Excellent Condition Research Articles

High-Resolution Direct Push Sensing in Wetland Geoarchaeology—First Traces of Off-Site Construction Activities at the Fossa Carolina

Wetland environments, with their excellent conservation conditions, provide geoarchaeological archives of past human activities. However, the subsurface soil is difficult to access due to high groundwater tables, unstable sediments, and the high cost of excavation. In this study, we present a ground-based non- and minimal-invasive prospection concept adapted to the conditions of wetlands. We investigated the Fossa Carolina in South Germany, a canal that was intended in 792/793 AD by Charlemagne to bridge the Central European Watershed. Although the resulting Carolingian banks and the fairway with wooden revetments are very imposing, archaeological traces of off-site construction activities have not been identified hitherto. Based on a geophysically surveyed intensive linear magnetic anomaly parallel to the Carolingian canal, we aimed to prove potential off-site traces of Carolingian construction activities. In this context, we built up a high-resolution cross-section using highly depth-accurate direct push sensing and ground-truthing. Our results showed the exact geometry of the canal and the former banks. Thus, the magnetic mass anomaly could be clearly located between the buried organic-rich topsoil and the Carolingian banks. The thermoluminescence dating showed that the position of the magnetic mass anomaly reflected Carolingian activities during the construction phases, specifically due to heat exposure. Moreover, we found hints of the groundwater supply to the 5-metre wide navigable fairway.

Conformal Graphene Directly Synthesized on a Femtosecond Laser-Scribed In-Fiber Microstructure for High-Energy Ultrafast Optical Pulses.

Despite extensive efforts to explore femtosecond lasers functionalized by nonlinear graphene (Gf) that relies on the traditional transfer process, maximizing the efficiency, customizing the nonlinear interaction, and minimizing the optical loss remain critical challenges, especially in high-energy pulse generation. We demonstrate an ultrafast nonlinear all-fiber device based on conformal Gf directly synthesized in three dimensions on the surface of an in-fiber microstructure. A femtosecond laser-induced selective etching process is used to fabricate a customized microstructure that ensures the minimum but efficient laser-Gf interaction as well as possesses excellent surface conditions to suppress absorption and scattering loss. Conformal Gf is prepared by a spatial diffusion-based atomic carbon spraying process that enables nanocrystals to be synthesized homogeneously even onto the complex surface of the microstructure. The demonstration of high-energy pulses from the Gf saturable absorber highlights its simple, process-efficient, adjustable, and robust performance. The resultant hyperbolic secant pulses display individual pulse energy and peak power of up to 13.2 nJ and 20.17 kW, respectively.

Seawater Quality Analysis in Mantehage Island for Integrated and Sustainable Marine Tourism Development.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> There is a growing interest to significantly explore more opportunities in the coastal environment. For this reason, adequate progressive strategies appear very essential. The purpose of this study was to analyze seawater quality as a database for developing integrated and sustainable marine tourism in Mantehage Island, Indonesia. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The present paper applied descriptive and quantitative methods to sample 20 observation points around the selected location. In addition, the seawater content was directly measured and stored in the laboratory for further analysis. Consequently, certain parameters were evaluated, including salinity, temperature, turbidity, pH, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, NO<sub>3</sub>-N and PO<sub>4</sub>-P. The subsequent data were also compared to the related quality standards of the Minister of Environment, Decree No. 51 of 2004. <b>Results:</b> Based on the results, Mantehage water quality demonstrated an excellent condition and is also believed to support the proposed marine tourism development. <b>Conclusion:</b> The values of salinity, temperature, turbidity, pH, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, NO<sub>3</sub>-N and PO<sub>4</sub>-P, the condition of Mantehage water quality obtained a suitable category within the specified standards of the Minister of Environment Decree No. 51 of 2004. Several parameters known to exceed these provisions, including nitrate and phosphate content, indicate the instantaneous value during measurement.

Effect of a Polyphenol-Based Additive in Pig Diets in the Early Stages of Growth.

Simple SummaryThe health of piglets, especially the health of the gastrointestinal tract, is subject to severe stress during weaning. The use of antibiotics can help piglets to counteract the negative effects of this period. However, the use of antibiotics as growth promoters can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance. For this reason, antibiotic replacement products are sought to promote gut health. We tested the commercial product GreenFIS® (New Feed Team Ltd., Lodi, Italy), a blend of natural substances acknowledged as beneficial for gut health, at two levels of inclusion, compared to a control diet, on 60 piglets. No differences were recorded between diets regarding the growth performance. The gut histological analysis performed on some animals did not reveal any difference between diets. Microbiological analyses were also performed on the feces and the piglets fed GreenFIS® showed a higher number of a group of bacteria positively associated with starch utilization. After the post-weaning trial, a digestibility study was conducted on six pigs randomly chosen for each treatment. The addition of GreenFIS® to the diet led to higher digestibility compared to the control, although it did not reveal, in the excellent hygienic conditions of the experimental farm, a positive effect on the gut heath.The weaning period is a stressful period for the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of piglets. This work aims to evaluate the effects of the commercial polyphenol-based product GreenFIS® on: (1) GIT health and performance of 60 weaned piglets; (2) digestibility in 18 growing pigs. Three diets were tested: a control diet (C), C plus 2.5 g of GreenFIS®/kg C (T1), and C plus 5 g of GreenFIS®/kg C (T2). After the post-weaning trial three piglets per treatment were sacrificed for the GIT histological analysis. No differences between diets were recorded in terms of growing performance or clinical and biochemical blood parameters. The GIT histological analysis did not show any indicators of inflammation for any of the groups. The feces of the two extreme treatments (C and T2) were analyzed for microbiota, revealing a greater presence of the Ruminococcus bromii group, positively associated with starch degradation, in T2. In the second experiment six pigs per treatment were randomly chosen for the digestibility study. The inclusion of GreenFIS® at both levels led to a higher fecal digestibility of gross energy (86.2%, 89.1%, and 89.5%, for C, T1, and T2, respectively) and crude protein (87.0%, 90.2%, and 90.0%). In conclusion, the additive did not improve, in the excellent experimental hygienic conditions, the gut health, but it did increase nutrient digestibility.

A dual-layer cell-laden tubular scaffold for bile duct regeneration

Bile duct injury is a common complication of hepatobiliary surgeries in clinical practice with poorly satisfactory treatment outcomes. Implanting a tissue-engineered tubular scaffold for supporting and replacing defected native bile duct is an important treatment option for bile duct injury. Here a dual-layer tubular scaffold with poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) inner layer and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA)/poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) outer layer was fabricated using a two-stage molding method for bile duct regeneration. Further, induced mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-derived cholangiocyte-like cells were embedded in the outer layer during fabrication. The inner layer of PLGA offered adequate mechanical strength for the scaffold, and the outer layer of GelMA/PEGDA provided excellent biocompatibility and conditions for the MSCs and their induced differentiation. Moreover, cholic acid and its derivates are believed to induce MSC-cholangiocyte differentiation in two-dimensional culture and could affect the MSCs transforming to cholangiocyte-like cells in the hydrogel. Induced-MSC-laden GelMA/PEGDA-PLGA dual-layer tubular scaffold and PLGA single-layer scaffold were transplanted into animal models for assessing the repair effect on bile duct injury. After 12 wk, induced-MSC-laden dual-layer tubular scaffold promoted bile duct repairing and enhanced more intact biliary epithelium regenerating compared to PLGA single-layer scaffold. Therefore, the induced-MSC-laden dual-layer tubular scaffold with superior biocompatibility and distinct function of inducing differentiation exerted a satisfactory effect on bile duct regeneration and could provide an ideal option for the clinical treatment of bile duct injury in the future.

The First Real-World Experience with Betibeglogene Autotemcel (beti-cel) Gene Therapy Treatment for Transfusion-Dependent β-Thalassemia (TDT)

BackgroundBeti-cel ex vivo gene therapy integrates a modified HBB gene into hematopoietic stem cells of patients with TDT, aiming to enable lifelong, stable production of functional adult hemoglobin (Hb). The efficacy and safety of the treatment have been demonstrated in a total of 63 patients treated across 4 clinical trials (HGB-204,-HGB-205, HGB-207, and HGB-212). Here, we present the first patient who received beti-cel outside of the clinical trial setting, a 14-year-old male with a β 0/β + (IVS-1-6) genotype.MethodsFollowing hematopoietic stem cell collection via granulocyte-colony stimulating factor plus plerixafor mobilization and apheresis, CD34+ cells were transduced with the BB305 lentiviral vector encoding HbA T87Q. The patient received hypertransfusion before mobilization and conditioning, maintaining a pre-transfusion Hb level of >11 g/dL. Six days prior to beti-cel infusion, single-agent busulfan myeloablation was initiated (16 single doses at 0.8 mg/kg body weight; 3.2 mg/kg/24 h) with concomitant clonazepam (see Table for treatment timeline). Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy was continued as hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) prophylaxis through inpatient treatment.ResultsThe patient was diagnosed with TDT at the age of 2 years in his home country and has been treated in Germany since the age of 9. Regular transfusion therapy was initiated soon after diagnosis (Table). Aged 9, the patient was started on desferasirox for iron elimination therapy. His annualized red blood cell (RBC) transfusion volume was 174 ml/kg in 2018 and 185 ml/kg in 2019, maintaining his pre-transfusion Hb at or above 9 g/dl. No HLA-related donor was available for allogeneic transplant.At informed consent, the patient was 13 years old and met the eligibility criteria for beti-cel treatment as outlined in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC). The patient was physically fit, with a 90% Lansky score and regular participation in school sports, but reported physical limitations when running extensively. The patient underwent a thorough assessment before admission (Table), which did not reveal any remarkable abnormalities except TDT-related splenomegaly and signs of slight iron overload (liver iron content, 2.0 mg/g dry weight [normal range, 0.17-1.8]).On 11/Feb/2021, the patient was infused with 5.1 × 10 6 CD34+ cells/kg. The patient received 4 RBC and 8 platelet transfusions following infusion until Day 13 and 27, respectively (Table). Neutrophil and platelet engraftment occurred on day 27 post beti-cel infusion. The patient was discharged from inpatient treatment the same day, in excellent general condition, with 90% Lansky score, Hb of 8.2 g/dl, a reticulocyte count of 9.3%, a total white cell count of 1.55/nl, a neutrophil count of 0.75/nl, and a platelet count of 24/nl.At last follow-up (+100 days), the patient felt well and exhibited normal exercise tolerance. He has received neither red blood cell nor platelet transfusions or chelation therapy since discharge. Total Hb was 11.8 g/dl (Table). Granulocytes and lymphocytes had recovered to normal levels. The patient showed continued, albeit slowly improving, thrombocytopenia (platelet count, 31/nl [29/nl at +60 days]), consistent with previous observations after beti-cel therapy.Myeloablation and beti-cel infusion were tolerated well. Adverse events post infusion were febrile neutropenia, elevated C-reactive protein levels, pruritus, gingivitis, mild mucositis, and vertigo, consistent with the SmPC. At +23 and +26 days, the patient experienced transient subjective hearing loss (quickly resolved). No VOD events occurred.ConclusionsThis is the first real-world patient with TDT treated with beti-cel therapy. The treatment regimen had a tolerability profile consistent with that of mobilization, apheresis, and busulfan myeloablation, matching clinical trial observations. Following treatment, this 14-year-old patient reached a total Hb of 11.8 g/dL at +100 days without requirement of red cell transfusions and continues to exhibit prolonged but slowly improving and asymptomatic thrombocytopenia. [Display omitted] DisclosuresSchmitt: TolerogenixX Ltd: Current Employment; Therakos/Mallinckrodt: Research Funding; Hexal: Other: Travel grant; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Other: Travel grant. Schmitt: Bluebird Bio: Other: Travel grants; Novartis: Other: Travel grants, Research Funding; TolerogenixX: Current holder of individual stocks in a privately-held company; Apogenix: Research Funding; MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Hexal: Other: Travel grants, Research Funding; Kite Gilead: Other: Travel grants. Kulozik: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; BioMedX: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; bluebird bio, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau.

Characterizing the spatial distribution of coral reefs in the South-Central Coast region of Viet Nam using Planetscope imagery.

This study aims to understand the spatial distribution of coral reefs in the central region of Viet Nam. We classified live coral cover in Son Tra Peninsula (ST) and Cu Lao Cham Island (CLC) in the South-Central Coast Region of Viet Nam using the Maximum Likelihood Classifier on 3 m Planetscope imagery. Confusion matrices and the accuracy of the classifier were assessed using field data (1,543 and 1,560 photographs in ST and CLC, respectively). The results showed that the reef’s width ranged from 30 to 300 m across the study site, and we were able to detect live coral cover across a depth gradient of 2 to 6 m below the sea surface. The overall accuracies of the classifier (the Kappa coefficient) were 76.78% (0.76) and 78.08% (0.78) for ST and CLC, respectively. We found that 60.25% of coral reefs in ST were unhealthy and the live coral cover was less than 50%, while 25.75% and 11.46% of those in CLC were in good and excellent conditions, respectively. This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing Planetscope imagery to monitor shallow coral reefs of small islands at a high spatial resolution of 3 m. The results of this study provide valuable information for coral reef protection and conservation.

СПРАВА АДМІНІСТРАТИВНОЇ ЮРИСДИКЦІЇ: ТЕОРЕТИЧНІ АСПЕКТИ РОЗГЛЯДУ ПРАВОВИХ СПОРІВ, ЩО ВИНИКАЮТЬ ІЗ ПУБЛІЧНО-ПРАВОВИХ ВІДНОСИН

The author determined that the conflict of interests is that in substantive or procedural legal relations, according to the non-governmental entity, violates his subjective public interest in the implementation of subjective public (eg, the right to vote, civil service) or private law (for example, the right to land), the satisfaction of public (for example, the desire to use the road surface in excellent condition) or private interest (for example, the desire to become a lawyer). It is determined that the administrative court, resolving the dispute between the parties, promotes the settlement of incompatible or conflicting interests of the parties, protection of the subjective public interest of the non-governmental entity, its both public and private subjective rights. At the same time, the court also contributes to the protection of the procedure for the exercise by the subject of its public authority, which ensures the legality and protection of public order. It is noted that a person uses subjective public law to satisfy his personal (for example, registration of land rights) or public interests, needs (for example, the use of space for a rally). It is noted that the direct subject of protection in the administrative court is the subjective public right of a person to apply to public administration bodies, if the realization of another subjective right of a person (public or private) is impossible without interaction with the subject of power, which is obliged promote such implementation. A public law dispute covers only disputes about public law, ie about the protection of only subjective public law. Whereas, a dispute arising from a public-law relationship is caused by a violation of subjective public law and provides for the protection of the rights and interests of the individual, regardless of their legal nature (both private and public). The subject of jurisdiction of administrative courts is not all disputes arising from public law relations. The distinction between disputes to be considered in different types of proceedings should take place at the legislative level, taking into account the reasoned positions of leading scholars on the removal from a code of those provisions that prevent the precise determination of the jurisdiction of the court.

CNNs for enhanced background discrimination in DSNB searches in large-scale water-Gd detectors

Gadolinium-loading of large water Cherenkov detectors is a prime method for the detection of the Diffuse Supernova Neutrino Background (DSNB). While the enhanced neutron tagging capability greatly reduces single-event backgrounds, correlated events mimicking the IBD coincidence signature remain a potentially harmful background. Neutral-Current (NC) interactions of atmospheric neutrinos potentially dominate the DSNB signal especially in the low-energy range of the observation window that reaches from about 12 to 30 MeV.The present paper investigates a novel method for the discrimination of this background. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) offer the possibility for a direct analysis and classification of the PMT hit patterns of the prompt events. Based on the events generated in a simplified SuperKamiokande-like detector setup, we find that a trained CNN can maintain a signal efficiency of 96% while reducing the residual NC background to 2% of the original rate. Comparing to recent predictions of the DSNB signal and measurements of the NC background levels in Super-Kamiokande, the corresponding signal-to-background ratio is about 4:1, providing excellent conditions for a DSNB discovery.

Effects of Parasitism on the Production and Productivity of caged Oreochromis niloticus in Winam Gulf of L. Victoria

The general objective of this study was to assess the effects of parasitism on the production and productivity of caged Oreochromis niloticus in Winam Gulf of L. Victoria. With the need to increase food production through fish products amid overfishing and pollution stress in the lake, cage farming is seen to have the potential to bridge the fish supply and demand gap continues to widen. Cage culture is a new technology in the offing that needs to be explored to justify its potential. Fish parasites are always a threat in an enclosed culture system and because of this, it is necessary to assess their effects on fish condition factors before recommendation. It is because of this reason that a total of 480 caged Oreochromis niloticus were purchased and examined for parasites using the recommended procedures for parasitological analysis. The class Trematoda which included seven taxa were found to be the most common and prevalent parasites in cages of the Winam Gulf. This was attributed to the presence of piscivorous birds which are definitive hosts seen more often around the culture systems and also overstocking observed and reported during the study period which increases the spread and transmission of parasites from one fish to another. Despite the prevalence, infestation did not affect the fish condition factor in all the study areas as the majority of infected fish recorded between good and excellent body condition factors. This was due to low mean intensities recorded and a shorter period of exposure to parasitic infestation as most farmers were barely 3 years into the system. In conclusion, for the government to explore the blue economy and achieve the Vision 2030 and SDGs on food security and poverty reduction by 2030, efforts to promote commercial cage culture enterprises in the Winam Gulf must be bolstered, provided that cages are located in deep waters with low concentrations in specific areas and low stocking densities to avoid compromising the environment.

Laparoscopic Removal of Ovarian Ectopic Pregnancies

Study Objective To illustrate laparoscopic management of ovarian ectopic pregnancy in an emergent setting with preservation of the ovary. Design Case series. Setting Emergent diagnostic laparoscopy for the management of suspected ectopic pregnancy with resection of ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Patients or Participants Case series of two patients requiring emergent management of ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Interventions Ovarian ectopic pregnancies are a rare and potentially life-threatening condition1,2,3,4,5. In this video, both patients were taken from the emergency department to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy where they were found to have ruptured ovarian ectopic pregnancies with otherwise unremarkable pelvic anatomy. After visual confirmation of suspected diagnosis, pelvic survey, and evacuation of hemoperitoneum, both patients underwent laparoscopic resection of ovarian ectopic pregnancy with ovarian preservation. Measurements and Main Results This case series demonstrates the use of two minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques for emergent management of ovarian ectopic pregnancy. These techniques can also be applied to non-emergent patient presentations. Postoperative course was uncomplicated for both patients and they were discharged in excellent condition on the day of surgery. Ovarian ectopic pregnancy was confirmed by pathology and resolution of pregnancy demonstrated by normalization of beta-HCG at postoperative follow up for both patients. Conclusion Ovarian ectopic pregnancy can be effectively managed using minimally invasive laparoscopic technique with preservation of the ovary, including in an emergent setting. To illustrate laparoscopic management of ovarian ectopic pregnancy in an emergent setting with preservation of the ovary. Case series. Emergent diagnostic laparoscopy for the management of suspected ectopic pregnancy with resection of ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Case series of two patients requiring emergent management of ovarian ectopic pregnancy. Ovarian ectopic pregnancies are a rare and potentially life-threatening condition1,2,3,4,5. In this video, both patients were taken from the emergency department to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy where they were found to have ruptured ovarian ectopic pregnancies with otherwise unremarkable pelvic anatomy. After visual confirmation of suspected diagnosis, pelvic survey, and evacuation of hemoperitoneum, both patients underwent laparoscopic resection of ovarian ectopic pregnancy with ovarian preservation. This case series demonstrates the use of two minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques for emergent management of ovarian ectopic pregnancy. These techniques can also be applied to non-emergent patient presentations. Postoperative course was uncomplicated for both patients and they were discharged in excellent condition on the day of surgery. Ovarian ectopic pregnancy was confirmed by pathology and resolution of pregnancy demonstrated by normalization of beta-HCG at postoperative follow up for both patients. Ovarian ectopic pregnancy can be effectively managed using minimally invasive laparoscopic technique with preservation of the ovary, including in an emergent setting.

First detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes in the Mearim River Watershed, Maranhão State, Brazil

The Mearim River Watershed has multiple uses e.g. leisure, navigation, fishing and subsistence agriculture and constitutes the main source of supply for the populations of municipalities situated along its course. In addition to being a water supply source, the existence of the ‘pororoca’ (tidal bore) effect in a stretch of the lower course of the Mearim River attracts people from several Brazilian states and different countries, as it offers excellent conditions for surfing in fresh water. In this respect, given the importance of the watershed, this study was developed to report the detection of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes in a stretch of the lower course of the Mearim River, located in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. Thirty water samples were collected from 10 sampling points. To quantify E. coli, the chromogenic enzymatic system was used and positive samples were isolated and biochemically identified. Pure cultures underwent DNA extraction by heating followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) characterization. At the time of the collections, an observation schedule was used to record information on the existence of rearing of livestock and domestic animals; businesses; residences; and fruit and vegetable farming on the riverbanks. The samples were analyzed for the mean populations of E. coli, which ranged from 444 to 2,585 MPN mL-1. Twenty bacterial isolates were identified and the diarrheal pathotypes ETEC, typical EPEC and atypical EPEC were detected. The detection of these pathotypes can represent an epidemiological risk and compromise several uses of this water resource, such as irrigation of fruits and vegetables consumed raw, fishing, animal watering and recreation. Structural investments in basic sanitation are essential to minimize environmental degradation resulting from anthropic activities and to act preventively in public health. In addition, the recovery of riparian forests along the watershed and the maintenance of vegetation in these areas are measures to reduce the transport of particles from the soil to the watercourses, improving the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of this water resource.

Plasma duplex treatment influence on the tribological properties of the UNS S32760 stainless steel

Super duplex stainless steels are widely used in harsh environments due to their high corrosion resistance. However, the improvement of their tribological properties can contribute to a better performance of these materials in service. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the application influence of duplex treatment on the tribological properties of the UNS S32760 super duplex stainless steel. Two treatment times, 2 h and 4 h, were studied for both the nitriding step and the cathodic cage plasma deposition step. The results showed that the combination of the nitrided layer and the TiN film, confirmed with the application of Rietveld refinement on the XRD data, contributes to the wear volume decrease by up to 9.41 times. This behaviour was associated with the increase in surface microhardness and the excellent adhesion conditions (HF1) presented by the film deposited over the nitrided layer. The film provided a change in the wear mechanism, evidenced by the reduction in the tendency to wear by scratches. Additionally, was observed the presence of lower oxygen content in the wear region of the treated samples, that can be associated a lower heating of the samples during the test. Thus, the duplex treatment has a great application potential for improving the wear resistance of UNS S32760 steel.

Comparison of Postoperative Pulmonary Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section under General and Spinal Anesthesia: A Single-Center Audit.

Introduction:Regional anesthesia (RA), i.e., spinal or epidural anesthesia when performed for lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) provides excellent surgical conditions, avoiding manipulation of the maternal airway, maternal satisfaction, and good postoperative analgesia. However, in situations like fetal distress (fetal heart rate abnormalities), obstetric indications (abruption of placenta, antenatal placental bleeding, cord prolapse), maternal refusal for RA, contraindications to neuraxial anesthesia (anticoagulation, coagulopathy), and at times failed RA general anesthesia (GA) is administered. Several studies have demonstrated greater mortality and morbidity when LSCS is done under GA when compared to neuraxial block.Methods:After necessary approval, we retrospectively reviewed data over a period of 1 year (January 1, 2020–December 31, 2020) of LSCS under GA versus RA. The aim was to compare immediate postoperative complications, postoperative pulmonary complications up to 4 weeks from the time of elective and emergency LSCS under either RA or GA.Results:Of the 753 patients who underwent LSCS in one calendar year, there were 272 (36.12%) elective and 481 (63.87%) emergency LSCS. The number of elective LSCS under neuraxial block was 219 (29.09%) and under GA were 53 (7.03%). Emergency LSCS done under neuraxial block were 268 (35.59%) and under GA were 213 (28.28%). There were no adverse pulmonary complications at the end of 4 weeks in either group.Conclusion:RA provides maternal satisfaction and excellent perioperative analgesia in LSCS. Safe GA can be achieved with proper airway planning, if case is attended by at least two anesthesiologist with adequate preoperative fasting, and postoperative monitoring.

LATERAL PEG-SHAPED INCISIVE AESTHETIC TREATMENT WITH INDIRECT VENEER RESTORATION USING CERAMO POLYMER RESTORATION

Peg shape is one of the abnormalities of dental anatomy, i.e. tooth size is smaller than average and tapered shape. These peg-shaped teeth are often found in the maxillary lateral incisors and third molars. The form on the lateral incisor often causes aesthetic problems because of its anterior position. One of the treatments for peg-shaped teeth is Veneer. Case report: 26 years old woman had a peg-shaped shape on both lateral incisors. Indirect veneer aesthetic treatment was performed using Ceramage to correct the form and cover the diastema to achieve better aesthetics. Wax-up is done to see the suitability of the shape and proportion of the Veneer. Patients get a visual picture of the expected treatment results. The treatment results in Ceramage gave an excellent condition in improving the shape of the Peg-shaped incisor. The veneer colour resembles natural teeth, and the patient is satisfied with the treatment results. Ceramage can be used as a treatment option for anterior teeth with deformities. Ceramage Veneer is an alternative that can be done to improve the aesthetic appearance at a more economical cost for anterior teeth.

Comparison of EuroQol-5D-3L and Short Form-6D Utility Scores in Family Caregivers of Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

Objective: To compare the EuroQol-5D-3L (EQ-5D-3L) and the Short Form-6D (SF-6D) utility scores in family caregivers (FCs) of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.Method: This study was performed on FCs of CRC patients from three primary cancer centers in the capital city of the Heilongjiang province. The participants (FCs) who were enrolled, filled the EQ-5D-3L, along with the SF-6D questionnaire. Two tools were compared for their distribution, discriminant validity, agreement, and convergent validity along with known-groups validity.Result: Two hundred ninety-two FCs of CRC patients were enrolled. The score distribution of the SF-6D along with the EQ-5D-3L were not normal. A ceiling impact was seen in 31.8% of the FCs for EQ-5D-3L; however, none for the SF-6D. Good associations (Spearman’s rho = 0.622, p < 0.01) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 0.637 and average ICC 0.778) between the two scores were observed. The EQ-5D-3L yielded higher utility scores in contrast with the SF-6D in the better health subclass. The SF-6D distinguished better between excellent and good health statuses, with better effect size and relative efficiency statistics. Both tools showed good known-groups validity.Conclusion: The utility scores of SF-6D were remarkably lower relative to that of the EQ-5D-3L, but the difference may be clinically insignificant. However, the SF-6D may be superior because of the lack of ceiling impact. SF-6D exhibited a better convergent validity along with discrimination validity of excellent health condition and improved known-groups validity efficiency.

Scale up of a lentiviral production process from the iCELLis®️ Nano Bioreactor to the iCELLis 500+ Bioreactor

Watch the video or read the poster to learn: The challenges of lentivirus production.The advantages of the iCELLis fixed bed bioreactor, an automated, single-use, fixed-bed bioreactor that provides excellent conditions for viral vector production in adherent cells.Proven performance of the iCELLis Nano bioreactor and the iCELLis 500+ bioreactor Isabelle&#160;Pelletier&#160;has more than 20 years of experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and joined ABL in 2018. She specializes in cell culture, viral vectors and upstream process optimization. Isabelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the Universit&#233; LavalKaitlynn Bayne is an Application Specialist within the Scientific and Laboratory Services (SLS) team at Pall Corporation. She has experience with cell culture, bioreactors, analytics, and assay development. Kaitlynn obtained her Master’s Degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Michigan and has over five years of laboratory experience including positions at the University of Michigan and Pall.

Development of river morphologic stability index (RMSI) to assess mountain river systems

Study regionFive mountain rivers (Rasau, Congkak, Sekayu, Nal, and Lata Payung) in Malaysia. Study focusStability of mountain rivers is essential to maintain the natural landscape of fluvial morphology amid climate variability and anthropogenic stresses. However, rapid assessment tools for characterizing the channel stability of mountain river systems are lacking. In this study, a River Morphologic Stability Index (RMSI) is developed and used to evaluate the stability of 32 cross-sections in five mountain rivers in Malaysia. The performance of this index is compared with that of five conventional indexes. New hydrological insights for the regionThe analysis indicates that ten crucial parameters (and their weightages) are key to represent the dynamic changes of river landscapes: channel form (0.16), channel dimension (0.14), substrate (0.13), channel pattern (0.12), bank slope (0.09), bank erosion (0.08), channel adjustment (0.08), artificial feature and structure (0.07), degree of constriction (0.07), and vegetative cover (0.06). These parameters formed the basis of the development of RMSI. For each parameter, its ratings and weightages were defined to differentiate between the excellent and worst river conditions. The final RMSI score was grouped into four categories: highly stable (0 %–25 %), moderately stable (26 %–50 %), moderately unstable (51 %–75 %), and extremely unstable (76 %–100 %). Results indicated that 22 of all the 32 cross-sections concerned were within the ‘very stable’ category.

Performance evaluation and intensification of novel buoyant filter bioreactor with associated secondary treatment process for rice processing industries

Rice being the staple food of a larger population in general and to the India in particular and most of the industries are adapting the parboiled process. Rice production by parboiled process required large amount of water and discharging huge amount of wastewater to environment. Thus, most of the rice industries were falling under red or orange category of highly polluted industry. In this context the present study was undertaken to evaluate the performance of an ETP at rice processing industry. The ETP employed a primary high rate anaerobic treatment system called Buoyant filter bioreactor (BFBR) followed by secondary chemical treatments, to meet the effluent standards. The overall percentage removal efficiency of ETP observed is COD (90%), Colour (93%), Iron (100%), phosphate (100%), turbidity (94%), TSS (50%) and BOD (99%). A sharp reduction of BOD from 1500 to 10 mg/l was observed upon BFBR treatment indicating the excellent working condition of BFBR. The final effluent coming out from ETP meets the criteria for Permissible Limit as per ISI,1977 (On land of irrigation) and Permissible Limit as per ISI 1974 (In land surface water) which indicates the performance of the developed ETP is satisfactory.

A techno-economic analysis of floating photovoltaic systems, for southern European countries

In the last few decades, the vast majority of world states have faced increased energy consumption using more environmentally friendly production technologies. The use of traditional renewable energies like hydro, wind and solar has been the solution found. Despite this, new technical solutions and strategies are beginning to emerge, of which Floating Solar Photovoltaic (FSPV) systems are part. In this framework, southern European countries have excellent climate conditions for reinforcing the use of solar energy. This research assess the existing Portuguese potential for floating PV systems and its integration in the power grid. A floating solar power plant of 1MW in Gouvães dam included in the Tâmega hydroelectric complex, under construction in northern Portugal was sizing and evaluated its energy potential. A techno-economic feasibility study was also carried out taking into account the current investment costs and energy tariffs in the Iberian liberalized market. This integrated analysis allowed to obtain important results on the current state of the art, types of technologies available, their costs and the payback period for this type of projects.