pp-Process simulations with a modified reaction library

We have performed $p$-process simulations with the most recent stellar $(n,\gamma)$ cross sections from the "Karlsruhe Astrophysical Database of Nucleosynthesis in Stars" project (version v0.2, http://nuclear-astrophysics.fzk.de/kadonis). The simulations were carried out with a parametrized supernova type II shock front model (``$\gamma$ process'') of a 25 solar mass star and compared to recently published results. A decrease in the normalized overproduction factor could be attributed to lower cross sections of a significant fraction of seed nuclei located in the Bi and Pb region around the $N$=126 shell closure.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure Proceedings "Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics NPA-III", Dresden/Germany (2007

Pengoptimalan Persediaan dengan Metode Simpleks pada PT Xyz

Penerapan model pemrograman linier sangat membantu manajer operasidalam pengambilan keputusan untuk menentukan produk mana yang menjadi prior-itas utama untuk disediakan. Tahap awal dalam pengembangan model Program Lin-ier adalah mengidentifikasi semua variabel, selanjutnya menetapkan fungsi tujuan(Z) dan fungsi kendala. Dalam hal menentukan persediaan yang optimal digunakanMetode Simpleks dalam Program Linier. Dengan melakukan pengkajian pada PTXYZ maka ditentukan bahwa fungsi tujuan yang ingin dicapai adalah memaksi-mumkan laba Perusahaan dan fungsi kendala adalah kapasitas penyimpanan danjumlah permintaan. Pengolahan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan softwarePOM-QM. Berdasarkan hasil perhitungan disimpulkan bahwa kombinasi persedi-aan yang dilakukan Perusahaan mencapai tingkat optimal untuk produk pupuk urea2.000 packs, kieserite 8.000 packs dan rock phosphate 10.000 packs

The effects of different volumes of dynamic stretching on 20-M repeated sprint ability performance

The purpose of this within-subjects counterbalanced design study is to elucidate the effects of different volumes of dynamic stretching on Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) performance. Thirteen male team sport athletes perfromed a repeated sprint ability test consisting of a maximal 6 x 20 meter sprint (with 30s active recovery between each sprint) following different volumes of dynamic stretching (DSS1, DSS2 and DSS3). The results showed no significant difference for all parameters between all the all dynamic stretching volumes. Results show that any of the dynamic stretching volumes may be used as a warm up prior to the repeated sprints session. However, DSS1 confers some advantage in terms of lesser times, though not statistically significant for BST, MST and TSTKeywords: fatigue; set; repetition; specific warm-up; recovery

Relationship Between Carotid Disease on Ultrasound and Coronary Disease on CT Angiography

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between carotid artery disease by ultrasound and coronary artery disease by coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) and to identify carotid ultrasound parameters predictive of coronary artery disease.BackgroundCarotid ultrasound and CTA are noninvasive modalities used to image atherosclerosis. Studies examining the relationship between the 2 tests, however, are lacking.MethodsWe performed carotid ultrasound on predominantly nondiabetic subjects referred for CTA. Carotid intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque were assessed and compared with coronary artery calcification and the number of coronary arteries with any evidence of atherosclerosis on CTA.ResultsA total of 150 subjects underwent both CTA and carotid ultrasound on the same day. Carotid plaque was present in 71.3% (n = 107), whereas the presence of at least 1 coronary artery with disease on CTA was present in 57.1% (n = 84). Carotid plaque was present in 47.6% (30 of 63) of subjects with a calcium score of 0 and 88.5% (77 of 87) of subjects with a calcium score >0 (p = 0.0001). Similarly carotid plaque was present in 52.4% (33 of 63) of subjects with no CTA evidence of atherosclerosis versus 85.7% (72 of 84) of subjects with any CTA evidence of atherosclerosis (p < 0.0001). Carotid plaque, IMT ≥1.5 mm, or averaged mean IMT >0.75 mm were associated with a calcium score >0 (odds ratio: 5.4, p < 0.0001, 2.7, p < 0.001; 2.9, p = 0.011, respectively) and disease in at least 1 vessel on CTA (odds ratio: 2.8, p = 0.03, 2.19, p = 0.073; 2.22, p = 0.058, respectively) independent of age and sex.ConclusionsCarotid plaque and increased carotid IMT are associated with the presence and severity of coronary calcification and disease on CTA in ambulatory subjects

Evaporation lifetime and boiling curve on hemispherical stainless steel (304) surface

The purpose of this research is to study and investigate the evaporation lifetime and boiling curve on a hemispherical heated surface. The selected material was stainless steel (304). A nearly perfect and smooth hemispherical surface was developed by using EDM die sinker. For the test liquid, distilled water was used during the experimental work. The average droplet temperature was 31.36 °C corresponding to liquid subcooling ∆Tsub = 68.64K. Based on the theoretical calculation, the diameter of the water droplet was approximately 5.00 mm. Meanwhile, the impact height was approximately 65.0 mm corresponding to the theoretical impact velocity of 1.129 m/s. The material was heated using a digital hot plate which was able to give an accurate reading and stable temperature fluctuation during the heating process. The temperature ranged from a low temperature of Tw = 100 °C to a high temperature of Tw = 300 °C. As a result, the boiling curve showed a similar pattern of other experimental work that consists of two (2) important points which are the Critical Heat Flux (CHF) and Leidenfrost temperature

Authentication of butter from lard adulteration using high-resolution of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography

Food authentication is an interesting issue for all parties in the food industry, including the fats and oils industry. Some unethical players try to blend high-quality foods, such as butter, with lower ones like lard, therefore, the analytical methods capable of analyzing the adulteration practices must be developed. This study used proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography for the authentication of butter from lard adulteration. The identification of triacylglycerol composition of lard as a chemical marker for halal authentication is analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The suitability of proton nuclear magnetic resonance provides a high-performance approach for determination butter adulterated with lard in their entirety of all proton bearing components. Peaks in the region of 2.60–2.84 ppm show special characteristics only present in lard. Only lard has its own unique characteristics which only polyunsaturated fatty acids would give signals 7 at δ 2.63, that corresponded to the chemical shift of the double-allylic methylene protons. In the same way, the intensity of signal at 2.63 ppm, due to methylenic protons in a position α to two double bonds, that is to say, due to the linoleic group. Furthermore, we also correlate some signals between 1H and 13C-NMR spectra for the confirmation of signals

The Dutch multicenter experience of the Endo-Sponge treatment for anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery

Anastomotic leakage is a feared complication following colorectal surgery and is associated with early and long-term morbidity and mortality. The presacral cavity as the result of leakage can be treated with an endo-sponge (B-Braun Medical). The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of endo-sponge treatment of the presacral cavity as the result of anastomotic leakage in the Netherlands. Between July 2006 and April 2008, 16 patients (M/F = 9:7) with median age 64 years (range 19-78 years) who underwent surgery for rectal cancer (n = 13) or ulcerative colitis (n = 3) were treated with the endo-sponge treatment after anastomotic leakage. Of the 16 patients, eight patients started with the endo-sponge treatment within 6 weeks after the initial surgery. In these patients the endo-sponge was placed after a median of 24 days (range 13-39 days) following surgery. In the remaining eight patients the endo-sponge treatment was started later than 6 weeks after the initial surgery. In this group there was a median of 74 days (range 43-1,602 days) between surgery and the start of endo-sponge placement. There was closure in six out of eight patients (75%) in the group that started with the endo-sponge treatment within 6 weeks of surgery compared with three out of eight patients (38%) in the group that started later (p = 0.315). Closure was achieved in a median of 40 (range 28-90) days with a median number of 13 sponge replacements (range 8-17). Endo-sponge placement can be helpful in the treatment for anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery and might prevent a chronic presacral sinus. However, it is not yet clear if this new treatment modality results in quicker healin

Experimental (n,γ\gamma) cross sections of the p-process nuclei 74^{74}Se and 84^{84}Sr

The nucleosynthesis of elements beyond iron is dominated by the s and r processes. However, a small amount of stable isotopes on the proton-rich side cannot be made by neutron capture and are thought to be produced by photodisintegration reactions on existing seed nuclei in the so-called "p process". So far most of the p-process reactions are not yet accessible by experimental techniques and have to be inferred from statistical Hauser-Feshbach model calculations. The parametrization of these models has to be constrained by measurements on stable proton-rich nuclei. A series of (n,$\gamma$) activation measurements, related by detailed balance to the respective photodisintegrations, were carried out at the Karlsruhe Van de Graaff accelerator using the $^7$Li(p,n)$^7$Be source for simulating a Maxwellian neutron distribution of kT= 25 keV. First results for the experimental (n,$\gamma$) cross sections of the light p nuclei $^{74}$Se and $^{84}$Sr are reported. These experimental values were used for an extrapolation to the Maxwellian averaged cross section at 30 keV, $_{30}$, yielding 271$\pm$15 mb for $^{74}$Se, and 300$\pm$17 mb for the total capture cross section of $^{84}$Sr. The partial cross section to the isomer in $^{85}$Sr was found to be 190$\pm$10 mb.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Cardiorespiratory comorbidity and postoperative complications following esophagectomy: a European multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND: The impact of cardiorespiratory comorbidity on operative outcomes after esophagectomy remains controversial. This study investigated the effect of cardiorespiratory comorbidity on postoperative complications for patients treated for esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A European multicenter cohort study from five high-volume esophageal cancer centers including patients treated between 2010 and 2017 was conducted. The effect of cardiorespiratory comorbidity and respiratory function upon postoperative outcomes was assessed. RESULTS: In total 1590 patients from five centers were included; 274 (17.2%) had respiratory comorbidity, and 468 (29.4%) had cardiac comorbidity. Respiratory comorbidity was associated with increased risk of overall postoperative complications, anastomotic leak, pulmonary complications, pneumonia, increased Clavien-Dindo score, and critical care and hospital length of stay. After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, respiratory comorbidity was associated with increased risk of anastomotic leak [odds ratio (OR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-3.04], pneumonia (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.10-2.47), and any pulmonary complication (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.04-2.22), an effect which was not observed following neoadjuvant chemotherapy or surgery alone. Cardiac comorbidity was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, respiratory failure, and Clavien-Dindo score ≥ IIIa. Among all patients, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio > 70% was associated with reduced risk of overall postoperative complications, cardiovascular complications, atrial fibrillation, pulmonary complications, and pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that cardiorespiratory comorbidity and impaired pulmonary function are associated with increased risk of postoperative complications after esophagectomy performed in high-volume European centers. Given the observed interaction with neoadjuvant approach, these data indicate a potentially modifiable index of perioperative risk