A laboratory program to develop improved grazing incidence X-ray optics

Grazing incident double reflection X-ray telescop

Float zone processing in a weightless environment

Results are given for investigations into: (1) the physical limits which set the maximum practical diameters of Si crystals that can be processed by the float-zone method in a near weightless environment, and (2) the economic impact of large, space-produced Si crystals on the electronics industry. The stability of the melt is evaluated. Heat transfer and fluid flow within the melt as dependent on the crystal size and the degree and type of rotation imparted to the melt are studied. Methods of utilizing the weightless environment for the production of large, stress-free Si crystals of uniform composition are proposed. The economic effect of large size Si crystals, their potential applications, likely utilization and cost advantages in LSI, integrated circuits, and power devices are also evaluated. Foreseeable advantages of larger diameter wafers of good characteristics and the possibilities seen for greater perfection resulting from stress-free growth are discussed

Continuing data analysis of the AS/E grazing incidence X-ray telescope experiment on the OSO-4 satellite

The work to correct and extend the calculation of the theoretical solar X-ray spectrum produced during earlier OSO-4 data analysis is reported along with the work to formulate models of active regions, and compare these models with the experimental values. An atlas of solar X-ray photographs is included, and solar X-ray observations are correlated with the solar wind

Evolution of suprathermal seed particle and solar energetic particle abundances

We report on a survey of the composition of solar-wind suprathermal tails and solar energetic particles (SEPs) including data from 1998 to 2010, with a focus on 2007 to 2010. The start of solar cycle 24 included several SEP events that were unusually He-poor. We conclude that these He-poor events are more likely related to Q/M-dependent spectral variations than to seed-particle composition changes. We also find that the quiet-time suprathermal Fe/O ratio during the 2008-2009 solar-minimum was dramatically lower (Fe/O ≤ 0.01) than earlier due in part to very low solar activity, but also suggesting contributions from an oxygen-rich source of suprathermal ions of unknown origin

Major Thrombotic Event Despite Anticoagulation in a Patient With COVID-19.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (known as COVID-19), which started in Wuhan, China in December 2019, is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has been associated with both venous and arterial thromboembolism likely secondary to significant cytokine activation and inflammation. Reports on the incidence of thrombotic complications, however, are not well documented. Our case will examine a young man diagnosed with COVID-19 who developed an acute, severe bilateral saddle pulmonary embolism while on prophylactic dose anticoagulation after being admitted to the hospital and treated for two weeks with significant improvement

Radiation risks from large solar energetic particle events

Solar energetic particles (SEPs) constitute a radiation hazard to both humans and hardware in space. Over the past few years there have been significant advances in our knowledge of the composition and energy spectra of SEP events, leading to new insights into the conditions that contribute to the largest events. This paper summarizes the energy spectra and frequency of large SEP events, and discusses the interplanetary conditions that affect the intensity of the largest events

Adeno-Associated Viral Vectors in Neuroscience Research

Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) are increasingly useful preclinical tools in neuroscience research studies for interrogating cellular and neurocircuit functions and mapping brain connectivity. Clinically, AAVs are showing increasing promise as viable candidates for treating multiple neurological diseases. Here, we briefly review the utility of AAVs in mapping neurocircuits, manipulating neuronal function and gene expression, and activity labeling in preclinical research studies as well as AAV-based gene therapies for diseases of the nervous system. This review highlights the vast potential that AAVs have for transformative research and therapeutics in the neurosciences

A Rare but Reversible Cause of Lithium-Induced Bradycardia.

Lithium is a well-known medication that has been used for many years to treat mood disorders. One of its side effects is cardiotoxicity, which usually occurs at serum lithium levels \u3e 1.5 mEq/L but rarely occurs when therapeutic levels of lithium are used. Other causes of bradycardia should be eliminated by performing a detailed workup that includes calcium level, thyroid function, and cardiac workup, with consideration of any medication interactions. Lithium-induced bradycardia is reversible upon discontinuation of lithium, but irreversible sinus node can occur and may warrant permanent insertion of a pacemaker to maintain sinus rhythm when long-term lithium therapy is required. Herein, we describe the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with symptomatic bradycardia. Bipolar disorder was described in her past medical history, and she was receiving lithium therapy. A detailed workup indicated bradycardia secondary to lithium use. Her condition improved after discontinuation of the lithium, and normal sinus rhythm was restored over the next three days

Mycoplasma Genitalium Among Women With Nongonococcal, Nonchlamydial Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a frequent condition of young women, often resulting in reproductive morbidity. Although Neisseria gonorrhoeae and/or Chlamydia trachomatis are/is recovered from approximately a third to a half of women with PID, the etiologic agent is often unidentified. We need PCR to test for M genitalium among a pilot sample of 50 women with nongonococcal, nonchlamydial endometritis enrolled in the PID evaluation and clinical health (PEACH) study. All participants had pelvic pain, pelvic organ tenderness, and leukorrhea, mucopurulent cervicitis, or untreated cervicitis. Endometritis was defined as ≥5 surface epithelium neutrophils per ×400 field absent of menstrual endometrium and/or ≥2 stromal plasma cells per ×120 field. We detected M genitalium in 7 (14%) of the women tested: 6 (12%) in cervical specimens and 4 (8%) in endometrial specimens. We conclude that M genitalium is prevalent in the endometrium of women with nongonococcal, nonchlamydial PID