Dielectronic Recombination of Ground-State and Metastable Li+ Ions

Dielectronic recombination has been investigated for Delta-n = 1 resonances of ground-state Li+(1s^2) and for Delta-n = 0 resonances of metastable Li+(1s2s ^3S). The ground-state spectrum shows three prominent transitions between 53 and 64 eV, while the metastable spectrum exhibits many transitions with energies < 3.2 eV. Reasonably good agreement of R-matrix, LS coupling calculations with the measured recombination rate coefficient is obtained. The time dependence of the recombination rate yields a radiative lifetime of 52.2 +- 5.0 s for the 2 ^3S level of Li+.Comment: Submitted to Phys. Rev. A; REVTeX, 4 pages, 3 figure

Theory of laser ion acceleration from a foil target of nanometers

A theory for laser ion acceleration is presented to evaluate the maximum ion energy in the interaction of ultrahigh contrast (UHC) intense laser with a nanometer-scale foil. In this regime the energy of ions may be directly related to the laser intensity and subsequent electron dynamics. This leads to a simple analytical expression for the ion energy gain under the laser irradiation of thin targets. Significantly, higher energies for thin targets than for thicker targets are predicted. Theory is concretized to the details of recent experiments which may find its way to compare with these results.Comment: 22 pages 7 figures. will be submitted to NJ

Multiphoton radiative recombination of electron assisted by laser field

In the presence of an intensive laser field the radiative recombination of the continuum electron into an atomic bound state generally is accompanied by absorption or emission of several laser quanta. The spectrum of emitted photons represents an equidistant pattern with the spacing equal to the laser frequency. The distribution of intensities in this spectrum is studied employing the Keldysh-type approximation, i.e. neglecting interaction of the impact electron with the atomic core in the initial continuum state. Within the adiabatic approximation the scale of emitted photon frequencies is subdivided into classically allowed and classically forbidden domains. The highest intensities correspond to emission frequencies close to the edges of classically allowed domain. The total cross section of electron recombination summed over all emitted photon channels exhibits negligible dependence on the laser field intensity.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures (Figs.2-5 have "a" and "b" parts), Phys.Rev.A accepted for publication. Fig.2b is presented correctl

HcRed, a Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Binary Cross-Linking Agent for Cross-Linking of Mitochondrial ATP Synthase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genetically encoded fluorescent cross-linking agents represent powerful tools useful both for visualising and modulating protein interactions in living cells. The far-red fluorescent protein HcRed, which is fluorescent only in a dimer form, can be used to promote the homo-dimerisation of target proteins, and thereby yield useful information about biological processes. We have in yeast cells expressed HcRed fused to a subunit of mitochondrial ATP synthase (mtATPase). This resulted in cross-linking of the large multi-subunit mtATPase complex within the inner-membrane of the mitochondrion. Fluorescence microscopy revealed aberrant mitochondrial morphology, and mtATPase complexes isolated from mitochondria were recovered as fluorescent dimers under conditions where complexes from control mitochondria were recovered as monomers. When viewed by electron microscopy normal cristae were absent from mitochondria in cells in which mATPase complexes were cross-linked. mtATPase dimers are believed to be the building blocks that are assembled into supramolecular mtATPase ribbons that promote the formation of mitochondrial cristae. We propose that HcRed cross-links mATPase complexes in the mitochondrial membrane hindering the normal assembly/disassembly of the supramolecular forms of mtATPase

Winter Time Concentrations and Size Distribution of Bioaerosols in Different Residential Settings in the UK

The total concentration and size distribution of bioaerosols in three different types of housing (single room in shared accommodation [type I], single bedroom flat in three-storey building [type II] and two- or threebedroom detached houses [type III]) was assessed during the winter. This research was an extension of a previous study carried out in the summer. The measurement campaign was undertaken in winter 2008 and 30 houses were sampled. Samples were taken from kitchens, living rooms, corridors (only in housing type I) and outdoors with an Anderson 6 stage viable impactor. In housing type I, the total geometric mean concentration was highest in the corridor for both bacteria and fungi (3,171 and 1,281 CFU/m3, respectively). In type II residences, both culturable bacteria and fungi were greatest in the living rooms (3,487 and 833 CFU/m3, respectively). The living rooms in type III residences had largest number of culturable bacteria (1,361 CFU/m3) while fungi were highest in kitchens (280 CFU/m3). The concentrations of culturable bacteria and fungi were greater in mouldy houses than non-mouldy houses. A considerable variation was seen in the size distribution of culturable bacteria in type I residences compared to types II and III. For all housing types more than half of culturable bacterial and fungal aerosol were respirable (<4.7 μm) and so have the potential to penetrate into lower respiratory system. Considerable variation in concentration and size distribution within different housing types in the same geographical region highlights the impact of differences in design, construction, use and management of residential built environment on bioaerosols levels and consequent varied risk of population exposure to airborne biological agents. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Relationship between the Clinical Frailty Scale and short-term mortality in patients ≥ 80 years old acutely admitted to the ICU: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is frequently used to measure frailty in critically ill adults. There is wide variation in the approach to analysing the relationship between the CFS score and mortality after admission to the ICU. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of modelling approach on the association between the CFS score and short-term mortality and quantify the prognostic value of frailty in this context. METHODS: We analysed data from two multicentre prospective cohort studies which enrolled intensive care unit patients ≥ 80 years old in 26 countries. The primary outcome was mortality within 30-days from admission to the ICU. Logistic regression models for both ICU and 30-day mortality included the CFS score as either a categorical, continuous or dichotomous variable and were adjusted for patient's age, sex, reason for admission to the ICU, and admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. RESULTS: The median age in the sample of 7487 consecutive patients was 84 years (IQR 81-87). The highest fraction of new prognostic information from frailty in the context of 30-day mortality was observed when the CFS score was treated as either a categorical variable using all original levels of frailty or a nonlinear continuous variable and was equal to 9% using these modelling approaches (p < 0.001). The relationship between the CFS score and mortality was nonlinear (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Knowledge about a patient's frailty status adds a substantial amount of new prognostic information at the moment of admission to the ICU. Arbitrary simplification of the CFS score into fewer groups than originally intended leads to a loss of information and should be avoided. Trial registration NCT03134807 (VIP1), NCT03370692 (VIP2)

Nutritional and dietary value of gluten-free rolls with flaxseeds added

Celem przeprowadzonych badań było wykazanie korzyści wynikających z zastosowanego udziału zmielonych nasion lnu oleistego do pieczywa bezglutenowego, w ilości 10 % masy skrobi przewidzianej recepturą. Pieczywo bezglutenowe, w postaci bułek, wzbogacone nasionami lnu i bez tego dodatku, z wypieku laboratoryjnego, badano pod względem jakości oraz wartości odżywczej. Metodami AOAC oznaczono zawartość: białka, tłuszczu, włókna pokarmowego i popiołu. Przeprowadzono również analizę składu aminokwasowego białek, analizatorem aminokwasów (AAA-400, INGOS), oraz profilu kwasów tłuszczowych chromatografem gazowym (QP 5050A, Shimadzu). Na podstawie składu aminokwasowego wyliczono wskaźniki jakości białka - wskaźnik aminokwasu ograniczającego (CS) i zintegrowany wskaźnik aminokwasów egzogennych (EAA). Ponadto oznaczono zawartość fosforanów mioinozytolu metodą kolorymetryczną z odczynnikiem Wade. Wykazano, że użyta do wzbogacenia ilość zmielonych nasion lnu oleistego nie wpłynęła na jakość technologiczną badanych bułek bezglutenowych, natomiast istotnie zwiększyła w nich zawartość składników pokarmowych tj. białka (w tym aminokwasów egzogennych), tłuszczu (w tym deficytowego kwasu α-linolenowego,18:3, n-3), związków mineralnych w postaci popiołu oraz włókna pokarmowego, zmniejszając jednocześnie ilość przyswajalnych węglowodanów, w porównaniu z pieczywem kontrolnym. W bułkach z udziałem zmielonych nasion lnu oleistego oznaczono istotnie większą zawartość fitynianów, w odniesieniu do bułek niewzbogaconych.The objective of the study performed was to demonstrate benefits resulting from the addition of ground flaxseeds to gluten free rolls, at a level equal to 10% of starch as provided by the roll recipe. Gluten-free rolls, both those enriched and non-enriched with flaxseeds, were baked in a laboratory and, next, their quality and nutritional values were assessed. AOAC methods were used to determine the contents of protein, fat, dietary fibre, and ash. An amino acid analysis was also performed using an AAA- 400 analyser (INGOS); a profile of fatty acid was made using a gas chromatograph (QP 5050A, Shimadzu). Based on the amino acid composition, the protein quality indices were computed, i.e. a chemical score (CS) and an exogenous amino acid index (EAA). Additionally, the content of myoinositol phosphates was measured by a colorimetric method with a Wade reagent. It was confirmed that the amount of ground flaxseeds used to enrich the rolls did not impact the technological quality of gluten-free rolls; however, it significantly increased the content of nutrients therein, i.e protein (including exogenous amino acids), fat (including alpha-linolenic acid), mineral compounds in the form of ash, and dietary fibre. At the same time, it also reduced the level of digestive carbohydrates compared to the control rolls. The content of phytates in rolls with flaxseeds was significantly higher compared to the non-enriched products

Technology of materials for firefighting clothing

Warunkiem koniecznym wymaganym podczas akcji gaśniczo-ratowniczych jest wyposażenie strażaka w środki ochrony indywidualnej. Zalicza się do nich m.in.: środki ochrony oczu i twarzy, głowy, słuchu, układu oddechowego, a także odzież [1]. Odzież ochronna, w którą wyposażony jest strażak, powinna zapewniać maksymalnie skuteczną ochronę użytkownika przed zróżnicowanymi zewnętrznymi niebezpieczeństwami występującymi w środowisku jego pracy. Aby można było spełnić ten warunek, niezbędna jest wiedza na temat konstrukcji ubrania ochronnego, a także materiałów, z których jest ono wykonane. W niniejszym artykule szczegółowo opisano materiały wykorzystywane do produkcji ubrań specjalnych i lekkich w wybranych państwach świata. Analizie poddano te państwa świata, w których językiem urzędowym jest angielski (Stany Zjednoczone, Kanada, Australia, Nowa Zelandia, Wielka Brytania, Republika Południowej Afryki) oraz niemiecki (Niemcy, Austria i Szwajcaria). Porównano parametry materiałów pod względem użytkowym, a także scharakteryzowano materiały poszczególnych warstw ubrania ochronnego z podaniem nazw handlowych obecnie obowiązujących na rynku w poszczególnych państwach. Uwzględniono również stosowane modyfikacje oraz wykorzystywane technologie. Wskazano, że transformacja materiałowo-konstrukcyjna w omawianych krajach jest na różnym poziomie, lecz tendencje zmierzają w tym samym kierunku i polegają na stopniowym wypieraniu materiałów naturalnych tkaninami syntetycznymi. Skutkuje to niewątpliwie lepszą ochroną przed ogniem. Umożliwia spełnienie szeregu wymagań dotyczących parametrów związanych z termoregulacją organizmu, wodoodpornością, paroprzepuszczalnością, czy wytrzymałością mechaniczną. Poza tym zapewnia o wiele większy komfort użytkowania, przejawiający się tym, że ubranie nie podrażnia skóry, nie ogranicza ruchów albo swoim ciężarem nie przyczynia się do dodatkowego wysiłku.What needs to be especially considered during firefighting actions is providing firefighters with Personal Protective Equipment. It includes eyes and face protection, clothes, head and ears protection and the protection of respiratory system. The main aim of the PPE is to protect the users effectively from the various outer dangers, which can be met in work environment. Only when there is enough insight into the structure of protective clothing and the fabrics from which they have been made, PPE serves the purpose. This research paper emphasizes the issue of fabric which are commonly used to produce a special and light clothing in the English speaking countries such as The Unites States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, The Great Britain and the Republic of South Africa, and German speaking ones such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There are also both the information about using technologies and modifications, and the commercial products. The study of the fabric transformation throughout the years shows that the use of advanced technology appears in most of the countries and that the natural fabrics are becoming gradually replaced with synthetic ones, which gives better protection from fire. In addition, thanks to this, the fabrics parameters such as waterproofness and durability are more promising