Preliminary studies for the standardization of a pXRF analyzer ICP-OES for the accurate quantification of Pb in new paint.

Determining lead (Pb) concentrations in new paints using spectroscopic methods such as Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) requires technical expertise, consumables, equipment for method preparation, and instrumentation that can be cost prohibitive and difficult to maintain in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzers are less expensive and simple to operate, their inaccuracy has limited their use to screening for the analysis of Pb in new, dried paint. To determine the limits of pXRF analyzers, new paint samples were purchased, dried, homogenized, and analyzed pXRF and ICP-OES.

MACRPO: Multi-agent cooperative recurrent policy optimization.

This work considers the problem of learning cooperative policies in multi-agent settings with partially observable and non-stationary environments without a communication channel. We focus on improving information sharing between agents and propose a new multi-agent actor-critic method called (MACRPO). We propose two novel ways of integrating information across agents and time in MACRPO: First, we use a recurrent layer in the critic's network architecture and propose a new framework to use the proposed meta-trajectory to train the recurrent layer.

CeO -anchored β-Ni(OH) nanosheets onto nickel foam for efficient energy-saving hydrogen production an electrocatalytic glucose oxidation reaction.

Electrolytic glucose oxidation has garnered great interest in energy-saving hydrogen generation. However, high charge-transfer resistance and inefficient active centers have been recognized as the primary issues for poor electrochemical performance. In this study, for the first time, we offer a novel defect-rich CeO /β-Ni(OH) composite nanosheet-decorated Ni foam electrocatalyst (denoted as Ce@NF-GA), synthesized a unique hydrothermal approach under the co-participation of glycerol and acetic acid.

Editorial: Climate change is a children's health hazard.

As temperatures defy heat records, it is difficult to ignore the implications of climate change for public health, including impacts on population health more specifically. In short, climate change is happening now and presents an immediate hazard to human health on a global scale. Age-related health effects are an inalienable truth; physiology is relatively universal, and so are the ways in which our bodies respond to different types and levels of exposures to environmental stressors at different lifestages.

Contrasting Molecular Imaging Findings in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Using Dual Positron Emission Tomography Modalities.

Fibroblast activation protein (FAPI) has been recently incorporated as a molecular imaging radiotracer for the evaluation of epithelial neoplasms that support or complement the role of [F]Fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) in many cancer subtypes since its development. Both radiotracers have been shown to have diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive value for several neoplasms. Herein, we present a 73-year-old male patient with a complex medical and oncological history who was recently diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Obstruction from Deflux leading to significant kidney function loss and chemotherapeutic challenges in pediatric Ewing sarcoma.

This report presents the case of an 8-year-old female with a history of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) treated with Deflux injections, who developed Ewing sarcoma metastasized to the lungs. Despite the initial resolution of VUR following Deflux procedures, recurrent urinary tract infections prompted further evaluation revealing significant ureteral obstruction. Pre-chemotherapy workup included renal ultrasonography, nuclear medicine renal scan, and cystogram, identifying obstructive uropathy necessitating bilateral ureteral stent placement.

Incidence, case fatality, and functional outcome of intracerebral haemorrhage, according to age, sex, and country income level: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) accounts for approximately 28% of all strokes worldwide. ICH has a high case fatality, and only few survivors recover to independent living. Over the past decades, demographic changes, and changes in prevalence and management of risk factors may have influenced incidence.

Medical mistrust and COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and behavior: Findings from a population-based cohort study in Michigan.

Background: Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines has stalled in the U.S. Some studies suggest that medical mistrust may be a barrier, but evidence is limited due to cross-sectional designs or convenience sampling.

Tracing prostate cancer - the evolution of PET-CT applications.

Background: The study aimed to overview radiopharmaceuticals used for the nuclear medicine (NM) imaging of prostate cancer (Pca) since the first mentions in the literature up to recent reports, with the special focus on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) radiotracers.

Materials And Methods: We found over 3500 articles discussing the role of PET-CT in Pca patients' management published within 1990-2023. We summarized the past and present interests of the Authors when the Pca diagnostic imaging and the use of radiotracers in Pca diagnosis are considered.

A Retrospective Chart Analysis Comparing Breast Cancer Detection Rates Between Annual Versus Biennial Mammograms.

Background: Per American Cancer Society, breast cancer is one of the most prevalent causes of cancer-related mortality in women in the United States. Different organizations vary in their recommendations regarding frequency of mammograms, with the United State Preventive Service Taskforce recommending biennial screening and other organizations like American College of Radiology promoting annual screening. The purpose of this study was to analyze institutional data to compare breast cancer detection rates among women undergoing annual vs.

Challenges Associated With PFAS Detection Method in Africa.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that are widely present in many industries. Monitoring and analyzing PFAS in Africa is challenging due to the limited availability of mass spectrometry (MS), which is an essential technique for detecting PFAS. This review assesses the scope and impact of the shortage of mass spectrometry instruments in Africa, emphasizing the resulting limitations in monitoring environmental and public health threats.

Predicting incident dementia in community-dwelling older adults using primary and secondary care data from electronic health records.

Predicting risk of future dementia is essential for primary prevention strategies, particularly in the era of novel immunotherapies. However, few studies have developed population-level prediction models using existing routine healthcare data. In this longitudinal retrospective cohort study, we predicted incident dementia using primary and secondary care health records at 5, 10 and 13 years in 144 113 Scottish older adults who were dementia-free prior to 1st April 2009.

Inter-city movement pattern of notifiable infectious diseases in China: a social network analysis.

Background: Co-existence of efficient transportation networks and geographic imbalance of medical resources greatly facilitated inter-city migration of patients of infectious diseases in China.

Methods: To characterize the migration patterns of major notifiable infectious diseases (NIDs) during 2016-2020 in China, we collected migratory cases, who had illness onset in one city but were diagnosed and reported in another, from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting System, and conducted a nationwide network analysis of migratory cases of major NIDs at the city (prefecture) level.

Findings: In total, 2,674,892 migratory cases of NIDs were reported in China during 2016-2020.

Intracranial hemorrhage and additional anomalies detected on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging: A large, retrospective study in two tertiary medical institutions.

Objectives: To clarify the prenatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of fetal intracranial haemorrhages (ICHs) in a large cohort and correlate them with birth outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed MR images of fetuses with ICH on screening ultrasound (US) on picture archiving communication system (PACS) servers within a nearly ten-year period from two medical tertiary centres. The indications, main abnormal findings and coexistent anomalies were recorded by two experienced radiologists with census readings.

Thermotolerance screening of genotypes using seed germination assay.

Temperature is a fundamental factor influencing the processes of seed germination. Investigating the response of carinata to thermal stress and establishing a dependable and efficient method for screening thermotolerance will enhance breeding programs and model applications. We assessed the response of 12 carinata genotypes to a range of eight temperatures, spanning from 8 to 37 °C, throughout the germination process.

Preliminary evaluation of FAPI-04-PET/CT for differentiating recurrence and post-treatment changes in high-grade gliomas.

Fibroblast-activated protein (FAP) expression in glial cells is attributed to FAP-positive foci on tumor vessels and neoplastic cells. Preclinical and pilot studies have shown FAP expression in high-grade gliomas. We aimed at comparing PET imaging with FAP-inhibitor (FAPI-PET) with current standard, i.

Iohexol-based assessment of intestinal permeability in broilers challenged with , or both.

Impaired intestinal integrity in broilers reduces performance and health, highlighting the importance of accurately measuring intestinal permeability (IP) to maintain gut health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of iohexol as an IP marker in broilers challenged with , , or both during both peak challenge (day [d] 21) and recovery (d 28) periods. One-day-old male Ross 708 birds (n = 56) were distributed into 4 treatment groups: NC (no-challenge control); EM (challenged with 5,000 .

Quantifying form resistance is essential for estimating summer low and bankfull flow from stream survey channel morphology.

Reliable estimates of low flow and flood discharge at ungaged locations are required for evaluating stream flow alteration, designing culverts and stream crossings, and interpreting regional surveys of habitat and biotic condition. Very few stream gaging stations are located on small, remote streams, which typically have complex channel morphology. Adequate gaging is also lacking on larger streams that are remote, smaller than those typically gaged, or have channel morphology not conducive to installation of gages.

Role of ultrasound-guided sacral erector spinae plane block for post-operative analgesia in pilonidal sinus surgery: A randomised trial.

Background And Aims: Pilonidal sinus surgery (PSS) can be done with local anaesthetic infiltration, spinal anaesthesia, or general anaesthesia (GA). Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is used for peri-operative analgesia. Erector spinae muscles extend to the sacral region, so it can provide post-operative analgesia in PSS.

Efficacy of ultrasound-guided suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block on emergence agitation and postoperative analgesia after septorhinoplasty: A prospective randomized trial.

Background And Aims: Emergence agitation (EA) is frequently encountered following nasal surgeries, and postoperative pain is a significant contributing element. We aimed to assess the role of suprazygomatic maxillary nerve (MN) block (SMB) guided by ultrasound (US) in lowering EA incidence and enhancing analgesia quality in septorhinoplasty cases.

Material And Methods: Sixty cases aged 18-60 years, of both genders, categorized by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II and listed for septorhinoplasty, were randomized to receive general anesthesia (GA) with either no block (the control group) or combined with bilateral US-guided SMB (the SMB group).

miR-450b-5p promotes development of endometriosis by inhibiting the GABPA/HOXD10 axis.

Despite decades of research, the pathogenesis of endometriosis remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs play an important role in this condition. In this study, we found that the expression level of miR-450b-5p was increased in ectopic endometrial tissues and that GA-binding protein A (GABPA) and HOXD10 expression levels were decreased.

Demystifying visual word form area visual and nonvisual response properties with precision fMRI.

The visual word form area (VWFA) is a region in the left ventrotemporal cortex (VTC) whose specificity remains contentious. Using precision fMRI, we examine the VWFA's responses to numerous visual and nonvisual stimuli, comparing them to adjacent category-selective visual regions and regions involved in language and attentional demand. We find that VWFA responds moderately to non-word visual stimuli, but is unique within VTC in its pronounced selectivity for visual words.

Context familiarity is a third kind of episodic memory distinct from item familiarity and recollection.

Episodic memory is accounted for with two processes: "familiarity" when generally recognizing an item and "recollection" when retrieving the full contextual details bound with the item. We tested a combination of item recognition confidence and source memory, focusing upon three conditions: "item-only hits with source unknown" ('item familiarity'), "low-confidence hits with correct source memory" ('context familiarity'), and "high-confidence hits with correct source memory" ('recollection'). Behaviorally, context familiarity was slower than the others during item recognition, but faster during source memory.

Evaluating racial and ethnic disparities in antibiotic treatment for pneumonia patients in a major academic health system.

Objective: Examine the relationship between patients' race and prescriber antibiotic choice while accounting for differences in underlying illness and infection severity.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: Acute care facilities within an academic healthcare system.