Wet Environment Research Articles

Adhesive Nanoparticle-in-Microgel System with ROS Scavenging Capability and Hemostatic Activity for Postoperative Adhesion Prevention.

Postoperative adhesion is a noteworthy clinical complication in abdominal surgery due to the existing physical barriers are unsatisfactory and inefficient in preventing its occurrence. In this work, an elaborate nanoparticle-in-microgel system (nMGel) is presented for postoperative adhesion prevention. nMGel is facilely formed by crosslinking manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles-loaded gelatin microspheres with polydopamine using a modified emulsification-chemical crosslinking method, generating a nano-micron spherical hydrogel. After drying, powdery nMGel with sprayability can perfectly cover irregular wounds and maintains robust tissue adhesiveness even in a wet environment. Additionally, nMGel possesses prominent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, which protects cell viability and preserves cell biological functions in an oxidative microenvironment. Furthermore, nMGel displays superior hemostatic property as demonstrated in mouse tail amputation models and liver trauma models. Importantly, nMGel can be conveniently administrated in a mouse cecal defect model to prevent adhesion between the injured cecum and the peritoneum by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis. Thus, the bioactive nMGel offers a practical and efficient approach for ameliorating postsurgical adhesion.

Distinguishing Trajectories and Drivers of Vegetated Ecosystems in China's Loess Plateau

AbstractTerrestrial ecosystems can exhibit various behaviors in response to climate change and human activities. Nonlinear and abrupt shifts in ecosystems are particularly important as they indicate substantial modifications in ecosystem structure and function, posing a threat to the provision of ecosystem services. Here we distinguish between linear, curvilinear, and abrupt shifts in ecosystem productivity from 2000 to 2020 in China's Loess Plateau. We utilize spatial Random Forest models to analyze the driving factors behind these change patterns. Our findings indicate that 84.1% of the ecosystems experienced a positive change in plant productivity, while a small proportion (2.5%) exhibited a negative change. Abrupt shifts are prevalent in both positive and negative changes in ecosystem productivity, with negative changes often manifesting as abrupt shifts (79.3%). Negative changes in plant productivity, particularly the negative abrupt shifts, are primarily associated with human activities characterized by increased nighttime light and urbanization. Land conversion to forest is linked to a curvilinear trajectory in plant productivity, characterized by nonlinear changes with acceleration. Higher water availability and a wetter environment are more likely to promote positive changes in plant productivity. Moderate warming trends contribute to abrupt positive changes in plant productivity, while high warming trends are associated with increased negative abrupt and curvilinear changes. We highlight the importance of accounting for diverse change behaviors in ecosystems for the development of targeted conservation and restoration measures.

Design of Unplasticized Polyamide 12 Oilfield Line Pipe Based on Published Regression Curves and ASTM F3524

The long-term strength of unplasticized polyamide 12 (PA-U12) has been characterized using standard methods for plastic pressure pipe during the qualification process for use in buried piping systems for natural gas delivery operating at low ambient temperatures, usually less than 20 to 30°C at pressures previously served only by steel pipe. The high strength characteristics of the material also made it interesting as a steel substitute for buried and above-ground industrial pressure pipe applications. So far, typical geometries are diameters up to 6 inch (162 mm) with wall thicknesses up to DR9. Assuming a design factor of 0.63 applied to the PPI TR-4 listed HDB, DR9 PA-U12 pipes have a maximum pressure at 23°C of 496 psig (3.4 MPa), although design pressures will typically be lower. These industrial systems can operate at much higher temperatures, up to ~ 50°C for above-ground installations in pipe supports or up to ~ 65°C for surface-laid oilfield pipes. Design engineers need the temperature dependent strength curves to properly design a thermoplastic pressure piping system. Therefore, the regression curves have been extended by LTHS tests up to 120°C. Corresponding test durations enabled to define the location of knees with determination of second branches. These branches are caused by hydrolytic degradation of the polymer resulting in brittleness of the polyamide after long times at elevated temperature in sufficiently wet environments or services. The first appearance of a knee is at 60° C and approximately 44 years. This paper describes various standards to which PA-U line pipe and materials must conform, and the development of standardized, temperature dependent, long-term strength reference curves for PA-U12 pressure pipe, including the transition from ductile to brittle behavior at long times and high temperatures. These curves have been standardized first in DVS and followed by ISO based on the combined LTHS data of pipes made from two different PA-U12 180 compounds and one PA-U11 180 compound. An example of a typical PA-U12 180 pipe design is presented, applying chemical resistance derating factors for oil and gas applications in the design process. Short Summary: Oilfield pipeline design engineers need temperature dependent strength curves to properly design a thermoplastic pressure piping system for use at temperatures often far above the typical range for natural gas distribution. Therefore, LTHS regression curves have been experimentally developed at temperatures up to 120°C to define the location of knees and characterization of second branches. In this paper we describe various standards to which PA-U line pipe and materials must conform, and the development of standardized, temperature dependent, long-term strength reference curves for PA-U12 pressure pipe, including the transition from ductile to brittle behavior at long times and high temperatures. These curves have been standardized in ISO and DVS and apply to both PA-U12 and PA-U11 [1,2]. For PA-U12 line pipe we also present an example for a typical pipe design, where chemical resistance derating factors are applied for oil and gas applications in the design process.

Ecological Study of the Vegetation in the Loka Abaya National Park, Ethiopia

An ecological study of the vegetation in the Loka Abaya National Park, in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia, was conducted. Vegetation data and some environmental variables including physical and chemical properties of the soil, altitude, slope, and ecological disturbance were collected and subjected to the agglomerative hierarchical classification and ordination with the canonical correspondence analysis. For each of the community groups, the mean and standard errors were calculated from the environmental parameters to characterize the community types and quantitative relationships between environmental variables were analyzed by calculating Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient using the SAS computer software programme. A total of 198 plant species representing 79 families and 139 genera were collected and documented. Seven plant community types, namely, Vachellia brevispica Harms–Rhus natalensis Krauss, Ficus sur Forssk.–Vachellia albida (Del.) A. Chev., Panicum subalbidum Kunth–Cyperus latifolius Poir, Dodonaea angustifolia L. f.–Ximenia americana L., Combretum molle R.Br ex. G.Don–Combretum collinum Fresen., Ilex mitis (L.) Radlk–Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata, and Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn, were identified. Ilex mitis–Olea europaea L. subsp. cuspidata community had the highest species richness, whereas the least species richness was recorded for the Panicum subalbidum–Cyperus latifolius community. The results of vegetation-environment relationships indicated that the measured environmental variables explained 74.99% of the total variation in floristic data. The results of the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) of community-environment relationships indicated that among measured environmental variables, altitude (r2 0.0548, P<0.01), slope (r2 = 0.0241, P<0.01), pH (r2 = 0.01855, P<0.01), sodium (r2 = 0.01316, P<0.04), CEC (r2 = 0.01424, P<0.03), magnesium (r2 = 0.01282, P<0.04), potassium (r2 = 0.0152, P<0.02), and soil moisture content (SMC) (r2 = 0.01537, P<0.05) significantly explained the variation in species composition of the communities and their distribution. Therefore, ecosystem-oriented biodiversity conservation and restoration strategies will be implemented by considering these significant environmental variables.

Enhanced Hemostatic and Procoagulant Efficacy of PEG/ZnO Hydrogels: A Novel Approach in Traumatic Hemorrhage Management.

Managing severe bleeding, particularly in soft tissues and visceral injuries, remains a significant challenge in trauma and surgical care. Traditional hemostatic methods often fall short in wet and dynamic environments. This study addresses the critical issue of severe bleeding in soft tissues, proposing an innovative solution using a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel combined with zinc oxide (ZnO). The developed hydrogel forms a dual-network structure through amide bonds and metal ion chelation, resulting in enhanced mechanical properties and adhesion strength. The hydrogel, exhibiting excellent biocompatibility, is designed to release zinc ions, promoting coagulation and accelerating hemostasis. Comprehensive characterization, including gelation time, rheological properties, microstructure analysis, and swelling behavior, demonstrates the superior performance of the PEG/ZnO hydrogel compared to traditional PEG hydrogels. Mechanical tests confirm increased compression strength and adhesive properties, which are crucial for withstanding tissue dynamics. In vitro assessments reveal excellent biocompatibility and enhanced procoagulant ability attributed to ZnO. Moreover, in vivo experiments using rat liver and tail bleeding models demonstrate the remarkable hemostatic performance of the PEG/ZnO hydrogel, showcasing its potential for acute bleeding treatment in both visceral and peripheral scenarios.

Humidity field for unsaturated subgrade accounting for the hydro-mechanical coupling and the difference of compactness: A simulation method

The safety and stability of road structures heavily rely on the precise assessment of subgrade humidity. However, existing methods often fall short in fully considering the coupling effect between humidity and stress states, as well as variations in compactness across different subgrade areas. In this study, a new model is proposed for simulating water migration in soil subgrade, incorporating hydro-mechanical coupling and the degree of compaction. The model is implemented using a newly added physical field in the COMSOL Multiphysics platform, and a numerical method is developed for calculating subgrade humidity. Moisture migration behavior in subgrades is investigated by selecting two atmospheric environments, namely dry and wet conditions. The results demonstrate that the developed humidity calculation method, accounting for hydro-mechanical coupling and compactness variations, yields reasonable and accurate predictions. Substantial differences in subgrade humidity are observed between wet and dry conditions. Compared to the dry conditions, pronounced fluctuations in subgrade humidity are observed in areas near slopes, with the equilibrium moisture content increasing by approximately 50% compared to the initial content. Additionally, the equilibrium time for moisture migration is significantly shortened under wet conditions. Based on these findings, it is recommended that waterproof should be considered in subgrades exposed to wet atmospheric environments to avoid excessive moisture content in subgrade.

Rodents show darker and redder coloration in warm and rainy environments

AbstractAimAnimal coloration varies in response to environmental conditions. One well‐known principle, Gloger's rule, suggests that warmer and wetter environments lead to more pigmented animals. Yet, the original formulation lacks differentiation between the two primary melanin pigments: eumelanin and pheomelanin. We examined spatial eumelanin and pheomelanin variation to unravel the impact of various ecological factors on pigment deposition, and to assess support for the complex version of Gloger's rule.LocationSouth America.Time PeriodContemporary.Major Taxa StudiedSigmodontine rodents.MethodsWe extracted pelage color data from 231 species and quantified the geographic variation in eu‐ and pheomelanin deposition. We performed linear multiple regression to investigate the influence of temperature, precipitation, predator diversity, and UVA‐B radiance in eumelanin (lightness) and pheomelanin (redness).ResultsOur findings support the original formulations of Gloger's rule. Rodents in warmer and rainier regions, which also entails greater exposure to UV radiation and a diverse range of predators, exhibit darker‐colored pelage. In addition, redder rodents prevail in warmer environments. However, contrary to the rule predictions, we observe a reversal for reddish patterns in relation to precipitation, with rainier regions showcasing more intense red rodents.Main ConclusionsOur study breaks new ground by investigating previously unexplored facets of Gloger's rule in a continental mammalian group. We discovered compelling evidence that darker and redder coloration aligns closely with temperature and rainfall gradients. Although we found support for eumelanin–pelage predictions, expectations for pheomelanin pigmentation were only partially met. Our results might suggest that selective pressures act differently on dark and reddish coloration, revealing that coloration patterns in response to climate are more intricate than previously formulated.

Self-lubricating and wear-resistant epoxy resin coatings based on the “soft-hard” synergistic mechanism for rapid self-healing under photo-thermal conditions

Mechanical components made of alloy steel are susceptible to severe surface wear after long periods of operation. The construction of protective coatings with high wear resistance and self-healing properties provides references for solving this problem. Herein, a highly wear-resistant coating (named as C-EP/PFW) that can rapidly self-healing under photothermal conditions was constructed by introducing both a novel phase-change material (polytetrafluoro-wax) and polydopamine-functionalized carbon nanotubes (PDA/CNTs) into the epoxy resin. The melt-phase transition of PFW at approx. 120 °C induces intermolecular phase migration and repair of the damaged area. The PDA/CNTs can act as microscopic bearings to enhance the load-bearing capacity of the composite coating, they can also construct thermal conductivity networks to enhance the thermal conductivity and repair efficiency of the coating. Based on the perfect combination of CNTs' excellent thermal conductivity and PDA's photothermal conversion capability, the average repair rate of the composite coating was increased by 20.7 % than pure EP/PFW coating. Additionally, the C-EP/PFW coatings in both dry and wet friction environments (seawater and sunflower oil) exhibited excellent self-lubricating properties. This is attributed to the synergistic of the soft lubricating phase on the repair of the lubrication transfer film and the microscopic slipping layer constructed by the CNTs at the tribofilm. The C-EP/PFW coatings, which are capable of rapid self-healing in thermal environments, provide a reference for the construction of highly wear-resistant protective layers on the surfaces of steel mechanical components.

Influence of CO2 subcritical and supercritical pressures on the protective properties of corrosion product scales formed on X65 steel

The effects of subcritical and supercritical pressures on CO2-corrosion and scale properties were investigated. The corrosion of the API5L X65 steel was carried out in wet CO2 and CO2-saturated water environments at 50ºC for periods of 168 and 360 h. Corrosion rates were quantified through weight loss, while scale properties were obtained by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, linear potentiodynamic polarization (PP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Corrosion rates were higher in CO2-saturated water (0.59–5.09 mm/y) compared to the wet CO2 environment (0.05–0.09 mm/y). Through a comprehensive analysis, it was observed that scales tended to become more compact with increasing pressure, decreasing the corrosion rate over time. Moreover, FeCO3 scales formed under supercritical pressures and in CO2-saturated water demonstrated enhanced protective properties, as evidenced by the PP and EIS results. For these environmental conditions, the polarization and charge transfer resistances reached values of 3 × 106 to 6 × 106 and 3 × 106 to 1 × 107 Ω.cm2, respectively.

Effect of Wet Environment on the Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced Phenolic Composites (GFRP)

Glass fiber reinforced phenolic composites (GFRP) are an advanced composite material with good processability, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance and stability, and are widely used in the production of structural parts for aircraft and ships. Our research described in this article explores the performance changes of GFRP in different aging media with prolonged aging time using GFRP with different fiber/matrix ratios. The research results indicated that aging time had the most significant impact on the various properties of the composite materials among all variables. With the extension of aging time, the bending strength of our composite materials decreased significantly, with a maximum decrease of 33%. The water absorption rate gradually increased and tended to stabilize, but the thermal decomposition temperature remained at 300 °C, and the mass residual rate remained stable at around 61% with little change. As the content of GF was increased, the aging of the composite gradually slowed down, and the rate of decline in its bending strength gradually decreased. In addition, the influence of different aging media on the performance was also studied, and it was found that the presence of NaCl in artificial seawater could cause changes in the osmotic pressure at the interface of the composite materials and the sea water, thus exacerbating interface damage and affecting the material’s performance.

Sulfide stress cracking (SSC) of a commercial Q345 pressure vessel steel in a wet H2S environment

The steel Q345 is extensively used in pressure vessels with low and medium pressure because of good mechanical properties and low cost. Good resistance to sulfide stress cracking (SSC) is required for the pressure vessel steel, but the SSC behavior of the Q345 has received little attention. This work investigated the SSC behavior of the Q345 in a wet H2S environment. The microstructure contained the irregular various-sized polygonal-like ferrite grains plus a carbon-rich degenerate pearlite banded structure. The Q345 had high ductility but failed to pass the SSC tests. The SSC cracking involved hydrogen embrittlement. The SSC preferentially occurred at the carbon-rich degenerate pearlite banded structure. The elimination of the carbon-rich degenerate pearlite banded structure is necessary to improve the SSC resistance of the Q345 pressure vessel steel.

Goethite in the Red Clay sequences on the western Chinese Loess Plateau and its responses to the middle Miocene Climate Transition

The middle Miocene Climate Transition (MMCT, ca. 14 Ma), with a sharp drop in temperature, is a key transition period in the Earth’s climatic and biotic evolution. However, our knowledge of how arid-monsoon environments were coupled during the middle Miocene Climate transition remains limited, due to the lack of robust proxies from well-dated sedimentary sequences covering the MMCT in monsoon areas. Goethite is an abundant iron oxide in soils, which is sensitive to persistent wet and cold environments. However, aluminium (Al) substitution is ubiquitous in the pedogenic process, and the Al substitution for goethite in the Red Clay sequence is unclear. In this study, we combined the rock magnetic and DRS methods to assess the Al substitution level of goethite and quantify the goethite content in the Zhuanglang (ZL) Red Clay deposits from the western Chinese Loess Plateau. Our results show that Al substitution in the ZL Red Clay sequence is relatively stable, facilitating the quantification of goethite using this approach. Goethite content displays an increasing trend from approximately 0.2% at 18 Ma to 0.5% at 14 Ma, and then gradually decreased towards the late Miocene in the ZL Red Clay deposits. The maximum goethite production at around 14 Ma indicates a cold and wet climate condition during MMCO at this location. Together with other palaeoenvironmental proxies of this sequences and other sedimentary sequences in the Tianshui Basin, we suggest that climate conditions during the MMCT in the monsoonal western CLP were relatively cold and wet, which was different from the cold and dry climate in the central Asian. Global cooling and the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau might be predominantly responsible for the cold and wet climate during the MMCT.

Destructive Phytophthora on orchids: current knowledge and future perspectives.

Anton de Bary first coined the genus, Phytophthora, which means "plant destroyer", viewing its devastating nature on potatoes. Globally plants have faced enormous threat from Phytophthora since its occurrence. In fact, a century ago, Phytophthorapalmivora was first reported on Dendrobium maccarthiae in Sri Lanka. Since then, members of beautiful flowering crops of the family Orchidaceae facing the destructive threat of Phytophthora. Several Phytophthora species have been recorded to infect orchids with economic loss worldwide. To date, orchids are attacked by 12 species of Phytophthora. Five Phytophthora species (P. palmivora, P. nicotianae, P. cactorum, P. multivesiculata, P. meadii) are the major pathogenic Oomycetous Chromista" rather than true fungi frequently occurred on Orchidaceae. Phytophthora palmivora (having ~32 orchid host genera in 15 countries), Phytophthora nicotianae (having ~15 orchid host genera in 16 countries), Phytophthora cactorum (having ~43 orchid host genera in 6 countries), Phytophthora multivesiculata (having 2 orchid host genera in 5 countries) and Phytophthora capsici (having 2 orchid host genera in all Vanilla growing countries) are potential destroyers of Orchidaceae. Most of them are water loving Oomycetes cause disease in moist environments (> 80% RH) at 16-28°C. In artificially constructed orchidaria, anthropogenic factors are mostly contributed to the dissemination Phytophthora diseases in addition to many other factors. Water management, clean cultivation, and agro-chemicals are the major options for effective management of orchid Phytophthora, as the eco-friendly management options like development of resistant hybrids/cultivars, biological disease management, transgenic approaches, RNAi technology remained in the infant stage. In this review, we intended to highlight the insight of Phytophthora diseases associated with the orchid disease with reference to the historical aspect of the diseases, symptoms and signs, the pathogens, taxonomy, geographic distribution, host range within the Orchidaceae, pathogen identification, molecular diagnostics, mating types and races, management options and strategies and future perspectives.

A dry double-sided tape post-treated with tannic acid for long-term adhesion in a wet environment.

Medical adhesives have been used for wound closure with many advantages over sutures, but the wet environment in the human body poses a big challenge for its application. The currently used dry double-sided tape (DST) can remove the water barrier by water absorption, but its over-swelling makes it difficult to achieve long-term adhesion. In this study, a dry double-sided tape post-treated with tannic acid (DST-TA) was developed. A double network adhesive composed of polyacrylic acid and gelatin was first prepared by free radical photocrosslinking, and was post-treated in acidic (pH = 2) tannic acid solution. Tannic acid was immobilized in the DST through the catecholyl group, which could form hydrogen bonds with the DST, or react with the amino group on the gelatin by oxidizing to quinone. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that DST-TA had significantly higher swelling resistance and tensile strength than DST. The introduced catecholyl group could reduce over-swelling of the DST, and improve short-term and long-term adhesion in a wet environment. We also demonstrated that the DST-TA had good hemocompatibility, biodegradability, and no cytotoxicity, offering a potential option for long-term medical adhesive in a wet environment.

Dermoscopic findings in Tinea Capitis among under 18 children in dermatology polyclinic patients: a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection that affects the scalp. It is caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes, which thrive in warm and moist environments. In Somalia, there is a data shortage regarding dermatological conditions, especially in Mogadishu, the most populous city in the country. Tinea capitis has gone unreported despite its high prevalence in Somali dermatology clinics and the Somali diaspora in Western countries. The absence of up-to-date information hampers the capability to diagnose, treat, and prevent Tinea capitis. Therefore, the study aims to evaluate dermoscopic signs about isolated organisms and potassium hydroxide (KOH) examination. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was implemented between January and April 2023 in Mogadishu, Somalia. All eligible Tinea capitis-infected children were included in the study. Microscopically, analysis was conducted by adding 10% of KOH in fungal elements. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the χ2 test at P value less than 0.05. A total of 76 tinea capitis-infected children participated in the study; 56% were age group between 5-9 years old, 68.4% were male, and 92.1% showed KOH positivity. Trichophyton violaceum (65.8%) and Trichophyton sudanense (14.5%) were the most common fungal organisms detected in the culture. comma hairs (93.10%), scales (40.80%), and corkscrews (32.90%) were the most common dermoscopic signs of tinea capitis. The demographical characteristics and dermoscopic signs of tinea capitis significantly associated with the positivity of KOH examination were age, sex, comma hairs, corkscrew hairs, broken hair, Scales, and Zigzag hair. Children in Mogadishu, Somalia, bear a significant burden of Tinea Capitis infections. Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton sudanense were the predominant causative agents identified in the cultures. The most common dermoscopic signs of tinea capitis observed in this study were comma hairs, scales, and corkscrew patterns. Hence, early diagnosis of Tinea Capitis infections and timely, effective treatments with contact tracing are highly needed.

Exploring microbial diversity in South Korean caves through shotgun sequencing: contrasting dry and wet environments, swabbing versus sediment sampling

Exploring microbial diversity in South Korean caves through shotgun sequencing: contrasting dry and wet environments, swabbing versus sediment sampling

Holistic insights into carbon nanotubes and MXenes as a promising route to bio-sensing applications.

Essential biosensor use has become increasingly important in drug discovery and recognition, biomedicine, food safety, security, and environmental research. It directly contributed to the development of specialized, reliable diagnostic instruments known as biosensors, which use biological sensing components. Traditional biosensors have poor performance, so scientists need to develop advanced biosensors with promising selectivity, sensitivity, stability, and reusability. These are all parameter modifications associated with the characteristics of the sensing material. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and MXenes are promising as targeted sensing agents in advanced functional materials because of their promising chemical and physical properties and limited toxic effects. Based on available data and sensing performance, MXene is better for biosensing applications than CNTs. Because of their large specific surface area (SSA), superior electrical conductivity, and adaptable surface chemistry that facilitates simple functionalization and robust interactions with biomolecules, MXenes are typically regarded as the superior option for biosensors. Additionally, because of their hydrophilic nature, they are more suited to biological settings, which increases their sensitivity and efficacy in identifying biological targets. MXenes are more suitable for biosensing applications due to their versatility and compatibility with aquatic environments, even if CNTs have demonstrated stability and muscular mechanical strength. However, MXenes offer better thermal stability, which is crucial for applications in diverse temperature environments. This study reviews and compares the biosensing capabilities, synthesis methods, unique properties, and toxicity of CNTs and MXenes. Both nanomaterials effectively detect various pollutants in food, biological substances, and human bodies, making them invaluable in environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. In conclusion, CNTs work better for biosensors that must be strong, flexible, and long-lasting under different conditions. MXenes, on the other hand, work better when chemical flexibility and compatibility with wet environments are essential.

An innovative method to prevent infection when measuring the arterial blood gas SpO2 saturation.

Patients are hospitalized for extended periods, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). As a result, the saturation probe (pulse oximeter) remains attached for an extended period and microorganisms can grow in the wet environment. If the pulse oximeters are not reprocessed, cross-infection may occur. The literature contains several studies in which gloves were used for the measurement while various SpO2 (peripheral arterial oxygen saturation) measurements were compared with each other. However, such comparisons have yet to be made with the results of arterial blood gas SpO2 measurements by pulse oximeter, considered as the gold standard. The present study aimed to compare arterial blood gas values with the fingertip saturation measurement performed by having adult patients wear gloves of different colors, one after the other, on their fingers and determining the effect of the differently colored gloves (transparent, white, black, light blue) on saturation values. The study was conducted on 54 patients in an ICU. Intra-arterial blood gas SpO2 results were measured. Oxygen saturation was measured while the patient 1. did not wear gloves and 2. sequentially wore a series of gloves of different colors. Paired t-test, correlation analysis, and Bland Altman charts were used to evaluate the results. The mean SpO2% value of the participants' intra-arterial blood gas measurements was 97.76±2.04. The mean SpO2% value obtained from the measurements of the fingers with a transparent glove was 0.43 points lower than the mean SpO2% value of the intra-arterial blood gas measurements (t=0.986, p=0.61). The mean SpO2% value obtained from the measurements of the fingers with a white glove was 0.93 points lower than the mean SpO2% value of the intra-arterial blood gas measurements (t=1.157, p=0.093). Of the measurements performed with a glove, the mean SpO2% value obtained from the measurements of the fingers with a transparent glove was more consistent with the mean SpO2% value of the intra-arterial blood gas measurements than measurement of the fingers without a glove.

Exploring prosthetic screw rupture in titanium and zirconia superstructures under various conditions.

The fastening mechanics of prosthetic screws under various conditions is crucial to the maintenance of dental implants. This study comprehensively explores the prosthetic screw rupture in titanium (Ti) and zirconia (ZrO2) superstructures under wet and dry conditions. Superstructures were fabricated using digital technology and subjected to tightening torque trials. Experimental results suggested that the implications of the conventionally recommended torque of 15 N•cm differ significantly between dry and wet environments. Both Ti and ZrO2 exhibited preloads of >30 N•cm under dry conditions; however, differences emerged under wet conditions. In addition, screw rupture posed a prominent clinical challenge -particularly during long-term cyclic loading. Notably, the ZrO2 superstructures exhibited a greater resistance to breaking torque than that of Ti. This study underscores the importance of reevaluating torque recommendations with consideration to the distinct characteristics of Ti and ZrO2 in diverse environments.

Paleoclimatic analysis of Quaternary sediments associated with the floodplain depositsof a tropical estuary along the southwestern coast of India

The coastal regions of southwest India which falls in the tropical regime, have witnessed many transgression-regression events and climatic extremes in the Quaternary Period. A core, 15 m long, was recovered from the floodplains associated with a typical backwater body (lake) in the southwestern coast of India. The granulometric analysis proved dominance of sand and silt fractions and extremely high energy conditions over the entire core. The TOC/TN ratio indicated a domination of the C4-type over the C3-type plants in the lower half of the core, suggesting a warm climate. The C3-type plants prevail in the upper part of the core, thus reflecting cool and wet environments. Extremely low values of TOC/TN ratio (0.33% to 10%) of the core indicate short periods of very high rainfall events and the rapid influx of nutrients to the basin and the eutrophication of the basin. The presence of slightly brackish, brackish/marine and marine benthic foraminifers at 12.5–9 m depth indicates episodes of transgression and regression. The derived AMS radiocarbon dates suggest the Marine Isotope Stage 3 for the lower part of the core.