Skylab missions SL-1/SL-2, SL-3, and SL-4 hydrogen, and helium

Cryogenic boiling heat transfer for oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium fluids - free and forced convection boiling method

Cryogenic propellant venting under low pressure conditions Final report

Wall temperatures and heat transfer coefficients for solid-vapor mixtures of para hydrogen and nitrogen venting under low pressur

The dryout region in frictionally heated sliding contacts

Some conditions under which boiling and two-phase flow can occur in or near a wet sliding contact are determined and illustrated. The experimental apparatus consisted of a tool pressed against an instrumented slider plate and motion picture sequences at 4000 frames/sec. The temperature and photographic data demonstrated surface conditions of boiling, drying, trapped gas evolution (solutions), and volatility of fluid mixture components. The theoretical modeling and analysis are in reasonable agreement with experimental data

Comparative study of forced convection boiling heat transfer correlations for cryogenic fluids

Forced convection boiling heat transfer correlation predictive reliability for cryogenic fluid

Cryogenic propellant venting under low pressure conditions final report

Cryogenic propellant venting under low pressure conditions - heat-transfer coefficients for two- phase, single component, solid-gas mixture flow in short, vertical tub

Algorithms for optimizing drug therapy

BACKGROUND: Drug therapy has become increasingly efficient, with more drugs available for treatment of an ever-growing number of conditions. Yet, drug use is reported to be sub optimal in several aspects, such as dosage, patient's adherence and outcome of therapy. The aim of the current study was to investigate the possibility to optimize drug therapy using computer programs, available on the Internet. METHODS: One hundred and ten officially endorsed text documents, published between 1996 and 2004, containing guidelines for drug therapy in 246 disorders, were analyzed with regard to information about patient-, disease- and drug-related factors and relationships between these factors. This information was used to construct algorithms for identifying optimum treatment in each of the studied disorders. These algorithms were categorized in order to define as few models as possible that still could accommodate the identified factors and the relationships between them. The resulting program prototypes were implemented in HTML (user interface) and JavaScript (program logic). RESULTS: Three types of algorithms were sufficient for the intended purpose. The simplest type is a list of factors, each of which implies that the particular patient should or should not receive treatment. This is adequate in situations where only one treatment exists. The second type, a more elaborate model, is required when treatment can by provided using drugs from different pharmacological classes and the selection of drug class is dependent on patient characteristics. An easily implemented set of if-then statements was able to manage the identified information in such instances. The third type was needed in the few situations where the selection and dosage of drugs were depending on the degree to which one or more patient-specific factors were present. In these cases the implementation of an established decision model based on fuzzy sets was required. Computer programs based on one of these three models could be constructed regarding all but one of the studied disorders. The single exception was depression, where reliable relationships between patient characteristics, drug classes and outcome of therapy remain to be defined. CONCLUSION: Algorithms for optimizing drug therapy can, with presumably rare exceptions, be developed for any disorder, using standard Internet programming methods

Mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services. Urban ecosystems

Action 5 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 requires member states to Map and Assess the state of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES). This report provides guidance for mapping and assessment of urban ecosystems. The MAES urban pilot is a collaboration between the European Commission, the European Environment Agency, volunteering Member States and cities, and stakeholders. Its ultimate goal is to deliver a knowledge base for policy and management of urban ecosystems by analysing urban green infrastructure, condition of urban ecosystems and ecosystem services. This report presents guidance for mapping urban ecosystems and includes an indicator framework to assess the condition of urban ecosystems and urban ecosystem services. The scientific framework of mapping and assessment is designed to support in particular urban planning policy and policy on green infrastructure at urban, metropolitan and regional scales. The results are based on the following different sources of information: a literature survey of 54 scientific articles, an online-survey (on urban ecosystems, related policies and planning instruments and with participation of 42 cities), ten case studies (Portugal: Cascais, Oeiras, Lisbon; Italy: Padua, Trento, Rome; The Netherlands: Utrecht; Poland: Poznań; Spain: Barcelona; Norway: Oslo), and a two-day expert workshop. The case studies constituted the core of the MAES urban pilot. They provided real examples and applications of how mapping and assessment can be organized to support policy; on top, they provided the necessary expertise to select a set of final indicators for condition and ecosystem services. Urban ecosystems or cities are defined here as socio-ecological systems which are composed of green infrastructure and built infrastructure. Urban green infrastructure (GI) is understood in this report as the multi-functional network of urban green spaces situated within the boundary of the urban ecosystem. Urban green spaces are the structural components of urban GI. This study has shown that there is a large scope for urban ecosystem assessments. Firstly, urban policies increasingly use urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in their planning process. Secondly, an increasing amount of data at multiple spatial scales is becoming available to support these policies, to provide a baseline, and to compare or benchmark cities with respect to the extent and management of the urban ecosystem. Concrete examples are given on how to delineate urban ecosystems, how to choose an appropriate spatial scale, and how to map urban ecosystems based on a combination of national or European datasets (including Urban Atlas) and locally collected information (e.g., location of trees). Also examples of typologies for urban green spaces are presented. This report presents an indicator framework which is composed of indicators to assess for urban ecosystem condition and for urban ecosystem services. These are the result of a rigorous selection process and ensure consistent mapping and assessment across Europe. The MAES urban pilot will continue with work on the interface between research and policy. The framework presented in this report needs to be tested and validated across Europe, e.g. on its applicability at city scale, on how far the methodology for measuring ecosystem condition and ecosystem service delivery in urban areas can be used to assess urban green infrastructure and nature-based solutions

Estudios para la conservación de la Pampa Austral I

El artículo sintetiza resultados obtenidos por el Grupo de Estudios de Biodiversidad del CINEA (FCH, UNICEN), cuyo propósito es contribuir a la conservación y sustentabilidad de ecosistemas de la Pampa Austral, en el sudeste de Buenos Aires. El objetivo general fue profundizar en el conocimiento de la biodiversidad nativa, en especial en el área serrana y en la costa Atlántica, y en los efectos que la modificación del paisaje ejercen sobre ella. Los objetivos particulares fueron estudiar la diversidad regional, de líquenes, florística, insectos, aves, mamíferos, anfibios y reptiles; diagnosticar el uso de recursos silvestres -helechos, fauna cinegética, flora medicinaly estudiar las invasiones de leñosas exóticas. Para cada objetivo se aplicaron metodologías específicas y estandarizadas. Los resultados mostraron mayor riqueza liquénica saxícola (49 spp) que corticícola (13 spp) y una riqueza de aves en pastizales de 53 spp. De 9 especies de anfibios, 12 reptiles y 18 mamíferos citados para Tandil, 17 caen en un rango de mayor vulnerabilidad. Se determinaron 134 especies de insectos heterópteros y una primera cita de la Argentina del género Esuris. Se identificaron problemáticas en la Reserva A° Zabala que comprometen sus objetivos de conservación. Rumohra adiantiformis constituye un recurso silvestre, que sin estar regulado abastece al mercado central de flores. La caza es una actividad comercial de exportación, que se realiza mediante prácticas ilegales. Se constató que la flora serrana potencialmente medicinal no es utilizada y que hay leñosas exóticas invasoras. Se comprobó que la confluencia de disturbios antrópicos propicia la propagación de retamillares.This article synthesizes the research conducted at the Biodiversity Research Group of CINEA (FCH, UNICEN) with the purpose of contributing to the conservation and sustainability of the Southern Pampas in SE of Buenos Aires. The general aim was to study the native biodiversity, especially in the mountain areas and the Atlantic coast, and the effects of human impacts and landscape modification. Specific aims were: to study the regional flora, lichen, plant, bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect diversity; to diagnose the use of wildlife resources (ornamental ferns, game, and medicinal plants); and to study woody alien plant invasions. We applied specific and standardized methods for each aim. The results showed a greater diversity of saxicolous (49 spp) than corticolous lichens (13 spp) and a bird species richness of 53 spp in grasslands. A total of 17 species out of 9 amphibians, 12 reptiles, and 18 mammals showed higher vulnerability. 134 species of Heteroptera were identified in 31 families, including the genus Esuris for the first time from Argentina. Problems compromising conservation objectives were identified in Arroyo Zabala Reserve. Fern Rumohra adiantiformis is an abundant resource in the market, though unregulated by laws. Hunting is a commercial export activity performed via illegal practices. The potential medicinal flora of the Sierras is not harnessed and there are exotic invasive trees. Human disturbance favors the propagation of French Broom Genista monspessulana

Latin American immigrants have limited access to health insurance in Japan: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Japan provides universal health insurance to all legal residents. Prior research has suggested that immigrants to Japan disproportionately lack health insurance coverage, but no prior study has used rigorous methodology to examine this issue among Latin American immigrants in Japan. The aim of our study, therefore, was to assess the pattern of health insurance coverage and predictors of uninsurance among documented Latin American immigrants in Japan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used a cross sectional, mixed method approach using a probability proportional to estimated size sampling procedure. Of 1052 eligible Latin American residents mapped through extensive fieldwork in selected clusters, 400 immigrant residents living in Nagahama City, Japan were randomly selected for our study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire developed from qualitative interviews.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our response rate was 70.5% (n = 282). Respondents were mainly from Brazil (69.9%), under 40 years of age (64.5%) and had lived in Japan for 9.45 years (SE 0.44; median, 8.00). We found a high prevalence of uninsurance (19.8%) among our sample compared with the estimated national average of 1.3% in the general population. Among the insured full time workers (n = 209), 55.5% were not covered by the Employee's Health Insurance. Many immigrants cited financial trade-offs as the main reasons for uninsurance. Lacking of knowledge that health insurance is mandatory in Japan, not having a chronic disease, and having one or no children were strong predictors of uninsurance.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Lack of health insurance for immigrants in Japan is a serious concern for this population as well as for the Japanese health care system. Appropriate measures should be taken to facilitate access to health insurance for this vulnerable population.</p

Is prolonged infusion of piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem in critically ill patients associated with improved pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and patient outcomes? An observation from the Defining Antibiotic Levels in Intensive care unit patients (DALI) cohort

Objectives:We utilized the database of the Defining Antibiotic Levels in Intensive care unit patients (DALI) study to statistically compare the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and clinical outcomes between prolonged-infusion and intermittent-bolus dosing of piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem in critically ill patients using inclusion criteria similar to those used in previous prospective studies.Methods: This was a post hoc analysis of a prospective, multicentre pharmacokinetic point-prevalence study (DALI), which recruited a large cohort of critically ill patients from 68 ICUs across 10 countries.Results: Of the 211 patients receiving piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem in the DALI study, 182 met inclusion criteria. Overall, 89.0% (162/182) of patients achieved the most conservative target of 50% fT(&gt; MIC) (time over which unbound or free drug concentration remains above the MIC). Decreasing creatinine clearance and the use of prolonged infusion significantly increased the PTA for most pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets. In the subgroup of patients who had respiratory infection, patients receiving beta-lactams via prolonged infusion demonstrated significantly better 30 day survival when compared with intermittent-bolus patients [86.2% (25/29) versus 56.7% (17/30); P=0.012]. Additionally, in patients with a SOFA score of &gt;= 9, administration by prolonged infusion compared with intermittent-bolus dosing demonstrated significantly better clinical cure [73.3% (11/15) versus 35.0% (7/20); P=0.035] and survival rates [73.3% (11/15) versus 25.0% (5/20); P=0.025].Conclusions: Analysis of this large dataset has provided additional data on the niche benefits of administration of piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem by prolonged infusion in critically ill patients, particularly for patients with respiratory infections