Changes in snow cover occurrence and the atmospheric circulation impact in Poznań (Poland)

The variability of occurrence of snow cover and the impact of atmospheric circulation on the snow cover occurrence in the period 1966/1967–2019/2020 in Poznań (Poland) have been examined. The implementation of the primary study objective covers the comprehensive analysis of the winter snow and thermal conditions using various indicators. This paper is based on daily data from the years 1966–2020 concerning the winter period. Winters in Poznań are highly variable and differentiated, considering the duration of particular seasons, number of days with snow cover, mean snow cover thickness, winter snowiness coefficient, or winter severity index. Negative trends concerning days with snow cover total snow cover depth winter snowiness coefficient and winter severity index in Poznań prove statistically significant. A higher probability of occurrence of snow cover was determined during cyclonic than anticyclonic circulation. The westerly and northerly types especially favoured the occurrence of days with snow cover. The increase of snow cover was associated with the northerly inflow mainly. Westerly types of circulation caused the decrease of snow cover predominantly.

Comparison of Short- versus Long-Course Antimicrobial Therapy of Uncomplicated Bacterial Pneumonia in Dogs: A Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Current treatment for canine bacterial pneumonia relies on protracted courses of antimicrobials (3–6 weeks or more) with recommendations to continue for 1–2 weeks past resolution of all clinical and thoracic radiographic abnormalities. However, in humans, bacterial pneumonia is often treated with 5–10-day courses of antimicrobials, and thoracic radiographs are not considered useful to guide therapeutic duration. The primary study objective was to determine whether a short course of antimicrobials would be sufficient to treat canine bacterial pneumonia. Eight dogs with uncomplicated bacterial pneumonia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study comparing clinical and radiographic resolution with differing durations of antimicrobial therapy. Dogs received a course of antimicrobials lasting 10 (A10) or 21 (A21) days. Dogs randomized to the A10 group received placebo for 11 days following antimicrobial therapy. Patients were evaluated at presentation and 10, 30 and 60 days after the initiation of antimicrobials. At 10 days, 6/8 dogs had resolution of both clinical signs and inflammatory leukogram, and 5/8 dogs had improved global radiographic scores. After 60 days, clinical and hematologic resolution of pneumonia was noted in all dogs regardless of antimicrobial therapy duration; however, 3/8 dogs had persistent radiographic lesions. Thoracic radiographs do not appear to be a reliable marker to guide antimicrobial therapy in canine bacterial pneumonia as radiographic lesions may lag or persist despite clinical cure. This pilot study suggests a 10-day course of antimicrobials may be sufficient to treat uncomplicated canine bacterial pneumonia.

New Energy-Resource Efficiency, Technological Efficiency, and Ecosystems Impact Ratings for the Sustainability of China’s Provinces

This paper concerns the necessity of ecosystem protection and energy efficiency rating development. The article analyzes the experience of the non-commercial Environmental and Energy Rating Agency (Interfax-ERA) ratings concerning the environmental assessment of Russian regions and the transfer of successful knowledge for evaluating 31 Chinese provinces. The theoretical base, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the energy-resource efficiency (ERE) rating, technological efficiency (TE), and ecosystem impact (EI) ratings are proposed based on the system methodology, developed within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary study objective is to determine whether the Interfax-ERA rating methodology and considered criteria could be applied in China to assess the provinces’ environmental, technological, and energy efficiency. The research highlights the importance of multifunctional tools for developing experiences and sharing methodological experiences across countries. The study efficiently emphasizes provinces with a high level of energy efficiency and technological innovations as well as the provinces with the deficient level of eco-oriented economy policy. The results show two types of systematic deviations—significantly high-level impact on the ecosystem in the Chinese provinces and considerably high levels of energy and resource efficiency in capitals and business centers.

Basin-to-prospect-scale subsurface characterisation: new insights into the Exmouth Sub-basin, North West Shelf, Australia

The Exmouth Sub-basin represents part of the intracratonic rift system of the northern Carnarvon Basin, Australia. Hydrocarbon exploration has resulted in the discovery of a variety of oil and gas accumulations, mainly in Upper Triassic, Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous intervals. Recent 3D petroleum systems modelling aided in understanding the interaction of the complex basin evolution and hydrocarbon charge history, shedding light on the variety and distribution of hydrocarbon types encountered, whilst also highlighting future remaining potential in both proven and untested plays. As a result of this modelling, the Exmouth Subsurface Characterisation Study was commissioned to further leverage >12000km2of recently acquired and processed seismic data and integrate data from specifically conditioned wells from across the Exmouth Sub-basin. The primary study objective was to better understand the distribution of lithologies across the basin, with focus upon the reservoir presence and properties over proven and potential deeper sections. Furthermore, given the variety of hydrocarbon types encountered, this study set out to understand the amplitude behaviour of these types within the different reservoirs. Collectively, these results have aided in identifying analogous hydrocarbon amplitude responses across the basin, derisking identified plays, prospects and existing discoveries and fields whilst also identifying new plays and leads.

Biofield Frequency Bands—Definitions and Group Differences

Background In the biofield literature, it is suggested that electromagnetic energy is part of the biofield. However, little is known about the exact definition of potential electromagnetic biofield frequency bands (FBs). Primary Study Objective: The current study sought to identify biofield FBs and test potential group differences. Methods/Design: High-frequency (i.e. >200 Hertz) voltage was measured at body parts along the spine and the brain. Setting Measurements were conducted in an electrically shielded laboratory. Participants Twenty experienced biofield practitioners (BPs, sample 1) and twenty-four students (STs, sample 2) participated in the study. Interventions The BPs performed a wide set of biofield exercises, while the STs participated in an assessment centre (with exercises such as role play). A total of N = 342 exercises were performed. Primary Outcome Measures: Based on surface electromyography, high-frequency (i.e., >200 Hertz) voltage was utilized as outcome measure. Results 10 FBs were identified across all the data sets. The BPs had higher spectral power across these bands compared to the STs. Conclusion The present paper presents a replicable method for the assessment of electromagnetic FBs which are potentially useful for future biofield research.

Treatment of postscabies prurigo with diflucortolone and chlorquinaldol in a group of African refugees

Postscabies prurigo (PSP) is caused by a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to antigens of the mite. Treatment is based on potent topical or intralesional corticosteroids. We present the results of a study on the effectiveness of a topical combination of diflucortolone and chlorquinaldol. Eighteen African patients who had been previously affected by scabies and treated with permethrin were enrolled. The diagnosis of PSP was made by excluding other causes through microscopic examinations. All patients were treated with the drug combination by two applications daily for two weeks. The primary study objective was to evaluate the itch by a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 0–100. Fifteen patients (83.3%) could be evaluated. All reported improvements: from 86/100 at the start to 29/100 (−57/100) at the end of treatment. Chlorquinaldol, known as an antiseptic agent, demonstrated, according to results of this study, an important anti-itch action.

Assessing analgesia equivalence and appetite following alfaxalone- or ketamine-based injectable anesthesia for feline castration as an example of enhanced recovery after surgery

Objectives The primary study objective was to assess two injectable anesthetic protocols, given to facilitate castration surgery in cats, for equivalence in terms of postoperative analgesia. A secondary objective was to evaluate postoperative eating behavior. Methods Male cats presented to a local clinic were randomly assigned to receive either intramuscular ketamine (5 mg/kg, n = 26; KetHD) or alfaxalone (2 mg/kg, n = 24; AlfHD) in combination with dexmedetomidine (25 μg/kg) and hydromorphone (0.05 mg/kg). All cats received meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg SC) and intratesticular lidocaine (2 mg/kg). Species-specific pain and sedation scales were applied at baseline, 1, 2 and 4 h postoperatively. Time taken to achieve sternal recumbency and begin eating were also recorded postoperatively. Results Pain scale scores were low and showed equivalence between the treatment groups at all time points (1 h, P = 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] of the difference between group scores 0–0; 2 h, P = 0.71, 95% CI 0–0; 4 h, P = 0.97, 95% CI 0–0). Four cats crossed the threshold for rescue analgesia (KetHD, n = 1; AlfHD, n = 3). At 1 h, more cats in the KetHD (65%) group than in the AlfHD (42%) group were sedated, but statistical significance was not detected ( P = 0.15, 95% CI −1 to 0). Most AlfHD cats (88%) began eating by 1 h vs 65% of KetHD cats ( P = 0.039). Time to recover sternal recumbency did not differ between groups ( P = 0.86, 95% CI −14.1 to 11.8). Conclusions and relevance These results show that AlfHD and KetHD provide equivalent analgesia as part of a multimodal injectable anesthetic protocol. Alfaxalone is associated with an earlier return to eating.

“I Do Want to Stop, At Least I Think I Do”: An International Comparison of Recovery From Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Young People

Phenomenological and cultural understandings of recovery from the perspective of individuals who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are rare. The primary study objective was to understand similarities across three samples in (a) how young people define recovery from NSSI and (b) what they consider helpful approaches taken by parents and professionals to assist their recovery. Using a cross-national sample of young people ( n = 98) from Australia ( n = 48), Belgium ( n = 25) and the United States ( n = 25), we assessed their perspectives on NSSI. Consistent across all samples, young people defined recovery as no longer having the urge to self-injure when distressed, often displayed ambivalence about recovery, and reported it was helpful when parents and professionals were calm and understanding. Acceptance of recovery as a process involving relapses may need to be emphasized in NSSI treatment, to ease the pressure young people often place on themselves to stop the behavior outright.

The adverse effects of mefloquine in deployed military personnel

IntroductionMefloquine (Lariam®) is an effective anti-malarial prescribed to over 35 million travellers world-wide as chemoprophylaxis. However, it has been the subject of increased scrutiny and media attention due to its association with significant neuropsychiatric adverse events. Anecdotal evidence suggests that patient trust in the drug is waning.MethodsA prospective questionnaire-based cohort study of 150 deployed military personnel prescribed mefloquine as anti-malaria chemoprophylaxis. The primary study objective was to assess the rate of adverse reactions. In addition, an audit of mefloquine prescriptions and subsequent patient follow-up was conducted.ResultsAmong a cohort of 111 individuals taking mefloquine, 54% reported at least one adverse effect and 13% required a change in prescription to a second-line anti-malarial, due to significant side-effects. All females prescribed mefloquine reported at least one adverse reaction. There were two cases of clinically significant adverse reactions.ConclusionsThere was a higher rate of adverse events reported amongst deployed military personnel than has been reported among civilian patients. This may be partly due to the stressful environment in which deployed personnel operate.

Overall survival (OS) in contemporary randomized clinical trials (RCT) in advanced breast cancer (ABC)

1002 Background: OS has been considered an elusive endpoint, while progression-free survival (PFS), time to tumor progression (TTP), and time to treatment failure (TTF) have been used frequently and often interchangeably as primary endpoints (PE) in ABC (Saad, Ann Oncol 2009). Methods: We searched PubMed using the medical subject headings “breast neoplasms” and “drug therapy,” limiting the search to phase III trials on systemic antineoplastic therapies published between 1/2000 and 12/2007 in 8 leading medical journals (Ann Oncol, BCRT, BJC, Cancer, EJC, JCO, Lancet Oncol, and NEJM). PE was the one stated explicitly, used for N calculation, or listed first. Significant PE (SigPE) was considered as P <0.05 for superiority trials (N=47), or proven non-inferiority/equivalence otherwise. Results: We retrieved 58 RTCs, with a median sample size of 329 evaluable patients. The table shows the breakdown of these trials by size and PE, and the number of trials that reached statistical significance on their PE and on OS. Overall, a statistically significant gain in OS was reported in 11 of 58 RCTs (19%). In 30 RCTs with gain in PE, 26 favored the experimental arm. Conclusions: While publication and journal selection biases may not be excluded, our review suggests that gain in OS, although seldom a primary study objective, is not infrequent in contemporary RCTs in ABC. However, the majority of RCTs are underpowered for OS, which remains a secondary or exploratory endpoint in most cases. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.