Boundary Spatiotemporal Correlations in a Self-Organized Critical Model of Punctuated Equilibrium

In a semi-infinite geometry, a 1D, M-component model of biological evolution realizes microscopically an inhomogeneous branching process for $M \to \infty$. This implies in particular a size distribution exponent $\tau'=7/4$ for avalanches starting at a free end of the evolutionary chain. A bulk--like behavior with $\tau'=3/2$ is restored if `conservative' boundary conditions strictly fix to its critical, bulk value the average number of species directly involved in an evolutionary avalanche by the mutating species located at the chain end. A two-site correlation function exponent ${\tau_R}'=4$ is also calculated exactly in the `dissipative' case, when one of the points is at the border. These results, together with accurate numerical determinations of the time recurrence exponent $\tau_{first}'$, show also that, no matter whether dissipation is present or not, boundary avalanches have the same space and time fractal dimensions as in the bulk, and their distribution exponents obey the basic scaling laws holding there.Comment: 5 pages, 3 eps figure

Recognition and treatment of peri-implant mucositis: Do we have the right perception? A structured review

Peri-implant mucositis is a common inflammatory lesion of the soft tissues surrounding endosseous implants, with no loss of the supporting bone. Its prevention or early diagnosis are vital for dental implant success.The aim of this review was to investigate knowledge strengths and gaps in clinicians' perceptions of periimplant mucositis prevalence and evidence for successful treatment.A literature search for articles published until 2020, reporting on the prevalence of peri-implant mucositis and its treatment was performed in standard online databases. The inclusion criteria were as follows: studies in English; studies with an available abstract; studies on humans with at least 1 dental implant; and studies reporting on the prevalence and/or treatment of peri-implant mucositis. Sixty-five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The included papers were analyzed to identify data on the prevalence and treatment of peri-implant mucositis. The prevalence statistics for peri-implant mucositis had wide ranges in both the patient-based (PB) analysis and the implant-based (IB) analysis; the possible reasons for these wide ranges are discussed. Treatment methods for peri-implant mucositis were analyzed individually and compared to the management of gingivitis.It was determined that the currently available information on the prevalence rates and the standardized therapeutic protocols for peri-implant mucositis are insufficient. Since the mean gingivitis and peri-implant mucositis prevalence rates in the PB analysis were similar, it is possible that peri-implant mucositis is underestimated due to variables related to implant rehabilitation itself

Effect of black soldier fly larvae protein on the texture of meat analogues

Black soldier fly larvae are considered an alternative source of protein due to their high protein content and low environmental impact of farming. The effect of incorporation of black soldier fly larvae protein (87.6 ± 2.4 g/100 g content) on meat analogues textural characteristics was determined and compared with those of meat analogues prepared with other alternative sources of protein such as soy protein isolate and vital wheat gluten, while beef round, chicken breast, and a commercial plant-based meat analogue were used as reference matrices. Textural characteristics of the experimental meat analogues were used as response variables in robust regression models (R2 > 0.96) built to determine the main effects and interactions of proteins. Black soldier fly larvae protein decreased the textural characteristics of meat analogues as its amount in the formulation increased. The interaction of black soldier fly larvae protein with soy protein affected the hardness and chewiness of meat analogues, whereas the interaction with wheat gluten only affected their cohesiveness. Black soldier fly larvae protein can partially replace traditional proteins in meat analogues. The optimal incorporations of black soldier fly larvae protein in meat analogues which mimics textural characteristics of chicken breast and plant-based meat analogues were 6.7 g/100 g and 21.5 g/100 g, respectively

Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids in a Department of Oral Sciences: Results of a Thirteen-Year Surveillance Study

Objectives. Aim of this analysis was to identify trends that will aid in the prevention of injury. Methods. Our data were collected from 1999 to 2011 during a surveillance program of occupational exposures to blood or other potentially infectious materials in a Dental School by using a standard coded protocol. Results. 63 exposures were reported. 56/63 (89%) percutaneous and 7/63 (11%) mucosal, involving a splash to the eye of the dental care workers (DCW). 25/63 (40%) involved students, 23/63 (36%) DCW attending masters and doctorate, 13/63 (21%) DCW attending as tutors and 2/63 (3%) staff. 45/63 (71%) and 18/63 (29%) occurred respectively during and after the use of the device; of last ones, 1/18 (0.05%) were related to instrument clean-up and 1/18 (0.05%) to laboratory activity, 12/18 (67%) occurred when a DCW collided with a sharp object during the setting, and 4/18 (22%) during other activities. The instrument and the body part most likely involved were needle and finger respectively. The overall exposure rate was 4.78 per 10,000 patient visits. Conclusions Our results may serve as benchmark that Dental Schools can employ to assess their frequency of injury

Seasonal variability of the HO.RE.CA. food leftovers employed as a feeding substrate for black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) larvae and effects on the rearing performance

The SCALIBUR project (Horizon, 2020) aimed to explore innovative solutions, including the use of black soldier fly larvae, for the bio-urban waste management. This research work describes the evaluation of the variability in water, proteins, fat, ashes, and carbohydrates present in the HO.RE.CA. food leftovers which were withdrawn from a local canteen over a 12-month period and the relationship with (i) the growth parameters of the larvae, (ii) the percentage of substrate reduction and the percentage of frass separated through the mechanical sieve at the end of the rearing process. HO.RE.CA. food leftovers are overall a suitable feeding substrate for larval rearing. Water contained in the HO.RE.CA. food leftovers was sufficient for larval rearing without resorting to further addition. As for water content, a seasonal trend was not observed, on the contrary, it was proved to be totally random. However, high amount of water (>80%) was correlated with higher larval mortality rate. The larval weight was significantly correlated to the amount of protein (r = 0.80; p ≤ 0.001) present in the substrate, and to a lesser extent to the amount of fat (r = 0.43; p ≤ 0.05). The feed conversion rate and bioconversion rate were both in agreement with literature data. The statistical test did not show any significant correlation between the amount of water contained in the initial fresh HO.RE.CA. food leftovers and the percentage of substrate reduction and the percentage of frass separated through the mechanical sieve at the end of the rearing process

Miniaturized data loggers and computer programming improve seabird risk and damage assessments for marine oil spills in Atlantic Canada

Obtaining useful information on marine birds that can aid in oil spill (and other hydrocarbon release) risk and damage assessments in offshore environments is challenging. Technological innovations in miniaturization have allowed archival data loggers to be deployed successfully on marine birds vulnerable to hydrocarbons on water. A number of species, including murres (both Common, Uria aalge, and Thick-billed, U. lomvia) have been tracked using geolocation devices in eastern Canada, increasing our knowledge of the seasonality and colony-specific nature of their susceptibility to oil on water in offshore hydrocarbon production areas and major shipping lanes. Archival data tags are starting to resolve questions around behaviour of vulnerable seabirds at small spatial scales relevant to oil spill impact modelling, specifically to determine the duration and frequency at which birds fly at sea. Advances in data capture methods using voice activated software have eased the burden on seabird observers who are collecting increasingly more detailed information on seabirds during ship-board and aerial transects. Computer programs that integrate seabird density and bird behaviour have been constructed, all with a goal of creating more credible seabird oil spill risk and damage assessments. In this paper, we discuss how each of these technological and computing innovations can help define critical inputs into seabird risk and damage assessments, and when combined, can provide a more realistic understanding of the impacts to seabirds from any hydrocarbon release

Effects of confinement and surface enhancement on superconductivity

Within the Ginzburg-Landau approach a theoretical study is performed of the effects of confinement on the transition to superconductivity for type-I and type-II materials with surface enhancement. The superconducting order parameter is characterized by a negative surface extrapolation length $b$. This leads to an increase of the critical field $H_{c3}$ and to a surface critical temperature in zero field, $T_{cs}$, which exceeds the bulk $T_c$. When the sample is {\em mesoscopic} of linear size $L$ the surface induces superconductivity in the interior for $T T_{cs}$. In analogy with adsorbed fluids, superconductivity in thin films of type-I materials is akin to {\em capillary condensation} and competes with the interface delocalization or "wetting" transition. The finite-size scaling properties of capillary condensation in superconductors are scrutinized in the limit that the ratio of magnetic penetration depth to superconducting coherence length, $\kappa \equiv \lambda/\xi$, goes to zero, using analytic calculations. While standard finite-size scaling holds for the transition in non-zero magnetic field $H$, an anomalous critical-point shift is found for H=0. The increase of $T_c$ for H=0 is calculated for mesoscopic films, cylindrical wires, and spherical grains of type-I and type-II materials. Surface curvature is shown to induce a significant increase of $T_c$, characterized by a shift $T_c(R)-T_c(\infty)$ inversely proportional to the radius $R$.Comment: 37 pages, 5 figures, accepted for PR