Apollo-Soyuz Doppler-tracking experiment MA-089

The Doppler tracking experiment was designed to test the feasibility of improved mapping of the earth's gravity field by the low-low satellite-to-satellite tracking method and to observe variations in the electron density of the ionosphere between the two spacecraft. Data were taken between 1:01 and 14:37 GMT on July 24, 1975. Baseline data taken earlier, while the docking module was still attached to the command and service module, indicated that the equipment operated satisfactorily. The ionospheric data contained in the difference between the Doppler signals at the two frequencies are of excellent quality, resulting in valuable satellite-to-satellite observations, never made before, of wave phenomena in the ionosphere. The gravity data were corrupted by an unexpectedly high noise level of as-yet-undetermined origin, with periods greater than 150 seconds, that prevented unambiguous identification of gravity-anomaly signatures

Review: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in sub-Saharan Africa

Aim Review the literature from 1990 to 2013 to determine known anatomic sites, risk factors, treatments, and outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in sub-Saharan Africa.Methods Using a systematic search strategy, literature pertaining to HNSCC in sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed and patient demographics, anatomic sites, histology, stage, treatment, and outcomes were abstracted. The contributions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papillomavirus (HPV) and behavioural risk factors to HNSCC in the region were assessed.Results Of the 342 papers identified, 46 were utilized for review, including 8611 patients. In sub-Saharan Africa, the oropharyngeal/oral cavity was found to be the most common site, with 7750 cases (90% of all cases). Few papers distinguished oropharyngeal from oral cavity, making identification of possible HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) difficult. SCC of the nasopharynx, nasal cavity, or paranasal sinuses was identified in 410 patients (4.8% of all cases). Laryngeal SCC was found in 385 patients (4.5% of all cases), and only 66 patients (0.8% of all cases) with hypopharyngeal SCC were identified. In 862 patients with data available, 43% used tobacco and 42% used alcohol, and reported use varied widely and was more common in laryngeal SCC than that of the oropharyngeal/oral cavity. Toombak and kola nut use was reported to be higher in patients with HNSCC. Several papers reported HIV-positive patients with HNSCC, but it was not possible to determine HNSCC prevalence in HIV-positive compared to negative patients. Reports of treatment and outcomes were rare.Conclusions The oropharyngeal/oral cavity was by far the most commonly reported site of HNSCC reported in sub-Saharan Africa. The roles of risk factors in HNSCC incidence in sub-Saharan Africa were difficult to delineate from the available studies, but a majority of patients did not use tobacco and alcohol

Causes of cervical lymphadenopathy at Kamuzu Central Hospital

AimDescription of pathologic causes of cervical lymphadenopathy at Kamuzu Central Hospital.IntroductionThe evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy is a common diagnostic challenge facing clinicians. Previously at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) tuberculosis (TB) was reported to be the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy However, no recent study has assessed this common diagnostic challenge in Malawi, particularly since the beginning of the HIV epidemic and the subsequent scale-up of antiretroviral therapy.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of all cervical lymph node specimens from the KCH pathology laboratory between 1 July 2011 and 28 February 2013 and describe patient age, gender, and pathologic diagnoses.ResultsOur search of the KCH pathology database yielded 179 cases. Of these, 143 (77%) were histologic specimens (open biopsy or core needle samples) while 34 (23%) were cytology specimens. The age range was from 0 to 76 years with a mean of 30 (SD: 19). In adults, the most common diagnosis was malignancy (n=41, 35%), while in children 15 cases each of malignancy and benign masses were diagnosed. Only 6 cases (5%) of TB were diagnosed in adults, and 4 cases (6%) of TB were diagnosed in children.ConclusionOur study shows more malignancy and much less TB than a prior study of cervical lymphadenopathy at KCH. With the successful initiaion of the KCH Pathology Laboratory in 2011, we recommend biopsy or FNA early in the workup of cervical lymphadenopathy to prevent long delays in diagnosis and treatment of curable cancers

Vesignieite BaCu3V2O8(OH)2 as a Candidate Spin-1/2 Kagome Antiferromagnet

A polycrystalline sample of vesignieite BaCu3V2O8(OH)2 comprising a nearly ideal kagome lattice composed of Cu2+ ions carrying spin 1/2 has been synthesized and studied by magnetization and heat capacity measurements. Magnetic susceptibility shows a neither long range order, a spin glass transition nor a spin gap down to 2 K, in spite of a moderately strong antiferromagnetic interaction of J/kB = 53 K between nearest-neighbor spins. A broad peak observed at a temperature corresponding to 0.4J in intrinsic magnetic susceptibility indicates a marked development of the short-range order. The ground state of vesignieite is probably a gapless spin liquid or is accompanied by a very small gap less than J/30.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

An Observational Study of the Etiology, clinical presentation and outcomes associated with peritonitis in Lilongwe, Malawi

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition with a multitude of etiologies that can vary with geographic location. The aims of this study were to elucidate the etiology, clinical presentation and outcomes associated with peritonitis in Lilongwe, Malawi.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>All patients admitted to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) who underwent an operation for treatment of peritonitis during the calendar year 2008 were eligible. Peritonitis was defined as abdominal rigidity, rebound tenderness, and/or guarding in one or more abdominal quadrants. Subjects were identified from a review of the medical records for all patients admitted to the adult general surgical ward and the operative log book. Those who met the definition of peritonitis and underwent celiotomy were included.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>190 subjects were identified. The most common etiologies were appendicitis (22%), intestinal volvulus (17%), perforated peptic ulcer (11%) and small bowel perforation (11%). The overall mortality rate associated with peritonitis was 15%, with the highest mortality rates observed in solid organ rupture (35%), perforated peptic ulcer (33%), primary/idiopathic peritonitis (27%), tubo-ovarian abscess (20%) and small bowel perforation (15%). Factors associated with death included abdominal rigidity, generalized (versus localized) peritonitis, hypotension, tachycardia and anemia (p < 0.05). Age, gender, symptoms (obstipation, vomiting) and symptom duration, tachypnea, abnormal temperature, leukocytosis, hemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis were not associated with mortality (p = NS).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There are several signs and laboratory findings predictive of poor outcome in Malawian patients with peritonitis. Tachycardia, hypotension, anemia, abdominal rigidity and generalized peritonitis are the most predictive of death (P < 0.05 for each). Similar to studies from other African countries, in our population the most common cause of peritonitis was appendicitis, and the overall mortality rate among all patients with peritonitis was 15%. Identified geographical differences included intestinal volvulus, rare in the US but the 2^ndmost common cause of peritonitis in Malawi and gallbladder disease, common in Ethiopia but not observed in Malawi. Future research should investigate whether correction of factors associated with mortality might improve outcomes.</p

Effect of compressive force on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

The effect of the compressive force on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell has been examined experimentally. The performance has been evaluated on two polarization regions of the cell: ohmic and mass transport. Cell voltage and current density as a function of pressure were measured under constant load and various inlet air humidity conditions. The pressure distribution on the surface of the gas diffusion layer was measured using a pressure detection film and the results show that increasing the pressure improves the performance of the cell. The improvement of the cell voltage in the ohmic region was found to be greater than that in the mass transport region, whereas for the cell current density, the mass transport region exhibited higher change. The increase in the cell specific power in the ohmic and mass transport regions, as pressure increases from 0 to 2MNm-2, is estimated to be 9 and 18mWcm−2, respectively. However, the fuel cell performance in these two regions declined dramatically when excessive pressure (≥5 MNm−2) was applied. The mass transport region proved to be more susceptible to this sharp decline under excessive pressure than the ohmic region

The Herbertsmithite Hamiltonian: μ\muSR measurements on single crystals

We present transverse field muon spin rotation/relaxation measurements on single crystals of the spin-1/2 kagome antiferromagnet Herbertsmithite. We find that the spins are more easily polarized when the field is perpendicular to the kagome plane. We demonstrate that the difference in magnetization between the different directions cannot be accounted for by Dzyaloshinksii-Moriya type interactions alone, and that anisotropic axial interaction is present.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, accepted to JPCM special issue on geometrically frustrated magnetis

Kondo physics in the algebraic spin liquid

We study Kondo physics in the algebraic spin liquid, recently proposed to describe $ZnCu_{3}(OH)_{6}Cl_{2}$ [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 98}, 117205 (2007)]. Although spin dynamics of the algebraic spin liquid is described by massless Dirac fermions, this problem differs from the Pseudogap Kondo model, because the bulk physics in the algebraic spin liquid is governed by an interacting fixed point where well-defined quasiparticle excitations are not allowed. Considering an effective bulk model characterized by an anomalous critical exponent, we derive an effective impurity action in the slave-boson context. Performing the large-$N_{\sigma}$ analysis with a spin index $N_{\sigma}$, we find an impurity quantum phase transition from a decoupled local-moment state to a Kondo-screened phase. We evaluate the impurity spin susceptibility and specific heat coefficient at zero temperature, and find that such responses follow power-law dependencies due to the anomalous exponent of the algebraic spin liquid. Our main finding is that the Wilson's ratio for the magnetic impurity depends strongly on the critical exponent in the zero temperature limit. We propose that the Wilson's ratio for the magnetic impurity may be one possible probe to reveal criticality of the bulk system

Causes of cervical lymphadenopathy at Kamuzu Central Hospital

Aim: Description of pathologic causes of cervical lymphadenopathy at Kamuzu Central Hospital. Introduction: The evaluation of cervical lymphadenopathy is a common diagnostic challenge facing clinicians. Previously at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) tuberculosis (TB) was reported to be the most common cause of cervical lymphadenopathy However, no recent study has assessed this common diagnostic challenge in Malawi, particularly since the beginning of the HIV epidemic and the subsequent scale-up of antiretroviral therapy. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all cervical lymph node specimens from the KCH pathology laboratory between 1 July 2011 and 28 February 2013 and describe patient age, gender, and pathologic diagnoses. Results: Our search of the KCH pathology database yielded 179 cases. Of these, 143 (77%) were histologic specimens (open biopsy or core needle samples) while 34 (23%) were cytology specimens. The age range was from 0 to 76 years with a mean of 30 (SD: 19). In adults, the most common diagnosis was malignancy (n=41, 35%), while in children 15 cases each of malignancy and benign masses were diagnosed. Only 6 cases (5%) of TB were diagnosed in adults, and 4 cases (6%) of TB were diagnosed in children. Conclusion: Our study shows more malignancy and much less TB than a prior study of cervical lymphadenopathy at KCH. With the successful initiaion of the KCH Pathology Laboratory in 2011, we recommend biopsy or FNA early in the workup of cervical lymphadenopathy to prevent long delays in diagnosis and treatment of curable cancers

Magnetization Process of Kagome-Lattice Heisenberg Antiferromagnet

The magnetization process of the isotropic Heisenberg antiferromagnet on the kagome lattice is studied. Data obtained from the numerical-diagonalization method are reexamined from the viewpoint of the derivative of the magnetization with respect to the magnetic field. We find that the behavior of the derivative at approximately one-third of the height of the magnetization saturation is markedly different from that for the cases of typical magnetization plateaux. The magnetization process of the kagome-lattice antiferromagnet reveals a new phenomenon, which we call the "magnetization ramp".Comment: 4 pages, 5figures, accepted in J. Phys. Soc. Jpn