bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Secondary alveolar cleft grafting using autogenous mineralized plasmatic matrix (MPM) versus cancellous bone particles derived from anterior iliac crest
Authors: Omara Mohammed , Raafat Louai , Elfaramawi Tarek
Published: May 2023

Objective

The essential concern of alveolar cleft grafting in patients of cleft lip and palate at the mixed dentition phase is to gain bone within the cleft area that provides closure of the oronasal communication with continuous and stable maxilla for future cleft teeth eruption or implantation. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mineralized plasmatic matrix (MPM) versus cancellous bone particles harvested from anterior iliac crest in secondary alveolar cleft grafting.

Patients and methods

This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted on ten patients with unilateral complete alveolar cleft requiring cleft reconstruction. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups; group (1) included 5 patients who received particulate cancellous bone derived from anterior iliac crest (control group) and group (2) included 5 patients who received MPM graft prepared from cancellous bone derived from anterior iliac crest (study group). All patients received CBCT preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and after 6 months. On the CBCT, graft’s volume, labio-palatal width, and height were measured and compared.

Results

The outcome of the studied patients 6 months postoperatively showed that the control group had significant decrease in the graft volume, labio-palatal width, and height compared to the study group.

Conclusion

MPM allowed for the integration of bone graft particles inside a fibrin network, which offers positional stability of the bone particles, thus preserving their shape with subsequent “in situ” immobilization of the graft components. This conclusion was reflected positively in terms of maintained graft volume, width, and height compared to that of the control group.

Clinical relevance

MPM allowed for maintenance of grafted ridge volume, width, and height.
Deregulated expression of polycomb repressive complex 2 target genes in a NF1 patient with microdeletion generating the RNF135-SUZ12 chimeric gene
Authors: Tritto Viviana , Grilli Federico , Milani Donatella , Riva Paola
Published: May 2023

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) microdeletion syndrome, accounting for 5–11% of NF1 patients, is caused by the heterozygous deletion of NF1 and a variable number of flanking genes in the 17q11.2 region. This syndrome is characterized by more severe symptoms than those shown by patients with intragenic NF1 mutation and by variable expressivity, which is not fully explained by the haploinsufficiency of the genes included in the deletions. We here reevaluate an 8-year-old NF1 patient, who carries an atypical deletion generating the RNF135-SUZ12 chimeric gene, previously described when he was 3 years old. As the patient has developed multiple cutaneous/subcutaneous neurofibromas over the past 5 years, we hypothesized a role of RNF135-SUZ12 chimeric gene in the onset of the patient’s tumor phenotype. Interestingly, SUZ12 is generally lost or disrupted in NF1 microdeletion syndrome and frequently associated to cancer as RNF135. Expression analysis confirmed the presence of the chimeric gene transcript and revealed hypo-expression of five out of the seven analyzed target genes of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), to which SUZ12 belongs, in the patient’s peripheral blood, indicating a higher transcriptional repression activity mediated by PRC2. Furthermore, decreased expression of tumor suppressor gene TP53, which is targeted by RNF135, was detected. These results suggest that RNF135-SUZ12 chimera may acquire a gain of function, compared with SUZ12 wild type in the PRC2 complex, and a loss of function relative to RNF135 wild type. Both events may have a role in the early onset of the patient’s neurofibromas.
The uropygial gland of the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo): II. Biochemical analysis of the uropygial secretion
Authors: Holste Jonas , Mügge Carolin , Distler Claudia , Schulz Stefan
Published: May 2023

In contrast to many other water birds, the Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (Phalacrocoracidae), shows a typical wing-spreading behavior after diving. This behavior has been linked to the partial wettability of the Cormorant’s feathers based on the unusual structure of the contour feathers. Close to the rachis, these feathers have a closed vane with very densely spaced barbs but have an open vane in more peripheral feather parts. To investigate whether the wettability is connected to the composition of the uropygial gland secretion that is often linked to water repellency of bird feathers, we analyzed the gland secretions of the Great Cormorant and, for comparison, of the Muscovy Duck, Cairina moschata (Anatidae). Using the mass spectrometry techniques, atmospheric solids analysis probe-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (ASAP-APCI-MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), significant differences in the chemical composition of the secretions were revealed. The Cormorant showed a highly diverse mixture of more than 1000 compounds consisting of methyl-branched aliphatic carboxylic esters with large chain length variability. In contrast, the duck’s secretion is dominated by the two esters octadecyl and eicosyl 2,4,6-trimethyloctanoate. Water contact angle measurements of the secretions showed that the secretion of the Muscovy Duck has higher water repellency than that of the Great Cormorant. Nevertheless, contact angle measurements of feathers before and after removing of feather waxes indicate that these waxes, likely consisting of the uropygial gland secretions, did not influence water repellency of the feathers to a large degree.
Clustering networked funded European research activities through rank-size laws
Authors: Cerqueti Roy , Iovanella Antonio , Mattera Raffaele
Published: May 2023

This paper treats a well-established public evaluation problem, which is the analysis of the funded research projects. We specifically deal with the collection of the research actions funded by the European Union over the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development and Horizon 2020. The reference period is 2007–2020. The study is developed through three methodological steps. First, we consider the networked scientific institutions by stating a link between two organizations when they are partners in the same funded project. In doing so, we build yearly complex networks. We compute four nodal centrality measures with relevant, informative content for each of them. Second, we implement a rank-size procedure on each network and each centrality measure by testing four meaningful classes of parametric curves to fit the ranked data. At the end of such a step, we derive the best fit curve and the calibrated parameters. Third, we perform a clustering procedure based on the best-fit curves of the ranked data for identifying regularities and deviations among years of research and scientific institutions. The joint employment of the three methodological approaches allows a clear view of the research activity in Europe in recent years.
Comparison of multimodel ensembles of global and regional climate models projections for extreme precipitation over four major river basins in southern Africa— assessment of the historical simulations
Authors: Samuel Sydney , Dosio Alessandro , Mphale Kgakgamatso , Faka Dieudonne Nsadisa , Wiston Modise
Published: May 2023

This study assesses the performance of large ensembles of global (CMIP5, CMIP6) and regional (CORDEX, CORE) climate models in simulating extreme precipitation over four major river basins (Limpopo, Okavango, Orange, and Zambezi) in southern Africa during the period 1983–2005. The ability of the model ensembles to simulate seasonal extreme precipitation indices is assessed using three high-resolution satellite-based datasets. The results show that all ensembles overestimate the annual cycle of mean precipitation over all basins, although the intermodel spread is large, with CORDEX being the closest to the observed values. Generally, all ensembles overestimate the mean and interannual variability of rainy days (RR1), maximum consecutive wet days (CWD), and heavy and very heavy precipitation days (R10mm and R20mm, respectively) over all basins during all three seasons. Simple daily rainfall intensity (SDII) and the number of consecutive dry days (CDD) are generally underestimated. The lowest Taylor skill scores (TSS) and spatial correlation coefficients (SCC) are depicted for CDD over Limpopo compared with the other indices and basins, respectively. Additionally, the ensembles exhibit the highest normalized standard deviations (NSD) for CWD compared to other indices. The intermodel spread and performance of the RCM ensembles are lower and better, respectively, than those of GCM ensembles (except for the interannual variability of CDD). In particular, CORDEX performs better than CORE in simulating extreme precipitation over all basins. Although the ensemble biases are often within the range of observations, the statistically significant wet biases shown by all ensembles underline the need for bias correction when using these ensembles in impact assessments.
TF-CBT Training Augmented with a Self-Care Focus: Understanding Facilitators and Barriers to Treatment Implementation
Authors: Harrison Julie P. , Deblinger Esther , Pollio Elisabeth , Cooper Beth , Steer Robert A.
Published: May 2023

Clinicians working with youth exposed to trauma may be at increased risk for experiencing elevated levels of stress and symptoms of secondary traumatic stress, which can negatively impact clinician wellbeing and ultimately contribute to reduced access to quality care for clients. An innovative Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training incorporating self-care practices (i.e., Practice What You Preach; PWYP) was developed to help facilitate the implementation of TF-CBT and to enhance clinicians’ coping and decrease stress. The primary purpose of this study was to determine whether the PWYP-augmented training met three Objectives: (1) increase clinicians’ feelings of TF-CBT competency; (2) improve clinicians’ coping abilities/reduce clinicians’ stress; and (3) increase clinicians’ insight into the benefits and/or challenges clients may experience in treatment. An exploratory aim was also developed to identify additional facilitators and barriers of TF-CBT implementation. The written reflections of 86 community-based clinicians who participated in the PWYP-augmented TF-CBT training were examined using qualitative methods. The majority of clinicians indicated increased feelings of competency and improved coping abilities and/or stress levels; almost half mentioned increased insight into clients’ experiences. The most frequently mentioned additional facilitators were related to elements of the TF-CBT treatment model. Anxiety/self-doubt was the barrier most frequently mentioned, though all clinicians who mentioned this barrier indicated it lessened or resolved over the course of the training. Incorporating self-care strategies into trainings may serve as a facilitator for TF-CBT implementation by enhancing the competency and well-being of clinicians. The additional insights into barriers and facilitators can be used to further improve the PWYP initiative and future training and implementation efforts.
Oil contamination of sediments by freeze-drying versus air-drying for organic geochemical analysis
Authors: Jiang Chunqing , Robinson Rachel , Vandenberg Richard , Milovic Marina , Neville Lisa
Published: May 2023

Freeze-drying is widely used in geochemical laboratories for preparing wet solid environmental samples such as sediments and soils before being analyzed for their contents and states of various metal elements and labile organic components that may be temperature- and/or redox-sensitive. Screening bulk geochemical analysis of two Artic lake sediment samples prepared by freeze-drying displayed unexpectedly high contents of labile organic matter (OM) represented by the Rock–Eval S1 peaks (e.g., 8.12 and 4.84 mg HC/g sediment). The amount of labile OM was reduced greatly for the freeze-dried sediment samples after a thorough cleaning of the freeze-drier sample chamber (e.g., 2.75 and 1.46 mg HC/g sediment), but was still significantly higher than that of the equivalent air-dried samples (e.g., 0.76 and 0.23 mg HC/g sediment). Compositional analysis of the labile OM fractions by gas chromatography (GC) of both freeze-dried and air-dried aliquots of the same sediments indicates the presence of unresolved complex mixture (UCM) humps of C10–C23 hydrocarbons in the freeze-dried samples. In contrast, air-dried samples, either real sediments or blank laboratory materials represented by clean sand and thermally spent shale, do not show the C10–C23 hydrocarbon UCM humps on their GC traces. The hydrocarbon UCM humps persist in the freeze-dried samples even they further went through air-drying at ambient conditions. Both bulk and compositional analytical results in this work appear to indicate the potential risk of introduction of external hydrocarbons to the prepared materials during freeze-drying process, especially if an aged freeze-drier was used without being thoroughly cleaned and if pump oil and cooling fluids were components of the device.
Screening and isolation of milk-clotting enzymes from seaweed
Authors: Arbita Ariestya Arlene , Paul Nicholas A. , Cox Julian , Zhao Jian
Published: May 2023

Cheese-making involves milk coagulation as a crucial step where calf rennet has been used traditionally as the milk-clotting enzyme in the cheese industry. This study investigated milk-clotting enzymes from seven species of seaweed and evaluated the parameters for their isolation and partial purification including post-harvest processing, extraction and purification methods. The saturation degree of ammonium sulphate and the precipitation stages were evaluated to obtain optimal purification conditions, and three desalting methods, namely dialysis, desalting column and the combination of dialysis and desalting column, were investigated to determine the most suitable method for ammonium sulphate removal. Protein extracts of all seven species of seaweeds exhibited some caseinolytic activity, but the extract of unprocessed (whole) dried samples had higher protein yields and stronger caseinolytic activities. The extract from one species, Gracilaria edulis, demonstrated the ability to clot milk. The evaluation of the purification method for G. edulis extract revealed an optimum single step of 50% saturation and ammonium sulphate precipitation with dialysis as the desalting method.
Impact of pulmonary vein anatomy and ostial dimensions on long-term outcome after single-shot device–guided cryoablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Isgandarova Khuraman , Bergau Leonard , El Hamriti Mustapha , Braun Martin , Piran Misagh , Imnadze Guram , Khalaph Moneeb , Molatta Stephan , Sciacca Vanessa , Fink Thomas , Sommer Philipp , Guckel Denise , Sohns Christian
Published: May 2023

Background

Cryoballoon (CB)-guided pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an established treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF). This observational study aimed to assess the role of individual anatomical characteristics to predict long-term freedom from arrhythmia recurrence after CB-guided PVI for paroxysmal AF (PAF).

Methods

Three hundred fifty three consecutive patients (58 ± 11 years, 56% males), undergoing PVI between 2012 and 2018 were analysed. Individual pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy was assessed using preprocedural cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For each PV, the cross-sectional area (CSA) was calculated. The impact of PV characteristics and CSA on long-term AF-free survival was evaluated.

Results

Acute PVI was achieved in all patients. Two hundred twenty-three patients (63%) had a normal PV anatomy (2 left- and 2 right-sided PV). Variant PV anatomy was present in 130 patients (37%). During the observation period of 48 months, AF-recurrence was documented in 167 patients (47 %). Patients with AF-recurrence presented with significantly enlarged right-sided PVs and left superior PVs (LSPVs) (p < 0.001). The presence of left common PVs (LCPVs) (n = 75, Log-rank p < 0.001) as well as right variant PVs (n = 35, Log rank p < 0.001) was associated with a significantly impaired long-term AF-free survival rate as compared to patients with normal PV characteristics.

Conclusion

Variant PV anatomy is a good predictor for AF-recurrence. A correlation between an enlarged CSA of right-sided PVs as well as LSPVs and AF-recurrence was documented.
Strategy integration, sustainable drivers of firm internationalization performance—Moderated by environmental uncertainty and firm capabilities
Authors: Adejare Bimbo Onaolapo , Udofia Ekpenyong Ekpenyong , Olaore Gbemi Oladipo
Published: May 2023

The global environmental uncertainty and the need for an organization to maximize profit and satisfy the interest of wider nonmarket groups/stakeholders in the host market propel and reinforce the need for strategic integration to achieve sustainable internationalization performance. The interest of this article is to examine the relative impact of market, nonmarket strategy, and strategy integration on the performance of medium and large organizations in Portugal. Furthermore, environmental uncertainty and firm capabilities were used as moderation to evaluate the performance implication of these strategy configurations on firm market advantage in the host country. Given the need to examine the relationship between the latent and measured variables in this study, structural equation models were used to test the stated hypotheses, while confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess the fitness of our model. Our findings revealed that strategy integration provides a more sustainable competitive performance than either market or nonmarket strategy when used separately, especially in highly regulated and standardized business contexts such as Portugal. Furthermore, our findings show that organization needs to design market-oriented strategies and select the types of nonmarket practices (lobbying, campaign contributions, etc.) that best fit and align with their overall corporate objectives without neglecting the host market environmental culture. Research on market and nonmarket integrations have long been overdue given its extensive proposition to firm sustainable performance in a foreign country. Our research shed light on the importance of strategy integration to combat the ever-changing dynamism of the business environment and the negative sentiment surrounding globalization and how a firm can successfully compete in an uncertain, highly regulated, and standardized market context.
Development an efficient AXI-interconnect unit between set of customized peripheral devices and an implemented dual-core RISC-V processor
Authors: Emil Demyana , Hamdy Mohammed , Nagib Gihan
Published: May 2023

RISC-V set architecture is playing an increasingly important role in processor technology due to its open instructions which allow researchers to build and improve computing systems. However, many RISC-V architectures exist in multi-core architecture with complex designs, large area, and high-power consumption. This paper studies an open-source multi-core RISC-V processor in a simple design with less power consumption. The processor depends on an open-source single RISC-V core processor, Taiga. Two cores of Taiga are integrated on a single chip while addressing issues related to cache coherence, interconnect, and memory design. A solution has been developed to achieve data coherence between implemented caches and the main memory; its architecture depends on the snoopy protocol. A hardware-customized peripheral unit has been implemented to achieve the management process among operated cores’ tasks. For more consistent and highly controlled memory storage, the main memory unit has been designed in dual-port based on a specific protocol in the interface, and 8192 lines and word addressable unit. As the UART is common in several devices and processors for communication, the UART as a peripheral customized device has been appended for communication with other devices. The processor has been implemented in System Verilog HDL and extensively tested on various testbenches to ensure correct functionality. Hence, the system performance has been evaluated using the CoreMark benchmark, and achieved 4.605 CoreMark/MHz on Zedboard (FPGA Xilinx family) with a maximum operating frequency 98 MHz. The results indicate that the processor performs comparably to state-of-the-art multi-core processors, while offering a simpler and more power-efficient design. Overall, the research demonstrates the potentialof RISC-V architecture in creating a simple and power-efficient multi-core RISC-V processor.
Achieving conservation outcomes in plant mitigation translocations: the need for global standards
Authors: Doyle Chantelle A. T. , Abeli Thomas , Albrecht Matthew A. , Bellis Joe , Colas Bruno , Dalrymple Sarah E. , Ensslin Andreas , Espejo Jaime , Erftemeijer Paul L. A. , Julien Margaux , Lewandrowski Wolfgang , Liu Hong , Moehrenschlager Axel , Ooi Mark K. J. , Reynolds Deborah M. , Schatz Bertrand , Sild Mari , Wills Timothy J. , Papuga Guillaume
Published: May 2023

Many countries have legislation intended to limit or offset the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and development on threatened plants. Translocations are often integral to those mitigation policies. When translocation is used exclusively to mitigate development impacts, it is often termed a ‘mitigation translocation.’ However, both the terminology and processes vary regarding interpretation and application, resulting in inconsistent standards, often leading to poorly planned and implemented projects. These mitigation projects rarely achieve the intended ‘no net loss’ of protected species due to issues with timelines and procedures that result in the mortality of translocated individuals. Instead, such projects are often process driven, focused on meeting legislative requirements which enable the development to proceed, rather than meaningful attempts to minimise the ecological impact of developments and demonstrate conservation outcomes. Here, we propose to reframe mitigation translocations as conservation driven, ensuring best practice implementation and hence, a quantified no net loss for impacted species. These methods include redefining the term mitigation translocation to include conservation objectives and outlining issues associated with the mitigation translocation processes worldwide. We also nominate global standards of practice to which all proposals should adhere, to ensure each project follows a trajectory towards quantified success, with genuine impact mitigation. These proposed standards focus on building efficient translocation plans and improving governance to facilitate a transition from project centred to ecology-driven translocation. Employment of these standards is relevant to development proponents, government regulators, researchers, and translocation practitioners and will increase the likelihood of conservation gains within the mitigation translocation sector.
Towards liver segmentation in the wild via contrastive distillation
Authors: Fogarollo Stefano , Bale Reto , Harders Matthias
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Automatic liver segmentation is a key component for performing computer-assisted hepatic procedures. The task is challenging due to the high variability in organ appearance, numerous imaging modalities, and limited availability of labels. Moreover, strong generalization performance is required in real-world scenarios. However, existing supervised methods cannot be applied to data not seen during training (i.e. in the wild) because they generalize poorly.

Methods

We propose to distill knowledge from a powerful model with our novel contrastive distillation scheme. We use a pre-trained large neural network to train our smaller model. A key novelty is to map neighboring slices close together in the latent representation, while mapping distant slices far away. Then, we use ground-truth labels to learn a U-Net style upsampling path and recover the segmentation map.

Results

The pipeline is proven to be robust enough to perform state-of-the-art inference on target unseen domains. We carried out an extensive experimental validation using six common abdominal datasets, covering multiple modalities, as well as 18 patient datasets from the Innsbruck University Hospital. A sub-second inference time and a data-efficient training pipeline make it possible to scale our method to real-world conditions.

Conclusion

We propose a novel contrastive distillation scheme for automatic liver segmentation. A limited set of assumptions and superior performance to state-of-the-art techniques make our method a candidate for application to real-world scenarios.
Predictive ability of a self-rated fall risk assessment tool in community-dwelling older women
Authors: Vilpunaho Tommi , Karinkanta Saija , Sievänen Harri , Kopra Juho , Kröger Heikki , Rikkonen Toni
Published: May 2023

Background

Falls are a substantial health problem among older adults. An accessible and reliable tool for assessing individual fall risk is needed.

Aims

The predictive ability of a one-page self-rated fall risk assessment form (KaatumisSeula® [KS]) was evaluated among older women in its current form.

Methods

A subsample (n = 384) of community-living older women (aged 72–84 years) participating in the Kuopio Fall Prevention Study (KFPS) completed the KS form. Participants’ falls were prospectively registered for 12 months with SMS messages. Their group status and form-based fall risk category were compared to the verified fall events during the KFPS intervention. Negative binomial regression and multinomial regression analyses were used. Physical performance measurements (single leg stance, leg extension strength and grip strength) were used as covariates.

Results

During the follow-up, 43.8% of women fell at least once. Among the fallers, 76.8% had at least one self-determined injurious fall, and 26.2% had falls requiring medical attention. According to KS, 7.6% of the women had low fall risk, 75.0% moderate, 15.4% substantial, and only 2.1% high fall risk. Women in the “moderate fall risk” group had 1.47-fold (95% CI 0.74–2.91; nonsignificant), in “substantial fall risk” 4.00-fold (1.93–8.3; p < 0.001) and in “high fall risk” 3.00-fold (0.97–9.22; nonsignificant) higher risk of falls compared to the “low fall risk” group. Performance in physical tests did not account for future falls.

Conclusions

The KS form proved to be a feasible tool for self-administered fall risk assessment with moderate predictive ability.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02665169, date of first registration 27/01/2016.
Quantum “contact” friction: The contribution of kinetic friction coefficient from thermal fluctuations
Authors: Kheiri Rasoul
Published: May 2023

A thermal model of kinetic friction is assigned to a classical loaded particle moving on a fluctuating smooth surface. A sinusoidal wave resembles surface fluctuations with a relaxation time. The Hamiltonian is approximated to the mean energy of the wave describing a system of Harmonic oscillators. The quantization of amplitudes yields in terms of annihilation and creation operators multiplied by a quantum phase. Further, we consider acoustic dispersion relation and evaluate the friction coefficient from the force autocorrelation function. While the sliding particle remains classical describing a nano-particle or a tip with negligible quantum effects like tunneling or delocalization in the wave function, the quantized model of the surface fluctuations results in the temperature dependence of the kinetic friction coefficient. It follows an asymptotic value for higher temperatures and supper-slipperiness at low temperatures.
Projector-based augmented stacking framework for irregularly shaped objects
Authors: Settimi Andrea , Wang Qianqing , Andò Edward , Gamerro Julien , Beyer Katrin , Weinand Yves
Published: May 2023

Augmented reality in additive fabrication is predominantly applied to the manufacturing of structures from regularly shaped materials. Our work however embraces natural heterogeneity, by focusing on the assembly of irregularly shaped elements such as mineral scraps. We introduce a computer-aided framework with a 3D stacking engine and an augmented reality interface capable of guiding users through the balanced positioning of discrete and highly nonuniform objects according to an on-the-fly computed model and without prior trimming of the building unit. The pipeline is tested by the construction of two dry-stone structures (i.e., lacking any adhesives), and its accuracy is validated with a comparative study between the point cloud of the as-built digitized artifacts and the generated execution model, which shows an average 2.9 ± 1.8 cm error between the stones of the two models. We finally show how the proposed framework could be improved both in terms of software and hardware. In the interests of reproducibility, all the methods are shared as open source with the community.

Graphical abstract
Yttrium and REE Mineralization in Manganese Pods Occurring in Bentonite Deposits of the Eocene Texas Coastal Plain
Authors: Berti Debora , Slowey Niall C. , Deng Youjun , Yancey Thomas E. , Velazquez Ana L. Barrientos
Published: May 2023

Eocene-aged bentonite deposits in Gonzalez (Texas, USA) carrfy scattered manganese oxide-rich pods where rare earth element (REE) concentrations as high as 7800 ppm have been detected — 10 times greater than in the already enriched bentonite. This study investigated the nature of the association between REEs and Mn oxides as well as REE modes of occurrence in these pods, in order to understand the processes that mobilize and accumulate REEs in the low-temperature depositional environment of the Texas coastal plain. Embedded, polished blocks of Mn pods were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM); sections were then extracted by the FIB liftout technique from regions bearing REEs for further analysis by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The SEM and TEM results revealed the presence of abundant yttrium phosphate nanoparticles identified as xenotime, forming large globular aggregates that reach a few microns in diameter; these xenotime aggregates also host trace concentrations of Zr, Dy, Er, Yb, and Ce. Further, rhabdophane nanoparticles were detected that host predominantly light REEs and Y. The relative proportions of REEs in rhabdophane vary between particles and show decoupling of Ce from other light REEs, suggesting oxidation from Ce3+ to Ce4+. The REE enrichment of these Mn pods is due to extensive weathering along fractures cutting through the bentonite deposit that drove their remobilization and transport downward. At the base of the bentonite, where fractures terminate against the boundary with a cemented sandstone, changes in flow regime combined with gradual downward changes in fluid composition, prompted co-precipitation of Mn oxides and REE phosphates (xenotime and rhabdophane).
A spectrum of pathological changes induced by SARS-COV-2: An observational study in a cohort of pregnant women from Mizoram, India
Authors: Vanremmawii  , Lalrinfela  , Vanlalpeka Harvey , Lalduhchhungi  , Zothansangi  , Ralte Hmingthanzuali
Published: May 2023

Background

Maternal infection by SARS-CoV-2 may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes and causes pathological changes in the placenta. However, consensus regarding characteristic pathological features is lacking. Researchof the placental histopathology in a cohort of women from Mizoram, India, was conducted to relate the SARS-CoV-2 infection's effectswith pregnancy and its outcome.

Materials and methods

The characteristics of 72 pregnant women diagnosed positive for SARS-CoV-2 who eventually delivered at Zoram Medical College Hospital, Mizoram, neonates’ well-being, and histopathological features of placentas were studied.

Results

Of 72 women in this study, 59 (81.9%) gave birth at full term. Among these births, 5 were normal vaginal deliveries, while the remaining 67 (93.1%) were delivered via cesarean section. The reasons for cesarean delivery were either related to SARS-CoV-2 infection (n ​= ​49), existing obstetric problems (n ​= ​15) or fetal-distress (n ​= ​5). All deliveries resulted in live births of COVID-negative babies, with 80.6% (n ​= ​58) of the newborns having a birth weight of over 2.5 ​kg. APGAR scores ranged from 4 to 6 in 61 (84.7%) of the babies, and 10 neonates required resuscitation, of which 8 were managed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The placental histopathology showed increased fibrin thrombi in 8 cases (11.1%), while 20 cases (28%) showed focal infarction, microcalcification levels were elevated in 16 cases (22.2%), and a small percentage of cases (1.4%) exhibited small fibrotic villi and inter-villus agglutination. Placental chorioangiosis was detected in 28 (38.9%) of the cases, while avascular villi were seen in 6 cases. Meconium-stained liquor was observed in a single case. Intervillous hemorrhage was found in 42 cases, whileintervillous inflammation and increased syncytial knots were present in 14 and 5 cases, respectively. The placenta pathology of 10 neonates who required resuscitation/NICU admission was not significantly different from that of the 62 neonates who did not require it. However, a higher proportion of placenta from the asymptomatic group showed no abnormality compared to the symptomatic group (p ​= ​0.046).

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes a range of morphological changes and lesions in the placenta, including chorangiosis, villositis, chorioamnionitis, fetal vascular malperfusion/thrombosis, fibrin-deposition, increased syncytial-knotting, increased microcalcification, increased villous agglutination, focal infarct, intervilloushemorrhage as well as inflammation. Placental histopathological findings from this study can provide additional information to the existing literature on the subject.
Diastolic dysfunction and atrial fibrillation in coronary heart disease surgery: A literature review
Authors: Darwin Lyndon , Sembiring Yan Efrata , Lefi Achmad
Published: May 2023

Diastolic dysfunction can cause atrial fibrillation through the following mechanisms: increased atrial afterload, atrial stretch, and atrial wall pressure due to dilatation. Diastolic dysfunction is often overlooked in coronary heart disease than systolic (left ventricular) function, even though diastolic dysfunction can also result in significant morbidity and mortality. Diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation. Diastolic dysfunction enlarges the left atrium, stretches the insertion site for pulmonary veins, and initiates atrial fibrillation. Atrial remodelling in atrial fibrillation and diastolic dysfunction progresses from metabolic changes (phosphorylation) to gene expression changes (calcium channel downregulation) to hibernation (myolysis, de-differentiation) and culminates in irreversible changes (fatty changes).

Highlights
El cuerpo vestido y la construcción de la identidad en las narrativas autobiográficas del Siglo de Oro
Authors: Juárez Almendros Encarnación
Published: May 2023

El papel de las ropas en la construcción de la identidad en neuve autobiografías ficticias e históricas del Siglo de Oro.
Incentivizing the production of ecosystem services on working lands: The opportunities and challenges of funding “nature’s contributions to people” in the U.S. Northeast
Authors: Machado Mario Reinaldo , Coleman Alicia F.
Published: May 2023

In the coming decades, promoting the production of ecosystem service provisioning will become increasingly important in the U.S. Northeast, which is expected to experience a number of impacts as a result of climate change, including rising temperatures, changes in precipitation and seasonality, and sea-level rise, among others (U.S. Global Change Research Program 2020). Incentives have been shown to motivate the adoption of sustainable production practices that provision ecosystem services across different types of working landscapes. Using data from a recent landscape assessment in the Northeast, this paper finds an incredible breadth of programs available to producers across a variety of working landscapes (e.g., agricultural lands and working forests) and for different production practices. These data also point to critical gaps in current programming and also highlight important opportunities for programmatic synergy and more holistic program design going forward. This paper concludes by discussing the results in the context of four main themes of particular relevance to the U.S. Northeast which include (1) working landbase and infrastructure, (2) livelihood provisioning, (3) scale, and (4) resilience.
Stochastic comparison on active redundancy allocation to K-out-of-N systems with statistically dependent component and redundancy lifetimes
Authors: You Yinping , Li Xiaohu , Li Xiaoqin
Published: May 2023

In the literature on active redundancy allocation, the redundancy lifetimes are usually postulated to be independent of the component lifetimes for the sake of technical convenience. However, this unrealistic assumption leads to a risk of inaccurately evaluating system reliability, because it overlooks the statistical dependence of lifetimes due to common stresses. In this study, for k-out-of-n:F systems with component and redundancy lifetimes linked by the Archimedean copula, we show that (i) allocating more homogeneous redundancies to the less reliable components tends to produce a redundant system with stochastically larger lifetime, (ii) the reliability of the redundant system can be uniformly maximized through balancing the allocation of homogeneous redundancies in the context of homogeneous components, and (iii) allocating a more reliable matched redundancy to a less reliable component produces a more reliable system. These novel results on k-out-of-n:F systems in which component and redundancy lifetimes are statistically dependent are more applicable to the complicated engineering systems that arise in real practice. Some numerical examples are also presented to illustrate these findings.
Significance of skewness and kurtosis on the solute dispersion in pulsatile Carreau–Yasuda fluid flow in a tube with wall absorption
Authors: Singh Shalini , Murthy P.V.S.N.
Published: May 2023

Solute dispersion in Carreau–Yasuda fluid flow in a tube presented in Rana & Murthy (Proc. R. Soc. Lond.A, vol. 472, 2016, p. 20160294) was limited to a steady-state velocity profile due to the nonlinearity associated with the Yasuda parameter$a$with power-law exponent$n$. This limitation is overcome and the velocity profile is obtained for all values of the Yasuda parameter by using the Lagrange inversion theorem, which admits power series solution for the flow field. An analytical solution for the concentration distribution in the circular tube is obtained for the unsteady and pulsatile flow with$n\leq 1$and$\alpha <<1$and the numerical solution is presented for all values of$\alpha$and$n$. The solute dispersion is analysed analytically using the Sankarasubramanian–Gill generalized dispersion method and also using the Aris–Barton method of moments considering up to fourth-order moments. The solute dispersion is also simulated numerically by using a new class of computationally explicit Runge–Kutta method. The axial mean concentration of the solute is estimated by the exchange, convective and dispersion coefficients. The third- and fourth-order moments give rise to skewness and kurtosis revealing the deviation from the Gaussianity and reduction in the peak of the mean concentration profile at a small time of the solute injection. All time variations of these five moments against flow governing parameters are thoroughly investigated. The flow and dispersion regimes that are derived here for moments provide a good understanding of the solute dispersion in the tube. The increase in the Womersley frequency parameter led to a phase lag at each period. This work is the initiation of estimating the skewness and kurtosis in a non-yield stress fluid flow in a tube.
MONETARY AND FISCAL POLICY REDUX—THE MINI-BUDGET
Authors: Chadha Jagjit S.
Published: May 2023

Not so very long ago, I argued that it was possible to characterise modern monetary and fiscal policy in the UK as a function of three key events: exit from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism in September 1992, the election of ‘New Labour’ in May 1997 and the global financial crisis of 2007–2009. The first led to the adoption of a domestic inflation target in October 1992, the second to the operational independence of the Bank of England and the establishment of the Monetary Policy Committee and the third to the acceptance of the need for macro-prudential policies, extraordinary monetary interventions to augment a simple interest rate rule and formal budgetary oversight by a fiscal council. The latter was provided by the Office for Budget Responsibility, which was established in 2010.
Habitual fish consumption and healthy lifestyle behaviours may be associated with higher total serum bilirubin level and anti-inflammatory activity: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Tani Shigemasa , Atsumi Wataru , Imatake Kazuhiro , Suzuki Yasuyuki , Yagi Tsukasa , Takahashi Atsuhiko , Matsumoto Naoya , Okumura Yasuo
Published: May 2023

Habitual fish consumption and a healthy lifestyle are associated with lower atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk. Mildly elevated bilirubin, an end product of Hb metabolism, may be associated with anti-inflammatory effects, suppressing ASCVD risk. No data exist on the relationship between fish consumption, total serum bilirubin (TSB) and inflammation in clinical settings. We conducted a cross-sectional study between April 2019 and March 2020 in a cohort of 8292 participants (average age, 46·7 (sd 12·9) years and 58·9 % men) with no history of ASCVD and TSB concentrations < 2·0 mg/dl. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed Hb concentrations were a solid positive determinant of TSB concentrations (β = 0·302, P< 0·0001). Fish consumption (β = 0·025, P= 0·019) and aerobic exercise (β = 0·021, P= 0·043) were statistically weak but significantly positive determinants of TSB concentrations. Cigarette smoking negatively affected TSB concentrations (β = −0·104, P< 0·0001). Moreover, with increasing fish consumption, the proportion of participants with a habit of cigarette smoking decreased, and that of participants who engaged in aerobic exercises increased (P< 0·0001 for both). Furthermore, as TSB concentrations increased, the leukocyte counts and C-reactive protein concentrations decreased (P< 0·0001 for both). In conclusion, despite the lesser relevance given to TSB concentrations than Hb concentrations, higher fish consumption and healthier lifestyle behaviours related to fish consumption habits may be additively or synergistically associated with higher TSB concentrations and anti-inflammatory activity, leading to attenuated ASCVD risk. Further investigations are needed to clarify the causal relationships between these factors.
Pier Paolo Pasolini and the Sacred
Authors: Stochino Emanuele
Published: May 2023

Pier Paolo Pasolini (1923–1975) fashioned poetry, prose, cinema, and theatrical works, and how he conceived of the sacred is more thoroughly understood in relation to his working biography. Two films, The Gospel According to St Matthew and La Ricotta, together with his tragedies, overwritten on the Greek plays The Eumenides and Medea are here in focus, indicating why Pasolini drew on Mircea Eliade’s method of integrating historical, phenomenological, and hermeneutical approaches. Declaring himself a Marxist, Pasolini did not accept Eliade’s theory in full, while the two concepts that most link him to Eliade are the latter’s ‘eternal return’ and ‘hierophanies’. Pasolini had grown up immersed in the natural world of Friuli, Northern Italy, and he considered hierophanies as an immanent manifestation of the sacred in nature. In doing this, he discovered both the immensity of the archaic peasant world and the cosmogonic matrix of his religion. Pasolini’s ontological vision of being led him to define the eternal return as the cyclical time of nature, the movement of life in respect of the inscrutable laws of the cosmos and the transcendent supernatural. Cyclical time meant death and resurrection and thus the possibility of regeneration, like a seed that dies to become a plant.
Multisystemic supports and adolescent resilience to depression over time: A South African mixed methods study
Authors: Theron Linda , Höltge Jan , Ungar Michael
Published: May 2023

In sub-Saharan countries, like South Africa, there is scant understanding of adolescent resilience to depression over time; the multisystemic resource combinations that support such resilience; and whether more diverse resource combinations yield better mental health dividends. In response, we conducted a longitudinal concurrent nested mixed methods study with 223 South African adolescents (mean age: 17.16 years, SD = 1.73; 64.60% girls; 81.60% Black). Using longitudinal mixture modeling, the quantitative study identified trajectories of depression and associations between trajectory membership and resource diversity. Using a draw-and-write methodology and reflexive thematic analyses, the qualitative study explored the resource diversity associated with each trajectory. Taken together, these studies identified four depression trajectories (Stable Low; Declining; Worsening; Chronic High) with varying resource diversity at baseline and over time. Resource diversity was inclusive of personal, relational, contextual, and culturally valued resources in both the Stable Low and Declining trajectories, with emphasis on relational supports. Personal resources were emphasized in the Worsening and Chronic High trajectories, and culturally valued and contextual resources de-emphasized. In summary, resource constellations characterized by within and across system diversity and cultural responsiveness are more protective and will be key to advancing sub-Saharan adolescent mental health.
Food security definition, measures and advocacy priorities in high-income countries: a Delphi consensus study
Authors: Gallegos Danielle , Booth Sue , Pollard Christina Mary , Chilton Mariana , Kleve Sue
Published: May 2023

Objective:

To establish an international consensus on the definition of food security, measures and advocacy priorities in high-income countries.

Design:

A two-round online Delphi survey with closing in March 2020 and December 2021. Consensus was set a priori at 75 %. Qualitative data were synthesised and priorities were ranked.

Setting:

High-income countries.

Participants:

Household food security experts in academia, government and non-government organisations who had published in the last 5 years.

Results:

Up to thirty-two participants from fourteen high-income countries responded to the Delphi with a 25 % response rate in Round 1 and a 38 % response rate in Round 2. Consensus was reached on the technical food security definition and its dimensions. Consensus was not reached on a definition suitable for the general public. All participants agreed that food security monitoring systems provide valuable data for in-country decision-making. Favoured interventions were those that focused on upstream social policy influencing income. Respondents agreed that both national and local community level strategies were required to ameliorate food insecurity, reinforcing the complexity of the problem.

Conclusions:

This study furthers the conceptual understanding of the commonly used definition of food security and its constituent dimensions. Strong advocacy is needed to ensure food security monitoring, policy and mitigation strategies are implemented. The consensus on the importance of prioritising actions that address the underlying determinants of household food security by experts in the field from across wealthy nations provides evidence to focus advocacy efforts and generate public debate.