Modification of wool fibers by atmospheric pressure plasma treatment

Shrink‐proofing processing of wool fabrics by vacuum plasma treatment has been studied for many years. However, as a wool shrink‐proofing processing method, discharge treatment under atmospheric pressure, such as corona and low‐temperature electric plasma treatment, has been studied recently. In this study, an attempt was made to improve shrink‐proofing and other properties of a wool fabric by low‐temperature plasma treatment. The wool fabric was treated by pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma using a dielectric barrier discharge apparatus of the Institute of Textile Technology at Denkendorf by varying the power and flow rate of air. Shrink‐proofing, dyeing yield and water‐absorbing properties increased to a greater degree with the increase in the treatment time. However, the effect was saturated at 3 min. On the other hand, hysteresis of shearing property at large shear angle (2HG5), which is one of the mechanical parameters for measuring fabric hand by the Kawabata evaluation system (KES), becomes larger with the treatment time. It can be concluded that shear hysteresis value is related to the improvement in shrink‐proofing and other properties of the wool fabric.     

Dyeing properties of oxygen low-temperature plasma-treated wool and nylon 6 fibres with acid and basic dyes

Wool and nylon 6 fibres treated with oxygen low-temperature plasma were dyed with acid and basic dyes. Despite the increase of electronegativity of the fibre surface caused by the plasma treatment, the rate of dyeing of wool was increased with both dyes, while that of nylon 6 was decreased with the acid dye and increased with the basic dye.     

Coordination in prehension. Information-based coupling of reaching and grasping

Research using the balanced placebo design seeks to differentiate the physiological and psychological effects of drinking alcohol. Questions regarding the validity of the design center about experimenter instructions, particularly in the antiplacebo cell at higher blood alcohol content (BAC) levels. This study tested the plausibility of two misattribution strategies designed to reduce the conflict between experimenter instructions and internal cues of drunkenness. Forty-two participants (BAC = .055) were told that they received no alcohol, with internal cues of drunkenness said to be produced by a (sham) second drug, a (placebo) tachistoscopic display, or no misattribution given. The placebo drug group reported less alcohol intoxication without reporting less physical impairment than the control or tachistoscopic groups. Doubt of instructions was expressed more frequently in the control group than in the placebo drug group. Mean time to first reported doubt of experimenter instructions was longer for the placebo drug group. A manipulation check designed to account for demand effects indicated that instituting the pharmacologic misattribution increased the success of the manipulation over the control group. Providing a credible attribution for internal symptoms of drunkenness makes experimenter's instructions more credible, improving the validity of the antiplacebo cell of the balanced placebo design.     

Laundering shrinkage of wool fabric treated with low-temperature plasmas under atmospheric pressure

Wool fabrics have been treated with helium/argon and acetone/argon low-temperature plasmas under atmospheric pressure. The plasma-treated fabrics were laundered several times and their shrink resistances investigated according to standard methods. Very high levels of shrink resistance to laundering were obtained through use of these treatments.     

Monobloc craniomaxillofacial distraction osteogenesis in a newborn with severe craniofacial synostosis: a preliminary report

Severe craniofacial synostosis can be a devastating problem for a newborn infant. Reasons for early surgical intervention include cranial stenosis, hydrocephalus, inadequate globe and corneal protection, compromised airway patency, and feeding problems. In this preliminary report, we describe the management of severe craniofacial synostosis in a newborn infant by means of cranial and midfacial distraction osteogenesis.     

Nonaccidental endosulfan intoxication: a case report with toxicokinetic calculations and tissue concentrations

Compatibility of propellants, excipients, and solvents with the components of the valve greatly influences performance of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs). Ozone-friendly hydrofluoroalkane propellant 134a has potential for use as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) replacement. No suitable replacement for propellant 11 and 114 has yet been found and the problems arising from this may be overcome by use of ethanol as a solvent. In this study, compatibility of MDI valve elastomers Dowty Nitrile 0117, White Buna, and Type 674 (B) with P134a placebo formulations having different concentrations of ethanol was investigated. The results indicate that formulations containing no ethanol adversely affected the functioning of the valves. Higher concentrations of ethanol improved valve performance, but showed increased leakage. Physical characteristics of the valve elastomers evaluated by determining swelling caused after exposure to the P134a placebo formulations exhibited increased swelling with increasing concentrations of ethanol in the formulation.     

Influence of high-starch vs high-fiber energy supplements on performance of stocker cattle grazing wheat pasture and subsequent feedlot performance

This study examined whether perceived risks of heart attack, cancer, and stroke were higher among smokers than nonsmokers; whether smokers were more likely to underestimate these risks; and the demographic correlates of unrealistic risk estimation among smokers. Two thousand seven hundred eight-five patients from 12 North Carolina family practices completed a questionnaire including a health risk appraisal and questions concerning smoking behavior and perceived risks of heart attack, cancer, and stroke. While most smokers accurately perceived their health risks to be greater than nonsmokers', smokers were also more likely to underestimate their risks. This optimistic distortion of risk was associated with age, gender, and education levels. Smokers may not yet understand the magnitude of health risks posed by smoking. These data suggest the need for renewed attention to perceptions of the health risks of smoking. As long as smokers underestimate their risks, they underestimate the imperative to quit.     

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the United States: a pathological description of a disease caused by a new agent

An outbreak of an acute respiratory disease in the southwestern United States has led to the recognition of a new hantaviral illness. This report describes a unique spectrum of antemortem and postmortem pathological findings seen in a case series of nine surviving patients and 13 who died. Clinical, laboratory, and autopsy findings were derived from a consecutive series of individuals confirmed to have hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. Laboratory studies included chemical, hematological, and bone marrow analyses as well as flow cytometric and immunohistochemical phenotyping. Autopsy tissues were examined by routine histological stains, immunohistochemical methods, and transmission electron microscopy. The lung is the primary target organ in this illness. Pulmonary abnormalities include pleural effusions, alveolar edema and fibrin, and an interstitial mononuclear cell infiltrate. Large immunoblast type cells are seen in the lungs, blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, liver, and spleen. A tetrad of hematological findings includes left-shifted neutrophilic leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration in severe cases, and circulating immunoblasts. In contrast to previously described nephropathic hantaviral syndromes, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is characterized by a unique constellation of pulmonary, hematological, and reticuloendothelial pathological findings. The pulmonary findings are distinguishable from fatal adult respiratory distress syndrome. The data suggest a capillary leak syndrome restricted to the pulmonary circulation. Likewise, the hematological picture is unique and may be valuable in the rapid identification of cases for further diagnostic studies.