bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
French multicentre prospective evaluation of radiofrequency ablation in the management of haemorrhoidal disease
Authors: Laurain A. , Bouchard D. , Rouillon J.-M. , Petit P. , Liddo A. , Vinson Bonnet B. , Venara A. , Didelot J.-M. , Bonnaud G. , Senéjoux A. , Higuero T. , Delasalle P. , Tarrerias A.-L. , Devulder F. , Castinel A. , Thomas C. , Pillant Le Moult H. , Favreau-Weltzer C. , Abramowitz L.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the management of haemorrhoidal disease with 1 year’s follow-up.

Method

This prospective multicentre study assessed RFA (Rafaelo©) in outpatients with grade II–III haemorrhoids. RFA was performed in the operating room under locoregional or general anaesthesia. Primary endpoint was the evolution of a quality-of-life score adapted to the haemorrhoid pathology (HEMO-FISS-QoL) 3 months after surgery. Secondary endpoints were evolution of symptoms (prolapsus, bleeding, pain, itching, anal discomfort), complications, postoperative pain and medical leave.

Results

A total of 129 patients (69% men, median age 49 years) were operated on in 16 French centres. Median HEMO-FISS-QoL score dropped significantly from 17.4/100 to 0/100 (p < 0.0001) at 3 months. At 3 months, the rate of patients reporting bleeding (21% vs. 84%, p < 0.001), prolapse (34% vs. 91.3%, p < 0.001) and anal discomfort (0/10 vs. 5/10, p < 0.0001) decreased significantly. Median medical leave was 4 days [1–14]. Postoperative pain was 4/10, 1/10, 0/10 and 0/10 at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. Seven patients (5.4%) were reoperated on by haemorrhoidectomy for relapse, and three for complications. Reported complications were haemorrhage (3), dysuria (3), abscess (2), anal fissure (1), external haemorrhoidal thrombosis (10), pain requiring morphine (11). Degree of satisfaction was high (+ 5 at 3 months on a − 5/+ 5 scale).

Conclusion

RFA is associated with an improvement in quality of life and symptoms with a good safety profile. As expected for minimally invasive surgery, postoperative pain is minor with short medical leave.

Clinical trial registration and date

Clinical trial NCT04229784 (18/01/2020).
Weighted symmetrization results for a problem with variable Robin parameter
Authors: Alvino Angelo , Chiacchio Francesco , Nitsch Carlo , Trombetti Cristina
Published: April 2023

By means of a suitable weighted rearrangement, we obtain various apriori bounds for the solutions to a Robin problem. Among other things, we derive a family of Faber-Krahn type inequalities.
Optimal two-stage spatial sampling design for estimating critical parameters of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic: Efficiency versus feasibility
Authors: Alleva G. , Arbia G. , Falorsi P. D. , Nardelli V. , Zuliani A.
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic presents an unprecedented clinical and healthcare challenge for the many medical researchers who are attempting to prevent its worldwide spread. It also presents a challenge for statisticians involved in designing appropriate sampling plans to estimate the crucial parameters of the pandemic. These plans are necessary for monitoring and surveillance of the phenomenon and evaluating health policies. In this respect, we can use spatial information and aggregate data regarding the number of verified infections (either hospitalized or in compulsory quarantine) to improve the standard two-stage sampling design broadly adopted for studying human populations. We present an optimal spatial sampling design based on spatially balanced sampling techniques. We prove its relative performance analytically in comparison to other competing sampling plans, and we also study its properties through a series of Monte Carlo experiments. Considering the optimal theoretical properties of the proposed sampling plan and its feasibility, we discuss suboptimal designs that approximate well optimality and are more readily applicable.
Hatching asynchrony as a parental reproductive strategy in birds: a review of causes and consequences
Authors: Węgrzyn Ewa , Węgrzyn Wiktor , Leniowski Konrad
Published: April 2023

Bird parents may choose among various breeding strategies. From an evolutionary point of view the outcome of their choice is believed to provide the highest reproductive success in a given environment. However, some of the mechanisms underlying parental reproductive decisions are still poorly understood, for example the phenomenon of hatching asynchrony. Resultant age and size hierarchy among nest mates often lead to competitive disadvantages, starvation and death of last-hatched siblings. Although synchronised broods generally result in higher fledging success, altricial bird species typically hatch asynchronously. Various hypotheses were proposed and tested to explain this strategy. A quarter of a century has passed since the last review of research on hatching asynchrony. In the meantime the number of studies investigating the issue has considerably grown, same as the array of hypotheses. Our aim is to present a comprehensive synthesis of the research on 20 hypotheses presented until recently as well as to indicate the blind spots in the reviewed area—9 out of 20 formulated hypotheses still lack any experimental approach that would confirm or reject the assumptions.
Will your child take care of you in your old age? Unequal caregiving received by older parents from adult children in Sweden
Authors: von Saenger Isabelle , Dahlberg Lena , Augustsson Erika , Fritzell Johan , Lennartsson Carin
Published: April 2023

Intergenerational family care provided to older parents by adult children is growing and differs based on gender and socioeconomic status. Few studies consider these elements in relation to both the parent and their adult child, and little is known about the number of care tasks received even though those providing intensive levels of care are at risk of experiencing adverse consequences in their lives. This study uses data from the nationally representative 2011 Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD) and includes child-specific information from parents aged 76 years and above. Analyses used ordinal logistic regression and are presented as average marginal effects and predictive margins. Results show that parents in need of care report that one-third of all adult children in the sample provide care to three out of five of them. The care is most often non-intensive, yet nearly one in ten of all children provide more intensive care of two or more tasks. When adjusting for dyad characteristics as well as geographic proximity, results show adult–child gender differences where parents receive more care from manual-working-class daughters than manual-working-class sons. Overall, manual-working-class daughters are most commonly reported as carers among adult children, and they are particularly overrepresented in providing intensive care. We conclude that gender and socioeconomic inequalities exist among care receivers’ adult children, even in a strong welfare state such as Sweden. Knowledge about levels and patterns of intergenerational care have important implications for how to reduce unequal caregiving.
Interrelationships between practice, standardisation and innovation in geotechnical earthquake engineering
Authors: Pecker Alain
Published: April 2023

Construction of large civil engineering structures in seismic areas is facing real challenges. Constructions are expected to be safe, sustainable and resilient after the earthquake despite, more than often, harsh environmental conditions and significant uncertainties in the hazard conditions (geotechnical and seismic). In the case of exceptional structures, few, if any, similar structures have been constructed in the same environment, and designers may feel helpless because they cannot rely on past experience, full scale models or standards, which do not cover exceptional structures. This is a typical situation where innovation may make a project feasible. However, innovation, which is to be distinguished from research conducted by academics, must obey certain rules to be effective and accepted by the community. These features are illustrated by few examples of exceptional civil engineering structures in earthquake prone areas; these examples also serve to highlight the interrelationships between practice, standardisation, education and innovation. All these activities, although carried out by different categories of people, benefit from each other to advance the civil engineering profession.
Comparison between Bayesian updating and approximate Bayesian computation for model identification of masonry towers through dynamic data
Authors: Monchetti Silvia , Viscardi Cecilia , Betti Michele , Clementi Francesco
Published: April 2023

Model updating procedures based on experimental data are commonly used in case of historic buildings to identify numerical models that are subsequently employed to assess their structural behaviour. The reliability of these models is closely related to their ability to account for all the uncertainties that are involved in the knowledge process. In this regard, to handle these uncertainties and quantify their propagation, Bayesian inference is frequently employed being able to deal with the effects of parameter uncertainty, observation errors and model inadequacy. The computation of the posterior distribution through Bayesian inference needs–however–the evaluation of the likelihood function, which requires solving complex multi-dimensional integration problems. To bridge this shortcoming, the paper compares two Bayesian inference approaches to show how different approximations affect the results of simulated inference: a discrete approach for the likelihood computation in the Bayesian Model Updating (BMU) and a Monte Carlo likelihood-free method known as Approximate Bayesian Computation (ABC) are reported. As reference, the typology of historic masonry towers was considered by using their natural frequencies as experimental data for model updating. The two procedures provide very similar results supporting the validity of both methods despite ABC turns out to be a more flexible approach.
The Promising Antibacterial and Anticancer Activity of Green Synthesized Zinc Nanoparticles in Combination with Silver and Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Abdelsattar Abdallah S. , Kamel Azza G. , Hussein Assmaa H. , Azzam Mohamed , Makky Salsabil , Rezk Nouran , Essam Kareem , Agwa Mona M. , El-Shibiny Ayman
Published: April 2023

Zinc nanoparticles (ZnNPs) are showing promising medical applications. However, their cytotoxicity is relatively high. This study aims to use a green synthesis technique based on the natural propolis (honeybees glue) and produce three counterparts of Zinc nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs, AuNPs@ZnO and AgNPs@ZnO). Then, the three would be analyzed for their potential antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity. The study compares the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of ZnO-NPs alone to its combination with gold and silver (AuNPs@ZnO and AgNPs@ZnO). The results showed that AgNPs@ZnO had contributed significantly to antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, AuNPs@ZnO and AgNPs@ZnO showed similar cytotoxicity to ZnO-NPs with higher safety. Furthermore, the Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopes’ micrographs (SEM and TEM) displayed the biosynthesized ZnNPs that have a spherical shape with sizes ranging from 17 to 70 nm, from 45 to 75 nm, and from 22 to 73 nm for ZnONPs, ZnO-AgNPs, free AgNPs, and ZnO-AuNPs, respectively. In addition, zeta potential values for ZnONPs were 11.4 mV, while ZnO-AgNPs and ZnO-AuNPs have a higher overall charge of 13.6 mV and 23.9 mV, respectively. Furthermore, ZnNPs exhibited antibacterial activity, yet AgNPs@ZnO demonstrated the highest antibacterial action against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, cytotoxicity analyses of biosynthesized ZnNPs on three cell lines; breast cancer cell (MCF-7), liver cancer cell (HepG-2) and Human skin fibroblast (HSF) revealed that Zn-NPs in a combination could function as an anticancer agent. Therefore, there are promising medical applications for the biosynthesized ZnNPs in combinations with other metals, such as ZnO-AgNPs, as safe antibacterial and anticancer medicines.

Graphical Abstract
Highly sensitive V-shaped SPR PCF biosensor for cancer detection
Authors: Abdelghaffar M. , Gamal Yusuf , El-Khoribi Reda A. , Soliman Wafaa , Badr Y. , Hameed Mohamed Farhat O. , Obayya S. S. A.
Published: April 2023

In this paper, a novel design of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) biosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is introduced and analyzed for cancer cell detection. The full vectorial finite element method (FVFEM) is used throughout the numerical analysis of the suggested biosensor. The reported PCF has a V-shaped surface that is coated with ZrN as a plasmonic material. A coupling occurs between the core guided mode and surface plasmon mode SPM which depends on the studied analyte. Such a coupling is improved by using the suggested V-shape geometry which increases the sensor sensitivity.The geometrical parameters are optimized to achieve high sensor sensitivity. The proposed biosensor has high optical sensitivity of 6214.28, 3800, and 5008.33 nm/RIU, for quasi-transverse magnetic (TM), and 6000 nm/RIU, 4400 nm/RIU, and 5333.3 nm/RIU, for quasi-transverse magnetic (TE), for breast, basal, and cervical cancer cells, respectively. The reported optical sensor can pave the way for efficient and simple technique for cancer detection with low cost and high sensitivity instead of surgical and chemical techniques.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the incidence of serious or severe hypersensitivity reactions after administration of ferric derisomaltose or ferric carboxymaltose
Authors: Kennedy Nicholas A. , Achebe Maureen M. , Biggar Patrick , Pöhlmann Johannes , Pollock Richard F.
Published: April 2023

Background

Intravenous iron is the preferred treatment for patients with iron deficiency anemia in a variety of clinical situations. Although uncommon, administration of modern IV iron formulations can result in hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) and, rarely, anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions.

Aim

The objective of the present study was to systematically review the literature to identify and analyze data on the incidence of HSRs after administration of ferric derisomaltose (FDI) or ferric carboxymaltose (FCM).

Method

A prospectively-registered systematic literature review was conducted to identify prospective randomized controlled trials comparing FDI and FCM with other intravenous iron formulations or oral iron. Searches were conducted in PubMed (including MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in November 2020. The relative incidence of serious or severe HSRs occurring on the day or day after dosing of intravenous iron, recorded under the standardized Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities query for anaphylactic reaction.

Results

Data were obtained from seven randomized controlled trials of FCM (N = 2683) and ten of FDI (N = 3474) enrolling 10,467 patients in total. The number of patients experiencing any serious or severe HSR event was 29/2683 (1.08%) with FCM versus 5/3474 with FDI (0.14%). Bayesian inference of proportions showed the event rates to be significantly lower with FDI relative to FCM.

Conclusion

HSR events were uncommon with both intravenous iron formulations; however, the present study showed a significantly lower incidence of HSRs with FDI relative to FCM. Further large-scale, head-to-head trials of the iron formulations would be required to confirm this finding.
Comparison Theorems for Stochastic Chemical Reaction Networks
Authors: Campos Felipe A. , Bruno Simone , Fu Yi , Del Vecchio Domitilla , Williams Ruth J.
Published: April 2023

Continuous-time Markov chains are frequently used as stochastic models for chemical reaction networks, especially in the growing field of systems biology. A fundamental problem for these Stochastic Chemical Reaction Networks (SCRNs) is to understand the dependence of the stochastic behavior of these systems on the chemical reaction rate parameters. Towards solving this problem, in this paper we develop theoretical tools called comparison theorems that provide stochastic ordering results for SCRNs. These theorems give sufficient conditions for monotonic dependence on parameters in these network models, which allow us to obtain, under suitable conditions, information about transient and steady-state behavior. These theorems exploit structural properties of SCRNs, beyond those of general continuous-time Markov chains. Furthermore, we derive two theorems to compare stationary distributions and mean first passage times for SCRNs with different parameter values, or with the same parameters and different initial conditions. These tools are developed for SCRNs taking values in a generic (finite or countably infinite) state space and can also be applied for non-mass-action kinetics models. When propensity functions are bounded, our method of proof gives an explicit method for coupling two comparable SCRNs, which can be used to simultaneously simulate their sample paths in a comparable manner. We illustrate our results with applications to models of enzymatic kinetics and epigenetic regulation by chromatin modifications.
Minnelide Markedly Reduces Proteinuria in Mice with Adriamycin Nephropathy by Protecting Against Podocyte Injury
Authors: Ji Baowei , Liu Junchao , Ma Yanli , Yin Ye , Xu Hong , Shen Qian , Yu Jian
Published: April 2023

Minimal change disease (MCD) is the most common cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in children. The current major therapy is hormones for most steroid-sensitive patients. However, many patients have recurrent relapses of the disease and require long-term immunosuppression, leading to significant morbidity due to the side effects of the drugs. Therefore, better drugs need to be urgently explored to treat nephrotic syndrome while avoiding the side effects of drugs. Minnelide, a water-soluble prodrug of triptolide, has been proved to be effective in treating cancers in many clinical trials. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of minnelide in mice with adriamycin (ADR) nephropathy, its underlying protection mechanisms, and its reproductive toxicity. Minnelide was administered intraperitoneally to 6–8-week female mice with adriamycin nephropathy for 2 weeks, and the urine, blood, and kidney tissues were taken to analyze the therapeutic effect. In addition, we evaluated reproductive toxicity by measuring the levels of gonadal hormones and observing the histological changes in ovaries and testes. Primary mouse podocytes were exposed to puromycin (PAN) to damage the cytoskeleton and induce apoptosis, and then, triptolide was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect and underlying protection mechanisms in vitro. It was observed that minnelide dramatically alleviated proteinuria and apoptosis in mice with adriamycin nephropathy. In vitro, triptolide ameliorated puromycin-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement and apoptosis via reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial pathway. In addition, minnelide caused no reproductive toxicity to male and female mice. The results suggested that minnelide might be a promising drug for nephrotic syndrome.
Microporosity evolution and destruction in the Jurassic Arab D reservoir, Qatar
Authors: Sadooni F. N. , Al-Kuwari H. Al-Saad , Sakhaee-Pour A. , Mattar W. S.
Published: April 2023

Core samples were collected from three wells, one onshore and two offshore, from Qatar’s Upper Jurassic Arab D reservoir. The samples were subjected to multiproxy petrographic and chemical analyses to identify their micro- and nanoporosity types and understand their evolution and destruction. Based on the petrographic and petrophysical properties of studied rocks, the Arab D succession was divided into seven rock types. Primary microporosity includes intergranular and interplanar, while secondary types include vuggy, intercrystalline, moldic, dissolution, pyrite displacement, microfracture, and microbial boring. Primary micropores were found mainly between the micrite grains in the lime mudstone facies, between the grains or the plates of clay minerals. Secondary micropores result from open and closed diagenetic systems. The open diagenetic system led to the development of dissolution and moldic micropores, while the closed system created pyrite displacement and boring porosity. Mechanical stress due to crystal growth or displacement generated microfractures. Micropores were destroyed either by cementation, clay minerals growth, dolomitization, or microbial pustular overgrowth. Microporosity was important in quantity and varied in nature in the mud-supported rocks. They are similar to macropores in grain-supported sediments but of less importance. The complex lithology of the studied rocks has significantly influenced the development and destruction of the porosity system of the Arab Formation.
The impact of the corrugated absorber shape on the performance of a hemispherical solar still for water desalination: an experimental study
Authors: Kabeel Abd Elnaby , Attia Mohammed El Hadi , Bellila Abdelkader , El-Maghlany Wael M. , Fayed Mohamed , Abdullah Abdelkader Saad , Zidane Iham F.
Published: April 2023

Solar stills utilization has received great interest in arid isolated regions. In this study, experimental approaches have been investigated to prove the impact of the corrugated absorber shape on the hemispherical solar still performance. Four geometric corrugated shapes including present flat, triangular, semi-circular, square forms were tested for the corrugated absorber. Five hemispherical solar distillers have been fabricated and tested. The first distiller includes flat absorber (HSD-FA), the second distiller includes square corrugated absorber (HSDSA), the third distiller includes semi-circular corrugated absorber (HSD-SCA), the fourth distiller includes triangular corrugated absorber (HSDTA), and the fifth distiller is conventional (CHSD). The first and second distillers were compared with the CHSD on the first day. On the second day, the third and fourth distillers were compared with the CHSD as well. Experimental results obtained showed that, the total freshwater yield of the HSD-FA, HSDSA, HSDSCA and HSDTA were improved by 16.67, 27.08, 39.58 and 48.96%, respectively, compared over that of the CHSD. These results prove that the use of the triangular corrugated absorber shaped provides the highest thermal efficiency, and the optimum corrugated absorber shape is the triangular corrugated absorber shape.
Assessment of the information gain of several monitoring techniques for bridge structural examination
Authors: Bertola Numa J. , Henriques Guillaume , Brühwiler Eugen
Published: April 2023

The examination of existing civil structures must be differentiated from designing new structures. To have sustainable and circular asset management, the behavior of these existing structures must be better understood to avoid unnecessary maintenance and replacements. Monitoring data collected through bridge load testing, structural health monitoring, and non-destructive tests may provide useful information that could significantly influence their structural-safety evaluations. Nonetheless, these monitoring techniques are often elaborate, and the monitoring costs may not always justify the benefits of the information gained. Additionally, it is challenging to quantify the expected information gain before monitoring, especially when combining several techniques. This paper proposes several definitions and metrics to quantify the information gained from monitoring data to better evaluate the benefits of monitoring techniques. A full-scale bridge case study in Switzerland is used to illustrate the information gain from multiple monitoring techniques. On this structure, static load tests, three years of strain monitoring, weigh-in-motion measurements, and non-destructive tests were performed between 2016 and 2019. The influence on structural-safety examination is evaluated for each combination of monitoring techniques. Results show that each technique provides unique information and the optimal combination depends on the selected definition of information gain. When data from monitoring techniques are combined, significant reserve capacity of the bridge is determined.
Supporting participatory livestock feed improvement using the Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST)
Authors: Duncan Alan J. , Lukuyu Ben , Mutoni Gilbert , Lema Zelalem , Fraval Simon
Published: April 2023

Livestock production is central to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries, but livestock are often poorly fed which limits their potential for reducing poverty. Efforts to improve livestock nutrition are often driven by supply-push thinking and fail to engage meaningfully with farmers and the realities they face. The Feed Assessment Tool (FEAST) was developed as a way of involving farmers more closely in decision making on livestock feed improvement. FEAST is a participatory tool which uses focus group discussions and individual farmer interviews to develop a broad overview of the livestock farming system. FEAST has been applied in many countries in the last 10 years. Examples of intensive use come from the Accelerated Value Chain Development Project in Kenya and the Rwanda Dairy Development Project in Rwanda. In both cases the tool was used to inform feed options with strong input from farmers. Although the primary purpose of FEAST is to support improved feed strategies at farm level, the data collected through the FEAST app and published in FEAST reports are a rich information resource that can be useful for developing broader system-level understanding of livestock feed issues. FEAST data can be uploaded into a global data repository where they are available for researchers. These data are also used to generate visualizations of key feed metrics further extending the use of secondary data. FEAST is an example of a participatory tool that moves decision making in the direction of farmers, while providing insights to researchers working across farming systems. Its widespread use across many countries is an indication that it fills a gap in in the livestock feed development space. Its novelty lies in bridging the knowledge gap (both ways) between livestock researchers and small-scale livestock keepers.
The Impact of Immune-Modulating Treatments for Dermatological Diseases on the Risk of Infection with SARS-CoV-2 and Outcomes Associated with COVID-19 Illness
Authors: Maynard Nicole , Armstrong April W.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of Review

Immune-modulating treatments are used in dermatology for a variety of conditions. The authors aim to review the data regarding the safety of these treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic, namely the risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the outcomes associated with COVID-19-related illness.

Recent Findings

Several large-scale studies found no increased risk of COVID-19 infection for patients on TNF-α inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, IL-12/23 inhibitors, IL-23 inhibitors, dupilumab, and methotrexate. They also found that these patients did not have worse outcomes when infected with COVID-19. The data regarding JAK inhibitors, rituximab, prednisone, cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, and azathioprine are more mixed.

Summary

Based on current research and guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology and the National Psoriasis Foundation, dermatology patients on immune-modulating therapies can continue treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic when they are not infected with SARS-CoV-2. For patients who have COVID-19, guidelines encourage individualized assessment of the benefits and risks of continuing or temporarily withholding treatment.
Efficacy and tolerability of lacosamide as adjunctive therapy in patients with focal-onset seizures: an observational, prospective study
Authors: Jin Yang , Zhang Ranran , Jiang Jing , Liu Xuewu
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive lacosamide (LCM) in patients with focal-onset seizures, with or without combined secondarily generalized seizures.

Methods

106 patients aged ≥ 16 years were recruited consecutively in this single-center prospective observational study. All patients received LCM as an add-on treatment on the basis of clinical judgement. Seizure frequency, adverse events (AEs) and retention rates were obtained at 3 and 6 months after LCM introduction.

Result

The overall response rates were 53.3 and 70.4% after 3 and 6 months, respectively, and the freedom of seizures at the same points was reached at 19 and 26.5%. The retention rates were 99.1% at the 3-month follow-up and 93.3% at the 6-month follow-up. The overall incidence of adverse events was 35.8%. The leading AEs were dizziness (16.98%) and sedation (6.6%).

Conclusions

Our study confirmed the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive LCM in Chinese patients in real-life conditions. Based on our treatment experience, a universal maintenance dose of LCM would be needed in Chinese patients.
Development of a day-ahead solar power forecasting model chain for a 250 MW PV park in India
Authors: Roy Arindam , Ramanan Aravindakshan , Kumar Barun , Abraham Chris Alice , Hammer Annette , Barykina Elena , Heinemann Detlev , Kumar Naveen , Waldl Hans-Peter , Mitra Indradip , Das Prasun Kumar , Karthik R. , Boopathi K. , Balaraman K.
Published: April 2023

Due to the steep rise in grid-connected solar Photovoltaic (PV) capacity and the intermittent nature of solar generation, accurate forecasts are becoming ever more essential for the secure and economic day-ahead scheduling of PV systems. The inherent uncertainty in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) forecasts and the limited availability of measured datasets for PV system modeling impacts the achievable day-ahead solar PV power forecast accuracy in regions like India. In this study, an operational day-ahead PV power forecast model chain is developed for a 250 MWp solar PV park located in Southern India using NWP-predicted Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) from the European Centre of Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) models. The performance of the Lorenz polynomial and a Neural Network (NN)-based bias correction method are benchmarked on a sliding window basis against ground-measured GHI for ten months. The usefulness of GHI transposition, even with uncertain monthly tilt values, is analyzed by comparing the Global Tilted Irradiance (GTI) and GHI forecasts with measured GTI for four months. A simple technique for back-calculating the virtual DC power is developed using the available aggregated AC power measurements and the inverter efficiency curve from a nearby plant with a similar rated inverter capacity. The AC power forecasts are validated against aggregated AC power measurements for six months. The ECMWF derived forecast outperforms the reference convex combination of climatology and persistence. The linear combination of ECMWF and NCMRWF derived AC forecasts showed the best result.
Secondary burial practice at megalithic jar site 1, Plain of Jars Laos
Authors: O’Reilly Dougald , Shewan Louise , Luangkoth Thonglith , Domett Kate , Halcrow Siân , Khamphouvong Mailo , Butphachit Amphai , Sayavongkhamdy Thongsa , Heap Natasha
Published: April 2023

In 2020 a Lao/Australian archaeological research team revisited one of the largest megalithic jar sites in Laos, Site 1, and undertook excavations in an effort to more fully understand the ritual practice at the site. This paper reviews previous research undertaken at the site and describes the recent excavation which revealed evidence of secondary burial practice dating to the 8th to thirteenth centuries. The research confirms the use of Site 1 as a burial site where multiple individuals were interred in secondary burials in shared mortuary contexts.
A Need for Grounded Mental Health Interventions to Reduce Cancer Stigma
Authors: Golbourn Lucie-May , Colman Rory , Uneno Yu , Kotera Yasuhiro
Published: April 2023

Nineteen million people were diagnosed with cancer, and almost ten million cancer deaths were recorded worldwide in 2020. The extent of cancer stigmatisation can be as prevalent as 80%. 24% of advanced cancer patients have been diagnosed with an anxiety or depressive disorder. The aim is to provide valuable plans of how it may be conceptually possible to form an intervention from a public health perspective. Preliminary observations identified a gap in research of a novel framework for cancer stigma. It is hoped this knowledge will build the foundations to develop an explanatory evidence-based theoretical model for improving the understanding, evaluation and planning of cancer stigma. Less than 6% of current studies are aimed at actually implementing interventions into practise. Using the Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework as an example, whilst drawing upon the independently existing theoretical work on stigma mechanisms and mental health intervention strategies, widening the field of exploration, through mixed method analysis concerning cancer stigma to address the barriers at person, provider, and societal levels, will expand upon the initial application of theories and suggest ways of countering the broader attitudes and beliefs. Guiding future evidence-based initiatives, designed to target and address the many levels at which, cancer stigma can derive. It holds the potential to map out public health directives and strategies, targeting such a multidimensional facet, intricately interwoven across a myriad of levels, being able to support a rationale as to the origins of stigma.
Thermal Analysis and Thermal Reactions of Smectites: a Review of Methodology, Mechanisms, and Kinetics
Authors: Derkowski Arkadiusz , Kuligiewicz Artur
Published: April 2023

Smectites are a group of minerals traditionally analyzed by thermal methods due to their exceptionally large adsorbed-water contents and the presence of OH groups, which makes them unique among all common soil- and rock-forming minerals. The dehydration reaction of smectite is a low-temperature endothermic effect that ends typically below 200°C. Although the removal of bulk interlayer water requires activation energy (Ea) of just above 30 kJ/mol, the removal of the last few H2O molecules attached strongly to interlayer cations requires Ea > 100 kJ/mol. Dehydroxylation is the loss of structural OH groups that proceeds as evolution of H2O molecules out of the smectite structure and occurs in the 300–900°C range. In trioctahedral species, dehydroxylation is combined with recrystallization and proceeds usually at > 700°C. In dioctahedral species, the temperature of dehydroxylation is controlled by the type of octahedral vacancy, having trans-vacant and cis-vacant distinguished by the boundary at ~ 600°C, and by the octahedral cation–OH bond strength, following the order Mg > Al > Fe. The Ea of dehydroxylation correlates linearly with the temperature of maximum dehydroxylation; from > 170 kJ/mol for Cs+-exchanged beidellite and nontronite, through ~ 300 kJ/mol in Mg-rich montmorillonite, to > 500 kJ/mol in trioctahedral saponite. Dehydration and dehydroxylation of smectites can be accompanied by a number of other phenomena, such as dehydrogenation or defluorination. At high temperatures, smectite amorphization and recrystallization occurs. Unless amorphized and/or recrystallized, smectites can undergo rehydration and rehydroxylation, which are opposite reactions to dehydration and dehydroxylation, respectively. This review discusses the details of the above-mentioned thermal reactions of smectites, focusing on thermogravimetric methods, evolved gas analysis, and structural alterations. Factors affecting the accuracy and precision of thermal analysis of smectite are discussed along with examples of best laboratory practices. The paper also provides the most recent description and critical evaluation of smectite reaction kinetics.
Foraminifera study for the characterization of the Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary in Gebel Owaina, Nile Valley, Egypt
Authors: Orabi Orabi H. , El-Sabbagh Ahmed , Mansour Ahmed S. , Ismail Heba , Taha Saida
Published: April 2023

The present work aims to provide a high-resolution stratigraphic range of the planktic foraminiferal group during the Campanian/Maastrichtian boundary (C/M) of Gebel Owaina, Nile Valley. We use the base of Planoglobulina acervulinoides (CF7c Subzone) to mark the C/M boundary, where the planktic foraminiferal assemblages in the subzone are proposed as indicative of the early Maastrichtian age. Five zones (CF9-CF5) and three subzones (CF8a, CF8b, and CF8c) were recognized in the present study. A morphogroups scheme for the calcareous benthic foraminifera used in this work comprises five morphogroups, observed in the Owaina section. Three planktic morphogroups can be recognized and indicate open marine conditions with a good connection to the Tethys Ocean due to the highly diverse Maastrichtian assemblage and high P/B ratio (% P > 95).
Safety of CAR-T Cell Therapy in Patients With Renal Failure/Acute Kidney Injury: Focused Review
Authors: Khan Israr , Khan Nida , Wolfson Natalie , Djebabria Kawthar , Rehman Mohammad Ebad Ur , Anwer Faiz
Published: April 2023

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is novel immunotherapy targeting specifically cancerous cells, and has been shown to induce durable remissions in some refractory hematological malignancies. However, CAR T-cell therapy has adverse effects, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS), immune effector-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS), tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and acute kidney injury (AKI), among others. Not many studies have covered the repercussions of CAR T-cell therapy on the kidneys. In this review, we summarized the available evidence on the safety profile of CAR T-cell therapy in patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency/AKI and in those who develop AKI as a result of CAR T-cell therapy. With a 30% incidence of AKI post-CAR T-cell, various pathophysiological mechanisms, such as CRS, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), TLS, serum cytokines, and inflammatory biomarkers, have been shown to play a role. However, CRS is commonly reported as an underlying mechanism. Overall, 18% of patients in our included studies developed AKI after receiving CAR T-cell therapy, and most cases were reversible with appropriate therapy. While phase-1 clinical trials exclude patients with significant renal toxicity, two studies (Mamlouk et al. and Hunter et al.) reported successful treatment of dialysis-dependent patients with refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and demonstrated that CAR T-cell therapy and lymphodepletion (Flu/Cy) can be safely administered.
Settlement Scaling in the Northern Maya Lowlands: Human-Scale Implications
Authors: Hutson Scott R. , Chase Adrian S. Z. , Glover Jeffrey B. , Ringle William M. , Stanton Travis W. , Witschey Walter R. T. , Ardren Traci
Published: April 2023

Settlement scaling theory predicts that higher site densities lead to increased social interactions that, in turn, boost productivity. The scaling relationship between population and land area holds for several ancient societies, but as demonstrated by the sample of 48 sites in this study, it does not hold for the Northern Maya Lowlands. Removing smaller sites from the sample brings the results closer to scaling expectations. We argue that applications of scaling theory benefit by considering social interaction as a product not only of proximity but also of daily life and spatial layouts.
Norwegian and Russian settlements on Svalbard: An analysis of demographic and socio-economic trends
Authors: Middleton Alexandra
Published: April 2023

The Svalbard archipelago is a centre of global research on climate change and also an example of a rapidly changing Arctic area with tourism replacing the traditional mining industry. We compared the different development paths of the Norwegian (Longyearbyen and Ny-Ålesund) and Russian settlements (Barentsburg and Pyramida) on Spitsbergen as part of the Svalbard archipelago using demographic and socio-economic data until 2022 when available, but not focusing on the impacts of COVID-19 and changing geopolitics after 2022. We analysed strategy documents produced by Norway and Russia and by organisations connected to Svalbard. The analysis continued by scrutinising the statistical data available to ascertain if this supported the strategic goals outlined in the documents. Data collection was by direct enquiry to national statistical bureaus, agencies and institutions in Norway and Russia. Secondary data were collected from media publications and social media accounts. Statistics Norway provided very detailed data on demographics and industrial structure, turnover, investments and comprehensive statistics on employees by industry on Norwegian settlements on Svalbard. The results revealed disparities in socio-economic development, striking differences in data availability and in transparency between the Norwegian and Russian settlements. The population in the Norwegian settlements continued to grow during the period 1990–2022 with an increasing number of foreign nationals, and the population in the Russian settlements decreased by 85% at the same time period. The Norwegian settlements exemplify a diversified economy with a growing private sector, and the Russian settlements continued to rely on the town-forming Russian state unitary coal mining enterprise, Trust Arktikugol. While Svalbard presented a prime example of open data and transparency in the environmental sciences, the socio-economic and demographic statistics were lagging behind. Several practical proposals are presented for improved data collection on the Svalbard settlements.
ABO blood groups and nosocomial infection
Authors: Zhong Xiao , Wang Dong-Li , Xiao Li-Hua , Mo Lan-Fang , Luo Xiao-Feng
Published: April 2023

The timely identification of the high-risk groups for nosocomial infections (NIs) plays a vital role in its prevention and control. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate whether the ABO blood group is a risk factor for NI. In this study, patients with NI and non-infection were matched by the propensity score matching method and a logistic regression model was used to analyse the matched datasets. The study found that patients with the B&AB blood group were susceptible toEscherichia coli(OR = 1.783,p = 0.039); the A blood group were susceptible toStaphylococcus aureus(OR = 2.539,p = 0.019) andPseudomonas aeruginosa(OR = 5.724,p = 0.003); the A&AB blood group were susceptible toPseudomonas aeruginosa(OR = 4.061,p = 0.008); the AB blood group were vulnerable to urinary tract infection (OR = 13.672,p = 0.019); the B blood group were susceptible to skin and soft tissue infection (OR = 2.418,p = 0.016); and the B&AB blood group were vulnerable to deep incision infection (OR = 4.243,p = 0.043). Summarily, the patient’s blood group is vital for identifying high-risk groups for NIs and developing targeted prevention and control measures for NIs.
Adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence: A meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Jenney , Exner-Cortens Deinera , Dobson Keith , Wells Lana , Noel Melanie , Madigan Sheri
Published: April 2023

Intimate partner violence (IPV) represents a significant public health concern. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) represent one risk factor for IPV, however, the results of existing research on the association between ACEs and IPV demonstrate mixed findings. The present research sought to meta-analytically examine the association between ACEs and (a) IPV perpetration and (b) IPV victimization. Moderator analyses were conducted to determine factors that may impact the association between ACEs and IPV involvement. Electronic searches were conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO in August of 2021. One-hundred and twenty-three records were screened for inclusion. All studies included a measure of ACEs and IPV victimization or perpetration. Among the 27 studies and 41 samples included in the meta-analysis, 65,330 participants were included. The results of the meta-analyses demonstrated that ACEs were positively associated with IPV perpetration and victimization. Significant methodological and measurement moderators further inform our understanding of ACEs and IPV involvement. The present meta-analyses demonstrates that trauma-informed approaches to IPV screening, prevention, and intervention may be useful, given that individuals who are involved with IPV may be more likely to possess a history of ACEs exposure.
Using cDNA SCoT method to identify differentially expressed genes in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
Authors: Rhouma Soumaya , Saad Fatma , Ben Saad Ahlem , Moussa Maha , Chatti Khaled
Published: April 2023

Date palm is a relatively salt- and drought-tolerant plant and more recent efforts have been focused on recognizing genes and pathways that confer stress tolerance in this species. The cDNA start codon targeted marker (cDNA–SCoT) technique is a novel, simple, fast and effective method for differential gene expression investigation. In the present study, this technique was exploited to identify differentially expressed genes during several stress treatments in date palm. A total of 12 SCoT primers combined with oligo-dT primers amplified differentially expressed fragments among the stress treatments and control samples. Differentially expressed fragments were highly homologous to known genes or encoded unclassified proteins with unknown functions. The expression patterns of the genes that had direct or indirect relationships with salinity and drought stress response were identified and their possible roles were discussed. This study suggests that the cDNA-SCoT differential display method is a useful tool to serve as an initial step for characterizing transcriptional changes induced by abiotic stresses and provide gene information for further study and application in genetic improvement and breeding in date palm.
Origin of Alkaline Basaltic Intrusive Rocks in an Exhumed Accretionary Complex: Implications for Past Petit‐Spot Volcanism in the Ocean
Authors: Motohashi Ginta , Sano Takashi , Ujiie Kohtaro , Frank Madison
Published: April 2023

Accreted basaltic rocks are expected to provide information on intraplate volcanism in the oceans. Basaltic rocks, originating from mid‐ocean ridges, plateaus, and seamounts, have been reported from exhumed accretionary complexes. However, basaltic rocks related to petit‐spot volcanism remain poorly documented. We examined basaltic intrusive rocks in an exhumed accretionary complex on Amami‐Oshima Island, Ryukyu Arc. Basaltic sills intruded mélange composed of seamount‐derived micritic limestone and basaltic rocks, which deformed together with the mudstone‐dominated mélange in the subduction zone. A separate basaltic sill intruded pelagic chert before being incorporated as a mélange block in the mudstone matrix during deformation in the subduction zone. Geochemical discrimination diagrams and trace element patterns indicate that the accreted dolerites and nonintrusive basalts likely originate from mid‐ocean ridges and hotspots, respectively. On the other hand, the geochemical characteristics of basaltic sills are compatible with alkaline basalt with enriched in incompatible trace elements relative to other basaltic rocks of hotspot origin and may represent a low degree of partial melting from a deeper mantle source (>90 km). A higher ratio of gadolinium to ytterbium in the basaltic sills relative to hotspot or mid‐ocean ridge‐related basalt indicates both a deeper melting depth, and a magma source which upwelled through thick oceanic lithosphere far from the mid‐ocean ridge. Based on the timing of basaltic intrusion and geochemical features, we suggest that the basaltic intrusive rocks could record past petit‐spot volcanism in the oceanic plate.