Delayed Psychological Morbidity Associated with Snakebite Envenoming

Introduction The psychological impact of snakebite on its victims, especially possible late effects, has not been systematically studied. Objectives To assess delayed somatic symptoms, depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and impairment in functioning, among snakebite victims. Methods The study had qualitative and quantitative arms. In the quantitative arm, 88 persons who had systemic envenoming following snakebite from the North Central Province of Sri Lanka were randomly identified from an established research database and interviewed 12 to 48 months (mean 30) after the incident. Persons with no history of snakebite, matched for age, sex, geograpical location and occupation, acted as controls. A modified version of the Beck Depression Inventory, Post-Traumatic Stress Symptom Scale, Hopkins Somatic Symptoms Checklist, Sheehan Disability Inventory and a structured questionnaire were administered. In the qualitative arm, focus group discussions among snakebite victims explored common somatic symptoms attributed to envenoming. Results Previous snakebite victims (cases) had more symptoms than controls as measured by the modified Beck Depression Scale (mean 19.1 Vs 14.4; p<0.001) and Hopkins Symptoms Checklist (38.9 vs. 28.2; p<0.001). 48 (54%) cases met criteria for depressive disorder compared to 13 (15%) controls. 19 (21.6%) cases also met criteria for PTSD. 24 (27%) claimed that the snakebite caused a negative change in their employment; nine (10.2%) had stopped working and 15 (17%) claimed residual physical disability. The themes identified in the qualitative arm included blindness, tooth decay, body aches, headaches, tiredness and weakness. Conclusions Snakebite causes significant ongoing psychological morbidity, a complication not previously documented. The economic and social impacts of this problem need further investigation

A chirped-pulse Fourier-transform microwave/pulsed uniform flow spectrometer. I. The low-temperature flow system

We report the development of a new instrument that combines chirped-pulse microwave spectroscopy with a pulsed uniform supersonic flow. This combination promises a nearly universal detection method that can deliver isomer and conformer specific, quantitative detection and spectroscopic characterization of unstable reaction products and intermediates, product vibrational distributions, and molecular excited states. This first paper in a series of two presents a new pulsed-flow design, at the heart of which is a fast, high-throughput pulsed valve driven by a piezoelectric stack actuator. Uniform flows at temperatures as low as 20 K were readily achieved with only modest pumping requirements, as demonstrated by impact pressure measurements and pure rotational spectroscopy. The proposed technique will be suitable for application in diverse fields including fundamental studies in spectroscopy, kinetics, and reaction dynamics.National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Award MRI-ID 1126380

Evaluating Subcontractor Performance in Construction Industry

Most of the construction projects undertaken are more complex in nature, demanding greater skills and technologies. In the past two decades, subcontracting has been utilized extensively in construction industry. Hence, subcontractor is a key person to assure the success of a construction project although many issues involved in subcontracting practice and rarely acknowledged. The reliance of ma in contractors on subcontractors to execute major portions of construction work makes the success of construction projects highly susceptible to the performance of subcontractor organizations. Early researches picked out those subcontractors are not being fully utilized due to various issues. As a result, subcontractors are subjected to put tremendous pressures on project performance in terms of quality, time and cost in construction industry. Therefore, in construction industry, there is a gap between the required performance level and the current performance of subcontractors. Thus, this study attempts to fulfill the gap between required and current performance of subcontractors by investigating subcontractors’ issues on the project performance in terms of t ime, cost and quality. Literature review indicated number of issues with subcontractors that had adversely influenced the performance of a construction project. The study was adopted survey approach to fulfill the research objective. The structured questionnaire which was developed by supporting literature findings was distributed among main contractors and sub-contractors. Relative Important Index was adopted to analyse and evaluate the collected data. The results revealed that, selection method, critical site coordination, labour migration, delay payment and site safety wer e respectively significant on subcontractor performance. Further, it was identified there is a positive relationship between attitudes of main contractor and subcontractor. The paper describes the mitigation measures that could be used to maximize the performance of construction projects in terms of time, cost and quality, while enhancing the performance of subcontractors

The Frequency and Spectrum of Chromosomal Translocations in a Cohort of Sri Lankans

Translocations are the most common type of structural chromosomal abnormalities. Unbalanced translocations are usually found in children who present with congenital abnormalities, developmental delay, or intellectual disability. Balanced translocations are usually found in adults who frequently present with reproductive failure; either subfertility, or recurrent pregnancy loss. Herein, we report the spectrum and frequency of translocations in a Sri Lankan cohort. A database of patients undergoing cytogenetic testing was maintained prospectively from January 2007 to December 2016 and analyzed, retrospectively. A total of 15,864 individuals were tested. Among them, 277 (1.7%) had translocations. There were 142 (51.3%) unbalanced translocations and 135 (48.7%) balanced translocations. Majority (160; 57.8%) were Robertsonian translocations. There were 145 (52.3%) children and adolescents aged less than 18 years with translocations, and 142 (97.9%) were unbalanced translocations. Majority [138 (95.2%)] were referred due to congenital abnormalities, developmental delay, or intellectual disability, and 91 were children with translocation Down syndrome. All adults aged 18 years or above (132) had balanced translocations. Subfertility and recurrent pregnancy loss [84 (63.6%)] and offspring(s) with congenital abnormalities [48 (36.4%)] were the most common indications in this group. Majority (68.2%) in this group were females with reciprocal translocations (55.3%). Chromosomes 21, 14, and 13 were the most commonly involved with rob(14q21q) [72 (26%)], rob(21q21q) [30 (13.7%)], and rob(13q14q) [34 (12.3%)] accounting for 52% of the translocations. Chromosomes 1, 8, 11, and 18 were most commonly involved in reciprocal translocations. The observed high frequency of chromosomal translocations in our cohort highlights the importance of undertaking cytogenetic evaluation and providing appropriate genetic counseling for individuals with the phenotypes associated with these translocations

Structural Analysis of ATP Analogues Compatible with Kinase-Catalyzed Labeling

Kinase-catalyzed protein phosphorylation is an important biochemical process involved in cellular functions. We recently discovered that kinases promiscuously accept γ-modified ATP analogues as cosubstrates and used several ATP analogues as tools for studying protein phosphorylation. Herein, we explore the structural requirements of γ-modified ATP analogues for kinase compatibility. To understand the influence of linker length and composition, a series of ATP analogues was synthesized, and the efficiency of kinase-catalyzed labeling was determined by quantitative mass spectrometry. This study on factors influencing kinase cosubstrate promiscuity will enable design of ATP analogues for a variety of kinase-catalyzed labeling reactions

Scanning electron microscopy and atom probe tomography characterization of laser powder bed fusion precipitation strengthening nickel-based superalloy

Atom probe tomography (APT) was utilized to supplement scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization of a precipitation strengthening nickel-based superalloy, Alloy 247LC, processed by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). It was observed that the material in the as-built condition had a relatively high strength. Using both SEM and APT, it was concluded that the high strength was not attributed to the typical precipitation strengthening effect of γ’. In the absence of γ’ it could be reasonably inferred that the numerous black dots observed in the cells/grains with SEM were dislocations and as such should be contributing significantly to the strengthening. Thus, the current investigation demonstrated that relatively high strengthening can be attained in L-PBF even in the absence of precipitated γ’. Even though γ’ was not precipitated, the APT analysis displayed a nanometer scale partitioning of Cr that could be contributing to the strengthening. After heat-treatment, γ’ was precipitated and it demonstrated the expected high strengthening behavior. Al, Ta and Ti partitioned to γ’. The strong partitioning of Ta in γ’ is indicative that the element, together with Al and Ti, was contributing to the strain-age cracking occurring during heat-treatment. Cr, Mo and Co partitioned to the matrix γ phase. Hf, Ta, Ti and W were found in the carbides corroborating previous reports that they are MC

Selected hazards and ways of their minimization in the steel industry

W artykule przedstawiono wybrane zagrożenia występujące w przemyśle hutniczym. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na zagrożenia związane z obecnością substancji niebezpiecznych, w tym pyłów i gazów procesowych, gazów palnych, jak również niepożądanych produktów ich spalania: CO2, CO czy NOx. Niewłaściwe postępowanie z nimi może być przyczyną niekontrolowanego uwalniania się ww. gazów, a w konsekwencji pożaru lub wybuchu. Odpowiednio szybka identyfikacja zagrożenia może zminimalizować, a nawet wyeliminować ryzyko jego wystąpienia. Dlatego też w artykule, jako istotny element bezpieczeństwa każdego zakładu przemysłowego, wskazano odpowiedni system detekcji gazów. Opisany system może nie tylko zmniejszyć ryzyko związane z wystąpieniem poważnej awarii, ale przede wszystkim ograniczyć skutki bezpośredniego zagrożenia zatruciem lub utratą życia ludzi znajdujących się w pobliżu miejsca uwalniania się gazów.The article presents the selected hazards that may exist in the steel industry. Particular attention was paid to the risks associated with the hazardous substances, including particular matters and process gases, combustible gases such as coal gas or natural gas, as well as the unwanted products of combustion: CO2, CO and NOx. Improper handling of them can cause uncontrolled release, and consequently can lead to fire or explosion. Accordingly fast hazard identification can minimize or even eliminate the risk of its occurrence. Therefore, in the article a suitable gas detection system, as an important element of the safety of each industrial plant was pointed out. The system described in the article can not only reduce the risk of suffering a major accident, but firstly to minimize the effects of direct danger of poisoning or loss of life of people in the vicinity of the gases release