Central Neurogenic Respiratory Failure: A Challenging Diagnosis

Background: Central nervous system lesions are rare causes of respiratory failure. Simple observation of the breathing pattern can help localize the lesion, but the examiner needs to be aware of potential pitfalls such as metabolic or pulmonary alterations. Methods: We describe 3 cases in which central neurogenic respiratory failure occurred simultaneously with other alterations or in an unusual presentation. Results: All patients were diagnosed with central neurogenic respiratory failure and treated for it with good recovery. Conclusion: Central neurogenic respiratory failure is a challenging diagnosis and needs to be reminded in difficult-to-wean patients carrying inconclusive evidences of metabolic or pulmonary alterations

Lipidomic Profile of Rhodotorula toruloides by GC/MS and Antioxidant Capacity of the Oil by DPPH and TLC-Plate Methods

This work was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of Rhodotorula toruloides lipid extract in TLC plate, using the (DPPH) (1,1-diphenyl-2-picril-  hydrazine) method as an innovative way to visualise lipid groups that comprise this activity. Similarly, carotenoids and crude oil were analysed for  antioxidant capacity by the DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid methods. The lipidomic profile extract analysis was performed by GC/MS and HPLC/DAD.  The sample preparation for the GC/MS analysis was made by ultrasound-assisted transesterification. Free compounds were silylated with BSTFA (N,O-Bis  (trimethylsilyl) trifluoracetamide) + 1% TMCS (Trimethylchlorosilane). The analysis of the lipid extract showed that in the saponifiable fraction saturated  fatty acids (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were present; and in the unsaponifiable fraction were steroids and carotenoids. The antioxidant  capacity was expressed as IC50 reaching 6.4 mg/L that means relative efficiency. The oil profile, using TLC, shows the chemical groups:  carotenoids, acylglycerols, free fatty acids and steroids. Similarly, the GC/ MS analysis shows the fatty acids and steroids. The HPLC analysis describes the  carotenoids profile, highlighting b-carotene as the majority and the presence of β-carotene-5,8-epoxide, zeaxanthin and b-cryptoxanthin, characterising  the lipidomic study of this yeast

On the physico-mechanical, electrical and dielectric properties of mullite-glass composites

Mullite-glass composites were obtained by solid-state reactive sintering of kaolinite clay and kaolin waste mixtures with waste additions up to 100 wt%. The structural and microstructural analysis of starting powders and sintered samples were evaluated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The mechanical properties were evaluated by measuring the flexural strength of sintered bodies. Electrical properties of the composites were assessed by impedance spectroscopy (at 30 °C and from 400 to 700 °C) in air. A viscous flux mechanism resulting from the glassy phase filled up the open porosity and increased the mechanical strength. Electrical conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss were strongly dependent on the microstructural features, namely glassy phase and porosity. The activation energies (0.89–0.99 eV) for electrical conduction were lower than typical literature values of mullite-based materials. The results indicated that the herein synthesized mullite-glass composites with up to 53.6 wt% mullite are promising low-cost materials for electronics-related applications.publishe

Опыт оценки пространственного разнообразия городских почв на локальном уровне

There is still lack of clear information on the urban soils mainly because of their extremely high spatial variability. In this study we analyzed the specific features of urban soils’ spatial variability at the local level (64 ha plot; 126 sampling points). Four contrast urban soil sub-types were distinguished in the study area: primitive urban soils on the technogenic parent material, grey-humus soils with urbopedoge-nensis features, urbanozems and urban soil on the layers of sewage accumulation. Comparison between the results of regional and local analysis did not show the trend of spatial variability decrease as a result of detailed elaboration. Thus it may be concluded that high spatial variability is an integral feature of urban soils, that assumes principally different approach for their spatial analysis.В рамках данного исследования проводилась оценка особенностей пространственного разнообразия городских почв на локальном уровне (участок 64 га, 126 точек обследования). Для изучаемого участка выявлено четыре контрастных подтипа городских почв: слаборазвитые на техногенных грунтах, серогумусовые с признаками урбопедогенеза, урбаноземы и почвы на пластах аккумуляции осадка сточных вод. Сопоставление результатов локального и регионального анализа не выявил тенденции уменьшения пространственного разнообразия при переходе на более детальный уровень исследования. Таким образом, пространственное разнообразие — неотъемлемая черта городских почв, что подразумевает особый подход к их пространственному анализу

Neoliberalism as a Political Rationality: Australian Public Policy Since the 1980s

Since the 1980s, a remarkable transformation has occurred in the rationale that informs public policy in Australia. This transformation reflects a fundamental change in the way national economies and populations are conceived by policy makers and has led to the emergence of new strategies of governance as a consequence. We argue that this change of direction in Australian public policy may be best thought of as a specific neoliberal political rationality. The first section of the paper outlines changes to conceptions of the economy and subjectivity which are associated with neoliberalism as a political rationality. The second part of the paper examines the articulation and implementation of neoliberalism in Australia over the last couple of decades