Variation In Level Research Articles

Exceptional Equatorial Extension of Extreme Indian Ocean Dipole Cooling: Shaping Effect From Strong El Niño

AbstractThe extreme positive Indian Ocean Dipole (EXpIOD) peaking in 2023 boreal fall exhibited the strongest variations in sea level and subsurface temperature in the eastern Indian Ocean (IO), and the most equatorially westward extension of cooling observed during the satellite era to date. Its pattern resembled the 1997 EXpIOD, contrasting with other coastally‐concentrated EXpIODs. Here we show that the distinctive air‐sea responses of equatorial EXpIODs stem from the energetic central IO zonal winds fueled by concurrent strong El Niños, which were absent in other cases. The exceptionally strong easterly anomaly generates prominent nonlinear vertical advection cooling the central IO, with nonlinear zonal advection and the Ekman feedback playing supportive roles. Current coupled models can capture this Pacific shaping effect, despite with divergent strengths. Under strong El Niño's inter‐basin forcing, the westward extension of cooling has profound implications for regional hydrology and coral ecology, and warrants closer attention in future predictions.

Predicting the churn patterns of monetizers and non-monetizers: exploring the influence of behavioral variability in churn prediction

PurposeAlthough prior research has employed various variables to predict player churn, the dynamic evolution of the behavioral patterns of players has received limited attention. In this study, churn prediction models are developed by incorporating the progress level, in-game purchase, social interaction, behavioral pattern and behavioral variability (BV) of players in social casino games (SCGs). The study distinguishes churn prediction between two player groups: monetizers and non-monetizers.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs three machine learning techniques—logistic regression, decision trees and random forests—using real-world player data from an SCG company to construct churn prediction models. Two experiments were conducted. In Experiment 1, BV was combined with four other variable categories to effectively predict churn behaviors across all players (n = 52,246). In Experiment 2, churn prediction models were developed separately for monetizers (n = 16,628) and non-monetizers (n = 35,618).FindingsThe findings from Experiment 1 indicate that incorporating BV significantly improves the overall performance of churn prediction models. Experiment 2 demonstrates that churn prediction models achieve better performance and predictive accuracy for monetizers and non-monetizers when BV is calculated over the 3-day to 7-day and 7-day to 14-day windows, respectively.Originality/valueThis study introduces BV as a novel variable category for churn prediction, emphasizing within-person variability and demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing model performance. Churn prediction models were independently constructed for monetizers and non-monetizers, utilizing different time windows for variable extraction. This approach improves predictive performance and highlights key differences in critical variables influencing churn across the two player groups. The findings provide valuable insights into churn management strategies tailored for monetizers and non-monetizers.

Assessment In Depth on the Anti‐seasonal Water Fluctuations and Vegetation Dynamic Trends in a Plateau Lake, Southern China

ABSTRACTHuman activities, such as dam construction for flow regulation, modify the natural hydrological regimes of lakes and rivers. The altered flow regimes substantially influence plant growth in the water level fluctuation zone, impacting both vegetation patterns and success. The relationships among above‐ground vegetation, soil seed bank and soil microorganisms remain unexamined. This study was performed in Lashi Lake, a plateau lake in southern China characterized by anti‐seasonal water level fluctuations, and Jizi Reservoir, a reference site exhibiting natural seasonal water level variations. The primary aim was to assess the distribution pattern of plant, soil seed bank and their corresponding soil microorganism over the three flood gradients, and the relationships among them were analysed simultaneously. The findings indicated that both plant community variety and seed bank diminished as the area of soil flooding increased. The soil seed bank was a strong indication of community diversity, particularly throughout late spring and late summer. Additionally, significant correlations between the alpha diversity of soil microorganisms and the concentrations of soil carbon, nitrogen and moisture were found across the flooding gradients. The organization and diversity of soil microbial communities were significantly correlated with the alpha diversity of the plant community and the soil seed bank. The findings demonstrate that both seed banks and soil bacteria play a dynamic role in the restoration of vegetation in areas experiencing anti‐seasonal water fluctuations.

Identification and Analysis on Surface Deformation in the Urban Area of Nanchang Based on PS-InSAR Method

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology has emerged as a vital tool for monitoring surface deformation due to its high accuracy and spatial resolution. With the rapid economic development of Nanchang, extensive infrastructure development and construction activities have significantly altered the urban landscape. Underground excavation and groundwater extraction in the region are potential contributors to surface deformation. This study utilized Sentinel-1 satellite data, acquired between September 2018 and May 2023, and applied the Permanent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PS-InSAR) technique to monitor surface deformation in Nanchang’s urban area. The findings revealed that surface deformation rates in the study area range from −10 mm/a to 6 mm/a, with the majority of regions remaining relatively stable. Approximately 99.9% of the monitored points exhibited deformation rates within −5 mm/a to 5 mm/a. However, four significant subsidence zones were identified along the Gan River and its downstream regions, with a maximum subsidence rate reaching 9.7 mm/a. Historical satellite imagery comparisons indicated that certain subsidence areas are potentially associated with construction activities. Further analysis integrating subsidence data, monthly precipitation, and groundwater depth revealed a negative correlation between surface deformation in Region A and rainfall, with subsidence trends aligning with groundwater level fluctuations. However, such a correlation was not evident in the other three regions. Additionally, water level data from the Xingzi Station of Poyang Lake showed that only Region A’s subsidence trend closely corresponds with water level variations. We conducted a detailed analysis of the spatial distribution of soil types in Nanchang and found that the soil types in areas of surface deformation are primarily Semi-hydromorphic Soils and Anthropogenic Soils. These soils exhibit high compressibility, making them prone to compaction and significantly influencing surface deformation. This study concludes that localized surface deformation in Nanchang is primarily driven by urban construction activities and the compaction of artificial fill soils, while precipitation also has an impact in certain areas.

A Water Mass Balance–Based Procedure Using ERA5 Land Reanalysis and Level Observation to Reconstruct the Past Level Changes of Closed Lakes toward Future Management

Abstract This paper aims to refine an effective procedure to reconstruct the past level changes of closed lakes, as a tool for future management. In most cases, such water bodies are overlooked (particularly when they are small), even if they play a significant role in local communities from the economic and social points of view. In this perspective, this study explores the potential of using reanalysis data, as a single source of data to compute the lake water mass balance, and water level observations. It focuses on some closed lakes with minimal anthropogenic influence in Europe, Africa, and the United States. The number of cases studied is limited by the fact that a significant time series of water levels is difficult to obtain for small lakes. The research leverages ERA5 Land (ERA5L), the land component of ERA5 reanalysis, incorporating the Freshwater Lake (FLake) model. FLake allows simulation of the interaction of inland water bodies with the atmosphere. The use of ERA5L is preceded by data validation by considering satellite observation. To simulate the water mass balance of the selected lakes, the proposed procedure combines precipitation, runoff, and evaporation from the lake, provided by ERA5L, and the lake water level observations. The results indicate that even with a short time series of water level observations, a good agreement (Pearson coefficient ranging from 50% to 90%) between the observed monthly variation of the lake level and the corresponding values of the water storage, computed by using ERA5L, is achieved. The procedure exhibits adaptability and robustness, with an accurate representation of the lake water level trends. However, occasional discrepancies are noted during specific periods, primarily attributed to ERA5L precipitation biases. The proposed procedure can be used only when lake water level observations are available. This limits the number of lakes that it can be applied to. However, the procedure can be applied even with a short time series of data, without the need for additional ground-based or remotely sensed data to compute the water mass balance. Significance Statement This study employs ERA5L reanalysis data and lake level observations to effectively reconstruct the natural variability of closed lake water levels in some monitored lakes in Europe, Africa, and the United States. Results demonstrate the adaptability and robustness of the proposed procedure in capturing the past level changes. Despite occasional discrepancies attributed to precipitation biases, the procedure proves reliable for assessing lake water level trends. Future studies could refine the procedure and extend its applicability, enhancing the ability to monitor environmental changes.

Attribution of alterations in coastal processes in the southern and eastern Baltic Sea to climate change-driven modifications of coastal drivers

The main drivers of coastal processes, such as wave activity, variations in the water level, ice cover, and wind drift, may act differently in different segments of marginal seas with complex shapes. We analyse how the relative role of these drivers on the evolution of sedimentary shores changes along the southern and eastern Baltic Sea. While changes in the average water level have a strong impact along the southern shores of the Baltic Sea, rapid increases in the water level extremes affect most of the eastern subbasins of the Gulf of Finland and Gulf of Riga. The presence of a two-peak structure of predominant winds creates a fragile balance in alongshore sediment transport on the northeastern part of the Baltic proper and the Gulf of Riga. This balance could be changed by a rotation of predominant wave directions by a few degrees. Severe waves usually occur on the southern shores of the sea during water levels that are close to the long-term mean, while synchronisation of strong waves and high-water level is common on the eastern shore. The presence of sea ice is uncommon and insignificantly damps coastal processes in the southern part of the sea but the frequent presence of ice cover and freezing temperatures during the windy season stabilise the beaches of the north-eastern shores. Climate driven changes in ice cover duration may lead to erosion of many beaches in this part of the sea. The core message is that the impact of a single manifestation of climate change vary greatly in different parts of the Baltic Sea and the reaction of coastal processes to this impact is substantially site-specific.

Impacts of model resolution on the simulation of sea-level variability by a global ocean-sea ice model

The effects of model resolution on the simulation of sea-level variability were analyzed based on the second-generation climate system ocean model from the State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Science and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Institute of Atmosphere Physics (LICOM2) with resolutions of 1° (LICOM2-L) and 0.1° (LICOM2-H).The interannual variability, decadal variability, and long-term trends of the dynamic sea level (DSL) are estimated using a multivariate linear regression model based on the LICOM2-L and LICOM2-H datasets during 1958–2007. The analysis reveals that the distributions of interannual and decadal variability, as well as long-term trends, are consistent between the LICOM2-L and LICOM2-H simulations in the tropics and mid-latitudes. However, differences in these variabilities are most pronounced in the regions of the western boundary currents and Antarctic Circumpolar Current, primarily due to variations in thermosteric sea level (TSSL) and halosteric sea level. In contrast, the DSL variability differences in the Southern Ocean are mainly due to the TSSL. Analyses of ocean heat content (OHC) budgets suggest that the differences between the LICOM2-L and LICOM2-H simulations are mainly in decadal variability and long-term trends. The interannual and decadal variabilities of OHC are significantly influenced by both large-scale mean advection and eddy-induced transport. The latter plays a more pronounced role in high-latitude regions and contributes notably to decadal variability and trend differences. At the equator, eddy-induced transport is the primary driver of long-term trends, accounting for 80% of the total contribution, while the large-scale mean advection contributes the remaining 20%. These findings underscore the complex interplay between mean advection and eddy processes in shaping the thermohaline structure and sea-level variability in the ocean models.

Sea Level Variations in Shelf Waters off the Coast of British Columbia: From Subsynoptic to Interannual Time Scales

Abstract Sea level variations beyond monthly time scales in the northeast Pacific are analyzed using simulation results of a high-resolution regional model, tide gauge and altimeter observations, and surface winds. Along a zonal section extending westward from the Tofino tide gauge on Vancouver Island, sea level variations are mostly accounted for by steric height. On the shelf, the sea level variations are dominated by salinity in the lower half of the water column, with the seasonal maxima occurring in winter caused by the wind-driven downwelling. In the deep ocean, the variations are dominated by temperature in the upper layer up to 50–60-m depth, with a maximum in the summer. In between, the sea levels show a minimum seasonal amplitude over the continental slope because this is the inflection point between the out-of-the-phase variations on the shelf and in the deep ocean. The deseasonalized anomalies of the halosteric and thermosteric heights at Tofino are coherent at time scales of less than 20 months. At time scales less than 5 months, both are correlated with winds over a midlatitude zone extending from the coast to offshore, and at time scale of 5–20 months, both are correlated with the winds in the same midlatitude band and with winds in the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

A new single-phase flow algorithm for enabling water level regulation in surge shafts

Surge shafts play a role in stabilizing pressure in long-distance water pipeline systems. However, to accurately simulate its regulatory function in three-dimensional numerical simulations, a multiphase flow model that demands substantial computational resources is necessary. Through secondary development of software, the implementation of a single-phase flow surge shaft model was achieved. By comparing the calculation results of the multiphase flow model, the accuracy and feasibility of the single-phase flow calculation method were verified. The results indicate that the single-phase simulation method could accurately capture the water level variation pattern. Deviations within an acceptable range only occur during water level drawdown. Furthermore, minor differences in velocity distribution between the two methods exist solely within the impedance hole channel, and the pressure field was in good agreement. The pressure pulsation deviation of all monitoring points was below 2.5%, and in the long pipeline, it was less than 0.5%. The correlation coefficients of key monitoring points, especially those inside the pipeline, were higher than 0.98, indicating a high correlation and confirming the high reliability of the simplified single-phase flow method for practical applications. This study demonstrates that the approach is a viable and accurate tool for simulating surge shaft behavior in pipeline systems.

Vascular Quality Initiative Assessment of Compliance with Society for Vascular Surgery Practice Guidelines for the Endovascular Management of Claudication.

In 2015, Society for Vascular Surgery guidelines on claudication management were released spanning optimal medical management, procedural, and post-procedure recommendations. Uptake of guidelines and changes to clinical practice over time remain unknown. This study hypothesized that guideline aligned practice increased after guideline release. The Vascular Quality Initiative Peripheral Vascular Intervention (VQI PVI) dataset was queried for years 2010-2021 for cases of claudication from occlusive disease. Only the initial procedure was considered, and subsequent interventions were excluded. The primary endpoint was care aligned with the 2015 SVS claudication treatment guidelines that were possible to evaluate in the VQI PVI dataset. Guideline aligned practice before 2016 was compared to after 2016. A hierarchical regression was used to control for hospital level variation introduced by changing VQI membership during the study timeframe. A majority of the 2015 SVS guideline GRADE 1-A recommendations can be assessed using the VQI PVI dataset. Overall, 93,654 cases were included, 30.9% before 2016 and 69.1% after guideline release. After controlling for hospital level variation, guideline aligned care improved for preoperative smoking cessation, aspirin, clopidogrel, and statin use, and post operative medical therapy with antiplatelet, dual antiplatelet and statin therapy. Guideline aligned care did not change over time for aorto-iliac stent use, covered stent use in calcified aortoiliac disease, or superficial femoral artery stenting for 5-15cm lesions. Guideline aligned care worsened for isolated infrapopliteal treatments and use of bare metal stents for 5-15 cm SFA occlusions. Secondary analysis identified an association between area deprivation index and increased odds of smoking and decreased odds of meeting post-discharge optimal medical therapy. While guideline aligned care improved after guideline release for medical management of claudication, procedural elements did not improve. Those with social deprivation were less likely to receive guideline aligned care for medical management representing a future area of study and improvement. High GRADE recommendations can be tracked using the VQI PVI dataset and should be monitored to help improve care.

Assessment on Variations of Flow Velocity and Flood level of River and Estuary due to Vegetation

Vegetation along rivers is likely to play a role of roughness causing to increase river water level and flow velocity. During floods, floodwaters from the main channel overflow into the floodplain and increase the flow resistance due to the influence of vegetation, causing the flood level to rise. In case vegetation in rivers is formed near estuary, the flow resistance by vegetation may affect flow pattern along rivers. In this study, the characteristics of water level and flow velocity in rivers and estuaries that occur when a vegetation zone is located in a section about 1 km from the estuary were investigated by analyzing the results of numerical simulations. The aim of this study was to analyse the variability of water level and flow velocity in rivers and estuaries that may be caused by natural vegetation area in rivers or by planting as riverfront. Through numerical analysis using a two-dimensional numerical model, transverse flow analysis in a vegetated section and longitudinal flow analysis including an estuary of about 3 km were performed and their characteristics were presented.

Time Series Analysis of River Discharge, Water Stage, and Rainfall at Lokoja Section of Benue River, Kogi State, Nigeria

This study carried out a time analysis of river water level (stage), rainfall, and discharge in the Lokoja section of River Benue and assessed their implications for flooding. The specific objectives that guided the study were focused on monthly and annual variability in water level, rainfall, and discharge are examined, along with their interrelationships. Data on water level and discharge were acquired from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA), Abuja covering 22 years (2001 -2021), while rainfall data were obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Lagos Operational Headquarters. Time series analysis was carried out using the Least Square Regression Model. The significance of the trend was tested using the student’s t-test at a 0.05 (95%) confidence level. While descriptive statistics employed are mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation. The results indicate a decline in water levels from January to April, followed by a significant rise from May to October. Annual water levels show a significant positive trend over 21 years (R² = 0.2968, r= 0.5448), with notable fluctuations. Peak discharge exhibits a fluctuating monthly pattern, with a significant increasing trend over the years (R² = 0.2451, r = 0.4951), indicating potential flood risks. Monthly rainfall varies significantly, with notable peaks between April and August. Although annual rainfall shows a slight increasing trend, it’s not statistically significant. Strong correlations exist between peak discharge and water levels (r ≈ 0.982), while relationships between discharge and rainfall, and water levels and rainfall are moderate. Multiple regression analysis reveals water level significantly influences discharge (β ≈ 30.27, R² = 0.960). The study recommends implementing seasonal water management plans to address seasonal fluctuations, enhancing flood forecasting systems, adopting adaptive management strategies, investing in long-term monitoring and research, and promoting stakeholder collaboration. These measures aim to improve water resource management resilience, flood preparedness, and response capabilities in the face of climate variability and change.

INTERVENTION TO IMPROVE MEDICAL ADHERENCE IN PEDIATRIC KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Background: Adolescent age at transplantation has long been recognized as a risk factor for graft failure, and a major contributor might be medical nonadherence. Many interventions have been applied to improve adherence in adults. However, there is limited data about intervention in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. Objectives: The study aimed to study the improvement of medical adherence in pediatric kidney transplant recipients after receiving the intervention and to evaluate the associated factors to medical nonadherence Methods: A single-center randomized controlled trial was conducted on pediatric kidney transplant recipients at Phramongkutklao Hospital, aged below 21 years, with at least one year post-transplantation and without acute rejection within three months. Randomization was 1:1. The intervention included educational sessions with individual booklets, telephone calls, or video call visits every two weeks, with regular assessment of adherence. Adherence was assessed using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale (BAASIS) and the coefficient of variation (CV%) of tacrolimus level. Results: Thirty-three patients were eligible: 17 for intervention and 16 for control. The mean age was 15.7±3.12 years. Nonadherence prevalence at baseline was 30.3% by questionnaire and 40.7% by %CV. After one year, the total number of non-adherents decreased to 21.2% using the questionnaire and 15.4% using %CV, but there was no difference between the intervention and control groups. After performing a multivariate analysis to evaluate the factors associated with medical nonadherence, no factor was significantly associated. However, some factors, such as the total number of prescribed drugs, tended to be significant (p = 0.071 and 0.331 using univariate and multivariate analysis, respectively). Conclusion: The prevalence of medical nonadherence in pediatric kidney transplant recipients is higher than in adults. Medical nonadherence is complex; interventions must be individualized and done with a multidisciplinary team. Keywords: medical nonadherence

Long-Term Comparative Outcomes of Short Implants Versus Maxillary Sinus Elevation in Posterior Maxilla Rehabilitation

Background: Vertical atrophy of the maxilla has traditionally been treated with sinus lift procedures and implant placement, performed in one or two surgical stages. Subsequently, the transcrestal sinus lift technique was introduced, offering distinct advantages in terms of indications and reduced morbidity. Most recently, short implants have emerged as a valid alternative to these procedures, even in cases of severe horizontal resorption, allowing for direct placement in many cases. This study was designed to assess the clinical outcomes of short implant placement in alveolar ridges with severe bone atrophy, compared with conventional-length implants placed in areas undergoing conventional sinus elevation. Methods: A retrospective split-mouth study was conducted to compare conventional sinus elevation with standard-length implants versus short implants for addressing vertical bone atrophy in the posterior maxilla. The primary variable was the variation in the marginal bone level. The secondary variables were implant survival and complications. The evaluation of the statistical significance of the difference in categorical variables was accomplished by Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test. The comparison between the study groups in continuous variables was performed using Wilcoxon test. The statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Results: The study sample consisted of 24 patients and a total of 73 dental implants. The lateral sinus elevation group (LSEG) included 39 implants, while the short implants group (SIG) included 32 implants. All prostheses were screw-retained. Changes in marginal bone levels indicated a marginal bone loss of less than 0.5 mm in both groups, with no statistically significant difference. In the LSEG, two cases of mucositis were identified, attributed to improper use of an interdental brush. Additionally, two cases of prosthetic screw fracture were reported in the LSEG as technical complications. Conclusions: Long-term outcome data have provided evidence that the use of short implants is comparable to a state-of-the-art procedure (sinus grafting and placement of implants) regarding implant survival, marginal bone remodeling, and complication rates.

Correlation of Damage in Rocks Dynamically Loaded by Percussive Tools Using Piston Coefficient of Restitution (COR)

AbstractEfficient drilling operations require optimal drilling parameters to achieve higher penetration rates and minimize tool wear. This study focuses on characterizing the piston coefficient of restitution (COR) as a damage indicator for rocks dynamically loaded by percussive tools. The COR offers a nuanced understanding of damage, particularly at low impact energies where plastic deformation beneath the insert and sub-surface fractures predominates over chip mass removal. Various design parameters, including piston-to-bit mass ratio, piston length and impact velocity, were varied to evaluate their impact on the piston COR in pristine rock samples. Tests were conducted on granite, sandstone and limestone, all common rocks in down-the-hole hammer drilling. Despite variations in the impact energy level, the influence of mass or length ratios on the COR and the resultant destroyed rock volume was minimal. X-ray computed tomography revealed the significance of the crushed zone beneath the crater, affecting the rock ability to exert mechanical work on the bit during unloading. This characteristic led to the identification of a distinctive non-linear shape in the COR curves, with clearly delineated regions for each rock type, corresponding to different damage rates. These findings underscore the potential of the piston COR as a valuable tool for aiding in the identification of optimal drilling parameters and understanding rock formation characteristics during drilling.

Autonomous Vehicle Acceptance in China: TAM-Based Comparison of Civilian and Military Contexts

In this study, a comparative analysis is conducted on the public acceptance of autonomous vehicles (AVs) in civilian and military contexts among the Chinese public. In order to identify the key factors influencing AV adoption under different scenarios, a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) framework was applied in combination with an extended variable of perceived risk. Also, a structured questionnaire was designed, with 1004 valid responses received from a sample comprising mainly members of the Chinese public aged 31–50. Data analysis was conducted through reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Despite some slight variations in acceptance level between civilian and military fields, overall public attitudes are relatively consistent, according to the analytical results. Specifically, the average behavioral intention is slightly stronger and more consistent among the public in the civilian context, with higher scores achieved with respect to perceived usefulness and perceived risk in the military context, indicating a stronger emphasis on functionality and safety in military applications. As confirmed by SEM path analysis, there are significant influences exerted on behavioral intention by perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and satisfaction. These results demonstrate a high level of public acceptance of AV technology among the Chinese public in the context of policy support and technological innovation, providing empirical insights into the development of scenario-specific promotion strategies for the effective application of AV in various settings.

Efficacy of tranexamic acid solution versus vitamin C solution after micro-needling in treatment of persistent post acne erythema: a split face clinical and 3DAntera camera comparative study.

Post acne erythema (PAE) is a common sequela of acne inflammation, and it refers to telangiectasia and erythematous lesions remaining after the acne treatment. Although some PAE may improve over time, persisting PAE might be esthetically undesirable for patients. The efficacy of various treatment options for PAE has been investigated in many studies but there exists no gold standard treatment modality. This current split face comparative study aimed to assess and compare the therapeutic efficacy of vitamin c solution 10% with microneedling versus Tranexamic acid solution (TXA) (50mg/ml) with microneedling in treating patients with PAE. Four sessions were held, two weeks apart. The assessment was done 2 weeks after the last session via change in Clinical Erythema Assessment (CEA) score, Antera 3D camera parameter changes (average hemoglobin level and hemoglobin variation), and patient satisfaction scale. Also, side effects were documented. Our study showed that both topical vitamin C and TXA solutions after microneedling showed significant decrease in hemi-CEA score and Antera camera measures of both Hb variations and average Hb levels. However, TXA treated side showed superior improvement than the side treated with vitamin c. Also, there was great patient satisfaction on both treated sides. The side effects reported were transient and minimal. Microneedling with TXA solution is a safe, effective and readily available modality of PAE treatment and showed superior results over vitamin C solution. Antera 3D camera is an excellent objective tool for assessing even minimal changes in Hb level and variation.

Regional sea level budget around Taiwan and Philippines over 2002‒2021 inferred from GRACE, altimetry, and in-situ hydrographic data

The regional sea level budget and interannual sea level changes around Taiwan and Philippines are studied using altimetry, GRACE, and in-situ hydrographic data during 1993‒2021. Results show that the average sea level trend around Taiwan and Philippines during 1993–2021 derived from the altimetric data is 3.6 ± 0.2 mm/yr. Over 2002–2021, the study shows closure of sea level budget in the eastern ocean of Taiwan and Philippines within the observed data uncertainties, and the ocean mass accounts for 88%–100% of the observed sea level rise. In contrast, the sea level budget is not closed in the western ocean of Taiwan and Philippines, probably due to the lack of complete coverage by in-situ ocean observing systems. In addition, both regional sea level anomalies and their steric component around Taiwan and Philippines exhibit pronounced interannual and decadal variabilities. The trade wind stress associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation offers a compelling explanation for the interannual and decadal signals of sea level anomalies in the southern ocean of Taiwan, with negative correlations of − 0.78 to − 0.64, indicating that trade wind stress makes a negative contribution to interannual-to-decadal sea level variability. In the northwestern ocean of Taiwan, the sea level variation is strongly influenced by the local monsoon system and shallow bathymetry with an annual amplitude of 90.3 ± 2.9 mm, larger than those in other regions around Taiwan and Philippines, where ocean mass is dominant with a high correlation with the sea level (+ 0.75 to + 0.78).

Pupillary response to blue light as a biomarker of seasonal pattern in Major Depressive Episode: A clinical study using pupillometry.

Depressive disorders are characterized by disturbances in light signal processing. More specifically, an alteration of the melanopsin response is suggested. The post-illumination pupillary response (PIPR) to blue light (post-blue PIPR) is increasingly used as a marker of the activity of intrinsically photosensitive melanopsin ganglion cells (ipRGCs). We hypothesized that individuals with Major Depressive Episode (MDE) who exhibited a higher vulnerability to season patterns showed a decreased ability to transmit light signals to the brain. We explored the correlation between the post-blue PIPR and the Global Seasonality Score (GSS) in 21 patients with MDE. The GSS was assessed using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). The results revealed that decreased relative and absolute post-blue PIPR, suggesting a melanopsinergic hyposensitivity, were associated independently and significantly with higher seasonality in the psychological factor including a greater seasonal variation in sleep duration, mood, energy level and social activity, but were not associated with higher seasonality in the dietary factor (including weight and appetite seasonal variations) or with the severity of anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances. Interestingly, mediation analyses highlight independent bidirectional effects of high vulnerability to season of psychological factors and decreased ipRGC sensitivity. Post-blue PIPR could be an objective marker of seasonal changes in daylight exposure in patients with MDE. Further research could explore post-blue PIPR as a state or trait biomarker for depressive disorders and the seasonal pattern, and its potential role in predicting therapeutic response to light therapy.

Impact of the interchangeability of infliximab biosimilars on the efficacy in patients followed for chronic inflammatory bowel disease within the gastroenterology department of CHU Mustapha Pacha.

Introduction. Infliximab (IFX) is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Interchangeability is the medical practice of replacing one drug with another that is expected to produce the same clinical effect. Products intended for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as infliximab, are dispensed according to the availability of products at the level of the central hospital pharmacy, which imposes interchangeability at the level of the user department. The lack of clinical data on this practice prompted us to evaluate the impact of the interchangeability of different infliximab molecules (originator and biosimilars) on efficacy, tolerability and the occurrence of adverse events in patients with IBD in the Gastroenterology Department of the MUSTAPHA PACHA CHU. Methods and materials. This is a monocentric observational study with retrospective data collection, carried out in the Gastroenterology Department of UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF MUSTAPHA PACHA using a data collection sheet filled from the patient's medical record and/or EXCEL file in collaboration with clinicians. Significance was calculated using the Fisher exact statistical test and the MC'namer test for assessment of maintenance of clinical and biological response before and after treatment interchangeability. Significance was assessed at P < 0,05. Results: The study compared the clinical and biological response of patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) before and after interchangeability. Results showed that there was no significant difference in the clinical status of Crohn's disease patients (p =0,527), and that the four patients with ulcerative colitis in remission maintained the same profile after interchangeability. The Fisher exact test also showed that the variation in CRP value (P = 0,133) and Hb level (P = 0,167) were not significant. Conclusion. Interchangeability has no impact on the clinical and biological status of IBD patients.