Cancer incidence in a cohort of Swedish merchant seafarers between 1985 and 2011

Purpose Lung cancer, mesothelioma and several lifestyle-associated cancer forms have been reported more common in merchant seafarers. However, few studies reflect recent occupational settings and women seafarers are usually too scarce for meaningful analyses. We conducted a study on cancer incidence between 1985 and 2011 in a Swedish cohort consisting of male and female seafarers. Methods All seafarers in the Swedish Seafarers’ Register with at least one sea service between 1985 and 2011 and a cumulated sea service time of ≥ 30 days (N = 75,745; 64% men, 36% women; 1,245,691 person-years) were linked to the Swedish Cancer Register and followed-up until 31 December 2011. Standardized incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated with the general population as reference. Results There were 4159 cancer cases in total, with 3221 among men and 938 among women. Male seafarers had an increased risk of total cancer (SIR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01–1.09), lung cancer (SIR 1.51; 95% CI 1.35–1.67) and urinary bladder cancer (SIR 1.17; 95% CI 1.02–1.33). Several lifestyle-associated cancer forms were more common in men. Previous work on tankers was associated with leukaemia (SIR 1.41; 95% CI 1.00–1.86). The risk of cancer decreased with a start as a male seafarer after 1985, with a significant trend for total cancer (P < 0.001), lung cancer (P = 0.001) and, for tanker seafarers, leukaemia (P = 0.045). Women seafarers had an increased risk of lung cancer (SIR 1.54; 95% CI 1.23–1.87) but the risk of total cancer was not increased (SIR 0.83; 95% CI 0.78–0.89). Conclusions In this cohort of merchant Swedish seafarers 1985–2011, the risk of total cancer was increased in men but not in women compared to the general population. Lung cancer was increased in both genders. The risk of cancer seems to decrease over the last decades, but better exposure assessments to occupational carcinogens and longer observation times are needed.

Optimal Mean Arterial Pressure for Favorable Neurological Outcomes in Survivors after Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

We evaluated the optimal mean arterial pressure (MAP) for favorable neurological outcomes in patients who underwent extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). Adult patients who underwent ECPR were included. The average MAP was obtained during 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after cardiac arrest, respectively. Primary outcome was neurological status upon discharge, as assessed by the Cerebral Performance Categories (CPC) scale (range from 1 to 5). Overall, patients with favorable neurological outcomes (CPC 1 or 2) tended to have a higher average MAP than those with poor neurological outcomes. Six models were established based on ensemble algorithms for machine learning, multiple logistic regression and observation times. Patients with average MAP around 75 mmHg had the least probability of poor neurologic outcomes in all the models. However, those with average MAPs below 60 mmHg had a high probability of poor neurological outcomes. In addition, based on an increase in the average MAP, the risk of poor neurological outcomes tended to increase in patients with an average MAP above 75 mmHg. In this study, average MAPs were associated with neurological outcomes in patients who underwent ECPR. Especially, maintaining the survivor’s MAP at about 75 mmHg may be important for neurological recovery after ECPR.

Concordance and consistency in the evaluation of diagnostic images of periapical tissue in endodontics

To estimate the degree of concordance and consistency in the radiographic and tomographic evaluation of the periapical area. A study of diagnostic tests was designed. Three blind evaluators analyzed radiographic images, which were selected at two different points in time. An oral radiologist and an endodontist determined the second observation moment. The degree of similarity and variability, concordance and consistency for each radiograph was set at 95% confidence. A Kappa coefficient (κ), for radiographic findings and a correlation coefficient of Lin (CCC) for tomographic measurements was established. 12 radiographies and 19 tomographs were evaluated. The intraobserver consistency determined a k= 1 (Almost Perfect) and a CCC from 0.42 to 0.95 (Poor to Substantial) for both observation times. For radiographies, the interobserver concordance did not show changes between the first and second observation. Values include a k= 0.56-0.80 (Moderate to Good) and a CCC with greater degree of agreement, after training, as follows: axial view: CCC 0.86, 95% of Confidence Interval (CI) 0.69-0.94, coronal view: CCC 0.90 95%CI 0.75-0.96, and sagittal view: CCC 0.96, 95%CI 0.90-0.98. The statistical tests estimated the consistency and concordance to observe radiographically and tomographically the periapical tissue in endodontics.

The Effects of Garlic and Red Chilli Pepper Powder on Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Properties of Cincalok

Cincalok, a traditional fermented shrimp, is prepared by mixing rebon shrimps (Acetes sp) with coarse salt and granulated sugar in a certain ratio. This research was aimed at studying the effect of adding garlic and red chilli pepper powder on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of cincalok. Cincalok was made to be three recipes, namely, original cincalok, A, consists of 2 kg of rebon shrimp, 400 g of granulated sugar, and 100 g of coarse salt; B (A ingredients plus 20 g of red chilli pepper powder); and C (A ingredients plus 20 g of garlic powder). Sensory analysis was conducted on recipe A, and the colour was observed by the naked eye on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 13, 18, 23, 28, 33, 43, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180. According to the highest criterion score on sensory results, the panellists chose day 6 as the best fermentation for recipe A. The colour of recipe A started changing from pink to a light brown colour on the surface on day 28. Therefore, the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of each recipe were analyzed for 28 days. Overall, the water, ash, and fat content; titratable acid (TA); total volatile base nitrogen (TVBN); and amino acid nitrogen (AAN) showed insignificant differences ( p > 0.05 ) among the recipes during 28 days of the same observation. The crude protein, pH, and free fatty acid (FFA) of recipe C were significantly different ( p < 0.05 ) from recipes A and B. All recipes contained the total count of mesophilic anaerobic bacteria (TMABs) and the lactic acid bacteria (LABs) except Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacteriaceae for all observation times. The highest criterion score for consumer acceptability was awarded for recipe C followed by recipes B and A. The addition of garlic and red chilli pepper powder affected the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of cincalok.

Top of the Atmosphere Reflected Shortwave Radiative Fluxes from GOES-R

Under the GOES-R activity, new algorithms are being developed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) to derive surface and Top of the Atmosphere (TOA) shortwave (SW) radiative fluxes from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), the primary instrument on GOES-R. This paper describes a support effort in the development and evaluation of the ABI instrument capabilities to derive such fluxes. Specifically, scene dependent narrow-to-broadband (NTB) transformations are developed to facilitate the use of observations from ABI at the TOA. Simulations of NTB transformations have been performed with MODTRAN4.3 using an updated selection of atmospheric profiles as implemented with the final ABI specifications. These are combined with Angular Distribution Models (ADMs), which are a synergy of ADMs from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) and from simulations. Surface condition at the scale of the ABI products as needed to compute the TOA radiative fluxes come from the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP). Land classification at 1/6° resolution for 18 surface types are converted to the ABI 2-km grid over the (CONtiguous States of the United States) (CONUS) and subsequently re-grouped to 12 IGBP types to match the classification of the CERES ADMs. In the simulations, default information on aerosols and clouds is based on the ones used in MODTRAN. Comparison of derived fluxes at the TOA is made with those from the CERES and/or the Fast Longwave and Shortwave Radiative Flux (FLASHFlux) data. A satisfactory agreement between the fluxes was observed and possible reasons for differences have been identified; the agreement of the fluxes at the TOA for predominantly clear sky conditions was found to be better than for cloudy sky due to possible time shift in observation times between the two observing systems that might have affected the position of the clouds during such periods.

Efficient Classification of Birds and Drones Considering Real Observation Scenarios Using FMCW Radar

In this study, we consider real observation scenarios and propose an efficient method to accurately distinguish drones from birds using features obtained from their micro-Doppler (MD) signatures. In the simulations conducted using a rotating-blade model and a flapping-wing model, the classification result degraded significantly due to the diversity of both drones and birds, but a combination of features obtained for longer observation times significantly improved the accuracy. MD bandwidth was found to be the most efficient feature, but sufficient observation time was required to exploit the period of time-varying MD as a useful feature.

SALBEC – A Python Library and GUI Application to Calculate the Diurnal Variation of the Soil ALBEdo

This study presents the SALBEC – Soil ALBEdo Calculator – a Python library and Graphical User Interface designed to predict the diurnal variation of the clear-sky albedo based on the soil surface properties. Such predictions are becoming more and more necessary with the increasing role of remote measurements. The software uses the following input parameters: the soil spectrum, soil roughness, day of the year (DOY) and sample location. It returns the diurnal albedo variation and, as a unique feature, optimal observation time in the form of tables and graphs as outputs. Models created with the SALBEC were compared with the data acquired under near clear-sky conditions. The comparison shows that the differences between the models and measured data do not exceed the variation of input parameters. The software is directed towards scientists and professionals who require precise estimations of the albedo of soils for different field observation times. Our software is issued as free and open source software (FOSS) and is publicly available at https://github.com/jarekj71/salbec.

Tracking single particles for hours via continuous DNA-mediated fluorophore exchange

Monitoring biomolecules in single-particle tracking experiments is typically achieved by employing fixed organic dyes or fluorescent fusion proteins linked to a target of interest. However, photobleaching typically limits observation times to merely a few seconds, restricting downstream statistical analysis and observation of rare biological events. Here, we overcome this inherent limitation via continuous fluorophore exchange using DNA-PAINT, where fluorescently-labeled oligonucleotides reversibly bind to a single-stranded DNA handle attached to the target molecule. Such versatile and facile labeling allows uninterrupted monitoring of single molecules for extended durations. We demonstrate the power of our approach by observing DNA origami on membranes for tens of minutes, providing perspectives for investigating cellular processes on physiologically relevant timescales.