New type of stonewool (HT fibres) with a higli dissolution rate at pH = 4.5

Α representative, the HT-3 fibre, of a new type of stonewool (HT fibres), characterized by a relatively high content of a lumina and a relatively low content of silica, has recently been tested in-vivo by Bellmann et al. to have a low biopersistence after intratracheal instilladon in rat lungs. Several advantages of this fibre were found: - a half-time T50 which is 2 respectively 4 times lower than that for the reference fibres glasswool and stonewool (after correcting to 1 µm median diameter), - a better ultimate clearance after 18 months, resulting in 3 % remaining for the HT-3 fibre compared to 32 % for normal stonewool, - an effective clearance of fibres with a diameter < 0.5 µm. Fibres with a diameter belonging to this class are generally thought to be those with the highest potency for tumour formadon. The HT fibres have a relatively low in-vitro dissolution rate at p H = 7.5, similar to that of normal stonewool fibres, but a high in-vitro dissolution rate at pH = 4.5. The explanation of the favourable in-vivo properties of t h e HT-3 fibre is based on the recent investigations of the ability of alveolar macrophages to dissolve certain fibres, coupled with the Observation of the high dissolution rate of the HT fibres at the pH value of 4.5 to 5 prevailing inside the macrophages. All HT fibres have been shown t o have comparable, high dissolution rates at pH = 4.5 to 5

Particle interactions and removal of trace contaminants from water and wastewaters

The adsorption of trace contaminants on natural particles is of great interest as this adsorption enhances the possibility of removing these with low pressure filtration such as MF and UF. This study shows that natural hormones such as estrone and estradiol will adsorb to natural particles both organic and inorganic. Experiments have shown that the adsorption capacity of organics is a factor of 10 higher than for inorganics. Ultrafiltration of a solution containing NOM and estrone also indicated this adsorption as the retention of estrone showed strong relationship to the concentration of organic material in the permeate. For practical application of this finding it was investigated if it applied to activated sludge. It was found that activated sludge does adsorb the natural hormones and that activated sludge during ultrafiltration develops a dynamic membrane which enhances the retention of the hormones

A Retrospective Clinicopathological Study of 37 Patients With Chordoma: A Danish National Series

Purpose. There are, in general, few published series on chordoma. It is a rare disease and further data are still needed

Comparing heat flow models for interpretation of precast quadratic pile heat exchanger thermal response tests

This paper investigates the applicability of currently available analytical, empirical and numerical heat flow models for interpreting thermal response tests (TRT) of quadratic cross section precast pile heat exchangers. A 3D finite element model (FEM) is utilised for interpreting five TRTs by inverse modelling. The calibrated estimates of soil and concrete thermal conductivity are consistent with independent laboratory measurements. Due to the computational cost of inverting the 3D model, simpler models are utilised in additional calibrations. Interpretations based on semi-empirical pile G-functions yield soil thermal conductivity estimates statistically similar to those obtained from the 3D FEM inverse modelling, given minimum testing times of 60 hours. Reliable estimates of pile thermal resistance can only be obtained from type curves computed with 3D FEM models. This study highlights the potential of applying TRTs for sizing quadratic, precast pile heat exchanger foundations

Development and first tests of GEM-like detectors with resistive electrodes

We have developed and tested several prototypes of GEM-like detectors with electrodes coated with resistive layers or completely made of resistive materials. These detectors can operate stably at gains close to 105. The resistive layers limit the energy of discharges appearing at higher gains thus making the detectors very robust. We demonstrated that the cathodes of some of these detectors could be coated by CsI or SbCs layers to enhance the detection efficiency for the UV and visible photons. We also discovered that such detectors can operate stably in the cascade mode and high overall gains ($~10^{6}$) are reachable. Applications in several areas, for example in RICH or in noble liquid TPCs are therefore possible. The first results from the detection of UV photons at room and cryogenic temperatures will be given

Spatial-proteomics reveals phospho-signaling dynamics at subcellular resolution

Dynamic change in subcellular localization of signaling proteins is a general concept that eukaryotic cells evolved for eliciting a coordinated response to stimuli. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics in combination with subcellular fractionation can provide comprehensive maps of spatio-temporal regulation of protein networks in cells, but involves laborious workflows that does not cover the phospho-proteome level. Here we present a high-throughput workflow based on sequential cell fractionation to profile the global proteome and phospho-proteome dynamics across six distinct subcellular fractions. We benchmark the workflow by studying spatio-temporal EGFR phospho-signaling dynamics in vitro in HeLa cells and in vivo in mouse tissues. Finally, we investigate the spatio-temporal stress signaling, revealing cellular relocation of ribosomal proteins in response to hypertonicity and muscle contraction. Proteomics data generated in this study can be explored through https://SpatialProteoDynamics.github.io

The optical/near-IR spectral energy distribution of the GRB 000210 host galaxy

We report on UBVRIZJsHKs-band photometry of the dark GRB 000210 host galaxy. Fitting a grid of spectral templates to its Spectral Energy Distribution (SED), we derived a photometric redshift (z=0.842\+0.0540.042) which is in excellent agreement with the spectroscopic one (z=0.8463+/-0.0002; Piro et al. 2002). The best fit to the SED is obtained with a blue starburst template with an age of 0.181\+0.0370.026 Gyr. We discuss the implications of the inferred low value of Av and the age of the dominant stellar population for the non detection of the GRB 000210 optical afterglow.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, contribution to the Rome 2002 GRB worksho

The management of patients with primary chronic anal fissure: a position paper

Anal fissure is one of the most common and painful proctologic diseases. Its treatment has long been discussed and several different therapeutic options have been proposed. In the last decades, the understanding of its pathophysiology has led to a progressive reduction of invasive and potentially invalidating treatments in favor of conservative treatment based on anal sphincter muscle relaxation. Despite some systematic reviews and an American position statement, there is ongoing debate about the best treatment for anal fissure. This review is aimed at identifying the best treatment option drawing on evidence-based medicine and on the expert advice of 6 colorectal surgeons with extensive experience in this field in order to produce an Italian position statement for anal fissures. While there is little chance of a cure with conservative behavioral therapy, medical treatment with calcium channel blockers, diltiazem and nifepidine or glyceryl trinitrate, had a considerable success rate ranging from 50 to 90%. Use of 0.4% glyceryl trinitrate in standardized fashion seems to have the best results despite a higher percentage of headache, while the use of botulinum toxin had inconsistent results. Nonresponding patients should undergo lateral internal sphincterotomy. The risk of incontinence after this procedure seems to have been overemphasized in the past. Only a carefully selected group of patients, without anal hypertonia, could benefit from anoplasty