Measuring the Asborption Coefficient of Aquatic Particles Retained on Filter Using a Photo-Oxidation Bleaching Technique

This report describes a method for the determination of the particulate absorption coefficient that aims to improve the T-R method of Ferrari and Tassan, (1995, 2002) giving an alternative to the visual deternination of the bleached state of the sample on the filter and introducing a photoxidation bleaching technique to optimize the depigmentation process.JRC.H.3-Global environement monitorin

Stability criteria for a pyramidal shaped asperity ploughing through a plastically deforming substrate

In two body abrasion processes hard asperities plough through a soft surface. If the asperities can resist the forces that act on it, scratches will develop in the soft material. If the asperities cannot withstand these forces, they will break off and not cause direct abrasion damage. The same is the case for galling, where lumps develop on one of the surfaces because of material transfer. These lumps will abrade the counter surface, if the lumps are strong enough to withstand the forces that act on it. In order to describe these phenomena, simple criteria are desired to describe the mechanical stability of asperities and lumps.\ud \ud In this work, an analytical model is presented for the mechanical stability of asperities. In the analysis, a pyramidal asperity shape will be assumed. Given the pyramidal asperity shape, several cases will be studied: the load is carried by a pyramid with a triangular base, a pyramid with a triangular base and an extended backside and the case where a crack has developed. Based on these models stability criteria of ploughing pyramidal asperities will be developed. Important results of the model will be discussed in the context of abrasion and adhesive wear processes

Baricitinib for atopic dermatitis patients who responded inadequately to dupilumab treatment:First daily practice results

Background: Baricitinib is the first JAK inhibitor registered for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Efficacy and safety were shown in clinical trials, but daily practice data is sparse. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib treatment in daily practice in AD patients who have inadequately responded to dupilumab. Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, AD patients who failed dupilumab treatment and started baricitinib treatment in context of standard care at the Erasmus MC (the Netherlands) were included. We analysed physician-reported scores and patient-reported outcome measure scores (PROMs). Results: Twenty-five patients were included. Baricitinib treatment resulted in significant improvement of Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores and PROMs. Seven patients showed a good and sustained response (EASI50), eight patients showed no response (&lt;EASI50), and five patients showed an initial response but worsening of EASI scores in time. Overall, baricitinib was well tolerated. Four patients discontinued baricitinib treatment due to ineffectiveness or side effects. Conclusions: Baricitinib can be an effective treatment for a subset of AD patients who failed dupilumab treatment in daily practice. We found three different treatment response groups including responders, temporarily responders, and non-responders.</p

Baricitinib for atopic dermatitis patients who responded inadequately to dupilumab treatment:First daily practice results

Background: Baricitinib is the first JAK inhibitor registered for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Efficacy and safety were shown in clinical trials, but daily practice data is sparse. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib treatment in daily practice in AD patients who have inadequately responded to dupilumab. Methods: In this prospective observational cohort study, AD patients who failed dupilumab treatment and started baricitinib treatment in context of standard care at the Erasmus MC (the Netherlands) were included. We analysed physician-reported scores and patient-reported outcome measure scores (PROMs). Results: Twenty-five patients were included. Baricitinib treatment resulted in significant improvement of Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) scores and PROMs. Seven patients showed a good and sustained response (EASI50), eight patients showed no response (&lt;EASI50), and five patients showed an initial response but worsening of EASI scores in time. Overall, baricitinib was well tolerated. Four patients discontinued baricitinib treatment due to ineffectiveness or side effects. Conclusions: Baricitinib can be an effective treatment for a subset of AD patients who failed dupilumab treatment in daily practice. We found three different treatment response groups including responders, temporarily responders, and non-responders.</p

Regional Bio-optical Relationships and Algorithms for the Adriatic Sea, the Baltic Sea and the English Channel/North Sea Suitable for Ocean Colour Sensors

Regional bio-optical relationships and empirical algorithms were developed on the basis of measurements collected during the CoASTS 1995-2005 bio-optical time-series in the northern coastal Adriatic Sea as well as during ship campaigns performed in coastal regions of the Adriatic Sea, the Baltic Sea and the English Channel/North Sea between 2000 and 2005. The empirical algorithms aim at the retrieval from ocean colour data of the Chlorophyll a and Total Suspended Matter concentrations, of the absorption coefficient of the Coloured Dissolved Organic Matter, of the diffuse attenuation coefficient of downwelling irradiance and of the Secchi depth. Bio-optical relationships relating the marine optically significant components to their absorption or scattering properties are also presented for the investigated coastal areas.JRC.H.3-Global environement monitorin

Evaluation of bone replacement materials in a rabbit cranial defect model using micro CT and hard tissue histology

Introduction: For functional and structural restoration of bone deficiencies, various resorbable and nonresorbable alloplastic materials have been introduced, including metals, polymers and ceramics. However, an “optimal” artificial replacement for craniofacial bone has not been found yet and the search for improved reconstruction methods and alternative materials is going on. To assess and compare biocompatibility and osseointegration of these materials, adequate animal test models are indispensable. Methods: In a rabbit cranial defect model, biocompatibility and osseointegration of polymeric and composite bone replacement materials were evaluated at different time points after implantation. Calvaria including implants and surrounding tissue were explanted and embedded in methacrylate resin. The samples were scanned with a nanotom® (phoenix|x-ray) μCT scanner and proceeded for histological examination by sawing-grinding technique. Avizo® Fire (vsg) software was used for visualisation and processing of μCT data. Qualitative and morphometric evaluation of osseointegration and fibrous encapsulation was performed on undecalcified histologic preparations of the explants, and on 3D reconstructions plus virtual slices derived from corresponding 3D μCT datasets. Results: The obtained 3D μCT data enabled a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative assessment of osseointegration and biodegradation of radioopaque composite implants. Prerequisite for visualization and discrimination of materials by μCT is a significant difference of their hounsfield values. Due to this limitation, radiolucent polymeric implant materials and soft tissue could not be distinguished from embedding resin. In contrast, histologic preparations of undecalcified hard tissue and implant materials enabled detailed visualization and examination of all tissues and implant materials. The substantial disadvantage of hard tissue histology was the inevitable loss of information due to small number of slices and large gaps between specimens yielded by this method. Conclusion: To obtain comprehensive and quantifiable information about biodegradation, biocompatibility and osseointegration of alloplastic bone replacement materials, μCT scans as well as histologic evaluation should be performed

Care for children with atopic dermatitis in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic:Lessons from the first wave and implications for the future

The first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had an enormous impact on health-care services, including on care provision for children with atopic dermatitis (AD). We investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the care for children with moderate to severe AD at our tertiary outpatient clinic and examined satisfaction with care. We reviewed outpatient records, comparing total number and types of consultations during the first COVID-19 wave (March until July 2020) with the corresponding months of 2019 and 2018. In addition, we conducted a questionnaire-based study investigating the impact of COVID-19 on clinical and psychological symptoms, and satisfaction with care. A total number of 913 consultations (466 individual children) were conducted during the first COVID-19 wave in 2020, while 698 (391 individual children) and 591 consultations (356 individual children) were conducted in 2019 and 2018. The proportion of remote consultations was higher (56.2%) compared to 14.0% in 2019 and 12.7% in 2018. Worsening of AD was reported by 9.7% of caretakers. Overall satisfaction with provided care was high (8.6; interquartile range [IQR] = 7.3–10.0). Caretakers receiving face-to-face consultation were significantly (p = 0.026) more satisfied (9.0; IQR = 8.0–10.0) than caretakers receiving remote consultation (7.9; IQR = 7.0–9.5). The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on care provision for children with AD, particularly on the number of remote consultations. Overall satisfaction with care was high. The impact of COVID-19 on disease severity remained limited. Remote consultations seem to be a useful tool that can be put into practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

Inhomogeneous Field Configurations and the Electroweak Phase Transition

We investigate the effects of inhomogeneous scalar field configurations on the electroweak phase transition. For this purpose we calculate the leading perturbative correction to the wave function correction term Z(\vph,T), i.e., the kinetic term in the effective action, for the electroweak Standard Model at finite temperature and the top quark self--mass. Our finding for the fermionic contribution to Z(\vph,T) is infra--red finite and disagrees with other recent results. In general, neither the order of the phase transition nor the temperature at which it occurs change, once Z(\vph,T) is included. But a non--vanishing, positive (negative) Z(\vph,T) enhances (decreases) the critical droplet surface tension and the strength of the phase transition. We find that in the range of parameter space, which allows for a first--order phase transition, the wave function correction term is negative --- indicating a weaker phase transition --- and especially for small field values so large that perturbation theory becomes unreliable.Comment: 23 pages of LaTeX + 3 PostScript figures included in uuencoded form, FERMI-PUB-93/253-

A first order transition and parity violation in a color superconductor

In cold, dense quark matter, quarks of different flavor can form Cooper pairs which are anti-triplets under color and have total spin J=0. The transition to a phase where strange quarks condense with either up or down quarks is driven first order by the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism. At densities sufficiently high to (effectively) restore the axial U(1) symmetry, then relative to the ordinary vacuum, the condensation of up with down quarks (effectively) breaks parity spontaneously.Comment: 4 pages, ReVTeX, final versio