A proof-of-concept study: Determining the geographical origin of Brazilwood, (Paubrasilia echinata) with the use of strontium isotopic fingerprinting.

The illicit exploitation of Brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata) presents a significant challenge in Brazil, given its substantial value in the global production of bows for musical instruments. To address timber provenance, the use of strontium (Sr) isotope ratios as indicators of bedrock signatures has emerged as a robust tool in forensic investigations. In this study, we critically evaluate the efficacy of this approach using Sr isotope data derived from bulk soils and trees collected at two distinct sites in Brazil. Despite the statistically indistinguishable 87Sr/86Sr ratios observed in the investigated tree species, the compiled 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios of Brazilwood from Brazilwood National Park (PNPB) and the ES Group provide valuable insights into the potential application of this method for tracing forensic timber seizures. This pilot study also addresses crucial sampling considerations. While the regional signatures exhibit clear distinctions, the limited sample sizes underscore the necessity for supplementary methods to confidently attribute timber to a specific source forest. In isolation, this method proves most effective in refuting presumed timber provenances rather than definitively confirming them. The discussion delves into the nuances of the Sr isotope data, emphasizing the importance of increasing the number of samples and exploring complementary techniques for a more comprehensive and reliable assessment of timber origin.

Estimating the uncertainty from sampling in pollution crime investigation: The importance of metrology in the forensic interpretation of environmental data.

The forensic interpretation of environmental analytical data is usually challenging due to the high geospatial variability of these data. The measurements' uncertainty includes contributions from the sampling and from the sample handling and preparation processes. These contributions are often disregarded in analytical techniques results' quality assurance. A pollution crime investigation case was used to carry out a methodology able to address these uncertainties in two different environmental compartments, freshwater sediments and landfill leachate. The methodology used to estimate the uncertainty was the duplicate method (that replicates predefined steps of the measurement procedure in order to assess its precision) and the parameters used to investigate the pollution were metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, and Zn) in the leachate, the suspect source, and in the sediment, the possible sink. The metal analysis results were compared to statutory limits and it was demonstrated that Cr and Ni concentrations in sediment samples exceeded the threshold levels at all sites downstream the pollution sources, considering the expanded uncertainty U of the measurements and a probability of contamination >0.975, at most sites. Cu and Zn concentrations were above the statutory limits at two sites, but the classification was inconclusive considering the uncertainties of the measurements. Metal analyses in leachate revealed that Cr concentrations were above the statutory limits with a probability of contamination >0.975 in all leachate ponds while the Cu, Ni and Zn probability of contamination was below 0.025. The results demonstrated that the estimation of the sampling uncertainty, which was the dominant component of the combined uncertainty, is required for a comprehensive interpretation of the environmental analyses results, particularly in forensic cases.

Environmental monitoring of a landfill area through the application of carbon stable isotopes, chemical parameters and multivariate analysis.

Leachate produced during an organic matter decomposition process has a complex composition and can cause contamination of surface and groundwaters adjacent to a landfill area. The monitoring of these areas is extremely important for the characterization of the leachate produced and to avoid or mitigate environmental damages. Thus, the present study has the objective of monitoring the area of a Brazilian landfill using conventional parameters (dissolved metals and anions in water) and alternative, stable carbon isotopes parameters (δ13C of dissolved organic and inorganic carbons in water) in addition to multivariate analysis techniques. The use of conventional and alternative parameters together with multivariate analysis showed that cells of the residues are at different phases of stabilization of the organic matter and probably already at C3 of the methanogenic phase of decomposition. In addition, the data showed that organic matter stabilization ponds present in the landfill are efficient and improve the quality of the leachate. Enrichment of the heavy 13C isotope in both surface and groundwater suggested contamination in two sampling sites.

Environmental monitoring of water resources around a municipal landfill of the Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil.

In Brazil, landfills are commonly used as a method for the final disposal of waste that is compliant with the legislation. This technique, however, presents a risk to surface water and groundwater resources, owing to the leakage of metals, anions, and organic compounds. The geochemical monitoring of water resources is therefore extremely important, since the leachate can compromise the quality and use of surface water and groundwater close to landfills. In this paper, the results of analyses of metals, anions, ammonia, and physicochemical parameters were used to identify possible contamination of surface water and groundwater in a landfill area. A statistical multivariate approach was used. The values found for alkali metals, nitrate, and chloride indicate contamination in the regional groundwater and, moreover, surface waters also show variation when compared to the other background points, mainly for ammonia. Thus, the results of this study evidence the landfill leachate influence on the quality of groundwater and surface water in the study area.

The effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral exercise approach (CBEA) compared to usual care in patients with a Whiplash Associated Disorder: A quasi-experimental clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) is a biopsychosocial problem, education may be an essential part in the treatment and the prevention of chronic WAD. However, it is still unclear which type of educative intervention has already been used in WAD patients and how effective such interventions are. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral exercises approach (CBEA) for self-training of the neck relative to usual care in individuals with WAD in acute phase. METHODS: Forty-one patients, 65.9% female (mean ± SD age: 41 ±11 years), with WAD were recruited immediately after the accident (within 48 hours) and assigned according to patient choice to receive a CBEA self-training of the neck or usual care for 15 days. The primary outcome measure was pain intensity and disability as measured with the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Secondary outcome measures included the presence of headaches, dizziness, nausea, and difficulties with concentration and memory. Measurements were taken at pre-treatment, 2 weeks post-treatment and 4- and 12- weeks after the injury. RESULTS: Patients receiving the CBEA intervention experienced a greater reduction in pain as compared to those receiving the usual care at the end as well as 4 and 12 weeks after the intervention (P< 0.001), for the Neck Disability Index (NDI) decreased more in the CBEA than controls over the 15 days and (F=[3.0] 552.383; P= 0.001), and in both groups at all follow-up periods (all, P= 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This quasi-experimental clinical trial provides evidence that a CBEA for self-training of the neck may be more beneficial in treating pain than usual care in patients with WAD. However, the CBEA had limited value in improving NDI. Future studies should include several therapists, a measure of a long-term outcomes and randomize patients to groups.

Improved sub-areolar breast tissue removal in nipple-sparing mastectomy using hydrodissection.

We report on a new technique of dissection of the nipple-areola-complex (NAC) in nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM). NACs removed due to the presence of tumor cells beneath them were histologically examined for the presence of normal breast glandular tissue. Cases were divided into cohort 1, where NACs were dissected by sharp isolation, coring the nipple, and cohort 2, where the same procedure was preceded by hydrodissection of the areola. In 20 (17.4%) cases the planned NSM was converted to skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) because of intraoperative findings of cancer in retro-areolar tissue. Histological examination of 20 NSMs converted to SSM showed the presence of glandular tissue in 12 out of 13 cohort 1 cases (92%) and in 1 out of 7 cohort 2 cases (14%). We conclude that hydrodissection creates a subdermal plane facilitating NAC dissection and permitting a more complete removal of breast tissue in NSM. Such radicality could prove important in the treatment of breast cancer and in BRCA 1-2 mutation carriers because of its potential for reducing the risk of relapse.

A computer protocol to evaluate subjects with chest pain in the emergency department: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Chest pain is a frequent cause of medical admission to the emergency department and the main differential diagnosis is between coronary and non-coronary chest pain. We elaborated a computer protocol for the management of patients with chest pain. METHODS: The computer protocol was made of three sections according to clinical, electrocardiographic and biochemical data. Each section was coded by a letter indicating the probability of coronary chest pain for each section. The combination of the three letters formed a score string used to assign patients to four subgroups of overall probability of coronary chest pain (low, medium-low, medium-high, and high). Low-probability patients were discharged from the emergency department, whereas high-probability patients were admitted to the coronary care unit. The medium-probability patients underwent further evaluation by means of a stress test and were re-classified as having a final low probability (negative test) or high probability (positive test). RESULTS: We evaluated 472 patients (mean age 64 years, range 18-97 years; 47% female). The incidence of coronary events in patients with low, medium-low, medium-high and high overall probability was 1.9, 12.8,13.5 and 68.0%, respectively (P < 0.05). The positive and negative predictive values of the protocol were 64.7 and 97.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our computer protocol represents a reliable method for the management of patients with chest pain and a non-diagnostic electrocardiogram.