Diffusion of spheres in isotropic and nematic suspensions of rods

Diffusion of a small tracer sphere (apoferritin) in isotropic and nematic networks [of fd virus] is discussed. For a tracer sphere that is smaller than the mesh size of the network, screened hydrodynamic interactions between the sphere and the network determine its diffusion coefficient. A theory is developed for such interactions as well as their relation to the long-time self-diffusion coefficient. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements on mixtures of apoferritin and fd virus are presented. The long-time self-diffusion coefficient of apoferritin is measured as a function of the fd-virus concentration, both in the isotropic and nematic state, in directions parallel and perpendicular to the nematic director. The hydrodynamic screening length of the fd-virus network as a function of fd concentration is obtained by combining these experimental data with the theory. Surprisingly, the screening length increases with increasing concentration in nematic networks. This is due to the increase in the degree of alignment, which apparently leads to a strong increase of the screening length. Hydrodynamic screening is thus strongly diminished by alignment. A self-consistent calculation of the screening length does not work at higher concentrations, probably due to the strong variation of the typical incident flow fields over the contour of a rod

Charge Transfer from Regularized Symmetry-Adapted Perturbation Theory

16 pages, 16 figure

Molecular excitation in the Interstellar Medium: recent advances in collisional, radiative and chemical processes

We review the different excitation processes in the interstellar mediumComment: Accepted in Chem. Re

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Background: Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. // Methods: We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. // Findings: We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. // Interpretation: Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Zawartosc skladnikow mineralnych u jagniat dwoch genotypow w zaleznosci od systemu utrzymania

The aim of the study was to determine the content of macro- and microelements in the blood serum and in the longissimus dorsi muscle (Musculus longissimus dorsi – Mld) of lambs, dependent on the system of maintenance of the lambs with their mothers, the genotype and the year of research. Lambs were reared together with their mothers in two maintenance systems: indoor system in a sheep fold and outdoor system in the open air with unlimited access to pasture. The lambs were of two genotypes: PLS (Polish Lowland sheep Uhruska variety) and BCP (the synthetic prolific meat line sheep). The concentration of elements in the blood serum was estimated in the second and third month of life, as well as in the Mld, after slaughter of the lambs at a weight of 25-28 kg. The results of the study show that the mineral compositions of blood change with the lamb’s age and related method of feeding. The system of maintenance had a modifying effect on the calcium, copper and zinc content in the blood serum, especially in the third month of the lambs’ life. It was noted that the copper content in the longissimus dorsi muscle in the lambs kept with their mothers in the outdoor system was higher compared to the lambs kept indoors. A similar tendency was observed in the content of mineral elements in the blood serum and in the longissimus dorsi muscle, dependent on the genotype and maintenance system. The concentration of elements (except sodium) in the blood serum in the lambs comprised within the reference values set for adult sheep.W pracy przedstawiono wyniki badań dotyczących określenia zawartości makroelementów i mikroelementów w surowicy krwi oraz mięśniu najdłuższym grzbietu (Musculus longissimus dorsi – Mld) jagniąt w zależności od systemu utrzymania ich przy matkach, genotypu i roku badań. Jagnięta odchowywano z matkami w dwu systemach utrzymania: alkierzowym w owczarni oraz pastwiskowym, na wolnym powietrzu, z nieograniczonym dostępem do pastwiska. Były to jagnięta dwóch genotypów – PLS – polska owca nizinna odmiany uhruskiej i BCP – jagnięta syntetycznej linii plenno-mięsnej. Zawartość pierwiastków w surowicy krwi oceniono w drugim i trzecim miesiącu życia jagniąt, zaś w Mld – po uboju tryczków o masie ciała 25-28 kg. Stwierdzono, że skład mineralny krwi zmienia się wraz z wiekiem jagniąt i związanym z tym sposobem żywienia. System utrzymania wpływał modyfikująco na zawartość wapnia, miedzi i cynku w surowicy krwi jagniąt, zwłaszcza w trzecim miesiącu życia. Stwierdzono wyższą zawartość miedzi w mięśniu najdłuższym grzbietu u jagniąt utrzymywanych z matkami na pastwisku, w porównaniu z jagniętami utrzymywanymi w alkierzu. Zaobserwowano podobną tendencję w zawartości składników mineralnych w surowicy krwi jagniąt a ich zawartością w mięśniu najdłuższym grzbietu (Mld) w przypadku genotypu i systemu utrzymania. Stężenie pierwiastków (oprócz sodu) w surowicy krwi jagniąt mieściło się w granicach norm referencyjnych dla owiec dorosłych