Biochar Amendments and Phytoremediation: A Combined Approach for Effective Lead Removal in Shooting Range Soils.

The increasing contamination of soil with heavy metals poses a problem to environmental sustainability. Among these pollutants, lead is particularly concerning due to its persistence in the environment, with harmful effects on human health and ecosystems. Various strategies that combine phytoremediation techniques with soil amendments have emerged to mitigate lead contamination.

Proteomic profiling of human plasma extracellular vesicles identifies PF4 and C1R as novel biomarker in sarcopenia.

Background: Sarcopenia, the gradual and generalized loss of muscle mass and function with ageing, is one of the major health problems in older adults, given its high prevalence and substantial socioeconomic implications. Despite the extensive efforts to reach consensus on definition and diagnostic tests and cut-offs for sarcopenia, there is an urgent and unmet need for non-invasive, specific and sensitive biomarkers for the disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are present in different biofluids including plasma, whose cargo reflects cellular physiology.

Comparative Analysis of Meteorological versus In Situ Variables in Ship Thermal Simulations.

Thermal simulations have become increasingly popular in assessing energy efficiency and predicting thermal behaviors in various structures. Calibration of these simulations is essential for accurate predictions. A crucial aspect of this calibration involves investigating the influence of meteorological variables.

Longitudinal Changes in the Body Composition of Non-Institutionalized Spanish Older Adults after 8 Years of Follow-Up: The Effects of Sex, Age, and Organized Physical Activity.

Aging leads to physiological changes affecting body composition, mediated by lifestyle. However, the effectiveness of organized physical activities (OPAs) in attenuating or delaying these age-related transformations remains an area of limited understanding. The primary objectives of this study were threefold: (I) to comprehensively assess the evolution of body composition in a cohort of Spanish older adults over an 8-year period; (II) to compare this evolution in the different age groups; and (III) to investigate the influence of active engagement in OPAs on these age-related changes.

Multicomponent Training Improves the Quality of Life of Older Adults at Risk of Frailty.

Achieving a high quality of life in older adults can be difficult if they have limited physical function. The aims of this study were to evaluate the relationship between baseline values and variations in body composition, fitness, and nutritional status on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to describe the effects of a 6-month multicomponent training (MCT) programme and a 4-month detraining period on HRQoL. A total of 106 participants with limited physical function were included in this study (age: 80.

Projected changes in atmospheric moisture transport contributions associated with climate warming in the North Atlantic.

Global warming and associated changes in atmospheric circulation patterns are expected to alter the hydrological cycle, including the intensity and position of moisture sources. This study presents predicted changes for the middle and end of the 21st century under the SSP5-8.5 scenario for two important extratropical moisture sources: the North Atlantic Ocean (NATL) and Mediterranean Sea (MED).

Effects of Diet-Exercise Interaction on Human Health across a Lifespan.

The world is changing even faster than ever and has modified people's lives [...

Beamforming Techniques for Passive Radar: An Overview.

Passive radar is an interesting approach in the context of non-cooperative target detection. Because the signal source takes advantage of the so-called illuminator of opportunity (IoO), the deployed system is silent, allowing the operator cheap, portable, and practically undetectable deployments. These systems match perfectly with the use of antenna arrays to take advantage of the additional gains provided by the coherent combination of the signals received at each element.

A Low-Cost Luxometer Benchmark for Solar Illuminance Measurement System Based on the Internet of Things.

Natural illumination has an important place in home automation applications. Among other advantages, it contributes to better visual health, energy savings, and lower CO emissions. Therefore, it is important to measure illuminance in the most accurate and cost-effective way.

Effect of Phase-Change Materials on Laboratory-Made Insoles: Analysis of Environmental Conditions.

Thermal comfort is essential when wearing a postural-corrective garment. Discomfort of any kind may deter regular use and prolong user recovery time. The objective of this work is therefore to optimize a new compound that can alter the temperature of orthopedic insoles, thereby improving the thermal comfort for the user.

An Assessment on the Efficiency of Clothing with UV Protection among the Spanish Navy School Students.

Concern about the harmful effects that ultraviolet (UV) rays have on the skin of people who are routinely exposed to solar radiation has driven the industry of skin protection creams, sunglasses and clothing. Spanish Navy personnel are subject to different levels of exposure depending on their rank and function. The objective of this research is to analyze the behavioral variables associated to the effects on the skin caused by UV rays, denoted by the combined effects of perceived susceptibility and perceived severity, on their decision to purchase and wear uniforms with UV protection.

Laser Synthesis of Nanomaterials.

Nanomaterials, defined as materials with typical dimensions of less than 100 nm in at least one dimension, exhibit very special physicochemical properties that are highly dependent on their size and shape [...

Does nutritional status influence the effects of a multicomponent exercise programme on body composition and physical fitness in older adults with limited physical function?

Physical exercise effects and ageing on fitness may be influenced by nutritional status. This study investigates the effects of a 6-month multicomponent exercise training (MCT) on nutritional status and evaluates if this type of exercise could affect differently body composition and physical fitness depending on the nutritional status of older adults with decreased functional capacity. Ninety-three participants (80.

Psychosocial factors related to physical activity in frail and prefrail elderly people.

Background: Increased physical activity (PA) is a very important factor in a healthy aging lifestyle. Psychosocial factors have also a main role in the initiation and maintenance of this behavior, but nowadays its implications for frailty elderly people are unknown, therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the psychosociological variables of behavior change that influence the practice of (PA) in frail and prefrail elderly.

Methods: A total of 103 frail and pre-frail elderly people (72 females) participated in this cross-sectional study, on the framework of the EXERNET-Elder3.

Coded Aperture Hyperspectral Image Reconstruction.

In this work, we study and analyze the reconstruction of hyperspectral images that are sampled with a CASSI device. The sensing procedure was modeled with the help of the CS theory, which enabled efficient mechanisms for the reconstruction of the hyperspectral images from their compressive measurements. In particular, we considered and compared four different type of estimation algorithms: OMP, GPSR, LASSO, and IST.

Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization.

The age of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities calls for low-power wireless communication networks, for which the Long-Range (LoRa) is a rising star. Efficient network engineering requires the accurate prediction of the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) spatial distribution. However, the most commonly used models either lack the physical accurateness, resolution, or versatility for cityscape real-world building distribution-based RSSI predictions.

Analysis of the operating conditions for UAV-based on-board antenna radiation pattern measurement systems.

Communications, navigation, and other related systems need to have a well-defined antenna radiation pattern. In onboard vessel systems, the radiation pattern can be much different than the one obtained for an isolated antenna (because of the vessel's structure and other nearby radiating systems interference). Finding out the onboard antenna's radiation pattern is a well-known problem for any shipbuilder/owner.

IRT and GPR Techniques for Moisture Detection and Characterisation in Buildings.

The integrity, comfort, and energy demand of a building can be negatively affected by the presence of moisture in its walls. Therefore, it is essential to identify and characterise this building pathology with the most appropriate technologies to perform the required prevention and maintenance tasks. This paper proposes the joint application of InfraRed Thermography (IRT) and Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) for the detection and classification of moisture in interior walls of a building according to its severity level.

Role of Dietary Intake and Serum 25(OH)D on the Effects of a Multicomponent Exercise Program on Bone Mass and Structure of Frail and Pre-Frail Older Adults.

The multicomponent training (MCT) effect on bone health in frail and pre-frail elders, which is influenced by dietary intake, is still unknown. The objective of this non-randomized intervention trial was to assess the effects of a 6-month MCT on bone structure in frail and pre-frail elders, and to analyse the influence of dietary intake and serum vitamin D (25(OH)D) in these changes. Thirty MCT (TRAIN) and sixteen controls (CON), frail and pre-frail completed the information required for this study.

Analysis of Biomaterials as Green Coagulants to Control Suspended Solids for Surface Water Treatment.

This study explores the use of natural, ecological coagulant-flocculants to reduce suspended particles in water. Three compounds were tested, namely: diatomaceous earth, calcium lactate and lactic acid. For this purpose, experiments in jar tests were carried out and the best compound was submitted to an optimization in order to evaluate the most significant parameters affecting its use as coagulant-flocculant.

Compounds with Epoxy Resins and Phase Change Materials for Storage in Solar Applications.

Composite materials have great potential for growth due to their excellent properties and their multiple applications. The study of the thermal properties of the new composites resulting from the combination of epoxy resin and phase change materials (PCM), as well as thickening agents and thermally conductive compounds, was the objective of this work. For this purpose, different samples were manufactured by combining epoxy resins, organic PCMs (paraffins), and aluminum particles.

Data and calculation approach of the fuzzy AHP risk assessment of a large hydroelectric project.

This data article employs the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to perform the project risk assessment in a phase of the construction of a large hydroelectric project. The list of service packs and risk events was extracted from in-depth interviews and content analysis with experts. Such qualitative data were used to identify the relevant service pack and risk event indicators for two groups - the owner's and the builder's representatives - required to specify the model.

Swim-Specific Resistance Training: A Systematic Review.

Muniz-Pardos, B, Gomez-Bruton, A, Matute-Llorente, A, Gonzalez-Aguero, A, Gomez-Cabello, A, Gonzalo-Skok, O, Casajus, JA, and Vicente-Rodriguez, G. Swim-specific resistance training: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 33(10): 2875-2881, 2019-The purpose of this systematic review was to determine which type of swim-specific training is most beneficial to enhance swimming performance and to determine which specific strength- or power-related tests better predict swimming performance.

Improved connective integration of a degradable 3D-nano-apatite/agarose scaffold subcutaneously implanted in a rat model.

In this work, we evaluate the tissue response and tolerance to a designed 3D porous scaffold composed of nanocrystalline carbonate-hydroxyapatite and agarose as a preliminary step in bone repair and regeneration. These scaffolds were subcutaneously implanted into rats, which were sacrificed at different times. CD4+, CD8+ and ED1+ cells were evaluated as measurements of inflammatory reaction and tolerance.