Steady Decrease Research Articles

Numerical investigation of latent heat storage unit with dual helical tube

The application of latent heat storage systems in waste heat recovery has become a promising solution for energy storage. This study proposes a configuration using dual helical tube, specifically designed for industrial waste heat recovery applications. This study investigates the thermal performance of a horizontal dual helical energy storage unit under natural gravity. It considers various parameters, including helical diameter, the number of helical turns, and eccentricity. When an eccentricity of 5 mm is used, the overall energy storage time is reduced by 30.86 %, and the energy storage density is at its highest (3.11 × 10−4 kW/cm2). Adjusting the outer helical tube to 9 turns produces the highest energy storage efficiency (0.9252). Additionally, the heat transfer characteristics during simultaneous energy storage and release processes have been studied. The results indicate that as the temperature difference or velocity ratio between the heat transfer fluids increases, the liquid fraction at steady state decreases. This decrease in liquid fraction requires a longer time to reach the steady state. When the outer helical tube is filled with the hot fluid and counter flow configuration is adopted, it achieves higher levels of absorption and release power at steady state. The influence of velocity on absorption and release power is more significant than that of temperature difference.

Solar irradiation driven catalytic dye degradation by novel biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO–NPs) from Barleria mysorensis: Kinetics, reusability and mineralization studies

During the study, Barleria mysorensis B.Heyne ex Roth was selected for biosynthesizing zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and evaluating its photocatalytic properties. The structural and morphological characterization of the synthesized particles were performed by UV–Vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Braunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) studies. The results indicate high-quality ZnONPs of 34.36 nm crystallite size with 92.32 % elemental purity (ZnO) and an energy band gap of 3.18 eV. According to the BET study, the synthesized particles had a surface area of 21.626 m2 g–1 with 0.001354 cm3g−1 (p/po=0.908) total pore volume of 0.001354 cm3g−1 (p/po=0.908) and 7.34 nm of mean pore diameter. The electron resonance spectroscopy (ESR) revealed that upon interaction of ZnONPs revealed the formation superoxide radical ions. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye using the synthesized nanoparticles revealed a degradation efficiency of approximately 91.32 % within 120 min of exposure at a rate constant of 18.34 × 10−3 min−1 and it was also noted that the dye degradation process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. Besides, reusability and structural stability studies of ZnONPs as photocatalysts revealed a stable performance up to five cycles. In addition, mineralization studies revealed a steady decrease in COD and TOC content with an increase in reaction time, indicating an improvement in mineralization. In conclusion, biosynthesized ZnONPs get rid of the dye and lower the solution's COD and TOC, ensuring that the dye in question breaks down and non-toxic end products are made.

Gender, Race/Ethnicity, and Patient-Therapist Matching on Gender and Race/Ethnicity: Predictors/Moderators of the Effectiveness of Trust/Respect Feedback.

A plethora of studies has exhibited the effectiveness of using measurement-based care feedback systems within mental health services to improve treatment outcomes; however, patient gender/race and patient-therapist matching on gender and race remain relatively unexplored as predictors/moderators in feedback studies. We conducted predictor/moderator analyses focusing on the relation of gender, race/ethnicity, and patient-therapist gender and race/ethnicity matching on two outcomes: patient self-reported levels of (1) functioning and (2) trust/respect within the therapeutic relationship. We used data from a randomized controlled trial studying the effectiveness of a feedback system comparing patient-reported levels of trust and respect towards their provider (together with symptom feedback) in comparison to symptom only feedback. We found that men improved in functioning more than women when their therapists received trust/respect feedback compared to symptom only feedback (F[1, 902] = 9.79, p = .002, d = 0.21). We also found that dyads matched on race/ethnicity but not gender, and those matched on gender but not race/ethnicity, improved in functioning over time more than dyads mismatched on both gender and race/ethnicity and those matched on both gender and race/ethnicity (F[1, 897] = 8.63, p = .0034, d = 0.20). On trust/respect outcomes, we found a gender difference over time (F[1, 759] = 6.61, p = .01, d = 0.19), a gender matching difference by feedback condition interaction (F[1, 757] = 5.25, p = .02, d = 0.17), and a racial/ethnic matching difference on trust/respect scores over time (F[1, 785] = 3.89, p = .049, d = 0.14). Male patients showed an initial decrease followed by a steady increase in trust/respect over time while female patients showed an initial increase followed by a steady decrease. Gender-matched therapeutic dyads showed higher levels of trust/respect compared to mismatched dyads when therapists received symptom only feedback, but this difference was not apparent when trust/respect feedback was provided. Dyads mismatched on race/ethnicity improved steadily in trust/respect over time, but matched dyads decreased in trust/respect after an initial increase. Future research should focus on the use of feedback systems to enhance outcomes for patients with specific gender and racial/ethnic identities.

Assessment of registered and hidden epidemic process of tick-borne encephalitis in the Republic of Karelia

Introduction. The incidence of tick-borne encephalitis in the Russia remains relevant. The assessment of the epidemic process in the Republic of Karelia is important not only in terms of understanding its general patterns, but in connection with the growth of tourist attendance in the region.
 Aims: To assess the current epidemic situation of tick-borne encephalitis in the Republic of Karelia, and to compare the characteristics of registered and hidden epidemic processes.
 Materials and methods. The risk of infection and incidence were estimated based on the analysis of the registered cases of seeking medical help in connection with tick bites, the results of a study of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection rate in ticks, and the epidemiological investigation of cases of tick-borne encephalitis in 1992–2022. Clinical, gender and age structure, territorial distribution of patients and victims of the tick bites were compared with the results of serological studies of 2379 blood samples of the adult population, conducted in 2011–2022.
 Results. Infection rates of ticks removed from humans ranged from 23.6–27.0% in 2002–2005 to 1.0% in 2022. In 2004, the TBEV antigen was detected in mosquitoes. The territory of risk is the southern part of Republic. However, the increase in number of cases of seeking medical help was observed in the northern part of Republic. The incidence rates exceeded the national average, especially in 2003–2004 (15.3–11.6 per 100 thousand). In 2021–2022, it decreased to 1.8–1.5 per 100,000. The dynamics of incidence had a high-degree correlation with the dynamics of seeking medical help and infection rates in ticks (R = 0.92 and 0.73). The reported incidence was lower than the estimated risk of infection. The meningeal forms of infection were most often diagnosed. The risk of the disease was higher in the elderly and in men, which was determined by the conditions of infection. Antibodies to TBEV were detected in 11.8 ± 0.7% of the examined persons.
 Conclusion. A steady decrease in rates of registered tick-borne encephalitis incidence has been revealed in the Republic of Karelia, mainly due to the action of biological and natural factors. The assessment of seroprevalence made it possible to reveal the hidden part of the epidemic process.

Biocontrol of L. monocytogenes with Selected Autochthonous Lactic Acid Bacteria in Raw Milk Soft-Ripened Cheese under Different Water Activity Conditions.

The effect of selected autochthonous Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) against Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated in two elaborations of soft-ripened cheese performed under high and low relative humidity (RH) elaborations, to achieve aw ranging from 0.97 to 0.94 in ripened cheeses. Two selected autochthonous strains of Lacticaseibacillus casei 31 and 116 were used. In each elaboration, 8 batches were physicochemically and microbiologically evaluated throughout the ripening process. The aw and pH decreased during ripening to final values ranging from 0.944 to 0.972 aw and 5.0 to 5.3 pH, respectively. LAB was the only microbial group that increased throughout the ripening in high and low RH elaborations. In batches that were uninoculated with LAB strains, L. monocytogenes was either maintained at the initial inoculation level or showed a slight reduction by the end of the ripening process. However, in LAB-inoculated batches in the two elaborations, steady decreases of L. monocytogenes were observed throughout maturation. L. casei 31 alone or in combination with strain 116 provoked reductions of 2 to 4 log CFU/g in L. monocytogenes over 60 days of ripening, which could be enough as a strategy for biocontrol to deal with the usual contamination by L. monocytogenes during cheese processing.

Geographical differences in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality trends by sex, Spain, 1980-2021.

BACKGROUND: To analyse changes in trends in mortality due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Spain by Autonomous Community (AC) and sex during the period 1980-2021.METHODS: Data on population and COPD death records (International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition, codes J40â-"J44 and J47) were retrieved from the National Institute of Statistics for the study period. Age-standardised mortality rates by AC and sex were assessed using joinpoint regression models.RESULTS: There were 562,668 deaths due to COPD (423,855 in men and 138,813 in women), with an average annual increase of 1.6%. COPD deaths in men increased in most ACs, except for Asturias (â-"0.5% per year). The Canary Islands (14% per year) and Madrid (6.5% per year) had the highest increases. In women, the figures show a wide range of values at the AC level (from a â-"1.4% decrease to 7.9% increase). Nationally, the sex ratio increased from 1980 to 2021. In men, six ACs showed a significant decrease, while in women only two ACs showed a significant decrease.CONCLUSION: A steady decrease in COPD mortality was observed in most ACs for men, while a different trend was observed in women in several ACs. Despite past and ongoing tobacco control initiatives, this condition remains a leading cause of death.

Extinction of solid diffusion flame in microgravity: Details of quenching and blowoff processes

Long duration microgravity experiments aboard the International Space Station determine diffusion flame extinction limits of PMMA spheres. Upon ignition from an electrically-heated coil, the 4-cm-diameter samples are exposed to forced flows ranging from 0.2 to 80 cm/s and an oxygen ranging from 13 to 28 % in one atmosphere total pressure. Extinction is reached as oxygen concentration gradually decreases by natural depletion. Five extinction tests are presented at different flow velocities and oxygen concentrations. Quenching at low velocity is observed with the flame tip shrinking upstream and blowoff is observed when a hole forms in the flame at the forward flow stagnation point. However, these processes are not quasistatic. The quenching motion involves periodic flame tip pulsating toward downstream and shrinking upstream with a continually decreasing flame size at the end of each cycle. In blowoff, the flame base pulsates between the flame hole and the downstream location, although with far fewer cycles compared to quenching. The pulsations appear to be the result of a premixed flame front spreading into a combustible mixture. Two specific cases are discussed in more details. In the first, at very low flow velocity (∼ 0.4 cm/s) and elevated oxygen, self-sustained flame tip cyclic pulsations are observed for a lengthy period (∼15 min). In the second case with a higher flow velocity (50 cm/s), the diffusion flame is stabilized at the shoulder of the spherical sample after local stagnation point blowoff. With steady decrease in ambient oxygen due to depletion, spinning flamelets are formed. The long-duration microgravity environment makes it possible to observe these interesting and detailed extinction processes.

Identification of Ochrobactrum as a bacteria with transstadial transmission and potential for application in paratransgenic control of leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic vector-borne disease with worldwide distribution. All current approaches in leishmaniasis control or development of vaccines/cures showed only limited success. Recently, paratransgenesis has been marked as a promising strategy for leishmaniasis control. Thus, the investigations of the gut microbial content of sand flies have gained popularity. Gut microbial composition of the laboratory colony of Phlebotomus papatasi was investigated via microbial culturomics approach which refers to the combination of multiple culture conditions and different selective and/or enriched culture mediums, followed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Investigations were conducted on three offspring generations, with six samplings of immature stages (four larval samplings, one pre-pupa, one pupa) and samplings of adults before and after blood feeding. The aim was to determine if microbiome changes during the sand fly development and to identify bacteria with transstadial potential. The presence of 8 bacterial taxa (Bacillus sp., Terribacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Alcaligenes sp., Microbacterium sp., Leucobacter sp., Ochrobactrum sp. and Enterobacter sp.), 2 fungi (Fusarium sp. and Acremonium sp.) and 1 yeast (Candida sp.) were recorded. Gram-positive bacteria were more diverse, but gram-negative bacteria were more abundant. All taxa were recorded among immature stage samples, while only one bacterium was detected in adults. Microbial diversity among larval samples was stable, with a steady decrease in pre-pupa and pupa, resulting in the survival of only Ochrobactrum sp. in adults. Abundance of microbes was higher when larvae were actively feeding, with a gradual decrease after larvae stopped feeding and commenced pupation. Ochrobactrum sp. is the bacteria with transstadial potential, worthy of future in-depth analysis for the application in paratransgenic approach for the control of Leishmania sp.

The effect of proximity to grocery stores and the pandemic on parents' and youths' perceptions of eating habits in predominately African American rural communities.

Rural communities have a disproportionately high level of childhood obesity along with high rates of food insecurity. To assess the eating habits of youth in predominantly African American rural communities and assess the association between proximity to a grocery store and eating habits as well as how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted eating habits. 203 youth and parents completed a 16-item survey. Analyses were performed to assess the effect of having a neighborhood grocery store as well as to compare responses between youth and parents. Having a neighborhood grocery store was associated with increased consumption of vegetables (F(1,122) = 41.56) and fruits (F(1,121) = 65.05), decreased consumption of chips (F(1,125) = 79.51) and a smaller percentage of overweight youth (χ2(1,125) = 5.03). Parents underestimated the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth eating habits (χ2 (1,198) = 17.88). Proximity to a grocery store significantly associated with eating habits and weight in the rural communities examined. Given the steady decrease in the number rural grocery stores over the past decade it is important to consider how to improve access to healthy foods in these communities.

Impact of Financial Inclusion in Line with Mobile Money on Currency in Circulation

Trade initially started from Barter System and progressing through time, money has become the most used commodity as a medium of exchange. Notes and Coins have outlived the longest till our current 4th Generation era where technology has improved the efficiency and effective means of trade with the use of electronic payment system. Despite electronic payment systems being implemented to a very large scale in Zambia, Bank of Zambia statistics showed an increase in Currency in Circulation over the past 10 years from K3.4 billion (FY12) to K13.5 billion (FY21). Pandemics such as Covid-19 have really shown us that doing business electronically is more steady, efficient, and effective than when doing it the traditional way. This study investigated the impact of financial inclusion in line with mobile money on currency in circulation in Zambia. The study found that Mobile Money agents increased by 21.16% to 156,040 in 2021 from 128,789 in 2020. This was explained by a very strong positive relationship (r= .934; p<.000) between Mobile Money use and Currency in Circulation. This was against a theoretical understanding whereby CIC was supposed to show a steady decrease as more money is being used electronically. The study also found poor full transition to electronic transactions and demand for cash. The strategies for reducing currency in circulation found included education of the general public on financial inclusion and promotion of cashless transactions in shopping malls. The study concluded that mobile money did not reduce currency in circulation but increased the currency in circulation as cash was still needed in the current trading pattern in Zambia. More awareness needs to be done for more people to embrace mobile transactions.

Formation and movement of multiple fire whirls

This paper presents an experimental study on the formation and movement characteristics of multiple fire whirls on the line fire under different slope angles (θ). Experiments were performed in a rotating screen facility with independently controlled heat release rate per unit length (Q˙l) and shear wind speed (us). The evolution of the line fire under different shear wind speeds and slope angles involved six regimes, including free line fire, interacting line fire, moving fire whirls, stationary fire whirls, stationary unstable fire whirls, and moving unstable fire whirls. The critical us for the formation and movement of fire whirls decreased roughly with increasing θ. The moving fire whirl would become stationary when us reached the critical value, which may be explained by the balance between the buoyancy-induced velocity and us. A correlation was proposed for predicting the critical shear wind speed of the stationary fire whirl on the sloped surface. The spacing between adjacent fire whirls increased steadily with us under various θ, and the dimensionless spacing depended on the dimensionless us by the 0.5 power law for all θ. The formation frequency of the moving fire whirl increased steadily with θ, and was inversely proportional to us. The variation of the average moving speed of the fire whirls with us differed among different θ. The average moving speed decreased steadily with us for the relatively low slope angles (θ ≤ 15°), and increased first and then decreased with us for the relatively large slope angles (θ ≥ 20°). The steady decrease of the flame height with the large us was associated with the apparent bulge structure at the flame tip, and the critical us for the occurrence of the bulge structure decreased at the relatively large slope angles (θ ≥ 20°).

Minimizing the total petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants in biochar derived from agricultural byproducts

The use of agricultural byproducts as feedstocks for the synthesis of biochar might result in the release of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) because of the presence of various plastic residues, such as plastic film mulch, gloves, and poles. TPH has been considered a critical health concern for humans worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different pyrolysis temperatures and durations on reducing the TPH concentration while synthesizing biochar using agricultural byproducts as feedstock materials. Agricultural byproducts, comprising sawdust and plastic films, were pyrolyzed as feedstocks at temperatures of 400, 500, 600, and 700 °C for durations of 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 h, respectively. Pyrolyzing the feedstock at 500 °C for 1 h and at 600 °C for 0.5 h significantly reduced the TPH concentration in the biochar by 98 and 91 %, respectively, compared to that at 400 °C for 0.5 h. The highest biochar yield was obtained at the lowest pyrolysis temperature (400 °C) and the shortest pyrolysis duration (0.5 h), with a subsequent steady decrease as the temperature and duration increased. These findings underscore the importance of understanding pyrolysis conditions for producing low-cost but high-quality biochar with reduced TPH contaminants and increased biochar yield. This research offers valuable insights for developing sustainable strategies for minimizing the health risks of TPH and utilizing biochar for environmental benefits.

CURRENT STATE OF THE 137CS MILK POLLUTION IN SETTLEMENTS OF RIVNE REGION AND VILLAGE NARODYCHI ZHYTOMYR REGION

The article analyses the results of selective monitoring of 137Cs content in milk from private households in the village of Narodychi, Zhytomyr region, and 14 settlements of Rivne region. A total of 213 milk samples were collected and analysed in 2023 in the Rivne region and about 30 in Narodychi. The analysis of the milk samples for 137Cs content showed that the contamination of this livestock product with 137Cs has complex dynamics. In most settlements of the monitoring network, the average values of 137Cs contamination in whole milk exceed the hygienic standards (PL-2006 - 100 Bq/l). 70% of milk samples recorded an exceedance of the permissible level. The highest activity concentration of this radionuclide (350 Bq/l) was observed in Stare Selo. Seasonal changes in the activity concentration of the radionuclide in milk were also observed. During the stall period, the activity concentration of milk with 137Cs ranged from less than 2 to 88 Bq/l. However, during the grazing period, the level of milk contamination with 137Cs increased to 100-350 Bq/l. Recent studies have shown a steady decrease in milk radioactivity. Nevertheless, without countermeasures, the reduction of 137Cs accumulation and transfer to milk will be mainly due to the physical decay of the radionuclide. The mineral part has likely exhausted its absorption capabilities for the natural processes, and therefore, it will not affect the reduction of milk contamination.

Partial recovery of tuberculosis preventive treatment in Brazil after pandemic drawback.

Brazil was heavily affected by COVID-19 both with death toll and economically, with absence of a centralized Federal Government response. Tuberculosis (TB) notifications decreased in 2020 but partial recovery was observed in 2021. We have previously shown a sharp (93%) reduction in TB preventive treatment notifications among five Brazilian cities with more than 1,000 notifications in 2021. We hypothesized TB preventive treatment would also recover. We updated the previous analysis by adding other cities that hold more than a 1,000 notifications until 2022. Data aggregated by 2-week periods were extracted from the Information System for Notifying People Undergoing Treatment for LTBI (IL-TB). Biweekly percentage change (BPC) of notifications until October 2022 and outcomes until July 2022 (in the two weeks of TB preventive treatment initiation) were analyzed using Joinpoint software. A total of 39,701 notifications in 11 cities were included, 66% from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We found a significant increase of TB preventive treatment notifications in the beginning of 2021 (BPC range 1.4-49.6), with sustained progression in seven out of the 11 cities. Overall, median completion rates were 65%. In most cities, a gradual and steady decrease of treatment completion rates was found, except for Rio de Janeiro and Manaus (Amazonas State, Brazil), where a BPC of 1.5 and 1.2, respectively, was followed by a sustained increase. Notifications and completion proportions of TB preventive treatment were heterogeneous, which partly reflects the heterogeneity in local response to the pandemic. We found that notifications were recovered, and that the sharp 2021 decrease was no longer observed, which suggests delays in notification. In conclusion, the sharp reductions in TB preventive treatment completion rates in most cities might have been caused by delays in reporting; however, the sustained and progressive decrease are a concern.

Dugong chirp type classification based on fundamental contour extraction and hierarchical cluster analysis

A steady decrease in the Dugong (Dugong dugon) population has been notices worldwide. Considering the social function and utilization rate, dugong chirp classification has become an important bioacoustics research topic, which may help marine biologists monitor the change of their population, study their behavioral context in different environments and optimise the protection policy. However, the objective classification of dugong chirps has not been adequately addressed in the literature. In this paper, an automatic fundamental contour extraction using the tempo-frequency variables to describe the contours of the fundamental frequency of the chirps is presented. With the automatic fundamental contour extraction, the time–frequency information of dugong chirps can be effectively represented, which gives a good classification performance. Following the principles used for the classification of dolphin whistles, three variables were chosen and performed with hierarchical cluster analysis. Based on these results and further visual examination, five categories of chirps were identified. A simple classification criterion was proposed which could be used in the automatic and effective identification of chirp types. Our findings enrich the known repertoire of dugong chirps, and may be useful in future passive acoustic monitoring studies.

Autofluorescence spectroscopy in photodynamic therapy for skin rejuvenation: A theranostic approach in aesthetic medicine

BackgroundThe method of photodynamic therapy for skin rejuvenation (PDT-SR) provides an improvement in appearance with a safe and painless effect. The quality of treatment is most often assessed subjectively. The most informative morphological control methods are rarely used due to the invasiveness of the sampling procedure. AimThis study aimed to find out the possibility of using skin autofluorescence spectroscopy (SAF) for an objective assessment of changes occurring in the skin during PDT-SR. MethodsThis study included 12 volunteers (10 women, 2 men) aged 32 to 79 years. Two (n = 6) or three (n = 6) PDT sessions were performed at intervals of 13–30 days. Photosensitizer chlorin e6, exposure 20 min, energy density 18–24 J/cm2 were used. SAF spectra were recorded using a two-wavelength fiber optic spectrometer under excitation at wavelengths (λex) of 365 nm and 440 nm. Measurements were made both before and after each PDT session and up to 25–238 days from the start of treatment. For the evaluation, we used the spectra AF365(λ) and AF440(λ) averaged over 40 points corrected for diffuse reflection at λex=440 nm in the range λem= 460–700 nm, as well as the spectra of the ratios AFN365(λ) and AFN440(λ), which were obtained by dividing the intensities of the current spectra by the intensities collected before PDT-SR. ResultsPDT-SR led to changes in both the intensity and shape of the spectra. Analysis of the spectra using numerical fitting of the spectra showed that the main changes can be explained by changes in the content of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), as well as lipofuscin-like lipopigments (LPs) and porphyrins (PPs). The spectra of AGEs upon excitation at wavelengths of 365 and 440 nm differ, which may be due to the formation of two types of bonds, with collagen and elastin. By the end of the study, the vast majority of the examined volunteers showed a significant decrease of the parameters characterizing both of these types of AGEs, AGE365 (0.56–1.2) and AGE440 (0.58–1.01), relative to the beginning of the study. In most cases, a decrease was also noted for LPs and PPs. AGE365 and AGE440 were positively correlated with the age of the volunteers (r2 = 0.26–0.46 %). A steady decrease in the content of AGEs occurred approximately on the 40th day. ConclusionSAF spectroscopy makes it possible to assess changes in the content of AGEs, LPs, and PPs in the skin during PDT-SR. The method has great potential for non-invasive monitoring of the treatment process, as well as its improvement, including through its personalization. In addition, the method can be used to study the mechanisms of age-related skin changes at the molecular level and to study the processes of rejuvenation.

The Regulation of Lead White Paint in Conservation and Artistic Practice

ABSTRACT Lead white (basic lead carbonate), before its effective ban in much of Europe from 1989 onwards, was among the most versatile and widespread but also one of the most harmful pigments available. This paper is a critical discussion of the regulation of lead white paint and its consequences from the point of view of conservation and artistic practice in Europe. It looks at who benefited from exemptions to bans, and whether there was resistance to them. Buildings and artworks are both taken into account. The paper discusses nuances in regulation in four European countries which have notable differences in approach (France, Austria, Germany, and the United Kingdom). The centralised regulatory framework of the United Kingdom allows data analysis on the authorised use of the paint since its restriction up to the present day. This dataset shows a steady decrease in the use of the paint by conservators across disciplines. The paper concludes by considering the professional and ethical implications of lead white paint for artists and conservators, in the context of varied regulation and a decline in use.

Accumulation Patterns of Metabolites Responsible for the Functional Quality of Virgin Olive Oil during Olive Fruit Ontogeny.

The health-promoting antioxidant properties of virgin olive oil (VOO) are today considered priority targets in the new olive breeding programs. Given that these properties depend mainly on its phenolic fraction, whose origin lies in the phenolic compounds present in olive fruit, the objective of this study was to provide further insight into the accumulation dynamics of the main antioxidant compounds, including both polar phenolics and lipophilic tocopherols, during the ontogeny of the olive fruit. Data obtained show that, albeit with significant differences, all the studied genotypes share just after fruit set an intense increase in the synthesis of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol derivatives, by far the main phenolic compounds of the olive fruit, and a subsequent steady decrease along fruit development and ripening. The accumulation dynamics of flavonoids and tocopherols were different from those of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol derivatives, presenting a peak of synthesis just before the onset of fruit ripening, and then in general, their content decreases throughout the ripening phase. In the case of flavonoids, all genotypes also share a strong increase in the accumulation of anthocyanins in the final stages of fruit ripening, coinciding with the change in fruit color. Furthermore, the results during the fruit ripening process evidenced that the content of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol derivatives and tocopherols in the fruit largely determines the content of these groups of compounds in the oil. The information acquired could be useful for the selection of the most suitable moment in the ontogeny of the olive fruit for the search for key genes in the biosynthesis of phenolic compounds.

Primary Practice Emphasis Area and Diversity Among Board-Certified Ophthalmologists

To describe the ophthalmology primary practice emphasis area by underrepresented in medicine (URiM) status using the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Diplomates database. Retrospective cohort study. The study was based on a retrospective review of the ABO database from 1992 to 2020. The datapoints recorded included age at time of graduation and at time of certification, sex/gender, self-reported race/ethnicity, year of graduation and of certification, region of practice in the United States, and the self-reported primary practice emphasis area within ophthalmology. The URiM cohort included self-identified Black, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander individuals. Statistical analysis was conducted using Pearson χ2, Student t, and Fisher exact tests. A total of 575 (10.1%) ophthalmologists self-identified as URiM, vs 5132 (89.9%) as non-URiM. Diplomates who were URiM were more likely to be female and to be older at the time of ABO certification than those who were not URiM (P < .001). Over time, there was a steady decrease in the percentage of diplomates who were URiM (P < .001). There was a statistically significantly higher percentage of URiM ophthalmologists who reported glaucoma as their primary area of emphasis (P = .039) and non-URiM ophthalmologists who reported oncology, pathology, international, or genetics (P = .015), but no significant differences in the remaining subspecialties (P ≥ .123). There were modest differences in reported ophthalmology primary practice emphasis areas between URiM and non-URiM ABO diplomates. Despite efforts to increase diversity in ophthalmology, the percentage of graduating URiM ABO diplomates has decreased over the past 2 decades.

Salivary Oxidative Stress Assessment in Tobacco Users with and without Potentially Malignant Disorders and Micronuclei Estimation using Fluorescent Microscopy

Abstract Background: Consumption of tobacco in either smoking or nonsmoking form produces free radicals, contributing to an increased risk of oral cancer as a result of oxidative stress. Biochemical changes in antioxidant enzymes are responsible for tobacco-associated oral carcinogenesis. Due to the production of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, the promotion of carcinogenesis occurs in the cells. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is an assembly of benign lesions with morphologically altered clinical or histopathological tissue that has a greater than normal risk of transforming into malignant lesions after diagnosis at a later date. Micronuclei are the goal site for early genotoxic events and are involved in carcinogenic events. Micronuclei in exfoliated cells are useful biomarkers in assessing cytogenetic damage. Early detection will help to devise appropriate treatment plans, thereby improving patient survival rates. Aim and Objectives: To estimate the salivary superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and the expression of micronuclei in exfoliated buccal cells of tobacco users before the onset of tobacco-induced oral lesions and correlating the same with patients with OPMDs to determine if this can be useful in predicting early malignant potential in subjects with habitual tobacco usage. Materials and Methods: The study included three groups. Group I – Tobacco users with OPMD (n = 50), Group II – Tobacco users without OPMD (n = 50), and Group III – Healthy controls (n = 50). Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was done for saliva samples for quantification of salivary SOD. Exfoliated buccal cells were smeared and stained with acridine orange stain and viewed under a fluorescent microscope for micronuclei estimation. Results: The study showed a significant difference in salivary SOD levels and increased micronuclei expression among tobacco users than healthy controls. Conclusion: Our study results revealed a gradual and steady decrease of SOD levels and increased micronuclei expression from healthy control to tobacco users without lesions and tobacco users with lesion, and this can be used as an effective noninvasive early diagnostic biomarker in assessing malignant progression in tobacco users. Furthermore, the evaluation of micronuclei estimation can serve as a simple, quick, and noninvasive chair-side procedure for regular oral cancer screening in patients with tobacco usage.