Search Results (20)

In this work, we used a label-free biosensor that provides optical readouts to perform continuous detection of human interleukin 8 (IL-8), which is especially overexpressed in certain cancers and, thus, could be an effective biomarker for cancer prognosis estimation and therapy evaluation. For this purpose, we engineered a compact, portable, and easy-to-assemble biosensing module device. It combines a fluidic chip for reagent flow, a biosensing chip for signal transduction, and an optical readout head based on fiber optics in a single module. The biosensing chip is based on independent arrays of resonant nanopillar transducer (RNP) networks. We integrated the biosensing chip with the RNPs facing down in a simple and rapidly fabricated polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) microfluidic chip, with inlet and outlet channels for the sample flowing through the RNPs. The RNPs were vertically oriented from the backside through an optical fiber mounted on a holder head fabricated ad hoc on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The optical fiber was connected to a visible spectrometer for optical response analysis and consecutive biomolecule detection. We obtained a sensogram showing anti-IL-8 immobilization and the specific recognition of IL-8. This unique portable and easy-to-handle module can be used for biomolecule detection within minutes and is particularly suitable for in-line sensing of physiological and biomimetic organ-on-a-chip systems. Cancer biomarkers’ continuous monitoring arises as an efficient and non-invasive alternative to classical tools (imaging, immunohistology) for determining clinical prognostic factors and therapeutic responses to anticancer drugs. In addition, the multiplexed layout of the optical transducers and the simplicity of the monolithic sensing module yield potential high-throughput screening of a combination of different biomarkers, which, together with other medical exams (such as imaging and/or patient history), could become a cutting-edge technology for further and more accurate diagnosis and prediction of cancer and similar diseases. Full article

During the last two decades, the Macaronesian archipelagos have been the focus of multiple studies targeting the abundant and diversified fossil record from late Neogene and Quaternary deposits. This record of past biota, ecosystems and climates is crucial for understanding the impact of glacial–interglacial cycles on Atlantic littoral marine organisms. Coupled with ongoing studies on the factors responsible for global climate change and associated sea-level variations, they contributed decisively towards the development of the modern marine island biogeography theory. Our current knowledge of the evolutionary and biogeographic history of the past and extant, shallow-water marine organisms from the Macaronesian geographic region relies on detailed analysis of many individual fossiliferous outcrops by means of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Here, we focus on the fossil record of a newly studied MIS 5e outcrop at Pedra-que-pica (PQP), on Santa Maria Island (Azores Archipelago, Portugal). This multidisciplinary work integrates geology, paleontology and biology, providing the first detailed description of the sedimentary facies and stratigraphic framework of the PQP MIS 5e sequence that, coupled with the documentation of the biodiversity and ecological composition of PQP molluscan assemblages, allows us to produce a paleoecological reconstruction and to compare PQP with other last interglacial outcrops from Santa Maria Island. Our results increase the number of the Azorean MIS 5e marine molluscs to 140 taxa (116 Gastropoda and 24 Bivalvia). Ervilia castanea (Montagu, 1803) is the most abundant bivalve, while Bittium nanum (Mayer, 1864) and Melarhaphe neritoides (Linnaeus, 1758) are the most abundant gastropod species. In addition, this work emphasizes the crucial importance of complementing quantitative collecting with qualitative surveys of the fossiliferous outcrops, because nearly 42% of the bivalve species and 28% of the gastropod taxa would be missed if only quantitative samples were used. Derivation of Hill numbers and rarefaction curves both indicate that the sampling effort should be increased at PQP. Thus, although Santa Maria Island is recognized by the scientific community as one of the best-studied islands regarding the last interglacial fossil record, this study emphasizes the need to continue with similar efforts in less known outcrops on the island. Full article

Background/Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystemic chronic autoimmune disease, which leads to disability and possibly early retirement. The objective of our study was to explore the associations between employment status (ES) and demographic, clinical and functional features in a single-center EUSTAR cohort. Methods: Consecutive patients with SSc examined between November 2011 and June 2023, who were under the age of retirement in our country (62 years for women, 65 for men at the time), were included. All patients underwent a comprehensive clinical assessment and filled in a work assessment questionnaire as well as two validated health-related questionnaires: the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ) and the Duruoz Hand Index (DHI). Associations between ES and potential predictors (education level, disease characteristics, work conditions, SHAQ and DHI) were tested using logistic regression adjusted for age and gender. Results: Ninety-one patients (mean ± SD age 53.7 ± 11.8 years, twenty-two with diffuse skin involvement, fifty-six with a history of digital of digital ulcers (DUs)), were included. Only 22 patients were still employed, while 69 were retired, of which 38 retired because of SSc. Among the employed, nine performed manual labor, nine spent many hours standing and three had to work in a cold environment. When potential predictors were tested separately, adjusted for age and sex, patients with higher education (OR (95% CI) 11.36 (2.03–63.36), p = 0.006) and no history of digital ulcers had higher odds of being employed. The presence of joint contractures and weightlifting as a work demand were associated with unemployment. In a multivariable model, higher education (OR 5.91, 95% CI 0.97–36.09, p = 0.054 and younger age (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.85–0.96, p = 0.001) were independently associated with continued employment. High school education did not show a significant effect (OR 0.089, 95% CI 0.015–0.530, p = 0.008). Patients with a history of digital ulcers had the lowest employment rates compared to those with no digital ulcer history. No significant associations were found between employment status and SHAQ or DHI scores. Conclusions: SSc is associated with significant work disability and early retirement. Higher education, the lack of Dus and younger age were highly associated with staying employed. Given the rarity of SSc, we consider that our good sample size (n = 91) reflects disease prevalence, but results should be tested in other studies and the single center should be considered when interpreting generalizability. Full article

The rupture of an iron mining tailing dam in Brumadinho, Brazil, released around 10 million cubic meters of tailings, of which 1.6 Mm³ reached the Paraopeba River. In this work, a total of 30 samples from three bottom sediment cores were collected in the lower course of the Paraopeba River basin and analyzed for major, trace and rare earth elements by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. The sediments presented a range of compositions with different weathering histories, overall marked by depleted Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ compared with the average UCC, PAAS and NASC and some advanced weathering trends. The samples presented a fractionation pattern characterized by a continuous depletion of light REEs from La to Sm and a regular decreased distribution of heavy REEs from Gd to Yb, and the Co/Th vs. La/Sc diagram indicates a predominant intermediate source. The upper samples presented the highest contents of REEs, probably due to the higher presence of iron and aluminum oxides and hydroxides, which can be related to more advanced weathering. The Al, Cu, Ni, V, Zn, Co, Mn, Ti, Fe and Si concentrations and the CF, EF and Igeo index values varied across the sediment core samples, demonstrating that there were long periods of geogenic or anthropogenic contributions. Full article

For this work, the behavior of the ZhS6K alloy (Russian grade) in the process of direct laser deposition was investigated. Two samples, a “small” one (40 × 10 × 10 mm³) and “large” one (80 × 16 × 16 mm³), were fabricated with direct laser deposition. In both samples, the typical dual-phase γ/γ’ microstructure with cuboidal shape of the γ’ precipitates was observed. Both specimens revealed a similar tendency to continuous increasing in hardness from the bottom to the top associated with the refinement of γ’ precipitates. The “small” sample was essentially crack-free, while the “large” one underwent extensive cracking. The possible effects of various factors, including thermal history, size, and shape of the gamma grains, on cracking behavior were discussed. Full article

Obesity is a prevalent and preventable condition that has increased alarmingly in recent decades and is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation and a range of non-communicable diseases. Although the aetiology of obesity has been simplified as an energy imbalance, multiple factors contribute to its development, making its treatment complex. Current methods for diagnosing obesity and overweight have significant limitations therefore, a more personalised approach to nutritional guidance is needed to account for differences in response to dietary affected by environmental and genetic factors. In addition, nutritional therapy and research continue to face issues such as measurement errors, memory biases, and others. The objective of this work is to present the AI4Food project. Massive data capture has been carried out using traditional and digital methods throughout a nutritional intervention for healthy weight loss in order to compare both data collection methodologies and integrate all the information of the variables obtained with artificial intelligence. A total of 93 (28 males, 65 females, mean age of 49.60 (SD ± 12.78) years) participants completed one-month prospective and crossover nutritional intervention with a traditional and digital group. Anthropometric measurements, vital signs, clinical history, and lifestyle habits were registered in all visits. Moreover, in the traditional intervention the questionnaires: 3-day food record, physical activity (IPAQ), sleep pattern (COS), psychological and emotional state (DASS-21), and health status and quality of life (SF-36) were used. In the digital intervention, the sensors Freestyle Libre 2 Glucometer and smartwatch Fitbit Sense were used to monitor glucose levels and lifestyle (heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep patterns, electrodermal activity, etc.) and diet was monitored by image captures. Faecal and blood samples were collected for future analysis. Preliminary results are promising as both data collection methodologies have been successfully compared and all information on the variables obtained has been integrated. It will allow for improving and personalising the lifestyle recommendations given to the population. Full article

This work aims to conduct an analysis to find opportunities for the implementation of software incorporating the concept of digital twins for foundry work. Examples of implementations and their impact on the work of enterprises are presented, as is a definition and history of the concept of a digital twin. The outcome of this work is the implementation of software that involves a digital copy of the author’s device, created by the “Łukasiewicz” Research Network at the Krakow Institute of Technology. The research problem of this scientific work is to reduce the number of necessary physical tests on real objects in order to find a solution that saves time and energy when testing the thermal expansion of known and new metal alloys. This will be achieved by predicting the behavior of the sample in a digital environment and avoiding causing it to break in reality. Until now, after an interruption, the device often continued to operate and collect data even though no current was flowing through the material, which could be described as inefficient testing. The expected result will be based on the information and decisions obtained by predicting values with the help of a recurrent neural network. Ultimately, it is intended to predict the condition of the sample after a set period of time. Thanks to this, a decision will be made, based on which the twin will know whether it should automatically end its work, disconnect the power or call the operator for the necessary interaction with the device. The described software will help the operator of a real machine, for example, to operate a larger number of workstations at the same time, without devoting all their attention to a process that may last even for hours. Additionally, it will be possible to start work on selecting the chemical composition of the next material sample and plan its testing in advance. The machine learning handles model learning and value prediction with the help of artificial neural networks that were created in Python. The application uses historical test data, additionally retrieves current information, presents it to the user in a clear modern form and runs the provided scripts. Based on these, it decides on the further operation of the actual device. Full article

This work describes the microbial community structure of the continuously revegetated chronosequence of a former sand quarry, which demonstrates a unique example of nearly complete soil restoration in less than 100 years. Samples were collected at five time points (0, 3, 30, 70 years and mature soil) from the entire set of soil horizons, revealing the history of pedogenesis. Real-time PCR was applied to quantitatively describe the bacterial and archaeal communities. High-throughput sequencing of the bacterial and archaeal V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene was used to identify abundant microbial taxa. A beta-diversity analysis revealed that the prokaryotic community structure responded strongly to the processes of organic matter accumulation and the corresponding evolution of the soil into discrete horizons. Changes in soil microbiota in the course of soil profile evolution revealed three groups of prokaryotes, which tended to accumulate in the specific soil horizons and might be associated with the certain soil-forming processes, including plant roots growth. This research showed the heuristic potential of soil horizon profiling in microbiological studies as opposed to the formal depth-dependent separation of the soil layers. The results allowed us to trace the relationship between the structure of the soil prokaryotic community and the peculiarities of the evolution of the podzolic soil profile as well as to identify the microbial indicators and drivers of primary pedogenesis. Full article

At present, bridge crane accidents occur frequently, resulting in significant losses and casualties; to ensure the safe use of in-service bridge cranes, it is necessary to predict the residual fatigue life of in-service bridge cranes. Firstly, a static analysis of the most dangerous working conditions of in-service bridge cranes is carried out to find the fatigue failure point. Subsequently, a three-parameter Weibull distribution model is established for the characteristic parameters affecting the acquisition of the stress spectrum. Latin hypercubic sampling is applied to randomly sample the characteristic parameters to produce a random sample set of characteristic parameters for use in obtaining the stress–time history. The amplitude and mean values of the stress spectra are obtained by cycle counting using the rainflow counting method. Finally, Forman’s formula and Miner’s continuous damage accumulation theory were used to derive the remaining life prediction equations for constant and variable amplitude loads. Comparing the remaining life obtained from the simulation and test, the error is about 9.145%, which proves that the remaining life obtained from the simulation is more accurate. The results show that the combined method of simulation and testing is feasible and can predict the remaining life more accurately. In the past, the prediction of residual life was performed with either testing or simulation, which is long and costly. Simulation is low-cost and takes a short time, but the accuracy is not high. In this paper, the combination method of testing and simulation improves the efficiency of production and reduces the cost of use. Full article

A special part of archaeology, so-called archaeozoopathology or veterinary paleopathology is dedicated to studies of paleopathological changes in animal remains and contributes to the knowledge of ancient veterinary medicine and the history of diseases. In our study, we analyze paleopathological changes determined by gross observation and diagnostic imaging in the animal material originating from eight archaeological sites in Croatia. A standard archaeozoological analysis was carried out and specimens with visually detected macrostructural changes were radiographed. In total, 50 animal remains with altered macrostructure were identified in the archaeozoological material excavated from 2010 to 2022 at eight archaeological sites in Croatia. According to the taxonomic analysis, most of the bones with macrostructural changes originated from cattle (N = 27, 54% of the total number of bones with macrostructural changes), followed by the bones of small ruminants (N = 12, 24%) and pigs (N = 8, 16%). The horse, carnivore and chicken were represented with one bone each (2%). Radiological examination showed that three samples (6%) had a regular bone macrostructure, i.e., no pathological changes were visible upon radiological examination. The majority (64%) of pathologically altered bones are a consequence of keeping/working, followed by traumatic causes (20%). Changes in the oral cavity were found in 10% of specimens. Our study showed that gross examination will continue to be the primary method for the identification of pathologically altered remains in archaeozoological material. However, diagnostic imaging techniques such as radiography should be implemented to confirm or exclude suspected alterations and to help the classification of the specimen by etiology. Full article

Homo-polymers of reasonable molecular weight relax very fast in the molten state. Starting from a semi-crystalline structure, when the homo-polymer is heated up to a temperature higher than its nominal melting temperature, it relaxes quickly into a homogenous molten state. The following crystallization temperature during cooling remains constant irrespective of the melt temperature. However, the situation is evidently different in copolymers. A phenomenon named the crystallization melt memory effect denotes an increased crystallization rate during cooling after a polymer was melted at different temperatures, which is often observed. The melt temperature can be even higher than the equilibrium melting temperature of the corresponding polymer crystals. In this work, we investigated such memory effect in a polyethylene random terpolymer with a small fraction of 1-octene and 1-hexene co-units using differential scanning calorimetry techniques. Both non-isothermal and isothermal protocols were employed. In non-isothermal tests, a purposely prepared sample with well defined thermal history (the sample has been first conditioned at 200 °C for 5 min to eliminate the thermal history and then cooled down to −50 °C) was melted at different temperatures, followed by a continuous cooling at a constant rate of 20 °C/min. Peak crystallization temperature during cooling was taken to represent the crystallization rate. Whereas, in isothermal tests, the same prepared sample with well defined thermal history was cooled to a certain crystallization temperature after being melted at different temperatures. Here, time to complete the isothermal crystallization was recorded. It was found that the results of isothermal tests allowed us to divide the melt temperature into four zones where the features of the crystallization half time change. Full article

The rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are higher among individuals experiencing homelessness compared with the general population. Individuals experiencing homelessness and a TBI may experience barriers to care. COVID-19 may have further impacted access to basic resources, such as food, shelter, and transportation for individuals experiencing homelessness. This study aimed to answer the following research question: What is the impact of COVID-19 on access to resources among individuals experiencing homelessness and TBI? A cross-sectional study design and purposive sampling were utilized to interview 38 English-speaking adults experiencing homelessness and who had sustained a TBI (ages 21–73) in one Colorado city. Qualitative questions related to the impact of COVID-19 were asked and qualitative analysis was used to analyze the responses. Three primary themes emerged regarding the types of resources that were restricted by COVID-19: basic/biological needs, financial needs, and a lack of connection. COVID-19 has shown the social work field the need for continued innovation and better practice standards for individuals who are not housed. For those living with a reported TBI history and experiencing homelessness, COVID-19 made it difficult to access basic services for survival. Full article

The geographic position, isolation, and the long and dynamic history of colonization created a human context in Sicily that allows for a particular anthropological study; information about “migratory flow” and “population influx” could be investigated in the cranial morphology of a localized geographical region. The research goals are the identification of temporal trends in facial morphology in order to assess the adaptations and the microevolutionary trends and to verify if the cranial morphology of humans was modified by the various genetic contributions and more or less related to the intense and significant migratory flows. This work includes a diachronic morphometrics study of 3D models of 95 Sicilian skulls coming from 19 populations (from the Paleolithic to the Contemporary Age), providing an overview of human biodiversity and variability in Sicily. To achieve this, a geometric morphometrics analysis of the facial features of adult human skulls was performed. The approach used allows for the identification of the main micro-anatomical and micro-evolutionary features. Considering sample size/composition, it has been possible to discriminate between prehistorical and historical populations. The results highlight a series of morphological changes related to different migratory flows that have followed one another with different intensities and effectiveness starting from the Prehistory up to the Contemporary Age. The human peopling of Sicily is a subject of continuous debate; however, this study points to the coexistence of microevolutionary patterns and population dynamics, with the latter being one of the main causes of the morphological variations. Full article

Night work has been highlighted by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a likely carcinogenic factor for humans, associated with breast cancer and professions that require continuity of work. Knowing the impact that short and long-term night work has on the nurses’ collective seems a priority, therefore, this study aims to analyse the relationship between night work and the development of breast cancer risk factors in nurses. For this, a cross-sectional study through an online questionnaire on breast cancer risk variables and working life was designed. The study was conducted in Spain and the sample consisted of 966 nurses, of whom 502 were healthy participants and 56 were breast cancer patients. These two groups were compared in the analyses. A descriptive analysis was performed, and the relationship was tested using χ2 independence test and OR calculation. The CHAID (Chi Square Automatic Interaction Detection) data mining method allowed for the creation of a segmentation tree for the main risk variables. The most significant risk variables related to working life have been the number of years worked, nights worked throughout life, and years working more than 3 nights per month. Exceeding 16 years of work has been significant for women and men. When the time worked is less than 16 years, the number of cases increases if there is a family history of cancer and if there have been more than 500 nights of work. High-intensity night work seems more harmful at an early age. The accumulation of years and nights worked increase the risk of breast cancer when factors such as sleep disturbance, physical stress, or family responsibilities come together. Full article

This work presents new apatite fission track LA–ICP–MS (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) data from Mid–Late Paleozoic rocks, which form the substratum of the Swiss Jura mountains (the Tabular Jura and the Jura fold-and-thrust belt) and the northern margin of the Swiss Molasse Basin. Samples were collected from cores of deep boreholes drilled in North Switzerland in the 1980s, which reached the crystalline basement. Our thermochronological data show that the region experienced a multi-cycle history of heating and cooling that we ascribe to burial and exhumation, respectively. Sedimentation in the Swiss Jura Mountains occurred continuously from Early Triassic to Early Cretaceous, leading to the deposition of maximum 2 km of sediments. Subsequently, less than 1 km of Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic sediments were slowly eroded during the Late Cretaceous, plausibly as a consequence of the northward migration of the forebulge of the neo-forming North Alpine Foreland Basin. Following this event, the whole region remained relatively stable throughout the Paleogene. Our data show that the Tabular Jura region resumed exhumation at low rates in early–middle Miocene times (≈20–15 Ma), whereas exhumation in the Jura fold-and-thrust belt probably re-started later, in the late Miocene (≈10–5 Ma). Erosional exhumation likely continues to the present day. Despite sampling limitations, our thermochronological data record discrete periods of slow cooling (rates of about 1°C/My), which might preclude models of elevated cooling (due to intense erosion) in the Jura Mountains during the Miocene. The denudation (≈1 km) of the Tabular Jura region and the Jura fold-and-thrust belt (≈500 m) has provided sediments to the Swiss Molasse Basin since at least 20 Ma. The southward migration of deformation in the Jura mountains suggests that the molasse basin started to uplift and exhume only after 5 Ma, as suggested also by previous authors. The data presented here show that the deformation of the whole region is occurring in an out-of-sequence trend, which is more likely associated with the reactivation of thrust faults beneath the foreland basin. This deformation trend suggests that tectonics is the most determinant factor controlling denudation and exhumation of the region, whereas the recently proposed “climate-induced exhumation” mechanism might play a secondary role. Full article