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Diphenylphosphine-chelated imidazo[1,5-a]pyridin-3-ylidene (PPh₂-ImPy) nickel(0) catalysts were synthesized in-situ from imidazolium salts and various commercially available nickel(0) complexes using a base. These catalysts exhibited a highly planar and rigid structure, as confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Remarkably, the in-situ generated PPh₂-ImPy-Ni(0) catalyst demonstrated a turnover number (TON) of 570 while maintaining a high yield of 82 %, overcoming the typical trade-off between TON and yield often observed in acrylate synthesis reactions, where the use of excess base to achieve high TON typically results in lower product yields. Moreover, the ligand precursors (PPh₂-ImPy∙HCl salts) were stable under open-air conditions, making them easy to handle. The in-situ generation protocol using the ligand precursors and commercially available metal sources, eliminates the need for synthesizing sensitive Ni(0) catalysts. Furthermore, the sodium acrylate product was efficiently isolated from the reaction mixture through a straightforward extraction process.

Gastric metastasis (GM) from cervical cancer is extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported in the English literature. Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinomas (GAS) of the uterine cervix are rare. GAS is an aggressive cancer commonly found in advanced stages; however, GM has not been reported. This study presents a rare case of GM from GAS of the uterine cervix in a 61-year-old female and describes the radiological findings of both the GM and cervical mucinous adenocarcinoma. GM appeared as a poor enhancing submucosal mass. The cervical mucinous adenocarcinoma appeared as an infiltrating mass with poor contrast enhancement. It exhibited mildly high and low signal intensities on the diffusion-weighted image and apparent diffusion coefficient map, respectively. This case is extremely rare and challenging to diagnose; however, if cervical cancer is an human papillomavirus-independent GAS type and a submucosal lesion is found in the stomach, the possibility of metastasis with a pattern similar to our case could be considered.

This study clarifies the impact of global supply chain risks on global logistics companies, with a focus on the potential implications for sustainable supply chain management. The study employs the vector auto-regression model to examine the relationship between the Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSCPI) and the stock prices of global logistics companies, yielding the following results. First, the GSCPI does not have a statistically significant effect on most global logistics firms, except for shipping companies, which tend to be negatively impacted by supply chain disruptions. The t-statistics of the GSCPI on air cargo, integrated logistics, and pipeline companies were below the threshold of 1.291, corresponding to a 90% confidence level, which indicates that these results were not statistically significant. Therefore, logistics companies should prioritize the development of resilient and sustainable supply chain strategies incorporating alternative energy sources, such as liquefied hydrogen, ammonia, green methanol, and liquefied natural gas, to enhance their ability to respond to unexpected situations. Second, contrary to other logistics sectors, shipping enterprises have been positively impacted by the GSCPI, suggesting that they may find new opportunities during periods of global instability. By adopting eco-friendly fuel alternatives and green technologies, shipping companies can capitalize on these opportunities and contribute to the global transition toward sustainable logistics practices. These findings suggest that global logistics companies, including pipeline, air cargo, and integrated logistics companies, should develop resilient global supply chain management strategies that incorporate supply chain platforms, nearshoring, and import diversification. This study offers important implications for entrepreneurs and policymakers, emphasizing the role of sustainable energy solutions in stabilizing global supply chains.

Abstract Objectives To assess the resectability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the evaluation of tumor vascular contact holds paramount significance. This study aimed to compare the image quality and diagnostic performance of high-resolution (HR) pancreas computed tomography (CT) using an 80 kVp tube voltage and a thin slice (1 mm) for assessing PDAC resectability, in comparison with the standard protocol CT using 120 kVp. Methods This research constitutes a secondary analysis originating from a multicenter prospective study. All participants underwent both the standard protocol pancreas CT using 120 kVp with 3 mm slice thickness (ST) and HR-CT utilizing an 80 kVp tube voltage and 1 mm ST. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between parenchyma and tumor, along with the degree of enhancement of the abdominal aorta and main portal vein (MPV), were measured and subsequently compared. Additionally, the likelihood of margin-negative resection (R0) was evaluated using a five-point scale. The diagnostic performance of both CT protocols in predicting R0 resection was assessed through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results A total of 69 patients (37 males and 32 females; median age, 66.5 years) were included in the study. The median CNR of PDAC was 10.4 in HR-CT, which was significantly higher than the 7.1 in the standard CT (P=0.006). Furthermore, HR-CT demonstrated notably higher median attenuation values for both the abdominal aorta (579.5 HU vs. 327.2 HU; P=0.002) and the MPV (263.0 HU vs. 175.6 HU; P=0.004) in comparison with standard CT. Following surgery, R0 resection was achieved in 51 patients. The pooled AUC for HR-CT in predicting R0 resection was 0.727, slightly exceeding the 0.699 of standard CT, albeit lacking a significant statistical distinction (P=0.128). Conclusion While HR pancreas CT using 80 kVp offered a notably greater degree of contrast enhancement in vessels and a higher CNR for PDAC compared to standard CT, its diagnostic performance in predicting R0 resection remained statistically comparable.

The International Maritime Organization collaborates with member states to develop the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code to establish an international agreement framework. In December 2023, an agreement was reached on the European Union (EU) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act within the MASS Code. It was officially finalized and implemented on 1 August 2024. While the Act’s full application is set for two years later, certain provisions regarding safety against AI risks will take effect sooner. This study utilized a multiple-streams analysis method to examine how the EU AI Act impacted shipyards and shipping companies, focusing on ethical AI use and user safety. The findings indicate that technical completeness, safety enhancement, and AI system regulation through risk classification influence autonomous ship innovation. The challenges of reviewing the commercialization of new technologies for autonomous ships may result in market failures or decreased industry competitiveness. The study emphasizes the need to balance AI safety and ethical responsibility with autonomous ship development innovations. To ensure the sustainable application of AI technology, innovators must adapt to the EU AI Directive. Hence, this study confirms that the ethical and legal regulation of AI technology is crucial in technological innovation and development related to autonomous ships.

Purpose To evaluate the sensitivity of corticomedullary-phase imaging for detecting urinary stones in patients with renal colic who visited the emergency department. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 253 patients with suspected renal colic from two tertiary hospitals in South Korea, who visited the emergency department and underwent CT urography. Two radiologists blinded to the clinical history independently reviewed the corticomedullary- phase images. The sensitivity for identifying urinary stones were evaluated for each reviewer. After the initial evaluation, the images were re-evaluated based on patient history. The sensitivity of re-evaluation were recorded. Results Of 253 patients, 150 (59%) had urinary stones. Among them, significant stones were observed in 138 patients (92%), and obstructive changes on CT in 124 patients (82.7%). For identifying significant urinary stones, the sensitivity was 98.6% (136/138) for both the reviewers. For identifying significant urinary stones with urinary obstruction, the sensitivity was 99.2% (123/124) for reviewer 1, and 100% (124/124) for reviewer 2. The sensitivity for identifying significant stones increased from 98.6% to 100% for reviewer 1, and from 98.6% to 99.3% for reviewer 2 in the re-evaluation session. Conclusion The corticomedullary-phase CT urography was sensitive for diagnosing urolithiasis in patients with acute renal colic who visited the emergency department.

According to the 2020 World Health Organization classification, mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) is newly categorized as a subtype of endometrial carcinoma and remains a relatively unknown disease owing to its rarity. To the best of our knowledge, radiological findings of MLA have not been reported in the English literature. The uterine MLAs show a worse clinical prognosis and a more aggressive biological behavior than the usual endometrial carcinoma. Herein, we present the imaging findings of a 65-year-old female with a MLA in the uterine corpus. The tumor was a solid endometrial mass with deep myometrial invasion, poor contrast enhancement, and moderate diffusion restriction.

In this article, a finite control set-model predictive control (FCS-MPC) with variable sampling time is proposed. A zero-voltage vector appears in the dead time between specific voltage vectors, resulting in an unintentionally large common-mode voltage. Herein, a large common-mode voltage was suppressed, and the load current was controlled using a voltage vector combination that did not cause a zero-voltage vector in dead time. Additionally, to improve the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the load current, the intersection of the predicted current and the command current by all the volage vectors (VVs) in the combination is confirmed. The VV where the intersection occurs is selected as the optimal VV. This optimal VV is applied to the point where the predicted current and the reference current intersect. The applicable range of the sampling time should be selected by considering the calculation time and number of switching. Through the proposed FCS-MPC strategy, not only can the common-mode voltage be limited to within ±Vdc/6, but an improved THD can also be obtained compared to the existing method using fixed sampling. The proposed method was verified through PSIM simulation and experimental results.

Ultrasonography (US) is widely used for abdominal imaging. Its noninvasiveness, extensive range of application, and low cost make US a useful and valuable tool for the detection, diagnosis, and follow-up of splenic abnormalities. Concomitantly with the increasing frequency of imaging, more splenic lesions are being discovered and the requirements for the differential diagnosis are rising. In this pictorial essay, we introduce the representative US findings of many different splenic lesions, including normal sonographic findings, normal variants and congenital anomalies, infectious conditions, benign and malignant neoplasms, and non-neoplastic lesions. Knowledge of the US features of various splenic lesions will help narrow the differential diagnosis and guide clinical decision-making.

O-GlcNAc modification of proteins often has crosstalk with protein phosphorylation. These posttranslational modifications are highly dynamic events that modulate a wide range of cellular processes. Owing to the physiological and pathological significance of protein O-GlcNAcylation and phosphorylation, we designed the fluorescent probe, βGlcNAc-CM-Rhod-P, to differentially detect activities of O-GlcNAcase (OGA) and phosphatase, enzymes that are responsible for these modifications. βGlcNAc-CM-Rhod-P was comprised of a βGlcNAc-conjugated coumarin (βGlcNAc-CM) acting as an OGA substrate, a phosphorylated rhodol (Rhod-P) as a phosphatase substrate and a piperazine bridge. Because the emission wavelength maxima of CM and Rhod liberated from the probe are greatly different (100 nm), spectral interference is avoided. The results of this study revealed that treatment of βGlcNAc-CM-Rhod-P with OGA promotes formation of the GlcNAc-cleaved probe, CM-Rhod-P, and a consequent increase in the intensity of fluorescence associated with free CM. Also, it was found that exposure of the probe to phosphatase produces a dephosphorylated probe, βGlcNAc-CM-Rhod, which displays strong fluorescence arising from free Rhod. On the other hand, when incubated with both OGA and phosphatase, βGlcNAc-CM-Rhod-P was converted to CM-Rhod which lacked both βGlcNAc and phosphoryl groups, in conjunction with increases in the intensities of fluorescence arising from both free CM and Rhod. This probe was employed to detect activities of OGA and phosphatase in cell lysates and to fluorescently image both enzymes in cells. Collectively, the findings indicate that βGlcNAc-CM-Rhod-P can be utilized as a chemical tool to simultaneously determine activities of OGA and phosphatase.

Abstract Intravenous gadolinium-enhanced inner-ear magnetic resonance imaging (IV-Gd inner-ear MRI) has been used to visualize endolymphatic hydrops (EH) in clinical diagnosis of Ménière’s disease (MD). However, lack of histological validation has led to several concerns regarding how best to interpret the resulting images. Here, we compared hydropic changes in temporal bone specimens with the results of IV-Gd inner-ear MRI in patients with MD. Histopathologic images of temporal bones from 37 patients with MD and 10 healthy controls were collected from the National Temporal Bone Bank of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in the United States. The EH ratios in the vestibule and cochlea were calculated from temporal bones using the methods used for IV-Gd inner-ear MRI, and the degree to which the saccular and utricular hydrops contributed to vestibular hydrops was measured. The presence of hydropic change in each semicircular canal was assessed using temporal bone images and compared with IV-Gd inner-ear MRI scans of 74 patients with MD. Based on human temporal bone imagery, the EH ratios in the cochlea and the vestibule on the affected side were 0.314 and 0.757, respectively. In the healthy control group, the ratio was 0.064 for the cochlea and 0.289 for the vestibule; these values were significantly different from those for the affected side of MD patients. The values for the affected ear were similar to the ratios from the IV-Gd inner-ear MRI scans in MD patients. In the vestibule, saccular hydrops were more common than utricular hydrops. The average EH ratios in the saccule and utricle were 0.513 and 0.242, respectively. No significant hydropic change from each of three semicircular canals was evident in temporal bone histopathology. However, herniation of otolithic organs (saccule or utricle) into the lateral semicircular canal was found in 44.4% of the patients, with saccular herniation (24.8%) more common than utricular herniation (16.7%). Although IV-Gd inner-ear MRI might not reflect fully the results of actual histopathology due to the limited resolution of MRI and image-processing techniques, the measured EH ratios from temporal bone specimens and IV-Gd inner-ear MRI scans were similar. Hydropic change in the three semicircular canals was not significant at either the ampullated or nonampullated end. Canal invasion of vestibular hydrops seen on MRI also appeared in temporal bone histopathology, and saccular invasion was dominant.

The levels of informatization, automation, and intelligence are continuously improving; however, the risks associated with the increased design and operational complexity of ship systems are increasing. Large-scale ship accidents can occur for several reasons. Existing accident analysis methods that examine marine accidents from the perspective of causal one-to-one correspondence have limitations in systematically analyzing complex marine risks during cause identification for the prevention of similar accidents. This study focuses on a systematic causality analysis of the factors related to human error in marine accidents that may occur during the arrival and departure of mega container ships. In particular, a representative case of the Motor Vessel (MV) Milano Bridge crane contact accident at Busan New Port is considered. To explore the complex organizational–technical, human–technical, and organizational–human relationships relevant to this case, human factors (seafarer, pilot, etc.) that are closely related to the linked causes were analyzed using the functional resonance analysis method. This study aims to reduce human error and prevent marine accidents, including pilotage.

International guidelines recommended screening with ultrasonography (US) every 6 months for patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, US demonstrates low sensitivity for the early detection of HCC. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important role in the noninvasive diagnosis of HCC, but it is not suitable for surveillance due to its lengthy examination and high cost. Therefore, several studies have been using various abbreviated MRI strategies, including noncontrast abbreviated MRI, dynamic contrast-enhanced abbreviated MRI, and abbreviated MRI using hepatobiliary phase image for HCC surveillance. In this article, we aim to review these various strategies and explore the future direction of HCC surveillance considering the cost-effectiveness aspect.

Abstract Background Post-traumatic stress symptoms can occur in patients with medical illness. During the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak in South Korea in 2015, some dialysis patients in three centers who were incidentally exposed to patients or medical staff with confirmed MERS-CoV infection were isolated to interrupt the spread of the infection. We aimed to investigate post-traumatic stress symptoms and risk factors among these patients. Materials and methods In total, 116 hemodialysis (HD) patients in contact with MERS-CoV-confirmed subjects were isolated using three strategies, namely, single room isolation, cohort isolation, and self-quarantine. We used the Impact of Event Scale-Revised-Korean (IES-R-K) to examine post-traumatic stress symptoms at 12 months after the isolation period. Results Of the 116 HD patients, 27 were lost to follow-up. Of the 89 patients, 67 (75.3%) completed the questionnaires. Single room isolation was used on 40 (58.8%) of the patients, cohort isolation on 20 (29.4%), and self-imposed quarantine on 8 (11.8%). In total, 17.9% of participants (n = 12) reported post-traumatic stress symptoms exceeding the IES-R-K’s cutoff point (≧18). Prevalence rates of IES-R-K ≧18 did not differ significantly according to isolation method. However, isolation duration was linearly associated with the IES-R-K score (standardized β coefficient − 0.272, P = 0.026). Scores in Avoidance, Emotional numbing and Dissociation subscale were higher in patients with longer isolation period. Conclusion MERS was a traumatic experience for quarantined HD patients. IES-R-K scores were not significantly different by isolation methods. However, short isolation was associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms.

A virtual impedance-based flying start considering transient characteristics for permanent magnet synchronous machine drive systems is proposed. The conventional flying start based on virtual resistance (VR) assumes that the load of the system is resistive. However, the maximum value of VR, which is determined by the machine parameter and sampling frequency, is sometimes small. In this case, the load of the system is non-resistive. This assumption error causes an estimated position error and degrades transient characteristics. In the proposed method, algebraic-type virtual inductance (VI) is added to the estimation current regulator of the flying start based on VR. This change improves the accuracy of the estimated rotor position and the transient characteristics. In addition, the discrete-time system model of the proposed flying start method is given, the stability was analyzed considering the change in VR caused by the proposed method, and the improvements were verified by PSIM simulations and experimental results.

Background This study was designed to evaluate the clinical safety of Bee Venom (BV) pharmacopuncture at craniofacial acupuncture points. Methods This was a retrospective study of 108 patients diagnosed with peripheral facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, or facial spasm who were admitted to Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong, from April 1st, 2017 to August 30th, 2017. Patients were allocated into either, Group 1 (the non-allergy group of patients who did not have an allergic reaction to BV) or Group 2, the group who had allergic reactions to BV. To evaluate the clinical safety of BV pharmacopuncture after each treatment, several criteria were used to measure any side effects: outcome, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scale, Mueller HL scale, treatment decision after adverse reaction, causality, measures performed for patients with adverse reactions, and efficacy assessment. Results BV pharmacopuncture delivered in 0.1-0.2 mL at a concentration of 1:30,000 at the craniofacial acupuncture points, showed no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between non-allergy Group 1 and allergy Group 2. Amongst the 108 patients, 11 reported side effects after BV pharmacopuncture treatment. These adverse events included rash (n = 7), pruritus (n = 5), swelling (n = 1), vesicles (n = 1), erythema (n = 1), and hives (n = 1). All side effects resolved without sequelae. Conclusions In this study, BV pharmacopuncture delivered at low doses at the craniofacial acupuncture points, resulted in 10% of patients experiencing non serious side effects suggesting that BV pharmacopuncture was clinically well tolerated.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize the relationship between parental stress and nurses’ communication as perceived by parents of high-risk newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: The participants were 54 parents of high-risk newborns in a NICU. Data were collected from January to March 2018. Parental stress and parents’ perceptions of nurses’ communication ability and styles were measured using a questionnaire. Results: The average scores for parental stress and nurses’ communication ability were 3.39 and 4.38 respectively, on a 5-point scale. Parents most commonly reported that nurses showed a friendly communication style, followed by informative and authoritative styles. Mothers and fathers reported significantly different levels of parental stress. Parental stress showed a negative correlation with nurses’ perceived verbal communication ability. Higher scores for nurses’ verbal communication ability and for friendly and informative communication styles were associated with lower parental stress induced by the environment, the baby’s appearance and behaviors, and treatments in the NICU. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that nurses need to offer proper information for parents and to support parents by encouraging them to express their emotions of stress and by providing parents with therapeutic communication and opportunities to participate in care.

The LNG price is basically determined based on the oil price, but other than that, it is also determined by the influence of the method of LNG transportation; storage; processes; and political, economic, and geographical instability. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) may not reflect its market value if the destination of the purchase is restricted or the purchase contract includes a take-or-pay clause. Furthermore, it is difficult for the buyer to flexibly manage procurement, resulting in the decoupling of oil and natural gas prices. Therefore, as the LNG bunker price is expected to be more volatile than the marine bunker price in the future, shipping companies need to prepare countermeasures based on scientific forecasting techniques. This study aims to be the first to analyze the forecasting of short-term LNG bunker prices using recurrent neural network (RNN) models suitable for highly volatile data such as time series. Predictive analysis was performed using simple RNN, long short-term memory (LSTM), and gated recurrent unit (GRU) models, which effectively forecast time-series data, and the prediction performance of LSTM among the three models was excellent. LSTM had relatively excellent prediction performance of outliers and beyond. In addition, it was possible to effectively manage ship operating costs with improved forecasting in practice. Furthermore, this study contributes to establishing a systematic strategy for supervisors in global shipping companies, port authorities, and LNG bunkering companies.

A rapid transition toward a decarbonized economy is underway, following the Paris Agreement and the International Maritime Organization 2030 decarbonization goals. However, due to the high cost of the rapid transition to eco-friendly energy and the geopolitical conflict in eastern Europe, liquefied natural gas (LNG), which emits less carbon than other fossil fuels, is gaining popularity. As the spot market grows due to increased LNG demand, the usage of period extension options in time charter (T/C) contracts is increasing; however, these options are generally provided free of charge in practice, without economic evaluation; this is because some shipowners want to make their time charter contracts more attractive to the more credible charterers. Essentially, the reason for why this option has not been evaluated is because there is no reliable evaluation model currently used in practice. That is, research on the evaluation model for the T/C extension option has been insufficient. Therefore, this study evaluates the economic value of the extended period option in LNG time charter contracts using machine learning models, such as artificial neural networks, support vector machines, and random forest, and then compares them with the Black–Scholes model that is used for option valuations in financial markets. The results indicate superior valuation performance of the random forest model compared with the other models; particularly, its performance was significantly better than the Black–Scholes model. Since T/C extension options involve significant sums in the balance sheets of both shipowners and charterers, the fair value of these options should be assessed. In this regard, this paper has meaning in proposing valid machine models to efficiently reflect the fair value of period extension options that are provided at no charge in the LNG market.

Benziporphyrin systems are widely explored, yet alternative improved synthetic routes towards these systems are needed. Here, a fairly and efficient synthesis of the free base and its metal complex is well designed. Dimethoxybenzene dicarbinol intermediate was prepared in excellent yields by reacting 4-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide with isophthaladehyde in diethyl ether. Reaction with equivalent pyrrole and pentafluorobenzaldehyde in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), followed by oxidation with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), provided good yields of bis-(meso-4-methoxyphenyl)-benziporphyrin. Metalation of the free base was performed using palladium(II) acetate salt in acetonitrile. All intermediates and the final products are fully characterized using NMR, HMRS, and UV-Vis spectroscopies and briefly discussed.

Toxocariasis, a parasitic infection, causes hyper eosinophilia resulting in radiological presentation of eosinophilic infiltrations in the involved organs. In the abdomen, toxocariasis has been reported to manifest as infiltrations in the liver or in the gastrointestinal tract, but it is known to be uncommon to manifest as multiple lymphadenopathy. There have been two case reports of toxocariasis presenting as generalized lymphadenopathy in the chest, neck and inguinal regions. To the best of our knowledge, generalized conglomerated lymphadenopathy occurring mostly in the abdomen from toxocariasis has not been published in the English literature. Herein, we report a rare case of toxocariasis presenting as multiple conglomerated lymphadenopathy mimicking lymphoma on CT.