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The goal of this work is to investigate the effect of varying phase fractions on the overall spall strength and damage behavior of a material. Specifically, two plain carbon, ferrite–pearlite steels (1045 and A283) were subjected to spall recovery experiments to investigate the effect of pearlite fraction on spall strength and total damage. The A283 (20% pearlite) alloy exhibited a higher Hugoniot elastic limit and spall strength compared with 1045 (60% pearlite). Discontinuous and continuous yielding behaviors were observed at quasi-static and dynamic rates for A283 and 1045, respectively. The yielding behavior was connected to pearlite fraction and the prevalence of dislocation-emitting, ferrite/cementite interfaces. Postmortem characterization revealed cementite lamellae cracking within pearlite of 1045, suggesting that pearlite reduces spall strength by providing low-energy damage nucleation sites. The rate of damage growth and coalescence was similar between the two alloys; however, 1045 exhibited more continuous cracks than A283, which exhibited a greater prevalence of discrete voids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we estimate the yield of the radioisotope 225 A c in a thorium metal target geometry similar to that described by Roberston et al.. We do so in three different yet complimentary studies. In the first study, we pose a three-way coupled time-dependent model describing beam position, temperature field, and local growth of the activity of the radioisotope and solve this numerically. In the second study, we present an analytical solution of the model equations for a generalized solid target in the "beam-thin" limit, i.e. where only a small fraction of the incoming energy of the proton beam is deposited into the thorium material. In the third study, we use the insight gained from the analytical solution and describe an operating strategy to maximize yield by modulating the beam flux temporally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a growing interest in understanding the impact of duty hours and resting times on training outcomes and the well-being of resident physicians. However, to this date no state-wide analysis exists in any European country. Objectives: Our aim is to describe the shift work scheduling and to detail the degree of compliance with the Spanish legislation and the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) of Spanish resident physicians, focusing on territorial and specialty distribution. Material and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional analytical study was designed through an online survey adapted from the existing literature. Results: Out of the 2035 surveyed resident physicians undergoing PGT in Spain, 80.49% exceeded the 48 h per week limit set by the EWTD and 13% of them did not rest after a 24-h on-call shift. The mean number of on-call shifts in the last 3 months was 15.03, with the highest mean reported in Asturias, La Rioja, and Extremadura. 51.6% of respondents had a day-off after a Saturday on-call shift. Significant differences are observed by region and type of specialty. Conclusion: Resident physicians in Spain greatly exceed the established 48 h/week EWTD limit. Likewise, non-compliance with labor regulations regarding mandatory rest after on-call duty and minimum weekly rest periods are observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Computational Fluid Dynamics technique (CFD), we explored the effects of the atmospheric stability conditions on the dispersion of solid and gas-phase pollutants emitted from an area source located on a flat region. As an application, the dispersion of pollutants emitted from roads located on flat terrains was considered. Toward that end, we set up a model that describes the dispersion of air pollutants in a small region (< 1 km long) near the ground surface (< 250 m high). It consists of a neutrally stratified model modified to account for the atmospheric stability effects by imposing the near-ground stratification through the Monin–Obukhov similarity theory and the k–ε turbulence model adjusted for each atmospheric stability condition. Using this model, we simulated the dispersion of pollutants emitted from the road and plotted the resulting downwind concentrations in terms of dimensionless numbers. Results from our CFD-based model were highly correlated (R2 > 0.95) with the SF6 concentrations measured downwind a line source of this trace gas by the U.S. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration in 2008 under different conditions of atmospheric stability. Numerical and experimental results showed that, under any of the stability conditions explored, the near-road pollutant concentrations are highly correlated (R2 > 0.87) to the concentrations observed under neutral conditions. When the atmosphere is extremely stable, those concentrations were up to 12 times higher than those observed under neutral conditions. We report the constant of proportionality obtained for every stability condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study matter at extreme densities and pressures, we need mega laser facilities such as the National Ignition Facility as well as creative methods to make observations during timescales of a billionth of a second. To facilitate this, we developed a platform and diagnostic to characterize a new point-projection radiography configuration using two micro-wires irradiated by a short pulse laser system that provides a large field of view with up to 3.6 ns separation between images. We used tungsten-carbide solid spheres as reference objects and inferred characteristics of the back-lighter source using a forward-fitting algorithm. The resolution of the system is inferred to be 15 μm (using 12.5 μm diameter wires). The bremsstrahlung temperature of the source is 70–300 keV, depending on laser energy and coupling efficiency. By adding the images recorded on multiple stacked image plates, the signal-to-noise of the system is nearly doubled. The imaging characterization technique described here can be adapted to most point-projection platforms where the resolution, spectral contrast, and signal-to-noise are important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years have witnessed a considerable increase in clinical trials of new investigational agents for Fabry disease (FD). Several trials investigating different agents are currently in progress; however, lack of standardisation results in challenges to interpretation and comparison. To facilitate the standardisation of investigational programs, we have developed a common framework for future clinical trials in FD. A broad consensus regarding clinical outcomes and ways to measure them was obtained via the Delphi methodology. 35 FD clinical experts from 4 continents, representing 3389 FD patients, participated in 3 rounds of Delphi procedure. The aim was to reach a consensus regarding clinical trial design, best treatment comparator, clinical outcomes, measurement of those clinical outcomes and inclusion and exclusion criteria. Consensus results of this initiative included: the selection of the adaptative clinical trial as the ideal study design and agalsidase beta as ideal comparator treatment due to its longstanding use in FD. Renal and cardiac outcomes, such as glomerular filtration rate, proteinuria and left ventricular mass index, were prioritised, whereas neurological outcomes including cerebrovascular and white matter lesions were dismissed as a primary or secondary outcome measure. Besides, there was a consensus regarding the importance of patient-related outcomes such as general quality of life, pain, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Also, unity about lysoGb3 and Gb3 tissue deposits as useful surrogate markers of the disease was obtained. The group recognised that cardiac T1 mapping still has potential but requires further development before its widespread introduction in clinical trials. Finally, patients with end-stage renal disease or renal transplant should be excluded unless a particular group for them is created inside the clinical trial. This consensus will help to shape the future of clinical trials in FD. We note that the FDA has, coincidentally, recently published draft guidelines on clinical trials in FD and welcome this contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of this study is the development of a methodology to mechanically separate or fractionate micro-fibrillated fibre suspensions (MFC) into different size classes. We extend the principle outlined by Madani et al. (2010) and create a continuous separation in an annular gap undergoing spiral Poiseuille flow (solid body rotation superimposed on pressure driven flow). Achieving hydrodynamic stability of this flow was the main scientific challenge for scale-up. This work is presented in two different studies. In the first study, we perform a series of batch-wise centrifugation tests to develop the criteria for motion of the individual classes of particles which compose a Eucalyptus MFC suspension. Here, we suspend the MFC in a weak gel and demonstrate a linear reduction in average particle size with increasing centrifugal force; motion is initiated in heavier particles before the lighter ones. In the second study, we use this batch-wise data to design a continuous prototype and we successfully demonstrate a continuous separation with performance similar to that achieved in the batch-wise tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L'enfant traumatisé par un meurtre au sein du couple parental est exposé à une multitude de complications post-traumatiques spécifiques à la nature du traumatisme (PTSD, processus de deuil pathologique, troubles de l'attachement), et aspécifiques (troubles anxieux, troubles de l'humeur, troubles du sommeil, troubles du comportement, troubles psychosomatiques) ainsi qu'à des altérations du développement et des processus de structuration de la personnalité. Le traumatisme a par ailleurs un retentissement sur son état de santé physique et sur son niveau de fonctionnement global, scolaire et social. L'enfant témoin de féminicide dans un contexte de violences conjugales est à haut risque de complications post-traumatiques, si l'on fait l'hypothèse qu'il s'agit du traumatisme le plus grave qui soit pour un enfant. Ce traumatisme, par exposition à de la violence extrême, est sévère par son caractère interpersonnel et intentionnel, mais aussi et surtout, parce que non seulement la responsabilité émane d'un être humain contre un semblable, mais elle émane d'un parent contre l'autre parent. L'enfant va perdre brutalement ses deux figures d'attachement, sans « externalisation » possible de la responsabilité, et il ne pourra chercher de soutien auprès d'aucun de ses deux parents. Nous présentons dans l'article une grille d'évaluation de la situation clinique qui nous semble utile pour aider les professionnels qui seraient confrontés à cette rencontre particulière et rare avec ces enfants. Nous montrons également que l'évaluation de l'accompagnement professionnel (socio-éducatif, judiciaire et thérapeutique) fait partie intégrante de cette évaluation des facteurs de risque et des facteurs de protection (de résilience) pour l'évolution et le devenir à long terme de ces enfants. Children traumatized by a murder within the parental couple may develop a multitude of post-traumatic complications both specific to the nature of the traumatism (PTSD, pathological mourning process, attachment disorders) and nonspecific (anxiety disorders, disorders mood, sleep disorders, behavioral disorders, psychosomatic disorders) as well as alterations in the development and processes of personality structuring. The trauma also has an impact on physical health and on overall level of functioning, school and social. Children witnessing feminicide in a context of domestic violence are at high risk of post-traumatic complications, assuming that this is the most serious trauma for the child. This trauma, by exposure to extreme violence, is severe by its interpersonal and intentional character but also, and above all, because not only does responsibility come from one human being against another but it comes from one parent against the other parent. The child will suddenly lose his two attachments, without the possible "outsourcing" of responsibility and will be unable to seek support from either of the parents. We present a grid of evaluations of the clinical situation which we deem helpful for professionals who may be confronted with this particular and rare encounter with these children. We also show that evaluation of professional support (socioeducational, legal and therapeutic) is an integral part of this assessment of risk factors and protective factors (resilience) for evolution and long-term future of these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of the viscoelastic properties of rubber substrate on the tribological behavior of DLC film-coated alkyl acrylate rubber is studied. The mechanical behavior of the rubber was first characterized by creep experiments using spherical indentations. The results were adjusted using a delayed elasticity model, and a numerical simulation of the indentation of the sliding counterpart ball during the tribotest was carried out. The results show a progressive increase of the contact depth, which is in agreement with the experimental observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the influence of the mechanical properties of rubber substrate on frictional behavior of DLC-protected rubber is studied by numerical methods. The viscoelastic contribution to the friction during a tribotest was simulated according to a 'mattress' approach composed by Voigt or standard linear solid units. The latter approach demonstrated more accurate predictions. In both cases, the results show an increase of the contact depth, which is in agreement with the experimental observations. The simulations also show a progressive reduction of the viscoelastic contribution of the coefficient of friction (CoF) with the number of laps due to the elongation of the front part of the contact area. This prediction does not agree with the experimentally observed increase of CoF, and suggests a dominant contribution of the adhesive component to the friction under real conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO 2 thin films were deposited by DC Sputtering varying the deposit time. These films were characterized by XRD, AFM, photoluminescence, UV–Vis, ellipsometry and XPS. The optical properties of TiO 2 thin films with different thickness, influenced their photocatalytic behavior in two photoinduced process. When TiO 2 thin films were irradiated with a UV light, midgap states were generated and the electrons were placed in lower energies than its band gap, favoring the photocatalytic hydrogen production and CO 2 photoreduction. From PL technique analyses it was observed that electrons occupied midgap states between the bands, with lower energies than the band gap. With these results it was possible to propose an energy diagram in order to correlate with photoinduced processes results. The presence of Ti3+ species was reconfirmed by means of XPS analyses. These species could be found in the midgap states, generated by the interaction between the UV irradiation and the film surface, which contributed to the photocatalytic activity of the films. The hydrogen production was similar for all the thin films studied (33–35 μmol) associated to the presence of similar energy midgap states. In the case of CO 2 photoreduction, all films produced CH 2 O (8951 and 6252 μmol/g) and the films with a thickness of 330 and 420 nm generated CH 3 OH (970 and 292 μmol/g). The extinction coefficient confirmed the XRD results for the film with greatest deposited time, which exhibited the highest crystallinity. All photocatalytic results did not show any dependence with the thin film thickness. Image 1 • Thin films optical properties influenced activity of TiO 2 in photoinduced process. • Ti3+ species, located in midgap states, promoted the generation of 35 μmol of H 2. • Ti3+ species contributed to the photoreduction of CO 2 in formaldehyde and methanol. • Both photoinduced processes performance are independent on the thin film thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • TiO 2 thin films were grown by sputtering method and use as seed layer to grow TiO 2 nanorods by means of hydrothermal method. • TiO 2 nanorods has 3.5 higher activity (132 μmol) than TiO 2 seed layer (38 μmol). • TiO 2 nanorods has the contribution of Ti3+ species, which reduce the band gap value and improve the photocatalytic activity. Abstract TiO 2 nanorods were prepared by hydrothermal method over TiO 2 seed layers deposited by DC Sputtering. From the XRD structural characterization, it has been stated that TiO 2 seed layer present mainly the anatase phase with some contributions of rutile phase, while for TiO 2 nanorods, the rutile phase is present. The thin film thickness were measured using a profilometer, resulting in a thickness of 310 nm for the seed layer and ∼400 nm for TiO 2 nanorods. PL analysis for both films presented an indirect transitions Γ 1b → Χ 2a, as well as oxygen vacancies, defects and surface states. Photocatalytic H 2 production for TiO 2 seed layer film was around 38 μmol, while TiO 2 nanorods produced 132 μmol. This is attributed to the increase to the midgap states present below the conduction band and near to the valence band, which help to improve the photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide an estimated prevalence and describe the clinical features of myasthenia gravis (MG) in Chile. Method: We carried out (i) a prevalence study of MG using the capture‐recapture method and the hospital register of pyridostigmine prescription in South‐East Santiago (ii) a nationwide survey of MG patients. Results: Prevalence in adults in South‐East Santiago was estimated to be 8.36/100 000 inhabitants (CI: 95%, 7.98‐8.80). From the nationwide survey, 405 questionnaires were analysed, there was a female/male ratio of 2.2:1. The mean age of onset of symptoms was 38.7 years (range 1‐89). The onset was ocular in 46.4%, oculobulbar in 11.6%, bulbar in 8.9%, limbs in 11.6% and generalized in 21.4%. Of the 13.3% of patients who had had a diagnosis of thymoma, only four of these patients were >60 years old at onset. Thymomas were commoner in patients living in mining counties. Patients ≥60 years old at onset of MG formed 19.5% of the sample, female/male ratio 0.97:1. Associated autoimmune diseases were reported in 14% of patients and in family members of 31.8% of patients. A total of 78 patients had to change work due to MG and 68 needed help in carrying out daily activities. Conclusions: This study reduces the gap in information about MG in South America. The prevalence of MG in Chile is within the range described worldwide. We did not see an increase in male frequency in the older age of onset group and thymoma was more frequent in the fifth and sixth decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clogging or jamming of particle suspensions is a ubiquitous problem, hindering the efficiency of particle–liquid and particle–particle separations. Motivated by pressure screening in the pulp and paper industry, we characterize jamming of dilute and semi-dilute mono-disperse rigid-rod suspensions passing through channels mimicking dead-end and cross-flow filtration membranes, experimentally, using particle-tracking velocimetry. We observe that jams nucleate by either bridging of isolated particles across the constriction, or by localized mechanical entanglement of the particles, i.e., flocculation. Uniquely, we observe floc-formation during acceleration into the aperture and report this as primary mechanism for jamming events. We characterized the accumulation-release cycles of the jamming event using an exponential probability distribution; this distribution is indicative of a Poisson process. For jams nucleated by single-particle bridging, the distribution is (primarily) related to the number of fibers passing through the aperture; this is similar to dry, granular materials. For floc-based nucleation events, the distribution is (primarily) related to the suspension concentration with the average time between jams decreasing inversely with the square-root of the initial suspension concentration. For the conditions tested, the distribution was insensitive to changes in constriction geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deposition of decorative coatings is an excellent solution to modify the surface of any material, particularly the aesthetic finishing, without altering the properties of the substrate. Transition metal oxynitride films are interesting for many applications, due the simple and economic way to tune between nitride and oxide bonding. In reactive sputtering, this is done by playing with the flows of N 2 and O 2 , leading to variations of properties (e.g. color) in different directions. In this paper, zirconium is selected as transition metal due to the combination of different characteristics (color, biocompatibility, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance). The literature about Zr-O-N films reveals a confinement of chemical composition. Therefore, the aim of this work is the exploration of the deposition parameter space in order to evaluate the stability of the Zr-O-N system, i.e. verify if the chemical composition of the films still falls in the same range after variation of different deposition parameters. To do that, a series of Zr-O-N films is deposited first at different reactive flows, maintaining the remaining deposition parameters constant. The obtained films can be classified in three different groups, based on their chemical composition, crystalline structure, and film growth. These groups can be successfully explained according to the sputtering characteristics, and correlated with the mechanical properties and color of the films measured by nanoindentation and spectrophotometry respectively. The films deposited by variation of other parameters are introduced afterwards and their characteristics are compared with the reference series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) method is a powerful and simple tool to simulate the growth of thin films by deposition. However, one of its major drawbacks is the artificial order induced by the use of regular lattices. An algorithm that mimics the crystallization processes in bi-component thin film depositions via a novel KMC approach is presented in this work. This new algorithm, named GEM-CA (Geometrical Energy Modification-Crystallization Algorithm), modifies the hopping energy barrier depending on the geometrical configuration of the atoms surrounding one particular position. The novel approach allows obtaining amorphous, crystalline and mixed structures (i.e. nanocomposites), depending solely on the synthesis parameters. In addition, we have developed a method for the analysis of deposited structures based on their degree of order. The influence of different deposition parameters such as temperature or composition is discussed in detail. GEM-CA reproduces experimentally observed trends of bi-component film deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient behavior of proton-beam bombarded liquid-targets are studied at various initial conditions at the TR13 cyclotron at TRIUMF. Depending on the initial condition, experiments show a range of different responses from steady-state to self-sustained oscillations. To address this, a system of equations based on the conservation of mass and energy is proposed. Coupling between the beam and fluid-density and chemical reactions driven by the beam (radiolysis) are identified as the main reasons to describe this behavior. Excellent qualitative agreements are achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a statistical method that allows evaluating the degree of a transparency of a thin film. To do so, the color coordinates are measured on different substrates, and the standard deviation is evaluated. In case of low values, the color depends on the film and not on the substrate, and intrinsic colors are obtained. In contrast, transparent films lead to high values of standard deviation, since the value of the color coordinates depends on the substrate. Between both extremes, colored films with a certain degree of transparency can be found. This method allows an objective and simple evaluation of the transparency of any film, improving the subjective visual inspection and avoiding the thickness problems related to optical spectroscopy evaluation. Zirconium oxynitride films deposited on three different substrates (Si, steel and glass) are used for testing the validity of this method, whose results have been validated with optical spectroscopy, and agree with the visual impression of the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibre shortening is typically an unwanted morphological change during low consistency refining that degrades pulp. A comminution model parametrization was proposed to assess fibre shortening during the low consistency refining of mechanical pulps. Fibre length distribution data from before and after refining with a variety of pulp types, net-powers, feed flow rates, angular velocities and plate geometries was analyzed. The estimated parameters from the comminution model showed to have correlations with refiner gap: the cutting rate had an inversely proportional power-law relationship with the refiner gap; narrower gaps promoted fibre cutting at the middle of the fibre whereas wider gaps promoted a more uniform cutting. Plate geometry was also demonstrated to have a role in the fibre cutting location. The proposed parametrization was compared to other modeling works using the likelihood ratio test, showing that it is appropriate to describe the results reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were performed to investigate the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov (RM) instability in plastic (CH2) foils. The two-dimensional (2-D) perturbations were created by laser imprinting using a special phase plate with a 2-D single mode, ~70 µm wavelength sinusoidal intensity pattern on the plastic foil. The growth of imprinted perturbations was measured by face-on, X-ray radiography using Sm and Ta backlighters in 30-µm and 50-µm thick plastic foils, respectively. After the initial imprinting phase, the 2-D perturbations grew due to ablative RM instability before the onset of foil acceleration when they were further amplified by Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Experimental results agree reasonably well with 2-D hydrodynamic simulations and analytic models showing that the modulation growth in areal density is due to ablative RM instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrodynamic instability growth of the capsule support membranes (or "tents") and fill tubes has been studied in spherical, glow discharge polymer plastic capsule implosions at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) [Campbell et al., AIP Conf. Proc. 429, 3 (1998)]. In NIF implosions, the capsules are supported by tents because the nominal 10-µm thick fill tubes are not strong enough to support capsules by themselves. After it was recognized that the tents had a significant impact of implosion stability, new support methods were investigated, including thicker, 30-µm diameter fill tubes and cantilevered fill tubes, as described in this article. A new "sub-scale" version of the existing x-ray radiography platform was developed for measuring growing capsule perturbations in the acceleration phase of implosions. It was calibrated using hydrodynamic growth measurements of pre-imposed capsule modulations with Legendre modes of 60, 90, 110, and 140 at convergence ratios up to ~2.4. Subsequent experiments with 3-D perturbations have studied instability growth of 10-µm and 30-µm thick fill tubes to compare them with 30-nm thick tent perturbations at convergence ratios up to ~3. In other experiments, the perturbations from cantilevered fill tubes were measured and compared to the tent perturbations. The cantilevered fill tubes were supported by 12-µm thick SiC rods, offset by 100 µm, 200 µm, and 300 µm from the capsule surfaces. Based on these experiments, 30-µm thick fill tubes and 300-µm offset cantilevered fill tubes were recommended for further tests using layered deuterium-tritium implosions. The effects of x-ray shadowing during the drive and oxygen-induced perturbations during target assembly produced additional seeds for instabilities and were also measured in these experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel visible-light-driven PbMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid composites were synthesized with loadings 0, 20, 50, 80 and 100 wt.% of PbMoO 4 by sonochemical method. The PbMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), photoluminescence (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the BET method. The photocatalytic activity of the PbMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid composites were evaluated using ciprofloxacin as pharmaceutical pollutant model. The as-prepared PbMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 (50/50 wt.%) improved the photocatalytic activity than the pure g-C 3 N 4 and PbMoO 4 nanoparticles. A photocatalytic mechanism and the kinetics of PbMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 hybrid composites were also proposed. The photoactivity of the PbMoO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 (50/50 wt.%) hybrid composite was found to increase by 11 times than of the pure g-C 3 N 4 . The total organic carbon (TOC) analysis of samples irradiated revealed that mineralization of organic compounds by the action of PbMoO 4 /C 3 N 4 was feasible in CIP (70%) of simulated sunlight irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute infectious diarrhea in human neonates and infants. However, the studies aimed at dissecting the anti-virus immune response have been mainly performed in adults. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in innate and acquired immune responses. Therefore, it is very important to determine the response of neonatal and infant DCs to rotavirus and to compare it to the response of adult DCs. Thus, we determined the response of monocyte-derived DCs from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and adult peripheral blood (PB) to rotavirus in vitro . It was found that the rotavirus and its genome, composed of segmented doubled stranded RNA (dsRNA), induced the activation of neonatal DCs, as these cells up-regulated the levels of CD40, CD86, MHC II, TLR-3 and TLR-4, the production of cytokines IL-6, IL-12/23p40, IL-10, TGF-β (but not of IL-12p70), and the message for TNF-α and IFN-β. This activation enabled the neonatal DCs to induce a strong proliferation of allogeneic CD4 + T cells and the production of IFN-γ. Moreover, neonatal DCs could be infected by rotavirus and sustain its replication. Neonatal DCs had a similar response as adult DCs towards rotavirus and its genome. However, adult DCs had a biased pro-inflammatory response compared to neonatal DCs, which showed a biased regulatory profile, as they produced higher levels of IL-10 and TGF-β, and were less efficient in inducing a Th1 type response. So it can be concluded that rotavirus and its genome can induce the activation of neonatal DCs in spite of their tolerogenic bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study that investigated high-temperature magnetic relaxation in polycrystalline magnetite. Experimental procedure; Results and discussion on the study.

We investigate on the National Ignition Facility the ablative Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the transition from weakly nonlinear to highly nonlinear regimes. A planar plastic package with preimposed two-dimensional broadband modulations is accelerated for up to 12 ns by the x-ray drive of a gas-filled Au radiation cavity with a radiative temperature plateau at 175 eV. This extended tailored drive allows a distance traveled in excess of 1 mm for a 130 μm thick foil. Measurements of the modulation optical density performed by x-ray radiography show that a bubble-merger regime for the Rayleigh-Taylor instability at an ablation front is achieved for the first time in indirect drive. The mutimode modulation amplitudes are in the nonlinear regime, grow beyond the Haan multimode saturation level, evolve toward the longer wavelengths, and show insensitivity to the initial conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a new approach to obtain reliable surface topography reconstructions from 2D Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images. In this method a set of images taken at different tilt angles are compared by means of digital image correlation (DIC). It is argued that the strength of the method lies in the fact that precise knowledge about the nature of the rotation (vector and/or magnitude) is not needed. Therefore, the great advantage is that complex calibrations of the measuring equipment are avoided. The paper presents the necessary equations involved in the methods, including derivations and solutions. The method is illustrated with examples of 3D reconstructions followed by a discussion on the relevant experimental parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we will critically review various strategies for a successful deposition of highly adherent protective coatings on elastomers and rubbers. Emphasis will be placed on the differences with traditional approaches that are explored on rigid substrates (e.g. steel or silicon). Although we will focus on protective coatings, the generic ideas are also applicable for the deposition of any thin film on flexible polymers. The method for fine tuning the coating microstructure via a proper selection of the deposition conditions will be elucidated afterwards. Since the protection of rubber substrate is the major application of these coatings, the performance as protective films will be discussed in detail. Particular attention will be given to the friction coefficient and the influence of the viscoelastic properties of substrate. A comprehensive model explaining the influence of the parameter set is presented. Finally, the main conclusions of the work and the open questions for future explorations are briefly outlined. In general, an excellent adhesion is the critical requirement to reach optimal protection of the substrate. The frictional performance can be optimized depending on the viscoelastic properties of the rubber, the microstructure of the coating and the conditions of the contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A new combustion mitigation system of ventilation air methane is numerically studied. [•] The effects of preheating and methane concentration are revealed. [•] Preheating has a significant influence on the oxidation of ventilation air methane. [•] Combustion of mixtures with high methane concentration is more unsteady and vortical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article proposes a mapping tool to discover text-to-concept mappings in Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine - Clinical Terms (SNOMED-CT). Topics discussed include the combination of name-based techniques with a query expansion system to generate alternative search terms. Also mentioned are the developed tool being evaluated and compared with two SNOMED-CT browsers as well as the results demonstrating the feasibility of accurately mapping clinical glossaries to SNO-MED concepts.

Abstract: A comparison of two different models addressing the scalar transport in large-eddy simulations is conducted for a non-reacting jet and an experimental flame. A simple approach based on a gradient diffusion closure is compared against the linear-eddy model in the context of hydrogen-enriched non-reacting fuel jets and flames burning hydrogen-enriched mixtures. The results show that the gradient diffusion model is not valid as a subgrid scale model for large-eddy simulations of mixtures containing hydrogen. It produces unphysical scalar fields with unrealistic temperature distributions. Approaches based on the linear-eddy model can be used instead to obtain appropriate representation of the scalar field and more accurate predictions of the scalar transport and the temperature field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background. Relatively lower executive functioning is characteristic of individuals with schizophrenia. As low socioeconomic status (SES) early in life (i.e. parent SES) has been linked with lower executive skills in healthy children, we hypothesized that parental SES (pSES) would be more strongly related to executive functioning in individuals with schizophrenia than in controls and have a greater impact on prefrontal cortical morphology. Method. Healthy controls (n = 125) and individuals with schizophrenia (n=102) completed tests assessing executive functioning and intelligence. The groups were matched on pSES, which was evaluated with the Hollingshead- Redlich scale. A principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted on 10 variables from six executive tests, yielding three specific components (fluency, planning and response inhibition). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to evaluate effects of pSES on gray matter (GM) concentration. Results. Lower pSES was associated with lower scores across the three executive functioning components, and a significant group by pSES interaction was observed such that low pSES, in particular, affected individuals with schizophrenia. These effects remained significant when intellectual ability, education and self-SES (sSES) were added as covariates. VBM revealed that lower pSES was associated with reduced GM volume in several anterior brain regions, especially the superior frontal gyrus, in patients but not in controls. Conclusions. These findings suggest that individuals with schizophrenia may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse impact of low pSES, in terms of both lower executive skills and reduced anterior GM volumes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We examined the association between marital life history and bone mineral density (BMD) in a national sample from the US. In men, being stably married was independently associated with better lumbar spine BMD, and in women, more spousal support was associated with better lumbar spine BMD. Introduction: Adult bone mass may be influenced by stressors over the life course. We examined the association between marital life history and bone mineral density (BMD) net socioeconomic and behavioral factors known to influence bone mass. We sought evidence for a gender difference in the association between marital history and adult BMD. Methods: We used data from 632 adult participants in the Midlife in the United States Study to examine associations between marital history and BMD, stratified by gender, and adjusted for age, weight, menopausal stage, medication use, childhood socioeconomic advantage, adult financial status, education, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results: Compared to stably married men, men who were currently divorced, widowed, or separated, men who were currently married but previously divorced, widowed, or separated, and never married men had 0.33 (95 % CI: 0.01, 0.65), 0.36 (95 % CI: 0.10, 0.83), and 0.53 (95 % CI: 0.23, 0.83) standard deviations lower lumbar spine BMD, respectively. Among men married at least once, every year decrement in age at first marriage (under age 25) was associated with 0.07 SD decrement in lumbar spine BMD (95 % CI: 0.002, 0.13). In women, greater support from the spouse was associated with higher lumbar spine BMD. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that marriage before age 25 and marital disruptions are deleterious to bone health in men, and that marital quality is associated with better bone health in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Large-eddy simulations (LES) of non-premixed hydrogen impinging flames using different chemical kinetics have been performed in this study. The work is mainly focused on the formation of vortical structures in the primary and wall jets, along with the analysis of heat transfer. The configuration corresponds to a laboratory hydrogen jet flame issuing from a circular nozzle which impinges on a downstream wall with a nozzle to plate distance of H/D =20. The numerical simulations were performed using the same subgrid scale model but different finite-rate chemical kinetic mechanisms. The results show appreciable differences in the predictions of vortex formation and near-wall heat transfer due to the influence of the chemical reactions on the flow field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Numerical simulations using the Large-eddy simulation technique is presented to study the effects of fuel variability on the dynamics of hydrogen and syngas impinging flames. The compositions of CO and H2 are varied in a syngas mixture, including a pure H2 case as the baseline Case 1, 20% CO with 80% H2 for Case 2, 40% CO with 60% H2 for Case 3, and 20% CO with 20% CO2 and 60% H2 for Case 4. The impinging flame configuration has a distance to nozzle diameter ratio of H/d =20 and the inlet velocity of the fuel is 27m/s. The fuel is issued from a circular nozzle and mixes with air in a non-premixed configuration. The results show that the flames develop vortical structures in the primary jet associated with the buoyancy and shear layer instability, and the wall jet progresses parallel to the impinging plate forming large-scale vortex rings at different locations and strengths as a consequence of the fuel compositions. A comprehensive analysis of vortical structures in the primary and secondary jet streams, along with a description of their effects on the near-wall heat transfer and instabilities of syngas flames is presented here. Pollutant emissions and species formations are also investigated in order to gain further insight into the syngas burning characteristics for future cleaner combustion systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper focuses on the frictional behavior of flexible diamond-like carbon (DLC) film-coated hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber. By making use of the substantial thermal mismatch between DLC film and rubber substrate, a dense network of cracks forms in the DLC films and contributes to flexibility. The influence of the size of DLC film microsegments on the frictional performance is studied. The effect of viscoelasticity of the rubber substrate on the frictional behavior of the DLC film-coated system is scrutinized by tribo-tests and theoretical analysis. The importance of adhesive and hysteresis contributions to friction is revealed, and an overarching model is presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the microstructure and tribological performance of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films prepared by plasma chemical vapor deposition on hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubbers (HNBR) are studied. Different negative variations of temperature during film growth were selected by proper changes of the bias voltage. Raman measurements show a similar bonding regardless of the voltages used. A columnar growth and a tile-like microstructure of the DLC films were identified by scanning electron microscopy. Patch sizes can be correlated with the deposition conditions. The coefficient of friction (CoF) of DLC film coated HNBR was found to be much lower than that of the unprotected rubber, and more reduced for the DLC films with smaller patch sizes, which is explained by a better flexibility and conformity of the film during testing. In one of the samples, unexpected low CoF was observed, which was attributed to a modification of the mechanical properties of the rubber during the plasma treatment at high voltage. This issue was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which indicated a modification of the cross linking in the rubber. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The frictional performance of several rubbers after pulsed-DC plasma treatments has been examined. In all cases, the treated rubbers showed better performance than the corresponding untreated ones. Stronger treatments, in terms of longer process time and/or higher substrate bias voltage, led to larger reductions of coefficient of friction and wear. The addition of hydrogen to the argon plasma did not show any additional positive effect. Nevertheless, different degrees of improvement were observed for different rubbers. In fact, the energy consumed during the tribotest scales with the maximum working temperature of the rubbers, indicating that the plasma treatment is more effective in the case of more sensitive rubbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Among a group of 940 US adults, economic adversity and minority race status were associated with higher serum levels of markers of bone turnover. These results suggest that higher levels of social stress may increase bone turnover. Introduction: To determine socioeconomic status (SES) and race differences in levels of bone turnover. Methods: Using data from the Biomarker Substudy of the Midlife in the US (MIDUS) study (491 men, 449 women), we examined cross-sectional associations of SES and race with serum levels of bone turnover markers (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase [BSAP], procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide [PINP], and N-telopeptide [Ntx]) separately in men and women. Linear multivariable regression was used to control for body weight, menopausal transition stage, and age. Results: Among men, low family poverty-to-income ratio (FPIR) was associated with higher turnover, but neither education nor race was associated with turnover. Men with FPIR <3 had 1.808 nM BCE higher Ntx ( P = 0.05), 3.366 U/L higher BSAP ( P = 0.02), and 7.066 higher PINP ( P = 0.02). Among women, neither education nor FPIR was associated with bone turnover, but Black women had 3.688 nM BCE higher Ntx ( P = 0.001), 5.267 U/L higher BSAP ( P = 0.005), and 11.906 μg/L higher PINP ( P = 0.008) compared with non-Black women. Conclusions: Economic adversity was associated with higher bone turnover in men, and minority race status was associated with higher bone turnover in women, consistent with the hypothesis that higher levels of social stresses cause increased bone turnover. The magnitude of these associations was comparable to the effects of some osteoporosis medications on levels of turnover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper the tribological and adhesive performance of DLC films prepared by plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition on acrylic rubber (ACM) are studied. The effect of applied load and sliding velocity on the coefficient of friction and wear rate has been investigated. Effects of the rubber substrate and of ageing of the coated samples have also been explored. In addition, the adhesion of the DLC films to the rubber substrates is evaluated via stretch tests and the measured adhesion strength is larger than 40MPa, indicating a superb adhesion to the substrate. It is shown that the tribological performance is greatly influenced by the viscoelastic properties of the substrate, and higher coefficients of friction are obtained at higher loads and velocities. The wear followed a similar trend, although very low in all the cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A method based on laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and neural networks (NNs) has been developed and applied to the identification and discrimination of specific bacteria strains (Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium). Instant identification of the samples is achieved using a spectral library, which was obtained by analysis using a single laser pulse of representative samples and treatment by neural networks. The samples used in this study were divided into three groups, which were prepared on three different days. The results obtained allow the identification of the bacteria tested with a certainty of over 95%, and show that only a difference between the bacteria can cause identification. Single-shot measurements were sufficient for clear identification of the bacterial strains studied. The method can be developed for automatic real time, fast, reliable and robust measurements and can be packaged in portable systems for non-specialist users. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we concentrate on the microstructure of diamond-like carbon films prepared by plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition on acrylic rubber. The temperature variation produced by the ion impingement during plasma cleaning and subsequent film deposition was monitored and controlled as a function of bias voltage and treatment time. Its influence during film growth on the appearance of patterns of cracks and wrinkles, caused by the thermal stresses is evaluated. Different growth modes are proposed in order to explain the smaller patch sizes observed at negative variations of temperature. The coefficient of friction (CoF) of the samples is measured using a pin-on-disk tribometer in non-lubricated conditions. Much lower CoF values than unprotected rubber are seen, which can be correlated with the observed patch size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The globus pallidus sends a significant GABAergic projection to the thalamic reticular nucleus. Because pallidal neurons express D4-dopamine receptors, we have explored their presence on pallidoreticular terminals by studying the effect of dopamine and D4-receptor agonists on the GABAergic transmission in the thalamic reticular nucleus. We made whole-cell recordings of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in the thalamic reticular neurons. Dopamine consistently reduced the IPSCs. The effect of dopamine was associated with paired-pulse facilitation, indicating a presynaptic location of the receptors. The effect of dopamine was also measured on the mIPSCs, reducing their frequency but not affecting their amplitude, which also suggests a presynaptic site of action. The selective D4-receptor agonist PD 168,077 also reduced the IPSCs, which was also associated with paired-pulse facilitation. In addition, this agonist reduced the frequency of the mIPSCs with no effect on their amplitude. The D4-receptor antagonist l-745,870 totally blocked the effect of the D4-receptor agonist, indicating the specificity of its effect. To verify the location of the receptors on the pallidal terminals, these were eliminated by injecting kainic acid into the globus pallidus. Kainic acid produced a drastic (80%) fall in the globus pallidus neuronal population. In this condition, the effect of the activation of D4 receptors both on the IPSCs and mIPSCs was prevented, thus indicating that the location of the receptors was on the pallidal terminals. Our results demonstrate that dopamine controls the activity of the thalamic reticular neurons by regulating the inhibitory input from the globus pallidus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sticholysins I and II (St I/II) are cytolysins purified from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. In this study, we show their pharmacological action on guinea-pig and snail models in native and pH-denatured conditions in order to correlate the pharmacological findings with the pore-forming activity of both isoforms. In guinea-pig erythrocytes ( N = 3), St II possessed higher haemolytic activity in comparison with St I and this activity was lost at an alkaline pH. In molluscan central neurons ( N = 30), they irreversibly decreased the amplitude of the cholinergic response; St I (EC 50 0.6 µmolL−1) was more potent than St II (EC50 >6.6 µmolL−1) and they both increased the duration of the action potential; these effects were absent at an alkaline pH. In guinea-pig isolated atrium ( N = 25), both increased the amplitude of the contraction force, but St II was more potent than St I (EC50 0.03 µmolL−1 and 0.3 µmolL−1, respectively) and this effect persisted at an alkaline pH. In summary, both cytolysins have neuroactive and cardioactive properties. The main mechanism in molluscan neurons seems to be associated with the cytolytic activity of these molecules, whereas in guinea-pig atrium, the existence of an additional pharmacological mechanism might be contributing to the observed effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sticholysins I and II (St I/II) are cytolysins purified from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus. In this study, we show their pharmacological action on guinea-pig and snail models in native and pH-denatured conditions in order to correlate the pharmacological findings with the pore-forming activity of both isoforms. In guinea-pig erythrocytes (N = 3), St II possessed higher haemolytic activity in comparison with St I and this activity was lost at an alkaline pH. In molluscan central neurons (N = 30), they irreversibly decreased the amplitude of the cholinergic response; St I (EC50 0.6 μmolL-1) was more potent than St II (EC50 >6.6 μmolL-1) and they both increased the duration of the action potential; these effects were absent at an alkaline pH. In guinea-pig isolated atrium (N = 25), both increased the amplitude of the contraction force, but St II was more potent than St I (EC50 0.03 μmolL-1 and 0.3 μmolL-1, respectively) and this effect persisted at an alkaline pH. In summary, both cytolysins have neuroactive and cardioactive properties. The main mechanism in molluscan neurons seems to be associated with the cytolytic activity of these molecules, whereas in guinea-pig atrium, the existence of an additional pharmacological mechanism might be contributing to the observed effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]