Weight-Training Injuries: A Systematic Review of the Etiology, Risk Factors, and Interventions

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Modifications of the CZTSe/Mo Back-Contact Interface by Plasma Treatments

Molybdenum (Mo) is the most commonly used back-contact material for copper zinc tin selenide (CZTSe)-based thin-film solar cells. For most fabrication methods, an interfacial molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) layer with an uncontrolled thickness is formed, ranging from a few tens of nm up to ≈1 μm. In order to improve the control of the back-contact interface in CZTSe solar cells, the formation of a MoSe2 layer with a homogeneous and defined thickness is necessary. In this study, we use plasma treatments on the as-grown Mo surface prior to the CZTSe absorber formation, which consists of the deposition of stacked metallic layers and the annealing in selenium (Se) atmosphere. The plasma treatments include the application of a pure argon (Ar) plasma and a mixed argon–nitrogen (Ar–N2) plasma. We observe a clear impact of the Ar plasma treatment on the MoSe2 thickness and interfacial morphology. With the Ar–N2 plasma treatment, a nitrided Mo surface can be obtained. Furthermore, we combine the Ar plasma treatment with the application of titanium nitride (TiN) as back-contact barrier and discuss the obtained results in terms of MoSe2 formation and solar cell performance, thus showing possible directions of back-contact engineering for CZTSe solar cells

First principles calculation of structural and magnetic properties for Fe monolayers and bilayers on W(110)

Structure optimizations were performed for 1 and 2 monolayers (ML) of Fe on a 5 ML W(110) substrate employing the all-electron full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method. The magnetic moments were also obtained for the converged and optimized structures. We find significant contractions ($\sim$ 10 %) for both the Fe-W and the neighboring Fe-Fe interlayer spacings compared to the corresponding bulk W-W and Fe-Fe interlayer spacings. Compared to the Fe bcc bulk moment of 2.2 $\mu_B$, the magnetic moment for the surface layer of Fe is enhanced (i) by 15% to 2.54 $\mu_B$ for 1 ML Fe/5 ML W(110), and (ii) by 29% to 2.84 $\mu_B$ for 2 ML Fe/5 ML W(110). The inner Fe layer for 2 ML Fe/5 ML W(110) has a bulk-like moment of 2.3 $\mu_B$. These results agree well with previous experimental data

Frequency of secondary dyslipidemia in obese children

Ulrike Korsten-Reck1, Katrin Kromeyer-Hauschild2, Katrin Korsten1, Manfred W Baumstark1, Hans-H Dickhuth1, Aloys Berg11Department of Rehabilitative and Preventive Sports Medicine, University Medical Center, University of Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; 2Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, 07740 Jena, GermanyObjective: This paper reports the frequency, type, and degree of dyslipidemia in obese children before therapeutic intervention. The relationships between lipid values and weight status, as well as lipid values and physical fitness, of these children were also investigated.Design and methods: The initial examination of the Freiburg Intervention Trial for Obese Children (FITOC) measured the values of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in 546 obese children aged 7–12 (body mass index [BMI] > 97th percentile), and compared these values with those of the age- and sex-specific reference group in the Lipid Research Clinics Population Studies Data Book (LRC). Four groups were selected according to the following scheme: A, Normolipidemia; B, Hyper-LDL-cholesterolemia alone; C, Hypo-HDL-C + hypertriglyceridemia; D, Combined hyperlipidemia = Hyper-LDL-C + hypertriglyceridemia. Body mass index, BMI-SDS (corrected BMI), and physical performance in watt/kg body weight were measured.Results: A total of 45.8% of the overweight children showed an abnormal lipid profile. Ten percent of the children had high LDL-C levels (group B), while 15% had increased LDL-C and increased TG (group D) (higher prevalence in boys). In 18.9% we found increased TG, combined with decreased HDL-C values (group C).Conclusion: Obese children are at risk of dyslipoproteinemia and related diseases. Children with the highest BMI-SDS and lowest physical fitness have the lowest HDL-C values and increased TG, indicating a higher risk for the metabolic syndrome.Keywords: atherosclerotic risk, childhood, dyslipidemia, obesit

Biomarkers in melanoma

Biomarkers are tumour- or host-related factors that correlate with tumour biological behaviour and patient prognosis. High-throughput analytical techniques--DNA and RNA microarrays--have identified numerous possible biomarkers, but their relevance to melanoma progression, clinical outcome and the selection of optimal treatment strategies still needs to be established. The review discusses a possible molecular basis for predictive tissue biomarkers such as melanoma thickness, ulceration and mitotic activity, and provides a list of promising new biomarkers identified from tissue microarrays that needs confirmation by independent, prospectively collected clinical data sets. In addition, common predictive serum biomarkers--lactate dehydrogenase, S100B and melanoma-inhibiting activity--as well as selected investigational serum biomarkers such as TA90IC and YKL-40 are also reviewed. A more accurate, therapeutically predictive classification of human melanomas and selection of patient populations that would profit from therapeutic interventions are among the major challenges expected to be addressed in the futur

Life cycle modelling of environmental impacts of application of processed organic municipal solid waste on agricultural land (EASEWASTE)

A model capable of quantifying the potential environmental impacts of agricultural application of composted or anaerobically digested source-separated organic municipal solid waste (MSW) is presented. In addition to the direct impacts, the model accounts for savings by avoiding the production and use of commercial fertilizers. The model is part of a larger model, Environmental Assessment of Solid Waste Systems and Technology (EASEWASTE), developed as a decisionsupport model, focusing on assessment of alternative waste management options. The environmental impacts of the land application of processed organic waste are quantified by emission coefficients referring to the composition of the processed waste and related to specific crop rotation as well as soil type. The model contains several default parameters based on literature data, field experiments and modelling by the agro-ecosystem model, Daisy. All data can be modified by the user allowing application of the model to other situations. A case study including four scenarios was performed to illustrate the use of the model. One tonne of nitrogen in composted and anaerobically digested MSW was applied as fertilizer to loamy and sandy soil at a plant farm in western Denmark. Application of the processed organic waste mainly affected the environmental impact categories global warming (0.4–0.7 PE), acidification (–0.06 (saving)–1.6 PE), nutrient enrichment (–1.0 (saving)–3.1 PE), and toxicity. The main contributors to these categories were nitrous oxide formation (global warming), ammonia volatilization (acidification and nutrient enrichment), nitrate losses (nutrient enrichment and groundwater contamination), and heavy metal input to soil (toxicity potentials). The local agricultural conditions as well as the composition of the processed MSW showed large influence on the environmental impacts. A range of benefits, mainly related to improved soil quality from long-term application of the processed organic waste, could not be generally quantified with respect to the chosen life cycle assessment impact categories and were therefore not included in the model. These effects should be considered in conjunction with the results of the life cycle assessment

Biomarkers in melanoma

Biomarkers are tumour- or host-related factors that correlate with tumour biological behaviour and patient prognosis. High-throughput analytical techniques—DNA and RNA microarrays—have identified numerous possible biomarkers, but their relevance to melanoma progression, clinical outcome and the selection of optimal treatment strategies still needs to be established. The review discusses a possible molecular basis for predictive tissue biomarkers such as melanoma thickness, ulceration and mitotic activity, and provides a list of promising new biomarkers identified from tissue microarrays that needs confirmation by independent, prospectively collected clinical data sets. In addition, common predictive serum biomarkers—lactate dehydrogenase, S100B and melanoma-inhibiting activity—as well as selected investigational serum biomarkers such as TA90IC and YKL-40 are also reviewed. A more accurate, therapeutically predictive classification of human melanomas and selection of patient populations that would profit from therapeutic interventions are among the major challenges expected to be addressed in the future