Fire and land use impact soil properties in a Mediterranean dry sclerophyll woodland.

Fire directly impacts soil properties responsible for soil function and can result in soil degradation. Across the globe, climate change-induced droughts and elevated temperatures are exacerbating fire regime severity, breadth, and frequency, thus posing a threat to soil function and dependent ecosystem services. In Australia, the 2019-2020 fire season consumed nearly 50% of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, burning both dry sclerophyll woodland and adjacent historically cleared and grazed pastureland. Due to exacerbated fire regime elements, e.g., intensity and area affected, and interactions with historical land use, post-fire recovery of soil function was uncertain. This study assessed the impacts of a) the 2019-2020 fire event in Western River, Kangaroo Island on dry sclerophyll woodland and b) the interaction between this fire event and historical clearing and grazing on post-fire function of the soil. To do so, the following physicochemical and biological soil properties were analysed: labile active carbon, total carbon, total nitrogen, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), pH, electrical conductivity, soil water repellency, aggregate stability, microbial community composition, and microbial diversity. Our results showed that the fire was of high severity, causing a reduction in nutrient content, an extreme rise in pH, and significant modifications to fungal communities in burnt compared to unburnt dry sclerophyll woodland. Furthermore, clearing and grazing raised post-fire soil nutrient levels and soil microbial diversity but reduced soil C/N and the abundance of ectomycorrhizal fungi in burnt pastureland compared to burnt woodland soils. This study highlights the role of management and fire severity in post-fire outcomes and emphasizes the need for comprehensive soil function assessments to evaluate the impacts of disturbance on soil. Taking direct measure of soil properties, as done here, will improve future assessments of fire season impacts and post-fire recovery in fire-prone landscapes.

Usability of a new electronic assistive device for community-dwelling persons with mild dementia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a newly developed integrated digital prosthetic, the COGKNOW Day Navigator (CDN), to support persons with mild dementia in their daily lives, with memory, social contacts, daily activities and safety. METHODS: A user participatory method was applied in the development process, which consisted of three iterative 1-year cycles with field tests in Amsterdam, Belfast and Luleå. In the successive cycles 16, 14 and 12 persons with dementia and their carers participated. Data on usability were collected by means of interviews, observations, questionnaires, logging and diaries. The CDN prototype consists of a touch screen, a mobile device, sensors and actuators. RESULTS: The evaluation showed that persons with dementia and carers valued the CDN overall as user-friendly and useful. Conclusions regarding the effectiveness of the system in daily life were limited due to insufficient duration of the testing period caused by delays in development and some instability of the final prototype. CONCLUSION: With the suggested adaptations, the CDN is expected to be a useful tool for supporting community-dwelling persons with mild dementia and their carers.

A systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the impact of body mass index on long-term survival outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The impact of body mass index (BMI) on long-term survival outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery is debated. DESIGN: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed to compare long-term survival outcomes of patients of different BMI categories after colorectal cancer surgery. RESULTS: Of the 2588 articles screened, 56 articles met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 72,582 participants. Patients with BMI <18.5 had significantly worse overall survival [hazard ratio (HR) 1.91; P < 0.0001], cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.91; P < 0.0001), disease-free survival (HR = 1.50; P < 0.0001) and recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.13; P = 0.007) compared to patients with a BMI of 18.5-25. There was no significant difference between those with BMI 25-30 and 18.5-25 in overall survival, cancer-specific survival, disease-free survival and recurrence-free survival, except for the subgroup of patients with colon cancer where patients with BMI 25-30 had significantly improved overall survival (HR = 0.90; P = 0.05) and disease-free survival (HR = 0.90; P = 0.04). Patients with BMI >30 had significantly worse disease-free survival (HR = 1.05; P = 0.03) compared to patients with a BMI of 18.5-25, but no significant difference in overall survival, cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free survival. Patients with BMI >35 compared to 18.5-25 had significantly worse overall survival (HR = 1.24; P = 0.02), cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.36; P = 0.01), disease-free survival (HR = 1.15; P = 0.03) and recurrence-free survival for colon (HR = 1.11; P = 0.04) and rectal (HR = 4.10; P = 0.04) cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Being underweight (BMI < 18.5) or class II/III obese (BMI > 35) at the time of colorectal cancer surgery may result in worse long-term survival outcomes, whereas being overweight (BMI 25-30) may improve survival in a subgroup of patients with colon cancer. Optimising BMI may preoperatively improve long-term survival after surgery for colorectal cancer.

Confinement-induced one-dimensional ferroelectric polymer arrays.

This work demonstrates the use of wetting nanoporous alumina template with polymer solution to produce arrays of isolated poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) ferroelectric gamma-type nanorods supported within a nonpolar alpha-structure film. The method is based upon a crystal phase transition which occurs due to PVDF confinement within alumina nanoporous. The system was studied using scanning X-ray microdiffraction (micro-XRD) that allows the solid-solid phase transition from the alpha-nonpolar crystal form (bulk) to the gamma polar ferroelectric form (nanorod array) to be spatially resolved, as well as providing crystallinity and orientation information. The results reveal that the interaction between polymer chains and the porous membrane's walls imposes a flat-on lamella growth along the nanorrods long axis, while improving crystal orientation.

Dynamic baselines for the detection of water quality impacts - the case of shale gas development.

There is a need for the development of effective baselines against which the water quality impacts of new developments can be assessed. The specific conductance of flowback water from shale gas operations is typically many times the specific conductance of surface water and near-surface groundwater. This contrast in specific conductance means that specific conductance could be the ideal determinand for detecting water quality impacts from shale gas extraction. If specific conductance is to be used for detecting the impacts of shale gas operations, then a baseline of specific conductance in water bodies is required. Here, Bayesian hierarchical modelling of specific conductance was applied across English groundwater. The modelling used existing, spot-sampled data from the years 2000 to 2018 from 537 unique borehole locations. When the differences between boreholes was considered, then the approach was sufficiently sensitive to detect 1% mixing of fracking fluid in groundwater at a 95% confidence interval. The Bayesian hierarchical modelling maximises the return on public investment and provides a means by which future observations can be judged.

Concussion History and Balance Performance in Adolescent Rugby Union Players.

BACKGROUND: Sports-related concussion is a worldwide problem. There is a concern that an initial concussion can cause prolonged subclinical disturbances to sensorimotor function that increase the risk of subsequent injury. The primary aim of this study was to examine whether a history of sports-related concussion has effects on static and dynamic balance performance in adolescent rugby players. HYPOTHESIS: Dynamic balance would be worse in players with a history of concussion compared with those with no history of concussion. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Male adolescent rugby players aged 14 to 18 years from 5 schools were recruited before the start of the 2018-2019 playing season. Participants completed questionnaires and physical tests, including dynamic Y balance and single-leg static balance (eyes closed) tests, while performing single and dual tasks. Dynamic balance was assessed using inertial sensor instrumentation. Dependent variables were normalized reach distance and the sample entropy (SEn) of the 3 axes (x, y, and z). RESULTS: Of the 195 participants, 100 reported a history of concussion. Those with a history of concussion demonstrated higher SEn in all directions, with highest values during anterior (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.4; 95% CI, 0.0-0.7; P = .027) and posteromedial (SMD, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9; P = .004) reach directions compared with those with no history. There was no difference between groups (concussion history vs control) in traditional Y balance reach distances in the anterior or posteromedial directions or single-leg static balance during both single- (P = .47) and dual-task (P = .67) conditions. CONCLUSION: Adolescent rugby union athletes with a history of concussion had poorer dynamic balance during performance tasks compared with healthy controls. Static single-leg balance tests, either single or dual task, may not be sensitive enough to detect sensorimotor deficits in those with a history of concussion.

Intersphincteric epidermoid inclusion cyst: report of a rare case.

Epidermoid inclusion cysts of the perineal region are a rare entity, which require appropriate diagnosis and management. Here we describe the unusual case of a large protruding epidermoid inclusion cyst originating from the intersphincteric anal plane, which was mobilized and excised successfully. Essential investigations to ensure accurate diagnosis in addition to surgical technique to reduce recurrence and patient morbidity are described in this case report.

A case of successful surgical management of primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma.

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma (PRMC) is a rare tumour. It was first reported in 1965, and since then, less than 100 cases have been reported. It is cystic in nature and most commonly affects the female population. It becomes symptomatic in later stages due to its mass effect, making the diagnosis challenging in its early asymptomatic stage. We report a case of a 32-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain and a mass in left iliac fossa. Diagnostic imaging revealed a large cystic lesion in retroperitoneum. A midline laparotomy was performed, and a complete surgical excision was accomplished without any spillage. Surgical histology confirmed the diagnosis of PRMC. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 2. There was no evidence of tumour recurrence on repeat imaging at 90-day follow-up. Surgical approach, with complete resection and without any spillage, remains the most effective and appropriate treatment for this tumour.

Silk fiber assembly studied by synchrotron radiation SAXS/WAXS and Raman spectroscopy.

We have characterized the steps involved in silk assembly from the protein solution into beta-type fibers by a combination of small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering and Raman spectroscopy. The aggregation process was studied in a concentric flow microfluidic cell, which allows mimicking the spinning duct. The fibroin molecule in solution shows an elongated shape with a maximum diameter of 38 nm. During the pH-driven initial assembly step, large-scale aggregates of fibroin molecules with a maximum diameter of about 260 nm are formed. Raman spectroscopy on the dried, fibrous material shows a principally alpha-helical silk I secondary structure, which is transformed gradually into beta-type silk II by increasing immersion times in water. The formation of crystalline beta-sheet domains within the fiber is confirmed by wide-angle X-ray scattering. The assembly process resembles the peptide condensation-ordering model proposed for amyloid cross-beta formation.

Noninvasive measurement of the electrical properties of breast epithelium during the menstrual cycle: a potential biomarker for breast cancer risk.

Breast epithelia maintain an ionic and electrical gradient across the ductal lumen, which can be measured using ductal epithelial impedance spectroscopy (DEIS). Furthermore, the breast remodels itself through a secretory, proliferative, and involutional cycle each month in premenopausal women, which changes the electrical properties of the epithelium. DEIS was used to examine the electrical properties of breast epithelia in 14 normal women at multiple points during 1-2 menstrual cycles with IRB/patient consent. The epithelial resistance (Re) measured 159 +/- 26 kOmega (mean +/- SEM) in week 1 (n = 55) of menstrual cycle, when the epithelium is single layered and atrophic, increased to 217 +/- 20 kOmega (p < 0.05) by weeks 2-3 (n = 129), as the epithelium becomes more proliferative and multilayered, and reached 263 +/- 30 kOmega (p = 0.002) by week 4 (n = 75). The capacitance of the epithelium increased between week 2 and 3 of the cycle from 0.32 +/- 0.02 microF (microFarads) to 0.51 +/- 0.05 microF (p = 0.003), when the epithelial cell mass is greatest. The characteristic frequency (fC) of the epithelium, a property related to morphology and transport function, decreases progressively through weeks 1-4 of menstrual cycle from 17 +/- 3 to 11 +/- 2, 10 +/- 1, and finally to 7 +/- 1 Hz respectively (p = 0.003). This study demonstrates that the electrical properties of breast epithelium are dependent on the time during the menstrual cycle, and likely represents morphological changes in breast epithelia associated with the menstrual cycle. Patients at risk for breast cancer may have an aberrant epithelial response to estrogen and progesterone. Electrical measurements of the epithelium using DEIS, during the menstrual cycle, may represent a novel biomarker for assessing BC risk.

Assessing fugitive emissions of CH4 from high-pressure gas pipelines in the UK.

Natural gas pipelines are an important source of fugitive methane emissions in lifecycle greenhouse gas assessments but limited monitoring has taken place of UK pipelines to quantify fugitive emissions. This study investigated methane emissions from the UK high-pressure pipeline system (National Transmission System - NTS) for natural gas pipelines. Mobile surveys of CH4 emissions were conducted across four areas in the UK, with routes bisecting high-pressure pipelines (with a maximum operating pressure of 85bar) and separate control routes away from the pipelines. A manual survey of soil gas measurements was also conducted along one of the high-pressure pipelines using a tunable diode laser. For the pipeline routes, there were 26 peaks above 2.1ppmv CH4 at 0.23peaks/km, compared with 12 peaks at 0.11peaks/km on control routes. Three distinct thermogenic emissions were identified on the basis of the isotopic signal from these elevated concentrations with a peak rate of 0.03peaks/km. A further three thermogenic emissions on pipeline routes were associated with pipeline infrastructure. Methane fluxes from control routes were statistically significantly lower than the fluxes measured on pipeline routes, with an overall pipeline flux of 627 (241-1123 interquartile range) tonnes CH4/km/yr. Soil gas CH4 measurements indicated a total flux of 62.6ktCH4/yr, which equates to 2.9% of total annual CH4 emissions in the UK. We recommend further monitoring of the UK natural gas pipeline network, with assessments of transmission and distribution stations, and distribution pipelines necessary.

Nanostructuring with a crosslinkable discotic material.

A high-yielding synthesis afforded a hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronene carrying acrylate units at the end of six attached alkyl spacers. The polymerization of these acrylate moieties could be initiated with thermal energy and through direct photoactivation without the addition of a photoinitiator. This allowed the organization of the liquid-crystalline material to be fixed in either the crystalline state or the mesophase, which preserved the organization in the respective phase. The use of a focused synchrotron beam permitted selected regions of a thin film to be rendered insoluble. After "developing" the film in this lithographic process by dissolving the soluble, unpolymerized material, defined nano-objects remained on the substrate. In addition, the pronounced aromatic pi stacking of the novel material allows an organization in mesoporous membranes that could be fixed by thermal crosslinking. After the removal of the inorganic template, mechanically stable nanotubes were obtained, which were characterized by different microscopy techniques.

Investigating the traffic-related environmental impacts of hydraulic-fracturing (fracking) operations.

Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has been used extensively in the US and Canada since the 1950s and offers the potential for significant new sources of oil and gas supply. Numerous other countries around the world (including the UK, Germany, China, South Africa, Australia and Argentina) are now giving serious consideration to sanctioning the technique to provide additional security over the future supply of domestic energy. However, relatively high population densities in many countries and the potential negative environmental impacts that may be associated with fracking operations has stimulated controversy and significant public debate regarding if and where fracking should be permitted. Road traffic generated by fracking operations is one possible source of environmental impact whose significance has, until now, been largely neglected in the available literature. This paper therefore presents a scoping-level environmental assessment for individual and groups of fracking sites using a newly-created Traffic Impacts Model (TIM). The model produces estimates of the traffic-related impacts of fracking on greenhouse gas emissions, local air quality emissions, noise and road pavement wear, using a range of hypothetical fracking scenarios to quantify changes in impacts against baseline levels. Results suggest that the local impacts of a single well pad may be short duration but large magnitude. That is, whilst single digit percentile increases in emissions of CO2, NOx and PM are estimated for the period from start of construction to pad completion (potentially several months or years), excess emissions of NOx on individual days of peak activity can reach 30% over baseline. Likewise, excess noise emissions appear negligible (<1dBA) when normalised over the completion period, but may be considerable (+3.4dBA) in particular hours, especially in night-time periods. Larger, regional scale modelling of pad development scenarios over a multi-decade time horizon give modest CO2 emissions that vary between 2.5 and 160.4kT, dependent on the number of wells, and individual well fracking water and flowback waste requirements. The TIM model is designed to be adaptable to any geographic area where the required input data are available (such as fleet characteristics, road type and quality), and we suggest could be deployed as a tool to help reach more informed decisions regarding where and how fracking might take place taking into account the likely scale of traffic-related environmental impacts.

The learning curve measured by operating times for laparoscopic and open gastric bypass: roles of surgeon's experience, institutional experience, body mass index and fellowship training.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons must overcome a substantial learning curve before mastering laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). This learning curve can be defined in terms of mortality, morbidity or length of surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the learning curves in terms of surgical time for the first 3 surgeons performing LRYGBP in our hospital with the length of surgery for open gastric bypass (CONTROLS). METHODS: We compared 494 primary LRYGBPs performed by 3 surgeons (393 by 1st SURGEON, 57 by 2nd SURGEON and 44 by 3rd SURGEON) to 159 open vertical banded gastroplasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypasses (CONTROLS). Data for LRYGBP patients were prospectively obtained. Factors that significantly affected the length of surgery were identified by univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: LRYGBP and CONTROL patients were similar in age, height, weight and BMI, although more CONTROLS were male. Median time for the 1st SURGEON performing LRYGBP dropped for each subsequent 100 operations: 1st 100 - 190 min, 2nd 100 - 135 min, 3rd 100 - 110 min and 4th 100 - 100 min. Median time for 2nd SURGEON performing LRYGBP was 120 min, 3rd SURGEON 173 min and CONTROLS 64 min. Length of surgery significantly correlated with surgical experience in terms of numbers of operations and BMI of patient. Times for 2nd SURGEON, a fellowship trained laparoscopic surgeon, started significantly faster than 1st SURGEON's, but did not significantly improve with experience. 3rd SURGEON's initial times were similar to 1st SURGEON's, but his times improved more rapidly with experience. Times for CONTROLS were significantly faster than all laparoscopic groups and did not correlate with operation number or patient BMI. CONCLUSIONS: The length of surgery for LRYGBPs continued to shorten beyond 400 operations for the first surgeon performing LRYGBP in our hospital. Previous fellowship training in LRYGBP shortened surgical times during initial clinical experience as an attending for the second surgeon. The learning curve was truncated because of the already established LRYGBP program.

Short-term results of laparoscopic gastric bypass in patients with BMI > or = 60.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) has been shown to be safe and effective. Little information is available about the subgroup of patients with BMI > or = 60. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of LRYGBP for patients with BMI > or = 60. METHODS: The study consisted of the first 300 attempted LRYGBPs performed by one surgeon (HJS). This population was analyzed as 2 groups of patients: those with BMI < 60 and those with BMI > or = 60. Outcome variables included mortality, complications, conversion, and operative time. RESULTS: Of the first 300 LRYGBP patients, 261 had BMI < 60 and 39 had BMI > or = 60. Age, comorbidity rate, and gender distribution were similar in both BMI groups. Conversion rates were < 3% in both groups. Mean operative time for the BMI > or = 60 group was 156 minutes vs 139 minutes in the lighter group (P = 0.04). Major complications occurred more commonly in the BMI > or = 60 group (10% vs 6%) but this difference was not significant. The types of complications differed between the 2 groups, with infectious complications and gastrointestinal leak occurring more frequently in the heavier group. The mortality rate was higher in the heavier group (5% vs 0.4%, P = 0.055). CONCLUSION: LRYGBP is feasible for patients with BMI > or = 60. Our data suggest that these patients are at a higher risk for GI leak, postoperative infection, and death.

Predictors of prolonged hospital stay following open and laparoscopic gastric bypass for morbid obesity: body mass index, length of surgery, sleep apnea, asthma, and the metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The number of weight reduction operations performed for type II and type III obesity is rapidly escalating. Risk of surgery has been infrequently stratified for patient subgroups. The purpose of this study was to identify patient characteristics that increased the odds of a prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) following open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). METHODS: The hospital records of 311 patients who underwent RYGBP in a 6-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics including the presence of significant obesity-related medical conditions were recorded. Analysis was based on intent to treat. Univariate and step-wise logistic regression analysis was used to identify the odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for predictors of an increased hospital LOS. RESULTS: Datasets for 311 patients were complete.159 patients underwent open vertical banded gastro-plasty-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (VBG-RYGBP) and152 laparoscopic RYGBP (LRYGBP). 78% of patients were female. Median age was 40 years (range 18-68). Median BMI was 49 kg/m2 (range 35-82). 17% of patients had sleep apnea, 18% asthma, 19% type 2 diabetes, 13% hypercholesterolemia and 44% hypertension. Median length of surgery for open VBG-RYGBP (64 minutes) was significantly faster than forLRYGBP (105 minutes). Median length of stay was significantly shorter for LRYGBP (2 days) than openVBG-RYGBP (3 days). Univariate logistic regression analysis identified 6 predictors of increased LOS:open surgery (0.4 OR); increasing BMI (60 kg/m2 0.38 OR; BMI 70 kg/m2 0.53 OR); increasing length of surgery (120 min 0.33 OR; 180 min 0.48 OR); sleep apnea (2.25 OR); asthma (3.73 OR); and hypercholesterolemia (3.73 OR). Subset analysis identified patients with the greatest odds for a prolonged hospital stay: women with asthma (2.47 AOR) or coronary artery disease (8.65 AOR); men with sleep apnea (5.54 OR) or the metabolic syndrome (6.67-10.20 OR); and patients undergoing a laparoscopic operation with sleep apnea (11.53 AOR) or coronary artery disease(12.15 AOR). CONCLUSIONS: Open surgery, BMI, length of surgery,sleep apnea, asthma and hypercholesterolemia all increased the odds of a prolonged LOS. Patients with the greatest odds of long LOS were women with asthma or coronary disease, men with sleep apnea or the metabolic syndrome, and patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery with sleep apnea or coronary artery disease. Patients at high-risk for prolonged hospital stay can be identified before undergoingRYGBP. Surgeons may wish to avoid high-risk patients early in their bariatric surgery experience.

A combined microRaman and microdiffraction set-up at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility ID13 beamline.

This article describes the current status of the microRaman set-up at the ID13 beamline of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. This offers an in situ on-axis microprobe which has a common focal position to the X-ray microbeam and can collect spectral data simultaneously. It can also be used in an offline sample characterization role, both before and after beamline experiments. To demonstrate the application of microRaman spectroscopy within a beamline environment, a number of examples are given.