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While sample collection to monitor drinking water quality is a routine practice, water utilities must be prepared to address emergencies stemming from contamination. Having a plan for collecting and analyzing water samples during emergency response or other unusual circumstances better ensures actionable results. Guidance is available to help laboratories prepare to support a utility's emergency response.

AbstractThe potential reactivity of a coarse recycled concrete aggregate (CRCA) obtained from concrete damaged by alkali–silica reaction (ASR) was evaluated by the concrete prism test method. Different recycled aggregate replacement percentages and exposure conditions were considered. Moreover, the use of Portland-limestone cement (PLC) as a preventive measure to mitigate the deleterious effect of ASR according to the Argentinian regulation was considered to evaluate the residual expansion of the CRCA. Expansions were recorded up to the age of 156 weeks, and different mechanical properties were also determined. The use of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) leads to an increase in ASR expansions for recycled concretes as CRCA content increases, whereas when PLC is used, expansions remain lower than the limits fixed in the standard test method, even at older ages.

Historically, only patients with brittle diabetes or severe recurrent hypoglycemia have been considered for islet transplantation (ITx). This population has been selected to optimize the risk-benefit profile, considering risks of long-term immunosuppression and limited organ supply. However, with the advent of stem cell (SC)–derived ITx and the potential for immunosuppression-free ITx, consideration of a broader recipient cohort may soon be justified. Simultaneously, the classical categorization of diabetes is being challenged by growing evidence in support of a clustering of disease subtypes that can be better categorized by the All New Diabetics in Scania (ANDIS) classification system. Using the ANDIS classification, 5 subtypes of diabetes have been described, each with unique causes and consequences. We evaluate consideration for ITx in the context of this broader patient population and the new classification of diabetes subtypes.In this review, we evaluate considerations for ITx based on novel diabetes subtypes, including their limitations, and we elaborate on unique transplant features that should now be considered to enable ITx in these “unconventional” patient cohorts. Based on evidence from those receiving whole pancreas transplant and our more than 20-year experience with ITx, we offer recommendations and potential research avenues to justify implementation of SC-derived ITx in broader populations of patients with all types of diabetes.

ABSTRACT Recycled aggregates are made from crushed waste concretes and can be used as a replacement of natural aggregates in concrete production. Despite having lower density and higher absorption than [...]

Understanding the differences between types of organic contaminants and their regulatory requirements helps operators maintain a well‐operating treatment plant.

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has emerged as a valuable tool in the preservation of liver allografts before transplantation. Randomized trials have shown that replacing static cold storage (SCS) with NMP reduces allograft injury and improves graft utilization. The University of Alberta’s liver transplant program was one of the early adopters of NMP in North America. Herein, we describe our 7-year experience applying NMP to extend preservation time in liver transplantation using a “back-to-base” approach. From 2015 to 2021, 79 livers were transplanted following NMP, compared with 386 after SCS only. NMP livers were preserved for a median time of minutes compared with minutes in the SCS cohort (P< .0001). Despite this, we observed significantly improved 30-day graft survival (P= .030), although there were no differences in long-term patient survival, major complications, or biliary or vascular complications. We also found that although SCS time was strongly associated with increased graft failure at 1 year in the SCS cohort (P= .006), there was no such association among NMP livers (P= .171). Our experience suggests that NMP can safely extend the total preservation time of liver allografts without increasing complications.

ABSTRACT The use of rice husk ash as a supplementary cementing material is of great interest to many developing countries where rice production is in abundance. A highly reactive pozzolan [...]

ABSTRACT Marbles from the province of Cordoba (Argentina) have been used as aggregates in concrete; however, there is little information about their potential reactivity and interaction with the cement paste. [...]

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) results for ganciclovir in 12 different treatment episodes showed large intraindividual and interindividual variabilities in the trough concentration and area under the 24-hour concentration–time curve (AUC24). Despite adequate valganciclovir dosing, subtherapeutic concentrations were found in 30% of the treatment episodes. A decrease in viral load was observed regardless of subtherapeutic exposure. These findings show the need for target concentration evaluation and assessment of the applicability of ganciclovir TDM in children.

A number of genetic kidney diseases can now be replicated experimentally, using kidney organoids generated from human pluripotent stem cells. This methodology holds great potential for drug discovery. Under in vitroconditions, however, kidney organoids remain developmentally immature, develop scarce vasculature, and may contain undesired off-target cell types. Those critical deficiencies limit their potential as disease-modeling tools. Orthotopic transplantation under the kidney capsule improves the anatomic maturity and vascularization of kidney organoids, while reducing off-target cell content. The improvements can translate into more accurate representations of disease phenotypes and mechanisms in vivo. Recent studies using kidney organoid xenografts highlighted the unique potential of this novel methodology for elucidating molecular mechanisms driving monogenic kidney disorders and for the development ofnovel pharmacotherapies.

ChatGPT is a language model that uses machine learning and natural language processing. Although it can process information, its potential for producing new knowledge is still to be evaluated. To produce knowledge, users must not only formulate the right questions but also analyze and discern the information obtained. This paper describes ChatGPT and evaluates its potential for producing knowledge through the analysis of a case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a scalable hardware and software architecture for tiled display systems (a.k.a. videowalls), which can be implemented by using low-cost devices, together with a dynamic web-based management and configuration service are proposed. It has been designed to support both stored and live broadcast/broadband content, in mosaic or warp distributions. The displays and devices can be dynamically configured via web in different ways: the displays can create a single display of a larger size; or they can be configured in a customized way in order to play-out different media contents in different display combinations. As display renderers, low-cost devices are proposed as the main hardware element to obtain affordable videowall systems. As a proof of concept, two prototypes have been implemented, including an accurate synchronization mechanism based on a Master/Slave control scheme and aggressive and smooth playout adjustment techniques. To evidence the good performance of the prototypes and configuration service, both objective and subjective evaluations have been conducted regarding synchronization accuracy and usability. On the one hand, the mean values of the asynchronies between the video playout processes in each display are kept below 25ms (i.e., frame accuracy). On the other hand, the obtained usability score in the System Usability Scale (SUS) test has been 88.65, which is considered as excellent.

ABSTRACTHuman islets from deceased organ donors have made important contributions to our understanding of pancreatic endocrine function and continue to be an important resource for research studies aimed at understanding, treating, and preventing diabetes. Understanding the impacts of isolation and culture upon the yield of human islets for research is important for planning research studies and islet distribution to distant laboratories. Here, we examine islet isolation and cell culture outcomes at the Alberta Diabetes Institute (ADI) IsletCore (n = 197). Research-focused isolations typically have a lower yield of islet equivalents (IEQ), with a median of 252,876 IEQ, but a higher purity (median 85%) than clinically focused isolations before culture. The median recovery of IEQs after culture was 75%, suggesting some loss. This was associated with a shift toward smaller islet particles, indicating possible islet fragmentation, and occurred within 24 h with no further loss after longer periods of culture (up to 136 h). No overall change in stimulation index as a measure of islet function was seen with culture time. These findings were replicated in a representative cohort of clinical islet preparations from the Clinical Islet Transplant Program at the University of Alberta. Thus, loss of islets occurs within 24 h of isolation, and there is no further impact of extended culture prior to islet distribution for research.

The aim of this study is to compare the in vitroactivity and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions of tedizolid and linezolid against Mycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) strains using a reference broth microdilution assay and a macrodilution assay with the Bactec-MGIT-960.

Islet transplantation offers an effective treatment for selected people with type 1 diabetes and intractable hypoglycaemia. Long-term experience, however, remains limited. We report outcomes from a single-centre cohort up to 20 years after islet transplantation.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) modulate alloimmune responses and may facilitate minimization or withdrawal of immunosuppression posttransplant. Current approaches, however, rely on complex ex vivo Treg expansion protocols. Herein, we explore endogenous in vivo Treg expansion through antibody-mediated agonistic stimulation of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 25 (TNFRSF25) pathway and its potential to prolong graft survival in a mouse model of islet allotransplantation. C57BL/6 male mice were treated with a single dose of TNFRSF25 agonistic antibodies (4C12 or mPTX-35) or IgG control. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin. Four days later, flow cytometry was completed to corroborate Treg expansion, and 500 islets (CBA/J male mice) were transplanted. Glycemia was assessed thrice weekly until rejection/endpoint. Early intra-graft Treg infiltration was assessed 36 h posttransplant. TNFRSF25 antibodies enabled pronounced Treg expansion and treated mice had significantly prolonged graft survival compared with controls (p< .001). Additionally, the degree of Treg expansion significantly correlated with graft survival (p< .001). Immunohistochemistry demonstrated marked Treg infiltration in long-term surviving grafts; intra-graft Treg infiltration occurred early posttransplant. In conclusion, a single dose of TNFRSF25 antibodies enabled in vivo Treg expansion, which promotes prolonged graft survival. TNFRSF25-mediated in vivo Treg expansion could contribute to achieving lasting immunological tolerance in organ transplantation.

Indinavir appears to produce sustained viral load suppression in some HIV patients who have not adequately responded to therapy with reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor drugs. Doctors treated 25 HIV patients with indinavir in addition to previously prescribed RT drugs for 24 weeks. Fifty-six percent of patients had a sustained reduction in viral load, most to undetectable levels. Patients without a favorable response to indinavir were either infected with a drug-resistant strain of HIV, or failed to take the medication as directed.

Most COVID-19 mortality scores were developed at the beginning of the pandemic and clinicians now have more experience and evidence-based interventions. Therefore, we hypothesized that the predictive performance of COVID-19 mortality scores is now lower than originally reported. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the current predictive accuracy of six COVID-19 scores and compared it with the accuracy of clinical gestalt predictions. 200 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled in a tertiary hospital in Mexico City between September and December 2020. The area under the curve (AUC) of the LOW-HARM, qSOFA, MSL-COVID-19, NUTRI-CoV, and NEWS2 scores and the AUC of clinical gestalt predictions of death (as a percentage) were determined. In total, 166 patients (106 men and 60?women aged 56±9 years) with confirmed COVID-19 were included in the analysis. The AUC of all scores was significantly lower than originally reported: LOW-HARM 0.76 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.84) vs 0.96 (95% CI 0.94 to 0.98), qSOFA 0.61 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.69) vs 0.74 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.81), MSL-COVID-19 0.64 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.73) vs 0.72 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.75), NUTRI-CoV 0.60 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.69) vs 0.79 (95% CI 0.76 to 0.82), NEWS2 0.65 (95% CI 0.56 to 0.75) vs 0.84 (95% CI 0.79 to 0.90), and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio 0.65 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.73) vs 0.74 (95% CI 0.62 to 0.85). Clinical gestalt predictions were non-inferior to mortality scores, with an AUC of 0.68 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.77). Adjusting scores with locally derived likelihood ratios did not improve their performance; however, some scores outperformed clinical gestalt predictions when clinicians’ confidence of prediction was <80%. Despite its subjective nature, clinical gestalt has relevant advantages in predicting COVID-19 clinical outcomes. The need and performance of most COVID-19 mortality scores need to be evaluated regularly.

Art education has traditionally been considered a discipline related to leisure. A case study of primary preservice generalist educators at a Spanish university was conducted to determine whether or not this perspective has evolved. It was of interest to examine whether preservice educators understand the way in which art education develops comprehensive and analytical skills. This study integrated both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine future teachers’ perceptions of the usefulness of this subject and the problems it presents. Outcomes indicate that there is still a long way to go to transform preservice primary generalist teachers’ false perceptions related to art teaching.

Objectives: The present research aims to identify and establish the relationships between media pressure, psychological well-being, age, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. This objective is broken down into (a) developing an explanatory model of media pressure, psychological well-being, age, physical activity and adherence to the Mediterranean diet and (b) testing the structural model by means of a multi-group analysis according to physical activity level. Material and methods: To this end, a quantitative, non-experimental (ex post facto), comparative and cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 634 participants (35.18 ± 9.68). The instruments used were an ad hoc questionnaire, the Spanish version of Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire-4 (SATAQ-4), the Psychological Well-Being Scales (PWBS) and the Prevention with Mediterranean Diet (PREDIMED). Conclusions: The data reveal that meeting the WHO physical activity criteria improves the relationships between media pressure, psychological well-being and healthy well-being.

The levels of CO2emissions generated by the cement industry and the growth in demand for its products have led to a search for ways to reduce these emissions. The use of supplementary cementitious materials has become one of the solutions proposed for this problem. Illite, which is found all over the world, is a possible supplementary cementitious material. Before illite can be used, it must be milled and treated thermally in order to activate it, so that the alkalis (Na+and K+) are free and available to react. Alkalis in cement participate in deleterious reactions (alkali-silica reaction) or have a beneficial effect (alkaline activation). The alkalis present in the rocks can play an active role in these phenomena, however. In addition, the material could be influenced by the alkaline environment produced by the cement. The current study was aimed at analyzing whether an alkali release occurs and if so, how it is affected when a milled and thermally treated illitic rock is in contact with water or an alkaline solution. The material was characterized by X-ray fluorescence, polarizing microscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The sample was treated thermally at 300, 600, and 900°C, and the thermal activation was evaluated through XRD, density, and Atterberg limits. The evolution of alkali release was studied by determining the sodium and potassium concentration of contact water obtained by mixing the samples with different pH solutions for various lengths of time. In addition, the calcium concentration was determined. The concentrations of sodium and potassium in the contact water were determined by flame photometry, and of calcium by EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) titration. The results showed that with increasing age, increasing solution pH, and higher treatment temperatures, alkali release occurred and increased, whereas Ca2+concentration decreased.

Byline: LORELEI MARFIL Photograph by FRANCISCO GOMEZ DE VILLABOA Ones to Watch A few upcoming brands to keep an eye on this season. Sadie Williams FOUNDED: 2015 SHOWING: Feb. 19, [...]

Byline: Photograph by FRANCISCO GOMEZ DE VILLABOA By LORELEI MARFIL Briefs GROOMING Hair and Now Alex Glover has been cutting and styling men's hair for 15 years and his team [...]

Byline: EDITED BY EVAN CLARK BY LORELEI MARFIL Get Your Fix Two key sources for watch collectors in London and Hong Kong. In London, watch enthusiasts who have a favorite [...]

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Byline: LORELEI MARFIL Illustrations BY ULI KN�RZER The London Dish The British capital's restaurant and bar options are extensive - ranging from homey gastropubs to Michelin-starred tasting menus - but [...]

Byline: - LORELEI MARFIL LONDON PIONEER Annette Worsley-Taylor, 71 Annette Worsley-Taylor, a former creative director of London Fashion Week who died last week at the age of 71, was praised [...]

Byline: ILLUSTRATIONS BY DANILO AGUTOLI The New Crop These designers are getting attention with their singular perspective and positioning in the market. To stand out in the growing men's wear [...]

Byline: BY Lorelei Marfil The Heeling Remedy: The Dress Shoe Makes a Comeback The sneaker has been at the top of the footwear heap for so long now, is it [...]

Designs on London The London Design Festival will have a distinct fashion flavor, with names including Swarovski, Selfridges and Kvadrat taking part in the September showcase. Swarovski has teamed with [...]

Byline: BY LORELEI MARFIL EDITED BY DONNA HEIDERSTADT WHERE NOW The Hackney Edge Its resident designers, melting-pot ambience and gritty pedigree give this East London district a cool cachet. Hackney, [...]

Byline: - LORELEI MARFIL All About Audrey The National Portrait Gallery will mount an exhibit to pay homage to Audrey Hepburn, from July 2 through Oct. 18. From her Dutch [...]

Byline: Laure Guilbault, Cynthia Martens, Melissa Drier and Lorelei Marfil EURO TRADE FAIRS SEEK 2ND-HALF RISE Exhibitions spruce up presentations to lure buyers. EURO VS. DOLLAR: A TWO-YEAR TREND Source: [...]

Byline: LORELEI MARFIL Q&A: Patrick Grant Of E. Tautz Patrick Grant, who won the BFC/GQ Designer Menswear Fund prize, has revived Savile Row's E. Tautz as a rtw label, relaunched [...]

Byline: BY LORELEI MARFIL ILLUSTRATIONS BY MARIKO YAMAZAKI Undressing Baku COUNTRY Azerbaijan POPULATION 2.1m OFFICIAL LANGUAGE Azerbaijani LAND MASS 820 mi2 MAJOR INDUSTRIES Petroleum, chemicals, steel, textiles, natural gas, iron [...]

Byline: PAULINA SZMYDKE and LORELEI MARFIL H&M: Sustainability a Force Behind Long-term Success PARIS - Hennes & Mauritz AB continues on its path to maximum sustainability. In its 13th annual [...]

The introduction of robots in the real world requires previous evaluation of the envisaged performance. Factors like usability, user experience, social acceptance, or societal impact, among others, have been taken into account in evaluation frameworks defined during the last years. However, one of the most important factors that need to be evaluated in any kind of interaction is whether all the users are able to work with the system with the same opportunities and easiness, and none of the current human–robot interaction (HRI) evaluation frameworks include this factor yet. This article proposes an extension of a popular HRI evaluation framework, including accessibility as a new evaluation factor. The proposed approach, named AUSUS, considers Accessibility, Usability, Social acceptance, User experience, and Societal impact. This article presents a use case of the framework, which is evaluated through a socially assistive robotic platform created to perform comprehensive geriatric assessment: the CLARC system. The details of the evaluation process in a hospital and a retirement home are reported, and the main difficulties and recommendations of using AUSUS are discussed.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria(NTM) can cause opportunistic disease in animals and humans, causing mycobacteriosis. In this study, bovine lungs were collected from butchers' shops and slaughterhouses after food official's inspection from the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. All samples were cultured and then identified by molecular methods. Twelve isolates of NTM were identified being the most prevalent Mycolicibacterium insubricum. This demonstrates that viable Mycobacteriacan pass food inspection and contaminate surfaces and food, making manipulation of raw organs and feeding of animals with raw lungs a potential source of infection for pets and owners.

Acute recurrent and chronic pancreatitis in children carries high morbidity and burden. Compared to adults, ~75% of the cases of chronic pancreatitis in children are associated with underlying genetic mutations. The decision to intervene and the optimal timing poses unique challenges. Total pancreatectomy and islet cell autotransplantation (TPIAT) provides definitive therapy to relieve pain and improve quality of life while minimizing the risk of pancreatogenic diabetes. Substantial clinical data are available for adults; however, information on clinical outcomes in children remains scarce, particularly for very young children. Herein, we present an unusual, complex case of a 2‐year‐old child that underwent a successful TPIAT due to hereditary pancreatitis with an underlying mutation in PRSS1gene, complicated by unremitting pancreatic ascites, hemorrhage, and sepsis. This is the youngest case to be reported in the literature. We provide a comprehensive report of the course and procedures implemented in this patient to guide other teams when considering these extraordinary measures in similar cases. This case report highlights both the challenges and successful outcome of pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation in an atypical but complex 2‐year‐old child with hereditary pancreatitis.

ABSTRACTPrevious literature has focused on identifying the behavioural intentions of the cruise passengers in the ports of call. Nevertheless, there is no prior experience in the senior passenger segment. The present study tries to verify hypotheses about the effects of the cruise passenger’s age regarding the intention to revisit and the intention of recommending the port of call. This study used a sample of 451 tourists who visited Malaga (Spain) on cruise stops during 2018–2019. The investigation applied both PLS-SEM algorithm and regression techniques. The results show that the senior segment has singular intentions to revisit and recommend the port of call and that these intentions have different antecedents compared to other segments.