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Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Centro Universitário de Brasília (UniCEUB), SEPN 707/907, Asa Norte, Brasília, Federal District (DF), 70790-075, Brazil.

Climate change coupled with inappropriate burning practices has increased large-scale wildfires in Brazilian tropical savannahs (Cerrado). Considering that the effects of ash from wildfires on water parameters are scarcely known in tropical savannahs, this study investigated the chemical changes caused by ash in the soft water, commonly used for bioassays. To this end, ash samples were collected immediately following a fire in a Cerrado area (Federal District, Brazil) and put into water (1:10 ash:soft-water m/v) to check physical parameters under laboratory conditions. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Apr;100(14):e25384

Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major public health issue because it causes pain and functional limitation in patients. Many studies have reported that moxibustion, a treatment in traditional Chinese medicine, is effective in treating KOA. The aim of this protocol is to develop a standard in advance for synthesize and assess the efficacy and safety of thunder-fire moxibustion for KOA from these randomized controlled trial. Read More

Front Psychol 2021 22;12:646711. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Experimental Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Humans have been using fire for hundreds of millennia, creating an ancestral expansion toward the nocturnal niche. The new adaptive challenges faced at night were recurrent enough to amplify existing psychological variation in our species. Night-time is dangerous and mysterious, so it selects for individuals with higher tendencies for paranoia, risk-taking, and sociability (because of security in numbers). Read More

ACS Omega 2021 Mar 17;6(12):8189-8198. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

CCTEG Shenyang Research Institute, Shenyang 110000, China.

Injecting nitrogen into goaf has been widely adopted for preventing fire hazards in coal mines. In this paper, the coupling relation between different locations of negative pressure of cross-cut drainage and nitrogen injection was investigated. The minefield data collection was carried out by an in situ beam tube system on the intake airway and return airway of the mine goaf. Read More

Entropy (Basel) 2021 Mar 10;23(3). Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Telematics Section, UPIITA-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City 07738, Mexico.

In the context of smart cities, there is a general benefit from monitoring close encounters among pedestrians. For instance, for the access control to office buildings, subway, commercial malls, etc., where a high amount of users may be present simultaneously, and keeping a strict record on each individual may be challenging. Read More

Toxicon 2021 Mar 30;196:25-31. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP), Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, 20133, Milan, Italy. Electronic address:

An epidemiological study on animal poisoning due to plants and zootoxins has been carried out by the Poison Control Centre of Milan (CAV) in collaboration with the University of Milan (Italy). During the period January 2015-March 2019, the CAV received 932 calls on animal poisonings, 12.66% (n = 118) of which were related to plants and zootoxins. Read More

Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 2021 Mar 19;6(3):1059-1060. Epub 2021 Mar 19.

Department of Criminal Science and Technology, Nanjing Forest Police College, Nanjing, China.

The complete mitochondrial of genome (DeGeer 1774) is a typical double-stranded circular molecule of 15,853 bp (GenBank accession number: MW287594). All tRNA genes, ranging from 62 to 72 bp, can be folded into typical clover-leaf secondary structure except for . The control region is 1,080 bp long with an A+T content of 87. Read More

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2021 Feb;41(2):161-4

College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Guangxi University of CM, Nanning 530001, China.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of thunder-fire moxibustion combined with mifepristone for ovarian chocolate cyst dysmenorrhea with kidney deficiency and blood stasis.

Methods: Seventy patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. The patients in the the control group were treated with oral administration of mifepristone, 10 mg each time, once a day; based on the treatment of the control group, the patients in the observation group were treated with thunder-fire moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Xuehai (SP 10), once every other day. Read More

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2021 Mar 22;255:119724. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou 221116, China; School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China.

Bituminous coal is used widely for a variety of applications despite causing a range of problems within processes. The complexity and heterogeneity of the molecular structure of coal is one of the reasons for problems during use. Investigation into the molecular structure of the bituminous coal is reported from using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy experiments on four coal samples from coal mines in Northern China. Read More

J Hosp Palliat Nurs 2021 Mar 23. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Brandy Ellis, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, is assistant professor, University of the Incarnate Word. Sheryl Winn, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, is associate professor of nursing and DNP coordinator, Georgia College. Deborah MacMillan, PhD, RNC, CNM, is director and professor, School of Nursing, Georgia College. Kelly Bouthillet, DNP, APRN, CCNS, ACNP-BC, FNP-C, is Hilton Head Island Fire/Rescue; adjunct nursing faculty, University of SC, Beaufort; and president, South Carolina Nurses Association. Cynthia Purcell, DNP, APRN, CNS, CNE, is associate professor, University of the Incarnate Word.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one-third of all Americans have not done any advance care planning, which is essential for maintaining autonomy when people are no longer able to communicate wishes directly at the end of life. The Institute of Medicine reports that providers have limited training in communication techniques and low confidence in holding advance care planning conversations. Forty-four family nurse practitioner students received classroom communication training using evidence-based end-of-life nursing education consortium materials and role-play opportunities. Read More

J Pharm Pharmacol 2021 Mar;73(5):573-600

Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Chemistry and Quality Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Objectives: Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl (SNH) is a commonly used medicinal plant in East Asia. Scrophulariae Radix (SR) is the dried roots of SNH, and is one of the most commonly used medicinal parts of SNH, and is an essential traditional medicine and widely used in East Asia for more than 2000 years. SR is used for clearing away heat and cooling blood, nourishing Yin and reducing fire, detoxicating and resolving a mass. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Jun 4;772:145606. Epub 2021 Feb 4.

Mine Safety Technology Branch of China Coal Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education of China for High-efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.

Spontaneous combustion of coal gangue dumps poses a significant threat to the health and safety of nearby residents and has adverse effects on the environment. The establishment of measures to extinguish these fires requires information on the three-dimensional characteristics and oxidation degree of the dumps. An acquisition method for the index data was proposed. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Jun 1;772:145510. Epub 2021 Feb 1.

MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China. Electronic address:

Coal fire sponges (CFS) are common in coal-fire areas. Due to the enrichment of Hg in CFS, large amounts of Hg are released by CFS into the atmosphere via natural weathering or solar radiation. Therefore, CFS should be of concern in Hg pollution management and control globally. Read More

Mol Metab 2021 Mar 22:101218. Epub 2021 Mar 22.

Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239; Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006. Electronic address:

Objective: Arcuate nucleus Neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related peptide (NPY/AgRP) neurons drive ingestive behavior. The M-current, a subthreshold, non-inactivating potassium current plays a critical role in regulating NPY/AgRP neuronal excitability. Fasting decreases while 17β-estradiol increases the M-current through regulation of mRNA expression of Kcnq2, 3, & 5 (Kv7. Read More

Health Technol Assess 2021 Mar;25(19):1-156

Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK.

Background: Assistive technology and telecare have been promoted to manage the risks associated with independent living for people with dementia, but there is limited evidence of their effectiveness.

Objectives: This trial aimed to establish whether or not assistive technology and telecare assessments and interventions extend the time that people with dementia can continue to live independently at home and whether or not they are cost-effective. Caregiver burden, the quality of life of caregivers and of people with dementia and whether or not assistive technology and telecare reduce safety risks were also investigated. Read More

J Biomed Inform 2021 Mar 20;117:103743. Epub 2021 Mar 20.

Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan; Center of Biomedical Physics and Information Technology, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan; Frontier Research Institute for Information Science, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya 466-8555, Japan.

Accurate forecasting of medical service requirements is an important big data problem that is crucial for resource management in critical times such as natural disasters and pandemics. With the global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), several concerns have been raised regarding the ability of medical systems to handle sudden changes in the daily routines of healthcare providers. One significant problem is the management of ambulance dispatch and control during a pandemic. Read More

ACS Omega 2021 Mar 5;6(10):6914-6923. Epub 2021 Mar 5.

Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Fire Safety in Urban Underground Space, China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT), Xuzhou 221116, PR China.

A type of carbon molecular sieve (CMS-3KT) was used as the adsorbent for the CH enrichment of a methane/oxygen/nitrogen (CH/O/N) mixture using micro-positive pressure vacuum pressure swing adsorption (∼120 kPa). The adsorption isotherms of individual CH, O, and N on CMS-3KT were studied and fitted. The results indicated the important influence of the adsorbent surface heterogeneity on the adsorption equilibrium process. Read More

ACS Omega 2021 Mar 4;6(10):6681-6690. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines (China University of Mining and Technology), Ministry of Education, Xuzhou 221116, China.

Due to the reported fact that the active functional groups in coal can be dissolved and destroyed by ionic liquids, it is expected that the spontaneous combustion of coal can be affected from a thermodynamic perspective. However, ionic liquids with different thermal stabilities have distinct influences on coal combustion. Here, the thermal stability of long-flame coal in the presence of five pure ionic liquids ([Bmim][BF], [Bmim][Ac], [Bmim][NO], [Hoemim][BF], and [Pmim][BF]) was analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, and the flammability of the raw coal, pure ionic liquids, and coal-IL mixtures (mass ratio of 1:1) were tested using a cone calorimeter according to the indexes of the time to ignition (TTI), mass loss rate (MLR), heat release rate (HRR), total heat release rate (THR), specific extinction area (SEA), and CO production. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Jun 18;771:144647. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Ecology and Biodiversity, Institute of Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Humid tropical forests are increasingly exposed to devastating wildfires. Major efforts are needed to prevent fire-related tipping points and to enable the effective recovery of fire-affected areas. Here, we provide a synthesis of the most common forest restoration strategies, thereby focusing on post-fire forest dynamics in the humid tropics. Read More

Rev Colomb Psiquiatr 2020 Oct 23. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

Fundación Centro Colombiano de Epilepsia y Enfermedades Neurológicas-FIRE, Cartagena, Colombia.

Introduction: Anterior temporal lobectomy (LTA) is a surgical procedure commonly used for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy refractory to medical management, with high success rates in the control of seizures. However, an important association with psychiatric illnesses has been described that can alter the postoperative outcome in these patients.

Methods: A series of 2 cases of patients who, despite successful crisis control, developed psychiatric complications in the postoperative period of anterior temporal lobectomy. Read More

J Med Eng Technol 2021 Apr 17;45(3):187-196. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Galvani Bioelectronics, South San Francisco, CA, USA.

Activation of peripheral nervous system (PNS) fibres to produce variable tactile and proprioceptive sensations in advanced bidirectional prosthetic limbs relies on neural stimulators with high spatial selectivity, dynamic range and resolution. A multi-channel application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) is developed for PNS fibre activation using a wide dynamic range (10 nA-5 mA), high-resolution (30 nA step, 100 ns pulse accuracy) current stimulator, dissipating 0.73-2. Read More

J Hazard Mater 2021 Mar 8;415:125607. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Fire Safety in Urban Underground Space, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China; State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining China University of Mining and Technology, Jiangsu 221116, China; Key Laboratory of Gas and Fire Control for Coal Mines, China University of Mining and Technology, Ministry of Education, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221116, China. Electronic address:

In confined space fires, the large amount of CO generated by incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials poses a serious threat to the trapped people. However, the efficient method of removing CO in such disasters remains a great challenge. Herein, a spraying catalyst powder (SCP) approach is proposed for CO removal by oxidizing CO to harmless CO. Read More

J Hum Evol 2021 Apr 10;153:102966. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), Paseo Sierra de Atapuerca 3, 09002, Burgos, Spain. Electronic address:

During the mid-Middle Pleistocene MIS 14 to MIS 11, humans spread through Western Europe from the Mediterranean peninsulas to the sub-Arctic region, and they did so not only during the warm periods but also during the glacial stages. In doing so, they were exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including low or extremely low temperatures. Here we review the distribution of archeological assemblages in Western Europe from MIS 14 to MIS 11 and obtain estimates of the climatic conditions at those localities. Read More

Sci Total Environ 2021 Mar 1;778:146141. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Department of Life Sciences, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km 33.6, E-28805 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.

Tree taxa are often planted beyond their native range to increase the provision of some ecosystem services. Yet, they can disrupt ecosystem processes in their new ranges, causing changes in the provision of other services. Here we review the effects of five widespread tree taxa (Acacia, Ailanthus, Eucalyptus, Pinus and Robinia) on six regulating ecosystem services in areas where they are non-native. Read More

Ann Burns Fire Disasters 2020 Dec;33(4):317-321

Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ, USA.

The study investigated antibiotic utilization after the implementation of a procalcitonin (PCT)-guided antibiotic algorithm in the burn intensive care unit (BICU) to minimize antibiotic exposure appropriately. An algorithm established the ordering of an initial procalcitonin level, an additional level following 48 hours post-admission, and upon suspicion of sepsis. The primary endpoint was the percent of days on antibiotics in the BICU. Read More

Ann Burns Fire Disasters 2020 Dec;33(4):299-303

Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Seville, Spain.

Anemia is a frequent condition in burn patients due to a mixture of blood loss and chronic inflammation. Transfusions increase the probability of serious infections and reduce overall survival, especially when unrelated to perioperative blood loss. Once the surgical phase in burn patients is completed, the role of parenteral iron administration in the reduction of subsequent transfusions is not well established. Read More

Zhonghua Lao Dong Wei Sheng Zhi Ye Bing Za Zhi 2021 Feb;39(2):130-133

Tianjin Binhai New District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin 300480, China.

To analysis the status of the mental health and related factors of fire fighters in Tianjin Binhai New District, and to provide suggestions for their psychological health protection. 399 fire fighters in Tianjin Binhai New District were selected as study subjects in Jan to April 2019. Depression symptoms were measured by the depression module of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) . Read More

Chemosphere 2021 Feb 20;276:130015. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Leiden University, PO Box 9518, 2300 RA, Leiden, the Netherlands; National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for the Safety of Substances and Products, PO Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, the Netherlands.

Novel products often have a multitude of nanomaterials embedded; likewise within many products graphite-based products are decorated with nano-zirconium oxide (nZrO) because graphene is an ultrahigh conductive material whereas nZrO is for instance fire-retardant. As a consequence, the pristine/isolated nanoparticle has unique beneficial properties but it is no longer the only compound that needs to be considered in risk assessment. Data on joint toxicological implications are particularly important for the hazard assessment of multicomponent nanomaterials. Read More

Front Comput Neurosci 2021 17;15:627620. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Sezione di Roma, Rome, Italy.

Over the past decade there has been a growing interest in the development of parallel hardware systems for simulating large-scale networks of spiking neurons. Compared to other highly-parallel systems, GPU-accelerated solutions have the advantage of a relatively low cost and a great versatility, thanks also to the possibility of using the CUDA-C/C++ programming languages. NeuronGPU is a GPU library for large-scale simulations of spiking neural network models, written in the C++ and CUDA-C++ programming languages, based on a novel spike-delivery algorithm. Read More

J Environ Manage 2021 May 4;286:112189. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Av. André Araújo, 2036, Manaus, AM, CEP 69375-067, Brazil. Electronic address:

Fire is one of the most powerful modifiers of the Amazonian landscape and knowledge about its drivers is needed for planning control and suppression. A plethora of factors may play a role in the annual dynamics of fire frequency, spanning the biophysical, climatic, socioeconomic and institutional dimensions. To uncover the main forces currently at play, we investigated the area burned in both forested and deforested areas in the outstanding case of Brazil's state of Acre, in southwestern Amazonia. Read More