bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Karst hydrogeology of the Chalk and implications for groundwater protection
Authors: Maurice Louise , Farrant Andrew R. , Mathewson Ellie , Atkinson Tim
Published: November 2021

The Chalk is an unusual karst aquifer with limited cave development, but extensive networks of smaller solutional conduits and fissures enabling rapid groundwater flow. Small-scale karst features (stream sinks, dolines, dissolution pipes, and springs) are common, with hundreds of stream sinks recorded. Tracer velocities from 27 connections between stream sinks and springs have median and mean velocities of 4700 and 4600 m d
−1
. Tests to abstraction boreholes also demonstrate very rapid velocities of thousands of metres per day. Natural gradient tests from observation boreholes have rapid velocities of hundreds of metres per day. There is strong geological control on karst with dissolution focused on stratigraphical inception horizons. Surface karst features are concentrated near the Paleogene boundary, or where thin superficial cover occurs, but rapid groundwater flow is also common in other areas. The Chalk has higher storage and contaminant attenuation than classical karst, but recharge, storage and flow are influenced by karst. Point recharge through stream sinks, dolines, losing rivers, vertical solutional fissures, and soakaways enables rapid unsaturated zone flow. Saturated zone networks of solutional fissures and conduits create vulnerability to subsurface activities, and enable long distance transport of point source and diffuse pollutants, which may be derived from outside modelled catchment areas and source protection zones.
An Extended Account of Trace-relating Compiler Correctness and Secure Compilation
Authors: Abate Carmine , Blanco Roberto , Ciobâcă Ştefan , Durier Adrien , Garg Deepak , Hriţcu Cătălin , Patrignani Marco , Tanter Éric , Thibault Jérémy
Published: November 2021

Compiler correctness, in its simplest form, is defined as the inclusion of the set of traces of the compiled program in the set of traces of the original program. This is equivalent to the preservation of all trace properties. Here, traces collect, for instance, the externally observable events of each execution. However, this definition requires the set of traces of the source and target languages to be the same, which is not the case when the languages are far apart or when observations are fine-grained. To overcome this issue, we study a generalized compiler correctness definition, which uses source and target traces drawn from potentially different sets and connected by an arbitrary relation. We set out to understand what guarantees this generalized compiler correctness definition gives us when instantiated with a non-trivial relation on traces. When this trace relation is not equality, it is no longer possible to preserve the trace properties of the source program unchanged. Instead, we provide a generic characterization of the target trace property ensured by correctly compiling a program that satisfies a given source property, and dually, of the source trace property one is required to show to obtain a certain target property for the compiled code. We show that this view on compiler correctness can naturally account for undefined behavior, resource exhaustion, different source and target values, side channels, and various abstraction mismatches. Finally, we show that the same generalization also applies to many definitions of
secure
compilation, which characterize the protection of a compiled program linked against adversarial code.
A conversation with Kamela Heyward-Rotimi
Authors: Amrute Sareeta , Heyward-Rotimi Kamela
Published: November 2021

Being watched means much more than being seen. This forum investigates information flows of sensing culled from sources as diverse as temperature check and iris scans to sound and movement sensors across terrains. After Veillance discusses how these systems distribute risk unevenly and shape the lives of populations across the globe.
--- Sareeta Amrute, Editor
Potentiometric Free Chlorine Detection without Using Conventional Reference Electrodes
Authors: Okazaki Shinji , Yoshida Kazuyuki , Kodera Natsumi , Ujiie Shuntaroh , Nishimatsu Yukino , Tanaka Yoshito , Gomei Tomoo , Yamada Makoto , Sakuraba Shohei , Masuko Tomoki
Published: November 2021

Chlorine disinfection of water is one treatment method to supply safe tap water. The quantitative monitoring of free chlorine concentration as an important water quality index is effective to maintain tap water hygienic safety. In this study, a simple potentiometric sensor which is composed of two dissimilar metal electrodes (a pair of platinum and austenitic stainless steel: SUS316) was evaluated in synthetic and actual tap water. It was demonstrated that the open circuit potential of each electrode had a different sensitivity to free chlorine and that the difference could be extracted as the sensing signal without using conventional reference electrodes. In a flowing system using tap water, more than 300 mV of large sensor signal and good reproducibility were observed at a free chlorine concentration of 0.6 mg l−1. The long-term baseline drift was within the range of ±10 mV and the sensor was almost immune to various environmental factors such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and conductivity, but not for pH. These results would pave the way to develop various sensor applications that could be directly applied to tap water pipelines for continuous in-line monitoring of residual chlorine with low cost and maintenance.
Understanding the Role of π-Conjugated Polymers as Binders in Enabling Designs for High-Energy/High-Rate Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Elizalde-Segovia Rodrigo , Das Pratyusha , Zayat Billal , Irshad Ahamed , Thompson Barry C. , Narayanan S. R.
Published: November 2021

Developing lithium-ion batteries with both high specific energy and high-power capability is a challenging task because of the necessity for meeting conflicting design requirements. We show that high-energy and high-rate capability can be achieved by using various π-conjugated p-dopable polymers as binders at the cathode and by lowering the mass fraction of all the inactive components of the cell. We report a lithium-metal battery that can deliver 320 Wh kg−1 at C/2 using a mass-efficient cell design. To this end, three conducting polymers with different ionic and electronic conductivities have been studied; dihexyl-substituted poly(3,4-propylenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT-Hx2), poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), and a new Random Copolymer (Hex:OE)(80:20) PProDOT. These conducting polymers are compared against a conventional polymer binder, PVDF. We show that under the mass-efficient conditions required for achieving high specific energy and rate capability, the conducting polymers play a crucial role by providing electronic and ionic conductivity, protection against rapid growth of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), and access to a large electrochemically active surface area. Thus, the use of conducting polymers with appropriate molecular structure as binders opens a viable pathway to maximizing the specific energy and rate capability of lithium-ion battery cathodes.
Perspective—Electrochemical Gasification: Revisiting an Old Reaction in New Perspective and Turning “Black” Hydrogen to “Blue”
Authors: Gür Turgut M.
Published: November 2021

Hydrogen is an essential component of the clean energy economy aimed at mitigating climate change. However, fossil fuel-based conventional technologies for hydrogen production require expensive post-separation operations to purify H2 and capture the resulting CO2 emissions. “Green” hydrogen is highly desirable, but renewable energy currently lacks sufficient capacity, reliability, and cost advantage for water electrolysis. This perspective article introduces the novel concept of electrochemical gasification in solid oxide fuel cells, where electricity for electrolysis is replaced with cheaper chemical energy. This scheme turns otherwise “black” (or, brown) hydrogen to “blue” by spontaneous co-production of carbon-free hydrogen, capture-ready CO2 and electrical power.
Preparation and Evaluation of Silymarin‐Loaded Solid Eutectic for Enhanced Anti‐Inflammatory, Hepatoprotective Effect: In Vitro–In Vivo Prospect
Authors: Sherikar Abdulla , Siddique Mohd Usman Mohd , More Mahesh , Goyal Sameer N. , Milivojevic Milan , Alkahtani Saad , Alarifi Saud , Hasnain Md Saquib , Nayak Amit Kumar
Published: November 2021

Solubility of phytochemicals is a major concern for drug delivery, permeability, and their biological response. However, advancements in the novel formulation technologies have been helping to overcome these challenges. The applications of these newer technologies are easy for commercialization and high therapeutic outcomes compared to conventional formulations. Considering these facts, the present study is aimed to prepare a silymarin‐loaded eutectic mixture with three different ratios of Polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) and evaluating their anti‐inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. The preliminary phytochemical and characterization of silymarin, physical mixture, and solid dispersions suggested and successfully confirmed the formation of solid dispersion of silymarin with PVP K30. It was found that the solubility of silymarin was increased by 5‐fold compared to pure silymarin. Moreover, the in vitro dissolution displayed that 83% of silymarin released within 2 h with 2.8‐fold increase in dissolution rate compared to pure silymarin. Also, the in vivo study suggested that the formulation significantly reduced the carbon tetrachloride‐ (0.8620 ± 0.05034∗∗ for 1 : 3 ratio), paracetamol‐ (0.7300 ± 0.01517∗∗ for 1 : 3 ratio), and ethanol‐ (0.8100 ± 0.04037∗∗ for 1 : 3 ratio) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Silymarin solid dispersion was prepared using homogenization methods that have prominent anti‐inflammatory effect (0.6520 ± 0.008602∗∗ with 8.33%) in carrageenan‐induced rat paw model.
Couple Stress Hybrid Nanofluid Flow through a Converging-Diverging Channel
Authors: Ullah Malik Zaka , Abuzaid Dina , Asma M. , Bariq Abdul
Published: November 2021

This research work is aimed at scrutinizing the mathematical model for the hybrid nanofluid flow in a converging and diverging channel. Titanium dioxide and silver are considered solid nanoparticles while blood is considered as a base solvent. The couple stress fluid model is essentially used to describe the blood flow. The radiation terminology is also included in the energy equation for the sustainability of drug delivery. The aim is to link the recent study with the applications of drug delivery. It is well-known from the available literature that the combination of

TiO

2

with any other metal can vanish more cancer cells than

TiO

2

separately. Governing equations are altered into the system of nonlinear coupled equations the similarity variables. The Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) analytical approach is applied to obtain the preferred solution. The influence of the modeled parameters has been calculated and displayed. The confrontation to wall shear stress and hybrid nanofluid flow growth as the couple stress parameter rises which improves the stability of the base fluid (blood). The percentage (%) increase in the heat transfer rate with the variation of nanoparticle volume fraction is also calculated numerically and discussed.
Selection of Outline Descriptors Based on LightGBM with Application to Infrared Image Target Recognition
Authors: Hu Xiaohong , Yao Ziyang
Published: November 2021

Infrared sensing technology can be well used for night observation, which is becoming an important measure for battlefield reconnaissance. It is a powerful way to implement precision strikes and situational awareness by improving the ability of target recognition based on infrared images. For the problem of infrared image recognition, the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) is employed to select the outline descriptors extracted based on the elliptic Fourier series (EFS), which is combined with sparse representation-based classification (SRC) to achieve target recognition. First, based on the target outlines in the infrared image, the multi-order outline descriptors are extracted to characterize the essential characteristics of the target to be recognized. Then, the LightGBM feature selection algorithm is used to screen the multi-order outline descriptors to reduce redundancy and improve the pertinence of features. Finally, the selected outline descriptors are classified based on SRC. The method effectively improves the effectiveness of the final features through the feature selection of LightGBM and reduces the computational complexity of classification at the same time, which is beneficial to improve the overall recognition performance. The mid-wave infrared (MWIR) dataset of various targets is employed to carry out verification experiments for the proposed method under three different conditions of original samples, noisy samples, and partially occluded samples. By comparing the proposed method with several types of existing infrared target recognition methods, the results show that the proposed method can achieve better performance.
Arc Welding‐Laser Shock Forging Process for Improving the Mechanical Properties of the Fe‐Cr‐C Cladded Layer
Authors: Fan Yunpeng , Zhang Chong , He Hongtao , Zhang Fengwei , Zhang Yongkang
Published: November 2021

While parts can be repaired via arc welding (AW), it is usually necessary to add some types of excitation method to improve the mechanical properties of the cladded layer. Here, the arc welding‐laser shock forging (AW‐LSF) was used to repair Q235 steel pipes (Fe‐Cr‐C alloy was used as the cladding material). The effects of the welding current (WC), welding speed (WS), and laser shock frequency (LSF) on the geometry and microhardness of the weld bead were studied. The AW‐LSF and AW repair processes were compared. The results demonstrate that the bead width (W) and penetration depth (D) increase with the WC, while the weld height (H) decreases with the WC. The H, W, and D all decrease with the WS; W and D increase with the LSF; and H decreases with the LSF. As the WC increases, the hardness of the fusion zone (FZ) and partial fusion zone (PFZ) decreases significantly, while the hardness of the heat‐affected zone (HAZ) remains nearly unchanged. As the WS increases, the hardness of the PFZ decreases, while the hardness of the FZ and HAZ remains nearly unchanged. With the increase of the LSF, the hardness of the PFZ, FZ, and HAZ increases. Compared with AW, the AW‐LSF can reduce the cladded layer crystal grain size, increase the hardness, and improve the sliding wear resistance.
A Modified Fully Convolutional Network for Crack Damage Identification Compared with Conventional Methods
Authors: Meng Meng , Zhu Kun , Chen Keqin , Qu Hang
Published: November 2021

Large-scale structural health monitoring and damage detection of concealed underwater structures are always the urgent and state-of-art problems to be solved in the field of civil engineering. With the development of artificial intelligence especially the combination of deep learning and computer vision, greater advantages have been brought to the concrete crack detection based on convolutional neural network (CNN) over the traditional methods. However, these machine learning (ML) methods still have some defects, such as it being inaccurate or not strong, having poor generalization ability, or the accuracy still needs to be improved, and the running speed is slow. In this article, a modified fully convolutional network (FCN) with more robustness and more effectiveness is proposed, which makes it convenient and low cost for long-term structural monitoring and inspection compared with other methods. Meanwhile, to improve the accuracy of recognition and prediction, innovations were conducted in this study as follows. Moreover, differed from the common simple deconvolution, it also includes a subpixel convolution layer, which can greatly reduce the sampling time. Then, the proposed method was verified its practicability with the overall recognition accuracy reaching up to 97.92% and 12% efficiency improvement.
Socioeconomic Influence on Cardiac Mortality in the South Asian Region: New Perspectives from Grey Modeling and G-TOPSIS
Authors: Rehman Shazia , Rehman Erum , Hussain Iftikhar , Jianglin Zhang
Published: November 2021

Background. Measuring the potential socioeconomic factors of cardiac mortality is fundamental to identifying treatments, setting priorities, and effectively allocating resources to minimize disease burden. The study sought to present a methodology that explores the connections between urbanization, population growth, human development index (HDI), access to energy, unemployment, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations to mitigate the cardiac disease burden. Methods. This investigation uses multiple-criteria decision-making methodologies to analyze data between 2001 and 2017 commencing with a mathematical grey incidence analysis (GIA) methodology to estimate weights and rank nations based on CVD mortality. Then, utilizing the conservative min-max model approach, we sought to determine which country contributes the most to CVD mortality among all South Asian nations. The grey preference by similarity to ideal solution (G-TOPSIS) method is adopted for further optimization by prioritizing the selected factors that have the greatest influence on CVD mortality. Results. The estimated statistic highlights that, among SAARC nations, Pakistan has a significant proportion of the disease burden attributable to cardiac events. In addition, HDI showed a significant contribution in the reduction of CVD mortality, whereas unemployment showed a significant contribution in the rise of CVD mortality among all selected variables. Conclusions. This investigation may facilitate researchers with a multiple-criteria decision-making roadmap to help them enhance the quality of their studies and their understanding of how to use multiple-criteria decision-making techniques to evaluate and prioritize the influencing factors of disease mortality in healthcare research. Further, the study outcomes provide additional practical knowledge for appropriate policy solutions.
Development of Array‐Based Gold Nanoclusters for Discrimination of CA125 Overexpressed Serum Samples
Authors: Shi Yi , Gao Xianhui , Wei Wei , Chen Youguo
Published: November 2021

Here, we reported a simple method for recognizing CA125 overexpressed serum samples using array‐based fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). The sensing array was fabricated by the combination of various CA125 aptamer functionalized AuNCs. The fluorescence of different aptamer‐capped AuNCs was quenched to a different extent in the presence of CA125. By comprehensive analysis of these fluorescence changes, unique patterns were formed when CA125 was overexpressed in serum samples. This strategy is successfully used for discriminating CA125 overexpressed human serum samples, which have great importance for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the early stage.
Maturity-Onset Diabetes of Young Type 5: Diabetes with Extrapancreatic Features
Authors: Haider Adnan , Symczyk Oksana , Hassan Ayesha , Khan Muhammad Atif , Madahar Inderpreet , Holland Dylan
Published: November 2021

Objective. This case involves a new-onset diabetes patient diagnosed during pregnancy with the congenital dysplastic right kidney. Case Report. Clinical presentation, biochemical features, imaging in a patient with diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy, and congenital dysplastic right kidney. Discussion. We present a case of a 22-year-old female with the congenital dysplastic right kidney diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus after failing a 1-hour oral glucose tolerance test, requiring insulin during pregnancy. Because of the family history of diabetes and morphologic renal abnormalities at young ages on the maternal side of the family, our patient was evaluated for maturity-onset diabetes of adult and was found to have HNF-1β mutation. Conclusion. This case highlights the importance of considering the diagnosis of maturity-onset diabetes of young and particularly MODY-5 in individuals with extrapancreatic features. MODY-5 should also be considered in a patient undergoing renal transplant at young ages with a family history of morphologic renal abnormalities.
Home Robot Control System Based on Internet of Things and Fuzzy Control
Authors: Song Qinghua , Li Li
Published: November 2021

The rapid development of intelligent control technology has improved the functions of service robots oriented to the home environment, and the functional requirements of family members for service robots have also been upgraded from simply liberating hands and reducing housework to emotional communication and intelligent escort. Based on the Internet of Things and fuzzy control technology, this paper builds a home robot control system and gives a brief overview around the mechanical structure design of the home service robot, mainly focusing on the core control system and global path planning methods. Moreover, this paper adopts the control system structure that combines the upper computer and the bottom motion controller and combines it with simple and practical system software, so the system stability is high. Finally, this paper verifies the performance of the system constructed in this paper through experimental research. The research results show that the system constructed in this paper has certain practical effects.
¿Cómo podemos avanzar en el desarrollo de modelos de negocios sostenibles?
Authors: Castillo Vergara Mauricio
Published: November 2021

La crisis ambiental que enfrenta nuestro planeta está impulsando el surgimiento de nuevos patrones de producción y explotación, junto al crecimiento de clientes con comportamientos de compra socialmente responsable. Para que las empresas puedan hacer frente a esta nueva realidad competitiva y acceder a los segmentos de mercado sostenibles, es necesario que modifiquen sus modelos de negocio actuales y desarrollen nuevos modelos, pero hacerlo tiene la enorme dificultad de equilibrar la balanza entre personas, desarrollo y ganancias. Este trabajo presenta elementos que ayudan a superar esta dificultad y facilitan el desarrollo de modelos de negocios sostenibles y su importancia.
Longitudinal Copy-Number Alteration Analysis in Plasma Cell-Free DNA of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms is a Novel Specific Biomarker for Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Follow-up
Authors: Boons Gitta , Vandamme Timon , Mariën Laura , Lybaert Willem , Roeyen Geert , Rondou Tim , Papadimitriou Konstantinos , Janssens Katrien , Op de Beeck Bart , Simoens Marc , Demey Wim , Dero Isabel , Van Camp Guy , Peeters Marc , Op de Beeck Ken
Published: November 2021

Purpose:

As noninvasive biomarkers are an important unmet need for neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN), biomarker potential of genome-wide molecular profiling of plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was prospectively studied in patients with NEN.

Experimental Design:

Longitudinal plasma samples were collected from patients with well-differentiated, metastatic gastroenteropancreatic and lung NEN. cfDNA was subjected to shallow whole-genome sequencing to detect genome-wide copy-number alterations (CNA) and estimate circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fraction, and correlated to clinicopathologic and survival data. To differentiate pancreatic NENs (PNEN) from pancreatic adenocarcinomas (PAAD) using liquid biopsies, a classification model was trained using tissue-based CNAs and validated in cfDNA.

Results:

One hundred and ninety-five cfDNA samples from 43 patients with NEN were compared with healthy control cfDNA (N = 100). Plasma samples from patients with PNEN (N = 21) were used for comparison with publicly available PNEN tissue (N = 98), PAAD tissue (N = 109), and PAAD cfDNA (N = 96). Thirty percent of the NEN cfDNA samples contained ctDNA and 44% of the patients had at least one ctDNA-positive (ctDNA+) sample. CNAs detected in cfDNA were highly specific for NENs and the classification model could distinguish PAAD and PNEN cfDNA samples with a sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 62%, 86%, and 79%, respectively. ctDNA-positivity was associated with higher World Health Organization (WHO) grade, primary tumor location, and higher chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase values. Overall survival was significantly worse for ctDNA+ patients and increased ctDNA fractions were associated with poorer progression-free survival.

Conclusions:

Sequential genome-wide profiling of plasma cfDNA is a novel, noninvasive biomarker with high specificity for diagnosis, prognosis, and follow-up in metastatic NENs.
Okuläres Ischämiesyndrom: Diagnostik und Therapie
Authors: Feltgen Nicolas
Published: November 2021

Background: Treatment of cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis has contributed to the improvement of ocular ischemic syndrome. However, there have been few cases of visual impairment caused by ocular ischemic syndrome due to intracranial ICA stenosis, which improved through intracranial stent placement. Cas description: A 76-year-old man presented with right-sided paralysis. Radiographic examination revealed severe stenosis of the left intracranial ICA (distal cavernous-infraclinoid portion) and a watershed infarction of the left cerebral hemisphere. Conservative therapy including antiplatelet drugs was initiated, but severe visual acuity disturbance in his left eye occurred 1 month after onset. The antegrade ocular artery flow recovered after urgent intracranial stent placement, and his vision improved immediately after the procedure. Conclusion: Visual impairment presenting as ocular ischemic syndrome can occur due to severe stenosis of the intracranial ICA, and treatment of these lesions could improve the symptoms.
Dedicated Psychiatry Clinic for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Has a Positive Impact on Depression Scores
Authors: Bogale Kaleb , Yadav Sanjay , Stuart August , Kunselman Allen R. , Dalessio Shannon , Bernasko Nana , Tinsley Andrew , Clarke Kofi , Williams Emmanuelle , Coates Matthew D.
Published: November 2021

Background: Psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, are significantly more common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We established an integrated psychiatry clinic for IBD patients at our tertiary center IBD clinic to provide patients with critical, but frequently unavailable, coordinated mental health services. We undertook this study to evaluate the impact of this service on psychiatric outcomes, quality of life, and symptom experience. Methods: We performed a longitudinal prospective study comparing patients who had been cared for at our integrated IBD-psychiatry clinic to those who had not. We abstracted demographic and clinical information as well as contemporaneous responses to validated surveys. Results: Thirty-six patients cared for in the IBD psychiatry clinic were compared to a control cohort of 35 IBD patients. There was a significant reduction in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) depression score over time in the study cohort (p = 0.001), though not in the HADS anxiety score. When compared to the control group, the study cohort showed a significant reduction in the HADS depression score. No significant differences were observed in the Harvey-Bradshaw Index, Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, or Short IBD Questionnaire. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate the impact of an integrated psychiatry clinic for IBD patients. Unlike their control counterparts, individuals treated in this clinic had a significant reduction in the mean HADS depression score. Larger scale studies are necessary to verify these findings. However, this study suggests that use of an integrated psychiatry IBD clinic model can result in improvement in mental health outcomes, even in the absence of significant changes in IBD activity.
Estudo da alteração intempérica atuante em escultura de Jesus Cristo do século XIX e seu suporte, pertencentes ao Mosteiro de São Bento, Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Authors: Felix Carla Corrêa , Mansur Kátia Leite , Ribeiro Roberto Carlos da Conceição
Published: November 2021

O Mosteiro de São Bento do Rio de Janeiro apresenta exposto, em seu jardim, uma escultura do busto de Jesus Cristo sobre um suporte do século XIX. Ambas as peças são afetadas pelo intemperismo e se alteraram. Foram realizados caracterização tecnológica das peças e ensaios que forneceram dados que auxiliaram no entendimento das causas dessas alterações. Foram executadas análises por fluorescência de raios X (FRX), difração de raios X (DRX), ensaio colorimétrico, determinação da absorção de água (tubo de Karsten), velocidade ultrassônica e avaliação da dureza. As peças foram higienizadas para avaliação de poluentes e do pH. Os resultados de DRX indicaram que a escultura é composta de mármore (predominância de calcita) e do suporte de alabastro. Os resultados de FRX corroboraram com os de DRX, apontando que a escultura é composta de 49,90% de óxido de cálcio e 44,30% de perda ao fogo, associada à presença de carbonatos, enquanto o suporte apresenta 30,90% de óxido de cálcio, 21,90% de óxido de enxofre e 22,00% de perda ao fogo. No ensaio colorimétrico, a escultura apresentou cor cinza-escura, enquanto mármores semelhantes sãos, utilizados para comparação, tendem a cinza-claro e branco. No ensaio de absorção de água, ambas as peças apresentaram baixa permeabilidade. O ensaio de dureza indicou médias de valores maiores na estátua (489,07; 411,20 e 452,19 HLD) do que no suporte (188,14; 172,28; 164,57 e 201,71 HLD), indicando que o mármore é mais resistente do que o alabastro. Os resultados permitiram identificar que as alterações se devem, principalmente, ao local onde a escultura está exposta, e foi possível propor medidas para auxiliar na conservação desses objetos históricos.
Future Perspectives of Cardiovascular Biomarker Utilization in Cancer Survivors: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Zaha Vlad G. , Hayek Salim S. , Alexander Kevin M. , Beckie Theresa M. , Hundley W. Gregory , Kondapalli Lavanya , Ky Bonnie , Leger Kasey J. , Meijers Wouter C. , Moslehi Javid J. , Shah Svati H. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Cardio-Oncology Subcommittee of the Council on Clinical Cardiology; and Council on Genomic and Precision Medicine
Published: November 2021

Improving cancer survival represents the most significant effect of precision medicine and personalized molecular and immunologic therapeutics. Cardiovascular health becomes henceforth a key determinant for the direction of overall outcomes after cancer. Comprehensive tissue diagnostic studies undoubtedly have been and continue to be at the core of the fight against cancer. Will a systemic approach integrating circulating blood-derived biomarkers, multimodality imaging technologies, strategic panomics, and real-time streams of digitized physiological data overcome the elusive cardiovascular tissue diagnosis in cardio-oncology? How can such a systemic approach be personalized for application in day-to-day clinical work, with diverse patient populations, cancer diagnoses, and therapies? To address such questions, this scientific statement approaches a broad definition of the biomarker concept. It summarizes the current literature on the utilization of a multitude of established cardiovascular biomarkers at the intersection with cancer. It identifies limitations and gaps of knowledge in the application of biomarkers to stratify the cardiovascular risk before cancer treatment, monitor cardiovascular health during cancer therapy, and detect latent cardiovascular damage in cancer survivors. Last, it highlights areas in biomarker discovery, validation, and clinical application for concerted efforts from funding agencies, scientists, and clinicians at the cardio-oncology nexus.
Relationship Between Serum Lipid Profiles and Carotid Intraplaque Neovascularization in a High–Stroke‐Risk Population: A Cross‐Sectional Study in China
Authors: Wang Ying , Yao Ming , Zou Mi , Ge Zhitong , Cai Siman , Hong Yuehui , Gao Luying , Zhang Li , Dong Yifan , Peng Bin , Wang Hongyan , Li Jianchu
Published: November 2021

Background

Evidence of the association between serum lipid profiles and intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) is still limited. We aimed to study the value of a novel Doppler method, superb microvascular imaging, in correlating serum lipid profiles and evidence of IPN in a population with a high risk of stroke.

Methods and Results

A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted in Beijing, China. Residents (aged ≥40 years) underwent questionnaire interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory testing in 2018 and 2019. Subjects with a high risk of stroke were then selected. Standard carotid ultrasound and carotid plaque superb microvascular imaging examinations were then performed on the high–stroke‐risk participants. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between serum lipid profiles and carotid plaque IPN. Overall, a total of 250 individuals (mean age, 67.20±8.12 years; 66.4% men) met the study inclusion criteria. Superb microvascular imaging revealed carotid plaque IPN in 96 subjects (38.4%). Subjects with IPN were more likely to be current smokers (34.0% versus 46.9%,
P
=0.046), and their identified carotid plaques were much thicker (2.35±0.63 mm versus 2.75±0.80 mm,
P
=0.001). Serum lipids, including total cholesterol, non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively associated with the presence of IPN (4.33±1.00 mmol/L versus 4.79±1.12 mmol/L,
P
=0.001; 2.96±0.92 mmol/L versus 3.40±1.01 mmol/L,
P
=0.001; 2.18±0.76 mmol/L versus 2.46±0.80 mmol/L,
P
=0.005, respectively), and after adjustment for other confounders, the positive relationship remained significant. Furthermore, non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (odds ratio, 2.62 [95% CI, 1.35–5.06]) was significantly associated with the presence of carotid plaque IPN even after adjusting for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusions

Total cholesterol, non–high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were positively associated with the presence of carotid IPN in a Chinese high–stroke‐risk population. Further prospective studies should be conducted to better understand how much finding IPN adds to current stroke prediction tools.
The concentrations of immunoglobulins in bovine colostrum determined by the gold standard method are genetically correlated with their near-infrared prediction
Authors: Costa Angela , Franzoi Marco , Visentin Giulio , Goi Arianna , De Marchi Massimo , Penasa Mauro
Published: November 2021

Background

The quality of colostrum administered to calves is based on its concentration in immunoglobulins G (IgG, g/L). Immunoglobulins A (IgA) and M (IgM) are also present but at a lower level. The gold standard reference analysis for these traits, radial immunodiffusion, is time-consuming and expensive. In order to define breeding strategies that are aimed at improving colostrum quality in dairy cattle, a large amount of data is needed, and the use of indicator traits would be beneficial. In the study presented here, we explored the heritabilities of reference (radial immunodiffusion) and near infrared-predicted IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations and estimated their genetic correlations. First, the colostrum of 765 Holstein cows from nine herds was sampled to perform a reference analysis and the near-infrared spectra (400–2500 nm) were stored. We used a calibration set (28% of the initial samples) that was representative of the herds and cow parity orders to develop prediction equations for IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations. Finally, these traits were predicted in the validation set (72% of the initial samples) to estimate genetic parameters for the predictions. Genetic correlations between reference and predicted values of each trait were estimated through bivariate linear animal models.

Results

The three near-infrared-predicted immunoglobulin fractions were genetically correlated with their reference value. In particular, the reference and predicted IgG concentrations were strongly correlated at both the genetic (0.854 ± 0.314) and phenotypic level (0.767 ± 0.019). Weaker associations were observed for IgA and IgM concentrations, which were predicted with lower accuracy compared to IgG. Simulation analyses suggested that improving colostrum quality by selective breeding in Holstein cattle based on near-infrared predicted colostrum immunoglobulins concentrations is feasible. In addition, less than 10 mL of colostrum are needed for spectra acquisition and thus implementation of such analyses is possible in the near future.

Conclusions

The concentrations of colostrum immunoglobulins can be predicted from near-infrared spectra and the genetic correlation between the reference and the predicted traits is positive and favourable, in spite of the large standard errors of the estimates. Near-infrared spectroscopy can be exploited in selective breeding of dairy cattle to improve colostral immunoglobulins concentration.
Key factor cutoffs and interval reference values for stratified fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults: the role of physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, health condition, and environmental hazards
Authors: Pereira Catarina , Veiga Guida , Almeida Gabriela , Matias Ana Rita , Cruz-Ferreira Ana , Mendes Felismina , Bravo Jorge
Published: November 2021

Background

Fall risk assessment and determination of older adults’ individual risk profiles are crucial elements in fall prevention. As such, it is essential to establish cutoffs and reference values for high and low risk according to key risk factor outcomes. This study main objective was to determine the key physical fitness, body composition, physical activity, health condition and environmental hazard risk outcome cutoffs and interval reference values for stratified fall risk assessment in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Five-hundred community-dwelling Portuguese older adults (72.2 ± 5.4 years) were assessed for falls, physical fitness, body composition, physical (in) activity, number of health conditions and environmental hazards, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results

The established key outcomes and respective cutoffs and reference values used for fall risk stratification were multidimensional balance (low risk: score > 33, moderate risk: score 32–33, high risk: score 30–31, and very high: score < 30); lean body mass (low risk: > 44 kg, moderate risk: 42–44 kg, high risk: 39–41 kg, and very high: < 39 kg); fat body mass (low risk: < 37%, moderate risk: 37–38%, high risk: 39–42%, and very high: > 42%); total physical activity (low risk: > 2800 Met-min/wk., moderate risk: 2300–2800 Met-min/wk., high risk: 1900–2300 Met-min/wk., and very high: < 1900 Met-min/wk); rest period weekdays (low risk: < 4 h/day, moderate risk: 4–4.4 h/day, high risk: 4.5–5 h/day, and very high: > 5 h/day); health conditions (low risk: n < 3, moderate risk: n = 3, high risk: n = 4–5, and very high: n > 5); and environmental hazards (low risk: n < 5, moderate risk: n = 5, high risk: n = 6–8, and very high: n > 8).

Conclusions

Assessment of community-dwelling older adults’ fall risk should focus on the above outcomes to establish individual older adults’ fall risk profiles. Moreover, the design of fall prevention interventions should manage a person’s identified risks and take into account the determined cutoffs and respective interval values for fall risk stratification.
Age-appropriate vaccination coverage and its determinants in children aged 12–36 months in Nepal: a national and subnational assessment
Authors: Rauniyar Santosh Kumar , Iwaki Yoko , Yoneoka Daisuke , Hashizume Masahiro , Nomura Shuhei
Published: November 2021

Background

Vaccination is one of the effective ways to develop immunity against potential life-threatening diseases in children in early age. This study is focused on analysing the age-appropriate vaccination coverage at national and subnational levels and identify the factors associated with age-appropriate coverage in Nepal.

Methods

460 children aged 12–36 months were included in the study. The data was obtained from Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016–17. Age-appropriate coverage of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine (BCG), oral polio vaccine (OPV) doses 1–3, pentavalent vaccine (PE) doses 1–3, and first dose of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) were estimated using Kaplan Meier method. Multilevel logistic regression with random intercept was used to identify the factors associated with age-appropriate vaccination.

Results

The crude coverage of the vaccines included in the study ranged from 91.5% (95% CI, 88.5–93.7) for PE3 to 97.8% (95.8–98.7) for BCG. Although the crude coverage of all the vaccines was above 90%, the age-appropriate coverage was significantly low, ranging from 41.5% (36.5–46.6) for PE3 to 73.9% (69.2–78.1) for PE1. Furthermore, high disparity in timely vaccination coverage was observed at regional level. Compared to the age-appropriate vaccination coverage in other provinces, Province 2 had the lowest coverage of all, followed by that in Province 6. The timeliness of vaccination was significantly associated with subnational regions i.e., provinces and the season of childbirth.

Conclusion

Although the immunization program in Nepal has achieved the target of 90% crude coverage of all the childhood vaccines, the age-appropriate coverage is significantly low which undermines the effectiveness of the vaccines administered. Thus, along with crude coverage, timeliness of the vaccines administered should be taken into consideration and thoroughly monitored at national and subnational levels. Provincial government should formulate tailored strategies to ensure the timely administration of the childhood vaccines.
Demographic and sociocultural risk factors for adulthood weight gain in Hispanic/Latinos: results from the Hispanic Community Health Study / Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)
Authors: Fernández-Rhodes Lindsay , Butera Nicole M. , Lodge Evans K. , Franceschini Nora , Llabre Maria M. , Arredondo Elva M. , Gallo Linda C. , Arguelles William , Penedo Frank J. , Daviglus Martha L. , Isasi Carmen R. , Smokowski Paul , Gordon-Larsen Penny , Aiello Allison E. , Perreira Krista M. , Sotres-Alvarez Daniela , North Kari E.
Published: November 2021

Background

United States (US) Hispanic/Latinos experience a disproportionate burden of obesity, which may in part be related to demographic or sociocultural factors, including acculturation to an US diet or inactive lifestyle. Therefore, we sought to describe the association between adulthood weight histories and demographic and sociocultural factors in a large diverse community-based cohort of US Hispanic/Latinos.

Methods

We estimated the effect of several factors on weight gain across adulthood, using multivariable linear mixed models to leverage 38,759 self-reported current body weights and weight histories recalled for 21, 45 and 65 years of age, from 15,203 adults at least 21 years of age at the baseline visit of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008–2011).

Results

The average rate of weight gain was nearly 10 kg per decade in early adulthood, but slowed to < 5 kg a decade among individuals 60+ years of age. Birth cohort, gender, nativity or age at immigration, Hispanic/Latino background, and study site each significantly modified the form of the predicted adulthood weight trajectory. Among immigrants, weight gain during the 5 years post-migration was on average 0.88 kg (95% CI: 0.04, 1.72) greater than the weight gain during the 5 years prior. The rate of weight gain appeared to slow after 15 years post-migration.

Conclusions

Using self-reported and weight history data in a diverse sample of US Hispanic/Latinos, we revealed that both demographic and sociocultural factors were associated with the patterning of adulthood weight gain in this sample. Given the steep rate of weight gain in this population and the fact that many Hispanic/Latinos living in the US immigrated as adults, efforts to promote weight maintenance across the life course, including after immigration, should be a top priority for promoting Hispanic/Latino health and addressing US health disparities more broadly.
The older prisoner health and social care assessment and plan (OHSCAP) versus treatment as usual: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Forsyth Katrina , Webb Roger T. , Power Laura Archer , Emsley Richard , Senior Jane , Burns Alistair , Challis David , Hayes Adrian , Meacock Rachel , Walsh Elizabeth , Ware Stuart , Shaw Jenny
Published: November 2021

Background

Older people are the fastest-growing demographic group among prisoners in England and Wales and they have complex health and social care needs. Their care is frequently ad hoc and uncoordinated. No previous research has explored how to identify and appropriately address the needs of older adults in prison. We hypothesised that the Older prisoner Health and Social Care Assessment and Plan (OHSCAP) would significantly increase the proportion of met health and social care needs 3 months after prison entry, compared to treatment as usual (TAU).

Methods

The study was a parallel randomised controlled trial (RCT) recruiting male prisoners aged 50 and over from 10 prisons in northern England. Participants received the OHSCAP or TAU. A clinical trials unit used minimisation with a random element as the allocation procedure. Data analysis was conducted blind to allocation status. The intervention group had their needs assessed using the OHSCAP tool and care plans were devised; processes that lasted approximately 30 min in total per prisoner. TAU included the standard prison health assessment and care. The intention to treat principle was followed. The trial was registered with the UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio (ISRCTN ID: 11841493) and was closed on 30 November 2016.

Results

Data were collected between 28 January 2014 and 06 April 2016. Two hundred and forty nine older prisoners were assigned TAU of which 32 transferred prison; 12 were released; 2 withdrew and 1 was deemed unsafe to interview. Two hundred and fifty three 3 prisoners were assigned the OHSCAP of which 33 transferred prison; 11 were released; 6 withdrew and 1 was deemed unsafe to interview. Consequently, data from 202 participants were analysed in each of the two groups. There were no significant differences in the number of unmet needs as measured by the Camberwell Assessment of Needs – Forensic Short Version (CANFOR-S). The mean number of unmet needs for the OHSCAP group at follow-up was 2.03 (SD = 2.07) and 2.06 (SD = 2.11) for the TAU group (mean difference = 0.088; 95% CI − 0.276 to 0.449, p = 0.621).

No adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

The OHSCAP was fundamentally not implemented as planned, partly due to the national prison staffing crisis that ensued during the study period. Therefore, those receiving the OHSCAP did not experience improved outcomes compared to those who received TAU.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials: ISRCTN11841493, 25/10/2012.