Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructural Heterogeneity and Abrasive Wear Behavior of ASTM A128 Grade C Steel.

Microstructural heterogeneities of an ASTM A128 grade C steel subjected to heat treatments and their effect on abrasive wear behavior were investigated. The heat-treatment process involved different austenization times at 1050 °C and quenching media. To characterize the effects of heat treatment on the material's microstructure and mechanical behavior, two microscopy techniques were used: optical microscopy (OM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The chemical composition of the material was obtained using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) optical emission spectrometry. The variation in carbide composition was evaluated using X-ray Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). To characterize the mechanical behavior of the steel, hardness measurements and abrasive wear tests were performed after homogenization annealing and quenching treatments. The results showed that the heat-treated samples developed a heterogeneous microstructure, with the presence of austenitic grains and Martensite around the surface of the samples induced by decarburization in both the protected and unprotected specimens. The specimens with lower decarburization presented less formation of Martensite and precipitated carbides, resulting in lower hardness values and higher abrasion resistance (solution treatment at 1080 °C for 1 h + sand protection + brine quenching).

Liver Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Evaluation from Fasciola hepatica Experimentally Infected and Reinfected Sheep.

Fasciolosis is an important economic disease of livestock. There is a global interest in the development of protective vaccines since the current anthelmintic therapy is no longer sustainable. A better knowledge of the host-parasite interaction is needed to design effective vaccines. To date, few studies have evaluated host-parasite interaction by comparing infected and reinfected animals. The present study evaluates the microscopical hepatic lesions in sheep infected and reinfected with Fasciola hepatica during the acute and chronic stages of infection. The histopathological study revealed the presence of necrotizing foci (NF1) associated with larvae migration during the early stages of infection in the primoinfected (PI) and reinfected (RI) groups. In the late stages of infection of the PI group and at the early and late stages of infection in the RI groups, extensive necrotizing/hemorrhagic foci (NF2) were found in the vicinity of enlarged bile ducts, some containing adult flukes, suggesting parasites may have caused NF2 while feeding. The immunohistochemical study revealed an increase in Foxp3+ T cells in both PI and RI groups with respect to the UC group and in the infiltrates adjacent to NF1 in the RI groups with respect to the PI group, suggesting the F. hepatica induce Foxp3 T cell expansion to facilitate parasite survival. In addition, in both the PI and RI groups, and during acute and chronic stages of the infection, a poor expression of iNOS was found accompanied by a strong expression of CD163, suggesting a marked M2 activation of macrophages in the hepatic lesions, which may be related with healing processes, and it also may facilitate parasite survival. The main differences between PI and RI animals were the more severe infiltration of eosinophils and Foxp3+ T cells, whereas RI did not modify M2 activation of macrophages which occurs since the early stages of primoinfection.

A novel synthesis method of magnetic Janus particles for wastewater applications.

HYPOTHESIS: Magnetic particles are widely used in many adsorption and removal processes. Among the many types of magnetic colloids, magnetic Janus particles offer significant possibilities for the effective removal of several components from aqueous solutions. Nevertheless, the synthesis of structures integrating different types of materials requires scalable fabrication processes to overcome the limitations of the available methodologies. Herein, we hypothesized a fabrication process for dual-surface functionalized magnetic Janus particles. EXPERIMENTS: The primary silica particles with surface-attached amine groups are further asymmetrically modified by iron oxide nanoparticles, exploiting Pickering emulsion and electroless deposition techniques. The dual surface functionality of the particles is designed for its versatility and demonstrated in two wastewater-related applications. FINDINGS: We show that our design can simultaneously remove chromium (VI) and phenol from aqueous solution. The fabricated magnetic-responsive Janus particles are also an effective adsorbent for genomic Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and show superior performance to commercial magnetic beads. Thus, this study provides a novel platform for designing magnetic Janus particles with multifunctional surfaces for wastewater treatment applications.

The Wagner Cone Stem for Atypical Femoral Anatomy in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Report of 320 Cases with Minimum 5-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The Wagner Cone Prosthesis was designed to address complex femoral deformities during total hip arthroplasty (THA), but its mid-term component survivorship and functional outcomes remain undetermined. The objectives of this study were to determine the implant survivorship, patient satisfaction, functional outcomes, osseointegration as seen radiographically, implant subsidence, and complications of THA using the Wagner Cone Prosthesis stem at intermediate-term follow-up. METHODS: This study involved 302 patients with proximal femoral deformities, including developmental hip dysplasia and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, who underwent a total of 320 primary THAs using the Wagner Cone Prosthesis. The average age at the time of surgery was 49.4 ± 14.5 years (range, 18.8 to 85.6 years). Patient satisfaction was recorded using a self-administered questionnaire assessing satisfaction in 4 domains. The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Oxford Hip Score (OHS), the Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), radiographic outcomes, and complications were recorded. The mean follow-up time was 10.1 years (range, 5.2 to 15.5 years). RESULTS: Survivorship of the Wagner Cone Prosthesis was 98.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 97.2% to 100%) with stem revision as the end point and 95.8% (95% CI: 93.5% to 98.2%) with reoperation for any reason as the end point at 10 years postoperatively. In total, 3 stems were revised: 2 for infection and 1 for chronic hip dislocation. The median patient satisfaction score was 95 (interquartile range [IQR], 80 to 100), median UCLA score was 6 (IQR, 6 to 7), median WOMAC score was 18 (IQR, 16 to 22), median OHS was 40 (IQR, 36 to 47), and median FJS was 80 (IQR, 76 to 88) at the time of final follow-up. All Wagner Cone stems that were not revised showed radiographic evidence of osseointegration, with a mean stem subsidence of 0.9 ± 0.8 mm at the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the Wagner Cone Prosthesis stem in patients with complex femoral anatomy undergoing primary THA is associated with excellent component survivorship, high levels of patient satisfaction, good functional outcomes, and reliable osseointegration with minimal stem subsidence as seen on radiographs at intermediate-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Total hip arthroplasty in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) has demonstrated excellent results in elderly patients, however, the indications, outcomes, and long-term results in adolescent patients are less understood. This study aims to assess the outcomes of THA in patients under 21, providing insights for clinical decision-making in this exceptional population. METHODS: A systematic review in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase database was performed. We included studies reporting clinical, radiological, and functional outcomes of THA in patients younger than 21 years, for any cause, with a with a minimum follow-up of one year. The ten year survivorship estimate was pooled using a meta-analysis methodology and each study was weighted according to its standard error, calculated from published confidence intervals. RESULTS: We included 25 studies involving 1166 hips. Median age was 17 years old, 60% were females, and the average follow-up was 8.1 years. Juvenile inflammatory arthritis was the main indication for total hip arthroplasty (THA). The all-cause revision rate was 14.4% and aseptic loosening was the most common cause. Only eight studies reported ten year survival rates and form the pooled analysis an 84.91% survival rate (95% CI 70.56 - 99.27) was obtained. An average score of 88.08 in the Harris Hip Score (HHS) was observed. We found a 3.43% complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: Hip arthroplasty is an acceptable option for adolescents with end-stage arthritis. However, the altered hip anatomy, the elevated revision rate, and the long-term implant survival must be considered before performing a THA in adolescent patients.

Evaluation of Th1/Th2, regulatory cytokines and transcriptional factor FoxP3 in sheep immunized with a partially protective and non-protective vaccine and challenged with Fasciola hepatica.

Gene expression for Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-É£), regulatory cytokines (TGF-ß and IL-10) and the transcriptional factor FoxP3 was analyzed in the liver and hepatic lymph nodes (HLN) from sheep immunized with partially protective and non-protective vaccine candidates and challenged with Fasciola hepatica. FoxP3 T cells were also evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHQ). The most remarkable difference between the partially protected vaccinated (V1) group and the non-protected vaccinated (V2) group was a more severe expansion of FoxP3 T cells recorded by IHQ in both the liver and HLN of the V2 group as compared to the V1 group, whereas no differences were found between the V2 group and the infected control (IC) group. Similar results were recorded for FoxP3 gene expression although significant differences among V1 and V2 groups were only significant in the HLN, while FoxP3 gene expression was very similar in the V2 and IC groups both in the liver and HLN. No significant differences for the remaining cytokines were recorded between the V1 and V2 groups, but in the liver the V2 group shows significant increases of IFN-É£ and IL-10 as compared to the uninfected control (UC) group whereas the V1 group did not. The lower expansion of FoxP3 T cells and lower increase of IFN-É£ and IL-10 in the partially protected vaccinated group may be related with lower hepatic lesions and fluke burdens recorded in this group as compared to the other two infected groups. The most relevant change in regulatory cytokine gene expression was the significant increase of TGF-ß in the liver of IC, V1 and V2 groups as compared to the UC group, which could be related to hepatic lesions.

Risk stratification model for the pharmaceutical care of oncology patients with solid or hematologic neoplasms. / [Artículo traducido] Modelo de estratificación de riesgo de atención farmacéutica para pacientes oncológicos con neoplasias sólidas o hematológicas.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop of a risk stratification model for the pharmaceutical care (PC) of patients with solid or hematologic neoplasms who required antineoplastic agents or supportive treatments. METHOD: The risk stratification model was collaboratively developed by oncology pharmacists from the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH). It underwent refinement through three workshops and a pilot study. Variables were defined, grouped into four dimensions, and assigned relative weights. The pilot study collected and analyzed data from participating centers to determine priority levels and evaluate variable contributions. The study followed the Kaiser Permanente pyramid model, categorizing patients into three priority levels: Priority 1 (intensive PC, 90th percentile), Priority 2 (60th-90th percentiles), and Priority 3 (60th percentile). Cut-off points were determined based on this stratification. Participating centers recorded variables in an Excel sheet, calculating mean weight scores for each priority level and the total risk score. RESULTS: The participants agreed to complete a questionnaire that comprised 22 variables grouped into 4 dimensions: demographic (maximum score =11); social and health variables and cognitive and functional status (maximum = 19); clinical and health services utilization (maximum = 25); and treatment-related (maximum = 41). From the results of applying the model to the 199 patients enrolled, the cutoff points for categorization were 28 or more points for priority 1, 16 to 27 points for priority 2 and less than 16 for priority 3; more than 80% of the total score was based on the dimensions of 'clinical and health services utilization' and 'treatment-related'. Interventions based on the pharmaceutical care model were recommended for patients with solid or hematological neoplasms, according to their prioritization level. CONCLUSION: This stratification model enables the identification of cancer patients requiring a higher level of pharmaceutical care and facilitates the adjustment of care capacity. Validation of the model in a representative population is necessary to establish its effectiveness.

Late post-arthroscopy hip instability. Diagnosis, treatment, and 5-year follow-up: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hip instability following arthroscopy is a rare complication with a clinical spectrum ranging from gross dislocation (macro-instability) to micro-instability, characterized by pain and limitation for daily activities. Therefore, it should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in patients experiencing persistent pain after hip arthroscopy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 41-year-old male presented with a history of anterior hip dislocation and macro-instability symptoms three years post-hip arthroscopy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a disruption of the anterior hip capsule. The patient initiated physiotherapy and resumed activities, but ten months later, experienced another anterior dislocation. Pain and apprehension during external hip rotation were evident. Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) indicated irregularities in the anterior and superior margin of the acetabulum, while MRI arthrogram showed a rupture of the anterior capsule and deficiency in the anterior hip ligaments. Open reconstruction of the anterior capsule was performed, resulting in favorable progression over the 5-year follow-up. DISCUSSION: This case highlights post-arthroscopy hip instability with a delayed presentation, possibly linked to chronic anterior capsule deficiency and inadequate acetabular coverage. Primary capsule repair after hip arthroscopy has proven effective in reducing the occurrence of instability symptoms and reoperations. CONCLUSIONS: Post-arthroscopic hip instability may manifest immediately after surgery or several years later. Open reconstruction of the anterior capsule emerges as a successful strategy for addressing this complication, demonstrating satisfactory outcomes in a 5-year follow-up.

A Bayesian framework for modeling COVID-19 case numbers through longitudinal monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater.

Wastewater-based surveillance has become an important tool for research groups and public health agencies investigating and monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health emergencies including other pathogens and drug abuse. While there is an emerging body of evidence exploring the possibility of predicting COVID-19 infections from wastewater signals, there remain significant challenges for statistical modeling. Longitudinal observations of viral copies in municipal wastewater can be influenced by noisy datasets and missing values with irregular and sparse samplings. We propose an integrative Bayesian framework to predict daily positive cases from weekly wastewater observations with missing values via functional data analysis techniques. In a unified procedure, the proposed analysis models severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 RNA wastewater signals as a realization of a smooth process with error and combines the smooth process with COVID-19 cases to evaluate the prediction of positive cases. We demonstrate that the proposed framework can achieve these objectives with high predictive accuracies through simulated and observed real data.

Wastewater-based surveillance as a tool for public health action: SARS-CoV-2 and beyond.

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has undergone dramatic advancement in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The power and potential of this platform technology were rapidly realized when it became evident that not only did WBS-measured SARS-CoV-2 RNA correlate strongly with COVID-19 clinical disease within monitored populations but also, in fact, it functioned as a leading indicator. Teams from across the globe rapidly innovated novel approaches by which wastewater could be collected from diverse sewersheds ranging from wastewater treatment plants (enabling community-level surveillance) to more granular locations including individual neighborhoods and high-risk buildings such as long-term care facilities (LTCF). Efficient processes enabled SARS-CoV-2 RNA extraction and concentration from the highly dilute wastewater matrix. Molecular and genomic tools to identify, quantify, and characterize SARS-CoV-2 and its various variants were adapted from clinical programs and applied to these mixed environmental systems. Novel data-sharing tools allowed this information to be mobilized and made immediately available to public health and government decision-makers and even the public, enabling evidence-informed decision-making based on local disease dynamics. WBS has since been recognized as a tool of transformative potential, providing near-real-time cost-effective, objective, comprehensive, and inclusive data on the changing prevalence of measured analytes across space and time in populations. However, as a consequence of rapid innovation from hundreds of teams simultaneously, tremendous heterogeneity currently exists in the SARS-CoV-2 WBS literature. This manuscript provides a state-of-the-art review of WBS as established with SARS-CoV-2 and details the current work underway expanding its scope to other infectious disease targets.

Occurrence, Distribution, and Population Structure of Schlumbergera Virus X in Dragon Fruit in Ecuador.

The occurrence of Schlumbergera virus X (SchVX) in commercial dragon fruit fields in three provinces of Ecuador has been identified in this study. The virus was found in symptomatic and asymptomatic cladodes of the two major species (Hylocereus undatus and H. megalanthus) cultivated in the country. Symptoms in H. undatus included irregular and ring-shaped chlorotic spots that coalesce into large chlorotic patches along the cladodes, whereas small chlorotic spot symptoms on the cladodes were observed in H. megalanthus. Phylogenetic inferences based on 27 partial nucleotide sequences of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and three whole genome comparisons showed that Ecuadorean isolates from H. undatus and H. megalanthus share a most recent ancestor with isolates from Spain and Portugal. In addition, an SchVX isolate with a distinct genomic lineage was found in symptomatic H. polyrhizus plants from a single location, suggesting two independent virus introductions into the country.

Real-world data of atezolizumab in patients with previously treated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials of atezolizumab for locally advanced or metastatic urothelial bladder cancer (mUBC) report controversial efficacy data. Furthermore, real-world evidence about this use is limited. AIM: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of atezolizumab in a real-world population with mUBC, to explore effectiveness with regard to selected poor prognostic criteria such as performance status by Eastern Oncology Cooperative Group (ECOG), hemoglobin levels and liver metastases, and to determine the safety profile of atezolizumab. METHOD: Multicenter, retrospective real-world study including previously treated mUBC patients who received atezolizumab. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Additionally, progression-free survival (PFS), best response reached and safety data were analyzed. A descriptive analysis was performed, while OS and PFS were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: A total of 185 patients (84.9% men, median age 69 years) were included. Median PFS was 4.8 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.6-6.0], and median OS was 20.0 months (95% CI 11.8-28.5), with an objective response rate of 28.1%. OS was higher for patients with ECOG 0-1 versus 2-3 [24.5 months (95% CI 14.5-34.6) vs. 5.2 (95% CI 4.4-6.0), p = 0.004]; and for patients without liver metastases [25.4 months (95% CI 16.2-34.6) vs. 6.4 months (95% CI 4.0-8.1), p = 0.006]. Regarding hemoglobin levels, no survival differences were detected. Adverse events were registered in 55.1% of patients. CONCLUSION: In a real-world population with previously treated mUBC, atezolizumab seems to provide clinically relevant benefit, which is even higher for patients with ECOG 0-1 and without liver metastases, with an acceptable safety profile.

A big data association rule mining based approach for energy building behaviour analysis in an IoT environment.

The enormous amount of data generated by sensors and other data sources in modern grid management systems requires new infrastructures, such as IoT (Internet of Things) and Big Data architectures. This, in combination with Data Mining techniques, allows the management and processing of all these heterogeneous massive data in order to discover new insights that can help to reduce the energy consumption of the building. In this paper, we describe a developed methodology for an Internet of Things (IoT) system based on a robust big data architecture. This innovative approach, combined with the power of Spark algorithms, has been proven to uncover rules representing hidden connections and patterns in the data extracted from a building in Bucharest. These uncovered patterns were essential for improving the building's energy efficiency.

Results of the transition from posterolateral to anterior minimally invasive approach for total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The anterior minimally invasive (AMI) approach reduces soft tissue damage, risk of dislocation and enhances recovery, but it is associated with certain complications. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA) through posterolateral (PL) and AMI approaches performed by the same surgeon, in order to determine the learning curve associated with this new approach. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent THA via PL and AMI approach between 2017 and 2022, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Hip fracture and oncologic patients were excluded. Demographic variables, functional scores and perioperative complications were assessed. A bivariate analysis was performed to identify differences between groups. RESULTS: Data of 124 AMI and 120 PL patients were analyzed. Demographic characteristics among groups were homogeneous. Functional outcomes at 3 months were superior for AMI (Oxford: 43 vs. 38; p < 0.05), no dislocations were identified (0% vs. 4.2%; p < 0.05) and no differences in the transfusion rate were found (6.5% AMI vs. 6.7% PL; p = 0.996). Infection rate was 4% for AMI and 3.4% for PL (p = 0.572). Surgical time was shorter for the PL approach, but the median surgical time of the last 25 AMI cases was shorter. CONCLUSIONS: The AMI approach is an excellent alternative for patients requiring THA. Although surgical time and perioperative bleeding were greater during the learning curve, this approach offers improved functional outcomes and a lower dislocation rate, without significant differences in transfusion and infection outcomes, demonstrating that responsible innovation and safe implementation of new techniques is possible.

COVID-19 Impacts the Mental Health and Speech Function in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2: Evidences from a Follow-Up Study.

Limited evidence suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 infection can accelerate the progression of neurodegenerative diseases, but this has been not verified in the spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). The objective of this study is to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and motor features of SCA2. A follow-up study was carried out in 170 Cuban SCA2 subjects and 87 community controls between 2020 and 2021. All subjects underwent a structured questionnaire to assess the risks of exposure to COVID-19, the confirmation of COVID-19 diagnosis, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Moreover, 36 subjects underwent the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of ataxia (SARA). The risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and the frequency of COVID-19 were similar between the ataxia cohort and the community controls. Within the ataxia group, significantly increased HADS scores existed at the 2nd visit in both groups, but this increase was more evident for the infected group regarding the depression score. Moreover, a significant within-group increase of SARA score was observed in the infected group but not the non-infected group, which was mainly mediated by the significant increase of the speech item score in the infected group. Similar results were observed within the subgroup of preclinical carriers. Our study identified no selective vulnerability nor protection to COVID-19 in SCA2, but once infected, the patients experienced a deterioration of mental health and speech function, even at preclinical disease stage. These findings set rationales for tele-health approaches that minimize the detrimental effect of COVID-19 on SCA2 progression and identify SCA2 individuals as clinical model to elucidate the link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and neurodegeneration.

Risk stratification model for the pharmaceutical care of oncology patients with solid or hematologic neoplasms.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to develop of a risk stratification model for the pharmaceutical care of patients with solid or hematologic neoplasms who required antineoplastic agents or supportive treatments. METHOD: The risk stratification model was collaboratively developed by oncology pharmacists from the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy (SEFH). It underwent refinement through 3 workshops and a pilot study. Variables were defined, grouped into 4 dimensions, and assigned relative weights. The pilot study collected and analyzed data from participating centers to determine priority levels and evaluate variable contributions. The study followed the Kaiser Permanente pyramid model, categorizing patients into 3 priority levels: Priority 1 (intensive PC, 90th percentile), Priority 2 (60th-90th percentiles), and Priority 3 (60th percentile). Cut-off points were determined based on this stratification. Participating centers recorded variables in an Excel sheet, calculating mean weight scores for each priority level and the total risk score. RESULTS: The participants agreed to complete a questionnaire that comprised 22 variables grouped into 4 dimensions: demographic (maximum score=11); social and health variables and cognitive and functional status (maximum=19); clinical and health services utilization (maximum=25); and treatment-related (maximum=41). From the results of applying the model to the 199 patients enrolled, the cut-off points for categorization were 28 or more points for priority 1, 16-27 points for priority 2, and less than 16 for priority 3; more than 80% of the total score was based on the dimensions of "clinical and health services utilization" and "treatment-related." Interventions based on the pharmaceutical care model were recommended for patients with solid or hematological neoplasms, according to their prioritization level. CONCLUSION: This stratification model enables the identification of cancer patients requiring a higher level of pharmaceutical care and facilitates the adjustment of care capacity. Validation of the model in a representative population is necessary to establish its effectiveness.

Foot Pain and Disability in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relationship with Quality of Life.

The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship foot pain and foot disability have with HRQoL in groups of women with RA, SLE and EDS, in comparison with a control group. A cross-sectional study was carried out with females with one of these conditions and a control group. The SF-12 questionnaire was used to collect data about quality of life. The type of foot was classified according to the footprint and the foot posture index. A total of 156 patients and 47 controls participated in the study (N = 203). Neither pain nor foot posture were different between groups. The physical and mental components of SF-12 were worse in rheumatoid arthritis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients, and the physical component was worse in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, compared to controls. A significant difference was also observed in the mental component between systemic lupus erythematosus and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients, the latter having the lowest values among the groups. We can conclude that women with rheumatoid arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and foot pain perceive a worse quality of life. There are no significant changes in foot posture. Pain and health-related quality of life are independent of foot posture.

Spectral widths and Stokes shifts in InP-based quantum dots.

InP-based quantum dots (QDs) have Stokes shifts and photoluminescence (PL) line widths that are larger than in II-VI semiconductor QDs with comparable exciton energies. The mechanisms responsible for these spectral characteristics are investigated in this paper. Upon comparing different semiconductors, we find the Stokes shift decreases in the following order: InP > CdTe > CdSe. We also find that the Stokes shift decreases with core size and decreases upon deposition of a ZnSe shell. We suggest that the Stokes shift is largely due to different absorption and luminescent states in the angular momentum fine structure. The energy difference between the fine structure levels, and hence the Stokes shifts, are controlled by the electron-hole exchange interaction. Luminescence polarization results are reported and are consistent with this assignment. Spectral widths are controlled by the extent of homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening. We report PL and PL excitation (PLE) spectra that facilitate assessing the roles of homogeneous and different inhomogeneous broadening mechanisms in the spectra of zinc-treated InP and InP/ZnSe/ZnS particles. There are two distinct types of inhomogeneous broadening: size inhomogeneity and core-shell interface inhomogeneity. The latter results in a distribution of core-shell band offsets and is caused by interfacial dipoles associated with In-Se or P-Zn bonding. Quantitative modeling of the spectra shows that the offset inhomogeneity is comparable to but somewhat smaller than the size inhomogeneity. The combination of these two types of inhomogeneity also explains several aspects of reversible hole trapping dynamics involving localized In3+/VZn2- impurity states in the ZnSe shells.

Campus node-based wastewater surveillance enables COVID-19 case localization and confirms lower SARS-CoV-2 burden relative to the surrounding community.

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) has been established as a powerful tool that can guide health policy at multiple levels of government. However, this approach has not been well assessed at more granular scales, including large work sites such as University campuses. Between August 2021 and April 2022, we explored the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater using qPCR assays from multiple complimentary sewer catchments and residential buildings spanning the University of Calgary's campus and how this compared to levels from the municipal wastewater treatment plant servicing the campus. Real-time contact tracing data was used to evaluate an association between wastewater SARS-CoV-2 burden and clinically confirmed cases and to assess the potential of WBS as a tool for disease monitoring across worksites. Concentrations of wastewater SARS-CoV-2 N1 and N2 RNA varied significantly across six sampling sites - regardless of several normalization strategies - with certain catchments consistently demonstrating values 1-2 orders higher than the others. Relative to clinical cases identified in specific sewersheds, WBS provided one-week leading indicator. Additionally, our comprehensive monitoring strategy enabled an estimation of the total burden of SARS-CoV-2 for the campus per capita, which was significantly lower than the surrounding community (p≤0.001). Allele-specific qPCR assays confirmed that variants across campus were representative of the community at large, and at no time did emerging variants first debut on campus. This study demonstrates how WBS can be efficiently applied to locate hotspots of disease activity at a very granular scale, and predict disease burden across large, complex worksites.

Wastewater-based surveillance can be used to model COVID-19-associated workforce absenteeism.

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) of infectious diseases is a powerful tool for understanding community COVID-19 disease burden and informing public health policy. The potential of WBS for understanding COVID-19's impact in non-healthcare settings has not been explored to the same degree. Here we examined how SARS-CoV-2 measured from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) correlates with workforce absenteeism. SARS-CoV-2 RNA N1 and N2 were quantified three times per week by RT-qPCR in samples collected at three WWTPs servicing Calgary and surrounding areas, Canada (1.4 million residents) between June 2020 and March 2022. Wastewater trends were compared to workforce absenteeism using data from the largest employer in the city (>15,000 staff). Absences were classified as being COVID-19-related, COVID-19-confirmed, and unrelated to COVID-19. Poisson regression was performed to generate a prediction model for COVID-19 absenteeism based on wastewater data. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 95.5 % (85/89) of weeks assessed. During this period 6592 COVID-19-related absences (1896 confirmed) and 4524 unrelated absences COVID-19 cases were recorded. A generalized linear regression using a Poisson distribution was performed to predict COVID-19-confirmed absences out of the total number of absent employees using wastewater data as a leading indicator (P < 0.0001). The Poisson regression with wastewater as a one-week leading signal has an Akaike information criterion (AIC) of 858, compared to a null model (excluding wastewater predictor) with an AIC of 1895. The likelihood-ratio test comparing the model with wastewater signal with the null model shows statistical significance (P < 0.0001). We also assessed the variation of predictions when the regression model was applied to new data, with the predicted values and corresponding confidence intervals closely tracking actual absenteeism data. Wastewater-based surveillance has the potential to be used by employers to anticipate workforce requirements and optimize human resource allocation in response to trackable respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.