Development of a gas jet coupled electron cyclotron resonance ion source for radioactive ion beam

A 2.45 GHz electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source coupled to a gas-jet skimmer system has been developed for the online production of radioactive ion beams (RIBs). Using radial injection of gas jet in the ion source, RIBs of 11C1+, 11CO21+, and 11CO1+ have been produced online with beam intensity up to about 9 × 103 particles per second for a 1 µA primary proton beam bombarding a nitrogen gas target. The details of the gas jet coupled ECR ion source and the results for stable isotope beams and RIBs are reported.

Large uncertainties in global hydroxyl projections tied to fate of reactive nitrogen and carbon

The hydroxyl radical (OH) sets the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere and, thus, profoundly affects the removal rate of pollutants and reactive greenhouse gases. While observationally derived constraints exist for global annual mean present-day OH abundances and interannual variability, OH estimates for past and future periods rely primarily on global atmospheric chemistry models. These models disagree ± 30% in mean OH and in its changes from the preindustrial to late 21st century, even when forced with identical anthropogenic emissions. A simple steady-state relationship that accounts for ozone photolysis frequencies, water vapor, and the ratio of reactive nitrogen to carbon emissions explains temporal variability within most models, but not intermodel differences. Here, we show that departure from the expected relationship reflects the treatment of reactive oxidized nitrogen species (NO y ) and the fraction of emitted carbon that reacts within each chemical mechanism, which remain poorly known due to a lack of observational data. Our findings imply a need for additional observational constraints on NO y partitioning and lifetime, especially in the remote free troposphere, as well as the fate of carbon-containing reaction intermediates to test models, thereby reducing uncertainties in projections of OH and, hence, lifetimes of pollutants and greenhouse gases.

Assessing the Influence of COVID-19 on the Shortwave Radiative Fluxes Over the East Asian Marginal Seas

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a widespread reduction in aerosol emissions. Using satellite observations and climate model simulations, we study the underlying mechanisms of the large decreases in solar clear-sky reflection (3.8 W m-2 or 7%) and aerosol optical depth (0.16 W m-2 or 32%) observed over the East Asian Marginal Seas in March 2020. By separating the impacts from meteorology and emissions in the model simulations, we find that about one-third of the clear-sky anomalies can be attributed to pandemic-related emission reductions, and the rest to weather variability and long-term emission trends. The model is skillful at reproducing the observed interannual variations in solar all-sky reflection, but no COVID-19 signal is discerned. The current observational and modeling capabilities will be critical for monitoring, understanding, and predicting the radiative forcing and climate impacts of the ongoing crisis.

Public Health and Climate Benefits and Trade-Offs of U.S. Vehicle Electrification

Vehicle electrification is a common climate change mitigation strategy, with policymakers invoking co-beneficial reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and air pollutant emissions. However, while previous studies of U.S. electric vehicle (EV) adoption consistently predict CO2 mitigation benefits, air quality outcomes are equivocal and depend on policies assessed and experimental parameters. We analyze climate and health co-benefits and trade-offs of six U.S. EV adoption scenarios: 25% or 75% replacement of conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, each under three different EV-charging energy generation scenarios. We transfer emissions from tailpipe to power generation plant, simulate interactions of atmospheric chemistry and meteorology using the GFDL-AM4 chemistry climate model, and assess health consequences and uncertainties using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Benefits Mapping Analysis Program Community Edition (BenMAP-CE). We find that 25% U.S. EV adoption, with added energy demand sourced from the present-day electric grid, annually results in a ~242 M ton reduction in CO2 emissions, 437 deaths avoided due to PM2.5 reductions (95% CI: 295, 578), and 98 deaths avoided due to lesser ozone formation (95% CI: 33, 162). Despite some regions experiencing adverse health outcomes, ~$16.8B in damages avoided are predicted. Peak CO2 reductions and health benefits occur with 75% EV adoption and increased emission-free energy sources (~$70B in damages avoided). When charging-electricity from aggressive EV adoption is combustion-only, adverse health outcomes increase substantially, highlighting the importance of low-to-zero emission power generation for greater realization of health co-benefits. Our results provide a more nuanced understanding of the transportation sector's climate change mitigation-health impact relationship.

Measurement of quadrupolar asymmetry in prototype rod-type radio frequency quadrupole linac for protons

An analytical and cold model study of a prototype extended vane rod-type RFQ (radio frequency quadrupole linac) is presented. The bead-pull measurement allowed us to experimentally determine the effect of shaping of the vane-supporting posts and, most interestingly, the size of the vacuum enclosure in the dipolar and quadrupolar field asymmetry. Disk shaped beads of BaTiO₃ have been tailor made for this purpose. The special shape of the beads has allowed precise measurements of frequency shifts all along the length of the RFQ. The measured quadrupolar asymmetry and dipole component at a radial distance of 7 mm from the beam axis are within ±1% for the optimized structure. Particle tracking of a 10 mA proton beam with a simulated 3D field for the optimized full scale RFQ with modulated vanes has been carried out. Simulation shows vertical and horizontal shifts of only 0.01 mm and 0.03 mm, respectively, for the accelerated beam at the exit of RFQ. The percentage of accelerated particles lying within an energy width of ±40 keV about 800 keV is increased from 86% for the original enclosure to 88% for the reduced enclosure, whereas the transmission efficiency is 100% for both the cases.

MON-LB044 Bilateral Ovarian Hyperthecosis: A Benign and Unusual Cause of Postmenopausal Hirsutism

Introduction-: Postmenopausal hirsutism is a rare presentation. The presentation of clinical hyperandrogenism , its severity and the pace of presentation along with the hormonal profiles help in determining the cause. Once iatrogenic cause is ruled out, one has to assess for the endocrine causes of postmenopausal hirsutism. There are various benign and malignant causes of ovarian hyperandrogenism. Case Presentation- A 62 years post menopausal lady came with complaints of increasing facial hair, coarseness of facial skin and alopecia for two years. She had no significant medical illness and had not received androgens in any form. She had a normal menstrual history during her reproductive years and has two children born of natural conception. Clinically there was no evidence of other endocrine causes of hyperandrogenism like Acromegaly, Cushing’s syndrome, Late onset CAH. Her hormonal profile showed significantly elevated testosterone levels with normal DHEAS levels. Investigations - TSH 1.898 uIu/ml (NR 0.5-5.0); Testosterone 216.10 ng/dl ( NR 20-90); DHEAS 40 mcg/dl ( NR 17-90); USG abdomen and pelvis showed thickened endometrium 8 mms in size and submucosal fibroid. Further investigations-Serum Testosterone 145 ng/dl (NR 20-90); DHEAS 23.8 mcg/dl ( NR 17-90); 17 OH Progesterone 0.86 ng/ml ( NR 0.2- 0.5); Post Dexamthasone 1 mg cortisol < 1.0 mcg/dl (normal response< 1.8- 2.0); Alpha Fetoprotein 2.08 ng/ml ( NR <10 ng); IGF1 71 ng/ml ( NR 70-140) ; Estradiol 10 pg/ml ( NR <30). Her assessment for other causes of hirsutism ruled out Acromegaly, Late onset CAH and Cushing syndrome. MRI abdomen and pelvis revealed normal ovaries and uterus for her menopausal status. In view of persistent symptoms and very high levels of testosterone along with endometrial hyperplasia, patient was counselled to get her ovaries and uterus removed.She underwent a total hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy. Postoperatively the patients symptoms have improved, her skin hue is better and the facial hair growth has significantly reduced. The testosterone levels have returned to normal. Postoperative Total Testosterone 16.12 ng/dl ( NR 20-90) and Free Testosterone 1.63pg/ml ( NR 0.3-2). The histopathology showed bilateral ovarian hyperthecosis along with benign endometrial hyperplasia. Conclusion: Polycystic ovaries is a common cause of hirsutism in young women of reproductive age group. It is not commonly seen in the post menopausal state. Even though the hormonal profile points towards an ovarian cause, localisation of an ovarian pathology is sometimes difficult. Diagnostic and therapeutic bilateral oophorectomy points towards the diagnosis which can be unusual and curable like bilateral ovarian hyperthecosis. This was an unusual , curable and rewarding case of postmenopausal hirsutism. Unless otherwise noted, all abstracts presented at ENDO are embargoed until the date and time of presentation. For oral presentations, the abstracts are embargoed until the session begins. Abstracts presented at a news conference are embargoed until the date and time of the news conference. The Endocrine Society reserves the right to lift the embargo on specific abstracts that are selected for promotion prior to or during ENDO.

Blue fluorescence as a frequency offset reference in the rubidium 5S-5P-5D transition

In this work, we address the issue of the suitability of blue fluorescent light as a frequency offset reference during the ladder-level excitation 5S_1/2→5P_3/2→5D_3/2 of Rb85 atoms. A simple pump-probe spectroscopy experiment is performed to generate non-degenerate blue light emission produced by the spontaneous decay route 5D_3/2→6P_3/2→5S_1/2. By varying the relative intensity of the pump-probe combination, we can hover between regimes dominated by mechanisms such as double resonance optical pumping (DROP) and Autler-Townes splitting. The efficacy of the blue fluorescence (420 nm) as a frequency offset reference is pronounced under the DROP regime due to its narrow (∼natural) linewidth. To provide further insight into the stability performance, the pump laser connecting the 5P_3/2→5D_3/2 transition is stabilized to the peak of the blue light with the help of a probe stabilized to the saturation absorption signal of the 5S_1/2→5P_3/2 transition. For this purpose, we used the coherence-induced modulation transfer technique. The error frequency noise power spectra and the subsequent Allan variance calculation clearly show that probe fluctuations are transferred to the pump laser because of an existing two-photon coherent coupling.

Tropospheric ozone assessment report: Global ozone metrics for climate change, human health, and crop/ecosystem research

Assessment of spatial and temporal variation in the impacts of ozone on human health, vegetation, and climate requires appropriate metrics. A key component of the Tropospheric Ozone Assessment Report (TOAR) is the consistent calculation of these metrics at thousands of monitoring sites globally. Investigating temporal trends in these metrics required that the same statistical methods be applied across these ozone monitoring sites. The nonparametric Mann-Kendall test (for significant trends) and the Theil-Sen estimator (for estimating the magnitude of trend) were selected to provide robust methods across all sites. This paper provides the scientific underpinnings necessary to better understand the implications of and rationale for selecting a specific TOAR metric for assessing spatial and temporal variation in ozone for a particular impact. The rationale and underlying research evidence that influence the derivation of specific metrics are given. The form of 25 metrics (4 for model-measurement comparison, 5 for characterization of ozone in the free troposphere, 11 for human health impacts, and 5 for vegetation impacts) are described. Finally, this study categorizes health and vegetation exposure metrics based on the extent to which they are determined only by the highest hourly ozone levels, or by a wider range of values. The magnitude of the metrics is influenced by both the distribution of hourly average ozone concentrations at a site location, and the extent to which a particular metric is determined by relatively low, moderate, and high hourly ozone levels. Hence, for the same ozone time series, changes in the distribution of ozone concentrations can result in different changes in the magnitude and direction of trends for different metrics. Thus, dissimilar conclusions about the effect of changes in the drivers of ozone variability (e.g., precursor emissions) on health and vegetation exposure can result from the selection of different metrics.

Radioactive ion beams of 111In using ECR plasma sputtering method

Radioactive ion beams of ¹¹¹In (indium-111, half-life 2.8 days) have been produced using the plasma sputtering method in an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre RIB facility. Indium isotopes were first produced by bombarding a natural silver target with a 32 MeV, 40 μA alpha particle beam from the K-130 cyclotron. After radio-chemical separation, about 25 mCi In-chloride was deposited on an aluminum electrode and inserted in the plasma chamber of the ECR. Indium ions produced by ion induced sputtering in the plasma were extracted from the ion source, isotopically separated, and a pure ¹¹¹In beam was measured at the focal plane of the separator. The measured ¹¹¹In beam intensity was 2.67 × 10⁵ particles/s for a beam energy of 5 keV.

Co-benefits of global and regional greenhouse gas mitigation on U.S. air quality in 2050

Policies to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will not only slow climate change, but can also have ancillary benefits of improved air quality. Here we examine the co-benefits of both global and regional GHG mitigation on U.S. air quality in 2050 at fine resolution, using dynamical downscaling methods, building on a previous global co-benefits study (West et al., 2013). The co-benefits for U.S. air quality are quantified via two mechanisms: through reductions in co-emitted air pollutants from the same sources, and by slowing climate change and its influence on air quality, following West et al. (2013). Additionally, we separate the total co-benefits into contributions from domestic GHG mitigation versus mitigation in foreign countries. We use the WRF model to dynamically downscale future global climate to the regional scale, the SMOKE program to directly process global anthropogenic emissions into the regional domain, and we provide dynamical boundary conditions from global simulations to the regional CMAQ model. The total co-benefits of global GHG mitigation from the RCP4.5 scenario compared with its reference are estimated to be higher in the eastern U.S. (ranging from 0.6-1.0 μg m-3) than the west (0-0.4 μg m-3) for PM2.5, with an average of 0.47 μg m-3 over U.S.; for O3, the total co-benefits are more uniform at 2-5 ppb with U.S. average of 3.55 ppb. Comparing the two mechanisms of co-benefits, we find that reductions of co-emitted air pollutants have a much greater influence on both PM2.5 (96% of the total co-benefits) and O3 (89% of the total) than the second co-benefits mechanism via slowing climate change, consistent with West et al. (2013). GHG mitigation from foreign countries contributes more to the U.S. O3 reduction (76% of the total) than that from domestic GHG mitigation only (24%), highlighting the importance of global methane reductions and the intercontinental transport of air pollutants. For PM2.5, the benefits of domestic GHG control are greater (74% of total). Since foreign contributions to co-benefits can be substantial, with foreign O3 benefits much larger than those from domestic reductions, previous studies that focus on local or regional co-benefits may greatly underestimate the total co-benefits of global GHG reductions. We conclude that the U.S. can gain significantly greater domestic air quality co-benefits by engaging with other nations to control GHGs.

Effect of climate change on surface ozone over North America, Europe, and East Asia

The effect of future climate change on surface ozone over North America, Europe, and East Asia is evaluated using present-day (2000s) and future (2100s) hourly surface ozone simulated by four global models. Future climate follows RCP8.5, while methane and anthropogenic ozone precursors are fixed at year-2000 levels. Climate change shifts the seasonal surface ozone peak to earlier in the year and increases the amplitude of the annual cycle. Increases in mean summertime and high-percentile ozone are generally found in polluted environments, while decreases are found in clean environments. We propose climate change augments the efficiency of precursor emissions to generate surface ozone in polluted regions, thus reducing precursor export to neighboring downwind locations. Even with constant biogenic emissions, climate change causes the largest ozone increases at high percentiles. In most cases, air quality extreme episodes become larger and contain higher ozone levels relative to the rest of the distribution.

The effect of future ambient air pollution on human premature mortality to 2100 using output from the ACCMIP model ensemble

Ambient air pollution from ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is associated with premature mortality. Future concentrations of these air pollutants will be driven by natural and anthropogenic emissions and by climate change. Using anthropogenic and biomass burning emissions projected in the four Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios (RCPs), the ACCMIP ensemble of chemistry-climate models simulated future concentrations of ozone and PM_2.5 at selected decades between 2000 and 2100. We use output from the ACCMIP ensemble, together with projections of future population and baseline mortality rates, to quantify the human premature mortality impacts of future ambient air pollution. Future air pollution-related premature mortality in 2030, 2050 and 2100 is estimated for each scenario and for each model using a health impact function based on changes in concentrations of ozone and PM_2.5 relative to 2000 and projected future population and baseline mortality rates. Additionally, the global mortality burden of ozone and PM_2.5 in 2000 and each future period is estimated relative to 1850 concentrations, using present-day and future population and baseline mortality rates. The change in future ozone concentrations relative to 2000 is associated with excess global premature mortality in some scenarios/periods, particularly in RCP8.5 in 2100 (316 thousand deaths/year), likely driven by the large increase in methane emissions and by the net effect of climate change projected in this scenario, but it leads to considerable avoided premature mortality for the three other RCPs. However, the global mortality burden of ozone markedly increases from 382,000 (121,000 to 728,000) deaths/year in 2000 to between 1.09 and 2.36 million deaths/year in 2100, across RCPs, mostly due to the effect of increases in population and baseline mortality rates. PM_2.5 concentrations decrease relative to 2000 in all scenarios, due to projected reductions in emissions, and are associated with avoided premature mortality, particularly in 2100: between -2.39 and -1.31 million deaths/year for the four RCPs. The global mortality burden of PM_2.5 is estimated to decrease from 1.70 (1.30 to 2.10) million deaths/year in 2000 to between 0.95 and 1.55 million deaths/year in 2100 for the four RCPs, due to the combined effect of decreases in PM_2.5 concentrations and changes in population and baseline mortality rates. Trends in future air pollution-related mortality vary regionally across scenarios, reflecting assumptions for economic growth and air pollution control specific to each RCP and region. Mortality estimates differ among chemistry-climate models due to differences in simulated pollutant concentrations, which is the greatest contributor to overall mortality uncertainty for most cases assessed here, supporting the use of model ensembles to characterize uncertainty. Increases in exposed population and baseline mortality rates of respiratory diseases magnify the impact on premature mortality of changes in future air pollutant concentrations and explain why the future global mortality burden of air pollution can exceed the current burden, even where air pollutant concentrations decrease.

Cardiovascular abnormalities with single dose of tapentadol

This case represents the development of dizziness, palpitation, tightness in chest, flushing, and tremor on consumption of a single dose of tapentadol (100 mg) for acute lower back pain. The patient was admitted in the intensive cardiac care unit for continuous monitoring. At admission, electrocardiogram showed tachycardia (140/min) along with ST segment elevation in second chest lead (V2). The patient was monitored and advised not to take further doses of tapentadol. He was discharged after 36 hours of admission. Tapentadol should be used cautiously in patients with cardiovascular diseases and receiving sympathomimetic drugs.

Post-menopausal presentation of yolk sac germ cell tumour

•

Yolk sac germ cell tumours are rare in post-menopausal patients.

•

Most involve mixed yolk sac tumours

•

Consider diagnosis in patients with a pelvic–abdominal mass and raised AFP

Air quality and climate connections

Multiple linkages connect air quality and climate change. Many air pollutant sources also emit carbon dioxide (CO2), the dominant anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG). The two main contributors to non-attainment of U.S. ambient air quality standards, ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM), interact with radiation, forcing climate change. PM warms by absorbing sunlight (e.g., black carbon) or cools by scattering sunlight (e.g., sulfates) and interacts with clouds; these radiative and microphysical interactions can induce changes in precipitation and regional circulation patterns. Climate change is expected to degrade air quality in many polluted regions by changing air pollution meteorology (ventilation and dilution), precipitation and other removal processes, and by triggering some amplifying responses in atmospheric chemistry and in anthropogenic and natural sources. Together, these processes shape distributions and extreme episodes of O3 and PM. Global modeling indicates that as air pollution programs reduce SO2 to meet health and other air quality goals, near-term warming accelerates due to "unmasking" of warming induced by rising CO2. Air pollutant controls on CH4, a potent GHG and precursor to global O3 levels, and on sources with high black carbon (BC) to organic carbon (OC) ratios could offset near-term warming induced by SO2 emission reductions, while reducing global background O3 and regionally high levels of PM. Lowering peak warming requires decreasing atmospheric CO2, which for some source categories would also reduce co-emitted air pollutants or their precursors. Model projections for alternative climate and air quality scenarios indicate a wide range for U.S. surface O3 and fine PM, although regional projections may be confounded by interannual to decadal natural climate variability. Continued implementation of U.S. NOx emission controls guards against rising pollution levels triggered either by climate change or by global emission growth. Improved accuracy and trends in emission inventories are critical for accountability analyses of historical and projected air pollution and climate mitigation policies.

IMPLICATIONS

The expansion of U.S. air pollution policy to protect climate provides an opportunity for joint mitigation, with CH4 a prime target. BC reductions in developing nations would lower the global health burden, and for BC-rich sources (e.g., diesel) may lessen warming. Controls on these emissions could offset near-term warming induced by health-motivated reductions of sulfate (cooling). Wildfires, dust, and other natural PM and O3 sources may increase with climate warming, posing challenges to implementing and attaining air quality standards. Accountability analyses for recent and projected air pollution and climate control strategies should underpin estimated benefits and trade-offs of future policies.

Air quality and climate connections

Multiple linkages connect air quality and climate change. Many air pollutant sources also emit carbon dioxide (CO2), the dominant anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG). The two main contributors to non-attainment of U.S. ambient air quality standards, ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM), interact with radiation, forcing climate change. PM warms by absorbing sunlight (e.g., black carbon) or cools by scattering sunlight (e.g., sulfates) and interacts with clouds; these radiative and microphysical interactions can induce changes in precipitation and regional circulation patterns. Climate change is expected to degrade air quality in many polluted regions by changing air pollution meteorology (ventilation and dilution), precipitation and other removal processes, and by triggering some amplifying responses in atmospheric chemistry and in anthropogenic and natural sources. Together, these processes shape distributions and extreme episodes of O3 and PM. Global modeling indicates that as air pollution programs reduce SO2 to meet health and other air quality goals, near-term warming accelerates due to "unmasking" of warming induced by rising CO2. Air pollutant controls on CH4, a potent GHG and precursor to global O3 levels, and on sources with high black carbon (BC) to organic carbon (OC) ratios could offset near-term warming induced by SO2 emission reductions, while reducing global background O3 and regionally high levels of PM. Lowering peak warming requires decreasing atmospheric CO2, which for some source categories would also reduce co-emitted air pollutants or their precursors. Model projections for alternative climate and air quality scenarios indicate a wide range for U.S. surface O3 and fine PM, although regional projections may be confounded by interannual to decadal natural climate variability. Continued implementation of U.S. NOx emission controls guards against rising pollution levels triggered either by climate change or by global emission growth. Improved accuracy and trends in emission inventories are critical for accountability analyses of historical and projected air pollution and climate mitigation policies.

IMPLICATIONS

The expansion of U.S. air pollution policy to protect climate provides an opportunity for joint mitigation, with CH4 a prime target. BC reductions in developing nations would lower the global health burden, and for BC-rich sources (e.g., diesel) may lessen warming. Controls on these emissions could offset near-term warming induced by health-motivated reductions of sulfate (cooling). Wildfires, dust, and other natural PM and O3 sources may increase with climate warming, posing challenges to implementing and attaining air quality standards. Accountability analyses for recent and projected air pollution and climate control strategies should underpin estimated benefits and trade-offs of future policies.

Hospital costs of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients treated in intensive care; a single centre evaluation using the national tariff-based system

OBJECTIVES

There is a scarcity of literature reporting hospital costs for treating out of hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) survivors, especially within the UK. This is essential for assessment of cost-effectiveness of interventions necessary to allow just allocation of resources within the National Health Service. We set out primarily to calculate costs stratified against hospital survival and neurological outcomes. Secondarily, we estimated cost effectiveness based on estimates of survival and utility from previous studies to calculate costs per quality adjusted life year (QALY).

SETTING

We performed a single centre (London) retrospective review of in-hospital costs of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after OOHCA over 18 months from January 2011 (following widespread introduction of targeted temperature management and primary percutaneous intervention).

PARTICIPANTS

Of 69 successive patients admitted over an 18-month period, survival and cerebral performance category (CPC) outcomes were obtained from review of databases and clinical notes. The Trust finance department supplied ICU and hospital costs using the Payment by Results UK system.

RESULTS

Of those patients with ROSC admitted to ICU, survival to hospital discharge (any CPC) was 33/69 (48%) with 26/33 survivors in CPC 1-2 at hospital discharge. Cost per survivor to hospital discharge (including total cost of survivors and non-survivors) was £50,000, cost per CPC 1-2 survivor was £65,000. Cost and length of stay of CPC 1-2 patients was considerably lower than CPC 3-4 patients. The majority of the costs (69%) related to intensive care. Estimated cost per CPC 1-2 survivor per QALY was £16,000.

CONCLUSIONS

The costs of in-hospital patient care for ICU admissions following ROSC after OOHCA are considerable but within a reasonable threshold when assessed from a QALY perspective.

Co-benefits of Global Greenhouse Gas Mitigation for Future Air Quality and Human Health

Actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions often reduce co-emitted air pollutants, bringing co-benefits for air quality and human health. Past studies^1-6 typically evaluated near-term and local co-benefits, neglecting the long-range transport of air pollutants^7-9, long-term demographic changes, and the influence of climate change on air quality^10-12. Here we simulate the co-benefits of global GHG reductions on air quality and human health using a global atmospheric model and consistent future scenarios, via two mechanisms: a) reducing co-emitted air pollutants, and b) slowing climate change and its effect on air quality. We use new relationships between chronic mortality and exposure to fine particulate matter¹³ and ozone¹⁴, global modeling methods¹⁵, and new future scenarios¹⁶. Relative to a reference scenario, global GHG mitigation avoids 0.5±0.2, 1.3±0.5, and 2.2±0.8 million premature deaths in 2030, 2050, and 2100. Global average marginal co-benefits of avoided mortality are $50-380 (ton CO₂)^-1, which exceed previous estimates, exceed marginal abatement costs in 2030 and 2050, and are within the low range of costs in 2100. East Asian co-benefits are 10-70 times the marginal cost in 2030. Air quality and health co-benefits, especially as they are mainly local and near-term, provide strong additional motivation for transitioning to a low-carbon future.

A gas-jet transport and catcher technique for on-line production of radioactive ion beams using an electron cyclotron resonance ion-source

Radioactive ion beams (RIB) have been produced on-line, using a gas-jet recoil transport coupled Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion-source at the VECC-RIB facility. Radioactive atoms∕molecules carried through the gas-jet were stopped in a catcher placed inside the ECR plasma chamber. A skimmer has been used to remove bulk of the carrier gas at the ECR entrance. The diffusion of atoms∕molecules through the catcher has been verified off-line using stable isotopes and on-line through transmission of radioactive reaction products. Beams of (14)O (71 s), (42)K (12.4 h), (43)K (22.2 h), and (41)Ar (1.8 h) have been produced by bombarding nitrogen and argon gas targets with proton and alpha particle beams from the K130 cyclotron at VECC. Typical measured intensity of RIB at the separator focal plane is found to be a few times 10(3) particles per second (pps). About 3.2 × 10(3) pps of 1.4 MeV (14)O RIB has been measured after acceleration through a radiofrequency quadrupole linac. The details of the gas-jet coupled ECR ion-source and RIB production experiments are presented along with the plans for the future.

Global air quality and climate

Emissions of air pollutants and their precursors determine regional air quality and can alter climate. Climate change can perturb the long-range transport, chemical processing, and local meteorology that influence air pollution. We review the implications of projected changes in methane (CH(4)), ozone precursors (O(3)), and aerosols for climate (expressed in terms of the radiative forcing metric or changes in global surface temperature) and hemispheric-to-continental scale air quality. Reducing the O(3) precursor CH(4) would slow near-term warming by decreasing both CH(4) and tropospheric O(3). Uncertainty remains as to the net climate forcing from anthropogenic nitrogen oxide (NO(x)) emissions, which increase tropospheric O(3) (warming) but also increase aerosols and decrease CH(4) (both cooling). Anthropogenic emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and non-CH(4) volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) warm by increasing both O(3) and CH(4). Radiative impacts from secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are poorly understood. Black carbon emission controls, by reducing the absorption of sunlight in the atmosphere and on snow and ice, have the potential to slow near-term warming, but uncertainties in coincident emissions of reflective (cooling) aerosols and poorly constrained cloud indirect effects confound robust estimates of net climate impacts. Reducing sulfate and nitrate aerosols would improve air quality and lessen interference with the hydrologic cycle, but lead to warming. A holistic and balanced view is thus needed to assess how air pollution controls influence climate; a first step towards this goal involves estimating net climate impacts from individual emission sectors. Modeling and observational analyses suggest a warming climate degrades air quality (increasing surface O(3) and particulate matter) in many populated regions, including during pollution episodes. Prior Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) scenarios (SRES) allowed unconstrained growth, whereas the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios assume uniformly an aggressive reduction, of air pollutant emissions. New estimates from the current generation of chemistry-climate models with RCP emissions thus project improved air quality over the next century relative to those using the IPCC SRES scenarios. These two sets of projections likely bracket possible futures. We find that uncertainty in emission-driven changes in air quality is generally greater than uncertainty in climate-driven changes. Confidence in air quality projections is limited by the reliability of anthropogenic emission trajectories and the uncertainties in regional climate responses, feedbacks with the terrestrial biosphere, and oxidation pathways affecting O(3) and SOA.

Consanguinity, prematurity, birth weight and pregnancy loss: a prospective cohort study at four primary health center areas of Karnataka, India

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether consanguinity adversely influences pregnancy outcome in South India, where consanguinity is a common means of family property retention.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were collected from a prospective cohort of 647 consenting women, consecutively registered for antenatal care between 14 and 18 weeks gestation, in Belgaum district, Karnataka in 2005. Three-generation pedigree charts were drawn for consanguineous participants. χ (2)-Test and Student's t-test were used to assess categorical and continuous data, respectively, using SPSS version 14. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for confounding variables.

RESULT

Overall, 24.1% of 601 women with singleton births and outcome data were consanguineous. Demographic characteristics between study groups were similar. Non-consanguineous couples had fewer stillbirths (2.6 vs 6.9% P=0.017; adjusted P=0.050), miscarriages (1.8 vs 4.1%, P=0.097; adjusted P=0.052) and lower incidence of birth weight <2500 g (21.8 vs 29.5%, P=0.071, adjusted P=0.044). Gestation <37 weeks was 6.2% in both the groups. Adjusted for consanguinity and other potential confounders, age <20 years was protective of stillbirth (P=0.01), pregnancy loss (P=0.023) and preterm birth (P=0.013), whereas smoking (P=0.015) and poverty (P=0.003) were associated with higher rates of low birth weight.

CONCLUSION

Consanguinity significantly increases pregnancy loss and birth weight <2500 g.

A rare case of perforated caecum after acute pancreatitis

Isolated caecal perforation following pancreatitis is a rare event. We report a case of severe non-necrotising pancreatitis complicated by caecal perforation that was managed successfully.

Coulomb explosion sputtering of selectively oxidized Si

We have studied the sputtering of a unique system comprising of coexisting silicon and silicon oxide surfaces due to the impact of multiply charged Ar(q+) ions. Such surfaces are produced by oblique angle oxygen ion bombardment on Si(100), which results in one side oxidized ripple formation due to preferential oxygen implantation. It is observed by atomic force microscopy and conducting atomic force microscopy studies that the higher the potential energy of the Ar(q+) ion, the higher the sputtering yield of the nonconducting (oxide) side of the ripple as compared to the semiconducting side while ensuring an identical irradiation and measurement condition. It also shows experimentally the potential of highly charged ions in the gentle cleaning or tailoring of nanostructures. The results are explained in terms of the Coulomb explosion model, where potential sputtering depends on the conductivity of the ion impact sites.

Design and development of a radio frequency quadrupole linac postaccelerator for the Variable Energy Cyclotron Center rare ion beam project

A four-rod type heavy-ion radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linac has been designed, constructed, and tested for the rare ion beam (RIB) facility project at VECC. Designed for cw operation, this RFQ is the first postaccelerator in the RIB beam line. It will accelerate A/q < or = 14 heavy ions coming from the ion source to the energy of around 100 keV/u for subsequent acceleration in a number of Interdigital H-Linac. Operating at a resonance frequency of 37.83 MHz, maximum intervane voltage of around 54 kV will be needed to achieve the final energy over a vane length of 3.12 m for a power loss of 35 kW. In the first beam tests, transmission efficiency of about 90% was measured at the QQ focus after the RFQ for O(5+) beam. In this article the design of the RFQ including the effect of vane modulation on the rf characteristics and results of beam tests will be presented.

33.7 MHz heavy-ion radio frequency quadrupole linac at VECC Kolkata

A 33.7 MHz heavy-ion radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator has been designed, built, and tested. It is a four-rod-type RFQ designed for acceleration of 1.38 keVu, qA> or =116 ions to about 29 keVu. Transmission efficiencies of about 85% and 80% have been measured for the unanalyzed and analyzed beams, respectively, of oxygen ((16)O(2+), (16)O(3+), (16)O(4+)), nitrogen ((14)N(3+), (14)N(4+)), and argon ((40)Ar(4+)). The system design and measurements along with results of beam acceleration test will be presented.

Changes in bone mineral density following treatment of osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is characterized by defective mineralization and low bone mineral density (BMD). Clinical and biochemical improvements typically occur within a few weeks of starting treatment, though the bone mineral deficits may take longer to correct. We report a case series of 26 patients with frank osteomalacia (pseudo fractures on X-rays, elevated serum total alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone, normal/low serum calcium and phosphorus, and low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D) who were followed-up for changes in BMD during treatment using dual- energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). There were 23 patients with nutritional vitamin D deficiency, 2 with malabsorption syndrome, and 1 with renal tubular acidosis. All patients were treated with vitamin D and calcium; the 3 patients with associated disorders were treated accordingly. At baseline, there was low BMD at all sites tested. The rate of increase in vertebral and hip BMD was rapid in the initial few months, which subsequently slowed down. In contrast to the large increases in BMD at the femoral neck and lumbar spine, the radial BMD did not recover. At the time when most patients had marked clinical and biochemical improvement (2.8+/-1.4 mo), the vertebral and hip BMD, although improved from baseline, had not completely recovered. Bone loss at the forearm (cortical site) appears to be largely irreversible. Although the clinical correlates of these changes are presently unclear, BMD measurements are useful in assessing the initial severity of bone loss as well as the response to therapy.

239.Sensitivity of bovine morulae and blastocysts to heat shock in vitro

Thermotolerance of blastocysts and morulae is greater than that of zygotes. However, lower rates of pregnancy have been recorded when morulae rather than blastocysts were transferred. The aim of this study was to determine if morulae displayed lower thermotolerance than blastocysts in vitro. Embryos were produced from oocytes collected from abattoir-sourced ovaries. On Day 7 post fertilisation, embryos were classified as morulae or blasotcysts and subjected to either an increase in temperature from 39�C to 41.5�C over 1 h followed by a decrease to 39�C over 2 h (HS) or maintained at 39�C (NHS), using a water jacketed CO2 incubator. The number of embryos progressing to expanded and hatched blastocysts was recorded after 48 h further culture at 39�C. After arcsine transformation, the proportions progressing were submitted to a general linear model using adjusted sum of squares for tests of difference. Factors were embryonic stage, treatment and sire and the interaction terms of stage and sire with treatment. The Kruskall-Wallis test was also applied to the untransformed, non-parameteric data set. Non-parameteric , univariant analysis indicated non-significant effects of treatment (NHS median proportion progressing =72%, HS = 64%, P = 0.12) and of sire (NHS = 78%, HS = 64%, P = 0.168), while the effect of stage was highly significant (morulae = 35%, blastocysts = 79%, P�=�0.0000). However, according to the general linear model, treatment and stage were significant factors (F�=�5.39 and 38.3, respectively, and P�=�0.032 and 0.000, respectively) and sire approached significance (F�=�4.09, P�=�0.058). Neither of the interaction terms was significant. It was concluded that embryos, which were morulae on Day 7, were less likely to progress to expanded or hatched blastocysts and that heat shock reduced developmental progression.

Influence of geoengineered climate on the terrestrial biosphere

Various geoengineering schemes have been proposed to counteract anthropogenically induced climate change. In a previous study, it was suggested that a 1.8% reduction in solar radiation incident on the Earth's surface could noticeably reduce regional and seasonal climate change from increased atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). However, the response of the terrestrial biosphere to reduced solar radiation in a CO2-rich climate was not investigated. In this study, we hypothesized that a reduction in incident solar radiation in a Doubled CO2 atmosphere will diminish the net primary productivity (NPP) of terrestrial ecosystems, potentially accelerating the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere. We used a dynamic global ecosystem model, the Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS), to investigate this hypothesis in an unperturbed climatology. While this simplified modeling framework effectively separated the influence of CO2 and sunlight on the terrestrial biosphere, it did not consider the complex feedbacks within the Earth's climate system. Our analysis indicated that compared to a Doubled CO2 scenario, reduction in incident solar radiation by 1.8% in a double CO2 world will have negligible impact on the NPP of terrestrial ecosystems. There were, however, spatial variations in the response of NPP-engineered solar radiation. While productivity decreased by less than 2% in the tropical and boreal forests as hypothesized, it increased by a similar percentage in the temperate deciduous forests and grasslands. This increase in productivity was attributed to an approximately 1% reduction in evapotranspiration in the Geoengineered scenario relative to the Doubled CO2 scenario. Our initial hypothesis was rejected because of unanticipated effects of engineered solar radiation on the hydrologic cycle. However, any geoengineering approaches that reduce incident solar radiation need to be thoroughly analyzed in view of the implications on ecosystem productivity and the hydrologic cycle.

Dyslipidemia with particular regard to apolipoprotein profile in association with polycystic ovary syndrome: a study among Indian women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate putative dyslipidemia in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with particular emphasis on specific parameters of atherosclerotic risk, and to assess the independent influence of obesity and hyperandrogenemia on these parameters.

SUBJECTS

Women investigated were among those attending the infertility clinics. Three groups of women were studied: (I) a core study group consisting of oligomenorrhoeic, chronically anovulatory women with or without obesity in whom polycystic ovaries were confirmed through ultrasound evidence, and were established to be the cause of infertility; II) a control group of non-hirsute, non-obese women with regular menstrual cycles; and (III) a group of controls consisting of women with obesity, but with normal ovarian morphology and regular menstrual cycles.

METHODS

All three study groups were investigated for androgen (total testosterone) and lipid-lipoprotein profile, including apolipoproteins, ApoA1 and ApoB. Retrospective analysis of the data was carried out to assess hyperandrogenism in the study group of women with PCOS as well as to investigate changes in the lipid-lipoprotein profile, particularly the measures of cardiovascular risk, ApoA1 and ApoB.

RESULTS

Triglycerides showed a significant increase in the PCOS group compared to controls, whereas HDL-cholesterol as well as HDL-carrying ApoA1 showed a significant decrease (P < .05). Also a significant finding was the decrease in ApoA1/ApoB ratio among the women with PCOS compared to both controls and obese women. A direct negative correlation of this decrease in ApoA1/ApoB ratio with the Body Mass Index was also confirmed in the study. Hyperandrogenemia in terms of significantly raised total testosterone levels was found in 30% of the PCOS women. However, no direct correlation of this increase with changes in lipid-lipoprotein profile could be observed.

CONCLUSION

The study confirms the trend toward dyslipidemia among women with PCOS, particularly in parameters associated with cardiovascular risk. A significant association of obesity rather than raised testosterone with this dyslipidemia was also confirmed by the study.

Tunnelling of caudal epidural catheters in infants

The working conditions in the developing world necessitate the development of many adaptations and improvizations of accepted anaesthetic techniques to improve patient care. Subcutaneous tunnelling of caudally placed epidural catheters is one such improvization to prevent the soiling of the catheter by urine and faeces. This study compares the duration of retention of catheter in a group with tunnelled catheters with an untunnelled group. The absence of a catheter emerging through skin at the site of catheter insertion hastens healing thus prolonging the retention of catheter in the tunnelled group and soiling ceases to be a major problem.