Plain X-Ray Films in Soft Tissue Infections

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The issue of outwelling in the Guadiana River estuary (Portugal): some findings and research suggestions in the context of recent evidence

Abstract The ‘‘Outwelling Theory’’ states that salt marshes play a major role in exporting production to adjacent estuarine and coastal ecosystems. However, it has been found that some marshes act as net importers instead of net exporters of organic matter and nutrients. Once we include mangroves and refine the analysis to comprehend bacterioplankton, organic and stable isotope tracers, the picture became, more complex, making room for a revival of the outwelling idea. The exchanges between the Castro Marim salt marsh and the main estuary were tentatively established determining periodically, in a selected cross-section, the concentrations of TSS, FSS, VSS, NH4, NO2, NO3, NKjeldhal, SiO4, PO4, TDP, Chlorophyll a and Pheopigments, measuring their fluxes along tidal cycles and computing the corresponding budgets. Apparently, the sedimentary behaviour of the marsh will be close to equilibrium during the period of study. However, it will import mainly inert matter and export mainly organic matter in the same period. Moreover, extrapolating these results to the entire Guadiana salt marshes, the exchanges of sediment do not seem to be significant. Particularly, the marshes will not trap a significantly amount sediment transported by the main river (0.5%). It also seems to follow, that in a general way, the Guadiana salt marshes might have a more significant role than was anticipated in the system economy ofOMand nutrients and their outwelling to coastal waters, assuring outputs that could amount to something like 6% of the river load of N, 1.2% of the river load of P, and 20-57% of the river load of TOC, for an average year, and 42% of the river load of Nand 35% of the river load of P in a dry year. These findings suggest that a more detailed investigation, over an extended period of time, is certainly worthwhile

Assessing multi slot versus single slot pool-type fishways suitability for potamodromous cyprinids: An experimental approach using numerical modelling and fish

Developing new fishway designs that provide suitable hydrodynamic conditions for multiple native freshwater fish species is paramount to mitigate the negative effects of anthropogenic barriers in rivers. This poses an increased challenge in Mediterranean regions, where water availability is limited and issue of conflicting demands. Vertical slot fishways (VSF) are considered one of the best types of technical fishways for potamodromous fish species. However, they generally require a greater amount of water to operate relatively to other type of facilities. The present study used 3D numerical modelling to compare the hydrodynamics and assess the hydraulic suitability for multiple fish species, of a widely used VSF and of two multi slot fishway (MSF) configurations. The MSF configuration requires a lower discharge to operate (\u3e 20% less discharge) than the VSF, while keeping similar flow depths. With the reduction in discharge, the velocity, turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds shear stress values for MSF are also much lower than the values for VSF (c. 20 – 40% less). Hence, besides requiring smaller discharges than similar VSF design, the MSF seems to be less selective for fish species, particularly smaller-sized individuals, and individuals with weaker swimming capacities. Passage performance of the Iberian barbel, Luciobarbus bocagei (Steindachner, 1864) was subsequently assessed when negotiating a VSF and a MSF in an indoor full scale experimental model. Results showed that the Iberian barbel performed a significantly higher number of movements in the MSF when compared to the VSF. On the other hand, no differences were found in the entrance time, entry efficiency and overall fish performance between configurations. This study shows that numerical modelling complemented with laboratory fish experiments can be an important tool to develop cost-effective fishways

Session D7: Is CFD an Efficient Tool ao Develop Pool Type Fishways?

Abstract: Rivers longitudinal connectivity is compromised by man-made obstacles, such as dams and weirs, which affect fish movements, leading to populations decrease and genetic deterioration. Properly designed fishways re-establish connectivity, allowing for fish migration. The aim of our work is to contribute to a more fast and efficient development of pool-type fishways using hydrodynamic modelling, based on fish behaviour experiments. Modelling free surface flows in hydraulic structures with complex geometry, like pooltype fishways, with aerated and complex flow patterns, represents a significant research challenge. Knowledge already acquired in an experimental full scale indoor pool-type fishway in previous studies is used. A 1:2.5 scaled fishway of this facility was built and used to characterize velocity and turbulence in a pool-type fishway with cross-walls equipped with bottom orifices. An offset orifice configuration was used with consecutive orifices positioned on opposite sides of the cross-walls, creating a sinusoidal flow path. The measurements of velocity fields were made using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Acoustic Doppler Velocimetry (ADV). Velocity maps were obtained at several positions, for planes parallel to the bottom and parallel to the sidewalls. Parameters that influence fishways efficiency like velocity fields, turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds shear stresses were determined. A 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the fishway was developed using a commercial software FLOW-3D. Velocity fields, turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds shear stresses were compared with the ones determined from PIV measurements and ADV measurements and results deviations between experimental and numerical data were analyzed. The use of FLOW 3D to simulate mean velocity patterns and flow turbulence in pooltype fishways and its use as design tool for new fishway geometries are discussed

Development of Non-Linear Equations for Predicting Electrical Conductivity in Silicates

Electrical conductivity is of fundamental importance in electric arc furnaces (EAF) and the interaction of this phenomenon with the process slag results in energy losses and low optimization. As mathematical modeling helps in understanding the behavior of phenomena and it was used to predict the electrical conductivity of EAF slags through artificial neural networks. The best artificial neural network had 100 neurons in the hidden layer, with 6 predictor variables and the predicted variable, electrical conductivity. Mean absolute error and standard deviation of absolute error were calculated, and sensitivity analysis was performed to correlate the effect of each predictor variable with the predicted variable.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 1 table (AISTech 2023 - Presented and Accepted

Risk factors, symptoms, and prevalence of lower limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders among orthopedic surgeons

Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The AuthorsWhile performing orthopedic surgeries, surgeons stand for long hours, carrying out repetitive and/or forceful movements, in sustained awkward postures, increasing the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD). Nonetheless, the literature addressing the risk factors, prevalence and symptoms of lower limb WRMSD remains dispersed and lacks a comprehensive synthesis. However, considering the critical role of lower limbs in maintaining surgical stability and balance, WRMSD affecting lower limbs could significantly compromise precision and motor skills, potentially impacting surgery outcomes. This systematic review addresses this gap by consolidating evidence on lower limb WRMSD incidence and symptoms among orthopedic surgeons, while identifying the underlying risk factors. The selection of the papers for this systematic review follows the PRISMA methodology and includes articles from Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science published between 2013 and 2023. Among 320 articles initially identified, 14 met the inclusion criteria. This systematic review shows knee WRMSD symptoms as the most prevalent, followed by foot/ankle and hip/thigh symptoms. The prevalence of foot/ankle WRMSD was the highest, followed by knee/lower leg and hip/thigh WRMSD. Additionally, the main risk factors reported as contributing to the development of these disorders included prolonged standing, static postures, higher body mass index, aging, smoking, and years of experience. The findings of this systematic review highlight the substantial prevalence of lower limb WRMSD and symptoms among orthopedic surgeons and shed light on the associated risk factors. Understanding these factors is crucial for devising preventive measures and ergonomic interventions, ultimately enhancing the well-being of surgeons, and improving patient care.publishersversionpublishe

Linear Modeling of the Glass Transition Temperature of the system SiO2-Na2O-CaO

This work aimed to mathematically model the glass transition temperature (Tg), one of the most important parameters regarding the behavior of slag, responsible for the sudden change in thermomechanical properties of non-crystalline materials, by the chemical composition of the SiO2-Na2O-CaO system, widely applicable in the production of glasses and constituent of iron, magnesium and aluminum metallurgy slags. The SciGlass database was used to provide data for mathematical modeling through the Python programming language, using the method of least squares. A new equation was established, called P Model, and it presented a lower mean absolute error and lower standard deviation of absolute errors in relation to 3 equations in the literature. The raised equation provides significant results in the mathematical modeling of Tg by the chemical system SiO2-Na2O-CaO, valid for the limits of the data used in the mathematical modeling.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

VARICELLA-RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS IN CHILDREN – CASE SERIES IN A SECONDARY HOSPITAL

Introdução: A varicela é uma doença infeciosa frequente na infância. Embora considerada geralmente uma doença benigna e autolimitada, pode cursar com complicações graves. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os internamentos por varicela e suas complicações. Métodos: Análise retrospetiva dos processos clínicos das crianças com internamento no Serviço de Pediatria por varicela entre 01.01.2000 e 31.12.2012. Resultados: Foram internadas 105 crianças por varicela, nos 13 anos avaliados, com idades entre um dia e os dez anos (mediana: 22 meses), sendo 51,4% do género feminino. A maior incidência sazonal foi de Abril a Junho. Nenhuma criança tinha a vacina antivírus varicela-zoster. Complicações associadas à varicela foram o motivo de internamento mais frequente (76%), incluindo infeções cutâneas (56,8%), complicações respiratórias (14,8%) e neurológicas (14,8%). As restantes crianças foram internadas, pela presença de fatores de risco (idade, varicela congénita, imunossupressão) ou pela gravidade da sintomatologia. Efetuaram aciclovir 68 crianças (65%), das quais, 20 tinham iniciado terapêutica antes da hospitalização. A duração média do internamento foi de 4,5 dias. Foram transferidas três crianças para hospital terciário, uma por síndrome de pele escaldada, uma por otomastoidite com indicação cirúrgica e outra por pneumonia com derrame pleural. Uma criança com encefalite desenvolveu sequelas. Discussão: A varicela pode originar complicações graves sobretudo em crianças com fatores de risco. No período referido foi responsável por 0,7% dos internamentos. As complicações mais frequentes foram as cutâneas, o que está de acordo com outros estudos. Este trabalho permitiu rever as práticas do serviço, nomeadamente questionar critérios de internamento no grupo com fatores de risco, mas sem complicações da doença

Liquidus temperature nonlinear modeling of silicates SiO2−R2O−ROSiO_2-R_2O-RO

The liquidus temperature is an important parameter in understanding the crystalline behavior of materials and in the operation of blast furnaces. Its modeling can be carried out by linear and nonlinear methods through data, considering the artificial neural network a modeling method with high efficiency because it presents the theorem of universal approximation and with that better performances and possibility of greater oscillations. The best linear model and the best nonlinear model were modeled by structural parameters and presented a good numerical approximation, thus demonstrating that mathematical modeling can be performed using structural arguments and also showing a dimensionality reduction method for modeling a thermophysical property of the materials.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, 3 table

The technical challenge of Functional 18F-FDG-PET Brain imaging in paediatric epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease, characterized by the appearance of crisis (whit or without convulsions), caused by abnormal electric activity on brain cells. Neuroimaging might be necessary in the work-up of epilepsy for localisation of the seizure focus for possible surgical cure. In our department, we started performing inter-ictal 18F-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/TC Brain imaging in 2009, in paediatric patients, following EANM procedure guidelines. Aim: the aim of the study was to retrospectively review all the performed inter-ictal 18F-FDG-PET/TC brain imaging, to assess the difficulties found during these procedures and the deviation according to guideline recommendations. We also intend to focus on the major importance of an optimal cooperation with other departments, such as anaesthesiology and neurophysiology. Material and Methods: between 2009 and 2012, eleven patients (pt) were referred for an 18F-FDG-PET-TC brain study, with ages between 10 months - 18 years old all with medically intractable epilepsy. The exams were performed with different conditions according to the needs of each patient, because we know that exceptional procedures call for special conditions. Results: All files were review for pt information pertinent to performance of the procedure, pt pre-arrival preparation, pt pre-injection preparation, pt monitoring for ictal crises before injection (EEG), pt sedation, variability of radiopharmaceutical administration and data acquisition parameters. 8 of the pt were performed with anaesthesia while 3 without since the pediatric patient were cooperative. All of the pt were monitored under parental surveillance, one with additional movie recording and other with EEG. Conclusion: We found that this process of retrospective review of this pool of paediatric patients with epilepsy enhanced the learning curve in this very specific procedure. We also found it critical to request the collaboration of the departments of anaesthesiology and neurophysiology