bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception: comparison of success rates between subspecialized pediatric radiologists and non-pediatric radiologists or radiology residents
Authors: Pušnik Luka , Slak Peter , Nikšić Stevan , Winant Abbey J. , Lee Edward Y. , Plut Domen
Published: May 2023

Ileocolic intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children under two years of age. Treatment in most cases is radiologically guided reduction. In Slovenia, ultrasound (US)-guided hydrostatic reduction is currently the standard of care. The purpose of this study was to compare the success rate of US-guided hydrostatic reduction when performed by subspecialty-trained pediatric radiologists, non-pediatric radiologists, or radiology residents. We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients with ileocolic intussusception who underwent US-guided hydrostatic intussusception reduction at University Medical Centre Ljubljana between January 2012 and December 2022 (n = 101). During regular daily working hours, the reduction was performed by pediatric radiologists. After hours (evenings and overnight), pediatric radiologists, non-pediatric radiologists, or radiology residents performed the reduction procedure. Patients were divided into three groups based on the operator performing the procedure. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test. Pediatric radiologists had thirty-seven (75.5%) successful first attempts, non-pediatric radiologists had nineteen (76.0%), and radiology residents had twenty (74.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of ileocolic intussusception reduction depending on the operator who performed the procedure (p = 0.98). No perforation was observed in either group during the reduction attempts.

  Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that US-guided hydrostatic reduction is a reliable and safe procedure that achieves good results even in the hands of less experienced, however appropriately trained, radiologists. The results should encourage more medical centers to consider the implementation of US-guided hydrostatic reduction of ileocolic intussusception.

What is Known:• US-guided hydrostatic reduction is a well-established method of treatment for ileocolic intussusception in children.• The results regarding the influence of operator’s experience with the procedure on its success rate are scarce and contradictory.

What is New:• US-guided hydrostatic intussusception reduction is a reliable and safe technique that achieves similar success rates when performed by experienced subspecialized pediatric radiologists or less experienced but trained operators such as non-pediatric radiologists and radiology residents.• The implementation of US-guided hydrostatic reduction in general hospitals without subspecialized pediatric radiologists could improve patient care by increasing access to radiologically guided reduction and simultaneously decreasing the time to reduction attempts.
Can we do better at measuring patient-reported outcomes after cranioplasty? A systematic review
Authors: Zaramo Taborah Z. , Zelko Ian , Ragland Dashaun , Tunyi Jude , Kaur Manraj N. , Bajestani Nojan , Lee Clara N. , Chung Kevin C. , Mitchell Kerry-Ann S.
Published: May 2023

Measuring quality of life (QOL) after cranioplasty is increasingly evident as a necessary component of patient-centered care. For data to be useful in clinical decision-making and approval of new therapies, studies must utilize valid and reliable instruments. Our objective was to critically appraise studies evaluating QOL in adult cranioplasty patients and determine validity and relevance of the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) used. Electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychINFO were used to identify PROMs measuring QOL in adult patients with cranioplasty. The methodological approach, cranioplasty outcomes, and domains measured by the PROMs were extracted and summarized descriptively. A content analysis of the identified PROMs was completed to identify the concepts measured. From 2236 articles identified, 17 articles containing eight QOL PROMs met the inclusion criteria. None of the PROMs was specifically validated or developed for adults undergoing cranioplasty. The QOL domains included physical health, psychological health, social health, and general QOL. These four domains encompassed 216 total items among the PROMs. Appearance was only assessed in two PROMs. To our knowledge, there are currently no validated PROMs that comprehensively measure appearance, facial function, and adverse effects in adults undergoing cranioplasty. There is an urgent need to develop PROMs to measure QOL outcomes rigorously and comprehensively in this patient population to inform clinical care, research, and quality improvement initiatives. Findings from this systematic review will be used to derive an outcome instrument containing important concepts related to QOL in patients who undergo cranioplasty.
A classroom station work on the Wadden Sea and its influence on the motivation and interest
Authors: Schmäing Till , Grotjohann Norbert
Published: May 2023

Modern, student-oriented teaching can be characterized by the promotion of autonomy and interest. In the school subject of biology, it is necessary to focus on different ecosystems from different aspects. One ecosystem that has hardly been considered in biology didactics so far is the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea. Therefore, this study implemented station work in a biology class as a method of teaching educational content on the Wadden Sea to determine the effects on the learners’ intrinsic motivation as well as on their situational and individual interest. A total of 157 students from secondary schools (age: M = 14.4 years, SD = 0.5) participated in the study. The results indicate that station work has a statistically significant positive effect on the aforementioned constructs. To clarify the relationship between the two constructs from the literature, the scales used were related to each other in a correlation analysis, revealing a significant correlation between interest and motivation. The findings of this study lay an important foundation for the school-based consideration of the Wadden Sea in biology education research and also provide important implications for related studies.
Infrastructure seismic risk assessment: an overview and integration to contemporary open tool towards global usage
Authors: Poudel Astha , Pitilakis Kyriazis , Silva Vitor , Rao Anirudh
Published: May 2023

Infrastructures are critical for the functioning of society. Due to globalization, damages between different components of infrastructure systems can cross international boundaries, resulting in broad economic and social impacts. Hence, it is fundamental to develop powerful tools for the assessment of infrastructure risk, considering a wide spectrum of uncertainties. Past studies covering infrastructure risk assessment are limited to a few countries, partly because for assessing the infrastructure risk, issues due to the complexity of the systems, like paucity and heterogeneity of the data and methods, the consideration of dependencies between components and systems, modeling of ground shaking in terms of scenario and probabilistic approach, taking into account site effects, spatial variability and cross correlation of ground motion at the urban scale, as well as consideration of risk metrics tailored to infrastructure, still remain partially or not properly answered. Moreover, the presently available infrastructure risk assessment tools are not sufficiently illustrative, user-friendly, and comprehensive to meet actual needs. To this end, the paper making an overview of these issues proposes a comprehensive approach that leverages the main strength of existing infrastructure risk methodologies, integrating them into a powerful open-source tool and providing common platform from hazard to risk analysis that will serve for global and easy usage. The methodology and its implementation are illustrated through a test-bed study of the water supply network of the city of Thessaloniki in Greece, considering an Mw6.5 scenario of the 1978 Thessaloniki earthquake and an event based probabilistic approach and, simultaneously evaluating the sensitivity of cross spatial correlation.
Engaging stakeholders in the use of an interactive simulation tool to support decision-making about the implementation of colorectal cancer screening interventions
Authors: O’Leary Meghan C. , Hassmiller Lich Kristen , Mayorga Maria E. , Hicklin Karen , Davis Melinda M. , Brenner Alison T. , Reuland Daniel S. , Birken Sarah A. , Wheeler Stephanie B.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

We aimed to understand how an interactive, web-based simulation tool can be optimized to support decision-making about the implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for improving colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with decision-makers, including health administrators, advocates, and researchers, with a strong foundation in CRC prevention. Following a demonstration of the microsimulation modeling tool, participants reflected on the tool’s potential impact for informing the selection and implementation of strategies for improving CRC screening and outcomes. The interviews assessed participants’ preferences regarding the tool’s design and content, comprehension of the model results, and recommendations for improving the tool.

Results

Seventeen decision-makers completed interviews. Themes regarding the tool’s utility included building a case for EBI implementation, selecting EBIs to adopt, setting implementation goals, and understanding the evidence base. Reported barriers to guiding EBI implementation included the tool being too research-focused, contextual differences between the simulated and local contexts, and lack of specificity regarding the design of simulated EBIs. Recommendations to address these challenges included making the data more actionable, allowing users to enter their own model inputs, and providing a how-to guide for implementing the simulated EBIs.

Conclusion

Diverse decision-makers found the simulation tool to be most useful for supporting early implementation phases, especially deciding which EBI(s) to implement. To increase the tool’s utility, providing detailed guidance on how to implement the selected EBIs, and the extent to which users can expect similar CRC screening gains in their contexts, should be prioritized.
A comprehensive and policy-oriented model of the hydrogen vehicle fleet composition, applied to the UK market
Authors: Gueniat Florimond , Maryam Sahdia
Published: May 2023

Road vehicles play an important role in the UK’s energy systems and are a critical component in reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating emissions. A dynamic model of light-duty vehicle fleet, based on predator-prey concepts, is presented. This model is designed to be comprehensive but captures the important features of the competition between types of vehicles on the car market. It allows to predict the evolution of the hydrogen based vehicle’s role in the UK’s vehicle fleet. The model allows to forecast effects of policies, hence to inform policy makers. In particular, it is shown that the transition happens only if the hydrogen supply can absorb at least 350,000 new vehicles per year. In addition to this, the model is used to predict the demand for hydrogen for the passenger vehicle fleet for various scenarios. A key finding of the policy-oriented model is that a successful transition to a clean fleet before 2050 is unlikely without policies designed to fully support the supply chain development. It also shows that the amount of hydrogen required to support a full hydrogen based vehicle fleet is currently not economically viable; the needed infrastructure requires yearly investment larger than £2.5 billions. In order to mitigate these costs, the policy focus should shift from hydrogen based vehicles to hybrid vehicles and range extenders in the transport energy system.
Closing Data Gaps and Paving the Way for Pan-European Fire Safety Efforts: Part I—Overview of Current Practices for Fire Statistics
Authors: Manes Martina , Houssami Mohamad El , Campbell Richard , Sauca Ana , Rush David , Hofmann Anja , Andersson Petra , Wagner Peter , Sokolov Sergei , Veeneklaas Johanna , Kobes Margrethe , Oberhagemann Dirk , Rupp Nicola , Jomaas Grunde , Grone Friedrich , van Hees Patrick , Guillaume Eric
Published: May 2023

The analysis of the current state of fire statistics and data collection in Europe and other countries is needed to increase awareness of how fire incidents affect buildings and to support pan-European fire prevention and fire mitigation measures. The terminology and data collected regarding fire incidents in buildings in the EU Member States were mapped to obtain meaningful datasets to determine common terminology, collection methodology, and data interpretation system. An extensive literature review showed that fire data collection systems have been instrumental in informing firefighting strategies, evidence-based planning, prevention, and educational programmes. Differences and similarities between fire data collection systems were also investigated. The amount and quality of the information in fire statistical recording systems appear to be influenced by the complexity and structure with which the data are collected. The analysis also examined the existing fire statistics in the EU Member States and a few other countries. Finally, a detailed investigation of the number of fires, fire deaths, and injuries from 2009 to 2018 in several countries was examined based on data from a report by CTIF. The trends showed differences attributable to the existing fire statistical practices in terms of terminology and data collection, and interpretation. Part II proposes a common terminology for selected fire statistical variables. The results provide relevant information regarding fire safety at the European level and should be used to guide the development of more uniform fire statistics across Europe.
Persistent SARS-CoV-2 PCR Positivity Despite Anti-viral Treatment in Immunodeficient Patients
Authors: Chan Michele , Linn Me Me Nay , O’Hagan Thomas , Guerra-Assunção José Afonso , Lackenby Angie , Workman Sarita , Dacre Anna , Burns Siobhan O. , Breuer Judith , Hart Jennifer , Tadros Susan , Lowe David M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

COVID-19 infection in immunodeficient individuals can result in chronically poor health, persistent or relapsing SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity, and long-term infectious potential. While clinical trials have demonstrated promising outcomes using anti-SARS-CoV-2 medicines in immunocompetent hosts, their ability to achieve sustained viral clearance in immunodeficient patients remains unknown. We therefore aimed to study long-term virological outcomes in patients treated at our centre.

Methods

We followed up immunocompromised inpatients treated with casirivimab-imdevimab (Ronapreve) between September and December 2021, and immunocompromised patients who received sotrovimab, molnupiravir, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid), or no treatment from December 2021 to March 2022. Nasopharyngeal swab and sputum samples were obtained either in hospital or in the community until sustained viral clearance, defined as 3 consecutive negative PCR samples, was achieved. Positive samples were sequenced and analysed for mutations of interest.

Results

We observed sustained viral clearance in 71 of 103 patients, none of whom died. Of the 32/103 patients where sustained clearance was not confirmed, 6 died (between 2 and 34 days from treatment). Notably, we observed 25 cases of sputum positivity despite negative nasopharyngeal swab samples, as well as recurrence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity following a negative sample in 12 cases. Patients were then divided into those who cleared within 28 days and those with PCR positivity beyond 28 days. We noted lower B cell counts in the group with persistent PCR positivity (mean (SD) 0.06 (0.10) ×109/L vs 0.22 (0.28) ×109/L, p = 0.015) as well as lower IgA (median (IQR) 0.00 (0.00–0.15) g/L vs 0.40 (0.00–0.95) g/L, p = 0.001) and IgM (median (IQR) 0.05 (0.00–0.28) g/L vs 0.35 (0.10–1.10) g/L, p = 0.005). No differences were seen in CD4+ or CD8+ T cell counts. Antiviral treatment did not impact risk of persistent PCR positivity.

Conclusion

Persistent SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity is common among immunodeficient individuals, especially those with antibody deficiencies, regardless of anti-viral treatment. Peripheral B cell count and serum IgA and IgM levels are predictors of viral persistence.
Positive Ion Critical Velocity for Nucleation of Quantized Vortices in Isotopically Pure $$^4$$He
Authors: Takahashi Daisuke , Ikegami Hiroki , Kono Kimitoshi
Published: May 2023

The critical velocity for the vortex nucleation of positive ions is determined experimentally in isotopically purified $$^4$$

4

He at temperatures as low as 50 mK. Systematic IV characteristic measurements for a two-dimensional positive ion pool at a depth of 37.6 nm from the surface are carried out with extremely fine control of driving electric fields. The critical velocity of $${\sim }$$
∼
32 ms$$^{-1}$$

-
1

at 500 mK decreases with decrease in temperature and approaches a temperature-independent value of $${\sim }$$
∼
18 ms$$^{-1}$$

-
1

below 200 mK. The decrease in critical velocity corresponds to the increase in nucleation rate. The temperature dependence of critical velocity is qualitatively attributed to the “superohmic” macroscopic quantum tunneling of the Caldeira–Leggett theory. The reduction in tunneling rate with increase in temperature is evidence for quantum friction.
On the Relation of One-Dimensional Diffusions on Natural Scale and Their Speed Measures
Authors: Criens David
Published: May 2023

It is well known that the law of a one-dimensional diffusion on natural scale is fully characterized by its speed measure. Stone proved a continuous dependence of such diffusions on their speed measures. In this paper we establish the converse direction, i.e., we prove a continuous dependence of the speed measures on their diffusions. Furthermore, we take a topological point of view on the relation. More precisely, for suitable topologies, we establish a homeomorphic relation between the set of regular diffusions on natural scale without absorbing boundaries and the set of locally finite speed measures.
On the Ergodicity of Certain Markov Chains in Random Environments
Authors: Gerencsér Balázs , Rásonyi Miklós
Published: May 2023

We study the ergodic behaviour of a discrete-time processXwhich is a Markov chain in a stationary random environment. The laws of$$X_t$$Xtare shown to converge to a limiting law in (weighted) total variation distance as$$t\rightarrow \infty $$t→∞. Convergence speed is estimated, and an ergodic theorem is established for functionals ofX. Our hypotheses onXcombine the standard “drift” and “small set” conditions for geometrically ergodic Markov chains with conditions on the growth rate of a certain “maximal process” of the random environment. We are able to cover a wide range of models that have heretofore been intractable. In particular, our results are pertinent to difference equations modulated by a stationary (Gaussian) process. Such equations arise in applications such as discretized stochastic volatility models of mathematical finance.
Improved Bounds in Stein’s Method for Functions of Multivariate Normal Random Vectors
Authors: Gaunt Robert E. , Sutcliffe Heather
Published: May 2023

In a recent paper, Gaunt (Ann I H Poincare Probab Stat 56:1484–1513, 2020) extended Stein’s method to limit distributions that can be represented as a function$$g:{\mathbb {R}}^d\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$g:Rd→Rof a centred multivariate normal random vector$$\Sigma ^{1/2}{\textbf{Z}}$$Σ1/2Zwith$${\textbf{Z}}$$Za standardd-dimensional multivariate normal random vector and$$\Sigma $$Σa non-negative-definite covariance matrix. In this paper, we obtain improved bounds, in the sense of weaker moment conditions, smaller constants and simpler forms, for the case thatghas derivatives with polynomial growth. We obtain new non-uniform bounds for the derivatives of the solution of the Stein equation and use these inequalities to obtain general bounds on the distance, measured using smooth test functions, between the distributions of$$g({\textbf{W}}_n)$$g(Wn)and$$g({\textbf{Z}})$$g(Z), where$${\textbf{W}}_n$$Wnis a standardised sum of random vectors with independent components and$${\textbf{Z}}$$Zis a standardd-dimensional multivariate normal random vector. We apply these general bounds to obtain bounds for the Chi-square approximation of the family of power divergence statistics (special cases include the Pearson and likelihood ratio statistics), for the case of two cell classifications, that improve on existing results in the literature.
Convergence of Weak Euler Approximation for Nondegenerate Stochastic Differential Equations Driven by Point and Martingale Measures
Authors: Mikulevičius Remigijus , Zhang Changyong
Published: May 2023

This paper studies the weak Euler approximation for solutions to stochastic differential equations (SDEs) driven by point and martingale measures, with Hölder-continuous coefficients. The equation under consideration includes a nondegenerate main part whose jump intensity measure is absolutely continuous with respect to the Lévy measure of a spherically symmetric stable process. It encompasses a broad range of stochastic processes including the nondegenerate diffusions and SDEs driven by Lévy processes. To investigate the dependence of the convergence rate on the regularity of the coefficients and driving processes, the regularity of a solution to the associated backward Kolmogorov equation is considered. In particular, for the first time the Hölder norm of the subordinated part of the corresponding generator is rigorously estimated.
Changes in Income Poverty Risks at the Transition from Unemployment to Employment: Comparing the Short-Term and Medium-Term Effects of Fixed-Term and Permanent Jobs
Authors: Gebel Michael , Gundert Stefanie
Published: May 2023

Unemployment is a major risk factor of poverty and employment is regarded key to overcoming it. The present study examines how the income poverty risk of unemployed individuals changes in the short and medium term, when they take up work, and whether the effects differ according to the type of employment. The focus is on permanent and fixed-term job contracts, as the political promotion of fixed-term employment has often been framed as an effort to reduce long-term unemployment and poverty. Drawing on longitudinal data from the German panel study ‘Labour Market and Social Security’ (PASS) 2010–18, we apply a first difference estimator with asymmetric effects to examine the effect of starting a job out of unemployment on income poverty risks in the subsequent four years. Strikingly, starting in a fixed-term and permanent contract have similarly strong and lasting poverty-reducing effects in the short and medium term. Thus, with regard to risks of income poverty, starting a permanent job does not appear more beneficial than starting a fixed-term job for unemployed persons. We discuss the reasons for this finding and also explore how the poverty-reducing effects of transitions from unemployment to fixed-term versus permanent employment vary by household type, occupation, working time and firm size.
The relationship between strong belief and assumption
Authors: Brandenburger Adam , Friedenberg Amanda , Keisler H. Jerome
Published: May 2023

We define two maps, one map from the set of conditional probability systems (CPS’s) onto the set of lexicographic probability systems (LPS’s), and another map from the set of LPS’s with full support onto the set of CPS’s. We use these maps to establish a relationship between strong belief (defined on CPS’s) and assumption (defined on LPS’s). This establishes a relationship at the abstract level between these two widely used notions of belief in an extended probability-theoretic setting.
Activity of Nickel Supported Over Nanorod-Shaped Strontium Hydroxyapatite Catalysts in Selective Methanation of CO & CO2
Authors: Seelam Prem Kumar , Balla Putrakumar , Rajendiran Rajesh , Ravi Balaga , Prathap Challa , Lassi Ulla , Kim Sungtak , Vijayanand Perupogu
Published: May 2023

Nickel modified strontium hydroxyapatite (Ni/Sr-HAP) supported catalysts are studied in selective methanation of CO/CO2. In this work, a new type of nano rod-shaped strontium hydroxyapatite-based catalysts with two different sizes and aspect ratios were prepared by sol–gel method and in next step, Ni precursor was wet impregnated i.e., denoted as Ni/Sr-HAP and Ni/Sr-HAP(F127). The catalytic tests were performed in CO and CO2 methanation reactions and evaluated the light-off temperatures curves (225–450 °C) under ambient pressure in a fixed-bed flow reactor. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, TEM, SEM, TPR, CO2/H2-TPD and H2-chemisorption techniques. From XRD analysis, both Ni/Sr-HAP and Ni/Sr-HAP(F127) were identified as the hydroxyapatite type structure with high crystallinity and very low intensity peaks corresponds to strontium phosphates as the main phase and structure. The TEM and SEM micrographs of Ni/Sr-HAP catalysts displayed a nano- rod shaped morphology with different dimensions and exhibited average Ni particle size of ~ 9.2 nm. While Ni/Sr-HAP(F127) shown the rod size in the length in the range of 100–250 nm and width in the range of 20–40 nm with average Ni particle size 5.7 nm. The F127 mediated support Sr-HAP synthesis i.e., Ni/Sr-HAP(F127) mesoporous catalyst possessed higher metal surface with smaller Ni particles size and possessed higher CO2 adsorption capacity. The medium strength basic sites of Ni/Sr-HAP catalyst played an important role in methanation reactions. Based on the characterization and the catalysts activity results, small sized nanorods of Ni/Sr-HAP(F127) is the most active and selective catalyst due to the higher Ni dispersion, higher amounts of medium basic sites, and reducibility character than the bigger nanorods based Ni/Sr-HAP catalyst.
Voiding function improves under long-term testosterone treatment (TTh) in hypogonadal men, independent of prostate size
Authors: Yassin Aksam , Alwani Mustafa , Al-Zoubi Raed M. , Aboumarzouk Omar M. , Talib Raidh , Nettleship Joanne , Kelly Daniel , Albaba Bassam
Published: May 2023

Background

Functional hypogonadism is a condition in which some, but not all, older men have low testosterone levels. Rather than chronological age per se, the causality of hypogonadism includes obesity and impaired general health (e.g., metabolic syndrome). An association between testosterone deficiency and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has been reported, yet due to prostate safety concerns, men with severe LUTS (IPSS score > 19) have invariably been excluded from entering testosterone trials. Irrespective, exogenous testosterone has not been demonstrated to cause de novo or worsen mild to moderate LUTS.

Objective

This study investigated whether long-term testosterone therapy (TTh) could have a protective effect on improving the symptoms of LUTS in hypogonadal men. However, the exact mechanism by which testosterone exerts is beneficial effect remains uncertain.

Patients and methods

In this study 321 hypogonadal patients with an average age of 58.9 ± 9.52 years received testosterone undecanoate in 12-week intervals for 12 years. One hundred and forty-seven of these males had the testosterone treatment interrupted for a mean of 16.9 months before it was resumed. Total testosterone, International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS), post-voiding residual bladder volume and aging male symptoms (AMS) were measured over the study period.

Results

Prior to TTh interruption, it was observed that testosterone stimulation improved the men’s IPSS, AMS and post-voiding residual bladder volume, while their prostate volume significantly increased. During the TTh interruption, there was a significant worsening in these parameters, although the increase in prostate volume continued. When TTh was resumed, these effects were reversed, implying that hypogonadism may require lifelong treatment.
Benthic foraminifera as bioindicators for the heavy metals in the severely polluted Hurghada Bay, Red Sea coast, Egypt
Authors: El-Kahawy Ramadan M. , Mabrouk Mohamed S.
Published: May 2023

Twenty-nine sediment samples were collected from the Hurghada Bay, a heavily polluted bay on the Red Sea of Egypt, to inspect the environmental quality status and anthropogenic consequences on benthic foraminifera. Some foraminiferal species showed deformations in their apertures and coiling directions as a response to environmental stresses. In addition, the FoRAM index, an index used for evaluating the growth of coral reefs, indicated a hazard in the proximity of nearshore stations. To elucidate the relationships between the biological response and chemistry of sediments, eight heavy metals concentrations (Cu, Cd, Zn, Pb, As, Cr, Ni, and Mn) were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometers (ICP-AES). Interestingly, two groups of benthic foraminiferal associations were illustrated using multivariate statistical analyses. Group I have extremely high heavy metal concentrations, an enriched total organic matter (TOM)%, high deformation percentages, and mud content. Moreover, it is dominated by Ammonia tepida which is regarded as an opportunistic species. Group II includes low to moderately polluted stations, highly enriched living foraminiferal assemblages, and is dominated by the sensitive rotaliids Neorotalia calcar and Amphistegina lobifera. Alternatively, four geochemical indices, EF, CF, Igeo, and PLI, are used to assess the contamination level that shown ominous spots for the nearshore stations of the Hurghada Bay. The pollution indices (HQ and HI) were also conducted to evaluate the risks of carcinogenic heavy metals on human health. Our findings demonstrated that ingestion and dermal exposure have greater carcinogenic hazards for adults and children than inhalation. The lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR) is significantly higher than the permissible limit and follows this order: Pb > As > Cr > Cd > Ni. To that end, developing strategies to lessen the negative impact of pollution on human health and/or the Red Sea’s biodiversity is an inevitable issue in the present day and future.
Few-shot learning for facial expression recognition: a comprehensive survey
Authors: Kim Chae-Lin , Kim Byung-Gyu
Published: May 2023

Facial expression recognition (FER) is utilized in various fields that analyze facial expressions. FER is attracting increasing attention for its role in improving the convenience in human life. It is widely applied in human–computer interaction tasks. However, recently, FER tasks have encountered certain data and training issues. To address these issues in FER, few-shot learning (FSL) has been researched as a new approach. In this paper, we focus on analyzing FER techniques based on FSL and consider the computational complexity and processing time in these models. FSL has been researched as it can solve the problems of training with few datasets and generalizing in a wild-environmental condition. Based on our analysis, we describe certain existing challenges in the use of FSL in FER systems and suggest research directions to resolve these issues. FER using FSL can be time efficient and reduce the complexity in many other real-time processing tasks and is an important area for further research.
Chemotherapy alone vs. chemotherapy plus radiotherapy in female adolescent and young adults with Hodgkin’s lymphoma: reproductive health outcomes
Authors: Luong Susan , Mockler Claire , Pudwell Jessica , Li Wenbin , Dudebout Jill , Velez Maria P.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To examine the effects of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and its treatment on reproductive health in female adolescent and young adults (AYA).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, population-based, matched-cohort study of female patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosed at 15–39 years of age from 1995 to 2014 in Ontario, Canada. Three female individuals with no history of cancer (unexposed) were matched by birth year and census subdivision to each patient with cancer (exposed). In a subset of the cohort (2005 onwards), the Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients were further classified into two groups for analysis based on treatment exposure: (1) chemotherapy alone or (2) combined chemotherapy and radiation. Reproductive health outcomes were infertility, childbirth, and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). Relative risks (RR) were calculated using modified Poisson regression adjusted for income quintile, immigration status, and parity.

Results

A total of 1443 exposed and 4329 unexposed individuals formed our cohort. Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients were at an increased risk of infertility (aRR 1.86; 95% CI 1.57 to 2.20) and POI (aRR 2.81; 95% CI 2.16 to 3.65). While the risk of infertility persisted in both treatment groups (chemotherapy alone, combined chemotherapy plus radiotherapy), the increased risk of POI was only statistically significant in the chemotherapy plus radiotherapy group. No differences in childbirth rates were observed, overall or by treatment exposure compared with unexposed individuals.

Conclusions

Female AYA survivors of Hodgkin’s lymphoma face an increased risk of infertility, independent of exposure to chemotherapy alone, or chemotherapy plus radiotherapy. The risk of POI is higher in those requiring radiotherapy vs. chemotherapy alone.

Implications for cancer survivors

These results emphasize the importance of pre-treatment fertility counseling and reproductive health surveillance for AYAs diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Seiberg–Witten Floer spectra and contact structures
Authors: Roso B. R. S.
Published: May 2023

In this article, the author defines an invariant of rational homology 3-spheres equipped with a contact structure as an element of a cohomotopy set of the Seiberg–Witten Floer spectrum as defined in Manolescu (Geometry Topol 7(2):889–932, 2003). Furthermore, in light of the equivalence established in Lidman and Manolescu (Astérisque 399:25, 2018) between the Borel equivariant homology of said spectrum and the Seiberg–Witten Floer homology of Kronheimer and Mrowka (Monopoles and three-manifolds, vol. 10, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2007), the author shall show that this homotopy theoretic invariant recovers the already well known contact element in the Seiberg–Witten Floer cohomology (vid. e.g. Kronheimer et al. in Ann Math 20:457–546, 2007) in a natural fashion. Next, the behaviour of the cohomotopy invariant is considered in the presence of a finite covering. This setting naturally asks for the use of Borel cohomology equivariant with respect to the group of deck transformations. Hence, a new equivariant contact invariant is defined and its properties studied. The invariant is then computed in one concrete example, wherein the author demonstrates that it opens the possibility of considering scenarios hitherto inaccessible.
Recurrent Giant Myofibroblastic Sarcoma of Neck in a Teenager: Overcoming Treatment Challenges
Authors: Dinker Diksha , Rajan Keshava , Kumar Naveena A. N. , Godhkini Vishwapriyan
Published: May 2023

Sarcomas are rare tumors arising from a variety of mesenchymal tissues which are even rarer in head and neck region amounting 1% only of the 5% of sarcomas. About 80% of head and neck sarcomas originate in soft tissue while the remaining 20% arise from bone (Cormier and Pollock in J Clin 54:94−109, 2004). One among the commonly presenting variants of sarcomas in head and neck that our patient was diagnosed with is Low grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS). These even though uncommon have a predilection for head and neck region particularly the tongue (Mentzel et al. in Am J Surg Pathol 22:1228−38, 1998; Cai et al. in Virchows Arch 463:827−36, 2013; Meng et al. in Chin Med J 120:363–9, 2007; Demarosi et al. in Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 108:248–54, 2009). LGMS was reclassified as a distinct entity by the WHO classification of soft tissue tumors in 2002 (Qiu et al. in Oncol Lett 9:619−25, 2015). Oncological resection is the mainstay of treatment. In case of bulky tumor, resection and reconstruction would be challenging. We report a recurrent LGMS of 15-year-old girl who presented with a ginormous soft tissue swelling in her left neck region which made her day-to-day activities strenuous and made her non ambulatory and the line of treatment executed in order to get her back on feet, healthy & free of the debilitating tumor.
Residence Time Distribution-Based Smith Predictor: an Advanced Feedback Control for Dead Time–Dominated Continuous Powder Blending Process
Authors: Gyürkés Martin , Tacsi Kornélia , Pataki Hajnalka , Farkas Attila
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In continuous manufacturing (CM), the material traceability and process dynamics can be investigated by residence time distribution (RTD). Many of the unit operations used in the pharma industry were characterized by dead time–dominated RTD. Even though feasible and proper feedback control is one of the many advantages of CM, its application is challenging in these cases. This study aims to develop a feedback control, implementing the RTD in a Smith predictor control structure in a continuous powder blender line.

Methods

Continuous powder blending was investigated with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), and the blending was controlled through a volumetric feeder. A MATLAB GUI was developed to calculate and control the concentration of the API based on the chemometric evaluation of the spectra. The programmed GUI changed the feeding rate based on the proportional integral derivative (PID) and the Smith predictor, which implemented the RTD of the system. The control structures were compared even on a system with amplified dead time.

Results

In this work, the control structure of the Smith control was devised by utilizing the RTD of the system. The Smith control was compared to a classic PI control structure on the normal system and on an increased dead time system. The Smith predictor was able to reduce the response time for various disturbances by up to 50%, and the dead time had a lower effect on the control.

Conclusions

Implementing the RTD models in the control structure improved the process design and further expanded the wide range of applications of the RTD models. Both control structures were able to reduce the effect of disturbances on the system; however, the Smith predictor presented more reliable and faster control, with a wider space for control tuning.
Flood generating mechanisms investigation and rainfall threshold identification for regional flood early warning
Authors: Mentzafou Angeliki , Papadopoulos Anastasios , Dimitriou Elias
Published: May 2023

A cost effective and easily applied methodological approach for the identification of the main factors involved in flood generation mechanisms and the development of rainfall threshold for incorporation in flood early warning systems at regional scale is proposed. The methodology was tested at the Pinios upstream flood-prone area in Greece. High frequency monitoring rainfall and water level/discharge time-series were investigated statistically. Based on the results, the study area is impacted by “long-rain floods” triggered by several days long and low-intensity precipitation events in the mountainous areas, that saturate the catchment and cause high flow conditions. Time lag between the peaks of rainfall and water level was 17–25 h. The relationship between cumulative rainfall Rsum on the mountainous areas and maximum water level MaxWL of the river at the particular river site can be expressed as: MaxWL = 1.55ln(Rsum) − 3.70 and the rainfall threshold estimated for the mountainous stations can be expressed as: Rsum = 20.4*D0.3, where D is the duration of the event. The effect of antecedent moisture conditions prior each event was limited to the decrease of the time lag between rainfall and water level response. The limitations of the specific methodological approach are related to the uncertainties that arise due to the other variables contributing to the complex flood generating mechanisms not considered (e.g., the effect of snowmelt and air temperature, soil characteristics, the contribution of tributaries, or the inadequate maintenance of river network that may cause debris accumulation and river bank failure).
Tear Film Constituents and Medicines for Eyes Investigated as Langmuir Films
Authors: Torrent-Burgués Juan
Published: May 2023

The tear film has an important role on the quality of the vision process and is of importance in the fields of ophthalmology and optometry. The lipid layer, the outermost part of the tear film, can be investigated with the Langmuir technique, as well as the interaction of components of the aqueous part of the tear film with those of the lipid layer. Dysfunctions in the stability and composition of the tear film are the causes of eye diseases, as the dry eye syndrome. For the treatment of this disease, the artificial tears are used, and one type of them are the lipid tears, which can be investigated with the Langmuir technique. This technique can also be used to investigate the influence on the lipid layer of other artificial tear components or medicines instilled in the eye.

This review presents investigations where the Langmuir technique has been used in relation with the tear film. In particular, the surface properties of natural tears and of four commercial lipid-containing artificial tears have been reported and discussed in connection with their composition.
ELFN1-AS1 promotes GDF15-mediated immune escape of colorectal cancer from NK cells by facilitating GCN5 and SND1 association
Authors: Han Bin , He Jinsong , Chen Qing , Yuan Min , Zeng Xi , Li Yuanting , Zeng Yan , He Meibo , Zhou Qilin , Feng Dan , Ma Daiyuan
Published: May 2023

The ability of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to escape from natural killer (NK) cell immune surveillance leads to anti-tumor treatment failure. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ELFN1-AS1 is aberrantly expressed in multiple tumors suggesting a role as an oncogene in cancer development. However, whether ELFN1-AS1 regulates immune surveillance in CRC is unclear. Here, we determined that ELFN1-AS1 enhanced the ability of CRC cells to escape from NK cell surveillance in vitro and in vivo. In addition, we confirmed that ELFN1-AS1 in CRC cells attenuated the activity of NK cell by down-regulating NKG2D and GZMB via the GDF15/JNK pathway. Furthermore, mechanistic investigations demonstrated that ELFN1-AS1 enhanced the interaction between the GCN5 and SND1 protein and this influenced H3k9ac enrichment at the GDF15 promotor to stimulate GDF15 production in CRC cells. Taken together, our findings indicate that ELFN1-AS1 in CRC cells suppresses NK cell cytotoxicity and ELFN1-AS1 is a potential therapeutic target for CRC.
The Asymmetric Impact of Energy’s Paradigm Transition on Environmental Degradation: a Macroeconomic Evidence from Latin American and the Caribbean Countries
Authors: Koengkan Matheus , Fuinhas José Alberto , Vieira Isabel
Published: May 2023

The main objective of this study is to identify the impact of the energy paradigm transition on the environmental degradation of eighteen Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. To this end, a panel non-linear autoregressive distributed lag (PNARDL) in the form of an unrestricted error correction model (UECM) and a period from 1990 to 2019 were used. The empirical results indicated that the variable economic growth in both the short- and long-run have an increase of 0.6994 and 0.3192, respectively, and the variable public capital stock in the short-run has an increase of 0.0176 in CO2 emissions. However, the positive and negative asymmetry of the variable ratio of renewable energy in the short-and long-run has a decrease of −0.1320 (on positive variations) and −0.1131 (on negative variations) in the short run and −0.0364 (on positive variations) and −0.0783 (on negative variations) in the long run on CO2 emissions. The capacity of the ratio of renewable/fossil energy consumption to reduce environmental degradation is compatible with the renewable energy technological efficiency that produces more clean energy and fewer emissions. That was also in line with the increasing participation of renewable energy sources in the energy matrix in the LAC countries.
Understanding the Impact of EU Prostitution Policies on Sex Workers: A Mixed Study Systematic Review
Authors: Oliveira Alexandra , Lemos Ana , Mota Mafalda , Pinto Rita
Published: May 2023

Introduction

There is a growing interest in legislation and policies regarding sex work in the European Union and a debate between two opposite perspectives: prostitution is a form of gender violence or a work lacking legal and social recognition. This review aims to develop an integrative synthesis of literature regarding the impact of prostitution policies on sex workers’ health, safety, and living and working conditions across EU member states.

Methods

A search conducted at the end of 2020 in bibliographic databases for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods peer-reviewed research, and grey literature published between 2000 and 2020 resulted in 1195 initial references eligible for inclusion. After applying the selection criteria, 30 records were included in the review. A basic convergent qualitative meta-integration approach to synthesis and integration was used. The systematic review is registered through PROSPERO (CRD42021236624).

Results

Research shows multiple impacts on the health, safety, and living and working conditions of sex workers across the EU.

Conclusions

Evidence demonstrates that criminalisation and regulation of any form of sex work had negative consequences on sex workers who live in the EU in terms of healthcare, prevalence and risk of contracting HIV and STIs, stigmatisation and discrimination, physical and sexual victimisation, and marginalisation due to marked social inequalities, for both nationals and migrants from outside the EU.

Policy Implications

The evidence available makes a strong case for removing any criminal laws and other forms of sanctioning sex workers, clients, and third parties, which are prevalent in the EU, and for decriminalisation. There is a need for structural changes in policing and legislation that focus on labour and legal rights, social and financial inequities, human rights, and stigma and discrimination to protect cis and transgender sex workers and ethnical minorities in greater commitment to reduce sex workers’ social inequalities, exclusion, and lack of institutional support. These measures could also positively impact reducing and monitoring human trafficking and exploitation.