The Attenuation Capability ofSelected Steel Alloys for Nuclear Reactor Applications

Neutronsand gamma ray attenuation of different steel grades (SS304, SS304L, SS316L, SS430, a modified high manganese-nitrogen austenitic stainless steel, and developed cobalt-free Maraging steel) was measured to study their capability to be used as nuclear reactor materials. The hardness and microstructure of the studied steel alloys were carried out using Vickers hardness and optical microscope respectively.Neutron and gamma rays measurements were carried out using a narrow beam transmissions geometry method. Measurements and calculations of gamma ray attenuation coefficients were carried out at energies 238.63, 338.28, 583.19, 911.2, 968.97, 1173.23, 1332.49, and 2614.51 keV. The transmitted gamma rays were detected by the Hyper Pure Germanium detector (HPGe), while, the neutron flux emitted from 241Am-Be neutron source was used to measure the neutron removal cross section for both slow and total neutrons. The transmitted beam of neutrons was measured under a good geometric conditions using 3He counter.A good agreement between experimental data of mass attenuation coefficients and theoretical results calculated by the WinXcom computer program (version 3.1) was obtained

Penile Epidermal Inclusion Cyst

We report a case of epidermal inclusion cyst in a 32-year-old male. This was a complication of circumcision that was neglected over years to form stones and urethrocutaneous fistula. Complete excision of the cyst and repair of the fistula were performed successfully. Histopathological examination confirmed our diagnosis

Usporedba dvaju inhibitora cikooksigenaze u eksperimentalnom modelu suhog oka u albino kunića

The purpose of this study was to compare the topical anti-inflammatory effects of the nonselective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, ketorolac, with the selective COX-2 inhibitor, nimesulide, in an animal model of dry eye in albino rabbits. All animals were examined by the Schirmer test, tear break-up time (TBUT) and fluorescein corneal staining test. Dry eye model showed significant reduction in tear volume, TBUT, corneal staining and histopathological signs of dryness and inflammation. On treating dry eye model with nimesulide 0.1% eye drops and ketorolac 0.5% eye drops, there were improvements in Schirmer test values, TBUT and fluorescein corneal staining and histopathologically reduced inflammatory reaction, with signs of healing and regeneration. Both nimesulide and ketorolac ameliorate atropine sulphate induced dry eye in albino rabbits. The use of selective COX-2 inhibitor, nimesulide, is preferred to avoid local and systemic side effects which may occur with the use of the nonselective COX inhibitor, ketorolac.Cilj istraživanja bila je usporedba topičkog protuupalnog učinka neselektivnog inhibitora ciklooksigenaze (COX), ketorolaka i selektivnog COX-2 inhibitora, nimesulida na animalnom modelu suhog oka u albino kunića. Na životinjama je proveden Schirmerov test, vrijeme prestanka suzenja oka tear break-up time (TBUT) i test bojenja rožnice fluoresceinom. U animalnom modelu suhog oka značajno je smanjen volumen suza, TBUT, bojenje rožnice i histopatološki simptomi suhoće i upale. Obradom suhog oka s kapima za oči koje sadrže 0,1% nimesulida, odnosno 0,5% ketorolaka, poboljšane su vrijednosti u Schirmerovom testu, TBUT i bojanje rožnice fluoresceinom, smanjena je upalna reakcija, a na oku su se pokazali simptomi ozdravljenja i regeneracije. I nimesulid i ketorolak smanjuju suhoću oka induciranu atropin sulfatom u albino kunića. Uporaba selektivnog COX-2 inhibitora, nimesulida, se preferira jer se izbjegavaju lokalne i sistemske nuspojave koje se mogu pojaviti uz uporabu neselektivnog COX inhibitora, ketorolaka

Contribution to the understanding of tribological properties of graphite intercalation compounds with metal chloride

Intrinsic tribological properties of lamellar compounds are usually attributed to the presence of van der Waals gaps in their structure through which interlayer interactions are weak. The controlled variation of the distances and interactions between graphene layers by intercalation of electrophilic species in graphite is used in order to explore more deeply the friction reduction properties of low-dimensional compounds. Three graphite intercalation compounds with antimony pentachloride, iron trichloride and aluminium trichloride are studied. Their tribological properties are correlated to their structural parameters, and the interlayer interactions are deduced from ab initio bands structure calculations

An exploration into the impact of exposure to community violence and hope on children's perceptions of well-being: a South African perspective

The study aims to explore the relationship between exposure to community violence, hope, and well-being. More specifically, the study aims to ascertain whether hope is a stronger predictor of well-being than exposure to violence. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 566 adolescents aged 14–17 years, from both high violence and low violence areas in Cape Town, South Africa. A questionnaire consisting of Snyder’s Children’s Hope Scale, the Recent Exposure to Violence Scale and the KIDSCREEN-52 was used. Data analysis techniques included descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression. A positive, significant relationship was found between children’s hope and their well-being. Although exposure to community violence was found to be significantly correlated with wellbeing, the relationship was negligible.While exposure to community violence and hope were found to be significant predictors of well-being, hope emerged as a stronger predictor of child well-being than exposure to community violence.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Chemoattractant Receptor Homologous to the T Helper 2 Cell (CRTH2) Is Not Expressed in Human Amniocytes and Myocytes

BACKGROUND: 15-deoxy-Δ 12,14- Prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2) inhibits Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in human myocytes and amniocytes and delays inflammation induced preterm labour in the mouse. 15dPGJ2 is a ligand for the Chemoattractant Receptor Homologous to the T helper 2 cell (CRTH2), a G protein-coupled receptor, present on a subset of T helper 2 (Th2) cells, eosinophils and basophils. It is the second receptor for Prostaglandin D2, whose activation leads to chemotaxis and the production of Th2-type interleukins. The cellular distribution of CRTH2 in non-immune cells has not been extensively researched, and its identification at the protein level has been limited by the lack of specific antibodies. In this study we explored the possibility that CRTH2 plays a role in 15dPGJ2-mediated inhibition of NF-κB and would therefore represent a novel small molecule therapeutic target for the prevention of inflammation induced preterm labour. METHODS: The effect of a small molecule CRTH2 agonist on NF-κB activity in human cultured amniocytes and myocytes was assessed by detection of p65 and phospho-p65 by immunoblot. Endogenous CRTH2 expression in amniocytes, myocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was examined by PCR, western analysis and flow cytometry, with amniocytes and myocytes transfected with CRTH2 acting as a positive control in flow cytometry studies. RESULTS: The CRTH2 agonist had no effect on NF-κB activity in amniocytes and myocytes. Although CRTH2 mRNA was detected in amniocytes and myocytes, CRTH2 was not detectable at the protein level, as demonstrated by western analysis and flow cytometry. 15dPGJ2 inhibited phospho-65 in PBMC'S, however the CRTH2 antagonist was not able to attenuate this effect. In conclusion, CRTH2 is not expressed on human amniocytes or myocytes and plays no role in the mechanism of 15dPGJ2-mediated inhibition of NF-κB

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%