Assault on Eden: Destruction of Latin America\u27s Rain Forests

In the seemingly distant world of Latin America\u27s rain forests, man\u27s greed and desperation have resulted in a fire which threatens to obscure our ability to observe life\u27s poetry: The continuing destruction of the earth\u27s tropical rain forests is one of the most serious environmental problems confronting humanity today: Intact, these vital organisms offer an understanding of the planet\u27s past and a key to our future; destroyed, they threaten catastrophe of global consequence

Recent advances in processing of Ag-clad Bi-2223 superconductors

Enhancements in the transport current properties of long lengths of multifilament Ag-sheathed (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} (Bi-2223) superconducting tapes were made as a function of increased packing density of precursor powder, improved mechanical deformation, and adjusted cooling rate. Improved processing parameters had a pronounced effect on the transport critical current (I{sub c}) of the superconducting tapes, at 77 K and zero applied magnetic field, an I{sub c} of 60 A was obtained in short length samples (4 cm), an I{sub c} of 54 A in a 164 m length, and 18 A in a 1,260 m length. These enhancements were based on the increase in packing density accompanied with improved mechanical deformation and cooling schedule. Maximum critical current values were two to three times higher in slow-cooled tapes than in fast-cooled tapes

“Capacidad de transmisión de fasciola hepatica de lymnaeidos de la Provincia de Mendoza”

La fascioliasis es una enfermedad producida por trematodos hepáticos del género Fasciola (Trematoda: Fasciolidae), los cuales, para completar su ciclo, necesitan caracoles acuáticos de la familia Lymnaeidae. Esta enfermedad, no solo produce cuantiosas pérdidas a la ganadería, sino que también es una importante zoonosis que afecta a millones de personas en América, Europa, África, Asia y Oceanía

Epidemiología de la fascioliasis y parasitosis regionales en Argentina.

La Fascioliasis, producida por Fasciola hepatica, afecta particularmente a rumiantes, produciendo graves pérdidas a la ganadería, y se considera una importante zoonosis, afectando a millones de personas en todo el mundo, con máximas endemias en países andinos. Al contar con un hospedador intermediario posee componentes ambientales que le dan características distintivas a cada región, y necesita un abordaje multidisciplinario

50 MW X-BAND RF SYSTEM FOR A PHOTOINJECTOR TEST STATION AT LLNL

In support of X-band photoinjector development efforts at LLNL, a 50 MW test station is being constructed to investigate structure and photocathode optimization for future upgrades. A SLAC XL-4 klystron capable of generating 50 MW, 1.5 microsecond pulses will be the high power RF source for the system. Timing of the laser pulse on the photocathode with the applied RF field places very stringent requirements on phase jitter and drift. To achieve these requirements, the klystron will be powered by a state of the art, solid-state, high voltage modulator. The 50 MW will be divided between the photoinjector and a traveling wave accelerator section. A high power phase shifter is located between the photoinjector and accelerator section to adjust the phasing of the electron bunches with respect to the accelerating field. A variable attenuator is included on the input of the photoinjector. The distribution system including the various x-band components is being designed and constructed. In this paper, we will present the design, layout, and status of the RF system

Lawson criterion for ignition exceeded in an inertial fusion experiment

For more than half a century, researchers around the world have been engaged in attempts to achieve fusion ignition as a proof of principle of various fusion concepts. Following the Lawson criterion, an ignited plasma is one where the fusion heating power is high enough to overcome all the physical processes that cool the fusion plasma, creating a positive thermodynamic feedback loop with rapidly increasing temperature. In inertially confined fusion, ignition is a state where the fusion plasma can begin "burn propagation" into surrounding cold fuel, enabling the possibility of high energy gain. While "scientific breakeven" (i.e., unity target gain) has not yet been achieved (here target gain is 0.72, 1.37 MJ of fusion for 1.92 MJ of laser energy), this Letter reports the first controlled fusion experiment, using laser indirect drive, on the National Ignition Facility to produce capsule gain (here 5.8) and reach ignition by nine different formulations of the Lawson criterion

The Heidelberg Milestones Communication Approach (MCA) for patients with prognosis <12 months: protocol for a mixed-methods study including a randomized controlled trial

Background: The care needs of patients with a limited prognosis (<12 months median) are complex and dynamic. Patients and caregivers must cope with many challenges, including physical symptoms and disabilities, uncertainty. and compromised self-efficacy. Healthcare is often characterized by disruptions in the transition between healthcare providers. The Milestones Communication Approach (MCA) is a structured, proactive, interprofessional concept that involves physicians and nurses and is aimed at providing coherent care across the disease trajectory. This study aims to evaluate these aspects of MCA: (1) the training of healthcare professionals, (2) implementation context and outcomes, (3) patient outcomes, and (4) effects on interprofessional collaboration. Methods/design: A multiphase mixed-methods design will be used for the study. A total of 100 patients and 120 healthcare professionals in a specialized oncology hospital will be involved. The training outcomes will be documented using a questionnaire. Implementation context and outcomes will be explored through semi-structured interviews and written questionnaires with healthcare professionals and with the training participants and through a content analysis of patient files. Patient outcomes will be assessed in a pragmatic non-blinded randomized controlled trial and in qualitative interviews with patients and caregivers. Trial outcomes are supportive care needs (SCNS-SF34-G), quality of life (SeiQol and Fact-L), depression and anxiety symptoms (PHQ-4), and distress (Distress Thermometer). Qualitative semi-structured interviews on patients’ views will focus on shared decision-making, communication needs, feeling empathy, and further utilization of healthcare services. Interprofessional collaboration will be explored using the UWE-IP-D before the implementation of MCA (t0) and after 3 (t1), 9 (t2), and 12 (t3) months. Discussion: Using guideline-concordant early palliative care, MCA aims to foster patient-centered communication with shared decision-making and facilitation of advance care planning including end-of-life decisions, thus increasing patient quality of life and decreasing aggressive medical care at the end of life. It is assumed that the communication skills training and interprofessional coaching will improve the communication behavior of healthcare providers and influence team communications and team processes. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00013649 and DRKS00013469. Registered on 22 December 2017