On the stoichiometry and stability of americium(III) complexes with a hydrophilic SO3–Ph–BTP ligand, studied by liquid–liquid extraction

International audience1:1 and 1:2 complexes of americium(III) with a hydrophilic anionic SO3–Ph–BTP4− ligand were detected in acidic aqueous nitrate solutions by a solvent extraction method. The determined conditional stability constants of these complexes, logβ 1 = 4.35 ± 0.07 and logβ 2 = 7.67 ± 0.06, related to 1 M aqueous solutions, are much lower than the literature values for the analogous curium species, determined by TRLFS in very dilute aqueous solutions. There is also no evidence for the existence of the 1:3 Am3+ complex similar to the reported curium(III) complex. A hypothesis has been formulated to explain these discrepancies. It suggests the necessity to carefully check the equilibria in each phase of solvent extraction systems containing two competing ligands—lipophilic and hydrophilic

Risk factors in Central Poland for the development of superficial and nodular basal cell carcinomas

INTRODUCTION: In the last decades the number of skin carcinomas has dramatically increased, which is mainly connected with changes in lifestyle, especially with common use of artificial light sources such as sunbeds. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer in white populations. Basal cell carcinomas are divided into subtypes, depending on their clinical picture and histology. The main groups are nodular (nBCC) and superficial (sBCC) ones. The major recognized risk factors for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) are exposure to chronic and intermittent burning doses of sunlight. Other risk factors leading to the development of the nBCC and sBCC subtypes of BCC are not well established. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis of 123 patients with either nBCC or sBCC, living in Lodz, Poland, regarding various intrinsic and environmental parameters was undertaken following the histological diagnosis of BCC. RESULTS: No statistical differences were observed between the BCC subtype and sex, age, hair colour, eye colour, smoking, family history of skin cancer, occupation, or past episodes of sunburn. While sBCCs tended to occur on unexposed body sites in phototype I/II subjects who mainly avoided direct sunlight, nBCCs tended to occur on sun-exposed body sites in phototype III subjects who were frequently in direct sunlight. CONCLUSIONS: Thus the development of particular BCC subtypes is partially dependent on phototype and personal sun behaviour

New trends in the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. Separation of minor actinides by solvent extraction

Recycling of actinides from spent nuclear fuel by their selective separation followed by transmutation in fast reactors will optimize the use of natural uranium resources and minimize the long-term hazard from high-level nuclear waste. This paper describes solvent extraction processes recently developed, aimed at the separation of americium from lanthanide fission products as well as from curium present in the waste. Depicted are novel poly-N-heterocyclic ligands used as selective extractants of actinide ions from nitric acid solutions or as actinide-selective hydrophilic stripping agents

Effect of Free Bandwidth on VoIP Performance in 802.11b WLAN Networks

In this paper we experimentally study the relationship between bandwidth utilization in the wireless LAN and the quality of VoIP calls transmitted over the wireless medium. Specifically we evaluate how the amount of free bandwidth decreases as the number of calls increases and how this influences transmission impairments (i.e. delay, loss and jitter) and thus degrades call quality. We show that the amount of free bandwidth is a good indicator for predicting VoIP call quality

Experimental Tuning of AIFSN and CWmin Parameters to Prioritize Voice over Data Transmission in 802.11e WLAN Networks

In this paper we experimentally study the impact of two EDCA parameters, namely AIFSN and CWmin, on a mixed voice/data wireless transmission. In particular we investigate how the tuning of these parameters affects both the voice transmission quality and background data throughput. We predict end-to-end voice transmission quality from time varying transmission impairments using the latest Appendix to the ITU-T E-model. Our experimental results show that the tuning of the EDCA parameters can be used to successfully prioritize voice transmission over data in real 802.11e networks. We also demonstrate that the AIFSN parameter more effectively protects voice calls against background data traffic than CWmin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental investigation on tuning of MAC layer parameters in a real 802.11e WLAN network from the perspective of end-to-end voice transmission quality and end user satisfaction

SACSESS : the EURATOM FP7 project on actinide separation from spent nuclear fuels

Recycling of actinides by their separation from spent nuclear fuel, followed by transmutation in fast neutron reactors of Generation IV, is considered the most promising strategy for nuclear waste management. Closing the fuel cycle and burning long-lived actinides allows optimizing the use of natural resources and minimizing the long-term hazard of high-level nuclear waste. Moreover, improving the safety and sustainability of nuclear power worldwide. This paper presents the activities striving to meet these challenges, carried out under the Euratom FP7 collaborative project SACSESS (Safety of Actinide Separation Processes). Emphasis is put on the safety issues of fuel reprocessing and waste storage. Two types of actinide separation processes, hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical, are considered, as well as related aspects of material studies, process modeling and the radiolytic stability of solvent extraction systems. Education and training of young researchers in nuclear chemistry is of particular importance for further development of this field

Zachorowalność na raka kolczystokomórkowego skóry w Polsce Centralnej — analiza dostępnych danych

Introduction: In recent years, the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers has increased rapidly all over the world. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common malignant neoplasm in humans after basal cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, the cancer registry in Poland does not record SCC individually. Thus, the incidence of this neoplasm in a defined population is unknown.Methods and materials: We have reviewed the clinical records of patients from the Dermatology and Venereology Department, Medical University of Lodz who were diagnosed with SCC by histopathology during the sixteen-year period from 1999 to 2015.Results: The incidence of SCC was slightly increasing between 1999 and 2008, but levelled off in next years. The largest relative increase in cancers was observed for patients above 74 years. Anatomical site distribution differs according to age of patients. In older patients, most prevalent were face lesions, while clothed areas were more commonly involved in patients below 45 years. The study revealed characteristics of SCC regarding age, gender and localization.Conclusions: SCC is quite common in our society. In recent years, the incidence rate has been levelling off. Nevertheless, the effective treatment is still very expensive. Moreover, the consistent international registration of this cancer should be applied worldwide.Wprowadzenie: W ostatnich latach zachorowalność na nieczerniakowate nowotwory skóry gwałtownie wzrosła na całym świecie. Rak kolczystokomórkowy skóry jest drugim co do częstości występowania najczęstszym nowotworem złośliwym skóry, zaraz po raku podstawnokomórkowym skóry. Niestety, Krajowy Rejestr Nowotworów w Polsce nie wyróżnia w swojej klasyfikacji osobno raka kolczystokomórkowego skóry. W związku z tym dokładne dane dotyczące zachorowalności w danej populacji pozostają nieznane.Materiały i metody: Przeanalizowano retrospektywnie dane kliniczne pacjentów leczonych z powodu raka kolczystokomórkowego w Klinice Dermatologii i Wenerologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, pochodzące z lat 1999–2015.Wyniki: Zachorowalność na raka kolczystokomórkowego nieznacznie wzrastała między 1999 a 2008 rokiem. W ostatnich 4 latach zaobserwowano jednak tendencję stabilizującą. Najwięcej przypadków zachorowań stwierdzono w grupie pacjentów powyżej 74 rż. Rozmieszczenie anatomiczne zmian różni się w zależności od wieku pacjentów. U starszych pacjentów zaobserwowano większość zmian w obrębie twarzy, podczas gdy u pacjentów młodszych (poniżej 45 rż.) częściej występowały zmiany w obrębie części ciała na ogół zakrytych. W badaniu scharakteryzowano raka kolczystokomórkowego w zależności od wieku, płci oraz lokalizacji zmian.Wnioski: Rak kolczystokomórkowy skóry często występuje w naszym społeczeństwie. W ostatnich latach jego zachorowalność się ustabilizowała. Niemniej jednak, efektywne leczenie jest wciąż bardzo kosztowne. Co więcej, należy podjąć działania, aby stworzyć spójne międzynarodowe rejestry, umożliwiające zebranie wiarygodnych danych epidemiologicznych, które naświetliłyby skalę problemu, z jakim mamy do czynienia niemal na całym świecie

Rola MMP-8 w fotostarzeniu i fotokancerogenezie

Introduction: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is especially harmful to human skin. It mostly contributes to skin photoaging that is associated with skin carcinomas, such as the most common skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma (BCC). It has been shown that significant role in skin carcinogenesis plays short-wavelength UVB radiation. What is more, UVR by changing the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in skin contributes to photoaging and plays an important role in photocarcinogenesis. MMP-8 is one of collagenases that is released during inflammatory process.Material and methods: The study group consists of 85 individuals (22 patients with diagnosed BCC and 63 healthy volunteers that have been exposed to various doses of UVB radiation) in order to evaluate the expression of MMP-8 protein in skin biopsies. The Western-blot method was used to analyse the results.Results: The expression of MMP-8 has been observed in all skin biopsies. The performed analysis did not present statistical significant difference in expression of MMP-8 between skin samples with BCC or exposed to UVR in comparison to healthy skin samples.Conclusions: The role of MMP-8 in skin photoaging has little activity in skin following UVB radiation and it is slightlyprobable that MMP-8 contributes to photoaging and photocancerogenesis.Wstęp: Promieniowanie ultrafioletowe (UVR, ultraviolet radiation) jest szczególnie szkodliwe dla skóry człowieka. Przyczynia się głównie do jej fotostarzenia, co w konsekwencji wiąże się z predyspozycją do tworzenia się nowotworów skóry, takich jak rak podstawnokomórkowy (BCC, basal cell carcinoma). Najważniejszą rolę w skórnej kancerogenezie odgrywa promieniowanie UVB, które powoduje zmianę ekspresji metaloproteinaz (MMP, matrix metalloproteinases) w skórze, przyczyniając się do rozwoju fotostarzenia. MMP-8 jest kolagenazą uwalnianą ze specjalnych ziarnistości, głównie wielojądrzastych neutrofili w miejscach stanu zapalnego.Materiał i metody: Materiał badawczy stanowiło 85 osób (22 przypadki pacjentów ze zdiagnozowanym histopatologicznie BCC oraz 63 zdrowych ochotników, którzy zostali poddani naświetlaniom różnymi dawkami promieniowania UVB). U osób tych dokonano analizy poziomu ekspresji białka MMP-8 w bioptatach skórnych. Wyniki analizowano metodą Western-blot.Wyniki: Ekspresja MMP-8 została zaobserwowana we wszystkich analizowanych bioptatach skórnych. Nie zauważono znaczącej statystycznie różnicy w ekspresji tej proteiny między próbkami ze zdiagnozowanym BCC oraz bioptatami poddanymi naświetlaniu w porównaniu ze zdrową skórą.Wnioski: MMP-8 wykazuje niewielki udział w fotostarzeniu się skóry wywołanym pod wpływem promieniowania UVB.Rola tej metaloproteinazy w skórnej fotokancerogenezie nie została potwierdzona

AMBIQUAL – a Full Reference Objective Quality Metric for Ambisonic Spatial Audio

Streaming spatial audio over networks requires efficient encoding techniques that compress the raw audio content without compromising quality of experience. Streaming service providers such as YouTube need a perceptually relevant objective audio quality metric to monitor users’ perceived quality and spatial localization accuracy. In this paper we introduce a full reference objective spatial audio quality metric, AMBIQUAL, which assesses both Listening Quality and Localization Accuracy. In our solution both metrics are derived directly from the B-format Ambisonic audio. The metric extends and adapts the algorithm used in ViSQOLAudio, a full reference objective metric designed for assessing speech and audio quality. In particular, Listening Quality is derived from the omnidirectional channel and Localization Accuracy is derived from a weighted sum of similarity from B-format directional channels. This paper evaluates whether the proposed AMBIQUAL objective spatial audio quality metric can predict two factors: Listening Quality and Localization Accuracy by comparing its predictions with results from MUSHRA subjective listening tests. In particular, we evaluated the Listening Quality and Localization Accuracy of First and Third-Order Ambisonic audio compressed with the OPUS 1.2 codec at various bitrates (i.e. 32, 128 and 256, 512kbps respectively). The sample set for the tests comprised both recorded and synthetic audio clips with a wide range of time-frequency characteristics. To evaluate Localization Accuracy of compressed audio a number of fixed and dynamic (moving vertically and horizontally) source positions were selected for the test samples. Results showed a strong correlation (PCC=0.919; Spearman=0.882 regarding Listening Quality and PCC=0.854; Spearman=0.842 regarding Localization Accuracy) between objective quality scores derived from the B-format Ambisonic audio using AMBIQUAL and subjective scores obtained during listening MUSHRA tests. AMBIQUAL displays very promising quality assessment predictions for spatial audio. Future work will optimise the algorithm to generalise and validate it for any Higher Order Ambisonic formats