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The field of conservation has seen a shift in focus from monitoring trends in census population size to trends in 'effective' population size. Numerous genetic methods exist for estimating effective population size, resulting in uncertainty among conservation practitioners as to which methods are most appropriate when conducting population assessments or evaluating recovery efforts. Demographic approaches offer a promising avenue to provide a link between census and effective population size using life‐history information, but rarely do studies have all three sources of data (genetic, demographic, life history) necessary to perform an explicit evaluation of their performance. Using data from a long‐term study of reticulated flatwoods salamanders (Ambystoma bishopi) in western Florida, USA, we assessed the magnitude of temporal variation in census population sizes N and the effective number of breeders Nb of two breeding populations to (1) document changes in the number of breeding adults over the 9‐year study duration, (2) determine whether N and Nb provide similar information about population size and trends and (3) compare alternative demographic and genetic approaches for estimating Nb. We found that genetic estimates of N̂b, particularly if averaged across multiple estimation methods, closely tracked spatiotemporal variation in N. Demographic estimates of Nb also closely tracked N but were sensitive to the assumed variance in reproductive success. In the absence of genetic information, detailed knowledge of mating systems and the environmental factors that skew reproductive contributions appear necessary for demographic Nb to reliably inform management decisions. In these populations, N̂b appears too small (<40 individuals) to confer long‐term genetic resilience, highlighting the importance of restoring landscape connectivity and indicating that caution must be taken when sourcing animals for reintroduction efforts. More generally, our study reveals insights into the utility of alternative Nb estimation methods in guiding recovery efforts of threatened and endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to review recent literature concerning long-term health issues and transitional care in esophageal atresia (EA) patients. PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science databases were screened for studies regarding EA patients aged more than or equal to 11 years, published between August 2014 and June 2022. Sixteen studies involving 830 patients were analyzed. Mean age was 27.4 years (range 11–63). EA subtype distribution was: type C (48.8%), A (9.5%), D (1.9%), E (0.5%) and B (0.2%). 55% underwent primary repair, 34.3% delayed repair, 10.5% esophageal substitution. Mean follow-up was 27.2 years (range 11–63). Long-term sequelae were: gastro-esophageal reflux (41.4%), dysphagia (27.6%), esophagitis (12.4%), Barrett esophagus (8.1%), anastomotic stricture (4.8%); persistent cough (8.7%), recurrent infections (4.3%) and chronic respiratory diseases (5.5%). Musculo-skeletal deformities were present in 36 out of 74 reported cases. Reduced weight and height were detected in 13.3% and 6% cases, respectively. Impaired quality of life was reported in 9% of patients; 9.6% had diagnosis or raised risk of mental disorders. 10.3% of adult patients had no care provider. Meta-analysis was conducted on 816 patients. Estimated prevalences are: GERD 42.4%, dysphagia 57.8%, Barrett esophagus 12.4%, respiratory diseases 33.3%, neurological sequelae 11.7%, underweight 19.6%. Heterogeneity was substantial (> 50%). Conclusion: EA patients must continue follow-up beyond childhood, with a defined transitional-care path by a highly specialized multidisciplinary team due to the multiple long-term sequelae. What is Known: • Survival rates of esophageal atresia patients is now more than 90% thanks to the improvements in surgical techniques and intensive care, therefore patients' needs throughout adolescence and adulthood must be taken into account. What is New: • This review, by summarizing recent literature concerning long term sequelae of esophageal atresia, may contribute to raise awareness on the importance of defining standardized protocols of transitional and adulthood care for esophageal atresia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrolled asthma continues to be a problem for many patients with moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. Dupilumab, which blocks the receptors for interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, has been effective in reducing asthma exacerbations, improving forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and reducing oral corticosteroid use. When selecting patients for dupilumab, it is important to consider entry criteria for the original studies, subgroups that have responded best, and the presence of comorbid diseases that may also respond to dupilumab. Factors that were considered when selecting patients likely to respond to dupilumab in asthma studies include: failure of moderate or high dose inhaled steroids in combination with an additional controller medication, baseline FEV1 reversibility of 12% or greater, and Asthma Control Questionnaire > 1.5. The baseline characteristics that predicted a better response to dupilumab included blood eosinophils > 150 cells/mm3 and fractional exhaled nitric oxide > 25 parts per billion. Comorbidities that may also respond to treatment with dupilumab include atopic dermatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and allergic rhinitis. A combination of these factors should be considered when selecting the patients most likely to benefit from dupilumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dopamine D2 receptor has two splice variants, D2S (Short) and D2L (Long). In dopamine neurons, both variants can act as autoreceptors to regulate neuronal excitability and dopamine release, but the roles of each variant are incompletely characterized. In a previous study we used viral receptor expression in D2 receptor knockout mice to show distinct effects of calcium signaling on D2S and D2L autoreceptor function (Gantz et al., 2015). However, the cocaine-induced plasticity of D2 receptor desensitization observed in wild type mice was not recapitulated with this method of receptor expression. Here we use mice with genetic knockouts of either the D2S or D2L variant to investigate cocaine-induced plasticity in D2 receptor signaling. Following a single in vivo cocaine exposure, the desensitization of D2 receptors from neurons expressing only the D2S variant was reduced. This did not occur in D2L-expressing neurons, indicating differential druginduced plasticity between the variants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) event in 2010, there were several lines of evidence indicating the presence of marine oil snow sedimentation and flocculent accumulation (MOSSFA). A significant amount of marine oil snow formed in the water column of the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM), settled rapidly, and ultimately accumulated in the sediments of the nGoM. This study utilized a commonly used radioisotope tracer (excess 210Pb, 210Pbxs) from 32 sediment cores collected from 2010 to 2013 to characterize the spatial extent of MOSSFA on the seafloor. Relative to pre-DWH conditions, an increase in 210Pbxs flux occurred in two distinct regions: (1) in the western portion of the study area on an east-northeast to west-southwest axis, stretching 230 km southwest and 140 km northeast of the DWH wellhead, and (2) in the eastern portion of the study area on a 70 km northeast to southwest axis near the DeSoto Canyon. The total sedimentary spatial extent of MOSSFA, as calculated by increased 210Pbxs flux after 2010, ranged from 12?805 to 35?425 km2. 210Pbxs flux provides a valuable tool for documenting the spatial extent of MOSSFA following DWH and will continue to aid in the determination of advective transport and ultimate depocenters of MOSSFA material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which examines the calcium-dependence and drug-induced plasticity of two isoforms of the D2 receptor, D2S and D2L, in mice.

Interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines signal exclusively via the gp130 coreceptor, and are implicated in smoking-associated lung cancer, the most lethal cancer worldwide. However, the role of gp130 signalling pathways in transducing the carcinogenic effects of tobacco-related compounds is ill-defined. Here, we report that lung tumourigenesis induced by the potent tobacco carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (Nicotine-derived Nitrosamine Ketone; NNK) is suppressed in gp130F/F knock-in mice characterized by the contrasting gp130-dependant hypoactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt, and hyperactivation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 signalling cascades. Specifically, in response to NNK, the absolute number and size of lung lesions in gp130F/F mice were significantly reduced compared with gp130+/+ littermate controls, and associated with lower cellular proliferation without any alteration to the level of apoptosis in gp130F/F lung tumours. At the molecular level, reduced activation of ERK MAPK, but not Akt, was observed in lung tumours of gp130F/F mice, and corresponded with impaired expression of several tumour suppressor genes (for example, Trp53, Tsc2). Notably, STAT3 was not activated in the lungs of gp130+/+ mice by NNK, and genetic normalization of STAT3 activation in gp130F/F:Stat3−/+ mice had no effect on NNK-induced tumourigenesis. The expression of tumour suppressor genes was reduced in tumours from current versus never-smoking lung cancer patients, and in vitro pharmacological inhibition of ERK MAPK signalling in human lung cancer cells abrogated NNK-induced downmodulation of tumour suppressor gene expression. Among IL-6 cytokine family members, IL-6 gene expression was specifically upregulated by NNK in vitro and in vivo, and inversely correlated with tumour suppressor gene expression. Collectively, our data reveal that a key molecular mechanism by which NNK promotes tumour cell proliferation during tobacco carcinogen-induced lung carcinogenesis is via upregulation of IL-6 and the preferential usage of gp130-dependant ERK MAPK signalling to downmodulate tumour suppressor gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The invasive insect pest Adelges tsugae (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid) threatens the ecologically unique Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock)-dominated forest type throughout its range. Relatively little is known about how the loss of this forest type will affect the relative abundance of amphibians. This study assessed the relative abundance of the juvenile phase of Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens (Eastern Red-spotted Newt, Red Eft) in Eastern Hemlock-dominated stands (n = 5) and mixed deciduous stands (n = 5) at Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA, using both transect surveys of the forest floor surface (n = 368 Red Eft observations over four seasons), and intensive searches of quadrats (n = 27 Red Eft observations over two seasons). Using data from transect surveys, the average relative abundance of Red Efts was more than two times greater in Eastern Hemlock-dominated stands than in mixed deciduous stands, however the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.146). Quadrat surveys yielded relative abundance estimates for Red Efts that were more than 5 times greater in Eastern Hemlock-dominated stands than in mixed deciduous stands, but again the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.213). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Drosophila melanogaster larvae we asked whether distinct aversive stimuli have a common neural representation during associative learning. We tested the interchangeability of heat shock and electroshock punishments when used within a single olfactory associative conditioning experiment. We find that compared to animals trained with the repetitive use of a single punishment, the use of two alternating punishments results in similar associative learning. Additionally, the two punishments are shown to have different sensory origins. Therefore, while punishments are processed differently by the larvae of Drosophila melanogaster, the value of the stimulus is preserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcohol addiction is a complex, unique human disease. Breaking addiction down into contributing endophenotypes enables its study in a variety of model systems. The Drosophila model system has been most often used to study alcohol sensitivity, tolerance, and physiological dependence. However, none of these endophenotypes can account for the near-permanent quality of the addicted state. It has been recently discussed that addictive drugs may hijack the learning-and-memory machinery to produce persistent behavioral changes. Learning and memory is amenable to experimental study, and provides us with a window into how alcohol affects higher-order mental functions that are likely to contribute compulsive drug use. Here, we review the Drosophila literature that links alcohol-related behaviors to learning and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Physiological alcohol dependence is a key adaptation to chronic ethanol consumption that underlies withdrawal symptoms, is thought to directly contribute to alcohol addiction behaviors, and is associated with cognitive problems such as deficits in learning and memory [1–3]. Based on the idea that an ethanol-adapted (dependent) animal will perform better in a learning assay than an animal experiencing ethanol withdrawal will, we have used a learning paradigm to detect physiological ethanol dependence in Drosophila. Moderate ethanol consumption initially degrades the capacity of larvae to learn, but they eventually adapt and are able to learn as well as ethanol-naive animals. However, withholding ethanol from ethanol-adapted larvae impairs learning. Ethanol reinstatement restores the capacity to learn, thus demonstrating cognitive dependence on ethanol. The larval nervous system also shows ethanol-withdrawal hyperexcitability. Larvae reach ethanol concentrations equivalent to 0.05 to 0.08 blood-alcohol concentration—levels that would be mildly intoxicating in humans. These ethanol-induced changes in learning are not the product of sensory deficits or state-dependent learning. This is the first demonstration of cognitive ethanol dependence in an invertebrate genetic model system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be a useful model system for the genetic analysis of ethanol-associated behaviors. However, past studies have focused on the response of the adult fly to large, and often sedating, doses of ethanol. The pharmacological effects of low and moderate quantities of ethanol have remained understudied. In this study, we tested the acute effects of low doses of ethanol (∼7 mM internal concentration) on Drosophila larvae. While ethanol did not affect locomotion or the response to an odorant, we observed that ethanol impaired associative olfactory learning when the heat shock unconditioned stimulus (US) intensity was low but not when the heat shock US intensity was high. We determined that the reduction in learning at low US intensity was not a result of ethanol anesthesia since ethanol-treated larvae responded to the heat shock in the same manner as untreated animals. Instead, low doses of ethanol likely impair the neuronal plasticity that underlies olfactory associative learning. This impairment in learning was reversible indicating that exposure to low doses of ethanol does not leave any long lasting behavioral or physiological effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imaginative suggestibility, a trait closely related to hypnotic suggestibility, is modifiable under some circumstances. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is commonly used for sedation in dentistry and is reported to be more effective when combined with appropriate suggestions. The aim of this study was to determine whether nitrous oxide inhalation alters imaginative suggestibility and imagery vividness. Thirty participants were tested twice in a within-subjects design, once during inhalation of 25% nitrous oxide and once during inhalation of air plus oxygen. Before the study, participants’ expectancies regarding the effects of nitrous oxide were assessed. Participants were blinded to drug administration. During each session, participants were verbally administered detailed measures of imagination and suggestibility: the Sheehan–Betts Quality of Mental Imagery scale and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale Form C, minus the hypnotic induction. Imaginative suggestibility and imaginative ability (imagery vividness) were both elevated in the nitrous oxide condition. This effect was unrelated to participants’ expectations regarding the effects of the drug. Nitrous oxide increased imaginative suggestibility and imaginative ability. Possible explanations of these findings are discussed with respect to the effects of N-methyl- d-aspartate antagonists and to other pharmacological effects upon suggestibility and imagination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light metals have great potential for application in the automotive and aerospace industries because of their excellent physical properties. The usage of aluminium, titanium and magnesium is limited by relatively high costs of production, associated energy costs and large ecological footprint. In the case of aluminium, significant improvement to the Hall–Héroult process is still achievable through advances in cell design, materials and process control. Alternative production processes, including carbothermic reduction and low temperature routes are also possible. Magnesium and titanium production are currently dominated by batch metallothermic processes and new process routes are required to develop these industries. Research at CSIRO, through the Light Metals Flagship, is currently focused on step change improvements in the production of light metals, aiming at lowering energy usage, increasing productivity and reducing the overall environmental impact. In the present paper, the overall status of the existing technologies will be described, highlighting areas that are being developed around the world and at CSIRO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) brings about alterations in the serum potassium levels in patient. Potassium is an electrolyte essential for the regulation of nerve conduction and muscle contraction, particularly important in the case of cardiac muscle. This article describes the physiological mechanisms that affect potassium distribution throughout the body and also describes the effects of hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia on the heart. This article justifies the need for serum potassium control during CRRT, which recognizes and reconciles the differing areas of responsibility of the medical and nursing staff. This article critically reviews the steps taken to develop and implement into clinical practice and evaluate a potassium additive algorithm. It also discusses the implications of this initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prediction of the heating behaviour of composite pellets smelted in single-vessel bath smelting reactors is complicated by simultaneous multiple reactions within the pellets and a lack of knowledge of relevant heat-transfer data. Limited heat-transfer analysis has been performed for the smelting of composite organic and ferrous wastes. The smelting process was modelled in two stages--a falling-pellet-gas region and an in-slag smelting region. The temperature profile generated within the composite pellet in the falling-pellet-gas region was determined by use of an exact solution for transient heating and a computer program was written to solve two-phase, moving-boundary, heat-transfer equations to determine the smelting time in the in-slag smelting region. Modelling established that significant volumes of the composite pellet are heated to reaction temperatures in the falling-pellet-gas region and that formation of a slag immersion crust is unlikely. Smelting times predicted by the heat-transfer model were validated experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron and steelmaking industry is actively seeking to reduce its overall carbon footprint with major research and investment directed towards fossil fuel-free steelmaking. In this paper, we present a novel iron ore agglomeration process that produces a Lime Magnetite Pellet (LMP) feed using concentrated solar flux as the energy source that significantly reduces the CO 2 emissions compared to existing pellet making processes. The process has been tested under laboratory experiments inside a solar simulator-electric furnace hybrid reactor setup. A detailed mass and energy balance analysis of the process was conducted for estimation of the emission reduction as well as for estimating the solar flux requirement at various percentages of fuel to solar flux substitution. The preliminary economics of the solar-based LMP process was also investigated. The estimated capital cost of a 2 Mtpa (million tonnes per annum) plant was between AU$165 M and AU$142 M assuming a solar reactor thermal efficiency of 50% and 80%, respectively. The payback period was likely to be 15–20 years (50% efficiency) and 7–9 years (80%). At current achievable reactor efficiencies, a solar-based LMP process is not economically attractive. However, with further development in reactor design, heliostat cost reductions and improvements in thermal storage performance, a solar-based LMP process could potentially be commercialised. • Iron and steel making industry is one of the highest producers of CO 2. • A novel lower carbon-footprint solar-iron ore agglomeration process is proposed. • Experimental results from solar simulator-hybrid reactor setup is presented. • Potential reduction in CO 2 emission with solar integration is estimated. • Techno-economics of the solar-agglomeration process is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA population of the xylem-feeding spittlebug, Neophilaenus lineatus, on blocks of natural vegetation transferred to large hemispherical chambers was studied over two generations with continuous exposure to elevated CO2 (600 ppm). The third generation was transferred from the blocks to potted Juncus squarrosus to enable measurements of fecundity. The principal food plant throughout was Juncus squarrosus. Survival of the nymphs was reduced by more than 20% in elevated CO2 relative to ambient (350 ppm) in both years of the main experiment. Elevated CO2 also delayed development by one or more nymphal instars in each year. Fecundity was not significantly affected. The C/N ratio of whole Juncus leaves was increased in elevated CO2 and the transpiration rates of the plants were reduced. These changes may have been responsible for the effect of elevated CO2 on spittlebug performance. However, other factors such as plant architecture and microclimate may also be important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the project was to evaluate the feasibility of using a public domain instrument, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), to assess affective and cognitive learning domains among volunteer students (n = 44) enrolled in food and nutrition courses. Using SAS and alpha 0.01, significant Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were calculated between the MSLQ scale, intrinsic motivation, and the following MSLQ scales: task value (r=0.55), metacognition (r=0.5) and time management (r=0.54). Correlations between task value and metacognition, students' effort, rehearsal or elaboration learning strategies were r=0.48, 0.51, 0.55 and 0.58, respectively. Correlations between students' effort and time management, metacognition and sense of self-efficacy were r= 0.71, 0.73 and 0.48, respectively. Significant inverse correlations were identified between students' fear of tests and their sense of self-efficacy (r= -0.50) or the effort expended to master learning (r= -0.40). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a three predictor variable model including metacognition, peer help and seeking help from the instructor explained 51.6% of the variance in scores of the first course exam (F = 14.22, P= 0.0001). Educators need to consider how cognitive and affective differences in learning processes influence curricular and instructional decisions in human nutrition and dietetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the project was to evaluate the feasibility of using a public domain instrument, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ), to assess affective and cognitive learning domains among volunteer students (n=44) enrolled in food and nutrition courses. Using SAS and alpha 0.01, significant Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficients were calculated between the MSLQ scale, intrinsic motivation, and the following MSLQ scales: task value (r=0.55), metacognition (r=0.5) and time management (r=0.54). Correlations between task value and metacognition, students’ effort, rehearsal or elaboration learning strategies were r=0.48, 0.51, 0.55 and 0.58, respectively. Correlations between students’ effort and time management, metacognition and sense of self-efficacy were r=0.71, 0.73 and 0.48, respectively. Significant inverse correlations were identified between students’ fear of tests and their sense of self-efficacy (r=-0.50) or the effort expended to master learning (r=-0.40). Multiple regression analysis revealed that a three predictor variable model including metacognition, peer help and seeking help from the instructor explained 51.6% of the variance in scores of the first course exam (F =14.22, P=0.0001). Educators need to consider how cognitive and affective differences in learning processes influence curricular and instructional decisions in human nutrition and dietetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rumex obtusifolius plants and three generations of the tri-voltine leaf beetle Gastrophysa viridula were simultaneously exposed to elevated CO[sub 2] (600 ppm) to determine its effect on plant quality and insect performance. This exposure resulted in a reduction in leaf nitrogen, an increase in the C/N ratio and lower concentrations of oxalate in the leaves than in ambient air (350 ppm). Despite these changes in food quality, the effect of elevated CO[sub 2] on larvae of Gastrophysa viridula over three generations was minimal. However, the effect of CO[sub 2] did differ slightly between the generations of the insect. For the first generation, the results obtained were different from many of the published results in that elevated CO[sub 2] had no measurable effects on performance, except that third instar larvae showed compensatory feeding. Food quality, including leaf nitrogen content, declined over time in material grown in both ambient and elevated CO[sub 2]. The results obtained for the second generation were similar to the first except that first instar larvae showed reduced relative growth rate in elevated CO[sub 2]. Development time from hatching to pupation decreased over each generation, probably as a result of increasing temperatures. Measurements of adult performance showed that fecundity at the end of the second generation was reduced relative to the first, in line with the reduction in food quality. In addition at the end of the second generation, but not at the end of the first generation, adult females in elevated CO[sub 2] laid 30% fewer eggs per day and the eggs laid were 15% lighter than those in ambient conditions. These lighter eggs, coupled with no effect of elevated CO[sub 2] on growth during the third generation, meant that the larvae were consistently smaller in elevated CO[sub 2] during this generation. These results offer further insights into the effect that elevated CO[sub 2] will have on insect herbivores and provide a more deta... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses about the attitudes of released chronic schizophrenic patients concerning illness and recovery as revealed by a hospital. In 1957, the Vermont State Hospital received a three-year grant to expand and study work in the rehabilitation of chronic schizophrenics. During the first full year of this research program, 100 patients were chosen for study who had been continuously hospitalized for an average of about 4 years each. This study investigated attitudes towards mental illness and cure in a group of 78 chronic schizophrenics undergoing rehabilitation. Men possessed a clearer insight than women and saw their recovery as occurring early in hospitalization more frequently than women.

Alcohol addiction is a disease that includes a diverse set of phenotypes. Functional alcohol tolerance is an adaptation to the effects of alcohol that restores neuronal homeostatic balance while the drug is present. When the drug is suddenly withheld, these adaptations unbalance the nervous system and are thought to be the origin of some withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms, which can be a motivating factor for alcoholics to relapse, are taken as evidence of physiological ethanol dependence. Both tolerance and withdrawal symptoms are diagnostic criteria for alcoholism. Recent studies have demonstrated that the larvae of Drosophila show conserved alcohol tolerance and withdrawal phenotypes indicating that Drosophila genetics can now be used in studying this endophenotype of alcohol addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SABRE (Sodium iodide with Active Background REjection) is a direct detection dark matter experiment based on arrays of radio-pure NaI(Tl) crystals. The experiment aims at achieving an ultra-low background rate and its primary goal is to confirm or refute the results from the DAMA/LIBRA experiment. The SABRE Proof-of-Principle phase was carried out in 2020–2021 at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), in Italy. The next phase consists of two full-scale experiments: SABRE South at the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory, in Australia, and SABRE North at LNGS. This paper focuses on SABRE South and presents a detailed simulation of the detector, which is used to characterise the background for dark matter searches including DAMA/LIBRA-like modulation. We estimate an overall background of 0.72 cpd/kg/ keV ee in the energy range 1–6 keV ee primarily due to radioactive contamination in the crystals. Given this level of background and considering that the SABRE South has a target mass of 50 kg, we expect to exclude (confirm) DAMA/LIBRA modulation at 4 (5) σ within 2.5 years of data taking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an abstract of the study `Relation Between House Dust Endotoxin Exposure, Type 1 T-Cell Development, and Allergen Sensitization in Infants at High Risk of Asthma,' by J.E. Gereda, D.Y.M. Leung, A. Thatayatikom and colleagues, published in a 2000 issue of `Lancet.'

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been widely used to study the hydrodynamics of bubble column reactors. However, the interaction between the different phases, which are in fact intimately linked, and the effect of their physical properties on the dynamics of the bubbles are still not well understood. In this study, the population balance equation (PBE) is coupled with CFD model to investigate the effect of liquid and gas phases physico-chemical properties on bubbles formation and the hydrodynamic characteristics in bubble column reactors. The coupling is realized using AVL FIRE v.2017 software, and the predicted results are validated against published experimental data. User subroutines are written using FORTRAN to incorporate the scalar transport equation source term for bubble break-up and coalescence. The predicted results were in reasonable agreement with experimental observations and available literature results, since the model has been able to predict the effect of gas flow rate on the gas holdup in bubble column within the range of ±7%. The simulations showed that the average gas holdup increase with the increase in superficial gas velocity and gas phase density, and decrease with the increase in liquid phase density. It was also found that Sauter mean bubble diameter increases with the increase in liquid density and decreases with the increase in gas density. Finally, the bubble rise velocity increased when water was used as a continuous phase. On the other hand, the increase in gas density causes a decrease in the bubble rise velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The available computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for multi-phase bubble column ignore the effects of attached particles on the dynamics of the bubbles. Bubbles become heavier with the attachment of solid particles which has significant impact on their buoyancy, and hence their flow dynamics. The present paper endeavours to simulate multi-phase slurry bubble column accounting for the effect of bubble–particle aggregate density on the flow dynamics in a multi-phase slurry bubble column. A CFD model was developed and validated against air–paraffin oil data at ambient conditions to understand the hydrodynamics of a three-phase slurry bubble column. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of flotation column was developed and validated against published experimental data. The model is based on an Eulerian multi-fluid formulation with k – ɛ turbulence model and includes three phases: gas bubbles, liquid and solid particle suspended in the liquid. The model is developed by writing FORTRAN subroutine and incorporating then into the commercial CFD code AVL FIRE, v.2014. The gas holdup in flotation column was predicted as a function of superficial gas velocity and solids concentration. The effect of particle type, density, wettability and concentration on gas holdup and bubble hydrodynamics (i.e. bubble size distribution, and attached particle density) were studied. The rate of removal of particles from the pulp zone was obtained with kinetic equations for the three sub-processes: collision, attachment, and detachment involving number density of bubbles and particle concentrations, which were also calculated in this model. As confirmed by the comparisons with available data, the modelling methodology proposed in this work represents the physics of flotation column consistently, since the CFD model correctly predicts the experimental effects of gas flow rate and solid concentration on gas holdup within the range of ±20%. It was found that the addition of hydrophobic particles to the air/water mixture promotes bubble coalescence and, therefore, reduces the gas holdup, while the addition of hydrophilic particles suppresses bubble coalescence and increases the gas holdup. It was also found that the increase of gas flow rate leads to an increase in the attached particle density due to the increase of the concentration number of bubbles that were available for the attachment process. Further, the increase of hydrophobic particles concentration led to an increase in the attached particle density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was used to investigate the influence of solid concentration on bubbles' coalescence rate in flotation cell using Eulerian–Eulerian approach. CFD simulations were performed with AVL-FIRE 2009.2, and the existing flow field was modelled for two-phase (gas–liquid) and three-phase (gas–liquid–solids). The liquid phase was treated as a continuum and the gas phase (bubbles) and solid particles were considered as dispersed phases. The population balance equation for bubble break-up and bubble coalescence rate and the interfacial exchange of mass and momentum as well as bubble–particle attachment and detachment have been included in the CFD code by writing subroutines in FORTRAN. This investigation focused on studying the effect of solid particle on bubble break-up and bubble coalescence rate in the flotation cell at different superficial gas velocity values. The results predict that the presence of solid particles reduced the gas holdup in a flotation column. With the increase of the superficial gas velocity the size of gas bubble that were generated inside the cell decreased, leading to increased gas holdup. The result also shows that the Sauter mean diameter of bubbles decreases with the increase of solid concentration. Reasonably good agreement was obtained between simulation and experimental results for the effect of solid concentration on gas hold-up and axial pressure profile. In the current study, the froth zone was neglected, only the pulp zone was simulated. This is a deficiency of the present model, as the pulp is only one part of the flotation process, and it is physically linked to the froth. However, the model is a step towards gaining a complete view to describing the processes within a flotation cell through inspect the impact of presence of solid particles on the bubble coalescence rate under the different operation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranasal sites are common reservoirs of Staphylococcus aureus colonization and may be relevant for methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) screening and infection control strategies. The objective here was to determine whether inguinal specimens could also be screened using Xpert SA Nasal Complete assay for MRSA. Results were compared to broth enrichment culture. Among 162 consented adults seeking care in the emergency department for cutaneous abscesses, inguinal specimens were found positive for MRSA more often than nares specimens, 24% and 26% by PCR or culture, respectively, compared to 19% each by PCR or culture. Overall, 6% of adults colonized with MRSA would have been missed by nares screening alone. Compared to culture, Xpert SA Nasal Complete assay demonstrated sensitivity and specificity of 89% and 97%, respectively, for detecting nares and/or inguinal MRSA colonization. In conclusion, inguinal specimens were a more common reservoir for MRSA than nares specimens in this population of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: GABA release from interneurons in VTA, projections from the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg) was selectively activated in rat brain slices. The inhibition induced by μ-opioid agonists was pathway dependent. Morphine induced a 46% inhibition of IPSCs evoked from the RMTg, 18% from NAc, and IPSCs evoked from VTA interneurons were almost insensitive (11% inhibition). In vivo morphine treatment resulted in tolerance to the inhibition of RMTg, but not local interneurons or NAc, inputs. One common sign of opioid withdrawal is an increase in adenosine-dependent inhibition. IPSCs evoked from the NAc were potently inhibited by activation of presynaptic adenosine receptors, whereas IPSCs evoked from RMTg were not changed. Blockade of adenosine receptors selectively increased IPSCs evoked from the NAc during morphine withdrawal. Thus, the acute action of opioids, the development of tolerance, and the expression of withdrawal are mediated by separate GABA afferents to dopamine neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model has been developed for the simulation of slag foaming on bath smelting slag (CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–FeO) by considering foam as a separate phase. The CFD model has been used to predict the foam height, bubble number density and the multiphase flow phenomena in the system. The height of foam is dynamically balanced by the formation of foam due to transformation of both gas and liquid into foam and its destruction due to liquid drainage and bursting of bubbles, transforming foam back to liquid and gas. The bubble break-up and coalescence were considered in gas–liquid dispersion whereas in the foam layer, the bubble coalescence due to film rupture was incorporated. A population balance modeling was used to track the number density of different bubble classes and fixed pivot method was used to discretize the population balance equation. The model predicted the foam height of the slag system (CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–FeO). The content of FeO was changed and its effect on the foam height predicted. The foaming index was calculated and the results from the model predict that the foaming index decreases with increase of FeO content in slag. The CFD model also predicts that the foaming index of a slag with Al2O3 is higher than that of slag without Al2O3. Dimensionless analysis was performed based on the model available in the literature to correlate the foaming index with the physical properties of the slag. The predicted results from the present study are in reasonable agreement with available experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] A CFD model was developed with improved source term for bubble break-up and coalescence. [•] The Sauter mean diameter was in good agreement with the experimental data. [•] The velocity profile and time averaged axial liquid hold up conform to the available data in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been widely claimed that direct and indirect carbothermic reduction of alumina for the production of aluminium have the potential to consume less energy, generate fewer perfluorocarbons and have lower total greenhouse gas emissions compared to the Hall-Héroult process. A review of alternative aluminium production techniques focusing on the indirect carbothermal reduction routes has been presented in the Part 1 paper. In this Part 2 paper, systematic thermodynamic analyses of indirect carbothermal reduction routes are presented. These include the analyses of the Stage 1 of the process where alumina is converted to intermediate aluminium compounds before they are further reduced to aluminium metal in the subsequent stages. The results suggested that in the Stage 1, high alumina conversion at the process conditions studied can be achieved through three process routes: halide (chloride), nitride and sulphide routes. Thermodynamic analyses were also carried out for the Stage 2 where the intermediate aluminium nitride, chlorides or sulphides are reduced to aluminium through thermal dissociation, thermal disproportionation and/or electrolysis. Analysis of the results suggests aluminium may be extracted from AlN using thermal dissociation, while disproportionation and electrolysis are more suitable for AlCl3 and Al2S3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of Al from its ores at present relies on the Bayer (alumina production) and the Hall-Heroult (Al production) process. The cost associated with alumina production and apparent disadvantages of the Hall-Heroult process have led to intensive research to find alternative routes for Al production. The direct carbothermal reduction process has been thoroughly investigated as an alternative technique. Another alternative includes the indirect carbothermal reduction route where alumina (or aluminous ores) is first reduced to intermediate Al compounds before reduced further to Al. The present study reviews and provides systematic thermodynamic analyses of alternative Al production routes. In this paper (Part 1), a comprehensive review of alternative Al production techniques focusing on the indirect carbothermal reduction routes is presented. These include carbochlorination, carbonitridation and carbosulphidation routes for the formation of intermediate Al compounds, followed by various Al extraction processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new approach for simulating the formation of foam in aerated liquid is proposed. Foam is considered as a separate phase which is comprised of a mixture of air and liquid. A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model has been developed for the simulation of creaming and formation of foam in aerated liquid using the proposed approach. The model accounts for the formation of foam due to transformation of both air and liquid into foam and it is destruction due to liquid drainage and bursting of bubbles. The coalescence model of Prince and Blanch (1990. Bubble coalescence and break-up in air-sparged bubble columns. AIChE J. 36, 1485–1499.) was considered for air-liquid dispersion whereas for the foam layer, the bubble coalescence due to film rupture was modeled using the model developed by Tong et al. (2011. Drainage and stability of 2D foams: foam behavior in vertical Hele-Shaw cells. Colloid Surf. A 382, 42–49). A population balance method was used to track the number density of different bubble class and the fixed pivot method was used to discretize the population balance equation. The source term for coalescence in the scalar transport equation was updated using a rectified model of Hagesaether et al. (2002. A model for turbulent binary breakup of dispersed fluid particles. Chem. Eng. Sci. 57, 3251–3267). The results obtained are in reasonable agreement with the predictions of Narsimhan (2010. Analysis of creaming and formation of foam layer in aerated liquid. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 345, 566–572.). The discrepancies were mainly attributed to assumption of uniform size bubble in Narsimhan (2010). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper reports on two evaluations of the Tidal Model, in the context of two separate acute admission wards, one in Birmingham (2004) and the other in Newcastle (2001), and makes recommendations concerning the criteria and type of reasoning appropriate to evaluating the evidence the two projects have generated. In the Birmingham study, results showed that in the year following the introduction of the Tidal Model, the total number of serious untoward incidents such as physical assault, violence and harassment, decreased by 57%. Nurse satisfaction with their work also improved with nurses rating the model superior to their previous way of working. Inpatient service user assessment of the overall quality of their care was also positive. These findings are then compared with the positive results of an earlier study of the Tidal Model undertaken in Newcastle in 2001. That study was criticized, however, for not showing conclusively that the positive results of the evaluation correlated with the introduction of the Tidal Model. This criticism is briefly examined in the light of both ancient (Aristotle) and modern (Charles Peirce) understandings of the nature of evidence and suggests that such criticism begs the question of the nature of proof. The paper concludes by arguing that, according to both Aristotle and the procedures of abductive reasoning advocated by Charles Peirce, inferring a positive correlation between the results of both studies and the introduction of Tidal Model is a good example of reasonable inference to the best explanation. The available evidence suggests that the results of both studies render the conclusion probable and thus 'good enough' to warrant serious consideration for implementing the Tidal Model more widely within and across Mental Health NHS Trusts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of skin lesion description by 24 general practitioners was assessed as they used a computer diagnosis assistance system (DERMIS). Descriptive accuracy determines the quality of advice. Only four doctors showed a trend to accurate description over 25 hospital referrals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents several letters to the editor pertaining to medicine. Diagnosis of portal hypertension; Effect of stopping smoking after unstable angina and myocardial; Transplantation of pancreas for insulin dependent diabetes.

Background: We describe a 4‐generation Dutch pedigree with a unique dominantly inherited clinical phenotype of a combined progressive chorea and cervical dystonia carrying a novel heterozygous dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) variant. Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the genetic cause of the disease and to further investigate the functional consequences of the genetic variant. Methods: After detailed clinical and neurological examination, whole‐exome sequencing was performed. Because a novel variant in the DRD2 gene was found as the likely causative gene defect in our pedigree, we sequenced the DRD2 gene in a cohort of 121 Huntington‐like cases with unknown genetic cause (Germany). Moreover, functional characterization of the DRD2 variant included arrestin recruitment, G protein activation, and G protein‐mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase determined in a cell model, and G protein‐regulated inward‐rectifying potassium channels measured in midbrain slices of mice. Result: We identified a novel heterozygous variant c.634A > T, p.Ile212Phe in exon 5 of DRD2 that cosegregated with the clinical phenotype. Screening of the German cohort did not reveal additional putative disease‐causing variants. We demonstrated that the D2S/L‐I212F receptor exhibited increased agonist potency and constitutive activation of G proteins in human embryonic kidney 239 cells as well as significantly reduced arrestin3 recruitment. We further showed that the D2S‐I212F receptor exhibited aberrant receptor function in mouse midbrain slices. Conclusions: Our results support an association between the novel p.Ile212Phe variant in DRD2, its modified D2 receptor activity, and the hyperkinetic movement disorder reported in the 4‐generation pedigree. © 2020 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, experimental investigation on the carbosulphidation of alumina (Al2O3) for aluminium (Al) production and the sodiothermic reduction of aluminium sulphide (Al2S3) are presented. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) was used as a reductant and source of sulphur. This work is the second of two-parts paper series. The experimental investigations of the Stage-1 process (Al2O3carbosulphidation) were carried out at 1100–1600°C using a laboratory scale horizontal tube resistance-furnace. H2S gas, diluted with argon (5% H2S and 95% Ar), was reacted with pellets of a mixture of γ-Al2O3and C powders (1:6 molar ratio) to produce Al2S3. The effects of gas injection rate, pelletizing pressure, temperature and reaction time on the conversion of Al2O3to Al2S3were investigated. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed the formation of Al2S3(s) in the reaction product above 1400°C. The conversion of Al2O3to Al2S3 was found to be 99.5% at 1600°C and 12 h. The kinetics analysis of alumina sulphidation using Ginstling-Brounshtein diffusion model suggested the overall reaction was controlled by the diffusion of H2S gas through the reaction product (liquid Al2S3). The activation energy of the alumina sulphidation reaction was calculated to be 148.5 kJ mol−1. It has also been demonstrated in this study that Al can be extracted from Al2S3by sodiothermic reduction using Na or NaH. In the case of Na, a level of Al conversion of 75% has been observed for reaction at 290°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation therapy and surgery are fundamental site-directed therapies for localized rectal cancer. To understand the relationship between rurality and access to specialized care, we characterized the association of rural patient residence with receipt of surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy among Medicare beneficiaries with rectal cancer. We identified fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or older diagnosed with non-metastatic rectal cancer from 2016 to 2018. Beneficiary place of residence was assigned to one of three categories (metropolitan, micropolitan, or small town/rural) based on census tract and corresponding Rural Urban Commuting Area codes. Multivariable regression models were used to determine associations between levels of rurality and receipt of both radiation and surgery within 180 days of diagnosis. In addition, we explored associations between patient rurality and characteristics of surgery and radiation such as minimally invasive surgery and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Of 13,237 FFS Medicare beneficiaries with non-metastatic rectal cancer, 897 (6.8%) underwent both radiation and surgery within 180 days of diagnosis. For the entire rectal cancer cohort, small town/rural residence was associated with an increased likelihood of receiving both radiation and surgery within 180 days of diagnosis (Adjusted sub-hazard ratio (SHR) 1.27; 95%CI 1.07 – 1.52). Among patients who did receive surgery, no differences were observed in receipt of neoadjuvant radiation or chemoradiation based on geography. After adjustment for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, small town/rural radiation patients were significantly less likely to receive IMRT than metropolitan radiation patients (adjusted OR 0.47, 95%CI 0.32-0.67). Small town/rural Medicare beneficiaries were overall more likely to receive radiation treatment and surgery for their rectal cancer, but less likely to receive IMRT as part of their treatment regimen. The underlying causes for geographic variation in both standard of care surgery with radiation and IMRT utilization warrant further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ground-based millimeter and sub-millimeter telescopes are attempting to image the sky with ever-larger cryogenically-cooled bolometer arrays, but face challenges in mitigating the infrared loading accompanying large apertures. Absorptive infrared filters supported by mechanical coolers scale insufficiently with aperture size. Reflective metal-mesh filters placed behind the telescope window provide a scalable solution in principle, but have been limited by photolithography constraints to diameters under 300 mm. We present laser etching as an alternate technique to photolithography for fabrication of large-area reflective filters, and show results from lab tests of 500-mm-diameter filters. Filters with up to 700-mm diameter can be fabricated using laser etching with existing capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We utilize a chemical equilibrium code in order to study the condensation process which occurs in protoplanetary discs during the formation of the first solids. The model specifically focuses on the thermodynamic behaviour on the solid species assuming the regular solution model. For each solution, we establish the relationship between the activity of the species, the composition and the temperature using experimental data from the literature. We then apply the Gibbs free energy minimization method and study the resulting condensation sequence for a range of temperatures and pressures within a protoplanetary disc. Our results using the regular solution model show that grains condense over a large temperature range and therefore throughout a large portion of the disc. In the high-temperature region ( T≥ 1400 K) hibonite and gehlenite dominate, and we find that the formation of corundum is sensitive to the pressure. The mid-temperature region is dominated by Fe(s) and silicates such as MgSiO and MgSiO. The chemistry of forsterite and that of enstatite are strictly related, and our simulations show a sequence of forsterite-enstatite-forsterite with decreasing temperature and the abundance of the first high-temperature peak of forsterite is also pressure sensitive. In the low-temperature regions ( T≤ 600 K), a range of iron compounds (FeS, FeSiO, FeAlO) form. We find that all the condensation sequences move towards lower temperature as the pressure decreases. We also run simulations using the ideal solution model and see clear differences in the resulting condensation sequences with changing solution model. In particular, we find that the turning point in which forsterite replaces enstatite in the low-temperature region is sensitive to the solution model. In this same temperature region, fayalite is the most stable compound for the regular solution, while magnetite replaces fayalite in the ideal solution model at the lowest values of temperature. Our results show that the ideal solution model is often a poor approximation to experimental data at most temperatures important in protoplanetary discs. We find some important differences in the resulting condensation sequences when using the regular solution model and suggest that this model should provide a more realistic condensation sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several methods for the electrodeposition of actinides for alpha-spectrometry analysis have been developed over the past few decades, but none have been specifically designed to facilitate rapid analysis in a field situation. This paper describes the development of an electrodeposition procedure that is specifically adapted for use in a mobile lab. Using these techniques one would be able to obtain preliminary results in the event of a radiological incident. Quantitative yields with associated uncertainties have been determined for the procedure. It has also been shown that short deposition times can provide quantitative results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]