Current National Standards Research Articles

MS O06 - HPB The ORDEAL Study: A National Survey of Surgeon Operative Preferences for Resection of Duodenal Adenocarcinoma

Abstract Background Duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) accounts for over 50% of all small bowel adenocarcinomas, however there is a paucity of data on outcomes, no UK guidelines for surgical management, and current national standards of practice are unknown. There is ongoing debate whether long-term survival, perioperative outcomes, resection margin, and lymph node yield differ between pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) and classical PD (cPD) in proximal DA (D1/D2), and between PD and limited resection (LR) in distal DA (D3/D4). The study aimed to discern current standards of practice and identify underlying reasons for operative preferences for proximal and distal DA. Method An anonymised survey was included as part of the registration form for a wider multicentre retrospective study looking at outcomes following resection for proximal and distal DA on Google Forms®. The survey was distributed via direct surgeon email correspondence, weekly newsletters and surgical society endorsement by PSGBI. Responses were collected between February-June 2024 and responses were analysed with quantitative and qualitative (inductive thematic analysis) methods. Results Responses were received from 61 surgeons across 27 centres. For proximal DA, surgeons are more likely to consider a classical Whipple’s (93.4%) compared to PPPD (29.5%). For distal DA, surgeons are equally likely to consider LR (73.8%) as PD (classical Whipple’s -37.7%, PPPD - 41%). These preferences have mostly remained consistent over time. Key themes identified from thematic analysis included oncological considerations, morbidity, surgeon preference, tumour characteristics, standards of practice, patient factors and anatomical considerations, with the former two themes being the most prominent. Conclusion For proximal DA, cPD is preferred over PPPD and for distal DA, LR and PD are equally considered, with oncological and morbidity considerations largely influencing decision making. This qualitative data will be compared to actual practice following completion of the wider ORDEAL study to identify discrepancies in practice and possible effect on patient outcomes.

Does initial use of large versus small burr size in left main stem bifurcation impact clinical and procedural outcomes?

Abstract Background Coronary calcifications, detected in up to 25% of treated coronary lesions nowadays, has a well-known association with complications during PCI, particularly for left main stem (LMS) interventions. Current guidelines recommend coronary artery bypass grafting for patients with LMS disease, particularly with high SYNTAX score ≥ 33. However, in those with increased surgical risk, PCI can be used particularly with use of rota-ablation (RA). RA is a well-established treatment for heavily calcified disease particularly in non LMS sites. However, data on the safety and efficacy of use of RA in LMS bifurcation management is limited. Current guidelines recommend using a small burr size at the start, with upsizing burrs if required. Whether upfront use of large burr size ≥ 1.75 versus smaller burr size in this context in is safe or effective is unknown. Methods This was a retrospective, single centre, study. Included patients undergoing RA to LMS bifurcation disease. Standard procedures for RA were applied to each case, following current national and international intraprocedural standards. The main study outcomes were overall mortality at 1 year, and a comparison of mortality at 1 and 4 years between groups and repeat target lesion revascularization at 4 years. Results To our knowledge, this is the largest series of LMS rota-ablation cases, with the longest available follow up. Between June 2009 and October 2021, we included 243 patients with a mean age of 74.7±9 years. Males formed 80% of the cases. 51.4% of patients were treated with a large bur size ≥ 1.75mm, with more males being treated with large burr size. Most treated lesions were true bifurcations (85.6%). Treated lesions were complex (Syntax score = 35.3 ± 10.6). Radial access was used in almost two thirds of patients, with size 7F sheath being the most used. Intravascular ultrasound was more commonly used with large burr size (p = 0.017). Upfront 2-stent techniques, predominantly culotte, was employed more often with large burr size. Provisional technique was used more often in the small burr size group. The burr size to vessel size was 0.4 in small burr group versus 0.48 in large burr size using stent size as a surrogate for vessel size. Post dilatation balloons were larger as well as stent size in the large burr group. The overall 1-year mortality for the group was 12.7% similar to international literature. Importantly, procedural complications were not different between groups, and similarly mortality at 1 and 4 years, p = 0.082 and p = 0.384 respectively. There was no difference between groups in terms of repeat vessel revascularization at 4 years p=0.487. Conclusions Upfront use of large burr size ≥ 1.75 is feasible and safe to treat LMS bifurcation disease with no increase in procedural complications or mortality and target lesion revascularization on long term follow up. It is notable that in-hospital mortality for this cohort was low at 1.6% in comparison to previous studies.1 and 4 year mortality KM curves

Experimental investigation on wind loads and wind-induced responses of large-span flexible photovoltaic support structure

Flexible photovoltaic (PV) support structure offers benefits such as low construction costs, large span length, high clearance, and high adaptability to complex terrains. However, due to the high flexibility and low damping of the cable system, wind load becomes the primary control factor for structural safety and the key consideration in the design. In this study, a 45 m span flexible PV support structure with 3 spans and 12 rows was designed. The wind loads on PV panels were obtained by wind tunnel tests on a rigid model and the wind-induced responses were investigated by wind tunnel tests on an aeroelastic model. The shielding effects and tilt angle of PV modules on the wind load and wind-induced vibration of the flexible PV support were studied. The experimental results show that in the rigid model wind tunnel test, the wind pressure on the surface of PV modules exhibits a gradient distribution along the direction of wind flow, with symmetric distribution along the mid span. With the increase in the tilt angle of the PV module, the shielding effect becomes significant and the most pronounced shielding effect on the mean wind pressure coefficient occurs in the second row of the windward zone. In aeroelastic model wind tunnel tests, the mean vertical displacement of the flexible PV support structure increases with the increase of wind speed and tilt angle of PV modules. Due to the wind-resistant anchor cables set in both the windward and leeward zones, the vibration amplitude near the edge rows is significantly smaller than that of the middle rows when the structure is subjected to wind suction. When the flexible PV support structure is subjected to wind pressure, the maximum mean vertical displacement occurs in the first rows at high wind speeds. The shielding effect has a noticeable impact on the wind-induced response of the leeward zone at α = 20° under wind pressure, resulting in the decrease of amplitude vibration by approximately 53 %. The wind vibration coefficients in different zones under the wind pressure or wind suction are mostly between 2.0 and 2.15. Compared with the experimental results, the current Chinese national standards are relatively conservative in the equivalent static wind loads of flexible PV support structure.

ОЦЕНКА СОРТООБРАЗЦОВ ЯРОВОЙ МЯГКОЙ ПШЕНИЦЫ ПО ПОКАЗАТЕЛЯМ КАЧЕСТВА ЗЕРНА В ИЗМЕНЯЮЩИХСЯ УСЛОВИЯХ СРЕДНЕВОЛЖСКОГО РЕГИОНА

The research was conducted in 2019-2021 in the forest-steppe zone of Samara region. The purpose of the research is to screen samples of the world collection of spring soft wheat according to grain quality indicators in the conditions of the Middle Volga region to identify sources valuable for breeding. The soil of the site is typical low-humus medium-sized light clay chernozem. Meteorological conditions differed by years and from the long-term norm, but were generally characterized as arid. The hydrothermal humidification coefficient was 0.48 in 2019, 0.52 in 2020, 0.39 in 2021, and 0.73 for many years. The object of research is 130 samples of different ecological and geographical origin, single repetition, standard - zoned variety Tulaykovskaya Nadezhda. Grain quality indicators were evaluated according to the methodology of the State Commission for Variety Testing and the current National standards of the Russian Federation. According to the results of the research, varieties of spring soft wheat with high values of quality indicators were identified. According to physical properties – grain nature (831...864 g/l) and vitreousness (80...89 %), the following varieties were distinguished: Kinelskaya Niva, Kinelskaya Yubileynaya, Kinelskaya 2020 (Kinel), Tulaykovskaya 116, Ekada 113 (Bezenchuk), Burlak, Ulyanovskaya 105 (Ulyanovsk), Saratovskaya 73, Saratovskaya 74, Liniya 666, Albidum 28 (Saratov), Orenburgskaya 23 (Orenburg), Stepnaya Volna (Altai region). The samples exceeded the standard by 1...34 g/l and 1...10%, respectively. According to technological properties, high protein content (17.40...20.56%) and gluten (40.13...49.26 %) were noted varietals: Kinelskaya 59, Erythrospermum 5289 (Kinel), Sibirskiy Alyans, Stepnaya Niva (Altai region), Novosibirskaya 15, Novosibirskaya 31, Novosibirskaya 41, Polyushko (Novosibirsk), Omskaya 37, Omskaya 38, OmGAU 100, Sigma (Omsk), Balkysh (Tatarstan), Nikon (Ulyanovsk), Gunner (Canada), Long Fu 13 (China), Digana (Switzerland). The excess over the standard was 1.88...5.04% and 4.13...13.26%, respectively. The selected cultivars are recommended to be used in the breeding process as parent forms to create varieties with high grain quality indicators.

Quality assessment standards and production technology of artificial sand based on hydraulic concrete construction specifications

Natural sand and gravel resources are a local resource. Natural sand and gravel are non-renewable in a short time and are not suitable for long-distance transportation. After decades of mining, sand and gravel resources in some areas have been exhausted. The transportation distance of natural sand and gravel is getting farther and farther, and accordingly, the price of natural sand and gravel continues to rise. At the same time, continuous and disorderly mining has caused serious damage to the environment and resources. During the construction of large and medium-sized water conservancy and hydropower projects in China, due to the lack of surrounding natural aggregates, most projects use artificial aggregates. In the current national standards for water conservancy projects, the content of artificial sand and gravel powder is clearly defined. Based on the “Hydraulic Concrete Construction Specifications” (SL677-2014), this article summarizes the particle shape, gradation and surface structure of artificial sand, and also calculates the theoretical gradation of artificial sand. To find out the impact of stone powder content on the performance of artificial sand, different levels of stone powder content need to be selected for research and analysis to clarify the impact of artificial sand powder content on concrete properties. Research shows that for concrete made from artificial sand, increasing the aggregate content with a particle size less than 0.075 mm can significantly increase the compressive strength of the concrete. In artificial sand, the content of stone powder will affect the workability, polishability, durability, permeability and water release of concrete. In the artificial sand and gravel production process system, crushing and sand making equipment are the most important sand and gravel production equipment. The research results provide theoretical reference for the application of artificial sand in concrete and the update of artificial sand production technology and equipment.

Analysis and Zonation of Freeze–Thaw Action in the Chinese Plateau Region Considering Spatiotemporal Climate Characteristics

Concerns about the durability of transportation infrastructure due to freeze–thaw (F–T) cycles are particularly significant in the Chinese plateau region, where concrete aging and performance deterioration pose substantial challenges. The current national standards for the frost resistance design of concrete structures are based predominantly on the coldest monthly average temperature and do not adequately address the comprehensive effects of the spatiotemporal variance, amplitude, and frequency of F–T cycles. To address this issue, this study introduced a spatiotemporal distribution model to analyze the long-term impact of F–T action on concrete structures by employing statistical analysis and spatial interpolation techniques. Cluster analysis was applied to create a nationwide zonation of F–T action level from data on the freezing temperature, temperature difference, and the number of F–T cycles. Furthermore, this study explored the similarity between natural environmental conditions and laboratory-accelerated tests using hydraulic pressure and cumulative damage theories. A visualization platform that incorporates tools for meteorological data queries, environmental characteristic analyses, and F–T action similarity calculations was designed. This research lays theoretical groundwork and provides technical guidance for assessing service life and enhancing the quantitative durability design of concrete structures in the Chinese plateau region.

Effect of storage temperature on the change of microbiological indicators of fresh soft cheese

In Ukraine, there is a tendency to increase the production of soft, fresh cheeses due to their technological features. The advantages of producing this product include efficient use of raw materials; the ability to sell the product without ripening or with a short ripening period (no more than 14 days); and high quality indicators. In general, cheese is considered a complete food product that covers part of a person's daily needs for nutrients and biologically active substances. Due to martial law in the country, loyalty in the sale of products plays a unique role, but the temperature regime of storage affects the safety of cheese. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the sanitary quality of soft, fresh cheese and to justify the parameters of product storage at a temperature of 6 °C. The research was conducted at the Regional State Laboratory of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection in Poltava Oblast and at the Department of Livestock Products Processing Technology laboratory of Poltava State Agrarian University. The research objects were samples of soft, fresh cheese without fillers produced at the Milk Local Product Expert Center of the Faculty of Animal Production and Food Technology. The indicators stipulated by the regulatory document for soft cheeses 4395:2005 “Soft cheeses. General technical conditions”. It was established that the investigated cheese (sample No. 6) met the requirements of the current standard in terms of organoleptic (appearance, taste and smell, consistency, dough color, pattern, shape), physicochemical (mass fraction of fat, table salt, water) and physicochemical parameters. Specific physicochemical characteristics (mass fraction of moisture, table salt, and fat in dry matter) of the cheese, according to the tests, were within the limits specified by SSTC. The studied samples of fresh soft cheese regarding microbiological parameters (pathogenic microorganisms, particularly Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus) complied with regulatory documents when they were stored at +6 °C for two days. At the same time, it has been proven that storage of fresh soft cheese without fillers at a temperature of +20 ± 0.5 °C leads to the growth and presence of coliform bacteria in the E. coli group. As early as 48 hours later, the products did not meet the regulated norms of the current national standards.

Limits of the Evidence Initiative of the Court of First Instance and the Reliable Evidence Procedure

Abstract This article aims to delineate the boundaries of the evidence initiative of the Court of the First Instance, which bears the responsibility to fulfil the goals of criminal proceedings, as outlined in Article 2 § 1 item 1 and § 2 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, from the perspective of evidence reliability, an essential component of the fair criminal trial concept. The court’s evidentiary actions were thus examined through the lens of requirements stemming from Article 6(1) and (3) of the ECHR, especially the principles of independence, impartiality, adversarial process, immediacy, and access to criminal proceeding materials. The article adopts a dogmatic approach, building on an analysis of current national legal standards and the Rome Convention’s provisions, viewed through doctrine and jurisprudence of national courts and the Court in Strasbourg. This makes the publication relevant for both legal scholars and practitioners involved in criminal proceedings. The analysis suggests that the court’s initiative to introduce evidence, its methods of evidence gathering, and access to collected materials during proceedings must not curtail the rights of the parties, especially the accused, to conduct their evidentiary activities. Depriving the court of the primacy of independence and impartiality, restricting the parties’ capacity to engage in dispute in favour of an inquisitorial jurisdictional body violates the right to fair evidentiary proceedings. The court, in safeguarding the principle of material truth, must remember its role as a justice administrator and balance all arguments accordingly. Seeking evidence solely to establish the accused’s guilt contradicts the procedural function of adjudication and compromises the court’s neutrality, making it an extension of the prosecution. Hence, a thorough elucidation of case circumstances by the court should not disempower the parties, particularly regarding their initiative to present evidence.

Effects of pesticide treatment against nematode disease on soil bacterial community structure and sweet potato yield and quality

AbstractSweet potato stem nematode disease is a devastating disease, which seriously affects the yield and quality of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.). At present, soil treatment with pesticides is mainly used to prevent sweet potato stem nematode disease. In this study, Illumina MiSeq high‐throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze the diversity of soil bacterial and fungal communities treated with different pesticides. At the same time, high performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the pesticide residues in soil and sweet potato, and the impact on sweet potato yield was investigated. Kruskal–Wallis test was used to analyze the four α‐diversity indexes of soil under different pesticide treatments, and the differences were not significant (p > 0.05), indicating that there was no significant difference in the diversity and abundance of bacterial and fungal communities in soil under different pesticide treatments. The results of principal coordinate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in bacterial and fungal community structure among different pesticide treatments (p > 0.05). Pesticide residue analysis and yield statistics of sweet potato showed that the residual amount of three kinds of pesticides in sweet potato did not exceed the maximum limit stipulated by the current National Standards for Food safety (GB2763‐2021). When 5% chlorpyrifos phoxim particles were applied at 15.18 kg/acre, sweet potato was unaffected by pests and diseases basically, and the yield was the highest.

Long-term association of air pollution and incidence of lung cancer among older Americans: A national study in the Medicare cohort

BackgroundDespite strong evidence of the association of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure with an increased risk of lung cancer mortality, few studies had investigated associations of multiple pollutants simultaneously, or with incidence, or using causal methods. Disparities were also understudied. ObjectivesWe investigated long-term effects of PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), warm-season ozone, and particle radioactivity (PR) exposures on lung cancer incidence in a nationwide cohort. MethodsWe conducted a cohort study with Medicare beneficiaries (aged ≥ 65 years) continuously enrolled in the fee-for-service program in the contiguous US from 2001 to 2016. Air pollution exposure was averaged across three years and assigned based on ZIP code of residence. We fitted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) for lung cancer incidence, adjusted for individual- and neighborhood-level confounders. As a sensitivity analysis, we evaluated the causal relationships using inverse probability weights. We further assessed effect modifications by individual- and neighborhood-level covariates. ResultsWe identified 166,860 lung cancer cases of 12,429,951 studied beneficiaries. In the multi-pollutant model, PM2.5 and NO2 exposures were statistically significantly associated with increased lung cancer incidence, while PR was marginally significantly associated. Specifically, the HR was 1.008 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.005, 1.011) per 1-μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, 1.013 (95% CI: 1.012, 1.013) per 1-ppb increase in NO2, and 1.005 (0.999, 1.012) per 1-mBq/m3 increase in PR. At low exposure levels, all pollutants were associated with increased lung cancer incidence. Men, older individuals, Blacks, and residents of low-income neighborhoods experienced larger effects of PM2.5 and PR. DiscussionLong-term PM2.5, NO2, and PR exposures were independently associated with increased lung cancer incidence among the national elderly population. Low-exposure analysis indicated that current national standards for PM2.5 and NO2 were not restrictive enough to protect public health, underscoring the need for more stringent air quality regulations.

Spray-applied waterproofing membranes in tunnelling: A construction perspective

Spray-applied waterproofing membranes have received a lot of press and attention in recent years, but the coverage has in large either been design focussed or driven by the material suppliers of such membranes or opponents of the approach. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the limitations and advantages of spray-applied waterproofing membranes from a practical construction perspective. It discusses the logistic benefits compared to traditional sheet membranes, but also highlights the hidden complexities and impacting factors that are often not fully transparent. The paper covers activities that need to be considered when scheduling or costing such works and provides a general basis for the preparation of Work Method Statements. It also covers contractual constraints, requirements under current international and national standards and regulations, pre-production trials, and quality testing requirements. OH&M considerations are also addressed. Additionally, the paper identifies complementary tasks that are often overlooked but are necessary for a successful membrane installation. These tasks include pre-production trials and quality testing requirements, as well as other activities that need to be considered when choosing a sprayed waterproofing solution. The paper concludes by summarizing the requirements stated by different material manufacturers. All of this is complemented by the authors own experience and observations, and a summary of the consequences drawn from the reviewed data. Consequently, an overview on the aspects of usage of a sprayed-applied membrane material is presented, which the author hopes will provide some practical guidance for the evaluation of the suitability and application of such a product.

Determination of 10 carbamate pesticide residues in liquid milk by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with pass-through solid-phase extraction purification

Carbamates are used in broad-spectrum insecticides and herbicides, and have highly efficient, low-residue, and long-lasting characteristics. However, this type of pesticide exerts mutagenic, teratogenic, carcinogenic, and other adverse effects, and its frequent use can exceed the recommended scope and limits. Research on the determination of carbamate pesticides mainly focuses on foods of plant origin and pays less attention to foods of animal origin. The methods for carbamate determination described in the current national standards have complicated operating procedures and low efficiency. Therefore, highly efficient and accurate methods for carbamate detection in milk must be established. In this work, a rapid method based on pass-through solid-phase extraction (SPE) purification coupled with ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was developed for the simultaneous determination of 10 carbamate pesticides in liquid milk. The pretreatment and instrument methods were systematically optimized. The milk sample was extracted with acetonitrile, and then purified using a Captiva EMR-Lipid filtration kit. The purified extract was separated on an ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column with mobile phase of methanol and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution in gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min. Column temperature was 35 ℃. Quantitative analysis was performed using the external standard method with matrix matching curves. The 10 carbamate pesticides showed good linear relationships in the mass concentration range of 2-200 μg/L, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) for the 10 carbamate pesticides were 0.045-0.23 and 0.15-0.77 μg/kg, respectively. Recovery tests were conducted using the blank-matrix method at three spiked levels of 15, 50, and 100 μg/kg, and good recoveries for the 10 carbamate pesticides were obtained. In particular, the recoveries for the three spiked levels of 15, 50, and 100 μg/kg were 68.7%-93.3% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.8%-8.0%. The proposed method is efficient, convenient, accurate, and suitable for the rapid detection of the 10 carbamate pesticides in liquid milk. Compared with the conventional NH2 and ENVITM-18 SPE columns used in the national standard determination method, the proposed method demonstrated better purification effects. The recoveries for aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone, methomyl, and carbaryl after purification using the Captiva EMR-Lipid kit increased from 60% to 80%. Thus, the proposed method is suitable for targets with strong polarity and gives measurement results with good repeatability and accuracy.

Clinical Exercise Physiology Accreditation: An Audit of Existing Standards

Abstract Background Health professions such as clinical exercise physiology are founded on a set of standards that outline base level knowledge, skills, and competencies to define the roles and scope of practice of the profession. Despite the practice of clinical exercise physiology having many common features regardless of the country in which it is conveyed, a harmonized set of international standards does not exist. The aim of this study was to systematically audit the professional standards for the 5 countries recognized as having existing national certification systems for clinical exercise physiology. Method: The audit process was conducted using a modified scoping review protocol based on the documentation provided by the American College of Sports Medicine, Exercise and Sports Science Australia, British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, and Sport and Exercise Science New Zealand. Two reviewers independently extracted data from the standards documents, and results were cross-checked by relevant experts from each jurisdiction. Results: Commonality of themes was found for 60% of all content extracted. The overall coverage of themes was 60%, 67%, 76%, 88%, and 98% from New Zealand, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, respectively. Conclusion: A common core of themes is covered by all current national standards for clinical exercise physiology across the 5 nations audited but only variable coverage in the remaining 40%. These findings are important for understanding the differences in current training and certification of clinical exercise physiology professionals and how this might influence the internationalization of the profession.

Health risk assessment of heavy metals and disinfection by-products in drinking water in megacities in China: A study based on age groups and Monte Carlo simulations

Heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) and disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water pose risks to human health and jeopardize drinking water. Water-related behaviors vary significantly among different age groups and regions. In this study, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of HMs (As, Cd, Cr6+, Cu, Pb, and Zn) and DBPs (bromodichloromethane (BDCM), bromoform, chloroform, dibromochloromethane (DBCM), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA), and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA)) in drinking water in two Chinese megacities (Beijing in North China and Guangzhou in South China) via multiple exposure pathways were assessed. The results showed that children aged 9 months to 2 years had a total carcinogenic risk (TCR) and hazard index (HI) above acceptable levels, indicating that despite the drinking water quality in the selected megacities meeting the current Chinese national standards (GB 5749–2022), the health risks of exposure to HMs and DBPs in drinking water for local young children should not be neglected. Specifically, the carcinogenic risk (CR) of exposure to As in drinking water for children < 18-years-old, who were divided into different age groups, was 1.5–2.0- and 4.5–5.9-times higher than the TCR of exposure to DBPs in Beijing and Guangzhou, respectively. Regarding children aged 9 months to 2 years, the exposure to TCAA accounted for the largest proportion (35.6 %) of the TCR of exposure to DBPs in Beijing drinking water, 5.4-times higher than that in Guangzhou; whereas, the TCR of exposure to DBPs in Guangzhou drinking water was predominantly caused by exposure to chloroform, accounting for 40.6 % of the TCR and 1.5-times higher than that in Beijing. In addition, the CR of exposure to DCAA in drinking water in both megacities accounted for a large proportion of the TCR for children aged 9 months to 2 years. Monte Carlo simulations showed that 62.2 % and 42.6 % of the TCR of simultaneous exposure to As and DBPs in drinking water exceeded the acceptable level for sensitive populations, that is, children aged 1–2 years in Beijing (95th percentile = 4.2 × 10−4) and children aged 9–12 months in Guangzhou (95th percentile = 5.2 × 10−4), respectively. This elaborate health risk assessment sheds light on improving the water quality indices to guarantee drinking water safety in China.

Investigation of the water resistance of non-sintered wrap-shell lightweight aggregates with high content solid waste and its application in water permeable bricks

Non-sintered solid waste lightweight aggregates can be used as building materials. However, its active hydration performance has brought challenges to its application. In this study, non-sintered waterproof solid waste wrap-shell lightweight aggregates (W-SWSLAs) were prepared from dredged sediments, steel slag, and other solid waste materials, and activator and waterproof agent were also added. The shell phase of W-SWSLAs was treated with inorganic aluminum salt waterproof agent (IWA) and silicone waterproof agent (SWA), respectively, to investigate the effects of different kinds and dosages of waterproof agents on the properties of the bearing capacity of single grain and water resistance. The performance of W-SWSLAs was assessed from the environmental, physicochemical and mechanical perspectives, respectively. In addition, its application in water permeable bricks was also studied. The results showed that when the addition amount of SWA was 0.08%, it could reach a good balance between the water resistance and mechanical performance of W-SWSLAs. The leaching values of pollutants were well below the limit value set out in the legislation. The water absorption rate, cylinder compression strength and softening coefficient of W-SWSLAs were 8.73%, 20.35 MPa, and 0.84, respectively. The permeability coefficient of water permeable bricks prepared from W-SWSLAs (W-SWSLAPB) was 0.022 cm/s, and the strength loss rate was 10.4% after 25 freeze–thaw cycles, which all met the current Chinese National Standards. The production of W-SWSLAs, whose solid waste content is 95.17 wt%, provides an eco-friendlier approach to converting hazardous and industrial solid waste into high value-added materials.

Features of terminology and modern classifi cation of milk according to various regulatory documents and for customs purposes

The features of modern terminology and the classification of milk (including powdered milk), adopted in Russia in accordance with the current national and interstate standards, as well as problematic aspects of the classification of these products for customs purposes, are considered.

Problematic aspects of terminology and features of chocolate classification according to different regulatory documents

The features of modern terminology and classifi cation of chocolate adopted in Russia in accordance with the current national and interstate standards are considered. A comparative analysis of the terminology given in the new national standard for chocolate has been carried out. The existing problematic aspects are identified, and their solutions are proposed.

Myositis: from diagnosis to treatment

Inflammatory diseases of the skeletal muscle are important, often severe diseases with a considerable impact on the quality of life. In addition to muscle weakness there is often involvement of other organs, such as the heart, lungs and esophagus with symptoms such as dyspnea or dysphagia. A fast and effective treatment is only possible by an early and reliable diagnosis according to current national and international standards. The diagnostic repertoire includes autoantibody testing, imaging, muscle biopsy, detection of extramuscular manifestations, e.g., by high-resolution lung computed tomography (CT) and an individualized tumor search. An optimal treatment and the avoidance of irreversible damage, such as a loss of walking ability, are only possible through agood interdisciplinary cooperation including neurology or pediatrics, rheumatology, dermatology, neuropathology, pulmonology and cardiology. In addition to standard immunosuppression with glucocorticosteroids, azathioprine or methotrexate, escalation treatment with rituximab is now well established. Interdisciplinary treatment according to national and international standards, such as guidelines on myositis, should be coordinated at qualified centers of excellence. Helpful resources are the MYOSITIS NETZ ( www.myositis-netz.de ) and the International Myositis Society (iMyoS; www.imyos.org ).

Using organo–mineral complex material to prevent the migration of soil Cd and As into crops: An agricultural practice and chemical mechanism study

The migration and transformations of Cd and As in soil are different, so it is difficult to simultaneously control them. In this study, an organo–mineral complex (OMC) material was prepared using modified palygorskite and chicken manure, the Cd and As adsorption capacities and mechanism of the OMC were explored, and the response of the crop to the OMC was clarified. The results show that the maximum Cd and As adsorption capacities of the OMC under pH values of 6–8 are 12.19 mg·g−1 and 5.07 mg·g−1, respectively. In the OMC system, the modified palygorskite contributed more to the adsorption of the heavy metals than the organic matter. Cd2+ may form CdCO3 and CdFe2O4, and AsO2− may form FeAsO4, As2O3, and As2O5 on the surfaces of the modified palygorskite. Organic functional groups such as hydroxyl, imino, and benzaldehyde groups can participate in the adsorption of Cd and As. The Fe species and carbon vacancy in the OMC system promote the conversion of As3+ into As5+. A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare five commercial remediation agents with OMC. Planting Brassica campestris in the OMC remediated soil with excessive contamination increased the crop biomass and decreased the Cd and As accumulation sufficiently to meet the current national food safety standards. This study emphasizes the effectiveness of OMC in preventing the migration of Cd and As into crops while promoting crop growth, which can provide a feasible soil management strategy for CdAs co-contaminated farmland soil.

Science Around Us: Development of a Community-based Science Curriculum for Local Preschools in the Philippines

Teaching science for preschool children is essential in setting the foundation for science literacy and in kindling young children’s interest in learning science. Hence the goal for designing a culturally relevant science curriculum is a gigantic challenge to all preschool teachers. This study proposed a community-based science curriculum for local preschools in northern Philippines. It supports the idea that nature should be utilized in nurturing the interest of young children in learning science. Qualitative method was used in gathering data from parents, teachers, and community leaders. Community resources that could be utilized for learning scince were identified, the legal framework for preschool education was analyzed, and the current national curriculum standards for kindergarten was analyzed to design and develop a science-based curriculum for young children. The result, which is a proposed curriculum, integrates cultural scripts, indigenous knowledge and practices, learners’ interests and needs, and community resources in the selection of curriculum contents and learning experiences. The proposed community-based science curriculum could be a model for developing a culturally relevant and responsive education for indigenous people.