Indoor radon risk mapping of the Canary Islands using a methodology for volcanic islands combining geological information and terrestrial gamma radiation data.

Within the framework of the recent approval of the National Plan Against Radon by the Council of Ministers of the Spanish Government, one of its five axes focuses on the delimitation of priority action areas. In line with this objective, this paper presents the indoor radon risk maps of the Canary Islands. Due to the volcanic origin of the Canary Islands, there is a great deal of geological heterogeneity in the soils on which buildings settle, making it very difficult to delimit radon-risk areas in the process of creating maps. Following a methodology developed in previous works for a study area formed of a set of representative municipalities, this paper presents radon risk maps of the Canary Islands based on lithostratigraphic information and high-resolution terrestrial gamma radiation maps. The goodness of fit of these maps is verified based on a statistical analysis of indoor radon concentration measurements carried out at representative building enclosures. In order to analyse the level of risk to the population, these maps were combined with built up areas (urban fabric) maps and estimations of the annual effective doses due to radon was obtained by applying a dosimetric model. This methodology improves the capability to delimit indoor radon risk areas, with a greater margin of safety. In this respect, it is estimated that areas classified as low risk have indoor radon concentrations 41 % below the current reference level of 300 Bq/m3 established by national regulations in compliance with the precepts laid down in the European EURATOM Directive.

Genetic diversity based on multivariate techniques in elephant grass genotypes for bioenergy.

The use of biomass for energy production constitutes a promising strategy that warrants the search for new sources of biomass. Elephant grass has been gaining notoriety due to its high dry matter yield and rapid growth. The present study was carried out to quantify the genetic divergence of nine elephant grass half-sib families in order to identify genotypes with greater genetic divergence and productive potential for hybridization, using the hierarchical clustering methodology based on principal components. Half-sib families were generated using genotypes from the Active Germplasm Bank of Elephant Grass. The experiment was laid out in a randomized-block design with nine half-sib families, three replicates, and eight plants per plot. A total of 216 genotypes of elephant grass were evaluated. Principal component (PC), biplot, and hierarchical clustering analyses for diversity estimation were conducted using R software. The first two PCs of biplot analysis accounted for 64% of the cumulative variation. Dry matter yield was the most important trait for genotype discrimination (0.89), followed by plant height (0.67) and stem diameter (0.61) in PC1. In this analysis, the distances between accessions were considered and there were no family links, which indicates the existence of wide variability within the evaluated families, since genotypes belonging to the same family were not grouped together, but rather distributed into different groups. Crosses between genotypes of group three and genotypes of groups one and two are recommended for the development of high-yielding genotypes when aiming at energy production.

Patients' perceptions of the post-pancreatectomy discharge process.

BACKGROUND: Complications after pancreatectomies contribute to poor outcomes. Patients are expected to identify signs/symptoms leading to these complications but may be poorly educated on how to identify them. We assessed the impact of an educational tool on patient perceptions of, and satisfaction with the discharge process, and its effect on readmission rates. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with retrospective chart review including patients who underwent pancreatic resection was undertaken. An interactive educational module (iBook) that provided information about the procedure, possible complications, and peri-discharge information was implemented. English-speaking patients were equally divided into the pre- and post-iBook cohorts. Primary outcome was patients' satisfaction with discharge; Secondary outcomes were 30- and 90-day readmission rates. RESULTS: 100 patients were included. Mean age was 65.5 ± 12.6, 46% were female, and 92.3% were white. Most patients underwent Whipple procedures (72%), and distal pancreatectomies (26%). In the post-implementation group, 92% were satisfied with the discharge process, and 89% reported it was a good tool. There were no statistical differences in 30- and 90-day readmission rates between cohorts. CONCLUSION: The iBook positively impacted patients' satisfaction and preparedness for discharge. Readmission rates were not statistically significantly impacted but could be investigated with further studies of greater sample sizes.

Multiparametric analysis for the determination of radon potential areas in buildings on different soils of volcanic origin.

The transposition of the European EURATOM directive into the regulations of the different member states of the European Union involved governments making great efforts to define priority action maps against indoor radon exposure in buildings over a short time period. In Spain, the Technical Building Code established 300 Bq/m3 as a reference level and set up a classification of municipalities in which remediation measures should be adopted for radon exposure in buildings. Oceanic volcanic islands, such as the Canary Islands, present high geological heterogeneity in a small space due to their volcanic origin. This variability poses a challenge to the elaboration of radiological risk maps, which makes it necessary to have a high density of data to collect local variations. This paper presents a methodology to obtain accurate radon risk maps based on geological criteria and terrestrial gamma radiation. The predictive efficiency of these maps is statistically verified using indoor radon concentration data measured in buildings. Other radiological variables, which are commonly used as criteria for radon risk prediction found in the literature, were also applied, such as the geogenic radon potential and the activity concentration of natural radioisotopes in soils. The higher resolution of the maps obtained allows for a more detailed classification of radon risk zones in the study area than the current risk maps published in the Spanish building regulations.

Checklist of parasites associated with 'reptiles' in Northeast Brazil.

Reptiles, as well as other vertebrate groups, harbour a significant diversity of parasitic organisms, from nematodes and other helminths to viruses and bacteria. The Northeast is one of the richest regions in Brazil in terms of the reptile diversity, number of species and endemism. Parasites are diverse organisms and knowledge about the parasitic fauna of vertebrates is an important factor in understanding the ecological relationships between hosts and the environment. Studies on the parasitic fauna of reptiles in South America have increased in the past few years. The present review is a compilation of 122 studies published from 1924 to 2021. We present information on 101 species of reptiles from five groups (amphisbaenians, crocodile, testudines, snakes and lizards) and 183 parasitic taxa belonging to four phyla: Nematoda; Arthropoda; Platyhelminthes; and Acanthocephala. Nematodes were the most frequently recorded species. Lizards and snakes had more records of parasitism and higher levels of parasite richness and diversity. Ceará was the state with most studies and recorded cases of parasite-host association. The Caatinga and Atlantic Forest were the most investigated environments. The objective of this review was to contribute knowledge on the parasitic biodiversity in reptiles from Northeast Brazil, which may help identify gaps in our knowledge and guide future studies.

Language Proficiency and Survival in Pancreatic Cancer: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Limited English proficiency has been shown to negatively affect health outcomes. However, as of now, little is known about survival rates of patients with limited English proficiency (LEP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) when compared to patients with English proficiency (EP) in an urban, non-safety net setting. We aimed to compare survival rates between patients with LEP and those with EP who had a diagnosis of PDAC. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective propensity-matched cohort study of patients with biopsy-proven PDAC was undertaken. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and language information were collected for all participants. Patients were classified as having LEP or EP based on their preferred speaking language at the time of admission and matched on baseline characteristics using propensity scores. Survival analysis methods were used to study survival rates in patients with PDAC based on their EP status. RESULTS: Of 739 included patients, 71 (9.48%) had LEP, mean age was 68.4 ± 10.9, and 51.8% were female. Both groups of patients were comparable for age, gender, marital status, and time to treatment. LEP status was associated with higher odds of death in both unmatched (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.22-2.22) and matched (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.03-2.47) analyses. Additionally, patients with LEP had significantly decreased odds of receiving cancer-directed treatment and increased odds of advanced stage cancer at presentation. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of patients with PDAC, LEP predicted worse survival. The results of this study suggest that, after accounting for interpreter use, other factors contribute to this disparity. Such factors, as yet unmeasured, may include health literacy and cultural expectations, for which further investigation is warranted to better understand and limit this survival disparity.

A New Approach to Classify Cardiac Arrythmias Using 2D Convolutional Neural Networks.

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of death worldwide. Detecting cardiovascular diseases in its early stages could effectively reduce the mortality rate by providing timely treatment. In this study, we propose a new methodology to detect arrythmias, using 2D Convolutional Neural Networks. The main characteristic of the proposed methodology is the use of 15 x15 pixels gray-level images, containing the values of a heartbeat of the ECG signal. This work aims to detect 17 arrythmias. To validate and test the proposed methodology, MIT-BIH database, the main benchmark database available in literature, was used. When compared to other results previously published, the obtained precision, 92.31%, is in the state-of-the-art.Clinical Relevance- The presented work provides an automatic method to detect arrythmias in ECG signals by a new methodology.

Methodology for determination of radon prone areas combining the definition of a representative building enclosure and measurements of terrestrial gamma radiation.

The recommendations of the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) have recently been incorporated into Spanish regulations in the Basic Document of Health Standards of the Technical Building Code (CTE), section HS6, on protection against radon exposure. This further accentuates the need to delimit radon prone areas as a strategy to address measures which minimise the effects of this gas on the population. In this research, measurements of terrestrial gamma radiation and indoor radon of dwellings have been carried out in the same location to delimit these risk areas. A new methodology has been developed including a definition of a Representative Building Enclosure (RBE) and it is proposed a Building Storey Index (IBS) which allows normalizing measurements of indoor radon activity concentration taken in different levels from the ground to the RBE. The results show the need to consider the type of contact that exists between the building and the ground as a determining factor of radon risk. Terrestrial gamma radiation is used as a proxy for radioisotopic composition of soils to characterise the indoor radon risk at different geological formation.

CO2 emissions and energy technologies in Western Europe.

In this paper, we investigate the path to the green transition in Europe. In so doing, we implement an empirical model of dynamic panel data on a sample of sixteen Western European countries over the period 1980 to 2019. The model is consistent with various features of neoclassical growth theory incorporating energy use. Our focus is on the short-run determinants of carbon emissions within that set of countries. We provide evidence that the relationship between economic activity and CO2 emissions is strong in economies where economic booms depend on energy-intensive sectors. Also, the mitigating role of renewable energy technologies is key when energy intensity rebounds. These circumstances may constitute a challenge for the climate transition goals targeted in the EU's Recovery Plan, whose main objective at this very moment is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Characterization of organic compounds and drugs in sewage sludge aiming for agricultural recycling.

The application of sewage sludge in soils can bring benefits to agricultural productivity, however, the risks arising from this application must be measured and carefully evaluated. Persistent organics compounds and drugs can be present in the sewage sludge and if applied to the soil, they can cause severe risks to the soil biota and contamination of groundwater. This work determined 174 persistent organic compounds and drugs in sludge samples from a wastewater treatment plant using chromatographic methods. The drugs ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin and diclofenac were quantified, and values varied according to sampling period. For persistent organic compounds, cresols were the most abundant compounds in sewage sludge. With the analyses made of both the elutriate and the filtrate, it was possible to verify the potential for soil retention or leaching that each compound can present with the application of sewage sludge in the agriculture.

Use of biometrics in the prediction of body weight in crossbred lambs / [Uso da biometria na predição do peso corporal de cordeiros mestiços]

O objetivo deste trabalho foi propor um modelo matemático para predição do peso corporal de cordeiros com base nas medidas biométricas. Foram utilizados dados de 51 cordeiros, com composição genética de pelo menos 50% da raça Santa Inês. O peso corporal (PC) dos animais foi acompanhado durante 91 dias por meio de pesagens semanais. Após as pesagens, foram tomadas as medidas: altura anterior (AA); altura posterior (AP); comprimento corporal (CC); largura de peito (LP); largura de garupa (LG); perímetro torácico (PT) e perímetro de barril (PB). Essas medidas foram utilizadas como variáveis de entrada do modelo. Foi observado correlações positivas e significativas (P<0,05) entre todas as variáveis biométricas com o PC. No entanto, o PC apresentou uma alta correlação com o PT (0,836), seguido do PB (0,818) e AP (0,740). Dessa forma, essas três medidas foram significativas para estimativa do PC. Portanto, o modelo para predizer o PC dos cordeiros foi: Peso (kg)=0,4455* PT - 0,5794 * PB + 0,0019 * AP2 + 0.0053* PB2. O perímetro torácico, perímetro de barril e altura de posterior podem ser utilizados como variáveis preditoras do peso corporal em ovinos mestiços, independente do sexo.(AU)

Production and physicochemical characterization of chitosan for the harvesting of wild microalgae consortia.

The use of chitosan to harvest microalgae is a strategic step that seeks to reach an economically competitive price to recover lipids, proteins, and pigments. The aim of the present work was to design low-molecular-weight chitosan from shrimp shells and its physicochemical characterization, to be used for the harvesting of wild microalgae consortia. The chitosan was obtained by chemical deacetylation of shrimp shells, and physicochemical characterization was made using the instrumental methods DSC, TGA, X-ray, FTIR, and SEM. The harvesting of wild microalgae consortia was performed by the jar test method. The obtained chitosan had a low molecular weight (169 KDa), a deacetylation degree of 83 %, a decomposition temperature (TD) of 280 °C, and a crystallinity of 38.2 %. The microalgae genera found in the consortium were Scenedesmus sp., Chlorella sp., Schroderia sp., and Chlamydomonas sp. The microalgae removal efficiency of the chitosan was 99.2 % with 20 mg L-1.

[Perceptions of intensive care professionals about hand hygiene compared with observational studies]. / Percepciones de los profesionales de cuidados intensivos sobre la higiene de manos en comparación con estudios observacionales.

OBJETIVE: To identify perceptions and knowledge about the adherence to hand hygiene of the healthcare staff of an intensive care unit, correlating them with compliance data on adherence to hand hygiene through observational studies MATERIAL AND METHOD: A quantitative methodology has been combined, based on the completion of a personal survey, and a qualitative methodology based on direct observation. Units of Intensive Care of Adults (A-ICU) and Pediatrics (P-ICU) of a tertiary hospital. There were 187 health professionals. Personal and work data of the professionals were collected, as well as questions related to their knowledge and perceptions about the hand hygiene. RESULTS: Those 187 professionals, 75,9% from A-ICU, represented more than 80% of the study population, and 91.4% had received previous training on hand hygiene. Regarding knowledge, 35% of the A-ICU professionals and almost 50% from the P-ICU consider that hand washing is more effective than hand friction with alcohol-based solutions for the elimination of microorganisms. They have a better perception that they correctly perform the hand washing (89.32% ICU-P and 82.93% ICU-A), than when we compare them to the adherence rates obtained by direct observation (ICU-P 73.8% and ICU-A 51.4%, P=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite having previous training on hand hygiene, they have incomplete knowledge and, although they overestimate the problem of the healthcare-associated infections, they have a perception that does not fit with reality.

Step by step optimization of a sperm cryopreservation protocol for spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen, 1772).

Spotted wolffish Anarhichas minor reproduction in captivity is dependent on in vitro fertilization. However, low sperm volume with relatively low cell concentration and the lack of gametes synchronization (simultaneous availability of mature eggs and sperm) represent a challenge for the industry. Thus, the development of protocols for sperm storage are crucial. Four sequential experiments were conducted to optimize a sperm cryopreservation protocol for this species. First, three different cryoprotectants (DMSO; 1, 2-propanediol; and methanol) at different concentrations (5, 10, and 20%) were tested for their toxicity. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected between the control samples and cryoprotectants at concentration up to 10% DMSO, 10% propanediol, and 20% methanol in terms of motility parameters. Second, using the highest non-toxic concentrations of cryoprotectants, sperm was cryopreserved in 0.5 mL straws, at different distances from the liquid nitrogen (1.5, 2.5, 4.5, and 7.5 cm) that correspond to different freezing rates. Motility parameters after freezing/thawing decreased for all the cryoprotectants (p < 0.001), however, methanol had the lowest protective capacity while DMSO the highest. Afterwards, two different thawing rates (1 min at 5 °C; and 25 s at 10 °C) were tested using only 10% DMSO and 10% propanediol. Both for the DMSO and propanediol, there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two thawing rates. The best results were obtained using 10% DMSO. Finally, the fertilization capacity of cryopreserved sperm (10% DMSO and thawed at 5 °C for 1 min) was tested against fresh sperm using two spermatozoa:egg ratios and 4 h gametes contact time. The ratio of eggs with normal cell cleavage, abnormal cleavage or undeveloped were counted at the 2-4 cell stage. Cryopreserved sperm showed lower fertilization capacity at a concentration of 5 × 104 spermatozoa:egg compared with fresh sperm (p < 0.001). At a concentration of 5 × 105 spermatozoa:egg, similar fertilizations rates to the fresh sperm were obtained. The presence of the cryoprotectant DMSO during the 4 h contact time did not affect the fertilization rate or the percentage of embryos with abnormal cleavage (p > 0.05). To cryopreserve spotted wolffish sperm it is recommended to use 10% DMSO, loaded in 0.5 mL straws, freeze at a height between 4.5 (-14.05 °C/min) and 7.5 cm (-5.9 °C/min) from liquid nitrogen for 10 min and thaw for 1 min at 5 °C (177.9 °C/min). In vitro fertilization with cryopreserved sperm should be performed with a concentration of at least 5 × 105 spermatozoa per egg.

Periodic Event-Triggered Control strategy for a (3,0) mobile robot network.

This work deals with the development of a nonlinear Periodic Event-Triggered Control strategy employed to the consensus of a multi-vehicle autonomous system based on (3,0) mobile robots. First, the existence of the Control Lyapunov Function (CLF) applicable to the consensus problem is proven. This is subsequently used to develop event and feedback functions. The Periodic Event-Triggered Control ensures trajectories boundedness and convergence to consensus while a specific sampling period is provided. Also, the formation problem is addressed as an extension of the presented work. Experimental results show the performance of the proposed control strategy which reduces 99.78% the number of control updates compared to a continuous control law, resulting in energy saving for the information transfer from central control to the mobile robots.

Emotional and behavioral problems in children and adolescents with lower urinary tract dysfunction: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: An association has been found between lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) and emotional and behavioral problems, particularly in cases of urinary incontinence. Other associated symptoms and the coexistence of functional constipation require further investigation. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether emotional and behavioral problems are more common in children and adolescents with LUTD. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter, cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in public places. Parents answered questions on urinary and psychological symptoms in their children aged 5-14 years. Children/adolescents with neurological problems or anatomical urinary tract abnormalities were excluded. The Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System was used for assessing urinary symptoms, the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria for evaluating bowel symptoms, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for evaluating emotional and behavioral problems. RESULTS: Of the 806 children/adolescents included, 53% were female. The mean age was 9.1 ± 2.7 years. The prevalence of LUTD was 16.4%. Overall, 26.2% had abnormal scores in the overall SDQ scale, 29.2% in the emotional problems subscale, and 30% in the conduct problems subscale. Of the children with LUTD, 40.5% screened positive for emotional/behavioral problems, with a significant association being found for the overall SDQ scale (P < 0.001) and for the emotional problems (P < 0.001), conduct problems (P < 0.001), and hyperactivity (P = 0.037) subscales. Urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, and voiding postponement were significantly associated with a greater prevalence of abnormalities in the overall SDQ score (P = 0.05; P = 0.004, and P = 0.012, respectively). Bladder and bowel dysfunction was an aggravator of emotional and behavioral problems, with more intense symptoms, both in the overall SDQ scale and in the subscales. In the multivariate analysis, the factors independently associated with the presence of emotional and behavioral problems were LUTD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91), constipation (OR = 1.7), studying in a government-funded school (OR = 2.2), and poor education of the head of the family (OR = 1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with LUTD have more emotional and behavioral problems, with bladder and bowel dysfunction being an aggravating factor for this association.

Fluoride removal from natural volcanic underground water by an electrocoagulation process: Parametric and cost evaluations.

Excessive fluoride content in groundwater can cause serious risks to human health, and sources of groundwater intended for human consumption should be treated to reduce fluoride concentrations down to acceptable levels. In the particular case of the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain), the water supply comes mainly from aquifers of volcanic origin with a high content of fluorides that make them unacceptable for human consumption without prior conditioning treatment. The treatments that generate a high rejection of water are not acceptable because water is a scarce natural resource of high value. An electrocoagulation process was investigated as a method to treat natural groundwater from volcanic soils containing a hazardously high fluoride content. The operating parameters of an electrocoagulation reactor model with parallel plate aluminum electrodes were optimized for batch and continuous flow operations. In the case of the batch operation, acidification of the water improved the removal efficiency of fluoride, which was the highest at pH 3. However, operation at the natural pH of the water achieved elimination efficiencies between 82 and 92%, depending on the applied current density. An optimum current density of 5 mA/cm2 was found in terms of maximum removal efficiency, and the kinetics of fluoride removal conformed to pseudo-second-order kinetics. In the continuous-flow operation, with the optimal residence time of 10 min and a separation of 0.5 cm between the electrodes, it was observed that the current density that would be applied would depend on the initial concentration of fluoride in the raw water. Thus, an initial fluoride concentration of 6.02 mg/L required a current density >7.5 mA/cm2 to comply with the legal guidelines in the product water, while for an initial concentration of 8.98 mg/L, the optimal current density was 10 mA/cm2. Under these operating conditions, the electrocoagulation process was able to reduce the fluoride concentration of natural groundwater to below 1.5 mg/L according to WHO guidelines with an operating cost between 0.20 and 0.26 €/m3 of treated water.