bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced solar-driven evaporation and mineral extraction from hypersaline produced water using low-cost microporous photothermal foam
Authors: Nnanna Agbai (George) , Nnanna Nnenne
Published: September 2023

The beneficial reuse of produced water (PW) holds significant promise to alleviate water scarcity. However, it still suffers major limitations associated with high cost of treatment due to energy consumption, economics of scale, and the complex physiochemical constituents. PW is a hypersaline (TDS ~ 250,000 mg/l) oilfield water with bio-species, organic matters, anions, divalent cations, and radioactive elements. A sustainable treatment option is a solar-driven floating photothermal evaporation (PTE), a desalination technology implemented for seawater characterized by simpler chemical compositions and low salinity. In this work, the photothermal evaporator for PW was fabricated using low cost commercially available charcoal polyurethane foam. The engineered macrochannels and structural alterations created unique pathways for salt extraction and evaporation; and ensured hydrodynamic balance between the rates of capillary flow and evaporation. This novel design mitigated flooding or dry out on the evaporating surface and kept the system running steadily while simultaneously harvesting freshwater and valuable salts. The key findings from this work are: (a) development of a novel temperature ratio-based method to determine optimum PTE thickness that results in maximum evaporation and thermal localization, (b) development of the first empirical correlation between the rate of thermal localization, evaporation rate, and PTE thickness. It combines the interplay of convection, evaporative flux, conduction, heat capacitance, and thickness on the thermal response of PTE foam to incident solar flux, and (c) experimental evidence revealing efflorescence and subflorescence salt on the evaporating surface and pore, and (d) enhanced evaporation rate of 118% or 71.6 kg/day- m2 of clean water from chemically-complex hypersaline produced water. These findings are significant for the engineering design and estimation of the performance of a PTE in a solar-driven evaporation system.
Comparing the Efficacy of Intravenous Morphine versus Ibuprofen or its Compound in Patients with Closed Limb Fractures
Authors: Isfahani Mehdi Nasr , Etesami Hossein , Ahmadi Omid , Masoumi Babak
Published: September 2023

Introduction:
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of intravenous ibuprofen or intravenous ibuprofen plus acetaminophen compared to intravenous morphine in patients with closed extremity fractures.
Methods:
A triple-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary trauma center in Iran. Adult patients between 15 and 60 years old with closed, isolated limb fractures and a pain intensity of at least 6/10 on the visual analog scale (VAS) were eligible. Patients with specific conditions or contraindications were not included. Participants were randomly assigned to receive intravenous ibuprofen, intravenous ibuprofen plus acetaminophen, or intravenous morphine. Pain scores were assessed using the visual analog scale at baseline and 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after drug administration. The primary outcome measure was the pain score reduction after one hour.
Results:
Out of 388 trauma patients screened, 158 were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in age or sex distribution among the three groups. The pain scores decreased significantly in all groups after 5 minutes, with the morphine group showing the lowest pain score at 15 minutes. The maximum effect of ibuprofen was observed after 30 minutes, while the ibuprofen-acetaminophen combination maintained its effect after 60 minutes. One hour after injection, pain score reduction in the ibuprofen-acetaminophen group was significantly more than in the other two groups, and pain score reduction in the ibuprofen group was significantly more than in the morphine group.
Conclusion:
The study findings suggest that ibuprofen and its combination with acetaminophen have similar or better analgesic effects compared to morphine in patients with closed extremity fractures. Although morphine initially provided the greatest pain relief, its effect diminished over time. In contrast, ibuprofen and the ibuprofen-acetaminophen combination maintained their analgesic effects for a longer duration. The combination therapy demonstrated the most sustained pain reduction. The study highlights the potential of non-opioid analgesics in fracture pain management and emphasizes the importance of initiation of these medications as first line analgesic for patients with fractures. These findings support the growing trend of exploring non-opioid analgesics in pain management.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05630222 (Tue, Nov 29, 2022)
Healing and long-term prognosis of root fractured permanent teeth: a retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Pedrosa Natalia de Oliveira Murta , Santos Rayner Afonso , Coste Sylvia Cury , Colosimo Enrico Antônio , Bastos Juliana Vilela
Published: September 2023

Aim
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate permanent teeth with post-traumatic transversal root fractures for their initial healing modality, the effect of candidate predictors and their long term prognosis.
Methodology:
A retrospective longitudinal clinical study was conducted to evaluate records from patients bearing transversal root fractures in permanent teeth in order to radiographically assess short-term healing and non-healing events in the fracture line, their prognostic factors and their relationship with long term outcomes. The inter-fragmentary tissues were classified as healing: hard tissue (HT), connective tissue (CT) or connective tissue and bone (CT + B) and non-healing: interposition of granulation tissue (GT). A competing risk survival analysis was conducted to estimate the hazards of healing and non-healing events and the effect of demographic, clinical and treatment variables was assessed using the subdistribution regression model (Fine & Gray).
Results
Radiographic findings showed 51.9% of healing in the short-term being strongly influenced by the presence and type of concomitant injuries to the coronal fragment. Teeth with concomitant crown fractures (sHR 24.38, 95% CI [3.16–188.3], p = 0.0022), luxations with dislocations (sHR 10.58, 95% CI [1.37–81.9], p = 0.0240) and subluxations (HR 9.66, 95% CI [1.14–81.7], p = 0.0370) were more likely to present non-healing of root fractures in the short-term. The healing rate in the long-term was of 70.1%, most of them with interposition of bone and connective tissue. The only predictive factor for the long-term prognosis of root fractured tooth was the occurrence of short-term healing ((sHR 4.15 [2.15–8.01] p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Healing at the fracture site was the most frequent outcome, both in the short-term and in the long-term. Short-term healing modality was strongly influenced by the presence and type of concomitant injuries to the crown fragment and was also predictive for long-term prognosis.
Clinical relevance:
Post-traumatic transversal root fractures have a positive prognosis in the long-term, supporting therefore, a more conservative approach for these teeth before considering more radical treatments.
Identification of Some Priority Heavy Metals Driver of Environmental Degradation Caused by Agricultural Activity; A Case Study in Ebonyi State Nigeria
Authors: Igwe Emmanuel , Baharane Valérien , Ugwu Benedictha Chinenye , Diakite Simbo , Saquee Francess Sia , Usman John Julius
Published: September 2023

Agriculture operation remained the main emitter of top priority pollutants in the environment. This research identified actual agricultural activities that led to unabated emission heavy metal pollutant into the environment while signaling how it has contaminated agricultural yields. Descriptive statistic were used to analze quantification of the pollutants from various sources. It was reported non-sustainable agricultural operation is mother of all environmental issues verified with statistical data which showed it constituted (80%) caused ecological deterioration and deforestation. This study identified, atleast a majority (86%) of the farmers used agrochemical in their farming activities which has led to intensification of agriculture that triggered environmental degradation. Moreso, majority (88%) of the farmers used NPK fertilizer while 82% used ammonium nitrate fertilizer on their yields. It was reported that these chemical caused serious threat to life e.g N2O in particular in severe situation. The study identified, majority (75%) of the pollutants entered into the environment through erosion (leasing) of soil nutrients. The variants responsible for determining effects conventional approach to agricultural on the environment correlation relationship was tested with multiple regression analysis the was R2 82.6% which is statistically important variables that constituted the main sources of ecological crisis. The study recommended new orientation for more sustainable context approach to agriculture to produce health food and the ecosystem.
Application of a combined cancellous lag screw enhances the stability of locking plate fixation of osteoporotic lateral tibial plateau fracture by providing interfragmentary compression force
Authors: Jiang Jiang , Xu Daqiang , Wang Fei , Jia Rui , Wang Jun , Hong Hong , Zhang Hongtao , Li Jianyi
Published: September 2023

Background
Insufficient interfragmentary compression force (IFCF) frequently leads to unstable fixation of osteoporotic lateral tibial plateau fractures (OLTPFs). A combined cancellous lag screw (CCLS) enhances IFCF; however, its effect on OLTPF fixation stability remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of CCLS on OLTPF stability using locking plate fixation (LPF).
Methods
Twelve synthetic osteoporotic tibial bones were used to simulate OLTPFs, which were fixed using LPF, LPF-AO cancellous lag screws (LPF-AOCLS), and LPF-CCLS. Subsequently, 10,000 cyclic loadings from 30 to 400 N were performed. The initial axial stiffness (IAS), maximal axial micromotion of the lateral fragment (MAM-LF) measured every 1,000 cycles, and failure load after 10,000 cycles were tested. The same three fixations for OLTPF were simulated using finite element analysis (FEA). IFCFs of 0, 225, and 300 N were applied to the LPF, LPF-AOCLS, and LPF-CCLS, respectively, with a 1,000-N axial compressive force. The MAM-LF, peak von Mises Stress (VMS), peak equivalent elastic strain of the lateral fragment (EES-LF), and nodes of EES-LF > 2% (considered bone destruction) were calculated.
Results
Biomechanical tests revealed the LPF-AOCLS and LPF-CCLS groups to be superior to the LPF group in terms of the IAS, MAM-LF, and failure load (all p < 0.05). FEA revealed that the MAM-LF, peak VMS, peak EES-LF, and nodes with EES-LF > 2% in the LPF were higher than those in the LPF-AOCLS and LPF-CCLS.
Conclusions
IFCF was shown to enhance the stability of OLTPFs using LPF. Although there were no significant differences between the CCLS and AOCLS, CCLS is preferably recommended due to considerations regarding overscrewing.
Hybrid Booting with Incremental Hibernation for the Baseboard Management Controllers
Authors: Jang Joonhyouk , Park Minho , Hong Jiman
Published: September 2023

The Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) is a specialized processor installed on the motherboard of a server. The BMC operates independently from the server and provides administrators with functionalities for managing the server. Since the server boots immediately after the BMC is powered on, it is crucial to ensure rapid booting and backup of the BMC in case of failures like power outages or system crashes. This paper proposes a hybrid booting with the incremental hibernation technique, considering the operating environment of the BMC. The proposed technique periodically stores the state of the BMC and offers various recovery options based on the stored state. It also employs an incremental backup technique for the efficient management of stored states and a hybrid booting technique to guarantee fast booting. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed technique, the proposed technique is implemented on a development board where the BMC chipset operates, and the overhead, disk usage, and booting speed are measured. The experimental results show that the proposed technique efficiently enables BMC backup and reduces the booting times.
Improvement of laparoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection for Penile cancer
Authors: ban yifei , xu faren , liang tiejun , yang nannan
Published: September 2023

The prognosis of Penile cancer patients is closely related to the metastasis of inguinal lymph nodes. Timely inguinal lymph node dissection is an important part of the treatment of Penile cancer. The tumor control effect of laparoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection is similar to that of open surgery, but the complications are significantly reduced; And there are different methods in terms of surgical approach, dissection approach and Great saphenous vein preservation. We adopt the transabdominal subcutaneous anterograde approach and improve the laparoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection. This article introduces the procedures and technical improvement points of the improved laparoscopic inguinal lymph node dissection through the subcutaneous approach.
Key-in-Session Identity Negotiations in a First Line Treatment for Adult Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Heywood Lauren , Conti Janet , Hay Phillipa , Touyz Stephen , Madden Sloan
Published: September 2023

Background
Exploration of client identity negotiations during treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a relatively new area of research. Research suggests that difficulties with identity negotiations may present as a barrier to treatment. This study sought to explore individuals’ identity negotiations during therapy sessions using Compulsive Exercise Activity Therapy (LEAP) combined with Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (CBT-AN). Analysis focused on moments in therapy where individuals’ identities were dominated or defined by AN and where alternative identities could be generated.
Method
40 in-session transcripts from sessions at early, mid and end points of the CBT-AN (with LEAP) treatment were qualitatively analysed for nine of the 78 participants in the original randomised control trial. Through a constructivist framework, thematic analysis was used to identify surface and latent meanings and discursive material participants used to negotiate their identities in the context of therapy sessions.
Results
Analysis of in-therapy transcripts generated two themes pertaining to identity negotiations: (1) AN identities and personal agency, and (2) building life and identities outside of the AN identity. Early therapy sessions explored fragmented and AN identities, including how AN was troubling to participants’ sense of self, contributed to conflicted identities, positioned them outside of normality, and was associated with isolated identities. Within therapy sessions, participants engaged in a recursive process of shifting relationships with themselves and building identities and lives outside of the AN identity. This included generating hopes for recovery and the future more frequently in mid- to late- therapy sessions.
Conclusion
Identity negotiations evident in the therapeutic conversations aligned with the key components of the CBT-AN intervention, including addressing (1) the characterisation of oneself as ‘an anorexic’ and (2) the diversification of roles and activities to broaden and enhance self-concepts. Future developments of therapeutic interventions for AN would benefit from greater consideration of ways to assist individuals to more comprehensively address problematic identities, including uncovering identities hidden by the AN identity and generating preferred identities.
Trial Registration:
Ethics approval was obtained at the time of the initial study and for this embedded research by the HREC at the Western Sydney University (HR777332).
Electrochemical sensor based on gum Arabic nanoparticles for rapid and in-situ detection of different heavy metals in real samples
Authors: Elamin Manahil Babiker , Chrouda Amani , Ali Shazalia Mahmoud Ahmed , Alhaidari Laila M. , Jabli Mahjoub , Elrouqi Rahaf , Renault Nicole Jafferezic
Published: September 2023

The key solution to combat trace metal pollution and keep the environment, ecosystem, animals, and humans safe is earlier and rapid trace metal detection. For all these reasons, we propose in this work the design of a simple electrochemical sensor functionalized with green nanoparticles for electrochemical detection of the fourth most dangerous heavy metal ions namely copper, zinc, lead, and mercury. The green nanoparticles are fabricated by a one-step, consisting of reducing platinum nanoparticles by a natural gum Arabic polymer. To guarantee the success of these nanoparticles' design, the nanoparticles have been characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR, and thermogravimetric TGA techniques. While, for the electrochemical characterization, we have adopted cyclic voltammetry CV and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy EIS to control different steps of surface modification, and the differential pulse anodic stripping DPAS was monitored to follow up the electrochemical detection of different heavy metals.
Results have confirmed the good chemical and physical properties of the elaborated nanoparticles. As, the developed sensor showed a specific electrochemical response toward the heavy metal ions separately, with a lower limit of detection lower LOD than that recommended by the World Health Organization, in order of 9.6 ppb for Cu2+, 1.9 ppb for Zn2+, 0.9 ppb for Hg2+, and 4.2 ppb for Pb2+. Impressively, the elaborated sensor has demonstrated also high stability, outstanding sensitivity, and excellent analytical performance.
In addition, the elaborated analytical tool has been successfully applied to the determination of various heavy metal ions in real samples, reflecting then its promising prospect in practical application.
RETRACTED: Co-delivery of temozolomide and quercetin using folic acid- conjugated engineered exosomes for glioblastoma treatment: the in-vitro and in-vivo study
Authors: Pourmasoumi Parvin , Abdouss Majid , Farhadi Mona , Jameie Seyed Behnamedin , Khonakdar Hossein Ali
Published: September 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
New approach of creation and modifying the characteristics of AgNPs/MWCNT/PSi hybrid structures
Authors: Ali Samah G. , Alwan Alwan M. , Jabbar Allaa A.
Published: September 2023

In this paper presents a new approach in modifying the properties of hybrid structures of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT); deposited on morphologically controlled porous silicon (PSi) surface. The PSi layer was prepared by Photo-electrochemical etching technique using a current density between 15 to 30mA/cm2. The AgNPs/ MWCNT was decorated on a PSi surface by a simple ion reduction from aqueous solutions of silver salt (AgNO3) at 5X10−2 M, 10− 2 M, 10− 3 M, and 10− 4 M concentrations. Structural, morphological and optical characterizations of (AgNPs/MWCNT/PSi) hybrid structure were analyzed with respect of the PSi layer morphology. The obtained results showed that a possibility of effectively controlling the hybrid structures morphology, the AgNPs size and the surface area by controlling the pores’ diameters. The deposition of the MWCNT and AgNPs on the wall and pore may enhance the specific surface area of the hybrid structure. Moreover, the decrease in the concentration of the silver salt aqueous solution can led to a significant decrease in the AgNPs sizes, and this can added another means in modifying the hybrid structures.
The recognition of typical and variant histological categories of Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma/B-cell lymphoma have high reproducibility, but challenges in classifying each variant remain
Authors: de Castro João Víctor Alves , Crespigio Jefferson , Olivera Cristiano Claudino , Costa Felipe D’Almeida , Ferreira Cristiane Rúbia
Published: September 2023

Background: Nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma/B-cell lymphoma (NLPHL/NLPBL) comprises around 5% of Hodgkin Lymphomas. It is characterized by the presence of lymphocyte predominant cells scattered throughout nodular areas of neoplastic follicles. Six morphological growth patterns with prognostic impact are recognized and grouped as “typical” (“A” and “B”) and “variant” (“C”, “D”, “E”, and ”F”) patterns. These patterns also aid in distinct differential diagnosis considerations. Due to its rarity, morphological and immunohistochemical studies are essential to make progress in the classification of such patterns. The study aims to describe the growth patterns of NLPHL/NLPBL diagnosed in a Brazilian Cancer Center, including immunoarchitectural characteristics of both the tumor cells and the microenvironment, and evaluate reproducibility of typical versus variant pattern diagnosis by general pathologists.
Methods: Retrospective histopathological study with cases diagnosed as NLPHL/NLPBL between 2014 and February 2022. Histopathological review for diagnostic confirmation and evaluation of growth patterns was performed by two general pathologists, and a Cohen’s kappa concordance level was evaluated. Cases with major diagnostic discordance were reviewed during a consensus meeting by one or two hematopathologists.
Results: Fifty cases of 45 patients were retrieved, including excisional biopsies (36/50, 72,0%) and core biopsies (14/50, 28,0%). Typical growth patterns were the most frequently encountered primary pattern (27/47, 57,4%); among the variant patterns, pattern “E” was the most frequent (9/20, 45,0%). Pattern “F” was not identified, and 3 core biopsies could not be evaluated. Cohen’s kappa was 0.894. There were 3 discordant cases, where challenges were related to small sampling in incisional biopsies and difficulties in differentiating pattern “C” from pattern “E”. T-cell PD1+ rosettes were seen in 92,6% of cases (25/27), being positive for CD4 (16/19, 84,2%) and BCL6 (24/31, 77,4%).
Conclusion: The identification of typical and variant growth patterns of NLPHL/NLPBL is highly reproducible by general pathologists. These patterns characterize distinct prognostic subgroups and aid in differential diagnostic considerations for specific immunoarchitectural scenarios. Further studies are needed to deepen the understanding of the different microenvironment of each pattern at the molecular level, aiming to uncover novel diagnostic and prognostic markers.
Optimization of a recombinant BlaR-CTD protein formulation using the Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Abdolvahab Mohadeseh Haji , Safari Mojdeh , Hasannejad Farkhonde , Asefi Nika , Salimi Alireza , Nazari Mahboobeh
Published: September 2023

A penicillin-binding protein (PBP) is a group of proteins that have an affinity for and bind to penicillin. They are a normal component of many bacteria and play a crucial role in bacterial cell wall synthesis. PBPs are the targets of β-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin. The sequence of a carboxy-terminal of the β-lactam sensor-transducer protein (BlaR-CTD) from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC14580 was extracted from US7745193B2 patent and expressed in E. coli using pColdI vector as a soluble His-tag recombinant protein. In this study, several excipients were used to improve the stability of recombinant BlaR-CTD and obtain the optimal formulation for this protein using response surface methodology (RSM)/ Central Composite Design (CCD). Total protein concentration was measured by UV spectroscopy and Bradford test. A total of 7 various formulations were designed using four different excipients including Glycerol, Sucrose, Triton x-100 and Tween-20, and three different buffers like Tris, Borate and PBS. By obtaining suitable excipients and buffer i.e. glycerol and sucrose, several concentrations of pH 7 to 9 were evaluated. The pH 7.62, glycerol 15.35% and sucrose 152.52 mM were determined as the most suitable for improve thermal stability of recombinant BlaR-CTD.
The role of tax regulation on private consumption: An analysis based on China's Tax System Structure
Authors: Sun Shiqiang , Lv Pingzhang
Published: September 2023

How does tax regulation affect private consumption? We establish an individual consumption model and use provincial-level panel data in China to empirically test the relationship between China's tax system structure and private consumption. The results indicate that China's turnover tax has a inhibitory effect on private onsumption level and consumption structure upgrading, but personal income tax has a promoting effect on private consumption level and consumption structure upgrading, while property tax has the most significant promoting effect on private consumption level and onsumption structure upgrading. Further research suggests that turnover tax and property tax have a significant spatial spillover effect on private consumption structure, and the indirect effect is more obvious than the direct effect. Moreover, the impact of these three types of taxes on China's rural consumption structure is greater than that of urban areas. The research conclusions can provide reference basis for public policy formulation in China and some developing countries.
ODRL: Application of Reinforcement Learning in Priority Scheduling for Running Cost Optimization
Authors: Kuang Cheng , Duan Meng , Lv Tao , Wu Yingjun , Ren Xiangyu , Wang Luping
Published: September 2023

Due to the heterogeneity of workloads and the randomness and complexity of hybrid scheduling environment, How to address the challenge of minimizing data center running costs while ensuring workloads SLA has emerged as a significant research problem. To address this, we propose an Optimal Deep Reinforcement Learning Model for Running Cost Optimization in Hybrid Environments (ODRL). Firstly, we propose Running Cost Model (RCM) that analyzes data center operating costs from two perspectives based on different running patterns of the workload and node affinity constraints: minimizing computing node utilization and resource operating costs. Subsequently, we propose a Priority-Aware Scheduling Algorithm based on Deep Reinforcement Learning(PASD) that use AHP-TOPSIS to quantify workload characterization, get real-time feedback for environment and update historical experience through prioritized experience replay. Finally, extensive experimental results validate the effectiveness of the proposed model. In comparison to Kube-Scheduler, ODRL achieves a significant 15% improvement in reducing data center running cost. Additionally, there is a 7.8% increase in CPU utilization and a 16.7% increase in memory utilization.
Extending Convolution to Semantic Segmentation with Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Armstrong Sholto John Nicky , Grobler Hans
Published: September 2023

Scene understanding enables multiple applications such as robotic automation. To enable scene understanding, semantic segmentation is an essential component. Highly accurate per-voxel semantic labels can efficiently be obtained through the use of encoder-decoder Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). However, scene understanding requires instances of objects to be discovered in a scene. Per-voxel labelling is unable to distinguish between separate instances of a given object. A novel method is proposed that enables segment-level predictions to be formed from the voxel-level predictions provided by the CNN architecture. This method uses an existing 3D CNN architecture to provide rich and computationally inexpensive features. The scene is then segmented with a graph-based segmentation technique to identify objects in the scene. Finally, a graph-based neural network is used to capture hierarchical information improving overall accuracy. The approach is tested on the S3DIS and ScanNet datasets to provide a comparable baseline to more modern architectures.
Landau damping and the survival threshold
Authors: Nguyen Toan
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we establish the large time asymptotic behavior of solutions to the linearized Vlasov-Poisson system near general spatially homogenous equilibria $\mu(\frac12|v|^2)$ with connected support on the torus $\mathbb{T}^3_x \times \RR^3_v$ or on the whole space $\RR^3_x \times \RR^3_v$, including those that are non-monotone. The problem can be solved completely mode by mode for each spatial wave number, and their longtime dynamics is intimately tied to the ''survival threshold'' of wave numbers computed by $$\kappa_0^2 = 4\pi \int_0^\Upsilon \frac{u^2\mu(\frac12 u^2)}{\Upsilon^2-u^2} \;du$$ where $\Upsilon$ is the maximal speed of particle velocities. It is shown that purely oscillatory electric fields exist and obey a Klein-Gordon's type dispersion relation for wave numbers below the threshold, thus confirming the existence of Langmuir's oscillatory waves known in the physical literature. At the threshold, the phase velocity of these oscillatory waves enters the range of admissible particle velocities, namely there are particles that move at the same propagation speed of the waves. It is this exact resonant interaction between particles and the oscillatory fields that causes the waves to be damped, classically known as Landau damping. Landau's law of decay is explicitly computed and is sensitive to the decaying rate of the background equilibria. The faster it decays at the maximal velocity, the weaker Landau damping is. Beyond the threshold, the electric fields are a perturbation of those generated by the free transport dynamics and thus decay rapidly fast due to the phase mixing mechanism.
Urban Heat Variation and Temperature Lapse Rate in the Kathmandu Valley
Authors: Thapa Nabin , Baniya Binod , Bhusal Bhawana , Sigdel Madan , Khanal Kripa , Acharya Ram Hari
Published: September 2023

The rate of urbanization growth has accelerated and made urban areas comparatively warmer than surroundings which are the main issues of urban heat worldwide. The Kathmandu Valley is one of the million plus cities with the fastest rate of urbanization and consequent extreme heat. In this study, urban heat was analyzed using both in-situ and satellite-based observation and estimated temperature lapse rate. The Mann Kendell test, Sen’s slope, raster image analysis and lapse rate estimation methods were used. The results showed that average temperature difference in between urban core and surrounding was 4.07oC from 1990 to 2020. Likewise, the summer day temperature in Putalisadak was 8.8oC higher than the Nagarkot. The maximum temperature has increased in all stations where Godavari station has increased significantly (0.073oC yr− 1, p < 0.0001). During all seasons, the daytime temperature is higher than the nighttime temperature which is more influenced by the humidity. The maximum 32.86oC daytime temperature was recorded on August 4, 1pm and the minimum temperature was 3.67oC on Jan 20, 6am, 2020 at the city core. Similarly, the highest temperature was recorded at 31oC in Bagbazar and 33oC in Patan on July 10 and July 11, 2022 respectively when the humidity was lower. Satellite-based observation also shows that the urban heat scenario of the Kathmandu Valley was higher in the urban core which was ranges from 21.06 to 26.09 during 2000–2020. The temperature of the city has increased. However, temperature lapse rate in response to Nagarkot (reference station) is normal i.e decreased temperature in response to increased height. The higher lapse rate is generally found in the Godavari and lower was observed in the Machhegaoun. Overall, the Kathmandu Valley is getting more warmer compared to the surroundings. This comprehensive study is useful to explore the understanding of urban heat islands and temperature lapse rate in the major cities in compared to the surroundings in Nepal.
Impact assessment of onchocerciasis through lymphatic filariasis transmission assessment surveys using Ov-16 rapid diagnostic tests in Sierra Leone
Authors: Kargbo-Labour Ibrahim , Bah Mohamed S. , Conteh Abdulai , Melchers Natalie V.S. Vinkeles , Redwood-Sawyerr Victoria , Stolk Wilma A. , Paye Jusufu , Sonnie Mustapha , Veinoglou Amy , Koroma Joseph B. , Hodges Mary H. , Weaver Angela M. , Zhang Yaobi
Published: September 2023

Background
Sierra Leone is endemic with onchocerciasis in 14 of its 16 districts with high prevalence (47–88.5%) by skin snips at baseline. After 11 rounds of mass treatment with ivermectin with good coverage, an impact assessment was conducted in 2017 to assess the progress towards onchocerciasis elimination in the country.
Methods
A cluster survey was conducted, either integrated with lymphatic filariasis (LF) transmission assessment survey (TAS) or standalone with the LF TAS sampling strategy, in 12 (now 14) endemic districts. Finger prick blood samples of randomly selected children in Grades 1–4 were tested in the field using the SD Bioline Onchocerciasis IgG4 rapid tests.
Results
In total, 17,402 children aged 4–19 years in 177 schools were tested and data from 17,364 children aged 4–14 years (14,230 children aged 5–9 years) were analyzed. There were 346 children confirmed positive for Ov-16 IgG4 antibodies, a prevalence of 2.0% (95% CI: 1.8–2.2%) in children aged 4–14 years with prevalence increasing with age. Prevalence in boys 2.4% (95% CI: 2.1–2.7%) was higher than in girls 1.6% (95% CI: 1.4–1.9%). There was a trend of continued reduction from baseline and 2010. Using data from children aged 5–9 years, overall prevalence was 1.7% (95% CI: 1.5–1.9%). The site prevalence ranged from 0–33.3% (median prevalence = 0.0%): <2% in 127 schools, 2% – <5% in 34 schools and ≥ 5% in 16 schools. There was a significant difference in average prevalence between districts. Using spatial analysis, the Ov-16 IgG4 antibody prevalence was predicted below 2% in coastal areas and in the large parts of Koinadugu, Bombali and Tonkolili districts while high prevalence (> 5%) was predicted in some focal areas, centered in Karene, Kailahun, and Moyamba/Tonkolili.
Conclusions
Low Ov-16 IgG4 antibody prevalence was shown in most areas across Sierra Leone. In particular, low seroprevalence in 5–9 years old suggests that the infection was reduced to a low level after 11 rounds of treatment intervention. Sierra Leone has made major progress towards elimination of onchocerciasis. However, attention must be paid to those high prevalence focal areas.
Birth Outcomes among People with Hepatitis C in Pregnancy — Three U.S. States, 2018-2020
Authors: Woodworth Kate R. , Newton Suzanne M. , Tannis Ayzsa , Reynolds Megan R. , Olsen Emily O. , Sizemore Lindsey , Wingate Heather , Orkis Lauren , Reynolds Bethany , Longcore Nicole , Thomas Nadia , Kim Shin Y. , Panagiotakopoulos Lakshmi , Wester Carolyn , Delman Dana Meaney , Gilboa Suzanne M. , Tong Van T.
Published: September 2023

There are limited and conflicting data regarding the impact of hepatitis C in pregnancy on adverse birth outcomes. Using a large surveillance cohort, we describe birth outcomes among a cohort of people with HCV in pregnancy. Among 1171 infants, the proportion born preterm was 19%, 13% were small-for-gestational age and 26% of term infants required intensive care. Assessments of recent changes to recommendations for HCV screening in pregnancy should evaluate the impact on maternal access to care for both HCV treatment as well as comorbidities such as substance use disorder which may contribute to adverse birth outcomes.
Magnitude of caesarean section delivery and its associated factor among immediate postnatal women in public hospitals of Addis Ababa in 2022
Authors: lambebo Abera , Getaneh Chala , Mezemir Yordanos , G/mariam Muluken
Published: September 2023

Background Caesarean section is the commonest obstetric operative procedure worldwide. Including Ethiopia, that can improve infant and maternal outcomes.
Objective The objective of this study is to compute the magnitude of cesarean section delivery rate and its associated factors among immediate postnatal women in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2022.
Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted. A total of 550 study participants were chosen using multi-stage sampling. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection; the collected data was cleared and entered into Epi Data version 3.1. Then it was exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Then, the result will be presented by table frequency, percentage, and charts. By using binary logistic regression, bivariate analysis and multivariate analysis were computed to see the association between each independent variable and the outcome variable. Adjusted odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals and a p-value of less than 0.05 will be used to declare a result as statistically significant.
Results According to these results (n=550), the prevalence of cesarean sections was 45.8%, with a 95%CI of 42%–50.2%). Previous caesarean section (AOR = 15.32, 95% CI: (7.07-33.17)), eclampsia/pre eclampsia (AOR 10.69, 95% CI: (4.99-22.87)Fetal distress CS (AOR = 6.28, 95% CI: (2.98-13.24), APH (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI: (1.33-9.65), and mal presentation (AOR = 2.96, 95% CI: 14.2-6.18) were all significantly associated with caesarean section birth.
Conclusion In this study the rate of Caesarean delivery is unacceptably high Previous Cesarean section deliveries and Pre-eclampsia /eclampsia are the most significant factors for cesarean delivery. CS utilizations higher than WHO recommendation was not associated with a reduction in maternal and newborn mortality rates, Empowering and educating women, increasing co-services targeting mothers’ awareness might be very vital to deal with current problem.
Building footprint data for countries in Africa: to what extent are existing data products comparable?
Authors: Chamberlain Heather R , Darin Edith , Adewole Ademola , Jochem Warren Christopher , Lazar Attila N , Tatem Andrew J
Published: September 2023

Growth and developments in computing power, machine-learning algorithms and satellite imagery spatiotemporal resolution have led to rapid developments in automated feature-extraction. These methods have been applied to create geospatial datasets of features such as roads, trees and building footprints, at a range of spatial scales, with national and multi-country datasets now available as open data from multiple sources. Building footprint data is particularly useful in a range of applications including mapping population distributions, planning resource distribution campaigns and in humanitarian response. In settings with well-developed geospatial data systems, such datasets may complement existing authoritative sources, but in data-scarce settings, they may be the only source of data. However, knowledge on the degree to which building footprint data products are comparable and can be used interchangeably, and the impact of selecting a particular dataset on subsequent analyses remains limited. For all countries in Africa, we review the available multi-country building footprint data products and analyse their similarities and differences in terms of building area and count metrics. We explore the variation between building footprint data products across a range of spatial scales, including sub-national administrative units and different settlement types. Our results show that the available building footprint data products are not interchangeable. There are clear differences in counts and total area of building footprints between the assessed data products, as well as considerable spatial heterogeneity in building footprint coverage and completeness.
Empirical Relationship between Use, Area, and Ambient Air Concentration of Methyl Bromide
Authors: Li LinYing , Johnson Bruce , Segawa Randy
Published: September 2023

Methyl bromide (MeBr) is one of the most widely used soil fumigants. Human exposure to MeBr above threshold values can cause serious health problems. The exposure assessment of MeBr depends on estimation or measurement of its air concentrations. This study proposed a methodology for systematically exploring the empirical relationship between MeBr use intensity and ambient air concentrations. Monitored air concentrations were regressed to MeBr use over various spatiotemporal scales that step‐wise increased around the monitoring site and monitoring period. The results showed that the goodness‐of‐fit varied with the spatiotemporal scale of MeBr use. The best fit was Y = 0.46 + 0.00120X (R2 = 0.95, n = 11), where Y was the 8‐wk average ambient air concentration (μg/m3), and X was the weekly average use (kg/wk) over an area of 11.3 × 11.3 km (7 × 7 mi). The model was calibrated with air‐monitoring data and use data of 2000, and verified with the same type data of 2001. The model estimated subchronic air concentration with reasonable accuracy.
Machine-learning oxybarometer developed using zircon trace-element chemistry and its applications
Authors: Zou Shaohao , Brzozowski Matthew J. , Chen Xilian , Xu Deru
Published: September 2023

Magmatic oxygen fugacity (fO2) is a fundamental property to understanding the long-term evolution of the Earth’s atmosphere and the formation of magmatic-hydrothermal mineral deposits. Classically, the magmatic fO2 is estimated using mineral chemistry, such as Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, and hornblende. These methods, however, are only valid within certain limits and/or require a significant amount of a priori knowledge. In this contribution, a new oxybarometer, constructed by data-driven machine learning algorithms using trace elements in zircon and their corresponding independent fO2 constraints, is provided. Seven different algorithms are initially trained and then validated on a data set that was never utilized in the training processes. Results suggest that the oxybarometer constructed by the extremely randomized trees model has the best performance, with the largest R2 value (0.91 ± 0.01), smallest RMSE (0.45 ± 0.03), and low propagated analytical error (~0.10 log units). Feature importance analysis demonstrates that U, Ti, Th, Ce, and Eu in zircon are the key trace elements that preserve fO2 information. This newly developed oxybarometer has been applied in diverse systems, including arc magmas and mid-ocean ridge basalts, fertile and barren porphyry systems, and global S-type detrital zircon, which provide fO2 constraints that are consistent with other independent methods, suggesting that it has wide applicability. To improve accessibility, the oxybarometer was developed into a software application aimed at enabling more consistent and reliable fO2 determinations in magmatic systems, promoting further research.
Near-extremal limits of warped black holes
Authors: Aggarwal Ankit , Castro Alejandra , Detournay Stéphane , Mühlmann Beatrix
Published: September 2023

A holographic description of three-dimensional warped black holes suffers from ambiguities due to a seemingly harmless choice of coordinate system. This gives rise to the notion of ensembles in warped black holes, and we focus on two of them: the canonical and quadratic ensemble. Our aim is to quantify the imprint of these ensembles in the near-extremal limit of a warped black hole. To this end, for each ensemble, we explore the thermodynamic response and evaluate greybody factors. We also set-up a holographic dictionary in their near-AdS_22 region, and decode aspects of the dual near-CFT_11. This gives us different perspectives of the black hole that we can contrast and compare. On the one hand, we find perfect agreement between the near-extremal limit of the canonical ensemble warped black holes, their near-AdS_22 effective analysis, and a warped conformal field theory description. On the other, we are led to rule out the quadratic ensemble due to inconsistencies at the quantum level with the near-AdS_22 effective description.
On the Witten index of 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ unitary SQCD with general CS levels
Authors: Closset Cyril , Khlaif Osama
Published: September 2023

We consider unitary SQCD, a three-dimensional \mathcal{N}=2𝒩=2 supersymmetric Chern-Simons-matter theory consisting of one U(N_c)_{k, k+l N_c}U(Nc)k,k+lNc vector multiplet coupled to n_fnf fundamental and n_ana antifundamental chiral multiplets, where kk and ll parameterise generic CS levels for U(N_c)=(SU(N_c)\times U(1))/\mathbb{Z}_{N_c}U(Nc)=(SU(Nc)×U(1))/ℤNc. We study the moduli space of vacua of this theory with n_a=0na=0, for generic values of the parameters N_c, k, l, n_fNc,k,l,nf and with a non-zero Fayet-Ilopoulos parameter turned on. We uncover a rich pattern of vacua including Higgs, topological and hybrid phases. This allows us to derive a closed-form formula for the flavoured Witten index of unitary SQCD for any n_f\neq n_anf≠na, generalising previously known results for either l=0 or n_f=n_anf=na. Finally, we analyse the vacuum structure of recently proposed infrared-dual gauge theories and we match vacua across the dualities, thus providing intricate new checks of those dualities. Incidentally, we also discuss a seemingly new level/rank duality for pure CS theories with U(N) x U(N’) gauge group.
The use of artificial intelligence to diagnose diseases and predict their outcomes in newborns
Authors: Kharlamova N. V. , Yasinsky I. F. , Ananyeva M. A. , Shilova N. A. , Nazarov S. B. , Matveeva E. A. , Budalova A. V. , Ivanenkova Yu. A.
Published: September 2023

In recent years, modern models of artificial intelligence, including neural networks, have been successfully introduced into clinical practice, due to the high accuracy of functioning and the prospects of their use for the diagnosis and prediction of various diseases.

   Purpose. To improve the processes of predicting and diagnosing diseases and their outcomes in newborns using neural network intelligent technologies.

   Material and methods. The study is based on statistically reliable collection of patient history data, mathematical analysis, fuzzy logic theory and principles of trainable neural network systems.

   Results. Neural network programs have been developed to predict the course of posthypoxic disorders of the cardiovascular system in newborns; to determine the probability of occurrence and outcomes in newborns of such significant diseases as cerebral leukomalacia, intracranial hemorrhages, hydrocephalus, necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, early anemia of prematurity; to predict the physical and neuropsychiatric development of a child to age of one year; and also to predict an unfavorable outcome (death or disability with persistent health problems) of children born earlier than 32 weeks of gestation.

   Conclusion. The developed artificial neural network programs can be used for personification of the therapeutic and diagnostic process and nursing of newborns, including very preterm ones.
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: current threat
Authors: Shakaryan A. K. , Demkina A. M. , Zvereva N. N. , Rtishchev A. Yu.
Published: September 2023

The relevance of this problem is associated with a predicted increased incidence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a steadily progressive and difficult to diagnose fatal brain disease. Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis develops after measles and it does not correlate with clinical type of an acute measles infection: it affects both persons with manifest measles and ones who have had an asymptomatic or abortive disease. WHO estimates the incidence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis as 4–11 per 100,000 measles cases. The latency period from measles to the onset of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is between 2.5 and 34 years. As a result of measles outbreaks in 2011–2014 and 2017–2019 an increase in the number of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis cases in Russia is expected soon. Diagnostic difficulties are caused by multiplicity of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis clinical manifestation and the absence of MRI changes in early stages. Thereby, it is important to exclude SSPE in patients with neurological symptoms. Screening tests for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis should be conducted in children with acute cognitive impairment, myoclonus, or a new onset of epileptic syndrome. The specific cure for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis has not been developed yet. Most treatments aim at reducing symptoms. Up to date, the only way to conquer this disease is routine measles vaccination.