bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Humanitarian Law
Authors: Crawford Emily , Pert Alison
Published: October 2024

The law that regulates armed conflicts is one of the oldest branches of international law, and yet continues to be one of the most dynamic and relevant areas of law today. Now in its third edition, this textbook provides an accessible, scholarly, and up-to-date examination of international humanitarian law, offering students and teachers a comprehensive and logical discussion and analysis of the law. The textbook contains detailed examples, extracts from relevant cases, and useful discussion questions and a recommended reading list for each chapter, to help students and teachers alike engage with the subject matter, and grasp how the theory and the practice interact. Developing and emerging trends in theory and practice of international humanitarian law are also explored and examined, allowing for readers to build on their knowledge, and grapple with some of the biggest challenges facing the law of armed conflict in the twenty-first century.
Teaching for Linguistic Diversity in Schools
Authors: Moloney Robyn , Harbon Lesley , Oguro Susan
Published: October 2024

Teaching for Linguistic Diversity in Schools: Student Wellbeing and Achievement explores the linguistic landscape of Australia, including English, Indigenous languages, community languages and school-taught modern languages, to help teachers recognise the extent of children's language knowledge and to reflect on its implications for the classroom. The book explores the significant links between languages, wellbeing and academic achievement in students and offers readers practical suggestions for how to utilise linguistic diversity as an educational resource. The authors' conversational writing style engages both pre-service and practising teachers, helping them understand concepts they may not have previously encountered, while the case studies and stories from practising educators, students and parents bridge the gap between theory and practice. Each chapter includes reflection questions, creative activities and discussion questions to scaffold learning. The integrated online resources contain links to useful websites, further readings and videos to encourage independent exploration.
A Path Towards Assessing and Increasing Health System Resilience in Non-traditional Flood Areas
Authors: Ryan Benjamin J
Published: October 2024

Rapid deforestation, urbanization, and biodiversity loss over the last century has changed landscapes and disorientated the climate. This has magnified temperature, wind speed, air quality, and other meteorological variables. For example, the urban heat island effect has resulted in city areas being hotter than nearby rural areas and expanding physical landscapes combined with shifting precipitation patterns has increased flood risks in new locations. The result has been unexpected disruption to healthcare, supply chains, and changes in vector, water, and foodborne disease patterns. To find solutions to this challenge, a transdisciplinary approach is needed to assess and anticipate the impact of floods and other emerging risks on public health systems. The United Nations Public Health System Resilience Scorecard (Scorecard) could provide the process needed for this to occur. This is a reliable, scalable, and versatile tool that has been applied and tested in multiple communities and countries. Attendees to this session will learn about the Scorecard methodology and how it can be applied in different settings, used to build consensus, and employed to inform future resilience actions. Ultimately, providing a framework for maximizing the resilience of public health systems during a time of rapidly shifting environmental, social, and fiscal climates.

Learning Objectives

Identify the impact floods and other disasters can have on public health systems in non-traditional at-risk areas.

Explore the United Nations Public Health System Resilience Scorecard (Scorecard) and its alignment with the 2030 United Nations agenda.

Understand why a transdisciplinary approach is needed to assess the impact of floods and other emerging risks on public health systems.

Demonstrate how the Scorecard can be applied in multiple communities and countries to identify, rank, and prioritize resilience actions for public health systems.
Heat-Associated Death Surveillance in Maricopa County During the 2023 Heat Wave
Authors: Staab R. Nicholas
Published: October 2024

Since 2006, the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) has conducted routine surveillance of heat-associated deaths in the county. During that time, the number of deaths each year has been on the rise with 2022 numbers showing a 25% increase over 2021. Risk factors such as homelessness and alcohol and drug use have been shown to increase the risk of heat-associated death. During the summer of 2023, record-breaking heat in the metro-Phoenix area was widely reported. The MCDPH heat-associated death surveillance data was widely reported and used by policy makers to address extreme heat as a regional disaster. In this presentation participants will learn how heat-associated death surveillance has evolved over time to inform public health leaders and policy makers to the risk factors associated with poor outcomes from extreme heat. Participants will also understand how the data is shared at the local, national and international levels to inform extreme heat response activities.

Learning Objectives

Participants will learn how heat-associated death surveillance has evolved over time to inform public health leaders and policy makers of the risk factors associated with poor outcomes from extreme heat.

Participants will also understand how the data is shared at the local, national and international levels to inform extreme heat response activities.
Essential Disaster Medicine Education, Training and Competencies
Authors: Ragazzoni Luca
Published: October 2024

Despite the increasing risk of disasters and health crises worldwide, we are failing to equip the new generation of health care workers with basic education and training in disaster medicine and global public health. Unfortunately, the teaching of disaster medicine is underrepresented in several countries worldwide.

Learning Objectives

Understand the role of education and training as integral components of disaster preparedness.

Recognize the fundamentals of adult learning and competency-based education and training.

Discover the general principles of education and training in disaster medicine.

Explore the state of the art of simulation-based training in disaster medicine.
Impact of universal masking in reducing the risk of nosocomial respiratory viruses among people with cancer
Authors: Yan Judy , McClure Tara , Aslam Anoshé , Bubb Tania , Babady N. Esther , Usiak Shauna , Kamboj Mini
Published: October 2024

Background:

Universal masking within healthcare settings was adopted to combat the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition to mitigating the risk for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, it also had an added benefit of preventing the nosocomial transmission of other respiratory viral diseases.

Objective:

This study examines the impact of the masking intervention on nosocomial respiratory viral infections (RVI) in vulnerable sub-populations of people with cancer at a tertiary care hospital.

Design:

Interrupted time series analysis.

Methods:

We reviewed non-SARS-CoV-2 nosocomial RVI between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2023 and compared its quarterly trends before (January 2017 to March 2020) and after (April 2020 to December 2023) the universal masking intervention was implemented.

Results:

Prior to the masking policy, there was no significant change in the quarterly rate of non-SARS-CoV-2 nosocomial RVI (baseline trend: P = 0.662). Crude infection rates decreased from 5.6% preintervention to 4.3% after the masking policy was implemented (P < 0.001). Quarterly trends continued to steadily decline post-intervention (β = −0.10, SE = 0.04, P < 0.007).

Conclusions:

Our results suggest that universal face masking is associated with reduced non-SARS-CoV-2 nosocomial RVI, providing further evidence to support the continued use of face masks in healthcare settings to protect the health of immunocompromised patients.
Multiple phases of ice-dammed lake formation and drainage associated with a surge of Shisper Glacier, western Karakoram
Authors: Lovell Harold , Muhammad Sher
Published: October 2024

Glacier surges can create ice-dammed lakes when the advancing terminus blocks drainage. Such lakes are inherently unstable and can drain abruptly as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), presenting a hazard to downstream populations and infrastructure in high mountain environments. We present satellite image analysis of the evolution of an ice-dammed lake formed by the 2018–20 surge of Shisper Glacier, western Karakoram. Our analysis identifies six phases of lake evolution. A large lake of up to 33.7 ± 9% million m3 formed in 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22. In each case, the lake began to fill late in the year, reached a maximum size in May, and had completely drained between May and July, typically over 1–2 days. This analysis provides further evidence that GLOF hazards associated with lakes dammed by glacier surges can persist for several years after surge termination.
Primary Causality, Providence, and Scripture
Authors: Kerr Gaven
Published: October 2024

This paper brings together several issues in Aquinas’s thought on God’s primary causality, providence, and the reading of scripture. Herein I argue that God’s primary causality is to be understood in terms of His being the source of all actuality. From there I go on to integrate Aquinas’s account of providence with the account of God’s primacy. With God’s primary causality and providence in place, I then go on to address the theme pertinent to this special edition, and that is God’s response to sin in Aquinas’s reading of scripture.
Application of right ventricular to pulmonary valved conduit in the surgical treatment of congenital heart disease
Authors: Wang Zhangwei , Ma Kai , Li Shoujun
Published: October 2024

Pulmonary valve replacement and right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with valved conduits have been the shortcomings of paediatric cardiac surgeons in the treatment of CHD. In recent decades, encouraging achievements have been made in right ventricular outflow tract technology. Since Klinner reported the first right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery connection using unvalved conduits made of autologous pericardium in 1964, various right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits have gradually been used in the treatment of various complex CHD. Compared with other materials, valved homograft conduit (VHC) is more consistent with physiological characteristics, better haemodynamics, easy suture and good haemostasis, anti-calcification, anti-infection, and without the need for lifelong anticoagulation, which makes VHC the best material for reconstruction of right ventricular outflow tract. However, due to the shortage of donor sources, other alternative conduits such as polytetrafuoroethylene valved conduits have been developed, and the results are not inferior to VHC in clinical application. The emerging tissue engineering technology is expected to utilise recipient-derived endothelial cells for implantation onto the decellularized VHC or degradable synthetic materials in order to construct a recipient-specific tissue-engineered valved conduit. This advancement holds great potential as an ideal biological transplant material and valve replacement for CHD. It will completely solve the problems of immune rejection and the growth of the conduit that cannot adapt to the physical growth of children. This review provides a comprehensive review of the clinical indications for right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduits application, optimal timing for surgery, current practices in utilising various types of external conduits, and considerations for re-replacement.
Utilizing primary care to engage underserved patients in a psychological intervention for chronic pain
Authors: Miller-Matero Lisa R. , Hecht Leah M. , Gavrilova Lyubov , Haage Brittany , Autio Kirsti , Tobin Erin T. , Ahmedani Brian K.
Published: October 2024

Background:

Although psychological interventions can be used to improve chronic pain management, underserved individuals (i.e., racially minoritized and socioeconomically disadvantaged) may be less likely to engage in such services. The purpose of this study was to examine whether offering a psychological intervention for chronic pain in a primary care clinic could be a method in which to successfully engage underserved patients.

Methods:

There were 220 patients with chronic pain in a primary care clinic located in a socioeconomically and racially diverse city who were approached to discuss enrolment in a pilot randomized controlled trial of a five-session psychological intervention for chronic pain. Patients were introduced to the study by their primary care provider using the warm handoff model. We compared whether there were sociodemographic differences between those who enrolled in the study and those who declined to enrol.

Results:

There were no differences between those who enrolled and those who declined enrolment with regard to race, age, insurance type, and household income. However, females were more likely to enrol in the study compared to males.

Conclusions:

Recruiting patients to participate in a trial of a psychological intervention for chronic pain in a primary care clinic appeared to be effective for engaging Black patients, patients with lower income, and those with government insurance. Thus, offering a psychological intervention for chronic pain in a primary care clinic may encourage engagement among racially minoritized individuals and those with lower socioeconomic status.
Illuminating the Hierarchical Segmentation of Faults Through an Unsupervised Learning Approach Applied to Clouds of Earthquake Hypocenters
Authors: Piegari E. , Camanni G. , Mercurio M. , Marzocchi W.
Published: October 2024

We propose a workflow for the recognition of the hierarchical segmentation of faults through earthquake hypocenter clustering without prior information. Our approach combines density‐based clustering algorithms (DBSCAN and OPTICS), and principal component analysis (PCA). Given a spatial distribution of earthquake hypocenters, DBSCAN identifies first‐order clusters, representing regions with the highest density of connected seismic events. Within each first‐order cluster, OPTICS further identifies nested higher‐order clusters, providing information on their number and size. PCA analysis is applied to first‐ and higher‐order clusters to evaluate eigenvalues, allowing discrimination between seismicity associated with planar features and distributed seismicity that remains uncategorized. The identified planes are then geometrically characterized in terms of their location and orientation in the space, length, and height. This automated procedure operates within two spatial scales: the largest scale corresponds to the longest pattern of approximately equally dense earthquake clouds, while the smallest scale relates to earthquake location errors. By applying PCA analysis, a planar feature outputted from a first‐order cluster can be interpreted as a fault surface while planes outputted after OPTICS can be interpreted as fault segments comprised within the fault surface. The evenness between the orientation of illuminated fault surfaces and fault segments, and that of the nodal planes of earthquake focal mechanisms calculated along the same faults, corroborates this interpretation. Our workflow has been successfully applied to earthquake hypocenter distributions from various seismically active areas (Italy, Taiwan, and California) associated with faults exhibiting diverse kinematics.
The Structure of Field‐Aligned Current Systems as Inferred From the Multiscale Minimum Variance Analysis
Authors: Bunescu Costel
Published: October 2024

Auroral field‐aligned currents (FACs) have an intrinsic complexity caused by the superposition of contributions from a broad spectrum of scales and diversity of locations. The complex FAC systems are investigated by using the multiscale minimum variance analysis. This technique provides a scale based decomposition of the FAC systems by identifying the constituting FAC elements as well as their structure. At the basis, the analysis exploits the scale dependence of the eigenvalues of the magnetic field variance matrix. The scale decomposition along the transversal (latitudinal) direction results from the scale derivative of the maximum eigenvalue. The complementary information from the scale derivative of the minimum eigenvalue helps to infer the full structure of each FAC element by providing estimates of the FAC length (longitudinal) scale. The scale derivative of minimum and maximum eigenvalues are used to identify FAC signatures associated to different types of aurora (e.g., highly extended, finite arcs, gradient regions) as well as to characterize the influence of the crossing location with respect to the FAC structures (e.g., near edge crossings). The multiscale analysis is applied to simulated FACs and to spacecraft observations made by the Swarm mission. The use with real world data illustrates the power of this analysis, whose full benefits for magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling investigations are yet to be explored.
Planetary Wave Signature in Low Latitude Sporadic E Layer Obtained From Multi‐Mission Radio Occultation Observations
Authors: Sobhkhiz‐Miandehi S. , Yamazaki Y. , Arras C. , Miyoshi Y. , Shinagawa H. , Jadhav A. P.
Published: October 2024

The Sporadic E layer or Es is an ionospheric phenomenon characterized by enhancements in electron density within 90–120 km above the Earth's surface. Based on the wind shear theory, the formation of Es layers is associated with vertical shears in the horizontal wind, in the presence of the Earth's magnetic field. This study explores the role of planetary waves on inducing these vertical shears and subsequently shaping Es layers. Our investigations benefit from a large amount of data facilitated by the FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC2 and Spire missions, which offer extensive global coverage. A wave analysis is applied to the Es intensity as represented by the S4 index derived from radio occultation measurements, in search of potential planetary wave signatures. Additionally, measurements from Aura/MLS are used to analyze corresponding spectra for the geopotential height, enabling a comparative examination of planetary wave signatures in the Es layer and geopotential height variations. The findings reveal westward and eastward wave components with specific wavenumbers and periods, suggesting the involvement of westward propagating quasi 6‐day, quasi 4‐day planetary waves, and eastward propagating Kelvin waves with a period of around 3 days in Es layer formation at low latitudes.
Blasts from the Past: New Insights from Old Space Storms
Authors: Stanley Sarah
Published: October 2024

Reassessment and comparison of past space weather events highlight the potential for Earth to experience destructive geomagnetic disturbances.
Contrasting Supply Dynamics of Dissolved Iron and Nitrate Shape the Biogeography of Nutrient‐Limiting Conditions in the North Pacific
Authors: Ma Wentao , Zhao Zihui , Wang Tao , Liang Bo , Wang Yuntao , Xiu Peng , Chai Fei
Published: October 2024

The North Pacific is known with iron limitation for phytoplankton growth in the subarctic region and nitrogen limitation in the subtropical gyre. Although the growth rate of phytoplankton is determined by the concentration of limiting nutrient, the supply ratio of iron to nitrogen is suggested to be essential to this biogeographic pattern. However, the underlying dynamics determining the ratio remain largely unknown. We investigated mechanisms of dissolved iron (dFe) and nitrate (NO3−) transport to the euphotic zone of the North Pacific using an eddy‐resolvable biogeochemical model. We show that lateral advection and atmospheric deposition are dominant drivers for dFe transport, resulting in high Fe:N supply ratio in both subarctic and subtropical regions. Conversely, significant vertical supplies of NO3− through upwelling and diffusion processes markedly reduce the supply ratio in the subarctic region. These dynamics combined lead to high Fe:N supply ratio in the gyre and low ratio in the subarctic, ultimately driving high nitrogen fixation condition in the gyre and the iron‐limited phytoplankton growth condition in the subarctic region.
Testing Cloud Adjustment Hypotheses for the Maintenance of Earth's Hemispheric Albedo Symmetry With Natural Experiments
Authors: Diamond Michael S. , Gristey Jake J. , Feingold Graham
Published: October 2024

Earth's Northern and Southern Hemispheres reflect essentially equal amounts of sunlight. How—and whether—this hemispheric albedo symmetry is maintained remains a mystery. We decompose Earth's hemispheric albedo symmetry into components associated with the surface, clear‐sky atmosphere, and different cloud types as defined by cloud effective pressure and optical thickness. Climatologically, greater reflection by the surface, aerosols, and high clouds in the Northern Hemisphere is balanced by greater low and mid‐level cloudiness in the Southern Hemisphere. Both hemispheres have darkened at similar rates over the past two decades; whether the darkening from more rapidly declining aerosol in the Northern Hemisphere is causing a departure from all‐sky symmetry remains uncertain. Natural experiments including long‐term trends, sea ice loss, and volcanic eruptions provide strong evidence against the hypothesis that extratropical low clouds compensate changing clear‐sky asymmetries on annual‐to‐decadal timescales but some evidence that tropical high cloud shifts may do so.
Contrasting Domestic and Global Impacts of Emission Reductions in China on Tropospheric Ozone
Authors: Han Han , Zhang Lin , Wang Xiaolin , Lu Xiao
Published: October 2024

Sustained near‐surface ozone pollution despite stringent emission controls in China has drawn wide attention. However, how such rapid regional emission reductions affect global tropospheric ozone remains unexplored. Here, using an ensemble of measurements and global model simulations, we find Chinese emission reductions during 2013–2020 have increased domestic surface ozone; particularly in North China, they have decreased the global tropospheric ozone burden by 2.7 Tg (54% of China's anthropogenic contribution and 7% of global anthropogenic contribution in 2019) and ozone radiative forcing by 8.8 mW m−2 (64% of China's anthropogenic contribution and 9% of global anthropogenic contribution in 2019). Nitrogen oxides (NOx) associated nonlinear chemistry and height‐dependent atmospheric transport patterns primarily cause the contrasting impacts. Future Chinese NOx emission controls would continue to decrease global tropospheric ozone, while regional surface ozone may still increase unless NOx reductions exceed ∼53% of the 2019 level. Our results reveal the substantial benefit of regional emission reductions in China on global tropospheric ozone mitigation.
Assimilation of Radar Reflectivity Data Using Parameterized Forward Operators for Improving Short‐Term Forecasts of High‐Impact Convection Events
Authors: Liu Peng , Gao Jidong , Zhang Guifu , Carlin Jacob T.
Published: October 2024

The assimilation of radar reflectivity requires an accurate and efficient forward operator that links the model state variables to radar observations. In this study, newly developed parameterized forward operators (PFO) for radar reflectivity with a new continuous melting model are implemented to assimilate observed radar data. To assess the impact of the novel parameterized reflectivity forward operators on convective storm analysis and forecasting, two distinct sets of cycled assimilation and forecast experiments are conducted. One set of experiments (ExpRFO) uses a conventional Rayleigh‐scattering‐approximation‐based forward operator (RFO) with hydrometeor classification, while the other uses the PFO (ExpPFO_New) for radar reflectivity with a new continuous melting model. Eight high‐impact severe convective weather events from the Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) 2019 Spring Experiments are selected for this study. The analysis and forecast results are first examined in detail for a classic tornadic supercell case on 24 May 2019, with the potential benefits provided by the PFO then evaluated for all eight cases. It is demonstrated that ExpPFO_New provides more robust results in terms of improving the short‐term severe weather forecasts. Compared to ExpRFO, ExpPFO_New better reproduces all observed supercells in the analysis field, yields a more continuous and reasonable reflectivity distribution near the melting layer, and improves the strength of the cold pool compared to observations. Overall, ExpPFO_New, initialized from the more accurate analysis fields, produces better forecasts of reflectivity and hourly precipitation with smaller biases, especially at heavy precipitation thresholds.
Generative Diffusion for Regional Surrogate Models From Sea‐Ice Simulations
Authors: Finn Tobias Sebastian , Durand Charlotte , Farchi Alban , Bocquet Marc , Rampal Pierre , Carrassi Alberto
Published: October 2024

We introduce deep generative diffusion for multivariate and regional surrogate modeling learned from sea‐ice simulations. Given initial conditions and atmospheric forcings, the model is trained to generate forecasts for a 12‐hr lead time from simulations by the state‐of‐the‐art sea‐ice model neXtSIM. For our regional model setup, the diffusion model outperforms as ensemble forecast all other tested models, including a free‐drift model and a stochastic extension of a deterministic data‐driven surrogate model. The diffusion model additionally retains information at all scales, resolving smoothing issues of deterministic models. Furthermore, by generating physically consistent forecasts, previously unseen for such kind of completely data‐driven surrogates, the model can almost match the scaling properties of neXtSIM, as similarly deduced from sea‐ice observations. With these results, we provide a strong indication that diffusion models can achieve similar results as traditional geophysical models with the significant advantage of being orders of magnitude faster and solely learned from data.
Seiche‐Induced Fish Kills in the Sea of Galilee—A Possible Explanation for Biblical Miracles?
Authors: Amitai Yael , Strobach Ehud , Hamilton David P. , Assouline Shmuel , Nishri Ami , Zohary Tamar
Published: October 2024

In Lake Kinneret (the biblical Sea of Galilee), Israel, internal waves of significant amplitude are induced by westerly winds. These waves give rise to upwelling into the surface mixed layer of colder, oxygen‐depleted water from the hypolimnetic and metalimnetic layers. If upwelling occurs soon after the onset of annual thermal stratification, when surface mixed layer extends over a narrow depth range, but the hypolimnion is already anoxic, there is a potential for massive fish kills as fish cannot escape the anoxic water that intrudes into the surface mixed layer along the western shore. This study uses a coupled three‐dimensional atmosphere‐lake model to elucidate the mechanisms behind these infrequent major fish kills in Lake Kinneret. Remarkably, nowadays fish‐kill events happen at the same location in the lake where the biblical Miracle of Loaves and Fishes and presumably the Miraculous Catch of Fish occurred two millennia before the present and may explain the appearance of large numbers of easy‐to‐collect fish close to the shore described in the biblical narratives.
Triboelectric nanogenerator based on silane-coupled LTA/PDMS for physiological monitoring and biomechanical energy harvesting
Authors: Khan Muhammad Umair , Dumbre Deepa , Abbas Yawar , Rezeq Moh’d , Alazzam Anas , Alamoodi Nahla , Khaleel Maryam , Mohammad Baker
Published: October 2024

Energy harvesting from ambient sources present in the environment is essential to replace traditional energy sources. These strategies can diversify the energy sources, reduce maintenance, lower costs, and provide near-perpetual operation of the devices. In this work, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) based on silane-coupled Linde type A/polydimethylsiloxane (LTA/PDMS) is developed for harsh environmental conditions. The silane-coupled LTA/PDMS-based TENG can produce a high output power density of 42.6 µW/cm2 at a load resistance of 10 MΩ and operates at an open-circuit voltage of 120 V and a short-circuit current of 15 µA under a damping frequency of 14 Hz. Furthermore, the device shows ultra-robust and stable cyclic repeatability for more than 30 k cycles. The fabricated TENG is used for the physiological monitoring and charging of commercial capacitors to drive low-power electronic devices. Hence, these results suggest that the silane-coupled LTA/PDMS approach can be used to fabricate ultra-robust TENGs for harsh environmental conditions and also provides an effective path toward wearable self-powered microelectronic devices.
Measurable residual mutated IDH2 before allogeneic transplant for acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Gui Gege , Ravindra Niveditha , Hegde Pranay S. , Andrew Georgia , Mukherjee Devdeep , Wong Zoë , Auletta Jeffery J. , El Chaer Firas , Chen Evan C. , Chen Yi-Bin , Corner Adam , Devine Steven M. , Iyer Sunil G. , Jimenez Jimenez Antonio Martin , De Lima Marcos J. G. , Litzow Mark R. , Kebriaei Partow , Saber Wael , Spellman Stephen R. , Zeger Scott L. , Page Kristin M. , Dillon Laura W. , Hourigan Christopher S.
Published: October 2024

Routine genetic profiling of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at initial diagnosis has allowed subgroup specific prognostication, drug development, and clinical management strategies. The optimal approach for treatment response assessment for AML subgroups has not yet however been determined. A nationwide cohort of 257 adult patients in first remission (CR1) from AML associated with an IDH2 mutation (IDH2m) undergoing allogeneic transplant during the period 2013–2019 in the United States had rates of relapse and survival three years after transplantation of 24% and 71%, respectively. Pre-transplant clinical flow cytometry assessment was not useful in stratifying patients based on risk of post-transplant relapse or death. DNA-sequencing was performed on CR1 blood collected within 100 days before transplant. Persistent detection of IDH2m was common (51%) and associated with increased relapse and death compared to testing negative. Co-mutation at initial diagnosis with mutated NPM1 and/or FLT3-ITD was common in this cohort (41%) and use of these validated MRD markers provided superior stratification compared to IDH2m testing. Patients testing negative for IDH2m prior to transplant had low relapse-related death, regardless of conditioning intensity. Post-transplant relapse rates for those with persistently detectable IDH2m in pre-transplant remission were lower after the FDA approval of enasidenib in August 2017.
Design rules for catalysis in single-particle plasmonic nanogap reactors with precisely aligned molecular monolayers
Authors: Kang Gyeongwon , Hu Shu , Guo Chenyang , Arul Rakesh , Sibug-Torres Sarah M. , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: October 2024

Plasmonic nanostructures can both drive and interrogate light-driven catalytic reactions. Sensitive detection of reaction pathways is achieved by confining optical fields near the active surface. However, effective control of the reaction kinetics remains a challenge to utilize nanostructure constructs as efficient chemical reactors. Here we present a nanoreactor construct exhibiting high catalytic and optical efficiencies, based on a nanoparticle-on-mirror (NPoM) platform. We observe and track pathways of the Pd-catalysed C-C coupling reaction of molecules within a set of nanogaps presenting different chemical surfaces. Atomic monolayer coatings of Pd on the different Au facets enable tuning of the reaction kinetics of surface-bound molecules. Systematic analysis shows the catalytic efficiency of NPoM-based nanoreactors greatly improves on platforms based on aggregated nanoparticles. More importantly, we show Pd monolayers on the nanoparticle or on the mirror play significantly different roles in the surface reaction kinetics. Our data provides clear evidence for catalytic dependencies on molecular configuration in well-defined nanostructures. Such nanoreactor constructs therefore yield clearer design rules for plasmonic catalysis.
The impact of root end filling material type and the application of bone graft on healing of periapical tissues after endodontic microsurgery (a clinical randomized controlled trial)
Authors: Salah Hesham Mohamed , Hashem Ahmed Abdel Rahman , Mustafa Tarek , Soliman Amgad Hassan , Khallaf Mustafa , Haddadeen Haseeb
Published: October 2024

To evaluate the effect of combining different bioactive root-end filling materials with composite bone graft (xenogeneic mixed with autogenous bone fragments) on the healing process of periapical tissues after endodontic micro-surgery procedure. In this triple-blinded clinical trial, 56 patients were divided into 2 main groups (28 each) according to the root-end filling material and 2 subgroups according to the presence or absence of the composite bone graft material. Group I: MTA root-end filling (n = 28) in which there are Sub-group A: without bone graft (n = 14) and Sub-group B: with composite bone graft (n = 14). Group II: TotalFill root-end filling (n = 28) in which there are Sub-group A: without bone graft (n = 14) and Sub-group B: with composite bone graft (n = 14). Healthy patients whose ages range from 20 to 50 years with small-to-medium size radiolucency in CBCT related to single-rooted maxillary teeth were included in this study. Patients were assigned a number starting from 1 to 56 and were randomly allocated to four test groups (2 main groups and 2 sub-groups) following simple randomization procedure guidelines described by IBM SPSS V23 (IBM USA) statistical analysis software. This trial was triple-blind where the patient, the outcome assessors, and the main operator were blinded to the applied intervention. Every patient was evaluated clinically and by CBCT at two main observation periods: presurgical and 12-month post-operative. They were also examined and evaluated clinically and radiographically through periapical x-rays after one week, three, and six months. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 23.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. Of the 56 patients enrolled in the study, 49 patients were available for the final analysis. All groups showed no statistically significant differences with regard to healing or success rates at the 12-month follow-up mark. No adverse effects were encountered. Results showed that high success rates were achieved using MTA and TotalFill in the healing of periapical lesions after endodontic surgery. The addition of bone graft in small-to-medium size lesions did not affect the success rate of endodontic surgeries.
Impact of sarcopenia and fat distribution on outcomes in penile cancer
Authors: Hartmann Valerie , Engelmann Simon Udo , Pickl Christoph , Haas Maximilian , Kälble Sebastian , Goßler Christopher , Eckl Christoph , Hofmann Aybike , Pichler Renate , Burger Maximilian , Mayr Roman
Published: October 2024

Sarcopenia, defined as age-associated loss of skeletal muscle function and muscle mass, is a negative prognostic marker for survival in several tumor entities. However, data evaluating the impact of sarcopenia and fat distribution on penile cancer are rarely described. We performed a retrospective study including 38 patients who were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. By measuring skeletal muscle mass and fat distribution at axial abdominal computed tomography images at the third lumbar vertebra several body composition parameters including skeletal muscle index (SMI), psoas muscle index (PMI), visceral obesity and visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio were determined. Among 38 patients, 26% (n = 10) of the patients with penile cancer were identified as sarcopenic. SMI, age, lymph node metastases, distant metastases and penile cancer of the shaft were identified as significant risk factors for overall survival. PMI and distant metastases were significantly associated with cancer specific survival. None of the analysed adipose tissue parameters could be identified as risk factors for survival in this study. We showed that sarcopenia occurs in a relevant part of patients with penile cancer and is a significant risk factor for overall survival (p = 0.032) and cancer specific survival (p = 0.034) for patients with penile cancer. Regarding fat distribution further studies are needed to evaluate its impact on sarcopenia and survival.
Design, modeling and cost analysis of 8.79 MW solar photovoltaic power plant at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
Authors: Qamar Shabahat Hasnain , Hanak Dawid Piotr , Ali Majid , Gomes Joao , Khan Khalid Zia
Published: October 2024

Climate change, as a critical global concern, has fueled our efforts to address it through different strategies. In response to the critical worldwide issue of climate change, we suggested a Photovoltaic (PV) system at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad, Pakistan (latitude: 33.724530 N, longitude: 73.046869, terrain elevation: 552 m). Islamabad is located in a region blessed with enormous solar resources, boasting a daily horizontal solar irradiance of 1503.45 kWh/m2 and an average daily solar irradiance of 5.89 kWh/m2, with an exceptional solar fraction of 98.99%. The ambient air temperature, averaging 23.21 °C, reaches its maximum in June and its minimum in December. Our research thoroughly evaluates the system’s performance, accounting for various losses and utilizing modern PVsyst software. Over the course of 18 years, our PV system is expected to save 75,478.60 tons of CO2, the equivalent of planting 348,754 teak trees. Furthermore, the cost of energy generation is an affordable 0.0141 US $/kWh, much lower than traditional rates, including the Sherif cost of 0.028$/kWh. Along with the performance research, we conducted a detailed cost analysis, projecting the starting cost and cash flow, and discovered that the plant would be in surplus within 12 years of installation. Our system is positioned to generate 11,270,771 kWh/year with a respectable performance ratio (PR) of 76.2% and a Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 16%. Our findings not only highlight the potential of renewable energy but also provide important insights for future sustainable energy programs.
Oregano essential oil and Bacillus subtilis role in enhancing broiler’s growth, stress indicators, intestinal integrity, and gene expression under high stocking density
Authors: Elbaz Ahmed M. , El-Sonousy Neima K. , Arafa A. Sabry , Sallam M. G. , Ateya Ahmed , Abdelhady AbdelRahman Y.
Published: October 2024

This study investigates the role of dietary Bacillus subtilis and oregano essential oil in mitigating the effects of high stocking density on growth performance, carcass traits, physiological stress indicators, gene expression, and intestinal integrity in broiler chickens. A total of, 1250 one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five experimental groups, where each group had five replicates of 50 chicks. Group 1 (control, LSD): 15 chicks/m2 fed a basal diet without feed additive, group 2 (HSD): 20 chicks/m2 fed a basal diet without feed additive, group 3 (BHSD): 20 chicks/m2 fed a basal diet supplemented with B. subtilis (500 mg/kg diet), group 4 (OHSD): 20 chicks/m2 fed a basal diet supplemented with oregano essential oil (300 mg/kg diet), group 5 (CHSD): 20 chicks/m2 fed a basal diet supplemented with oregano essential oil and B. subtilis. At 35 days of age, there was a noticeable improvement in the growth performance of broilers fed CHSD under high stocking density through the increase in body weight gain, dressing percentage, and crude protein digestibility with a decrease in feed conversion rate compared to other groups. Adding CHSD enhanced the state of oxidation and immunity through increasing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and the relative weight of bursa of Fabricius, while decreasing malondialdehyde, in addition to increasing plasma triiodothyronine levels. The microbial structure and morphometric parameters improved in the group that received the CHSD compared to the other groups, where villus height and Lactobacillus population increased, whereas Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens population decreased. Glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), fatty acid transporter 1 (FABP1), and amino acid transferase 1 (CAT1) gene expression levels significantly increased when feeding on oregano essential oil with B. subtilis. In conclusion, combining oregano essential oil and B. subtilis supplements mitigated the effects of high stocking density by enhancing growth performance, antioxidative status, and intestinal integrity, in addition to modifying the genetic expression of genes related to nutrient absorption.
Chert outcrops differentiation by means of low-field NMR relaxometry
Authors: Fajt Michał , Mazur-Rosmus Weronika , Stefańska Anna , Kochman Alicja , Krzyżak Artur T.
Published: October 2024

Siliceous rocks served as raw materials in the production of stone tools from the Middle Paleolithic onwards. Due to migration, the provenance of archaeological artefacts can differ from their natural outcrop location. The aim of this work was the application of 1D and 2D low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry to distinguish cherts by their original source. Herein, bedded cherts and accompanying nodular cherts coming from three different outcrops of Kraków-Częstochowa Upland were investigated. 1D and 2D (T1-T2) experiments of water-saturated and dry rock sample states delivered T1, T2 times and T1/T2 ratios of distinct hydrogen populations – parameters sensitive to pore size, surface properties, and hydrogen bonding length. In-depth analysis of NMR data showed substantial differences in the porosity, pore surface and pore structure properties of investigated chert samples tested in the three different saturation levels (100% water-saturated, dried and differential). Finally, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to reduce the number of correlations obtained and highlight the most important NMR properties specific to the particular outcrop localization."Please check captured corresponding author email if correct.""The email is correct"
Risk factors for receiving both scleral buckle and glaucoma drainage device in children
Authors: Karam Mariana Abi , Sharma Arjun , Lopez-Canizares Ashley , Carletti Piero , Vanner Elizabeth A. , Berrocal Audina M. , Chang Ta Chen
Published: October 2024

We conducted a retrospective review of patients (< 18 years) between 2013 and 2021 to determine risk factors of pediatric patients receiving a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) needing a scleral buckle (SB) and vice versa. The first population underwent an SB placement with no prior GDD. The second underwent a GDD implantation with no prior SB. We analyzed 133 eyes in the SB-first group. The common indications were retinal detachment associated with a syndrome/disease (41.2%), blunt trauma (21%), and non-syndromic pathologic myopia (11%). Twelve eyes (9%) required subsequent GDD implantation with a mean time to reoperation of 19.73 months (median 2.3 months). Eyes with trauma had a 5-fold risk (hazard ratio [HR] 4.81, p = 0.0069) of requiring a subsequent GDD. Each additional glaucoma medication before initial SB surgery increased the risk by 1.81 (p = 0.0096). 135 eyes were in the GDD-first group. Four eyes (3%) required a subsequent SB. The mean time to reoperation was 17 months (median 9.2 months). There was a statistically significant association with trauma (HR 12.3, p = 0.0341) only. Pediatric eyes with a history of trauma and/or multiple glaucoma medications before intervention have a high risk of requiring both an SB and GDD.
Optimizing cold storage for uniform airflow and temperature distribution in apple preservation using CFD simulation
Authors: Alexander Leo Daniel , Jakhar Sanjeev , Dasgupta Mani Sankar
Published: October 2024

Apples are preserved in cold storage within standard size crates to avoid injury during handling and are stacked in a specific manner to promote adequate air circulation. This research builds an air flow and heat transfer model of a cold room (5.75 m × 3.83 m × 3.75 m) with apple filled crates (0.55 m × 0.37 m × 0.3 m) modeled as a porous media and uses CFD simulation to study how alternate stacking impacts airflow distribution and product temperature. The conventional arrangement of crates, termed CS1, was simulated, and the resulting temperature distribution data were used to validate the model with published experimental data, a root mean square error of 1.13 °C indicates good match. The model is extended to examine temperature distribution for two additional arrangements of crates (CS2 and CS3) with changed orientations and spacing, in accordance with a specific strategy. CS3, featuring larger spacing along the z-direction, showed higher average air velocity compared to CS2 and CS1 by 7.4% and 3.7% respectively. CS3 also improved cooling rate by 25.2% and increased the number of chilled crates by 20% within 40 h, along with a reduced temperature heterogeneity (3.59 °C). The model could predict hot spots in various stacking configurations, aiding in optimal arrangement.
A comparison between in vitro and randomized in situ models for remineralization of artificial enamel lesions
Authors: Jablonski-Momeni Anahita , Lentz Jenna , Jablonski Boris , Kiesow Andreas , Morawietz Maria
Published: October 2024

The randomized study aimed to evaluate the comparability of in situ (iS) and in vitro (iV) study protocols regarding remineralization of artificial enamel lesions. Two toothpastes (group A: 1450 ppm sodium fluoride, group B: placebo 0 ppm F-), were investigated. IV, a pH-cycling model with toothpaste slurry treatment was applied for 10d. IS, remineralization was performed in 9 participants wearing splints with embedded enamel samples for 10 and 21d, randomly allocated to groups A and B. Samples were scanned by X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) and grayscale value line profiles corresponding to mineral density (rel.ΔZ) were analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using MedCalc Statistical Software, v22.021. T-Test for dependent and independent data and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for further analyses (α = 0.05). Rel.ΔZ of fluoride treated samples (A) were iV = 40.2%, iS 10d = 11.5% and iS 21d = 46.1% (p > 0.05). Rel.ΔZ of placebo treated samples (B) were: iV = − 6.2%, iS 10d = 25.2% and iS 21d = 11.0% (p > 0.05). Remineralization potential of both toothpastes was significantly different regarding iV (p < 0.001) and iS after 21d (p = 0.034), while in case of iS 10d no significant difference was detected (p = 0.4). Despite different study protocols the μCT results after remineralization were comparable between iV and iS. The results suggest that selected studies can be carried out in faster, simplified iV studies using pH-cycling instead of iS studies.