Moderate Burning Research Articles

The First Case of Bernard-Soulier Syndrome Presenting with Isolated Hemoptysis and Probable Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage: A Case Report and Literature Review

Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) is a rare platelet function disorder due to an impaired GPIb-V-IX complex, with an estimated incidence of one per million. Usual presentations include gingival bleeding, epistaxis, easy bruising, and post-traumatic excessive bleeding, among others, but not hemoptysis. The patient was a 46-year-old male who presented with three cups of hemoptysis two days before the presentation. He also had moderate burning chest pain for the past two weeks, which was getting better. He was diagnosed with BSS 45 years ago and had approximately 100 prior presentations for bleeding from various locations, including three prior episodes of hemoptysis. The mainstay of treatment was platelet transfusions, and the patient was carefully observed. Only one case of hemoptysis in a patient with BSS was found, but the patient had hemoptysis due to underlying pulmonary tuberculosis. Therefore, hemoptysis or DAH were never reported in the literature due to BSS. This patient was the first case of massive hemoptysis and possible DAH related to BSS, emphasizing the need for proper attention due to its possible detrimental outcomes.

Uncertainties from biomass burning aerosols in air quality models obscure public health impacts in Southeast Asia

Abstract. Models suggest that biomass burning causes thousands of premature deaths annually in Southeast Asia due to excessive exposure to particulate matter (PM) in smoke. However, measurements of surface air quality are sparse across the region, and consequently estimates for the public health impacts of seasonal biomass burning, are not well constrained. We use the nested GEOS-Chem model of chemistry and transport (horizontal resolution of 0.25°×0.3125°) to simulate atmospheric composition over Southeast Asia during the peak burning months of March and September in the moderate burning year of 2014. Model simulations with GEOS-Chem indicate that regional surface levels of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with a diameter ≤2.5 µm) greatly exceed World Health Organization guidelines during the burning seasons, resulting in up to 10 000 premature deaths in a single month. However, the model substantially underestimates the regional aerosol burden compared to satellite observations of aerosol optical depth (AOD) (20 %–52 %) and ground-based observations of PM (up to 54 %), especially during the early burning season in March. We investigate potential uncertainties limiting the model representation of biomass burning aerosols and develop sensitivity simulations that improve model–measurement agreement in March (to within 31 %) and increase the estimated number of PM2.5-related premature deaths that month by almost half. Our modifications have a much smaller impact on the same metrics for September, but we find that this is due to canceling errors in the model. Compared to PM2.5 simulated directly with GEOS-Chem, PM2.5 derived from satellite AOD is less sensitive to model uncertainties and may provide a more accurate foundation for public health calculations in the short term, but continued investigation of uncertainties is still needed so that model analysis can be applied to support mitigation efforts. Further reduction of uncertainties can be achieved with the deployment of more aerosol measurements across Southeast Asia.

Testing prescribed burning to shift an agronomic grass community to a diverse native plant community

Prescribed burning can be an effective land management tool. Here, we study changes in plant diversity and composition following experimental fire disturbance in microcosm units extracted from a twenty-five-year-old historically reclaimed grassland located at Highland Valley Copper mine in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. Experimental microcosm units were dominated by agronomic grass species Elymus lanceolatus, Thinopyrum intermedium and Bromus inermis. The disturbance treatment was fire intensity, represented by three levels (light, moderate, and heavy), replicated six times per treatment. Fire intensity was controlled by modifying the weight of dried litter applied to each microcosm unit (50 g,150 g, 200g), along with the time each grass turf was burned (10 s, 15 s, 20 s). One day after the fire treatment was applied, microcosm units were seeded with a native species mix consisting of six grassland species common to southern B.C. to examine effectiveness of plant establishment postburn. Disturbance treatments resulted in higher overall alpha diversity, richness, evenness, and beta diversity. Plant community changes included colonization of seeded native forbs, grasses, and legumes in response to disturbance. Aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) was net neutral within the light and moderate burning disturbance treatments but resulted in increased ANPP with heavy disturbance. Litter mass reduced plant diversity and ANPP, indicating that litter was a major factor in plant community dynamics. These results suggest disturbance by burning leads to short term positive plant community response towards increasing diversity of semi-arid grasslands, and aids in shifting plant communities to higher diversity composed of an increase in native plant species. Our results also suggest that without active management the gains observed in native species establishment might quickly be out shadowed and restricted by the previously dominant agronomic plant community.

Dual-function macroalgae biochar: Catalyst for hydrogen production and electrocatalyst

In the current study, Enteromorpha intestinalis, a green macroalgae, has been utilized as a substrate to synthesise a new environmentally friendly and cheap dual-functional (catalyst and electrocatalyst) material. The catalyst was used for efficient hydrogen production from alcoholises sodium borohydride and as an anode catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell applications. At the catalyst synthesis stage, orthogonal arrays of Taguchi is used to find the optimum levels of independent variables for the superior catalyst performance that bears the modest kinetics. The experiments performed in accordance with the L16(45) type orthogonal array. The samples treated at relatively moderate acid, impregnation temperature, impregnation time, burning temperature and burning time showed higher catalytic activities with Exp(5) presenting the optimal catalytic activity followed by Exp(1), Exp(15), Exp(8) and Exp(12), respectively. The experimental levels of coded variables (acid molarity, impregnation temperature and time, burning temperature and time) for Exp(5) were 3 M, 50 °C, 24 h, 500 °C and 2 h., respectively. These finding suggest that providing maximum levels of each of independent variable will not provide high catalytic activity. Taking into account the binary and ternary interactions is an efficient way to determine optimal level of each parameter with regards to maximum hydrogen production rate. The morphological and structural characterization of the optimal catalyst was finally carried out with SEM- EDS, XRD and FT-IR. CV and EIS measurements were taken to determine the electrocatalytic activity of final biochar. Experimental studies revealed that the utilization of E. intestinalis-based electrocatalyst as an anode catalyst for direct fuel cell applications is promising. By employing advanced Taguchi-based experimentation, this research establishes the optimum levels of independent variables, enhancing the catalyst's performance, and highlighting a novel approach to modest kinetics improvement.

Validation of NWCG Wildfire Directional Indicators in Test Burns in Coastal California

One of the primary tools used for determining the origin of a wildfire is analyzing burn patterns formed during the fire progression. These patterns, called fire pattern indicators, are interpreted and used to document the direction of fire movement at specific points, creating a directional map back to the specific area of origin. This concept was first set forth in 1978 by a U.S. governmental organization, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Their recommendations are currently (2016) in the third edition, and in our study, we examine these indicators. Specifically, the objective was to perform a validation exercise where controlled burns were conducted of natural vegetation plots but augmented with 32 identical sets of staged artifacts which would provide additional opportunities for fire movement to create observable directional fire pattern indicators. Three adjacent plots were burned, each using a single point ignition, all located on level, scrubland terrain. The burns were conducted in the fall season, under low to moderate burning conditions. The research was structured as a preliminary study, since only mild terrain and weather conditions were encompassed. The actual fire movements were documented by drone videos, additional ground-based videos, and still photography. Within the three burn plots, a total of 12 data sites out of 32 data sites were selected: each one containing 7 to 12 individual artifacts. Each artifact was photographically documented post-fire, and the actual fire movement direction at that location was established. Assessment entailed the use of four experienced wildland fire investigators, with each one independently assessing the direction and type of fire spread at each artifact using the photographic site evidence. An analysis was then conducted to make a statistical comparison between the actual fire movement direction and the direction estimates provided by the experts analyzing the photographic evidence and the limited information on conditions provided. The results indicate an average error of 103°. These results indicate that additional efforts are needed to study the scientific basis of the indicators and to evolve improvements in both the indicators and in the accompanying guidance to investigators.

Evaluation of Salivary Opiorphin, pH and Flow Rate in Oral Submucous Fibrosis - A Case - Control Observational Study.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the salivary pH, flow rate and opiorphin in Oral submucous fibrosis patients and to compare them with healthy individuals. A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the salivary opiorphin levels, pH and flow rate among 78 patients (39 Oral submucous fibrosis + 39 control). Burning sensation was assessed using VAS score. Opiorphin levels were assessed using Cusabio Human Salivary Opiorphin ELISA kit. Salivary flow rate was assessed using graduated syringes and salivary pH was assessed using Hydrion salivary pH strips. Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro Wilk test were assessed for normality testing and distribution. Inferential statistics was done by using Unpaired t test/Independent sample t test to compare the mean values of variables included in the study among the OSMF and healthy patients. There was statistically significant difference in pH and flow rate with a reduction in the mean pH (p=0.024) and flow rate (p<0.01) among the oral submucous fibrosis patients compared to the control group. A statistically significant increase (p<0.01) in salivary opiorphin levels was noted in the oral submucous fibrosis patients. Majority of the study participants had mild to moderate burning sensation. This study was a pilot evaluation of salivary opiorphin in OSMF. Salivary opiorphin could be used as an objective marker for chronic subjective conditions The pre-treatment and post treatment evaluation of salivary opiorphin could provide more insight on its role.

Impact of Fire on Secondary Forest Succession in a Sub-Tropical Landscape

In Hong Kong, as in many tropical areas, grasslands are maintained by fire on disturbed and abandoned land. However, Hong Kong’s native forests are regenerating in many areas, alongside frequent burning of the hillsides, and are in different stages of structural succession to closed canopy forest patches. Understanding the major determinants of secondary succession is a vital input to forest management policies. Given the importance of forests for biodiversity conservation, watershed protection and carbon cycling. This study examines the relationship between burning regimes and structural forest succession over 42 years from 1973 to 2015, using an archive of satellite images, aerial photographs and field plot data. Overlay of a fire frequency map with maps of forest structural classes at different dates indicates the number of fires undergone by each successional class as well as the time taken to progress from one class to another under different fire regimes. Results indicate that the native sub-tropical evergreen forests, which are naturally fire intolerant, can regenerate alongside moderate burning, and once the shrub stage is reached, succession to closed forest is relatively rapid and can occur within 13 years. More than one burn, however, is more destructive, and twice-burnt areas were seen to have only one-third of the woody biomass of once-burnt plots. The most frequent fires occurred in areas where mono-cultural plantations had been destroyed by disease in the 1960s and were subsequently invaded by grasslands. These former plantation areas remained in early successional stages of grass and open shrubland by 2015. Other plantations from the 1970s and 1980s remain as plantations today and have acted as a barrier to natural forest succession, attesting to the greater effectiveness of fire control over re-afforestation measures.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ДИНАМИКИ НАРУШЕНИЙ ВИБРАЦИОННОЙ ЧУВСТВИТЕЛЬНОСТИ И БОЛЕВЫХ ПРОЯВЛЕНИЙ ПРИ ДИСТАЛЬНОЙ СИММЕТРИЧНОЙ СЕНСОРНО-МОТОРНОЙ ПОЛИНЕВРОПАТИИ У БОЛЬНЫХ С САХАРНЫМ ДИАБЕТОМ I И II ИНСУЛИНОПОТРЕБНОГО ТИПОВ ПРИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ НИЗКОЧАСТОТНОГО ПЕРЕМЕННОГО МАГНИТНОГО ПОЛЯ

Introduction. Damage to peripheral nerve fibers in diabetes mellitus is considered the most severe complication that worsens the prognosis of the disease. Diabetic distal symmetrical polyneuropathy is detected in the vast majority of patients. A positive therapeutic response in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy can be obtained using low-frequency magnetic therapy. Aim. The aim was to determine the effectiveness of low-frequency magnetic therapy in the treatment of vibration sensitivity and pain manifestations in diabetic distal symmetric sensory-motor polyneuropathy in patients on insulin therapy. Material and methods. The study included patients with manifestations of diabetic distal symmetric sensory-motor polyneuropathy, who are on isulin therapy. All patients were observed before the start of therapy and after completion of the course of treatment. There were 20 patients in the control group, 19 patients in the main group. In the main group, low-frequency magnetotherapy was prescribed for 10 days. Patients with contraindications to physiotherapy treatment were included in the control group. Results and discussion. The absence of regression of moderate and severe disorders of vibration sensitivity in the control group was observed significantly with a higher frequency. The torpid course of mild disorders of vibration sensitivity was noted only in the control group. In patients experiencing deep pain in the lower extremities, complete regression of mild, moderate and severe pain was observed only in the main group. Only in the control group, a torpid course of moderate deep pain manifestations was observed. Moderate acute shooting pain in the lower extremities regressed completely in the main group with a significantly higher frequency compared to the control group. Only in the control group, there was a lack of dynamics of moderate acute pain, a feeling of moderate burning in the legs. In the main group, a complete regression of moderate discomfort in the legs in the form of a burning sensation was noted with greater frequency. Conclusion. In the treatment of disorders of vibration sensitivity and pain manifestations in distal symmetrical sensory-motor polyneuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus of the I and II insulin-consuming types, it is advisable to use low-frequency magnetotherapy.

Management of formocresol burn-case report

&lt;p&gt;Formocresol is widely used in pediatric endodontics as a pulpotomy medicament. Formocresol helps to fix soft tissues in oral cavity such as pulp. Care should be taken while using formocresol proper isolation techniques should be used during its application as an endodontic material, because of its hazardous effects on soft tissue. This article elaborates the case of chemical burns due to improper handling of formocresol during dental treatment. It demonstrates the underlying effect such as moderate pain burning sensation and patchy dark discoloration of skin and its resolution.&lt;/p&gt;

Topical Capsaicin in Poly(lactic-co-glycolic)acid (PLGA) Nanoparticles Decreases Acute Itch and Heat Pain.

Background: Capsaicin, the hot pepper agent, produces burning followed by desensitization. To treat localized itch or pain with minimal burning, low capsaicin concentrations can be repeatedly applied. We hypothesized that alternatively controlled release of capsaicin from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles desensitizes superficially terminating nociceptors, reducing burning. Methods: Capsaicin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared (single-emulsion solvent evaporation) and characterized (size, morphology, capsaicin loading, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro release profile). Capsaicin-PLGA nanoparticles were applied to murine skin and evaluated in healthy human participants (n = 21) for 4 days under blinded conditions, and itch and nociceptive sensations evoked by mechanical, heat stimuli and pruritogens cowhage, β-alanine, BAM8-22 and histamine were evaluated. Results: Nanoparticles (loading: 58 µg capsaicin/mg) released in vitro 23% capsaicin within the first hour and had complete release at 72 h. In mice, 24 h post-application Capsaicin-PLGA nanoparticles penetrated the dermis and led to decreased nociceptive behavioral responses to heat and mechanical stimulation (desensitization). Application in humans produced a weak to moderate burning, dissipating after 3 h. A loss of heat pain up to 2 weeks was observed. After capsaicin nanoparticles, itch and nociceptive sensations were reduced in response to pruritogens cowhage, β-alanine or BAM8-22, but were normal to histamine. Conclusions: Capsaicin nanoparticles could be useful in reducing pain and itch associated with pruritic diseases that are histamine-independent.

The Regulated NiCu Cycles with the New 57Cu(p,γ)58Zn Reaction Rate and Its Influence on Type I X-Ray Bursts: the GS 1826–24 Clocked Burster

During the X-ray bursts of GS 1826−24, a “clocked burster”, the nuclear reaction flow that surges through the rapid-proton capture process path has to pass through the NiCu cycles before reaching the ZnGa cycles that moderate further hydrogen burning in the region above the germanium and selenium isotopes. The 57Cu(p,γ)58Zn reaction that occurs in the NiCu cycles plays an important role in influencing the burst light curves found by Cyburt et al. We deduce the 57Cu(p,γ)58Zn reaction rate based on the experimentally determined important nuclear structure information, isobaric-multiplet-mass equation, and large-scale shell-model calculations. Based on the isobaric-multiplet-mass equation, we propose a possible order of - and -dominant resonance states and constrain the resonance energy of the state. The latter reduces the contribution of the -dominant resonance state. The new reaction rate is up to a factor of 4 lower than the Forstner et al. rate recommended by JINA REACLIB v2.2 at the temperature regime sensitive to clocked bursts of GS 1826−24. Using the simulation from the one-dimensional implicit hydrodynamic code Kepler to model the thermonuclear X-ray bursts of the GS 1826−24 clocked burster, we find that the new 57Cu(p,γ)58Zn reaction rate, coupled with the latest 56Ni(p,γ)57Cu and 55Ni(p,γ)56Cu reaction rates, redistributes the reaction flow in the NiCu cycles and strongly influences the burst ash composition, whereas the 59Cu(p,α)56Ni and 59Cu(p,γ)60Zn reactions suppress the influence of the 57Cu(p,γ)58Zn reaction and diminish the impact of nuclear reaction flow that bypasses the important 56Ni waiting point induced by the 55Ni(p,γ)56Cu reaction on the burst light curve.

Evidence that modern fires may be unprecedented during the last 3400 years in permafrost zone of Central Siberia, Russia

Recent climate change in Siberia is increasing the probability of dangerous forest fires. The development of effective measures to mitigate and prevent fires is impossible without an understanding of long-term fire dynamics. This paper presents the first multi-site palaeo-fire reconstruction based on macroscopic charcoal data from peat and lake sediment cores located in different landscapes across the permafrost area of central Siberia. The obtained results show similar temporal patterns of charcoal accumulation rates in the cores under study, and near synchronous changes in fire regimes. The paleo-fire record revealed moderate biomass burning between 3.4 and 2.6 ka BP, followed by the period of lower burning occurring from 2.6 to 1.7 ka BP that coincided with regional climate cooling and moistening. Minimal fire activity was also observed during the Little Ice Age (0.7–0.25 ka BP). Fire frequencies increased during the interval from 1.7 to 0.7 ka BP and appears to be partly synchronous with climate warming during the Medieval Climate Anomaly. Regional reconstructions of long-term fire history show that recent fires are unprecedented during the late Holocene, with modern high biomass burning lying outside millennial and centennial variability of the last 3400 years.

Cytokine Analysis in Patients with Different Stages of Thromboangiitis Obliterans.

Studies suggest that cytokines are involved in the development of both inflammatory disorders and vascular diseases. The changes in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and interferon γ (IFNγ) with the progression of the thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) symptoms were investigated in this research. This study included 80 patients with TAO, who were selected from the Vascular and Endovascular Research Center in Alavi Hospital, from the year 2012 to 2016. They were then categorized into three groups: Mild (migratory thrombophlebitis, cold sensitivity or Raynaud's phenomenon, and skin discoloration), moderate (chronic ulcers, claudication, and burning pain of the feet at night), and severe (pain at rest and spontaneous gangrene) symptoms. The serum levels of TGFβ, IL6, TNFα, and IFNγwere determined by the ELISA method and compared among the groups. The first three predominant symptoms were pulse disorder (n = 76, 95.00%), cold intolerance (n = 61, 76.25%), and claudication (n = 59, 73.75%). A comparison of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that both TGFβ and IL6 were dysregulated as the severity of the symptoms increased from the moderate to the severe stages; however, such changes were not significant (p > 0.05). In the multiple logistic regression model, increased TNFα levels were seen in the presence of moderate symptoms as compared to the severe ones (p < 0.05). It could be concluded that TNFα, as part of the defining cytokineproduction profile of T helper cells, can be significantly involved in the progression of TAO from the moderate to the severe stages.

Palaeoecological records as a guide for fire management in Killarney National Park, Ireland

Climate change is allowing fire to expand into previously unburnt ecosystems and regions. While management policies such as fire suppression have significantly altered their frequency and intensity. To prevent future biodiversity/ecosystem services loss, and the large financial burden of wildfires, management plans will be required to adapt to future climate and land use changes. Long-term ecological data offer a unique perspective to assess fire variability under different climate and land-use conditions. In this study, we focus on Killarney National Park, Ireland. An area which today is under threat from an increase in fire activity. Comparing palaeoecological and archaeological records, we reconstruct the past fire dynamic and its impact on the landscape, and evaluate the role of climate vs humans in influencing the natural fire regime over the millennial time-scale. Our results indicate that fire has been present in the landscape since the beginning of the Holocene, with fire in the early Holocene being largely controlled by climate and microsite conditions, and in the late Holocene being increasingly influenced by human activity. The knowledge of past fire regimes can help inform future management in order to protect the semi-natural native woodland. The park's present landscape mosaic, could be preserved by limiting forest encroachment through moderate grazing and burning, while also protecting any fragmented forest from excessive grazing and large/intense fires, via traditional fire management strategies such as fuel load management. However, a fire management strategy should only be implemented following careful consideration of all ecosystem factors and controls.

Evaluation of Microneedling With or Without Topical 5-fluorouracil in Treatment of Stable Non-segmental Vitiligo

Abstract Background This study will evaluate the effect of microneedling of vitiligo lesion with and without topical 5 fluorouracil. Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder of unknown etiology, affecting approximately 1 % of the world population, without predilection for race or sex. It is characterized by white macules and patches, whose size increases over time, due to the loss of melanocytes. Vitiligo can appear at any time, and it significantly impairs the patients’ quality-of-life Objective To compare the efficacy of microneedling followed by 5-FU with microneedling alone in the treatment of stable non-segmental vitiligo. Patients and Methods This interventional study was held in Dermatology, Andrology &amp; STDs department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University during the period from January till November 2019. Fifty patients with stable non-segmental vitiligo were included in the study. Results Regarding the efficacy of treatment with microneedling only vs microneedling with 5-FU in our study, there is statistically significant difference between the two sides according to treatment response, needling with 5-FU side showed response in 76% of cases, while needling side alone showed (0%) response. The degree of improvement among our patients in microneedling with 5-FU side, we detect different grades of repigmentation as 12 patients of the studied participants (24%) showed no repigmentation, 23 patients (46%) showed mild grade (&amp;lt;25% repigmentation), 15 patients (30%) showed moderate grade (25–50% repigmentation) and no one of the studied participants experienced either good grade (50–75% repigmentation) either excellent grade (more than 75% repigmentation). Our study showed no relation between repigmentation response and both demographic and clinical data of the patients as (age, gender, family history, duration of disease, VASI severity score and Fitzpatrick skin phototype). On the other hand, we found statistically significant difference with better repigmentation after microneedling with 5FU on certain sites of vitiligo. We noticed that lesions on the trunk and extremities showed better results while the acral parts showed no response. Observing side effects after treatment, we noticed that, there is statistically significant difference in side effects incidence between two sides. Side treated with microneedling and 5FU experienced more frequent side effects as compared with the side treated with microneedling only, these side effects included, slight to moderate pain and burning sensation during procedure that was tolerated and disappeared within few minutes to hours and minimal erythema in the first few days post procedure. Conclusion On the basis of the current study, we can conclude that microneedling followed by topical 5% 5-FU of vitiligo lesion is safe and tolerable method of treatment of vitiligo. It can induce repigmentation in vitiligo lesion but it could not be considered as effective method of treatment. We need to combined it with other treatment modalities to improve the outcome. However, long followup of the patients is needed.

Changes in plant nutrient utilization during ecosystem recovery after wildfire

Wildfire is the primary natural disturbance in boreal forest ecosystems. It substantially changes soil nutrient conditions and plant nutrient dynamics. After a wildfire, various plant strategies of nutrient utilization are fundamental to ecosystem recovery processes. Stability of plant nutrients reflects the ability of plants possessing relatively constant elemental concentrations in the face of nutrient changes, which can be calculated by the value of “nutrient homeostasis”. However, the mechanism of how nutrient homeostasis mediates plant community recovery in post-fire ecosystems remains unknown. The dominant tree species that survived after fire and the new emergence of regenerated tree species are the important components of a plant community during the recovery process. Our primary objective was to elucidate the nutrient homeostasis trade-off between dominant and regenerated species over years after recovery. Five treatments, namely, 2 year, 10 year, 20 year, 30 years after moderate burning severity, and unburned forests, were designed in the boreal forests of Great Xing'an Mountains, Northeast China. Compared with unburned forests, wildfire lowered the average value of homeostasis of plant nutrients (N and P). Moreover, the mean homeostasis value of the dominant species (i.e., Larix gmelinii) was higher than that of the regenerated species (i.e., Betula platyphylla). The slope of relationship between nutrient homeostasis and recovery years of the regenerated species was higher than that of the dominant species, suggesting that the nutrient homeostasis in the regenerated species recovered more quickly than dominant species after recovery. Compared with the dominant species, changes in the regenerated species' homeostasis can explained more to the changes of species diversity during the years after recovery. This study revealed plant nutrient adaptation in different species and different plant organs with years after wildfire and highlighted the importance of nutrient homeostasis in plant adaptation strategies and the recovery of plant community.

Efficacy and safety of prolonged-release hyaluronic acid derivative vaginal application in the postpartum period: a prospective randomised clinical trial

Introduction In puerperium, the hypoestrogenic state induced by delivery and subsequently sustained by lactation may lead to vaginal dryness, burning, and itching sensation, contributing to the onset of sexual dysfunction. Material and methods This was a prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label study (NCT04560283) for evaluating the effects of application of a prolonged-release hyaluronic acid derivative vaginal gel in restoring sexual function during the postpartum period. Eighty-five patients were randomized to apply prolonged-release Hydeal-D 0.2% vaginal gel (Fidia Farmaceutici, Abano Terme, Italy; n = 43) every three days for 12 consecutive weeks or expectant management (n = 42). Results Women undergoing treatment had a more elevate increase in Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) total score (+15.1 ± 11.9 vs +6.5 ± 8.9, p < 0.001) and a higher decrease in vaginal pH (−1.2 ± 0.7 vs −0.2 ± 1.1; p < 0.001). Moreover, the proportion of vaginal smears with maturation index (VMI) >65 was significantly higher in patients treated (80.6% vs 35.3%; p = 0.004). Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) decreased significantly in both groups with no inter-group difference (p = 0.459). Only two cases (4.8%) of moderate vaginal burning sensation were reported in patients undergoing local vaginal therapy. Conclusions The results of our study demonstrated that hyaluronic acid derivative vaginal gel (Hydeal-D) was able to improve sexual function of puerperal women in the short-term treatment. KEY MESSAGE In the puerperium, the hypoestrogenic state induced by delivery and subsequently sustained by lactation may lead to vaginal dryness, burning, and itching sensation, contributing to the onset of sexual dysfunction. Hydeal-D is a prolonged-release hyaluronic acid derivative characterised by elevated resistance to enzymatic breakdown. During puerperium, its local application may improve the vaginal microenvironment by ensuring a better migration and proliferation of cells involved in local tissue repair. Among puerperal women, Hydeal-D vaginal gel causes a significant improvement of sexual function, including desire, arousal, and lubrification, compared to expectant management. Furthermore, it leads to a decrease in vaginal pH and an increase of the trophic status of vaginal epithelium.

Small Scale Experiments of PM10 Dispersion Around Obstacles

Particulate matter (PM) is the main determinant of air pollution caused by a variety of natural and human-caused sources. Because it can be suspended in the atmosphere for long periods of time and travel long distances, it can cause a major health crisis for humans and damage the environment as well. Studies are still required to understand how the PM moves around obstacles, especially in urban areas. In this study, small scale experiments were carried out to look into the effects of simple obstacles, heights and distance from the source on the PM10 concentration. Results show that when obstacle heights and distance from the source increase, the PM10 average concentration decrease. Also, turbulence created by the obstacles affects the PM10 concentration in both sensors before and after the obstacle, mainly in cases of high wind speed. In addition, the use of incense sticks as a source of PM pollution illustrated that moderate burning of incense sticks in indoor places could skyrocket the PM10 concentration to an unhealthy level.

Tailoring the reactivity of printable Al/PVDF filament

Abstract Within the energetic materials and additive manufacturing (AM) communities, a number of aluminum/fluoropolymer (Al/FP) combinations have been identified for their suitability in various additive manufacturing techniques. For practical applications, such as in the case of a reactive wire or core in solid propellant, a range of selectable reactivity within a given Al/FP selection is needed. The purpose of this study was to alter the reactivity of aluminum/polyvinylidene fluoride (Al/PVDF) to produce a range of consistent burning rates, enabling the design of a printable reactive filament suitable for use as a reactive propellant core, or in other related applications. Three potential methods of tailoring the burning rate of Al/PVDF filaments were investigated: (1) selecting different aluminum fuel particles, (2) adjusting the stoichiometry of the material, and (3) changing the fuel particle size ratio from pure micro- to pure nano-aluminum. Reactive filaments consisting of PVDF and either mechanically activated aluminum-polytetrafluoroethylene (MA Al-PTFE), nanoscale aluminum (nAl), or mixtures of nano- and micro-aluminum (nAl:µAl) were tested to assess reaction speeds as well as intra- and inter-batch variability. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, drop weight impact testing, friction testing, and porosity analysis were conducted on select materials. Filaments of 20 wt% nAl/PVDF and 32.2 wt% MA Al-PTFE/PVDF were printed using a material extrusion method into strands with dimensions, porosities, and burning rates comparable to their filament feedstock. This study determined that the selection of fuel particles and stoichiometry could reliably produce moderate burning rates between 17 and 40 mm/s. The burning rates of the mixed formulations were inconsistent in the mid-range (20–30 mm/s) with significant deviation indicating a threshold phenomenon potentially related to a shift from a slower to faster reaction mode.

Methods of Identification for Ceramics with Traces of Secondary Burning and their Occurrences in Mortuary and Ritual-related Assemblages

Among archaeological assemblages recovered both from settlement sites and burial grounds, the presence of ceramics with traces of secondary burning is a relatively common phenomenon. The identification of such traces can nuance the interpretation of the archaeological contexts within which these ceramics occur. In case of cremation burials, it can highlight the details of the cremation process. However, most publications seem to mention secondarily burnt ceramics either when the pieces are clearly severely burnt, deformed or blistered, despite these cases being only partial representations of the whole phenomenon. Based on previous experience, three levels of secondary burning can be distinguished on archaeological ceramics: slight, moderate and severe secondary burning. This more detailed classification could aid the reconstruction of funerary rituals. The recognition and the correct identification of such ceramic pieces can provide details on whether a certain vessel (or vessel types) was/were placed on the funeral pyre or was only tangentially involved in the cremation process.