Mean Lifetime Research Articles

Effect of aging time on the physicochemical properties of lime used to preserve corn postharvest

This study investigates the effectiveness of two types of lime (Ca(OH)2) micronized and normal lime in the conservation of corn in Texcoco and Chiapas, Mexico, taking into account the influence of regional relative humidity on the carbonation of calcium hydroxide as a postharvest treatment. The analysis includes X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) over six months. After three months, samples were taken to assess complete carbonation and to determine the optimal mean lifetime of calcium hydroxide as a preservative against bacterial or pest infestation. Focusing on converting calcium hydroxide to calcium carbonate, the study maintains the relative humidity at 14–16% for Chiapas and 6–7% for Texcoco. The XRD study shows carbonation begins within 15 days and progresses to complete conversion to CaCO3 after 90 days, rendering the sample inert. Infrared spectrophotometry confirms the presence of calcium carbonates, calcium oxide, and calcium hydroxide in both regions. SEM examination confirms the conversion of Ca(OH)2 to CaCO3 within 90 days. The collective results confirm the feasibility of lime as a postharvest preservation method for corn, with a comprehensive understanding of the temporal aspects of converting calcium hydroxide to calcium carbonate under different regional moisture conditions.

Mono- and Bichromophores Formed from Perylene Monoimide Diesters: Competition between Intramolecular Charge Transfer and Intermolecular Singlet Exciton Fission.

Perylene monoimide diesters and the corresponding phenyl-linked bichromophores are strongly fluorescent in dilute solution with minimal triplet population after relaxation of the initial Franck-Condon state. The monomer forms nonemissive face-to-face dimers in solution, wherein illumination leads to formation of a spin-correlated, triplet pair with a yield of ca. 13% and with a time constant of 4 ± 1 ps. The triplet pair, which is localized on the aggregate, cannot separate and decays with a mean lifetime of 80 ± 10 ps. The relaxed S1 state of the weakly coupled, phenyl-linked bichromophores establishes an equilibrium with an intramolecular charge-transfer state over a hundred picoseconds or so, depending on the solvent and the geometry of the linkage. This equilibrium mixture, being dominated by the relaxed S1 state, decays on the nanosecond time scale in solution at room temperature without implication of a triplet state. Self-association occurs at higher concentration and, for the para-bridged bichromophore, leads to inefficient triplet formation in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature.

Effect of load-resisting force on photoisomerization mechanism of a single second generation light-driven molecular rotary motor.

A pivotal aspect of molecular motors is their capability to generate load capacity from a single entity. However, few studies have directly characterized the load-resisting force of a single light-driven molecular motor. This research provides a simulation analysis of the load-resisting force for a highly efficient, second-generation molecular motor developed by Feringa et al. We investigate the M-to-P photoinduced nonadiabatic molecular dynamics of 9-(2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-1H-benz[e]inden-1-ylidene)-9H-fluorene utilizing Tully's surface hopping method at the semi-empirical OM2/MRCI level under varying load-resisting forces. The findings indicate that the quantum yield remains relatively stable under forces up to 0.003a.u., with the photoisomerization mechanism functioning typically. Beyond this threshold, the quantum yield declines, and an alternative photoisomerization mechanism emerges, characterized by an inversion of the central double bond's twisting direction. The photoisomerization process stalls when the force attains a critical value of 0.012a.u. Moreover, the average lifetime of the excited state oscillates around that of the unperturbed system. The quantum yield and mean lifetime of the S1 excited state in the absence of external force are recorded at 0.54 and 877.9fs, respectively. In addition, we analyze a time-dependent fluorescence radiation spectrum, confirming the presence of a dark state and significant vibrations, as previously observed experimentally by Conyard et al.

Detection and characterization of colorectal cancer by autofluorescence lifetime imaging on surgical specimens.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, driving a quest for comprehensive characterization methods. We report a characterization of the ex vivo autofluorescence lifetime fingerprint of colorectal tissues obtained from 73 patients that underwent surgical resection. We specifically target the autofluorescence characteristics of collagens, reduced nicotine adenine (phosphate) dinucleotide (NAD(P)H), and flavins employing a fiber-based dual excitation (375nm and 445nm) optical imaging system. Autofluorescence-derived parameters obtained from normal tissues, adenomatous lesions, and adenocarcinomas were analyzed considering the underlying clinicopathological features. Our results indicate that differences between tissues are primarily driven by collagen and flavins autofluorescence parameters. We also report changes in the autofluorescence parameters associated with NAD(P)H that we tentatively attribute to intratumoral heterogeneity, potentially associated to the presence of distinct metabolic subpopulations. Changes in autofluorescence signatures of malignant tumors were also observed with lymphatic and venous invasion, differentiation grade, and microsatellite instability. Finally, we characterized the impact of radiative treatment in the autofluorescence fingerprints of rectal tissues and observed a generalized increase in the mean lifetime of radiated adenocarcinomas, which is suggestive of altered metabolism and structural remodeling. Overall, our preliminary findings indicate that multiparametric autofluorescence lifetime measurements have the potential to significantly enhance clinical decision-making in CRC, spanning from initial diagnosis to ongoing management. We believe that our results will provide a foundational framework for future investigations to further understand and combat CRC exploiting autofluorescence measurements.

Inferring ion cluster lifetimes from energy-resolved mass spectra of an EMI-BF4 electrospray plume

The fragmentation of ion clusters within the accelerating fields of ionic liquid ion sources (ILISs) is well documented and degrades ILIS performance and lifetime. Some of the most popular ILIS liquids, such as EMI-BF4 (1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) and EMI-Im (1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide), emit clusters with lifetimes as low as ∼1 ns. Studies of fragmentation within the accelerating field typically rely on measuring the plume energy distribution averaged over all plume species and comparing those measurements with numerical simulations to estimate ion cluster lifetimes. Here, for the first time, we estimate EMI-BF4 cluster lifetimes by analyzing the energy distributions of individual plume species. We use this novel analysis method to estimate mean lifetimes of positive EMI-BF4 ion clusters from previously published experimental data. We find that the mean lifetime ranges from τ=3.7ns to τ=124ns for [EMI+][EMI-BF4] dimers and ranges from τ=1.5ns to τ=23ns for [EMI+][EMI-BF4]2 trimers. Fitting those data to an analytical fragmentation model, we estimate the binding energy and temperature as ΔGS0=0.49eV and T=394K for dimers and ΔGS0=0.40eV and T=365K for trimers. Comparing our results with previous studies supports the conclusion that clusters are emitted with a wide distribution of internal energies, contrary to the common assumption of single internal energy for each species.

Assessing the cost-effectiveness of replacing antimetabolites with mTOR inhibitors in heart transplant immunosuppression in China: a network meta-analysis-based economic evaluation.

Although several pharmacoeconomic studies have assessed the cost-effectiveness of maintenance immunosuppressive regimens for heart transplant recipients, economic comparisons between various combination drug therapies remain sparse. This study used an economic evaluation based on network meta-analysis to assess the cost-effectiveness of four immunosuppressive regimens for adult heart transplant recipients in China. We conducted a systematic search for clinical trials in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, and VIP database. A validated Markov model was adapted to reflect the Chinese medical landscape. Four maintenance immunosuppression regimens were considered: tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil (TAC/MMF), cyclosporine/mycophenolate mofetil (CSA/MMF), everolimus/cyclosporine (EVL/CSA), and sirolimus/tacrolimus (SRL/TAC). The probabilities of health events were derived from a comprehensive literature review. Direct medical costs, adjusted for 2022 values, were from public documents and websites, while utilities for quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were taken from previous studies. Primary outcomes were mean lifetime cost, QALYs, and cost-effectiveness, with a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold set at three times China's GDP per capita in 2022. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test the robustness of the results. The base case analysis identified TAC/MMF as the most cost-effective regimen, producing a mean of 6.31 QALYs per patient at a cost of Chinese Yuan (CNY) 534,182.89. Sensitivity analyses consistently reinforced TAC/MMF as the most cost-effective and robust choice. TAC/MMF is the most cost-effective maintenance immunosuppressive regimen for heart transplant recipients within the Chinese health system. The study findings are reinforced by sensitivity analyses, affirming their robustness amid various uncertainties.

First exploratory study of gaseous pollutants (NO2, SO2, O3, VOCs and carbonyls) in the Luanda metropolitan area by passive monitoring

An air quality monitoring campaign for gaseous pollutants using passive sampling techniques was carried out, for the first time, at 25 locations in the metropolitan area of Luanda, Angola, in June 2023. Concentrations of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, trimethylbenzenes, SO2 and NO2 were generally higher in locations more impacted by traffic. Benzene, SO2 and NO2 levels did not exceed the World Health Organisation guidelines. Ozone concentrations surpassed those documented for other African regions. Higher O3 formation potential values were recorded at heavy-trafficked roads. The top 5 species with potential for ozone formation were m,p-xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, propionaldehyde and butyraldehyde. The Mulenvos landfill presented a distinctive behaviour with a very low toluene/benzene ratio (0.47), while values close to 5 were obtained at traffic sites. The maximum levels of α-pinene, D-limonene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, acrolein, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, valeraldehyde, hexaldehyde and crotonaldehyde were recorded at the landfill. The formaldehyde/acetaldehyde ratio ranged from 0.40 at the Mulenvos landfill to 3.0, averaging 1.8, which is a typical value for urban atmospheres. Acetaldehyde/propionaldehyde ratios around 0.4–0.6 were found in locations heavily impacted by traffic, whereas values between 0.7 and 1.2 were observed in green residential areas and in places with more rural characteristics. All hazard quotient (HQ) values were in the range from 1 to 10, indicating moderate risk of developing non-cancer diseases. The exception was the Mulenvos landfill for which a HQ of 11 was obtained (high risk). The cancer risks exceeded the tolerable level of 1 × 10−4, with special concern for the landfill and sites most impacted by traffic. A mean lifetime cancer risk of 9 × 10−4 was obtained. The cancer risk was mainly due to naphthalene, which accounted, on average, for 94.6% of the total.

Abstract B064: Community-informed interventions to address cervical cancer disparities among people experiencing homelessness

Abstract Background: Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are up to four-fold higher among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) compared to the housed US population. Even beyond typical social and structural barriers to healthcare, homeless women experience high rates of sexual violence and trauma, often leading to discomfort with cervical cancer screening and delays/refusals of Pap tests. Despite these issues, strategies for appropriate cervical cancer screening in homeless communities are scarce, and no frameworks exist for routine screening in shelters. Methods: Leveraging an established multisectoral community-academic partnership addressing homelessness and health disparities in Indiana, USA, ongoing community-engaged research is examining barriers to cervical cancer screening among PEH and co-designing strategies to address them. Rapid assessment surveys were conducted with PEH at two large homeless service agencies in Indianapolis and Lafayette to document cervical cancer screening coverage and characteristics of individuals who are unscreened/overdue. In-depth interviews explored knowledge of cervical cancer, key barriers and facilitators to screening, and acceptability of shelter-based HPV self-sampling delivered by trusted community health workers (CHW). Results: Of n=167 survey respondents, 48% were white, 38% Black, 7% Hispanic, 7% other. Mean age was 43.18 years, and mean lifetime years of homelessness was 3.18. Nearly half of participants (49%) were unsheltered, 44% stayed at a shelter, the remainder couch-surfed. One third (32%) were unscreened or overdue for screening, far above state and national averages (24% and 22% respectively). The majority (84%) reported wanting to be screened and believing it is important for their health. Provider mistrust and competing priorities surrounding their homelessness were main reported barriers to screening. Qualitative findings identified key benefits, concerns, and preferences for HPV self-sampling, with many participants expressing interest and willingness to adopt this screening method. Conclusion: Despite a vast majority of PEH reporting a desire and willingness to be screened for cervical cancer, key identified barriers limit access for this uniquely vulnerable population. Ongoing qualitative analysis is directly informing community context-specific CHW-delivered cervical cancer education and HPV self- sampling interventions. This work will ultimately lead to broadly implementable strategies for shelter-based routine cancer screening and preventive healthcare delivery for PEH. Citation Format: Natalia M. Rodriguez, Lara Balian, Rebecca Ziolkowski, Xue Case, Kalesia Smith, Janelle Tipton. Community-informed interventions to address cervical cancer disparities among people experiencing homelessness [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B064.

B - 101 Associations between Oxygen Saturation and Neurocognitive Performance in Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract Objective Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for neuropsychological deficits. Studies have documented that peripheral oxygen saturation is associated with neurocognitive performance, but the results are inconsistent. Our objective was to examine the associations between oxygen saturation and neurocognitive performance in SCD using several different measurement techniques. Methods A lifetime cohort study of 413 patients ranging from 8–25 years of age (Mean = 14.18, Standard Deviation = 4.81) diagnosed with SCD (60% HbSS) received a neuropsychological evaluation including measures of intelligence, processing speed, and working memory. Analyses were conducted separately based on SCD genotype (HbSS/Sβ0 vs. HbSC/SB+). Oxygen saturation values were examined as predictors of neurocognitive performance based on 1) mean lifetime value, 2) lifetime standard deviation, 3) most recent value (within 3 months from neuropsychological assessment), and 4) change over time. Measurement types were entered into separate multivariable models covarying for age, sex, socioeconomic status and hydroxyurea usage. Results Among patients diagnosed with HbSS/Sβ0genotypes, the lifetime standard deviation in oxygen saturation was associated with working memory (pFDR = 0.004) and the change over time in oxygen saturation was associated with processing speed (pFDR <0.001). There were no associations between oxygen saturation and neurocognitive performance among patients with the SC/SB+ genotypes. Conclusions Associations between oxygen saturation and neurocognitive performance in SCD differ based on when the values are collected and how they are analyzed. Our analyses suggest that the change over time and variability in oxygen saturation is most predictive of neurocognitive performance.

On Reliability of Repairable Hot Double Redundant System with Arbitrarily Distributed Life- and Repair Times of Its Elements

The article introduces the concept of Marked Markov processes, which are used to study a repairable hot double redundant system with a single repair facility. It is assumed that components’ life- and repair times follow arbitrary distributions. The proposed approach allows for calculating the system’s reliability function, and its mean lifetime, as well as conducting the sensitivity analysis to the shape of input distributions. The new method was validated with numerical examples by comparing it with previously obtained analytical results and showed high accuracy.

Effects of the symbiotic bacteria, Caballeronia insecticola, on the life history parameters of Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) and their implications for the host population growth.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of symbiosis on the life history of host insects and address their implications at the host population level. We evaluated the effects of symbiotic bacteria Caballeronia insecticola on its host Riptortus pedestris (Fabricus) (Hemiptera: Alydidae) from cohorts for nymphal development, adult survivorship, and female reproduction. Then, life table parameters were compared between symbiotic and apo-symbiotic groups, and the effects of symbiosis on the abundance of R. pedestris were simulated for varying proportions of symbiotic individuals in host populations. We found that symbiosis significantly accelerated the nymphal development and reproductive maturation of females. However, symbiosis incurred survival cost on adult females, reducing their longevity by 28.6%. Nonetheless, symbiotic females laid significantly greater numbers of eggs than the apo-symbiotic during early adult ages. This early reproductive investment negated the adverse effect of their reduced longevity, resulting in the mean lifetime fecundity to not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Indeed, total cohort fecundity of the symbiotic group was 1.3-fold greater than that of the apo-symbiotic group. Life table analysis demonstrated shorter generation time and greater population growth rate in the symbiotic population. Finally, the simulation model results indicate that an increase in the proportion of symbiotic R. pedestris favored the population growth, increasing the population size by 1.9 times for every 25% increase in the proportion of symbiotic individuals. Our study demonstrates that symbiont-mediated changes in the life history parameters of host individuals favor the host population growth, despite substantial reduction in the female longevity.

Investigating the impact of socioeconomic status on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the gradual death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to fatal paralysis. Socioeconomic status (SES) is a measure of an individual’s shared economic and social status, which has been shown to have an association with health outcomes. Understanding the impact of SES on health conditions is crucial, as it can influence and be influenced by health-related variables. The role of socioeconomic status in influencing the risk and progression of ALS has not been established, and understanding the various factors that impact ALS is important in developing strategies for treatment and prevention. To investigate this relationship, we recruited 413 participants with definite, probable, or possible ALS according to the El Escorial criteria, from three tertiary centers in London, Sheffield, and Birmingham. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between case-control status, socioeconomic criteria, and ALS risk. Linear regression was used to examine the association between age of onset and socioeconomic variables. Two sensitivity analyses were performed, one using an alternative occupational classifier, and the other using Mendelian Randomization analysis to examine association. There was no significant relationship between any variables and ALS risk. We found an inverse relationship between mean lifetime salary and age of ALS onset (Beta = −0.157, p = 0.011), but no effect of education or occupation on the age of onset. The finding was confirmed in both sensitivity analyses and in Mendelian Randomization. We find that a higher salary is associated with a younger age of ALS onset taking into account sex, occupation, years of education, and clinical presentation.

Collectivity at the prolate-oblate transition: The [formula omitted] lifetime of 190W

The neutron-rich rare isotope 190W is discussed as a candidate for a prolate-oblate transitional nucleus with maximum γ-softness. The collectivity of this isotope is assessed for the first time by the measurement of the reduced E2 transition probability of its first 2+ state to the ground state. The experiment employed the FAst TIming Array (FATIMA), comprised of 36 LaBr3(Ce) scintillators, which was part of the DESPEC setup at GSI, Darmstadt. The 41+ and 21+ states of 190W were populated subsequently to the decay of its 127(12) μs isomeric Jπ=10− state. The mean lifetime of the 21+ state was determined to be τ=274(28) ps, which corresponds to a B(E2;21+→01+) value of 95(10) W.u. The results motivated a revision of previous calculations within an energy-density functional-based interacting boson model-2 approach, yielding E2 transition properties and spectroscopic quadrupole moments for tungsten isotopes. From comparison to theory, the new data suggest that 190W is at the transition from prolate to oblate structure along the W isotopic chain, which had previously been discussed as a nuclear shape-phase transition.

Constraining Mean Landslide Occurrence Rates for Non‐Temporal Landslide Inventories Using High‐Resolution Elevation Data

AbstractConstraining landslide occurrence rates can help to generate landslide hazard models that predict the spatial and temporal occurrence of landslides. However, most landslide inventories do not include any temporal data due to the difficulties of dating landslide deposits. Here we introduce a method for estimating the mean landslide occurrence rate of deep‐seated rotational and translational slides derived solely from high‐resolution (≤3 m) elevation data and globally available estimates of the diffusion coefficient for sediment flux. The method applies a linear diffusion model to the roughest landslide deposits until they reach a representative non‐landslide roughness distribution. This estimates the time for a landslide deposit to be unrecognizable in high‐resolution digital elevation data, which we term the mean lifetime of the landslide. Using the mean lifetime and number of landslides within an area of interest, we can estimate the mean occurrence rate of landslides over that domain. We validate this approach using a comprehensive temporal inventory of landslides in western Oregon created using age‐roughness curves that are calibrated with high‐resolution elevation data and radiocarbon data. We find good agreement between our diffusion method and the existing age‐roughness‐derived estimates, producing mean lifetimes of 4500 and 5200 years (4% difference), respectively. Hazard maps produced using the two methodologies generally agree, with the maximum differences in landslide probability reaching 0.1. Due to the relative abundance of high‐resolution elevation data compared with age‐dated landslides, our method could help constrain landslide occurrence rates in areas previously considered unfeasible.

Factors influencing circuit lifetime in paediatric continuous kidney replacement therapies – results from the EurAKId registry

BackgroundContinuous kidney replacement therapy (CKRT) has recently become the preferred kidney replacement modality for children with acute kidney injury (AKI). We hypothesise that CKRT technical parameters and treatment settings in addition to the clinical characteristics of patients may influence the circuit lifetime in children.MethodsThe study involved children included in the EurAKId registry (NCT 02960867), who underwent CKRT treatment. We analysed patient characteristics and CKRT parameters. The primary end point was mean circuit lifetime (MCL). Secondary end points were number of elective circuit changes and occurrence of dialysis-related complications.ResultsThe analysis was composed of 247 children who underwent 37,562 h of CKRT (median 78, IQR 37–165 h per patient). A total of 1357 circuits were utilised (3, IQR 2–6 per patient). MCL was longer in regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA), compared to heparin (HA) and no anticoagulation (NA) (42, IQR 32-58 h; 24, IQR 14-34 h; 18, IQR 12-24 h, respectively, p < 0.001). RCA was associated with longer MCL regardless of the patient’s age or dialyser surface. In multivariate analysis, MCL correlated with dialyser surface area (beta = 0.14, p = 0.016), left internal jugular vein vascular access site (beta = -0.37, p = 0.027), and the use of HA (beta = -0.14, p = 0.038) or NA (beta = -0.37, p < 0.001) vs. RCA. RCA was associated with the highest ratio of elective circuit changes and the lowest incidence of complications.ConclusionAnticoagulation modality, dialyser surface, and vascular access site influence MCL. RCA should be considered when choosing first-line anticoagulation for CKRT in children. Further efforts should focus on developing guidelines and clinical practice recommendations for paediatric CKRT.Graphical abstractA higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information

Japanese Oak Wilt Disease decreased survival probability and mean lifetime of tree populations in a secondary natural forest

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Japanese Oak Wilt Disease on mortality in a tree population. The study site was the permanent plot of 0.26 ha established in the secondary forest dominated by Abies firma, Tsuga sieboldii and Quercus serrata at the University of Tokyo Chiba Forest in the southeastern part of the Boso peninsula, Japan. We set the two observation periods of 1999–2008 and 2009–2021, and Japanese Oak Wilt Disease invaded the study site in the middle of the second period. We collected tree age data for both alive and dead trees in the two periods based on semi-nondestructive drilling measurements for trees using a RESISTOGRAPH. Survival analyses were conducted on the second-period data, and the demographic metrics such as mortality ratios and mean lifetimes were compared between the two periods. The results showed that: the mortality ratio of the tree population at old ages, where oaks (Quercus serrata) concentrated in their age distribution, significantly increased; the effect of the oak group was significant on mortality in the tree population; the hazard for the oak group was 24 times the hazard for the other tree species group; the survival curve reflected the mass mortality in oaks at old ages, which led to the decrease of mean lifetime less than half. Consequently, it was implied that the effects of Japanese Oak Wilt Disease impacted the demographic metrics of oak trees.

Quantifying societal burden of radiation-induced small bowel toxicity in patients with rectal cancer.

Advancements in rectal cancer (RC) treatment not only led to an increase in lives saved but also improved quality of life (QoL). Notwithstanding these benefits, RC treatment comes at the price of gastrointestinal morbidity in many patients. Health economic modelling poses an opportunity to explore the societal burden of such side-effects. This study aims to quantify radiation-induced late small bowel (SB) toxicity in survivors of RC for Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy - Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IMRT/IGRT). Materials and A model-based health economic evaluation was performed. The theoretical cohort consists of a case-mix of survivors of RC aged 25-99 years according to Belgian age-specific incidence rates. A societal perspective was adopted. The base case analysis was complemented with one-way deterministic analyses, deterministic scenario analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (1,000 iterations). Results were presented as mean lifetime incremental cost (€) and utility (QALYs) per patient. The analyses showed that the use of innovative radiotherapy (RT) improves lifetime QoL in survivors of RC by 0.11 QALYs and 0.05 QALYs by preferring IMRT/IGRT and IMRT over 3D-CRT, respectively. The use of IMRT/IGRT and IMRT results in an incremental cost-saving of €3,820 and €1,863 per patient, solely by radiation-induced SB toxicity, compared to 3D-CRT. It is important to consider late toxicity effects in decisions regarding investments and reimbursement as our analysis highlighted the potential long-term cost-savings and improved QoL of novel RT techniques in patients with rectal cancer.

Multispectral label-free in vivo cellular imaging of human retinal pigment epithelium using adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy improves feasibility for low emission analysis and increases sensitivity for detecting changes with age and eccentricity.

Adaptive optics fluorescence lifetime ophthalmoscopy (AOFLIO) provides a label-free approach to observe functional and molecular changes at cellular scale in vivo. Adding multispectral capabilities improves interpretation of lifetime fluctuations due to individual fluorophores in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). To quantify the cellular-scale changes in autofluorescence with age and eccentricity due to variations in lipofuscin, melanin, and melanolipofuscin in RPE using multispectral AOFLIO. AOFLIO was performed on six subjects at seven eccentricities. Four imaging channels ( ) were used: 473/SSC, 473/LSC, 532/LSC, and 765/NIR. Cells were segmented and the timing signals of each pixel in a cell were combined into a single histogram, which were then used to compute the lifetime and phasor parameters. An ANOVA was performed to investigate eccentricity and spectral effects on each parameter. A repeatability analysis revealed change in lifetime parameters in repeat visits for 532/LSC. The 765/NIR and 532/LSC had eccentricity and age effects similar to previous reports. The 473/LSC had a change in eccentricity with mean lifetime and a phasor component. Both the 473/LSC and 473/SSC had changes in eccentricity in the short lifetime component and its relative contribution. The 473/SSC had no trend in eccentricity in phasor. The comparison across the four channels showed differences in lifetime and phasor parameters. Multispectral AOFLIO can provide a more comprehensive picture of changes with age and eccentricity. These results indicate that cell segmentation has the potential to allow investigations in low-photon scenarios such as in older or diseased subjects with the co-capture of an NIR channel (such as 765/NIR) with the desired spectral channel. This work represents the first multispectral, cellular-scale fluorescence lifetime comparison in vivo in the human RPE and may be a useful method for tracking diseases.

Optimal and economic design of multiple deferred state repetitive group sampling plan for assuring mean life under a family of lifetime distributions

In this paper, a designing methodology of the multiple deferred (dependent) state repetitive group sampling plan is developed to ensure the mean lifetime of the products under the truncated life test, which follows a family of different lifetime distributions. An approach of two points on the operating characteristic curve is followed to obtain the optimal plan parameters with the known shape parameter values for various mean life ratios under different lifetime models. The proposed sampling plan is illustrated with a numerical example. The application of the proposed sampling plan is explained with a real-life example based on Burr XII distribution. Comparison is made among the performances of the proposed sampling plan using the different lifetime distributions; these performances are also compared with a single sampling plan using Burr XII distribution based on mean life assurance. Finally, an economic design of the proposed sampling plan is discussed, along with some cost models to minimize the total cost.

Analysis of THM formation potential in drinking water networks: Effects of network age, health risks, and seasonal variations in northwest of Iran

Various factors influence the formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. Therefore, it is crucial to study the formation of DBPs and identify the associated influencing agents in water distribution networks (WDNs) to effectively prevent and control the health risks posed by DBPs. This research aimed to examine THM concentrations in the WDNs of Maragheh, Iran, focusing on seasonal variations. It also compared THM levels between new and old WDNs and assessed the health risks associated with exposure to THMs through various exposure routes. The mean concentrations of Chloroform, BDCM, DBCM, and Bromoform were 44.28 ± 18.25, 12.66 ± 5.19, 3.16 ± 0.89, and 0.302 ± 0.89 μg/L, respectively. Therefore, Chloroform was the predominant compound among the THM species, accounting for over 72 % of the total THMs (TTHMs). The average TTHMs concentration in summer (69.89 μg/L) was significantly higher than in winter (50.97 μg/L) (p < 0.05). Except for Bromoform, concentrations of other THM species in the new WDNs were considerably lower than in the old WDN (p < 0.05). The mean lifetime cancer risk (LTCR) rates for oral and dermal exposure routes to THMs were negligible and within acceptable risk levels. However, the LTCR mean values for inhalation exposure routes to THMs in winter and summer were within low (1 × 10−6 ≤ LTCR <5.1 × 10−5) and high acceptable risk levels (5.1 × 10−5 ≤ LTCR <10−4), respectively. Inhalation exposure presented the highest cancer risk among the various exposure routes. The hazard index values for oral and dermal contact with THMs were less than 1. Finally, sensitivity analysis revealed that the ingestion rate and exposure duration of THMs had the most significant positive effect on chronic daily intake (CDI) values and cancer risk. However, further comprehensive investigations are needed to develop effective solutions for reducing and controlling the precursors of DBP formation, as well as identifying suitable alternative disinfection compounds that minimize by-product formation.