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Geotextile filters are used widely in overflow hydraulic structures to prevent long-term particle loss and internal erosion in cohesionless soils. Filter criteria have been proposed and developed for the geotextile filter design. The geometric properties of a geotextile filter typically are described in terms of its characteristic opening size (OF), which should consider the different physical characteristics of the soil being protected. To investigate the filter criteria, this study used a percolation approach to determine the optimum value of OF considering the abilities of geotextile to retain soil, and numerical simulations were conducted of the filter–soil system. Different limit states of the filtration system, considering the retention, permeability, porosity, and thickness criteria, were studied. The statistical fractal method was used to consider the broad gradation of soils and their nonlinear properties, and network models composed of particles and constrictions were generated to simulate the erosion process. The proposed approach can serve as an appropriate guide for the design of geotextile filters applied to the cohesionless granular soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The charge compensation mechanisms that occur when Li+ substitutes a 2+ element in superionic conductor (MgCoNiCuZn)O high‐entropy oxide have been studied using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy. Depending on the concentration of Li+ in the compound, the charge compensation involves first partial oxidation of Co2+ into Co3+ for low fraction of Li+, and then a combination of both the oxidation of cobalt and the formation of oxygen vacancies for large fraction of Li+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the 7th Congress of the International Secretariat of Nurses of the French Speaking Community (SIDIIEF) which took place in Bordeaux, France from June 3-6, 2018.

The Lot river, a major tributary of the downstream Garonne river, the largest river on the Northern side of the Pyrenees Mountains, was intensively studied in the 1970s. A pioneering program called “Lot Rivière Claire” provided a diagnosis of water quality at the scale of the whole watershed and proposed an ambitious program to manage nutrient pollution and eutrophication largely caused by urban wastewater releases. Later on, the implementation of European directives from 1991 to 2000 resulted in the nearly complete treatment of point sources of pollution in spite of a doubling of the basin’s population. At the outlet of the Lot river, ammonium and phosphate contamination which respectively peaked to 1 mg N-NH4 L−1 and 0.3 mg P-PO4 L−1 in the 1980s returned to much lower levels in recent years (0.06 mg N-NH4 L−1 and 0.02 mg P-PO4 L−1), a reduction by a factor 15. However, during this time, nitrate contamination has regularly increased since the 1980s, from 0.5 to 1.2 mg N-NO3 L−1 in average, owing to the intensification of agriculture and livestock farming. Application of the Riverstrahler model allowed us to simulate the water quality of the Lot drainage network for the 2002-2014 period. We showed that, with respect to algal requirements, phosphorus and silica are well balanced, but nitrogen remains largely in excess over phosphorus and silica. This imbalance can be problematic for the ecological status of the water bodies. Using the model, for simulating various scenarios of watershed management, we showed that improvement of urban wastewater treatment would not result in any significant change in the river’s water quality. Even though arable land occupies a rather limited fraction of the watershed area, only the adoption of better farming practices or more radical changes in the agro-food system could reverse the trend of increasing nitrate contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intercalation compounds with various electrochemically active or inactive elements in the layered structure have been the subject of increasing interest due to their high capacities, good reversibility, simple structures, and ease of synthesis. However, their reversible intercalation/deintercalation redox chemistries in previous compounds involve a single cationic redox reaction or a cumulative cationic and anionic redox reaction. Here we report an anionic redox chemistry and structural stabilization of layered sodium chromium sulfide. It was discovered that the sulfur in sodium chromium sulfide is electrochemically active, undergoing oxidation/reduction rather than chromium. Significantly, sodium ions can successfully move out and into without changing its lattice parameter c, which is explained in terms of the occurrence of chromium/sodium vacancy antisite during desodiation and sodiation processes. Our present work not only enriches the electrochemistry of layered intercalation compounds, but also extends the scope of investigation on high-capacity electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a mathematical procedure to analyze slope/pile systems. Limiting equilibrium method of slices is extended to account for the pile in the slope. Force and moment equilibrium for each individual slice is satisfied. The proposed procedure allows two separate predefined failure slip surfaces (one in the upslope side and the other in the downslope side) with a unique factor of safety for each slip surface. An illustrative example is presented to elucidate the use of the solution in comprehending the interrelationships among the pile location, the desired factor of safety of the slope/pile system, and the interactive soil/pile forces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium, popular in psychology field, has been recognized as an activator component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. The effect of lithium on osteogenesis or on the human fracture risk has been widely reported. However, little is known on its role in distraction osteogenesis to date. In this study, the effect of systematic administrated lithium on distraction osteogenesis in a rat model was investigated. The osteotomy was performed on the right tibia in 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then they were randomly assigned into two equal groups ( n = 20/group), which underwent Lithium or saline treatment through gastric gavage until the day they were killed. One week after the osteotomy, the tibias were distracted for 14 days (rate 0.6 mm/day). Following 8 weeks consolidation period, the distracted tibias in both groups were harvested and examined by X-ray plain radiography, histology, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, Micro-CT, and biomechanical tests. The results showed that lithium group possessed higher bone mineral density, more mature new bone tissue, and better regenerated bone mass continuity in the distraction gaps without any local or systemic adverse effects was encountered. This study suggested lithium could increase bony callus ossification volume and accelerate distracted tissue mineralization to facilitate bone regeneration in distraction gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Geotechnical Journal is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Situs inversus is often detected incidentally in adults during imaging for an acute surgical emergency. We present a case of acute appendicitis in an adult who was previously unaware about his situs anomaly. A laparoscopic approach is helpful to deal with this condition. Case Report: A 16-year-old girl was admitted with history of acute abdominal pain. Clinically, she was diagnosed as acute appendicitis without any localized peritonitis. Subsequent imaging studies and lapartomy confirmed the diagnosis of situs inversus and acute left-sided appendicitis. She successfully underwent laparotomic appendectomy. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful. Morever, the patient had lagre and hemorragic cytes in every two ovaries that excisioned during the operation. Technically, more challenging because of the reverse laparoscopic view of the anatomy, the laparoscopic diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis is indicated in situs inversus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromosome translocations in the common epithelial cancers are abundant, yet little is known about them. They have been thought to be almost all unbalanced and therefore dismissed as mostly mediating tumour suppressor loss. We present a comprehensive analysis by array painting of the chromosome translocations of breast cancer cell lines HCC1806, HCC1187 and ZR-75-30. In array painting, chromosomes are isolated by flow cytometry, amplified and hybridized to DNA microarrays. A total of 200 breakpoints were identified and all were mapped to 1 Mb resolution on bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) arrays, then 40 selected breakpoints, including all balanced breakpoints, were further mapped on tiling-path BAC arrays or to around 2 kb resolution using oligonucleotide arrays. Many more of the translocations were balanced at 1 Mb resolution than expected, either reciprocal (eight in total) or balanced for at least one participating chromosome (19 paired breakpoints). Second, many of the breakpoints were at genes that are plausible targets of oncogenic translocation, including balanced breaks at CTCF, EP300/p300 and FOXP4. Two gene fusions were demonstrated, TAX1BP1–AHCY and RIF1–PKD1L1. Our results support the idea that chromosome rearrangements may play an important role in common epithelial cancers such as breast cancer.Oncogene (2008) 27, 3345–3359; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210993; published online 17 December 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive electrode material LiNi1/2Mn1/2O2 was synthesized via the carbonate co-precipitation method and the hydroxide precipitation route to study the effects of the precursor on its structural and electrochemical properties. The results of X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement show that the carbonate precursor of Ni2+ and Mn2+ exhibits one phase at a pH of 8.5, while the hydroxide deposit separates into Ni(OH)2 and Mn(OH)2 phases under the same experimental conditions. LiNi1/2Mn1/2O2 material prepared from the hydroxide precursor shows 8.9% Li/Ni exchange and a large capacity loss of 11.3% in the first 10 cycles. By contrast, more uniform distribution of transition metal ions and stable Mn2+ in the carbonate precursor contribute to only 7.8% Li/Ni disorder in the obtained LiNi1/2Mn1/2O2, which delivers a reversible capacity of about 182 mAh g−1 at a current rate of 14 mA g−1 between 2.5 and 4.8 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the role of neurosurgery and the concept origin of humanitarian medicine. Addresses experiences of French neurosurgeon in many places in Europe, Middle East and Asia, the author attempts to keep his views in perspective by rereading materials related to humanitarian medicine. From this, he discusses the definition of humanitarian medicine, its origin and development, and the people involved in its development.

A case of large spontaneous splenorenal (S-R) shunt accompanied with splenic artery aneurysm is reported in this paper. The large blood vessel, a shunt, anatomizing the splenic vein and left renal vein is macroscopically found during the autopsy of a 71-year-old male, accompanied with liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly. Though there are many reports demonstrating medical imaging, anatomical findings are relatively poor besides describing and illustrating the appearances of the S-R shunt, the splenic artery aneurysm and related branches of the splenic vein and left renal vein, the embryologic and pathogenetic origins of these anomalies are also discussed with the description of the relationship between the S-R shunt and the splenic artery aneurysm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The finite element procedures are extremely useful in gaining insights into the behavior of reinforced soil retaining walls. In this study, a validated finite element procedure was used for conducting a series of parametric studies on the behavior of reinforced soil walls under construction and subject to earthquake loading. The procedure utilized a nonlinear numerical algorithms that incorporated a generalized plasticity soil model and a bounding surface geosynthetic model. The reinforcement layouts, soil properties under monotonic and cyclic loadings, block interaction properties, and earthquake motions were among major variables of investigation. The performance of the wall was presented for the facing deformation and crest surface settlement, lateral earth pressure, tensile force in the reinforcement layers, and acceleration amplification. The effects of soil properties, earthquake motions, and reinforcement layouts are issues of major design concern under earthquake loading. The deformation, reinforcement force, and earth pressure increased drastically under earthquake loading compared to end of construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We retrospectively examined the cases of renal tumors experienced between 1993 and 2002 to evaluate the rates of incidence and preoperative identification by imaging techniques, mainly CT, of retroperitoneal venous abnormalities. Among a total of 178 renal cell carcinomas and 13 renal benign tumors, the incidence of multiplicity of renal veins was 5.3%, restricted to operatively confirmed cases (9 out of 170 cases). None of these multiplicities could be detected by preoperative radiological examinations. Other major venous abnormalities included duplications of inferior vena cava and retroaortic left renal vein and spontaneous splenorenal shunt which were all correctly diagnosed preoperatively. The incidence of these abnormalities was 0.52% (1 out of 191 cases for each). A retroperitoneal venous anomaly is common, but urologists must have sufficient knowledge about acquired retroperitoneal venous abnormalities, which seem rather uncommon, to be prepared for the potential hazards which may occur during urological operations. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asphalt concrete has been used for low permeability barriers in numerous applications over many centuries. In recent times, asphalt concrete barriers have been used for waste containment applications. The hydraulic conductivity of asphalt concrete specimens can be measured in the laboratory; however, there is no expedient, efficient way of accurately measuring the in situ hydraulic conductivity of low permeability asphalt concrete shortly after its placement and compaction in the field. A method has been developed to efficiently check the in situ hydraulic conductivity of asphalt concrete in the field. Asphalt concrete specimens with varying asphalt cement contents and unit weights were prepared in the laboratory and their hydraulic conductivity measured. The measured hydraulic conductivity data were grouped into different ranges and plotted as a function of unit weight and asphalt cement content. An acceptable zone was specified for a combination of asphalt cement content and unit weight that resulted in a specified hydraulic conductivity. In the field, a quality control inspector can check the unit weight and asphalt cement content of the in-place barrier to make sure it lies within the acceptable zone. The asphalt cement content and unit weight can be readily measured, thereby allowing rapid acceptance or rejection of the asphalt concrete barrier shortly after compaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphosphonates are well established in the management of cancer-induced bone disease. Recent studies have indicated that these compounds have direct inhibitory effects on cultured human breast cancer cells. Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates including zoledronic acid have been shown to induce apoptosis associated with PARP cleavage and DNA fragmentation. The aim of this study was to identify the signalling pathways involved. Forced expression of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 attenuated bisphosphonate-induced loss of cell viability and induction of DNA fragmentation in MDA-MB-231 cells. Zoledronic acid-mediated apoptosis was associated with a time and dose-related release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol in two cell lines. Rescue of cells by preincubation with a caspase-3 selective inhibitor and demonstration of procaspase-3 cleavage products by immunoblotting suggests that at least one of the caspases activated in response to zoledronic acid treatment is caspase-3. In both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cells, zotedronic acid impaired membrane Iocalisation of Ras indicating reduced prenylation of this proten. These observations demonstrate that zoledroric acidmediated apoptosis is associated with cytochrome c release and consequent caspase activation, This process may be initiated by inhibition of the enzymes in the mevalonate pathway leading to impaired prenylation of key intracellular proteins including Ras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lumboscopy provides an approach to the retroperitoneum for the majority of upper urinary tract operations. The technique involves a knowledge of specific anatomical landmarks that differ from those in classical open surgery, because of the inferior approach to the renal pedicle with the kidney initially mobilized in a ventral and cranial position. An anatomical study was conducted on five cadavers, using images from surgical operations, in order to describe the vascular elements of the retroperitoneal spaces as they are approached during lumboscopy, as well as to define specific anatomical landmarks. Identification of psoas major is crucial as it is then possible to locate the renal pedicle opposite and the area of the great vessels medially. During dissection of the renal pedicle the renal vein and its branches are the first elements to be approached. On the left side the distal portion of the renal vein can be confused with a reno-hemi-azygo-lumbar trunk, due to the initial ventral mobilization of the kidney stretching it. Because of the inferior view of the renal pedicle the reno-hemi-azygo-lumbar trunk can obscure part of the renal artery and may be confused with the renal vein. On the right side initial identification of the inferior vena cava on the medial aspect of psoas major facilitates identification of the gonadal, renal and suprarenal veins all located in the same plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serum activity of bone specific alkaline phosphatase, a product of differentiated osteoblasts, is thought to mirror fracture healing. The precise time course after various conditions involving bone healing is, however, poorly described. The aim of our study was to evaluate sequential changes of bone alkaline phosphatase over a period of 20 weeks in traumatized patients with and without bone injuries. The bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase was determined in frozen serum samples using a new automated procedure based on the wheat germ lectin precipitation method. Patients were stratified into different groups: 1. ST – soft tissue injury without bone participation; 2. DF – diaphysial fracture of tibia or femur; 3. MT – patients suffering from multiple traumas; 4. PF – proximal femur fracture, treated with dynamic hip screw; and 5. EP – femur neck fracture, treated with cemented endoprosthesis. Similar values were obtained in all measured groups on the day of admission (ST 35.83±6.15 U/l; PF 27.37±4.43 U/l; EP 31.09±7.42 U/l). In the following measurements, enzyme activity decreased significantly in all groups to reach a nadir within the first week, ranging between 41 and 82% of the activity immediatly postoperative. Thereafter, a substantial increase occurred in all groups investigated. In the ST group, this increase led to an activity level that was comparable to the first posttraumatic value (39.06±7.81 U/l). In contrast, average values in all other groups revealed a further increase, which was significantly elevated compared to measurements taken the first day after trauma (DF 74.36±10.84 U/l; MT 177.87±30.0 U/l; PF 93.39±22.08 U/l; EP 51,52±7.33 U/l). Additionally, the time to reach the peak in enzyme activity differed between groups. In the MT group, it was observed as early as 3 weeks after injury, in the DF group the peak was reached as late as 6 weeks after trauma. The results of the study indicate that bone alkaline phophatase activity undergoes a specific pattern of changes after trauma. It may be assumed that the initial decrease is part of a general stress response to trauma and operation. The subsequent increase seems to depend from the magnitude of bone repair and the type of fracture healing, e.g. diaphysial fracture healing takes longer time than cancellous bone healing. These results seem to be a useful basis in order to establish a laboratory monitoring of fracture healing in subsequent studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcitonin- and serotonin-storing cells have been immunocharacterized in prostate gland, urethra, urinary bladder and anal canal. In addition, a few hCG and somatostatin immunoreactive cells have been detected in prostate gland. All these cells were dispersed throughout the epithelial lining. In the anal canal, calcitonin cells were exclusively confined to the anal ducts and anal transitional zone epithelium. Calcitonin and serotonin cells were seen in some examples of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Combined techniques most often showed coexistence of calcitonin and serotonin immunoreactivities in the same endocrine cell. hCG immunoreactive cells corresponded to a subpopulation of serotonin-, calcitonin-storing cells. Calcitonin and serotonin cells were present in most organs which originated from the cloaca. In this territory, this distinctive endocrine pattern could be regarded as an excellent marker of cloacal derived tissues. These tissues constitute an additional site for extrathyroid C-cells. It is likely that calcitonin cells are a component of some prostatic adenocarcinomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Surgical & Radiologic Anatomy is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Two children with toxic shock-like syndrome due to streptococcal infection are reported. In both cases (one fatal) the site of infection was in the soft tissues. Both strains of group A hemolytic streptococci isolated from blood culture produced large amounts of erythrogenic toxin B (ET B) small amounts of ET C but no ET A. This report confirms the implication of Streptococcus pyogenes in toxic shock like syndromes. When ET A seems to be responsible for most cases observed in the USA, our cases and others observed in Europe could be related to strains producing large amounts of ET B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many mining operations produce tailings that dewater very slowly under self-weight consolidation. One way of reducing the water content of such tailings is by electroosmotic dewatering. Although the technique has been used with some success in civil engineering applications, it is still largely seen as a solution of last resort. This is probably due to the high energy costs reported in the literature, as well as problems of very rapid corrosion of metal electrodes. This paper describes a study using newly developed electrokinetic geosynthetics (EKGs) as electrodes for the in situ dewatering of mine tailings. Laboratory tests were undertaken on mineral sands tailings in both a purpose-built testing cell and a laboratory testing tank using EKGs, followed by an outdoor experiment in a tank containing approximately 9 m3 of the tailings. This test was run for over 2 months. Energy consumption in the outdoor test was less than 1 kWh per dry tonne of material dewatered and there was no sign of electrode deterioration even after 2 months of usage. The results point to a potentially powerful technique for reducing the water content of tailings ponds in situ, thus increasing storage space, improving stability, and facilitating closure of these facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]