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Maedica Mar 2024Burned corpses are of medicolegal importance as circumstances may suggest means that are used for committing or concealing homicidal death or death occurring due to...
Burned corpses are of medicolegal importance as circumstances may suggest means that are used for committing or concealing homicidal death or death occurring due to accidental causes. Postmortem burns, which may include homicidal burns (torch murder) or burns used to conceal the crime, are committed with the motive of identity destruction, transposing the cause and manner of death and destruction of evidence. The present study aimed to analyse the cases of postmortem burns in the context of the cause of death, manner of death and circumstances pertaining to death. This is a retrospective study performed in the Government Medical College δ Hospital, Aurangabad (MH), India, between 1 January 2009 - 31 December 2016. Cases involving burn injuries were examined in detail by autopsy reports, toxicological analyses, crime scene investigation and police records submitted at the Institute's office. A careful examination of vitality signs of burns, soot deposition in the lower respiratory tract and the presence of other fatal injuries was performed for each case. Cases exposed to fire before death were all excluded. Similarly, bodies being charred to such an extent to prevent distinguishing the vitality of burns were also excluded. Postmortem burns were recorded in 13 cases (0.46%) of deceased bodies to cover homicides. Females were reported to be more commonly involved and more in a household environment. Head injury was the most common cause of death, followed by death due to asphyxia due to any means. The findings of the present study reinforce the fact that burning cannot always effectively destroy the evidence, hindering the perpetrator from covering up the crime. Apart from the evidence at autopsy, a transdisciplinary approach must be initiated with detailed crime scene investigation, toxicology, ascertaining the cause of death with analyses of fatal injuries and contributory data for identification of the deceased.
PubMed: 38736924
DOI: 10.26574/maedica.2024.19.11.80 -
PloS One 2024In software development, it's common to reuse existing source code by copying and pasting, resulting in the proliferation of numerous code clones-similar or identical...
In software development, it's common to reuse existing source code by copying and pasting, resulting in the proliferation of numerous code clones-similar or identical code fragments-that detrimentally affect software quality and maintainability. Although several techniques for code clone detection exist, many encounter challenges in effectively identifying semantic clones due to their inability to extract syntax and semantics information. Fewer techniques leverage low-level source code representations like bytecode or assembly for clone detection. This work introduces a novel code representation for identifying syntactic and semantic clones in Java source code. It integrates high-level features extracted from the Abstract Syntax Tree with low-level features derived from intermediate representations generated by static analysis tools, like the Soot framework. Leveraging this combined representation, fifteen machine-learning models are trained to effectively detect code clones. Evaluation on a large dataset demonstrates the models' efficacy in accurately identifying semantic clones. Among these classifiers, ensemble classifiers, such as the LightGBM classifier, exhibit exceptional accuracy. Linearly combining features enhances the effectiveness of the models compared to multiplication and distance combination techniques. The experimental findings indicate that the proposed method can outperform the current clone detection techniques in detecting semantic clones.
Topics: Semantics; Software; Programming Languages; Machine Learning; Algorithms
PubMed: 38728285
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302333 -
ACS Omega Apr 2024This work presented the influence of metal oxides as the support for silver-supported catalysts on the catalytic oxidation of diesel particulate matter (DPM). The...
This work presented the influence of metal oxides as the support for silver-supported catalysts on the catalytic oxidation of diesel particulate matter (DPM). The supports selected to be used in this work were CeO (reducible), ZnO (semiconductor), TiO (reducible and semiconductor), and AlO (acidic). The properties of the synthesized catalysts were investigated using XRD, TEM, H-TPR, and XPS techniques. The DPM oxidation activity was performed using the TGA method. Different states of silver (e.g., Ag° and Ag) were formed with different concentrations and affected the performance of the DPM oxidation. AgO and lattice oxygen, which were mainly generated by Ag/ZnO and Ag/CeO, were responsible for combusting the VOCs. The metallic silver (Ag°) formed primarily on Ag/AlO and Ag/TiO was the main component promoting soot combustion. Contact between the catalyst and DPM had a minor effect on VOC oxidation but significantly affected the soot oxidation activity.
PubMed: 38708233
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00218 -
Evaluation of biological markers for the risk assessment of carbon black in epidemiological studies.Frontiers in Public Health 2024Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been suggested as being capable of promoting inflammation, a key component in the pathways associated with carcinogenesis,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) have been suggested as being capable of promoting inflammation, a key component in the pathways associated with carcinogenesis, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. As a result, the risk assessment of biological markers as early-stage indicators has the potential to improve translation from experimental toxicologic findings to identifying evidence in human studies. The study aims to review the possible early biological changes in workers exposed to carbon black (CB), followed by an evidentiary quality evaluation to determine the predictive value of the biological markers.
METHODS
We conducted a literature search to identify epidemiological studies that assessed biological markers that were involved in the inflammatory process at early stages among workers with exposure to CB. We reviewed the studies with specific reference to the study design, statistical analyses, findings, and limitations.
RESULTS
We identified five Chinese studies that investigated the potential impact of exposure to CB on inflammatory markers, bronchial wall thickening, genomic instability, and lung function impairment in CB production workers. Of the five Chinese studies, four were cross-sectional; another study reported results at two-time points over six years of follow-up. The authors of all five studies concluded positive relationships between exposure and the inflammatory cytokine profiles. The weak to very weak correlations between biomarkers and early-stage endpoints were reported.
CONCLUSION
Most inflammatory markers failed to satisfy the proposed evidentiary quality criteria. The significance of the results of the reviewed studies is limited by the cross-sectional study design, inconsistency in results, uncertain clinical relevance, and high occupational exposures. Based on this review, the risk assessment relying on inflammatory markers does not seem appropriate at this time. Nevertheless, the novel research warrants further exploration in assessing exposure to ENMs and corresponding potential health risks in occupational settings.
Topics: Humans; Biomarkers; Soot; Risk Assessment; Occupational Exposure; Epidemiologic Studies; Inflammation
PubMed: 38689765
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1367797 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the varied climate changes witnessed during mass extinctions in the Phanerozoic Eon. Climate shifts during mass...
This study investigates the mechanisms underlying the varied climate changes witnessed during mass extinctions in the Phanerozoic Eon. Climate shifts during mass extinctions have manifested as either predominant global cooling or predominant warming, yet the causes behind these occurrences remain unclear. We emphasize the significance of sedimentary rock temperature in comprehending these climate shifts. Our research reveals that low-temperature heating of sulfide leads to global cooling through the release of sulfur dioxide (SO), while intermediate-temperature heating of hydrocarbons and carbonates releases substantial carbon dioxide (CO), contributing to global warming. High-temperature heating additionally generates SO from sulfate, further contributing to global cooling. Different degrees of contact heating of the host rock can lead to different dominant volatile gas emissions, crucially driving either warming or cooling. Moreover, medium to high-temperature shock-heating resulting from asteroid impacts produces soot from hydrocarbons, also contributing to global cooling. Large-scale volcanic activity and asteroid impacts are both events that heat rocks, emitting the same gases and particles, causing climate changes. The findings elucidate the critical role of heating temperature and heating time in understanding major climate changes during mass extinctions.
PubMed: 38688982
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60467-y -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2024Due to a rising importance of the reduction of pollutant, produced by conventional energy technologies, the knowledge of pollutant forming processes during a combustion...
Due to a rising importance of the reduction of pollutant, produced by conventional energy technologies, the knowledge of pollutant forming processes during a combustion is of great interest. In this study the in-cylinder temperature, of a near series diesel engine, is examined with a minimal invasive emission spectroscopy sensor. The soot, nearly a black body radiator, emits light, which is spectrally detected and evaluated with a modified function of Planck's law. The results show a good correlation between the determined temperatures and the NO concentration, measured in the exhaust gas of the engine, during a variety of engine operating points. A standard deviation between 25 K and 49 K was obtained for the in-cylinder temperature measurements.
PubMed: 38676076
DOI: 10.3390/s24082459 -
Environmental Science & Technology Apr 2024Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is proposed as a means of reducing global warming and climate change impacts. Similar to aerosol enhancements produced by volcanic...
Stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) is proposed as a means of reducing global warming and climate change impacts. Similar to aerosol enhancements produced by volcanic eruptions, introducing particles into the stratosphere would reflect sunlight and reduce the level of warming. However, uncertainties remain about the roles of nucleation mechanisms, ionized molecules, impurities (unevaporated residuals of injected precursors), and ambient conditions in the generation of SAI particles optimally sized to reflect sunlight. Here, we use a kinetic ion-mediated and homogeneous nucleation model to study the formation of HSO particles in aircraft exhaust plumes with direct injection of HSO vapor. We find that under the conditions that produce particles of desired sizes (diameter ∼200-300 nm), nucleation occurs in the nascent ( < 0.01 s), hot ( = 360-445 K), and dry (RH = 0.01-0.1%) plume and is predominantly unary. Nucleation on chemiions occurs first, followed by neutral new particle formation, which converts most of the injected HSO vapor to particles. Coagulation in the aging and diluting plumes governs the subsequent evolution to a narrow (σ = 1.3) particle size distribution. Scavenging by exhaust soot is negligible, but scavenging by acid impurities or incomplete HSO evaporation in the hot exhaust plume and enhanced background aerosols can matter. This research highlights the need to obtain laboratory and/or real-world experiment data to verify the model prediction.
Topics: Particle Size; Aerosols; Aircraft; Vehicle Emissions; Atmosphere; Air Pollutants
PubMed: 38651174
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08408 -
International Archives of Occupational... Jul 2024There is limited study from low-and-middle income countries on the effect of perinatal exposure to air pollution and the risk of infection in infant. We assessed the...
OBJECTIVE
There is limited study from low-and-middle income countries on the effect of perinatal exposure to air pollution and the risk of infection in infant. We assessed the association between perinatal exposure to traffic related air pollution and the risk of infection in infant during their first six months of life.
METHODS
A prospective cohort study was performed in Jakarta, March 2016-September 2020 among 298 mother-infant pairs. PM, soot, NO, and NO concentrations were assessed using land use regression models (LUR) at individual level. Repeated interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to obtain data on infection at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months of age. The infections were categorized as upper respiratory tract (runny nose, cough, wheezing or shortness of breath), lower respiratory tract (pneumonia, bronchiolitis) or gastrointestinal tract infection. Logistic regression models adjusted for covariates were used to assess the association between perinatal exposure to air pollution and the risk of infection in the first six months of life.
RESULTS
The average concentrations of PM and NO were much higher than the WHO recommended levels. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) were much more common in the first six months of life than diagnosed lower respiratory tract or gastro-intestinal infections (35.6%, 3.5% and 5.8% respectively). Perinatal exposure to PM and soot suggested increase cumulative risk of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in the first 6 months of life per IQR increase with adjusted OR of 1.50 (95% CI 0.91; 2.47) and 1.14 (95% CI 0.79; 1.64), respectively. Soot was significantly associated with the risk of URTI at 4-6 months age interval (aOR of 1.45, 95%CI 1.02; 2.09). All air pollutants were also positively associated with lower respiratory tract infection, but all CIs include unity because of relatively small samples. Adjusted odds ratios for gastrointestinal infections were close to unity.
CONCLUSION
Our study adds to the evidence that perinatal exposure to fine particles is associated with respiratory tract infection in infants in a low-middle income country.
Topics: Humans; Female; Infant; Pregnancy; Respiratory Tract Infections; Air Pollutants; Prospective Studies; Adult; Infant, Newborn; Male; Particulate Matter; Vehicle Emissions; Maternal Exposure; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Air Pollution; Developing Countries; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies
PubMed: 38632139
DOI: 10.1007/s00420-024-02064-0 -
Nature Communications Apr 2024Flash Joule heating (FJH) is an emerging and profitable technology for converting inexhaustible biomass into flash graphene (FG). However, it is challenging to produce...
Flash Joule heating (FJH) is an emerging and profitable technology for converting inexhaustible biomass into flash graphene (FG). However, it is challenging to produce biomass FG continuously due to the lack of an integrated device. Furthermore, the high-carbon footprint induced by both excessive energy allocation for massive pyrolytic volatiles release and carbon black utilization in alternating current-FJH (AC-FJH) reaction exacerbates this challenge. Here, we create an integrated automatic system with energy requirement-oriented allocation to achieve continuous biomass FG production with a much lower carbon footprint. The programmable logic controller flexibly coordinated the FJH modular components to realize the turnover of biomass FG production. Furthermore, we propose pyrolysis-FJH nexus to achieve biomass FG production. Initially, we utilize pyrolysis to release biomass pyrolytic volatiles, and subsequently carry out the FJH reaction to focus on optimizing the FG structure. Importantly, biochar with appropriate resistance is self-sufficient to initiate the FJH reaction. Accordingly, the medium-temperature biochar-based FG production without carbon black utilization exhibited low carbon emission (1.9 g CO-eq g graphene), equivalent to a reduction of up to ~86.1% compared to biomass-based FG production. Undoubtedly, this integrated automatic system assisted by pyrolysis-FJH nexus can facilitate biomass FG into a broad spectrum of applications.
Topics: Carbon; Graphite; Biomass; Soot; Charcoal
PubMed: 38622151
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47603-y -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2024Measuring the size distribution and temperature of high-temperature dispersed particles, particularly in-flame soot, holds paramount importance across various...
Measuring the size distribution and temperature of high-temperature dispersed particles, particularly in-flame soot, holds paramount importance across various industries. Laser-induced incandescence (LII) stands out as a potent non-contact diagnostic technology for in-flame soot, although its effectiveness is hindered by uncertainties associated with pre-determined thermal properties. To tackle this challenge, our study proposes a multi-parameter inversion strategy-simultaneous inversion of particle size distribution, thermal accommodation coefficient, and initial temperature of in-flame soot aggregates using time-resolved LII signals. Analyzing the responses of different heat transfer sub-models to temperature rise demonstrates the necessity of incorporating sublimation and thermionic emission for accurately reproducing LII signals of high-temperature dispersed particles. Consequently, we selected a particular LII model for the multi-parameter inversion strategy. Our research reveals that LII-based particle sizing is sensitive to biases in the initial temperature of particles (equivalent to the flame temperature), underscoring the need for the proposed multi-parameter inversion strategy. Numerical results obtained at two typical flame temperatures, 1100 K and 1700 K, illustrate that selecting an appropriate laser fluence enables the simultaneous inversion of particle size distribution, thermal accommodation coefficient, and initial particle temperatures of soot aggregates with high accuracy and confidence using the LII technique.
PubMed: 38591434
DOI: 10.3390/ma17030634