Spine impairment and sedentary occupation

Analizirana je učestalost oštećenja kralješnice 586 radnika, od toga 347 pretežno na sjedećem, a 239 pretežno na stojećem radnom mjestu. Prosječna životna dob ispitivanih radnika bila je 39,16 godina, a prosječna dužina radnog staža 13,4 godine. Zbog tegoba s kralješnicom liječena je ukupno 78 radnika (13,3%). U osoba s pretežno sjedećim radnim mjestom cervikalni sindrom bio je prisutan u 34 radnika (60,7%), a lumbosakralni sindrom u 22 radnika (39,3%). U osoba pak s pretežno stojećim radnim mjestom češće smo nalazili zastupljen lumbosakralni sindrom (17 radnika, 77,3%) nego cervikalni sindrom (5 radnika, 22,7%). Rezultati našeg rada upućuju na veću učestalost oštećenja vratne kralješnice u osoba s dugogodišnjim preopterećenjem vratne kralješnice na sjedećem radnom mjestu.The frequency of spine impairment was analysed in 586 workers, 347 with predominantly sedentary jobs and 239 with predominantly standing jobs. The average age of the workers was 39.16 years, the mean time of service 13.4 years. The total number of 78 (13.3%) workers were treated for spine trouble. In the group consisting of the workers with sedentary jobs 34 workers (60.7%) suffered from cervical syndrome, 22 workers (39.3%) from lumbosacral syndrome. In those with predominantly standing jobs lumbosacral syndrome was found more frequently (17 workers) than the cervical syndrome (5 workers). The results of analysis point to the fact that there is a higher frequency of cervical spine impairment in people with long-term overloading of cervical spine through sedentary working position

Chronic Kidney Disease and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease—Is There a Link?

Research in recent years has led to the recognition of the importance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its relationship to the metabolic syndrome (MS). This has led to a growing interest in the potential prognostic value of NAFLD for adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcome. On the other hand, searching for new risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) development and progression is very important. Growing evidence suggests that the MS is an important factor in the pathogenesis of CKD. The best confirmation of this pathogenic link is hypertensive and diabetic nephropathy as the main causes of CKD. Furthermore, the possible link between NAFLD and CKD has also attracted research interest and recent data suggest an association between these two conditions. These findings have fuelled concerns that NAFLD may be a new and added risk factor for the development and progression of CKD. NAFLD and CKD share some important cardiometabolic risk factors and possible common pathophysiological mechanisms, and both are linked to an increased risk of incident CVD events. Therefore, common factors underlying the pathogenesis of NAFLD and CKD may be insulin resistance, oxidative stress, activation of rennin-angiotensin system, and inappropriate secretion of inflammatory cytokines by steatotic and inflamed liver

Comparison of ICP-MS, ICP-OES, INAA, and WDXRF Techniques in Measuring Elements in Coniferous Needles Samples

The elemental composition of plant matrices has been conventionally determined by spectrometric techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) [1]. Wet mineralization (digestion) of samples requires time, equipment, and usage of aggressive and toxic chemicals which are the main drawbacks of those routinely used techniques [2]. The need for suitable analytical methods for direct and multi-elemental analysis of plant samples has been increased in recent years [3]. Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) is one of the techniques for direct analysis which has been previously applied in environmental studies, nevertheless it is not a commonly used technique for plant samples. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is another technique with the possibility of performing multi-element analysis directly on solid samples with numerous advantages. Although non-destructive techniques (INAA and XRF) are widely accepted in various fields of screening tests regarding the analytical approach, their performance needs to be evaluated in plant sample analysis. The main aim of this research was to assess how reliable non-destructive techniques are in detecting elements in conifer needles regarding routinely used spectrometric techniques. A total of 49 plant samples of four conifer species (Pinus nigra, Abies alba, Taxus baccata, and Larix decidua) were measured using two routinely used (ICPMS and ICP-OES) and two non-destructive instrumental techniques (WD-XRF and INAA). A quality control program included NIST pine needles certified reference material (1575a) analysis using all examined techniques. The techniques were compared by examination of relative ratio (element concentration measured using investigated analytical techniques divided by concentration determined by ICP-MS (figure 1)) and by correlation. Precision of all examined techniques was additionally investigated. This study confirmed that non-destructive spectroscopic techniques can be successfully applied on plant samples since sample preparation for these techniques is fast and in good accordance with the principles of green chemistry. Investigated standardless XRF method can also produce well-correlated results, compared to other techniques based on calibration standards. Obtained results suggest that the high accuracy of the analysis can be ensured by additional analytical and quality control steps (the use of internal standards, standard addition, etc.)

The impact of ship traffic and harbor activities on the atmospheric pollution in two northern adriatic ports: Venice and Rijeka

The aim of the POSEIDON project is to quantify the relative contribution of maritime traffic and harbor activities to atmospheric pollutants concentration in four port-cities of the Adriatic Sea. This study focuses on the harbors of Venice and Rijeka. In order to investigate the main pollution sources, emission inventories were used as input for receptor models: PMF (positive matrix factorization) and PCA (principal components analysis); moreover source identification was also conducted using PAHs diagnostic ratios. The ship traffic impact was quantified: i) on gaseous and particulate PAHs, collected using a new method which consisted in a double simultaneous sampling, in different wind sectors; ii) applying PMF to data of metals, PAHs and ions in PM10; iii) using the vanadium concentration according to the Agrawal methodology

The prediction of floods in Venice: methods, models and uncertainty (review article)

This paper reviews the state of the art in storm surge forecasting and its particular application in the northern Adriatic Sea. The city of Venice already depends on operational storm surge forecasting systems to warn the population and economy of imminent flood threats, as well as help to protect the extensive cultural heritage. This will be more important in the future, with the new mobile barriers called MOSE (MOdulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico, Experimental Electromechanical Module) that will be completed by 2021. The barriers will depend on accurate storm surge forecasting to control their operation. In this paper, the physics behind the flooding of Venice is discussed, and the state of the art of storm surge forecasting in Europe is reviewed. The challenges for the surge forecasting systems are analyzed, especially in view of uncertainty. This includes consideration of selected historic extreme events that were particularly difficult to forecast. Four potential improvements are identified: (1) improve meteorological forecasts, (2) develop ensemble forecasting, (3) assimilation of water level measurements and (4) develop a multimodel approach

Elemental depth profiles in marine sediments of Singapore coastal waters

10.1016/S0168-583X(98)01048-9Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms1501-4291-297NIMB

First-order theories for adiabatic L-shell ionization by protons

10.1103/PhysRevA.50.1301Physical Review A5021301-130

L X-ray production cross sections of medium Z elements by 4He ion impact

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms136-138184-188NIMB

Parametrization of the total photon mass attenuation coefficients for photon energies between 100 eV and 1000 MeV

10.1016/S0168-583X(98)01047-7Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms1501-440-45NIMB