterostructures as a sensing platform. ReS nanosheets were vertically grown on the surface of TiCT sheets through a hydrothermal synthetic approach, resulting in the formation of ReS/TiCT heterostructures.

Lignin-Based Platform as a Potential Low-Cost Sorbent for the Direct Air Capture of CO.

The urgent need to address the current climate crisis has led to concerted efforts to develop low-cost and sustainable methods to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and negative emissions technologies (NET's) offer the most promising paths forward to offsetting global emissions. In this study, we explore the potential of kraft lignin, a readily available biomaterial, as a low-cost alternative for the development of a CO sorbent.

Prediction of axial capacity of corrosion-affected RC columns strengthened with inclusive FRP.

The primary cause behind the degradation of reinforced concrete (RC) structures is the propagation of corrosion in the steel-RC structures. Nowadays, numerous retrofitting techniques are available in the construction sector. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) is one of the efficient rehabilitation measures that can be implemented on corroded structures to enhance structural capacities.

The influence of nanosunflower ash and nanowalnut shell ash on sustainable lightweight self-compacting concrete characteristics.

The absence of biodegradability exhibited by plastics is a matter of significant concern among environmentalists and scientists on a global scale. Therefore, it is essential to figure out potential pathways for the use of recycled plastics. The prospective applications of its utilisation in concrete are noteworthy.

Lignin-Based Nanospheres as Environmental Remediation Platforms for Anionic Dye Contaminants.

Modern manufacturing of textiles, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, plastics, paper, etc. involves the utilization of anionic and cationic dyes that lead to significant water contamination. Recent research has explored the use of nanomaterials toward developing nanoadsorbents for water decontamination caused by industrial pollution.

Size-Controlled CuVSe Nanocrystals as Cathode Material in Platinum-Free Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

In this work, we report the first single-step, size-controlled synthesis of CuVSe cuboidal nanocrystals, with the longest dimension ranging from 9 to 36 nm, and their use in replacing the platinum counter electrode in dye-sensitized solar cells. CuVSe, a ternary semiconductor from the class of sulvanites, is theoretically predicted to have good hole mobility, making it a promising candidate for charge transport in solar photovoltaic devices. The identity and crystalline purity of the CuVSe nanocrystals were validated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy.

BedBiopsy: Diagnostic performance of bedside ultrasound-guided bone biopsies for the management of diabetic foot infection.

Objective: We aimed to assess the feasibility and diagnostic performance of ultrasound-guided bone biopsies at the bedside of diabetic patients admitted for suspected foot osteitis not requiring surgery.

Research Design And Methods: In this retrospective monocentric study, we compared the performance of ultrasound-guided (n = 29 consecutive patients, Dec.2020-Oct.

Ensemble learning based compressive strength prediction of concrete structures through real-time non-destructive testing.

This study conducts an extensive comparative analysis of computational intelligence approaches aimed at predicting the compressive strength (CS) of concrete, utilizing two non-destructive testing (NDT) methods: the rebound hammer (RH) and the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test. In the ensemble learning approach, the six most popular algorithms (Adaboost, CatBoost, gradient boosting tree (GBT), random forest (RF), stacking, and extreme gradient boosting (XGB)) have been used to develop the prediction models of CS of concrete based on NDT. The ML models have been developed using a total of 721 samples, of which 111 were cast in the laboratory, 134 were obtained from in-situ testing, and the other samples were gathered from the literature.

Right Atrial Remodeling and Outcome in Patients with Secondary Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Background: In patients with secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR), right atrial remodeling (RAR) is a proven marker of disease progression. However, the prognostic value of RAR, assessed by indexed right atrial volume (RAVi) and reservoir strain (RAS), remains to be clarified. Accordingly, the aim of our study is to investigate the association with outcome of RAR in patients with STR.

Application of Machine Learning in Modeling the Relationship between Catchment Attributes and Instream Water Quality in Data-Scarce Regions.

This research delves into the efficacy of machine learning models in predicting water quality parameters within a catchment area, focusing on unraveling the significance of individual input variables. In order to manage water quality, it is necessary to determine the relationship between the physical attributes of the catchment, such as geological permeability and hydrologic soil groups, and in-stream water quality parameters. Water quality data were acquired from the Iran Water Resource Management Company (WRMC) through monthly sampling.

What's new in minimally invasive thoracic surgery? Clinical application of augmented reality and learning opportunities in surgical simulation.

Lung cancer represents the most lethal cancer worldwide. Surgery is the treatment of choice for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, with an overall survival that can reach 90% at 5 years, but its detection is difficult to achieve due to the lack of symptoms. Screening programs are crucial to identify small cancer.

[Interventionnal bronchoscopy for the treatment of tracheobronchomalacia].

Tracheobronchomalacia is usually characterized by more than 50% expiratory narrowing in diameter of the trachea and the bronchi. The expiratory collapse includes two entities: (1) the TBM related to the weakness of the cartilaginous rings, and (2) the Excessive Dynamic Airway Collapse (EDAC) due to the excessive bulging of the posterior membrane. Patients have nonspecific respiratory symptoms like dyspnea and cough.

Crack Size and Undermatching Effects on Fracture Behavior of a Welded Joint.

Crack size and undermatching effects on fracture behavior of undermatched welded joints are presented and analyzed. Experimental and numerical analysis of the fracture behavior of high-strength low-alloyed (HSLA) steel welded joints with so-called small and large crack in undermatched weld metal and the base metal was performed, as a part of more extensive research previously conducted. J integral was determined by direct measurement using special instrumentation including strain gauges and a CMOD measuring device.

Effect of Shielding Gas Arc Welding Process on Cavitation Resistance of Welded Joints of AlMg4.5Mn Alloy.

The effect of the shielding gas arc welding process on the cavitation resistance of the three-component aluminum alloy AlMg4.5Mn and its welded joints was investigated. Welding was performed using the GTAW and GMAW processes in a shielded atmosphere of pure argon.

Experimental Models for Rare Melanoma Research-The Niche That Needs to Be Addressed.

Melanoma, the tumor arising from the malignant transformation of pigment-producing cells-the melanocytes-represents one of the most severe cancer types. Despite their rarity compared to cutaneous melanoma, the extracutaneous subtypes such as uveal melanoma (UM), acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), and mucosal melanoma (MM) stand out due to their increased aggressiveness and mortality rate, demanding continuous research to elucidate their specific pathological features and develop efficient therapies. Driven by the emerging progresses made in the preclinical modeling of melanoma, the current paper covers the most relevant in vitro, in vivo, and in ovo systems, providing a deeper understanding of these rare melanoma subtypes.

Modeling the Thermoelastic Bending of Ferric Oxide (FeO) Nanoparticles-Enhanced RC Slabs.

Nanoparticles, by virtue of their amorphous nature and high specific surface area, exhibit ideal pozzolanic activity which leads to the formation of additional C-S-H gel by reacting with calcium hydroxide, resulting in a denser matrix. The proportions of ferric oxide (FeO), silicon dioxide (SiO), and aluminum oxide (AlO) in the clay, which interact chemically with the calcium oxide (CaO) during the clinkering reactions, influence the final properties of the cement and, therefore, of the concrete. Through the phases of this article, a refined trigonometric shear deformation theory (RTSDT), taking into account transverse shear deformation effects, is presented for the thermoelastic bending analysis of concrete slabs reinforced with ferric oxide (FeO) nanoparticles.

Atomic scale insight into the decomposition of nanocrystalline zinc hydroxynitrate toward ZnO using Mn paramagnetic probes.

Layered zinc hydroxynitrate (ZHN), with the chemical formula Zn (OH) (NO)·2HO, exhibits a range of special properties such as anion-exchange and intercalation capacity, as well as biocompatibility, making it attractive for a large variety of applications in fields from nanotechnology to healthcare and agriculture. In this study nanocrystalline ZHN doped with 1,000 ppm Mn was prepared by two synthesis methods (coprecipitation and solid state reaction) using similar environment-friendly precursors. The complex morpho-structural [X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, textural analysis] and spectroscopic [Fourier transform infrared and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR)] characterization of the two ZHN nanopowders showed similar crystalline structures with Mn ions localized in the nanocrystals volume, but with differences in their morphological and textural characteristics, as well as in the doping efficiency.

A Brief Overview on Crack Patterns, Repair and Strengthening of Historical Masonry Structures.

Given that a significant fraction of buildings and architectural heritage in Europe's historical centers are masonry structures, the selection of proper diagnosis, technological surveys, non-destructive testing, and interpretations of crack and decay patterns is paramount for a risk assessment of possible damage. Identifying the possible crack patterns, discontinuities, and associated brittle failure mechanisms within unreinforced masonry under seismic and gravity actions allows for reliable retrofitting interventions. Traditional and modern materials and strengthening techniques create a wide range of compatible, removable, and sustainable conservation strategies.

Machine learning intelligence to assess the shear capacity of corroded reinforced concrete beams.

The ability of machine learning (ML) techniques to forecast the shear strength of corroded reinforced concrete beams (CRCBs) is examined in the present study. These ML techniques include artificial neural networks (ANN), adaptive-neuro fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS), decision tree (DT) and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost). A thorough databank with 140 data points about the shear capacity of CRCBs with various degrees of corrosion was compiled after a review of the literature.