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Objective: To compare long‐term health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) after Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) and transcervical approach (TCA) thyroidectomy. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Methods: A web‐based survey was distributed to patients at our institution who met the criteria for TOETVA and underwent thyroidectomy by TOETVA or TCA between August 2017 and October 2021. All survey participants were at least 6 months postsurgery. Minors, non‐English speakers, and patients who received concomitant neck dissection or reoperative thyroidectomy were excluded from the study. The survey assessed quality of life through 4 standardized instruments: the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT‐10), the Voice Handicap Index (VHI‐10), and the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36). Results: A total of 108 TOETVA and 129 TCA patients were included in the study. The median age of respondents was 44 (36, 54; 25th, 75th percentile) years and median time from surgery to survey was 35 (22, 45; 25th, 75th percentile) months. TOETVA group DLQI (0.63 vs 0.99; P =.17), VHI‐10 (1.94 vs 1.67; P =.35), EAT‐10 (2.14 vs 2.32; P =.29), SF‐36 physical component (52.25 vs 51.00; P =.25), and SF‐36 mental component (47.74 vs 47.29; P =.87) scores were all similar to those of the TCA group. Scrutinizing specific DLQI questions, individuals in the TOETVA group were less self‐conscious of their skin as compared to the TCA group (Q2; 0.08 vs 0.26, P =.03). Conclusion: Long‐term HRQOL after TOETVA is similar to TCA, with significantly lower skin‐related self‐consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malnutrition is a common issue in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and has a negative effect on surgical outcomes. Objective: We attempted to determine which malnutrition diagnostic variables can be used as predictors of postoperative complications in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Forty-one patients undergoing surgery for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were submitted to a prospective evaluation. Biochemical data, anthropometric measurements and evaluation of body composition were used in the nutritional analysis. Results: Twenty-two patients (53.6%) developed complications. Serum albumin measured on the first postoperative day was the only variable that significantly differed between groups. A cut-off value of 2.8 g/dL distinguished between patients with a complicated and uncomplicated postoperative course. Normalization of albumin levels occurred more frequently and more rapidly in the noncomplicated group. Conclusion: Serum albumin measured on the first postoperative day was the only variable that was a predicter of postoperative complications after major head and neck squamous cell carcinoma surgery.

The purpose of this article is twofold: to identify the critical risk factors (RFs) that impact supply chains (SC) in the engineering, procurement, and construction of large-scale projects (EPC-LSP) of the oil and gas industry (OGI) and to apply these RFs in a mathematical model developed, based on multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods in an expert group. The mathematical model was developed in MATLAB and was based on the Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMÉTHÉE) II and (PROMÉTHÉE GDSS) Group Decision Support System methods. The model's criteria were defined with the RF mapping identified using 33 years of literature and the application of questionnaires to specialists. The evaluation process of the alternatives concerning the defined criteria was conducted through questionnaires to specialists. Finally, the functionality and results of the model were validated by the specialists in the field through interviews. As a contribution, managers, companies, and industry could adopt this solution as a practical and dynamic tool to support decision-making. This fact especially holds true in possible critical supply scenarios, where it is necessary to direct resources to minimize risks and other impacts to EPC-LSP SC. Another novelty refers to the critical risk factors identified, originating from an extensive literature mapping covering the three pillars of sustainability. Moreover, this research was to fill the literature gap, given the lack of studies that propose clear, practical, and specific tools for SCRM in EPC-LSP.

Background: The advancement of the mining industry implies the generation of acid drainage because operations consume between 2% and 4.5% of water demand. In addition, it is estimated that 50,000 tons of waste will be produced, of which 33% represents wastewater stored in tailings tanks. These effluents contain heavy metals such as Fe and Cu that represent a serious danger to society. Aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the application of photocatalysis for the removal of Fe and Cu in industrial wastewater. This involves the control of process parameters: the catalyst dose (TiO2), pH, and time (days). Methods: The method used is experimental, controlling the process variables through a factorial design. The process variables were monitored applying the 33 factorial design, that is, 3 factors with 3 levels without repetitions. The tests were conducted under conditions with a catalyst at doses of 1.2 and 3 g/L, pH of 2.5 and 8, and a retention time of 1, 2, and 3 days. Therefore, the combination of the factors resulted in 27 experimental units. Results and Discussion: For the photocatalysis application time, in 2 days there were fewer concentrations of Fe and Cu, reaching 0.02 and 0.09 ppm, respectively. In the case of pH, a value of 8 resulted in lower concentrations of Fe and Cu. The optimal dose of the catalyst was 0.5 g/L of TiO2. The removal efficiency was 99.99% for Fe and 99.97% for Cu. In the factor analysis, it is observed that pH has the greatest influence on the removal of Fe and Cu, followed by the time factor. A strong interaction between the two variables is also observed. Conclusions: In conclusion, it was possible to remove Fe and Cu through the application of photocatalysis in synthetic wastewater. The optimal conditions were: pH 8, application time of 2 days, catalyst dose (TiO2) 0.5 g/L, and a removal efficiency greater than 99.90%. These values were similar to those reported by other authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis on the mono-crystalline rutile resonator was conducted to measure its dielectric properties through the use of whispering gallery mode method. The resonant frequencies were subjected to 300 to 10 K measurements. Results revealed that the loss tangent and dielectric constant of a single crystal rutile which exhibited anisotropy were obtained through the whispering gallery mode technique.

Les nombreux ouvrages et infrastructures installés sur les cours d’eau représentent des obstacles à la libre-circulation des poissons et perturbent leur cycle de vie. Aussi la mise en place de dispositifs de franchissement piscicole fonctionnels est souvent nécessaire. Sur la Durolle, rivière salmonicole du Puy-de-Dôme, la technologie d’identification par radio-fréquence a été mobilisée avec succès pour évaluer le franchissement par la truite commune d’une buse de 104 mètres de long aménagée pour rétablir la circulation piscicole. Le suivi individuel des poissons sur une période de deux ans a également permis d’en savoir plus sur le comportement migratoire de l’espèce dans un petit cours d’eau comme la Durolle.