bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renewable energy management of an hybrid water pumping system (photovoltaic/wind/battery) based on Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy model
Authors: Ben Safia Zeineb , Allouche Moez , Chaabane Mohamed
Published: March 2022

This research work presents an optimal energy management for a hybrid water pumping system driven by a photovoltaic generator (PVG) and a wind turbine. These two renewable energies are used as power generation sources, whereas a battery is added as an energy‐storing system, for the purpose of controlling the power flow and providing a constant load supply. The proposed management system, serve to guarantee the pumping system autonomy in a rural region where's no access to the electrical network. As a result, a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller is created based on the fuzzy Takagi–Sugeno (TS) model, ensuring maximum power transfer to the moto‐pump in spite of wind speed and insolation changes. The synthesis of MPPT control law involves TS fuzzy reference models which generate the desired trajectories to track. A supervisor has been developed for energy management and its major purpose is to effectively use the battery to satisfy the power load requirements, and that is by maintaining the state of charge (SOC) to extend the battery's life. Finally, simulation results have been done based on Matlab/Simulink with the aim of validating the efficiency of the proposed energy management supervisor.
Effect of patient‐provider communication on patient risk awareness: The moderating role of trust based on scenario experiment
Authors: Hu Huiling , Gong Haiyan , Wu Xuanna , Wu Xue
Published: March 2022

Good patient–provider communication and high level of trust can decrease patients' risk perception and promote their acceptability of medical risks.The extent to which communication can be effective may be distinguished by different levels of trust. The present study examined the effect of patient–provider communication and treatment outcome on patients' risk awareness, and explored the moderating effect of trust. This research adopted a paper‐based scenario experiment with a 2 (communication: good vs. poor) × 2 (treatment outcome: good vs. poor) between‐subjects design. Three hundred sixteen college students were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to four groups and instructed to read more information about the two independent variables. Finally, all participants finished the manipulation check (eight items), affect‐ and cognition‐based trust scales (10 items), and risk awareness scales (eight items) by questionnaire. The results showed the positive interaction effects between communication and treatment outcome on patients' acceptance of uncertainties. Affect‐ and cognition‐based trust had similar moderating mechanisms on the interaction effect of communication and treatment outcome on uncertainty acceptability, and different moderating mechanisms on patient risk perception. In clinical work, we should develop the strategy to improve patien–provider communication and trust to improve patients' acceptability of uncertainty.
The effect of ground tire rubber modified by deep eutectic solvents on the viscoelasticity of silica‐filled styrene‐butadiene rubber
Authors: Wei Liping , Xin Zhenxiang
Published: March 2022

With the development of the recycling economy for waste rubber, the high‐value application of rubber powder, such as the modifier in asphalt mixture and the polyurethane foam, has attracted more and more attention. In the study, the surface characteristics of rubber powder modified by deep eutectic solvents were investigated by infrared spectroscopy, sol fraction, solid surface energy, and scanning electron microscope. The mechanical properties of modified ground tire rubber powder (M‐GTR)/SBR/silica composites were studied. Meanwhile, the viscoelasticity of the composites was characterized by the Payne effect and Mullins effect. Compared with the unmodified rubber powder, the rubber powder treated at 105°C had a higher sol fraction and maximum value of solid surface energy. With the increase of the content of M‐GTR, the Payne effect of the M‐GTR/SBR/silica composites firstly weakened and then increased. As for the Mullins effect, the vulcanizates showed stress‐softening phenomenon in the process of uniaxial cyclic compression. The recovery ability of the Mullins effect strongly depended on temperature. Besides, the modified rubber powder could improve the dispersity of silica in the SBR matrix, and the Mullins effect of the composite contained modified rubber powder was weak, which would provide potential high‐value application for rubber powder.
Investigation on the compressive properties of auxetic foams under different loading rates
Authors: Nazari Zahra , Ahmadi Hamed , Liaghat Gholamhossein , Vahid Samireh
Published: March 2022

Auxetic materials or materials with a negative Poisson's ratio have a great potential to be used in many industries because of their specific mechanical properties such as high stiffness and strength with significant weight saving. In this article, the effect of various parameters of the fabrication process on the microstructure of a polyurethane auxetic foam was investigated. Moreover, the compression behavior of this foam in different situations, from quasi‐static to high strain rate loading, was studied comprehensively. Results indicated that 70% volume reduction, being heated to 180°C and kept at that temperature for 1 h and 45 min could maximize the auxeticity of the foam. Microscopic images demonstrated that the foam structure cells were transformed from honeycomb to re‐entrant, causing the Poisson's ratio to become negative. With increasing the re‐entrant cells, the auxeticity of the foam increased, which leads to increasing the absorbed energy in quasi‐static compression up to 443%, and in high strain rate loading up to 617%.
Dexamethasone promotes breast cancer stem cells in obese and not lean mice
Authors: Annett Stephanie , Fox Orla Willis , Vareslija Damir , Robson Tracy
Published: March 2022

Obesity is highly prevalent in breast cancer patients and is associated with increased recurrence and breast cancer‐specific mortality. Glucocorticoids (GC) are used as an adjuvant in cancer treatment and are associated with promoting breast cancer metastasis through activation of stemness‐related pathways. Therefore, we utilized the synergetic allograft E0771 breast cancer model to investigate if treatment with GCs had differential effects on promoting cancer stem cells in lean and diet‐induced obese mice. Indeed, both lean mice treated with dexamethasone and obese mice with no treatment had no effect on the ex vivo colony‐forming ability, mammosphere formation, or aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) bright subpopulation. However, treatment of obese mice with dexamethasone resulted in a significant increase in ex vivo colony formation, mammosphere formation, ALDH bright subpopulation, and expression of pluripotency transcription factors. GC transcriptionally regulated genes were not altered in the dexamethasone‐treated groups compared to treatment controls. In summary, these results provide initial evidence that obesity presents a higher risk of GC‐induced cancer stemness via non‐genomic GC signaling which is of potential translational significance.
PK/PD modeling links accelerated resolution of COVID‐19‐related clinical symptoms to SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load reduction in patients following treatment with Bamlanivimab alone or Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab together
Authors: Ernest C. Steven , Chien Jenny Y. , Patel Dipak R. , Chigutsa Emmanuel
Published: March 2022

The relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) viral load reduction and disease symptom resolution remains largely undefined for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). While the vaccine‐derived immunity takes time to develop, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies offer immediate, passive immunity to patients with COVID‐19. Bamlanivimab and etesevimab are two potent neutralizing monoclonal antibodies directed to the receptor binding domain of the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2. This study aims to describe the relationship between viral load and resolution of eight common COVID‐19‐related symptoms in patients following treatment with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bamlanivimab alone or bamlanivimab and etesevimab together), in a phase II clinical trial. Corresponding pharmacokinetics (PKs), viral load, and COVID‐19‐related symptom data were modeled using Nonlinear Mixed Effects Modeling to describe the time‐course of eight COVID‐19‐related symptoms in an ordered categorical manner (none, mild, moderate, and severe), following administration of bamlanivimab or bamlanivimab and etesevimab together to participants with COVID‐19. The PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) models characterized the exposure‐viral load‐symptom time course of the eight preselected COVID‐19‐related symptoms. Baseline viral load (BVL), change in viral load from baseline, and time since the onset of symptoms, demonstrated statistically significant effects on symptom score probabilities. Higher BVL generally indicated an increased probability of symptom severity. The severity of symptoms decreased over time, partially driven by the decrease in viral load. The effect of increasing time resulting in decreased severity of symptoms was over and above the effect of decreasing viral load. Administration of bamlanivimab alone or together with etesevimab results in a faster time to resolution of COVID‐19‐related symptoms compared to placebo.
Insider stock pledging and stock price informativeness: Evidence from India
Authors: Singh Amanjot
Published: March 2022

Insiders’ shares can act as collateral while raising funds from lenders. This study examines the impact of insiders’ stock pledging activities on stock price informativeness using a sample of 1835 Indian firms. Our findings report that insider stock pledging increases the informational efficiency of stock prices. This informational efficiency increases for larger firms with: (1) financial constraints (high leverage and low cash holdings); (2) greater reliance on trade credit; and (3) higher indulgence in related party transactions. We also provide evidence on abnormal share turnover as a trading mechanism through which insider stock pledging is related to stock price informativeness. Our findings are robust across different specifications and after accounting for endogeneity issues.
From foraging to farming: Domesticating landscapes in the Midsouth three thousand years ago
Authors: Hollenbach Kandace D. , Carmody Stephen B.
Published: March 2022

Peoples living in the Eastern Woodlands of North America domesticated a suite of small‐seeded crops between five thousand and two thousand years ago, making this region one of roughly ten independent centers of domestication across the globe. In the Southern Appalachian region, foraging peoples began cultivating these native crops around thirty‐five hundred years ago (during the Late Archaic period [3000–800 BCE]); by the start of the Early Woodland period (800–200 BCE), they had significantly altered their lifeways and surrounding landscape. This included a change in the physical landscape, as demonstrated by paleoethnobotanical data, with an increase in weedy plants at the expense of bottomland forests. Groups also significantly shifted their lifeways, becoming more sedentary, as evidenced by an increase in storage pits, more substantial structures, and the adoption of ceramic vessels. Storage pits also tend to be smaller, indicating a shift from community‐based food procurement and storage to the household level. This may reflect the development of private property and distinctions among households with differential access. Community‐based rituals, as evidenced in several caves and rock‐shelters in the region, may have been established to strengthen group ties in the face of the broader changing social and physical landscape.
The dawn of the flying reptiles: first Triassic record in the southern hemisphere
Authors: Martínez Ricardo N. , Andres Brian , Apaldetti Cecilia , Cerda Ignacio A.
Published: March 2022

Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight. The timing of their origin is still debated, and hypotheses range from the end of the Permian Period, to the lower Mesozoic Era, and through to the Middle–Late Triassic epochs. Regardless of when they originated, the oldest records are restricted to the Upper Triassic Norian Stage in the northern hemisphere (Europe, USA and Greenland). We report two new raeticodactylid pterosaurs, Yelaphomte praderioi gen. et sp. nov. and Pachagnathus benitoi gen. et sp. nov. from the upper Norian to Rhaetian Quebrada del Barro Formation in north‐western Argentina. The new specimens (an isolated dentary symphysis, partial rostrum, and distal half of ulna) are the first unequivocal Triassic records of pterosaurs in the southern hemisphere, confirming that the absence of pterosaurs outside north‐western Pangaea during the Late Triassic was the result of poor sampling rather than true absence. These new discoveries provide evidence of a greater diversity of pterosaurs living in terrestrial habitats and a wider global distribution of pterosaurs from the beginning of their evolution on Earth.
Evaluation and modification of bend corner strength prediction models of FRP reinforcement
Authors: Yang Yuanzhang , Jiang Kai , Quan Guan , Zhang Dawei , Zhao Weijian
Published: March 2022

The bend corner of Fiber‐reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement has been shown significantly lower tensile strength than the straight portion. To date, various prediction models were developed for the bend corner strength. In this study, three types of six prediction models are reviewed and evaluated based on a most extensive database to date, including tests from 15 investigations from 1999 to 2020. The validities of the models for cross‐section types and test methods are analyzed. The logarithmic and linear regression models are further modified. The macro‐mechanical model provides the best predictions for the whole database with similar validity for test specimens with different cross‐section types. The linear regression and logarithmic models show lower accuracy and inconsistency in cross‐section types. The different test methods adopted in the literature show limited influence on the bend corner strength and the performance of the prediction models. The proposed cross‐section geometry factor can effectively consider the cross‐section types and the modified linear regression and logarithmic models could provide more accurate predictions. The model evaluations and modifications in this study could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the calculation philosophy of the bend corner strength of FRP reinforcement, which could be used for the future updates of shear design provisions for FRP reinforced concrete structures.
T‐2 toxin‐induced femur lesion is accompanied by autophagy and apoptosis associated with Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in mice
Authors: Zhang Jian , Song Miao , Cui Yilong , Shao Bing , Zhang Xuliang , Cao Zheng , Li Yanfei
Published: March 2022

T‐2 toxin is one of the most common mycotoxins found in grain foods, animal feed, and other agricultural by‐products causing food contamination and health threat. The skeletal system is the main target tissue for T‐2 toxin. T‐2 toxin exposure is also recognized as a potential contributor to multiple types of bone diseases, including Kashin‐Beck disease. However, the mechanisms of T‐2 toxin‐induced bone toxicity remain unclear. In this study, 60 male C57BL/6 mice were exposed T‐2 toxin with 0, 0.5, 1 or 2 mg/kg body weight by intragastric administration for 28 days, respectively. Femora were collected for the detections of femur lesion, bone formation factors, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis, and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Our research showed that T‐2 toxin caused bone formation disorders, presenting as the reduction of the BMD and femur length, bone structure changes and abnormal bone formation proteins expressions, along with enhanced oxidative stress. Meanwhile, T‐2 toxin increased expressions of autophagy‐related proteins (Beclin 1, ATG5, p62, and LC3), and promoted apoptosis in mouse femur. Moreover, T‐2 toxin suppressed the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and expressions of downstream target genes. Taken together, our data indicated T‐2 toxin‐induced femur lesion was accompanied by autophagy and apoptosis, which was associated with Wnt/β‐catenin signaling.
Tackling the looming healthcare workforce crisis
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: March 2022

In this editorial, Professor Roger Kirby, Editor‐in‐Chief of Trends in Urology and Men's Health, reflects on the causes of and solutions to the growing NHS workforce crisis.
Haematuria: what is the real cancer risk? Results from the IDENTIFY study
Authors: Khadhouri Sinan
Published: March 2022

Personalised medicine is becoming the focus of care in many specialties. To support the clinician's decision making in correctly managing patients with suspected cancer, an online risk calculator has been developed to predict an individual's risk of urinary tract cancer based on associated patient factors.
SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis and autoimmune cholestatic liver disease
Authors: Duengelhoef Paul , Hartl Johannes , Rüther Darius , Steinmann Silja , Brehm Thomas T. , Weltzsch Jan Philipp , Glaser Fabian , Schaub G. M. , Sterneck Martina , Sebode Marcial , Weiler‐Normann Christina , Addo Marylyn M. , Lütgehetmann Marc , Haag Friedrich , Schramm Christoph , Schulze zur Wiesch Julian , Lohse Ansgar W.
Published: March 2022

Background/Aims

In this observational study, we explored the humoral and cellular immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and patients with cholestatic autoimmune liver disease (primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC] and primary biliary cholangitis [PBC]).

Methods

Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody titers were determined using the DiaSorin LIAISON and Roche immunoassays in 103 AIH, 64 PSC, and 61 PBC patients and 95 healthy controls >14 days after the second COVID‐19 vaccination. The spike‐specific T‐cell response was assessed using an activation‐induced marker assay (AIM) in a subset of individuals.

Results

Previous SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was frequently detected in AIH but not in PBC/PSC (10/112 (9%), versus 4/144 (2.7%), p = 0.03). In the remaining patients, seroconversion was measurable in 97% of AIH and 99% of PBC/PSC patients, respectively. However, in 13/94 AIH patients antibody levels were lower than in any healthy control, which contributed to lower antibody levels of the total AIH cohort when compared to PBC/PSC or controls (641 vs. 1020 vs. 1200 BAU/ml, respectively). Notably, antibody levels were comparably low in AIH patients with (n = 85) and without immunosuppression (n = 9). Also, antibody titers significantly declined within 7 months after the second vaccination. In the AIM assay of 20 AIH patients, a spike‐specific T‐cell response was undetectable in 45% despite a positive serology, while 87% (13/15) of the PBC/PSC demonstrated a spike‐specific T‐cell response.

Conclusion

Patients with AIH show an increased SARS‐CoV‐2 infection rate as well as an impaired B‐ and T‐cell response to SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine compared to PBC and PSC patients, even in the absence of immunosuppression. Thus, antibody responses to vaccination in AIH patients need to be monitored and early booster immunizations considered in low responders.
Dorsal scapular displacement (flying scapula) in a heifer
Authors: Saadi Aram , Dalir‐Naghadeh Bahram , Asri‐Rezaei Siamak , Hashemi‐Asl Seyed Mohammad , Mohammadi Rahim
Published: March 2022

Dorsal scapular displacement, or flying scapula, is a rare condition characterised by sinking of the thorax between the forelimbs and protruding of the scapula above the thoracic vertebrae with the impression of a humpback appearance of the affected individual. The aetiology is still a matter of controversy. A 10‐month‐old heifer was presented with a history of sudden onset of gait abnormality and reluctance to stand and walk after being turned out to a spring pasture following the winter housing period. Clinical examinations revealed signs consistent with flying scapula. Whole‐blood selenium concentration and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity were within the marginal status. Vitamin E level in serum was within the reference range. We proposed that the condition resulted from damage and bilateral rupture of the serratus ventralis muscle due to dystrophic myodegeneration in a selenium‐deficient individual exacerbated by walking long distances and unaccustomed physical activity after winter housing.
Investigations on the Thermoelectric Transport Properties in the Hole‐doped La2CuO4
Authors: Liu Shan , Qin Bingchao , Wang Dongyang , Zhao Li‐Dong
Published: March 2022

Compared with the traditional thermoelectric semiconductors, the research progress of thermoelectric oxides with high‐temperature thermal stability is far behind. In this work, a layered copper oxide La2CuO4 was synthesized by combining the high‐energy ball milling, solid state reaction and spark plasma sintering. By introducing metal elements (Ba, Sr, Pb) at La site, the increased carrier concentration with optimized electrical transport properties were achieved in La2CuO4‐based thermoelectric oxides. Results showed that Ba has the best doping effect among the three dopants, with an optimal carrier concentration of ∼1020 cm−3. Furthermore, the figure of merit (ZT) value was enhanced over the entire temperature range with a maximum ZTave of ∼0.03 at 300–923 K, which is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than that of printine La2CuO4. Our research has successfully developed the thermoelectric properties of La2CuO4‐based oxide, which has the great potential to be a reliable candidate as the thermocouple for high‐temperature detection in the key parts of aircrafts.
Nonuniform dependence on initial data for the 2D viscous shallow water equations
Authors: Li Jinlu , Yu Yanghai , Zhu Weipeng
Published: March 2022

The failure of uniform dependence on the data is an interesting property of classical solution for a hyperbolic system. In this paper, we consider the solution map of the Cauchy problem to the 2D viscous shallow water equations, which is a hyperbolic–parabolic system. We give a new approach to studying the issue of nonuniform dependence on initial data for these equations. We prove that the solution map of this problem is not uniformly continuous in Sobolev spaces for .
Establishing Vision Zero in New York City – The Story of a Pioneer
Authors: Kristianssen Ann-Catrin
Published: March 2022

Vision Zero was established in 2014 as the foundation of the New York City road safety policy. The purpose of this chapter is to understand why and how Vision Zero was introduced as well as by whom and with what tools. The chapter focuses on understanding this policy change in New York City and is based on a document study and 18 semi-structured interview with 19 respondents city administration staff, researchers, media, and NGOs. The analysis is made by looking closer at the state of four aspects by the time of the establishment of Vision Zero – problem framing, policy formulation, political actors, and proposed solutions. This theoretical framework is mainly based on the work of John Kingdon (Agenda, Alternatives, and Public Policies. Little, Brown, Boston, 1984) and Michael Howlett (Public Policy Adm 34(4):405–430, 2019). The chapter states that there were several factors leading to the adoption of Vision Zero. First, the road safety problems were not as serious as in many other regions of the USA, but compared to other major cities in the western world, the fatalities and serious injuries in New York City were deemed unacceptable by politicians, NGOs, and the public. The imminent problem on the ground was further emphasized by several high-profile cases of child fatalities in traffic crashes. Second, the Vision Zero policy or philosophy was a coherent and above all a successfully tested policy based on a scientific foundation. The credit for introducing Vision Zero in the New York City context is given to non-governmental organizations such as Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets and specific public administrators in key positions. These actors were all searching for new solutions, and as the politicians placed road safety high on the agenda, a window of opportunity was opened to Vision Zero. In addition, politicians, with the support and pressure from NGOs, established a policy program based on Vision Zero, and this program further established a belief in Vision Zero as a credible way forward. There was and is criticism directed towards the policy based on equity and that Vision Zero risks strengthening discriminatory structures. The basic idea of adapting the physical infrastructure to accommodate human mistakes is challenging in many American contexts, but in a diverse city such as New York, this approach may be able to address equity, according to several respondents, if based on solid crash data. The Vision Zero in New York City differs from the original Swedish version in mainly two ways: the focus in New York on law enforcement and on the behavior of the individual road user.
Saving Lives Beyond 2020: The Next Steps
Authors: Tingvall Claes , Michael Jeffrey , Larsson Peter , Lie Anders , Segui-Gomez Maria , Wong Shaw Voon , Kobusingye Olive , Krafft Maria , Wegman Fred , Peden Margie , Hyder Adnan , Khayesi Meleckidzedeck , Dumbaugh Eric , Cockfield Samantha , Furas Alejandro
Published: March 2022

Road safety has come a long way in our lifetimes, and there are steps in this progress that mark their place in history. Many of these were technical innovations, such as seat belts, electronic stability control, and geofencing for vehicle speed control. Also important, though perhaps fewer in number, were innovations in strategies to achieve change. These include the public health model of Dr. William Haddon, the introduction of Vision Zero, the World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention from WHO and the World Bank, and more recently, the Decade of Action 2011–2020. I am sure that the work and recommendations presented in this report will deserve their place in a “Hall of Fame” for strategic innovation in saving lives across the globe.
General Oncology Care in Somalia
Authors: Hassan Hussein Abshir , Abdikarim Ikram , Yassin Nur , Amin
Published: March 2022

The aim of this chapter is to provide an update on cancer epidemiology in Somalia as well as local and international responses to the challenges. After the collapse of the central government of Somalia in 1991, the country has plunged into civil war. Since then, Somalia has not had any governmental or non-governmental cancer care services. Currently, Somalia doesn’t have a single cancer center. The country has neither national cancer registries nor national cancer institutes. According to a study done by a Somali cancer specialist at the University of Somalia-Teaching Hospital, and Turkish doctors at Erdogan Hospital, published in seminars in oncology in 2017, the most frequent cancers in Somalia are esophageal, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, liver, breast, skin, thyroid, brain, bone, colorectal, and soft tissue. Somalia is recovering from a devastating civil war that continued for 30 years. This war has destroyed all the health facilities in the country, since then the country has not been able to reestablish the healthcare system. This absence of healthcare system and lack of human and financial resources are the biggest challenges of cancer care in the country. There is only one facility in the entire country where cancer care is given. The future of cancer care in Somalia is bright since more doctors are planning to specialize in cancer and more investors are planning to invest privately in the healthcare sector, especially cancer care. Also, as the Somali government is getting stronger, it is hoped the government will play a bigger role in cancer care in Somalia in the coming years.
General Oncology Care in Sudan
Authors: Maki Hussein AwadElkarim Hussein
Published: March 2022

The Sudanese healthcare system has two main branches to solve the country’s health problems, preventive medicine and therapeutic medicine. In other words, it mainly works with communicable and non-communicable diseases and the services are divided into primary level (for the primary health centers), secondary level (general hospitals), and tertiary level (specialized centers such as oncology and neurosurgery). However, the main factors that are drawbacks to the healthcare system are overall economic instability, low health expenditure, and civil wars. Data about cancer in Sudan is scarce. There is a lack of prospective whole country studies about cancer in Sudan. The instability of the population, inadequate trained personnel, and the inefficient cancer registry system contributed to the lack of accurate figures about the true incidence of cancer in Sudan. Therefore, the frequency ratios of tumors are mostly represented in different publications. Cancer in Sudanese patients is usually present lately or in advanced stages and many cases are reported at younger ages. Cancer treatment centers in Sudan are few with inadequate resources for the variety of treatment methods. While huge efforts are being made to improve cancer medical care in the country, there are still many obstacles that need to be solved to ensure that cancer patients have a high standard of services in both public and private sectors. There are limited early detection and screening programs, especially in rural areas. More diagnostic and treatment centers are now being established in many cities in Sudan. This chapter addresses the general view of the cancer situation in Sudan, reviewing the different aspects of the cancer burden and different associated conditions related to oncology.
Challenges Associated with Medical Travel for Cancer Patients in the Arab World: A Systematic Review
Authors: Alnakhi Wafa K. , Iqbal Faryal , Nadabi Waleed Al , Balushi Amal Al
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Each year, millions of patients around the world seek medical care abroad. Medical travel is becoming very common in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC) due to many motivational factors. It has been observed that the rate of cancer incidence is growing at an alarmingly high rate in Arab countries. In addition, as per the literature, cancer seems to be one of the top medical conditions for patients from the GCC to seek healthcare overseas. There are many factors associated with cancer patients seeking treatment overseas. However, unfortunately, there are very few studies that discuss the risks and challenges associated with the medical travel experience for those patients.

Objective: We conducted a systematic review to summarize the evidence related to the complications and challenges associated with the medical travel experience for oncology patients in the Arab world.

Materials and Methods: This systematic review was guided by PRISMA. PubMed was used as a search database by using a combination of medical travel, complications, and cancer keywords for publications which yielded 76 articles. Four coders independently determined eligibility based on PICOS and then extracted information from 14 articles. The resulting articles are based on three main categories, i.e., primary, and secondary data collection, and review articles.

Results: Of the total 76 articles, only 14 were included because they met the criteria. 62 articles were excluded because of irrelevance of the title, abstract, and insufficient data. Although this systematic review aimed to look at the medical complications that may arise from the medical travel experience for oncology patients, other challenges were found. The challenges reported can be grouped into the following themes: (a) financial and economic aspects, (b) medical care aspects, (c) social and cultural aspects.

Conclusion: Overall, more research studies are required in the Arab world for cancer patients treated overseas. The existence of such information around this topic will help in improving policies and strategies related to medical travel for the different stakeholders involved in the medical travel market. Moreover, these studies will not only aid in improving the quality of care for cancer patients who are engaging in medical travel, but they will also help in overcoming the challenges associated with medical travel experience for cancer patients at the different stages of the experience.
Cancer Care During War and Conflict
Authors: Sayed Rola El , Abdul-Sater Zahi , Mukherji Deborah
Published: March 2022

The Arab World has sadly witnessed protracted conflict affecting several of its regions in recent years. Conflict-affected populations have been significantly impacted by chronic deficiencies in medical care including unprecedented numbers of refugees and migrants requiring ongoing support in neighbouring countries. Humanitarian response to crisis has historically focused on the supply of nutrition, water, and emergent trauma relief, followed by control and prevention of infections. Prevention and management of non-communicable diseases, specifically cancer, have been relatively neglected; however, with regional conflicts lasting for many years, cancer care has become an increasingly urgent issue to be addressed. The humanitarian community has stressed the need for situational assessment regarding disease prevalence and available resources, with identification of specific regional challenges. Lack of infrastructure, important diagnostic and treatment modalities, clinical experts and regulatory bodies are the main obstacles to cancer care at all stages from screening and prevention to therapeutics and palliation. The initial step to improving cancer care provision should be implementing needs-based priority assessment and policies within the context of governing bodies that control and monitor performance. Collaboration and coordination among national and international organizations and stakeholders are essential to improve data collection on which to base resource allocation and address growing disparities in cancer outcomes.
General Oncology Care in Bahrain
Authors: Pedapenki Ravi Mohan , Madan Ali
Published: March 2022

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island nation with the highest health care and life expectancy comparable in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has a small population, but a higher incidence rate of cancers in GCC countries. Two public (government) oncological facilities are available in Bahrain for cancer patients, mostly for Bahraini citizens. The majority of the consultants in medical and radiation oncology are expatriates and there is a need for locals to get trained in these faculties. With changing lifestyles, obesity, and the genetic factors peculiar to this ethnic population, the incidence of cancer is bound to rise over the years to come. Health-related policy decisions to join the international organizations for clinical trials will bring in more research and better cancer care, apart from increasing more facilities for palliative care. The scope of this chapter is to provide an overview of the current information about the cancer status in Bahrain, including epidemiology, statistics, and facilities of care.
Dimensional reduction of higher derivative heterotic supergravity
Authors: Chang Hao-Yuan , Sezgin Ergin , Tanii Yoshiaki
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Higher derivative couplings of hypermultiplets to 6D, N = (1, 0) supergravity are obtained from dimensional reduction of 10D heterotic supergravity that includes order α′ higher derivative corrections. Reduction on T4 is followed by a consistent truncation. In the resulting action the hyperscalar fields parametrize the coset SO(4, 4)/(SO(4) × SO(4)). While the SO(4, 4) symmetry is ensured by Sen’s construction based on string field theory, its emergence at the field theory level is a nontrivial phenomenon. A number of field redefinitions in the hypermultiplet sector are required to remove several terms that break the SO(4) × SO(4) down to its SO(4) diagonal subgroup in the action and the supersymmetry transformation rules. Working with the Lorentz Chern-Simons term modified 3-form field strength, where the spin connection has the 3-form field strength as torsion, is shown to simplify considerably the dimensional reduction.
Hydrodynamic effective field theories with discrete rotational symmetry
Authors: Huang Xiaoyang , Lucas Andrew
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We develop a hydrodynamic effective field theory on the Schwinger-Keldysh contour for fluids with charge, energy, and momentum conservation, but only discrete rotational symmetry. The consequences of anisotropy on thermodynamics and first-order dissipative hydrodynamics are detailed in some simple examples in two spatial dimensions, but our construction extends to any spatial dimension and any rotation group (discrete or continuous). We find many possible terms in the equations of motion which are compatible with the existence of an entropy current, but not with the ability to couple the fluid to background gauge fields and vielbein.
Causality, unitarity, and the weak gravity conjecture
Authors: Arkani-Hamed Nima , Huang Yu-tin , Liu Jin-Yu , Remmen Grant N.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We consider the shift of charge-to-mass ratio for extremal black holes in the context of effective field theory, motivated by the Weak Gravity Conjecture. We constrain extremality corrections in different regimes subject to unitarity and causality constraints. In the asymptotic IR, we demonstrate that for any supersymmetric theory in flat space, and for all minimally coupled theories, logarithmic running at one loop pushes the Wilson coefficient of certain four-derivative operators to be larger at lower energies, guaranteeing the existence of sufficiently large black holes with Q > M. We identify two exceptional cases of nonsupersymmetric theories involving large numbers of light states and Planck-scale nonminimal couplings, in which the sign of the running is reversed, leading to black holes with negative corrections to Q/M in the deep IR, but argue that these do not rule out extremal black holes as the requisite charged states for the WGC. We separately show that causality and unitarity imply that the leading threshold corrections to the effective action from integrating out massive states, in any weakly coupled theory, can be written as a sum of squares and is manifestly positive for black hole backgrounds. Quite beautifully, the shift in the extremal Q/M ratio is directly proportional to the shift in the on-shell action, guaranteeing that these threshold corrections push Q > M in compliance with the WGC. Our results apply for black holes with or without dilatonic coupling and charged under any number of U(1)s.
Constrained abrasive jet polishing with a tangentially aligned nozzle shroud
Authors: Yuan Qiaoling , Chen Xun , Wen Donghui
Published: March 2022

In order to improve surface polishing quality and efficiency for hard and brittle components, a novel nozzle with specifically designed shroud was proposed for an abrasive jet polishing process. The removal mechanism of the abrasive jet under such a nozzle was investigated by simulating the jet flow in the interaction area of the nozzle shroud and workpiece. The simulation results show that the speed of the abrasive jet increases greatly by the shroud and the direction of the jet is aligned near parallel to the workpiece surface to minimize impact damage to workpiece surface. The constrained abrasive jet polishing (CAJP) experiments were conducted on the quartz glass component, a typical hard and brittle material, showing that the material removal mainly relied on the shearing and scratching of the workpiece surface rather than the mechanical shock impacts, which is consistent with the simulation findings.
Medizinische Versorgung von Menschen mit Foltererfahrung: Trainings zu Folter(folgen) sind wichtig; strukturelle Herausforderungen sind ungelöst
Authors: Siegel Sonja , Ritz-Timme Stefanie , Mayer Felix
Published: March 2022

Folter ist weltweit verbreitet, u. a. in Ländern, aus denen Menschen fliehen, um in Deutschland Asyl zu beantragen. Menschen mit Foltererfahrung stellen eine vulnerable Gruppe dar und benötigen eine adäquate Versorgung. Insbesondere beim Erkennen von Personen mit Foltererfahrung kommt dem Gesundheitssystem, v. a. medizinischem Personal in Aufnahmeeinrichtungen für Geflüchtete, eine Schlüsselrolle zu. In der Praxis stellt dies häufig eine Herausforderung dar. Ziel dieser Studie war daher, zu untersuchen, ob Trainings zu Folter und Folterfolgen von Ärzt:innen und anderen medizinischen Professionen zu mehr Sicherheit im Umgang mit Menschen mit Foltererfahrung führen, wie das medizinische Personal die eigene Rolle bei der Versorgung von Betroffenen einschätzt, und welche Herausforderungen in diesem Kontext gesehen werden. Die durchgeführten Trainings wurden quantitativ sowie qualitativ ausgewertet. Auf der Basis von Fragebogen wurde ermittelt, ob das Training Auswirkungen auf die Handlungssicherheit bei medizinischem Personal insgesamt und bei den geschulten Ärzt:innen im Speziellen hat. Weiterhin beantworteten die Teilnehmer:innen Reflexionsfragen hinsichtlich Anwendbarkeit der Trainingsinhalte, Rollenverständnis und bestehenden Schwierigkeiten. Nach dem Training fühlten sich die Teilnehmer:innen insgesamt signifikant sicherer im Umgang mit Menschen mit Foltererfahrung als vor dem Training, wobei sich für die geschulten Ärzt:innen kein signifikanter Unterschied ergab. Die eigene Rolle bei der Versorgung von Menschen mit Foltererfahrung wurde als wichtig bewertet. Allerdings ergab sowohl die quantitative als auch die qualitative Auswertung, dass sich die Teilnehmer:innen in der Praxis mit großen Schwierigkeiten, die politischer und struktureller Lösungen bedürfen, konfrontiert sehen.
NMR-based identification of thickeners in membrane-filtered food premixtures
Authors: Radziej Sandra , Scherb-Forster Julia , Schlicht Claus , Eisenreich Wolfgang
Published: March 2022

Premixtures for food production are complex mixtures typically containing thickeners due to their water binding capacity. Here, we report an improved protocol for the fast identification of food thickeners by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The method is based on four steps: (i) dissolving of the dry premixture in water, (ii) centrifugation of the solution using centrifugal concentrators with a cut-off of 100 kDa, (iii) re-dissolving of the freeze-dried filtrate and the filter residue in small volumes of deuterated water, respectively, and (iv) 1H-NMR analysis of these fractions focusing on specific marker signals. Using this procedure, the high molecular weight thickeners (above 100 kDa) ĸ-carrageenan, galactomannans, gum arabic and pectin were unequivocally identified in the NMR spectra of the filter residues from different premixtures, whereas low molecular substances (below 100 kDa) including sucrose and glucose were determined in the filtrates.

Graphical abstract
Institutional reform, technology adoption and redistribution: a political economy perspective
Authors: Lahiri Radhika , Chinzara Zivanemoyo
Published: March 2022

We examine technology adoption and growth in a political economy framework where two alternative mechanisms of redistribution are on the menu of choice for the economy. One of these is a lump-sum transfer given to agents in the economy. The other is in the form of expenditure directed towards institutional reform aimed at bringing about a reduction in the cost of technology adoption in the presence of uncertainty. The choice over these mechanisms is examined under three alternative approaches to collective decision making, namely a voting mechanism, and social planning with a Benthamite and Rawlsian social welfare function respectively. We find that the extent of uncertainty, and initial inequality, working through the political economy mechanism, have a positive impact on long run average wealth levels in the economy in all settings. All economies converge to the same inequality and growth rates in the long run; however, the speed of transition is fastest with the voting mechanism and slowest in the case of social planning with the Rawlsian social welfare function. Transitional inequality is highest in the Rawlsian framework, suggesting that egalitarian objectives in collective decision making do not necessarily correspond to egalitarian outcomes for the economy.
Combining global climate models using graph cuts
Authors: Thao Soulivanh , Garvik Mats , Mariethoz Gregoire , Vrac Mathieu
Published: March 2022

Global Climate Models are the main tools for climate projections. Since many models exist, it is common to use Multi-Model Ensembles to reduce biases and assess uncertainties in climate projections. Several approaches have been proposed to combine individual models and extract a robust signal from an ensemble. Among them, the Multi-Model Mean (MMM) is the most commonly used. Based on the assumption that the models are centered around the truth, it consists in averaging the ensemble, with the possibility of using equal weights for all models or to adjust weights to favor some models. In this paper, we propose a new alternative to reconstruct multi-decadal means of climate variables from a Multi-Model Ensemble, where the local performance of the models is taken into account. This is in contrast with MMM where a model has the same weight for all locations. Our approach is based on a computer vision method called graph cuts and consists in selecting for each grid point the most appropriate model, while at the same time considering the overall spatial consistency of the resulting field. The performance of the graph cuts approach is assessed based on two experiments: one where the ERA5 reanalyses are considered as the reference, and another involving a perfect model experiment where each model is in turn considered as the reference. We show that the graph cuts approach generally results in lower biases than other model combination approaches such as MMM, while at the same time preserving a similar level of spatial continuity.
Application of organic wastes to soils and legislative intricacies in a circular economy context
Authors: Arias O. , Pulgar J. A. , Soto M.
Published: March 2022

Currently, the absence of specific regulations on soil fertilization gives rise to sectorial normative with different regional approaches regarding application conditions, quality and other conditions that reused materials must meet. The purpose of this case study in Galicia (NW Spain) is to analyse the coherence of legal texts in the application of organic waste in soils regarding a more circular economy. The context of the case study is characterized by several Directives such as the Nitrates Directive or the "out of date" Directive on sewage sludge, among others, the lack of soil quality protection regulations and the existence of different administrative levels (European Union, Member State and Region). Manures and other agriculture wastes represent the main source of wastes being vastly applied to soils without previous treatment. Other waste streams (i.e. industrial biowaste, municipal biowaste and sewage sludge) undergo treatment generating commercial fertilizers, biostabilized wastes, technosols and waste-treated products that are subject to different standards. The screening of regulations and scientific literature detected limiting situations in the recycling of organic wastes due to natural or legal issues. On the other hand, risky applications are identified due to the lack of quality requirements for waste-treated products under regional legislation, or no mandatory compliance with codes of good agricultural practices for manures and waste-treated products. Contradictory situations of legal regulations and other issues were outlined and discussed. Final considerations were outlined to promote a more effective recycling of organic wastes and the design of a suitable legislation adapted to the natural conditions of the region.

Graphical abstract