Proof of two conjectures of Z.-W. Sun on congruences for Franel numbers

For all nonnegative integers n, the Franel numbers are defined as $$f_n=\sum_{k=0}^n {n\choose k}^3.$$ We confirm two conjectures of Z.-W. Sun on congruences for Franel numbers: \sum_{k=0}^{n-1}(3k+2)(-1)^k f_k &\equiv 0 \pmod{2n^2}, \sum_{k=0}^{p-1}(3k+2)(-1)^k f_k &\equiv 2p^2 (2^p-1)^2 \pmod{p^5}, where n is a positive integer and p>3 is a prime.Comment: 8 pages, minor changes, to appear in Integral Transforms Spec. Func

Advanced radiotherapy techniques: Improving outcomes in sarcoma

Radiotherapy is an important modality in the management of the primary tumour in bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Traditionally radiotherapy for sarcomas has been delivered with a three-dimensional conformal technique (3DCRT). In extremity soft tissue sarcomas this frequently leads to high doses of radiation being given to normal soft tissues outside the target. In Ewing sarcoma arising in specific sites such as the pelvis, it is difficult to avoid significant dose from 3DCRT to sensitive normal tissue structures adjacent to the target (small bowel, rectum, bladder and reproductive organs), potentially limiting the dose that can safely be given to the target. This body of work explores the burden of late effects of 3DCRT in patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma and how advanced radiotherapy techniques including intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and proton beam therapy (PBT), that produce more conformal dose distributions around the target, might be used to reduce the risk of late side effects while optimising target coverage. The experimental work comprises three studies examining different aspects of the research topic, culminating in the development of a prospective phase II clinical trial. The first study is a survey of late effects and functional outcomes in patients with extremity bone and soft tissue sarcoma treated with 3DCRT. Risk factors for late toxicity in this cohort are identified. The second study is a comparative planning study of 3DCRT versus volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), a rotational IMRT technique, in upper and lower extremity sarcomas. The third study is a comparative double planning study of VMAT and PBT in patients with pelvic Ewing sarcoma. How this work has directly fed into the development and opening of IMRiS, a currently recruiting prospective national phase II clinical trial of IMRT in bone and soft tissue sarcoma, is discussed

Passive acoustic monitoring of cave-dwelling bats with a sonotype classifier

The aim of this study in the Republic of Congo was to test a new method to conduct a quantitative study of cave-dwelling bat communities using acoustics. This area is characterised by limited knowledge of the acoustic repertoire of bats. Over a period of 19 months for a total of 398 nights, we carried out 11 individual capture sessions to build a species inventory, record reference sounds and set up a passive acoustic monitoring protocol (PAM) at the exit of two caves. We used the Tadarida automatic sonotype classifier to classify acoustic vocalisations of bats in caves. For this, we enhanced the Tadarida classifier library with reference recordings of bats captured in both caves. Due to the acoustic overlap of several species, we grouped them into five distinct acoustic units using a posteriori classification based on four distinct parameters: call shape, acoustic frequency, a harmonics index and the identification probability. A random manual control stratified by sonotype showed an accuracy ranging from 82% to 98% depending on the group. This study is the first local application of a bat sonotype classifier designed and developed to function globally. It confirms the possibility of undertaking quantitative assessments of bat communities with relatively minimal effort, even in areas with limited knowledge of their acoustic repertoires

Factori asociați cu COVID-19: studiu comparativ caz-control în Benin

Introduction. Although there are several previous publications related to risk factors of COVID-19 infection in Benin, there are very few data to explain the outbreak risk factors. Material and methods.This case-control study, conducted from 14 September to 20 October 2020, aimed to identify the risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection in Benin. Questions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to COVID-19, sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional factors, medical history, housing and working conditions of respondents were asked through a questionnaire survey. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with COVID-19. The statistical significance was set at 5%. Results. In multivariate logistic regression, no handwashing device installed at the home entrance (ORa=1.86; 95% CI [1.07-3.21]) or a device delivering only water (ORa=5.57; 95% CI [1.98-15.65]), using permanently airconditioning at workplaces (ORa=5.48; 95% CI [2.40-12.57]), less knowledge of protective measures (ORa=1.41; 95% CI [1.08-1.84]) and no knowledge on the coronavirus incubation period (ORa=4.19; 95% CI [2.37-7.44]) were identified as risk factors for COVID-19 infection. Conclusions. Based on the findings of this study, a contextual response should prioritize strategies that will raise awareness and population’s knowledge of COVID-19 as well as preventive practices.Introducere. Deși există mai multe publicații cu referire la factorii de risc ai infecției COVID-19 în Benin, sunt prezentate însă foarte puține date care să explice factorii de risc în perioada de epidemie. Material si metode. Acest studiu caz-control, realizat în perioada 14 septembrie–20 octombrie 2020, și-a propus să identifice factorii de risc asociați cu infecția COVID-19 în Benin. Respondenților, prin intermediul unui chestionar, le-au fost adresate întrebări privind cunoștințele, atitudinile și practicile legate de COVID-19, caracteristicile socio-demografice, factorii nutriționali, istoricul medical, locuința și condițiile de muncă. Au fost efectuate analize de regresie logistică bivariată și multivariată, pentru a identifica factorii asociați cu COVID-19. Semnificația statistică a fost stabilită la 5%. Rezultate. Cu ajutorul regresiei logistice multivariate, au fost identificați drept factori de risc pentru infecția cu COVID-19: lipsa unui dispozitiv de spălat mâinile instalat la intrarea în casă (ORa=1,86; 95% CI [1,07-3,21]) sau al unui dispozitiv care furnizează apă (ORa=5,57; 95% CI [1,98-15,65]), prezența aerului condiționat la locurile de muncă (ORa=5,48; 95% CI [2,40-12,57]), cunoștințe insuficiente despre măsurile de protecție (ORa=1,41; 95% CI [1,08-1,84]) și lipsă de cunoștințe privind perioada de incubație a coronavirusului (ORa=4,19 ; 95% CI [2,37-7,44]). Concluzii. Pe baza constatărilor acestui studiu, un răspuns contextual ar trebui să prioritizeze strategiile care vor crește gradul de conștientizare și cunoaștere de către populație despre COVID-19, precum și practicile preventive