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We previously reported that a combined myo-inositol, probiotics, and enriched micronutrient supplement (intervention) taken preconception and in pregnancy reduced postpartum blood loss (PBL) and major postpartum hemorrhage compared with a standard micronutrient supplement (control), as secondary outcomes of the NiPPeR trial. This study aimed to identify the intervention components that may contribute to this effect. Associations of plasma concentrations of myoinositol and vitamins B2, B6, B12, and D at preconception (before and after supplementation), early (~7-weeks), and late pregnancy (~28-weeks) with PBL were assessed by multiple linear regression, adjusting for site, ethnicity, preconception BMI, parity, and previous cesarean section. Amongst 583 women, a higher concentration of myo-inositol in early pregnancy was associated with a PBL reduction [βadj −1.26 (95%CI −2.23, −0.29) mL per µmol/L myo-inositol increase, p = 0.011]. Applying this co-efficient to the increase in mean 7-week-myo-inositol concentration of 23.4 µmol/L with the intervention equated to a PBL reduction of 29.5 mL (~8.4% of mean PBL of 350 mL among controls), accounting for 84.3% of the previously reported intervention effect of 35 mL. None of the examined vitamins were associated with PBL. Therefore, myo-inositol may be a key intervention component mediating the PBL reduction. Further work is required to determine the mechanisms involved [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Myo‐inositol supplementation from ~13 weeks' gestation reportedly improves glycaemia regulation in metabolically at‐risk women, with speculation that earlier supplementation might bring further improvement. However, the NiPPeR trial of a myo‐inositol‐containing supplement starting preconception did not lower gestational glycaemia in generally healthy women. We postulated that the earlier timing of supplementation influences the maternal metabolic adaptation for gestational glycaemia regulation. Methods: In total, 585 women were recruited from Singapore, UK and New Zealand for the NiPPeR study. We examined associations of plasma myo‐inositol concentrations at 7 and 28 weeks' gestation with 28 weeks plasma glucose (PG; fasting, and 1 h and 2 h in 75 g oral glucose tolerance test) and insulin indices using linear regression adjusting for covariates. Results: Higher 7‐week myo‐inositol, but not 28‐week myo‐inositol, associated with higher 1 h PG [βadj (95% confidence intervals) 0.05 (0.01, 0.09) loge mmol/L per loge μmol/L, p =.022] and 2 h PG [0.08 (0.03, 0.12), p =.001]; equivalent to 0.39 mmol/L increase in 2 h PG for an average 7‐week myo‐inositol increase of 23.4 μmol/L with myo‐inositol supplementation. Higher 7‐week myo‐inositol associated with a lower 28‐week Stumvoll index (first phase), an approximation of insulin secretion [−0.08 (−0.15, −0.01), p =.020] but not with 28‐week Matsuda insulin sensitivity index. However, the clinical significance of a 7‐week myo‐inositol‐related increase in glycaemia was limited as there was no association with gestational diabetes risk, birthweight and cord C‐peptide levels. In‐silico modelling found higher 28‐week myo‐inositol was associated with lower gestational glycaemia in White, but not Asian, women after controlling for 7‐week myo‐inositol effects. Conclusion: To our knowledge, our study provides the first evidence that increasing first trimester plasma myo‐inositol may slightly exacerbate later pregnancy post‐challenge glycaemia, indicating that the optimal timing for starting prenatal myo‐inositol supplementation needs further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first European settlements in the new world faced technical issues with the help of the XVI century scientific advances. Besides briefly exposing the scientific and technological situation, this paper explores, with the help of reverse engineering, two singular mechanical wits representative of the technological advances introduced in America to overcome different problems. Firstly, a pump, based on an alternative movement system through crankshafts and pistons used against the continuous flooding suffered in the Ciudad de México valley. Although flooding remained a problem (it was solved in the XX century), hydraulic pumps were essential for continuous soil drainage. Secondly, a port crane for handling cannons, military devices, and construction materials during the Lima fortification in the XVII century. For both cases, reverse engineering, through engineering methods, Computer-Aided Design CAD programs, and additive manufacturing, provides virtual and/or tangible mockups that help to analyze and improve our knowledge about the dimensions, materials, and functions of used (and currently lost) mechanical systems during the American colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nutritional intervention preconception and throughout pregnancy has been proposed as an approach to promoting healthy postnatal weight gain in the offspring but few randomised trials have examined this. Methods: Measurements of weight and length were obtained at multiple time points from birth to 2 years among 576 offspring of women randomised to receive preconception and antenatally either a supplement containing myo-inositol, probiotics, and additional micronutrients (intervention) or a standard micronutrient supplement (control). We examined the influence on age- and sex-standardised BMI at 2 years (WHO standards, adjusting for study site, sex, maternal parity, smoking and pre-pregnancy BMI, and gestational age), together with the change in weight, length, BMI from birth, and weight gain trajectories using latent class growth analysis. Results: At 2 years, there was a trend towards lower mean BMI among intervention offspring (adjusted mean difference [aMD] − 0.14 SD [95% CI 0.30, 0.02], p = 0.09), and fewer had a BMI > 95th percentile (i.e. > 1.65 SD, 9.2% vs 18.0%, adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.51 [95% CI 0.31, 0.82], p = 0.006). Longitudinal data revealed that intervention offspring had a 24% reduced risk of experiencing rapid weight gain > 0.67 SD in the first year of life (21.9% vs 31.1%, aRR 0.76 [95% CI 0.58, 1.00], p = 0.047). The risk was likewise decreased for sustained weight gain > 1.34 SD in the first 2 years of life (7.7% vs 17.1%, aRR 0.55 [95% CI 0.34, 0.88], p = 0.014). From five weight gain trajectories identified, there were more intervention offspring in the "normal" weight gain trajectory characterised by stable weight SDS around 0 SD from birth to 2 years (38.8% vs 30.1%, RR 1.29 [95% CI 1.03, 1.62], p = 0.029). Conclusions: Supplementation with myo-inositol, probiotics, and additional micronutrients preconception and in pregnancy reduced the incidence of rapid weight gain and obesity at 2 years among offspring. Previous reports suggest these effects will likely translate to health benefits, but longer-term follow-up is needed to evaluate this. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02509988 (Universal Trial Number U1111-1171–8056). Registered on 16 July 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the effectiveness and safety of nicergoline in patients with epithelial corneal defect or corneal ulcer due to neurotrophic keratitis (NK). A prospective case series review was performed in 14 patients with NK who started treatment with nicergoline as an off-label prescription from January to November 2020. Patients with a epithelial defect or corneal ulcer due to NK were treated with oral nicergoline. Complete corneal healing was observed in 10 (71.4%) of the 14 patients after 25.6 ± 26.60 days (range 7–90) with nicergoline. In three (21.5%) patients wound healing was not achieved, and one patient (7.1%) was lost to follow-up. The mean time between diagnosis and the starting of nicergoline was 10.92 ± 8.85 days (0–28). No adverse effects of nicergoline were observed. Nicergoline as an adjunctive treatment for NK showed a potential use in the healing of epithelial defect in real-life clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss a model-independent estimator of the likelihood of the compositeness of a shallow S-wave bound or virtual state. The approach is based on an extension of Weinberg's relations in Weinberg (Phys Rev 137:B672, 1965) and it relies only on the proximity of the energy of the state to the two-hadron threshold to which it significantly couples. The scheme only makes use of the experimental scattering length and the effective range low energy parameters, and it is shown to be fully consistent for predominantly molecular hadrons. As explicit applications, we analyse the case of the deuteron, the 1 S 0 nucleon-nucleon virtual state and the exotic D s 0 ∗ (2317) ± , and find strong support to the molecular interpretation in all cases. Results are less conclusive for the D s 0 ∗ (2317) ± , since the binding energy of this state would be significantly higher than that of the deuteron, and the approach employed here is at the limit of its applicability. We also qualitatively address the case of the recently discovered T cc + state, within the isospin limit to avoid the complexity of the very close thresholds D 0 D ∗ + and D + D ∗ 0 , which could mask the ingredients of the approach proposed in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a full kinematic analysis of neutrino-nucleus charged current quasielastic interactions based on the Local Fermi Gas model and the Random Phase Approximation. The model was implemented in the NEUT Monte Carlo framework, which allows us to investigate potentially measurable observables, including hadron distributions. We compare the predictions simultaneously to the most recent T2K and MINERvA charged current (CC) inclusive, CC0π and transverse kinematic-imbalance variable results. We pursuit a microscopic interpretation of the relevant reaction mechanisms, with the aim to achieving in neutrino oscillation experiments a correct reconstruction of the incoming neutrino kinematics, free of conceptual biasses. Such study is of the utmost importance for the ambitious experimental program which is underway to precisely determine neutrino properties, test the three-generation paradigm, establish the order of mass eigenstates and investigate leptonic CP violation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We investigated the factors associated with readiness for initiating osteoporosis treatment in women at high risk of fracture. We found that women in the contemplative stage were more likely to report previously being told having osteoporosis or osteopenia, acknowledge concern about osteoporosis, and disclose prior osteoporosis treatment. Introduction: Understanding factors associated with reaching the contemplative stage of readiness to initiate osteoporosis treatment may inform the design of behavioral interventions to improve osteoporosis treatment uptake in women at high risk for fracture. Methods: We measured readiness to initiate osteoporosis treatment using a modified form of the Weinstein Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) among 2684 women at high risk of fracture from the Activating Patients at Risk for OsteoPOroSis (APROPOS) clinical trial. Pre-contemplative participants were those who self-classified in the unaware and unengaged stages of PAPM (stages 1 and 2). Contemplative participants were those in the undecided, decided not to act, or decided to act stages of PAPM (stages 3, 4, and 5). Using multivariable logistic regression, we evaluated participant characteristics associated with levels of readiness to initiate osteoporosis treatment. Results: Overall, 24% (N = 412) self-classified in the contemplative stage of readiness to initiate osteoporosis treatment. After adjusting for age, race, education, health literacy, and major osteoporotic fracture in the past 12 months, contemplative women were more likely to report previously being told they had osteoporosis or osteopenia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] (95% CI) 11.8 (7.8–17.9) and 3.8 (2.5–5.6), respectively), acknowledge concern about osteoporosis (aOR 3.5 (2.5–4.9)), and disclose prior osteoporosis treatment (aOR 4.5 (3.3–6.3)) than women who self-classified as pre-contemplative. Conclusions: For women at high risk for future fractures, ensuring women's recognition of their diagnosis of osteoporosis/osteopenia and addressing their concerns about osteoporosis are critical components to consider when attempting to influence stage of behavior transitions in osteoporosis treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucose intolerance during pregnancy – a major driver of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) – has significant short- and long-term health consequences for both the mother and child. As GDM prevalence continues to escalate, there is growing need for preventative strategies. There is limited but suggestive evidence that myo-inositol (MI) and probiotics (PB) could improve glucose tolerance during pregnancy. The present study tested the hypothesis that MI and/or PB supplementation would reduce the risk of glucose intolerance during pregnancy. Female C57BL/6 mice were randomised to receive either no treatment, MI, PB (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis) or both (MIPB) for 5 weeks. They were then provided with a high-fat diet for 1 week before mating commenced and throughout mating/gestation, while remaining on their respective treatments. An oral glucose tolerance test occurred at gestational day (GD) 16·5 and tissue collection at GD 18·5. Neither MI nor PB, separately or combined, improved glucose tolerance. However, MI and PB both independently increased adipose tissue expression of Ir , Irs1 , Akt2 and Pck1 , and PB also increased Pparγ. MI was associated with reduced gestational weight gain, whilst PB was associated with increased maternal fasting glucose, total cholesterol and pancreas weight. These results suggest that MI and PB may improve insulin intracellular signalling in adipose tissue but this did not translate to meaningful differences in glucose tolerance. The absence of fasting hyperglycaemia or insulin resistance suggests this is a very mild model of GDM, which may have affected our ability to assess the impact of these nutrients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study odd parity J = 1 / 2 and J = 3 / 2 Ξ c resonances using a unitarized coupled-channel framework based on a SU (6) lsf × HQSS-extended Weinberg–Tomozawa baryon–meson interaction, while paying a special attention to the renormalization procedure. We predict a large molecular Λ c K ¯ component for the Ξ c (2790) with a dominant 0 - light-degree-of-freedom spin configuration. We discuss the differences between the 3 / 2 - Λ c (2625) and Ξ c (2815) states, and conclude that they cannot be SU(3) siblings, whereas we predict the existence of other Ξ c -states, one of them related to the two-pole structure of the Λ c (2595) . It is of particular interest a pair of J = 1 / 2 and J = 3 / 2 poles, which form a HQSS doublet and that we tentatively assign to the Ξ c (2930) and Ξ c (2970) , respectively. Within this picture, the Ξ c (2930) would be part of a SU(3) sextet, containing either the Ω c (3090) or the Ω c (3119) , and that would be completed by the Σ c (2800) . Moreover, we identify a J = 1 / 2 sextet with the Ξ b (6227) state and the recently discovered Σ b (6097) . Assuming the equal spacing rule and to complete this multiplet, we predict the existence of a J = 1 / 2 Ω b odd parity state, with a mass of 6360 MeV and that should be seen in the Ξ b K ¯ channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In construction projects, resource availability might limit the implementation of ideal schedules. Especially, when repetitive activities are involved, traditional resource‐constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) models fail to allocate the resource consumption in an efficient manner. Besides, actual models only provide local optimal solutions and do not incorporate activity acceleration routines. To fulfill this gap, partially, a mathematical optimization model, the multimode RCPSP for repetitive activities in construction projects, is proposed and solved to optimality; it takes into account acceleration routines under real construction scenarios using spreadsheets. The article shows a complete computational experimentation over a real construction project, considering several scenarios of resource availabilities and continuity conditions. The model allows analyzing the resources efficiency indexes comparing them to resource consumptions, continuity of activities, and objective functions that reveal that fragmented activities do not provide better resource efficiency outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for wide local excision (WLE) versus intralesional (IL) treatment of low-grade chondrosarcomas (CS) of the appendicular skeleton remains controversial. We sought to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare different conventional types of surgical treatments for grade I CS in terms of: (1) rate of local recurrence (LR) and metastases, (2) functional outcome as measured by the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, (3) complication rate. Eighteen studies enrolling 695 patients met our criteria. Studies reported on WLE versus IL treatment (n = 7), and IL treatment with or without different adjuvants (N = 11). The LR rate was not significantly different between WLE and IL treatment (OR 2.31; 95% CI, 0.85-6.2; P = 0.1). On the contrary, complication rates were significantly lower in favor of IL treatment (OR 2.27; 95% CI, 0.07-0.72; P = 0.012). The mean reported MSTS score ranged from 21.8 to 28.2 for WLE and from 26.5 to 29.7 for IL treatment, with a significant difference in favor of IL treatment. IL treatment as an alternative to WLE does not greatly increase the risk of LR or metastasis and has lower complication rates with better functional scores. In light of the retrospective nature of the studies available, our findings should be interpreted with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of shrinkage incidence variations in nodular cast irons is an important aspect of manufacturing processes. These variations change the feeding requirements on castings and the optimization of risers' size is consequently affected when avoiding the formation of shrinkage defects. The effect of a number of processing variables on the shrinkage size has been studied using a layout specifically designed for this purpose. The β parameter has been defined as the relative volume reduction from the pouring temperature up to the room temperature. It is observed that shrinkage size and β decrease as effective carbon content increases and when inoculant is added in the pouring stream. A similar effect is found when the parameters selected from cooling curves show high graphite nucleation during solidification of cast irons for a given inoculation level. Pearson statistical analysis has been used to analyze the correlations among all involved variables and a group of Bayesian networks have been subsequently built so as to get the best accurate model for predicting β as a function of the input processing variables. The developed models can be used in foundry plants to study the shrinkage incidence variations in the manufacturing process and to optimize the related costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have performed calculations for the nonleptonic Ξb- → π- Ξc0(2790)(J = 1/2) and Ξb- → π- Ξc0(2815)(J = 3/2) decays and the same reactions replacing the π- by a Ds-. At the same time we have also evaluated the semileptonic rates for Ξb- → νll Ξc0(2790) and Ξb- → νll Ξc0(2815). We look at the reactions from the perspective that the Ξc0(2790) and Ξc0(2815) resonances are dynamically generated from the pseudoscalar-baryon and vector-baryon interactions. We evaluate ratios of the rates of these reactions and make predictions that can be tested in future experiments. We also find that the results are rather sensitive to the coupling of the Ξc* resonances to the D*Σ and D*Λ components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the experimental DK invariant mass spectra of the reactions [InlineEquation not available: see fulltext.], $$B^{0} \rightarrow D^{-} D^{0} K^{+}$$ (measured by the BaBar collaboration) and $$B_s \rightarrow \pi ^{+} \bar{D}^{0} K^{-}$$ (measured by the LHCb collaboration), where an enhancement right above the threshold is seen. We show that this enhancement is due to the presence of $$D^*_{s0}(2317)$$ , which is a DK bound state in the $$I(J^P) = 0(0^{+})$$ sector. We employ a unitarized amplitude with an interaction potential fixed by heavy meson chiral perturbation theory. We obtain a mass $$M_{D^*_{s0}} = 2315^{+12}_{-17}\ ^{+10}_{-5}\ \text {MeV}$$ , and we also show, by means of the Weinberg compositeness condition, that the DK component in the wave function of this state is $$P_{DK} = 70^{+4}_{-6}\ ^{+4}_{-8} \,\%$$ , where the first (second) error is statistical (systematic). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate heavy quark symmetries for heavy light meson-antimeson systems in a contact-range effective field theory. In the SU(3) light flavor limit, the leading order Lagrangian respecting heavy quark spin symmetry contains four independent counter-terms. Neglecting 1/ m corrections, three of these low energy constants can be determined by theorizing a molecular description of the X(3872) and Z(10610) states. Thus, we can predict new hadronic molecules, in particular the isovector charmonium partners of the Z(10610) and the Z(10650) states. We also discuss hadron molecules composed of a heavy meson and a doubly-heavy baryon, which would be related to the heavy meson-antimeson molecules thanks to the heavy antiquark-diquark symmetry. Finally, we also study the $X(3872)\rightarrow D^{0} \bar {D}^{0} \pi ^{0}$ decay, which is not only sensitive to the short distance part of the X(3872) molecular wave function, as the J/ ψ π π and J/ ψ3 π X(3872) decay modes are, but it is also affected by the long-distance structure of the resonance. Furthermore, this decay might provide some information on the interaction between the $D\bar {D}$ charm mesons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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