The measurement of elements in PM10 was performed with 1 h time resolution at a rural freeway site during summer 2015 in Switzerland using the Xact1 625 Ambient Metals Monitor. On average the Xact ...elements (without accounting for oxygen and other associated elements) make up about 20 % of the total PM10 mass (14.6 µg m−3). We conducted source apportionment by positive matrix factorisation (PMF) of the
elemental mass measurable by the Xact (i.e. major elements heavier than
Al), defined here as PM10el. Eight different sources were identified in PM10el (elemental PM10) mass driven by the sum of 14 elements (notable elements in brackets): Fireworks-I (K, S, Ba and Cl), Fireworks-II (K), sea salt (Cl), secondary sulfate (S), background dust (Si, Ti), road dust (Ca), non-exhaust traffic-related elements (Fe) and industrial elements (Zn and Pb). The major components were secondary sulfate and non-exhaust traffic-related elements followed by background dust and road dust factors, explaining 21 %, 20 %, 18 % and 16 % of the analysed PM10 elemental mass, respectively, with the factor mass not corrected for oxygen content. Further, there were minor contributions (on the order of a few percent) of sea salt and industrial sources. The regionally influenced secondary sulfate factor showed negligible resuspension, and concentrations were similar throughout the day. The significant loads of the non-exhaust traffic-related and road dust factors with strong diurnal variations highlight the continuing importance of vehicle-related air pollutants at this site. Enhanced control of PMF implemented via the SourceFinder software (SoFi Pro version 6.2, PSI, Switzerland) allowed for a successful apportionment of transient sources such as the two firework factors and sea salt, which remained mixed when analysed by unconstrained PMF.
In recent years, intense haze events in megacities such as Beijing
have received significant attention. Although secondary organic aerosol (SOA)
has been identified as a major contributor to such ...events, knowledge of its
sources and formation mechanisms remains uncertain. We investigate this
question through the first field deployment of the extractive electrospray
ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometer (EESI-TOF) in Beijing, together
with an Aerodyne long-time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (L-TOF AMS).
Measurements were performed during autumn and winter 2017, capturing the
transition from non-heating to heating seasons. Source apportionment
resolved four factors related to primary organic aerosols (traffic, cooking,
biomass burning, and coal combustion), as well as four related to SOA. Of the SOA factors, two were related to solid fuel
combustion (SFC), one to SOA generated from aqueous chemistry, and one to
mixed/indeterminate sources. The SFC factors were identified from spectral
signatures corresponding to aromatic oxidation products, while the aqueous
SOA factor was characterised by signatures of small organic acids and
diacids and unusually low CO+/CO2+ fragment ratios measured
by the AMS. Solid fuel combustion was the dominant source of SOA during the
heating season. However, a comparably intense haze event was also observed
in the non-heating season and was dominated by the aqueous SOA factor.
During this event, aqueous chemistry was promoted by the combination of high
relative humidity and air masses passing over high-NOx regions to the
south and east of Beijing, leading to high particulate nitrate. The
resulting high liquid water content was highly correlated with the
concentration of the aqueous SOA factor. These results highlight the strong
compositional variability between different haze events, indicating the need
to consider multiple formation pathways and precursor sources to describe
SOA during intense haze events in Beijing.
•Synthesis of imidazo1,2-apyridine in the presence of iodine in aqueous medium.•Use of environmentally benign solvent and catalyst.•Excellent yield in short period of time.
We have devised an ...expedient, cleaner, and environmentally friendly approach for ‘on water’ mediated synthesis of imidazo1,2-apyridine derivatives. The synthesis involves in situ formation of imines followed by addition of alkyne to give the desired products in excellent yield.
Background
Percutaneous thermal ablation has become the preferred therapeutic treatment option for liver cancers that cannot be resected. Since ablative zone tissue changes over time, it becomes ...challenging to determine therapy effectiveness over an extended period. Thus, an immediate post‐procedural evaluation of the ablation zone is crucial, as it could influence the need for a second‐look treatment or follow‐up plan. Assessing treatment response immediately after ablation is essential to attain favorable outcomes. This study examines the efficacy of image fusion strategies immediately post‐ablation in liver neoplasms to determine therapeutic response.
Methodology
A comprehensive systematic search using PRISMA methodology was conducted using EMBASE, MEDLINE (via PUBMED), and Cochrane Library Central Registry electronic databases to identify articles that assessed the immediate post‐ablation response in malignant hepatic tumors with fusion imaging (FI) systems. The data were retrieved on relevant clinical characteristics, including population demographics, pre‐intervention clinical history, lesion characteristics, and intervention type. For the outcome metrics, variables such as average fusion time, intervention metrics, technical success rate, ablative safety margin, supplementary ablation rate, technical efficacy rate, LTP rates, and reported complications were extracted.
Results
Twenty‐two studies were included for review after fulfilling the study eligibility criteria. FI's immediate technical success rate ranged from 81.3% to 100% in 17/22 studies. In 16/22 studies, the ablative safety margin was assessed immediately after ablation. Supplementary ablation was performed in 9 studies following immediate evaluation by FI. In 15/22 studies, the technical effectiveness rates during the first follow‐up varied from 89.3% to 100%.
Conclusion
Based on the studies included, we found that FI can accurately determine the immediate therapeutic response in liver cancer ablation image fusion and could be a feasible intraprocedural tool for determining short‐term post‐ablation outcomes in unresectable liver neoplasms. There are some technical challenges that limit the widespread adoption of FI techniques. Large‐scale randomized trials are warranted to improve on existing protocols. Future research should emphasize improving FI's technological capabilities and clinical applicability to a broader range of tumor types and ablation procedures.
Measuring the chemical composition of ambient particulate matter in different size classes is a relevant gain in information, which can be used for improved source apportionment. The design and ...implementation of a switching system between a PM10 and a PM2.5 inlet for an Xact 625i ambient metals monitor is presented. First applications in the field reveal its practicability and applicability to determine the PM2.5/PM10 ratio. For example, in Beijing crustal elements such as Si, Ca, or Ti occur mainly in the coarse fraction (ratio < 0.2), whereas combustion related elements such as Se, Pb or As are found mainly in the fine fraction (ratio > 0.8). Simulations of the uncertainty caused by alternating sampling of the two size classes show that the increase of uncertainty is within acceptable limits, depending on the characteristics of the time series. The gain in information outweighs the increase of uncertainty in most cases.
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•The system allows for alternating PM10 and PM2.5 sampling with a single instrument.•Alternating sampling in two size classes provides a gain in information on aerosols.•Increase of uncertainty in the measured time series is within acceptable limits.
Characteristics and sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated with highly time-resolved measurements by a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-ToF-MS) ...at an urban site in Beijing in winter 2017. During the measurement period, high mixing ratios of VOCs (48.9 ppbv) and trace gases were observed, with alternating episodes of strong haze pollution and clean air. Ten VOC families showed clear dependence on the VOC concentration. Aromatics increased the most during haze, with significantly elevated benzene concentration at high VOC concentration, while CxHyO3 and CxHy increased the least. The positive matrix factorization (PMF) receptor model was applied to the VOC mass spectra, yielding four major VOC factors: traffic emissions (21.0%), solid fuel combustion (SFC, 24.4%), and two oxygenated VOC (OVOC) factors (32.3% and 22.3%). Traffic and solid fuel combustion were dominant during the periods of high total VOC concentration, while the OVOC1 fraction was reduced. Comparisons with organic aerosol (OA) sources showed increased oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA) concentration during high VOC concentration periods, indicating the importance of OVOCs to secondary organic aerosol formation. Furthermore, trajectory analysis showed that most of the clean days were associated with northerly winds with high ratios of OVOC1. In contrast, the haze periods were not only due to high primary emissions under stagnant conditions, but also influenced by air masses from a more regional scale.
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•VOC family composition strongly depended on VOC concentration in winter in Beijing.•Aromatics were significant during haze periods originating from traffic and solid fuel combustion.•OVOCs were predominant during the clean periods and decreased with haze, promoting SOA formation under stagnant conditions.•Both stagnant conditions and regional-scale emissions are important for high VOC concentrations.
## In Detail In today's techno-savvy world, more and more parts of our lives are going digital, and all this information is accessible anytime and anywhere using mobile devices. It is of the utmost ...importance that you understand and implement security in your apps that will reduce the likelihood of hazards that will wreck your users' experience. "Android Application Security Essentials" takes a deep look into Android security from kernel to the application level, with practical hands-on examples, illustrations, and everyday use cases. This book will show you how to overcome the challenge of getting the security of your applications right. "Android Application Security Essentials" will show you how to secure your Android applications and data. It will equip you with tricks and tips that will come in handy as you develop your applications. We will start by learning the overall security architecture of the Android stack. Securing components with permissions, defining security in a manifest file, cryptographic algorithms and protocols on the Android stack, secure storage, security focused testing, and protecting enterprise data on your device is then also discussed in detail. You will also learn how to be security-aware when integrating newer technologies like NFC and mobile payments into your Android applications. At the end of this book, you will understand Android security at the system level all the way to the nitty-gritty details of application security for securing your Android applications. ## Approach "Android Application Security Essentials" is packed with examples, screenshots, illustrations, and real world use cases to secure your apps the right way. ## Who this book is for If you are looking for guidance and detailed instructions on how to secure app data, then this book is for you. Developers, architects, managers, and technologists who wish to enhance their knowledge of Android security will find this book interesting. Some prior knowledge of development on the Android stack is desirable but not required.
Abstract
Context:
Biochemical changes occur in biological fluids and tissues of different types of malignancies. Tumor markers in serum, tissue, and other body fluids during neoplastic process are of ...clinical value in the management of patients with cancers. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity is potentially a useful indicator for detection of malignancies, but its status in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is less explored.
Aims:
The aim of this study is to evaluate the serum level of ALP in OSCC patients and assess its relation with the clinicopathological features.
Settings and Design:
A total of 175 participants (145 OSCC patients and 30 healthy controls) were included in the study. One hundred and forty-five patients with OSCC who underwent treatment at our institution were included to obtain the clinicopathological data.
Materials and Methods:
Fasting blood ALP activity was evaluated using ALP assessment kit and biochemistry analyzer.
Statistical Analysis Used:
The data were analyzed by SPSS-21 software (SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0, Armonk, NY, USA), using t-test, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests.
Results:
Raised ALP was seen in 24% of OSCC patients. The mean ALP in OSCC was significantly higher than the control. ALP level in patients with advanced stage was significantly higher than with early stage. The serum ALP level in OSCC patients with bone involvement (BI) by local extension of tumor was significantly higher than without BI.
Conclusion:
ALP showed statistically significant differences in relation to tumor stages and BI. Hence, ALP could be useful in advanced stage disease for expressing the endurance of patient and tumor expansion. Elevated ALP in OSCC patients may indicate BI.
A new and convenient one-pot methodology for the reaction of N-methyl isatin, alkynes and phenacyl bromides to selectively afford spiro dihydrofuran oxindole derivatives catalyzed by indium bromide ...under ambient temperature conditions has been documented. The method has been applied for the synthesis of a range of compounds with variable functionalities in good to excellent yields (76–92%). The significant advantages of this protocol are highlighted by excellent yields, cleaner reaction profiles and avoidance of expensive catalysts.
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