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Background. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are cause of disability and loss of productivity. Part of the workers suffers from WRMSDs while others are exposed to risk factors. Resistance training (RT) can reduce pain symptomatology, counteracting WRMSDs. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the effectiveness of a RT program in a group of metalworkers on pain perception, disability and physical fitness in context of real work-setting. Methods. Eighteen metalworkers took part to a 12 weeks RT program with a personalized intervention during the sessions. Disability of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH) and the visual analogue scale for the low back (L-VAS) represent the primary outcome regarded. Handgrip strength, shoulder and hamstrings flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance were tested. Pre-post differences were evaluated through T-test. Results. DASH score improved significantly of 4.28 points (p = 0.03). L-VAS did not change (p = 0.38) while physical fitness outcomes improved significantly except for the shoulder flexibility. Spontaneous attendance reached 83.42%. Conclusions. Pain and disability decreased in upper limb and shoulder but not in the lumbar spine. Moreover, physical fitness of participants improved. Considering the spontaneous attendance to the program of these participants, we exhort RT implementation in occupational primary and secondary prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isokinetic dynamometers are becoming very common in assessing muscle strength and pathology, both in research and clinical practice, but for most of those devices reliability studies are still needed to support their extended use. The aim of this study is to assess the test-retest reliability also in health adults. Methods: Thirty adults (13 male and 17 females; mean age 25.4 ± 2.7 years) were recruited among University students. They participated to two testing sessions (7 day apart) in which they performed isokinetic and isometric strength assessment of the knee and ankle flexion and extension. Results: All variable showed an Intra-class correlation coefficient higher than 0.7 (isometric knee extension 0.96; isokinetic knee extension 0.96; isokinetic knee flexion 0.97; isometric ankle right flexion pl and flexion do 0.75-0.96; isometric ankle left flexion pl and flexion do 0.78-0.97; isokinetic ankle right flexion pl and flexion do 0.88-0.73; isokinetic ankle right flexion pl and flexion do 0.88-0.85) and paired-sample t-test showed no significant difference. Moreover, most of the recorded values were included within the upper and lower limits of agreement. Conclusion: Multi-joint evaluation system is a reliable device to assess knee and ankle isokinetic and isometric strength among healthy adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) fertilization in corn is often based on uniform rates and yield goals without considering the spatial and temporal variability of yield potential. It is well documented how uniform N rates lead to low N use efficiencies and environmental issues, resulting in reduced profit for farmers. Several site-specific approaches have been proposed to capture the yield spatial variability and adjust N rates to the actual crop nutrient requirements. The current study presents two original, site-specific N fertilization approaches, where two approaches at integrating crop simulation models, seasonal forecast and proximal sensing were tested across two corn seasons (2019 and 2020) in a field with significant spatial variability. In the first approach, top dressing N prescription maps were determined using the DSSAT crop model run with historical weather data, while in the second one, the maps were determined coupling DSSAT with seasonal forecasts and proximal sensing. Compared to the uniform fertilization treatment, both model-based approaches led to higher yields, N efficiency and gross margin in 2019 but not in 2020. The 2020 season was characterized by several major rainfall events, which were not present in the historical or seasonal forecast datasets. This inconsistency led to a substantial underestimation of the N leaching events in both model-based methodologies and consequently to higher-than-needed N fertilizer recommendations. Future studies should therefore focus on identifying ways to provide accurate seasonal estimates of extreme weather events to enable crop models to provide better N recommendations. In addition, the integration of proximal and remote sensing data into the crop model should be tested later in the season when spatial variability in crop N status peaks. • Different weather datasets should be used to run a crop simulation model for N recommendations. • Historical and Seasonal forecasts did not consistently represent the timing and amounts of major rainfall events. • Proximal sensing should be integrated into crop models when spatial variability has its peak (V7 to V10 stages). • Autocalibration approaches for user-independent model calibrations should be integrated into the methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large continuous rainforests are the main hope for sustaining the population of large-bodied vertebrates that cannot cope with fragmentation or unsustainable hunting. The Brazilian Atlantic forest is considered a biodiversity hotspot and although highly fragmented, it still contains large forest patches that may be important for the conservation of mammals that require large areas. Here, we estimated species richness, density and biomass of medium- and large-sized mammals along the largest remnant of the Atlantic rainforest, Brazil (the Serra do Mar bioregion), an estimated area of 8000 km2. We recorded 44 species based on 4090 km of diurnal line transects and camera traps, animal tracks and interviews in 11 continental regions and two large land-bridge islands. We found high levels of similarity in mammalian composition between pairs of sites in the continental forest sites (0.84-1), but much lower similarity between pairs from the continental forest sites and the two large land-bridge islands (0.29-0.74) indicating potential local extinctions or poor dispersal of continental mammals to these islands. In addition, we found that the density and biomass varied 16- and 70-fold among sites, respectively. Mammalian biomass declined by up to 98% in intensively hunted sites and was 53-fold lower than in other Neotropical non-fragmented forests. Although this large forest remnant is able to maintain a high diversity of medium- and large-bodied mammal species, their low density and biomass may affect the long-term persistence of these populations and the ecosystem services they provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study on the effect of sorghum tannins in sheep fed with high-concentrate diets. The researchers aimed to evaluate the nutritional value of three sorghum cultivars with different concentrations of condensed tannins in sheep diets. The study found that the presence of condensed tannins in the sorghum interfered with the nitrogen retention of sheep.

Photovoltaic devices based on single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and n-silicon multiple heterojunctions have been fabricated by a SWCNT film transferring process. We report on the ability of the carbon nanotubes to extend the Si spectral range towards the near ultraviolet (UV) and the near infrared regions. Semiconducting and about metallic SWCNT networks have been studied as a function of the film sheet resistance, Rsh. Optical absorbance and Raman spectroscopy have been used to assign nanotube chirality and electronic character. This gave us hints of evidence of the participation of the metal nanotubes in the photocurrent generation. Moreover, we provide evidence that the external quantum efficiency spectral range can be modulated as a function of the SWCNT network sheet resistance in a hybrid SWCNT/Si solar cell. This result will be very useful to further design/optimize devices with improved performance in spectral regions generally not covered by conventional Si p–n devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different amounts of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have been sprayed on amorphous silicon substrates to form Schottky barrier solar cells. The measured external quantum efficiency showed a spectral behavior depending on the SWCNT network optical transparency, presenting a maximum up to 35% at a wavelength of about 460 nm. Ultrathin network of SWCNTs acts as semitransparent electrode and forms Schottky barrier with amorphous silicon, enabling new generation low cost amorphous silicon based solar cells. Numerical simulations show a poor efficiency of SWCNT contacts in collecting holes suggesting that improvement in contact quality is needed to further improve solar cell efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the significant generation of photocurrent (PC) from planar devices built from the drop casting of UV-laser-synthesized single-wall-carbon-nanotubes (SWCNTs) onto n-Si substrate. These SWCNTs/n-Si hybrid devices are shown to generate PC with external quantum efficiencies (EQE) reaching up to ∼10%. Their EQE has been optimized by controlling the amount of deposited SWCNTs, and is shown to be significantly enhanced over all the spectral range with a pronounced boost (up to ∼25× times) around 460 nm. The extension of the photoresponse of these devices toward UV correlates well with the absorbance of SWCNTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors demonstrate the ability of multiwall carbon nanotubes to generate photocurrents in the near ultraviolet and visible spectral ranges using electrochemical photocurrent measurements. The photogenerated current depends on the excitation wavelength similar to that for single wall carbon nanotubes. Its intensity and modulation can be related to the carbon nanotubes morphology. The maximum photon-to-current conversion efficiency is approximately 7%, about 50 times higher than that reported for single wall carbon nanotubes. This result is of particular relevance for photovoltaic nanodevices and solar energy conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the KrF-laser ablation synthesis, purification and photocurrent generation properties of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The thermally purified SWCNTs are integrated into hybrid photovoltaic (PV) devices by spin-coating them onto n-Si substrates. These novel SWCNTs/n-Si hybrid devices are shown to generate significant photocurrent (PC) over the entire 250–1050 nm light spectrum with external quantum efficiencies (EQE) reaching up to ∼23%. Our SWCNTs/n-Si hybrid devices are not only photoactive in the traditional spectral range of Si solar cells, but generate also significant PC in the UV domain (below 400 nm). This wider spectral response is believed to be the result of PC generation from both the SWCNTs themselves and the tremendous number of local p–n junctions created at the nanotubes/Si interface. To assess the prevalence of these two contributions, the EQE spectra and J–V characteristics of these hybrid devices were investigated in both planar and top-down configurations, as a function of SWCNTs’ film thickness. A sizable increase in EQE in the near UV with respect to the silicon is observed in both configurations, with a more pronounced UV photoresponse in the planar mode, confirming thereby the role of SWCNTs in the photogeneration process. The PC generation is found to reach its maximum for an optimal the SWCNT film thickness, which is shown to correspond to the best trade-off between lowest electrical resistance and highest optical transparency. Finally, by analyzing the J–V characteristics of our SWCNTs/n-Si devices with an equivalent circuit model, we were able to point out the contribution of the various electrical components involved in the photogeneration process. The SWCNTs-based devices demonstrated here open up the prospect for their use in highly effective photovoltaics and/or UV-light sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sharp force is a rare method of suicide in modern times. • Single-cutting wound of the neck is a sporadic event in suicides. • A case involving a single self-inflicted knife wound to the neck is presented. • Review of the relevant literature has been performed. • Key characteristics associated with single-neck sharp wound suicides are discussed. Several studies have been performed to recognize the main features in homicide and suicide sharp wound-related death, revealing that a single cutting wound to the neck is an infrequent event in suicide cases, and several hesitation marks near the fatal injury are usually present. We report a case of an atypical self-inflicted cutthroat injury without tentative marks involving a 79-year-old female. The weapon used, a kitchen knife, was found at the crime scene. The wound had clean margins, and no other incisions were found. Scene circumstances, namely the absence of signs of a break-in, the victim found on the bed, the knife located near the body, the vital wound in an accessible site, and the absence of defense injuries, collectively support a likely suicide. A literature review was also performed to compare forensic data of the case presented with the other 6 cases reported regarding atypical suicide characterized by a single incising cut to the throat without hesitation marks. Given the few cases reported and the lack of gross descriptions and histopathological data available in the literature, additional knowledge of such a case may help forensic pathologists in the identification of suicidal events when a single neck injury is observed. In this frame, suicide by a unique single incising cut to the throat without hesitation marks near the lethal injury may be observed as an atypical presentation, and the crime scene investigation, together with additional background information of the deceased, aid in the identification of the manner of the death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Background: b Although recent series have concluded that major venous resection (VR) for borderline pancreatic cancer (BLPC) with porto-mesenteric involvement may be considered safe with comparable long-term survival compared to standard pancreaticoduodenenctomy (PD), the matter is still debated due to controversial evidences. B Conclusion: b Porto-mesenteric resection for BLPC is feasible and safe when performed by experienced surgeon with overall morbidity and mortality comparable to standard PD. However, our series suggests that patients affected by BLPC should be addressed to neoadjuvant treatment first, as upfront VR seems to lead to a significantly lower rate of radical surgery. [Extracted from the article]