Search

Cigarette emission comprises high-temperature combustion processes producing diverse harmful compounds, gases, and particulate matter that are spread through the air and can be taken by smokers and passive smokers involuntarily. We determined the magnetic properties of tobacco cigarettes from six commercial brands. We also monitored the emission of particulate matter in some smokers' homes using low-cost sensors and the PM 2.5 dataset was studied through a time series analysis. In addition, compositional, morphological, and magnetic properties of cigarette ashes were studied and compared with available data. Unexpected positive mean values of specific magnetic susceptibility (χ = 3.7 × 10−8 m3kg−1) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM = 0.6×10−3 Am2kg−1) of tobacco cigarettes indicate the presence of "magnetic condiments" in this unburned material. In contrast, as a consequence of puff and smoldering burn, a magnetic increase of up to 35-fold the reference values of unburned material evidence an important neoformation of airborne tobacco-derived magnetic particle ToMP. Mixtures of these ToMPs with different sizes, from nano to micron-sized, comprise superparamagnetic SP, single-domain SD, and multidomain MD particles. This work provides new accurate information on specific tobacco product ingredients (not declared) and the unnoticed ToMP emission after smoking habits, which are needed for tobacco products, consumers and passive smokers (including vulnerable children) exposed to second-hand smoke. ToMPs and myriad other toxicants may be inhaled, escape from the inhalation system and penetrate biological barriers leading to long-term human health risks. [Display omitted] • Minor amounts of nano-sized magnetic particles are added to tobacco and detected. • Airborne magnetic particles are produced by high-temperature processes after smoking. • Indoor PM 2.5 can be monitored with low-cost sensors and studied through a time series analysis. • Magnetic susceptibility increases 30-fold the reference values after puff and smoldering burn. • Tobacco-derived magnetic particles are inhalable with implications on health impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robustness to uncertainties is one of the main challenges in model-based fault diagnosis. Robust fault diagnosis is a mature research area for Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) systems. However, robust diagnostics for systems modeledby Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) is significantly under-explored in existing literature. Spatio-temporal evolution of faults make PDE fault diagnosis more challenging, as compared to its ODE counterpart where the fault evolves only temporally. Furthermore, robustness to uncertainties, that is, distinguishing the effect of uncertainties from faults is another key design challenge in fault diagnosis. This paper presents a robust fault diagnosis scheme for a class of uncertain linear parabolic PDEs. The proposed scheme consists of two subsystems: (i) Residual Generator and, (ii) Adaptive Threshold Generator. The Residual Generator is a PDE observer whose output error is treated as a residual signal. Ideally, the residual signal should be zero if there is no fault and non-zero otherwise. However, the residual signal is non-zero even under non-faulty conditions, due to the presence of uncertainties. To achieve robustness against such uncertainties, we design a novel Adaptive Threshold Generator that generates an adaptive threshold. Finally, we illustrate the proposed scheme via simulation case studies on battery thermal fault detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper reviews in detail ultrastructural and molecular studies addressed to characterize different phenotypes of sperm pathology in sterile men. In each case ultrastructural, immunocytochemical, molecular and genetic information is provided to differentiate two main kinds of sperm pathologies: systematic phenotypes with known or suspected genetic origin and non-systematic ones, usually secondary to different pathologies of the male reproductive system. Special attention is paid to detailed ultrastructural features profusely illustrated with electron micrographs. Diagnostic and fertility prognostic values of these phenotypes are also discussed and, when possible, comparison with similar pathologies in mammals and birds are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms commanding the activity of dopaminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the location of these neurons are relevant for the coding and expression of motivated behavior associated to reward-related signals. Anatomical evidence shows that several brain regions modulate VTA dopaminergic neurons activity via multiple mechanisms. However, there is still scarce knowledge of how the lateral septum (LS) modulates VTA activity. We performed in-vivo dual-probe microdialysis to measure VTA dopamine, glutamate and GABA extracellular levels after LS stimulation in the presence or absence of GABAergic antagonists. Anterograde tracing and immunohistochemical analysis was used to reveal the anatomical relationship between LS and VTA. LS stimulation significantly increased dopamine and GABA, but not glutamate, VTA extracellular levels. Intra VTA infusion of bicuculline, GABA-A receptor antagonist, inhibited the increase of dopamine but not of GABA VTA levels induced by LS stimulation. Intra VTA infusion of indiplon, selective positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors containing alpha1 subunit, significantly increases VTA dopamine extracellular levels induced by LS. Combined c-Fos and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry, revealed that LS stimulation increases the activity of dopaminergic neurons in the antero-ventral region of the VTA. Consistently, anterograde tracing with biotinylated dextran amine revealed the existence of fibers arising from the LS to the antero-ventral region of the VTA. Taken together, our results suggest that LS modulates dopaminergic activity in the antero-ventral region of VTA by inhibiting GABAergic interneurons bearing GABA-A receptors containing alpha1 subunit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diamide insecticide chlorantraniliprole is registered for control of lepidopteran pests in cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L.). Taking advantage of its root-uptake systemic properties, chlorantraniliprole is labeled for use with a variety of soil application methods in different countries, depending on pests and local practices. We investigated the efficacy of different cabbage transplant application methods using a leaf consumption bioassay. In the laboratory, we compared different transplant water volumes, characterized the effect of transplant plug size when the insecticide is applied by drenching or soaking the seedling tray, and determined the effect of different soil types. At three field sites, we compared the efficacy of chlorantraniliprole applied in transplant water or as a tray drench or tray soak treatment. In the laboratory, transplant water volume did not affect the level or duration of Trichoplusia ni (Hübner) mortality caused by chlorantraniliprole. When seedling trays were drenched with insecticide solution, transplant plug size did not affect mortality, but when trays were soaked with an equivalent volume of solution, mortality was higher with small plugs. Transplanting plugs treated by transplant water, drench or soak into different soil types did not affect mortality caused by chlorantraniliprole. In the field, transplant water application was the most effective method at all three locations. Tray soak was the most variable application method. Different application methods can be used to take advantage of the systemic characteristics of chlorantraniliprole. Among the methods tested, transplant water and tray drench resulted in more consistent mortality under variable field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining several existing lumped-parameter models, this paper presents an electro-thermal model for cylindrical batteries. The model consists of two sub-models, an equivalent-circuit electrical model and a two-state thermal model which are coupled through heat generation and temperature dependence of the electrical parameters. The computationally efficient 5-state model captures the state of charge (SOC), terminal voltage, surface temperature and the often neglected core temperature of a battery for wide range of operating conditions. The proposed parameterization scheme allows separate identification of the electric and thermal sub-models, greatly reducing the complexity of the parameterization process. The methodology is applied to a LiFePO4/graphite battery. Comparison with the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data clarifies the frequency range of the model fidelity. The model is further validated with two drive-cycle tests, covering SOC range 25%–100%, temperature 5 °C–38 °C, and maximum C-rate of 22C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Optical wireless communication or free space optical systems have gained significant research and commercial attention in recent years due to their cost-effective and license-free high bandwidth access characteristics. However, by using the atmosphere as transmission media, the performance of such a system depends on the atmospheric conditions that exist between transmitter and receiver. Indeed, for an outdoor optical channel link, the existence of atmospheric turbulence may significantly degrade the performance of the associated communication system over distances longer than 1 or even 0.5km. In order to anticipate this, particular attention has been given to diversity methods. In this work, we consider the use of wavelength and time diversity in wireless optical communication systems that operate under weak to strong atmospheric turbulence conditions modeled by the gamma–gamma distribution, and we derive closed form mathematical expressions for estimating the system''s achievable outage probability and average bit error rate. Finally, numerical results referred to common practical cases are also obtained in order to show that wavelength and time diversity schemes enhances considerably these systems’ availability and performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an approach for the best site determination of automatic voltage regulators in distribution systems taking into account hourly variations of demand. A unique objective function is defined considering losses and voltage drop indices through the weighting coefficients method and then optimized using genetic algorithms. The evaluation of the objective function is done through a Newton Raphson load flow, allowing the optimal tap position determination. To consider the variability of demand, multiple hourly deterministic optimization processes are applied considering the daily load profiles of each node. Results of the application of the proposed approach over a test system and a real distribution feeder are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The problem of obtaining a flexible and easy to implement algorithm in order to derive the optimal sample size when the data are subject to misclassification is critical to practitioners. The topic is addressed from the Bayesian point of view where a special structure of the a priori parameter information is investigated. The proposed methodology is applied in specific examples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Diabetes in pregnant women is associated with an increased risk for maternal and neonatal morbidities and remains a significant medical challenge. Fortunately, the prognosis has changed dramatically, related to an increased clinical awareness of the potential risks for the mother and the infant, better health care and intensive treatment strategies to maintain the closest to normal metabolic milieu. Diabetes and pregnancy may be divided into pregestational diabetes (women previously diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes) and gestational diabetes defined as any glucose intolerance detected during pregnancy that has evolved from a diagnosis associated with the metabolic risk of type 2 diabetes to a clinical condition associated with higher risks for maternal and perinatal morbidity. Early diagnosis of gestational diabetes is an important step to improve outcomes and systematic or selective screening with the OGTT should be established. Associated with the global epidemic in diabetes, pregnancy associated with diabetes is saturating high-risk obstetric clinics and neonatal intensive care units, becoming a heavy burden to the health care systems around the world. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Serum and liver lipidemic responses in hamsters fed diets containing 2% cholesterol and different dietary fiber sources were studied. The following diets were made from: a) the control diet made from extruded cassava starch (CSH) contained 9.3% cellulose, b) cassava starch extruded with 9.7% resistant starch (CS-RS), c) cassava starch extruded with 9.9% oat fiber (CS-OF), d) the reference diet contained 9.5% cellulose, and no cholesterol was added. Total cholesterol, LDL+VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in serum of hamsters fed on the CS-RS (17.87%, 62.92% and 9.17%, respectively) and CS-OF (15.12%, 67.41% and 18.35%, respectively) diets, as compared to hamster fed with the CSH diet. Similar results were found in the livers of hamsters fed on the CS-RS and CS-OF diets, as compared to hamsters fed with the CSH diet. The diets containing these fibers could be used as active ingredients in human diets to improve the human health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Comorbidities including pulmonary disease are common in patients undergoing LVAD implantation. The impact of pre-implant pulmonary function on post-implant LVAD outcomes has not been comprehensively explored. In this study, we examined the association between pre-implant pulmonary function on post-implant outcomes. A retrospective review of 415 primary LVAD implants at our center between 2008 and 2019 identified 251 patients with pre-implant pulmonary function tests (PFT), of which 248 had pre-implant chest CT scans. PFT results were classified as obstructive or restrictive and were sub-stratified by severity. Chest CT scan findings were assessed for presence of fibrosis or emphysema. Our primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary outcomes included reintubation, days on mechanical ventilation, post-operative pneumonia, ICU length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS and 30-day mortality. Continuous variables were evaluated using two-sample Student's t-test or Wilcoxon test. Categorical variables were evaluated using χ2 test or Fisher's exact test. The group comparison in outcomes were assessed using logistics regression and linear regression. PFTs and chest CT scans were completed at a median of 42 days (IQR 18-127 days) and 26 days (IQR 10-63 days), respectively, prior to LVAD implantation. 84 patients (35%) had obstructive lung disease (52% moderately severe or severe) and 132 patients (55%) had restrictive lung disease (23% moderately severe or severe). Lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was normal in 23% of patients and reduced in others by mild (29%), moderate (41%) or severe (7%) degrees. Presence or severity of either obstructive or restrictive lung disease on PFTs were not associated with primary or secondary outcomes. Severe reduction in DLCO and presence of fibrosis on chest CT scan were both strongly predictive of mortality at 30 days (OR 10.0, CI 1.52-65.63, p<0.01 and, OR 6.96, CI 1.53-31.64, p=0.01) and at 1-year (OR 6.10, CI 1.11-33.57, p= 0.01 and, OR 4.32, CI 1.78-15.85, p=0.03) after LVAD implantation. Reduction in DLCO or CT scan findings were not otherwise associated with secondary outcomes. Pulmonary disease is common in patients undergoing LVAD implantation. The presence and severity of obstructive or restrictive lung disease on pre-implant PFTs were not predictive of post LVAD outcomes. However, a severe reduction of DLCO and pulmonary fibrosis on pre-implant chest CT scan were associated with 30-day and 1-year mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]