A large octupole magnetic trap for research with atomic hydrogen

We describe the design and performance of a large magnetic trap for storage and cooling of atomic hydrogen (H). The trap operates in the vacuum space of a dilution refrigerator at a temperature of 1.5 K. Aiming at a large volume of the trap, we implemented the octupole configuration of linear currents (Ioffe bars) for the radial confinement, combined with two axial pinch coils and a 3 T solenoid for the cryogenic H dissociator. The octupole magnet consists of eight race-track segments, which are compressed toward each other with magnetic forces. This provides a mechanically stable and robust construction with a possibility of replacement or repair of each segment. A maximum trap depth of 0.54 K (0.8 T) was reached, corresponding to an effective volume of 0.5 l for hydrogen gas at 50 mK. This is an order of magnitude larger than ever used for trapping atoms.

Chest-wall contouring surgery in female-to-male transgender patients: A one-center retrospective analysis of applied surgical techniques and results

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Chest-wall contouring surgery is an important part of the gender reassignment process that contributes to strengthening the self-image and facilitating living in the new gender role. Here, we analyze the surgical techniques used in our clinic and report the results.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Female-to-male transgender patients (n = 57) undergoing chest-wall contouring surgery at Tampere University Hospital between January 2003 and April 2015 were enrolled in the study. Breast appearance was evaluated and either a concentric circular approach or a transverse incision technique was used for mastectomy. Patient characteristics and data regarding the technique and postoperative results were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

In addition to the transgender diagnosis, 40.4% of the patients had another psychiatric diagnosis. For mastectomy, a concentric circular approach was used in 50.9% and a transverse incision approach in 49.1% of the patients. In the transverse incision group, 21.4% of the patients underwent pedicled mammaplasty and 78.6% mastectomy with a free nipple-areola complex graft. Compared with the transverse incision group, breasts were smaller (p < 0.001) and body mass index value was lower in the concentric circular group (p = 0.001). One-third of the patients had complications (hematoma, infection, seroma, fistula, or partial necrosis of nipple-areola complex) and the reoperation rate was 8.8%. Hematoma was the most frequent reason for reoperation. Corrections were required for the scar in 14.0% of the patients, the contour in 28.0%, the areola in 15.8%, and the nipple in 5.3%. Secondary corrections were needed more often in the concentric circular (55.2%) than in the transverse incision group (25.0%; p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

The larger the breast, poorer the skin quality, and greater the amount of excess skin, the longer the required incision and resulting scar is for mastectomy of female-to-male patients. Hematoma is the most common reason for acute reoperation and secondary corrections are often needed.

Fungal enzyme production and biodegradation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in contaminated sawmill soil

The current treatment method for PCDD/F-contaminated soil, which fulfils the requirements for POP soils, is incineration at high temperature. In this study, we investigated if bioaugmentation with fungal inoculum or treatment with manganese peroxidase (MnP) enzyme preparation could be used instead. The main source of PCDD/F contamination in Finland has been the national production and use of a chlorophenol containing wood preservative, which contained PCDD/Fs as impurities. Therefore, historically contaminated soils from three sawmill sites were used in the experiments. In bioaugmentation experiments with living fungal mycelia, enzyme production, CO2 production and degradation of chlorinated dioxins were measured. When cell free MnP preparation was added to the soil, it was likewise important to follow how enzyme activity was maintained in the soil. As a result of this study, we showed that fungi were able to efficiently degrade PCDD/F, but surprisingly the addition of MnP preparation did not have any effect to the PCDD/F concentration. However, substantial amounts of MnP activity were found in the soil still after 10d of incubation. Treatment with either Stropharia rugosoannulata or Phanerochaete velutina resulted in 62-64% decrease in WHO-TEQ value in 3months. One critical factor for efficient biodegradation was strong growth of fungal mycelia in non-sterile contaminated soil.

D-Tagatose production in the presence of borate by resting Lactococcus lactis cells harboring Bifidobacterium longum L-arabinose isomerase

Bifidobacterium longum NRRL B-41409 L-arabinose isomerase (L-AI) was overexpressed in Lactococcus lactis using a phosphate depletion inducible expression system. The resting L. lactis cells harboring the B. longum L-AI were used for production of D-tagatose from D-galactose in the presence of borate buffer. Multivariable analysis suggested that high pH, temperature and borate concentration favoured the conversion of D-galactose to D-tagatose. Almost quantitative conversion (92 %) was achieved at 20 g L⁻¹ substrate and at 37.5 °C after 5 days. The D-tagatose production rate of 185 g L⁻¹ day ⁻¹ was obtained at 300 g L⁻¹ galactose, at 1.15 M borate, and at 41 °C during 10 days when the production medium was changed every 24 h. There was no significant loss in productivity during ten sequential 24 h batches. The initial D-tagatose production rate was 290 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹ under these conditions.

Comparison of acridine orange, acriflavine, and bisbenzimide stains for enumeration of bacteria in clear and humic waters

In highly humic water, acridine orange precipitated with dissolved humic matter, resulting in such bright background fluorescence that no bacteria could be seen. With bisbenzimide staining, a similar precipitate was nonfluorescent but obscured many cells. An acriflavine staining method proved useful and reproducible both in clear and in humic waters. Fading of fluorescence was not a problem, and stained samples could be stored after preparation. The fluorescence of cells stained with acriflavine was weaker than that with acridine orange, making counting extremely small cells slightly more difficult with the former stain.

Developing a multipoint titration method with a variable dose implementation for anaerobic digestion monitoring

Determination of metabolites from an anaerobic digester with an acid base titration is considered as superior method for many reasons. This paper describes a practical at line compatible multipoint titration method. The titration procedure was improved by speed and data quality. A simple and novel control algorithm for estimating a variable titrant dose was derived for this purpose. This non-linear PI-controller like algorithm does not require any preliminary information from sample. Performance of this controller is superior compared to traditional linear PI-controllers. In addition, simplification for presenting polyprotic acids as a sum of multiple monoprotic acids is introduced along with a mathematical error examination. A method for inclusion of the ionic strength effect with stepwise iteration is shown. The titration model is presented with matrix notations enabling simple computation of all concentration estimates. All methods and algorithms are illustrated in the experimental part. A linear correlation better than 0.999 was obtained for both acetate and phosphate used as model compounds with slopes of 0.98 and 1.00 and average standard deviations of 0.6% and 0.8%, respectively. Furthermore, insensitivity of the presented method for overlapping buffer capacity curves was shown.

On-line biomass measurements in bioreactor cultivations: comparison study of two on-line probes

Two on-line probes for biomass measurement in bioreactor cultivations were evaluated. One probe is based on near infrared (NIR) light absorption and the other on dielectric spectroscopy. The probes were used to monitor biomass production in cultivations of several different microorganisms. Differences in NIR probe response compared to off-line measurement methods revealed that the most significant factor affecting the response was cell shape. The NIR light absorption method is more developed and reliable for on-line in situ biomass estimation than dielectric spectroscopy. The NIR light absorption method is, however, of no significant use, when the cultivation medium is not clear, and especially in processes using adsorbents or solid matrix for the microorganism to grow on. The possibilities offered by dielectric spectroscopy are impressive, but the on-line probe technology needs to be

Modeling and simulation of Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius N47 cultivation and ɛ-rhodomycinone production with kinetic equations and neural networks

This study focuses on comparing different kinetic growth models and the use of neural networks in the batch cultivation of Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius producing epsilon-rhodomycinone. Contois, Monod and Teissier microbial growth models were used as well as the logistic growth modeling approach, which was found best in the simulations of growth and glucose consumption in the batch growth phase. The lag phase was included in the kinetic model with a CO2 trigger and a delay factor. Substrate consumption and product formation were included as Luedeking-Piret and logistic type equations, respectively. Biomass formation was modeled successfully with a 6-8-2 network, and the network was capable of biomass prediction with an R2-value of 0.983. Epsilon-rhodomycinone production was successfully modeled with a recursive 8-3-1 network capable of epsilon-rhodomycinone prediction with an R2-value of 0.903. The predictive power of the neural networks was superior to the kinetic models, which could not be used in predictive modeling of arbitrary batch cultivations.

Directed blood donation: a matter of public trust

Trust is the key issue in blood treatment with respect to public policy. Public trust in the blood system in Canada continues to be exceedingly low. According to the February, 1996 Gallup poll conducted by Janssen-Ortho Inc., 89% of those surveyed chose alternatives to the Red Cross (volunteer) blood. Strategies directed at improving the safety of the blood system will fall short of this goal unless public knowledge and consumer participation are considered. Consumers need to participate in decision making for themselves with the physicians, as well as in the decision making process at the level of public policy. Consumer involvement would contribute to an overall plan of rebuilding public trust. Canadian health care consumers have been significantly affected by the blood tragedy of the 1980s. Public perception of blood safety has been characterized by misunderstanding and fear. The search for alternate methods of transfusion, such as directed donation, are based on a lack of trust of the current blood system. As introducing a program of directed blood donation would not increase safety or decrease the expense of blood transfusions, such a program should not be introduced in Ontario at this time.

No effect of maternal smoking in early pregnancy observed on chromosome aberrations in chorionic villus samples

The effect of maternal smoking on first trimester chorionic villus samples (CVS) was studied by analysing the frequency of chromosome aberrations (CAs) among 20 non-smoking and 20 smoking mothers. The aberrations were classified as chromosome- and chromatid-type breaks and gaps. No statistically significant differences were found in the frequencies of CAs between non-smoking mothers (5.4% or 2.0% gaps excluded) and smoking mothers (3.5% or 1.0% gaps excluded).

A colcemid-sensitive mechanism involved in regulation of chromosome movements during meiotic pairing

Active movements of the chromosomes may be needed in the process, where homologous chromosomes find each other during the meiotic pairing. Because the components of the cytoskeleton are generally believed to be responsible for all movements in living nonmuscle cells, we have analyzed the regulation of the movements of zygotene chromosomes in the male rat by using specific inhibitors of the assembly of the various components of the cytoskeleton. --Colcemid, an inhibitor of microtubule formation, completely inhibited the chromosome movements in vitro at a concentration of 1 microgram/ml. This was associated with a damage of the nuclear envelope revealed by the electron microscopic analysis. Another inhibitor of microtubule formation, vinblastine, was ineffective below the level of general toxicity (100 microgram/ml). A specific microfilament inhibitor, cytochalasin B was similarly ineffective. --The findings suggest the presence of a specific colcemid-sensitive mechanism in the nuclear envelope of the zygotene spermatocytes, which regulates the movements of the chromosomes during meiotic pairing.

[Treatment and prognosis of superior vena caval syndrome in small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung (author's transl)]

One hundred and forty nine consecutive patients with small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung were studied retrospectively. 19 patients (13%) presented with superior vena caval obstruction, 11 further patients (7%) developed this complication during the course of their disease. 16 patients presenting with superior vena caval syndrome were treated with chemotherapy alone and 13 patients responded. Due to suboptimal chemotherapy for current standards 7 of the 13 successfully treated patients (54%) relapsed after a median of 4.5 months. 3 patients were effectively retreated with another chemotherapy combination, 4 patients with radiation therapy. Superior vena caval obstruction is a frequent complication of small-cell anaplastic carcinoma of the lung. It can be treated effectively with combination chemotherapy.

[Pneumonitis and fibrosis after primary radiotherapy and after combined treatment with chemotherapy in bronchogenic carcinomas]

36 patients with bronchial carcinoma treated in a randomized study were investigated for late reactions of lung tissue after radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. The onset and extent of the lesions depended on the primary therapy. In the group of patients who received primary chemotherapy the first signs of radiation pneumonitis and fibrosis were seen earlier than in the group who underwent primary radiotherapy (70 days and 120 days respectively, and 170 days and 237 days respectively). The shrinkage of the lung tissue was greater after primary chemotherapy. However, secondary pneumonia in the irradiated lung volume occurred less frequently in the group who underwent chemotherapy first.