Search Results (14)

Material selection in buildings profoundly affects project success, encompassing durability, maintenance, customer satisfaction, production systems, lifecycle, usage, environment, and costs. Yet, there is a need for further research on indicators for choosing materials in prefabricated buildings. Therefore, this study’s main objective was to identify the indicators (criteria and sub-criteria) for selecting materials for prefabricated wooden construction and, subsequently, categorize these criteria and sub-criteria based on the perspective of industry professionals. To achieve this goal, three phases were carried out. First, a literature review was conducted to identify potential criteria for choosing structural and envelope materials in wooden prefabricated buildings. Second, a pilot survey was conducted in Canada and the United States to classify the priority order of the criteria obtained from the literature based on professionals’ opinions. Finally, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted with different iterations (1000, 10,000, and 100,000) using the data obtained from the previous phase to improve decision-making and classification processes. For the indicators to select materials, the literature review identified seven main criteria: performance properties, green materials, energy efficiency, circular economy, site conditions and material logistics, standards, and social impact. These criteria contained a total of 25 sub-criteria. The pilot survey data analysis demonstrated that the performance properties, site conditions and material logistics, and social impact criteria were consistently prioritized. The critical sub-criteria identified were fire resistance, watertightness, local availability, occupant health, and safety and protection. For the Monte Calo simulations, the predictions aligned with the pilot study, enhancing the robustness of the results. Full article

The safety of people working at sea is a subject on which many studies have been carried out. One of the current improvements that has been implemented is the possibility of assigning medical support assistance vessels during specific periods of time, whilst undergoing certain activities or peak seasons in the industry such as fishing seasons. This article proposes an aid system that will support decision making when determining the positioning of such vessels at configurable time intervals, thus shortening the emergency response time. Real data from the vessels, such as coordinates, number of crew, type of fishing gear, etc., are used to carry this out. With the scope of testing the system out, real data from the Spanish fishing fleet in the Bay of Biscay and the medical support assistance vessels available to the Spanish State have been used throughout different seasons. The results obtained convey the “standby” positions for these vessels. The following study of this comparative positioning enables us to calculate the differences between the coordinates calculated by the system and the real positions specified throughout the fishing season. The study also reviews the possibility of improving the emergency response time that would be gained, by increasing the number of medical support assistance vessels for the same area, during the same period. Full article

Post-stroke mood disorders (PSMD) affect disease prognosis in adults. Adult rodent models underlie the importance of the dopamine (DA) system in PSMD pathophysiology. There are no studies on PSMD after neonatal stroke. We induced neonatal stroke in 7-day-old (P7) rats by temporal left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Performance in the tail suspension test (TST) at P14 and the forced swimming test (FST) and open field test (OFT) at P37 were studied to assess PSMD. DA neuron density in the ventral tegmental area, brain DA concentration and DA transporter (DAT) expression as well as D2 receptor (D2R) expression and G-protein functional coupling were also studied. MCAO animals revealed depressive-like symptoms at P14 associated with decreased DA concentration and reduced DA neuron population and DAT expression. At P37, MCAO rats showed hyperactive behavior associated with increased DA concentration, normalization of DA neuron density and decreased DAT expression. MCAO did not modify D2R expression but reduced D2R functionality at P37. MCAO-induced depressive-like symptoms were reversed by the DA reuptake inhibitor GBR-12909. In conclusion, MCAO in newborn rats induced depressive-like symptoms and hyperactive behavior in the medium and long term, respectively, that were associated with alterations in the DA system. Full article

At present, the sensitivity of society towards emissions in commercial maritime ports is increasing, which is reflected in the large number of studies on the control of emissions in them, perhaps because the most important commercial ports are located in cities with high population density. The objective of this work was to determine the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the activity of the Spanish tugboat fleet, studying the tugboat fleet of the eleven autonomous coastal Spanish communities from 2004 to 2017 and their impact on the carbon footprint of the country’s shipping sector. To do this, the methodology used by the International Maritime Organization for merchant ships to estimate the emissions of a tugboat fleet is formalized, and Gini concentration index methodology was applied to the concentration of emissions from this fleet. This has made it possible to obtain results on the distribution of the concentration of emissions from Spanish ports by region, age, and size, as well as to establish the profile of the tugboat port that pollutes the most and its carbon footprint. One of the results is that in the period analyzed, the concentration of emissions from the Spanish tugboat fleet increased if we looked at its distribution by region, and decreased if we look at its distribution by age and size. This is because tugboat activity was very different by region; however, their characteristics related to age and size evolved in a more homogeneous way. Full article

Mobile applications are increasingly used in healthcare. We have developed a smartphone healthcare application, CALO mama Plus, that can register daily diet, exercise, mood, and sleep quality, calculate dietary intake, and provide advice using artificial intelligence technology. This 3-month randomized controlled trial tested the hypothesis that CALO mama Plus could promote body weight reduction in Japanese adults with overweight or obesity. We recruited office workers as participants. The key eligibility criteria were an age of 20–65 years and a body mass index of 23–40 kg/m². The primary outcome was body weight change over 3 months. We enrolled 141 participants and randomly assigned them to the intervention (n = 72) and control (n = 69) groups. The intervention group used CALO mama Plus, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The change in body weight was −2.4 ± 4.0 kg and −0.7 ± 3.3 kg in the intervention and control groups, respectively. An analysis of covariance adjusted for related variables showed a significant between-group difference in body weight change (−1.60 kg; 95% confidence interval −2.83 to −0.38; p = 0.011). The present study suggests that CALO mama Plus effectively promotes weight loss. Full article

Society and its leaders are increasingly aware of the need to fight climate change and CO₂ emissions in the search for sustainability. Maritime transport and ports are important sources of pollution and, while industry and the rest of the large-scale emitters have achieved considerable reductions in this area, “shipping” is still not advancing at the same rate, falling behind in this race. The aim of this article is to underline the importance of an early implementation of On-Shore Power Supply (OPS), Cold Ironing (CI) or Alternative Marine Power (AMP) by making a study of potentially avoidable CO₂ emissions from vessels docked (on the basis of the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and ENTEC [Environmental Engineering Consultancy, an environmental and engineering consultancy in UK] methods) close to urban areas in the Port of Santander (Spain). It is the first time potential reductions have been calculated for the last 11 years (2011–2021), distinguishing yearly emissions per type of vessel and providing real information to port authorities to prioritize the installation of this technological basis for the operation of piers/terminals to optimize investments and outcomes. In this case study, results demonstrate the outcomes of ROROs, ferries, and cruises being the first target of OPS implementation (reaching total of 37.95% of total emitted tons of CO₂ during the period of study). As a clear conclusion to this paper, the reader can understand the enormous and growing potential of this technology multiplied by the continuous development, increase and implementation of green energies. Full article

Calorimetric space experiments were employed for the direct measurements of cosmic-ray spectra above the TeV region. According to several theoretical models and recent measurements, relevant features in both electron and nucleus fluxes are expected. Unfortunately, sizable disagreements among the current results of different space calorimeters exist. In order to improve the accuracy of future experiments, it is fundamental to understand the reasons of these discrepancies, especially since they are not compatible with the quoted experimental errors. A few articles of different collaborations suggest that a systematic error of a few percentage points related to the energy-scale calibration could explain these differences. In this work, we analyze the impact of the nonproportionality of the light yield of scintillating crystals on the energy scale of typical calorimeters. Space calorimeters are usually calibrated by employing minimal ionizing particles (MIPs), e.g., nonshowering proton or helium nuclei, which feature different ionization density distributions with respect to particles included in showers. By using the experimental data obtained by the CaloCube collaboration and a minimalist model of the light yield as a function of the ionization density, several scintillating crystals (BGO, CsI(Tl), LYSO, YAP, YAG and BaF2) are characterized. Then, the response of a few crystals is implemented inside the Monte Carlo simulation of a space calorimeter to check the energy deposited by electromagnetic and hadronic showers. The results of this work show that the energy scale obtained by MIP calibration could be affected by sizable systematic errors if the nonproportionality of scintillation light is not properly taken into account. Full article

During the last decades, the discovery of nanolime and its introduction in the field of Cultural Heritage has entailed a significant advance for the consolidation of historic wall paintings. Nevertheless, its use is not completely generalized yet within the conservation practitioner’s community due to its undesired white veiling deposit on the surface after treatment which usually covers the pictorial layer. Given the scarcity of existing literature which specify how to mitigate this undesired side-effect, the aim of this work is to carry out the first assessment of possible cleaning and treatment methods to eliminate those deposits and, at the same time, to analyse their effects on the consolidation properties. To do that, we have developed laboratory fresco wall paintings specimens. After applying an artificial ageing cycle to all of them, we consolidated them with CaloSil IP25, one of the most currently used commercial product in the practice. The elimination of the whitish deposits has been investigated with different methods: (1) wiping off the superficial excess of product immediately after each application during the treatment; (2) mechanical cleaning (scalpel) after consolidation; chemical cleaning with rigid gels of water (3), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (4) and citric acid (5) after consolidation. The effectiveness of each cleaning method has been assessed by non-destructive methods before and after the consolidation, and repeated after cleaning, by measuring differences in colour, water absorption by capillarity (i.e., sponge test), superficial adhesion (i.e., Scotch Tape Test) and by quantifying the thickness of the deposits eliminated by means of photogrammetry. Results show that both the mechanical cleaning and the removal of the excess of product after each application during the treatment yielded the most promising results for conservation practice. Full article

We previously showed that microwave assisted synthesis is the best method for the synthesis of naphthoquinone amino acid and chloride-naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives by a complete evaluation of reaction conditions such as stoichiometry, bases, and pH influence. Following the same strategy, we synthesized chloride and non-chloride tyrosine, valine, and tryptophan-naphthoquinones achieving 85–95%, 80–92%, and 91–95% yields, respectively. The cyclic voltammetry profiles showed that both series of naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives mainly display one redox reaction process. Overall, chloride naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives exhibited redox potential values (E_1/2) more positive than non-chloride compounds. The six newly synthesized compounds were tested in HPV positive and negative as well as in immortal and tumorigenic cell lines to observe the effects in different cellular context simulating precancerous and cancerous status. A dose-response was achieved to determine the IC50 of six newly synthesized compounds in SiHa (Tumorigenic and HPV16 positive), CaLo (Tumorigenic and HPV18 positive), C33-A (Tumorigenic and HPV negative) and HaCaT (Keratinocytes immortal HPV negative) cell lines. Non-chloride tryptophan-naphthoquinone (3c) and chloride tyrosine-naphthoquine (4a) effects were more potent in tumorigenic SiHa, CaLo, and C33-A cells with respect to non-tumorigenic HaCaT cells. Interestingly, there seems to be a differential effect in non-chloride and chloride naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives in tumorigenic versus non tumorigenic cells. Considering all naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives that our group synthesized, it seems that hydrophobic and aromatic amino acids have the greatest effect on cell proliferation inhibition. These results show promising compounds for cervical cancer treatment. Full article

Objectives and Study: Salicylic acid (SA), a phenolic compound produced by plants, may play a beneficial role on health. A pilot study showed that children with obesity had lower serum SA than normal-weight children. The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effect of a 1-year nutritional–behavioral intervention on serum SA levels and to study a possible association between SA levels and metabolic profile changes in children with obesity. Methods: This was an interventional longitudinal observational uncontrolled cohort study. Forty-nine children with obesity, aged >6 years were evaluated. BMI (body mass index) z-scores were calculated. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for lipids, insulin, and glucose. The most significant metabolic variables were calculated. Serum SA was measured using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. The 1-year intervention was based on the promotion of a balanced and normocaloric diet, in accordance with the national guidelines for treatment of childhood obesity. Additionally, behavioral education, based on the revised CALO-RE (Coventry, Aberdeen, and London-REfined) taxonomy, was performed. Results: At the end of intervention, children showed an increase in serum SA levels (mean (Standard Deviation, SD) 0.06 (0.02) vs. 0.09 (0.05) µmol/L; p < 0.001), a reduction of BMI z-score (3.14 (0.79) vs. 3.02 (0.82); p < 0.001), TyG index (4.52 (0.20) vs. 4.48 (0.23); p < 0.001), AIP (atherogenic index of plasma) (0.36 (0.21) vs. 0.27 (0.25); p < 0.001), and triglycerides/HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol (2.57 (1.28) vs. 2.18 (1.22); p < 0.001) ratio. No statistically significant change in HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment index) was observed (4.20 (3.29) vs. 4.03 (2.28)). An association between the longitudinal variation of serum SA and HOMA-IR was found (correlation coefficient: −0.338, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Nutritional–behavioral intervention may improve the circulating SA and the metabolic profile in children with obesity. Serum SA could influence mainly glucose metabolism. Further larger studies are needed to evaluate whether a nutritional intervention based on specific advice regarding the quantity and type of fruit and vegetables (FV) consumption could provide benefits in terms of metabolic syndrome. Full article

Precise measurements of the energy spectra and of the composition of cosmic rays in the PeV region could improve our knowledge regarding their origin, acceleration mechanism, propagation, and composition. At the present time, spectral measurements in this region are mainly derived from data collected by ground-based detectors, because of the very low particle rates at these energies. Unfortunately, these results are affected by the high uncertainties typical of indirect measurements, which depend on the complicated modeling of the interaction of the primary particle with the atmosphere. A space experiment dedicated to measurements in this energy region has to achieve a balance between the requirements of lightness and compactness, with that of a large acceptance to cope with the low particle rates. CaloCube is a four-year-old R&D project, approved and financed by the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) in 2014, aiming to optimize the design of a space-borne calorimeter. The large acceptance needed is obtained by maximizing the number of entrance windows, while thanks to its homogeneity and high segmentation this new detector achieves an excellent energy resolution and an enhanced separation power between hadrons and electrons. In order to optimize detector performances with respect to the total mass of the apparatus, comparative studies on different scintillating materials, different sizes of crystals, and different spacings among them have been performed making use of MonteCarlo simulations. In parallel to simulations studies, several prototypes instrumented with CsI(Tl) (Caesium Iodide, Tallium doped) cubic crystals have been constructed and tested with particle beams. Moreover, the last development of CaloCube, the Tracker-In-Calorimeter (TIC) project, financed by the INFN in 2018, is focused on the feasibility of including several silicon layers at different depths in the calorimeter in order to reconstruct the particle direction. In fact, an important requirement for $\gamma$ -ray astronomy is to have a good angular resolution in order to allow precise identification of astrophysical sources in space. In respect to the traditional approach of using a tracker with passive material in front of the calorimeter, the TIC solution can save a significant amount of mass budget in a space satellite experiment, which can then be exploited to improve the acceptance and the resolution of the calorimeter. In this paper, the status of the project and perspectives for future developments are presented. Full article

In this work, layers of a sol-gel hybrid matrix doped with metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) have been deposited on flat samples of AA6061-T6 aluminum alloy using the dip-coating technique, with the aim of obtaining coatings with better anti-corrosive and hydrophobic properties. Two different organic modified silica alkoxides, namely 3-(glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) and methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS), have been used for an adequate entrapment of the metal oxide nanoparticles. In addition, a fluorinated metal-alkoxide precursor has also been added to the hybrid matrix in order to improve the hydrophobic behavior. The experimental results corroborate that the presence of these TiO₂ NPs play an important role in the development of the sol-gel hybrid coatings. The water contact angle (WCA) measurements, as well as pencil hardness tests indicate that TiO₂ NPs make a considerable increase in the resultant hydrophobicity possible, with better mechanical properties of the coatings. The coating thickness has been measured by cross-section scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, a glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) analysis has been carried out in order to corroborate the adequate entrapment of the TiO₂ NPs into the sol-gel coatings. Finally, potentiodynamic polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) have been performed in order to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the coatings. All the results provide insights into the efficacy of the developed sol-gel hybrid coatings for anticorrosive purposes with good mechanical properties. Full article

Background: Cancer centre Web sites can be a useful tool for distributing information about the benefits of physical activity for breast cancer (bca) survivors, and they hold potential for supporting health behaviour change. However, the extent to which cancer centre Web sites use evidence-based behaviour change techniques to foster physical activity behaviour among bca survivors is currently unknown. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presentation of behaviour-change techniques on Canadian cancer centre Web sites to promote physical activity behaviour for bca survivors. Methods: All Canadian cancer centre Web sites (n = 39) were evaluated by two raters using the Coventry, Aberdeen, and London–Refined (calo-re) taxonomy of behaviour change techniques and the eEurope 2002 Quality Criteria for Health Related Websites. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Results: The most common behaviour change techniques used on Web sites were providing information about consequences in general (80%), suggesting goal-setting behaviour (56%), and planning social support or social change (46%). Overall, Canadian cancer centre Web sites presented an average of M = 6.31 behaviour change techniques (of 40 that were coded) to help bca survivors increase their physical activity behaviour. Evidence of quality factors ranged from 90% (sites that provided evidence of readability) to 0% (sites that provided an editorial policy). Conclusions: Our results provide preliminary evidence that, of 40 behaviour-change techniques that were coded, fewer than 20% were used to promote physical activity behaviour to bca survivors on cancer centre Web sites, and that the most effective techniques were inconsistently used. On cancer centre Web sites, health promotion specialists could focus on emphasizing knowledge mobilization efforts using available research into behaviour-change techniques to help bca survivors increase their physical activity. Full article

Breath analysis, a promising new field of medicine and medical instrumentation, potentially offers noninvasive, real-time, and point-of-care (POC) disease diagnostics and metabolic status monitoring. Numerous breath biomarkers have been detected and quantified so far by using the GC-MS technique. Recent advances in laser spectroscopic techniques and laser sources have driven breath analysis to new heights, moving from laboratory research to commercial reality. Laser spectroscopic detection techniques not only have high-sensitivity and high-selectivity, as equivalently offered by the MS-based techniques, but also have the advantageous features of near real-time response, low instrument costs, and POC function. Of the approximately 35 established breath biomarkers, such as acetone, ammonia, carbon dioxide, ethane, methane, and nitric oxide, 14 species in exhaled human breath have been analyzed by high-sensitivity laser spectroscopic techniques, namely, tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS), cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS), integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS), cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy (CEAS), cavity leak-out spectroscopy (CALOS), photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS), quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS), and optical frequency comb cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (OFC-CEAS). Spectral fingerprints of the measured biomarkers span from the UV to the mid-IR spectral regions and the detection limits achieved by the laser techniques range from parts per million to parts per billion levels. Sensors using the laser spectroscopic techniques for a few breath biomarkers, e.g., carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, etc. are commercially available. This review presents an update on the latest developments in laser-based breath analysis. Full article