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Hyperarousal, defined as increased levels of cortical activity and cognitive-emotional reactivity induced by stress, is suggested to be a key factor in insomnia. In particularly, pre-sleep arousal constitutes one of the major features of insomnia. The Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale is the best-known measure used to evaluate pre-sleep arousal. However, a well-validated Japanese version of the scale (PSAS-J) has not yet been established. The aim of this research was to develop and validate such a scale. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted via the internet. In total, 237 of 300 participants (mean age 43.28 ± 11.19 years) completely responded to the questionnaires as followed: the PSAS-J, the Insomnia Severity Index, Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test, and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale. In addition, the participants were divided into two groups: insomniacs and normal sleepers. As a result, the PSAS-J had a two-factor structure similar to that of the original version, i.e., somatic and cognitive arousal subscales. The internal consistency (a = 0.85 to 0.90) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.67 to 0.78) were high. Correlations between the PSAS-J and the above-mentioned scales ranged from 0.35 to 0.53. Discriminant validity showed that the PSAS-J was distinct from the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale. The PSAS-J scores were significantly higher in insomniacs than in normal sleepers. Our results suggest that the PSAS-J has high reliability and validity and that this scale is adequate for assessing pre-sleep arousal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Deliberate self-poisoning is important cause of deaths in younger population. The objectives of this study were to determine the distribution of deliberate self-poisoning by 12 socio-demographic factors, precipitating events, type of substance and mortality in population of Hazara Division, Pakistan. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad, Pakistan from October 9, 2017 to December 28, 2018. 102 deliberate self-poisoning patients were selected consecutively from population at risk. Variables were 12 socio-demographic factors, precipitating events, type of substance and mortality. All variables being categorical were described by count and percentage for sample and by confidence intervals for proportion for population at 95% confidence level. RESULTS: Deliberate self-poisoning cases (n=102) were higher in women 80.39%, in age group 18-25 years 54.90%, similar in urban 49.02% and rural 50.98%, higher in non-Pathan 74.51%, in married 57.84%, in joint family 79.41%, in up to matric education 85.29% and in housewives 52.94%, 4.90% with previous history of self-harm, 1.96% with family history of self-harm and higher in lower socioeconomic group 81.37%. The most common precipitating event was interpersonal difficulties with spouse, family members or friends 56.86%, while the most common type of substance was organophosphate 62.75%. Mortality was 3.92%. Conclusion: Deliberate self-poisoning was more prevalent in women, younger age group, married, joint family, educated up to matric, housewives and lower socioeconomic status. Family conflict was most common precipitating factor. Organophosphate was most common type of substance and mortality was high 3.92%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Modelling of a non-aqueous amine solvent for CO 2 capture. • Thermodynamic parameters, including precipitation equilibrium, were regressed. • Unsymmetric electrolyte NRTL property method was used. • The model agrees qualitatively with experimental data. A thermodynamic property model for the non-aqueous precipitating CO 2 capture system 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) has been developed. The binary NRTL interaction parameters, electrolyte pair parameters, and equilibrium constant for the precipitation reaction were estimated from experimental data using the unsymmetrical electrolyte NRTL property method (ENRTL-RK) in ASPEN Plus®. The Gibbs energy and the enthalpy of formation of pure solid were calculated from the regressed equilibrium constant. A simple flash tank simulation was run based on the property model developed to compare experimental data with the predictions of the model. The property model was able to qualitatively predict the behavior of the solubility curves and the heat of absorption for the system. This makes it possible to develop a rigorous plant model for the AMP in NMP system, which could be used to further assess and explore potential energy savings when using this amine solvent for CO 2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Solvent screening for non-aqueous precipitating CO 2 absorbing systems. • Determination of Henry's constant for CO 2 in pure solvents. • Evaluation of CO 2 solubility in mixtures with 25 wt% 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. • Evaluation of differential heat of absorption at varying CO 2 loadings. The aim of this study was to find a solvent to replace N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) in CO 2 absorption systems containing the amine 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), in order to reduce the health risks associated with handling, as NMP is reproductively toxic. Seven organic solvents were investigated: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), 3-(dimethylamino)propionitrile (3DMAPN), 1-pentanol (1 P), propylene carbonate (PC), 4-heptanone (4 H), 1-methylimidazole (1MIMI) and cyclohexanol (CH). Henry's constant, the CO 2 solubility and the differential heat of absorption were determined for the pure solvents, and in solvent mixtures containing 25 wt% AMP, at 25 °C and 40 °C. Three of the solvents were found to have promising absorption properties: DMSO, 3DMAPN and 1 P. In mixtures with AMP, precipitation was formed at both 25 and 40 °C, and the CO 2 absorption capacity was similar to that in the AMP–NMP system, in terms of the CO 2 loading for a given partial pressure of CO 2. The results also indicated that the reaction of AMP and CO 2 in these solvents can be described by the zwitterion reaction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (Stx1 and Stx2) from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria were simultaneously detected with a newly developed, high-throughput antibody microarray platform. The proteinaceous toxins were immobilized and sandwiched between biorecognition elements (monoclonal antibodies) and pooled horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Following the reaction of HRP with the precipitating chromogenic substrate (metal enhanced 3,3-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride or DAB), the formation of a colored product was quantitatively measured with an inexpensive flatbed page scanner. The colorimetric ELISA microarray was demonstrated to detect Stx1 and Stx2 at levels as low as ~4.5 ng/mL within ~2 h of total assay time with a narrow linear dynamic range of ~1–2 orders of magnitude and saturation levels well above background. Stx1 and/or Stx2 produced by various strains of STEC were also detected following the treatment of cultured cells with mitomycin C (a toxin-inducing antibiotic) and/or B-PER (a cell-disrupting, protein extraction reagent). Semi-quantitative detection of Shiga toxins was demonstrated to be sporadic among various STEC strains following incubation with mitomycin C; however, further reaction with B-PER generally resulted in the detection of or increased detection of Stx1, relative to Stx2, produced by STECs inoculated into either axenic broth culture or culture broth containing ground beef.

A precipitating potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ) based solvent absorption process has been developed for capturing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from industrial sources. Demonstration of this process has been completed using real flue gas in a pilot plant located at Hazelwood power station in Victoria, Australia. The pilot plant was designed to capture up to 1 tonne per day of CO 2 and was operated over a number of campaigns to test the absorption performance of a liquid solvent (30 wt% K 2 CO 3 ), a precipitating solvent (45 wt% K 2 CO 3 ) and a promoted precipitating solvent (promoter with 45 wt% K 2 CO 3 ). The main aim of this study was to collect operational data from the industry based pilot plant absorber in order to validate thermodynamic experiments and further improve simulation models developed from lab-scale precipitating column trials using synthetic feed gas. The performance of the industry based absorber including CO 2 capture rate, pressure drop, solvent loadings and temperature profile, has been measured over a range of operating conditions. The CO 2 capture rate improved when operating with a lower gas flow rate, higher solvent temperature and when a rate promoter was added to the solvent. The highly concentrated solvent trials created some difficulties with absorber flooding and intermittent operation due to blockages at start-up but minimal issues were encountered once the system was stabilized. Process simulations have been developed to successfully predict the pilot plant performance over a range of operating conditions. Completion of these pilot plant trials has provided confidence in plant operation and will enable an improved full-scale design and costing of this slurry based solvent process to be completed for commercial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (Stx1 and Stx2) from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria were simultaneously detected with a newly developed, high-throughput antibody microarray platform. The proteinaceous toxins were immobilized and sandwiched between biorecognition elements (monoclonal antibodies) and pooled horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-conjugated monoclonal antibodies. Following the reaction of HRP with the precipitating chromogenic substrate (metal enhanced 3,3-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride or DAB), the formation of a colored product was quantitatively measured with an inexpensive flatbed page scanner. The colorimetric ELISA microarray was demonstrated to detect Stx1 and Stx2 at levels as low as ∼4.5 ng/mL within ∼2 h of total assay time with a narrow linear dynamic range of ∼1-2 orders of magnitude and saturation levels well above background. Stx1 and/or Stx2 produced by various strains of STEC were also detected following the treatment of cultured cells with mitomycin C (a toxin-inducing antibiotic) and/or B-PER (a cell-disrupting, protein extraction reagent). Semi-quantitative detection of Shiga toxins was demonstrated to be sporadic among various STEC strains following incubation with mitomycin C; however, further reaction with B-PER generally resulted in the detection of or increased detection of Stx1, relative to Stx2, produced by STECs inoculated into either axenic broth culture or culture broth containing ground beef. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a slowly progressive disease, caused by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus hypersensitivity when it is found in the airway. It usually affects asthmatics and patients with cystic fibrosis. We report the case of a 20-year-old male patient, student, farmer and rancher with chronic respiratory disease. The diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was made on the basis of the clinical symptoms and complementary studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Little is known about the triggering factors (TFs) of seizures in persons with epilepsy (PWE). This study aimed to document the perception of PWE of factors that precipitated their seizures. Materials and methods: Data was obtained from 405 patients attending the Epilepsy Clinic at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). This was analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential biostatistical methods. A Trigger Assessment Tool (TAT) was designed for this study. Results: 89% of the participants reported at least one TF. Between one and ten TFs were endorsed. The most common TFs reported by the patients (in descending order) were found to be: Missing medication (40.9%), emotional stress (31.3%), sleep deprivation (19.7%), fatigue (15.3%), missing meals (9.1%), fever (6.4%), and smoking (6.4%). A significant association was seen among some of the commonly reported TFs (missing medication, sleep deprivation, emotional stress, and fatigue). Conclusion: TFs should be evaluated during the management of PWE. However, self perceived TF should be interpreted with caution and differentiated from actual TF. Future studies may consider empowering patients with avoidance strategies and self-control techniques done. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The CO2CRC's UNO MK 3 process is a precipitating potassium carbonate process engineered to capture 90% of carbon dioxide emissions from large scale emission sources such as power stations and other industrial sources. The UNO MK 3 is expected to have benefits in the following areas; [•] Low energy of regeneration (2 - 2.5 GJ/tonne of CO2). [•] Low overall cost, which is expected to be greater than $20/tonne of CO2 avoided less than competing amines. [•] Low volatility and environmental impact with low emissions, low toxicity and smaller carbon footprint. [•] Multi-impurity capture of CO2, SOx and NOx with linkage to the global potassium fertilizer chain. These key benefits of the UNO MK 3 process are being confirmed by the CO2CRC's work program, which combines fundamental research, process demonstrations and larger scale engineering applicable to capture from 500 MW power stations. Techno-economic results from this large scale engineering work program are presented and the systematic technology improvements discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present the results of a coordinated study of the moderate magnetic storm on 22 July 2009. The THEMIS and GOES observations of magnetic field in the inner magnetosphere were complemented by energetic particle observations at low altitude by the six NOAA POES satellites. Observations in the vicinity of geosynchronous orbit revealed a relatively thin (half-thickness of less than 1RE) and intense current sheet in the dusk MLT sector during the main phase of the storm. The total westward current (integrated along the z-direction) on the duskside at r ~ 6.6RE was comparable to that in the midnight sector. Such a configuration cannot be adequately described by existing magnetic field models with predefined current systems (error in B > 60 nT). At the same time, low-altitude isotropic boundaries (IB) of > 80 keV protons in the dusk sector were shifted ~ 4° equatorward relative to the IBs in the midnight sector. Both the equatorward IB shift and the current strength on the duskside correlate with the Sym-H" index. These findings imply a close relation between the current intensification and equatorward IB shift in the dusk sector. The analysis of IB dispersion revealed that high-energy IBs (E > 100 keV) always exhibit normal dispersion (i.e., that for pitch angle scattering on curved field lines). Anomalous dispersion is sometimes observed in the low-energy channels (~ 30-100 keV). The maximum occurrence rate of anomalous dispersion was observed during the main phase of the storm in the dusk sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple dipolarization fronts (DFs) were observed by Cluster spacecraft in the magnetotail during a substorm. These DFs were kinetic structures, embedded in the bursty plasma flow, and moved earthward (mainly) and dawnward. Intense electric field, parallel and perpendicular currents were detected in the DF layer. These front layers were energy dissipation region (load region) where the energy of electromagnetic fields were transferred to the plasma thermal and kinetic energy. This dissipation was dominated by electrons. There were enhancements of plasma waves around the DF region: wavelet results show that wave activities around the ion cyclotron frequency in the front layer were generated by Alfv´en ion cyclotron instability; whistler waves were also detected before, during and after the DFs, which are triggered by electron temperature anisotropy and coincident with enhancement of energetic electron fluxes. The observation of these waves could be important for the understanding of evolution of DF and electron energization during the substorm. We discuss the generation mechanism of the DFs and suggest that these DFs were generated in the process of transient reconnection, and then traveled toward the Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is based on measurements of trapped and precipitated electrons of energy >30 keV and >100 keV observed by polar orbiting environmental satellites during overpasses of the imaging riometer at Kilpisjärvi, Finland. The satellites are in sun-synchronous orbits of about 850 km altitude, recording the electron fluxes at 2-s time resolution. The riometer measures the radiowave absorption at 38.2 MHz, showing the spatial pattern within a 240 km field of view. The analysis has focussed on two areas. Having found a close correlation between the radiowave absorption and the medium-energy electron fluxes during satellite overpasses, empirical relationships are derived, enabling one quantity to be predicted from the other for three sectors of local time. It is shown that small-scale variations observed during a pass are essentially spatial rather than temporal. Other properties, such as the spectra and the relation between precipitated and trapped components, are also considered in the light of the theory of pitch angle scattering by VLF waves. It is found that the properties and behaviour depend strongly on the time of day. In the noon sector, the precipitated and trapped fluxes are highly correlated through a square law relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results from ground-based auroral observations coordinated with the Japanese satellite, Reimei, that took place during the winters of 2006, 2007 and 2008 at Poker Flat, Alaska. Comparable temporal and spatial resolution for the optical and in situ particle data, allowed for investigation of small scale and/or rapidly time-varying auroral structures. Four satellite passes through diffuse auroral structures were identified. The structures within the aurora, whether stationary or time-varying (pulsating aurora), were most closely correlated with the highest energy precipitating electrons measured by these detectors (8 to 12 keV). This relation is found to be consistent across all four examples, revealing that the electron precipitation responsible for these diffuse auroral structures is primarily that of the ⩾8 keV electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When flux enhancements of energetic electrons are produced as a consequence of geomagnetic storm occurrence, they tend to vanish gradually when the magnetic activity calms down and the fluxes decay to quiet-time levels. We use SAC-C and DEMETER low altitude observations to estimate the energetic electron lifetimes (E=0.16-1.4MeV, L=1.6-5, B=0.22-0.46 G) and compare the decay rates to those observed at high altitude. While crossing the radiation belts at high latitude, the SAC-C and DEMETER instruments sample particles with small equatorial pitch angles (αeq <18° for L>2.5) whereas the comparison is done with other satellite data measured mainly in the equatorial plane (for αeq <18° >75°). While in the inner belt and in the slot region no significant lifetime differences are observed from the data sets with different αeq <18° in the outer belt, for the least energetic electrons (<500 keV), the lifetimes are up to ∼3 times larger for the electrons with the equatorial pitch-angle close to the loss cone than for those mirroring near the equator. The difference decreases with increasing energy and vanishes for energies of about 1MeV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are among of the most promising new metal material groups. The achievable properties can exceed those of common alloys in different ways. Due to the mixture of five or more alloying elements, the variety of high entropy alloys is fairly huge. The presented work will focus on some first insights on the weldability and the wear behavior of vanadium carbide precipitation Cr27.5Co14Fe22Mo22Ni11.65V2.85 HEA. The weldability should always be addressed in an early stage of any alloy design to avoid welding-related problems afterwards. The cast Cr27.5Co14Fe22Mo22Ni11.65V2.85 HEA has been remelted using a TIG welding process and the resulting microstructure has been examined. The changes in the microstructure due to the remelting process showed little influence of the welding process and no welding-related problems like hot cracks have been observed. It will be shown that vanadium carbides or vanadium-rich phases precipitate after casting and remelting in a two phased HEA matrix. The hardness of the as cast alloy is 324HV0.2 and after remelting the hardness rises to 339HV0.2. The wear behavior can be considered as comparable to a Stellite 6 cobalt base alloy as determined in an ASTM G75 test. Overall, the basic HEA design is promising due to the precipitation of vanadium carbides and should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A semi-empirical power law-based theory has been developed to model the crystallization kinetics in precipitating systems for CO 2 capture. A more reliable activity-based theory and simplified concentration-based crystallization kinetics have also been derived for a gas-liquid-solid system in which CO 2 evolution might be unavoidable during the experiments performed to determine crystallization kinetics. The power law is based on the concept of the metastable zone. Changes in the metastable zone width are therefore discussed when complex chemistry is involved (as in the case of CO 2 capture). 2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) in the organic solvent N -methyl pyrrolidinone (NMP) was used as a case study, and the kinetics for the precipitation of the salt resulting from the capture of CO 2 were determined using the developed theory. The theory required thermodynamic property modeling of the AMP-NMP-CO 2 system, which was accomplished using equilibrium solubility experiments with equilibrium times of at least 330 min. The model was developed in Aspen Plus using the ENRTL-RK property model. The meta-stable zone width varied with varying loading. The logarithm of the activity-based supersaturation ratio should be considered a more reliable measure of supersaturation. It was also found that concentration-based relative supersaturation was a good approximation of the supersaturation ratio for the case of AMP in NMP. However, approximating the supersaturation ratio with the concentration difference was found to be too error-prone. • Development of metastable zone discussed for complex chemistry. • Power law-based crystallization kinetics developed for a gas-liquid-solid system. • Role of equilibrium in crystallization kinetics theorized and tested for AMP-NMP-CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperarousal, defined as increased levels of cortical activity and cognitive-emotional reactivity induced by stress, is suggested to be a key factor in insomnia. In particularly, pre-sleep arousal constitutes one of the major features of insomnia. The Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale is the best-known measure used to evaluate pre-sleep arousal. However, a well-validated Japanese version of the scale (PSAS-J) has not yet been established. The aim of this research was to develop and validate such a scale. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted via the internet. In total, 237 of 300 participants (mean age 43.28 ± 11.19 years) completely responded to the questionnaires as followed: the PSAS-J, the Insomnia Severity Index, Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test, and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale. In addition, the participants were divided into two groups: insomniacs and normal sleepers. As a result, the PSAS-J had a two-factor structure similar to that of the original version, i.e., somatic and cognitive arousal subscales. The internal consistency (α = 0.85 to 0.90) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.67 to 0.78) were high. Correlations between the PSAS-J and the above-mentioned scales ranged from 0.35 to 0.53. Discriminant validity showed that the PSAS-J was distinct from the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale. The PSAS-J scores were significantly higher in insomniacs than in normal sleepers. Our results suggest that the PSAS-J has high reliability and validity and that this scale is adequate for assessing pre-sleep arousal.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a slowly progressive disease, caused by the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus hypersensitivity when it is found in the airway. It usually affects asthmatics and patients with cystic fibrosis. We report the case of a 20-year-old male patient, student, farmer and rancher with chronic respiratory disease. The diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was made on the basis of the clinical symptoms and complementary studies.