bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Double‐Heterostructured Nickel Phosphate‐Phosphides as High‐Activity Electrocatalyst for Ammonia Borane Electrooxidation
Authors: Yu Jia , Zhao Peng , Jing Haiyan , Lu Keren , Liu Boyuan , Lei Wu , Hao Qingli
Published: March 2023

The direct electrooxidation reaction of ammonia borane (ABOR) as the anodic reaction of direct ammonia borane fuel cells (DABFCs) is greatly dependent on the properties of electrocatalysts. Both the active sites and charge/mass transfer characteristics are the key to promoting the processes of kinetics and thermodynamics, which can further improve the electrocatalytic activity. Hence, the catalyst double‐heterostructured Ni2P/Ni2P2O7/Ni12P5 (d‐NPO/NP) with the optimistic redistribution of electrons and active sites is prepared for the first time. The d‐NPO/NP‐750 catalyst obtained after pyrolysis at 750 °C shows the outstanding electrocatalytic activity toward ABOR with an onset potential of −0.329 V vs RHE which is better than all the published catalysts. The density functional theory (DFT) computations illustrate that the Ni2P2O7/Ni2P acts as the activity enhancement heterostructure with a high d‐band center (−1.60 eV) and the low activation energy barrier, while the Ni2P2O7/Ni12P5 acts as the conductivity enhancement heterostructure with the highest density of valence electrons.
Effects of cement as a substitute binder on strength and durability of fly ash–rice husk ash geopolymer concrete
Authors: Arora Saloni , Jangra Parveen , Pham Thong M.
Published: March 2023

Utilization of industrial by‐products in concrete is an effective way to reduce the exhaustion of raw materials for concrete production, but it can lead to degradation in concrete properties. Therefore, research efforts are required to achieve a balance between waste utilization and concrete performance. This study examined the strength and durability performance of geopolymer concrete (GPC) developed from fly ash (FA) and fine rice husk ash (FRHA) as main binders (50/50), with partial OPC substitution at different levels (0%–30%). Various properties like workability, compressive strength, water absorption, chloride penetration resistance, carbonation depth, electrical resistivity (ER), and acid attack resistance were experimentally investigated. Results indicated that there was a noticeable improvement in the workability with 20% OPC substitution, achieving the highest slump of 110 mm. The highest compressive strength (50 MPa) was attained with 15% OPC substitution after 90 days. Mix FR85C15 (15% OPC replacement) showed the highest durability performance at all ages through various indicators, that is, water absorption, charge passed, carbonation depth, and ER. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses also validated the enhanced microstructure of FR85C15 compared with other mixes. When exposed to sulfuric acid (H2SO4), Mix FR85C15 showed a minimal loss of 14% in compressive strength. It was concluded that GPC produced using FA and FRHA substituting OPC (up to 15%) can potentially be utilized for structural applications.
Demonstration of Non‐contact Out‐of‐Plane Vibration Energy Harvesting Using an Electric‐Double‐Layer Electret
Authors: Nota Keigo , Tamura Kentaro , Miwa Kazumoto , Ono Shimpei , Yamane Daisuke
Published: March 2023

This paper reports demonstration results of non‐contact out‐of‐plane vibration energy harvesting using an electric‐double‐layer electret (EDLE). Unlike contact types or non‐contact in‐plane types, the proposed operation type can be useful in terms of expanding the operating frequency range and simplifying the device structures. A demonstration system is developed, and power generation is confirmed using an EDLE with a surface potential of −1 V under an atmospheric condition. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Carcinogenic effect of potential toxic metals in school children through contaminated drinking water around the industrial area of Pakistan
Authors: Younas Kamran , Jamil Asma , Saleem Ansa Rukya
Published: March 2023

Due to papulation increase in Pakistan the demand of drinking water increased day by day. After the industrial grooming the wastewater producing harmful effect on the surrounding area of industries and drinking water contamination increased. Pakistan is on 82 amongst the 125 countries of the word having drinking water problem. Different parameter set by World Health Organization (WHO) and Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak‐EPA) of hazard dimension index (HD) and Lifetime Cancerogenic risk Calculation (LFCR) of Potentially toxic metals that are As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Pb (PTMs) are higher, and the school age children are under high risk of cancer. All the drinking constraints set by regulating authority is fully neglected by inopportune human process by solid waste dumping and houses and industrial disposal with any proper treatment. This study discusses all the HD and LFCR parameter in three age group children, male and female through drinking water around the Hattar Industrial Estate (HIE) in Pakistan. In children and women more HD and LFCR thread than the adult man. The overall result shows that the HD risk is higher than the LFCR due to the PTMs in drinking water only HD is exceed from the limit of WHO and Pak‐EPA. If there is no proper arrangement take place for the removal of As and PTMs from the industrial wastewater and drinking water than within few years all the population around the study area effected with different type of cancer.
Phase‐rectified signal averaging: correlation between two monitors and relationship with short‐term variation of fetal heart rate
Authors: Liu B. , Thilaganathan B. , Bhide A.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To establish the correlation between phase‐rectified signal averaging (PRSA) outputs obtained from a novel self‐applicable non‐invasive fetal electrocardiography (NIFECG) monitor with those from computerized cardiotocography (cCTG). A secondary objective was to evaluate the potential for remote assessment of fetal wellbeing by determining the relationship between PRSA and short‐term variation (STV).

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of women with a singleton pregnancy over 28 + 0 weeks' gestation attending a London teaching hospital for cCTG assessment. Participants underwent concurrent cCTG and NIFECG monitoring for up to 60 min. Averaged accelerative (AAC) and decelerative (ADC) capacities and STV were derived by postprocessing and filtration of signals, generating fully (F) and partially (P) filtered results. Linear correlation and accuracy and precision analysis were performed to assess the relationship between PRSA outputs from cCTG and NIFECG, using varying anchor thresholds, and their association with STV.

Results

A total of 306 concurrent cCTG and NIFECG traces were collected from 285 women. F‐filtered NIFECG PRSA (eAAC/eADC) results were generated from 65% of traces, whereas cCTG PRSA (cAAC/cADC) outputs were generated from all. Strong correlations were observed between cAAC and F‐filtered eAAC (r = 0.879, P < 0.001) and between cADC and F‐filtered eADC (r = 0.895, P < 0.001). NIFECG anchor detection decreased significantly with increasing signal loss, and NIFECG PRSA indices showed considerable deviation from those of cCTG when derived from traces in which fewer than 100 anchors were detected. Removing anchor filters from NIFECG traces to generate P‐filtered PRSA outputs weakened the correlation (AAC: r = 0.505, P < 0.001; ADC: r = 0.560, P < 0.001). Lowering the anchor threshold to 100 increased the yield of eAAC and eADC outputs to approximately 74%, whilst maintaining strong correlation with cAAC (r = 0.839, P < 0.001) and cADC (r = 0.815, P < 0.001), respectively. Both cAAC and cADC showed a very strong linear relationship with cCTG STV (r = 0.928, P < 0.001 and r = 0.911, P < 0.001, respectively). Similar findings were observed with eAAC (r = 0.825, P < 0.001) and eADC (r = 0.827, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

PRSA appears to be a method of fetal assessment equivalent to STV, but, due to its innate ability to eliminate artifacts, it generates interpretable NIFECG traces with high accuracy at a higher rate. These findings raise the possibility of self‐applied at‐home or remote fetal heart‐rate monitoring with automated reporting, thus enabling increased surveillance in high‐risk women without impacting on service demand. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Alexander (Sandy) Fleming Barr Frew
Authors: Frew Simon , Ellicott Donald
Published: March 2023

An academic and highly skilled large and small animal vet, who provided support to many organisations in and around Shrewsbury. A larger‐than‐life character, he had an infectious laugh and ceaseless good humour.
Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of smallholder farmers on foot‐and‐mouth disease in Cattle in West Kazakhstan
Authors: Bayantassova Svetlana , Kushaliyev Kaissar , Zhubantayev Izimgali , Zhanabayev Assylbek , Kenzhegaliyev Zhauynbay , Ussenbayev Altay , Paritova Assel , Baikadamova Gulnara , Bakishev Temirlan , Zukhra Aitpayeva , Terlikbayev Askar , Akhmetbekov Nurbolat , Tokayeva Mereke , Burambayeva Nadezhda , Bauzhanova Lyailya , Temirzhanova Alma , Rustem Abeldinov , Aisin Marat , Tursunkulov Spandiyar , Rametov Nurkuisa , Issimov Arman
Published: March 2023

Background

This study was performed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) of farmers and veterinary professionals towards foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) in the area studied.

Methods

The study was based on a comprehensive questionnaire administered through face‐to‐face interviews. Between January and May 2022, 543 households and 27 animal health practitioners (AHP) were visited in 4 provinces of the West Kazakhstan region to assess their KAPs towards FMD.

Results

A large proportion of herd owners (84%) had known the name of the disease, and nearly a half (48) of respondents had heard of FMD cases on farms in the neighbourhood. Oral mucosa lesions were the most consistent with clinical sign characteristic of FMD among farmers (31.4%), followed by hoof blisters (27.6%) and excessive salivation (18.6%). Farmers reported that new animal introduction was potentially the main factor associated with FMD occurrence in their herds. Over half of farmers (54%) interviewed prefer not to purchase livestock from unknown or potentially epidemiologically disadvantaged areas.

Conclusion

All AHPs (27) reported that in their zone of veterinary responsibilities, vaccination against FMD is not practised because the area investigated possesses FMD‐free status. However, in the past few years, numerous FMD outbreaks have been detected throughout the region. For this reason, immediate actions need to be taken to prevent further FMD occurrences by giving the region a status of an FMD‐free zone with vaccination. The current study demonstrated that inadequate quarantine controls of imported animals, absence of regular vaccination and unrestricted animal movement within the country were the primary obstacles in controlling and preventing FMD in the investigated area.
Gauge invariance and finite counterterms in chiral gauge theories
Authors: Cornella Claudia , Feruglio Ferruccio , Vecchi Luca
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We derive the finite one-loop counterterm required to restore the Ward Identities broken by the regularization scheme in chiral gauge theories. Our result is an analytic expression applicable to a wide class of regularizations satisfying a few general properties. We adopt the background field method, which ensures background gauge invariance in the quantized theory, and focus on renormalizable chiral theories with arbitrary gauge group and fermions in general representations. Our approach can be extended to theories involving scalars, such as the Standard Model, or to non-renormalizable theories, such as the SMEFT. As a concrete application, we work out the finite counterterm at one loop in the Standard Model, within dimensional regularization and the Breitenlohner-Maison-’t Hooft-Veltman prescription for γ5.
Universal 1-loop divergences for integrable sigma models
Authors: Levine Nat
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We present a simple, new method for the 1-loop renormalization of integrable σ-models. By treating equations of motion and Bianchi identities on an equal footing, we derive ‘universal’ formulae for the 1-loop on-shell divergences, generalizing case-by-case computations in the literature. Given a choice of poles for the classical Lax connection, the divergences take a theory-independent form in terms of the Lax currents (the residues of the poles), assuming a ‘completeness’ condition on the zero-curvature equations. We compute these divergences for a large class of theories with simple poles in the Lax connection. We also show that ℤT coset models of ‘pure-spinor’ type and their recently constructed η- and λ-deformations are 1-loop renormalizable, and 1-loop scale-invariant when the Killing form vanishes.
Explicit holography for vector models at finite N, volume and temperature
Authors: Aharony Ofer , Chester Shai M. , Sheaffer Tal , Urbach Erez Y.
Published: March 2023

Abstract

In previous work we constructed an explicit mapping between large N vector models (free or critical) in d dimensions and a non-local high-spin gravity theory on AdSd+1, such that the gravitational theory reproduces the field theory correlation functions order by order in 1/N. In this paper we discuss three aspects of this mapping. First, our original mapping was not valid non-perturbatively in 1/N, since it did not include non- local correlations between the gravity fields which appear at finite N. We show that by using a bi-local G − Σ type formalism similar to the one used in the SYK model, we can construct an exact mapping to the bulk that is valid also at finite N. The theory in the bulk contains additional auxiliary fields which implement the finite N constraints. Second, we discuss the generalization of our mapping to the field theory on Sd, and in particular how the sphere free energy matches exactly between the two sides, and how the mapping can be consistently regularized. Finally, we discuss the field theory at finite temperature, and show that the low-temperature phase of the vector models can be mapped to a high-spin gravity theory on thermal AdS space.
Prone Dynamic CT Myelography in Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension
Authors: Lützen Niklas , Barvulsky Aleman Enrique , Fung Christian , Beck Juergen , Urbach Horst
Published: March 2023

Background and Purpose

The diagnostic work-up in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection (SLEC) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) comprises dynamic digital subtraction myelography (dDSM) in prone position for leak detection. Dynamic computed tomography (CT) myelography (dCT-M) in prone position follows if the leak is not unequivocally located. A drawback of dCT‑M is a high radiation dose. This study evaluates the diagnostic needs of dCT-M examinations and measures to reduce radiation doses.

Methods

Frequency, leak sites, length and number of spiral acquisitions, DLP and effective doses of dCT‑M were retrospectively recorded in patients with ventral dural tears.

Results

Of 42 patients with ventral dural tears, 8 underwent 11 dCT‑M when the leak was not unequivocally shown on digital subtraction myelography. The median number of spiral acquisitions was 4 (range 3–7) and the mean effective radiation dose 30.6 mSv (range 13.1–62.16 mSv) mSv. Five of eight leaks were located in the upper thoracic spine (range C7/Th1–Th2/3). Bolus tracking of intrathecal contrast agent in dCT‑M was used to limit the number and length of spiral acquisitions.

Discussion

A dCT‑M in prone position to localize a ventral dural tear is needed in every fifth patient with a SLEC on MRI. It is typically needed when the leak is located in the upper thoracic spine and when patients have broad shoulders. Measures to reduce the radiation dose include bolus tracking or to repeat the DSM with adjusted positioning of patient.
Public Mental Health: Kernstück oder Stiefkind von Public Health?
Authors: Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Reininghaus Ulrich , Schomerus Georg
Published: March 2023

Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt eine Übersicht zum Selbstverständnis, zu Forschungs- und Handlungsfeldern von Public Mental Health. Es wird deutlich, dass die psychische Gesundheit ein zentrales Element der Bevölkerungsgesundheit ist und eine einschlägige Wissensbasis zu diesem Themenfeld existiert. Darüber hinaus werden Entwicklungslinien des an Bedeutung gewinnenden Bereiches in Deutschland aufgezeigt. Obgleich es im Feld von Public Mental Health wichtige aktuelle Initiativen wie die Etablierung einer Mental Health Surveillance (MHS) und die Offensive Psychische Gesundheit gibt, entspricht die Positionierung im Feld nicht der bevölkerungsmedizinischen Relevanz psychischer Erkrankungen.
Die Versorgung von Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen in Deutschland aus Perspektive des Gesundheits- und Sozialsystems: Aktuelle Entwicklungsbedarfe
Authors: Bramesfeld Anke
Published: March 2023

Thema

Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über den gegenwärtigen Stand der Versorgung von Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen, finanziert durch das Krankenkassen-, das Rehabilitations- und Teilhabesystem und durch die Länder. In den letzten 20 Jahren sind die Versorgungskapazitäten stetig angewachsen. 3 Bereiche mit Entwicklungsbedarfen werden näher beleuchtet: die Koordination der Versorgung für Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen und komplexen Hilfebedarfen, die Langzeitunterbringung von Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen und herausforderndem Verhalten und ein zunehmender Fachkräftemangel.

Fazit

Deutschland verfügt über ein in weiten Teilen gut bis sehr gut ausgebautes psychiatrisches Versorgungssystem. Bestimmte Gruppen profitieren trotz alledem nicht von den vorhandenen Hilfen, sie finden sich unter anderem als LangzeitpatientInnen in psychiatrischen Kliniken. Modelle für eine koordinierte und ambulant orientierte Versorgung für Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen existieren nur vereinzelt. Es mangelt insbesondere an (intensiv) aufsuchender Komplexversorgung und an sozialgesetzbuchübergreifenden Konzepten. Der Fachkräftemangel, der das gesamte Versorgungssystem für Menschen mit psychischen Erkrankungen betrifft, verlangt einen Strukturwandel hin zu stärkerer Ambulantisierung. Erste Instrumente hierfür existieren im krankenkassenfinanzierten System. Sie sollten genutzt werden.
Multi-response optimization of TIG dissimilar welding of AISI 1008 mild steel and AISI 316 stainless steel using grey-based Taguchi method
Authors: Ogbonna Okwudili Simeon , Akinlabi Akinlabi Stephen , Madushele Nkosinathi , Fatoba Olawale Samuel , Akinlabi Esther Titilayo
Published: March 2023

This article presents a reliable method of multi-performance characteristics optimization of TIG dissimilar welding of mild steel and stainless steel. Grey-integrated Taguchi optimization approach was adopted for the optimization of the welding process parameters such as the welding current, the welding voltage and the gas flow rate for multi-performance characteristics such as the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation and Vickers microhardness of the fusion zone. L9 Taguchi orthogonal array was employed with three process parameters all at three levels. The welding current was the most significant process parameter for the multi-performance characteristics of the weld joint. The optimal setting for the multi-performance characteristics of the weld joint was obtained as welding current at level 1 (110 A), welding voltage at level 1 (11 V) and gas flow rate at level 3 (18 l min−1). The corresponding response variables at the optimal setting were ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, percentage elongation and Vickers microhardness of 493.29 MPa, 395.38 MPa, 31.35% and 390.52 HV respectively. These values are all found to be higher than the values obtained at the initial settings. This shows that grey-integrated Taguchi optimization is an effective method in multi-performance characteristics optimization of dissimilar welded material.
Evaluation of the role of hatch-spacing variation in a lack-of-fusion defect prediction criterion for laser-based powder bed fusion processes
Authors: Harkin Ryan , Wu Hao , Nikam Sagar , Yin Shuo , Lupoi Rocco , Walls Patrick , McKay Wilson , McFadden Shaun
Published: March 2023

Lack of fusion (LOF) defects impact adversely on the mechanical properties of additively manufactured components produced via laser-based powder bed fusion. Following a stress-relieving heat treatment, the tensile properties and hardness of Ti6Al4V components were found to be negatively impacted by the presence of LOF defects. This work considers a geometrical-based inequality for the prediction of LOF defects. We critically evaluate an LOF criterion using both the experimentally and analytically obtained melt pool geometries. Experimentally, we determined melt pool dimensions by analysing a single-layer, multi-track deposition with oversized hatch spacing in order to establish depth and width from non-overlapping melt pools. Analytically, Rosenthal-based predictions of melt pool size (width and depth) are applied. To investigate LOF defects, we used hatch spacing as the main parameter variation to investigate defects while keeping all other controllable parameters unchanged. An original LOF criterion from the literature was found to be an adequate predictor of LOF defects when experimentally obtained melt pool geometry was used. Critically, however, the analytical expressions for melt pool geometry were found to be in error and this caused the LOF criterion to fail in predicting LOF defects in all cases where defects were observed experimentally. However, an adaptation to the LOF prediction criterion is proposed whereby it is recommended that a correction factor $${R}_{c}^{2}=0.7$$

R

c

2

=
0.7

(or $${R}_{c}=0.83$$

R
c

=
0.83

) is used with the analytically derived melt pool geometry. Furthermore, this correction is extended into the laser power versus scanning speed operating space to give minimum (corrected) line energy for LOF avoidance in Ti6Al4V components.
Associations of alternative cannabis product use and poly-use with subsequent illicit drug use initiation during adolescence
Authors: Braymiller Jessica L. , Riehm Kira E. , Meier Madeline , Krueger Evan A. , Unger Jennifer B. , Barrington-Trimis Jessica L. , Cho Junhan , Lanza H. Isabella , Madden Danielle R. , Kechter Afton , Leventhal Adam M.
Published: March 2023

Rationale

Specific cannabis products may differentially increase risk of initiating non-cannabis illicit drug use during adolescence.

Objective

To determine whether ever- and poly-use of smoked, vaporized, edible, concentrate, or blunt cannabis products are associated with subsequent initiation of non-cannabis illicit drug use.

Methods

High school students from Los Angeles completed in-classroom surveys. The analytic sample (N = 2163; 53.9% female; 43.5% Hispanic/Latino; baseline M age = 17.1 years) included students who reported never using illicit drugs at baseline (spring, 11th grade) and provided data at follow-up (fall and spring, 12th grade). Logistic regression models assessed associations between use of smoked, vaporized, edible, concentrate, and blunt cannabis at baseline (yes/no for each product) and any non-cannabis illicit drug use initiation—including cocaine, methamphetamine, psychedelics, ecstasy, heroin, prescription opioids, or benzodiazepines—at follow-up.

Results

Among those who never used non-cannabis illicit drugs at baseline, ever cannabis use varied by cannabis product (smoked = 25.8%, edible = 17.5%, vaporized = 8.4%, concentrates = 3.9%, and blunts = 18.2%) and patterns of use (single product use = 8.2% and poly-product use = 21.8%). After adjustment for baseline covariates, odds of illicit drug use at follow-up were largest for baseline ever users of concentrates (aOR [95% CI] = 5.74[3.16–10.43]), followed by vaporized (aOR [95% CI] = 3.11 [2.41–4.01]), edibles (aOR [95% CI] = 3.43 [2.32–5.08]), blunts (aOR [95% CI] = 2.66[1.60–4.41]), and smoked (aOR [95% CI] = 2.57 [1.64–4.02]) cannabis. Ever use of a single product (aOR [95% CI] = 2.34 [1.26–4.34]) or 2 + products (aOR [95% CI] = 3.82 [2.73–5.35]) were also associated with greater odds of illicit drug initiation.

Conclusions

For each of five different cannabis products, cannabis use was associated with greater odds of subsequent illicit drug use initiation, especially for cannabis concentrate and poly-product use.
Abiotic factors and endophytes co-regulate flavone and terpenoid glycoside metabolism in Glycyrrhiza uralensis
Authors: Liu Zidi , Ma Yunyang , Lv Xuelian , Li Nannan , Li Xiaohan , Xing Jianmin , Li Chun , Hu Bing
Published: March 2023

Recently, endorhizospheric microbiota is realized to be able to promote the secondary metabolism in medicinal plants, but the detailed metabolic regulation metabolisms and whether the promotion is influenced by environmental factors are unclear yet. Here, the major flavonoids and endophytic bacterial communities in various Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. roots collected from seven distinct places in northwest China, as well as the edaphic conditions, were characterized and analyzed. It was found that the soil moisture and temperature might modulate the secondary metabolism in G. uralensis roots partially through some endophytes. One rationally isolated endophyte Rhizobium rhizolycopersici GUH21 was proved to promote the accumulation of isoliquiritin and glycyrrhizic acid significantly in roots of the potted G. uralensis under the relatively high-level watering and low temperature. Furthermore, we did the comparative transcriptome analysis of G. uralensis seedling roots in different treatments to investigate the detailed mechanisms of the environment-endophyte-plant interactions and found that the low temperature went hand in hand with the high-level watering to activate the aglycone biosynthesis in G. uralensis, while GUH21 and the high-level watering cooperatively promoted the in planta glucosyl unit production. Our study is of significance for the development of methods to rationally promote the medicinal plant quality.

Key points

• Soil temperature and moisture related to isoliquiritin contents in Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.

• Soil temperature and moisture related to the hosts’ endophytic bacterial community structures.

• The causal relation among abiotic factors—endophytes—host was proved through the pot experiment.
Immune-related toxicity and soluble profile in patients affected by solid tumors: a network approach
Authors: Botticelli Andrea , Cirillo Alessio , Pomati Giulia , Cortesi Enrico , Rossi Ernesto , Schinzari Giovanni , Tortora Giampaolo , Tomao Silverio , Fiscon Giulia , Farina Lorenzo , Scagnoli Simone , Pisegna Simona , Ciurluini Fabio , Chiavassa Antonella , Amirhassankhani Sasan , Ceccarelli Fulvia , Conti Fabrizio , Di Filippo Alessandra , Zizzari Ilaria Grazia , Napoletano Chiara , Rughetti Aurelia , Nuti Marianna , Mezi Silvia , Marchetti Paolo
Published: March 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have particular, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), as a consequence of interfering with self-tolerance mechanisms. The incidence of irAEs varies depending on ICI class, administered dose and treatment schedule. The aim of this study was to define a baseline (T0) immune profile (IP) predictive of irAE development.

Methods

A prospective, multicenter study evaluating the immune profile (IP) of 79 patients with advanced cancer and treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (anti-PD-1) drugs as a first- or second-line setting was performed. The results were then correlated with irAEs onset. The IP was studied by means of multiplex assay, evaluating circulating concentration of 12 cytokines, 5 chemokines, 13 soluble immune checkpoints and 3 adhesion molecules. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity was measured through a modified liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using the high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method. A connectivity heatmap was obtained by calculating Spearman correlation coefficients. Two different networks of connectivity were constructed, based on the toxicity profile.

Results

Toxicity was predominantly of low/moderate grade. High-grade irAEs were relatively rare, while cumulative toxicity was high (35%). Positive and statistically significant correlations between the cumulative toxicity and IP10 and IL8, sLAG3, sPD-L2, sHVEM, sCD137, sCD27 and sICAM-1 serum concentration were found. Moreover, patients who experienced irAEs had a markedly different connectivity pattern, characterized by disruption of most of the paired connections between cytokines, chemokines and connections of sCD137, sCD27 and sCD28, while sPDL-2 pair-wise connectivity values seemed to be intensified. Network connectivity analysis identified a total of 187 statistically significant interactions in patients without toxicity and a total of 126 statistically significant interactions in patients with toxicity. Ninety-eight interactions were common to both networks, while 29 were specifically observed in patients who experienced toxicity.

Conclusions

A particular, common pattern of immune dysregulation was defined in patients developing irAEs. This immune serological profile, if confirmed in a larger patient population, could lead to the design of a personalized therapeutic strategy in order to prevent, monitor and treat irAEs at an early stage.
Adaptive Image Processing: First Order PDE Constraint Regularizers and a Bilevel Training Scheme
Authors: Davoli Elisa , Fonseca Irene , Liu Pan
Published: March 2023

A bilevel training scheme is used to introduce a novel class of regularizers, providing a unified approach to standard regularizers$$TGV^2$$TGV2and$$NsTGV^2$$NsTGV2. Optimal parameters and regularizers are identified, and the existence of a solution for any given set of training imaging data is proved by$$\Gamma $$Γ-convergence under a conditional uniform bound on the trace constant of the operators and a finite-null-space condition. Some first examples and numerical results are given.
Prevalence of neural tube defects among pregnant women in Addis Ababa: a community-based study using prenatal ultrasound examination
Authors: Tirsit Abenezer , Zewdneh Daniel , Yigeremu Mahlet , Legese Aga , Moen Bente E. , Lie Rolv T. , Lund-Johansen Morten , Mahesparan Rupavathana
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The primary aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of NTDs at ultrasound examination in communities of Addis Ababa and secondarily to provide a description of the dysmorphology of the NTD cases.

Methods

We enrolled 958 pregnant women from 20 randomly selected health centers in Addis Ababa during the period from October 1, 2018, to April 30, 2019. Of these 958 women, 891 had an ultrasound examination after enrollment, with a special focus on NTDs. We estimated the prevalence of NTDs and compared it with previously reported hospital-based birth prevalence estimates from Addis Ababa.

Results

Among 891 women, 13 had twin pregnancies. We identified 15 NTD cases among 904 fetuses, corresponding to an ultrasound-based prevalence of 166 per 10,000 (95% CI: 100–274). There were no NTD cases among the 26 twins. Eleven had spina bifida (122 per 10,000, 95% CI: 67–219). Among the 11 fetuses with spina bifida, three had a cervical and one had a thoracolumbar defect while the anatomical site for 7 was not registered. Seven of the 11 spina bifida defects had skin covering, while two of the cervical lesions were uncovered.

Conclusion

We report a high prevalence of NTDs among pregnancies in communities of Addis Ababa based on screening by ultrasound. The prevalence was higher than in previous hospital-based studies in Addis, and the prevalence of spina bifida was particularly high.
Maximum Northern Hemisphere warming rates before and after 1880 during the Common Era
Authors: Seip Knut Lehre , Wang Hui
Published: March 2023

We find that maximal decadal Northern Hemisphere warming increases as rapidly before as after the industrial revolution (0.86 °C decade−1 before 1880 and 0.60–0.68 °C decade−1 after 1880). However, whereas the number of decadal periods with large increase and decrease rates were about equal before 1880 (267 vs. 273), after 1880 there are more periods with high increase rates (35) than with high decrease rates (9). The same patterns hold for bi-decadal rates. However, for time windows greater than about 20 years, the slope in global warming with time becomes greater after 1880. After 1971, there is only one short 11 year period with negative slopes. This reflects the higher frequency of positive slopes during the industrial period caused by the contribution of greenhouse gases (GHG). Maximum temperature changes for detrended series were associated with the beginning and end of extreme warm or cold sub periods. They occurred throughout all of the Common Era. Because the detrended temperature series showed sign of a pacemaker mechanism (regular cycle periods) we suggest that ocean variabilities were a dominating mechanism for multidecadal temperature variability during the Common Era.
Clustering of serum biomarkers involved in post-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) complications
Authors: Fischer Igor , Chaudhry Shafqat Rasul , Hänggi Daniel , Muhammad Sajjad
Published: March 2023

Post-aSAH sequela is characterized by the onset of life-threatening complications along with the upregulated underlying inflammation. Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is one of the most frequent complication after aSAH, which contributes majorly to delayed cerebral ischemia and poor clinical outcome. The objective of this study was to identify the clusters of serum biomarkers that are associated with cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after suffering from aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). In this single-center study, serum concentrations of 10 potential biomarkers, together with clinical and demographic parameters, for 66 aSAH patients were recorded within 24 h after aSAH. The dataset was split into a training set (43 patients) and a validation set. Correlation heatmaps for both datasets were computed. Variables with inconsistent correlations on the two subsets were excluded. Clusters of relevant biomarkers were identified on the complete set, separately for patients who developed post-aSAH CVS and those who did not. Two clusters were found to be specific for patients who suffered from CVS: mitochondrial gene fragments (cytochrome B (Cyt-B), cytochrome C oxidase subunit-1 (Cox-1), displacement loop (D-loop), and IL-23, and the other one, containing IL-6, IL-10, age, and Hunt and Hess score. Clusters of serum biomarkers, analyzed within 24 h of the onset of aSAH, days before the CVS development, are expressed differently in patients suffering from post-aSAH CVS, compared to patients without CVS. This suggests that these biomarkers may be involved in the pathophysiological processes leading to CVS and may be used as its early predictors. These interesting findings are potentially highly relevant for the management of CVS and call for validation on a larger sample of patients.
Regime shift and changes in sediment morphology driven by sea level rise affect abundance of migratory waders
Authors: Laursen Karsten , Bregnballe Thomas , Kleefstra Romke , Frikke John , Günther Klaus , Hornman Menno , Pedersen Claus L. , Blew Jan , Pape Møller Anders
Published: March 2023

Regime shifts are likely to have strong impacts on all trophic levels and their interactions. In addition, weather conditions and sea level rise together with tidal currents may change sediment morphology in coastal areas and estuaries. Here, we studied the effects of these drivers of ecosystems on abundance of seven wader species feeding on macrozoobenthos in the German sector of the Wadden Sea. We hypothesized that regime shift caused decreases in wader abundance and that changes in sediment morphology driven by sea level rise and tidal amplitude affected these changes. We analyzed numbers of waders on a short term, 1998–2016, that matched a large-scale geographical study of sediment morphology in the German sector, and at a long term, 1987–2019. Changes in numbers of waders were estimated as slope of coefficients of the trends of wader species numbers in the two periods. The average (se) year of decreases in numbers of waders was initiated for most species and tidal basins in the year 1992 (± 0.4) that followed a regime shift in the Southern North Sea and in the Wadden Sea in 1988–1989. There were no statistical differences between the years when numbers of waders started to decrease between the northern and the southwestern tidal basins of the German sector, indicating that the drives affected both coastal sections simultaneously. Significant relationships were found between slopes of coefficients of wader species and sediment morphology and physical features as sea level rise and tidal amplitude. Relationships were most pronounced for the long term, 1987–2019 compared to the short term, 1998–2016. We conclude that regime shift and changes in sediment morphology driven by sea level rise and sediment change can affect abundance of migratory wader species in large estuaries and shallow coastal waters.
FinnSentiment: a Finnish social media corpus for sentiment polarity annotation
Authors: Lindén Krister , Jauhiainen Tommi , Hardwick Sam
Published: March 2023

Sentiment analysis and opinion mining are essential tasks with many prominent application areas, e.g., when researching popular opinions on products or brands. Sentiments expressed in social media can be used in brand name monitoring and indicating fake news. In our survey of previous work, we note that there is no large-scale social media data set with sentiment polarity annotations for Finnish. This publication aims to remedy this shortcoming by introducing a 27,000-sentence data set annotated independently with sentiment polarity by three native annotators. We had three annotators annotate the whole data set, which provides a unique opportunity for further studies of annotator behavior over the sample annotation order. We analyze their inter-annotator agreement and provide two baselines to validate the usefulness of the data set.
Phase 1 study to determine the safety and dosing of autologous PBMCs modified to present HPV16 antigens (SQZ-PBMC-HPV) in HLA-A*02+ patients with HPV16+ solid tumors
Authors: Jimeno Antonio , Baranda Joaquina , Iams Wade T. , Park Jong Chul , Mita Monica , Gordon Michael S. , Taylor Matthew , Dhani Neesha , Leal Alexis D. , Neupane Prakash , Eng Cathy , Yeku Oladapo , Mita Alain , Moser Justin C. , Butler Marcus , Loughhead Scott M. , Jennings Julia , Miselis Nathan R. , Ji Rui-Ru , Nair Nitya , Kornacker Martin , Zwirtes Ricardo F. , Bernstein Howard , Sharei Armon
Published: March 2023

We conducted a dose escalation Phase 1 study of autologous PBMCs loaded by microfluidic squeezing (Cell Squeeze® technology) with HPV16 E6 and E7 antigens (SQZ-PBMC-HPV), in HLA-A*02+ patients with advanced/metastatic HPV16+ cancers. Preclinical studies in murine models had shown such cells resulted in stimulation and proliferation of antigen specific CD8+ cells, and demonstrated antitumor activity. Administration of SQZ-PBMC-HPV was every 3 weeks. Enrollment followed a modified 3+3 design with primary objectives to define safety, tolerability, and the recommended Phase 2 dose. Secondary and exploratory objectives were antitumor activity, manufacturing feasibility, and pharmacodynamic evaluation of immune responses. Eighteen patients were enrolled at doses ranging from 0.5 × 106 to 5.0 × 106 live cells/kg. Manufacture proved feasible and required < 24 h within the overall vein-to-vein time of 1 – 2 weeks; at the highest dose, a median of 4 doses were administered. No DLTs were observed. Most related TEAEs were Grade 1 – 2, and one Grade 2 cytokine release syndrome SAE was reported. Tumor biopsies in three patients showed 2 to 8-fold increases in CD8+ tissue infiltrating lymphocytes, including a case that exhibited increased MHC-I+ and PD-L1+ cell densities and reduced numbers of HPV+ cells. Clinical benefit was documented for the latter case. SQZ-PBMC-HPV was well tolerated; 5.0 × 106 live cells/kg with double priming was chosen as the recommended Phase 2 dose. Multiple participants exhibited pharmacodynamic changes consistent with immune responses supporting the proposed mechanism of action for SQZ-PBMC-HPV, including patients previously refractory to checkpoint inhibitors.
Integrated machine learning–based model and WQI for groundwater quality assessment: ML, geospatial, and hydro-index approaches
Authors: Abu El-Magd Sherif Ahmed , Ismael Ismael S. , El-Sabri Mohamed A. Sh. , Abdo Mohamed Sayed , Farhat Hassan I.
Published: March 2023

The demands upon the arid area for water supply pose threats to both the quantity and quality of social and economic activities. Thus, a widely used machine learning model, namely the support vector machines (SVM) integrated with water quality indices (WQI), was used to assess the groundwater quality. The predictive ability of the SVM model was assessed using a field dataset for groundwater from Abu-Sweir and Abu-Hammad, Ismalia, Egypt. Multiple water quality parameters were chosen as independent variables to build the model. The results revealed that the permissible and unsuitable class values range from 36 to 27%, 45 to 36%, and 68 to 15% for the WQI approach, SVM method and SVM-WQI model respectively. Besides, the SVM-WQI model shows a low percentage of the area for excellent class compared to the SVM model and WQI. The SVM model trained with all predictors with a mean square error (MSE) of 0.002 and 0.41; the models that had higher accuracy reached 0.88. Moreover, the study highlighted that SVM-WQI can be successfully implemented for the assessment of groundwater quality (0.90 accuracy). The resulting groundwater model in the study sites indicates that the groundwater is influenced by rock-water interaction and the effect of leaching and dissolution. Overall, the integrated ML model and WQI give an understanding of water quality assessment, which may be helpful in the future development of such areas.
Mesoporous carbon nitride supported MgO for enhanced CO2 capture
Authors: Refaat Zakaria , Saied Mohamed El , Naga Ahmed O. Abo El , Shaban Seham A. , Hassan Hanaa B. , Shehata Mohamed Refaat , Kady Fathy Y. El
Published: March 2023

The growing concern about the environmental consequences of anthropogenic CO2 emissions significantly stimulated the research of low-cost, efficient, and recyclable solid adsorbents for CO2 capture. In this work, a series of MgO-supported mesoporous carbon nitride adsorbents with different MgO contents (xMgO/MCN) was prepared using a facile process. The obtained materials were tested for CO2 capture from 10 vol% CO2 mixture gas with N2 using a fixed bed adsorber at atmospheric pressure. At 25 ºC, the bare MCN support and unsupported MgO samples demonstrated CO2 capture capacities of 0.99, and 0.74 mmol g−1, respectively, which were lower than those of the xMgO/MCN composites.The incorporation of MgO into the MCN improved the CO2 uptake, and the 20MgO/MCN exhibited the highest CO2 capture capacity of 1.15 mmol g−1 at 25 °C. The improved performance of the 20MgO/MCN nanohybrid can be possibly assigned to the presence of high content of highly dispersed MgO NPs along with its improved textural properties in terms of high specific surface area (215 m2g−1), large pore volume (0.22 cm3g−1), and abundant mesoporous structure. The efffects of temperature and CO2 flow rate were also investigated on the CO2 capture performance of 20MgO/MCN. Temperature was found to have a negative influence on the CO2 capture capacity of the 20MgO/MCN, which decreased from 1.15 to 0.65 mmol g−1with temperature rise from 25 C to 150º C, due to the endothermicity of the process. Similarly, the capture capacity decreased from 1.15 to 0.54 mmol g−1 with the increase of the flow rate from 50 to 200 ml minute−1 respectively. Importantly, 20MgO/MCN showed excellent reusability with consistent CO2 capture capacity over five sequential sorption–desorption cycles, suggesting its suitability for the practical capture of CO2.
Measuring stock market integration during the Gold Standard
Authors: Stuart Rebecca
Published: March 2023

This paper uses a broad geographical sample of economies to study stock market integration during the classical Gold Standard. It is novel in estimating a common or “global” component of stock market returns across all countries in the sample and studying how individual markets co-move with this. Variations in the integration of individual exchanges often appear related to large domestic financial and political crises as idiosyncratic shocks were more common than they are today. The results suggest that although overall integration rose during this period, it was low compared to more recent data. The results are robust to alternative formulations of the global component and alternative measures of returns.
Ways of thinking in STEM-based problem solving
Authors: English Lyn D.
Published: March 2023

This article proposes an interconnected framework, Ways of thinking in STEM-based Problem Solving, which addresses cognitive processes that facilitate learning, problem solving, and interdisciplinary concept development. The framework comprises critical thinking, incorporating critical mathematical modelling and philosophical inquiry, systems thinking, and design-based thinking, which collectively contribute to adaptive and innovative thinking. It is argued that the pinnacle of this framework is learning innovation, involving the generation of powerful disciplinary knowledge and thinking processes that can be applied to subsequent problem challenges. Consideration is first given to STEM-based problem solving with a focus on mathematics. Mathematical and STEM-based problems are viewed here as goal-directed, multifaceted experiences that (1) demand core, facilitative ways of thinking, (2) require the development of productive and adaptive ways to navigate complexity, (3) enable multiple approaches and practices, (4) recruit interdisciplinary solution processes, and (5) facilitate the growth of learning innovation. The nature, role, and contributions of each way of thinking in STEM-based problem solving and learning are then explored, with their interactions highlighted. Examples from classroom-based research are presented, together with teaching implications.
Detection of Helicobacter Pylori in Nasal Polyps: An Epidemiological Study
Authors: Zika Giolanta , Fousekis Fotios S. , Exarchakos Georgios , Baltayiannis Gerasimos
Published: March 2023

Many studies have described the detection of Helicobacter pylori (HP) in the nasal polyps; however, although gastroesophageal reflux has been associated with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps development, the role of HP remains unclear. Our aim was to describe the prevalence of HP detection in nasal polyps and its association with gastric HP infection and gastroesophageal reflux dsease (GERD). The prospective study involved 36 patients with nasal polyps, who underwent to endoscopic surgery removal of nasal polyps. Before surgical procedure all patients were tested for gastric HP infection by 13 C-urea breath test, while tissue samples from nasal polyps were tested for HP detection, using rapid urease test (CLO test) and histological examination with Giemsa stain. All patients were asked about GERD-related symptoms. HP in nasal polyps was detected in 9 out of 36 patients (25%) using histological examination with Giemsa stain, while the detection rate of HP was 30.5% (11/36) using CLO test. Furthermore, 28 out of 36 patients (77.7%) had gastric HP infection. All patients with HP colonization in nasal polyps had gastric HP infection and all patients with HP in nasal polyps reported symptoms related to GERD. HP was detected in approximately one out of three patients in nasal polyps, while all patients with HP detection in nasal polyps had concurrently gastric HP infection and reported GERD-related symptoms, suggesting a gastro-nasal route of HP.