Isoflurane – Evaluation of a BAT value

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated isoflurane [26675-46-7] and a maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) of 2 ml/m3 has been set for isoflurane. The substance is used as a volatile anaesthetic, and absorption of isoflurane at the workplace is by inhalation. Human studies are not available to derive a quantitative relationship between the internal dose and the critical toxic effects of isoflurane (neurotoxicity and liver toxicity, effects on reproductive organs). Three studies on surgical employees show a linear correlation between the concentration of isoflurane in the air and urine concentration. In correlation to the MAK value of 2 ml/m3, a biological tolerance value (BAT value) of 4 µg isoflurane/l urine was established. Sampling time is at the end of exposure or end of shift. There are no studies in neonatal or juvenile animals at non-anaesthetic concentrations to derive a no observed adverse effect concentration (NOAEC) for developmental neurotoxic effects of isoflurane. Therefore, isoflurane was assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group D. Since the BAT value was derived in correlation to the MAK value, Pregnancy Risk Group D also applies to the BAT valu

Crossover from Fermi liquid to Wigner molecule behavior in quantum dots

The crossover from weak to strong correlations in parabolic quantum dots at zero magnetic field is studied by numerically exact path-integral Monte Carlo simulations for up to eight electrons. By the use of a multilevel blocking algorithm, the simulations are carried out free of the fermion sign problem. We obtain a universal crossover only governed by the density parameter $r_s$. For $r_s>r_c$, the data are consistent with a Wigner molecule description, while for $r_s<r_c$, Fermi liquid behavior is recovered. The crossover value $r_c \approx 4$ is surprisingly small.Comment: 4 pages RevTeX, 3 figures, corrected Tabl

Quantum switches and quantum memories for matter-wave lattice solitons

We study the possibility of implementing a quantum switch and a quantum memory for matter wave lattice solitons by making them interact with "effective" potentials (barrier/well) corresponding to defects of the optical lattice. In the case of interaction with an "effective" potential barrier, the bright lattice soliton experiences an abrupt transition from complete transmission to complete reflection (quantum switch) for a critical height of the barrier. The trapping of the soliton in an "effective" potential well and its release on demand, without loses, shows the feasibility of using the system as a quantum memory. The inclusion of defects as a way of controlling the interactions between two solitons is also reported

The Ultraluminous X-ray Sources near the Center of M82

We report the identification of a recurrent ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX), a highly absorbed X-ray source (possibly a background AGN), and a young supernova remnant near the center of the starburst galaxy M82. From a series of Chandra observations taken from 1999 to 2005, we found that the transient ULX first appeared in 1999 October. The source turned off in 2000 January, but later reappeared and has been active since then. The X-ray luminosity of this source varies from below the detection level (~2.5e38 erg/s) to its active state in between ~7e39 erg/s and 1.3e40 erg/s (in the 0.5-10 keV energy band) and shows unusual spectral changes. The X-ray spectra of some Chandra observations are best fitted with an absorbed power-law model with photon index ranging from 1.3 to 1.7. These spectra are similar to those of Galactic black hole binary candidates seen in the low/hard state except that a very hard spectrum was seen in one of the observations. By comparing with near infrared images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope, the ULX is found to be located within a young star cluster. Radio imaging indicates that it is associated with a H II region. We suggest that the ULX is likely to be a > 100 solar mass intermediate-mass black hole in the low/hard state. In addition to the transient ULX, we also found a highly absorbed hard X-ray source which is likely to be an AGN and an ultraluminous X-ray emitting young supernova remnant which may be related to a 100-year old gamma-ray burst event, within 2 arcsec of the transient ULX.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

General Relativistic Radiant Shock Waves in the Post-Quasistatic Approximation

An evolution of radiant shock wave front is considered in the framework of a recently presented method to study self-gravitating relativistic spheres, whose rationale becomes intelligible and finds full justification within the context of a suitable definition of the post-quasistatic approximation. The spherical matter configuration is divided into two regions by the shock and each side of the interface having a different equation of state and anisotropic phase. In order to simulate dissipation effects due to the transfer of photons and/or neutrinos within the matter configuration, we introduce the flux factor, the variable Eddington factor and a closure relation between them. As we expected the strength of the shock increases the speed of the fluid to relativistic values and for some critical ones is larger than light speed. In addition, we find that energy conditions are very sensible to the anisotropy, specially the strong one. As a special feature of the model, we find that the contribution of the matter and radiation to the radial pressure are the same order of magnitude as in the mant as in the core, moreover, in the core radiation pressure is larger than matter pressure.Comment: To appear in Journal of Physics:Conference Series:"XXIX Spanish Relativity Meeting (ERE 2006): Einstein's Legacy: From the Theoretical Paradise to Astrophysical Observations

Arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds (with the exception of arsine) – Addendum: Re-evaluation of BLW and EKA

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area re-evaluated the exposure equivalents for carcinogenic substances (EKA) as well as the biological guidance value (BLW) for arsenic [7440-38-2] and inorganic arsenic compounds with the exception of arsine. Recent findings on formation and renal excretion of the arsenic metabolite dimethylarsinic acid suggest substantial alimentary influence on this parameter, which has been used as biomarker besides other metabolites. In order to increase the diagnostic reliability, EKA were derived without the use of dimethylarsinic acid as marker for internal exposure, taking into account now the metabolites arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and monomethylarsonic acid. Furthermore, the range of the EKA was extended to concentrations below 1 μg/m3. Analogous to the EKA derivation, the BLW was re-evaluated based on the renal excretion of the species arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and monomethylarsonic acid. To prevent peripheral neuropathy as the most critical systemic toxic effect besides carcinogenicity, an average concentration of 10 μg/l for the sum of arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and mono-methylarsonic acid should not be exceeded in post shift urine samples

Cachexia and protein-energy wasting in children with chronic kidney disease

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at risk for “cachexia” or “protein-energy wasting” (PEW). These terms describe a pathophysiologic process resulting in the loss of muscle, with or without loss of fat, and involving maladaptive responses, including anorexia and elevated metabolic rate. PEW has been defined specifically in relation to CKD. We review the diagnostic criteria for cachexia and PEW in CKD and consider the limitations and applicability of these criteria to children with CKD. In addition, we present an overview of the manifestations and mechanisms of cachexia and PEW. A host of pathogenetic factors are considered, including systemic inflammation, endocrine perturbations, and abnormal neuropeptide signaling, as well as poor nutritional intake. Mortality risk, which is 100- to 200-fold higher in patients with end-stage renal disease than in the general population, is strongly correlated with the components of cachexia/PEW. Further research into the causes and consequences of wasting and growth retardation is needed in order to improve the survival and quality of life for children with CKD

Effect of monolingualism and bilingualism in the anterior cingulate cortex: a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study in two centers

Reports of an advantage of bilingualism on brain structure in young adult participants are inconsistent. Abutalebi et al. (2012) reported more efficient monitoring of conflict during the Flanker task in young bilinguals compared to young monolingual speakers. The present study compared young adult (mean age = 24) Cantonese-English bilinguals in Hong Kong and young adult monolingual speakers. We expected (a) differences in metabolites in neural tissue to result from bilingual experience, as measured by 1H-MRS at 3T, (b) correlations between metabolic levels and Flanker conflict and interference effects (c) different associations in bilingual and monolingual speakers. We found evidence of metabolic differences in the ACC due to bilingualism, specifically in metabolites Cho, Cr, Glx and NAA. However, we found no significant correlations between metabolic levels and conflict and interference effects and no significant evidence of differential relationships between bilingual and monolingual speakers. Furthermore, we found no evidence of significant differences in the mean size of conflict and interference effects between groups i.e. no bilingual advantage. Lower levels of Cho, Cr, Glx and NAA in bilingual adults compared to monolingual adults suggest that the brains of bilinguals develop greater adaptive control during conflict monitoring because of their extensive bilingual experience

Surface superconductivity in multilayered rhombohedral graphene: Supercurrent

The supercurrent for the surface superconductivity of a flat-band multilayered rhombohedral graphene is calculated. Despite the absence of dispersion of the excitation spectrum, the supercurrent is finite. The critical current is proportional to the zero-temperature superconducting gap, i.e., to the superconducting critical temperature and to the size of the flat band in the momentum space

Optoelectronics with electrically tunable PN diodes in a monolayer dichalcogenide

One of the most fundamental devices for electronics and optoelectronics is the PN junction, which provides the functional element of diodes, bipolar transistors, photodetectors, LEDs, and solar cells, among many other devices. In conventional PN junctions, the adjacent p- and n-type regions of a semiconductor are formed by chemical doping. Materials with ambipolar conductance, however, allow for PN junctions to be configured and modified by electrostatic gating. This electrical control enables a single device to have multiple functionalities. Here we report ambipolar monolayer WSe2 devices in which two local gates are used to define a PN junction exclusively within the sheet of WSe2. With these electrically tunable PN junctions, we demonstrate both PN and NP diodes with ideality factors better than 2. Under excitation with light, the diodes show photodetection responsivity of 210 mA/W and photovoltaic power generation with a peak external quantum efficiency of 0.2%, promising numbers for a nearly transparent monolayer sheet in a lateral device geometry. Finally, we demonstrate a light-emitting diode based on monolayer WSe2. These devices provide a fundamental building block for ubiquitous, ultra-thin, flexible, and nearly transparent optoelectronic and electronic applications based on ambipolar dichalcogenide materials.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figure