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We explored neural processing differences associated with aging across four cognitive functions. In addition to ERP analysis, we included task-related microstate analyses, which identified stable states of neural activity across the scalp over time, to explore whole-head neural activation differences. Younger and older adults (YA, OA) completed face perception (N170), word-pair judgment (N400), visual oddball (P3), and flanker (ERN) tasks. Age-related effects differed across tasks. Despite age-related delayed latencies, N170 ERP and microstate analyses indicated no age-related differences in amplitudes or microstates. However, age-related condition differences were found for P3 and N00 amplitudes and scalp topographies: smaller condition differences were found for in OAs as well as broader centroparietal scalp distributions. Age group comparisons for the ERN revealed similar focal frontocentral activation loci, but differential activation patterns. Our findings of differential age effects across tasks are most consistent with the STAC-r framework which proposes that age-related effects differ depending on the resources available and the kinds of processing and cognitive load required of various tasks. • ERP and microstate analyses showed that age effects differed across four tasks. • Microstates with ERPs help distinguish among current theories of neural aging. • Spatial distributions of neural processing phases differ by age across time and task. • Different age-related effects across tasks were most consistent with STAC-r. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Liquid and solid waste management in Trieste Nuclear Medicine Department. • Advanced screening models to assess discharged radioactivity into environment. • Effective dose exposure to individuals according to Directive 2013/59/EURATOM. • Assessing compliance with Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020. • Accidental fire event in Radiopharmacy Laboratories simulated by HotSpot software. Clinical procedures in a Nuclear Medicine Department produce radioactive liquid and solid waste. Regarding waste release into the environment from an authorised hospital, it is mandatory to verify the compliance with European Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, adopted by the Italian Government via the Legislative Decree 101/2020. Different activity release pathways into the environment from Trieste Nuclear Medicine Department have been analysed: liquid waste from patients' excreta discharged by sewage treatment system into the sea, and atmospheric releases following solid waste incineration. Reference models, provided by NCRP and IAEA guidelines, have been implemented to assess the impact of the discharged radioactivity for coastal waters and atmospheric transport conditions. Finally, an accidental fire event occurring in Radiopharmacy Laboratories has been simulated by HotSpot software. Advanced screening models give an effective dose to population of 5.3 · 10−3 µSv/y and 1.4 · 10−4 µSv/y for introduction by sewage system into coastal waters and atmospheric releases by the incinerator, respectively. Workers involved in the maintenance of the sewage treatment plant receive a total annual effective dose of 3.8 µSv/y, while for incinerator staff the total annual exposure is 5.9 · 10−8 µSv/y. For the accidental fire event the maximum total effective dose to an individual results 3.8 · 10−8 Sv with mild wind, and 4.1 · 10−7 Sv with strong wind. The total annual effective doses estimated to representative person, due to both Nuclear Medicine authorised clinical practices and in case of an accidental fire event, are in compliance with regulatory stipulations provided by Directives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total ankle replacement (TAR) has gained popularity in recent years becoming the mainstream treatment for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic arthritis and severe osteochondral lesions of the talus. The aim of the study was to assess the nationwide number of implants performed in a 15-year period (2001-2016) and to identify trends like patients' interregional migratory flows and their accessibility to this procedure. Data for this study were obtained from the Italian National Hospital Discharge records (SDO), obtained from the National Ministry of Health. The selected SDOs were evaluated for demographic data, like the patient's age and gender, for geographical data, including the region of hospitalization and the region of origin of the patient, and for hospitalization data, like the hospital stay length and the principal source of payment. In a 15-year span, a sharp increase in the number of TARs was observed with a 600% growth. The incidence was 0.16 per 100,000 persons in 2001 and increased to 0.915 per 100,000 persons in 2016. Most TAR were performed in northern Italy (73.9%), followed by central Italy (16.7%) and lastly southern Italy (9.4%). The rates of utilization of TAR increased every year from 2001 to 2016, indicating that demand for ankle arthroplasties is growing faster regarding to other procedures performed in Italy. The surgical cost was covered, in the majority of cases, by the National Health System and may play a role in the rising rates of TAR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a high-resolution record of carbonate depositional facies, biostratigraphy, stable-isotope and elemental geochemistry of the Kharaib and Shu'aiba formations exposed in Ras Al Khaimah, northern UAE. This is the first comprehensive study of these deposits in the northeastern Arabian Peninsula, which have previously been studied extensively in Abu Dhabi, Oman, NE Saudi Arabia, and southwestern Iran, and represents the most detailed biostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic record currently available from a continuous outcrop section of the Arabian Plate. The Barremian–Aptian boundary was approximated based on orbitolinid biostratigraphy, while a subdivision of the Barremain was not possible. There is no biostratigraphic evidence that the Shu'aiba Formation in the section studied ranges into the upper Aptian. Previously well-established depositional sequences of the Barremian–lower Aptian of the Arabian Plate are discussed in the context of carbonate textures, siliciclastic influx, and biotic assemblages. There is a general trend of decreasing siliciclastic components during the Barremian and earliest Aptian, and peaks in siliciclastic influx indicate episodes of maximum accommodation. Palaeogeographic implications of our data for the distribution of intrashelf basins and their connection to Neotethys are discussed. The negative carbon-isotope excursion that globally marks the onset of OAE1a is not evident in our dataset, while the positive excursion at the end of OAE1a is present in the late early Aptian. A comparison of carbon-isotope records across the early Aptian of the Arabian Plate highlights issues of correlations that are predominantly based on chemostratography in diagenetically altered platform carbonates. • First high-resolution stratigraphic record of Thamama Group in northeastern Arabia. • Orbitolinid biostratigraphy enables recognition of Barremian and Lower Aptian. • Depositional cycles can be correlated across the Arabian Peninsula. • Prominent δ13C excursions that characterize the lower Aptian are only partially preserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a finite element (FE) model of the patellofemoral (PF) joint to characterize patellofemoral instability, and to highlight the effect of lateral retinacular release in combination with tibial tuberosity transfer with respect to contact pressures (CP), contact area (CA), and kinematics during knee flexion.Methods: A comprehensive, dynamic FE model of the knee joint was developed and validated through parametric comparison of PF kinematics, CP, and CA between FE simulations and in vitro, cadaveric experiments. Using this FE model, we characterized the effect of patellar instability, lateral retinacular release (LR), and tibial tuberosity transfer (TTT) in the setting of medial patellofemoral ligament injury during knee flexion.Results: There was a high level of agreement in CP, CA, lateral patellar displacement, anterior patellar displacement, and superior patellar displacement between the FE model and the in vitro data (P values 0.19, 0.16, 0.81, 0.10, and 0.36, respectively). Instability conditions demonstrated the greatest CP compared to all of the other conditions. During all degrees of flexion, TTT and concomitant lateral release (TTT + LR) decreased CP significantly. TTT alone shows a consistently lower CA compared to nonrelease conditions with subsequent lateral release further decreasing CA.Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that the FE model described reliably simulates PF kinematics and CP within 1 SD in uncomplicated cadaveric specimens. The FE model is able to show that tibial tubercle transfer in combination with lateral retinacular release markedly decreases patellofemoral CP and CA and increases lateral patellar displacement that may decrease bony stabilization of the patella within the trochlear groove and promote lateral patellar instability.Clinical Relevance: The goal of surgical correction for patellar instability focuses on reestablishing normal PF kinematics. By developing an FE model that can demonstrate patient PF kinematics and the results of different surgical approaches, surgeons may tailor their treatment to the best possible outcome. Of the surgical approaches that have been described, the biomechanical effects of the combination of TTT with lateral retinacular release have not been studied. Thus, the FE analysis will help shed light on the effect of the combination of TTT with lateral retinacular release on PF kinematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]