Characterisation of the porous structure of Gilsocarbon graphite using pycnometry, cyclic porosimetry and void-network modeling

file: :C$$:/pdf/1-s2.0-S000862231400164X-main.pdf:pdfThe cores of the fourteen Advanced Gas-cooled nuclear Reactors (AGRs) within the UK comprise Gilsocarbon graphite, a manufactured material surrounded predominantly by CO2 at high pressure and temperature to provide heat exchange. The intense ionising radiation within the reactors causes radiolytic oxidation, and the resulting mass loss is a primary factor in determining reactor lifetime. The void structure of the porous Gilsocarbon graphite affects the permeability and diffusion of the carbon dioxide, and the sites of oxidation. To model this void structure, the porosities and densities of ten virgin Gilsocarbon graphite samples have been measured by powder and helium pycnometry. For comparison, results are also presented for highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), and a fine-grained Ringsdorff graphite. Samples have been examined at a range of magnifications by electron microscopy. Total porosities and percolation characteristics have been measured by standard and cyclic mercury porosimetry up to an applied mercury pressure of 400MPa. Inverse modelling of the cyclic intrusion curves produces simulated void structures with characteristics which closely match those of experiment. Void size distributions of the structures are presented, together with much Supplementary Information. The simulated void networks provide the bases for future simulations of the radiolytic oxidation process itself

The skeletal muscle channelopathies: phenotype, genotype and pathogenesis

The skeletal muscle channelopathies are a group of inherited disorders due to the dysfunction of voltage gated channels in the sarcolemma resulting in abnormal membrane excitability. Simplistically they are broadly divided into those that result froman “over excited” membrane (the non-dystrophic myotonias) and those due to an inexcitable one (the periodic paralyses). Skeletal muscle channelopathies were describedclinically long before they were genotyped or hypotheses regarding pathogenesis fullyevolved. This thesis explores all three, the phenotype, the genotype and recent insightsinto the pathogenesis. Detailed clinical and neurophysiologic examination of a large group of patients identifiednew aspects of the phenotype including neonatal presentations with importantimplications for early life care. Morphological findings are also expanded with thepresence of inflammatory infiltrates, not previously described in the channelopathies. Extensive DNA sequencing of causative genes was undertaken in a carefully genotypedcohort. In hypokalaemic periodic paralysis an exclusive relationship between mutationsand the channel voltage sensor emerged which relates closely to recentelectrophysiological evidence of a “gating pore” disease mechanism. A small butsignificant minority of cases remain however where no mutation is found. The implication of other potential genetic mechanisms or even undescribed genes in thesecases is discussed. Current drug therapies are also examined in three separate cohorts and evidence suggests acetazolamide, a commonly prescribed treatment, may only be effective in 50-60% of those with hypokalaemic periodic paralysis. A tentative relationship between efficacy and genotype also emerges. Patch clamp studies show significant loss of function of the main alpha pore of the sodium channel in periodic paralysis but the implications of this in light of the “gating pore” hypothesis are discussed. Tentative explorations are made as to the viability of performing future studies in myoctes as opposed to the traditional HEK cell model with early experiments illustrating limitations

Postmenopausal Women With Greater Paracardial Fat Have More Coronary Artery Calcification Than Premenopausal Women: The Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) Cardiovascular Fat Ancillary Study.

BackgroundVolumes of paracardial adipose tissue (PAT) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are greater after menopause. Interestingly, PAT but not EAT is associated with estradiol decline, suggesting a potential role of menopause in PAT accumulation. We assessed whether volumes of heart fat depot (EAT and PAT) were associated with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in women at midlife and whether these associations were modified by menopausal status and estradiol levels.Methods and resultsEAT and PAT volumes and CAC were measured using electron beam computed tomography scans. CAC was evaluated as (1) the presence of CAC (CAC Agatston score ≥10) and (2) the extent of any CAC (log CAC Agatston score >0). The study included 478 women aged 50.9 years (58% pre- or early perimenopausal, 10% late perimenopausal, and 32% postmenopausal). EAT was significantly associated with CAC measures, and these associations were not modified by menopausal status or estradiol. In contrast, associations between PAT and CAC measures were modified by menopausal status (interaction-P≤0.01). Independent of study covariates including other adiposity measures, each 1-SD unit increase in log PAT was associated with 102% higher risk of CAC presence (P=0.04) and an 80% increase in CAC extent (P=0.008) in postmenopausal women compared with pre- or early perimenopausal women. Additional adjustment for estradiol and hormone therapy attenuated these differences. Moreover, the association between PAT and CAC extent was stronger in women with lower estradiol levels (interaction P=0.004).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that PAT is a potential menopause-specific coronary artery disease risk marker, supporting the need to monitor and target this fat depot for intervention in women at midlife

The JCMT Gould Belt Survey: the effect of molecular contamination in SCUBA-2 observations of Orion A

Thermal emission from cold dust grains in giant molecular clouds can be used to probe the physical properties, such as density, temperature and emissivity in star-forming regions. We present the SCUBA-2 shared-risk observations at 450 $\mu$m and 850 $\mu$m of the Orion A molecular cloud complex taken at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). Previous studies showed that molecular emission lines can contribute significantly to the measured fluxes in those continuum bands. We use the HARP $^{12}$CO J=3-2 integrated intensity map for Orion A in order to evaluate the molecular line contamination and its effects on the SCUBA-2 maps. With the corrected fluxes, we have obtained a new spectral index $\alpha$ map for the thermal emission of dust in the well-known integral-shaped filament. Furthermore, we compare a sample of 33 sources, selected over the Orion A molecular cloud complex for their high $^{12}$CO J=3-2 line contamination, to 27 previously identified clumps in OMC-4. This allows us to quantify the effect of line contamination on the ratio of 850 $\mu$m to 450 $\mu$m flux densities and how it modifies the deduced spectral index of emissivity $\beta$ for the dust grains. We also show that at least one Spitzer-identified protostellar core in OMC-5 has a $^{12}$CO J=3-2 contamination level of 16 %. Furthermore, we find the strongest contamination level (44 %) towards a young star with disk near OMC-2. This work is part of the JCMT Gould Belt Legacy Survey.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (MNRAS

Bis[methyl 3-(propyl­amino)­but-2-eno­ato]zinc

The title compound, [Zn(C8H14NO2)2], represents a zinc complex with the Zn2+ cation coordinated by two O and two N atoms in a distorted tetrahedral geometry

Habitual physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy

2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).This article has been made available through the Brunel Open Access Publishing Fund.Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are known to participate in reduced levels of total physical activity. There is no information available however, regarding levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in this population. Reduced participation in MVPA is associated with several cardiometabolic risk factors. The purpose of this study was firstly to compare levels of sedentary, light, MVPA and total activity in adults with CP to adults without CP. Secondly, the objective was to investigate the association between physical activity components, sedentary behavior and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with CP. Adults with CP (n = 41) age 18–62 yr (mean ± SD = 36.5 ± 12.5 yr), classified in Gross Motor Function Classification System level I (n = 13), II (n = 18) and III (n = 10) participated in this study. Physical activity was measured by accelerometry in adults with CP and in age- and sex-matched adults without CP over 7 days. Anthropometric indicators of obesity, blood pressure and several biomarkers of cardiometabolic disease were also measured in adults with CP. Adults with CP spent less time in light, moderate, vigorous and total activity, and more time in sedentary activity than adults without CP (p < 0.01 for all). Moderate physical activity was associated with waist-height ratio when adjusted for age and sex (β = −0.314, p < 0.05). When further adjustment was made for total activity, moderate activity was associated with waist-height ratio (β = −0.538, p < 0.05), waist circumference (β = −0.518, p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (β = −0.592, p < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (β = −0.636, p < 0.05). Sedentary activity was not associated with any risk factor. The findings provide evidence that relatively young adults with CP participate in reduced levels of MVPA and spend increased time in sedentary behavior, potentially increasing their risk of developing cardiometabolic disease

Incorporating sprouted chickpea flour in pasta increases brachial artery flow-mediated dilation

Purpose Consumption of alternative flours, such as sprouted chickpea flour, has shown increased popularity in recent years. Foods rich in antioxidants have been shown to influence brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a non-invasive test of a crucial layer of the artery called the endothelium. Partially replacing the semolina flour in pasta with sprouted chickpea flour (SCF) may acutely affect endothelial function post-digestion. We sought to determine if FMD was higher, lower, or the same post-digestion of pasta made with 60% semolina flour and 40% SCF (SCF40) vs. post-digestion of pasta made with 100% semolina flour (SEM100, i.e., control). Methods Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) analysis was performed on the same flour samples. Healthy participants underwent a screening visit and two randomized controlled meal data collection visits (SCF40 and SEM100). At each data collection visit, participants consumed 255 g of pasta with butter. FMD was assessed 2–3 h after pasta consumption. Results TEAC results showed that SCF40 (2.031 ± 0.096 mmol trolox/100 g sample) had significantly greater antioxidant capacity than SEM100 (1.736 ± 0.046 mmol trolox/100 g sample; p = 0.02). Twenty-two healthy participants (5 men and 17 women; 26 ± 2 years, 66.6 ± 2.3 kg, BMI = 24 ± 1 kg/m2, SBP = 114 ± 3 mmHg, DBP = 75 ± 2 mmHg, HR = 74 ± 3 BPM) were studied. FMD in the SCF40 condition (10.3% ± 1.2%) was greater than the SEM100 condition (7.9% ± 0.8%, p = 0.02). Conclusion These data suggest that partial substitution with sprouted chickpea flour in place of semolina flour in pasta acutely improves post-digestion FMD, which may be beneficial for cardiovascular health (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03801486)

Impaired cardiac and skeletal muscle bioenergetics in children, adolescents, and young adults with Barth syndrome

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is an X‐linked condition characterized by altered cardiolipin metabolism and cardioskeletal myopathy. We sought to compare cardiac and skeletal muscle bioenergetics in children, adolescents, and young adults with BTHS and unaffected controls and examine their relationships with cardiac function and exercise capacity. Children/adolescents and young adults with BTHS (n = 20) and children/adolescent and young adult control participants (n = 23, total n = 43) underwent (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((31)P‐MRS) of the lower extremity (calf) and heart for estimation of skeletal muscle and cardiac bioenergetics. Peak exercise testing (VO (2peak)) and resting echocardiography were also performed on all participants. Cardiac PCr/ATP ratio was significantly lower in children/adolescents (BTHS: 1.5 ± 0.2 vs. Control: 2.0 ± 0.3, P < 0.01) and adults (BTHS: 1.9 ± 0.2 vs. Control: 2.3 ± 0.2, P < 0.01) with BTHS compared to Control groups. Adults (BTHS: 76.4 ± 31.6 vs. Control: 35.0 ± 7.4 sec, P < 0.01) and children/adolescents (BTHS: 71.5 ± 21.3 vs. Control: 31.4 ± 7.4 sec, P < 0.01) with BTHS had significantly longer calf PCr recovery (τ PCr) postexercise compared to controls. Maximal calf ATP production through oxidative phosphorylation (Qmax‐lin) was significantly lower in children/adolescents (BTHS: 0.5 ± 0.1 vs. Control: 1.1 ± 0.3 mmol/L per sec, P < 0.01) and adults (BTHS: 0.5 ± 0.2 vs. Control: 1.0 ± 0.2 mmol/L sec, P < 0.01) with BTHS compared to controls. Blunted cardiac and skeletal muscle bioenergetics were associated with lower VO(2peak) but not resting cardiac function. Cardiac and skeletal muscle bioenergetics are impaired and appear to contribute to exercise intolerance in BTHS

The JCMT Gould Belt Survey: the effect of molecular contamination in SCUBA-2 observations of Orion A

JOURThis is the final version of the article. It was first published by Oxford Journals for the Royal Astronomical Society via http://dx.doi.org/ 10.1093/mnras/stv3009Thermal emission from cold dust grains in giant molecular clouds can be used to probe the physical properties, such as density, temperature and emissivity in star-forming regions. We present the Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array (SCUBA-2) shared-risk observations at 450 and 850 μm of the Orion A molecular cloud complex taken at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). Previous studies showed that molecular emission lines can contribute significantly to the measured fluxes in those continuum bands. We use the Heterodyne Array Receiver Programme 12CO J = 3-2 integrated intensity map for Orion A in order to evaluate the molecular line contamination and its effects on the SCUBA-2 maps. With the corrected fluxes, we have obtained a new spectral index α map for the thermal emission of dust in the well-known integral-shaped filament. Furthermore, we compare a sample of 33 sources, selected over the Orion A molecular cloud complex for their high 12CO J = 3-2 line contamination, to 27 previously identified clumps in OMC 4. This allows us to quantify the effect of line contamination on the ratio of 850-450 μm flux densities and how it modifies the deduced spectral index of emissivity β for the dust grains. We also show that at least one Spitzer-identified protostellar core in OMC 5 has a 12CO J = 3-2 contamination level of 16 per cent. Furthermore, we find the strongest contamination level (44 per cent) towards a young star with disc near OMC 2. This work is part of the JCMT Gould Belt Legacy Survey

The menopause transition and women\u27s health at midlife: a progress report from the Study of Women\u27s Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

OBJECTIVE: Our initial understanding of the menopause transition (MT) has been framed by clinical samples of women seeking treatment rather than by population-based studies. The Study of Women\u27s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) initiated in 1996 with an overall goal to define the MT, to characterize its biological and psychosocial antecedents and sequelae in an ethnically and racially diverse sample of midlife women. METHODS: This review summarizes the central findings of SWAN to date that can inform women and their healthcare providers about the impact of the MT and midlife aging on overall health and well-being. RESULTS: SWAN characterized changes in reproductive axis and menstrual cycle patterns that informed the development of the reproductive aging staging system Staging of Reproductive Aging Workshop+10; MT-related symptoms and mental health (vasomotor symptoms, sleep complaints, psychological symptoms, cognitive performance, and urogenital and sexual health); and physiological systems and functions (cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health, bone health, physical function performance) that are influenced by the MT. SWAN demonstrated substantial interrelations among these changes and significant racial/ethnic differences in the rate and magnitude of change in multiple health indictors in midlife women. The findings point to midlife as a critical stage for adopting healthy behavior and preventive strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 23 years, SWAN has advanced our understanding of the impact of the MT and midlife aging on health and well-being in women. SWAN will be instrumental to determine whether MT-related changes during midlife are related to unfavorable health and well-being in early old age