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Reinforced concrete with lower environmental footprint (lower CO 2 emission) can be obtained by reducing the clinker content in the cements. As the carbonation of concrete is faster, corrosion of steel in carbonated concrete during the propagation phase is becoming important both for science and practice. The present literature review summarizes the state of the art, reporting corrosion rate data for a broad range of cement types, w/b ratios and environmental conditions. Correlations between corrosion rate and the main influencing parameters are elaborated and discussed. It confirms that the corrosion rate of steel in carbonated concrete is not under ohmic control. More important are the degree of pore saturation and the effective steel area in contact with water filled pores. It also emerges that the new blended cements have to be systematically studied with respect to the corrosion behavior of steel in carbonated concrete in order to make reliable service life prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing the effect of climate change on carbon sequestration in tropical forest ecosystems is important to inform monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) for reducing deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), and to effectively assess forest management options under climate change. Two process-based models, Forest-DNDC and Biome-BGC, with different spatial modeling scales were evaluated to estimate the potential effect of climate change on carbon sequestration in a tropical dry semi-deciduous forest in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The results from the simulations using the two models show that carbon sequestration in this dry forest is highly sensitive to warming. Carbon uptake in this forest may increase or decrease slightly with a corresponding increase or decrease in precipitation; however, with an increase in temperature, carbon uptake may decrease significantly, showing that warming may be the main climate factor that impacts carbon storage in this tropical dry forest. Model performance evaluation indicates that both models may be used to estimate C stocks, but DNDC may be better than BGC for assessing the effect of climate change on C dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local electrochemical measurements (open circuit potential (OCP), cathodic and anodic polarization curves, pitting potentials) were performed at random locations on 1 m long ribbed steel bars with different surface conditions. The results show that the local OCP values are statistically distributed. The standard deviation was found to be 45 mV for “as received” surface condition, decreasing to 10 mV only after prolonged immersion in sat. Ca(OH) 2 . A model based on local variations of the reduction current density could explain the variations in local OCP and allowed predicting the overall global OCP of the long bars when completely immersed in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drivers of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain incompletely understood. Utilizing directly converted induced neurons (iNs) from AD-patient-derived fibroblasts, we identified a metabolic switch to aerobic glycolysis in AD iNs. Pathological isoform switching of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase M (PKM) toward the cancer-associated PKM2 isoform conferred metabolic and transcriptional changes in AD iNs. These alterations occurred via PKM2's lack of metabolic activity and via nuclear translocation and association with STAT3 and HIF1α to promote neuronal fate loss and vulnerability. Chemical modulation of PKM2 prevented nuclear translocation, restored a mature neuronal metabolism, reversed AD-specific gene expression changes, and re-activated neuronal resilience against cell death. [Display omitted] • iNs from patients with AD express cancer-associated PKM2 • PKM2 facilitates Warburg-effect-like glycolytic reprogramming of old neurons • Nuclear PKM2 associates with STAT3 and HIF1α to promote neuronal fate loss in AD iNs • Modulation of PKM2 with shikonin restores healthy neuronal features Traxler et al. discover that the metabolic and epigenetic regulator PKM2 is expressed in the brain tissues from patients with Alzheimer's disease and in patient-derived induced neurons. Neuronal PKM2 causes a metabolic shift, fate loss, and apoptotic competency, which could be partially ameliorated with the PKM2 modulator shikonin, indicating the potential for the therapeutic targeting of PKM2 for age-related neurodegeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present a cost-effective statistical approach that integrates satellite imagery, environmental variables and ground inventory data to map the spatial distribution of aboveground woody biomass suitable for charcoal making. The study was conducted in the Cuitzeo basin located in central Mexico, where charcoal is produced from oak forests covering approximately 10% of the total area (4033km2). Diameters of trees and sprouts in 78 plots of 0.2ha each was measured. Allometric equations previously developed locally that only require tree diameters were employed to estimate the amount of woody biomass suitable for charcoal making i.e. the amount of wood that is loaded into the kilns. The performance of two statistical techniques for the interpolation of field data was assessed by cross-validation; these techniques were linear regression and regression-kriging, the second taking into account the spatial autocorrelation of data. Spectral bands, vegetation indices, texture measurements and variables derived from a Digital Elevation Model were examined as explanatory variables. Accounting for spatial autocorrelation (regression-kriging) improved the model''s R 2 from 0.61 to 0.69, representing a relative error reduction of 11.3% (from 11.01 to 9.77t ha−1 of wood suitable for charcoal). The available stock was compared to current estimates of charcoal demand in the Cuitzeo basin and insights were given on how this information can be used to estimate the annual sustainable production potential of oak in order to account for supply–demand balances. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Information on the spatial distribution and composition of biological communities is essential in designing effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and management. Reliable maps of species richness across the landscape can be useful tools for these purposes. Acquiring such information through traditional survey techniques is costly and logistically difficult. The kriging interpolation method has been widely used as an alternative to predict spatial distributions of species richness, as long as the data are spatially dependent. However, even when this requirement is met, researchers often have few sampled sites in relation to the area to be mapped. Remote sensing provides an inexpensive means to derive complete spatial coverage for large areas and can be extremely useful for estimating biodiversity. The aim of this study was to combine remotely sensed data with kriging estimates (hybrid procedures) to evaluate the possibility of improving the accuracy of tree species richness maps. We did this through the comparison of the predictive performance of three hybrid geostatistical procedures, based on tree species density recorded in 141 sampling quadrats: co-kriging (COK), kriging with external drift (KED), and regression kriging (RK). Reflectance values of spectral bands, computed NDVI and texture measurements of Landsat 7 TM imagery were used as ancillary variables in all methods. The R 2 values of the models increased from 0.35 for ordinary kriging to 0.41 for COK, and from 0.39 for simple regression estimates to 0.52 and 0.53 when using simple KED and RK, respectively. The R 2 values of the models also increased from 0.60 for multiple regression estimates to 0.62 and 0.66 when using multiple KED and RK, respectively. Overall, our results demonstrate that these procedures are capable of greatly improving estimation accuracy, with multivariate RK being clearly superior, because it produces the most accurate predictions, and because of its flexibility in modeling multivariate relationships between tree richness and remotely sensed data. We conclude that this is a valuable tool for guiding future efforts aimed at conservation and management of highly diverse tropical forests. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Most studies of the effects of fragmentation and landscape patterns on plant communities focus on particular patches and on local species richness (α-diversity), while few studies examine different patch-types at the whole landscape level and address effects on abundance and composition of species or functional groups. The present study aims to identify and characterize relationships between patch-type metrics and species density and abundance of trees using four tropical subdeciduous forest landscapes in the Yucatan Peninsula considering the entire landscape as the unit of study. Species density and abundance of different groups of tree species resulting from hierarchical clustering were related to landscape patterns of patch-types (area, edge, shape, similarity and contrast) using regression analysis and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). The abundance of tree species in the oldest stages of succession was associated with percentage of land of a patch-type. Total area may favor the establishment of shade-tolerant tree species in the study area because as the area of forest patches increases, the area of forest interior conditions also increases. Conversely, the abundance of species at early and intermediate stages was related to total edge contrast and edge density, respectively. Fragmentation increases the proportion of edge zones of a patch-type, creating contrasting microclimate conditions that could promote the establishment of pioneer and light-demanding species. Thus, the combined effect of total area and edge length of a patch-type may enhance total tree species richness in the study area by favoring species with different life-history strategies. The appearance of area, shape, edge and contrast in most of the regression models suggests that some generalization can be made about the effects of spatial geometry of patch-types on species composition and abundance of tropical trees. Understanding associations between landscape metrics and species density and abundance of objectively derived groups or guilds of species can provide important insights on the effects of fragmentation and landscape pattern on these guilds and on overall α-diversity, as well as guidelines for their conservation and management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rates of protein synthesis (PS) and turnover are more rapid during the neonatal period than during any other stage of postnatal life. Vitamin A and lactoferrin (Lf) can stimulate PS in neonates. However, newborn calves are vitamin A deficient and have a low Lf status, but plasma vitamin A and Lf levels increase rapidly after ingestion of colostrum. Neonatal calves (n = 6 per group) were fed colostrum or a milk-based formula without or with vitamin A, Lf, or vitamin A plus Lf to study PS in the jejunum and liver, L-[13C] Valine was intravenously administered to determine isotopic enrichment of free (nonprotein-bound) Val (APFree) in the protein precursor pool, atom percentage excess IAPE) of protein-bound Val, fractional protein synthesis rate (FSR) in the jejunum and liver, and isotopic enrichment of Val in plasma (APEPla) and in the CO., of exhaled air (APEEx). The APE, APFree, and FSR in the jejunum and liver did not differ significantly among groups. The APEEx increased, whereas APEPla, decreased over time, but there were no group differences. Correlations were calculated between FSRJej and histomorphometrical and histochemical data of the jejunum, and between FSRLiv and blood metabolites. There were negative correlations between FSRLiv and plasma albumin concentrations and between FSRJej and the ratio of villus height:crypt depth, and there was a positive correlation between FSRJej and small intestinal cell proliferation in crypts. Hence, there were no effects of vitamin A and Lf and no interactions between vitamin A and Lf on intestinal and hepatic PS. However, FSRJej was correlated with histomorphometrical traits of the jejunum and FSRLiv was correlated with plasma albumin concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aims: To study protein S, as an acute phase protein, for its relationships with C4b-BP (C4BP), fibrinogen and Factor VIII:C in a group of patients with solid tumours, without proven metastases. Methods: Eighty-one consecutive patients with gastrointestinal or pelvic adenocarcinoma (TNM staging: T1-3, N0-2, M0) and 58 healthy subjects were evaluated for plasma free and total protein S antigen, protein S activity, C4BP, fibrinogen and Factor VIII:C. Results: When compared to the control group, the total protein S, the C4BP, the fibrinogen and the Factor VIII:C mean levels were significantly higher in the cancer group, but there was no significant difference for the free and the functional protein S mean concentrations. In both groups the free protein S was correlated with the functional and the total protein S; moreover the latter was significantly correlated with the C4BP, whereas it was significantly correlated with the fibrinogen and the Factor VIII:C only in the cancer group. In addition, a high correlation was found among the C4BP, the fibrinogen and the Factor VIII:C. Conclusions: Our data show that in these patients there is an acute phase response and suggest that, in the thrombophilic early cancer screening, determination of free protein S is redundant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we have compared the functional consequences of three mutations (R218Q, V260M, and Q266H) in the α1 subunit of the glycine receptor (GIyRA1) causing hyperekplexia, an inherited neurological channelopathy. In HEK-293 cells, the agonist EC50s for glycine-activated C1- currents were increased from 26 μM in wtGlyRA1, to 5747, 135, and 129 μM in R218Q, V260M, and Q266H GlyRA1 channels, respectively. C1- currents elicited by β-alanine and taurine, which behave as agonists at wtGlyRA1, were decreased in V260M and Q266H mutant receptors and virtually abolished in GlyRA1 R218Q receptors. Gly-gated C1- currents were similarly antagonized by low concentrations of strychnine in both wild-type (wt) and R218Q GlyRA1 channels, suggesting that the Arg-218 residue plays a crucial role in GIyRA1 channel gating, with only minor effects on the agonist/ antagonist binding site, a hypothesis supported by our molecular model of the GlyRA1 subunit. The R218Q mutation, but not the V260M or the Q266H mutation, caused a marked decrease of receptor subunit expression both in total cell lysates and in isolated plasma membrane proteins. This decreased expression does not seem to explain the reduced agonist sensitivity of GlyRA1 R218Q channels since no difference in the apparent sensitivity to glycine or taurine was observed when wtGlyRA1 receptors were expressed at levels comparable with those of R218Q mutant receptors. In conclusion, multiple mechanisms may explain the dramatic decrease in GIyR function caused by the R218Q mutation, possibly providing the molecular basis for its association with a more severe clinical phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managers in the competitive automotive sector face growing pressures in terms of sustainability and environmental performance. While most efficiency studies focus on traditional financial and operating indicators, this study broadens the scope of analysis to include Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) activities. The well-known Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-Malmquist method is employed to estimate the technical efficiency of 33 global automakers from 2014 to 2017, including their ESG scores as outputs in the model. Our findings show that ESG-adjusted efficiencies tend to be higher than the traditional ones, with the Governance-adjusted model achieving the highest efficiency scores, followed by the Environmental and the Social models. The results of a second-stage bootstrapped truncated regression reveal the significant impact of the automakers' size, degree of innovation and geographical region on the ESG-adjusted efficiencies. Finally, this study has valuable implications for managers in the industry, as well as investors interested in creating sustainable portfolios. • We carry out a DEA study of the efficiency of 33 global carmakers from 2014 to 2017. • We combine financial indicators with Environmental, Social, and Governance scores. • Governance-adjusted efficiencies are highest, followed by the Environmental ones. • Firm size, R&D, and geographical region affect ESG-adjusted efficiencies. • European firms are the most efficient in Environmental and Governance aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum uric acid (SUA) has been associated with cardiovascular disease, but up to now whether SUA is an independent cardiovascular risk factor or merely a disease-related epiphenomenon remains still controversial. within the framework of the Verona Heart Study, we prospectively followed 703 subjects with angiographically demonstrated and clinically stable coronary artery disease between May 1996 and March 2007. At baseline, SUA levels were measured in all the patients. Genotype data of SCL2A9 rs7442295 polymorphism, which has been associated with SUA by genome-wide association studies, were available for 686 subjects (97.6%). After a median follow-up of 57 months, 116 patients (16.5%) had died, 83 (11.8%) because of cardiovascular causes. Patients with hyperuricemia, defined by SUA levels above the 75th percentile (≥0.41 mmol/L), had an increased total and cardiovascular mortality rate than those with SUA below this threshold level (23.3% vs 14.1%, P = 0.048 and 19.4% vs 9.2%, P = 0.001, respectively, by Kaplan-Meier with Log-Rank test). These associations were confirmed by Cox regression after adjustment for sex, age, other predictors of mortality, coronary revascularization, and drug therapies at discharge (hazard ratio for total mortality 1.87 [1.05-3.34], P = 0.033; hazard ratio for cardiovascular mortality 2.09 [1.03-4.25], P = 0.041). Although associated with SUA levels, rs7442295 polymorphism did not predict total or cardiovascular mortality. our data support that SUA may be a prognostic cardiovascular biomarker, predicting total and cardiovascular mortality in the setting of secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. On the other hand, SCL2A9 gene polymorphism, notwithstanding a clear influence on SUA levels, was not associated with mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trained immunity (TI) is a de facto innate immune memory program induced in monocytes/macrophages by exposure to pathogens or vaccines, which evolved as protection against infections. TI is characterized by immunometabolic changes and histone post-translational modifications, which enhance production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. As aberrant activation of TI is implicated in inflammatory diseases, tight regulation is critical; however, the mechanisms responsible for this modulation remain elusive. Interleukin-37 (IL-37) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that curbs inflammation and modulates metabolic pathways. In this study, we show that administration of recombinant IL-37 abrogates the protective effects of TI in vivo , as revealed by reduced host pro-inflammatory responses and survival to disseminated candidiasis. Mechanistically, IL-37 reverses the immunometabolic changes and histone post-translational modifications characteristic of TI in monocytes, thus suppressing cytokine production in response to infection. IL-37 thereby emerges as an inhibitor of TI and as a potential therapeutic target in immune-mediated pathologies. [Display omitted] • IL-37 counteracts the protective effects of trained immunity (TI) in vivo • IL-37 suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production • IL-37 reverses immunometabolic changes and histone modifications characteristic of TI Cavalli et al. demonstrate that the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-37 regulates trained immunity (TI) in vivo. IL-37 reverses the immunometabolic changes and histone post-translational modifications underlying TI, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This regulatory role of IL-37 over myeloid-driven inflammation has implications for immune-mediated disorders and for host responses against pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The use of Y-chromosome in forensic field is well known during the last 10 years [1]. In a criminal case, the male specific Y-haplotype is usually used to solve mixture stains (male/female), particularly in rape cases and murders with sexual assault. We report here a case of murder of a young woman. We found that the nuclear STRs profile extracted from the male fraction of victim''s vaginal swab was different from her father''s one, but they were identical in the Y-specific haplotype. This important information suggested us to extend inquires about all male components of her father''s family, and allowed us the identification of the murderer (a victim''s cousin). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Experiments were performed to study the mechanism of corrosion of steel in carbonated concrete in cyclic wetting/drying exposure. It was found that the corrosion rate increased during wetting, followed by a decrease during drying. The increase and decrease of the corrosion rate can be explained by changes in electrochemically active steel area as a function of the moisture state of the mortar and its porosity. The corrosion rate achieved in the wet phase stabilizes during the first few wetting and drying cycles. The mechanism of the electrochemical process is discussed on the basis of theoretical considerations. It is concluded that the corrosion kinetics are under activation control. The availability of oxygen does not seem to be a limiting parameter for the corrosion process in cyclic wetting/drying exposure. • The corrosion rate increases during wetting, and decreases during drying. • The maximum achieved corrosion rate stabilizes during the first few wetting and drying cycles. • The corrosion rate is likely under activation control, governed by the electrochemically active area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mass disaster can involve natural or non-natural catastrophes: each incident has its own characteristics and will involve a different approach. Following our experience in Thailand and in Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt), in Italy it has been formally instituted a DVI group in April 2006. The Italian Police DVI group is constituted of 12 sub-groups. Every sub-group is composed of 10 different professionals. All these figures come from the Italian National Police so the DVI group is almost independent and could work either by itself or in collaboration with other groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In recent years considerable progress in the field of forensic science (latent prints, ballistics and biology) have occurred, causing the reopening investigation of old unsolved murders, called “Cold Cases”, especially when findings can still be analyzed and/or re-analyzed taken into account new technologies and new scientific methodologies. The UDI working group (Unsolved Crimes Unit) of the Italian National Police, which collects scientific and technical expertise and investigators, deals to assess which unresolved cases could be selected in relation to new investigative hypotheses or/and in the presence of not analyzed samples. During last two years about 30 cases, occurred between 1985 and 2005, were selected. In particular, in eight cases the DNA analysis led to the identification of one or more genetic profiles that are considered of great interest from the investigative point of view, allowing the identification of the murderers in three different cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At ENEA Casaccia Research Center (Rome, Italy) a 300 W NUVERA fuel cell stack has been utilized for the construction of a range extender generator on a commercial electric bicycle.The generator is fully automated with a programmable logic controller (PLC) safely operating start-up, shut-down and emergencies; a volumetric compressor supplies air to the cathode, a dc/dc converter transfers energy from the stack to the battery. All ancillary equipment are commercial; only the cell voltage sensors have been developed in order to obtain miniaturized and low consumption components.With this generator the bicycle nominal range of 25 km (utilizing only the Ni–Mh battery) is extended to over 120 km, by installing a 200 bar, 5 l bottle of hydrogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Unlabelled Image • An association between COVID-19 and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is now recognized. • The prevalence of VTE is high in COVID-19 patients hospitalized in standard care units. • The prevalence of VTE is high even though thromboprophylaxis and in patients estimated at low risk. • A high index of suspicion for VTE is crucial in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High plasma levels of activated Factor VII-Antithrombin complex (FVIIa-AT) have been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). To investigate if FVIIa-AT levels are associated with activated factor X generation (FXaG) in modified assays. Forty CAD patients were characterized for FVIIa-AT levels by ELISA and for FXaG in plasma. Novel fluorogenic FXaG assays, based on aptamers inhibiting thrombin and/or tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), were set up. FXaG correlated with FVIIa-AT levels (R AUC = 0.393, P = 0.012). The combination of thrombin inhibition and FXaG potentiation by using anti-thrombin and anti-TFPI aptamers, respectively, favors the study of time parameters. The progressive decrease in lag time from the lowest to the highest FVIIa-AT quartile was magnified by combining TFPI and thrombin inhibitory aptamers, thus supporting increased FXaG activity in the coagulation initiation phase. By exploring FXaG rates across FVIIa-AT quartiles, the largest relative differences were detectable at the early times (the highest versus the lowest quartile; 5.0-fold, P = 0.005 at 45 s; 3.5-fold, P = 0.001 at 55 s), and progressively decreased over time (2.3-fold, P = 0.002 at 75 s; 1.8-fold, P = 0.008 at 95 s; 1.6-fold, P = 0.022 at 115 s). Association between high FVIIa-AT levels and increased FXaG was independent of F7 −323 A1/A2 polymorphism influencing FVIIa-AT levels. High FVIIa-AT plasma levels were associated with increased FXaG. Hypercoagulability features were specifically detectable in the coagulation initiation phase, which may have implications for cardiovascular risk prediction by either FVIIa-AT complex measurement or modified FXaG assays. Unlabelled Image • High FVIIa-AT levels were associated with increased FXa generation in CAD patients. • FXa generation was modified by aptamer inhibition of TFPI and Thrombin. • Early time FXaG rates increased from the lowest to the highest FVIIa-AT quartile. • This relation was still detectable in patients grouped for F7 genotypes. • Hypercoagulability features were detectable in the coagulation initiation phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Plant species richness and diversity were estimated from high resolution imagery and LiDAR. • Image texture measures were used as indicators of habitat heterogeneity. • LiDAR metrics were used as indicators of vegetation structure complexity. • Image texture provided better estimations of species richness and LiDAR of diversity. • Combining image texture and LiDAR metrics improved estimation accuracy of diversity. Abstract Tropical dry forests provide goods and ecosystem services that rely on their diversity and are vital for human wellbeing. However, they are among the most threatened ecosystems due mainly to conversion to agriculture. Accurate estimations of species diversity in tropical secondary forests are needed for effective conservation and forest management. We assessed the separate and combined performance of remotely-sensed surrogates of habitat heterogeneity and vegetation structure complexity for predicting and mapping woody plant species richness and diversity in tropical dry forests. Here, we used image texture measures to calculate spectral variability from RapidEye imagery as an indicator of habitat heterogeneity as well as height and cover metrics from LiDAR data as surrogates of the complexity of vegetation structure. Separately, image texture measures and LiDAR metrics were used to explain variation in species richness and exp Shannon diversity calculated in 48 plots using multiple regression analysis. We also evaluated the relative importance of two sets of indicators to estimate species diversity using variation partitioning analyses. Habitat heterogeneity (image texture metrics) contributed most to explain variation in species richness (R2: 0.72–0.87), whereas complexity of vegetation structure (LiDAR metrics) was more important for diversity (R2: 0.68–0.74). However, a large percentage of variance of richness and diversity (58%–67%) was jointly explained by both factors and using models that combine them provided similar or higher prediction accuracy (R2: 0.68–0.89). We conclude that using image texture of high resolution imagery as an indicator of habitat heterogeneity allows precise and cost-effective estimations of species richness, while LiDAR metrics as a surrogate of vegetation structure complexity allow better estimations of diversity and that combining image texture and LiDAR provides the best estimates of species richness and diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Tracking the occurrence of deforestation events is an essential task in tropical dry forest (TDF) conservation efforts. Ideally, deforestation monitoring systems would identify a TDF clearing with near real time precision and high spatial detail, and alert park managers and environmental practitioners of illegal forest clearings occurring anywhere in a region of interest. Over the past several years there have been significant advances in the design and application of continuous land cover change mapping algorithms with these capabilities, but no studies have implemented such methods over human dominated TDF environments where small–scale deforestation (<5 ha) is widespread and hard to detect with moderate resolution sensors. The general objective for this research was to evaluate the overall accuracy of the BFASTSpatial R Package for detecting and monitoring small-scale deforestation in four sites located in tropical dry forest landscapes of Mexico and Costa Rica using greenness and moisture spectral indices derived from Landsat time series. Results show a high degree of spatial agreement (90%–94%) between the distribution of TDF clearings occurred during the 2013–2016 period (as indicated by VHR imagery interpretation) and BFASTSpatial outputs. NDMI and NBR2 had the best performance than other indices and this is evidenced by the combined overall, user's and producer's accuracies. In particular, NBR2 were the most accurate predictor of deforestation with an overall accuracy of 94.5%. Our results also imply that monitoring sites at an annual basis is feasible using BFASTSpatial and LTS, but that lower confidence should be given to sub-annual products given significant systematic temporal differences between the BFASTSpatial monthly product and reference data. The possibility of including more clear observations at the spatial resolution of Landsat (30-m) or higher will greatly increase the spatial and temporal accuracies of the method. Given its performance, BFASTSpatial can help monitor hotspots of small-scale TDF loss across Central and North America at little or no cost. Users of the method should have a strong knowledge of the local land use and land cover dynamics and the ecophysiology of vegetation types present in the landscape. This local expertise is necessary for interpreting and validating results as well as communicating its output to decision-makers and stakeholders. Highlights • Detecting TDF loss using BFASTSpatial in R can be achieved with >90% overall accuracy. • Landsat-derived NDMI and NBR2 spectral indices resulted in the highest accuracies. • BFASTSpatial package can be adapted to evaluate dry forest loss at local scales. • Temporal inaccuracies can be improved by increasing cloud free observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Coagulation plays a crucial role in coronary artery disease (CAD) contributing to both atherosclerotic plaque development and acute thrombotic complications, like myocardial infarction (MI). Coagulation biomarkers have been linked with ischemic heart disease, but results are still controversial. Materials and methods D-dimer and thrombin generation, two “overall” coagulation assays, were evaluated in 775 subjects with or without angiographically-proven CAD (170 CAD-free and 605 CAD, 355 of whom with history of previous MI). Subjects taking anticoagulant drugs or with any acute illness were excluded. D-dimer plasma concentration was determined by an immuno-turbidimetric assay. Thrombin generation was assessed as the ability of plasma to generate thrombin triggered by the addition of tissue factor ex-vivo by means of a chromogenic method. Results Both D-dimer and thrombin generation parameters were associated with several traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Lag-time, time-to-peak, peak height, and Endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP), as well as D-dimer levels, were higher in CAD patients than in CAD-free subjects. After adjustment for all the traditional risk factors, only ETP levels remained significantly associated with CAD (the highest versus the lowest tertile: OR 2.61 with 95%CI 1.14–5.99), but without improvement of C-statistic. The association of D-dimer vanished after adjustment for inflammatory markers. No difference of either D-dimer or thrombin generation parameters was found between CAD patients with or without previous MI history. Conclusions Our results suggest that an increased plasma thrombin potential is characteristic in patients with clinically stable CAD, irrespective of previous MI history and independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of different chemical constituents of corn silage during industrial-scale anaerobic digestion was determined. Corn silage together with the resulting solid digestate generated during biogas production were collected from an industrial plant during a regular operating period. Moisture, water and ethanol extractives, ash, total nitrogen, starch, cellulose, the monomeric composition of hemicellulose, acid soluble and acid insoluble lignin were measured in both corn silage and corn silage solid digestate. The relative consumption of each component of corn silage during its anaerobic digestion was estimated with reference to acid insoluble lignin. It was assumed that lignin was not digested throughout the process. Starch and large fractions of extractives and acid soluble lignin were digested. In contrast, the digestion of cellulose and particularly hemicellulose were limited (40% and 29% respectively). Of the hemicellulose monomers, xylose was the least digested (20%). The present work shows that the digestate produced by commercial corn-silage anaerobic digestion contains a notable quantity of cell wall polymers. These could potentially be used in biorefinery processes, e.g. ethanol and xylo-oligosaccharide production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle count may have advantage over particle mass concentration for assessing the health effects of airborne particulate matter. However, health effects have mainly been investigated with mass-measuring instruments, so it is important to assess relationships between the variability of particle number, as determined by an optical particle counter, and the variability of particle mass as measured by traditional mass-measuring instruments. We used a light scattering particle counter to monitor the concentration of particulate matter in ambient air in a northern Italian city continuously from August 2005 to July 2006. Six channels were calibrated to count particles in the size range 0.3–10μm and above. Particles under 0.3μm cannot be detected by the instrument. The particle counter was placed alongside the mass-measuring instruments of the Environmental Protection Agency of the Region of Piemonte (ARPA). Particle numbers were transformed into masses and compared with PM10 and PM2.5 data obtained from the ARPA instruments. Daily average values were compared. The correlation between the two methods was good for both PM10 (R 2 =0.734) and PM2.5 (R 2 =0.856); differences between means were significant only for PM2.5. These findings suggest that a light scattering particle counter might be suitable for assessing particulate matter variability in epidemiological studies on effects of air pollution, though further investigations are necessary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The feasibility and effectiveness of a year-long integrated rehabilitation program for young children (less than 6 years old) with cerebral palsy was evaluated, and efficacy of different treatment schedules was compared. A sample of 40 children (20 male; mean age, 3 years ±1.22) took part: 20 presented with tetraparesis, 12 with diparesis, and 8 with hemiparesis. Participants'' motor abilities were classified according to the Gross Motor Function Measure classification system at baseline and after 1 year of treatment. For half of the participants, treatment consisted of continuous integrated intervention twice a week; for the other half, treatment was the 3i intervention (Intermittent, Intensive, Integrated), in which a month of intensive, twice-a-day treatment was followed by a continuous, twice-a-week phase, lasting 5 months. Overall, there was an improvement in gross motor function, with 37% of children improving and no children showing lowered function. Neither baseline general cognitive abilities nor age had a significant effect on the level of improvement, although initial gross motor function did. Children undergoing the intensive intermittent intervention showed the greatest motor function improvement. Results support the effectiveness of the integrated intervention and of periods of higher frequency intervention in young children. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Initial anaerobic corrosion rates of steel in bentonite outpace the diffusion of water. • A hydrogen gas phase is temporarily formed close to the steel surface. • Gas and the lack of water desiccate the bentonite resulting in shrinkage microfractures. • Diffusing Fe2+ is oxidized by sorbed oxygen and precipitates in the porespace. • The safety relevant properties of bentonite are not jeopardized by steel corrosion. Experimental evidence related to the interactions between steel corrosion and bentonite in deep geological repositories is reconsidered. The released Fe2+ interacts with the smectite and precipitates as Fe3+ when oxidised by residual immobile oxygen. This leads to the development of coloured fronts in the bentonite. The evolution of these fronts can be reproduced by a reactive transport model that takes account of the competition between diffusion and precipitation. Furthermore, two-phase flow modelling indicates that the consumption of water by the corrosion outpaces the diffusion of water through the bentonite, leading to shrinkage microfractures in bentonite that act as preferential pathways for corrosion products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Maps of forest age classes were obtained from high resolution imagery. • Segmentation, Random Forests and post-processed methods improved accuracy of age maps. • Vegetation structure and species composition were strongly associated with successional age. • Vegetation structure and species composition can be used as ecological indicator of forest age. Land use changes generate a mosaic of forest patches with different ages of abandonment (i.e. succession) intermingled with other land uses. Mapping the successional age of vegetation is crucial to understand carbon accumulation patterns and the recovery of vegetation structure, diversity, and composition of forests over time. The overall objective of this research was to produce maps portraying secondary vegetation age classes and to assess how successional age classes can be related to vegetation structure, diversity and composition in two types of tropical dry forests (TDF) in the Yucatan Peninsula. We used a two-stage image classification process. First, SPOT-5 imagery were segmented and then classified using a Random Forests method. Second, the classified images were post-processed to rectify any classification errors. Additionally, we evaluated the association between the different forest age classes and vegetation structure, species richness and composition using a separate Random Forests classification of field plot data. Post-processing improved the accuracy of the Random Forests classifications by 14.19% and 16.28% for the tropical semi-deciduous and semi-evergreen forests, to attain final accuracy values of 91% and 88.37%, respectively. Vegetation structure, richness and composition were all strongly associated with successional age, accounting for 77.7% and 84.7% of the total variation among forest age classes for the tropical semi-deciduous and semi-evergreen forests respectively. Therefore, the forest age maps obtained can be related to attributes of vegetation structure, diversity and composition that are useful for biodiversity conservation, forest management and climate change mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]