Low Total Mass Research Articles

Association between low total serum testosterone and body mass index in Australian survivors of testicular cancer: a retrospective analysis

BackgroundPrimary hypogonadism is a recognised complication in survivors of testicular cancer. However, secondary hypogonadism can result from other causes that suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, including obesity, high dose glucocorticoids, chronic end organ failure, and diabetes. The aim of this study was to explore low total serum testosterone in Australian survivors of testicular cancer and examine associations with body mass index, age, and prior chemotherapy use.MethodsClinical data including height, weight, diagnosis, treatment, and hormonal evaluations during follow-up were extracted from the Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate (ANZUP) Cancer Trials Group Chemocog study (2007-2012), accompanied by data from two Australian, high-volume testicular cancer centres included in the iTestis testicular cancer registry (2012-2019). Low testosterone was defined by a serum concentration of testosterone (T) < 10 nmol/L, and was classified as primary by a serum concentration of luteinising hormone (LH) > 8 IU/L, otherwise as secondary.ResultsTwo hundred eighty-five individuals with either stage 1 or advanced testicular cancer were included. Of these, 105 (37%) were treated with orchidectomy and chemotherapy. Forty-nine (17%) met criteria for low testosterone during follow-up: 21 (43%) had primary and 27 (55%) had secondary low testosterone. Survivors of testicular cancer with higher body mass index were more likely to display low testosterone, both primary (p = 0.032) and secondary (p = 0.028). Our data did not show evidence of an association between older age or chemotherapy use and low testosterone in our cohort.ConclusionsLow total serum testosterone was common in survivors of testicular cancer, and associated with a higher body mass index prior to orchidectomy, suggesting that elevated body mass index may contribute to low testosterone in this population, and that body weight, diet, and exercise should be addressed in testicular cancer follow-up.

Broadband, High-Reflectivity Dielectric Mirrors at Wafer Scale: Combining Photonic Crystal and Metasurface Architectures for Advanced Lightsails.

Highly ambitious initiatives aspire to propel a miniature spacecraft to a neighboring star within a human generation, leveraging the radiation pressure of lasers for propulsion. One major challenge for this enormous feat is to build a meter-scale, ultralow mass lightsail with broadband reflectivity. In this work, we present the design and fabrication of a lightsail composed of two distinct dielectric layers with photonic crystal/metasurface structure covering a 4" wafer. We achieved broadband reflection of >70% spanning over the full Doppler-shifted laser wavelength range during spacecraft acceleration with a low total mass in the range of a few grams when scaled up to meter size. Furthermore, we find new paths to reliably fabricate these subwavelength structures over macroscopic areas and then systematically characterize their optical performance, confirming their suitability for future lightsail applications. Our innovative device and precise nanofabrication approaches represent a significant leap toward interstellar exploration.

Improving turbine endwall overall cooling effectiveness using curtain cooling and redistributed film-hole layouts: an experimental and computational study

Abstract To enhance the cooling deficiency that occurs in a baseline endwall using axially-arranged cooling holes, this paper proposes a new locally-enhanced hole layout using curtain cooling and fan-shaped film holes being arranged on iso-Mach lines. The objective of cooling hole re-design is to minimize secondary flows and thus to provide better film coverage. In experiments, Infrared thermography techniques are applied to validate overall cooling effectiveness of the newly-designed endwall, and aero-thermal fields at the cascade exit are detected by five-hole and thermocouple probes. Additionally, computational fluid dynamic simulations are performed to provide complementary flow insights. A comparison with the baseline hole layout reveals that for a given total coolant flow rate, the newly-designed endwall significantly improves the cooling performance by up to 27% without a noticeable aerodynamic penalty, resulting in a lower and more uniform temperature field. Curtain coolant effectively suppresses the development of horseshoe vortex and provides adequate thermal protection for leading-edge junctures and pressure-side corner regions. The redistribution of fan-shaped film holes reinforces the cooling performance in the passage throat and trailing edge regions. At low and high total mass flow rates, the coolant split between various cooling sources has a substantial impact on cooling performance.

Tidal Distortions in NGC1052-DF2 and NGC1052-DF4: Independent Evidence for a Lack of Dark Matter

Two ultra-diffuse galaxies in the same group, NGC1052-DF2 and NGC1052-DF4, have been found to have little or no dark matter and to host unusually luminous globular cluster populations. Such low-mass diffuse objects in a group environment are easily disrupted and are expected to show evidence of tidal distortions. In this work, we present deep new imaging of the NGC1052 group, obtained with the Dragonfly Telephoto Array, to test this hypothesis. We find that both galaxies show strong position-angle twists and are significantly more elongated at their outskirts than in their interiors. The group’s central massive elliptical NGC1052 is the most likely source of these tidal disturbances. The observed distortions imply that the galaxies have a low total mass or are very close to NGC1052. Considering constraints on the galaxies’ relative distances, we infer that the dark matter halo masses of these galaxies cannot be much greater than their stellar masses. Calculating pericenters from the distortions, we find that the galaxies are on highly elliptical orbits, with a ratio of pericenter to present-day radius R peri/R 0 ∼ 0.1 if the galaxies are dark matter–free and R peri/R 0 ∼ 0.01 if they have a normal dark halo. Our findings provide strong evidence, independent of kinematic constraints, that both galaxies are dark matter–deficient. Furthermore, the similarity of the tidal features in NGC1052-DF2 and NGC1052-DF4 strongly suggests that they arose at comparable distances from NGC1052. In Appendix A, we describe sbcontrast, a robust method for determining the surface brightness limits of images.

Associations of muscle mass, strength, and quality with all-cause mortality in China: a population-based cohort study.

BackgroundIt remains unclear about the association of muscle mass, strength, and quality with death in the general Chinese population of diverse economical and geographical backgrounds. The present study aimed to comprehensively examine such associations across different regions in China.MethodsBased on the China Kadoorie Biobank study, the present study included 23,290 participants who were aged 38 to 88 years and had no prevalent cardiovascular diseases or cancer. Muscle mass and grip strength were measured using calibrated instruments. Arm muscle quality was defined as the ratio of grip strength to arm muscle mass. Low muscle mass, grip strength, and arm muscle quality were defined as the sex-specific lowest quintiles of muscle mass index, grip strength, and arm muscle quality, respectively. Cox proportional hazards models yielded hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risks of all-cause mortality in relation to muscle mass, strength, and quality.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 3.98 years, 739 participants died. The HR (95% CI) of all-cause mortality risk was 1.28 (1.08–1.51) for low appendicular muscle mass index, 1.38 (1.16–1.62) for low total muscle mass index, 1.68 (1.41–2.00) for low grip strength, and 1.41 (1.20–1.66) for low arm muscle quality in models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and medical histories.ConclusionLow muscle mass, grip strength, and arm muscle quality are all associated with short-term increased risks of mortality, indicating the importance of maintaining normal muscle mass, strength, and quality for general Chinese adults.

Effects of the oxygen mass fraction on the wave propagation modes in a kerosene-fueled rotating detonation combustor

In the present study, an experimental model of liquid kerosene-fueled rotating detonation combustor (RDC) was established. The propagation modes of detonation waves were investigated, and the effects of the oxygen mass fraction and the equivalence ratio were analyzed. Dynamic pressure transducers and a high-speed camera were used to capture the pressure signals and combustion field images, respectively. When the oxygen mass fraction was less than 40.5%, there was only one dominant wave frequency in the combustor. However, as the oxygen mass fraction increased to more than 43.6%, a higher dominant wave frequency was generated. To determine the wave propagation modes, high-speed photographic images were transformed and merged chronologically to visualize the trajectory of the detonation waves. Synchronous measurement of the dynamic pressures and high-speed images showed that the reaction zone is coupled to the leading wave front. The two dominant frequencies correspond to the two main modes of the detonation wave, namely the two counter-rotating wave and four counter-rotating wave modes, respectively. It appeared that the wave propagation mode transition was a common phenomenon in the present study, while the wave mode alternated between the single-wave, two counter-rotating wave, and four counter-rotating wave modes. An increase in the number of waves led to a drop in the wave peak pressure, increasing the average light radiation intensity in the combustor. As the equivalence ratio increased, the proportion of the four counter-rotating wave modes decreased. This study also reveals that under the condition of low total mass flux supply, the detonation wave is more probably to exhibit counter-rotating mode.

The correlation of sleep duration and insomnia with low muscle mass, strength and quality in Chinese adults

Objective: To explore the relationship of sleep duration and insomnia with muscle mass, strength, and quality in Chinese adults. Methods: Based on the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) in 2013-2014, logistic regression models were used to analyze the correlation of sleep duration, insomnia, and its duration with low muscle mass, handgrip strength, and muscle quality. Results: The average sleep duration of the study population was (7.4±1.5) hours. Morbidities of short sleep duration (<6 hours), long sleep duration (≥9 hours), and insomnia were 9.3%,17.4%,and 29.9%,respectively. Compared with those who slept for 7- hours, those who slept for ≥9 hours were more likely to have low muscle mass, low handgrip strength,and low arm muscle quality (AMQ), and the OR (95%CI) of low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), low total skeletal muscle mass index (TSMI), low grip strength and low AMQ were 1.32 (1.18-1.48),1.26 (1.13-1.41), 1.33 (1.18-1.49) and 1.16 (1.03-1.30), respectively. Compared with participants without insomnia, insomnia patients were more likely to have low muscle mass,and the longer the duration of insomnia,the higher the risk (P for trend <0.001). Participants who reported <6 hours sleep duration and insomnia had a higher proportion of low ASMI and low TSMI,compared with those who slept for 7- hours and without insomnia, the OR (95%CI) were 1.26 (1.08-1.47) and 1.25 (1.07-1.46), respectively. Conclusions: Participants who reported ≥9 hours sleep duration were more likely to have low muscle mass,low handgrip strength,and low AMQ. Participants with insomnia had lower muscle mass, and the longer the duration of insomnia, the higher the proportion of low ASMI and low TSMI.

The correlation of physical activity and sedentary leisure time with low muscle mass, strength, and quality in Chinese adults

Objective: To explore the relationship of physical activity and sedentary leisure time with muscle mass, strength, and quality in Chinese adults. Methods: Based on the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) in 2013-2014, logistic regression models were used to analyze the correlation of physical activity and sedentary leisure time with low muscle mass, grip strength, and muscle quality. Results: A total of 24 245 participants were included in the analysis. The average daily physical activity level was (18.3±13.8) MET-h/d, and the sedentary leisure time was (4.4±1.9) hours. We took the lowest physical activity quartile as the reference and found that the participants' physical activity was negatively correlated to low muscle mass, strength, and quality. The ORs (95%CIs) of low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), low total skeletal muscle mass index (TSMI), low grip strength and low arm muscle quality (AMQ) were 0.68 (0.60-0.77), 0.66 (0.58-0.75), 0.82 (0.72-0.94) and 0.84 (0.74-0.95), respectively. The subtypes of physical activity, including those related to work, transportation, housework, and leisure, also showed negative correlations with low muscle mass, strength, and quality to varying degrees. Compared with participants with the shortest sedentary leisure time, those who had the longest were more likely to have low TSMI (OR=1.13, 95%CI: 0.99-1.30). Conclusions: Physical activity was negatively correlated with a lower risk of low muscle mass and strength, while longer sedentary leisure time positively correlated with low muscle mass.

Correlation between chronic diseases and low muscle mass, strength and quality in adults in China

Objective: To explore the correlation between chronic diseases and muscle mass, strength and quality in adults in China. Methods: Based on the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB) in 2013-2014, logistic regression models were used to analyze the correlation of different types, number and duration of chronic diseases with low muscle mass, handgrip strength and muscle quality. Results: The prevalence rate of diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were 9.6%, 5.8%, 3.2% and 26.8%, respectively, and 38.8% of the participants had at least one disease, and they were more likely to have low handgrip strength and low arm muscle quality (AMQ), and the longer the chronic diseases duration, the higher the risk. The ORs (95%CIs) for low handgrip strength and low AMQ in patients with 1 chronic disease for more than 10 years was 1.64 (1.42-1.90) and 1.83 (1.60-2.10), respectively. The ORs (95%CIs) for low handgrip strength were 1.26 (1.17-1.37), 1.42 (1.23-1.64) and 2.27 (1.55-3.32) and the ORs (95%CIs) for low AMQ were 1.28 (1.18-1.38), 1.67 (1.46-1.92) and 2.41(1.69-3.45), respectively, in patients with 1, 2, ≥3 chronic diseases, the correlation showed a linear trend (P for trend <0.001). Diabetes, CHD and stroke were positively correlated with low handgrip strength and low AMQ. Compared with participants without COPD, COPD patients were more likely to have low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), low total skeletal muscle mass index (TSMI) and low handgrip strength, and the risk was positively correlated with disease duration. Conclusions: Patients with chronic diseases were more likely to have lower muscle strength and muscle quality, especially the patients with multi diseases and longer disease duration. The proportion of low handgrip strength and low AMQ was higher in patients who reported multi-prevalence and longer duration of chronic diseases.

Galactic seismology: the evolving ‘phase spiral’ after the Sagittarius dwarf impact

ABSTRACT In 2018, the ESA Gaia satellite discovered a remarkable spiral pattern (‘phase spiral’) in the z − Vz phase plane throughout the solar neighbourhood, where z and Vz are the displacement and velocity of a star perpendicular to the Galactic disc. In response to Binney &amp; Schönrich’s analytic model of a disc-crossing satellite to explain the Gaia data, we carry out a high-resolution, N-body simulation (N ≈ 108 particles) of an impulsive mass (2 × 1010 M⊙) that interacts with a cold stellar disc at a single transit point. The disc response is complex since the impulse triggers a superposition of two distinct bisymmetric (m = 2) modes − a density wave and a corrugated bending wave − that wrap up at different rates. Stars in the faster density wave wrap up with time T according to ϕD(R, T) = (ΩD(R) + Ωo) T, where ϕD describes the spiral pattern and ΩD = Ω(R) − κ(R)/2, where κ is the epicyclic frequency. While the pattern speed Ωo is small, it is non-zero. The slower bending wave wraps up according to ΩB ≈ ΩD/2 producing a corrugated wave. The bunching effect of the density wave triggers the phase spiral as it rolls up and down on the corrugated wave (‘roller coaster’ model). The phase spiral emerges slowly about ΔT ≈ 400 Myr after impact. It appears to be a long-lived, disc-wide phenomenon that continues to evolve over most of the 2 Gyr simulation. Thus, given Sagittarius’ (Sgr) low total mass today (Mtot ∼ 3 × 108 M⊙ within 10 kpc diameter), we believe that the phase spiral was excited by the disc-crossing dwarf some 1–2 Gyr before the recent transit. For this to be true, Sgr must be losing mass at 0.5–1 dex per orbit loop.

Low skeletal muscle mass and postoperative morbidity in surgical oncology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundSarcopenia might function as an indicator for frailty, and as such as a risk factor for the development of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to meta‐analyse the relation between preoperative sarcopenia and the development of severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing oncological surgery.MethodsPubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched from inception until May 2018. Included were studies reporting on the incidence of severe postoperative complications and radiologically determined preoperative sarcopenia. Studies reporting the skeletal muscle as a continuous variable only were excluded. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers. Random effect meta‐analyses were applied to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for severe postoperative complications, defined as Clavien‐Dindo grade ≥3, including 30‐day mortality. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I 2 testing. Analyses were performed overall and stratified by measurement method, tumour location and publication date.ResultsA total of 1924 citations were identified, and 53 studies (14 295 patients) were included in the meta‐analysis. When measuring the total skeletal muscle area, 43% of the patients were sarcopenic, versus 33% when measuring the psoas area. Severe postoperative complications were present in 20%, and 30‐day mortality was 3%. Preoperative sarcopenia was associated with an increased risk of severe postoperative complications (ORpooled: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.24–16.8, P<0.001, I 2=55%) and 30‐day mortality (ORpooled: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.46–3.17, P<0.001, I 2=14%). A low psoas mass was a stronger predictor for severe postoperative complications compared with a low total skeletal muscle mass (ORpooled: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.37–3.09, ORpooled: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.14–1.53, respectively) and 30‐day mortality [ORpooled: 6.17 (95% CI: 2.71–14.08, ORpooled: 1.80 (95% CI: 1.24–2.62), respectively]. The effect was independent of tumour location and publication date.ConclusionsThe presence of low psoas mass prior to surgery, as an indicator for sarcopenia, is a common phenomenon and is a strong predictor for the development of postoperative complications. The presence of low total skeletal muscle mass, which is even more frequent, is a less informative predictor for postoperative complications and 30‐day mortality. The low heterogeneity indicates that the finding is consistent over studies. Nevertheless, the value of sarcopenia relative to other assessments such as frailty screening is not clear. Research is needed in order to determine the place of sarcopenia in future preoperative risk stratification.

Volunteerism and Cardiovascular Health: The HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study.

The objective of this study was to examine the association between volunteerism and favorable cardiovascular health (CVH) among Hispanics/Latinos living in the US. Data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (2008-2011) Sociocultural Ancillary Study were used (N = 4,926; ages 18-74 years). Favorable CVH was defined as positive profiles of all major CVD risk factors: low total serum cholesterol, blood pressure, and body mass index; not having diabetes; and not smoking. Survey-weighted logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and psychological factors. In secondary analyses, we tested whether the volunteerism-CVH association was modified by sex, age, or years lived in the US (<10 vs. ≥10 years; a proxy acculturation measure). Prevalence of volunteerism was 14.5%. Compared to non-volunteers, volunteers had 1.67 higher odds of favorable CVH in the fully-adjusted model (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.11, 2.52). There was evidence of effect modification by acculturation; only volunteers who had lived in the US ≥10 years had 2.41 higher odds of favorable CVH (OR = 2.41, 95% CI=1.53, 3.80). There was no evidence of effect modification by sex or age. Volunteerism was associated with favorable CVH among US Hispanics/Latinos.

Cold-side temperature optimization of a recuperated closed Brayton cycle for space power generation

Regarding space exploration, an adequate design of an energy conversion system for power generation is essential and plays an important role in the mission feasibility, having low total mass and size as key features that differ space power plants from grounded power stations. The waste heat system of space power plants consists of heat pipes attached to a radiator panel and, as they are responsible for the highest size proportion of the total energy conversion system, special attention must be directed to these components during the design phase. Considering these aspects, this short communication aims the optimization of the cold-side temperature of a recuperated closed Brayton cycle for space power production. For this purpose, an endoreversible thermodynamic modeling is proposed, based on overall thermal conductances of heat exchangers and heat pipes, whereas a set of algebraic equations characterized the compressor and turbine performance. The ratio of the cycle power output per radiator area was considered as the objective function which is maximized. For a fixed heat input of 157 kW and heat source and sink temperatures of 1150 K and 200 K respectively, it was evidenced an optimum operating temperature ranging from 450 to 500 K for the cold heat pipe. Based on this range of operation, heat pipes made of titanium-water with rectangular grooves as the wick structure were chosen as reference for design modeling and assembly of the heat rejection system.

A record of the final phase of giant planet migration fossilized in the asteroid belt’s orbital structure

ABSTRACT The asteroid belt is characterized by an extreme low total mass of material on dynamically excited orbits. The Nice model explains many peculiar qualities of the Solar system, including the belt’s excited state, by invoking an orbital instability between the outer planets. However, previous studies of the Nice model’s effect on the belt’s structure struggle to reproduce the innermost asteroids’ orbital inclination distribution. Here, we show how the final phase of giant planet migration sculpts the asteroid belt, in particular its inclination distribution. As interactions with leftover planetesimals cause Saturn to move away from Jupiter, its rate of orbital precession slows as the two planets’ mutual interactions weaken. When the planets approach their modern separation, where Jupiter completes just short of five orbits for every two of Saturn’s, Jupiter’s eccentric forcing on Saturn strengthens. We use numerical simulations to show that the absence of asteroids with orbits that precess between 24 and 28 arcsec yr−1 is related to the inclination problem. As Saturn’s precession speeds back up, high-inclination asteroids are excited on to planet crossing orbits and removed from the inner main belt. Through this process, the asteroid belt’s orbital structure is reshaped, leading to markedly improved simulation outcomes.

Fast Radio Bursts from Magnetars Born in Binary Neutron Star Mergers and Accretion Induced Collapse

Abstract Recently born magnetars are promising candidates for the engines powering fast radio bursts (FRBs). The focus thus far has been placed on millisecond magnetars born in rare core-collapse explosions, motivated by the star-forming dwarf host galaxy of the repeating FRB 121102, which is remarkably similar to the hosts of superluminous supernovae and long gamma-ray bursts. However, long-lived magnetars may also be created in binary neutron star (BNS) mergers, in the small subset of cases with a sufficiently low total mass for the remnant to avoid collapse to a black hole, or in the accretion-induced collapse (AIC) of a white dwarf. A BNS or AIC FRB channel will be characterized by distinct host galaxy and spatial offset distributions which we show are consistent with the recently reported FRB 180924, localized by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder to a massive quiescent host galaxy with an offset of about 1.4 effective radii. Using models calibrated to FRB 121102, we make predictions for the dispersion measure, rotation measure, and persistent radio emission from magnetar FRB sources born in BNS mergers or AIC, and show these are consistent with upper limits from FRB 180924. Depending on the rate of AIC, and the fraction of BNS mergers leaving long-lived stable magnetars, the birth rate of repeating FRB sources associated with older stellar populations could be comparable to that of the core-collapse channel. We also discuss potential differences in the repetition properties of these channels, as a result of differences in the characteristic masses and magnetic fields of the magnetars.

Fragility fractures and bone mineral density in male patients affected by type 1 and type 2 myotonic dystrophy

Myotonic dystrophy is a multisystemic disorder affecting skeletal muscle. Male patients have an increased risk of fractures and develop a number of endocrine/metabolic impairments known to adversely affect bone health. The aim of this study was primarily to determine the occurrence of fragility fractures and the bone mineralization status (lumbar spine, hip and total body by dual X-ray absorptiometry) in 36 male patients affected with type 1 myotonic dystrophy and 13 male patients affected with type 2 myotonic dystrophy. Fragility fractures occurred in 15 type 1 and 7 type 2 myotonic dystrophy in non-classical osteoporotic sites, such as metatarses. Hip osteopenia was the most frequent finding, particularly in type 2 (n = 6) than type 1 myotonic dystrophy patients (n = 1), while osteoporosis was rare. Patients with type 1 myotonic dystrophy presented higher total body bone mass density than patients with type 2 myotonic dystrophy and healthy controls and lumbar spine was associated positively with the severity of the disease. Gonadic failure, with low testosterone and reduced INSL3 levels, visceral adiposity and insulin resistance correlated with reduced body mass index in both type 1 and type 2 myotonic dystrophic patients. The independent determinant of fragility fractures were low total body mass index, low blood testosterone and low global muscle mass.

Osteoporosis from an Endocrine Perspective: The Role of Hormonal Changes in the Elderly.

Introduction: Osteoporosis is increasingly prevalent in the elderly, with fractures mostly occurring in women and men who are older than 55 and 65 years of age, respectively. The aim of this review was to examine the evidence regarding the influence of hormones on bone metabolism, followed by clinical data of hormonal changes in the elderly, in the attempt to provide possible poorly explored diagnostic and therapeutic candidate targets for the management of primary osteoporosis in the aging population. Material and methods: An extensive Medline search using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was performed. Results: While the rise in Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels has a protective role on bone mass, the decline of estrogen, testosterone, Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and vitamin D and the rise of cortisol, parathyroid hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) favor bone loss in the elderly. Particularly, the AA rs6166 FSH receptor (FSHR) genotype, encoding for a more sensitive FSHR than that encoded by the GG one, is associated with low total body mass density (BMD), independently of circulating estrogen. A polyclonal antibody with a FSHR-binding sequence against the β-subunit of murine FSH seems to be effective in ameliorating bone loss in ovariectomized mice. Conclusions: A complete hormonal assessment should be completed for both women and men during bone loss evaluation. Novel possible diagnostic and therapeutic tools might be developed for the management of male and female osteoporosis.

Merger of Compact Stars in the Two-families Scenario

We analyse the phenomenological implications of the two-families scenario on the merger of compact stars. That scenario is based on the coexistence of both hadronic stars and strange quark stars. After discussing the classification of the possible mergers, we turn to detailed numerical simulations of the merger of two hadronic stars, i.e., "first family" stars in which delta resonances and hyperons are present, and we show results for the threshold mass of such binaries, for the mass dynamically ejected and the mass of the disk surrounding the post-merger object. We compare these results with those obtained within the one-family scenario and we conclude that relevant signatures of the two-families scenario can be suggested, in particular: the possibility of a rapid collapse to a black hole for masses even smaller than the ones associated to GW170817; during the first milliseconds, oscillations of the postmerger remnant at frequencies higher than the ones obtained in the one-family scenario; a large value of the mass dynamically ejected and a small mass of the disk, for binaries of low total mass. Finally, based on a population synthesis analysis, we present estimates of the number of mergers for: two hadronic stars; hadronic star - strange quark star; two strange quark stars. We show that for unequal mass systems and intermediate values of the total mass, the merger of a hadronic star and a strange quark star is very likely (GW170817 has a possible interpretation into this category of mergers). On the other hand, mergers of two strange quark stars are strongly suppressed.

Serum creatinine and cystatin C-based index can be a screening biomarker for sarcopenia in older population.

Considering the clinical impact of sarcopenia, it would be interesting to get a rapid and sensible screening tool. We conducted a cross-sectional study with the motive to use an index based on serum creatinine and cystatin C to screen sarcopenia in older people in outpatient settings. 100 participants above the age of 65years were recruited from the outpatient department of Geriatric medicine of a tertiary care hospital in India. Muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance were measured by DXA scan, hand-held dynamometer and 4m gait speed, respectively. Sarcopenia was identified using Asian working group of sarcopenia (AWGS) criteria. Serum creatinine and cystatin C were measured for all participants. Serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio and biochemical total body muscle mass index (TBMM) were calculated and its association was checked with sarcopenia. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 53%. Mean serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio was 74.79 ± 24.91. It was not significantly associated with sarcopenia. Mean biochemical TBMM index of participants was 36.40 ± 7.88 (males-38.77 ± 7.72, females-31.22 ± 5.13). The lower value of biochemical TBMM index was significantly associated with an increased risk of sarcopenia (p < 0.01). Cut-off value of 40.9 in males (sensitivity-79.41%; specificity-61.76%) and 32.2 in females (sensitivity-78.95%; specificity-66.67%) was proposed for identification of sarcopenia. Out of the two indices, only low biochemical total body muscle mass index is significantly associated with sarcopenia and a value of less than 40.9 in males and 32.2 in females can be used to screen sarcopenia in older people.

In-situ experimental investigation on the growth of aerosols along the absorption column in post combustion carbon capture

The amine-based post combustion carbon capture process is one of the most advanced and preferred technologies to reduce CO2 emissions from point sources like power plants. The emissions of amine from capture plants is one of the biggest challenges faced by this technology. These emissions typically occur by means of aerosol/mist formation. To develop effective countermeasures, it is crucial to understand the dynamic behavior of aerosols within the column, which is currently not well understood. This manuscript presents the results from a study aiming to understand the mechanism of aerosol growth and its behavior along the absorber column in terms of particles number concentration, particle size distribution, and amine emissions. For that, a series of experiments were performed in TNO’s bench scale CO2 capture plant using 30 wt% monoethnolamine (MEA) as solvent. For a SO3 and CO2 concentrations of 5.25 ppm and 12.5 vol.% in the flue gas, MEA emissions at the top exit of the column were recorded as 1051 mg/Nm3 (with vapour emissions of 381 mg/Nm3). In the absence of SO3 in the flue gas, inlet particle concentration was 2.71 × 107/cm3 and resulting MEA emissions reduced by 63.5%–383 mg/Nm3.From the bottom of the column until the point of maximum temperature, the MEA content in the vapour phase was consistent with the volatility of the solvent. After this point it drastically increases to 1051 mg/Nm3. Both the number of particles and the total particle mass has lowered from the bottom to the top of the column. For the benchmark test, inlet and outlet total particle concentration were found to be 6.24 × 107/cm3 and 2.3 × 107/cm3 respectively, while total particle mass is 2.22 mg/m3 at inlet and 1.32 mg/m3 at outlet. Particles with a dimeter below 0.006 μm contribute the most to total particle concentration both at the inlet (50%) and outlet (32%), while particles with diameter of 0.087 μm contributes the most to the total particle mass at inlet (47%) and outlet (55%). The measured total mass of particles was in the order of magnitude of 1 mg/m3. This is much lower than the expected aerosol mass emissions, in the order of magnitude of 1 g/Nm3 based on FTIR emissions.No particles larger than 0.147 μm were recorded, which might explain the low total mass recorded. The cause for this is still under investigation, but it suggests that the sampling procedure may induce systematic errors to the measurements. Nonetheless, the observations from this study have given further insight into the aerosol dynamics in the absorber column and corresponding emissions.