Clinico-Pathological Measures and Management of Mucinous Ovarian Cancer: Single Institutional Study

Background: Mucinous ovarian cancer is less common and less aggressive epithelial ovarian cancer, which represents 3% of epithelial ovarian cancer. Patient and methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis involving all patients with mucinous ovarian cancer who underwent surgical management or referred to National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University (CU), from January 2010 to January 2020. Of 46 cases reviewed. 16 cases were excluded (10 cases had metastatic and 6 cases had incomplete data). Results: forty-six cases reviewed with median age of 48.3±18.1 years. Half of patients were in premenopausal status. Patients presented with distention with or without pain were 70% of cases, 10% of patients with abdominal mass and 6.7% of patients with bleeding. Most of cases 63.30% were diagnosed at late stages (1C and beyond). Patients had unilateral disease were 70% of cases and had elevated tumor markers were 53.3 % of cases. The most commonly elevated tumor marker was CA 125 (26.7%). Patients had comorbidities were 30% of cases. Surgery was the main line of management. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy plus infracolic omentectomy were done in 73.3% of patients, 6.7% underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, 3.3% underwent cytoreductive surgery and 3.3% underwent cytoreductive surgery and 13% of patients underwent fertility sparing surgery. The role of pelvic lymphadenectomy was limited (13.3% underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy and only one patient had positive lymph node metastasis). Conclusion: The most important prognostic factors were disease stage, laterality, tumor markers and performance status

Impacts of symmetrical and asymmetrical voltage sags on DFIG-based wind turbines considering phase-angle jump, voltage recovery, and sag parameters

This paper presents a new analysis into the impacts of various symmetrical and asymmetrical voltage sags on doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbines. Fault ride-through requirements are usually defined by the grid codes at the point of common coupling (PCC) of wind farms to the power network. However, depending on the network characteristics and constraints, the voltage sag conditions experienced at the wind generator terminals can be significantly different from the conditions at the PCC. Therefore, it is very important to identify the voltage sags that can practically affect the operation of wind generators. Extensive simulation studies are carried out in MATLAB/Simulink to investigate the transient overshoots and ripples that appear in the rotor current and dc-link voltage when the DFIG is subjected to various types of (a)symmetrical faults. For the first time, the impacts of phase-angle jump and operational constraints of circuit breakers are examined. Furthermore, the influences of sag parameters including type, initial point-on-wave instant, depth, and impedance angle are investigated. Complementary theoretical analyses are also presented to support the validity of observations made in the simulation studies

Hybrid Machine Learning Forest Height Estimation from TanDEM-X InSAR

Combining machine learning with physical models can significantly impact retrieval algorithms designed to invert geophysical parameters from remote sensing data. Such hybrid models integrate physical knowledge with domain expertise through a joint architecture, potentially enhancing performance by increasing the efficiency and flexibility of the physical model as well as the generalization and interpretability of the machine learning predictions. This work introduces a hybrid model for estimating forest height using single-baseline, single-polarization TanDEM-X interferometric coherence measurements. In this model, the vertical reflectivity profile is derived as a function of input features, including topographic and acquisition geometry descriptors, using a multilayer perceptron network. This profile is then used to invert forest height by leveraging the established physical relationship connecting the vertical reflectivity profile to forest height. The developed model is applied and validated on several TanDEM-X acquisitions over tropical sites with different acquisition geometries, and its performance is assessed against reference data derived from airborne LiDAR measurements

Machine Learning in Model-Based Forest Height Inversion

Model-based (PM) forest height inversion from Polarimetric Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (Pol-InSAR) measurements is today an established application demonstrated and validated at large scales for a wide variety of boreal and tropical forest sites at different frequencies (from X- down to P- band) ​[1], [2]​. Although the estimation performance obtained may depend on the individual observation spaces in each case, it is generally (very) convincing. However, as with any model-based inversion approach, there are inherent limitations that can restrict expected performance depending on the individual case ​[3]​

Magnetic localization and control of helical robots for clearing superficial blood clots

This work presents an approach for the localization and control of helical robots during removal of superficial blood clots inside in vitro and ex vivo models. The position of the helical robot is estimated using an array of Hall-effect sensors and precalculated magnetic field map of two synchronized rotating dipole fields. The estimated position is used to implement closed-loop motion control of the helical robot using the rotating dipole fields. We validate the localization accuracy by visual feedback and feature tracking inside the in vitro model. The experimental results show that the magnetic localization of a helical robot with diameter of 1 mm can achieve a mean absolute position error of 2.35 ± 0.4 mm (n = 20). The simultaneous localization and motion control of the helical robot enables propulsion toward a blood clot and clearing at an average removal rate of 0.67 ± 0.47 mm3/min. This method is used to localize the helical robot inside a rabbit aorta (ex vivo model), and the localization accuracy is validated using ultrasound feedback with a mean absolute position error of 2.6 mm

Correction of the Penetration Bias for InSAR DEM via Synergetic AI-Physical Modeling: A Greenland Case Study

Rapid changes in the Greenland Ice Sheet require precise elevation monitoring to understand ice dynamics and predict sea level rise. X-band Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) has the potential for this purpose but is limited by microwave signal penetration biases, which can be a few meters. We present a novel hybrid modeling approach that integrates machine learning (ML) with physical models to enhance the estimation of the elevation bias in InSAR data at X-band. Our method addresses the limitations of traditional physical modeling techniques by parameterizing the vertical structure function using a ML model. This approach combines machine learning as input for the physical model. The results demonstrate the improvements in correcting elevation biases, thus increasing the accuracy of X-band InSAR DEMs over Greenland. This advancement has the potential for more precise elevation estimation and ice-sheet monitoring

Airport service performance at Abu Dhabi International Airport

To acquire a significant footing in today’s competitive airport environments, enhancing airport service performance for passengers is essential. This study aims to investigate the relationship between queuing time, prime services, security screening, and service performance at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A quantitative methodology was employed. The sample size for the PLS-SEM analysis and the passengers’ airport service performance was determined to be 230 respondents. The results revealed a significant relationship between queuing time, prime services, security screening, and airport service performance. The findings also demonstrated a significant positive relationship between queuing time and airport service performance (β = 0.193, t = 3.564, p ≤ 0.000), a significant positive relationship between prime services and airport service performance (β = 0.478, t = 9.225, p ≤ 0.000), and a significant positive relationship between security screening and airport service performance (β= 0.227, t = 4.196, p ≤ 0.000). The outcomes are anticipated to support Abu Dhabi International Airport management in making efficient processes to augment airport service accomplishment for passengers from UAE and different countries

Assessment of uncertainties in projected temperature and precipitation over the Arabian Peninsula using three categories of CMIP5 multimodel ensembles

Background: Projections of temperature and precipitation with low uncertainties are key parameters to climate change related studies. Purpose: The projected temperature and precipitation and their uncertainties over the Arabian Peninsula for the 21st century for three CMIP5 multimodel ensembles under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 are examined in this paper. Methods: Analyzing the performance of 30 CMIP5 model individually, they are categorized into three groups for the present climate (1976–2005). By applying simple model averaging ensemble method, three multimodel ensemble means, namely: (i) all CMIP5 models ensemble (AME), (ii) selected CMIP5 models ensemble (SME), and (iii) best-performing CMIP5 models ensemble (BME) are developed. Results Over the Arabian Peninsula, a continuous rise in temperature is obtained in all three ensembles (i.e., AME, SME, and BME) in the 21st century. The BME shows enhanced changes in temperature at the end of 21st century as compared to AME and SME. Moreover, the BME shows a remarkable reduction in uncertainties for the projected temperature. The AME, SME, and BME show strong inter-annual variability for the projected precipitation over the peninsula. Compared to AME and SME, the BME revealed enhanced positive change in the annual mean precipitation by the end of 21st century. Conclusions: Regionally, southern/northwestern areas of the peninsula receive enhanced/reduced future precipitation as compared to the present climate. The diferences in the projected precipitation and temperature signals increase largely between the three ensembles towards the end of 21st century. Therefore, it is concluded that selecting the best-performing models may lead a better planning by the policy makers and stakeholder for the region

Efficacy and Safety of Mirabegron Compared to Solifenacin in Treatment of Non-neurogenic Overactive Bladder in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Purpose: Non-neurogenic overactive bladder (OAB) is a common problem in children. Antimuscarinics have been widely used as first-line medical treatment. However, their frequent side effects necessitate searching for therapeutic alternatives. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the beta 3 agonist, mirabegron. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial enrolled child with non-neurogenic OAB refractory to behavioral urotherapy. Patients were randomized to receive either Mirabegron 25/50 mg based on a 40-kg body weight cutoff or solifenacin 5 mg for 12 weeks. Patients were assessed using Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System questionnaire (DVSS), 3-day voiding diary and uroflowmetry. Vital signs and adverse effects were recorded at baseline and follow-up. The study primary endpoint was ≥50% reduction of the baseline DVSS. Results: Among 128 patients screened, 72 patients (36 in each group) completed the study with a mean age of 9.2±2.3 years. Both groups had significant improvement of DVSS and voiding diary (p<0.001) at 12 weeks. In mirabegron group, 94.4% (34/36) had greater than 50% improvement of DVSS compared to 75% (27/36) of solifenacin group (P=0.02). Complete symptom resolution was observed in 22.2% (8/36) patients on mirabegron versus 8.3% (3/36) on solifenacin (P=0.1). Patients on mirabegron had less adverse effects (19.4% vs 47.2%; p=0.01). Conclusion: Mirabegron is more effective with fewer adverse effects than solifenacin for treatment of children with OAB. Mirabegron treatment improves daytime symptoms and nocturnal enuresis with less risk of constipation. It may be considered as first-line pharmacotherapy in this patient population