Climate impact of an optimised gas treatment on old landfills

It is a well-established fact that the quality and quantity of landfill gas (LFG) start declining after a landfill is closed to further waste intake. Conventional gas treatment and utilisation systems such as flares and gas-driven engines require a certain quality of LFG: specifically, a sufficient methane concentration. Various measures are utilised to maintain the necessary quality of LFG, including a turn-down of gas extraction rates and a shutdown of low-quality gas wells, resulting in a decline of LFG production. This, however, does not have to be the case. The low calorific value (LCV) LFG capture and treatment technology developed by e-flox and referred to in this article as ‘LCV LFG System’ can significantly increase the collection rate and the amount of treated methane in an old landfill. This article introduces such new treatment measures, describes gas capture calculation methodologies and presents actual results based on a medium-sized landfill in Germany. The study demonstrates, among other things, that the LCV LFG system can reduce the CO2 avoidance costs to roughly 10 €/tCO2eq. We present this new technology as a quick and straightforward measure of dealing with the climate issues related to methane emissions of old landfills.

A Commentary on the “Duration of Oral Antibiotics Administration for Cetuximab-Induced Acneiform Eruption”

Acneiform eruption is a devastating cutaneous side effect of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat a variety of cancers. Despite its effectiveness, many patients avoid or discontinue it after experiencing its dermatological side effects as it negatively impacts their quality of life (QoL). This displays the immense need for multidisciplinary collaboration to prevent and treat cetuximab-induced acneiform eruption (CIAE). Prevention methods include, but are not limited to, education, skin care routines, and prophylactic drugs. The following measures reduce the likelihood of developing CIAE and decrease its severity, making it easier to treat if it were to occur. Ongoing research on the treatment of CIAE continues. Of these treatments, oral tetracyclines and systemic corticosteroids have been shown to be the most effective by far. This commentary aims to evaluate the study by Park et al. [Dermatology. 2021;237(3):457–63], further elaborate on prevention and treatment measures of CIAE, and highlight the implications of CIAE on a patient’s QoL.

Analysis of the Causes of the Collapse of a Deep-Buried Large Cross-Section of Loess Tunnel and Evaluation of Treatment Measures

To address the problem of the collapse of the roof of the Bailuyuan tunnel during construction, the causes of collapse were analyzed, targeted treatment measures were proposed, and the effects of the treatment measures were evaluated through on-site monitoring and three-dimensional numerical simulations. The results showed that the particular characteristics of loess and the synergy of groundwater were the internal causes of the tunnel’s collapse as well as, to a certain extent, atmospheric precipitation. Therefore, the combination of multiple factors contributed to the tunnel’s collapse. Untimely monitoring and measurement, as well as the low initial support parameters, reflect a lack of human understanding of the collapse. Based on the analysis of the causes of the collapse, comprehensive treatment measures for inside and outside the tunnel are proposed, which are shown to be effective and to be capable of preventing the occurrence of further collapses. After the collapse treatment, the measured maximum settlement of the tunnel vault was 65.1 mm, the maximum horizontal convergence was 25 mm, the maximum surrounding rock pressure was 0.56 MPa, and the maximum stress on the steel arch frame was 54.34 MPa. Compared with the original design plan, the vertical stress, horizontal stress, and shear stress of the surrounding rock obtained from numerical simulation after the collapse treatment were greatly reduced, the reduction rate at the vault reached 50%, and the safety factors of the initial support positions after treatment met the specification requirements. The research results can provide engineering guidance for the design and construction of large-section tunnels crossing deep-loess strata, and they are of important engineering significance.

PEDAGOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CORRECTION OF PRISONERS COMMITTED ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS REPEATED OFFENCES

Статья посвящена рассмотрению педагогических аспектов исправительного воздействия в отношении осужденных, совершивших особо опасный рецидив, как сложного социального феномена, детерминирующего эффективность реализации уголовно-правовых отношений. Раскрывается сущность и содержание понятия исправительного воздействия в отношении осужденных, рассматривается педагогический потенциал мер исправительного воздействия, которые в большей степени носят воспитательный характер, не связаны непосредственно с преступлением и не имеют характера возмездия. Авторами статьи анализируется сложившаяся практика реализации исправительного воздействия в отношении осужденных, совершивших особо опасный рецидив, на примере ФКУ ИК-29 УФСИН России по Самарской области, являющегося исправительной колонией особого режима, в которой отбывают наказание осужденные, неоднократно совершавшие тяжкие и особо тяжкие преступления. На основании результатов опроса сотрудников ФКУ ИК-29 УФСИН России по Самарской области и осужденных, отбывающих наказания в указанном исправительном учреждении, делается вывод об эффективности отдельных мер исправительного воздействия, в том числе «встреч с родными и близкими» и «встреч со священнослужителями». Формулируются рекомендации по повышению эффективности мер исправительного воздействия в отношении осужденных, совершивших особо опасный рецидив преступления. The article is devoted to the consideration of the pedagogical aspects of corrective treatment in relation to prisoners committed especially dangerous repeated offences, as a complex social phenomenon that determines the effectiveness of the implementation of criminal law relations. The essence and content of the concept of corrective treatment in relation to prisoners is revealed, the pedagogical potential of corrective treatment measures that are not directly related to the crime, do not have the nature of retribution, and, to a greater extent, are of an educational nature, are considered. The authors of the article analyze the existing practice of implementing corrective treatment in relation to prisoners committed especially dangerous repeated offences, using the example of a correctional colony with special regime № 29 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in Samara Region, where prisoners committed repeated felonies and especially serious crimes are held. Based on the results of a survey of employees of the correctional colony № 29 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in Samara region and prisoners serving sentences in this correctional institution, a conclusion is drawn about the effectiveness of certain corrective measures, including «visits relatives and friends» and «visits priests». Recommendations are formulated to improve the effectiveness of corrective measures in relation to prisoners committed especially dangerous repeated offences.

Homeopathic potencies of Opium in alcohol dependence: exploratory open-label study

Background: The conventional pharmacological options for the treatment of alcoholism are limited, which led to the search for solutions in alternative or complementary medicine (CAM). Homeopathy is a CAM modality recognized as medical specialty in Brazil. According to the clinical experience of the early homeopaths, Opium was used to treat patients with alcohol dependence. Aim: to perform a preliminary assessment of the effectiveness and tolerability of fifty-millesimal potencies of Opium in the treatment of alcohol-dependent patients. Methods: exploratory, prospective, open-label trial, with pre-treatment measures as control. Confidence intervals were used to estimate the magnitude of the clinical differences. Results: a total of 14 patients were included, from which 12 were evaluated (intention to treat analysis - ITT). There was a significant reduction in the average daily alcohol consumption (-29.37 units of alcohol/day; 95% CI=10.63; 48.11) and in the severity of alcohol dependence, measured by the mean score of the Short Alcohol Dependence Data questionnaire (-10.17; 95% CI= 4.12; 16.22). No serious adverse events were reported. Randomized controlled studies with larger samples are needed.

Pregnancy associated atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome triggered by massive uterine bleeding after outpatient dilatation and evacuation

Background: Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) is a renal threatening multi-system disorder with significant hematologic findings of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenia. Early recognition and institution of late complement inhibitors can interrupt a cycle of progressive hemolysis and renal injury. Methods: We present an informative case of aHUS triggered by pregnancy termination. Diagnostic, laboratory, and treatment measures are reviewed. Results: Clinical evidence demonstrates immediate improvement in hemolysis, platelet consumption, and acute kidney injury following initiation of eculizumab. Conclusion: Pregnancy is a recognized trigger of aHUS and its proper management requires early recognition and institution of late complement blockade. Genetic testing can be sent for genetic counseling purposes, but initiation of treatment should neither await these results nor be discontinued when high-risk polymorphisms are absent.

Trauma-Associated Tension Pneumocephalus with Characteristic Mount Fuji Sign—Case Report

Tension pneumocephalus is a rare and life-threatening neurosurgical emergency in the setting of blunt or penetrating head trauma, especially in those with craniofacial fractures, which emergency physicians should be aware about. Early identification and appropriate treatment measures including supine positioning, 100% oxygen via mask, early neurosurgery consultation and, if required, operative intervention are paramount to optimal neurological and survival outcome. Definitive diagnosis requires imaging usually in the form of computed tomography (CT) head and serial monitoring of neurological status, optic nerve sheath diameter measurement and repeat imaging, essential to identify patients who might have features of increased pressure on brain matter, which could lead to adverse neurological and clinical outcomes. We present two cases of tension pneumocephalus with the characteristic Mount Fuji sign on CT head, who were managed nonoperatively with optimal neurological outcome. In patients with severe head or maxillofacial trauma presenting to emergency department, CT should be evaluated for signs of tension pneumocephalus, and such patients need to be closely observed for complications of pressure effect on brain matter to ensure optimal neurological and survival outcomes.

Identifying Putative Causal Links between MicroRNAs and Severe COVID-19 Using Mendelian Randomization

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused millions of deaths worldwide. Early risk assessment of COVID-19 cases can help direct early treatment measures that have been shown to improve the prognosis of severe cases. Currently, circulating miRNAs have not been evaluated as canonical COVID-19 biomarkers, and identifying biomarkers that have a causal relationship with COVID-19 is imperative. To bridge these gaps, we aim to examine the causal effects of miRNAs on COVID-19 severity in this study using two-sample Mendelian randomization approaches. Multiple studies with available GWAS summary statistics data were retrieved. Using circulating miRNA expression data as exposure, and severe COVID-19 cases as outcomes, we identified ten unique miRNAs that showed causality across three phenotype groups of COVID-19. Using expression data from an independent study, we validated and identified two high-confidence miRNAs, namely, hsa-miR-30a-3p and hsa-miR-139-5p, which have putative causal effects on developing cases of severe COVID-19. Using existing literature and publicly available databases, the potential causative roles of these miRNAs were investigated. This study provides a novel way of utilizing miRNA eQTL data to help us identify potential miRNA biomarkers to make better and early diagnoses and risk assessments of severe COVID-19 cases.