Continuous Exposure Research Articles

The Stress Response of Aphids to the Accumulation of Heavy Metals Along Vicia faba L. Under Cadmium Treatment

Due to the intensification of human activities, the ecosystems are being polluted by heavy metals. The pollution of heavy metals in agricultural systems has become a serious issue of global concern. This study detected the bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in broad beans and aphids through continuous exposure to varying concentrations of Cd pollution (0, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 mg/L) and subsequently examined its effects on aphid energy metabolism and reproductive ability. The results showed that Cd can be transmitted and accumulated between Vicia faba L. and aphids along the food chain, and the amount of accumulation was related to the Cd treatment concentration. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of trehalase (TRE) and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) in F1 were significantly upregulated, and those of vitellogenin (Vg) were varied across the five generations of aphids after Cd treatment, which were up-regulated, and others down-regulated. Compared with the control group, the glycogen content and two types of trehalase activities of the first-generation Cd-treatment aphids were decreased, while trehalose content increased; there was no significant change in the carbohydrate content and trehalase activity of the fourth and fifth generations of aphids. In addition, the reproduction of female aphids was inhibited. This research is helpful for studying the toxic effects of heavy metals on insects and the adaptation mechanisms of insects to extreme environments. It also provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the molecular mechanisms of Cd homeostasis in plants and insects under Cd stress.

Occupational anaphylaxis to food.

Increasing incidence and importance of allergies in everyday life leads to bigger impact on the professional lives of patients. Continuous exposure to various allergens may be a trigger factor of development allergic diseases, even anaphylactic shock. This paper summarizes available knowledge of occupational anaphylaxis to food. This narrative literature review was based on selected, peer‑reviewed research papers, review articles and case reports between 1997-2024. The aim of the review article was to present the growing problem of allergy patients working in the food industry and to draw attention to the danger of anaphylaxis. In addition to the most popular food allergens, such as milk protein, fish, crustaceans and eggs, authors presented less popular, but becoming more important, such as crickets. Due to the increasing popularity of alternative food sources, the significance of food allergies will become more important. It is worth mentioning that occupational anaphylaxis is not only limited to the exposure to the allergen in the workplace. It can happen outside the workplace as a result of repeated exposure, after re-exposure. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(6).

Multimodal Characterization of Cortical Neuron Response to Permanent Magnetic Field Induced Nanomagnetic Force Maps.

Nanomagnetic forces deliver precise mechanical cues to biological systems through the remote pulling of magnetic nanoparticles under a permanent magnetic field. Cortical neurons respond to nanomagnetic forces with cytosolic calcium influx and event rate shifts. However, the underlying consequences of nanomagnetic force modulation on cortical neurons remain to be elucidated. Here, we integrate electrophysiological and optical recording modalities with nanomagnetic forces to characterize the in vitro functional response to mechanical cues. Neurons exposed to chitosan functionalized magnetic nanoparticles for 24 h and then exposed to magnetic fields capable of generating forces of 2-160 pN present elevated cytosolic calcium in neurons and a time-dynamic electrophysiological spike rate and magnitude response. Extracellular recordings with microelectrode arrays revealed a 2-8 pN force-specific increase in electrophysiological spiking with a trend in reduced activity following 2 min of continuous force exposure. Nanomagnetic forces in the 16-160 pN range produced increased electrophysiological activity and remained excited for up to 4 h under continuous stimulation before silencing. Furthermore, the neuronal response to nanomagnetic forces at 16-160 pN can be electrophysiologically mediated without calcium influx by altering the magnetic nanoparticle-neuron interactions. These results demonstrate that low pN nanomagnetic forces mediate neuronal function and suggest that magnetic nanoparticle interactions and force magnitudes can be harnessed to provoke different responses in cortical neurons.

Evidence of horizontal transmission of Wolbachia wCcep in rice moths parasitized by Trichogramma chilonis and its persistence across generations

The horizontal transmission of endosymbionts between hosts and parasitoids plays a crucial role in biological control, yet its mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the dynamics of horizontal transfer of Wolbachia (wCcep) from the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica, to its parasitoid, Trichogramma chilonis. Through PCR detection and phylogenetic analysis, we demonstrated the presence of identical wCcep strains in both host and parasitoid populations, providing evidence for natural horizontal transmission. To investigate thoroughly, Wolbachia-free colonies were acquired through tetracycline treatment, and the initial density of wCcep in host eggs significantly influences transmission efficiency. High-density wCcep infections led to rapid transmission, with F1 parasitoid titers increasing by as much as 100-fold, while low-density infections exhibited more gradual increases. Additionally, without continuous exposure to infected hosts, wCcep density in T. chilonis diminished over generations. These findings enhance our understanding of Wolbachia’s transfer dynamics and have important implications for developing effective and sustainable biological control strategies using parasitoid wasps, particularly in managing Wolbachia-related pest populations in agricultural systems.

Evaluating Students’ Literacy on Safe Pesticide Use and Sustainable Resource Management: A Case Study in Alentejo, Portugal

The intensive use of pesticides contaminates soil and water, raising the risk of diseases like cancer and hormonal/neurological disorders. The continuous exposure to pesticides through water and food is concerning. Therefore, raising awareness about biological pest control is essential to reduce the harmful impact of pesticides on food and the environment. This study evaluates students’ literacy on pesticide use and its implications, focusing on three topics, pesticide use, disease prevention, and sustainability and health promotion. Thus, a questionnaire was drawn up and distributed to students of both genders, aged between 12 and 16 years old, from Alentejo (Portugal). The students were asked to indicate their agreement grade with statements related to key themes, such as pesticide use and consumer attitudes, healthy practices and disease prevention, and sustainability and health promotion. The cohort includes 1051 students, and the results suggest that environmental education and student awareness are crucial for promoting sustainable water resources and minimizing exposure to environmental and food pesticides. This study presents an Artificial Neural Network model, with its accuracy surpassing 90%, to assess students’ literacy on pesticide use and its implications. It also proposes a new approach to evaluate their potential for improvement, which is essential for developing educational strategies on health and the environmental impacts.

Radiation doses received by humans in their dwellings – A baseline report on radionuclides exposure from construction materials used in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Gamma-ray spectrometry was employed to assess the activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides (238U, 232Th, and 40K) in various construction materials, including those used for building, roofing, furnishing, flooring, and plastering. The measured activity concentrations of the radionuclides ranged as follows: 238U (25 to 477Bqkg–1), 232Th (below detection limit to 239Bqkg–1), and 40K (285 to 1915 Bq kg–1). Based on these values, the materials were categorized in descending order of radioactivity threat as: Furnishing > Roofing > Building > Flooring > Plastering. The potential radiation dose and radiological hazards to occupants from continuous exposure were estimated using risk parameters. The absorbed dose rates for flooring (217.7 nGy h–1), building (286.9 nGy h–1), furnishing (353.1 nGy h–1), roofing (322.5 nGy h–1), and plastering (176.8 nGy h–1) were all found to exceed both the world average value and the typical indoor gamma dose rate of 84 nGy h–1. This study highlights significant radiological risks to inhabitants associated with the use of certain materials in building construction. These include clay tiles for roofing, wood, specific granite varieties (reddish/brown granite), and certain types of bricks (fly ash, burnt, and AAS). Environmental ImplicationMaterials used for construction of buildings contain naturally occurring radioactive materials such as uranium, thorium, potassium and radon, which can emit radiation. The radioactivity in these materials becomes a significant concern for both health and safety as it impacts the building and its occupants. When exposed to such natural radioactivity constantly, over a period of time, the dwellers might be at significant radiological risks and by monitoring radionuclides, potential health risks can be identified early, allowing for preventive measures to be taken before significant exposure occurs. This helps protect occupants from unnecessary radiation exposure and health hazards.

Why do healthcare workers refuse tuberculosis preventive treatment (TPT)? a qualitative study from Puducherry, South India

BackgroundThe sustainable development goal (SDG) 3.3.2 prompted India to devise the National Strategic Plan 2017–2025, targeting tuberculosis (TB) eradication by 2030. The prevention pillar of this plan emphasises on Tuberculosis...

Impact of low-dose free chlorine on the conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater effluents: Identifying key environmental factors for predictive modeling.

Reclaimed water disinfection results in the coexistence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and low-dose free chlorine in receiving environments. However, the impact of low-dose free chlorine on ARGs conjugative transfer and the key factors influencing the transfer under complex environmental conditions remain unclear, hindering the establishment of an effective monitoring system for resistance pollution in reclaimed water. This study investigated ARGs conjugative transfer under the influence of free chlorine at environmentally relevant concentrations and key interactive factors using machine learning models. The results showed that low-dose free chlorine (0.05-0.3 mg/L) promoted ARGs conjugative transfer, with 0.15 mg/L having a greater promoting effect than free chlorine concentrations of 0.05 and 0.3 mg/L. Additionally, different exposure patterns of low-dose chlorine affected ARGs conjugative transfer, with intermittent exposure posing a higher risk of ARGs dissemination. SVM linear model performed best in predicting ARGs conjugative transfer (RMSE=0.012, R2=0.975), and the SHapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) method revealed that key factors such as HCO3-, SAA, NO3-, and HA had positive SHAP values, indicating a positive influence on ARGs transfer under low-dose chlorine, making them the key features for predicting the ARGs conjugative transfer under the low-dose chlorine exposure. This study also revealed potential mechanisms of ARGs transfer under continuous low-dose free chlorine exposure, including intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), enzyme activity, cell membrane permeability, and gene expression. The integration of the machine learning model and post-hoc interpretation methods clarified the key drivers of ARGs conjugative transfer in reclaimed water-replenished environments, providing new insights for the safe reuse of reclaimed water and the development of river monitoring indicators.

The combined effect of environmentally relevant doses of glyphosate and high temperature: An integrated and multibiomarker approach to delineate redox status and behavior in Danio rerio.

Glyphosate, a pesticide commonly found in aquatic ecosystems, affects this habitat and nontarget organisms such as fish. The increase in water temperature, linked to factors such as climate change, poses a considerable threat. Despite extensive ecotoxicological research, we still do not know the real individual and specific consequences of continued exposure to glyphosate and high temperatures, simulating a scenario where the aquatic environment remains contaminated and temperatures continue to rise. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of glyphosate, active ingredient glyphosate (GAI), and glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) in combination with high temperature (34 °C) in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio). The fish were acclimated to 28 or 34 °C for 96 h. The exposure to 225 and 450 μg L-1 (GBH or GAI) at 28 or 34 °C for 7 days. We analyzed behavioral endpoints (anxiety-like response, sociability, and aggressivity) and biochemical biomarkers of the brain and muscle (oxidative stress). Anxiety-like responses and decreased sociability were disrupted by the combination of glyphosate and high temperature. Furthermore, there is a decrease in Acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain, and an increase in Lipid Peroxidation, Protein Carbonylation, Acetylcholinesterase activity, and Glutathione S-Transferase activity in the muscle. These results demonstrated oxidative stress, anxiety-like behavior and decreased sociability caused by glyphosate and high temperature. We concluded that the combined effects of glyphosate and high temperature affected redox homeostasis and behavior, emphasizing that the field of glyphosate pollution should be carefully considered when evaluating the effects of climate change.

Synthesis of Kantil Tone Using The Frequency Modulation Method

Music is a creative form of expression that utilizes sound arranged in specific patterns to create artistic works that are enjoyable to the listener. However, in music, excessive or continuous exposure to loud sounds can damage the hair cells in the ear, potentially leading to hearing loss or even deafness. One challenge in musical instrument craftsmanship is the variation in sound produced by different kantil artisans. These differences in sound output lead to inconsistencies in the rhythm of the angklung gamelan in Bali. This research addresses the issue by focusing on the process of synthesizing kantil sounds to achieve a more consistent output. The research begins by inputting audio files for each sound bar in format. The recorded audio data undergoes preprocessing using the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) method, which extracts key features from the dataset, such as the fundamental frequency. Additionally, the Hilbert Transform is applied to obtain the optimal sound each blade, which will later be used in the Frequency Modulation process. Once preprocessing is completed on the dataset for each blade, the fundamental frequency and signal are acquired. To evaluate the accuracy of the synthesis, the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is calculated to compare the original signal with the synthesized signal. This step helps determine the degree of difference between the two signals. Ultimately, the result is a synthesized kantil sound that closely resembles the original, helping to standardize sound output among different craftsmen and ensuring consistency in musical performances

Oral Toxicity of Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles, MgO NPs on Liver in Male Rats

Nanotechnology is an emerging technology that has led to the nanomedicine development, which involves nanoparticles that exist in the natural world. Nanoparticle is an ultrafine unit with dimensions measured in nanometers. They are created as a result of human activities, and have recently been used in various biomedical applications, consumer products, and commercially, etc. Magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO NPs), among the known metal oxides, have attracted a vast scientific interest. Therefore, human health can be at risk of continuous exposure. However, the toxic effects of MgO NPs should be assessed with their increased applications. The present study aimed to investigate the physiological and histological, alterations induced by the MgO nanoparticles in hepatocytes of male rats through oral route with (250, and 1000) mg/kg for (14, 28, and 56) days. Fifty-four male mature rats, (2.5 - 3 months old) were divided randomly into nine groups of six rats each, gavaged with MgO NPs (which were purchased from US Research Nanomaterials, Inc). The results obtained revealed highly significant increase (p<0.01) in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin. The histopathological examinations showed sinusoidal dilatation, atrophy of hepatocytes, depletion of glycoprotein, focal area of necrosis, inflammatory cells infiltration and apoptosis. MgO NPs demonstrated potential harm to liver tissue, and human health.

Performance Evaluation Methods and Suggestions for High-Voltage Generator and Tube of DR System

In the design of DR systems, high-voltage generators and X-ray tubes are two key components whose performance directly affects the system's exposure capabilities. This article first explains why it is necessary to conduct an in-depth evaluation of the performance of these two parts during the design of DR products. Then, it provides a detailed description of the evaluation methods, including the assessment of single exposure capability and continuous exposure capability. Finally, the article offers some suggestions and measures to enhance continuous exposure capability. These methods and suggestions not only help in selecting appropriate key components but also provide an important reference for the design, integration, and testing of DR systems.

Faktor-Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Keluhan Subjektif Non Auditory Pekerja Bagian Produksi Industri

Continuous exposure to noise is one of the factors that can cause non-auditory subjective complaints in the form of communication disorders, physiological disorders and psychological disorders as well as causing hearing problems, namely deafness. If noise exposure lasts for a long period of time along with other factors it will produce discomfort for the workforce and will have a negative impact on their performance. Most of the non-auditory health impacts of noise are not realized by individuals. The use of technology-based machines is very practical but can produce side effects in the form of physical factors such as noise, vibration and radiation which have the potential to have a negative impact on work and working conditions. The aim of this research is to determine the factors related to non-auditory subjective complaints from workers in the production section of the Brumbung Perum Perhutani Semarang Wood Processing Industry in 2023. This research is Quantitative approach with Cross Sectional design. The data collection method used was through an interview process using a questionnaire. The population in this study was 63 people, and the sample was 63 people using total sampling techniques. Results Chi square test results showed a relationship between noise intensity, age, and APT compliance (Pvalue <0.05). This shows that there is a significant relationship between noise intensity (0.001), age (0.048), and APT compliance (0.007) with non-auditory subjective complaints in the Brumbung Wood Processing Industry, Semarang in 2023.

Test for comparing the associations of multiple exposures with a common outcome

IntroductionWith advancement of medicine, alternative exposures or interventions are emerging with respect to a common outcome, and there are needs to formally test the difference in the associations of multiple exposures. MethodsThe paper proposes a duplication method-based multivariate Wald test in the Cox proportional hazard regression model to test the difference in the associations of multiple exposures with a same outcome. This method applies to continuous or categorical exposures. For illustration, the method was applied to compare the associations between alignment to two different dietary patterns (Alternative Healthy Eating Index-2010 [AHEI-2010] and reversed empirical dietary inflammatory pattern [rEDIP]), either as continuous or quartile exposures, and incident chronic diseases, defined as a composite of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, in the Health Professional Follow-up Study (HPFS). Relevant sample codes in R that implement the proposed approach are provided. The present analysis was conducted in 2024. ResultsWith a median follow-up of 22 years, there were a total of 14,427 chronic disease incidences among N=43,185 men included in the HPFS analysis. The hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence interval] per increment from the 10th to the 90th percentile for incident chronic disease were 0.83 [0.79, 0.87] for AHEI-2010 and 0.76 [0.73, 0.80] for rEDIP. Although the 95% CIs were overlapped for each exposure, the proposed test was well powered to detect the difference (p=0.005). ConclusionsThe proposed duplication-method-based approach offers a flexible, formal statistical test for heterogeneity in the associations of multiple exposures with the common outcome with minimal assumptions.

Article title: Assessment of natural radioactivity (40K, 238U and 232Th) and radiological risk in building construction materials: the case of Benin hill granites

Continuous exposure to ionizing radiation can have harmful effects on human health. In this respect, a study was carried out in the Communes of Dassa-zoume and Glazoue to determine the levels of 40K, 238U and 232Th in granites and sand. The specific activities obtained made it possible to assess the possible radiological risks associated with the resident population. During sampling work in November 2022, twelve granite samples were taken from twelve quarries. In addition, a sand sample was collected in Cotonou for comparison. All samples were then sent to the INSTN-Madagascar laboratory for gamma-ray spectrometry analysis using a NaI(TI) detector. The results show that the average specific activities of 40K, 238U and 232Th in the granites are (1329 ± 128) Bq.kg-1, (44 ± 11) Bq.kg-1 and (129 ± 44) Bq.kg-1 respectively. Those in sand are (144 ± 8) Bq.kg-1, (30 ± 2) Bq.kg-1 and (56 ± 7) Bq.kg-1 respectively. The average equivalent radium activity is (330 ± 74) Bq.kg-1 versus (122 ± 10) Bq.kg-1 for sand. The mean gamma index for granite was (1.2 ± 0.3), compared with (0.43 ± 0.03) for sand. The average absorbed dose rate in air is (153.4 ± 9.4) nGy.h-1 versus (53.7 ± 5.1) nGy.h-1 for sand. For adults, for 80% building occupancy factor, the mean annual indoors and outdoors effective dose (E) inside a building are (0.75 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.19 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 versus (0.26 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.07 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand. For 60% factor, the means are (0.56 ± 0.03) mSv.y-1 and (0.38 ± 0.02) mSv.y-1 versus (0.20 ± 0.01) and (0.13 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand. For the children, for a building occupancy factor of 80%, the average E are (0.86 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.21 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 versus (0.30 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.08 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively for indoors and outdoors. For infants, the E are (1.00 ± 0.06) mSv.y-1 and (0.25 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 versus (0.35 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.09 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively for indoors and outdoors. For children, for a building occupancy factor of 60%, the average E are (0.64 ± 0.03) mSv.y-1 and (0.43 ± 0.02) mSv.y-1 versus (0.23 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.15 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively indoors and outdoors. For infants, for a building occupancy factor of 60%, the E are (0.75 ± 0.05) mSv.y-1 and (0.50 ± 0.02) mSv.y-1 versus (0.26 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 and (0.18 ± 0.01) mSv.y-1 for sand respectively indoors and outdoors. For adults, the excess lifetime cancer risk at age 66 for a total annual effective dose induced by granite is (3.1 ± 0.01).10-3 versus (1.1 ± 0.01).10-3 for sand. For the children and infants, the average ELCR is (3.5 ± 0.01)E-3 and (4.1 ± 0.01)E-3 versus (1.2 ± 0.01)E-3 and (1.4 ± 0.01)E-3 for sand respectively. Statistical analysis of the data was performed with Python 3.11 and R 4.3.2 on the Spyder and studio interface. The p-value is < 0.001 compared with the UNSCEAR reference value for absorbed dose rate in air, effective dose and excess risk, which are 84 nGy.h-1, 0.48 mSv.y-1 and 0.29.10-3. This shows that the granites in the quarries studied present a radiological risk when used as building materials and need specific radiation protection measures for his users.

Hubungan Diabetes Melitus Tipe 2 dengan Derajat Obstruksi Penyakit Paru Obstruktif Kronik (PPOK) di RS. Royal Prima Periode 2022-2023

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common comorbidities in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD itself can be a risk factor in the development of T2DM through systemic inflammatory mechanisms caused by continuous and progressive exposure to cigarette smoke over time. To investigate the relationship between diabetes mellitus and the severity of COPD obstruction based on demographic data, spirometry test results, and fasting blood glucose (FBG) test results. This study used a quantitative method with an observational descriptive design. Sampling was done using total sampling technique with a cross-sectional survey design and a retrospective approach using secondary data. Out of 31 study subjects diagnosed with COPD and T2DM, 83.9% (26 subjects) were male and 16.1% (5 subjects) were female. In terms of age distribution, the 40–59-year age group had the highest frequency, totaling 18 individuals (58.1%). In terms of occupation, self-employed individuals represented the largest group with 24 subjects (77.4%). For COPD severity, the highest frequency was found in the severe COPD category, with 15 subjects (48.4%). Based on the results of the study investigating the relationship between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the severity of COPD obstruction, a significant relationship was found between T2DM and COPD obstruction severity when analyzed by gender, age, occupation, and the results of spirometry and fasting blood glucose tests.

Divergent effects of short-term and continuous anthropogenic noise exposure on Western Bluebird parental care behavior.

Sensory environments are rapidly changing due to increased human activity in urban and non-urban areas alike. For instance, natural and anthropogenic sounds can interfere with parent-offspring communication and mask cues reflective of predation risk, resulting in elevated vigilance at the cost of provisioning. Here we present data from two separate studies involving anthropogenic noise and nestling provisioning behavior in Western Bluebirds (Sialia mexicana): one in response to short-term (1 h) experimental noise playback and a second in the context of nests located along a gradient of exposure to continuous noise. In the short-term playback experiment, nests were sequentially exposed to trials with either traffic noise or a silent audio track. The effect of the playback type interacted with the effect of the order in which trials were presented. The outcome was that provisioning rates during second trials with the silent track playback were higher than provisioning rates during noise playback on first or second trials, but not first trials with the silent track playback. Additionally, failed provisioning attempts only occurred during noise trials. In contrast, provisioning rates increased with the amplitude of noise among nests located in a gradient of continuous noise exposure. For nests along the noise gradient, the latency to resume provisioning behavior following human disturbance from approaching the nest negatively covaried with noise exposure amplitude. Specifically, birds resumed provisioning behavior more quickly with increased noise amplitude. Collectively, both studies demonstrate that noise can influence avian parental care of offspring, but the direction of the effect of noise are opposite. This difference could reflect variation in populations, noise characteristics or latent environmental contexts, or different ages of nestlings. However, it is also possible that the divergent responses reflect important differences in organismal responses to short-term versus long-term noise exposure. The possibility of mismatches in responses to short-term versus long-term noise exposure should be the focus of additional research, especially because short-term noise exposure experiments are often used to understand the consequences of noise pollution for organisms living in noisy environments.

Antidepressant exposure patterns during pregnancy and risk of adverse newborn outcomes

Studies on antidepressant use during pregnancy often rely on a simplified exposure classification. We introduce a novel data-driven method to identify complex antidepressant exposure patterns during pregnancy and estimates the risk of 24-hour hospitalization, congenital heart defects (CHD) and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).We constructed a nationwide cohort of all newborns born to women who filled at least one antidepressant prescription 24 weeks before pregnancy in Denmark during 1997–2016 using national registries. Antidepressant exposure patterns were identified by hierarchical cluster analysis based on number of antidepressants, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code and timing similarities. Risk ratios were estimated using the cumulative incidences in the inverse probability treatment weighted population.The study included 33,776 newborns. Discontinuing antidepressant use during pregnancy was associated with significant decreased risk of hospitalization compared to continued exposure to Citalopram throughout pregnancy. Moreover, discontinuing monotherapy was associated with significant decreased risk of PPHN compared to continued exposure to Citalopram. No risk ratios were statistically significant for the risk of CHD.Our study suggests a potential decreased risk of 24-hour hospitalization for any reason and PPHN if mothers discontinue antidepressant use during pregnancy as compared with continuous Citalopram use.

Hybrid 2D Phosphorene‐Black Carbon Material for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells as Counterelectrode

Since the discovery of graphene in 2004, 2D materials have been the subject of extensive research, in particular, 2D phosphorene due to its anisotropic properties. The aim of this study is, therefore, to improve the efficiency of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), considered to be the next generation of solar cells, by using 2D phosphorene material. To this end, a 2D phosphorene/black carbon hybrid material is prepared and used as a counterelectrode in DSSCs. This work also demonstrates the stability of the manufactured solar devices under different aging conditions. The results show that the device based on a 2D phosphorene/black carbon counterelectrode achieves an efficiency of 7.53%, compared with 5.68% for the pristine solar cell based on black carbon only. Interestingly, after 1200 h of continuous light exposure, the DSSC based on the hybrid 2D phosphorene/black carbon material retains 87% of its initial efficiency, while the pristine solar device maintains only 62.5% of its initial performance. This study paves the way for further research into 2D phosphorene material and its use in this promising solar technology.

Application of a Multispecies Pulse-Exposure Microalgal Bioassay to Assess Duration and Time-of-Day Influences on the Toxicity of Chemicals.

Aquatic organisms may frequently be exposed to short-term discharges of contaminants, including those from pesticide use, stormwater runoff, or industrial effluents entering waterways. Here, a new microalgal multispecies flow cytometry-based bioassay is used to assess knowledge gaps in risk assessments posed by the short-term exposure of organisms to contaminants. The toxicities of atrazine, metolachlor, and copper were assessed using four exposure scenarios, a 72 h exposure (continuous), an 18 h pulse exposure, and two 3 h pulse exposures (light and dark conditions), that assessed chronotoxicity. The influence of duration on toxicity explored the utility of two expressions of chemical-exposure dose: pulse-exposure concentration (PeC) and time-weighted average concentrations (TACs). The three coexisting microalgae (Monoraphidium arcuatum, Nannochloropsis-like sp., and Pediastrum duplex) tolerated higher concentrations for shorter 3 and 18 h pulses compared to continuous 72 h exposures. Toxicity estimates calculated on a TAC basis were effective for predicting the toxicity of the pulses of atrazine, metolachlor, and copper. Fluorescence data collected using flow cytometry were linked to physiological diel changes for each species. Chronotoxicity was observed for copper with two species. While continuous contaminant exposures provide a conservative estimate of toxicity compared to pulses, the duration and time of exposure are critical factors to consider when assessing the toxicity of contaminants to microalgae.