Computational study of the interaction between natural rubber α-terminal groups and l-quebrachitol, one of the major components of natural rubber

Natural rubber is a biomaterial with unique physical and chemical features that are indispensable for many industrial applications. It is widely accepted that the α-terminal groups of its biopolymer molecules play a critical role in its exceptional characteristics. Herein, we used molecular dynamics to model recently structurally defined α-terminal groups and their interaction with L-quebrachitol, which is the second most common compound found in natural rubber particles

Successful Management of Pregnancy Complicated by Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome Using MR Angiography-Based Evaluation

Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare congenital disease, and extensive cutaneous hemangiomas and abnormal venous vessels are characteristic. In our case, to manage her pregnancy with KTS, whole-body MRA was performed before delivery. A 29-year-old woman was referred at 28 weeks because of prominent vulvovaginal varicosities due to KTS. At 35 weeks, hypertrophy and multiple venous varicosities of her leg as well as massive vulvovaginal varicosities became prominent with a normal coagulation profile. Systematic MRAs revealed hemangiomas and varicosities in the right leg, the lower abdomen, and the pubic region, while no obvious AVM was detected around the bronchial tube and spine. We decided to deliver her baby by cesarean section at 37 weeks under general anesthesia, and a healthy baby was delivered. No blood transfusion was required. Prophylaxis against thrombosis was performed after the operation. She was discharged with her baby. Her vulvovaginal varicosities shrunk considerably one month later

Torsional-Lateral Coupled Vibration Of Centrifugal Compressor System At Interharmonic Frequencies Related To Control Loop Frequencies In Voltage Source Inverter.

Case StudyCentrifugal compressor train in a refinery experienced high vibration problem due to torsional resonance. Sidebands in the VFD output current based on VFD control loop frequencies were identified as the root cause. In this VFD, stator current was used for torque and speed control, hence control loop frequencies had a potential to generate such sidebands. Frequencies of this type of sidebands widely vary with the rotation speed (proportional to harmonics of the fundamental frequency), hence it is difficult to avoid resonance at the train torsional natural frequency. In addition, even if a compressor system is proven to have sufficient safety margin against high cycle fatigue failure due to the torque pulsation by this mechanism, such minute torque pulsation may have a potential to excite high lateral vibration at speed adjusting gear. If unpredicted or overlooked during design stage, such high vibration may disturb plant operation. This case study therefore proposes guidelines to predict such vibration levels by a simplified torsional-lateral coupled vibration analysis

Prognosis and long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in conservatively treated twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Amnioreduction remains a treatment option for pregnancies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) not meeting criteria for laser surgery or those in which it is not feasible. Amnioreduction is a relatively simple treatment which does not require sophisticated technical equipment. Previous reports of conservative management have indicated that major neurodevelopmental impairment occurs in 14.3-26% of survivors. The purpose of this study was to investigate long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in conservatively treated TTTS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>During the nine-year study period from January 1996 to December 2004, all pregnancies with TTTS who were admitted to our center were investigated. TTTS was diagnosed by using standard prenatal ultrasound criteria, and staged according to the criteria of Quintero <it>et al</it>. We reviewed gestational age at diagnosis, gestational age at delivery, the stage of TTTS at diagnosis, and diagnosis to delivery interval. Neonatal cranial ultrasound findings were reviewed and the neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-one pregnancies with TTTS were included. Thirteen pregnancies (62%) were treated with serial amnioreduction. The mean gestational age at delivery was 28 weeks (22 - 34 weeks). The perinatal mortality rate was 42.9%. Twenty survivors were followed up until at least 3 years of age. The mean age at follow-up was 6.3 years (3 - 12 years). Six children (30%) had neurodevelopmental impairment. Four children (20%) had major neurodevelopmental impairment and two children (10%) had minor neurodevelopmental impairment. Children with neurodevelopmental impairment were delivered before 29 weeks of gestation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study showed a high rate of perinatal mortality and a high rate of major neurodevelopmental impairment in conservatively treated TTTS. The long-term outcomes for the survivors with TTTS were good when survivors were delivered after 29 weeks of gestation.</p

Some adverse actions of chlorothalonil at sublethal levels in rat thymic lymphocytes : Its relation to Zn2+

Chlorothalonil, a polychlorinated aromatic fungicide, is considered non-toxic to small mammals. However, chlorothalonil inactivates sulfhydryl enzymes and depletes cellular glutathione. Chlorothalonil increases intracellular Zn2+ concentration ([Zn2+]i) in mammalian cells possibly because intracellular Zn2+ is released via zinc-thiol/disulfide interchange. The effects of chlorothalonil at sublethal concentrations on the cellular content of nonprotein thiols ([NPT]i) and [Zn2+]i were examined using flow cytometry in rat thymocytes. Low concentrations (0.3–1 μM) of chlorothalonil increased, but high concentrations (3–10 μM) decreased [NPT]i. These effects of chlorothalonil were partly attenuated by an intracellular Zn2+ chelator. Chlorothalonil at 0.3–10 μM increased [Zn2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner, which was largely dependent on the release of intracellular Zn2+. Both the decrease in [NPT]i and increase in [Zn2+]i increase the vulnerability of cells to oxidative stress. Chlorothalonil at 1–10 μM potentiated the cytotoxicity of H2O2 (300 μM). It was also the case for 10 μM pentachloronitrobenzene, but not 10 μM pentachlorophenol. In conclusion, chlorothalonil at low (sublethal) micromolar concentrations is cytotoxic to mammalian cells under oxidative stress

An Unbiased CO Survey Toward the Northern Region of the Small Magellanic Cloud with the Atacama Compact Array. II. CO Cloud Catalog

The nature of molecular clouds and their statistical behavior in sub-solar metallicity environments are not fully explored yet. We analyzed an unbiased CO($J$ = 2-1) survey data at a spatial resolution of $\sim$2 pc in the northern region of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) with the Atacama Compact Array to characterize the CO cloud properties. A cloud decomposition analysis identified 426 spatially/velocity-independent CO clouds and their substructures. Based on the cross-matching with known infrared catalogs by Spitzer and Herschel, more than 90% CO clouds show spatial correlations with point sources. We investigated the basic properties of the CO clouds and found that the radius-velocity linewidth ($R$-$\sigma_{v}$) relation follows the Milky Way (MW) like power-low exponent, but the intercept is $\sim$1.5 times lower than that in the MW. The mass functions ($dN/dM$) of the CO luminosity and virial mass are characterized by an exponent of $\sim$1.7, which is consistent with previously reported values in the Large Magellanic Cloud and MW.Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

The Telescope Array Experiment: Hybrid Measurement of Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays in Northern Hemisphere

Abstract The result of AGASA shows the extension of the cosmic ray energy spectrum above the GZK cut-off. Several new generation experiments are planned or under construction to identify the origin of such ultra high energy (UHE) cosmic rays exceeding the cut-off. We report here the design of hybrid Telescope Array (TA) and introduce plans of improving the accuracy of measuring the energy spectrum by the hybrid measurement of ground array and air fluorescence telescope