bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resection and reconstruction of idiopathic scrotal elephantiasis: surgical approach and quality of life assessment
Authors: Tekin Hasan Gökcer , Andersen Karin , Bakholdt Vivi , Sørensen Jens Ahm
Published: October 2021

Scrotal elephantiasis (SE) is a condition considered rare in western industrialised countries but common in filaria prone regions. If no apparent causes are found for SE, it is called idiopathic SE. Medical and conservative therapies are ineffective against idiopathic SE, and surgical intervention is mandatory to treat this disabling condition. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether surgical intervention improves quality of life among patients with idiopathic SE. Herein, we report a case of a 41-year-old man who underwent acute scrotal resection and reconstruction, secondary to haemorrhage from his idiopathic SE. The aim of this study was to describe the operative approach and assess patient satisfaction after surgical treatment. The patient had no recurrence of SE after surgical treatment at 6 months follow-up and had considerable improvements assessed by general and disease-specific quality of life questionnaires.
Recurrent laryngeal nerve schwannoma: same setting of resection and injection laryngoplasty
Authors: Fader Farhan , Mohamad Yunus Mohd Razif , Mat Baki Marina
Published: October 2021

A 33-year-old woman was diagnosed with right recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) schwannoma. She presented with a long history of hoarseness, and only recently developed dysphagia. On physical examination, a mass was observed over the right cervical level IV. Endoscopic examination of the larynx showed that she had right unilateral vocal cord palsy. She successfully underwent transcervical resection of the tumour followed by injection laryngoplasty. This study discusses the presentation of the tumour, radiological findings, our working diagnosis and treatment options of RLN schwannoma.
Associations between age of menarche and genetic variation in women of African descent: genome-wide association study and polygenic score analysis
Authors: Scannell Bryan Molly , Ogundiran Temidayo , Ojengbede Oladosu , Zheng Wei , Blot William , Domcheck Susan , Hennis Anselm , Nemesure Barbara , Ambs Stefan , Olopade Olufunmilayo I , Huo Dezheng
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Many diseases of adulthood are associated with a woman’s age at menarche. Genetic variation affects age at menarche, but it remains unclear whether in women of African ancestry the timing of menarche is regulated by genetic variants that were identified in predominantly European and East Asian populations.

Methods

We explored the genetic architecture of age at menarche in 3145 women of African ancestry who live in the USA, Barbados and Nigeria. We undertook a genome-wide association study, and evaluated the performance of previously identified variants.

Results

One variant was associated with age at menarche, a deletion at chromosome 2 (chr2:207216165) (p=1.14×10−8). 349 genotyped variants overlapped with these identified in populations of non-African ancestry; these replicated weakly, with 51.9% having concordant directions of effect. However, collectively, a polygenic score constructed of those previous variants was suggestively associated with age at menarche (beta=0.288 years; p=0.041). Further, this association was strong in women enrolled in the USA and Barbados (beta=0.445 years, p=0.008), but not in Nigerian women (beta=0.052 years; p=0.83).

Discussion

This study suggests that in women of African ancestry the genetic drivers of age at menarche may differ from those identified in populations of non-African ancestry, and that these differences are more pronounced in women living in Nigeria, although some associated trait loci may be shared across populations. This highlights the need for well-powered ancestry-specific genetic studies to fully characterise the genetic influences of age at menarche.
Testing the effects of combining azithromycin with inhaled tobramycin forP. aeruginosain cystic fibrosis: a randomised, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Nichols David P , Singh Pradeep K , Baines Arthur , Caverly Lindsay J , Chmiel James F , GIbson Ronald L , Lascano Jorge , Morgan Sarah J , Retsch-Bogart George , Saiman Lisa , Sadeghi Hossein , Billings Joanne L , Heltshe Sonya L , Kirby Shannon , Kong Ada , Nick Jerry A , Mayer-Hamblett Nicole
Published: October 2021

Rationale

Inhaled tobramycin and oral azithromycin are common chronic therapies in people with cystic fibrosis andPseudomonas aeruginosaairway infection. Some studies have shown that azithromycin can reduce the ability of tobramycin to killP. aeruginosa. This trial was done to test the effects of combining azithromycin with inhaled tobramycin on clinical and microbiological outcomes in people already using inhaled tobramycin. We theorised that those randomised to placebo (no azithromycin) would have greater improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and greater reduction inP. aeruginosasputum in response to tobramycin.

Methods

A 6-week prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial testing oral azithromycin versus placebo combined with clinically prescribed inhaled tobramycin in individuals with cystic fibrosis andP. aeruginosaairway infection.

Results

Over a 6-week period, including 4 weeks of inhaled tobramycin, the relative change in FEV1did not statistically significantly differ between groups (azithromycin (n=56) minus placebo (n=52) difference: 3.44%; 95% CI: −0.48 to 7.35; p=0.085). Differences in secondary clinical outcomes, including patient-reported symptom scores, weight and need for additional antibiotics, did not significantly differ. Among the 29 azithromycin and 35 placebo participants providing paired sputum samples, the 6-week change inP. aeruginosadensity differed in favour of the placebo group (difference: 0.75 log10CFU/mL; 95% CI: 0.03 to 1.47; p=0.043).

Conclusions

Despite having greater reduction inP. aeruginosadensity in participants able to provide sputum samples, participants randomised to placebo with inhaled tobramycin did not experience significantly greater improvements in lung function or other clinical outcomes compared with those randomised to azithromycin with tobramycin.
Association of anesthetic and surgical risk factors with outcomes of initial diagnostic biopsies in a current cohort of children with anterior mediastinal masses
Authors: Halepota Huma Faiz , Tan Josephine S K , Reddy Satish K , Tang Phua Hwee , Ong Lin Yin , Lee York Tien , Chan Mei Yoke , Soh Shui Yen , Chang Kenneth T E , Ng Agnes S B , Loh Amos Hong Pheng
Published: October 2021

Background

Diagnostic biopsies of pediatric anterior mediastinal masses (AMMs) are high-risk procedures in which general anesthesia (GA) is traditionally avoided. However, awareness of historically recognized risk factors and corresponding perioperative management have improved over time and may now no longer strictly preclude the use of GA. Therefore, in this study, we examined the association of anesthetic and surgical risk factors and modalities with resulting procedural and survival outcomes in a current patient cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed charts of 35 children with AMMs who underwent initial diagnostic biopsies between January 2001 and August 2019, and determined tracheal compression and deviation from archival CT scans and procedural and disease outcomes.

Results

Twenty-three (65%) patients underwent GA while 12 (35%) received sedation. Among patients with available CT measurements, 13 of 25 (52%) had >50% anteroposterior tracheal diameter reduction. Patients with >50% anteroposterior tracheal compression received sedation more frequently (p=0.047) and were positioned upright (p=0.015) compared with patients with ≤50% compression, although 4 of 13 and 9 of 12, respectively, still received GA. Intraoperative adverse events (AEs) occurred in four (11.4%) patients: three received GA, and all were positioned supine or lateral. AEs were not associated with radiographic airway risk factors but were significantly associated with morphine and sevoflurane use (p<0.001) and with thoracoscopic biopsies (p=0.035). There were no on-table mortalities, but four delayed deaths occurred (three related to disease and one from late procedural complications).

Conclusions

In a current cohort of pediatric AMM biopsies, patients with >50% anteroposterior tracheal compression were more frequently managed with a conservative perioperative management strategy, though not completely excluding GA. The corresponding reduction in frequency of procedural AEs in this traditionally high-risk group suggests that increased awareness of procedural risk factors and appropriate risk-guided perioperative management choices may obviate the procedural mortality historically associated with pediatric AMM biopsies.
Adaptive Anomaly Detection for Internet of Things in Hierarchical Edge Computing: A Contextual-Bandit Approach
Authors: Ngo Mao V. , Luo Tie , Quek Tony Q. S.
Published: October 2021

The advances in deep neural networks (DNN) have significantly enhanced real-time detection of anomalous data in IoT applications. However, the complexity-accuracy-delay dilemma persists: Complex DNN models offer higher accuracy, but typical IoT devices can barely afford the computation load, and the remedy of offloading the load to the cloud incurs long delay. In this article, we address this challenge by proposing an adaptive anomaly detection scheme with hierarchical edge computing (HEC). Specifically, we first construct multiple anomaly detection DNN models with increasing complexity and associate each of them to a corresponding HEC layer. Then, we design an adaptive model selection scheme that is formulated as a
contextual-bandit problem
and solved by using a
reinforcement learning policy network
. We also incorporate a parallelism policy training method to accelerate the training process by taking advantage of distributed models. We build an HEC testbed using real IoT devices and implement and evaluate our contextual-bandit approach with both univariate and multivariate IoT datasets. In comparison with both baseline and state-of-the-art schemes, our adaptive approach strikes the best accuracy-delay tradeoff on the univariate dataset and achieves the best accuracy and F1-score on the multivariate dataset with only negligibly longer delay than the best (but inflexible) scheme.
Risk Factors of Influenza-Associated Respiratory Illnesses Reported to a Sentinel Hospital of Lahore, Pakistan: 2015-2016
Authors: Hasan Saima , Iqbal Muhammad , Webby Richard J. , DeBeauchamp Jennifer , Rashid Hamad Bin , Ahmad Mansur-ud-Din , Nazir Jawad , Sadiq Shakera , Khan Abdul Waheed , Chaudhry Mamoona
Published: October 2021

Epidemiological data about determinants of influenza A virus (IAV) in the Pakistani population is scarce. We aimed to conduct a prospective hospital-based active surveillance study from October 2015 to May 2016 to identify potential risk factors associated with IAV infection among patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI). Surveillance was conducted in Lahore General Hospital, selected as a sentinel site in Lahore District, Pakistan. Nasal/throat samples were collected along with epidemiological and clinical data from enrolled patients. Real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) was performed to identify IAV and its subtypes (H1N1pdm09, H3N2). Data were analyzed to determine risk factors and risk markers associated with IAV infections. A total of 311 suspected ILI and SARI cases were enrolled in the study, and among these 50 were IAV-positive. Of these 50 confirmed cases of IAV, 14 were subtyped as H1N1pdm09 and 15 were H3N2; the remaining 21 were untyped. A final multivariable model identified four independent risk factors/markers for IAV infection: exposure history to ILI patients within last 7 days and gender being male were identified as risk factors of IAV infection, while use of antibiotics prior to hospital consultation and presence of fever were identified as risk markers. We concluded that adopting nonpharmaceutical interventions like hand hygiene, masks, social distancing, and where possible, avoiding identified risk factors could decrease the risk of IAV infection and may prevent imminent outbreaks of IAV in the community.
A LogTVSCAD Nonconvex Regularization Model for Image Deblurring in the Presence of Impulse Noise
Authors: Luo Zhijun , Zhu Zhibin , Zhang Benxin
Published: October 2021

This paper proposes a nonconvex model (called LogTVSCAD) for deblurring images with impulsive noises, using the log-function penalty as the regularizer and adopting the smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) function as the data-fitting term. The proposed nonconvex model can effectively overcome the poor performance of the classical TVL1 model for high-level impulsive noise. A difference of convex functions algorithm (DCA) is proposed to solve the nonconvex model. For the model subproblem, we consider the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm to solve it. The global convergence is discussed based on Kurdyka–Lojasiewicz. Experimental results show the advantages of the proposed nonconvex model over existing models.
A Fast and Efficient Markov Chain Monte Carlo Method for Market Microstructure Model
Authors: Yapeng Sun , Hui Peng , Wenbiao Xie
Published: October 2021

The non-linear market microstructure (MM) model for financial time series modeling is a flexible stochastic volatility model with demand surplus and market liquidity. The estimation of the model is difficult, since the unobservable surplus demand is a time-varying stochastic variable in the return equation, and the market liquidity arises both in the mean term and in the variance term of the return equation in the MM model. A fast and efficient Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach based on an efficient simulation smoother algorithm and an acceptance-rejection Metropolis–Hastings algorithm is designed to estimate the non-linear MM model. Since the simulation smoother algorithm makes use of the band diagonal structure and positive definition of Hessian matrix of the logarithmic density, it can quickly draw the market liquidity. In addition, we discuss the MM model with Student-t heavy tail distribution that can be utilized to address the presence of outliers in typical financial time series. Using the presented modeling method to make analysis of daily income of the S&P 500 index through the point forecast and the density forecast, we find clear support for time-varying volatility, volatility feedback effect, market microstructure theory, and Student-t heavy tails in the financial time series. Through this method, one can use the estimated market liquidity and surplus demand which is much smoother than the strong stochastic return process to assist the transaction decision making in the financial market.
V
L
Reciprocal Status Index and Co-Index of Graphs
Authors: Lokesha Veerebradiah , Suvarna  , Sinan Cevik Ahmet , Cangul Ismail Naci
Published: October 2021

For the vertex set

V

G

of a graph

G

, the sum of reciprocals of the breadth (distances) between the vertex

v
∈
V

G

and whole other remaining vertices of

G

is called reciprocal status of

v

. In this study, first of all, we introduced the

V
L

reciprocal status index and

V
L

reciprocal status co-index of a graph

G

. Later, we exposed some sharp bounds for these indices. Furthermore, we determined the

V
L

reciprocal status (co-)index over some standard graphs. Finally, we presented correlations between

V
L

reciprocal status index and some properties of Butane derivatives via a table and illustrated with a figure.
A New Production Forecasting Method of the Multifractured Horizontal Wells Based on Cluster Analysis
Authors: Lu Mingjing , Wang Zenglin
Published: October 2021

The seepage mechanism of multifractured horizontal wells is complex in tight reservoirs, which make that the production is very difficult to forecast. This article put forward a new way called the developed clustering analysis to forecast well production which is based on the practical production data of 10 multifractured horizontal wells. This method first uses the information analysis method to obtain the weight of the influencing factors of horizontal well production and normalizes the influencing factors of production. Second, the feature matrix is constructed by combining the weight of each factor, and the distance between the feature matrix of different production wells and the optimal feature matrix is calculated. Finally, the relationship curve between distance and production is plotted, and the production chart of the block is obtained. Taking 9 multifractured horizontal wells in the tight reservoir as an example, the production prediction chart of the block is calculated. At the same time, the production data of the 10th well are used to verify the production chart of the block. The results show that the horizontal well production has a high fitting relationship with the distance. The error between the new well production predicted by the chart and the actual production is 4.7%, which meets the requirements of the field error. The model was also used in a reservoir with 154 wells and also verified the accuracy of the model. The prediction method proposed in this paper can accurately predict the production of volume fractured horizontal wells in the experimental area and provide certain guiding significance for the development and adjustment of tight reservoirs.
Heat Transport Improvement and Three-Dimensional Rotating Cone Flow of Hybrid-Based Nanofluid
Authors: Hussain Azad , Haider Qusain , Rehman Aysha , Malik M. Y. , Nadeem Sohail , Hussain Shafiq
Published: October 2021

The current research aims to study the mixed convection of a hybrid-based nanofluid consisting of ethylene glycol-water, copper (II) oxide (CuO) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) in a vertical cone. A hybrid base blend model is used to examine the nanofluid’s hydrostatic and thermal behaviors over a diverse range of Reynolds numbers. The application of mixed nanoparticles rather than simple nanoparticles is one of the most imperative things in increasing the heat flow of the fluids. To test such a flow sector, for the very first time, a hybrid-based mixture model was introduced. Also, the mixture framework is a single-phase model formulation, which was used extensively for heat transfer with nanofluids. Comparison of computed values with the experimental values is presented between two models (i.e., the model of a mixture with the model of a single-phase). The natural convection within the liquid phase of phase change material is considered through the liquid fraction dependence of the thermal conductivity. The predicted results of the current model are also compared with the literature; for numerical results, the bvp4c algorithm is used to quantify the effects of nanoparticle volume fraction diffusion on the continuity, momentum, and energy equations using the viscous model for convective heat transfer in nanofluids. Expressions for velocity and temperature fields are presented. Also, the expressions for skin frictions, shear strain, and Nusselt number are obtained. The effects of involved physical parameters (e.g., Prandtl number, angular velocity ratio, buoyancy ratio, and unsteady parameter) are examined through graphs and tables.
Percutaneous Trapeziometacarpal Arthrodesis in Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Arthritis: A New Surgical Approach
Authors: Mifsut-Miedes D. , Rodríguez-Collell J. R. , Valverde-Navarro A. , González-Soler E. M.
Published: October 2021

The high prevalence of trapeziometacarpal arthritis has resulted in the development of several surgical techniques intended to treat patients failing conservative treatment. However, there is no scientific evidence of the superiority of one technique over others. Open arthrodesis has up to now been successfully used to treat this condition. We believe that performing the technique using a minimally invasive approach with long and short Shannon burrs together with the tapered burr included in the MIS foot instrument set can yield satisfactory results. This article provides a description of this minimally invasive technique performed on a seventy-year-old woman with rhizarthrosis and an anatomical description of the approach in a human cadaver.
Novel Cooperative Multi-Input Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network Performance Analysis with Application of Solar Irradiance Forecasting
Authors: Madhiarasan M. , Louzazni Mohamed , Roy Partha Pratim
Published: October 2021

To forecast solar irradiance with higher accuracy and generalization capability is challenging in the photovoltaic (PV) energy system. Meteorological parameters are highly influential in solar irradiance, leading to intermittent and randomicity. Forecasting using a single neural network model does not have sufficient generalization ability to achieve the optimal forecasting of solar irradiance. This paper proposes a novel cooperative multi-input multilayer perceptron neural network (CMMLPNN) to mitigate the issues related to generalization and meteorological effects. Authors develop a proposed forecasting neural network model based on the amalgamation of two inputs, three inputs, four inputs, five inputs, and six inputs associated multilayer perceptron neural network. In the proposed forecasting model (CMMLPNN), the authors overcome the variance based on the meteorological parameters. The amalgamation of five multi-input multilayer perceptron neural networks leads to better generalization ability. Some individual multilayer perceptron neural network-based forecasting models outperform in some situations, but cannot assure generalization ability and suffer from the meteorological weather condition. The proposed CMMLPNN (cooperative multi-input multilayer perceptron neural network) achieves better forecasting accuracy with the generalization ability. Therefore, the proposed forecasting model is superior to other neural network-based forecasting models and existing models.
Analysis of Chinese Commercial Banks’ Risk Management Efficiency Based on the PCA-DEA Approach
Authors: Shi Xiao , Yu Wenqi
Published: October 2021

As a special type of enterprises with high risks, Chinese commercial banks’ risk management plays an important role in banks’ business process. Measuring and improving the risk management efficiency of the Chinese commercial banking system has recently attracted increasing interest. Previous studies analyze the business performance of commercial banks from the perspective of the overall management level of banks, and few articles focus on the risk management ability of banks. This paper evaluates the technical efficiencies of Chinese commercial banks’ risk management by the DEA-BCC model with window analysis to come up with some recommendations for policy makers. The technical efficiency is then decomposed into pure technology efficiency and scale efficiency. According to the banking risk supervision indicators released by the China Banking Regulatory Commission, we choose the indicators of 26 commercial banks’ risk management during the period of 2011 to 2019. Principal component analysis (PCA) is applied to delete redundant input indicators. The paper gives a dynamic evaluation of technology efficiency, pure technology efficiency, and scale efficiency. The main empirical results are as follows: (1) the technical efficiency of Chinese commercial banks’ risk management is low, and the differences among three different types of banks are large. (2) The pure technology inefficiency of Chinese commercial banks’ risk management has become a key factor restricting the improvement of the risk management of the Chinese banking industry. (3) The Chinese commercial banks’ risk management faces a serious problem which is economies of scale. (4) The technical efficiencies of Chinese commercial banks’ risk management fluctuate greatly, and management capabilities need to be enhanced urgently.
The Preventive Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum ZS62 on DSS‐Induced IBD by Regulating Oxidative Stress and the Immune Response
Authors: Pan Yanni , Ning Yujing , Hu Jing , Wang Zhiying , Chen Xiufeng , Zhao Xin
Published: October 2021

In this study, we used DSS to establish an IBD mouse model to study the preventive effect of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) ZS62 on IBD in the context of oxidative stress and the immune response. We assessed the mitigating effect of this strain on IBD mice by examining the length of and histopathological changes in the colon, determining the serum antioxidant index and the levels of inflammatory cytokines, as well as the mRNA and protein expression levels of relevant genes. The study results showed that L. plantarum ZS62 could inhibit colonic atrophy in IBD mice, reduce the degree of colonic damage, downregulate the serum levels of MDA, MPO, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐12, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ and the relative mRNA and protein expression of IL‐1β, IL‐12, TNF‐α, COX‐2, iNOS, and NF‐κB p65 in mouse colon tissues, and upregulate the serum levels of CAT, T‐SOD, and IL‐10 and the relative mRNA and protein expression of Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, GSH‐Px, CAT, IL‐10, and IκB‐α in colon tissues. In summary, L. plantarum ZS62 exhibited a good preventive effect on DSS‐induced IBD by regulating oxidative stress and the immune response.
Investigation into the Pore Structure and Multifractal Characteristics of Shale Reservoirs through N2 Adsorption: An Application in the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Liang Zhikai , Jiang Zhenxue , Li Zhuo , Gao Fenglin , Liu Xiaoqing
Published: October 2021

To understand the pore structure and heterogeneity of pore size distribution (PSD) is essential for revealing fluid mechanics and evaluating the utilization of unconventional resources. In this study, there are multiple shale examples collected from the Chang 7 section in the Ordos Basin for the investigation was conducted on the basis of various experiments on total organic carbon (TOC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and nitrogen gas adsorption, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and multifractal method. The multifractal characteristic parameters, including the width of singularity spectra (

Δ
α

), Hurst exponent (

H

),

D

1

/

D

0

, and nitrogen gas adsorption, were used to find out about the characteristics of pore development and to quantify the complexity and heterogeneity of pore structure. Depending on the exact mineral composition, the Yanchang Formation of Chang 7 shales is classified into either silty mudstone (SM) or muddy siltstone lithofacies (MS). According to the investigative results, the Chang 7 lacustrine shale features a complex pore system with the pores ranging from 1.5 to 10 nm in diameter. Besides, mesopores contribute significantly to the total pore volume (TPV) and total surface area (TSA). As for TPV and TSA of the SM lithofacies in the samples under investigation, they are nearly 1.09–1.78 and 0.80–1.72 times greater as compared to the MS lithofacies samples. The dominant types of reservoir spaces include organic matter (OM) pore and interparticle pore which are related to inorganic minerals. The value of

Δ
α

is higher for MS lithofacies than for SM lithofacies, indicating a greater heterogeneity of PSD in the MS lithofacies. The pore structure of MS lithofacies is determined mainly by TOC and siliceous mineral content, whereas the influencing factors for SM lithofacies are TOC and clay mineral content. There is a significant relationship between multifractal parameters and pore structure parameters for both SM and MS lithofacies. The TOC of SM and MS lithofacies exhibits a close correlation with

Δ
α

, suggesting that the pores in organic matter are dominated by those nanopores with a complex and heterogeneous pore structure. The rock composition of the lithofacies can affect

Δ
α

to a varying extent, which means that the minerals have an evident impact on the heterogeneity of MS and SM lithofacies.
Análise comparativa entre métodos de estimativa de recarga para uma microbacia na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke, Manaus - AM
Authors: Brito Alderlene Pimentel de , Wahnfried Ingo Daniel , Ferreira Sávio José Filgueiras , Bastos João Hilário Borges de
Published: October 2021

A recarga é um elemento-chave do ciclo hidrológico, sendo indispensável para a gestão integrada dos recursos hídricos. Este estudo objetivou quantificar e comparar as taxas de recarga direta de um aquífero freático localizado em uma região de floresta primária contígua a Manaus utilizando os métodos  balanço hídrico (BH), variação do nível da água (VNA) e estimativa darcyana (ED). Foram obtidos dados de precipitação e temperatura atmosférica de 2013 a 2015 da estação meteorológica localizada na Reserva Florestal Adolpho Ducke (RFAD). Medições de nível da água subterrânea e ensaios para determinação  de condutividade hidráulica foram executados em sete piezômetros instalados em microbacia de drenagem da RFAD. A vazão específica (Sy) foi determinada em amostras de solo indeformadas. Os resultados do método do BH indicam taxa de recarga de 47% (1.583 mm) em 2013, de 46% (1.277 mm) em 2014 e de 20% (680 mm) em 2015. A precipitação em 2014 foi 18% menor do que em 2013, e a de 2015 foi 21% menor do que em 2014, por causa do fenômeno El Niño, gerando redução significativa da recarga apenas no último ano. Os registros de nível da água subterrânea para ED foram feitos entre fevereiro e julho de 2013, gerando estimativa de recarga de 28% (624 mm) da precipitação. Aplicando-se o método de VNA foi estimada uma taxa de recarga de 52% (2.229 mm) para o período de fevereiro de 2014 a agosto de 2015. Os resultados indicam maior consistência entre BH e VNA. As taxas de recarga aqui obtidas são superiores às determinadas em situações hidrogeológicas análogas em outras regiões do país.
As raízes gnáissico-migmatíticas da porção norte do Cinturão Salvador-Esplanada-Boquim, Cráton do São Francisco, Brasil
Authors: Almeida Junior Marcus Vinicius Costa , Leal Angela Beatriz de Menezes , Barbosa Johildo Salomão Figueirêdo , Marinho Moacyr Moura
Published: October 2021

O Cinturão Salvador-Esplanada-Boquim se localiza na porção nordeste do Cráton do São Francisco, nos estados da Bahia e do Sergipe, apresentando duas faixas litológicas de rochas metamórficas, denominadas Complexo Gnáissico-Migmatítico e Complexo Granulítico Esplanada-Boquim. O presente trabalho abrange os estudos de campo, petrográficos e litoquímicos do Complexo Gnáissico-Migmatítico, porção norte do Cinturão Salvador-Esplanada-Boquim. Ocorrem rochas metamórficas de médio grau, de composição granítica a granodiorítica e, subordinadamente, tonalítica, sendo comuns as evidências de processos de migmatização, principalmente na sua porção ocidental. Com base nos estudos de litoquímica, as rochas foram subdivididas em rochas sódicas, potássicas e intermediárias e caráter peraluminoso a metaluminoso. Análises dos elementos-traço, terras raras e as razões Eu/Eu* sugerem a atuação de processos metamórficos e de contaminação crustal a partir de fonte de natureza calcioalcalina. Ainda a partir da análise litoquímica, as rochas desse complexo foram classificadas como sendo de arco vulcânico a sincolisional.
Petrologia, química mineral e δ34S das mineralizações de Cu-Ni do Complexo Gabroico Canindé, Sistema Orogênico Sergipano, NE do Brasil
Authors: Damasceno Fábio Bezerra , Martins Bruno Luiz Leite , Marques de Sá Carlos Dinges
Published: October 2021

O Complexo Gabroico Canindé é um corpo máfico-ultramáfico com cerca de 240 km2 intrusivo em rochas do Domínio Geológico Canindé, do Sistema Orogênico Sergipano. A sua intrusão é de idade 690 ± 16 Ma e ocorreu durante evento de distensão continental no Brasiliano. O Complexo Gabroico Canindé é constituído por uma diversidade litológica que varia de anortositos e troctolitos a hornblenda e olivina gabros. As análises de litogeoquímica por fluorescência de raios X (FRX) indicaram que as rochas são básicas a ultrabásicas, variando de gabro a gabro-peridotítico, com tendências negativas de MnO e FeO, e positivas de K2O e Na2O relativamente ao conteúdo em SiO2, relacionadas com processos de cristalização fracionada. A mineralização de Cu-Ni ocorre disseminada, sob a forma de calcopirita e pentlandita. Análises por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) determinaram que os sulfetos primários apresentam suas bordas alteradas para spionkopita (Cu39S28) e violarita (FeNi2S), resultado de processo de oxidação por exposição desses sulfetos a ambiente com alta fO2, durante evento hidrotermal pós-magmático. A composição isotópica do enxofre, analisada pela primeira vez para os sulfetos primários do Complexo Gabroico Canindé, situa-se entre + 1,3‰ < δ34S < + 2,7‰, o que indica que a fonte do S é não magmática, apontando para uma origem dos sulfetos associada a processos de contaminação crustal. Os resultados aqui apresentados indicam fontes magmáticas para os cátions metálicos e contaminação crustal para o enriquecimento em S, permitindo classificar as mineralizações de Cu-Ni como de origem magmática com contaminação crustal. Esse tipo de depósito magmático, derivado de contaminação crustal e tardiamente afetado por processos hidrotermais, é representado por depósitos mundialmente conhecidos como Duluth (EUA) e
Análises hierárquica e de regressão linear aplicadas aos mapeamentos de suscetibilidade e de risco aos movimentos de massa (Bairro Cidade Nova, Aracaju – SE, Brasil)
Authors: Franco Luisa Sampaio , Figueiredo Felipe Torres , Gomes Pedro Victor Oliveira , Araújo Igor Batista Andrade
Published: October 2021

O município de Aracaju, capital de Sergipe, tem em sua paisagem periférica, na região norte, a preservação de tabuleiros costeiros com elevações de até 100 m e inclinações do terreno superiores a 30°, naturalmente favoráveis à ocorrência de movimentos de massa. Nos anos de 2000 a 2010, essa região, especificamente o Bairro Cidade Nova, área do presente estudo, sofreu com a intensificação da abertura de cortes em taludes para construção de moradias, o que tem acarretado eventos discretos de movimentos de massa, com prejuízos materiais, e colocado pessoas em risco de morte no período chuvoso. Como forma de contribuir para a redução desse risco, que vem sendo monitorado de forma qualitativa e de pouco detalhe, foi proposto no presente trabalho o mapeamento semiquantitativo. Foram adotados como métodos o Processo de Análise Hierárquica e a regressão linear, com o objetivo de realizar o mapeamento de suscetibilidade e de risco em escala de detalhe. Com a ponderação dos parâmetros em software GIS, a fotointerpretação de imagens de satélite e imagens aéreas oblíquas, obteve-se que 3,08% do terreno está em condição de muita alta suscetibilidade a movimento de massa e que 356 moradias se encontram em situação de risco, necessitando do mapeamento em escala de detalhe casa a casa. Após aplicação do método processo de análise hierárquica (em inglês: analytic hierarchy process — AHP), o mapeamento de campo revelou 43 setores de risco, com aumento de 80% no número de setores sob risco alto e de 75% no número de setores de risco muito alto, comparado aos mapeamentos anteriores da Defesa Civil Municipal de Aracaju e do Serviço Geológico do Brasil (CPRM).
Eastward Shift of Interannual Climate Variability in the South Indian Ocean since 1950
Authors: Zhang Lei , Han Weiqing , Karnauskas Kristopher B. , Li Yuanlong , Tozuka Tomoki
Published: October 2021

The subtropical Indian Ocean dipole (SIOD) and Ningaloo Niño are the two dominant modes of interannual climate variability in the subtropical south Indian Ocean. Observations show that the SIOD has been weakening in the recent decades, while Ningaloo Niño has been strengthening. In this study, we investigate the causes for such changes by analyzing climate model experiments using the NCAR Community Earth System Model, version 1 (CESM1). Ensemble-mean results from CESM1 large-ensemble (CESM1-LE) show that the external forcing causes negligible changes in the amplitudes of the SIOD and Ningaloo Niño, suggesting a dominant role of internal climate variability. Meanwhile, results from CESM1 pacemaker experiments reveal that the observed changes in the two climate modes cannot be attributed to the effect of sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in either the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean or tropical Indian Ocean. By further comparing different ensemble members from the CESM1-LE, we find that a warm pool dipole mode of decadal variability, with opposite SSTA in the southeast Indian Ocean and the western-central tropical Pacific Ocean plays an important role in driving the observed changes in the SIOD and Ningaloo Niño. These changes in the two climate modes have considerable impacts on precipitation and sea level variabilities in the south Indian Ocean region.
A Nonparametric, Data-Driven Approach to Despiking Ocean Surface Wave Time Series
Authors: Malila Mika P. , Bohlinger Patrik , Støle-Hentschel Susanne , Breivik Øyvind , Hope Gaute , Magnusson Anne Karin
Published: October 2021

We propose a methodology for despiking ocean surface wave time series based on a Bayesian approach to data-driven learning known as Gaussian process (GP) regression. We show that GP regression can be used for both robust detection of erroneous measurements and interpolation over missing values, while also obtaining a measure of the uncertainty associated with these operations. In comparison with a recent dynamical phase space–based despiking method, our data-driven approach is here shown to lead to improved wave signal correlation and spectral tail consistency, although at a significant increase in computational cost. Our results suggest that GP regression is thus especially suited for offline quality control requiring robust noise detection and replacement, where the subsequent analysis of the despiked data is sensitive to the accidental removal of extreme or rare events such as abnormal or rogue waves. We assess our methodology on measurements from an array of four collocated 5-Hz laser altimeters during a much-studied storm event in the North Sea covering a wide range of sea states.
Tornadogenesis in a Quasi-Linear Convective System over Kanto Plain in Japan: A Numerical Case Study
Authors: Tochimoto Eigo , Niino Hiroshi
Published: October 2021

The environmental characteristics and formation process of a tornado spawned by a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) over Kanto Plain, Japan, are examined using observations, a reanalysis dataset, and a high-resolution numerical simulation with a horizontal grid spacing of 50 m. The QLCS environment responsible for tornadogenesis was characterized by small convective available potential energy and large storm-relative environmental helicity due to strong vertical shear associated with a low-level jet. The strong low-level jet was associated with a large zonal pressure gradient between two meridionally aligned extratropical cyclones and a synoptic-scale high pressure system to the east. The numerical simulation reproduced the tornado in the central part of the QLCS. Before the tornadogenesis, three mesovortices developed that were meridionally aligned at 500-m height, and a rear inflow jet (RIJ) associated with relatively cold air originated from aloft and developed on the west side of the QLCS, while descending from rear to front. Tornadogenesis occurred in the southernmost mesovortex at the northern tip of the RIJ. This mesovortex induces strong low-level updrafts through vertical pressure gradient force. A circulation analysis and vorticity budget analysis for the mesovortex show that environmental crosswise vorticity in the forward inflow region east of the QLCS played a significant role in the formation of the mesovortex. The circulation analysis for the tornado shows that frictional effects contribute to the increase of circulation associated with the tornado. Moreover, environmental shear associated with horizontal and vertical shear of the horizontal wind also contribute to the circulation of the tornado.
Machine Learning Methods for Postprocessing Ensemble Forecasts of Wind Gusts: A Systematic Comparison
Authors: Schulz Benedikt , Lerch Sebastian
Published: October 2021

Postprocessing ensemble weather predictions to correct systematic errors has become a standard practice in research and operations. However, only a few recent studies have focused on ensemble postprocessing of wind gust forecasts, despite its importance for severe weather warnings. Here, we provide a comprehensive review and systematic comparison of eight statistical and machine learning methods for probabilistic wind gust forecasting via ensemble postprocessing that can be divided in three groups: state-of-the-art postprocessing techniques from statistics [ensemble model output statistics (EMOS), member-by-member postprocessing, isotonic distributional regression], established machine learning methods (gradient-boosting extended EMOS, quantile regression forests), and neural network–based approaches (distributional regression network, Bernstein quantile network, histogram estimation network). The methods are systematically compared using 6 years of data from a high-resolution, convection-permitting ensemble prediction system that was run operationally at the German weather service, and hourly observations at 175 surface weather stations in Germany. While all postprocessing methods yield calibrated forecasts and are able to correct the systematic errors of the raw ensemble predictions, incorporating information from additional meteorological predictor variables beyond wind gusts leads to significant improvements in forecast skill. In particular, we propose a flexible framework of locally adaptive neural networks with different probabilistic forecast types as output, which not only significantly outperform all benchmark postprocessing methods but also learn physically consistent relations associated with the diurnal cycle, especially the evening transition of the planetary boundary layer.
Tornado Fatalities in Context: 1995–2018
Authors: Fricker Tyler , Friesenhahn Corey
Published: October 2021

Tornadoes account for the third highest average annual weather-related fatality rate in the United States. Here, tornado fatalities are examined as rates within the context of multiple physical and social factors using tornado-level information including population and housing units within killer tornado damage paths. Fatality rates are further evaluated across annual, monthly, and diurnal categories as well as between fatality locations and across age and sex categories. The geographic distribution of fatalities is then given by season, time of day, and residential structures. Results can be used by emergency managers, meteorologists, and planners to better prepare for high-impact (i.e., fatality) events and used by researchers as quantitative evidence to further investigate the relationship between tornadoes, climate, and society.
Rilpivirine plus cobicistat-boosted darunavir as alternative to standard three-drug therapy in HIV-infected, virologically suppressed subjects: Final results of the PROBE 2 trial
Authors: Maggiolo Franco , Gianotti Nicola , Comi Laura , Di Filippo Elisa , Fumagalli Laura , Nozza Silvia , Galli Laura. , Valenti Daniela. , Rizzi Marco , Castagna Antonella
Published: October 2021

Background

Primary analysis at 24 weeks showed that switching to rilpivirine plus darunavir/cobicistat was non-inferior to continuing a standard three-drug antiretroviral regimen in virologically suppressed people with HIV. We present efficacy and safety data from the 48-week analysis.

Methods

PROBE 2 is a randomized, open-label trial. Adults who were on a three-drug therapy and had had <50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL for at least 6 months were randomly assigned (1:1) to 25 mg rilpivirine plus 800/150 darunavir/cobicistat once daily (early switch group) or to continue their regimen for 24 weeks before switching (late switch group). In the 48-week analysis, the efficacy endpoint was the proportion of participants with <50 copies/mL of HIV-RNA (US Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm). The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT04064632.

Findings

160 participants were recruited and randomized. At week 48, 70 (87.5%) in the early switch group and 76 (94.8%) in the late switch group maintained HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL. Virological failure (≥50 HIV-RNA copies/mL) was not seen in any patient of the early switch group and in 2 subjects in the late switch group none of which had treatment emergent resistance-associated mutation. Adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 7 (8.7%) participants in the early switch group and in none in the late switch group.

Interpretation

The combination of rilpivirine plus darunavir/cobicistat sustained virological suppression, was associated with a low frequency of virological failure, and had a favorable safety profile, which support its use as a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-sparing and integrase inhibitor-sparing alternative to three-drug regimens.
Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of oral JNJ-64794964, a TLR-7 agonist, in healthy adults
Authors: Gane Edward , Pastagia Mina , Schwertschlag Ullrich , De Creus An , Schwabe Christian , Vandenbossche Joris , Slaets Leen , Fevery Bart , Smyej Ilham , Wu Liviawati S , Li Rui , Siddiqui Samia , Oey Abbie , Musto Clark , Van Remoortere Pieter
Published: October 2021

Background

This Phase I, two-part, first-in-human study assessed safety/tolerability and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of single-ascending doses (SAD) and multiple doses (MD) of the oral toll-like receptor-7 agonist, JNJ-64794964 (JNJ-4964) in healthy adults.

Methods

In the SAD phase, participants received JNJ-4964 0.2 ( N = 6), 0.6 ( N = 6), 1.25 ( N = 8) or 1.8 mg ( N = 6) or placebo ( N = 2/dose cohort) in a fasted state. Food effect was evaluated for the 1.25 mg cohort following ≥6 weeks washout. In the MD phase, participants received JNJ-4964 1.25 mg ( N = 6) or placebo ( N = 2) weekly (fasted) for 4 weeks. Participants were followed-up for 4 weeks.

Results

No serious adverse events (AEs) occurred. 10/34 (SAD) and 5/8 (MD) participants reported mild-to-moderate (≤Grade 2), transient, reversible AEs possibly related to JNJ-4964. Five (SAD) participants had fever/flu-like AEs, coinciding with interferon-α serum levels ≥100 pg/mL and lymphopenia (<1 × 109/L), between 24–48 h after dosing and resolving approximately 96 h after dosing. One participant (MD) had an asymptomatic Grade 1 AE of retinal exudates (cotton wool spots) during follow-up, resolving 6 weeks after observation. JNJ-4964 exhibited dose-proportional pharmacokinetics, with rapid absorption (tmax 0.5–0.75 h) and distribution, and a long terminal half-life (150–591 h). Overall, no significant differences in JNJ-4964 pharmacokinetic parameters were observed in the fed versus fasted state. JNJ-4964 dose-dependently and transiently induced cytokines with potential anti-HBV activity, including interferon-α, IP-10, IL-1 RA, and/or MCP-1, and interferon-stimulated genes (ISG15, MX1, and OAS1) in serum.

Conclusions

In healthy adults, JNJ-4964 was generally well-tolerated, exhibited dose-proportional pharmacokinetics and induced cytokines/ISGs, with possible anti-HBV activity.