In Search of a Soil Moisture Content Simulation Model: Mechanistic and Data Mining Approach Based on TDR Method Results.

Soil moisture content simulation models have continuously been an important research objective. In particular, the comparisons of the performance of different model types deserve proper attention. Therefore, the quality of selected physically-based and statistical models was analyzed utilizing the data from the Time Domain Reflectometry technique. An E-Test measurement system was applied with the reflectogram interpreted into soil volumetric moisture content by proper calibration equations. The gathered data facilitated to calibrate the physical model of Deardorff and establish parameters of: support vector machines, multivariate adaptive regression spline, and boosted trees model. The general likelihood uncertainty estimation revealed the sensitivity of individual model parameters. As it was assumed, a simple structure of statistical models was achieved but no direct physical interpretation of their parameters, contrary to a physically-based method. The TDR technique proved useful for the calibration of different soil moisture models and a satisfactory quality for their future exploitation.

Surface characterisation of Ti-15Mo alloy modified by a PEO process in various suspensions.

This paper reports on the surface modification of a Ti-15Mo alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). This process was carried out in solutions of 0.1M Ca(H2PO2)2 with various concentrations of tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2), wollastonite (CaSiO3), or silica (SiO2) using voltages of up to 350V. The surface microstructure (SEM, cross-section of coating), roughness and chemical composition (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thin layer X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy) of the porous oxide layers were investigated. The concentration of powder added to the solution changed the chemical composition and morphology of PEO coatings on the Ti-15Mo alloy surface. Calcium and phosphorous compounds were detected in the coatings formed on the substrate by the PEO process at 300V.

Evaluation of nutritional status of children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Body composition changes during childhood and adolescence. It is markedly different in children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). This study was carried out to assess the nutritional status of patients with IS based on standard anthropometric indices and bioimpedance measurements (BIA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 59 patients with IS (45 girls/ 14 boys) at a mean age of 13.37 ± 2.67 years were qualified into the study. Scoliotic curves were assessed radiographically by measuring Cobb's angle and apical vertebral rotation (AVR, standing A-P view). Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured and the body mass index (BMI), BMI Z-score, waist/height ratio (WHtR) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) were calculated for each participant. A bioelectrical impedance analyzer was used to assess body composition in every child. RESULTS: 64.4% of the children in the study had normal weight, while 23.7% of them were underweight and 11.9% overweight or obese. More patients in the juvenile IS group were underweight and fewer were overweight compared with the adolescent IS (AIS) group. Normal nutritional status was found significantly more frequently in girls. Body composition correlated significantly with scoliotic curve severity in the study group. Higher correlation coefficients were seen in overweight and obese patients, but significance was reached only for predicted muscle mass. WHtR correlated significantly with curve severity in the entire group, in AIS patients and in girls. Scoliotic curve severity also correlated significantly with the degree, as measured by the BMI Z-score, of both overweight (positively) and underweight (negatively). CONCLUSIONS: 1. Overweight and obesity appear to have a similar prevalence in scoliotic adolescents and in the general pediatric population. 2. Scoliotic curve severity appears to be related to body composition parameters, especially in overweight and obese patients. 3. Adipose tissue distribution measured by WHtR seems to be significantly related to the clinical grade of IS. 4. Further investigations concerning the nutritional status of children and adolescents with IS are recommended.

Radiological results of Dobosiewicz method of three-dimensional treatment of progressive idiopathic scoliosis.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was the radiological evaluation of the three-dimensional asymmetric treatment of scoliosis in strict symmetric initial positions. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 152 Patients (137 F and 15 M) with idiopathic progressive scoliosis (85 single scoliosis cases and 67 double-major) with proven curve progression were retrospectively analysed on the basis of radiological evaluation in the period of years 1999-2004. Mean age of assessed group was 14.22 years (range 7/21, SD=2.57), mean time of observation 31.80 months (range 18/63, SD=10.75). All children were treated with Dobosiewicz method of three-dimensional asymmetric correction in strict symmetric initial positions and with rigid Cheneau brace when indicated. RESULTS: Mean initial value of Cobb angle was 25.92 degrees (range 9/62, SD=10.59), mean initial rotation of apical vertebra was 9.55 degrees (range 0/30, SD=7.66). The outcome values were 31.04 degrees (range 5/76, SD=13.96) and 12.97 degrees (range 0/35, SD=8.41), respectively. Mean progression of Cobb angle during entire period of observation was 5.12 degrees (range -21 / +38, SD=9.62), mean progression of apical vertebra rotation was 3.42 degrees (range -21 / +25, SD=6.03). Further multi-factor analysis is discussed in full text. Results are also presented in the form of radiograms. CONCLUSION: The radiological results demonstrated prevalent stabilisation of scoliotic curves in children treated with Dobosiewicz method between October 1999 and December 2004.

Biological levels of cadmium and zinc in the small intestine of non-occupationally exposed human subjects.

The objective of this study was to estimate the relationships between cadmium (Cd) levels in the small intestine and other organs (kidney, liver, lungs) and factors influencing the intestinal Cd levels in humans, as based on autopsy analysis of subjects not exposed to Cd occupationally. The study also involved estimating the levels of zinc (Zn) in these organs, as it is known that this element exerts interactions with Cd at the level of absorption and tissue binding. The levels of Cd and Zn were determined in the renal cortex, liver, lungs and three fragments of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) of 29 subjects deceased at the age 42 +/- 13 years. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS; kidneys, liver) and flameless AAS (lungs, intestine) were used. The level of Cd in the lungs was used as a marker of smoking habit. The determined levels (mean +/- SD) were: 0.28 +/- 0.16 microg Cd/g and 15.2 +/- 3.4 microg Zn/g in the duodenum; 0.26 +/- 0.15 microg Cd/g and 16.9 +/- 3.7 microg Zn/g in the jejunum; 0.13 +/- 0.07 microg Cd/g and 14.6 +/- 5.4 microg Zn/g in the ileum. Intestinal Cd levels are correlated with organ and total body Cd, and this was best expressed for Cd in ileum (r=0.67 with renal, r=0.71 with hepatic and r=0.68 with total Cd). In conclusions, the levels of Cd in the small intestine of humans are relatively low and reflect predominantly the whole body retention of this element. Somewhat higher levels of Cd are contained in the initial parts of the small intestines. In all fragments of small intestines the levels of Cd are higher in smokers. Also, the levels of Zn were relatively low and did not correlate with the levels of Cd.

Acute and subacute nephrotoxicity of 2-bromophenol in rats.

The present report aims at providing broader information on the acute nephrotoxicity of 2-bromophenol (2-BP) (a bromobenzene (BB) metabolite), due to its action on the kidneys, after repeated administration. Investigations were performed on female rats. Following a single dose, the most pronounced changes involved: concentrations and rates of excretion of proteins in urine, the number of epithelial cells excreted in urine, creatinine and urea clearance and reduced glutathione in renal tissue. Immediate effects could be ascribed to both renal tubules and glomeruli, mirrored in the level of urinary proteins and intensified excretion of renal epithelial cells. Less pronounced changes of the indicator values were noted under repeated dosing of 2-BP. The results obtained in a single exposure study confirm earlier reports on the mild nephrotoxicity of 2-BP following exposure to high doses. However, the transition from single to repeated exposure does not result in enhanced nephrotoxicity.

Comparison of tissue distribution and metabolism of 1,2- and 1,4-dibromobenzenes in female rats.

The distribution, excretion and metabolism of 1,4-dibromobenzene (1,4-DBB) and 1,2-dibromobenzene (1,2-DBB), following a single intraperitoneal administration to female Wistar rats, were investigated using radiotracer 3H and GC-MS technique. The maximum level of 3H after 1,4-DBB administration was detected in all examined rat tissues between 4 and 24 h foltowing the injection. The highest concentrations of 3H were found in fat tissue, muscles, adrenal glands and sciatic nerve. About 50% of administered dose was still retained in the rat 72 h after injection. For 1,2-DBB, the highest level of 3H was in the liver, kidneys and fat tissue 4 and 8 h after administration. Three days after injection, less than 2% of the given dose was retained in the rat body. Urine turned out to be the main route of 3H excretion following the injection of both compounds (30% and 82%, after 1,4-DBB and 1,2-DBB, respectively), and about 4% of the given dose was excreted in feces. In urine of rats the following substances were identified (in sequence 1,4-dBB and 1,2-dBB): (1) unchanged parent compounds (5 and 11%); (2) dibromophenols (84 and 73%); (3) dibromothiophenols (5 and 10%) and (4) monobromophenols (1.9 and 0.7%). This study suggests that 1,2-DBB is characterized by a relatively high turnover rate, whereas 1,4-DBB shows a tendency for long-term retention in the body.