Search Results (198)

Background: Bicycles constitute a primary means of transportation, particularly within the scope of urban micromobility. However, the use of this mode of transport is associated with the risk of traffic accidents and subsequent maxillofacial trauma. Cyclists are classified as vulnerable road users, among whom the assessment of injury patterns is a significant issue. This study aimed to identify the most common maxillofacial fractures resulting from bicycle-related traffic accidents. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of patients treated at the Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Clinical Hospital in Poznan, who sustained maxillofacial injuries as a result of bicycle-related accidents between 2019 and 2023. Results: A total of 99 patients met the inclusion criteria. Most of the study population was males (70.7%), with a median age of 38. Accidents most frequently occurred during the summer months and on Fridays and weekends. The most common fracture site was the mandible (40.4%), with double fractures being the predominant type. Additionally, zygomatic-orbital fractures were frequently observed (30.3%). In terms of treatment, surgical intervention was predominant, and the mean duration of hospitalisation was 6 days. Only 5.1% of patients were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. Furthermore, it was found that isolated mandibular fractures occurred more frequently in younger patients, whereas midface fractures of the Le Fort II and III types were more commonly observed in individuals under the influence of alcohol at the time of the event. Moreover, accidents involving alcohol consumption were associated with a higher incidence of concomitant cranio-cerebral injuries. Conclusions: Defining the profile of maxillofacial fractures resulting from bicycle accidents constitutes a clinically relevant issue. Additionally, identifying the main risk factors and developing preventive measures is of critical importance. Full article

This work investigated the effect of high-nitrogen/low-hydrogen mixed atmosphere heat treatment on the electrochemical corrosion and wear resistance of plasma-sprayed FeCoNiCrAl high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings. The HEA coatings were sequentially prepared through annealing at 400, 600, and 800 °C for 6 h. The heat treatment method was conducted in a vacuum tube furnace under 0.1 MPa total pressure, with gas flow rates set to 300 sccm N₂ and 100 sccm H₂. The XRD results indicated that the as-deposited coating exhibited α-Fe (BBC) and Al_0.9Ni_4.22 (FCC) phases, with an Fe_0.64N_0.36 nitride phase generated after 800 °C annealing. The electrochemical measurements suggested that an exceptional corrosion performance with higher thicknesses of passive film and double-layer capacitance can be detected based on the point defect model (PDM) and effective capacitance model. Wear tests revealed that the friction coefficient at 800 °C decreased by 3.84% compared to that in the as-sprayed state due to the formation of a dense nitride layer. Molecular orbital theory pointed out that the formation of bonding molecular orbitals, resulting from the overlap of valence electron orbitals of different atomic species in the HEA coating system, stabilized the structure by promoting atomic interactions. The wear mechanism associated with stress redistribution and energy balance from compositional synergy is proposed in this work. Full article

Background/Objectives: Olfactory impairment has been proposed as an early marker for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet the mechanisms linking sensory decline to genetic and environmental risk factors remain unclear. We aimed to identify early biomarkers and brain network alterations associated with AD risk by multimodal analyses in humanized APOE mice. Methods: We evaluated olfactory behavior, diffusion MRI connectomics, and brain and blood transcriptomics in mice stratified by APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4 genotypes, age, sex, high-fat diet, and immune background (HN). Behavioral assays assessed odor salience, novelty detection, and memory. Elastic Net-regularized multi-set canonical correlation analysis (MCCA) was used to link behavior to brain connectivity. Blood transcriptomics and gene ontology analyses identified peripheral molecular correlates. Results: APOE4 mice exhibited accelerated deficits in odor-guided behavior and memory, especially under high-fat diet, while APOE2 mice were more resilient (ANOVA: APOE x HN, F(2, 1669) = 77.25, p < 0.001, eta squared = 0.08). Age and diet compounded behavioral impairments (diet x age: F(1, 1669) = 16.04, p < 0.001). Long-term memory was particularly reduced in APOE4 mice (APOE x HN, F(2,395) = 5.6, p = 0.004). MCCA identified subnetworks explaining up to 24% of behavioral variance (sum of canonical correlations: 1.27, 95% CI [1.18, 1.85], p < 0.0001), with key connections involving the ventral orbital and somatosensory cortices. Blood eigengene modules correlated with imaging changes (e.g., subiculum diffusivity: r = −0.5, p < 1 × 10⁻³⁰), and enriched synaptic pathways were identified across brain and blood. Conclusions: Olfactory behavior, shaped by genetic and environmental factors, may serve as a sensitive, translatable biomarker of AD risk. Integrative systems-level approaches reveal brain and blood signatures of early sensory–cognitive vulnerability, supporting new avenues for early detection and intervention in AD. Full article

Background and Objectives: Interpersonal violence (IPV) has overtaken road traffic collisions as a leading cause of facial fractures, yet regional data from Southern Europe are limited. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all adults (≥18 y) treated between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2022 for radiologically confirmed IPV-related facial fractures. Recorded variables were demographics, AO-CMF (Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen—Craniomaxillofacial) fracture site, Facial Injury Severity Score (FISS), presence of facial soft-tissue wounds, treatment modality, and length of stay; associations between variables were explored. Results: A total of 224 victims were identified; 94% were men (median age 26 y, IQR 22–34). The mandible was the most frequently involved bone (42%), followed by the orbit (25%); 14% sustained fractures at multiple sites. Facial soft-tissue wounds occurred in 9% of cases, three-quarters of which were associated with mandibular injury (p = 0.005). The median FISS was 2 and was higher in males, patients > 34 y, those with multiple fractures, and those with wounds (all p < 0.05). FISS showed a weak positive correlation with hospital stay (r = 0.23), which averaged 4.1 ± 1.6 days. Open reduction and internal fixation were required in 78% of patients, most often 24–72 h after admission. Annual IPV-related admissions remained stable throughout the 12-year period. Conclusions: IPV in this region consistently injures young men, with the mandible and orbit most at risk. FISS is a practical bedside indicator of resource use. The unchanging incidence—likely underestimated because isolated nasal fractures and minor injuries are often managed outside maxillofacial services or never reported—highlights the urgency of targeted prevention programs, routine screening, and streamlined multidisciplinary pathways. Full article

Background: Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a rare autoimmune orbital disorder predominantly associated with Graves’ disease. It is characterized by orbital inflammation, tissue remodeling, and potential visual morbidity. Conventional therapies, particularly systemic glucocorticoids, offer only partial symptomatic relief, failing to reverse chronic structural changes such as proptosis and diplopia, and are associated with substantial adverse effects. This review aims to synthesize recent developments in understandings of TED pathogenesis and to critically evaluate emerging therapeutic strategies. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, and international clinical trial registries focusing on pivotal clinical trials and investigational therapies targeting core molecular pathways involved in TED. Results: Current evidence suggests that TED pathogenesis is primarily driven by the autoimmune activation of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) through thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) signaling. Teprotumumab, a monoclonal IGF-1R inhibitor and the first therapy approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for TED, has demonstrated substantial clinical benefit, including improvements in proptosis, diplopia, and quality of life. However, concerns remain regarding relapse rates and treatment-associated adverse events, particularly hearing impairment. Investigational therapies, including next-generation IGF-1R inhibitors, small-molecule antagonists, TSH-R inhibitors, neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockers, cytokine-targeting agents, and gene-based interventions, are under development. These novel approaches aim to address both inflammatory and fibrotic components of TED. Conclusions: Teprotumumab has changed TED management but sustained control and toxicity reduction remain challenges. Future therapies should focus on targeted, mechanism-based, personalized approaches to improve long-term outcomes and patient quality of life. Full article

Introduction: Ocular complications associated with dental procedures are diverse but have been primarily reported through case reports and series, with no comprehensive reviews to date. The underlying mechanisms of these complications are often poorly understood by medical professionals, partly due to limited interdisciplinary education. This review aims to bridge this gap by summarizing the relevant anatomical connections between the oral and ocular regions, exploring the mechanisms through which dental procedures may lead to ophthalmic complications, and detailing their clinical presentations, progression, and potential management and preventive strategies. Methods: Published case reports and case series from 1950 to October 2024 that described ophthalmic complications in human patients following dental procedures were included in this scoping review. Results: Dental procedures can give rise to a variety of ophthalmological complications, whether neuro–ophthalmic (e.g., diplopia, ptosis, or vision loss), vascular (e.g., retrobulbar hemorrhage or cervical artery dissection), infectious (e.g., orbital cellulitis or abscess), mechanical (e.g., orbital trauma or fractures), or air-related (e.g., orbital and subcutaneous emphysema). Conclusions: Most of the ophthalmological complications following dental procedures are often reversible, but some can be vision-threatening or lead to permanent sequelae if not promptly recognized and managed. Prevention through precise technique and anatomical awareness, early identification of symptoms, and timely multidisciplinary collaboration are crucial to minimizing risks and ensuring better patient outcomes. Full article

This paper investigates the problem of computation offloading and resource allocation in an integrated space–air–sea network based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites supporting Maritime Internet of Things (M-IoT) devices. Considering the complex, dynamic environment comprising M-IoT devices, UAVs and LEO satellites, traditional optimization methods encounter significant limitations due to non-convexity and the combinatorial explosion in possible solutions. A multi-agent deep deterministic policy gradient (MADDPG)-based optimization algorithm is proposed to address these challenges. This algorithm is designed to minimize the total system costs, balancing energy consumption and latency through partial task offloading within a cloud–edge-device collaborative mobile edge computing (MEC) system. A comprehensive system model is proposed, with the problem formulated as a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) that integrates association control, power control, computing resource allocation, and task distribution. Each M-IoT device and UAV acts as an intelligent agent, collaboratively learning the optimal offloading strategies through a centralized training and decentralized execution framework inherent in the MADDPG. The numerical simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed MADDPG-based approach, which demonstrates rapid convergence and significantly outperforms baseline methods, and indicate that the proposed MADDPG-based algorithm reduces the total system cost by 15–60% specifically. Full article

Background/Objectives: Orbital fractures are common facial injuries that require precise reconstruction to restore both function and esthetics. Heterologous cortical lamina and titanium preformed meshes are widely used for orbital wall reconstruction; however, comparative data on their outcomes remain limited. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 67 patients treated for orbital fractures at Santa Maria Hospital, Terni, between January 2021 and November 2024. Patients underwent orbital reconstruction using either a heterologous cortical lamina or titanium mesh. Clinical data, including demographics, trauma etiology, fracture characteristics, surgical approach, and postoperative complications were collected. Outcomes such as diplopia, enophthalmos, ocular motility, and sensory impairment were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively and compared between groups. Statistical analyses included Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests, with logistic regression to identify risk factors for complications. Results: Accidental falls were the leading cause of injury (46.3%), with the orbital floor being the most commonly affected site (83.6%). Postoperative complications occurred in 15% of patients, with diplopia significantly reduced from 47.8% preoperatively to 10.4% postoperatively (p < 0.05). Sensory impairment and motility restrictions also improved significantly. Patients reconstructed using heterologous cortical lamina experienced significantly fewer postoperative complications compared to those treated with titanium mesh (OR = 0.171, 95% CI: 0.023–0.799, p = 0.040). Conclusions: Both heterologous cortical lamina and titanium mesh provide effective orbital reconstruction; however, the heterologous cortical lamina was associated with fewer postoperative complications, particularly diplopia and sensory impairment. Material selection should consider the fracture complexity, patient characteristics, and potential long-term outcomes. Full article

Orbit determination for non-cooperative low Earth orbit (LEO) objects undergoing continuous low-thrust maneuvers remains a significant challenge, particularly for large satellite constellations like Starlink. This paper presents a method that integrates the unscented transformation into a batch filtering framework with an optimized rho-minimum sigma points sampling strategy. The proposed approach uses a reduced dynamics model that considers Earth’s non-spherical gravity and models the combined effects of low-thrust and atmospheric drag as an equivalent along-track acceleration. Numerical simulations under different measurement noise levels, initial state uncertainties, and across multiple satellites confirm the method’s reliable convergence and favorable accuracy, even in the absence of prior knowledge of the along-track acceleration. The method consistently converges within 10 iterations and achieves 24 h position predictions with root mean square errors of less than 3 km under realistic noise conditions. Additional validation using a higher-fidelity model that explicitly accounts for atmospheric drag demonstrates improved accuracy and robustness. The proposed method can provide accurate orbit knowledge for space situational awareness associated with continuously maneuvering Starlink satellites. Full article

Background: Cholesteatoma, characterized by the abnormal growth of keratinizing squamous epithelium in ectopic locations, most commonly arises in the middle ear. Its occurrence in the sinonasal tract is rare and presents significant diagnostic and management challenges. These lesions can lead to severe complications like bone erosion, intracranial involvement, and orbital spread. This narrative review aims to summarize the current knowledge on cholesteatomas in these regions, focusing on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods: A comprehensive review of the English literature was conducted, focusing on reported cases of cholesteatomas in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. This review examines key aspects, including epidemiological data, imaging findings, surgical strategies, and postoperative outcomes. The role of diagnostic tools, particularly computed tomography and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, in distinguishing cholesteatomas from other sinonasal lesions is also discussed. Results: As of March 2025, 51 cases of paranasal sinus cholesteatoma were reported. The frontal sinus is the most commonly affected site, followed by the maxillary, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses. Diagnosis is often delayed due to nonspecific symptoms, such as nasal congestion and recurrent infections. Surgical excision is the primary treatment, with endoscopic techniques being favored for their minimally invasive nature. Recurrence remains a major concern, and although very rare, cases of squamous cell carcinoma have also been observed in association with cholesteatoma. Conclusions: Nasal and paranasal sinus cholesteatomas require early recognition and intervention to prevent complications. Advances in imaging and surgery have improved outcomes; however, further research is needed to refine therapies and understand disease mechanisms. Full article

Background/Objectives: Orbital fractures are a very serious problem due to the close location of the eyeball and a direct path to brain injuries, which is associated with serious consequences. This study aims to assess the usefulness of the Orbital Destruction Intensity (ODI) scale. Additionally, this article includes elements of an epidemiological study. Methods: A retrospective study of 160 patients admitted to the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery in Łódź (Poland) between January 2021 and June 2024 was conducted. In this study, general patient information (gender, age), details about the injuries (cause, affected orbit, accompanying symptoms), diagnosis (ODI scale, pathological classification), and treatment were assessed. Analysis of the distribution of features and regression analysis was performed in the case of quantitative data. To compare the assessment of the impact of a categorical variable on a quantitative variable, the Kruskal–Wallis test was used. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The main cause of the accident was assault, which accounted for 39% of cases. An X-ray examination showed that patients had an average ODI score of 2.92 ± 1.69. Patients with low ODI scores mostly had isolated fractures of the orbital floor. As ODI scores increased, zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMCO) fractures became more common as an additional fracture (p < 0.05). For patients with low ODI scores, treatment generally involves reconstructing the orbital wall with titanium mesh. For those with higher ODI scores, treatment may include microplate osteosynthesis or a combination of both methods (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A correlation was observed between the diagnosis based on ODI, anatomical classification, and the treatment provided. This relationship is related to the nature of the ODI scale, as, when the severity of the injury increases, additional anatomical structures (walls or rims of the orbit) are included. Full article

The 2020 wildfire season in the Western U.S. was historic in its intensity and impact on the land and atmosphere. This study aims to characterize satellite retrievals of carbon monoxide (CO), a tracer of combustion and signature of those fires, from two key satellite instruments: the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI). We evaluate them during this event and assess their synergies. These two retrievals are matched temporally, as the host satellites are in tandem orbit and spatially by aggregating TROPOMI to the CrIS resolution. Both instruments show that the Western U.S. displayed significantly higher daily average CO columns compared to the Central and Eastern U.S. during the wildfires. TROPOMI showed up to a factor of two larger daily averages than CrIS during the most intense fire period, likely due to differences in the vertical sensitivity of the two instruments and representative of near-surface CO abundance near the fires. On the other hand, there was excellent agreement between the instruments in downwind free tropospheric plumes (scatter plot slopes of 0.96–0.99), consistent with their vertical sensitivities and indicative of mostly lofted smoke. Temporally, TROPOMI CO column peaks were delayed relative to the Fire Radiative Power (FRP), and CrIS peaks were delayed with respect to TROPOMI, particularly during the intense initial weeks of September, suggesting boundary layer buildup and ventilation. Satellite retrievals were evaluated using ground-based CO column estimates from the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) and the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON), showing Normalized Mean Errors (NMEs) for CrIS and TROPOMI below 32% and 24%, respectively, when compared to all stations studied. While Normalized Mean Bias (NMB) was typically low (absolute value below 15%), there were larger negative biases at Pasadena, likely associated with sharp spatial gradients due to topography and proximity to a large city, which is consistent with previous research. In situ CO profiles from AirCore showed an elevated smoke plume for 15 September 2020, highlighted consistency between TROPOMI and CrIS CO columns for lofted plumes. This study demonstrates that both CrIS and TROPOMI provide complementary information on CO distribution. CrIS’s sensitivity in the middle and lower free troposphere, coupled with TROPOMI’s effectiveness at capturing total columns, offers a more comprehensive view of CO distribution during the wildfires than either retrieval alone. By combining data from both satellites as a ratio, more detailed information about the vertical location of the plumes can potentially be extracted. This approach can enhance air quality models, improve vertical estimation accuracy, and establish a new method for assessing lower tropospheric CO concentrations during significant wildfire events. Full article

Objective: Various orbital conditions (trauma, autoimmune thyroid disease, tumors, infections, congenital malformations) may lead to a consecutive increase in orbital cavity pressure resulting in orbital compartment syndrome (OCS). OCS is associated with acute loss of visual function and a high risk of permanent damage to the optic nerve (compressive optic neuropathy). Orbital decompression surgery (ODS) is a time-critical procedure that reduces pressure on the optic nerve, thereby improving visual function. The surgical management protocol for orbital decompression is not standardized and varies. Surgical techniques differ in orbital fat decompression, lateral canthotomy, and decompression of the medial orbital wall and floor. This retrospective study aims to evaluate surgery procedures and the outcome of visual function after orbital decompression surgery. Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluated 28 patients (17 male, 11 female) with orbital compartment syndrome from May 2016 to October 2024. All patients underwent orbital decompression surgery as first-line treatment. Visual acuity (VA), diplopia, and ocular motility were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Recovery was defined as postoperative improvement of vision, diplopia, and ocular motility. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between clinically relevant risk factors and primary outcomes. Results: Orbital decompression surgery was performed with a median of 8.40 h (Q1: 4.80, Q3: 24.00) upon occurrence of symptoms. The average preoperative measured VA (logMAR) of the affected eye was 1.0. A total of 46% of the patients were preoperatively categorized as ”blind“ according to the WHO visual impairment categories. A total of 96% of the patients showed preoperative ocular motility impairment. Diplopia was preoperatively present in 46% of the patients. After orbital decompression surgery, postoperative visual acuity improved in 36% of the patients. Ocular motility improved by 67% and diplopia by 62% after ODS. The primary surgery technique was two-wall decompression in 68% (19/28) of the cases, followed by one-wall decompression (21%; 6/28), and three-wall decompression (11%; 3/28). Lateral decompression (82%; 23/28) and medial wall decompression (93%; 26/28) were the primary procedures performed. Orbital floor wall decompression was performed in only 14% (4/28) of the cases. Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant effect of preoperative measured vision on postoperative vision, while accounting for age, sex, and time to surgery. Conclusions: Orbital decompression surgery is the time-sensitive first-line treatment of acute visual function loss in OCS. Our data showed a postoperative improvement in visual acuity in 36% of the patients, along with considerable improvement rates in diplopia and ocular motility. The primary surgery technique was a two-wall decompression approach with lateral wall decompression and medial wall decompression. Center-specific timeline optimization of OCS patients is essential. Full article

We present an economical approach to treat spin–orbit coupling (SOC) in the state-averaged driven similarity renormalization group second-order perturbation theory (SA-DSRG-PT2). The electron correlation is first introduced by forming the SA-DSRG-PT2 dressed spin-free Hamiltonian. This Hamiltonian is then augmented with the Breit–Pauli Hamiltonian and diagonalized using spin-pure reference states to obtain the SOC-corrected energy spectrum. The spin–orbit mean-field approximation is also assumed to reduce the cost associated with the two-electron spin–orbit integrals. The resulting method is termed BP1-SA-DSRG-PT2c, and it possesses the same computational scaling as the non-relativistic counterpart, where only the one- and two-body density cumulants are required to obtain the vertical transition energy. The accuracy of BP1-SA-DSRG-PT2c is assessed on a few atoms and small molecules, including main-group diatomic molecules, transition-metal atoms, and actinide dioxide cations. Numerical results suggest that BP1-SA-DSRG-PT2c performs comparably to other internally contracted multireference perturbation theories with SOC treated using the state interaction scheme. Full article

Precise Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) orbit prediction is critical for real-time positioning applications. Current orbit prediction accuracy for the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System-3 (BDS-3) exhibits a notable disparity compared to GPS and Galileo, with limited advancements from traditional dynamic modeling approaches. This study introduces a novel data-driven methodology, Sample Convolution and Interaction Network with Self-Attention (SCINet-SA), to augment dynamic methods and improve BDS-3 ultra-rapid orbit prediction. SCINet-SA leverages deep learning to model the temporal characteristics of orbit differences between BDS-3 ultra-rapid and final products. By training on historical orbit difference data, SCINet-SA predicts future discrepancies, facilitating the refinement of ultra-rapid orbit estimates. The incorporation of a self-attention mechanism within SCINet-SA enables the model to effectively capture long-range temporal dependencies, thereby enhancing long-term prediction capabilities and mitigating the latency associated with final product availability. Rigorous experimental evaluation demonstrates the superior performance of SCINet-SA in enhancing BDS-3 ultra-rapid orbit prediction accuracy relative to alternative deep learning models. Specifically, SCINet-SA achieved the highest average relative improvement (IMP) in 3D Root Mean Square (RMS) error across 1 d, 7 d, and 15 d prediction horizons, yielding improvements of 21.69%, 18.66%, and 15.42%, respectively. The observed IMP range spanned from 7.78% to 38.91% for 1 d, 4.34% to 35.96% for 7 d, and 1.68% to 31.13% for 15 d predictions, underscoring the efficacy of the proposed methodology in advancing BDS-3 orbit prediction accuracy. Full article