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Human health risk assessment of chemical mixtures is complex due to the almost infinite number of possible combinations of chemicals to which people are exposed to on a daily basis. Human biomonitoring (HBM) approaches can provide inter alia information on the chemicals that are in our body at one point in time. Network analysis applied to such data may provide insight into real-life mixtures by visualizing chemical exposure patterns. The identification of groups of more densely correlated biomarkers, so-called "communities", within these networks highlights which combination of substances should be considered in terms of real-life mixtures to which a population is exposed. We applied network analyses to HBM datasets from Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, and Spain, with the aim to explore its added value for exposure and risk assessment. The datasets varied in study population, study design, and chemicals analysed. Sensitivity analysis was performed to address the influence of different approaches to standardise for creatinine content of urine. Our approach demonstrates that network analysis applied to HBM data of highly varying origin provides useful information with regards to the existence of groups of biomarkers that are densely correlated. This information is relevant for regulatory risk assessment, as well as for the design of relevant mixture exposure experiments.

Humans are exposed to a mixture of pesticides through diet as well as through the environment. We conducted a suspect-screening based study to describe the probability of (concomitant) exposure to a set of pesticide profiles in five European countries (Latvia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Spain and the Netherlands). We explored whether living in an agricultural area (compared to living in a peri-urban area), being a a child (compared to being an adult), and the season in which the urine sample was collected had an impact on the probability of detection of pesticides (-metabolites). In total 2088 urine samples were collected from 1050 participants (525 parent-child pairs) and analyzed through harmonized suspect screening by five different laboratories. Fourty pesticide biomarkers (either pesticide metabolites or the parent pesticides as such) relating to 29 pesticides were identified at high levels of confidence in samples across all study sites. Most frequently detected were biomarkers related to the parent pesticides acetamiprid and chlorpropham. Other biomarkers with high detection rates in at least four countries related to the parent pesticides boscalid, fludioxonil, pirimiphos-methyl, pyrimethanil, clothianidin, fluazifop and propamocarb. In 84% of the samples at least two different pesticides were detected. The median number of detected pesticides in the urine samples was 3, and the maximum was 13 pesticides detected in a single sample. The most frequently co-occurring substances were acetamiprid with chlorpropham (in 62 urine samples), and acetamiprid with tebuconazole (30 samples). Some variation in the probability of detection of pesticides (-metabolites) was observed with living in an agricultural area or season of urine sampling, though no consistent patterns were observed. We did observe differences in the probability of detection of a pesticide (metabolite) among children compared to adults, suggesting a different exposure and/or elimination patterns bet

As one of the core elements of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey was conducted in 23 countries to generate EU-wide comparable HBM data. This survey has built on existing HBM capacity in Europe by aligning national or regional HBM studies, referred to as the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. The HBM4EU Aligned Studies included a total of 10,795 participants of three age groups: (i) 3,576 children aged 6-12 years, (ii) 3,117 teenagers aged 12-18 years and (iii) 4,102 young adults aged 20-39 years. The participants were recruited between 2014 and 2021 in 11-12 countries per age group, geographically distributed across Europe. Depending on the age group, internal exposure to phthalates and the substitute DINCH, halogenated and organophosphorus flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), cadmium, bisphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic species, acrylamide, mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol (total DON)), benzophenones and selected pesticides was assessed by measuring substance specific biomarkers subjected to stringent quality control programs for chemical analysis. For substance groups analyzed in different age groups higher average exposure levels were observed in the youngest age group, i.e., phthalates/DINCH in children versus teenagers, acrylamide and pesticides in children versus adults, benzophenones in teenagers versus adults. Many biomarkers in teenagers and adults varied significantly according to educational attainment, with higher exposure levels of bisphenols, phthalates, benzophenones, PAHs and acrylamide in participants (from households) with lower educational attainment, while teenagers from households with higher educational attainment have higher exposure levels for PFASs and arsenic. In children, a social gradient was only observed for the non-specific pyrethroid metabolite 3-PBA and di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP), with higher levels in children from households with higher educat

The issue of violence and harassment at work is a phenomenon that is still present in our society. This forces companies to adopt and apply appropriate policies that take into account these situations of violence and harassment, as well as the associated psychosocial risks. For this, it is necessary to identify and evaluate the behaviors of violence and harassment, in order to adopt preventive measures and control the risks, which should lead us towards the adoption of a series of action protocols, which previously require a thorough study of the aspects relating to the conduct and characters of the active subject, as well as the characters and elements of the victim and the work environment in which the events occur. A new scenario is opening up in the workplace, where the criminologist can have a lot to say by collaborating in the creation and implementation of future labor compliance systems., La cuestión relativa a la violencia y el acoso en el ámbito laboral es un fenómeno que sigue presente en nuestra sociedad. Ello exige a las empresas la adopción y aplicación de políticas adecuadas que tengan en cuenta estas situaciones de violencia y acoso, así como los riesgos psicosociales asociados. Para ello es preciso identificar y evaluar las conductas de violencia y acoso, con el fin de adoptar medidas preventivas y controlar los riesgos, lo cual debería encaminarnos hacia la adopción de una serie de protocolos de actuación, que exigen previamente un estudio concienzudo de los aspectos relativos a la conducta y caracteres del sujeto activo, así como de los caracteres y elementos de la víctima y del entorno laboral en el cual se producen los hechos. Un nuevo escenario se abre en el ámbito laboral, donde el criminólogo puede tener mucho que decir colaborando en la creación e implantación de futuros sistemas de compliance laboral.

Humans are exposed to a mixture of pesticides through diet as well as through the environment. We conducted a suspect-screening based study to describe the probability of (concomitant) exposure to a set of pesticide profiles in five European countries (Latvia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Spain and the Netherlands). We explored whether living in an agricultural area (compared to living in a peri-urban area), being a a child (compared to being an adult), and the season in which the urine sample was collected had an impact on the probability of detection of pesticides (-metabolites). In total 2088 urine samples were collected from 1050 participants (525 parent-child pairs) and analyzed through harmonized suspect screening by five different laboratories. Fourty pesticide biomarkers (either pesticide metabolites or the parent pesticides as such) relating to 29 pesticides were identified at high levels of confidence in samples across all study sites. Most frequently detected were biomarkers related to the parent pesticides acetamiprid and chlorpropham. Other biomarkers with high detection rates in at least four countries related to the parent pesticides boscalid, fludioxonil, pirimiphos-methyl, pyrimethanil, clothianidin, fluazifop and propamocarb. In 84% of the samples at least two different pesticides were detected. The median number of detected pesticides in the urine samples was 3, and the maximum was 13 pesticides detected in a single sample. The most frequently co-occurring substances were acetamiprid with chlorpropham (in 62 urine samples), and acetamiprid with tebuconazole (30 samples). Some variation in the probability of detection of pesticides (-metabolites) was observed with living in an agricultural area or season of urine sampling, though no consistent patterns were observed. We did observe differences in the probability of detection of a pesticide (metabolite) among children compared to adults, suggesting a different exposure and/or elimination patterns betwee

Rangeomorphs are among the oldest putative eumetazoans known from the fossil record. Establishing how they fed is thus key to understanding the structure and function of the earliest animal ecosystems. Here, we use computational fluid dynamicstotesthypothesizedfeedingmodesforthefence-likerangeomorphPectinifrons abyssalis, comparing this to the morphologically similar extant carnivorous sponge Chondrocladia lyra. Our results reveal complex patterns of flow around P. abyssalis unlike those previously reconstructed for any other Ediacaran taxon. Comparisons with C. lyra reveal substantial differences between the two organisms, suggesting they converged on a similar fence-like morphology for different functions. We argue that the flow patterns recovered for P. abyssalis do not support either a suspension feeding or osmotrophic feeding habit. Instead, our results indicate that rangeomorph fronds may represent organs adapted for gas exchange. If correct, this interpretation could require a dramatic reinterpretation of the oldest macroscopic animals., Copyright. © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The attached file is the published version of the article., NHM Repository

As one of the core elements of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) a human biomonitoring (HBM) survey was conducted in 23 countries to generate EU-wide comparable HBM data. This survey has built on existing HBM capacity in Europe by aligning national or regional HBM studies, referred to as the HBM4EU Aligned Studies. The HBM4EU Aligned Studies included a total of 10,795 participants of three age groups: (i) 3,576 children aged 6–12 years, (ii) 3,117 teenagers aged 12–18 years and (iii) 4,102 young adults aged 20–39 years. The participants were recruited between 2014 and 2021 in 11–12 countries per age group, geographically distributed across Europe. Depending on the age group, internal exposure to phthalates and the substitute DINCH, halogenated and organophosphorus flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), cadmium, bisphenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), arsenic species, acrylamide, mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol (total DON)), benzophenones and selected pesticides was assessed by measuring substance specific biomarkers subjected to stringent quality control programs for chemical analysis. For substance groups analyzed in different age groups higher average exposure levels were observed in the youngest age group, i.e., phthalates/DINCH in children versus teenagers, acrylamide and pesticides in children versus adults, benzophenones in teenagers versus adults. Many biomarkers in teenagers and adults varied significantly according to educational attainment, with higher exposure levels of bisphenols, phthalates, benzophenones, PAHs and acrylamide in participants (from households) with lower educational attainment, while teenagers from households with higher educational attainment have higher exposure levels for PFASs and arsenic. In children, a social gradient was only observed for the non-specific pyrethroid metabolite 3-PBA and di-isodecyl phthalate (DiDP), with higher levels in children from households with higher educat

The risk assessment of pesticide residues in food is a key priority in the area of food safety. Most jurisdictions have implemented pre-marketing authorization processes, which are supported by prospective risk assessments. These prospective assessments estimate the expected residue levels in food combining results from residue trials, resembling the pesticide use patterns, with food con-sumption patterns, according to internationally agreed procedures. In addition, jurisdictions such as the European Union (EU) have implemented large monitoring programs, measuring actual pesticide residue levels in food, and are supporting large-scale human biomonitoring programs for confirming the actual exposure levels and potential risk for consumers. The organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos offers an interesting case study, as in the last decade, its acceptable daily intake (ADI) has been reduced several times following risk assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This process has been linked to significant reductions in the use authorized in the EU, reducing consumers’ exposure progressively, until the final ban in 2020, accompanied by setting all EU maximum residue levels (MRL) in food at the default value of 0.01 mg/kg. We present a comparison of estimates of the consumer’s internal exposure to chlorpyrifos based on the urinary marker 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy), using two sources of monitoring data: monitoring of the food chain from the EU program and biomonitoring of European citizens from the HB4EU project, supported by a literature search. Both methods confirmed a drastic reduction in exposure levels from 2016 onwards. The margin of exposure approach is then used for conducting retrospective risk assessments at different time points, considering the evolution of our understanding of chlorpyrifos toxicity, as well as of exposure levels in EU consumers following the regulatory decisions. Concerns are presented using a color code, and have been i

Pyrethroids are a major insecticide class, suitable for biomonitoring in humans. Due to similarities in structure and metabolic pathways, urinary metabolites are common to various active substances. A tiered approach is proposed for risk assessment. Tier I was a conservative screening for overall pyrethroid exposure, based on phenoxybenzoic acid metabolites. Subsequently, probabilistic approaches and more specific metabolites were used for refining the risk estimates. Exposure was based on 95th percentiles from HBM4EU aligned studies (2014–2021) covering children in Belgium, Cyprus, France, Israel, Slovenia, and The Netherlands and adults in France, Germany, Israel, and Switzerland. In all children populations, the 95th percentiles for 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) exceeded the screening value. The probabilistic refinement quantified the risk level of the most exposed population (Belgium) at 2% or between 1–0.1% depending on the assumptions. In the substance specific assessments, the 95th percentiles of urinary concentrations in the aligned studies were well below the respective human biomonitoring guidance values (HBM-GVs). Both information sets were combined for refining the combined risk. Overall, the HBM data suggest a low health concern, at population level, related to pyrethroid exposure for the populations covered by the studies, even though a potential risk for highly exposed children cannot be completely excluded. The proposed tiered approach, including a screening step and several refinement options, seems to be a promising tool of scientific and regulatory value in future.

Pteridinium simplex is an iconic erniettomorph taxon best known from late Ediacaran successions in South Australia, Russia, and Namibia. Despite nearly 100 years of study, there remain fundamental questions surrounding the paleobiology and paleoecology of this organism, including its life position relative to the sediment–water interface, and how it fed and functioned within benthic communities. Here, we combine a redescription of specimens housed at the Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt with field observations of fossiliferous surfaces, to constrain the life habit of Pteridinium and gain insights into the character of benthic ecosystems shortly before the beginning of the Cambrian. We present paleontological and sedimentological evidence suggesting that Pteridinium was semi-infaunal and lived gregariously in aggregated communities, preferentially adopting an orientation with the long axis perpendicular to the prevailing current direction. Using computational fluid dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that this life habit could plausibly have led to suspended food particles settling within the organism's central cavity. This supports interpretation of Pteridinium as a macroscopic suspension feeder that functioned similarly to the coeval erniettomorph Ernietta, emblematic of a broader paleoecological shift toward benthic suspension-feeding strategies over the course of the latest Ediacaran. Finally, we discuss how this new reconstruction of Pteridinium provides information concerning its potential relationships with extant animal groups and state a case for reconstructing Pteridinium as a colonial metazoan., Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Paleontological Society. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited., NHM Repository

The end-Permian mass extinction set the stage for reptile dominance in the seas. During the Mesozoic, various reptile groups colonized aquatic habitats becoming key components of their ecosystems. Their locomotory ecomorphology and the factors underlying its evolution are, however, still poorly understood. Mesozoic marine reptiles are exceptional models to test form-function hypotheses related to locomotion in an evolutionary framework, as well as to explore patterns of phenotypic diversification and convergence. In this thesis, I combine full-body digital reconstructions of very complete fossils with state-ofthe-art computer flow simulations, an objective, physics-based methodology, to test how body shape and size contributed to energy performance during steady locomotion in ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, two of the most successful and longest-lived marine reptile lineages. Simulations show that the shift from lizard-like to fish-shaped bodies in ichthyosaurs did not reduced their drag costs, contrary to what classically had been suggested, with early ichthyosaurs having shapes that are as low-drag as modern dolphins. Additionally, CFD analysis suggests that large flippers and very long necks in plesiosaurs were potential sources of drag, but the evolution of large trunks compensated for these hydrodynamic burdens. In both fossil groups as well as in modern cetaceans, body size appears as a dominant factor influencing the mechanical costs of steady swimming, with larger sizes experiencing lower drag per unit of body mass. In addition to the computer flow analyses, disparity analysis of functionally informative morphological characters was utilized to explore major anatomical transitions in locomotion in the major clades of Mesozoic marine reptiles. Morphospace analysis shows that the diversification of swimming modes occurred progressively throughout the Mesozoic and reached its maximum duri

The end-Permian mass extinction set the stage for reptile dominance in the seas. During the Mesozoic, various reptile groups colonized aquatic habitats becoming key components of their ecosystems. Their locomotory ecomorphology and the factors underlying its evolution are, however, still poorly understood. Mesozoic marine reptiles are exceptional models to test form-function hypotheses related to locomotion in an evolutionary framework, as well as to explore patterns of phenotypic diversification and convergence. In this thesis, I combine full-body digital reconstructions of very complete fossils with state-ofthe-art computer flow simulations, an objective, physics-based methodology, to test how body shape and size contributed to energy performance during steady locomotion in ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, two of the most successful and longest-lived marine reptile lineages. Simulations show that the shift from lizard-like to fish-shaped bodies in ichthyosaurs did not reduced their drag costs, contrary to what classically had been suggested, with early ichthyosaurs having shapes that are as low-drag as modern dolphins. Additionally, CFD analysis suggests that large flippers and very long necks in plesiosaurs were potential sources of drag, but the evolution of large trunks compensated for these hydrodynamic burdens. In both fossil groups as well as in modern cetaceans, body size appears as a dominant factor influencing the mechanical costs of steady swimming, with larger sizes experiencing lower drag per unit of body mass. In addition to the computer flow analyses, disparity analysis of functionally informative morphological characters was utilized to explore major anatomical transitions in locomotion in the major clades of Mesozoic marine reptiles. Morphospace analysis shows that the diversification of swimming modes occurred progressively throughout the Mesozoic and reached its maximum duri

The food industry has the challenge of the constant innovation and optimization process. In vegetable decontamination by chemical disinfectants is the trend. The aim of this project is evaluate the efficacy of low-frequency ultrasound as a method for reducing microbial in vegetables and evaluate the effect on their colour and firmness. We have worked with raw carrots (Daucus carota) subjected to ultrasonic treatment for 10-20 minutes and the frequency used was 25 and 40 kHz. The effectiveness of ultrasound was evaluated by the analysis of aerobic mesophilic and yeasts and molds counts. The microbial reduction was calculated and compared with samples washed in tap water. It was also analyzed the colour and instrumental texture of carrots to assess the impact of treatment. The statistical data process was performed using ANOVA one and two ways (GLM), 2 factorial adjustment (time vs. frequency ultrasound) and compared by Tukey test. The results show that the application of ultrasound for 10-20 minutes at frequencies 25 and 40 kHz has a significant impact in the reduction of microbial counts (1 Log of CFU/g). The carrot temperature was increased by the cavitation effect but it wasn't found any significant differences between the colour and texture of the raw and sonicated samples. From the results, the ultrasonic combination with other non-thermal processes seems an attractive approach to improve the microbial inactivation in food industry as a significant advantage over other techniques because sound waves are safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly., La indústria alimentària té com a repte constant la innovació i l'optimització dels processos. En el cas dels vegetals la descontaminació mitjançant desinfectants químics és la tendència. L'objectiu del present projecte és avaluar l'eficàcia dels ultrasons de baixa freqüència com a mètode de reducció microbiana en vegetals i comprovar el seu efecte en el color i la fermesa. Per a això s'ha sotmès a ultrasons pastanagues fresques tallades(Daucus carota), durant 10-20 minuts a una freqüència de 25 i 40 kHz. Per avaluarl'efectivitat dels tractaments, es va realitzar recomptes de microorganismes aerobis mesòfils, així com de fongs i llevats. Es va calcular la seva reducció i es va comparar amb mostres rentades en aigua de xarxa. De les dades obtingudes es va realitzar el tractament estadístic mitjançant ANOVA d'un i dos factors (GLM), l'ajust factorial 2k (temps vs. freqüència d'ultrasons) i la comparació mitjançant test de Tukey. Els resultats obtinguts indiquen que durant 10 i 20 minuts a freqüències de 25 i 40 kHz els ultrasons tenen un impacte significatiu en la reducció microbiana (1 Log UFC/g). Durant la seva aplicació es va incrementar la temperatura de la pastanaga per l'efecte de la cavitació però no es van trobar diferències significatives de color i fermesa respecte a la matèria primera. Per els resultats obtinguts la combinació d'ultrasons amb altres processos no tèrmics sembla un enfocament atractiu per millorar la inactivació microbiana en la indústria alimentària doncs les ones sonores són segures, no tòxiques i respectuoses amb el medi ambient., La industria alimentaria tiene como reto constante la innovación y la optimización de los procesos. En el caso de los vegetales la descontaminación mediante desinfectantes químicos es la tendencia. El objetivo del presente proyecto es evaluar la eficacia de los ultrasonidos de baja frecuencia como método de reducción microbiana en vegetales y comprobar su efecto en el color y la firmeza. Para ello se ha sometido a ultrasonidos zanahorias frescas cortadas (Daucus carota), durante 10-20 minutos y a una frecuencia de 25 y 40 kHz. Para evaluar la efectividad de los tratamientos, se realizó recuentos de microorganismos aerobios mesófilos, así como de hongos y levaduras. Se calculó su reducción y se comparó con muestras lavadas en agua de red. De los datos obtenidos se realizó el tratamiento estadístico mediante ANOVA de uno y dos factores (GLM), el ajuste factorial 2k (tiempo vs. frecuencia de ultrasonidos) y la comparación mediante test de Tukey. Los resultados obtenidos indican que durante 10 y 20 minutos a frecuencias de 25 y 40 kHz los ultrasonidos tienen un impacto significativo en la reducción microbiana (1 Log UFC/g). Durante su aplicación se incrementó la temperatura de la zanahoria por el efecto de la cavitación pero no se encontraron diferencias significativas de color y firmeza respecto a la materia prima. Por los resultados obtenidos, la combinación de ultrasonidos con otros procesos no térmicos parece un enfoque atractivo para mejorar la inactivación microbiana en la industria alimentaria ya que las ondas sonoras son seguras, no tóxicas y respetuosas con el medio ambiente.

General objectives for measuring solar ultraviolet (UV) irradiance are: a) To establish a UV climatology by long‐term monitoring, e.g. within a network, b) To detect trends in global UV irradiance, c) To provide datasets for specific process studies and for the validation of radiative transfer models and/or satellite derived UV irradiance at the Earth’s surface, d) To understand geographic differences in global UV irradiance, e) To gain information about actual UV levels and their diurnal and seasonal variability, f) To provide data for public information and awareness (e.g. UV index). Solar ultraviolet radiation can be measured by different classes of instrument and it is crucial to match the instrument employed to the intended objective. It should also be ensured that sufficient facilities are available to support the objective in terms of personnel and QA/QC requirements. The three classes of instrument available for solar UV measurement are spectral, broadband and multifilter. Spectral instruments are the most costly, complex and demanding of those available, but provide the most versatile data. Broadband radiometers, tend to be cheaper and have fewer operational problems than spectroradiometers. However, their maintenance and QA/QC can introduce substantial additional cost. Multifilter radiometers combine some of the properties of both broadband and spectral instruments. Not all the above mentioned instruments are suited to all of the objectives. To achieve objectives a,d,e and f, any class of instrument can be used, but it is necessary that it accomplishes a minimum requirement in quality. The second listed objective, trend detection, is the most demanding goal of UV monitoring, and spectral instruments are most suited to this task. The instrument specifications and the QA/QC requirements necessary to enable detection of small trends are very stringent and must be maintained over a prolonged period to justify trend detection. Providing datasets for process stu

Comparative genome hybridization (CGH) to DNA microarrays (array CGH) is a technique capable of detecting deletions and duplications in genomes at high resolution. However, array CGH studies of the human genome noting false negative and false positive results using large insert clones as probes have raised important concerns regarding the suitability of this approach for clinical diagnostic applications. Here, we adapt the Smith-Waterman dynamic-programming algorithm to provide a sensitive and robust analytic approach (SW-ARRAY) for detecting copy-number changes in array CGH data. In a blind series of hybridizations to arrays consisting of the entire tiling path for the terminal 2 Mb of human chromosome 16p, the method identified all monosomies between 267 and 1567 kb with a high degree of statistical significance and accurately located the boundaries of deletions in the range 267-1052 kb. The approach is unique in offering both a nonparametric segmentation procedure and a nonparametric test of significance. It is scalable and well-suited to high resolution whole genome array CGH studies that use array probes derived from large insert clones as well as PCR products and oligonucleotides.