Serum markers and development of delayed neuropsychological sequelae after acute carbon monoxide poisoning: anion gap, lactate, osmolarity, S100B protein, and interleukin-6

Objective Reliable biomarkers of delayed neuropsychological sequelae (DNS) after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are lacking. This study investigated the associations between potential serum markers and the development of DNS after acute CO poisoning. Methods Retrospective chart reviews were conducted for patients diagnosed with acute CO poisoning during a 28-month period. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of having developed DNS. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of DNS after CO poisoning. Results Of a total of 102 patients, 10 (9.8%) developed DNS. The levels of serum osmolarity, S100B protein, and serum lactate, as well as serum anion gap, were statistically significant in univariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that anion gap (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11 to 1.88), serum lactate level (AOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.75), and serum S100B protein level ([AOR, 7.02×105; 95% CI, 4.56×102 to 9.00×1010] in model 1, [AOR, 3.69×105; 95% CI, 2.49×102 to 2.71×1011] in model 2) were independently associated with DNS development. Conclusion Based on our preliminary results, serum lactate level, serum anion gap, and serum S100B protein level in the emergency department could be informative predictors of DNS development in patients with acute CO poisoning. These markers might have the potential to improve early recognition of DNS in patients with acute CO poisoning

An algorithm for a lifted Massey triple product of a smooth projective plane curve

We provide an explicit algorithm to compute a lifted Massey triple product relative to a defining system for a smooth projective plane curve X defined by a homogeneous polynomial G((x) under bar) over a field. The main idea is to use the description (due to Carlson and Griffiths) of the cup product for H-1(X, C) in terms of the multiplications inside the Jacobian ring of G((x) under bar) and the Cech-deRham complex of X. Our algorithm gives a criterion whether a lifted Massey triple product vanishes or not in H-2(X) under a particular nontrivial defining system of the Massey triple product and thus can be viewed as a generalization of the vanishing criterion of the cup product in H-2(X) of Carlson and Griffiths. Based on our algorithm, we provide explicit numerical examples by running the computer program.11Nsciescopu

Analytic Radiation Models of a Microstrip Line on a Slotted Ground Plane

In this Letter, analytic models for electromagnetic (EM) radiation analysis of a microstrip line (trace) on a slotted ground plane are proposed. The EM radiation is separated by the effects of trace and slot, and analytic radiation models for each effect are presented. The radiated electric field in the far region is calculated at a frequency up to 10 GHz, and the effect of the slot size on the radiation is examined. The proposed models are in good agreement with the numerical results while requiring a negligible computation time

Experimental Study on the Fire-Spreading Characteristics and Heat Release Rates of Burning Vehicles Using a Large-Scale Calorimeter

In this article, large-scale experimental studies were conducted to figure out the fire characteristics, such as fire-spreading, toxic gases, and heat release rates, using large-scale calorimeter for one- and two-vehicle fires. The initial ignition position was the passenger seat, and thermocouples were attached to each compartment in the vehicles to determine the temperature distribution as a function of time. For the analysis, the time was divided into sections for the various fire-spreading periods and major changes, e.g., the fire spreading from the first vehicle to the second vehicle. The maximum temperature of 1400 °C occurred in the seats because they contained combustible materials. The maximum heat release rates were 3.5 MW and 6 MW for one and two vehicles, respectively. Since the time to reach 1 MW was about 240 s (4 min) before and after, the beginning of the car fire appears to be a medium-fast growth type. It shows the effect on the human body depending on the concentration of toxic substances such as carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide

Numerical Study on the Effect of Tunnel Aspect Ratio on Evacuation with Unsteady Heat Release Rate Due to Fire in the Case of Two Vehicles

In this study, the characteristics of fires in case of two vehicles in a tunnel are analyzed by Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis for varying tunnel aspect ratios. Unsteady heat release rates over time are set as the input conditions of fire sources considering real phenomena. Unsteady heat release rate values are obtained from experiments. As a result, the smoke velocities above the fire source appear faster in the case of tunnels with a large aspect ratio because the higher the height of the tunnel, the faster the smoke velocity caused by buoyancy forces. The smoke velocity in the longitudinal direction increases quickly. However, the temperature distribution in the vicinity of the ceiling is low when the tunnel aspect ratio is large because the height of the tunnel is not directly affected by the flames. Also, the higher the height of the tunnel, the lower the visibility distance due to the heat and smoke coming down along the wall surface. However, in the tunnels represented in this study, it is considered that the visibility of evacuees is sufficiently secured