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In recent years, the number of older people living alone has increased rapidly. Innovative vision systems to remotely assess people’s mobility can help healthy, active, and happy aging. In the related literature, the mobility assessment of older people is not yet widespread in clinical practice. In addition, the poor availability of data typically forces the analyses to binary classification, e.g. normal/anomalous behavior, instead of processing exhaustive medical protocols. In this paper, real videos of elderly people performing three mobility tests of a clinical protocol are automatically categorized, emulating the complex evaluation process of expert physiotherapists. Videos acquired using low-cost cameras are initially processed to obtain skeletal information. A proper data augmentation technique is then used to enlarge the dataset variability. Thus, significant features are extracted to generate a set of inputs in the form of time series. Four deep neural network architectures with feedback connections, even aided by a preliminary convolutional layer, are proposed to label the input features in discrete classes or to estimate a continuous mobility score as the result of a regression task. The best results are achieved by the proposed Conv-BiLSTM classifier, which achieves the best accuracy, ranging between 88.12% and 90%. Further comparisons with shallow learning classifiers still prove the superiority of the deep Conv-BiLSTM classifier in assessing people’s mobility, since deep networks can evaluate the quality of test executions.

This paper investigates the impact in the short/medium term of M&As made by 14 Italian banks quoted on the stock exchange for the period 1999–2016. After dividing the banks into two groups by size and degree of internationalisation, we sought to ascertain whether different initial conditions produce different final effects. Based on three assumptions, supported by three separate econometric approaches, our empirical analysis shows that the stronger banks increased their competitiveness while the weaker banks did not achieve the same results since they were motivated to grow “by desperation”.

The potential emergence of zoonotic diseases has raised significant concerns, particularly in light of the recent pandemic, emphasizing the urgent need for scientific preparedness. The bioprospection and characterization of new molecules are strategically relevant to the research and development of innovative drugs for viral and bacterial treatment and disease management. Amphibian species possess a diverse array of compounds, including antimicrobial peptides. This study identified the first bioactive peptide from Salamandra salamandra in a transcriptome analysis. The synthetic peptide sequence, which belongs to the defensin family, was characterized through MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Molecular docking assays hypothesized the interaction between the identified peptide and the active binding site of the spike WT RBD/hACE2 complex. Although additional studies are required, the preliminary evaluation of the antiviral potential of synthetic SS-I was conducted through an in vitro cell-based SARS-CoV-2 infection assay. Additionally, the cytotoxic and hemolytic effects of the synthesized peptide were assessed. These preliminary findings highlighted the potential of SS-I as a chemical scaffold for drug development against COVID-19, hindering viral infection. The peptide demonstrated hemolytic activity while not exhibiting cytotoxicity at the antiviral concentration.

Pruritus has long been linked to hepatic dysfunction; however, there are limited data characterizing the association between liver disease and prurigo nodularis (PN), a chronic inflammatory skin disease featuring severe pruritis. We thus conducted a cross-sectional analysis of hepatic comorbidities in PN patients using TriNetX, a large global health research network. This analysis revealed that PN patients had a higher risk (p < 0.001) of developing liver cirrhosis, acute and subacute hepatic failure, inflammatory liver disease, chronic hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, portal hypertension, fatty liver, chronic passive congestion of the liver, and hepatocellular carcinoma compared with healthy controls. The cumulative incidence of liver disease was about three times higher in PN patients compared with healthy controls. These findings provided the basis for translational studies to investigate a genetic mechanism for this association. Cutaneous transcriptomic analysis performed on PN patients revealed the dysregulation of genes related to hepatic failure in lesional PN compared with both nonlesional PN and control skin. Similarly, gene set variation analysis (GSVA) revealed a significantly increased (p < 0.05) activation of liver metabolism, chronic hepatic failure, acute hepatic failure, cholestatic liver disease, polycystic liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma pathways in lesional PN compared with control skin. A subsequent genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified shared single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes AR, EDIL3, MACROD2, PCSK5, RUNX1T1, TENM4, and ZEB2 between PN and liver disease from the FinnGen cohort. Significant dysregulation of the skin–liver axis in PN patients may explain the increased incidence and severity of hepatic comorbidities and help identify future therapeutic targets for PN.

Primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PPH) constitutes a debilitating condition that profoundly impacts the social, functional, and occupational aspects of individuals. The intradermal administration of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) stands as an established therapeutic approach for PPH, albeit one frequently accompanied by considerable pain, posing challenges for patient tolerance. Our study aimed to assess the efficacy of combining cryoanalgesia spray (CA) with topical anesthesia utilizing a cream containing liposomal lidocaine at a concentration of 40 mg/g, with the objective of mitigating the pain associated with intradermal BoNT-A injection for PPH treatment. Nineteen participants, aged ≥18 years and afflicted with severe PPH, were enrolled in a double-blind randomized vehicle-controlled trial. Patient-perceived pain during the procedure was quantified using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Statistical analysis was applied to the collected data. The combination of CA and the topical application of liposomal lidocaine during BoNT-A treatment for PPH resulted in diminished pain compared to CA alone and the combination of CA with the application of a basic cream. Topical anesthesia through the application of a liposomal lidocaine-containing cream emerged as a facile, secure, and efficacious approach for alleviating the pain associated with intradermal BoNT-A injection in PPH treatment. Furthermore, it demonstrated compatibility with CA, thereby offering a comprehensive strategy for pain management during BoNT-A administration.

Abstract Modern agricultural tractors are complex systems, in which multiple physical (and technological) domains interact to reach a wide set of competing goals, including work operational performance and energy efficiency. This complexity translates to the dynamic, multi‐domain simulation models implemented to serve as digital twins, for rapid prototyping and effective pre‐tuning, prior to bench and on‐field testing. Consequently, a suitable simulation framework should have the capability to focus both on the vehicle as a whole and on individual subsystems. For each of the latter, multiple options should be available, with different levels of detail, to properly address the relevant phenomena, depending on the specific focus, for an optimal balance between accuracy and computation time. The methodology proposed here by the authors is based on the lumped parameter approach and integrates the models for the following subsystems in a modular context: internal combustion engine, hydromechanical transmission, vehicle body, and tyre–soil interaction. The model is completed by a load cycle module that generates stimulus time histories to reproduce the work load under real operating conditions. Traction capability is affected by vertical load on the wheels, which is even more relevant if the vehicle is travelling on an uncompacted soil and subject to a variable drawbar pull force as it is when ploughing. The vertical load is, in turn, heavily affected by vehicle dynamics, which can be accurately modelled via a full multibody implementation. The presented lumped parameter model is intended as a powerful simulation tool to evaluate tractor performance, both in terms of fuel consumption and traction dynamics, by considering the cascade phenomena from the wheel–ground interaction to the engine, passing through the dynamics of vehicle bodies and their mass transfer. Its capabilities and numerical results are presented for the simulation of a realistic ploughing operation.

Amazon forests are the largest forests in the tropics and play a fundamental role for regional and global ecosystem service provision. However, they are under threat primarily from deforestation. Amazonia's carbon balance trend reflects the condition of its forests. There are different approaches to estimate large-scale carbon balances, including top-down (e.g., CO2 atmospheric measurements combined with atmospheric transport information) and bottom-up (e.g., land use and cover change (LUCC) data based on remote sensing methods). It is important to understand their similarities and differences. Here we provide bottom-up LUCC estimates and determine to what extent they are consistent with recent top-down flux estimates during 2010 to 2018 for the Brazilian Amazon. We combine LUCC datasets resulting in annual LUCC maps from 2010 to 2018 with emissions and removals for each LUCC, and compare the resulting CO2 estimates with top-down estimates based on atmospheric measurements. We take into account forest carbon stock maps for estimating loss processes, and carbon uptake of regenerating and mature forests. In the bottom-up approach total CO2 emissions (2010 to 2018), deforestation and degradation are the largest contributing processes accounting for 58% (4.3 PgCO2) and 37% (2.7 PgCO2) respectively. Looking at the total carbon uptake, primary forests play a dominant role accounting for 79% (−5.9 PgCO2) and secondary forest growth for 17% (−1.2 PgCO2). Overall, according to our bottom-up estimates the Brazilian Amazon is a carbon sink until 2014 and a source from 2015 to 2018. In contrast according to the top-down approach the Brazilian Amazon is a source during the entire period. Both approaches estimate largest emissions in 2016. During the period where flux signs are the same (2015–2018) top-down estimates are approximately 3 times larger in 2015–2016 than bottom-up estimates while in 2017–2018 there is closer agreement. There is some agreement between the approaches–notably that the Brazilian Amazon has been a source during 2015–2018 however there are also disagreements. Generally, emissions estimated by the bottom-up approach tend to be lower. Understanding the differences will help improve both approaches and our understanding of the Amazon carbon cycle under human pressure and climate change.

BackgroundSocial media is an important way for governments to communicate with the public. This is particularly true in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, during which government officials played a strong role in promoting public health measures such as vaccines. ObjectiveIn Canada, provincial COVID-19 vaccine rollout was delivered in 3 phases aligned with federal government COVID-19 vaccine guidance for priority populations. In this study, we examined how Canadian public officials used Twitter to engage with the public about vaccine rollout and how this engagement has shaped public response to vaccines across jurisdictions. MethodsWe conducted a content analysis of tweets posted between December 28, 2020, and August 31, 2021. Leveraging the social media artificial intelligence tool Brandwatch Analytics, we constructed a list of public officials in 3 jurisdictions (Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia) organized across 6 public official types and then conducted an English and French keyword search for tweets about vaccine rollout and delivery that mentioned, retweeted, or replied to the public officials. We identified the top 30 tweets with the highest impressions in each jurisdiction in each of the 3 phases (approximately a 26-day window) of the vaccine rollout. The metrics of engagement (impressions, retweets, likes, and replies) from the top 30 tweets per phase in each jurisdiction were extracted for additional annotation. We specifically annotated sentiment toward public officials’ vaccine responses (ie, positive, negative, and neutral) in each tweet and annotated the type of social media engagement. A thematic analysis of tweets was then conducted to add nuance to extracted data characterizing sentiment and interaction type. ResultsAmong the 6 categories of public officials, 142 prominent accounts were included from Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. In total, 270 tweets were included in the content analysis and 212 tweets were direct tweets by public officials. Public officials mostly used Twitter for information provision (139/212, 65.6%), followed by horizontal engagement (37/212, 17.5%), citizen engagement (24/212, 11.3%), and public service announcements (12/212, 5.7%). Information provision by government bodies (eg, provincial government and public health authorities) or municipal leaders is more prominent than tweets by other public official groups. Neutral sentiment accounted for 51.5% (139/270) of all the tweets, whereas positive sentiment was the second most common sentiment (117/270, 43.3%). In Ontario, 60% (54/90) of the tweets were positive. Negative sentiment (eg, public officials criticizing vaccine rollout) accounted for 12% (11/90) of all the tweets. ConclusionsAs governments continue to promote the uptake of the COVID-19 booster doses, findings from this study are useful in informing how governments can best use social media to engage with the public to achieve democratic goals.

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant intraepidermal neoplasms that occur as a result of cumulative sun damage. AKs commonly relapse, and up to 16% undergo malignant transformation into cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. There is a need for novel therapies that reduce the quantity and surface area of AKs as well as prevent malignant transformation to cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. We recently showed that GZ17-6.02, an anticancer agent composed of curcumin, haramine, and isovanillin, inhibited the growth of H297.T cells. This study evaluated the efficacy of a topical formulation of GZ17-6.02, known as GZ21T, in a murine model of AK generated by exposing SKH1 mice to UVR. Treatment of mice with topical GZ21T inhibited the growth of AKs by decreasing both lesion count (P = 0.012) and surface area occupied by tumor (P = 0.002). GZ21T also suppressed the progression of AKs to cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by decreasing the count (P = 0.047) and surface area (P = 0.049) of lesions more likely to represent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. RNA sequencing and proteomic analyses revealed that GZ21T suppressed several pathways, including MAPK (P = 0.025), phosphoinositide 3-kinase–protein kinase B (P = 0.04), HIF-1α (P = 0.016), Wnt (P = 0.025), insulin (P = 0.018), and ERBB (P = 0.016) signaling. GZ21T also upregulated the autophagy-promoting protein AMPK while suppressing proteins such as PD-L1, glutaminase, pAkt1 S473, and eEF2K.

The spatial organisation of social services has long been residual for both urban planning and social welfare policies in Italian cities. This often results in randomly chosen locations and poor design arrangements, which ignore the role that space might play in fostering social life and inclusion. The scarce relevance given to the topic both in research and implementation is connected to the historical evolution of social services in the country and the scant resources devoted to their provision. Basing itself on the debate on welfare spaces and social infrastructures and drawing on a collaborative-research experience within an experimental policy-innovation project developed in Milan, this article tackles the role of space in social services provision following three directions. Firstly, it analyses how, at the urban level, welfare innovations and the interplay between urban planning and welfare policies might contribute to reshaping the traditional physical structures of social services and their map to favour more inclusive patterns of access to local welfare. Secondly, it investigates the role of social services as social infrastructures in increasing accessibility, reducing stigmatisation, and interpreting in a more inclusive way the complex public-private partnerships that allow welfare implementation nowadays. Finally, it discusses how, in the face of contemporary trends in the activation of welfare spaces, traditional urban planning tools are challenged in monitoring their increasingly dynamic distribution in the city. This highlights the need to develop innovative urban planning strategies and tools to effectively support decision-making and design.

Measurement(s) human actions in manufacturing context Technology Type(s) Microsoft Azure Kinect Camera

The abundance of family medicinal plants (TOGA) growing in the yards of the house can be utilized for one of the health products called boreh, a traditional medicine used from generation to generation by the Balinese. Boreh can be innovated into a peel-off preparation form that has some potential to increase public interest in traditional medicine. The contents of TOGA, such as ginger, turmeric, and galangal in the peel-off boreh preparation, may exhibit beneficial effects as a pain reliever. Therefore, the mentioned product can be used to overcome pain problems that are commonly found in the people of Pesagi Village. The ideas related to compounding certain innovative herbal preparations for overcoming health problems in Pesagi Village were carried out through community empowerment activities. A series of program activities took place during January-April 2022. The purpose of this community empowerment program was to provide training and assistance activities to the people of Pesagi Village in the practice of utilizing TOGA as an innovative boreh peel-off preparation, namely UNO, with empirical pain reliever properties. Guidance and assistance in compounding practice were based on the results of dosage formulation previously developed by the executive team in the School of Pharmacy Mahaganesha Laboratory. This empowerment program was executed through a learning-by-doing approach, integrated training, participatory practice, and guided mentoring by the executive team with knowledge and skills evaluation (pre-test and post-test, p=0.000, 95%). After the empowerment program, the community has been able to practice how to turn TOGA from the ground into a useful product. The innovative products in this empowerment program may offer some potential benefits to overcome certain health-related problems of the community in Pesagi Village, such as joint pain. The success of this program may encourage the sustainability of the program in the future.

Mutations in RAS oncogenes and related pathways are frequent in lung cancers. Here, the authors derive a RAS gene expression signature and a machine learning classifier to predict drug response and clinical outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma and other solid tumours, with improved performance over KRAS mutations alone.

HIV infection may affect the immune response to vaccination. Here the authors show that humoral response in persons living with HIV after the third dose of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is strong and higher than that achieved with the second dose, while cell-mediated immunity remains stable.

Spinal arteriovenous shunts (sAVSs) are an uncommon disease, constituting 3 to 4% of intradural lesions; 70% of these lesions are spinal arteriovenous fistulas (sAVFs), whereas spinal arteriovenous malformations (sAVMs) are rarer. Both share the problem of their classification due to the heterogeneity of their angioarchitecture. The aim of this study is to report a series of sAVSs treated in the neurosurgery department of the Hospital Nacional Guillermo Almenara during the 2018–2020 period and to present an overview of the current literature on sAVS classification. We reviewed all medical records of patients diagnosed with sAVFs and sAVMs during the 2018–2020 period, and then we analyzed images with Horos v4.0.0, illustrated some cases with Clip Studio Paint v1.10.5, and performed a descriptive statistical analysis with SPSS v25. Twelve patients were included in this study, eight of which were women (67%) and four of which were men (33%); the age range was from 3 to 74 years. Eight sAVSs were sAVFs, whereas four were sAVMs. The most frequent clinical manifestation was chronic myelopathy in seven patients (58%). Of those treated only by embolization, seven (70%) resulted in complete occlusion (five sAVFs and two sAVMs), while three (30%) remained with a residual lesion. At last follow-up, five patients (42%) improved clinically, and the seven remaining (58%) maintained the same neurological state. sAVSs require a detailed study of their angioarchitecture for proper management. The endovascular treatment is safe with acceptable cure rates. The surgical option should not be set aside.

Accurate estimates of the probability of extreme sea levels are pivotal for assessing risk and for designing coastal defense structures. This probability is typically estimated by modeling observed sea-level records using one of a few statistical approaches. In this study we comparatively apply the generalized-extreme-value (GEV) distribution, based on block maxima (BM) and peaks-over-threshold (POT) formulations, and the recent metastatistical extreme-value distribution (MEVD) to four long time series of sea-level observations distributed along European coastlines. A cross-validation approach, dividing available data into separate calibration and test sub-samples, is used to compare their performances in high-quantile estimation. To address the limitations posed by the length of the observational time series, we quantify the estimation uncertainty associated with different calibration sample sizes from 5 to 30 years. We study extreme values of the coastal water level – the sum of the water level setup induced by meteorological forcing and of the astronomical tide – and we find that the MEVD framework provides robust quantile estimates, especially when longer sample sizes of 10–30 years are considered. However, differences in performance among the approaches explored are subtle, and a definitive conclusion on an optimal solution independent of the return period of interest remains elusive. Finally, we investigate the influence of end-of-century projected mean sea levels on the probability of occurrence of extreme-total-water-level (the sum of the instantaneous water level and the increasing mean sea level) frequencies. The analyses show that increases in the value of total water levels corresponding to a fixed return period are highly heterogeneous across the locations explored.

Este artigo apresenta o relato de experiência docente durante a pandemia da COVID-19 (março de 2020 a dezembro de 2021), no Instituto Benjamin Constant/ Rio de Janeiro. Estudo de natureza qualitativa, com características de abordagem descritiva exploratória, com emprego de técnicas da pesquisa documental/ bibliográfica, que teve o objetivo abordar as estratégias, os desafios e a superação dos professores no teletrabalho, que se reinventaram no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, baseado na teoria do ensino centrada no aprendiz, e entregaram conhecimentos diversificados de hábitos saudáveis, de alimentação e nutrição, práticas esportivas e estratégias preventivas às três etapas da Educação Básica, a partir de uma (Re)Educação Física baseada em evidências. Percebeu-se o envolvimento dos estudantes nas atividades propostas e atitudes críticas de apropriação dos conteúdos apresentados, contudo, as peculiaridades da comunidade escolar daquela instituição foram desconsideradas durante o teletrabalho (acesso às tecnologias) e no momento do retorno às atividades presenciais, com cenário pandêmico preocupante à adoção de procedimentos sanitários.

As health service delivery shifts from institutions to the home, greater care responsibilities are being imposed on unpaid caregivers. However, gaps remain concerning how these responsibilities are contributing to caregivers’ financial risk. This study describes results from an online survey conducted in late-2020 in Ontario, Canada, about the financial risks of unpaid, homebased caregiving throughout the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among 190 caregivers, salient findings include difficulties paying for care expenses after the pandemic was declared than before ( P = .002); more caregivers retiring or becoming unemployed during the pandemic than before ( P = .013); and a significant relationship between paying out-of-pocket for a home care worker and experiencing a decrease in the availability of such support during the pandemic ( P = .029). Overall, the financial stressors of caregiving during the pandemic contributed negatively to caregivers’ mental health, with 64.2% noting could be partly offset by greater government and employment-based assistance in managing care expenses and productivity losses. Findings from this study will better inform policies that aim to protect unpaid caregivers from financial risk in pandemic recovery efforts and beyond. Results may also be useful in other welfare states where unpaid caregivers provide the majority of home care services.

A concept map provides a graphic hierarchical means of representing how knowledge is structured in a domain. It visually organizes a set of concepts showing their mutual relations. An analysis of the similarities between two concept maps can produce significant results in any fields where Intelligent Knowledge Management is used, such as Healthcare, Policy Development, Energy and Waste Management, Resource Consumption Sustainability, Mobility, Safety, Citizen Empowerment, and, of course, Education. In an educational setting, a concept map conveys the various concepts connected by relations of dependence that a course must cover. However, the similarity between two concept maps for education has to be measured according to criteria that take into consideration the pedagogical properties of the maps, i.e., not only considering the structural aspects of the maps themselves. An automated analysis of the similarity between two concept maps can allow the teacher to reflect on different interpretations of the knowledge domain of a certain course as well as to assess how existing learning material can be implemented in a new course. Research into this aspect of concept mapping appears to be relatively scarce. This paper proposes criteria to assess the similarity of two concept maps, also based on pedagogical features, with the aim of providing teachers with better support during the course creation process. Each criterion is implemented through a specific measure function. The measures are then shown to be sensitive to their criterion rationale by evaluating them against a collection of random case studies.

The Web offers an unprecedented number of resources and has become the most popular source of information for students shaping their understanding of a new topic, and for instructors selecting relevant material for learning and teaching activities. Even though search engines are the most widely used tools for searching for educational content, the realities of the learning and teaching processes make the retrieval and evaluation of educational resources more complex than they are for other goods or services. The lack of recourse to educational metadata in web pages, as well as the size of the Web itself, call for specific techniques to be adopted for a more effective ranking of educational content. In this study, we propose an innovative approach based on semantic technologies. The SemanticSearch approach described in this paper leverages knowledge graph representation of teaching contexts and proposes a new ranking method for rating educational web content. In the literature we find an Educational Ranking Principle that ranks web pages for a specific teaching context. In this study, we integrate the Educational Ranking Principle with semantic data to extend the experimentation and analyse performance further. We undertake an evaluation involving university teachers, considering more than 70 queries to measure the SemanticSearch performance against the Educational Ranking Principle in addition to two state-of-the-art methodologies: Tf-Idf and BM25F. Paired t-tests of four accuracy measures provide statistical evidence for improvements made by using SemanticSearch method when compared to the three baselines.

Background: Despite recent advances and development of new therapeutic targets and personalized medicine, acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment remains defiant. Identification of residual leukemic cells (measurable residual disease -MRD) by Multiparametric Flow Cytometry has been a fast and effective tool, but disease heterogeneity makes MRD assessment a clinical challenge, especially in cases with uncommon features, needing clinical and technical expertise to be accurately performed and interpreted. Aims: To emphasize how absent CD33 expression impacts on interpreting MDR in AML. Methods: We report three clinical cases of AML with absent CD33 assessed for FLT3 and NPM1 mutation, RUNX1/RUNX1T1 and CBFB-MYH11 rearrangements, karyotype and an 8-color panel immunophenotyping (Table 1). Empty gating strategy was used to identify LAIPs (Leukemia Associated-Immunophenotype), different from normal and leukemic stem cells, compared to healthy and regenerating non-AML bone marrow (BM) from diagnosis and follow up (Figures 1 and 2). Assays were performed at the Hematology Laboratory of Ribeirão Preto the Medical School, University of São Paulo, in accordance to Local Ethical Boards. Results: Patient's demographic and clinical data are summarized on Table 2. MFC revealed completely negative CD33 from diagnosis to follow-ups. Treatment consisted of 2 induction cycles (cycle 1: 3 days of Daunorubicin 60 mg/m2 and 7 days of cytarabine 200 mg/m2; cycle 2: 6 days of cytarabine 1 g/m2 twice a day). Consolidation consisted of 1 or 2 cycles of 6 days of cytarabine 1 g/m2 twice a day. BMs were obtained at diagnosis, after 1st and 2nd induction, after 1st and 2nd Consolidation, and 3, 9, 12 and 15 months after consolidation of chemotherapy. Even with different number of follow-ups for each patient, time analysis was preserved. Complete remission (complete or incomplete) was achieved by day 30 after 1st induction and no change in the outcome was reported, even though an altered maturational phenotype persisted with complete absent CD33 expression, during and after treatment, suggesting a very rare polymorphism of CD33 receptor that mimicked MRD positivity. Since CD33 is a common myeloid antigen expressed on malignant blasts in AML, it is prominent evaluate and carefully analyze this marker, once is known that polymorphisms, for example, rs12459419 can affect CD33-antibody conjugated based therapy. CD33low blasts are associated to a more mature AML and its high expression is related to adverse landscapes in pediatric AML, highlighting the importance of CD33 evaluation. Regarding vulnerable steps of MRD assessment, Post –analytical phase must embrace a set of standards in order to prevent report errors. Here we present three cases of AML with absent CD33 from diagnosis till follow-ups visits. CD33 absence mimics positivity for MRD studies. This data emphasizes the importance of caution in MFC analysis and correlation of diagnostic and follow-ups results and interpretation, as constant training of the team.

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is caused by burning tobacco products that emit up to 7000 chemicals and over 70 carcinogenic compounds. Thirdhand smoke (THS) is solid residue remaining on furniture and carpets, including suspended particles derived from a burned tobacco product. Exposure to these compounds occurs through inhalation, oral ingestion, or dermal uptake. Examples of the tobacco smoke pollutants can include nicotine, benzene, naphthalene, formaldehyde, and nitrosamines related to tobacco. Exposure to SHS and THS are preventable. Infants and young children suffer disproportionately from tobacco-related pediatric disease since they spend much of their time indoors in households and cars. Despite growing awareness of the need to protect children from exposures, a recent survey reported more than 50% of children aged 3 to 11 were exposed to SHS. Although school-based health interventions have targeted healthful nutrition and physical activity among preschoolers and kindergarten, data are scarce for school-based activities addressing prevention of exposures to SHS and THS among those aged 4 to 6. We describe the design and future testing of such an intervention. This will be a pilot randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the feasibility of conducting an intervention for teaching children to protect themselves from exposure to SHS and THS. We will use a mixed methods approach. Qualitative methods will be used to determine perceptions of classroom teachers and student participants aged 4 to 6 about refining the intervention before the feasibility trial. During the trial, three preschools will be recruited for a total of 12 classrooms and randomized to either control or intervention curriculums. The control classrooms will receive a mathematics curriculum. The intervention classrooms will receive a curriculum about awareness and health consequences of exposures to SHS and THS. The primary outcome is the feasibility of conducting the intervention, including recruitment and retention of participants from pre-k and kindergarten classrooms. Two exploratory outcomes will be effectiveness among child participants and acceptance and response of the parents to the intervention. We will evaluate program effectiveness with the Preschool Health and Safety Knowledge Assessment, a reliable and valid measure for gauging the effectiveness for teaching health and safety knowledge. The story depicted in the intervention program chronicles how the main characters identify and successfully avoid SHS and THS. Activities are designed to allow children to play and discover "clean and dirty air." If the study is successful, we anticipate pursuing external funding sources for conducting a large group-randomized controlled trial. Future intervention iterations will incorporate the use of technology.

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are successfully used to cure a number of diseases characterized by a metabolic reduction in bone density, such as Osteoporosis, or a neoplastic destruction of bone tissue, such as multiple myeloma and bone metastases. These drugs exert their therapeutic effect by causing a systemic osteoclast depletion that, in turn, is responsible for reduced bone resorption. Unfortunately, in addition to their beneficial activity, BPs can also determine a frightening side effect known as osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). It is generally believed that the inability of osteoclasts to dispose of inflamed/necrotic bone represents the main physiopathological aspect of ONJ. In principle, a therapeutic strategy able to elicit a local re-activation of osteoclast production could counteract ONJ and promote the healing of its lesions. Using an experimental model of Vitamin D3-dependent osteoclastogenesis, we have previously demonstrated that Magnesium is a powerful inducer of osteoclast differentiation. Here we show that, surprisingly, this effect is greatly enhanced by the presence of Zoledronate, chosen for our study because it is the most effective and dangerous of the BPs. This finding allows us to hypothesize that Magnesium might play an important role in the topical therapy of ONJ.

With the increasing environmental awareness, in many applications, ranging from agriculture to industry and logistics, a wider and wider use of eco-friendly fluids is desirable. Although the chemical and biological aspects related to environmental compatibility have been extensively investigated by industries and researchers for obvious environmental reasons, not much literature is available on the performance of hydraulic components and systems operating with eco-friendly fluids, especially on the possible degradation of performance due to fluid aging. This work is aimed at studying the influence of eco-friendly fluids on the performance of external gear pumps for compact mobile hydraulic power units, which are among the most widespread hydraulic devices in the world, for their cost-effective and flexible construction. Once the experimental set-up is implemented to be well representative of the hydraulic power packs’ typical arrangement, pump performance is investigated. Pump energy performance is obtained in terms of volumetric efficiency and torque efficiency. Alongside the traditional fluid, two types of eco-friendly fluid available in the market are tested. Once the comparison is complete, the investigations are devoted to highlighting the impact of fluid aging on the pump performance. The fluids were aged through 2000 h operation under heavy-duty thermo-mechanical stress on a separate set-up and, afterwards, the pump performance was tested again with aged fluids. The results allow the assessment of the influence of different fluids on pump performance and a comparison of the impact of new versus aged eco-friendly fluids. The eco-friendly fluids exert a significant effect on the pump energy profile. The pump overall efficiency increases, marking an up to 5% improvement, depending on the cases. Fluid aging is found to reduce the pump’s overall performance. This paper addresses the key points defining the pump performance and provides new information on the topic. The results are original and represent a fundamental contribution to define the best practices for energy and maintenance management of hydraulic systems and to foster the deployment of further studies on models and simulation tools to catch the effect of the fluid condition.

Wetlands dominate methane emissions in Amazonia, with the largest emissions in the east but no discernible temporal trend, according to nine years of atmospheric methane observations across Amazonia.

Cancer genomes have been explored from the early 2000s through massive exome sequencing efforts, leading to the publication of The Cancer Genome Atlas in 2013. Sequencing techniques have been developed alongside this project and have allowed scientists to bypass the limitation of costs for whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) of single specimens by developing more accurate and extensive cancer sequencing projects, such as deep sequencing of whole genomes and transcriptomic analysis. The Pan‐Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes recently published WGS data from more than 2600 human cancers together with almost 1200 related transcriptomes. The application of WGS on a large database allowed, for the first time in history, a global analysis of features such as molecular signatures, large structural variations and noncoding regions of the genome, as well as the evaluation of RNA alterations in the absence of underlying DNA mutations. The vast amount of data generated still needs to be thoroughly deciphered, and the advent of machine‐learning approaches will be the next step towards the generation of personalized approaches for cancer medicine. The present manuscript wants to give a broad perspective on some of the biological evidence derived from the largest sequencing attempts on human cancers so far, discussing advantages and limitations of this approach and its power in the era of machine learning.

Abstract Serine and one-carbon unit metabolisms are essential biochemical pathways implicated in fundamental cellular functions such as proliferation, biosynthesis of important anabolic precursors and in general for the availability of methyl groups. These two distinct but interacting pathways are now becoming crucial in cancer, the de novo cytosolic serine pathway and the mitochondrial one-carbon metabolism. Apart from their role in physiological conditions, such as epithelial proliferation, the serine metabolism alterations are associated to several highly neoplastic proliferative pathologies. Accordingly, prostate cancer shows a deep rearrangement of its metabolism, driven by the dependency from the androgenic stimulus. Several new experimental evidence describes the role of a few of the enzymes involved in the serine metabolism in prostate cancer pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to analyze gene and protein expression data publicly available from large cancer specimens dataset, in order to further dissect the potential role of the abovementioned metabolism in the complex reshaping of the anabolic environment in this kind of neoplasm. The data suggest a potential role as biomarkers as well as in cancer therapy for the genes (and enzymes) belonging to the one-carbon metabolism in the context of prostatic cancer.

El área de producción hortícola en proximidad a la ciudad de Córdoba (Argentina) es una de las más importantes a nivel nacional. Se reconocen dos modalidades de producción: agricultura industrial y agroecológica. En torno a cada modalidad productiva se observan entidades que se relacionan entre sí y que conforman estructuras cuyo funcionamiento condiciona el desarrollo local de la horticultura. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar y caracterizar las entidades socio-institucionales que conforman el área de estudio para ambos modelos productivos. Para la definición del área de estudio se realizó revisión bibliográfica y se consideró el criterio de pensar la horticultura que se da en proximidad a la ciudad de Córdoba. Los datos para el procesamiento gráfico de la información fueron extraídos a partir de 27 entrevistas en profundidad. Se identificaron federaciones, cooperativas, asociaciones, instituciones/reparticiones estatales, fundaciones sin fines de lucro, universidades, organizaciones sociales, ferias y mercados. Se concluye sobre las potencialidades de la herramienta gráfica y cuestiones abiertas que deja este estudio para futuras investigaciones.

Neste estudo, buscamos analisar como as disciplinas que abordam gênero e sexualidade estão organizadas no currículo de cursos de licenciatura em Educação Física nas Universidades Federais brasileiras, a partir de Projetos Pedagógicos de Cursos. Para tanto, utilizamos de uma investigação do tipo documental, a qual nos permitiu identificar 16 disciplinas. A partir de orientação da análise de conteúdo aplicada às ementas, identificamos três dimensões, criadas a partir de nossas interpretações, quais sejam: dimensões socioculturais e identitárias do corpo; dimensões Político-Pedagógicas; e dimensões Empírico-Investigativas. Como resultado, reconhecemos como as temáticas “gênero” e “sexualidade”, quando pensadas no cenário brasileiro, ainda se materializam timidamente no currículo. Entretanto, as disciplinas identificadas acenam para o propósito de desafiar enquadramentos de gênero e sexualidade na educação física, o que contribui para uma formação atenta às diferenças e à justiça social no campo das práticas corporais.

Prurigo nodularis (PN) is a chronic, pruritic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperkeratotic nodules on the trunk and extremities. While there is growing research on the immunological basis of PN, the neuropathic and structural components of PN lesions are unknown. This study examines the inflammatory, neuropathic, and structural pathways in PN compared to atopic dermatitis (AD) using RNA-sequencing of the lesional and non-lesional skin tissue of PN and AD patients, as well as immunohistochemistry analysis of nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophic factor that regulates nerve development. Transcriptomic analysis of skin biopsies revealed that compared to lesional AD skin, lesional PN skin had significantly increased expression of NGF, matrix metalloproteinases, OSM, MCEMP1, IL1α, IL1β, CXCL2, CXCL5, CXCL8, and insulin-like growth factors in PN compared to AD, and decreased expression of CCL13, CCL26, EPHB1, and collagens (COL4/6). Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated higher enrichment of keratinization, cornified envelope, myelin sheath, TGF-beta signaling, extracellular matrix disassembly, metalloendopeptidase activity, and neurotrophin-TRK receptor signaling pathways in PN. On immunohistochemistry, PN lesions demonstrated higher dermal NGF expression compared to AD. We present novel findings demonstrating increased neurotrophic and extracellular matrix remodeling signatures in PN compared to AD, possibly explaining the morphological differences in their lesions. These signatures may therefore be important components of the PN pathogenesis and may serve as therapeutic targets.

The study of extreme ocean waves has gained considerable interest in recent years, due to their importance for offshore design and navigation safety, and several theoretical approaches have been developed for their statistical description. However, in the case of crossing seas, where two or more wave systems of different characteristics are present, a full understanding of the main physical mechanisms responsible for the occurrence of very high individual waves is still lacking. As a consequence, the prediction of extremes in such conditions currently relies on integrated parameters of the total sea state, such as the spectral wave steepness. In this study, to gain further insight into the role of the crossing wind sea and swell wave systems in producing extreme individual waves, we investigate realistic sea states during typhoon Kong-rey (2018) using an ensemble of numerical simulations obtained from a phase-resolving wave model based on the High-Order Spectral (HOS) method. The reliability of the numerical fields is assessed for the first time with stereo wave measurements of the sea surface elevation field collected from an offshore platform in the area of interest. We show that, in specific conditions, space-time extreme crest heights in crossing seas can be larger than in unimodal seas due to second-order bound wave interactions between the wind sea and the swell. To improve existing prediction capabilities, we propose a novel formulation for the wave steepness in crossing seas, which includes nonlinear effects up to the second order and accounts for the spectral parameters of the interacting wave systems.

Abstract: Rapid tests that allow the assessment of physiological potential are essential parameters for quality seed and seedling production programs. The aim of this work was to establish parameters of a method for evaluating the vigor of seeds of native species through the analysis of ethanol production, measured with a modified alcohol meter. Six lots of Myracrodruon urundeuva were tested, and for each lot 1.0 g and 2.0 g of seeds were soaked for two, four, six, eight and 24 hours. Seven lots of Cenostigma pyramidale and five lots of Amburana cearensis were tested, where 20 seeds were soaked for two, four, six, eight and 24 h. The physiological quality of the seeds was also evaluated by germination and electrical conductivity tests. The use of 1.0 g of seeds soaked in 0.5 mL of water and evaluation of ethanol at six hours distinguished lots of M. urundeuva in terms of vigor. For C. pyramidale and A. cearensis, 20 seeds soaked in 1.0 mL of water and ethanol evaluation at six hours proved to be more efficient. The ethanol test proved to be fast and accurate, allowing differentiation of lots, as well as germination and electrical conductivity tests.