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The recently adopted Ariel ESA mission will measure the atmospheric composition of a large number of exoplanets. This information will then be used to better constrain planetary bulk compositions. While the connection between the composition of a planetary atmosphere and the bulk interior is still being investigated, the combination of the atmospheric composition with the measured mass and radius of exoplanets will push the field of exoplanet characterisation to the next level, and provide new insights of the nature of planets in our galaxy. In this white paper, we outline the ongoing activities of the interior working group of the Ariel mission, and list the desirable theoretical developments as well as the challenges in linking planetary atmospheres, bulk composition and interior structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted at the Station of Agricultural Research and Natural Resources, Khoy, Iran in 2007 and 2008 to evaluate the effect of temperature and photoperiod on the duration of development stages of sunflower. A randomized complete block design using a 8 x 3 factorial arrangement with four replications involving eight plantings (29th April, 4th May, 14th May, 24th May, 1st June, 10th June, 19th June and 28th June) and three sunflower cultivars ('Sor', 'Eroflor', 'Azargol'). From the results obtained, all development stages, especially the generative phase were influenced by planting date. The duration of each development stage decreased with the delay in planting. The designed models indicated that the minimum temperature and photoperiod were directly proportional to development rate (DR) the whole life cycle of different sunflower cultivars. DR decreased from emergence (E) to physiological maturity (PM) as day length increased. The relationship between DR and photoperiod could be used as a practical model for estimating E to PM duration of these sunflower cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an obvious pressing demand for the sensitive and rapid, identification of toxic gases as environmental concerns. In this study, a facile approach for the detection and identification of amine solvents is reported. A colorimetric sensor array composed of different ninhydrin-mediated transition metal-doped carbon dots (TMCDs), deposited on a paper substrate, could sniff the odor of 29 different amines and accomplish their accurate identification. This analytical device generates a unique response pattern for each amine. Modeling the response data of the sensor array by linear discriminate analysis yields a discrimination accuracy of 94 % for the amines. Also, this method allows rapid quantification of ethylamine and isopropylamine in the concentration ranges of 0.008–1600 ppm and 0.05–828 ppm with detection limits of 1.4 ppb and 39 ppb, respectively, which are well below the immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) limit concentration for these amines. Interestingly, this sensor array provides discrimination between the isomers of some amines. Moreover, binary and ternary mixtures of amine solvents could be well recognized with this sensor. The application of the sensor array was tested for the assessment of the quality and freshness of some kinds of meat. • A colorimetric sensor array composed of different ninhydrin mediated transition metal-doped carbon dots. • Sniff odor of 29 different amines and accomplish their accurate identification. • Generates a unique response pattern that can be used as a fingerprint to discriminate all amines. • Rapid quantification of ethyl amine and isopropylamine with DL in ppb range. • Assessment of the quality and freshness of different kinds of meats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of extrasolar planets and of the Solar System provides complementary pieces of the mosaic represented by the process of planetary formation. Exoplanets are essential to fully grasp the huge diversity of outcomes that planetary formation and the subsequent evolution of the planetary systems can produce. The orbital and basic physical data we currently possess for the bulk of the exoplanetary population, however, do not provide enough information to break the intrinsic degeneracy of their histories, as different evolutionary tracks can result in the same final configurations. The lessons learned from the Solar System indicate us that the solution to this problem lies in the information contained in the composition of planets. The goal of the Atmospheric Remote-Sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey (ARIEL), one of the three candidates as ESA M4 space mission, is to observe a large and diversified population of transiting planets around a range of host star types to collect information on their atmospheric composition. ARIEL will focus on warm and hot planets to take advantage of their well-mixed atmospheres, which should show minimal condensation and sequestration of high-Z materials and thus reveal their bulk composition across all main cosmochemical elements. In this work we will review the most outstanding open questions concerning the way planets form and the mechanisms that contribute to create habitable environments that the compositional information gathered by ARIEL will allow to tackle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythrocyte deformability is an important property of erythrocytes that considerably affects blood flow and hemodynamics. The high content of polyphenols present in dark chocolate has been reported to play a protective role in functionality of erythrocytes. We hypothesized that chocolate might influence erythrocytes not only after repeated chronic intake, but also immediately after its ingestion. Thus, we determined the acute effect of dark chocolate and milk (with lower content of biologically active substances) chocolate intake on erythrocyte deformability. We also focused on selected factors that may affect erythrocyte deformability, specifically nitric oxide production in erythrocytes and total antioxidant capacity of plasma. We determined posttreatment changes in the mentioned parameters 2 hours after consumption of chocolate compared with their levels before consumption of chocolate. In contrast to milk chocolate intake, the dark chocolate led to a significantly higher increase in erythrocyte deformability. Nitric oxide production in erythrocytes was not changed after dark chocolate intake, but significantly decreased after milk chocolate. The plasma total antioxidant capacity remained unaffected after ingestion of both chocolates. We conclude that our hypothesis was confirmed. Single ingestion of dark chocolate improved erythrocyte deformability despite unchanged nitric oxide production and antioxidant capacity of plasma. Increased deformability of erythrocytes may considerably improve rheological properties of blood and thus hemodynamics in humans, resulting in better tissue oxygenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose There is a lack of studies highlighting the outcome by different scores or parameters after surgery for recurrent disc herniations of the lumbar spine at the initial herniation site. This study assessed the quality of life after surgical treatment of recurrent herniations with different standardized validated outcome instruments. Methods During a 24-month period, 64 patients underwent (microscope assisted) surgery for recurrent disc herniations of the lumbar spine. The postoperative quality of life was tested with Short Form-36, the Oswestry Disability Index, the EuroQol health status 5D, and Prolo questionnaires. Leg and back pain before and after surgery was assessed. Results The patients showed a good overall outcome, but still not satisfying enough compared with the very good surgical results reported in the literature, for the surgical treatment of primary disc herniations. Conclusions Patients have to be informed carefully before surgery of recurrent lumbar disc herniations because of the less-promising outcome than after first time surgery for a lumbar disc herniation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this paper is to provide a mathematical threat modeling methodology and a threat risk assessment tool that may assist security consultants at assessing the security risks in their protected systems/plants, nuclear power plants and stores of hazardous substances: explosive atmospheres and flammable and combustible gases and liquids, and so forth, and at building an appropriate risk mitigation policy. The probability of a penetration into the protected objects is estimated by combining the probability of the penetration by overcoming the security barriers with a vulnerability model. On the basis of the topographical placement of the protected objects, their security features, and the probability of the penetration, we propose a model of risk mitigation and effective decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common malignant thyroid tumour. A common mutation of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the somatic mutation of the BRAF V600E gene. Aim: The aim was to 1) determine the association of lymph node metastases of PTC with the BRAF gene mutation of primary tumour; 2) evaluate association of the BRAF mutation in the primary tumour with clinicopathological parameters; 3) examine the extent of genetic heterogeneity by monitoring the BRAF mutation in multicentric tumours . Subjects and methods: Retrospective analysis of the BRAF V600E mutation in PTC and PTC neck lymph node metastases in 156 patients operated from 2003 to 2012 in Prague and Zlín, the Czech Republic, using a qPCR assay. The results were correlated with clinicopathological factors. Results: DNA was successfully extracted from 137 samples. The BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 78 cases (56.9 %). The patients with BRAF p.Val600Glu mutation of primary tumour had only non-significantly higher risk of cervical lymph node metastases [OR = 2.39 (95 %) CI 1.00- 5.75, p = 0.052]. In the classic papillary variant, the BRAF V600E mutation was found significantly more often than in other PTC subtypes (p = 0.022). We did not confirm any significant association between the BRAF V600E mutation and other clinicopathological findings. Conclusion: Except for the higher prevalence in papillary variant of PTC, BRAF p.Val600Glu mutation was not associated with other prognostic clinicopathological factors of PTC. BRAF mutation cannot be regarded as a reliable marker of node metastases in patients with PTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we develop a new method for determining the residual power of used nuclear fuel (UNF). The method is based on the heat transfer analysis of UNF in a C-30 transport container with a KZ-48 compact storage cask. We compare the results achieved by the currently used SCALE 6 software packages based on nuclear physics calculations and the results from our method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the response of antioxidant defense system of three sugar beet genotypes to drought stress and enhancing management of soil water content, a two-years field experiment was conducted at the Research Site of Sugar Beet Seed Institute in Karaj, Iran during 2008 and 2009. Irrigation treatments arranged in main plots during growing seasons included: 80 mm (I1: as control), 130 mm (I2) and 180 mm (I3) evaporation from A class pan under surface irrigation method, 30 mm (I4), 80 mm (I5), 130 mm (I6) and 180 mm (I7: as severe drought) evaporation with 100% volume of water requirement under trickle irrigation (Tape) method and 30 mm (I8) evaporation with 75% volume of water requirement under trickle irrigation (Tape) method. Genotypes included: 7112 (G1), BP-Karaj (G2) and BP-Mashhad (G3) were in sub plots. Results of the study showed that drought stress decreased root yield (RY) increased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in sugar beet leaves. There were significant differences among genotypes for antioxidant enzyme activity. Also, irrigation × genotype interactions showed significant difference on CAT and GPX activities. There was a negative correlation between enzymes activities and RY. Results of the study also indicated that water deficit stress causes production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs), which results in greater membrane permeability i.e., malondialdehyde (MDA) content and oxidative stress in the plants. Moreover, genotypes having greater levels of antioxidants showed better resistance to drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium Oxide (MgO) and water (H 2 O) are abundant in the interior of planets. Their properties, and in particular their interaction, significantly affect the planet interior structure and thermal evolution. Here, using crystal structure predictions and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations, we find that MgO and H 2 O can react again at ultrahigh pressure, although Mg(OH) 2 decomposes at low pressure. The reemergent MgO-H 2 O compounds are: Mg 2 O 3 H 2 above 400 GPa, MgO 3 H 4 above 600 GPa, and MgO 4 H 6 in the pressure range of 270-600 GPa. Importantly, MgO 4 H 6 contains 57.3 wt % of water, which is a much higher water content than any reported hydrous mineral. Our results suggest that a substantial amount of water can be stored in MgO rock in the deep interiors of Earth to Neptune mass planets. Based on molecular dynamics simulations we show that these three compounds exhibit superionic behavior at the pressure-temperature conditions as in the interiors of Uranus and Neptune. Moreover, the water-rich compound MgO 4 H 6 could be stable inside the early Earth and therefore may serve as a possible early Earth water reservoir. Our findings, in the poorly explored megabar pressure regime, provide constraints for interior and evolution models of wet planets in our solar system and beyond., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The goal of the Ariel space mission is to observe a large and diversified population of transiting planets around a range of host star types to collect information on their atmospheric composition. The planetary bulk and atmospheric compositions bear the marks of the way the planets formed: Ariel's observations will therefore provide an unprecedented wealth of data to advance our understanding of planet formation in our Galaxy. A number of environmental and evolutionary factors, however, can affect the final atmospheric composition. Here we provide a concise overview of which factors and effects of the star and planet formation processes can shape the atmospheric compositions that will be observed by Ariel, and highlight how Ariel's characteristics make this mission optimally suited to address this very complex problem., (© The Author(s) 2021.)

Background: The most common cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in developed countries is left heart disease (LHD, group 2 PH). The development of PH in heart failure (HF) patients is indicative of worse outcomes., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long term outcomes of HF patients with PH in a national long-term registry., Methods: Study included 9 cardiology centers across Israel between 01/2013-01/2015, with a 12-month clinical follow-up and 24-month mortality follow-up. Patients were age ≥18 years old with HF and pre-inclusion PH due to left heart disease determined by echocardiography [estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) ≥ 50 mmHg]. Patients were categorized into 3 groups: HF with reduced (HFrEF < 40%), mid-range (HFmrEF 40-49%), and preserved (HFpEF ≥ 50%) ejection fraction., Results: The registry included 372 patients, with high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Median HF duration was 4 years and 65% were in severe HF New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification ≥3. Mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) was 62 ± 11 mmHg. During 2-years of follow-up, 54 patients (15%) died. Univariable predictors of mortality included NYHA grade 3-4, chronic renal failure, and SPAP ≥ 65 mmHg. Severe PH was associated with mortality in HFpEF, but not HFmrEF or HFrEF, and remained significant after multivariable adjustment with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.99, (95%CI 1.29-6.91, p = 0.010)., Conclusions: The combination of HFpEF with severe PH was independently associated with increased mortality. Currently, HFpEF patients are included with group 2 PH patients. Defining HFpEF with severe PH as a sub-class may be more appropriate, as these patients are at increased risk and deserve special consideration., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The treatment of patients hospitalized with heart failure (HHF) and ambulatory chronic heart failure (CHF) differs in various countries., Objectives: To evaluate the management and outcomes of patients with HFF and CHF in Israel compared to those in other European countries who were included in the ESC-HF Long-Term Registry., Methods: From May 2011 to April 2013, heart failure patients - 467 Israelis and 11,973 from other countries - were evaluated. The Israeli patients included 178 with HHF and 289 with CHF. One year outcomes, including all-cause and cardiovascular mortality as well as HHF, were evaluated., Results: The HHF Israeli patients were older than their CHF Israeli counterparts, had more co-morbidities, included more women, and were treated less frequently with medications suggested by European guidelines. The Israeli HHF patients had similar all-cause 1 year mortality rates compared to HHF patients from other participating countries, but their cardiovascular (CV) mortality was lower, while a significantly higher rate of all-cause and HHF was noted. The Israeli CHF patients were older, suffered from more co-morbidities and had prior cardio-electronic implantable devices. In addition, they had higher mortality rates, especially non-CV, and were more frequently hospitalized, compared to CHF patients from other countries., Conclusions: The Israeli patients with heart failure differed in their baseline characteristics and the therapeutic approach. Despite high usage of treatments recommended by official guidelines, especially among CHF patients, mortality, particularly in HHF patients, remained high.