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Although there are common and well-established bioindicator organisms and tissues, there is still a need for reliable and sensitive bioindicators in aquatic environments. In the present pilot study, calcified structures in fish were applied as indicators of metal exposure in combination with commonly used fish soft tissues and intestinal parasites, therefore comprising short- and long-term indicators. Patterns of metal accumulation and distribution in soft (muscle, liver) and hard (scales, otoliths) tissues of brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus, 1758) and their intestinal parasites, acanthocephalans (Dentitruncus truttae Sinzar, 1955), from the Krka River influenced by industrial and municipal wastewaters were estimated and compared. Most elements had higher levels in acanthocephalans, scales and liver than muscle and otoliths, possibly reflecting differences in metal uptake routes, tissue function and metabolic activity. Despite the recorded differences in metal contents, all applied bioindicators reflected environmental conditions in a similar way, indicating higher levels of most elements in fish from the contaminated rather than from the reference site. Acanthocephalans were confirmed as sensitive bioindicators due to effective metal accumulation capacity, while the combination of soft and hard tissues provided extended temporal information on metal exposure. Wastewater impact was evidenced as moderate metal pollution by all applied indicators and pointed to present but also long-term disturbances in the Krka River and the importance of continuous monitoring and protective actions.

ImportanceTrauma centers must be readily equipped to handle a variety of life-threatening injuries and consequently may charge a fee for the activation of their trauma team. Regional and hospital-related variations in trauma activation fees across the US have not been formally assessed.ObjectiveTo evaluate the variability of trauma activation fees from trauma centers across the US and examine whether certain hospital characteristics are associated with higher activation fees.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used data from the American College of Surgeons website to identify all trauma centers in the US that were listed as verified from inception of the verification database through March 4, 2022 (N = 546). Five military hospitals were excluded, and trauma activation fees could not be found for 18 trauma centers; the remaining 523 hospitals were included in the analysis. Each hospital’s publicly available chargemaster (a comprehensive list of a hospital’s products, procedures, and services) was searched to obtain its trauma activation fees. Two levels of trauma activation fees were recorded: tier 1 (full activation) and tier 2 (partial activation). Hospital-specific data were obtained from the American Hospital Association website. All data were collected between January 2 and March 11, 2022. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess potential associations between hospital characteristics (type of control [for profit, government, church, or other nonprofit], hospital system [owner], number of staffed beds, and academic vs nonacademic status) and trauma activation fees.Main Outcomes and MeasuresMedian and mean trauma activation fees nationally and stratified by location, hospital system, and other hospital characteristics.ResultsOf 523 trauma centers included in the analysis, most were located in the Midwest (180 centers) and West (129 centers). There were 176 adult level I trauma centers and 200 adult level II trauma centers; 69 centers had for-profit status, and 415 were academic. Overall, the median (IQR) tier 1 trauma activation fee was $9500 ($5601-$17 805), and the mean (SD) tier 1 trauma activation fee was $13 349 ($11 034); these fees ranged from $1000 to $61 734. Median (IQR) trauma activation fees were highest in the West ($18 099 [$10 741-$$27 607]), especially in California, where the median (IQR) activation fee was $24 057 ($15 979-$33 618). Trauma activation fees were also higher at for-profit hospitals, most of which were owned by the HCA Healthcare system, which had 43 trauma centers and a median (IQR) tier 1 trauma activation fee of $29 999 ($20 196-$37 589).Conclusions And RelevanceIn this study, trauma activation fees varied widely among hospitals in the US. Regional variation in these fees was substantial, with hospitals in the West charging substantially more than those in other locations. In addition, for-profit hospitals charged more than other types of hospitals. These findings suggest that some patients with serious traumatic injuries will incur disproportionately high trauma activation fees depending on the trauma center to which they are brought. Therefore, standardization of trauma activation fees is warranted.

Melissococcus plutonius is the causative agent of European foulbrood (EFB), an important bacterial disease of honey bee larvae, and various methods have been developed for the detection of this dis...

Elemental and isotopic pattern of n(87Sr)/n(86Sr) and δ88Sr/86SrSRM987 were used to characterise groundwater and recharge of saline ponds in a clastic aquifer in East Austria. Therefore, shallow, a...

ImportanceThere is no consensus on the impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in the US.AimTo determine the impact of the pandemic lockdown of March 15th through July 6th, 2020 on glycemic control after controlling for confounders.Subjects and MethodsAn observational study of 110 subjects of mean age 14.8 ± 4.9 years(y), [male 15.4 ± 4.0y, (n=57); female 14.1 ± 3.8y, (n=53), p=0.07] with T1D of 6.31 ± 4.3y (95% CI 1.0-19.7y). Data were collected at 1-4 months before the lockdown and 1-4 months following the lifting of the lockdown at their first post-lockdown clinic visit.ResultsThere was no significant change in A1c between the pre- and post-pandemic lockdown periods, 0.18 ± 1.2%, (95% CI -0.05 to 0.41), p=0.13. There were equally no significant differences in A1c between the male and female subjects, -0.16 ± 1.2 vs -0.19 ± 1.2%, p=0.8; insulin pump users and non-pump users, -0.25 ± 1.0 vs -0.12 ± 1.4%, p=0.5; and pubertal vs prepubertal subjects, 0.18 ± 1.3 vs -0.11 ± 0.3%, p=0.6. The significant predictors of decrease in A1c were pre-lockdown A1c (pConclusionsThere was no change in glycemic control during the pandemic lockdown of 2020 in US children.

Fraud in the food supply system will be exacerbated by shortages caused by climate change and COVID-19's impact. The dried herbs market exemplifies complex supply chains attractive to criminals seeking financial gain. Real-time remote testing is achievable through development of globally accessible chemometric models for portable near infrared devices, deployed throughout supply chains. This study describes building of models for detection of oregano adulteration, on portable near infrared devices, and comparison to a laboratory-based Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy method. 33/34 portable devices were able to correctly classify 5 out of 6 samples successfully with all adulterated samples being correctly classified following the use of appropriate transferability pre-processing routines. The devices native setup shows limited ability to perform a true screening of oregano using the setup offered. However modifications to the setup could in the future offer a solution that facilitates fit-for-purpose real time detection of adulterated samples within the supply chain. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.]

The focus of this study was to assess the potential of otolith microchemistry as a fishery management tool for different European freshwater fish species in an Alpine foreland with a diverse range of different water bodies but low geological variation. 87Sr/86Sr isotope and Sr/Ca ratios in water samples from 26 habitat sites in a pre-alpine catchment region around lake Chiemsee, Germany, an important region for recreational and economic fisheries, were analysed. 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios and the Sr mass fractions in otoliths of 246 fish out of 16 species were determined using (laser ablation) inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ((LA)-ICP-MS). Habitats could be discriminated into three distinct strontium isotope regions (SIGs) and seven clusters with characteristic 87Sr/86Sr isotope and Sr/Ca ratios. The direct comparison of 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios in water and otolith samples allowed to identify fish that might have been a) migrating b) transferred from other water bodies or c) stocked from fish farms. Sr/Ca ratios in water and the Sr mass fraction in otoliths were highly correlated, although significant differences between species from the same environment could be documented. Sr mass fractions in sagittae of Perca fluviatilis were about 60 % of those in sagittae of Coregonus spp and of lapilli of roach Rutilus rutilus from the same habitats. Different partition factors for water to otolith Sr/Ca mass fractions were determined for different species. Discrimination of fish otoliths by 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios and Sr mass fractions according to habitat clusters was possible with success rates ranging from 92 % to 100 % for cyprinids, European perch Perca fluviatilis, whitefish Coregonus spp. and European grayling Thymallus thymallus, and was 74 % for salmonids. Otolith microchemistry proved to have great potential to serve as a fishery management tool at smaller spatial scales such as in the studied Alpine foreland when considering the limited variation of 87Sr/86Sr isotope and Sr/Ca ratios, the type and spatial distribution of habitats, and the species and question under investigation.HighlightsOtolith microchemistry applied in in area with limited geological variabilityFish transferred, stocked or migrated were identifiedRegressions between Sr/Ca ratios in water predict Sr mass fractions in otolithsSpecies specific Sr discrimination from water into otolithsEuropean freshwater fish species assigned to habitat clusters of origin

To determine the effect of sex and neuter status on trauma survival in dogs.Multi-institutional prospective case series, September 2013 to March 2019, retrospectively analyzed.Level I and II Veterinary Trauma Centers.Consecutive sample of 2649 dogs in the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Committee on Trauma patient registry meeting inclusion criteria. For inclusion, dogs had to have complete data entries, be postpubertal (≥7 months age in females and ≥10 months age in males), and have sustained moderate to severe trauma (animal trauma triage [ATT] score ≥5/18). Dogs that were dead upon arrival, euthanized for financial or unknown reasons alone, or that were presented by a Good Samaritan but subsequently humanely euthanized were excluded.Data collected included age, sex, neuter status (intact, neutered), trauma type (blunt, penetrating, both), outcome (survived to hospital discharge, died, euthanized), and reason for euthanasia (grave prognosis, financial reasons, or both). Of 2649 eligible dogs, 56% survived to hospital discharge (n = 1469). Neutered females had a significantly higher survival rate (58.3% vs 51.3%; P = 0.03) compared to intact females, and neutered males had a significantly higher survival rate (56.6% vs 50.7%; P = 0.04) compared to intact males. There was no significant difference in survival between intact females and intact males (P = 0.87) or between neutered females and neutered males (P = 0.46). Mean cumulative ATT score was higher in intact groups and was found to be a significant predictor of survival (P 0.01). Based on logistic models, overall odds of survival were 20.7% greater in neutered dogs.Gonadectomy is associated with lower ATT scores and improved survival after moderate to severe trauma in both female and male dogs.

Concrete is one of the most common structural materials in the world. The quality of concrete is affected by various conditions and properties. Water-cement ratio (w/c ratio) and curing conditions are two of the most important factors that influence the quality of concrete. Hence, monitoring of the quality of curing is essential for all concrete structures to have information about the concrete condition and prevent errors that can lead to high maintenance costs. Performing non-destructive tests instead of conventional destructive tests is important to save time and high testing costs. Each material in the world has its own special hyperspectral signature that can be considered as a fingerprint. These signatures are provided by recording the reflectance of the light reflected from the specimen, and analyzing this reflectance in a larger wavelength range than human eyes can see. Nowadays, hyperspectral imaging technology is used in many working areas such as in agriculture, food processing, medicine, surveillance, astronomy and so forth. Likewise, some research has been done to identify concrete properties by using this technology. Mixtures with different w/c ratio and different curing treatments were prepared for this project. The effects of the different curing conditions and different w/c ratios on hyperspectral signatures were investigated by comparing the hyperspectral data that were taken on different days after concreting. This project aims to determine an easily implementable, low cost, fast, reliable and non-destructive in-situ testing method to investigate curing quality by using the hyperspectral imaging method.

Jaderná elektrárna zahrnuje také sekundární cyklus, jehož hlavní složkou je parní turbína. Parní turbína zpracovává tepelnou a tlakovou energii páry a přeměňuje ji na mechanickou energii. Spolehlivý a bezpečný provoz parní turbíny, tedy celého bloku, zajišťují ventily. V tomto článku je zkoumán tok páry regulačních ventilů, kde pára proudí ventilovou komorou kolem prvního ventilu k druhému ventilu. Byly vyhodnoceny experimentálně stanovené průtokové charakteristiky obou ventilů a výsledky byly zobecněny. Pokusy byly prováděny v aerodynamické laboratoři Ústavu termomechaniky AV ČR v Novém Kninu, kde bylo možné použít aerodynamický tunel pro vysoké rychlosti. Byly vyhodnoceny údaje o distribuci tlaků na vybraných místech. Energetická ztráta ve ventilech byla porovnána se ztrátou v samostatném difuzoru s různým stupněm expanze. Zkoumán byl také vliv sítka ventilu, což je část umístěná před kuželem regulačního ventilu. Bylo zjištěno, v jakém případě a kde dochází k významnému narušení pole rychlostního toku. První ventil v komoře je citlivější na tlakové ztráty na rozdíl od druhého ventilu, který je srovnatelný s ideální konstrukcí difuzoru, což naznačuje, že tato část sestavy ventilu je optimální. Pokud jde o filtry, bylo zjištěno, že filtr pomáhá vyrovnat poměry rychlosti na vstupu do ventilu, což má pozitivní vliv na snížení ztráty celkového energetického tlaku. Výsledkem je, že ztráta v prvním ventilu může být významně snížena, což pomáhá zvýšit účinnost celé turbíny. A nuclear power plant also includes a secondary cycle, which main component is a steam turbine. The steam turbine processes the thermal and pressure energy of steam and converts it into mechanical energy. Reliable and safe operation of the steam turbine, thus of the entire block, is ensured by valves. The flow in a pair of control valves, where the steam flows through the valve chamber past the first valve to the second valve, is investigated in this paper. The experimentally determined flow characteristics of both valves were evaluated and results were generalized. The experiments were carried out in the Aerodynamic laboratory of the Institute of Thermomechanics of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Novy Knin where a wind tunnel for high speeds could be used. Data of the distribution of pressures in selected places were evaluated. The energy loss in the valves was compared with the loss in a separate diffuser with varying degrees of expansion. The influence of a valve strainer, which is a part situated upstream of the control valve cone, was also investigated. It was found out in which case and where there is a significant disturbance of the velocity flow field. The first valve in the chamber is more sensitive to pressure losses in contrast to the second valve which is comparable to an ideal design of the diffuser, which indicates that this part of the valve assembly is optimal. Regarding the strainers, it was found out that the strainer helps to balance the velocity ratios at the inlet to the valve which has a positive effect on reducing the total energy pressure loss. As a result, the loss in the first valve can be significantly reduced which helps to increase the efficiency of the whole turbine.

In this research, we examined whether psychological entitlement predicted noncompliance with the health guidelines of the COVID-19 pandemic. People higher in psychological entitlement typically try to avoid behaviors that might cause themselves harm, but their high expectations, lack of concern about others, and distrust of authority figures could affect their perceptions of the threat of the coronavirus and their views on the benefits of following the health guidelines. Across three studies (N = 1004, online samples from the United States), people higher in psychological entitlement reported less compliance with the health guidelines of the COVID-19 pandemic than people lower in psychological entitlement. Moreover, people higher in psychological entitlement believed that the threat of the virus was overblown and were less concerned about harming others, views that may partly explain their noncompliance. People higher in psychological entitlement were also more likely to report that they had contracted COVID-19, and thus their refusal to follow the health guidelines may have had negative consequences for them. An appeal to self-image concerns did not lead individuals higher in entitlement to be more likely to comply with the health guidelines., Highlights • Entitled people are less likely to comply with the pandemic health guidelines. • They tend to believe that they won't infect others and the threat is overblown. • Yet entitled people were more likely to say they have contracted COVID-19. • Appealing to self-image concerns did not increase entitled people's compliance.