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The MICADO (Measurement and Instrumentation for Cleaning And Decommissioning Operations) Project of the H2020 Research and Innovation Programme aims to propose a cost-effective solution for non-destructive characterization of nuclear waste, implementing a digitization process that could become a referenced standard facilitating and harmonizing the methodology used for the in-field Waste Management and Dismantling & Decommissioning operations. It employs instruments based on different technologies: an active and passive neutron measurement system, a photo-fission facility, and the ‘Integrated Gamma Station’. Within the MICADO Project, an entire work package has been dedicated to the design and realization of the ‘Integrated Gamma Station’ obtained by combining different gamma detection technologies supporting each other to a comprehensive and effective non-destructive gamma characterization, able to accommodate Radioactive Waste Packages of different sizes. The techniques implemented are i) dosimetry measurements, count rate inspection and raw spectroscopy with the CAEN RadHAND, ii) gamma imaging in open geometry with the CEA Nanopix gamma camera, iii) high resolution gamma spectrometry with the ENEA Tomographic Gamma Scanner (TGS). The latter able to carry out different characterization methodologies, i.e., Open Geometry, Segmented Gamma Scanning, Angular Scanning, and Tomography. This paper describes the layout of the Integrated Gamma Station conceived, its features and detection capabilities, and part of the measurement campaign realized during the MICADO Project.

Introduction Shoulder pain in spinal cord injury (SCI) is common due to the repetition of the wheelchair propulsion and the increased intra-articular pressure during transfers. Known risk factors for the onset of shoulder pain are age and level of SCI. Aims of this study were to assess how body mass index affects the onset of shoulder pain and to evaluate the relationship between the age at the moment of SCI and the number of years between SCI and the onset of shoulder pain. Methods A retrospective study was performed including subjects with SCI between C5 and S3. Excluding criteria were spina bifida and subjects not using manual wheelchair or presenting with shoulder pain before SCI. Patients in the two spinal cord units were reviewed with a self-made questionnaire, and patients were also enrolled during sport events. Age at the moment of SCI, current age and number of years between SCI and the onset of shoulder pain were recorded. Results Ninety-six patients were enrolled: 77 men and 19 women; 46.4 % reported shoulder pain. Overweight patients who do more than 12 transfers per day showed an increased incidence of shoulder pain ( p  = 0.0434). A linear regression showed a significant relationship between the age of the subject at the moment of SCI and the number of years between the SCI and the onset of pain. Conclusion Our study confirms that age and level of SCI are risk factors for shoulder pain, but we demonstrated also that overweight patients who do more than 12 transfers per day have higher chances of having shoulder pain.

The ostracod fauna from la Terma hot spring (26°55'31\" S - 68° 08'45.7\" W, 4026m above sea level), Southern Altiplano, Argentina, is described and the pool itself characterized. The occurrence of ostracods in this type of environments is registered for the first time in Argentina. Six species were found, two of which are new to the fauna of Argentina: Penthesilenula incae (Delachaux) and Hemicypris panningi (Brehm). Two species were found for the first time in the Altiplano: H. panningi (Brehm) and Cypridopsis fuhrmanni (Méhes). Some comments concerning how and when these species could spread to populate the Dry Altiplano are discussed briefly taking into account paleoclimatic data. This paper provides the first record of recent ostracods from the Southern Altiplano, Argentina.

The paleohydrological evolution of several high altitude, saline lakes located in the southernmost Altiplano (El Peinado and San Francisco basins, Catamarca province, NW Argentina) was reconstructed applying sedimentological, geochemical and isotopic techniques. Several playa lakes from the San Francisco basin (26 degree 56' S; 68 degree 08' W, 3800-3900 m a.s.l.) show evidence of a recent raise in the watertable that led to modern deposition of carbonate and diatomaceous muds. A 2 m - long core from El Peinado Lake (26 degree 29' 59\" S, 68 degree 05' 32\" W, 3820 m a.s.l.) consists of calcitic crusts (unit 3), overlaid by an alternation of macrophyte-rich and travertine clast- rich, laminated muds (unit 2), and topped by travertine facies (unit 1). This sedimentary sequence illustrates a paleohydrological evolution from a subaerial exposure (unit 3) to a high lake stand (unit 2), and a subsequent smaller decrease in lake level (unit 1). The delta super(13)C sub(organic matter) record also reflects the lake transgression between units 3 and 2. Although there is a general positive correlation between delta super(18)O sub(carbonate) and salinity proxies (Na, Li and B content), the large data dispersion indicates that other factors besides evaporation effects control chemical and isotopic composition of lakewater. Consequently, the oxygen isotopic composition cannot be interpreted exclusively as an indicator of salinity or evaporation ratio. The degassing of CO sub(2) during groundwater discharge can explain the enriched delta super(13)C values for primary carbonates precipitated. The carbon budget in these high altitude, saline lakes seems to be controlled by physical rather than biological processes. The Altiplano saline lakes contain records of environmental and climatic change, although accurate super(14)C dating of these lacustrine sediments is hindered by the scarcity of terrestrial organic material, and the large reservoir effects. Sedimentologic evidence, a super(210)Pb-based chronology, and a preliminary U/Th chronology indicate a very large reservoir effect in El Peinado, likely as a result of old groundwaters and large contributions of volcanic and geothermal super(14)C-free CO sub(2) to the lake system. Alternative chronologies are needed to place these paleorecords in a reliable chronological framework. A period of increased water balance in the San Francisco basin ended at about 1660 plus or minus 82 yr B.P. (calendar yr U/Th age), and would correlates with the humid phase between 3000 and 1800 yr B.P detected in other sites of the southern Altiplano. Both, super(210)Pb and preliminary U/Th dating favor a younger age for the paleohydrological changes in El Peinado. The arid period reflected by subaerial exposure and low lake levels in unit 3 would have ended with a large increase in effective moisture during the late 17th century. The increased lake level during deposition of unit 2 would represent the period between AD1650 - 1900, synchronous to the Little Ice Age. This chronological framework is coherent with other regional records that show an abrupt transition from more arid to more humid conditions in the early 17th century, and a change to modern conditions in the late 19th century. Although there are local differences, the Little Ice Age stands as a significant climatic event in the Andean Altiplano.

The goal of this study was to translate and adapt the original 9-item of the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (CASS) to a Dutch version and assess its psychometric qualities. Autistic adolescents aged 12 to 18 years ( n  = 99) took part in a randomized controlled trial. In this study, pre-intervention data were utilized. The original CASS was adapted to ensure cultural relevance and the content validity was assessed. Data was used to assess reliability and structural validity, using confirmatory factor analysis. 4-item were added to the CASS during the adaptation to better align with the objectives of the experimental intervention. The original 9-item had inter-item correlations between .01 and .70. The Cronbach’s alpha for the original 4-item total score was moderate (α = .69), while for a 7-item total score, it was high (α = .86). This 7-item total score had a sufficient model fit (Comparative Fit Index = .90). This total score had a significant correlation with the Assertion subscale of the Social Skills Improvement System-Adolescent (SSIS-A) ( r  = 0.26, p  < .01), and the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2) total score ( r  = − .21, p  =  . 04 ) indicating sufficient convergent validity. The CASS total score was not correlated with the Repetitive and Restricted Behavior scale of the SRS-2 ( r  = − .08, p  =  . 43), indicating sufficient divergent validity. The Dutch CASS can be considered a conceptually sound and reliable observational instrument for assessing social conversational skills in Dutch autistic youth. Further evaluation of its feasibility when implemented in practice, outside of clinical research, is needed. Trial registration : Dutch trail register NTR6255 (NL6117) 08/02/2017 https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6117

Background Pain management is a critical component of comprehensive postsurgical care, as it influences patient safety and outcomes, and inadequate control has been associated with the development of chronic pain syndromes. Despite recent improvements, the management of postoperative pain following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains a challenge. The use of opioid-sparing, multimodal analgesic regimens has broad support, but there is a paucity of high-quality evidence regarding optimal postoperative protocols and novel approaches are needed. Dextromethorphan stands out among both well-studied and emerging pharmacological adjuncts for postoperative pain due its robust safety profile and unique pharmacology. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of multi-dose dextromethorphan for postoperative pain control following TKA. Methods This is a single-center, multi-dose, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 160 participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive either 60 mg oral dextromethorphan hydrobromide preoperatively, as well as 30 mg 8 h and 16 h postoperatively, or matching placebo. Outcome data will be obtained at baseline, during the first 48 h, and the first two follow-up visits. The primary outcome measure will be total opioid consumption at 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes related to pain, function, and quality of life will be evaluated using standard pain scales, the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement (KOOS, JR) questionnaire, the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-29) questionnaire, and clinical anchors. Discussion This study has a number of strengths including adequate power, a randomized controlled design, and an evidence-based dosing schedule. As such, it will provide the most robust evidence to date on dextromethorphan utilization for postoperative pain control following TKA. Limitations include not obtaining serum samples for pharmacokinetic analysis and the single-center study design. Trial registration This trial has been registered on the National Institute of Health’s ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT number: NCT05278494). Registered on March 14, 2022.

Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) is an umbrella term referring to the most frequent childhood-onset neurodegenerative diseases, which are also the main cause of childhood dementia. Although the molecular mechanisms underlying the NCLs remain elusive, evidence is increasingly pointing to shared disease pathways and common clinical features across the disease forms. The characterization of pathological mechanisms, disease modifiers, and biomarkers might facilitate the development of treatment strategies.The DEM-AGING project aims to define molecular signatures in NCL and expedite biomarker discovery with a view to identifying novel targets for monitoring disease status and progression and accelerating clinical trial readiness in this field. In this study, we fused multiomic assessments in established NCL models with similar data on the more common late-onset neurodegenerative conditions in order to test the hypothesis of shared molecular fingerprints critical to the underlying pathological mechanisms. Our aim, ultimately, is to combine data analysis, cell models, and omic strategies in an effort to trace new routes to therapies that might readily be applied in the most common forms of dementia.

In this work, we apply a physically based model, namely the HIRESSS (HIgh REsolution Slope Stability Simulator) model, to forecast the occurrence of shallow landslides at the regional scale. HIRESSS is a physically based distributed slope stability simulator for analyzing shallow landslide triggering conditions during a rainfall event. The modeling software is made up of two parts: hydrological and geotechnical. The hydrological model is based on an analytical solution from an approximated form of the Richards equation, while the geotechnical stability model is based on an infinite slope model that takes the unsaturated soil condition into account. The test area is a portion of the Aosta Valley region, located in the northwest of the Alpine mountain chain. The geomorphology of the region is characterized by steep slopes with elevations ranging from 400 m a.s.l. on the Dora Baltea River's floodplain to 4810 m a.s.l. at Mont Blanc. In the study area, the mean annual precipitation is about 800–900 mm. These features make the territory very prone to landslides, mainly shallow rapid landslides and rockfalls. In order to apply the model and to increase its reliability, an in-depth study of the geotechnical and hydrological properties of hillslopes controlling shallow landslide formation was conducted. In particular, two campaigns of on site measurements and laboratory experiments were performed using 12 survey points. The data collected contributed to the generation of an input map of parameters for the HIRESSS model. In order to consider the effect of vegetation on slope stability, the soil reinforcement due to the presence of roots was also taken into account; this was done based on vegetation maps and literature values of root cohesion. The model was applied using back analysis for two past events that affected the Aosta Valley region between 2008 and 2009, triggering several fast shallow landslides. The validation of the results, carried out using a database of past landslides, provided good results and a good prediction accuracy for the HIRESSS model from both a temporal and spatial point of view.

Abstract Background. The RV144 ALVAC-HIV prime, AIDSVAX B/E boost afforded 60% efficacy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition at 1 year, waning to 31.2% after 3.5 years. We hypothesized that additional vaccinations might augment immune correlates of protection. Methods. In a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind study of 162 HIV-negative RV144 vaccine recipients, we evaluated 2 additional boosts, given 6–8 years since RV144 vaccination, for safety and immunogenicity, at weeks 0 and 24. Study groups 1–3 received ALVAC-HIV+AIDSVAX B/E, AIDSVAX B/E, and ALVAC-HIV, respectively, or placebo. Results. Vaccines were well tolerated. For groups 1 and 2, plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, and neutralizing antibody responses at week 2 were all significantly higher than 2 weeks after the last RV144 vaccination. IgG titers against glycoprotein (gp) 70V1V2 92TH023 increased 14-fold compared with 2 weeks after the last RV144 vaccination (14069 vs 999; P < .001). Groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly from each other, whereas group 3 was similar to placebo recipients. Responses in groups 1 and 2 declined by week 24 but were boosted by the second vaccination, albeit at lower magnitude than for week 2. Conclusions. In RV144 vaccinees, AIDSVAX B/E with or without ALVAC-HIV 6–8 years after initial vaccination generated higher humoral responses than after RV144, but these responses were short-lived, and their magnitude did not increase with subsequent boost. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT01435135.

Vaccari et al . report that SIV vaccines formulated with two different adjuvants elicit distinct immune responses and effects on SIV acquisition in rhesus macaques. A recombinant vaccine containing Aventis Pasteur's canarypox vector (ALVAC)–HIV and gp120 alum decreased the risk of HIV acquisition in the RV144 vaccine trial. The substitution of alum with the more immunogenic MF59 adjuvant is under consideration for the next efficacy human trial. We found here that an ALVAC–simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and gp120 alum (ALVAC–SIV + gp120) equivalent vaccine, but not an ALVAC–SIV + gp120 MF59 vaccine, was efficacious in delaying the onset of SIV mac251 in rhesus macaques, despite the higher immunogenicity of the latter adjuvant. Vaccine efficacy was associated with alum-induced, but not with MF59-induced, envelope (Env)-dependent mucosal innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) that produce interleukin (IL)-17, as well as with mucosal IgG to the gp120 variable region 2 (V2) and the expression of 12 genes, ten of which are part of the RAS pathway. The association between RAS activation and vaccine efficacy was also observed in an independent efficacious SIV-vaccine approach. Whether RAS activation, mucosal ILCs and antibodies to V2 are also important hallmarks of HIV-vaccine efficacy in humans will require further studies.