bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of landfill gas generation based on a modified first-order decay model: a case study in the province of Quebec, Canada
Authors: Malmir Tahereh , Lagos Daniel , Eicker Ursula
Published: March 2023

Landfills will likely remain an essential part of integrated solid waste management systems in many developed and developing countries for the foreseeable future. Further improvements are required to model the generated gas from landfills. The literature has not addressed detailed waste characterization in landfill gas (LFG) modeling by a first-order decay model such as LandGEM while using a genetic algorithm. Additionally, little has been done in the literature regarding H2S generation modeling. This paper uses a genetic algorithm to independently fit parameters to a CH4 and H2S generation model based on a modified first-order decay model. In the case of CH4 generation modeling, biodegradable organic waste (OW) was segregated into food waste, yard waste, paper, and wood. In addition to optimizing the OW fractions, key modeling parameters of OW, such as CH4 generation potential ($${L}_{0}$$

L
0

) and CH4 decay rate ($${k}_{C{H}_{4}}$$

k

C

H
4

), were determined independently for different periods in the landfill’s life. Similarly, in the case of H2S generation modeling, the construction and demolition waste (CD) was classified into fines (FCD) and bulky materials (BCD), and H2S generation potential ($${S}_{0}$$

S
0

) and H2S decay rate ($${k}_{{H}_{2}S}$$

k

H
2

S

) of FCD and BCD were determined. LFG collection data from a landfill site in the province of Quebec, Canada, was used to validate the LFG generation model. A range of scenarios was analyzed using the validated model, including fourteen scenarios (two benchmark and twelve optimizing) for CH4 and two for H2S modeling. The results showed that the differentiation of more waste types improves the modeling accuracy for CH4. Moreover, within the decade-long lifetime of a landfill, the waste management strategies change, requiring different assumptions for the modeling. Also, the work showed the importance of considering how different landfill sectors are filled over time. Finally, scenario twelve of optimizing scenarios, which assumed four waste types, constant three periodic waste fractions, and six sectors, had the lowest residual sum of squares (RSS) value. For H2S generation modeling, both scenarios, with or without separate fits of $${S}_{0}$$

S
0

and $${k}_{{H}_{2}S}$$

k

H
2

S

for FCD and BCD, predicted the generated H2S well and had a very similar RSS value. Further data could improve H2S generation modeling.
Steel Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) Cantilever Beams: Bond Behaviour in Poor Condition Zones
Authors: Montaser Wael Mohamed , Shaaban Ibrahim Galal , Rizzuto Joseph P. , Zaher Amr Hussein , Rashad Ahmed , Sadany Shorouk Mohamed El
Published: March 2023

Previous investigations carried out on reinforced self-compacted concrete (SCC) beams have reported contradictory results on reinforcement bond behaviour occurring in the zones defined for good bond conditions according to Eurocode2. Cantilevered SCC beams’ critical upper tension reinforcement bond behaviour has previously had limited reporting. In this study, the bond behaviour in normally vibrated concrete (NVC) and self-compacted concrete (SCC) in poor conditions zones are compared and the differences are highlighted. The effect of four parameters, including (i) concrete type (SCC and NVC), (ii) characteristic strength of SCC, (iii) lap splice length, and (iv) depth of concrete cover for the reinforcement is investigated. It was found that for the studied beams, increasing splice length improved the energy absorption and changed the failure mode to a more ductile manner even at the poor bond conditions zones. The maximum measured steel strains in SCC beams in the lap splice zones, were higher than those for NVC specimens. The mean bond stress values, for SCC beams with 25–50% lap splice lengths, were higher than those of NVC beams, with the same lap splice lengths, by 16–13%, respectively. The results of the current study showed that the empirical equations from the literature overestimated the bond strength of the splice lap length for cantilever upper steel in SCC beams with long splices which agrees with the state of the art as these equations were developed originally for short anchorage lengths.
Do increases in the price of fuel increase levels of fuel theft? Evidence from England and Wales
Authors: Sidebottom Aiden , Agar Iain , Kurland Justin
Published: March 2023

Fuel prices have increased sharply over the past year. In this study we test the hypothesis that increases in the price of fuel are associated with increases in motorists filling their fuel tank and driving off without paying. We use weekly crime data from six police forces in England and Wales for the period January 2018 to July 2022, combined with regional data on the number of fuel sales and average fuel prices. Our results demonstrate an overall weak price-theft relationship for the 238 week study period, less so than in previous studies. However, we find strong evidence that the recent spike in fuel prices was associated with elevated levels of fuel theft. The implications of our findings for future research and crime prevention are discussed.
Latent antibiotic resistance genes are abundant, diverse, and mobile in human, animal, and environmental microbiomes
Authors: Inda-Díaz Juan Salvador , Lund David , Parras-Moltó Marcos , Johnning Anna , Bengtsson-Palme Johan , Kristiansson Erik
Published: March 2023

Background

Bacterial communities in humans, animals, and the external environment maintain a large collection of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). However, few of these ARGs are well-characterized and thus established in existing resistance gene databases. In contrast, the remaining latent ARGs are typically unknown and overlooked in most sequencing-based studies. Our view of the resistome and its diversity is therefore incomplete, which hampers our ability to assess risk for promotion and spread of yet undiscovered resistance determinants.

Results

A reference database consisting of both established and latent ARGs (ARGs not present in current resistance gene repositories) was created. By analyzing more than 10,000 metagenomic samples, we showed that latent ARGs were more abundant and diverse than established ARGs in all studied environments, including the human- and animal-associated microbiomes. The pan-resistomes, i.e., all ARGs present in an environment, were heavily dominated by latent ARGs. In comparison, the core-resistome, i.e., ARGs that were commonly encountered, comprised both latent and established ARGs. We identified several latent ARGs shared between environments and/or present in human pathogens. Context analysis of these genes showed that they were located on mobile genetic elements, including conjugative elements. We, furthermore, identified that wastewater microbiomes had a surprisingly large pan- and core-resistome, which makes it a potentially high-risk environment for the mobilization and promotion of latent ARGs.

Conclusions

Our results show that latent ARGs are ubiquitously present in all environments and constitute a diverse reservoir from which new resistance determinants can be recruited to pathogens. Several latent ARGs already had high mobile potential and were present in human pathogens, suggesting that they may constitute emerging threats to human health. We conclude that the full resistome—including both latent and established ARGs—needs to be considered to properly assess the risks associated with antibiotic selection pressures.
Increased clonal dissemination of OXA-232-producing ST15 Klebsiella pneumoniae in Zhejiang, China from 2018 to 2021
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Yang Xuemei , Liu Congcong , Huang Ling , Shu Lingbin , Sun Qiaoling , Zhou Hongwei , Huang Yonglu , Cai Chang , Wu Xiaoyan , Chen Sheng , Zhang Rong
Published: March 2023

Background

OXA-232-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae was first identified in China in 2016, and its clonal transmission was reported in 2019. However, there are no prevalence and genotypic surveillance data available for OXA-232 in China. Therefore, we investigated the trends and characteristics of OXA-232 type carbapenemase in Zhejiang Province, China from 2018 to 2021.

Methods

A total of 3278 samples from 1666 patients in the intensive care units were collected from hospitals in Zhejiang Province from 2018 to 2021. Carbapenem-resistant isolates were initially selected by China Blue agar plates supplemented with 0.3 μg/ml meropenem, and further analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry identification, immune colloidal gold technique, conjugation experiment, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing.

Results

A total of 79 OXA-producing strains were recovered, with the prevalence increased from 1.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7–3.7%] in 2018 to 6.0% (95% CI: 4.4–7.9%) in 2021. Seventy-eight strains produced OXA-232 and one produced OXA-181. The blaOXA-232 gene in all strains was located in a 6141-bp ColKP3-type non-conjugative plasmid and the blaOXA-181 gene was located in a 51,391-bp ColKP3/IncX3-type non-conjugative plasmid. The blaOXA-232-producing K. pneumoniae was dominated (75/76) by isolates of sequence type 15 (ST15) that differed by less than 80 SNPs. All OXA-producing strains (100%, 95% CI: 95.4–100.0%) were multidrug-resistant.

Conclusions

From 2018 to 2021, OXA-232 is the most prevalent OXA-48-like derivative in Zhejiang Province, and ST15 K. pneumoniae isolates belonging to the same clone are the major carriers. The transmission of ColKP3-type plasmid to E. coli highlighted that understanding the transmission mechanism is of great importance to delay or arrest the propagation of OXA-232 to other species.
Insights into the elimination of vivax malaria in China
Authors: Huang Fang , Zhang Li , Xia Zhi-Gui
Published: March 2023

Background

Malaria is caused by multiple parasitic species of the genus Plasmodium. Plasmodium vivax is the most geographically widespread and poses challenges in elimination due to its unique biological and epidemiological characteristics. The aim of study was to highlight the practices and experience targeting vivax malaria control and elimination in China.

Main body

P. vivax malaria was historically endemic in more than 70% of counties in China, with reported vivax malaria cases as high as 26 million a year. After around 70 years of effort, China was certified as malaria-free in June of 2021. The key insights into China’s vivax malaria control and elimination were offered, including radical cure strategies, comprehensive but adaptive strategies targeting species of Plasmodium and Anopheles, mass drug administration, and case-/focus-centred surveillance and response systems.

Conclusion

The complete global eradication of P. vivax and eventually malaria will be more difficult, and China’s practices and experience could be a valuable reference in this campaign.

Graphical Abstract
Characterization of tungiasis infection and morbidity using thermography in Kenya revealed higher disease burden during COVID-19 school closures
Authors: Elson Lynne , Matharu Abneel K. , Riithi Naomi , Ouma Paul , Mutebi Francis , Feldmeier Hermann , Krücken Jürgen , Fillinger Ulrike
Published: March 2023

Background

Tungiasis is a neglected tropical skin disease caused by the sand flea Tunga penetrans. Female fleas penetrate the skin, particularly at the feet, and cause severe inflammation. This study aimed to characterize disease burden in two highly affected regions in Kenya, to test the use of thermography to detect tungiasis-associated inflammation and to create a new two-level classification of disease severity suitable for mapping, targeting, and monitoring interventions.

Methods

From February 2020 to April 2021, 3532 pupils age 8–14 years were quasi-randomly selected in 35 public primary schools and examined for tungiasis and associated symptoms. Of the infected pupils, 266 were quasi-randomly selected and their households visited, where an additional 1138 family members were examined. Inflammation was assessed using infra-red thermography. A Clinical score was created combining the number of locations on the feet with acute and chronic symptoms and infra-red hotspots.

Results

The overall prevalence of tungiasis among all the school pupils who were randomly selected during survey rounds 1 and 3 was 9.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 8.4–10.3]. Based on mixed effects logistic models, the odds of infection with tungiasis among school pupils was three times higher in Kwale (coastal Kenya) than in Siaya [western Kenya; adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18–0.74]; three times higher in males than in females (aOR = 3.0, 95% CI: 2.32–3.91) and three times lower among pupils sleeping in a house with a concrete floor (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24–0.44). The odds of finding an infected person among the household population during surveys before the COVID-19 pandemic was a third (aOR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.19–0.53) of that when schools were closed due to COVID-19 restrictions and approximately half (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.29–0.68) in surveys done after school re-opening (round 3). Infection intensity was positively correlated with inflammation as measured by thermography (Spearman’s rho = 0.68, P < 0.001) and with the clinical score (rho = 0.86, P < 0.001). Based on the two-level classification, severe cases were associated with a threefold higher level of pain (OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2.02–4.43) and itching (OR = 3.31, 95% CI: 2.24–4.89) than mild cases.

Conclusions

Thermography was a valuable addition for assessing morbidity and the proposed two-level classification of disease severity clearly separated patients with mild and severe impacts. The burden of tungiasis was considerably higher in households surveyed during COVID-19 restrictions suggesting underlying risks are found in the home environment more than in school.
Associations between social media addiction, psychological distress, and food addiction among Taiwanese university students
Authors: Huang Po-Ching , Latner Janet D. , O’Brien Kerry S. , Chang Yen-Ling , Hung Ching-Hsia , Chen Jung-Sheng , Lee Kuo-Hsin , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: March 2023

Background

Worldwide, 60% of people use social media. Excessive and/or addictive use of social media termed “problematic social media use”, has been reported to negatively influence psychological and physiological health. Therefore, we proposed an illustrated model to investigate the associations between social media addiction, psychological distress and food addiction among Taiwanese university students.

Methods

A total of 598 participants (mean age = 22.8 years) completed an online survey comprising the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS) assessing social media addiction, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) assessing psychological distress, and the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (YFAS 2.0) assessing food addiction.

Results

Structural equation modeling showed the significant associations between BSMAS and DASS-21 (standardized coefficient [β] = 0.45; p < 0.01) and between DASS-21 and YFAS 2.0 (β = 0.43; p < 0.01). In addition, mediation effect with 100 bootstrapping samples showed the indirect effect of DASS-21 in the association between BSMAS and YFAS 2.0

Conclusions

The present study details the relationships between social media addiction and psychological distress as well as food addiction. The results suggest the need for interventions aimed at reducing these negative outcomes. Coping strategies for improving self-control or reducing weight-related stigma, such as food consumption monitoring or mindfulness, could be adopted for at-risk individuals to address these problems.
Scurvy, abnormal MRI, and gelatinous bone marrow in an adolescent with avoidant restrictive food intake disorder
Authors: Kim Ginny Claire , Davidson Asha M. , Beyda Rebecca M. , Eissa Mona A.
Published: March 2023

Background

Although medical literature describes pediatric scurvy as “rare”, a growing number of case reports suggests otherwise. Patients often undergo costly and unnecessary workup due to unfamiliarity with the presentation of scurvy. This case report further supports the small yet growing literature documenting scurvy and its manifestations in patients with eating disorders.

Case presentation

A 15-year-old female presented to the emergency department with bilateral knee and ankle swelling and pain in the setting of chronic lower limb rash and BMI of 16.3. For years, she had restricted her diet to carbohydrates. Exam showed perifollicular petechial hemorrhagic rash with corkscrew hairs, knee edema, ankle edema with restricted range of motion, and antalgic gait. She was admitted for severe malnutrition from avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Her hospital course was complicated by recurrent normocytic anemia and fever. Hematology workup revealed anemia from iron deficiency, vitamin K deficiency, and anemia of chronic disease. Rheumatology workup was negative. MRI findings showed dark T1 and bright T2 signals and were read as consistent with leukemia/lymphoma, chronic multifocal osteomyelitis, or Langerhans cell histiocytosis. However, bone marrow biopsy showed gelatinous transformation secondary to malnutrition. She was treated with vitamin C and a nutrition plan and her symptoms improved.

Conclusions

Although this patient had common manifestations of scurvy, including perifollicular petechial hemorrhagic rash, joint effusions, anemia, and recurrent fevers, she still underwent an extensive workup. Clinicians should be aware that scurvy can present with multiple symptoms that mimic infectious, rheumatic, oncologic and hematological disease. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for scurvy in patients with malnutrition and eating disorders.
Work-related stress, quality of life, and coping mechanism among lecturers in a Tertiary Educational Institution in Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Chukwuemeka Uchechukwu Martha , Okonkwo Uchenna Prosper , Njoku Chibuike Jefferen , Igwe Sylvester Emeka , Oyewumi Taiwo Joseph , Ugwuanyi Daniel Chimmuanya
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Work-related stress (WRS) is a highly prevalent and pervasive problem that can result in loss of productivity and deterioration of a lecturer’s health. Lecturing work requires coping with some of the stressful situations found in any workplace to have a favourable quality of work life. The study determined the influence of sex, years of teaching experience, and academic rank on work-related stress, coping mechanisms, and quality of work life among lecturers at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU).

Method

This was a cross-sectional survey involving 283 lecturers consecutively recruited from NAU after proportionate randomization of the lecturers in 101 departments. The Health and Safety Executive Work Related stress (HSE-WRS), Work-Related Quality of life (WRQL), and Brief-cope Questionnaires (BCQ) were applied to assess the participant’s work-related stress, quality of work life, and coping mechanism (CM) respectively. Data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests at a 0.05 level of significance.

Result

Sex, years of teaching experience, and academic rank had statistically significant influence on 14 subsets of coping mechanism with p-values </=0.01. Years of teaching experience had a statistically significant influence on work-related stress (p = 0.00). Sex, years of teaching experience, and academic rank did not influence work-related quality of life in a statistically significant way.

Conclusion

There was a statistically significant influence of sex, years of teaching experience, and academic rank on coping strategies of lecturers. Also, a statistically significant influence of years of teaching experience on work related stress of lecturers was ascertained and revealed that male lecturers coped better with the rigorous demands of the job compared to female lecturers.
Diverse environmental cues drive the size of reproductive aggregation in a rheophilic fish
Authors: Šmejkal Marek , Bartoň Daniel , Blabolil Petr , Kolařík Tomáš , Kubečka Jan , Sajdlová Zuzana , Souza Allan T. , Brabec Marek
Published: March 2023

Background

Animal migrations are periodic and relatively predictable events, and their precise timing is essential to the reproductive success. Despite large scientific effort in monitoring animal reproductive phenology, identification of complex environmental cues that determine the timing of reproductive migrations and temporal changes in the size of reproductive aggregations in relation to environmental variables is relatively rare in the current scientific literature.

Methods

We tagged and tracked 1702 individuals of asp (Leuciscus aspius), a large minnow species, and monitored with a resolution of one hour the size of their reproductive aggregations (counts of sexes present at the breeding grounds standardized by the sum of individuals in the season) over seven breeding seasons using passive integrated transponder tag systems. We examined the size of reproductive aggregations in relation to environmental cues of day number within a reproductive season (intra-year seasonality), water temperature, discharge, hour in a day (intra-day pattern), temperature difference between water and air, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and lunar phase. A generalized additive model integrating evidence from seven breeding seasons and providing typical dynamics of reproductive aggregations was constructed.

Results

We demonstrated that all environmental cues considered contributed to the changes in the size of reproductive aggregations during breeding season, and that some effects varied during breeding season. Our model explained approximately 50% of the variability in the data and the effects were sex-dependent (models of the same structure were fitted to each sex separately, so that we effectively stratified on sex). The size of reproductive aggregations increased unimodally in response to day in season, correlated positively with water temperature and wind speed, was highest before and after the full moon, and highest at night (interacting with day in a season). Males responded negatively and females positively to increase in atmospheric pressure.

Conclusion

The data demonstrate complex utilization of available environmental cues to time reproductive aggregations in freshwater fish and their interactions during the reproductive season. The study highlights the need to acquire diverse data sets consisting of many environmental cues to achieve high accuracy of interpretation of reproductive timing.

Graphical abstract
Learnings about Aβ from human brain recommend the use of a live-neuron bioassay for the discovery of next generation Alzheimer’s disease immunotherapeutics
Authors: Wang Zemin , Jin Ming , Hong Wei , Liu Wen , Reczek David , Lagomarsino Valentina N. , Hu Yuan , Weeden Tim , Frosch Matthew P. , Young-Pearse Tracy L. , Pradier Laurent , Selkoe Dennis , Walsh Dominic M.
Published: March 2023

Despite ongoing debate, the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) remains the prime therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, rational drug design has been hampered by a lack of knowledge about neuroactive Aβ. To help address this deficit, we developed live-cell imaging of iPSC-derived human neurons (iNs) to study the effects of the most disease relevant form of Aβ-oligomeric assemblies (oAβ) extracted from AD brain. Of ten brains studied, extracts from nine caused neuritotoxicity, and in eight cases this was abrogated by Aβ immunodepletion. Here we show that activity in this bioassay agrees relatively well with disruption of hippocampal long-term potentiation, a correlate of learning and memory, and that measurement of neurotoxic oAβ can be obscured by more abundant non-toxic forms of Aβ. These findings indicate that the development of novel Aβ targeting therapeutics may benefit from unbiased activity-based discovery. To test this principle, we directly compared 5 clinical antibodies (aducanumab, bapineuzumab,  BAN2401, gantenerumab, and SAR228810) together with an in-house aggregate-preferring antibody (1C22) and established relative EC50s in protecting human neurons from human Aβ. The results yielded objective numerical data on the potency of each antibody in neutralizing human oAβ neuritotoxicity. Their relative efficacies in this morphological assay were paralleled by their functional ability to rescue oAβ-induced inhibition of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. This novel paradigm provides an unbiased, all-human system for selecting candidate antibodies for advancement to human immunotherapy.
Disrupted myelin lipid metabolism differentiates frontotemporal dementia caused by GRN and C9orf72 gene mutations
Authors: Marian Oana C. , Teo Jonathan D. , Lee Jun Yup , Song Huitong , Kwok John B. , Landin-Romero Ramon , Halliday Glenda , Don Anthony S.
Published: March 2023

Heterozygous mutations in the GRN gene and hexanucleotide repeat expansions in C9orf72 are the two most common genetic causes of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) with TDP-43 protein inclusions. The triggers for neurodegeneration in FTD with GRN (FTD-GRN) or C9orf72 (FTD-C9orf72) gene abnormalities are unknown, although evidence from mouse and cell culture models suggests that GRN mutations disrupt lysosomal lipid catabolism. To determine how brain lipid metabolism is affected in familial FTD with TDP-43 inclusions, and how this is related to myelin and lysosomal markers, we undertook comprehensive lipidomic analysis, enzyme activity assays, and western blotting on grey and white matter samples from the heavily-affected frontal lobe and less-affected parietal lobe of FTD-GRN cases, FTD-C9orf72 cases, and age-matched neurologically-normal controls. Substantial loss of myelin-enriched sphingolipids (sulfatide, galactosylceramide, sphingomyelin) and myelin proteins was observed in frontal white matter of FTD-GRN cases. A less-pronounced, yet statistically significant, loss of sphingolipids was also observed in FTD-C9orf72. FTD-GRN was distinguished from FTD-C9orf72 and control cases by increased acylcarnitines in frontal grey matter and marked accumulation of cholesterol esters in both frontal and parietal white matter, indicative of myelin break-down. Both FTD-GRN and FTD-C9orf72 cases showed significantly increased lysosomal and phagocytic protein markers, however galactocerebrosidase activity, required for lysosomal catabolism of galactosylceramide and sulfatide, was selectively increased in FTD-GRN. We conclude that both C9orf72 and GRN mutations are associated with disrupted lysosomal homeostasis and white matter lipid loss, but GRN mutations cause a more pronounced disruption to myelin lipid metabolism. Our findings support the hypothesis that hyperactive myelin lipid catabolism is a driver of gliosis and neurodegeneration in FTD-GRN. Since FTD-GRN is associated with white matter hyperintensities by MRI, our data provides important biochemical evidence supporting the use of MRI measures of white matter integrity in the diagnosis and management of FTD.
Clinicopathological and molecular characterization of a case classified by DNA‑methylation profiling as “CNS embryonal tumor with BRD4–LEUTX fusion”
Authors: Lebrun Laetitia , Allard-Demoustiez Sacha , Gilis Nathalie , Van Campenhout Claude , Rodesch Marine , Roman Celine , Calò Pierluigi , Lolli Valentina , David Philippe , Fricx Christophe , De Witte Olivier , Escande Fabienne , Maurage Claude-Alain , Salmon Isabelle
Published: March 2023

Central Nervous System (CNS) embryonal tumors represent a heterogeneous group of highly aggressive tumors occurring preferentially in children but also described in adolescents and adults. In 2021, the CNS World Health Organization (WHO) classification drastically changed the diagnosis of the other CNS embryonal tumors including new histo-molecular tumor types. Here, we report a pediatric case of a novel tumor type among the other CNS embryonal tumors classified within the methylation class “CNS Embryonal Tumor with BRD4–LEUTX Fusion”. The patient was a 4-year girl with no previous history of disease. For a few weeks, she suffered from headaches, vomiting and mild fever associated with increasing asthenia and loss of weight leading to a global deterioration of health. MRI brain examination revealed a large, grossly well-circumscribed tumoral mass lesion located in the left parietal lobe, contralateral hydrocephalus and midline shift. Microscopic examination showed a highly cellular tumor with a polymorphic aspect. The majority of the tumor harbored neuroectodermal features composed of small cells with scant cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nuclei associated with small “medulloblastoma-like” cells characterized by syncytial arrangement and focally a streaming pattern. Tumor cells were diffusely positive for Synaptophysin, CD56, INI1 and SMARCA4 associated with negativity for GFAP, OLIG-2, EMA, BCOR, LIN28A and MIC-2. Additional IHC features included p53 protein expression in more than 10% of the tumor’s cells and very interestingly, loss of H3K27me3 expression. The Heidelberg DNA-methylation classifier classified this case as “CNS Embryonal Tumor with BRD4:LEUTX Fusion”. RNA-sequencing analyses confirmed the BRD4 (exon 13)–LEUTX (exon 2) fusion with no other molecular alterations found by DNA sequencing. Our case report confirmed that a new subgroup of CNS embryonal tumor with high aggressive potential, loss of H3K27me3 protein expression, BRDA4–LEUTX fusion, named “Embryonal CNS tumor with BRD4–LEUTX fusion”, has to be considered into the new CNS WHO classification.
Dissociative experiences of adolescents with borderline personality disorder: description and prediction
Authors: Zanarini Mary C. , Martinho Eduardo , Temes Christina M. , Glass Isabel V. , Aguirre Blaise A. , Goodman Marianne , Fitzmaurice Garrett M.
Published: March 2023

Aims

The first purpose of this study was to assess the severity of dissociative experiences reported by adolescent inpatients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The second purpose was to compare the severity of their dissociative symptoms to those reported by a sample of adult inpatients with BPD. The third purpose of this study was to assess a range of clinically meaningful predictors of the severity of dissociation in adolescents and adults with BPD.

Methods

The Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) was administered to a total of 89 hospitalized girls and boys aged 13–17 with BPD and 290 adult inpatients with BPD. Predictors of the severity of dissociation in adolescents and adults with BPD were assessed using the Revised Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (a semi-structured interview), the NEO, and the SCID I.

Results

Borderline adolescents and adults had non-significant differences on their overall DES scores and subscale scores. They also had a non-significant distribution of low, moderate, and high scores. In terms of multivariate predictors, neither temperament nor childhood adversity was a significant predictor of the severity of dissociative symptoms in adolescents. However, co-occurring eating disorders were found in multivariate analyses to be the only bivariate predictor to significantly predict this outcome. In adults with BPD, however, both the severity of childhood sexual abuse and co-occurring PTSD were significantly related to the severity of dissociative symptoms in multivariate analyses.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results of this study suggest that the severity of dissociation is not significantly different in adolescents and adults with BPD. However, the etiological factors differ substantially.
When the digital twin meets the preventive conservation of movable wooden artifacts
Authors: Wang Puxiang , Ma Xueyi , Fei Lihua , Zhang Hongye , Zhao Dong , Zhao Jian
Published: March 2023

To achieve sustainable heritage conservation, preventive conservation has gradually taken precedence over curative conservation, because it can inhibit the damage caused by various environmental factors and maximizes the preservation life of the artifacts. Due to susceptibility to environmental factors, preventive conservation has been used in the conservation of movable wooden artifacts to further protect them. Recently, digital twin technology, as a concept that transcends reality, can be mapped in virtual space to reflect the full lifecycle process of the corresponding entity, which is a superior characteristic that makes it valued and researched for health monitoring and health management of heritages. This paper proposes a health management method mainly for preventive conservation of movable wooden artifacts, integrating digital twin technology into the health management process. Using the Quanzhou Ship as a typical representative, several important components of health management are specifically analyzed, such as the five-dimensional model of the digital twin, the data interaction process of the digital twin, and the identification and assessment of risks. In particular, the process of preventive conservation of the stern based on the digital twin is presented in detail. This method provides a basis for future preventive conservation of movable wooden artifacts and has implications for the use of digital twin technology in the field of heritage conservation, especially for movable wooden artifacts.
Combination of terrestrial laser scanning and UAV photogrammetry for 3D modelling and degradation assessment of heritage building based on a lighting analysis: case study—St. Adalbert Church in Gdansk, Poland
Authors: Tysiac Pawel , Sieńska Anna , Tarnowska Marta , Kedziorski Piotr , Jagoda Marcin
Published: March 2023

The construction of the St. Adalbert Church in Gdansk dates to 1310. It is a church of rich history and great historical value, and its care is challenging. In this study, the combination of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) was used to accurately build a 3D model of the church. Together with the collected historical inventory documentation, the historic building information model (HBIM) was generated. The Autodesk-Revit® tool was used for this purpose. On the basis of the generated model, the reflection properties of the laser scanner beam and red–green–blue (RGB) images, a methodology was proposed for analysing the degradation of the church’s components. The main hypothesis of this study is based on the analysis of sunlight outside the church. In addition to the importance of the method for determining the risks of church degradation, a high-quality method for model visualization combining two photogrammetric techniques (TLS + UAV) is presented.
Visitor’s experience evaluation of applied projection mapping technology at cultural heritage and tourism sites: the case of China Tangcheng
Authors: Li Hengyi , Ito Hiromu
Published: March 2023

Research on digital cultural heritage is concerned with the implementation of projection mapping (PJM) technologies, projection viewing, and interactive programs at cultural heritage sites. As PJM technology has come to play an increasingly important role in attracting visitors to museums, heritage pavilions and heritage sites, the topics of digital cultural heritage and digital cultural tourism have become widely discussed in professional and academic circles. However, questions have begun to emerge over the past decade about the relevance of the content presented using PJM at heritage sites and tourist attractions to the sites’ cultural value, and various researchers have attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of PJM on the visitor experience and generate proposals for improvement. Unfortunately, the usefulness of these attempts has been limited by several methodological shortcomings. Therefore, this study proposes an original system for evaluating visitor’s cultural experiences. By evaluating the effectiveness of PJM on visitor’s cultural experiences, a methodology and a set of guidelines for applying PJM that promotes cultural understanding were proposed, and further to achieve an integrated understanding of visitor’s tendency to recall PJM information. Furthermore, a trial run of the system was conducted by the authors in a study of a digital media campaign in October 2021 and the data derived from this investigation are presented in this article as a reference point for comparable cultural heritage and tourism sites.

Graphical Abstract
A model approach for post evaluation of adaptive reuse of architectural heritage: a case study of Beijing central axis historical buildings
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhang Qi
Published: March 2023

The adaptive reuse of architectural heritage is the basis of embodying its core value, bringing new life to heritage architecture, and is an important way to integrate it into contemporary development. In many current studies, the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage focuses on the research framework of adaptive reuse and the most effective method for adaptive reuse of a certain building. In the whole process, the post evaluation strategy of adaptive reuse based on specific cultural background is ignored, and the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is a dynamic process. Therefore, this study takes 9 heritage sites along the central axis of Beijing (including three types of single buildings, architectural complexes, and historical and cultural district) as examples. The 25 factors affecting the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage are extracted by the literature retrieval method, and are divided into three categories according to the content: existing fabric, spatial character and policy and value. Then the analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation are used to calculate the factors of 9 heritage sites in matrix, and finally obtain the reuse score of each heritage site. The results show that Meridian Gate has the highest comprehensive score for reuse in single buildings, the Forbidden City has the highest score for reuse in building complex, and Qianmen Street has the highest score in historical and cultural district. This study provides post-evaluation methods and strategies for the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage. Finally, a post-evaluation framework for the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage is formed. Finally, a post-evaluation framework for the reuse of architectural heritage against a specific cultural background has been formed. In the future, the status of the reuse of architectural heritage can be evaluated to maintain its proper authenticity, integrity and sustainability at any time. It can also guide the relevant decision-making before the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage and the optimization process after the adaptive reuse of architectural heritage.
Current progress on murals: distribution, conservation and utilization
Authors: Wang Yihui , Wu Xiaodong
Published: March 2023

As non-renewable cultural heritages, murals have important implications in historical customs, religions, and philosophy as well as their aesthetic values. Recently, many murals are threatened by natural factors and human activities. During the past decades, there are increasing interest in the investigation of murals. Here we review the current status of murals and provide an up-to-date summary of achievements related to murals. The murals that draw the most attention are distributed in Mexico, Ireland, China, and Spain. The aesthetics, history, cultural, educational, and economic values of murals are comprehensively analyzed. The main research technologies used to detect the chemical compositions and physical structures of murals are also summarized. The restoration of murals includes several procedures such as stabilization, repair, surface cleaning, and pigment reconversion. Emerging technologies such as computer science benefit the research and conservation of murals. We also propose that tourism management and climate change should be incorporated into the conservation of murals in the future.
The transparency of reporting 'harms' encountered with the surgically assisted acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement in the published randomized controlled trials: a meta-epidemiological study
Authors: Alfailany Doa’a Tahseen , Hajeer Mohammad Younis , Darwich Khaldoun
Published: March 2023

Background

Surgical-assisted accelerated orthodontics (SAAO) has become very popular recently. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the extent to which researchers adhere to Item 19 (harms) of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) in the published studies in the field of SAAO. In addition, the study evaluated the possible association between harm reporting and the human development index (HDI) of the recruited research sample country, CiteScore-based quartile (CSBQ) of the publishing journal, invasiveness of the surgical intervention (ISI), and the type of orthodontic tooth movement (TOTM). Moreover, it aimed to summarize the different possible harms and complications that maybe encountered in the course of SAAO.

Materials and methods

Electronic searching of six databases was conducted for SAAO-related English RCTs published between January 2000 and April 2022. For the RCTs that did not report harms, information was sought by contacting the corresponding authors. Descriptive statistics of the evaluated variables were performed. The association between 'harm reporting' and the HDI of the research team, the BDRQ of the publication journal, the ISI, and the TOTM were investigated. Binary logistic regression was used, and the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CIs) of the evaluated variables were obtained. Moreover, the risk of bias of the included RCTs was assessed using the RoB2 tool.

Results

Among the 91 included RCTs, 54 RCTs (59.3%) did not adhere to reporting harm associated with the SAAO. The non-adherence was significantly associated with the ISI (OR 0.16; CI 0.03–0.73; p < 0.018) for invasive methods compared with minimally invasive ones). There was a significant positive correlation between harm reporting and both the CSBQ of the publishing journal and the HDI of the recruited research sample country (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, respectively). On the contrary, a non-significant association was found between harm reporting and the type of OTM (p = 0.695). The incidence of harms associated with SAAO was approximately 17.5%.

Limitations

Assessment was restricted to English RCTs related to SAAO.

Conclusion and implications

The adherence to reporting harms in the field of SAAO was deficient. Efforts should be made by authors, peer reviewers, and editors to improve compliance with the CONSORT guidelines regarding harms reporting. Additionally, there is a wide spectrum of harms that could be associated with SAAO that the practitioner should pay attention to and alert the patient to the possibility of their occurrence.
Responses of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence during light induction in different seedling ages of Mahonia oiwakensis
Authors: Chen Chung-I. , Lin Kuan-Hung , Lin Tzu-Chao , Huang Meng-Yuan , Chen Yung-Chih , Huang Chau-Ching , Wang Ching-Wen
Published: March 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the actual state of the photosynthetic apparatus and exhibit distinguishable differences in the chlorophyll fluorescence (ChlF) components in different seedling ages of M. oiwakensis plants subjected to different light intensity (LI). Potted 6-month-old greenhouse seedlings and field collected 2.4-year-old seedlings with 5 cm heights were selected and randomly separated into seven groups for photosynthesis measurements illuminated with 50, 100 (assigned as low LI), 300, 500, 1,000 (as moderate LI), 1,500 and 2,000 (as high LI) μmol m–2 s–1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) treatments.

Results

n 6-month-old seedlings, as LI increased from 50 to 2,000 PPFD, the values of non-photochemical quenching and photo-inhibitory quenching (qI) increased but potential quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (ΦPSII) values decreased. High electron transport rate and percentage of actual PSII efficiency by Fv/Fm values were observed in 2.4-year-old seedlings at high LI conditions. Furthermore, higher ΦPSII was detected under low LI conditions, with lower energy-dependent quenching (qE) and qI values and photo-inhibition % decreased as well. However, qE and qI increased as ΦPSII decreased and photo-inhibition% increased under high LI treatments.

Conclusions

These results could be useful for predicting the changes in growth and distribution of Mahonia species grown in controlled environments and open fields with various combinations of varying light illuminations, and ecological monitoring of their restoration and habitat creation is important for provenance conservation and helps to formulate better conservation strategies for the seedlings.
Fungal communities on alpine cheese rinds in Southern Switzerland
Authors: De Respinis Sophie , Caminada AnnaPaola , Pianta Elisa , Buetti-Dinh Antoine , Riva Scettrini Patrizia , Petrini Liliane , Tonolla Mauro , Petrini Orlando
Published: March 2023

Background

The biodiversity of the mycobiota of soft cheese rinds such as Brie or Camembert has been extensively studied, but scant information is available on the fungi colonizing the rinds of cheese produced in the Southern Switzerland Alps. This study aimed at exploring the fungal communities present on rinds of cheese matured in five cellars in Southern Switzerland and to evaluate their composition with regards to temperature, relative humidity, type of cheese, as well as microenvironmental and geographic factors. We used macro- and microscopical morphology, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and sequencing to characterize the fungal communities of the cheeses, and compared them with metabarcoding targeting the ITS region.

Results

Isolation by serial dilution yielded 201 isolates (39 yeasts and 162 filamentous fungi) belonging to 9 fungal species. Mucor and Penicillium were dominant, with Mucor racemosus, M. lanceolatus, P. biforme, and P. chrysogenum/rubens being the most frequent species. All but two yeast isolates were identified as Debaryomyces hansenii. Metabarcoding detected 80 fungal species. Culture work and metabarcoding produced comparable results in terms of similarity of the fungal cheese rind communities in the five cellars.

Conclusions

Our study has shown that the mycobiota on the rinds of the cheeses studied is a comparatively species-poor community influenced by temperature, relative humidity, type of cheese, and manufacturing steps, as well as microenvironmental and possibly geographic factors.