Synthesis, thermoluminescence characterizations, and photon attenuation parameters of MgAl2 O4 structure doped with different ions.

In this work, different ion co-doped Mg1-x Al2 O4 nanophosphors, coded as M5Cr-5La A, M5Cr-5Cu A, M0.07Si-0.03Ce A, and M0.05Ti-0.05La A, where 5Cr-5La, 5Cr-5Cu, 0.07Si-0.03Ce, and 0.05Ti-0.05La representing the added ions (mol%), were prepared using the sol-gel method. Phase structure, transmission electron microscope (TEM) images, and element feasibility were checked using X-ray diffraction, TEM analysis, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Their thermoluminescence (TL) response was checked using a 5 Gy γ-test dose. The M0.05Ti-0.05La A sample was found to be best for the TL response with an ~1.1 times response compared with that of the MTS-700 commercial detector. A wide range of dose-responses for the M0.05Ti-0.05La A sample was found up to a 20 Gy γ-dose with the lowest detectable dose of ⁓23 µGy. Photon attenuation parameter results were Zeff ⁓10, which mean that the M0.05Ti-0.05La A sample could be considered as a near tissue equivalent material. Due to this study, the M0.05Ti-0.05La A sample can be considered as a promising detector for application in personal and medical dosimetric monitoring.

Construction of SnO2/CuO/rGO nanocomposites for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants and antibacterial applications.

Water contamination by reactive dyes is a serious concern for human health and the environment. In this study, we prepared high efficient SnO2/CuO/rGO nanocomposites for reactive dye degradation. For structural analysis of SnO2/CuO/rGO nanocomposites, XRD, UV-Vis DRS, SEM, TEM-EDAX, and XPS analysis were used to characterize the physicochemical properties of the material. The characterization results confirmed great crystallinity, purity, and optical characteristics features. For both Rhodamine B (RhB) and Reactive Red 120 (RR120) degradation processes, SnO2/CuO/rGO nanocomposites were tested for their photocatalytic degradation performance. The SnO2/CuO/rGO nanocomposites have expressed the degradation rate exposed to 99.6% of both RhB and RR120 dyes. The main reason behind the photocatalytic degradation was due to the formation of OH radical's generation by the composite materials. Moreover, the antibacterial properties of synthesized SnO2/CuO/rGO nanocomposites were studied against E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis and P. aeroginosa and exhibited good antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains. Thus, the synthesized SnO2/CuO/rGO nanocomposites are a promising photocatalyst and antibacterial agent. Furthermore, mechanisms behind the antibacterial effects will be ruled out in near future.

Ceria nanoparticles anchored on graphitic oxide sheets (CeO2-GOS) as an efficient catalyst for degradation of dyes and textile effluents.

Herein, we report a Ceria-graphitic oxide sheets (CeO2-GOS) nanocomposites photo catalyst synthesized by simple and green methods for the degradation of textile effluents and dyes. In the first step, green treated CeO2 NPs were synthesized through a simple organic reduction method. Further, green synthesized CeO2 NPs were anchored with GOS to produce CeO2-GOS nanocomposites by a sol-gel method. The phase morphology and structure of CeO2-GOS nanocomposites was systematically characterized through X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Under visible light irradiation, the CeO2-GOS nanocomposites photo catalyst exhibited 83%, 78%, and 70% degradation efficiencies for rhodamine B, methylene blue, and textile effluent, respectively. Due to the synergistic impact of GO, it act as an elastic conductive channel permitting improved charge transport, the fabricated CeO2-GOS nanocomposites showed a significant retort to photo catalysis of rhodamine B, methylene blue, and textile effluent. CeO2-GOS nanocomposites may yield unique insight into the synthesis of green nanocomposites and their application in environmental remediation due to their better photo catalytic activity.

Associations between interpregnancy interval and preterm birth by previous preterm birth status in four high-income countries: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of interpregnancy interval (IPI) on preterm birth (PTB) according to whether the previous birth was preterm or term. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: USA (California), Australia, Finland, Norway (1980-2017). POPULATION: Women who gave birth to first and second (n = 3 213 855) singleton livebirths. METHODS: Odds ratios (ORs) for PTB according to IPIs were modelled using logistic regression with prognostic score stratification for potential confounders. Within-site ORs were pooled by random effects meta-analysis. OUTCOME MEASURE: PTB (gestational age <37 weeks). RESULTS: Absolute risk of PTB for each IPI was 3-6% after a previous term birth and 17-22% after previous PTB. ORs for PTB differed between previous term and preterm births in all countries (P-for-interaction ≤ 0.001). For women with a previous term birth, pooled ORs were increased for IPI <6 months (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.43-1.58); 6-11 months (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.04-1.16); 24-59 months (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.13-1.18); and ≥ 60 months (OR 1.72, 95%CI 1.60-1.86), compared with 18-23 months. For previous PTB, ORs were increased for <6 months (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18-1.42) and ≥60 months (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.17-1.42), but were less than ORs among women with a previous term birth (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Associations between IPI and PTB are modified by whether or not the previous pregnancy was preterm. ORs for short and long IPIs were higher among women with a previous term birth than a previous PTB, which for short IPI is consistent with the maternal depletion hypothesis. Given the high risk of recurrence and assuming a causal association between IPI and PTB, IPI remains a potentially modifiable risk factor for women with previous PTB. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Short versus long interpregnancy intervals associated with higher ORs for preterm birth (PTB) after a previous PTB.

A comparison study of cleanup techniques for oil spill treatment using magnetic nanomaterials.

Magnetic nanoparticles have been successfully used to recovery oil from oil spilled on water. Two different methods, floating and vortex, were employed to promote the interaction of four oil samples with different API (e.g., 10, 20, 28 and 45) spilled on seawater and deionized water with three magnetic materials, namely: magnetite nanoparticles (N); magnetic nanocomposites of yeast biomass provided by ethanol industry (Y); and magnetic nanocomposites of cork powder (C). The magnetic nanomaterials exposed to oil on water were taking out by a neodymium magnet, and the oil recoveries were determined by gravimetric analysis before and after lyophilization. The lyophilization was determinant to guarantee the accuracy of the experiments, and without this step, the masses of oil recovered would be overestimated due to the drag of water during the oil and magnetic material removal process. Three main factors, API, contact method and magnetic material, and two interactions (i.e., API × contact method, and contact method × magnetic material) presented a statistically significant effect on oil recovery. It was observed that oil recovery increases as API decreases, and it was possible to establish a model to predict the amount of recovered oil according to this effect. Higher oil recoveries were also obtained by magnetic nanocomposites of yeast biomass (Y), regardless of the contact method and type of water, recoveries of 23% and 100% for 45 and 10 API, respectively, employing around 20 mg of Y on 300 mg of spilled oil. These percentages correspond to 0.29 ±â€¯0.01 kg/kg and 15.98 kg/kg of recovering oil by the magnetic procedure. The increase of mass of magnetic material improved the recovery of oils with higher APIs. The reusability of the spent materials presents potential for its application in oil spill cleaning technologies.

Risk of stillbirth, preterm delivery, and fetal growth restriction following exposure in a previous birth: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the risk of non-recurrent adverse birth outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk of stillbirth, preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA) as a proxy for fetal growth restriction (FGR) following exposure to one or more of these factors in a previous birth. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Maternity and Infant Care, and Global Health from inception to 30 November 2016. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were included if they investigated the association between stillbirth, PTB, or SGA (as a proxy for FGR) in two subsequent births. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Meta-analysis and pooled association presented as odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs). MAIN RESULTS: Of the 3399 studies identified, 17 met the inclusion criteria. A PTB or SGA (as a proxy for FGR) infant increased the risk of subsequent stillbirth ((pooled OR 1.70; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 1.34-2.16) and (pooled OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.70-2.31), respectively). A combination of exposures, such as a preterm SGA (as a proxy for FGR) birth, doubled the risk of subsequent stillbirth (pooled OR 4.47; 95% CI 2.58-7.76). The risk of stillbirth also varied with prematurity, increasing three-fold following PTB <34 weeks of gestation (pooled OR 2.98; 95% CI 2.05-4.34) and six-fold following preterm SGA (as a proxy for FGR) <34 weeks of gestation (pooled OR 6.00; 95% CI 3.43-10.49). A previous stillbirth increased the risk of PTB (pooled OR 2.82; 95% CI 2.31-3.45), and subsequent SGA (as a proxy for FGR) (pooled OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.10-1.76). CONCLUSION: The risk of stillbirth, PTB, or SGA (as a proxy for FGR) was moderately elevated in women who previously experienced a single exposure, but increased between two- and three-fold when two prior adverse outcomes were combined. Clinical guidelines should consider the inter-relationship of stillbirth, PTB, and SGA, and that each condition is an independent risk factor for the other conditions. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Risk of adverse birth outcomes in next pregnancy increases with the combined number of previous adverse events. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Why and how was the study carried out? Each year, around 2.6 million babies are stillborn, 15 million are born preterm (<37 weeks of gestation), and 32 million are born small for gestational age (less than tenth percentile for weight, smaller than usually expected for the relevant pregnancy stage). Being born preterm or small for gestational age can increase the chance of long-term health problems. The effect of having a stillbirth, preterm birth, or small-for-gestational-age infant in a previous pregnancy on future pregnancy health has not been summarised. We identified 3399 studies of outcomes of previous pregnancies, and 17 were summarised by our study. What were the main findings? The outcome of the previous pregnancy influenced the risk of poor outcomes in the next pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who had a previous preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age birth were more likely to be stillborn. The smaller and the more preterm the previous baby, the higher the risk of stillbirth in the following pregnancy. The risk of stillbirth in the following pregnancy was doubled if the previous baby was born both preterm and small for gestational age. Babies born to mothers who had a previous stillbirth were more likely to be preterm or small for gestational age. What are the limitations of the work? We included a small number of studies, as there are not enough studies in this area (adverse birth outcomes followed by adverse cross outcomes in the next pregnancy). We found very few studies that compared the risk of small for gestational age after preterm birth or stillbirth. Definitions of stillbirth, preterm birth categories, and small for gestational age differed across studies. We did not know the cause of stillbirth for most studies. What are the implications for patients? Women who have a history of poor pregnancy outcomes are at greater risk of poor outcomes in following pregnancies. Health providers should be aware of this risk when treating patients with a history of poor pregnancy outcomes.

Criticality of metals and metalloids.

Imbalances between metal supply and demand, real or anticipated, have inspired the concept of metal criticality. We here characterize the criticality of 62 metals and metalloids in a 3D "criticality space" consisting of supply risk, environmental implications, and vulnerability to supply restriction. Contributing factors that lead to extreme values include high geopolitical concentration of primary production, lack of available suitable substitutes, and political instability. The results show that the limitations for many metals important in emerging electronics (e.g., gallium and selenium) are largely those related to supply risk; those of platinum group metals, gold, and mercury, to environmental implications; and steel alloying elements (e.g., chromium and niobium) as well as elements used in high-temperature alloys (e.g., tungsten and molybdenum), to vulnerability to supply restriction. The metals of most concern tend to be those available largely or entirely as byproducts, used in small quantities for highly specialized applications, and possessing no effective substitutes.

On the materials basis of modern society.

It is indisputable that modern life is enabled by the use of materials in its technologies. Those technologies do many things very well, largely because each material is used for purposes to which it is exquisitely fitted. The result over time has been a steady increase in product performance. We show that this materials complexity has markedly increased in the past half-century and that elemental life cycle analyses characterize rates of recycling and loss. A further concern is that of possible scarcity of some of the elements as their use increases. Should materials availability constraints occur, the use of substitute materials comes to mind. We studied substitution potential by generating a comprehensive summary of potential substitutes for 62 different metals in all their major uses and of the performance of the substitutes in those applications. As we show herein, for a dozen different metals, the potential substitutes for their major uses are either inadequate or appear not to exist at all. Further, for not 1 of the 62 metals are exemplary substitutes available for all major uses. This situation largely decouples materials substitution from price, thereby forcing material design changes to be primarily transformative rather than incremental. As wealth and population increase worldwide in the next few decades, scientists will be increasingly challenged to maintain and improve product utility by designing new and better materials, but doing so under potential constraints in resource availability.

Complications of external cephalic version: a retrospective analysis of 1121 patients at a tertiary hospital in Sydney.

OBJECTIVE: To report the complication rate associated with external cephalic version (ECV) at term. DESIGN: Single-centre retrospective study. SETTING: A major tertiary hospital in Sydney, Australia. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: All women who underwent an ECV at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital from 1995-2013 were included. METHODS: ECV was attempted on all consenting women with a breech presentation at term in the absence of contraindications. Complications were classified as minor (transient cardiotocography abnormalities, ruptured membranes, small antepartum haemorrhage) or serious (fetal death, placental abruption, fetal distress requiring emergency caesarean section, fetal bone injury, cord prolapse). ECV success rates and rate of reversion to breech were recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the incidence of serious complications. Secondary outcome measures were the rate of minor complications and reversion to breech. RESULTS: Of 1121 patients that underwent ECV, five (0.45%) experienced a serious complication. There was one placental abruption, one emergency caesarean section for fetal distress and two cord prolapses. There was one fetal death attributable to a successful ECV. Forty-eight women (4.28%) experienced a minor complication. Reversion to the breech occurred in sixteen patients (3.32%). CONCLUSION: ECV at term is associated with a low rate of serious complications. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Study of 1121 consecutive ECV attempts shows low rate of complications although one fetal death reported.

Case of escape in cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz.

Two cassava escapes where collected from cultivated fields near natural habitat in Bolivia. They are described morphologically and analyzed cytogenetically in this study. It is suggested that they are the product of backcrosses of cassava interspecific hybrids with the cultigen itself, and that selective conditions have developed in which certain forms of cassava segregates have adapted to grow wildly in natural habitats near cassava fields. These segregates may hybridize with cultivated cassava upon coming in contact with such varieties. Because these escapes have incorporated useful genes from the wild into their genetic structure, they could be used for cassava improvement since their genetic barriers with other forms of cassava are very weak.

Periclinal chimera technique: new plant breeding approach.

Plant interspecific periclinal chimeras are a mosaic formed by tissues from two species. They are manipulated here as an efficient plant breeding tool for cassava root yields. In this study, plants synthesized from two chimeras, designated as chimera 2 and chimera 4, were characterized morphologically and cytologically to unravel the origin of their tissue layers (L2 and L3). Root yield of the two chimeras was also evaluated. Chimera 2 that was developed from graft union between Manihot fortalezensis (F) as scion and M. esculenta (E) as rootstock and the same in chimera 4 was developed from grafting triploid cassava cultivar (2n = 54) (C) as scion and M. pohlii (P) (2n = 36) as rootstock. A new method of inducing interspecific chimeras without using hormones was also tested in this study. Five combinations between four cassava cultivars on one side and M. fortalezensis and an interspecific hybrid (M. glaziovii x M. esculenta) on the other side were experimented to determine compatibility between the parents. Wild species always gave L2 and L3, independent of being used as rootstock or scion. L3 is responsible for producing pericycle. Thus, its performance was different in each chimera due to specific epigenetic interaction. Of 48 grafts, it was obtained one chimera giving a percentage of 2.1% that is little lower than using hormones but much efficient to use. Chimera induction efficiency in this investigation was the same when using hormones. Thus, our new, less labor, and more cost-effective technique is as much efficient as hormones and is much potential to employ as an effective plant breeding method boosting cassava root yield.

School performance for children with cleft lip and palate: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Educational attainment is important in shaping young people's life prospects. To investigate whether being born with orofacial cleft (OFC) affects school performance, we compared school test results between children born with and without OFC. METHODS: Using record-linked datasets, we conducted a population-based cohort study of children liveborn in Western Australia 1980-2010 with a diagnosis of OFC on the Register of Developmental Anomalies, and a random sample of 6603 children born without OFC. We compared odds ratios for meeting national minimum standards in five domains (reading, numeracy, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation), and adjusted OR (aOR) for children with cleft lip only (CLO), cleft lip and palate (CL + P) and cleft palate only (CPO) for each domain. RESULTS: Results from two testing programs (WALNA and NAPLAN) were available for 3238 (89%) children expected to participate. Most met the national minimum standards. Compared with children without OFC, children with CPO were less likely to meet minimum standards for NAPLAN reading (aOR 0.57 [95%CI 0.34, 0.96]) grammar and punctuation (aOR 0.49 [95%CI 0.32, 0.76]), WALNA writing (aOR 0.66 [95%CI 0.47, 0.92]), and WALNA and NAPLAN numeracy (aOR 0.64 [95%CI 0.43, 0.95] and aOR 0.47 [95%CI 0.28, 0.82]), respectively. Children with CL + P had significantly lower odds for reaching the spelling standard in NAPLAN tests (aOR 0.52 [95%CI 0.29, 0.94]). Children with CLO had similar odds for reaching all minimum standards. CONCLUSION: Children born with OFC, particularly children with CPO, should be monitored to identify learning difficulties early, to enable intervention to maximize school attainment.

Maternal first trimester serum levels of free-beta human chorionic gonadotrophin and male genital anomalies.

STUDY QUESTION: Are maternal first trimester levels of serum free-beta hCG associated with the development of hypospadias or undescended testis (UDT) in boys? SUMMARY ANSWER: Overall, first trimester maternal levels of serum free-beta hCG are not associated with hypospadias or UDT. However, elevated levels were found in severe phenotypes (proximal hypospadias and bilateral UDT) suggesting an altered pathway of hormonal release in early pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Human chorionic gonadotrophin peaks in first trimester of pregnancy stimulating fetal testosterone production, which is key to normal male genital development. Endocrine-disrupting insults early in pregnancy have been associated with increased risk of common genital anomalies in males such as hypospadias and UDT. One plausible etiological pathway is altered release of hCG. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We conducted a record-linkage study of two separate populations of women attending first trimester aneuploidy screening in two Australian states, New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia (WA), in 2006-2009 and 2001-2003, respectively. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Included were women who gave birth to a singleton live born male infant. There were 12 099 boys from NSW and 10 518 from WA included, of whom 90 and 77 had hypospadias; and 107 and 109 UDT, respectively. Serum levels of free-beta hCG were ascertained from laboratory databases and combined with relevant birth outcomes and congenital anomalies via record linkage of laboratory, birth, congenital anomalies and hospital data. Median and quartile levels of gestational age specific free-beta hCG multiple of the median (MoM) were compared between affected and unaffected boys. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between levels of free-beta hCG MoM and hypospadias or UDT, stratified by suspected placental dysfunction and co-existing anomalies. Where relevant, pooled analysis was conducted. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: There was no difference in median hCG levels amongst women with an infant with hypospadias (NSW = 0.88 MoM, P = 0.83; WA = 0.84 MoM, P = 0.76) or UDT (NSW = 0.89 MoM, P = 0.54; WA = 0.95 MoM, P = 0.95), compared with women with an unaffected boy (NSW = 0.92 MoM; WA = 0.88 MoM). Low (<25th centile) or high (>75th centile) hCG levels were not associated with hypospadias or UDT, nor when stratifying by suspected placental dysfunction and co-existing anomalies. However, there was a tendency towards high levels for severe types, although confidence intervals were wide. When combining NSW and WA results, high hCG MoM levels (>75th centile) were associated with increased risk of proximal hypospadias (odds ratio (OR) 4.34; 95% CI: 1.08-17.4) and bilateral UDT (OR 2.86; 95% CI: 1.02-8.03). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: There were only small numbers of proximal hypospadias and bilateral UDT in both cohorts and although we conducted pooled analyses, results reported on these should be interpreted with caution. Gestational age by ultrasound may have been inaccurately estimated in small and large for gestational age fetuses affecting hCG MoM calculation in those pregnancies. Despite the reliability of our datasets in identifying adverse pregnancy outcomes, we did not have pathology information to confirm tissue lesions in the placenta and therefore our composite outcome should be considered as a proxy for placental dysfunction. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: This is one of the largest population-based studies examining the association between maternal first trimester serum levels of free-beta hCG and genital anomalies-hypospadias and UDT; and the first to compare specific phenotypes by severity. Overall, our findings does not support the hypothesis that alteration in maternal hCG levels is associated with the development of male genital anomalies; however, high hCG free-beta levels found in severe types suggest different underlying etiology involving higher production and secretion of hCG. These findings require further exploration and replication. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant APP1047263. N.N. is supported by a NHMRC Career Development Fellowship APP1067066. C.B. was supported by a NHMRC Principal Research Fellowship #634341. The funding agencies had no role in the design, analysis, interpretation or reporting of the findings. There are no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Not applicable.

Twin pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus: a single centre cohort study.

AIMS: In women with a twin pregnancy, to determine the incidence of, risk factors for and outcomes of women with gestational diabetes mellitus, and assess how these have changed with a change in gestational diabetes screening. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of women with a twin pregnancy attending an Australian tertiary hospital, 2002-2013. Information on gestational diabetes status, gestational diabetes risk factors and pregnancy outcomes was ascertained. Pregnancy outcomes included hypertensive disorders, twin birthweight centile and a composite adverse pregnancy outcome. Analysis was stratified pre/post screening protocol change (epoch 1: 2002-2009, epoch 2: 2010-2013) and by gestational diabetes status. RESULTS: Gestational diabetes was diagnosed in 86/982 (8.8%) women, increasing from 4.4% to 14.7% between epochs (P = 0.0001). The proportion of women with hypertensive disorders increased (11.7% vs. 13.4%, P = 0.009), but the proportion of infant's birthweight > 90th centile decreased (11.0% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.02) between epochs. Overall, 33.6% of women had ≥ 1 risk factors for gestational diabetes. Three-quarters (73.7%) of women overall had an adverse pregnancy outcome, with a slightly higher proportion in women with gestational diabetes compared with those with no gestational diabetes (79.7% vs. 73.1%, P = 0.06). The rate of the adverse pregnancy outcome did not change by epoch, after adjusting for maternal and pregnancy risk factors (adjusted odds ratio = 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.73-1.26). CONCLUSIONS: Almost 1 in 10 women with a twin pregnancy were diagnosed with gestational diabetes, with the incidence of gestational diabetes increasing threefold with a new screening protocol. The pregnancy outcomes of women with a twin pregnancy did not change with increased detection and treatment for gestational diabetes.

High maternal iron status, dietary iron intake and iron supplement use in pregnancy and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective study and systematic review.

AIM: High iron measured using dietary intake and biomarkers is associated with Type 2 diabetes. It is uncertain whether a similar association exists for gestational diabetes mellitus. The aim of this systematic review was to conduct a cohort study examining first trimester body iron stores and subsequent risk of gestational diabetes, and to include these findings in a systematic review of all studies examining the association between maternal iron status, iron intake (dietary and supplemental) and the risk of gestational diabetes. METHODS: Serum samples from women with first trimester screening were linked to birth and hospital records for data on maternal characteristics and gestational diabetes diagnosis. Blood was analysed for ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor and C-reactive protein. Associations between iron biomarkers and gestational diabetes were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. A systematic review and meta-analysis, registered with PROSPERO (CRD42014013663) included studies of all designs published in English from January 1995 to July 2015 that examined the association between iron and gestational diabetes and included an appropriate comparison group. RESULTS: Of 3776 women, 3.4% subsequently developed gestational diabetes. Adjusted analyses found increased odds of gestational diabetes for ferritin (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.11, 1.78), but not for soluble transferrin receptor (OR 1.00; 95% CI 0.97, 1.03) per unit increase of the biomarker. Two trials of iron supplementation found no association with gestational diabetes. Increased risk of gestational diabetes was associated with higher levels of ferritin and serum iron and dietary haem iron intakes. CONCLUSIONS: Increased risk of gestational diabetes among women with high serum ferritin and iron levels and dietary haem iron intakes warrants further investigation.

Metal Dissipation and Inefficient Recycling Intensify Climate Forcing.

In the metals industry, recycling is commonly included among the most viable options for climate change mitigation, because using secondary (recycled) instead of primary sources in metal production carries both the potential for significant energy savings and for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Secondary metal production is, however, limited by the relative quantity of scrap available at end-of-life for two reasons: long product lifespans during use delay the availability of the material for reuse and recycling; and end-of-life recycling rates are low, a result of inefficient collection, separation, and processing. For a few metals, additional losses exist in the form of in-use dissipation. The sum of these lost material flows forms the theoretical maximum potential for future efficiency improvements. Based on a dynamic material flow analysis, we have evaluated these factors from an energy perspective for 50 metals and calculated the corresponding greenhouse gas emissions associated with the supply of lost material from primary sources that would otherwise be used to satisfy demand. A use-by-use examination demonstrates the potential emission gains associated with major application sectors. The results show that minimizing in-use dissipation and constraints to metal recycling have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the metal industry by about 13-23%, corresponding to 1% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.

Comparative petiole anatomy of cassava (Manihot) species.

In this study, we describe the petiole anatomy of six wild cassava (Manihot) species, one hybrid, and two cultivars of Manihot esculenta, in order to identify their dominant anatomical patterns and relate them to possible adaptations to abiotic factors in the Cerrado biome. The median parts of several petiole samples were transversally and longitudinally sectioned and stained. The results include data for the taxonomic classification of the genus, including distinctive anatomical characteristics of hybrid varieties of cassava and wild species, such as the presence/absence of trichomes and a hypodermis, layer type and number in the cortex, number of vascular bundles, cell types in the pith, and type of organization. Morphological analysis revealed differences in length and shape of the petiole insertion. The presence of trichomes, a hypodermis, the amount and type of supporting tissue in the cortex, as well as gelatinous fibers, may be related to drought tolerance.

Lost by Design.

In some common uses metals are lost by intent-copper in brake pads, zinc in tires, and germanium in retained catalyst applications being examples. In other common uses, metals are incorporated into products in ways for which no viable recycling approaches exist, examples include selenium in colored glass and vanadium in pigments. To determine quantitatively the scope of these "losses by design", we have assessed the major uses of 56 metals and metalloids, assigning each use to one of three categories: in-use dissipation, currently unrecyclable when discarded, or potentially recyclable when discarded. In-use dissipation affects fewer than a dozen elements (including mercury and arsenic), but the spectrum of elements dissipated increases rapidly if applications from which they are currently unrecyclable are considered. In many cases the resulting dissipation rates are higher than 50%. Among others, specialty metals (e.g., gallium, indium, and thallium) and some heavy rare earth elements are representative of modern technology, and their loss provides a measure of the degree of unsustainability in the contemporary use of materials and products. Even where uses are currently compatible with recycling technologies and approaches, end of life recycling rates are in most cases well below those that are potentially achievable. The outcomes of this research provide guidance in identifying product design approaches for reducing material losses so as to increase element recovery at end-of-life.

Prevalence of functional bowel disorders and faecal incontinence: an Australian primary care survey.

AIM: Interest in functional bowel disorders (FBDs) and faecal incontinence (FI) has increased amongst coloproctologists. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of FBDs and FI (including its severity) among Australian primary healthcare seekers using objective criteria. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a primary care setting in Sydney, Australia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and diagnose FBDs (irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, functional bloating and functional diarrhoea) based on Rome III criteria. The severity of FI was determined using the Vaizey incontinence score. Associations with medical/surgical history and healthcare utilization were assessed. RESULTS: Of 596 subjects approached, 396 (66.4%) agreed to participate. Overall, 33% had FBD and/or FI. Irritable bowel syndrome was present in 11.1% and these participants were more likely to report anxiety/depression (P < 0.01) and to have had a previous colonoscopy (P < 0.001) or cholecystectomy (P = 0.02). Functional constipation was present in 8.1%, and functional bloating and functional diarrhoea were diagnosed in 6.1%, and 1.5%, respectively. FI was present in 12.1% with the majority (52%) reporting moderate/severe incontinence (Vaizey score > 8). Participants with FI were more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence and previous anal surgery (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: FBDs and FI are prevalent conditions amongst primary healthcare seekers and the needs of those affected appear to be complex given their coexisting symptoms and conditions. Currently, the majority do not reach colorectal services, although increased awareness by primary care providers could lead to sufferers being referred for specialist management.

Criticality of iron and its principal alloying elements.

Because modern technology depends on reliable supplies of a wide variety of materials and because of increasing concern about those supplies, a comprehensive methodology was created to quantify the degree of criticality of the metals of the periodic table. In this paper, we apply this methodology to iron and several of its main alloying elements (i.e., vanadium, chromium, manganese, and niobium). These elements represent the basic metals of any industrial society and are vital for national security and economic well-being. Assessments relating to the dimensions of criticality - supply risk, vulnerability to supply restriction, and environmental implications - for 2008 are made on the global level and for the United States. Evaluations of each of the multiple indicators are presented, with aggregate results plotted in "criticality space", together with Monte Carlo simulation-derived "uncertainty cloud" estimates. Iron has the lowest supply risk, primarily because of its widespread geological occurrence. Vanadium displays the highest cradle-to-gate environmental implications, followed by niobium, chromium, manganese, and iron. Chromium and manganese, both essential in steel making, display the highest vulnerability to supply restriction, largely because substitution or substitution at equal performance is not possible for all end-uses. From a comprehensive perspective, we regard the overall criticality as low for iron and modest for the alloying elements we evaluated.