A series of cryogenic, layered deuterium-tritium (DT) implosions have produced, for the first time, fusion energy output twice the peak kinetic energy of the imploding shell. These experiments at the ...National Ignition Facility utilized high density carbon ablators with a three-shock laser pulse (1.5 MJ in 7.5 ns) to irradiate low gas-filled (0.3 mg/cc of helium) bare depleted uranium hohlraums, resulting in a peak hohlraum radiative temperature ∼290 eV. The imploding shell, composed of the nonablated high density carbon and the DT cryogenic layer, is, thus, driven to velocity on the order of 380 km/s resulting in a peak kinetic energy of ∼21 kJ, which once stagnated produced a total DT neutron yield of 1.9×10^{16} (shot N170827) corresponding to an output fusion energy of 54 kJ. Time dependent low mode asymmetries that limited further progress of implosions have now been controlled, leading to an increased compression of the hot spot. It resulted in hot spot areal density (ρr∼0.3 g/cm^{2}) and stagnation pressure (∼360 Gbar) never before achieved in a laboratory experiment.
Approximately 1% of the global population is affected by intellectual disability (ID), and the majority receive no molecular diagnosis. Previous studies have indicated high levels of genetic ...heterogeneity, with estimates of more than 2500 autosomal ID genes, the majority of which are autosomal recessive (AR). Here, we combined microarray genotyping, homozygosity-by-descent (HBD) mapping, copy number variation (CNV) analysis, and whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify disease genes/mutations in 192 multiplex Pakistani and Iranian consanguineous families with non-syndromic ID. We identified definite or candidate mutations (or CNVs) in 51% of families in 72 different genes, including 26 not previously reported for ARID. The new ARID genes include nine with loss-of-function mutations (ABI2, MAPK8, MPDZ, PIDD1, SLAIN1, TBC1D23, TRAPPC6B, UBA7 and USP44), and missense mutations include the first reports of variants in BDNF or TET1 associated with ID. The genes identified also showed overlap with de novo gene sets for other neuropsychiatric disorders. Transcriptional studies showed prominent expression in the prenatal brain. The high yield of AR mutations for ID indicated that this approach has excellent clinical potential and should inform clinical diagnostics, including clinical whole exome and genome sequencing, for populations in which consanguinity is common. As with other AR disorders, the relevance will also apply to outbred populations.
Aims
The inhibitory and bactericidal effect of a wide range of essential oils, and their selected combinations against two pathogens (Clostridium perfringens and Clostridium septicum), the causative ...pathogens of gas gangrenous infections were investigated. Fractional inhibitory indices were also calculated to determine the interactions.
Methods and Results
The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) assays were used to determine the efficacy of the essential oils. Santalum austrocaledonicum demonstrated the highest activity inhibiting both Clostridial pathogens at the lowest concentration of 0·02 mg ml−1. Santalum austrocaledonicum combined with Cymbopogon martinii had the strongest inhibition against C. perfringens (MIC 0·02 mg ml−1) and C. septicum (MIC 0·01 mg ml−1). Selected combinations demonstrated synergy (ΣFIC ≤ 0·50) in combination against both pathogens tested. Antagonism was also observed in many combinations.
Conclusions
Selected essential oils, when studied either individually or in combination, have high inhibitory and bactericidal effects against both Clostridial strains. Nine combinations have proven to be synergistic with 23 combinations additive; 96 indifferent and 77 having an antagonistic effect against the pathogenic strains. Some combinations demonstrated extreme antagonism and as such, careful consideration needs to be given to essential oil selection against these pathogens.
Significant Impact of the Study
Very few essential oils have been antimicrobially screened (MIC and MBC) against Clostridial strains and furthermore, the efficacies in combination are not known.
Summary
Neurodegenerative diseases are considered a serious life‐threatening issue regardless of age. Resulting nerve damage progressively affects important activities, such as movement, ...coordination, balance, breathing, speech and the functioning of vital organs. Reports on the subject have concluded that neurodegenerative disease can be caused by mutations of susceptible genes, alcohol consumption, toxins, chemicals and other unknown environmental factors. Although several diagnostic techniques can be used to determine aetiologies, the process is difficult and often fails. Research shows that nasopharyngeal and gut microbiota play important roles in brain to spinal cord coordination. However, no conclusive epidemiologic evidence is available on the roles played by respiratory and gut microbiota in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, understanding the connection between respiratory and gut microbiota and the nervous system could provide information on causal links. The present review describes future perspectives on the role played by nasopharyngeal and gut microbiota in the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Deuterium-tritium inertial confinement fusion implosion experiments on the National Ignition Facility have demonstrated yields ranging from 0.8 to 7×10(14), and record fuel areal densities of 0.7 to ...1.3 g/cm2. These implosions use hohlraums irradiated with shaped laser pulses of 1.5-1.9 MJ energy. The laser peak power and duration at peak power were varied, as were the capsule ablator dopant concentrations and shell thicknesses. We quantify the level of hydrodynamic instability mix of the ablator into the hot spot from the measured elevated absolute x-ray emission of the hot spot. We observe that DT neutron yield and ion temperature decrease abruptly as the hot spot mix mass increases above several hundred ng. The comparison with radiation-hydrodynamic modeling indicates that low mode asymmetries and increased ablator surface perturbations may be responsible for the current performance.
Abstract
An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is the brace that provides the assist and support to the patient with dorsiflexor weakness. However, standard AFO does not provide comfortable fit and is quite ...heavy for the user. The main objective of this study is redesign the standard AFO based on topology optimization to overcome the problems caused by the standardized AFO. With the computer-aided design (CAD), the AFO is designed based on parameters from the actual size of the adult leg. The thickness and the trim lines were also considered during the design the 3D model. The AFO was simulated with different materials and thicknesses to determine the effect on stress and deflection. Three different thicknesses of AFO; 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm and three different materials; polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polylactide (PLA) were used in the simulation. Shape optimization technique is used to optimize the material usage in the design of the AFO in order to reduce materials cost and weight. The optimized AFO was compared to the original AFO in terms of strength and flexibility. The 3mm and 4mm average displacement increase to approximately from 23% to 24% to all type of materials during foot flat and heel rise. 4mm model maximum stress decrease by 27% during heel strike, 22% during foot flat, and 20% during heel rise. The weight reduction from the initial AFO model to the optimization AFO model for both 3mm and 4mm thickness is 26% weight reduction and for 5mm thickness, is a 19%.
Alpha-particle self-heating, the process of deuterium-tritium fusion reaction products depositing their kinetic energy locally within a fusion reaction region and thus increasing the temperature in ...the reacting region, is essential for achieving ignition in a fusion system. Here, we report new inertial confinement fusion experiments where the alpha-particle heating of the plasma is dominant with the fusion yield produced exceeding the fusion yield from the work done on the fuel (pressure times volume change) by a factor of two or more. These experiments have achieved the highest yield (26 ± 0.5 kJ) and stagnation pressures (approximate220 ± 40 Gbar) of any facility-based inertial confinement fusion experiments, although they are still short of the pressures required for ignition on the National Ignition Facility (~300-400 Gbar). These experiments put us in a new part of parameter space that has not been extensively studied so far because it lies between the no-alpha-particle-deposition regime and ignition.
The influence of tube curvature, conical valve geometry, and initial swirl on the thermal performance of vortex tubes is numerically investigated. Multiple models of straight and curved vortex tubes ...are developed in Ansys-fluent®. The effect of each parameter on flow and temperature fields is analyzed using 3d simulations with standard
κ
-
ε
turbulence model. The cold stream mass fraction is varied by controlling hot exit pressure. Truncated cone hot control valves are found to perform better than non-truncated valves, but the optimum truncation length depends on the application for which the vortex tube is to be used. The tube curvature too has a positive effect in raising the temperature separation between the two streams specifically for curvature angles larger than 150° with cold mass fractions ranging between 0.3 and 0.7. The performance of curved tubes can be improved further by combining curvature effect with other design changes such as the use of truncated cone hot flow valve and an optimum number of inlet nozzles. Three inlet nozzles have been found to produce an initial swirl that gives maximum cold stream temperature difference and maximum end-to-end temperature separation for the 110 curved vortex tube. The combined effect of the three parameters is studied for the 180° curved vortex tube with three nozzles and a truncated hot conical control valve. It is found that using this combination the cold stream temperature difference increased by about 23.4 percent while the end-to-end temperature separation improved by about 37.3 percent when compared with the straight vortex tube.
Textile industry effluents contain reactive dyes that may harm our receiving waters. A typical reactive blue (RB) 19 dye is frequently detected in significant concentrations in textile industry ...effluents. Such dyes have generally shown resistance to decomposition and tend to persist in the environment for long periods and multiply the impacts to water and environment. Therefore, the present investigation focused on high-rate decomposition of a typical reactive dye RB 19 under various ultrasound and electrochemical process conditions. The decomposition of un-hydrolyzed and hydrolyzed forms of reactive blue (RB) 19 dye by ultrasound assisted electrochemical process was investigated using various parameters including dye concentration, pH, ultrasonic frequency and reaction time. Reaction kinetics, organic carbon and mechanism for dye decomposition were determined using UV–Visible spectrophotometry, TOC (total organic carbon) analysis and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Almost complete 90% color removal and a maximum of 56% TOC removal for 50
mg
L
−1 dye concentration of un-hydrolyzed RB 19 dye was achieved at an ultrasonic frequency of 80
kHz, pH of 8 after 120
min. GC–MS analysis showed that a sonoelectrochemical treatment of un-hydrolyzed RB 19 dye for 30
min resulted in the formation of products e.g. acetic acid, benzoic acid etc. with the complete removal of dye. For hydrolyzed dye, a treatment of 10
min was enough and the results were comparable with 30
min treatment of un-hydrolyzed dye. Kinetics of ultrasound assisted electrolysis showed that the dye decomposition followed 1st order. The ultrasound assisted electrolysis for dye decomposition and hence decolorization proved to be more effective and the total energy consumption reduced to half as compared with simple electrolysis/sonochemical decomposition. Therefore, ultrasound assisted electrolysis was found to be more effective technique for dye decomposition of an otherwise environmentally persistent reactive dye.
PDF
