New Outlook on the Possible Existence of Superheavy Elements in Nature

A consistent interpretation is given to some previously unexplained phenomena seen in nature in terms of the recently discovered long-lived high spin super- and hyper-deformed isomeric states. The Po halos seen in mica are interpreted as due to the existence of such isomeric states in corresponding Po or nearby nuclei which eventually decay by gamma- or beta-decay to the ground states of 210Po, 214Po and 218Po nuclei. The low-energy 4.5 MeV alpha-particle group observed in several minerals is interpreted as due to a very enhanced alpha transition from the third minimum of the potential-energy surface in a superheavy nucleus with atomic number Z=108 (Hs) and atomic mass number around 271 to the corresponding minimum in the daughter.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, 5 tables. Paper presented at VII Int. School-Seminar on Heavy Ion Physics, May 27 - June 1, 2002, Dubna, Russi

The effect of obesity on spirometry tests among healthy non-smoking adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The effects of obesity on pulmonary functions have not been addressed previously among Saudi population. We aim to study the effects of obesity on spirometry tests among healthy non-smoking adults.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross sectional study conducted among volunteers healthy non-smoking adults Subjects. We divided the subjects into two groups according to their BMI. The first group consisted of non-obese subjects with BMI of 18 to 24.9 kg/m2 and the second group consisted of obese subjects with BMI of 30 kg/m2 and above. Subjects underwent spirometry tests according to American thoracic society standards with measurement of the following values: the forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and forced mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The total subjects were 294 with a mean age of 32 years. There were 178 males and 116 females subjects. We found no significant differences in FEV1 (p value = 0.686), FVC (p value = 0.733), FEV1/FVC Ratio (p value = 0.197) and FEF25-75 (p value = 0.693) between the obese and non-obese subjects. However, there was significantly difference in PEF between the two groups (p value < 0.020).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Obesity does not have effect on the spirometry tests (except PEF) among health non-smoking adults. We recommend searching for alternative diagnosis in case of findings abnormal spirometry tests results among obese subjects.</p

An update on vitamin B12-related gene polymorphisms and B12 status.

Vitamin B12 is an essential micronutrient in humans needed for health maintenance. Deficiency of vitamin B12 has been linked to dietary, environmental and genetic factors. Evidence for the genetic basis of vitamin B12 status is poorly understood. However, advancements in genomic techniques have increased the knowledge-base of the genetics of vitamin B12 status. Based on the candidate gene and genome-wide association (GWA) studies, associations between genetic loci in several genes involved in vitamin B12 metabolism have been identified. The objective of this literature review was to identify and discuss reports of associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in vitamin B12 pathway genes and their influence on the circulating levels of vitamin B12. Relevant articles were obtained through a literature search on PubMed through to May 2017. An article was included if it examined an association of a SNP with serum or plasma vitamin B12 concentration. Beta coefficients and odds ratios were used to describe the strength of an association, and a  < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Two reviewers independently evaluated the eligibility for the inclusion criteria and extracted the data. From 23 studies which fulfilled the selection criteria, 16 studies identified SNPs that showed statistically significant associations with vitamin B12 concentrations. Fifty-nine vitamin B12-related gene polymorphisms associated with vitamin B12 status were identified in total, from the following populations: African American, Brazilian, Canadian, Chinese, Danish, English, European ancestry, Icelandic, Indian, Italian, Latino, Northern Irish, Portuguese and residents of the USA. Overall, the data analyzed suggests that ethnic-specific associations are involved in the genetic determination of vitamin B12 concentrations. However, despite recent success in genetic studies, the majority of identified genes that could explain variation in vitamin B12 concentrations were from Caucasian populations. Further research utilizing larger sample sizes of non-Caucasian populations is necessary in order to better understand these ethnic-specific associations

Champs magnétiques créés par des bobines circulaires de sections droites finies et application aux topographies dites en r-1

Les perturbations apportées au champ théorique obtenu pour des courants filiformes, par le caractère fini des dimensions des bobines circulaires de section rectangulaire, sont évaluées à l'aide des composantes axiales et radiales de ce champ, en tous points de l'espace. L'application aux topographies, dites en r-1, permet de calculer analytiquement l'influence des dimensions finies de cette section droite sur une telle répartition

Recherche d'une solution optimale de compensation de champ magnétique terrestre à l'aide de bobinages sans fer

Nous avons examiné théoriquement les diverses méthodes d'obtention d'un champ magnétique uniforme avec une précision donnée, en vue de compenser le champ magnétique terrestre dans un volume dont les trois dimensions sont du même ordre de grandeur. Il apparaît nécessaire, pour juger et comparer ces différentes méthodes, de tenir compte de la composante résiduelle du champ qui apparaît dès que l'on se place hors du plan de symétrie. On peut alors caractériser chaque méthode par un coefficient d'efficacité, fonction de la précision obtenue sur l'homogénéité du champ

Champs magnétiques créés par des bobines circulaires de sections droites finies et application aux topographies dites en r-1

The disturbances caused by the finite character of the dimensions of the circular coils with rectangular sections in the theoretical field obtained for threadlike currents, are calculated with the help of the axial and radial components of this field every where in space. Its application to so-called r-1 topography allows us to calculate analytically the influence of finite cross-sectional area of the coils on such a configuration.Les perturbations apportées au champ théorique obtenu pour des courants filiformes, par le caractère fini des dimensions des bobines circulaires de section rectangulaire, sont évaluées à l'aide des composantes axiales et radiales de ce champ, en tous points de l'espace. L'application aux topographies, dites en r-1, permet de calculer analytiquement l'influence des dimensions finies de cette section droite sur une telle répartition

Supercritical Flow Flumes for Measuring Sediment-Laden Flow

A general type of supercritical flow flume has been developed over many years of experience and testing in discharge measurements at the Walnut Gulch experimental watershed, Tombstone, Ariz. The design and experience with .the original type flume, called the Walnut Gulch .flume, is discussed and its features and .application difficulties are described. Methods have been developed to analyze flows that exhibited lateral asymmetry in cross sectional profile, and porous dikes have been developed to considerably reduce asymmetry in the alluvial approach section to these flumes. Rating relations have been developed by both experimental and theoretical means. The experience with the Walnut Gulch flumes has led to an improved design of supercritical flume, called the Santa Rita flume. The Santa Rita .flume design is presented in several sizes, along with a discussion of design requirements for stilling well intakes to minimize sediment inundation, record lag interpretation, and construction methods

Recherche d'une solution optimale de compensation de champ magnétique terrestre à l'aide de bobinages sans fer

We have examined theoretically the different methods of obtaining an uniform magnetic field of a given precision, in order to compensate the earth's magnetic field in a volume with three dimensions of the same order of magnitude. It seems necessary, in order to judge and compare there different methods, to take into account the residual component of the field, which appears as seen outside the plane of symmetry. Each method can then be characterized by an efficiency coefficient which is a function of the precision of homogeneity obtained.Nous avons examiné théoriquement les diverses méthodes d'obtention d'un champ magnétique uniforme avec une précision donnée, en vue de compenser le champ magnétique terrestre dans un volume dont les trois dimensions sont du même ordre de grandeur. Il apparaît nécessaire, pour juger et comparer ces différentes méthodes, de tenir compte de la composante résiduelle du champ qui apparaît dès que l'on se place hors du plan de symétrie. On peut alors caractériser chaque méthode par un coefficient d'efficacité, fonction de la précision obtenue sur l'homogénéité du champ