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[EN] Gasoline direct injection (GDI) nozzles are manufactured to meet geometric specifications with length scales on the order of a few hundred microns. The machining tolerances of these nominal dimensions are not always known due to the difficulty in accurately measuring such small length scales in a nonintrusive fashion. To gain insight into the variability of the machined dimensions as well as any effects that this variability may have on the fuel spray behavior, a series of measurements of the internal geometry and fuel mass distribution were performed on a set of eight nominally duplicate GDI “Spray G” nozzles provided by the Engine Combustion Network. The key dimensions of each of the eight nozzle holes were measured with micron resolution using full spectrum x-ray tomographic imaging at the 7-BM beamline of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Fuel density distributions at 2 mm downstream of the nozzle tips were obtained by performing x-ray radiography measurements for many lines of sight. The density measurements reveal nozzle-to-nozzle as well as hole-to-hole density variations. The combination of high-resolution geometry and fuel distribution datasets allows spray phenomena to be linked to specific geometric characteristics of the nozzle, such as variability in the hole lengths and counterbore diameters, and the hole inlet corner radii. This analysis provides important insight into which geometrical characteristics of the nozzles may have the greatest importance in the development of the injected sprays, and to what degree these geometric variations might account for the total spray variability. The goal of this work is then to further the understanding of the relationship between internal nozzle geometry and fuel injection, provide input to improve computational models, and ultimately aid in optimizing injector design for higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions engines., This research was performed at the 7-BM beamline of the APS at Argonne National Laboratory. Use of the APS is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357. We gratefully acknowledge the computing resources provided on Blues, a high-performance computing cluster operated by the Laboratory Computing Resource Center at Argonne National Laboratory. We thank Dr. Doga Gürsoy for the use of TomoPy and corresponding user support, as well as Dr. Xianghui Xiao at the APS 2-BM beamline for technical guidance in performing x-ray tomography. Argonne’s x-ray fuel injection research is sponsored by the DOE Vehicle Technologies Program under the direction of Gurpreet Singh and Leo Breton.

[EN] Post-injection dribble is known to lead to incomplete atomisation and combustion due to the release of slow moving, and often surface-bound, liquid fuel after the end of the injection event. This can have a negative effect on engine emissions, performance, and injector durability. To better quantify this phenomenon we present a new image processing approach to quantify the volume and surface area of ligaments produced during the end of injection, for an ECN ‘Spray B’ 3-hole injector. Circular approximation for cross-sections was used to estimate three-dimensional parameters of droplets and ligaments. The image processing consisted in three stages: edge detection, morphological reconstruction, and 3D reconstruction. For the last stage of 3D reconstruction, smooth surfaces were obtained by computation of the alpha shape which represents a bounding volume enveloping a set of 3D points. The object model was verified by calculation of surface area and volume from 2D images of figures with well-known shapes. We show that the object model fits non-spherical droplets and pseudo-cylindrical ligaments reasonably well. We applied our processing approach to datasets generated by different research groups to decouple the effect of gas temperature and pressure on the fuel dribble process. High-speed X-ray phase-contrast images obtained at room temperature conditions (297 K) at the 7-ID beamline of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory, together with diffused back-illumination (DBI) images captured at a wide range of temperature conditions (293-900 K) by CMT Motores Térmicos, were analysed and compared quantitatively., This work was supported by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Science Research Council [grants EP/K020528/1 and EP/M009424/1], and BP Formulated Products Technology. The authors acknowledge the support of this work from CMT Motores Térmicos (Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain). Parts of this research were performed at the 7-ID beam line of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Use of the APS is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DEAC02-06CH11357. This research was partially funded by DOE's Vehicle Technologies Program, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The authors would like to thank Team Leaders Gurpreet Singh and Leo Breton for their support of this work

[EN] Measurements of droplet size in optically-thick, non-evaporating, shear-driven sprays have been made using ultra-small angle x-ray scattering (USAXS). The sprays are produced by orifice-type nozzles coupled to diesel injectors, with measurements conducted from 1 - 24 mm from the orifice, spanning from the optically-dense near-nozzle region to more dilute regions where optical diagnostics are feasible. The influence of nozzle diameter, liquid injection pressure, and ambient density were examined. The USAXS measurements reveal few if any nanoscale droplets, in conflict with a popular computational model of diesel spray breakup. The average droplet diameter rapidly decreases with downstream distance from the nozzle until a plateau value is reached, after which only small changes are seen in droplet diameter. This plateau droplet size is consistent with the droplets being small enough to be stable with respect to further breakup. Liquid injection pressure and nozzle diameter have the biggest impact on droplet size, while ambient density has a smaller effect. (C) 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd., X-ray spray research at Argonne is supported by the DOE Advanced Combustion Program. We acknowledge team leaders Gurpreet Singh and Leo Breton for their support. These experiments were performed at the 7-BM, 9-ID, and 15-ID beamlines of the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. ChemMatCARS Sector 15 is principally supported by the Divisions of Chemistry (CHE) and Materials Research (DMR), National Science Foundation, under grant number NSF/CHE-1346572. Use of the Advanced Photon Source, an Office of Science User Facility operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science by Argonne National Laboratory, was supported by the U.S. DOE under Contract No. DE-ACO2-06CH11357. R. Payri was funded by a Fulbright visiting scholar grant in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain (reference PRX14/00331) while performing this work. J.P. Viera was funded by the Spanish MINECO grant EEBB-I-15-0976 under project TRA2012-36932.

[EN] Diesel spray modelling still remains a challenge, especially in the dense near-nozzle region. This region is difficult to experimentally access and also to model due to the complex and rapid liquid and gas interaction. Modelling approaches based on Lagrangian particle tracking have struggled in this area, while Eulerian modelling has proven particularly useful. An interesting approach is the single-fluid diffuse interface model known as Σ-Y, based on scale separation assumptions at high Reynolds and Weber numbers. Liquid dispersion is modelled as turbulent mixing of a variable density flow. The concept of surface area density is used for representing liquid structures, regardless of the complexity of the interface. In this work, an implementation of the Σ-Y model in the OpenFOAM CFD library is applied to simulate the ECN Spray A in the near nozzle region, using both RANS and LES turbulence modelling. Assessment is performed with measurements conducted at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The ultra-smallangle x-ray scattering (USAXS) technique has been used to measure the interfacial surface area, and x-ray radiography to measure the fuel dispersion, allowing a direct evaluation of the Σ-Y model predictions., Authors acknowledge that part of this work was partially funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in the frame of the COMEFF (TRA2014-59483-R) project. Parts of this research were performed at the 7-BM and 9-ID beam lines of the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Use of the APS is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under Contract No. DEAC02-06CH11357. The research was partially funded by DOE's Vehicle Technologies Program, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The authors would like to thank Team Leaders Gurpreet Singh and Leo Breton for their support of this work

Background Fluid bolus administration is a standard treatment for hypotension. However, the effectiveness of the traditional prophylactic bolus in parturients undergoing spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery has been questioned. One potential mechanism for the failure of a prophylactic fluid bolus to prevent hypotension is hypervolemia-induced destruction of the endothelial glycocalyx, a structure that plays a vital role in regulating intravascular fluid shifts. Methods Thirty healthy parturients undergoing elective cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were recruited. Known endothelial glycocalyx biomarkers, heparan sulfate and syndecan-1 along with atrial natriuretic peptide, were measured before and after a 750-mL crystalloid fluid bolus. Cardiac performance parameters, cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance, were monitored during the fluid bolus using thoracic-impedance cardiography. Results A significant increase in both heparan sulfate 96ng/mg ( P =0.0098) and syndecan-1 2.4ng/mg ( P =0.045) were observed after the fluid bolus. There was a non-significant increase in atrial natriuretic peptide 0.6pg/mg ( P =0.293). Cardiac parameters showed a small but significant change; over an average of 15min, cardiac index increased by 0.1L/min/m 2 ( P =0.0005) and systemic vascular resistance decreased by 30.7dyn.s/cm 5 ( P =0.0025). Conclusions A prophylactic fluid bolus in parturients undergoing spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery disrupts the endothelial glycocalyx, as noted by a statistically significant increase in post-bolus heparan sulfate and syndecan-1 levels. Although studied in the past, atrial natriuretic peptide could not explain this disruption. Our fluid bolus did not have a clinically relevant effect on cardiac performance.

Despite widespread belief that memory is enhanced by emotion, evidence also suggests that emotion can impair memory. Here we test predictions inspired by object-based binding theory, which states that memory enhancement or impairment depends on the nature of the information to be retrieved. We investigated emotional memory in the context of source retrieval, using images of scenes that were negative, neutral or positive in valence. At study each scene was paired with a colour and during retrieval participants reported the source colour for recognised scenes. Critically, we isolated effects of valence by equating stimulus arousal across conditions. In Experiment 1 colour borders surrounded scenes at study: memory impairment was found for both negative and positive scenes. Experiment 2 used colours superimposed over scenes at study: valence affected source retrieval, with memory impairment for negative scenes only. These findings challenge current theories of emotional memory by showing that emotion can impair memory for both intrinsic and extrinsic source information, even when arousal is equated between emotional and neutral stimuli, and by dissociating the effects of positive and negative emotion on episodic memory retrieval.

Dissolved iron (dFe) distributions and atmospheric and vertical subduction fluxes of dFe were determined in the upper water column for two meridional transects of the Atlantic Ocean. The data demonstrate the disparity between the iron biogeochemistry of the North and South Atlantic Ocean and show well-defined gradients of size fractionated iron species in surface waters between geographic provinces. The highest dFe and lowest mixed layer residence times (0.4–2.5 years) were found in the northern tropical and subtropical regions. In contrast, the South Atlantic Gyre had lower dFe concentrations ( 5 years), presumably due to lower atmospheric inputs and more efficient biological recycling of iron in this region. Vertical input fluxes of dFe to surface waters ranged from 20 to 170 nmol m–2 d–1 in the North Atlantic and tropical provinces, whereas average fluxes of 6–13 nmol m–2 d–1 were estimated for the South Atlantic. Our estimates showed that the variable dFe distribution over the surface Atlantic ( 50% of total vertical Fe flux to surface waters) rather than upwelling or vertical mixing. This demonstrates the strength of the connection between land-derived atmospheric Fe fluxes and the biological cycling of carbon and nitrogen in the Atlantic Ocean.

Cavitation plays an important role in the formation of sprays in fuel injection systems. With the increasing use of gasoline–ethanol blends, there is a need to understand how changes in fluid properties due to the use of these fuels can alter cavitation behavior. Gasoline–ethanol blends are azeotropic mixtures whose properties are difficult to model. We have tabulated the thermodynamic properties of gasoline–ethanol blends using a method developed for flash-boiling simulations. The properties of neat gasoline and ethanol were obtained from National Institute of Standards and Technology REFPROP data, and blends from 0% to 85% ethanol by mass have been tabulated. We have undertaken high-resolution three-dimensional numerical simulations of cavitating flow in a 500-µm-diameter submerged nozzle using the in-house HRMFoam homogeneous relaxation model constructed from the OpenFOAM toolkit. The simulations are conducted at 1 MPa inlet pressure and atmospheric outlet pressure, corresponding to a cavitation number range of 1.066–1.084 and a Reynolds number range of 15,000–40,000. For the pure gasoline case, the numerical simulations are compared with synchrotron X-ray radiography measurements. Despite significant variation in the fluid properties, the distribution of cavitation vapor in the nozzle is relatively unaffected by the gasoline–ethanol ratio. The vapor remains attached to the nozzle wall, resulting in an unstable annular two-phase jet in the outlet. Including turbulence at the conditions studied does not significantly change mixing behavior, because the thermal nonequilibrium at the vapor–liquid interfaces acts to low-pass filter the turbulent fluctuations in both the nozzle boundary layer and jet mixing layer.

Two new species of Athanasia (Asteraceae) from the Swartruggens Mountains in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa are described. Athanasia argentea is distinguished by the closely imbricate leaf arrangement, the canescent, curved to geniculate leaves and solitary capitula; and Athanasia gyrosa , by the closely imbricate, spiral leaf arrangement, capitula not apically constricted, and relatively large cypselas with ribs extending into apical horns.

The rheological and flow behaviour of ceramic pastes with varying solids loadings (solids volume fraction) has been studied. The pastes were shown to exhibit power law slip flow at both low and high solids loadings, with no slip yield stress. As would be expected, the extrusion rheometry data showed an increase in the die entry extrusion pressures with solids loading, in a trend similar to that of the Dougherty–Krieger equation. The die land flow however was shown to exhibit, only within a narrow range of solids loadings of approximately 53 to 56 v/v %, a trend in the die land extrusion pressure that was relatively independent of solids loading. Outside of this range the die land extrusion pressures increased significantly with solids loading in a trend similar to that of the die entry pressures. Using the Mooney analysis method, this was shown to be due to the development of slip flow with solids loading, as is consistent with other studies into the flow behaviour of concentrated suspensions. The slip velocity was also shown to be related to the wall shear stress by way of power law relationship also consistent with results from previous studies of concentrated suspensions using shear thinning liquid phases. The results presented in this report show that by using paste formulations that lie within said range of solids loadings, improved plug flow can be achieved in the die land without a significant change in the die land extrusion pressure at a given flow rate. This offers an advantage in the co-extrusion of ceramic products such as micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells, as a uniform velocity profile results in improved control of the laminate structure.

The aim of the present study was to determine if relationships between cytokinin (CK) profiles and corresponding enzymatic regulation were consistent with differences in kernel yield among commercial barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars, differing in parameters relating to productivity and grown under agronomically-relevant field conditions. Quantification of the CKs at six distinct stages of kernel development by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) revealed a significant increase in CKs, especially trans-zeatin (tZ), during the stage when grain filling occurs, with a greater CK concentration observed in the cultivar with the greatest number of kernels per spike, which was also the highest yielding cultivar. High levels of the cis-zeatin (cZ) CK form were observed at the first developmental stage, indicating a possible role in early embryo development and viability. Cytokinin oxidase (CKX; EC 1.5.99.12) activity was evaluated at each stage through a colorimetric assay, as the enzyme provides a primary mechanism for the irreversible degradation and, thus, regulation of CKs. However, no peaks in CKX activity were observed and no differences were detected at the particular stages examined. Isopentenyl transferase (IPT) gene expression was also examined and suggests that biosynthesis contributes to regulation of CK concentrations in developing barley kernels.

Objective Our aims were to evaluate whether there is an inverse association between body mass index (BMI) and umbilical artery pH and to investigate the contribution of intraoperative hypotension on the umbilical artery pH. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women with a nonanomalous singleton at 37 to 41 weeks who underwent a scheduled cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia at our facility from January 2006 to March 2012. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients in each BMI category with arterial cord pH Results In total, 717 mother–infant pairs met enrollment criteria. Mean arterial pH was significantly lower in women with elevated BMI (p = 0.014), notably with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Baseline blood pressure increased linearly with increasing BMI (p Conclusion For women undergoing a scheduled cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia, umbilical artery pH is lower in women with BMI ≥40 kg/m2. Relative hypotension after spinal anesthesia is more pronounced with increasing BMI and may explain this effect.

Shot-to-shot spray variability is recognized as an important contributor to cycle-to-cycle variations in direct-injection engines. Large-eddy Simulations (LES) have been used to resolve more of the gas-phase turbulent fluctuations in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, but the sources of shot-to-shot spray variability are not directly modeled in the Lagrangian parcel approach used most often for engine fuel spray simulations. Instead, the variability comes from variations in the spray boundary conditions. Currently, the most common way to introduce shot-to-shot variability in Lagrangian spray simulations is to vary the random seed used in the spray models for each spray realization. This approach was used to compare against recent near-nozzle (up to ≈9 mm downstream) projected mass density (PMD) measurements of a single-hole diesel injector. The injector has a nominal nozzle diameter of 110 μm, though analysis of experimental data indicates the actual diameter is approximately 118 μm. The measurements were acquired under non-vaporizing conditions using fast radiography with high-intensity X-rays available at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Spray simulations used the Dynamic Structure LES turbulence model along with a Lagrangian parcel approach with the blob injection model and modified KH-RT break-up model. 10 spray realizations were simulated each at three different minimum cell sizes, 62.5 μm, 93.75 μm and 125 μm. This is much finer mesh resolution than is typically performed for Lagrangian spray calculations and allows the simulations to capture more of the gas-phase turbulent fluctuations that develop from the different random seeds. The effect of the grid resolution on the predicted shot-to-shot variability was investigated. Larger minimum cell sizes increased the predicted variability in projected mass density slightly. This difference in predicted variability was less apparent in global spray quantities such as penetration length. Initial turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) variations have also been proposed as a method to introduce shot-to-shot variations in spray simulations. 10 further simulations were run where the initial turbulence intensity was varied randomly between 0.1 and 1 m2/s2. The resulting spray variability was similar, but slightly lower than that introduced by varying the random seed.

The dynamics of dissolved gas and cavitation are strongly coupled, yet these phenomena are difficult to measure in-situ. Both create voids in the fluid that can be difficult to distinguish. We present an application of X-ray fluorescence in which liquid density and total noncondensible gas concentration (both dissolved and nucleated) are simultaneously measured. The liquid phase is doped with 400 ppm of a bromine tracer, and dissolved air is removed and substituted with krypton. Fluorescent emission at X-ray wavelengths is simultaneously excited from the Br and Kr with a focused monochromatic X-ray beam from a synchrotron source. We measure the flow in a cavitating nozzle 0.5 mm in diameter. From Br fluorescence, total displacement of the liquid is measured. From Kr fluorescence, the mass fraction of both dissolved and nucleated gas is measured. Volumetric displacement of liquid due to both cavitation and gas precipitation can be separated through estimation of the local equilibrium dissolved mass fraction. The uncertainty in the line of sight projected densities of the liquid and gas phases is 4–6 %. The high fluorescence yields and energies of Br and Kr allow small mass fractions of gas to be measured, down to 10−5, with an uncertainty of 8 %. These quantitative measurements complement existing optical diagnostic techniques and provide new insight into the diffusion of gas into cavitation bubbles, which can increase their internal density, pressure and lifetimes by orders of magnitude.

Interactions between parasite, host and host-associated microbiota are increasingly understood as important determinants of disease progression and morbidity. Salmon lice, including the parasitic copepod Lepeophtheirus salmonis and related species, are perhaps the most important problem facing Atlantic Salmon aquaculture after feed sustainability. Salmon lice parasitize the surface of the fish, feeding off mucus, scales and underlying tissue. Secondary bacterial infections are a major source of associated morbidity. In this study we tracked the diversity and composition of Salmo salar skin surface microbiota throughout a complete L. salmonis infection cycle among 800 post-smolts as compared to healthy controls. Among infected fish we observed a significant reduction in microbial richness (Chao1, P = 0.0136), raised diversity (Shannon, P

The dependence of the spin polarization on the incident angle of the primary beam has been measured for {sup 12}B fragments produced in the fragmentation of an {sup 18}O beam on a Nb target at 80 MeV/nucleon. A change in sign of the spin polarization was observed with a change in sign of the incident angle of the projectile. This result is in agreement with the kinematical model presented recently to qualitatively describe the mechanism for the production of spin-polarized fragments following intermediate-energy heavy-ion reactions. The resonance curve for {sup 12}B has also been measured using a technique of multiple adiabatic fast passage with continuous implantation. This technique is briefly compared to the single-pass adiabatic fast passage method employed with beam-on/beam-off data acquisition. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

Intrathecal morphine provides superior pain control for patients undergoing cesarean delivery when compared to intravenous opioid patient-controlled analgesia. However, no study has assessed the overall cost associated with each modality as a primary outcome. The aim of this study is to determine the overall cost of each modality for the first 24 h post cesarean delivery. Charts of patients undergoing cesarean delivery at our institution from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 were reviewed. Patients receiving intrathecal morphine were compared to patients undergoing general anesthesia and receiving intravenous opioid patient-controlled analgesia for post-procedure analgesia. The primary outcome measured was total cost of each modality for the first 24 h after delivery. Secondary outcomes included post-procedure pain scores, time to removal of the Foley catheter, need for rescue medications, and adverse events. There was a significant difference in total cost of intrathecal morphine when compared to intravenous opioid patient-controlled analgesia ($51.14 vs. $80.16, p

We examined the efficacy of olanzapine for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy.In a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial, we compared olanzapine with placebo, in combination with dexamethasone, aprepitant or fosaprepitant, and a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3-receptor antagonist, in patients with no previous chemotherapy who were receiving cisplatin (≥70 mg per square meter of body-surface area) or cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin. The doses of the three concomitant drugs administered before and after chemotherapy were similar in the two groups. The two groups received either 10 mg of olanzapine orally or matching placebo daily on days 1 through 4. Nausea prevention was the primary end point; a complete response (no emesis and no use of rescue medication) was a secondary end point.In the analysis, we included 380 patients who could be evaluated (192 assigned to olanzapine, and 188 to placebo). The proportion of patients with no chemotherapy-induced nausea was significantly greater with olanzapine than with placebo in the first 24 hours after chemotherapy (74% vs. 45%, P=0.002), the period from 25 to 120 hours after chemotherapy (42% vs. 25%, P=0.002), and the overall 120-hour period (37% vs. 22%, P=0.002). The complete-response rate was also significantly increased with olanzapine during the three periods: 86% versus 65% (P0.001), 67% versus 52% (P=0.007), and 64% versus 41% (P0.001), respectively. Although there were no grade 5 toxic effects, some patients receiving olanzapine had increased sedation (severe in 5%) on day 2.Olanzapine, as compared with placebo, significantly improved nausea prevention, as well as the complete-response rate, among previously untreated patients who were receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy. (Funded by the National Cancer Institute; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02116530.).

OBJECTIVE: To present the management strategy and outcomes for our series of superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SSCDS) patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Thirty-seven consecutive patients referred from June 2011 to January 2015. Diagnosis of SSCDS based on presence of classical symptoms, computerized tomography, and concordant reduction in cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials. INTERVENTIONS: Transmastoid resurfacing or plugging. Main Outcome Measures: Pre- and postoperative pure tone audiometry. Nine item questionnaire grading pre- and postoperative symptom severity. Results of a short semi-structured telephone survey. RESULTS: Twenty surgical patients: 13 women and 7 men. Mean age 52 years 6 months. Eighteen patients underwent transmastoid resurfacing and two underwent transmastoid plugging. Three of those who initially had resurfacing but had ongoing SSCD symptoms, subsequently had transmastoid plugging with complete resolution of third window symptoms. From the questionnaire there was improvement in mean scores for 8 of 9 of the SSCD symptoms, with statistically significant improvement in 6 of 9. CONCLUSION: Management strategies and surgical techniques continue to evolve for SSCDS. We currently offer transmastoid resurfacing having informed patients of a 25% possibility of incomplete symptom resolution, and explain that plugging can be performed as a “second stage,” if necessary. However, as we accrue more experience and there is more evidence from the literature we are considering whether to offer transmastoid plugging as our primary surgical procedure. In our experience, patients with multiple vestibular pathologies or atypical vestibular symptoms are the ones for whom SSCD surgery has not been curative, although they do report improvement in their SSCD symptoms.

In children with X-linked deafness, cochlear malformations challenge the implant surgeon to avoid electrode insertion into the internal auditory meatus and prevent a continuous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. We describe our experience of cochlear implantation (CI) in two children with profound hearing loss secondary to X-linked deafness, highlighting safer operative techniques to avoid potential complications.Descriptive cases of two children with X-linked deafness (patient 1 and patient 2) undergoing CI. Peri-operative imaging and work-up to surgery are discussed. Specific operative considerations, post-operative complications and subsequent audiological performance are highlighted.In each case, intra-operative fluoroscopic imaging ensured intra-cochlear insertion of electrodes. Expected CSF gusher was seen in each case which was initially controlled by packing around the cochleostomy and array with temporalis muscle and fascia. Patient 1 developed post-operative meningitis secondary to continuous CSF leak. We avoided further significant CSF leak by planning staged procedures for patient 2, with obliteration of the middle ear cleft and external ear canal (EAC) at the time of implantation. In both patients, bilateral implantation successfully provided hearing thresholds of less than 35 dB in both ears at routine follow up.When planning for CI in children with radiological features of X-linked deafness, intra-operative imaging should be utilized to ensure correct electrode positioning. Traditional methods of stopping a CSF gusher may not suffice. We therefore encourage additional surgical obliteration of the middle ear space and EAC to avoid persistent CSF leak and its associated complications.

This study evaluates the use of cracking for the removal of carbon from fuels to be used in a power generation process. Unlike conventional power generation systems, the proposed system includes a cracking unit, the function of which is to convert primary fuels into H2 rich syngas and solid carbon, thus avoiding the emission of CO2 and the need for carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the power generation system. Based on the thermodynamic analysis of equilibrium reactions in the cracker, it is demonstrated that the operating temperature has a significant influence on the carbon capture rate achieved and the composition of the syngas. Carbon in the fuel can be captured in solid form from hydrocarbon fuels when operating the cracker at sufficiently high temperatures; however, only a portion of carbon can be captured in a solid form from oxygenated hydrocarbon fuels, with the maximum carbon capture rate being achieved at an optimum temperature. An energy analysis, which takes into account the energy penalty ...

There is a paucity of studies on patient-reported outcome measures in adult tonsillectomy. Our aim was to add to the body of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) evidence on adult tonsillectomy at a time when this intervention is being branded a low priority treatment in the United Kingdom (UK). We designed a prospective questionnaire study that was carried out in two UK district general hospitals. 41 patients were recruited into the study and completed a pre-operative short form 36 questionnaire. All 41 were contacted at least 1 year after tonsillectomy and were asked to complete the same SF-36 questionnaire and three additional HRQOL questions. There was a significant improvement in quality of life shown by both the mean SF-36 scores and the HRQOL questions. The SF-36 summary measures and the total SF-36 scores improved significantly (p < 0.01). The study emphasises the importance of tonsillectomy being available on the National Health Service to adults with recurrent tonsillitis. This proven quality of life improvement is also highly likely to confer a secondary health economic benefit from less GP attendances and fewer missed work days.

Aerosol deposition provides a major input of the essential micronutrient iron to the open ocean. A critical parameter with respect to biological availability is the proportion of aerosol iron that enters the oceanic dissolved iron pool – the so-called fractional solubility of aerosol iron (%FeS). Here we present a global-scale compilation of total aerosol iron loading (FeT) and estimated %FeS values for ∼1100 samples collected over the open ocean, the coastal ocean, and some continental sites, including a new data set from the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the wide variety of methods that have been used to define ‘soluble’ aerosol iron, our global-scale compilation reveals a remarkably consistent trend in the fractional solubility of aerosol iron as a function of total aerosol iron loading, with the great bulk of the data defining an hyperbolic trend. The hyperbolic trends that we observe for both global- and regional-scale data are adequately described by a simple two-component mixing model, whereby the fractional solubility of iron in the bulk aerosol reflects the conservative mixing of ‘lithogenic’ mineral dust (high FeT and low %FeS) and non-lithogenic ‘combustion’ aerosols (low FeT and high %FeS). An increasing body of empirical and model-based evidence points to anthropogenic fuel combustion as the major source of these non-lithogenic ‘combustion’ aerosols, implying that human emissions are a major determinant of the fractional solubility of iron in marine aerosols. The robust global-scale relationship between %FeS and FeT provides a simple heuristic method for estimating aerosol iron solubility at the regional to global scale.

[EN] Despite the importance of sprays to engine combustion, understanding has been hampered by the sensitivity of spray behavior to unknown nozzle geometry effects. The Engine Combustion Network (ECN) collaboration has focused on overcoming this impediment to spray research by focusing on a set of nominally identical diesel injectors. Detailed measurements of the nozzle geometry for the four ECN Spray A injectors (90 mu m diameter, axial single-hole nozzles) have been performed using x-ray tomography, x-ray phase-contrast imaging, silicone molding, and optical microscopy. Measurements of the needle motions (axial and lateral) and hydraulic performance of the nozzles have also been performed. Measurements of the nozzle geometry show that all of the nozzle holes are offset from the axis of the needle and sac. This offset creates an asymmetry in the inlet condition of the nozzle hole, which varies from nozzle to nozzle. The nozzle profile deviates significantly from the nominal specification, with an abrupt convergence of the nozzle holes near the nozzle exit seen in all of the injectors. Nozzle diameter measurements show a smaller diameter than the nominal specification, with significant differences between the injectors. Needle lift measurements show oscillatory behavior in both the axial and lateral motions of the needle. The hydraulic characterization of the nozzles demonstrates the impact of internal geometry (outlet diameter) on momentum and mass flow rate., The phase-contrast x-ray imaging was performed at the 32ID beamline of the Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory. The work performed at Argonne and the use of the APS are supported by the U. S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357 and by the Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Program, with Gurpreet Singh as Team Leader. Sandia National Laboratories research was also supported by the U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Program. Measurements were performed at the Combustion Research Facility in Livermore, California. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract NoDE-AC04-94AL85000.

An ultra-large pore mesocellular foam silica (MCF) was employed as a support for preparation of supported Pd catalysts for the liquid-phase selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene. The catalysts were prepared by three different routes: (i) incipient wetness impregnation using Pd(II)acetate solution (Pd/MCF-imp), (ii) impregnation of colloidal Pd nanoparticles obtained by the solvent reduction method (Pd/MCF-col), and (iii) in situ synthesis of MCF in the presence of the Pd colloid (Pd/MCF-ss). The conventional impregnation method resulted in more agglomeration of Pd particles and partial collapse of MCF structure, hence the Pd/MCF-imp exhibited the lowest selectivity towards styrene at total conversion of phenylacetylene. Only the Pd/MCF-ss, in which most of the Pd nanoparticles were encapsulated by the silica matrix, was found to retain high styrene selectivity (>80%) after complete conversion of phenylacetylene. Comparing to the other highly efficient Pd catalysts reported in the literature under similar reaction conditions, it can be emphasized that coverage of Pd surface by the support produces great beneficial effect for enhancing styrene selectivity, regardless of the type of supports used (i.e., TiO2, carbon nanotubes, or mesostructured silica). The direct incorporation of palladium nanoparticles before hydrolysis of the silica precursor during the synthesis of mesocellular foam silica (Pd/MCF-ss) resulted in superior catalytic performance in the selective hydrogenation of phenylacetylene, comparing to those obtained via impregnation of Pd acetate solution (Pd/MCF-imp) and deposition of Pd colloid (Pd/MCF-col). High styrene selectivity (> 80%) was retained after complete conversion of phenylacetylene over the Pd/MCF-ss.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a major physiologic regulator of calcium, phosphorous, and skeletal homeostasis. Cells of the osteoblastic lineage are key targets of PTH action in bone, and recent evidence suggests that osteocytes might be important in the anabolic effects of PTH. To understand the role of PTH signaling through the PTH/PTHrP receptors (PPR) in osteocytes and to determine the role(s) of these cells in mediating the effects of the hormone, we have generated mice in which PPR expression is specifically ablated in osteocytes. Transgenic mice in which the 10 kb-Dmp1 promoter drives a tamoxifen-inducible Cre-recombinase were mated with animals in which exon 1 of PPR is flanked by lox-P sites. In these animals, osteocyte-selective PPR knockout (Ocy-PPRcKO mice) could be induced by administration of tamoxifen. Histological analysis revealed a reduction in trabecular bone and mild osteopenia in Ocy-PPRcKO mice. Reduction of trabeculae number and thickness was also detected by micro-computed tomography analysis whereas bone volume fraction (BV/TV%) was unchanged. These findings were associated with an increase in Sost and sclerostin expression. When Ocy-PPRcKO mice were subjected to a low-calcium diet to induce secondary hyperparathyroidism, their blood calcium levels were significantly lower than littermate controls. Moreover, PTH was unable to suppress Sost and sclerostin expression in the Ocy-PPRcKO animals, suggesting an important role of PTH signaling in osteocytes for proper bone remodeling and calcium homeostasis.

The financial industry, like many others, is powered by information and data. A number of government agencies, quasi-government agencies, and private companies collect, process, use, and distribute information about a variety of players in the financial world. While the subjects of the data (balance sheet items or counterparty information, for example) may vary dramatically by agency and use, they all describe a particular financial institution or legal entity. Yet a standard way to uniquely identify one financial entity from another does not currently exist. A Social Security number distinguishes one John Smith from another John Smith, but at present no single identifier distinguishes one First National Bank from another. Several private companies have developed proprietary identifiers created for their own purposes but none of those identifiers are industry-wide, universal, or strictly focused on identifying a specific institution. A diverse group of analysts from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Treasury have developed guidelines detailing the best way the industry might create, develop, and maintain such a crucial identifier. The paper summarizes the current environment of entity identification and the problems that are currently encountered in both the private and public sectors by the lack of an industry-wide identifier. The paper identifies the key components that should be incorporated into the LEI such as uniqueness, persistence, and public availability. The paper identifies possible alternative approaches to solving the LEI problem and supports a collaborative public and private sector approach. The paper also considers the need for an international solution, as financial markets grow ever more interconnected across the globe.

Surgical emphysema is a recognised complication of percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) and it has been shown that this is a particular problem when a fenestrated tracheostomy tube is initially used in patients receiving positive pressure ventilation. The recently published ‘Standards for the care of adult patients with a temporary tracheostomy’ produced by the Intensive Care Society UK (ICS) addresses this issue and states that ‘generally fenestrated tracheostomy tubes should not be used while a patient still requires mechanical ventilation because of significant risk of surgical emphysema’. We have conducted a survey of current UK practice to assess whether the guidelines are being followed. This primarily focused on choice of tracheostomy tube, the incidence of surgical emphysema and whether endoscopic confirmation of fenestration placement was performed. The results show that of the units that replied, eight (12%) still routinely insert fenestrated tracheostomy tubes, and all of these reported surgical emphysema as a complication. Only 16% check the position of the fenestrations within the tracheal lumen. In accordance with the ICS guidelines, it is important to use a non-fenestrated tracheostomy tube on initial insertion of PT, especially for patients that require positive pressure ventilation. Where a fenestrated tube is used, operational policies should be reviewed for checking the position and patency of the fenestrations.