Degrees Celsius Research Articles

PROPERTIES OF MONOLITHIC CEMENT CONCRETE, HARDENING AT TEMPERATURES CLOSE TO ZERO

One of the main problems of hardening monolithic cement concrete, especially in the conditions of restoration and reconstruction of various objects, is the hardening of concrete in conditions of negative temperatures. Winter concreting technologies are divided into two main methods: the thermos method, in which the temperature of the environment in which the concrete hardens, must be above zero degrees Celsius, or the use of antifreeze additives. In the last case, it is advisable to introduce antifreeze chemical additives into the concrete composition, which lower the freezing temperature of water in concrete. However, previously conducted studies are known that show that even in the case of early freezing of concrete, its quality remains high. In this case, it is necessary that the beginning of setting of the cement paste occurs before the concrete can freeze. In addition, it has been suggested that concrete hardening at low temperatures can occur without using the thermos method. The article presents the results of the influence of hardening temperature on the setting time of cement paste. It is shown how hardening conditions affect on the strength and frost resistance of concrete.

Addressing heatwave impacts on hospital admissions in an Italian region.

This study explores the dynamic of emergency department (ED) access during heat waves. Given the importance of avoiding overcrowding and long waits in an ED, it is important to explore all the possible determinants of ED inflows. We shed some light on the impact that heat waves have on this dynamic, via a quantitative analysis of the number of ED visits in the Campania region of Italy during the summers between 2016 and 2019. Aggregating individual-level data, we examine the relationship between extreme heat events and number of ED visits, controlling for social, demographic and economic characteristics. Our findings, obtained through Random Effects Poisson and fractional probit estimations, show that heat waves above 39 perceived degrees Celsius significantly increase the number of ED visits, revealing the impact that heat waves have on ED utilization in Campania. Insights for local public health strategies and emergency preparedness initiatives are discussed.

Fluorspar to fluorochemicals upon low-temperature activation in water.

The dangerous chemical hydrogen fluoride sits at the apex of the fluorochemical industry, but the substantial hazards linked to its production under harsh conditions (above 300 degrees Celsius) and transport are typically contracted to specialists. All fluorochemicals for applications, including refrigeration, electric transportation, agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, are prepared from fluorspar (CaF2) through a procedure that generates highly dangerous hydrogen fluoride1-5. Here we report a mild method to obtain fluorochemicals directly from fluorspar, bypassing the necessity to manufacture hydrogen fluoride. Acid-grade fluorspar (more than 97 per cent CaF2) is treated with the fluorophilic Lewis acid boric acid (B(OH)3) or silicon dioxide (SiO2), in the presence of oxalic acid, a Brønsted acid that is highly effective for Ca2+ sequestration. This scalable process carried out in water at low temperature (below 50 degrees Celsius) enables access to widely used fluorochemicals, including tetrafluoroboric acid, alkali metal fluorides, tetraalkylammonium fluorides and fluoro(hetero)arenes. The replacement of oxalic acid with sulfuric acid gave comparable results for B(OH)3, but was not as effective when the fluorophilic Lewis acid was SiO2. A similar process also works with the lower-purity metspar. The production of fluorochemicals directly from fluorspar offers the possibility of decentralized manufacturing-an attractive model for the fluorochemical industry. With the renewed interest in innovative methods to synthesize oxalic acid via carbon dioxide capture and biomass6,7, and the challenges posed by our dependence on fossil fuels for sulfur and therefore sulfuric acid supply8,9, our technology may represent a departure towards a sustainable fluorochemical industry.

Uji Analisis Nikel Ore/Ni (Sampel Cek) Menggunakan Metode Press Pellet Berdasarkan Variasi Suhu Pengeringan, Waktu Pengeringan, dan Berat Sampel Timbangan Press

The purpose of the study was to determine the changes in nickel levels as a result of the analysis on the variation in temperature and drying time as well as the weight of press pellet scale samples from one of the same sample types. This research method is in the form of an experiment with a factorial research design from analysis parameters in the form of MC percentage and nickel ore content of Ni element. The results of the analysis showed that drying at 105°C and 125°C achieved a constant MC during a heating time of 5 to 6 hours. Meanwhile, at a temperature of 145-185 degrees Celsius with an interval of 2-6 hours, the MC level has experienced a constant weight of 44.44%. At the same temperature treatment, which is 105oC, different constant times are obtained. This is influenced by the difference in weight between the two samples, namely in the AP/5 and AP/6 range of 0.360 grams, while AP ORI weighs 1.8 kg. The results of the Epsilon 4 reading showed that the variation in drying temperature at 105°C to 185°C and drying time of 3-6 hours affected the nickel ore content in the range of 1.50% to 1.53%, close to the standard value of nickel 1.50%. The lower the temperature and drying time, the humidity level of the sample increases, causing the nickel ore content to decrease, while the higher the temperature and drying time increases the risk of nickel decomposition. The optimum temperature and drying time is 165°C for 2-4 hours. The press sample weight is between 8-14 grams resulting in a stable nickel content at 1.47%-1.50%, with an optimum weight of 10-14 grams for optimal sample thickness and density.

BIOM-28. WHOLE EXOME TUMOR MOLECULAR PROFILING FROM CEREBROSPINAL FLUID (CSF): PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A PILOT STUDY

Abstract BACKGROUND Tissue sampling for molecular profiling has become an integral part of the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of CNS malignancies. However, many tumors are surgically inaccessible, and even biopsy of accessible lesions conveys some risk, and the possibility of sampling error. We evaluated the accuracy and potential utility of CSF liquid biopsy for identifying mutations in patients with intracranial tumors. METHODS CSF samples were collected from ventricular reservoirs and stored at -80 degrees Celsius until analyzed. Cell-free nucleic acids were extracted, concentrated, and quantified. Samples over 110ng quantification were normalized to 110ng and input into library prep. Library prep was done using v3.5 of Caris Assure and whole exome sequencing in an S2 FC on a Novaseq 6000. Bioinformatic analysis was performed. RESULTS CSF samples were obtained from 20 patients (10 gliomas, 5 CNS lymphomas, 5 metastases), 19 of whom also had tumor specimens available. Two hundred eighty-one mutations were identified: 17 (6.6%) in tumor only, 184 (72.4%) in CSF only, and 80 (31.5%) in both. Key alterations found in CSF include: IDH, TERT, ATRX in gliomas, and MYD88, PIM1, BCL2, TERT in lymphomas. Glioma CSF with IDH1 mutations did not have PTEN mutations (with one exception, in which the CSF was collected 3 years after the tissue). Targetable mutations in metastases included PIK3CA, NF1, and BRCA. CONCLUSION These preliminary results suggest that CSF liquid biopsy may be useful for identifying mutations in primary and metastatic brain tumors. Serial sampling is feasible, and may disclose changes in diagnostic and/or driver mutations over time, with important therapeutic and diagnostic implications. Many mutations were found in CSF alone. CSF may capture the entire molecular landscape of the tumor, overcoming the sampling error inherent in tissue biopsies. Prospective studies are underway to further elucidate the clinical applications of this technique.

Advanced HPTLC Method Development for Silibinin Analysis in Nanoformulated Scaffolds: A Box-Behnken Approach.

Silibinin (silybin), a bioactive component derived from the seeds of milk thistle (Silybum marianum), is recognized for its diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects. Given its therapeutic significance, accurately quantifying silybin in various formulations is essential. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) is a powerful analytical technique frequently used for this purpose. In this study, an HPTLC method was validated according to the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines to determine the concentration of silybin. The design of experiments (DoE), specifically the Box-Behnken design, was employed to optimize and understand the influence of critical method variables. The HPTLC method validation was performed using silica gel F254 HPTLC plates. The variables investigated included the composition of the mobile phase (% v/v), saturation time (minutes), and temperature in degree Celsius (°C), with the Box-Behnken design for optimization. The mobile phase consisted of chloroform, acetone, and formic acid in a 7:2:1 (v/v) ratio. Both the formulated scaffold and standard drug were applied to the plates, which were then processed in a twin chamber. After development, the plates were scanned at 288 nm using the Camag TLC Scanner IV with Vision CATS software. The validated HPTLC method demonstrated a strong linear relationship within the silybin concentration range of 2-10 μg/mL. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for silybin were determined to be 0.469 and 1.423 μg/mL, respectively. Recovery studies indicated that the method provided accurate quantification, with recovery rates ranging from 97.53% to 99.82%. These results confirm the method's high accuracy, outstanding linearity, and reliability for the quantification of silybin in formulations. The validated HPTLC method proved to be a reliable analytical tool for the quantification of silybin in various formulations, particularly those containing polymers. The method's strong linearity, precision, and accuracy align with the ICH guidelines, making it suitable for routine analysis in quality control laboratories. The use of the Box-Behnken design for method optimization highlights the importance of systematic experimentation in achieving robust analytical outcomes.

Scott Blair Fractional-Type Viscoelastic Behavior of Clear Spruce Wood: Influence of Compression Wood on Power-Law Stiffness Parameters

In this paper, we investigate the influence of intrinsic compositional parameters on the viscoelastic compliance by employing three-point bending creep tests on clear, i.e., defect-free, spruce samples with a dimension of 15 × 15 × 280 mm3. In addition to the regular samples, a prominent wood variation was investigated: so-called compression wood, stemming from an adaptive response of the growing tree to maintain structural stability. Tests were conducted at constant ambient conditions: isothermal at 20 degrees Celsius and at a relative humidity of 65 percent. These conditions were also employed during sample conditioning, leading to an equilibrium moisture content of the specimens of approximately 12 percent. Hence, so-called basic creep properties were investigated. Furthermore, we show that the experimentally observed compliance can be exceptionally well-modeled by a Scott Blair fractional-type element, with the latter calibrated by a mere number of two independent material parameters. This allows to render rather explicit dependencies of these parameters with respect to the dry density and the volumetric content of the compression wood. There, the quasi-instantaneous stiffness of the employed Scott Blair element is an increasing function of the dry density. While this primary dependency is also observed for compression wood, the quasi-instantaneous stiffness is significantly smaller over the investigated density range.

УСЛОВИЯ ПЕРЕХОДА ОТ ДВУХСЛОЙНОЙ К ТРЕХСЛОЙНОЙ СТРАТИФИКАЦИИ ВОД В ЮГО-ЗАПАДНОЙ ЧАСТИ БАЛТИЙСКОГО МОРЯ НА ПРИМЕРЕ 2005 ГОДА

A study was conducted based on data from the MARNET automatic buoy station Arkona Becken, meteorological observations for 2005 and satellite data, with the aim of analysing the conditions of the transition from two-layer to three-layer stratification in the southwestern part of the Baltic Sea. As the southwestern part of the sea is the source region of the Cold Intermediate Layer (CIL) core waters, the thermohaline structure of the waters in this area in early spring is of particular importance for determining the properties of the CIL core waters throughout the year. The analysis of the thermohaline structure of the waters in this area in the early spring of 2005 revealed that during the period of maximum cooling of the surface waters, their characteristics exhibited a range of values for salinity (S) between 7.5 and 8.0 and for temperature (T) between 1.4 and 2.0 degrees Celsius. The transition from two-layer to three-layer water stratification lasted for 16 days (from 15 to 30 March) and was accompanied by prolonged easterly winds.

An Experimental Study on the Effect of Nano Zinc Oxide on Reflective Coatings and Building Roof Temperatures

Most roofs on Earth are made of dark materials. Dark roof surfaces can retain heat better than light ones; in Iraq, summer time temperatures on the roofs of dark buildings reached 70–80 degrees Celsius in July and August. The effects of this temperature rise are detrimental to cooling and energy consumption. To lessen heat transfer into the building, use reflective surfaces that can reflect infrared radiation waves. Cool roofs have both short-term and long-term advantages. They can reduce a building's annual air conditioning energy consumption by up to 15%, extend the life of the roof and its service life, improve the energy efficiency of roofs particularly those with inadequate insulation at the front of the roof improve thermal comfort in buildings without air conditioning, and lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Solar heat is one of the main factors affecting the durability of roofing membranes, according to research and real-world experience with the deterioration of these materials over time. High solar reflectance materials can reflect more sunlight and maintain their coolness in the sun. This study examines a low-cost composite cool coating that uses 60% calcium carbonate and demonstrates a 15°C drop in surface concrete temperature for roof buildings when compared to an uncoated surface. Additionally, compared to 30%wt CaCO3, the effect of 60%CaCO3 in composite coating reduces adhesion strength. According to the study, the weight of CaCO3 in the composite coating increases while adhesion strength, surface roughness, and particle homogeneity distribution decrease. Conversely, the maximum weight of CaCO360% weight percent exhibits good IR reflectance and less tribological properties. While preserving good infrared reflectance, adding 10% ZnO to the coating solution (60% CaCO3/PVac) improves tribological properties. The adhesion strength of the 60% calcium carbonate polymer composite paint increased from 10.9 MPa to 40.2 MPa when the nanomaterial was present, while this material maintained the superior optical qualities of infrared reflection. The coefficient of thermal expansion varies between concrete and coating solutions. For instance, the coating that has 10% weight added ZnO has a peel resistance coefficient of 8*10-6 1/K. The 60%CaCO3/10%ZnO/PVac coating effectively lowers the temperature by 15–12 °C when applied to a building roof.

Assessing the state of cognitive performance of employees and determining the range of thermal comfort of different genders in Ilam hospitals

Introduction: Thermal comfort is essential for a productive work environment and affects the well-being and performance of employees, so maintaining optimal levels of satisfaction, productivity, and efficiency, especially in indoor spaces, is essential. Therefore, the present study's aim is to evaluate the state of cognitive performance. Employees and determination of the thermal comfort range of different genders of employees in the hospitals of Ilam city were done. Methods and Materials: This research was conducted by survey and field method to identify the state of thermal comfort and cognitive performance of people in the real conditions of therapeutic spaces. For this purpose, the responses of 400 employees of five hospitals in Ilam City were recorded by simple sampling from the beginning of August to November 1402. The reliability status of the questionnaires was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha, and the thermal comfort status of the people was determined through the regression model. Linearity and correlation analysis between measured variables were analyzed through SPSS27 software. Results: The analysis of the linear regression model showed that the range of thermal comfort between men and women differs by 1.79 degrees Celsius, and this difference is a tendency for warmer temperatures in men and a tendency for colder temperatures in women, the average scores obtained at Zagros Hospital In the visual-spatial/executive component (7.00), attention (4.34), memory (3.08) has the best performance, Imam Khomeini Hospital (RA) has the best performance in the verbal component (2.95), Hazrat Qaim Hospital (A) In the abstraction component (2.02), it has the best performance and awareness of time and place in all hospitals equal to 6.00. Conclusion: The level of coverage and activity rate among women significantly affects the feeling of thermal comfort, cognitive performance, and productivity of employees at work. The results of this research show the need to revise the current standards of workplace clothing, attendance time, and employee activity rate. Moreover, changes in cognitive performance among hospital staff highlight the need to consider targeted cognitive enhancement strategies to increase staff efficiency.

DETERMINATION OF CALIBRATION MEASUREMENT UNCERTAINTY EFFECT FOR DIFFERENT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES UPON DIGITAL THERMOMETER READOUTS

Calibration of digital thermometer is usually performed in laboratory environmental conditions, mostly at 23 degree Celsius Plus Minus 3 degree Celsius. However, after calibration, there may be circumstances where the device is used at different temperatures. Generally for on-site processes, it is not much possible to provide laboratory environmental conditions. In that situation, it is necessary to determine how the device responds to different temperatures. In this study, calibration measurement uncertainty effect for different ambient temperatures upon digital thermometer readout is investigated by exposing digital thermometer readout to temperature values of 10 degree Celsius and 40 degree Celsius.

Exploring the Microbiome of Mobile Devices: Implications for Public Health and Hygiene

This study, which examined the diversity of microorganisms found on mobile phones, took a novel approach by identifying pathogenic microbes on phone users within different age groups. The study also aimed to test the effectiveness of a simple disinfection method using 70% sterile alcohol pads. Samples were collected using sterile cotton tip applicators and transport broth media before and after disinfection. The samples were cultured and incubated on Muller Hinton agar petri plates at 32 degrees Celsius for 48 hours. The isolated microbes were identified based on their morphological characteristics, gram-stain test, and biochemical analysis. The survey, conducted to determine the frequency of mobile phone usage and factors contributing to microbial contamination, revealed significant findings. Participants from two villages were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The sample size of participants was generated using a sample size calculator. Two participants from each age group per village were selected randomly for microbial sample collection from their mobile phones using R Studio software. The results showed that older adults' mobile phones were more contaminated than younger adults and adolescents, providing valuable insights. The frequency of usage and hygiene did not determine the total viable count of pathogenic microbes found, challenging existing assumptions. The study also found that disinfection using 70% sterile alcohol pads was 76% effective in reducing microbial contamination.

Antibacterial Activity Test of Ethanol Extract of Torch Ginger Flowers (Etlingera elatior) Against Streptococcus Pyogenes Bacteria Causing Pharyngitis Disease in Vitro

Background: In Indonesia, practically everyone has experienced pharyngitis, an illness with a relatively high prevalence. Coughing, sore throat, and trouble swallowing are all symptoms of pharyngitis. According to the WHO, pharyngitis can be caused by a range of species, with viral and bacterial infections being the most prevalent. The goal was to investigate the antibacterial activity of kecombrang flower extract in an ethanol solvent against microorganisms that cause pharyngitis, specifically Streptococcus pyogenes. Methodology: This study was conducted utilizing laboratory experimental procedures. Bacteria were cultivated on nutrient agar media, and 70% ethanol was used to extract kecombrang blossoms. The test was conducted out using the diffusion method, which involved soaking paper discs in a solution of kecombrang flower extract at concentrations of 20%, 40%, and 60% before placing them in NA media. As a positive control, amoxicillin was utilized. The incubation procedure took 24 hours and was carried out at 370 degrees Celsius. Three inhibitory zone measurements were performed on each extract and positive control. Results: This experiment revealed that the inhibition zone generated by kecombrang flower extract as an antibacterial was an average of 9 mm at a concentration of 20%, 11.6 mm at a concentration of 40%, 12.8 mm at a concentration of 60%, and 14.8 mm at the positive control, 100 mg amoxicillin tablets. Conclusion: The results show that kecombrang flower extract has antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium and is considered strong. The best ethanol extract of kecombrang flowers is at a concentration of 60%. Statistical analysis using One Way Annova revealed significant differences between treatments (p<0.05). To confirm, a Post Hoc Tukey (HSD) test was used.

Investigation of the Process Parameters in Rotary Friction Welded Dissimilar AA7075/AA5083 Aluminum Alloy Joints on Fatigue Initiation using FEA and ANN

The rotary friction welding (RFW) method is one of the most widespread methods in the world for producing bimetallic components that require high mechanical strength. Simulations play a vital role in improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact, aligning with the sustainability goals of modern industry. A neural network (NN)-based incremental learning system was developed to predict crack growth and fatigue for AA5083 and AA7075 aluminum alloys. The results indicate the ability of this method to accommodate the input temperatures and the S-N curve and provide reliable predictions of expected fatigue. This method can reduce labor costs and time spent on crack propagation tests, enhancing the effectiveness of production processes and reducing process costs. This work also reveals the ability of neural . It maynetworks (NN) in monotonic function extrapolation like the S-N curve, which may pave the way for a wide variety of monotonic function-predicting problems. In future studies, a neural network (NN)-based increment learning scheme could be trained with random parts of individual S–N curves and applied to predict the rest. Additionally, the verification utilizing AISI 2205 and AISI 1020 steel has observed that neural networks may obtain S-N curve values for another metal with less than an 8% error rate. Friction pressure increases temperature, deformation, and stress in welding processes. Friction pressure 17 MPa increases temperature to 355 degrees Celsius, while Friction pressure 23 MPa increases deformation to 0.020 mm. A friction pressure of 29 MPa increases equivalent stress to 110 MPa. The indication of the S-N curve shows that increasing welding pressure increases Alternating Stress. Friction pressure also increases life, with minimum life cycles reaching 171040 cycles at 17 MPa, 195560 cycles at 23 MPa, and 283690 cycles at 29 MPa. Comparing research and simulation results, convergence is less than 8%, reducing error.

Antibacterial Activity Test Of Epazote Leaf Infusion (Dysphania ambrosioides L.) Against Escherichia coli Bacteria

The most common health problem in Indonesia is bacterial infection. Dysphania ambrosioides L., also known as epazote leaves, is an herbal plant that has antimicrobial potential. This research was conducted to see at what concentration there is antibacterial activity of epazote leaf infusion Dysphania ambrosioides L. against Escherichia coli bacteria. This laboratory experimental study used a complete randomized design (RAL) research. Antibacterial activity testing of epazote leaves was carried out using the disc paper diffusion method with concentrations of 50%, 75%, and 100%. Epazote leaves are boiled in an infusion pan for 15 minutes, until the temperature reaches 90 degrees Celsius. Ampicillin positive control 10 ?g/disc. Based on the test results of secondary metabolites of positive epazote leaf infusion there are alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, and phenolics. The results of the study showed that infusion of epazote leaves inhibited Escherichia coli bacteria by diameter inhibition. Average at a concentration of 50% = 14.04 mm, 75% = 16.92 mm, 100% = 17.94 mm, which means that there is antibacterial activity of epazote leaf infusion against Escherichia coli bacteria.

The impedance drop early after energy delivery predicts steam pops during radiofrequency ablation

Abstract Background Steam pops during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can cause serious complications. However, predictive factors for steam pops remain unclear. Purpose To investigate predictors for steam pops. Methods An in vitro experiment was performed using fresh bovine left ventricular myocardium. A myocardium cut into 4-5 cm slabs was fixed at the bottom of a constant temperature bath with temperature adjusted to 36.5 degrees Celsius, and a non-pulsatile flow rate of 5 L/min was generated. Using the catheter with a laser-cut 8Fr4.0mm flexible tip, RFA was applied at 30W, 60 seconds, perpendicular catheter placement to the tissue at various contact forces (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50g). A total of 138 lesions were created by applying RFA 23 times at each setting. Lesion depth and width were measured after RFA. Results Steam pops were observed in 49 of 138 lesions (36%). The higher impedance decrease in the first 5 seconds (-21.0±11.0Ω vs. -7.6±8.5Ω, P<0.0001), the larger impedance drop from initial to minimum impedance (if steam pop occurred, minimum impedance before steam pop was applied) (-28.9±13.0Ω vs. -13.1±12.9Ω, P<0.0001), higher initial impedance (132±48Ω vs. 87±38Ω, P<0.0001), power regulation by temperature control (44.9% vs 4.5%, P<0.0001), higher contact force (31.2±14.9g vs. 22.9±15.9g, P=0.0030), larger LSI (6.8±2.1 vs. 7.5±1.8, P=0.0037) were associated with steam pops. In multivariate analysis, the high impedance drops in the first 5 seconds (OR 2.0 for each 5Ω increase, 95%CI 1.0-1.3; P=0.033) and the power regulation by temperature control (OR 7.3, 95%CI 2.2-29.9; P=0.001) were independently related. In ROC curve analysis of the impedance drops in the first 5 seconds, an optimal cut-off value of steam pops was 8.0Ω (AUC 0.85, sensitivity 88%, specificity 73%) (figure 1). Steam pops were predicted with a sensitivity of 45% and specificity of 97% using both the impedance drop ≥ 8.0Ω in the first 5 seconds and power regulation by temperature control. Lesion depth and width were associated with total impedance reduction in lesions with an impedance drop < 8.0Ω during the first 5 seconds (R²=0.14, P=0.0012 with depth, R²=0.21, P<0.0001 with width), while were not associated with in lesions with an impedance drop ≥ 8.0Ω (figure 2). Conclusion The impedance drop early after RF energy delivery may predict steam pops during RFA.

Climate change and gastroenteritis projections in Albanian children

Abstract Background Human health can be affected by climate in direct and indirect ways. Increasing temperatures may affect ecosystems, water safety, and exposure to waterborne diseases. This is the first work in Albania aiming to demonstrate the link between gastroenteritis rate and climate in the country. This research was supported by UNICEF Albania through the WASH Global Thematic Fund, but it doesn’t necessarily represent UNICEF’s position. Methods Epidemiological surveillance reports of the period 2006-2022 were used for the yearly incidence of gastroenteritis in children 0-14 years old. Years 2020 and 2021 were not included because of pandemic confounding potential. Historic data for calculating the average summer temperatures were retrieved from timeanddate.com repository. Pearson coefficient is calculated to quantify the associations and linear regression is applied to project the increased rate in the future. Results There was a statistical association between gastroenteritis rate and summer temperatures during the study period (Pearson coefficient=0.78, p = 0.001). There was a tendency that in years with hotter summers higher incidence of gastroenteritis was reported by the health system. For each degree (Celsius) increase in the average summer day temperatures, the risk of gastroenteritis in children is expected to increase by 644/100 000 (CI 95%: 317 - 972). An excess rate of 966/100 000 is expected in the case of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change medium scenario projection of 1.5o C average temperature increase. That implies more than 4830 additional new cases every year in children 0-14 years old, attributed to climate change in the future in Albania. Conclusions The analysis demonstrated excess gastroenteritis risk may be related to higher summer temperatures observed in Albania. The expected gastroenteritis risk increase in a warmer future should be addressed by improvements in sanitation, education of parents and epidemiological intelligence. Key messages • A warmer climate is expected to affect the health by increasing the risk for diarrheic diseases. • Children will be the most at-risk population category.

Factual observations of dynamic bone crushing

Dynamic bone-crushing, exemplified by the pig bone rib, is characterized thermo-mechanically in relation to the bone’s microstructural characteristics. The cortical bone’s dominant role consists of shielding the trabecular component by resisting deformation, sustaining high load levels, and ultimately cracking. Here we present a qualitative factual study to show that this behavior is the absolute opposite of its quasi-static counterpart in which the trabecular bone was found to play the dominant role. Using infrared thermography, we observed for the first time a significant localized temperature rise of up to 11 degrees Celsius in both cortical and trabecular damaging regions. Such observations call for additional clinically oriented research. Such a high contrast between static and dynamic failure mechanisms was not reported previously, and it paves the way for forensic-oriented studies in which the nature of the sustained load must be determined.

Synergistic effects of rivaroxaban and hypothermia or acidosis on coagulation initiation measured with ROTEM®: a prospective observational study

BackgroundHypothermia and acidosis individually inhibit haemostasis. We designed this study with the aim to investigate whether rivaroxaban combined with hypothermia or acidosis exhibit synergistic inhibitory effects on haemostasis using ROTEM®.MethodsPatients with a clinical indication to start rivaroxaban treatment were prospectively included. Blood samples were collected before initiation of treatment and the day after. All blood samples were in vitro modified with respect to temperature (incubated and analysed at 28, 33, 37 and 40 degrees Celsius (°C)) and pH (6.8, 7.0, 7.2 and 7.4). The temperature and acidosis effects on the ROTEM EXTEM variables clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT) and alpha-angle (AA) were measured along with the individual effect of rivaroxaban on the same variables. The additive effect was calculated. The observed (potential synergistic) effects for the temperature and pH modified rivaroxaban samples on the same ROTEM variables, were registered. Differences between the additive and observed (potential synergistic) effects were analysed using matched non-parametric hypothesis testing.ResultsIn total, 13 patients were included. Hypothermia and rivaroxaban exhibited a synergistic effect on CT at 28 °C (p = 0.0002) and at 33 °C (p = 0.0007). The same applied for acidosis at pH 6.8 (p = 0.003) and pH 7.0 (p = 0.003). There were no signs of synergistic effects of rivaroxaban and temperature or acidosis on CFT. In AA there were signs of synergism at 28 °C (p = 0,001), but not at other tested temperatures or pH levels.ConclusionsThe combination rivaroxaban together with hypothermia or acidosis demonstrated inhibitory synergistic effects on haemostasis.Trial registrationThe study was retrospectively registered 2023-03-01 at ClinTrials.gov with NCT05669313.

Spatial Analysis of the Impacts Caused by Changes in Land Use on the Estimation of Surface Temperature in the The City of Paracatu (MG)

The increase in built-up areas, coupled with the suppression of vegetation without the necessary mitigating measures to curb the effects of urbanization, causes changes in the microclimate and directly impacts the health of the local population. In this sense, the present study aims to analyze the influence of land cover type on the variation of Land Surface Temperature (LST) estimation in the city of Paracatu, Minas Gerais (MG), in the years 1990 and 2020.For this, the maps provided by the Annual Mapping of Land Cover and Land Use of Brazil (MapBiomas) and images from the LANDSAT-5 (1990) and LANDSAT-8 (2020) satellites were used. Four images, distributed across seasons, were utilized to estimate LST for these periods, aiming to obtain a representative LST estimate for that year. For the calculation of the LST with bands 6 and 10, respectively of the LANDSAT-5 and 8 satellites, the SCP plugin of the QGIS software was used, and the process of recovery of the LST in the scenes used occurred through conversion of the values of the Digital Number (DN) into radiance at the Top of the Atmosphere (ToA), conversion of radiance into brightness temperature in ToA, correction of atmospheric effects and obtaining LST in Kelvin and, subsequently, in degrees Celsius. After that, the average between them was performed by means of normalization of each of the scenes, obtaining a representative mosaic for the LST of each year,thus enabling the estimation of the spatial behavior of the minimum, mean, and maximum values.. Finally, in order to verify the influence of Changes in Use and Occupation (LULC) on the spatial variation of the LST, the classes found in Vegetation, Exposed Soil, Urban Area and Water Resources were segmented, and it was found that, while the urban area of Paracatu had its territorial extension practically doubled, the vegetation class decreased by almost 25%, a fact that implied in the average increase of the LST by more than 5º C. the minimum and maximum values of these classes varied around 4.5 and 3º C, and it is possible to conclude that, in this interval of 30 years, Paracatu had no urban growth occurring exponentially and without the proper mitigations for the transformation of the microclimate, implying the need for measures that can curb these changes in strategic points of the municipality, as in the Bom Pastor neighborhood, which had its use and occupation totally changed in this temporal hiatus. In addition, in view of the estimates of economic growth in the city, it is believed that these measures should be taken as a matter of urgency, so that the results presented here can support the decisions of the managing public agencies.