Partial Exposure Research Articles

Effect of bioactive glasses and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser on dentin permeability.

Context:Dental hypersensitivity and loss of dental tissues are commonly observed in patients, and most of the problems are caused due to total or partial exposure of dentinal tubules.Aims:The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of 45S5 bioactive glass and niobophosphate (NbG) associated with neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the reduction of dentin permeability.Materials and Methods:Fifty bovine dentin discs were made and distributed randomly into five groups (n = 10). The Nd:YAG laser was applied with the bioactive glasses using the energy parameters (60 and 80 mJ), forming the groups; NbG_60: NbG + Nd:YAG (60 mJ); NbG_80: NbG + Nd:YAG (80 mJ), 45S5_60: 45S5 + Nd:YAG (60 mJ); 45S5_80: 45S5 + Nd:YAG (80 mJ) and C: control (untreated dentin). The permeability was measured with a split chamber device. The samples were subjected to the erosive challenge and a new permeability measurement was done. Furthermore, the dentin was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS).Statistical Analysis Used:The data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests (α = 0.05).Results:Greater reduction in dentinal permeability was observed for 45S5 bioactive glasses (45S5_60 and 45S5_80) followed by NbG_80 and NbG_60 (P < 0.05). The SEM/EDS analysis showed the formation of a barrier after the dentin treatment.Conclusions:Bioactive glasses with Nd:YAG laser on the dentin surface may be a promising alternative for the reduction of dentin permeability.

Going back into the wild: the behavioural effects of raising sea urchins in captivity.

Sea urchin harvesting has rapidly expanded in the last decades. Since many sea urchin species play important ecological role, large-scale commercial sea urchin fisheries can have complex effects on benthic communities. In many temperate regions, overharvesting has compromised marine ecosystems to such an extent that reintroduction of sea urchins raised in captivity may be a valid solution for the enhancement of depleted marine wild populations. In some regions of the Mediterranean Sea, improving the growth efficiency of captive sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus to be reintroduced has become a widespread practice. However, no study has yet considered the potential behavioural effects of raising sea urchins in captivity when they are introduced in the natural environment. This study provides information about the behavioural effects of captivity on P. lividus in terms of locomotion performance, a trait that can be fundamental for responding to predators and for relocation after environmental disturbances such as currents and waves. Movements of captive-born and wild sea urchins were video-recorded and compared in (i) total exposure to external cues, (ii) partial exposure to external cues and (iii) absence of external cues. Latency of locomotion, average speed and average velocity of sea urchins showed significant differences with respect to the level of exposure and their origin (i.e. wild vs. captive-born). Our results demonstrate that captive-born sea urchins in the wild showed long latency and slower locomotor performance when compared to wild sea urchins. Conversely, the straightness-of-path and locomotion direction of captive-born and wild sea urchins were similar in natural settings. Our results therefore suggest that captive-born sea urchins suffer the negative effects of captivity when introduced in a natural environment. Understanding the factors that decrease the performance of sea urchin will be important for developing procedures aimed at minimizing the negative effect of captivity before release into the wild.

Socket preservation using eggshell-derived nanohydroxyapatite with platelet-rich fibrin as a barrier membrane: a new technique.

ObjectivesSocket grafting is vital to prevent bone resorption after tooth extraction. Several techniques to prevent resorption have been described, and various bone graft substitutes have been developed and used with varying success. We conducted this pilot study to evaluate the performance of nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) derived from chicken eggshells in socket preservation.Materials and MethodsThis was a prospective, single center, outcome assessor-blinded evaluation of 23 sockets (11 patients) grafted with nHA and covered with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane as a barrier. Bone width and radiographic bone density were measured using digital radiographs at 1, 12, and 24 weeks post-procedure. Postoperative histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography (CT) evaluation were performed. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee.ResultsAll patients had uneventful wound healing without graft material displacement or leaching despite partial exposure of the grafted socket. Tissue re-epithelialized with thick gingival biotype (>3 mm). Width of the bone was maintained and radiographic density increased significantly with a trabecular pattern (73.91% of sockets) within 12 weeks. Histomorphometric analysis showed 56.52% Grade 3 bone formation and micro-CT analysis revealed newly formed bone with interconnecting trabeculae.ConclusionUse of a PRF membrane with nHA resulted in good bone regeneration in sockets. Use of a PRF membrane prevents periosteal-releasing incisions for primary closure, thereby facilitating the preservation of keratinized mucosa and gingival architecture. This technique, which uses eggshell-derived nHA and PRF membrane from the patient's own blood, is innovative and is free of disease transfer risks. nHA is a promising economic bone graft substitute for bone regeneration and reconstruction because of the abundant availability of eggshell waste as a raw material.

A Triphasic Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst with Tunable and Synergetic Interfacial Structure for Rechargeable Zn‐Air Batteries

AbstractAtomic‐scale design of interfacial structure is an intriguing but challenging approach to developing efficient heterogenous catalysts for bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis. Herein, an exquisite triphasic interfacial structure featuring the encapsulation of FexNi alloy in a graphitic shell with a partial exposure of the FeOy thin‐layered surface is manipulated via an electronic modulation strategy. The spontaneous integration of well‐crystallized metal alloy, carbon shell with a tunable active FeOy layer, not only guarantees smooth charge transfer across the thin oxide layer, but also generates the synergistic effect at the interface, thus dramatically boosting the intrinsic activity of oxygen catalysis. Benefiting from these attributes, the hybrid catalyst outperforms the commercial noble‐metal benchmarks with a higher half‐wave potential of 0.890 V for oxygen reduction reaction and lower overpotential of 308 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for the oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media. Beyond that, a high‐performance rechargeable Zn‐air battery is realized with a narrow voltage gap of 0.742 V and excellent cyclability over 500 cycles at 10 mA cm−2, demonstrating the great potential of the as‐developed triphasic electrocatalyst for practical applications.

Emission channels from perturbed quantum black holes

We calculate the emission of gravitational waves, gravitons, photons and neutrinos from a perturbed Schwarzschild blackhole (BH). The perturbation can be due to either classical or quantum sources and therefore the injected energy can be either positive or negative. The emission can be classical in nature, as in the case of gravitational waves, or of quantum nature, for gravitons and the additional fields. We first set up the theoretical framework for calculating the emission by treating the case of a minimally coupled scalar field and then present the results for the other fields. We perform the calculations in the horizon-locking gauge in which the BH horizon is deformed, following similar calculations of tidal deformations of BH horizons. The classical emission can be interpreted as due to a partial exposure of a nonempty BH interior, while the quantum emission can be interpreted as an increased Hawking radiation flux due to the partial exposure of the BH interior. The degree of exposure of the BH interior is proportional to the magnitude of the injected null energy.

Feeding Mode, but Not Prebiotics, Affects Colonic Microbiota Composition and Volatile Fatty Acid Concentrations in Sow-Reared, Formula-Fed, and Combination-Fed Piglets

Many infants consume both human milk and infant formula (combination-fed); however, little is known about how combination-feeding affects the gut microbiota or prebiotic fermentation compared to formula feeding. We investigated the impact of feeding mode and prebiotics on bacterial colonization and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations. Newborn piglets (Large White and Landrace) were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=6/group): formula-fed (FF), formula-fed with prebiotics (FP), sow-reared (SR), combination-fed (CF), and combination-fed with prebiotics (CP). SR piglets remained with the sows 24 h/d. FF and FP were fed formula or formula with galactooligosaccharide and inulin (4 g/L in a 4:1 ratio). CF and CP were sow-reared for 5 d and then rotated between the sow and formula-feeding every 12 h. Ascending colon contents were collected at day 21. The microbiota was analyzed by pyrosequencing and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). VFAs were determined by gas chromatography. Distance-based redundancy analysis of DGGE and pyrosequencing data separated microbiota of FF from CF and SR. CF differed from SR by DGGE, but only a trend (P=0.09) by pyrosequencing. Bacterial composition of CF was more similar to SR than FF. No bacterial genera in CF significantly differed from SR; however, 9 genera differed between CF and FF, including Lactobacillus, Clostridium XIVa, and Fusobacterium. VFA concentrations were similar between CF and SR, while isovalerate and isobutyrate were 2-fold greater (P<0.05) in CF than FF. Neither microbiota nor VFA profile was affected by prebiotic supplementation. Microbial colonization patterns and VFA profiles of CF piglets were more similar to SR piglets than FF piglets. Prebiotics did not affect piglet bacterial composition and/or VFA concentrations relative to the main feeding modes (FF and CF). Thus, partial exposure to breast milk can be beneficial for microbiota development of FF neonates.

Modern Mineral Formation in the Thermal Lake Fumarolnoe (Uzon Caldera, Kamchatka) as a Key to Paleoreconstruction

Paleoreconstruction of events involved in the bottom sedimentation has been carried out on the basis of mineral composition of the section of the minor lake IV (Lake Fumarolnoe, Kamchatka) bottom sediments. The lower sediments are composed mainly of smectite in association with gypsum and jarosite; they are overlain by smectite–kaolinite with a large amount of framboidal pyrite and diatom shells. There is also a layer of sinter opal–pyrite units and calcite. It is concluded that initially the minor lake IV was a mud pit with sulfide-bearing solutions. Then, after the lowering of the water level and the partial exposure of the bottom sediments on the surface, the latter were oxidized. The subsequent phreatic explosion provided the covering of oxidized sediments with the reduced substance from the lower horizons of the pit. Further setting of sediment accumulation corresponded to a source with cyanobacterial community developing around the gryphon, and then it changed to that of a shallow-water lake similar to a contemporary one. Sediments also include two layers of pyroclastic material originated from eruptions of neighboring volcanoes.

A crowdsourced intervention to decrease hepatitis B stigma in men who have sex with men in China: A cohort study.

Stigma against people with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a barrier to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HBV in China. Our study examined an innovative intervention to reduce HBV stigma among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. We extracted data from a randomized controlled trial conducted in May 2018, where the intervention consisted of crowdsourced images and videos to promote viral hepatitis testing and reduce HBV stigma. HBV stigma was assessed using a 20-item scale at baseline and four weeks post-enrolment. Participants were divided into three groups based on their exposure to intervention: full exposure, partial exposure and no exposure. Linear regression was used to determine associations between baseline stigma and participant characteristics. Data from 470 MSM were analysed. Mean participant age was 25years old and 56% had less education than a college bachelor's degree. Full exposure to intervention was associated with significant stigma reduction (adjusted beta=-3.49; 95% CI=-6.11 to -0.87; P=.01), while partial exposure led to stigma reduction that was not statistically significant. The mean stigma score was 50.6 (SD±14.7) at baseline, and stigma was most prominent regarding physical contact with HBV carriers. Greater HBV stigma was associated with not having a recent doctor's visit (adjusted beta=4.35, 95% CI=0.19 to 8.52; P=.04). In conclusion, crowdsourcing can decrease HBV stigma among MSM in China and may be useful in anti-stigma campaigns for vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries.

Breakdown on LDPE film due to partial discharge in air gap and its correlation with electrical properties and surface degradation

This paper describes the breakdown characteristic of the low density poly ethylene film caused by partial discharge in the air gap. The purpose of this paper is to clarify the effect number of discharge under repetition rectangular pulses with a needle-plane electrode system as a function of pulse frequency. The result performed, from 10 Hz up to 1000 Hz. From 10 Hz to 200 Hz, the pulse number up to breakdown did not change significantly with increasing the pulse frequency and the magnitude of partial discharge function of pulse number with varied frequency until breakdown were similar. By using both potential decay and surface degradation analysis function of number of pulse, the breakdown phenomena caused by partial discharge was shown to reveal a significant correlation between electrical properties and the transparency of its surface to change deposited on it by a partial discharge exposure.

Do Local Tobacco-21 Laws Reduce Smoking Among 18 to 20 Year-Olds?

States and municipalities are increasingly restricting tobacco sales to those under age 21, in an effort to reduce youth and young adult smoking. However, the effectiveness of such policies remains unclear, particularly when implemented locally. Analyses use 2011-2016 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System's Selected Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Risk Trends dataset. Difference-in-differences and triple-difference regressions estimate the relationship between local tobacco-21 policies and smoking among 18- to 20-year-olds living in MMSAs (metropolitan/micropolitan statistical areas and metropolitan divisions). Current smoking rates fell from 16.5% in 2011 to 8.9% in 2016 among 18- 20-year-olds in these data. Regressions indicate that a tobacco-21 policy covering one's entire MMSA yields an approximately 3.1 percentage point reduction in 18- to 20-year-olds' likelihoods of smoking (confidence interval [CI] = -0.0548 to -0.0063). Accounting for partial policy exposure-tobacco-21 laws implemented in some but not all jurisdictions within an MMSA-this estimate implies that the average exposed 18- to 20-year-old experienced a 1.2 percentage point drop in their likelihood of being a smoker at interview relative to unexposed respondents of the same age, all else equal. Local tobacco-21 policies yield a substantive reduction in smoking among 18- to 20-year-olds living in MMSAs. This finding provides empirical support for efforts to raise the tobacco purchasing age to 21 as a means to reduce young adult smoking. Moreover, it suggests that state laws preempting local tobacco-21 policies may impede public health. Although states and municipalities are increasingly restricting tobacco sales to under 21-year-olds, such policies' effectiveness remains unclear, particularly when implemented locally. Using quasi-experimental methods, this article provides what may be the first evidence that sub-state tobacco-21 laws reduce smoking among 18- to 20-year-olds. Specifically, considering metropolitan and micropolitan areas from 2011 to 2016, the average 18- to 20-year-old who was exposed to these policies exhibited a 1.2 percentage point drop in their likelihood of being a current established smoker, relative to those who were unexposed. These findings validate local tobacco-21 laws as a means to reduce young adult smoking.

Mesoporous Nitrogen-Doped Carbon-Nanosphere-Supported Isolated Single-Atom Pd Catalyst for Highly Efficient Semihydrogenation of Acetylene.

Semihydrogenation of acetylene in the ethylene feed is a vital step for the industrial production of polyethylene. Despite their favorable reaction activity and ethylene selectivity, the Pd-based intermetallic compound and single-atom alloy catalysts still suffer from the limitation of atomic utilization derived from the partial exposure of active Pd atoms. Herein, a hard-template Lewis acid doping strategy is reported that can overcome the inefficient utilization of Pd atoms. In this strategy, N-coordinated isolated single-atomic Pd sites are fully embedded on the inner walls of mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon foam nanospheres (ISA-Pd/MPNC). This synthetic strategy has been proved to be applicable to prepare other ISA-M/MPNC (M = Pt and Cu) materials. This ISA-Pd/MPNC catalyst with both high specific surface area (633.8 m2 g-1 ) and remarkably thin pore wall (1-2 nm) exhibits higher activity than that of its nonmesoporous counterpart (ISA-Pd/non-MPNC) catalyst by a factor of 4. This work presents an efficient way to tailor and optimize the catalytic activity and selectivity by atomic-scale design and structural control.

Effects of iron and root zone pH on growth and physiological responses of paper birch (Betula papyrifera), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) seedlings in a split-root hydroponic system

Iron deficiency that is induced by high soil pH is a major factor affecting plant growth in calcareous soils and in some areas that have been reclaimed following industrial activities. Since the effects of high soil pH commonly involve Fe deficiency, in this study, we examined whether Fe provided to part of the root system exposed to low pH would alleviate high pH stress in paper birch (Betula papyrifera), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) seedlings. The plants were grown in a controlled environment growth room in mineral nutrient solution at pH 5 and 9 and provided with either 0 or 40 µM Fe in a split-root system for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatments, plant dry weights, net photosynthesis, transpiration rates, root ferric-chelate reductase activity, and leaf chlorophyll concentrations were measured, and elemental analyses were carried out in young leaves. The results demonstrated high root zone pH affected Fe, P and Zn concentrations in young leaves. In the three considered species, plants with part of their root system exposed to pH 5 had higher dry weights, net photosynthesis, and transpiration rates compared with the plants with the whole root system immersed in pH 9 solution. High root zone pH reduced photosynthesis, transpiration rates, leaf chlorophyll concentrations and the uptake of Fe, P, and Zn in plants. Partial exposure of the root system to low pH and Fe supply reduced leaf chlorosis and partly alleviated the high pH stress in the studied plants by improving Fe uptake, but did not alleviate root growth reductions.

Complications Associated With Anterior Iliac Bone Grafting for the Reconstruction of Dentoalveolar Defects.

The aim of this study is to evaluate donor- and recipient-site complications of iliac bone grafting for the reconstruction of atrophic jaws.Our study includes 86 consecutive patients with atrophic jaws who underwent iliac bone grafting surgery. At the donor site, hematoma, infection, paresthesia, chronic pain, prolonged gait disturbance, fracture of the ilium, and esthetic concerns; at the recipient site, hematoma, infection, prolonged pain, graft exposure, graft loss, and loss of the implants were evaluated.Grafting was successfully performed in all patients. The mean follow-up period was 35 months. Prolonged gait disturbance (20.9%) and paresthesia (9.3%) were the most frequently observed donor-site complications. At the recipient site, hematoma (8.1%), infection (12.8%), prolonged pain (11.6%), partial graft exposure (33.7%), total graft exposure (7%), partial graft loss (17.4%), and total graft loss (5.8%) were observed.Reconstruction of atrophic jaws can be achieved successfully with iliac bone grafting. However, there are possible donor- and recipient-site complications that have to be taken into consideration.

Comparative outcome of overhead and total body phototherapy for treatment of severe neonatal jaundice in Nigeria

ABSTRACTBackground: In Nigeria, neonatal jaundice is commonly treated by overhead phototherapy with neonates lying supine, often with effective exposure of less than one half of the body surface. Total body exposure in phototherapy has been in use for less than 2 years in Nigeria, but is available in only five neonatal centres.Aim: To compare the effectiveness of total body exposure (TBPE) with the conventional partial exposure (COPT) for treatment of hyperbilirubinaemia.Methods: Eleven datasets from 10 neonatal units across Nigeria were retrieved. They included neonates with severe hyperbilirubinaemia treated with TBPE using the Firefly® device (MTTS Asia) as a test group. The remainder of the patients, the controls, were treated with COPT. Any requirement for exchange blood transfusion (EBT) in either group was documented. Total serum bilirubin (TSB) >213.8 μmol/L (12.5 mg/dL) was treated as severe hyperbilirubinaemia. The efficiency of the intervention was determined according to the time taken for a severe case to be downgraded to mild at ≤213.8 μmol/L.Results: A total of 486 patients were studied, 343 controls and 143 cases. Mean (SD) postnatal age was 6 days (0.7) for cases and 5 (0.9) for controls, for gestational age (GA) in completed weeks was 36 (0.5) for cases and 37 (0.7) for controls and for birthweight was 2.7 kg (0.25) for cases and 2.7 (0.22) for controls. Mean (SD) pre-intervention TSB was 299.3 (35.7) μmol/L for cases and 327.3 (13.9) for controls. Severity downgrade day was Day 2 (0.4) for cases and Day 5 (1.1) for controls. Overall relative EBT rate was 6% for cases and 55% for controls (p= 0.0001), and early preterm relative EBT rate was 0% for cases and 68% for controls (p < 0.01).Conclusion: TBPE was quicker and safer for reduction of hyperbilirubinaemia and patients rarely required EBT. TBPE is recommended for rapid reduction of serum bilirubin levels and the reduction of treatment costs, morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries.Abbreviations: EBT, exchange blood transfusion; TBPE, total body exposure technique; COPT, conventional partial exposure; TSB, total serum bilirubin; SB, serum bilirubin; NNJ, neonatal jaundice; SCNU, special care neonatal unit; LMIC, low- and middle-income countries; HIC, high-income countries; LED, light-emitting diode

Insights about the formation of a complex impact structure formed in basalt from numerical modeling: The Vista Alegre structure, southern Brazil

AbstractWe present the outcomes of simulations of the formation of the Vista Alegre impact structure, Paraná Basin, Brazil. The target comprised a thick sequence of volcanic rocks of predominantly basaltic composition of the Serra Geral Formation that had been deposited on top of sedimentary rocks (sandstones) of the Pirambóia/Botucatu formations. The cratering process was modeled using the iSALE shock physics code. Our best‐fit model suggests that (1) the crater was originally ~10 km in size; (2) it was formed in ~115 s by a stony projectile of 1000 m in diameter, for an assumed impact velocity of 12 km s−1; (3) target rocks underwent a peak pressure of ~20 GPa, in agreement with previous petrographic investigations of shock deformation. Furthermore, the model points out that the sedimentary strata below the layer of volcanic rocks were raised by ~650 meters at the central part of the crater, which resulted in the current partial exposure of the sandstones at the surface. The outcomes of our modeling suggest that parameters like cohesion and strength of the target rocks, after shock compression, determined the final morphology of the crater, especially the absence of a topographically prominent central peak. Finally, the results of the numerical modeling are roughly in agreement with gravity data over the structure, in particular with respect to the presence of the uplifted sedimentary strata, which are responsible for a low gravity signature at the center of the structure.

Proposed mechanism for uneven detinning in cans of Satsuma mandarin (citrus unshiu)

Uneven detinning and partial exposure of the iron-tin alloy layer in cans of Satsuma mandarin were investigated herein. Studies using commercial cans have indicated that these phenomena were primarily caused by the juice of Satsuma mandarin. The compounds (e.g. hesperigin) present in the juice adhered to the tin plate surface and inhibited detinning. Since the areas adhering the compounds were discontinuous, uneven detinning occurred. After this, partial exposure of the iron-tin alloy layer mainly occurred at the edge of the no-detinning areas. Partial exposure was also observed along the painted weld of the tin can, suggesting that direct interaction between the corrosion-causing compounds and the tin surface was not required.

Adsorption of CO2 gas on graphene–polymer composites

Three-dimensional graphene-polymer porous materials have been proposed recently as potential adsorbents for carbon dioxide capture. We report results from molecular dynamics simulations on the adsorption of CO2 gas by composite systems formed by six different types of polymers. All composites are characterized by a constant polymer-to-graphene mass-ratio of 1.02 and their capture capacity as a function of the gas pressure is analyzed relative to the adsorption of nitrogen and methane. The results were then compared to the performance obtained from a bare-graphene sheet. More specifically, we examined the abilities of hydrogen-bond donor groups, amines and amides, as well as aromatic rings to promote and discriminate CO2 capture. We find that bare-graphene displays the highest capacity to adsorb CO2. Nevertheless, increasing the number of amine/amide protic groups of the polymer augments the adsorption. In fact, the best performing polymer in our study, which contains three protic groups per monomer, exhibits capture of CO2 almost as good as bare-graphene. Furthermore, these protic polymers form substantial intra-polymer hydrogen bonds and consequently exhibit cohesive behavior. In these cases, the aggregation of the polymer resulted in partial exposure of the graphene sheet on which the gas can adsorb as well. In contrast aprotic polymers, such as poly(styrene) or poly(methyl-methacrylate), spread extensively on graphene and are characterized by small capacities to adsorb CO2. For all systems studied, CO2 is adsorbed preferentially relative to N2 and CH4. This preferential adsorption is almost constant as a function of the gas pressure with values ranging from 2 to 12.

Biochemical Effect of Low-Level Radiation on Human Beings Examined by Directly Attached Radioactive Mineral

Previously, we have reported the clinical significance of low-level radiation and also demonstrated the necessity to determine the threshold of radioactive levels in human beings. In the present study, apart from the direct exposure of alpha-ray with oral intake of radon222 dissolved water or inhaling radon222 gas, the experimental direct exposure to beta- and gamma-rays by wearing a cotton sack containing Samarskite with direct contact to skin for one month was conducted. The average of beta- and gamma-ray levels on the sack surface was approximately 400 μSV/hour. The biochemical laboratory tests involving immunological markers were assessed at the initial and end points. In this study, the partial but continual direct exposure of human body to beta- and gamma-rays for one month showed no harmful effects. There are no significant changes in any of the bio markers. Although this study is limited regarding the number of subjects, the procedure is quite simple; thus, the gathering data using this procedure by adjusting the types and levels of radioactivity would be helpful in finding out the accurate radioactive threshold in human beings.

Observation of the eruption sequence and formation process of a temporary lava lake during the June–August 2015 Mt. Raung eruption, Indonesia, using high-resolution and high-frequency satellite image datasets

From June to August 2015, Mt. Raung located at the east end of Java, Indonesia, erupted effusively with Strombolian activity at the intra-caldera cinder cone. The effused lava from the base of the cone entirely buried the caldera floor with a lava bed and ultimately formed a temporary lava lake. In this study, details of the eruption sequence and formation process of the temporary lava lake are analyzed based on a series of high-resolution images combined with the high-frequency thermal observation results of Himawari-8. The volume of effused lava was also estimated using a digital elevation model (ASTER GDEM) based on the lava bed bathymetry in the caldera and lava bed distribution at several points over the course of the eruption. The total effusion volume was estimated to be 7.5 × 107 m3, and the average effusion rate was 1.4 × 106 m3/day. The activity consisted of four stages. The Precursory Stage was characterized by low-level thermal anomalies, which are thought to result from high-temperature spots at the bottom of several pits formed in the buried vent, probably due to magma head partial exposure or gas emission. Pulses 1 and 2 were effusive stages that formed the lava bed. The pattern recognized in the time-series variation of thermal anomalies was confirmed to reflect the lava effusion rate using the volumes estimated in this study. The lava bed is divided into the Lower and Upper lava groups, which were generated in Pulses 1 and 2, respectively, except for the fine lobes formed around the margin of the Lower lava group. The Terminal Stage also showed low-level thermal anomalies, most likely caused by gas emissions. The intra-caldera cone grew to approximately 100 m higher than its initial height by mid-August and then collapsed into the conduit at the end of the Terminal Stage. The lava bed increased in thickness through lobe multi-layering and later through the addition of lava directly from the vent into the lava bed interior. Over the course of the lava bed growth, the bed outline nearly matched the caldera contours. Uplift of the lava bed surface caused lateral fluidization of the bed, and molten lava was extruded at the bed margins, forming fine lobes. This process enlarged the zone of fine lobes around the lava bed. Thus, the lava bed growth resulted in the appearance of a lava lake. In the middle of Pulse 1, a small amount of hot material was thrown onto the slope beyond the caldera rim. In the future, the caldera floor uplift caused by this activity (approximately 49 m) will increase the risk of erupted material ejection outside the caldera. In a comparison with the 2013–15 Nishinoshima eruption, which was a similar effusive eruption, Mt. Raung was shown to have predominantly large lobes over most of the lava bed, while in Nishinoshima, narrow medium-scale lobes occupied the majority of the surface. This may be attributed to the high effusion rate of lava for Mt. Raung, which was approximately seven times higher on average than the lava effusion rate for Nishinoshima.

Transobturator Tape: Over 10 Years Follow-up

ObjectivesTo assess subjective and objective outcomes in incontinent patients following “out-in” TOT, at >10-year follow-up; to evaluate effect on quality of life and other urinary symptoms, late adverse events and predictive factors for failure. MethodsThis single-centre prospective study evaluated women with “complicated” or “uncomplicated” stress urinary incontinence (SUI) following “out-i”’ TOT between 2003 and 2007.The pre-op work-up comprised: history; pelvic examination; cough stress test; urodynamic study; UDI-6; and King's Health questionnaires.Work-up was the same as pre-op plus the Patient Global Impression of Improvement scale with final follow-up in 2017. ResultsOne hundred thirty six consecutive patients underwent TOT; at final follow-up (mean 145 months) we evaluated 123. Cure rates: objective: 78.9%; subjective: 62.6%; no significant deterioration in SUI cure rates over time.Urgency and urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) significantly reduced. Voiding dysfunction increased without urodynamic obstruction. De novo urgency appeared in 7.3% and de novo UUI in 4.1%.In the 31 uncomplicated SUI patients, the objective cure rate was 87.1% and the subjective cure rate was 72.2%. De novo urgency appeared in 9.7% and de novo UUI in 3.2%.Nine King's Health questionnaires domains saw statistically significant improvements.In univariate analysis, pre-op wet OAB was associated with subjective recurrent SUI (P < .038) and parity >2 was associated with objective recurrent SUI (P = .023).We had 5 cases of partial mesh exposure. ConclusionCure rates are satisfactory, 10 years after TOT surgery, with good quality of life and few major complications. However, some postoperative symptoms may be caused by long-term treatment failure or by advancing age or another pathology.