bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of eco‐friendly disposable pencil graphite sensor for electrochemical evaluation and determination of podophyllotoxin using in cancer treatment
Authors: Özer Mehmet , Levent Abdulkadir
Published: March 2024

A sensitive, simple and selective voltammetric method was developed for the quantification of plant‐derived podophyllotoxin, which is included in antineoplastic drugs, using a disposable pencil graphite electrode. Using the square‐wave voltammetry technique, podophyllotoxin gave a very good voltammetric response at +1.24 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) potential (at 0.0 V and after 60 s pre‐concentration) in Britton Robinson (pH 4.0) media. This procedure was used to detection the compound in the concentration range of 12.4–299.5 nM with a limit of detection to 2.62 nM (1.08 μg L−1). The proposed method has been successfully applied to human urine samples.
Synergistic Cation‐π Interactions and PEDOT‐Based Protective Double‐Layer for High Performance Zinc Anode
Authors: Ba Junjie , Yin Xiuxiu , Duan Fengxue , Cheng Yingjie , Pu Xin , Zhu You‐Liang , Wei Yingjin , Wang Yizhan
Published: March 2024

Ensuring effective and controlled zinc ion transportation is crucial for functionality of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and overall performance in zinc‐based battery systems. Herein the first‐ever demonstration of incorporate cation‐π interactions are provided in the SEI to effectively facilitate uniform zinc ion flux. The artificial SEI design involves the immobilization of 4‐amino‐p‐terphenyl (TPA), a strong amphiphilic cation‐π interaction donor, as a monolayer onto a conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix, which enable the establishment of a robust network of cation‐π interactions. Through a carefully‐designed interfacial polymerization process, a high‐quality, large‐area, robust is achieved, thin polymeric TPA/PEDOT (TP) film for the use of artificial SEI. Consequently, this interphase exhibits exceptional cycling stability with low overpotential and enables high reversibility of Zn plating/stripping. Symmetrical cells with TP/Zn electrodes can be cycled for more than 3200 hours at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. And the asymmetric cells can cycle 3000 cycles stably with a high Coulomb efficiency of 99.78%. Also, under the extreme conditions of lean electrolyte and low N/P ratio, the battery with TP protective layer can still achieve ultra‐stable cycle.
Exploring drought‐to‐flood interactions and dynamics: A global case review
Authors: Barendrecht Marlies H. , Matanó Alessia , Mendoza Heidi , Weesie Ruben , Rohse Melanie , Koehler Johanna , de Ruiter Marleen , Garcia Margaret , Mazzoleni Maurizio , Aerts Jeroen C. J. H. , Ward Philip J. , Di Baldassarre Giuliano , Day Rosie , Van Loon Anne F.
Published: March 2024

This study synthesizes the current understanding of the hydrological, impact, and adaptation processes underlying drought‐to‐flood events (i.e., consecutive drought and flood events), and how they interact. Based on an analysis of literature and a global assessment of historic cases, we show how drought can affect flood risk and assess under which circumstances drought‐to‐flood interactions can lead to increased or decreased risk. We make a distinction between hydrological, socio‐economic and adaptation processes. Hydrological processes include storage and runoff processes, which both seem to mostly play a role when the drought is a multiyear event and when the flood occurs during the drought. However, which process is dominant when and where, and how this is influenced by human intervention needs further research. Processes related to socio‐economic impacts have been studied less than hydrological processes, but in general, changes in vulnerability seem to play an important role in increasing or decreasing drought‐to‐flood impacts. Additionally, there is evidence of increased water quality problems due to drought‐to‐flood events, when compared to drought or flood events by themselves. Adaptation affects both hydrological (e.g., through groundwater extraction) or socio‐economic (e.g., influencing vulnerability) processes. There are many examples of adaptation, but there is limited evidence of when and where certain processes occur and why. Overall, research on drought‐to‐flood events is scarce. To increase our understanding of drought‐to‐flood events we need more comprehensive studies on the underlying hydrological, socio‐economic, and adaptation processes and their interactions, as well as the circumstances that lead to the dominance of certain processes.

This article is categorized under:

Science of Water > Hydrological Processes

Science of Water > Water Extremes
Nanotherapeutics against malaria: A decade of advancements in experimental models
Authors: Avalos‐Padilla Yunuen , Fernàndez‐Busquets Xavier
Published: March 2024

Malaria, caused by different species of protists of the genus Plasmodium, remains among the most common causes of death due to parasitic diseases worldwide, mainly for children aged under 5. One of the main obstacles to malaria eradication is the speed with which the pathogen evolves resistance to the drug schemes developed against it. For this reason, it remains urgent to find innovative therapeutic strategies offering sufficient specificity against the parasite to minimize resistance evolution and drug side effects. In this context, nanotechnology‐based approaches are now being explored for their use as antimalarial drug delivery platforms due to the wide range of advantages and tuneable properties that they offer. However, major challenges remain to be addressed to provide a cost‐efficient and targeted therapeutic strategy contributing to malaria eradication. The present work contains a systematic review of nanotechnology‐based antimalarial drug delivery systems generated during the last 10 years.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease
Soil-Related Laws in Thailand
Authors: Pansak Wanwisa , Takrattanasaran Natta , Nongharnpitak Nuntapon , Khongdee Nuttapon
Published: March 2024

Rapid economic development and urbanization are changing land management systems in many countries, including Thailand, and climate change has emerged as a significant source of risks. These changes are having major impacts on the status of soil resources in Thailand. Therefore, the soils are under increasing pressure of intensification leading to soil degradation including erosion, contamination, the decline in nutrients, compaction, salinization, acidification, and biodiversity loss of soils. Therefore, sustainable soil management is important for maintaining the capacity of soil to function according to its potential and management strategies, which is essential for the maintenance of human well-being and the conservation of biodiversity. In addition, any assessment of soil threats, measures against soil threats, and their effects on soil functions and ecosystem services should consider local conditions, national and global strategies e.g. biophysical characteristics, economic society, policies, and laws. In Thailand, soil and land protection are regulated by legislation and land use planning document such as the Forest Act and the National Forest Act, the Law on Environmental Protection, the Law on Land Protection, and the Law on Agricultural Land. Land use planning regulations represent the basis for supervision of the land use of all types and purposes and the management of natural resources, implementing guidelines for space preservation and protection, and measures of sustainable use of land resources. Furthermore, there is a pressing need to determine the status of sustainable soil management efforts and raise awareness of soil in Thailand.
PFAS in Soil and Groundwater: Comprehensive Challenges and Progress in Regulation and Management in Germany
Authors: Biegel-Engler Annegret , Frauenstein Joerg
Published: March 2024

Per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are substances of very high concern. Because of their persistence and their ubiquitous presence in the environment they are called forever chemicals. Some substances of the large group of PFAS are bioaccumulating and toxic, other substances are very mobile in soil and reach groundwater easily. Humans take up PFAS mainly via food including drinking water, which is often produced from groundwater. Thresholds for PFAS in drinking water are so low that environmental concentrations are often already above those levels. Thus, strategies to deal with PFAS in soil and groundwater are urgently needed. The number of (suspected) sites contaminated with PFAS is rising. The reason is that the awareness about PFAS is increasing and thus more areas are being investigated. However, clean-up and remediation of contaminated sites is costly and difficult, if possible at all. Until the implementation of legally binding values for PFAS in soil and groundwater and their verified derivation. a German guideline for PFAS assessment currently provides available media-related assessment bases and criteria. This paper covers the current state of knowledge on PFAS and suggests solutions for dealing with PFAS contaminated soils and groundwater.
What Place for Contractual Commitments in the Protection of European Agricultural Soils? The Example of Carbon Sequestration
Authors: Langlais Alexandra
Published: March 2024

The contractual formula is becoming increasingly attractive to stakeholders, especially when it is associated with a booming market, as is the case for carbon sequestration in agricultural soils. Contracts have developed in tandem with the interest of this natural sequestration by agricultural soils to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The parallel arrival of draft legislation with binding targets does not oppose two modes of legal intervention. On the contrary, it actually tends to strengthen the legitimacy of each of them in favour of increased protection of agricultural soils, although many questions remain unanswered.
Soil Protection Law in Japan
Authors: Ishimaki Miho
Published: March 2024

Environmental law has developed in parallel with the process of combating environmental pollution in Japan. However, while soil contamination has been recognized as a form of environmental pollution, legislation for measures against soil contamination has lagged far behind. Soil contamination on agricultural land was addressed with legislation in 1970, but soil contamination in urban areas was only addressed with legislation in 2002, with the enactment of the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act. Even the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act faces major challenges as it does not apply to voluntary investigations and measures. This is a significant concern because among the total number of soil contamination investigations and countermeasures, the number of voluntary measures significantly exceeds the number of measures taken under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act. Moreover, the liability scheme is such that liability is weighted more toward landowners than polluters.
Language, Settings, and Networks for Early Modern Private Conversations
Authors: Ljungberg Johannes , Klein Käfer Natacha
Published: March 2024

This chapter introduces the research area by proposing the angle of privacy to analyse the subject of everyday conversations in early modern Europe. Such conversations are especially hard to tackle, as they were very rarely recorded, either for being considered trivial exchanges or for dealing with issues that people preferred to keep out of public scrutiny. Nevertheless, through a careful exploration of diaries, court cases, art and material culture, as well as literary and intellectual developments, it is possible to peek through the veil of privacy in early modern conversations. Against this background, the chapter presents the overall aim of the volume to examine the language, settings, and networks of conversations perceived as private.
Towards Further Studies of Private Conversations
Authors: Bruun Mette Birkedal , Ljungberg Johannes , Klein Käfer Natacha
Published: March 2024

This epilogue wraps up the findings of the volume by weaving together key elements of the previous chapters. It first provides a summary of the different reasons for talking in private, locations where the exchanges took place, and expectations connected to private conversations that are presented in the case studies. The typically dual character of private conversations as a danger—but also as a useful tool—is discussed with reference to evidence from the volume which points in different directions, not least highlighting the positive aspects of talking in private. The text also contains a comparative reflection on how conversations functioned as a tool for boundary drawing in the various case studies.
“So that I Never Fail to Warn and Admonish”: Pastoral Care and Private Conversation in a Seventeenth-century Reformed Village
Authors: Bardenheuer Markus
Published: March 2024

This chapter demonstrates how the pastor and parishioners of an early modern Swiss village negotiated privacy and exposure in their shared mission to create a Christian community. The chapter describes how, after witnessing the suicide of the school teacher of his parish in 1631, village pastor Hans Rudolf Fischer decided to keep a diary of the personal encounters with his parishioners, as well as minutes of the monthly local moral court sessions over which he presided. His notes, which span a period of ten years, present Fischer as a pastor eager to listen to and alleviate the sorrows of his parishioners, yet by no means shy to reprimand privately and publicly those he considered to lead a sinful life. The contribution shows how villagers established their own informal networks through private conversations and how parishioners and pastors were able to access, distribute, or control private information within the confines of their roles within the village.
Marital Conversations: Using Privacy to Negotiate Marital Conflicts in Adam Eyre’s Diary, 1647–1649
Authors: Simon Katharina
Published: March 2024

Embracing private conversations as tools for conflict resolution, this chapter dissects a particular case of marital dispute in “Using Privacy to Negotiate Marital Conflicts in Adam Eyre’s Diary, 1614–1661”. This chapter retraces the role of privacy in the marital conflict documented in Yorkshireman Adam Eyre’s diary, “A Dyurnall, or catalogue of all my accions and expenses”, which survives for the years 1647–1649. His diary allows us to investigate their conflict, but also their joint attempts to resolve it. In various conversations, they discussed current disputes. Simon argues that the privacy of their household provided a protective space for negotiation, which allowed neglecting, bending, or adapting contemporary gender roles or norms of marital conduct.
The uneven distribution of refugial endemics across the European Alps suggests a threefold role of climate in speciation of refugial populations
Authors: Kadereit Joachim W.
Published: March 2024

A little more than 10% of the vascular plant flora native to the European Alps is endemic to this area. It has long been noticed that the distribution of endemics across the Alps is very uneven. While most endemics are found along the southern edge of the Alps, with some also on its western, eastern, and northeastern edges, the northern edge of the Alps more or less between Lake Geneva in the west and Lake Traun in the east harbours almost no endemics. The distribution of endemics in the Alps has often been related to the location of glacial refugia. Accordingly, the virtual absence of endemics from the northern edge of the Alps has been explained with the unsuitability of climatic conditions for glacial survival of alpine plants there. After discussing evidence for the existence of glacial refugia for alpine species along the northern edge of the Alps and north of the Alps, I will examine how these refugia differed from refugia along the southern edge of the Alps. I conclude that the uneven distribution of endemics in the Alps is best explained by the different climate through time north and south of the Alps. These climatic differences affected the spatial structure and extent of refugia, the length of isolation of refugial populations, and selective conditions in refugia.
Functional outcome after late cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy: a single-center retrospective study
Authors: Lampmann Tim , Asoglu Harun , Weller Johannes , Potthoff Anna-Laura , Schneider Matthias , Banat Mohammed , Schildberg Frank Alexander , Vatter Hartmut , Hamed Motaz , Borger Valeri
Published: March 2024

Objective

The best time for cranioplasty (CP) after decompressive craniectomy (DC) is controversial, and there are no authoritative guidelines yet. Both complications as well as outcome may depend on the timing of CP. The aim of this single-center study was to evaluate the impact of late CP on procedural safety as well as on patient outcome.

Methods

All patients receiving CP at a tertiary university medical center between 01/2015 and 12/2022 were included retrospectively. Patients’ conditions were assessed according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) prior to CP and 6 months after. Baseline characteristics, indication for DC, time from DC to CP, and postoperative complications according to the Landriel Ibañez Classification were analyzed.

Results

CP was performed in 271 patients who previously underwent DC due to traumatic brain injury (25.5%), ischemic stroke (29.5%), aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (26.9%), or intracerebral hemorrhage (18.1%). The median interval between DC and CP was 143 days (interquartile range 112–184 days). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed a cut-off of 149 days, where CP performed within 149 days after DC led to an improvement on mRS after CP (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, additional rehabilitation after and better mRS before CP were independently associated with improvement of outcome. The rate of complications was similar between early and late CP (24.8% and 25.4%, respectively, p = 0.562).

Conclusions

Late cranioplasty is a safe procedure. The outcome was improved when additional rehabilitation was performed after cranioplasty and was not associated with the timing of cranioplasty.
Essential hereditary undecidability
Authors: Visser Albert
Published: March 2024

In this paper we study essential hereditary undecidability. Theories with this property are a convenient tool to prove undecidability of other theories. The paper develops the basic facts concerning essentially hereditary undecidability and provides salient examples, like a construction of essentially hereditarily undecidable theories due to Hanf and an example of a rather natural essentially hereditarily undecidable theory strictly below . We discuss the (non-)interaction of essential hereditary undecidability with recursive boolean isomorphism. We develop a reduction relation essential tolerance, or, in the converse direction, lax interpretability that interacts in a good way with essential hereditary undecidability. We introduce the class of $$\Sigma ^0_1$$

Σ
1
0

-friendly theories and show that $$\Sigma ^0_1$$

Σ
1
0

-friendliness is sufficient but not necessary for essential hereditary undecidability. Finally, we adapt an argument due to Pakhomov, Murwanashyaka and Visser to show that there is no interpretability minimal essentially hereditarily undecidable theory.
Diameter estimates for surfaces in conformally flat spaces
Authors: Flaim Marco , Scharrer Christian
Published: March 2024

The aim of this paper is to give an upper bound for the intrinsic diameter of a surface with boundary immersed in a conformally flat three dimensional Riemannian manifold in terms of the integral of the mean curvature and of the length of its boundary. Of particular interest is the application of the inequality to minimal surfaces in the three-sphere and in the hyperbolic space. Here the result implies an a priori estimate for connected solutions of Plateau’s problem, as well as a necessary condition on the boundary data for the existence of such solutions. The proof follows a construction of Miura and uses a diameter bound for closed surfaces obtained by Topping and Wu–Zheng.
Historische Entwicklung in Diagnostik und Therapie bei Präexzitationssyndromen (WPW)
Authors: Rudic Boris , Borggrefe Martin
Published: March 2024

Wolff, Parkinson und White beschrieben 1930 das Syndrom, das nach ihnen benannt wurde. Die Mechanismen der supraventrikulären Tachykardien wurden schon durch brillante Interpretation des Oberflächen-EKGs durch Pick und Langendorf erforscht. Wellens und Durrer analysierten invasiv mittels programmierter Stimulation die Rhythmusstörungen beim WPW-Syndrom. In der BRD waren die Arbeitsgruppen um Seipel und Breithardt sowie Neuss und Schlepper aktiv in der Erforschung der Tachykardiemechanismen und der Effekte von Antiarrhythmika. Nach der ersten operativen Durchtrennung einer akzessorischen Leitungsbahn durch Sealy 1967 etablierten sich operativ tätige elektrophysiologische Teams auch in der BRD, u. a. in Hannover und Düsseldorf. Die Gleichstromkatheterablation hielt Einzug in der kurativen Therapie des WPW-Syndroms durch Morady und Scheinman. Wegen der Nebenwirkungen des Barotraumas bei Gleichstromablation wurden alternative Therapiestrategien erforscht. 1987 hielt die Radiofrequenzablation (RF-Ablation) Einzug in die nichtpharmakologische Therapie des WPW-Syndroms und hat sich seither als Therapiestandard von akzessorischen Leitungsbahnen in allen Lokalisationen etabliert.
Treatment of bone metastases from solid tumors with bone-modifying agents: a web survey of Italian oncologists investigating patterns of practice drug prescription and prevention of side effects
Authors: Fusco Vittorio , Di Maio Massimo , Valsecchi Anna Amela , Santini Daniele , Tucci Marcello , De Giorgi Ugo , Bossi Paolo , Ibrahim Toni , Cavanna Luigi , Lanzetta Gaetano , Rossi Maura , Rossetti Giorgia , Airoldi Mario , Comandone Alessandro , Cinieri Saverio
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Optimal use of bone-modifying agents (BMAs) in patients with bone metastases from solid tumors is uncertain in some aspects: the drug choice; the planned treatment duration and long-term therapy; the prevention and management of possible side effects, including renal toxicity, hypocalcaemia, and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ).

Methods

Italian oncologists were invited to fulfil a 24-question web survey about prescription of BMAs for bone metastases of breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other solid tumors. Prevention and management of side effects were also investigated.

Results

Answers of 191 oncologists were collected. BMAs are usually prescribed at the time of diagnosis of bone metastases by 87.0% (breast cancer) and 76.1% (solid tumors except breast and prostate cancers) of oncologists; the decision is more articulated for prostate cancer (endocrine-sensitive versus castration-resistant). The creatinine level (32.3%), the availability of patient venous access (15.8%), and the type of primary neoplasm (13.6%) are the most reported factors involved in choice between bisphosphonates and denosumab. Zoledronic acid every 3 months was considered as a valid alternative to monthly administration by 94% of Italian oncologists. Oncologists reported a good confidence with measures aimed to prevent MRONJ, whereas uncertainness about prevention and management of hypocalcemia was registered.

Conclusion

Italian oncologists showed a high attitude in prescribing bisphosphonates or denosumab at the time of diagnosis of bone metastases, with a large application of preventive measures of side effects. Further studies are needed to investigate some controversial aspects, such as optimal drug treatment duration and long-term drug schedules.
Evaluation of bone contact area and intercondylar distance changes in orthognathic surgery - a comparison between BSSO and HSSO technique depending on mandibular displacement extent
Authors: Möhlhenrich Stephan Christian , Kniha Kristian , Peters Florian , Heitzer Marius , Szalma Josef , Prescher Andreas , Danesh Gholamreza , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The present study aims to assess the impact of bilateral and high oblique sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO/HSSO), as well as displacement distances and directions on the expected and achievable bone contact area (BCA) and changes in the intercondylar distance (ICD). The primary question addressed is whether mandibular splitting through BSSO results in a greater BCA and/or ICD when compared to splitting through HSSO.

Materials and methods

Totally 80 mandibular displacements were performed on 20 fresh cadavers, for each subject, four splints were produces to facilitate mandibular advancement as well as setbacks of 4 and 8 mm. Pre- and postoperative CBCT scans were performed to plan the surgical procedures and to analyze the expected and achieved BCA and ICD.

Results

Regarding the maximum mandibular displacement, the expected BCA for HSSO/BSSO were 352.58 ± 96.55mm2 and 1164.00 ± 295.50mm2, respectively, after advancement and 349.11 ± 98.42mm2 and 1344.70 ± 287.23mm2, respectively, after setback. The achieved BCA for HSSO/BSSO were 229.37 ± 75.90mm2 and 391.38 ± 189.01mm2, respectively, after advancement and 278.03 ± 97.65mm2 and 413.52 ± 169.52 mm2, respectively after setback. The expected ICD for HSSO/BSSO were 4.51 ± 0.73 mm and 3.25 ± 1.17 mm after advancement and − 5.76 ± 1.07 mm and − 4.28 ± 1.58 mm after setback. The achieved ICD for HSSO/BSSO were 2.07 ± 2.9 mm and 1.7 ± 0.60 mm after advancement and − 2.57 ± 2.78 mm and − 1.28 ± 0.84 mm after setback. Significant differences between the BCA after HSSO and BSSO were at each displacement (p < 0.001), except for the achieved BCA after 8-mm setback and advancement (p ≥ 0.266). No significant differences were observed regarding ICD, except for the expected ICD after 8-mm setback and advancement (p ≤ 0.037).

Conclusions

Compared to the virtual planning, the predictability regarding BCA and ICD was limited. ICD showed smaller clinical changes, BCA decreased significantly in the BSSO group.

Clinical relevance

BCA and ICD might have been less important in choosing the suitable split technique. in orthognathic surgery.
The first interim analysis of Italian patients enrolled in the real-world, Pan-European, prospective, observational, phase 4 PEARL study of fremanezumab effectiveness
Authors: Tassorelli Cristina , Barbanti Piero , Finocchi Cinzia , Geppetti Pierangelo , Kokturk Pinar , Russo Antonio , Sacco Simona , Cepparulo Mario ,   on behalf of the PEARL study group, Ambrosini Anna , Bandettini Monica , Bartolini Marco , Benedetto Chiara , Brighina Filippo , Cevoli Sabina , Coppola Gianluca , De Simone Roberto , Di Fiore Paola , D’Onofrio Florindo , Gori Sara , Granato Antonio , Guerzoni Simona , Iannacchero Rosario , Messina Stefano , Perini Francesco , Prudenzano Maria Pia , Rainero Innocenzo , Rao Renata , Reggio Ester , Sarchielli Paola , Sette Giuliano , Usai Susanna , Valente Mariarosaria , Vernieri Fabrizio
Published: March 2024

Introduction

In 2020, the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) approved the reimbursement of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including fremanezumab, in patients with a Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) score ≥ 11, with prescription renewals for up to 12 months in patients with ≥ 50% reduction in MIDAS score at Months 3 and 6. In this sub-analysis of the Pan-European Real Life (PEARL) study, we provide real-world data on fremanezumab use in Italian routine clinical practice (EUPAS35111).

Methods

This first interim analysis for Italy was conducted when 300 enrolled adult patients with episodic or chronic migraine (EM, CM) completed 6 months of treatment with fremanezumab. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients achieving ≥ 50% reduction in monthly migraine days (MMD) across the 6 months post-fremanezumab initiation. Secondary endpoints include: proportion of patients achieving ≥ 50% reduction in MIDAS score at Months 3 and 6, and mean change from baseline across Months 1–6 in MMD and headache-related disability. Safety was assessed through adverse events (AEs) reported.

Results

Of 354 patients enrolled at Italian centers, 318 (EM, 35.5%, CM, 64.5%) were included in the effectiveness analysis. Of patients with available data, 109 (61.2%) achieved the primary endpoint. 61.0% and 65.1% achieved ≥ 50% reduction in MMDs at Months 3 and 6, respectively; 79.9% and 81.0% experienced ≥ 50% reduction in MIDAS at the same timepoints.

Conclusion

Fremanezumab was effective and well-tolerated over the first 6 months of treatment, with approximately 80% of patients meeting Italian criteria for treatment continuation at Months 3 and 6.
A space–time DG method for the Schrödinger equation with variable potential
Authors: Gómez Sergio , Moiola Andrea
Published: March 2024

We present a space–time ultra-weak discontinuous Galerkin discretization of the linear Schrödinger equation with variable potential. The proposed method is well-posed and quasi-optimal in mesh-dependent norms for very general discrete spaces. Optimal h-convergence error estimates are derived for the method when test and trial spaces are chosen either as piecewise polynomials or as a novel quasi-Trefftz polynomial space. The latter allows for a substantial reduction of the number of degrees of freedom and admits piecewise-smooth potentials. Several numerical experiments validate the accuracy and advantages of the proposed method.
ARPALData: an R package for retrieving and analyzing air quality and weather data from ARPA Lombardia (Italy)
Authors: Maranzano Paolo , Algieri Andrea
Published: March 2024

We present ARPALData, an package that can help international users retrieve, handle, and analyze air quality and weather data in the Lombardy region (Northern Italy). The software provides a user-friendly tool that directly inquires into the platform of the regional environmental protection agency and ensures real-time updating of information using standardized syntax. The software provides data in standard statistical formats. Eventually, all measurements, metadata, and subsequent analytical tools are provided to users in English, facilitating accessibility to international and domestic users. Data are collected from the open database of the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Lombardy, namely ARPA Lombardia. ARPALData returns measurements at several temporal frequencies (infra-hourly to yearly) collected through air quality and weather ground monitoring networks managed by ARPA Lombardia, as well as estimates of several pollutants at the municipal level. In addition to data download functions, ARPALData provides functions to explore, describe, analyze, and graphically represent air quality and weather data. In particular, users are provided with functions to compute key descriptive statistics and input data maps, temporally aggregate measurements, detect outliers, and study missing-value (gap length) patterns. Herein, we discuss purposes, goals, and functioning of the package, and present three guided examples and case studies in which the software is used to characterize air quality and meteorology in different settings. The examples are designed to provide a step-by-step guide for accomplished analyses using the most relevant tools included in ARPALData.
Efficient time domain response computation of massive wave power farms
Authors: Spanos Pol D. , Malara Giovanni , Arena Felice
Published: March 2024

A potential future challenge in the wave energy sector will involve the design and construction of massive wave power farms. That is, collections of several (> 100) wave energy converters (WEC) operating in identical environmental conditions at a distance comparable with typical water wave lengths. In this context, the WECs are likely to be influenced by each another by radiation force effects that are associated with the radiated wave field propagated by WECs operating in the surrounding wave field. These effects are commonly captured by the Cummins’ equation, where the radiation force is expressed as a convolution integral depending on the past values of the WEC response. Due to this mathematical representation, the time domain computation of the wave farm response can become computationally daunting. This article proposes one approach for computing efficiently the wave farm response in the time domain. Specifically, it demonstrates that the values of the radiation force components can be determined at each time step from their previous values by approximating the retardation function matrix elements via the Prony method. A notable advantage of this approach with respect to the ones available in the open literature is that it does not require either the storage of past response values or additional differential equations. Instead, it uses simple algebraic expressions for updating at each time instant the radiation force values. Obviously, this feature can induce significant computational efficiency in analyzing an actual wave farm facility.

The reliability and efficiency of the proposed algorithm are assessed vis-à-vis direct time domain comparisons and Monte Carlo data concerning a wave farm composed by an array of U-Oscillating Water Columns. Notably, the proposed methodology can be applied to any linear or nonlinear dynamics problem governed by differential equations involving memory effects.
A Lagrange interpolation with preprocessing to nearly eliminate oscillations
Authors: de la Calle Ysern Bernardo , Galán del Sastre Pedro
Published: March 2024

This work is concerned with the interpolation of a function $$\varvec{f}$$

f

when using a low number of interpolation points, as required by the finite element method for solving PDEs numerically. The function $$\varvec{f}$$

f

is assumed to have a jump or a steep derivative, and our goal is to minimize the oscillations produced by the Gibbs phenomenon while preserving the approximation properties for smoother functions. This is achieved by interpolating the transform $$ \varvec{\hat{f} = g \circ f} $$

f
^

=
g
∘
f

using Lagrange polynomials, where $$\varvec{g}$$

g

is a rational transformation chosen by minimizing a suitable functional depending on the values of $$\varvec{f}$$

f

. The mapping $$\varvec{g}$$

g

is monotonic and constructed to possess boundary layers that remove the Gibbs phenomenon. No previous knowledge of the location of the jump is required. The extension to functions of several variables is straightforward, of which we provide several examples. Finally, we show how the interpolation fits the finite element method and compare it with known strategies.
Novel laser-induced linear polarization for facile diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: El-Sharkawy Yasser H. , Elbasuney Sherif , Radwan Sara M. , Soula Moustafa A. , El-Sayyad Gharieb S.
Published: March 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cancer whose incidence is increasing globally. In spite of advances in medical and surgical therapies, its prognosis remains deprived. Developing methods for early diagnosis is essential for better treatment outcomes. In this pilot study, laser-induced linear polarization was adopted for the characterization of total RNA samples obtained from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients against healthy volunteers. Total RNA samples were illuminated with non-ionizing laser source of 632.8 nm; the scattered light signatures were captured and processed using hyperspectral camera. Scattered light signature was found to depend on polarizabiltiy, size, shape, and chemical structure of scattering macromolecules. DNA (control) demonstrated the highest scattered intensity; with intense fringes compared with RNA (control). Meanwhile RNA (HCC) demonstrated the lowest scattered intensity as well as the lowest fringe spacing compared with RNA (control). For instance, at 380 fringe spacing DNA (Control), RNA (Control), RNA (HCC) demonstrated scatted light intensity of 0.049, 0.039, and 0.034, respectively. Novel column mean calculation was conducted for hyperspectral images at 632.8 nm to assess scattered signal intensity and fringe spacing. The scattered RNA signal could secure characteristic finger-print fringes; that are candidate for facile HCC early diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to report an optical methodology based on linear polarization for HCC facile diagnosis as a pilot study.
HGX: the anatomy of high growth exporters
Authors: Srhoj Stjepan , Coad Alex , Walde Janette
Published: March 2024

Previous work has found that a small number of export superstars contribute disproportionally to the economy’s overall exports. Differently from export superstars, this study is the first to define high growth exporters (HGXs) (that are not export superstars) as a new firm category. We provide their economic importance and depict their micro-level anatomy. By tracking HGXs in Croatia for over a quarter of a century, 44 out of 100 export superstars in 2019 were previously HGXs. HGXs represent only 0.5% of all firms and 18% of high growth firms (HGFs) in the economy, but are responsible for about 25% of new exports and 5% of new jobs. During their growth episode, HGXs hire more employees from technology intensive industries with previous experience in exporting. They often hire on a single year work contract, and more frequently send new employees to work abroad. HGX also increase their presence in more advanced markets, increase the number of new export products and decrease their reliance on the largest product or largest export market. We argue HGXs represent an under-researched category of firms.
Fostering intercultural interactions and outcomes for domestic graduate students through internationalization-at-home efforts
Authors: Dong Shengli , Bryant Caleb , Liu Lu
Published: March 2024

This study examined the impacts of internationalization-at-home efforts on intercultural interactions and outcomes for domestic graduate students through a Cultural Partner Program. Ninety-seven participants were recruited from a public research university in the southeastern part of the U.S. Among them, 68 participated in an experimental group in which each of them was paired up with an incoming graduate-level international student to conduct intercultural activities over one semester. All participants took pre- and post-test surveys including psychosocial measures such as wellbeing, intercultural competency, stress, and perceived support. The regression analyses found a significant conditional difference between experimental and control groups in well-being but not other variables. Standardized mean difference analyses revealed improvements present between the experimental group and control group in perceived support and interaction attentiveness and stress. University campuses need to allocate greater lengths of time and resources for graduate students to be a part of intercultural interactions on campus throughout their study.
Innovative Drought Classification Matrix and Acceptable Time Period for Temporal Drought Evaluation
Authors: Abu Arra Ahmad , Şişman Eyüp
Published: March 2024

Evaluating drought is paramount in water resources management and drought mitigation plans. Drought indices are essential tools in this evaluation, which mainly depends on the time period of the original datasets. Investigating the effects of time periods is critical for a comprehensive understanding and evaluation of drought. Also, It holds particular significance for regions facing data availability challenges. The existing literature reveals a gap in drought assessment and comparison analysis using conventional methods based on drought indices only. This research proposes an innovative drought classification matrix to compare drought indices and spatial and temporal scenarios; the proposed matrix depends on any drought classification for comparison procedure. Furthermore, it aims to investigate the differences between several time period scenarios based on the proposed matrix and several statistical metrics (R2, CC, RMSE, HH, and RB) and determine the acceptable/minimum time period. The application of the proposed matrix and selection of an acceptable/minimum time period is presented to three different climates: Durham station in the United Kingdom, Florya station in Türkiye, and Karapinar station in Türkiye. The results show that the time period scenarios are able to catch the reference time period (RTP) scenario reasonably, with strong correlation and negative relative bias. The 10-year time period is sufficient as an acceptable/minimum time period for short timescales, such as meteorological drought. Conversely, for longer timescales, such as hydrological drought, a 20-year time period is the acceptable/minimum time period. The proposed matrix demonstrates a robust and powerful framework for comparison, making it applicable to various drought assessment scenarios globally.
Binge Drinking and its Relationship with Suicidal Thoughts and Suicidal Attempts in University Students
Authors: Juan-Salvadores Pablo , de la Torre Fonseca Luis Mariano , Pérez Antía Lafuente , Veiga Cesar , González-Nóvoa José A. , Romo Andrés Iñiguez , Isorna Francisco Caamaño , Díaz Víctor Alfonso Jiménez
Published: March 2024

Binge drinking, notably common among university students, poses health risks. Despite a significant global concern about suicide, especially among young people, research on the connection between binge drinking and suicide in university students is limited. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between binge drinking, suicidal attempts, and suicidal thoughts among university students from two institutions. Among the 2178 participants from public universities, 4.0% reported suicidal attempts, and 26.5% reported suicidal thoughts. Binge drinking did not show a significant association with suicidal attempts or suicidal thoughts. The results revealed that female gender (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.32–2.01; p < 0.001) and alcohol use disorder (OR 2.23, 95% CI: 1.49–3.55; p < 0.001] were independent predictive variables for suicidal behavior. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing alcohol-related behaviors and mental health, particularly among females and those with alcohol use disorder, to enhance the overall psychological well-being of university students.
Fishing for Phytophthora in watercourses of the highly urbanized Swiss Plateau
Authors: Schoebel Corine N. , Prospero Simone , Rigling Daniel , Ruffner Beat
Published: March 2024

Phytophthora species are a cause for concern due to their invasive potential and the damage they can cause in agriculture, forestry, and natural ecosystems worldwide. Since water plays a crucial role in their dispersal, stream and river baiting is commonly used to survey risk areas for the presence of quarantine Phytophthora species. However, our understanding of the distribution and diversity of Phytophthora species in European watercourses remains incomplete. This study investigated the presence and diversity of Phytophthora species in Swiss watercourses, with a focus on the highly urbanized Swiss Plateau. Over the period 2012–2016, we sampled 32 watercourses, including major rivers and smaller streams. We isolated Phytophthora on selective media and sequenced the internal transcribed spacer region to identify the species. We recovered 241 Phytophthora isolates, representing 11 species from five major clades. Phytophthora clade 6 prevailed, with P. lacustris being the most common, found in 94.7% of the watercourses. The number of Phytophthora species per watercourse ranged from one to five, with no correlation to watercourse complexity. Our study reveals the presence of six previously unreported species in Switzerland, while known invasive species were not found. Watercourses appear less suited to detect invasive pathogenic Phytophthora species with a still limited distribution in the environment.
Jewish Ethics of Inmate Vaccines Against COVID-19
Authors: Rashi Tsuriel
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic broke out at the end of 2019, and throughout 2020 there were intensive international efforts to find a vaccine for the disease, which had already led to the deaths of some five million people. In December 2020, several pharmaceutical companies announced that they had succeeded in producing an effective vaccine, and after approval by the various regulatory bodies, countries started to vaccinate their citizens. With the start of the global campaign to vaccinate the world’s population against COVID-19, debates over the prioritization of different sections of the population began around the world, but the prison population has generally been absent from these discussions.

Approach and Findings

This article presents the approach of Jewish ethics regarding this issue, that is, that there is a religious and a moral obligation to heal the other and to take care of his or her medical well-being and that this holds true even for a prisoner who has committed a serious crime. Hence, prisoners should be vaccinated according to the same priorities that govern the administration of the vaccine among the general public.

Originality

The originality of the article is in a comprehensive and comparative reference between general ethics and Jewish ethics on a subject that has not yet received the proper attention.
Extracellular Vesicles and Exosomes in the Control of the Musculoskeletal Health
Authors: Penna Fabio , Garcia-Castillo Lorena , Costelli Paola
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

The present review will highlight recent reports supporting the relevance of extracellular vesicles to the musculoskeletal system in health and disease.

Recent Findings

Preserving the health of the musculoskeletal system is important to maintain a good quality of life, and the bone-muscle crosstalk is crucial in this regard. This latter is largely mediated by extracellular vesicles released by the different cell populations residing in muscle and bone, which deliver cargoes, microRNAs, and proteins being the most relevant ones, to target cells. Extracellular vesicles could be exploited as therapeutic tools, in view of their resistance to destruction in the biological fluid and of the possibility to be functionalized according to the need.

Extracellular vesicles are recognized as crucial players in the bone-muscle cross-talk. Additional studies however are required to refine their use as biomarkers of early alterations of the musculoskeletal system, and as potential therapeutic tools.
Protective Effects of Plant-Derived Compounds Against Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Khayatan Danial , Razavi Seyed Mehrad , Arab Zahra Najafi , Khanahmadi Maryam , Samanian Amirreza , Momtaz Saeideh , Sukhorukov Vasily N. , Jamialahmadi Tannaz , Abdolghaffari Amir Hossein , Barreto George E. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: March 2024

Inflammation in the nervous system is one of the key features of many neurodegenerative diseases. It is increasingly being identified as a critical pathophysiological primitive mechanism associated with chronic neurodegenerative diseases following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Phytochemicals have a wide range of clinical properties due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Currently, there are few drugs available for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases other than symptomatic relief. Numerous studies have shown that plant-derived compounds, in particular polyphenols, protect against various neurodegenerative diseases and are safe for consumption. Polyphenols exert protective effects on TBI via restoration of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), and Nod-like receptor family proteins (NLRPs) pathways. In addition, these phytochemicals and their derivatives upregulate the phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathways, which have critical functions in modulating TBI symptoms. There is supporting evidence that medicinal plants and phytochemicals are protective in different TBI models, though future clinical trials are needed to clarify the precise mechanisms and functions of different polyphenolic compounds in TBI.