Electronic-Cigarette Vehicles and Flavoring Affect Lung Function and Immune Responses in a Murine Model

The use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), also known as electronic-cigarettes (e-cigs), has raised serious public health concerns, especially in light of the 2019 outbreak of e-cig or vaping product use-associated acute lung injury (EVALI). While these cases have mostly been linked to ENDS that contain vitamin E acetate, there is limited research that has focused on the chronic pulmonary effects of the delivery vehicles (i.e., without nicotine and flavoring). Thus, we investigated lung function and immune responses in a mouse model following exposure to the nearly ubiquitous e-cig delivery vehicles, vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG), used with a specific 70%/30% ratio, with or without vanilla flavoring. We hypothesized that mice exposed sub-acutely to these e-cig aerosols would exhibit lung inflammation and altered lung function. Adult female C57BL/6 mice (n= 11-12 per group) were exposed to filtered air, 70%/30% VG/PG, or 70%/30% VG/PG with a French vanilla flavoring for 2 h a day for 6 weeks. Prior to sacrifice, lung function was assessed. At sacrifice, broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue were collected for lipid mediator analysis, flow cytometry, histopathology, and gene expression analyses. Exposures to VG/PG + vanilla e-cig aerosol increased lung tidal and minute volumes and tissue damping. Immunophenotyping of lung immune cells revealed an increased number of dendritic cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD19+ B cells in the VG/PG-exposed group compared to air, irrespective of the presence of vanilla flavoring. Quantification of bioactive lung lipids demonstrated a \u3e3-fold increase of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), an anti-inflammatory mediator, and a 2-fold increase of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), another inflammatory mediator, following VG/PG exposure, with or without vanilla flavoring. This suggests that e-cig aerosol vehicles may affect immunoregulatory molecules. We also found that the two e-cig aerosols dysregulated the expression of lung genes. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that the gene networks that are dysregulated by the VG/PG e-cig aerosol are associated with metabolism of cellular proteins and lipids. Overall, our findings demonstrate that VG and PG, the main constituents of e-liquid formulations, when aerosolized through an e-cig device, are not harmless to the lungs, since they disrupt immune homeostasis

DESIGN STUDY FOR A LOW-ENRICHED URANIUM CORE FOR THE HIGH FLUX ISOTOPE REACTOR, ANNUAL REPORT FOR FY 2010

This report documents progress made during FY 2010 in studies of converting the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) from high enriched uranium (HEU) fuel to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel. Conversion from HEU to LEU will require a change in fuel form from uranium oxide to a uranium-molybdenum alloy. With axial and radial grading of the fuel foil and an increase in reactor power to 100 MW, calculations indicate that the HFIR can be operated with LEU fuel with no degradation in performance to users from the current level. Studies are reported of support to a thermal hydraulic test loop design, the implementation of finite element, thermal hydraulic analysis capability, and infrastructure tasks at HFIR to upgrade the facility for operation at 100 MW. A discussion of difficulties with preparing a fuel specification for the uranium-molybdenum alloy is provided. Continuing development in the definition of the fuel fabrication process is described

North Korea's Foreign Policy Towards the United States; Strategic Insights, v. 5, issue 7 September 2006

This article appeared in Strategic Insights, v.5, issue 7 September 2006Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

From outcrop to functional reservoir model : using outcrop data to model the tidally dominated esdolomada sandstone, NE Spain

textThe Esdolomada Sandstone member 2 crops out in the Tremp-Graus Basin of north-central Spain and forms the uppermost part of the Eocene Roda Formation. The second Sandstone unit within the Esdolomada member (ESD2) consists of bioturbated and shell-rich, very-fine sandstones as well as stacked sets of fine- to coarse-grained cross-stratified sandstones. The overall upward trend in the member is commonly upward thickening and coarsening of beds into and through the cross-stratified interval, though at some few locations there is no obvious trend or even upward thinning of beds. The internal architecture of the member is one in which groups of beds lie between master surfaces that dip highly obliquely to the migration direction of the individual cross strata. The ESD2 is interpreted to be a shelf tidal sand bar within the overall transgressive Esdolomada Sandstone member. It is likely that these bars migrated in a coast parallel fashion, as suggested by the cross-bed orientations, but also accreted laterally away from the coast along the seaward-dipping master surfaces. LIDAR (light detection and ranging) data collection for the Esdolomada member was attempted along the Isábena River near the village of Roda de Isábena, with a total lateral coverage of approximately 3 kilometers. Detailed outcrop measurements were made in accessible areas along the same transect. Outcrop analogs are the best source of data to understand reservoir heterogeneities and to build reservoir analogs for fluid flow simulations. Sand-rich, offshore tidal sandbodies are usually surrounded by marine mudstones, and are recognized from their very orderly stacking of cross-stratified sets (more orderly than in fluvial settings) , their complex internal architecture of master surfaces dipping obliquely to the direction of migration of the contained cross strata and their significant sandstone/mudstone heterogeneities. Tidal bar systems such as the ESD2 are appealing hydrocarbon prospects for several reasons. Primarily, they are relatively coarse grained, have a high degree of lateral continuity, and are relatively clean sands. In places where sand beds are stacked, they create enough thickness to offer good vertical permeability; however, mud-draped cross-beds can create heterogeneities in this type of system that buffer fluid flow. Due to a fairly unsuccessful attempt to obtain LIDAR coverage of the ESD2, in order to build an analog reservoir model, surfaces were instead based on measured sections and outcrop photomosaics. Using Schlumberger’s Petrel software, facies logs were created from measured section data, and then interpolated to make a facies and porosity model.Geological Science

The North Korean Ballistic Missile Program

North Korea’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs have drawn international attention for years. In the early 1960s, Pyongyang began to pursue the capability to produce advanced weapons systems, including rockets and missiles. However, foreign assistance and technology, particularly from China and the Soviet Union, were instrumental in the acquisition of these capabilities. The ballistic missile inventory now totals about 800 road-mobile missiles, including about 200 Nodong missiles that could strike Japan. In April 2007, North Korea for the first time displayed two new missiles: a short-range tactical missile that poses a threat to Seoul and U.S. Forces in South Korea, and an intermediate-range missile that could potentially strike Guam. Although North Korea has not demonstrated the ability to produce a nuclear warhead package for its missiles, its missiles are believed to be capable of delivering chemical and possibly biological munitions. North Korean media and government officials claim the country needs a nuclear deterrent to cope with the “hostile policy of the United States,” but Pyongyang has never officially abandoned its objective of “completing the revolution in the south.” Little is known about North Korean military doctrine and the role of its ballistic missiles, but National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Chong-il has ultimate authority over their disposition.https://press.armywarcollege.edu/monographs/1652/thumbnail.jp