The relationship between neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and vascular calcification in end‐stage renal disease patients

Chronic inflammation was found to be correlated with coronary (CAC) and thoracic peri‐aortic calcification (TAC) in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was introduced as a potential marker to determine inflammation in cardiac and noncardiac disorders. Data regarding NLR and its association with TAC and CAC are lacking. We aimed to determine the relationship between NLR and vascular calcification in ESRD patients. This was a cross‐sectional study involving 56 ESRD patients (22 females, 34 males; mean age, 49.9 ± 14.2 years) receiving peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis for ≥6 months in the Dialysis Unit of Necmettin Erbakan University. TAC and CAC scores were measured by using an electrocardiogram‐gated 64‐multidetector computed tomography. NLR was calculated as the ratio of the neutrophils and lymphocytes. There was a statistically significant correlation between NLR, TACS and CACS in ESRD patients (r = 0.43, P = 0.001 and r = 0.30, P = 0.02, respectively). The stepwise linear regression analysis revealed that age, as well as NLR were independent predictors of TACS. However, increased age was the only independent predictor of CACS according to linear regression analysis. Simple calculation of NLR can predict vascular calcification in ESRD patients.     

Effects of infrared heating on drying kinetics,antioxidant activity,phenolic content,and color of jujube fruit

This study investigated the effects of different infrared power (IP) levels (62, 88, and 125 W) and a pretreatment (soaking in a solution of 5 % potassium carbonate and 0.5 % olive oil) on the drying kinetics and some quality parameters of jujube fruit. The drying characteristics of jujube were greatly influenced by the pretreatment and IP level. The models of Lewis, Logarithmic, Page, and Aghbashlo et al. were fitted to the obtained experimental data using nonlinear regression analysis. The Page model showed a better fit to the experimental drying data when compared to the other models. The effective moisture diffusivity, calculated using Fick’s second law, ranged from 4.75 × 10^?10 to 4.17 × 10^?9 m²/s. Significantly, higher total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity values were obtained for the pretreated samples subjected to higher IP levels. The total color change (ΔE) of the dried samples significantly increased with increasing IP level. Jujube fruits should be pretreated and then dried at 88 W IP to reduce phenolic degradation and undesired color changes and to increase the quality of the dried product.     

The near-net-shape manufacturing of affordable titanium components for the M777 lightweight howitzer

The U.S. Marines’ and U.S. Army’s next-generation, titanium-intensive M777 howitzer offers reduced weight, increased mobility, and improved survivability over its aging, M198 steel-based predecessor. The National Center for Excellence in Metalworking Technology (NCEMT), operated by Concurrent Technologies Corporation, is helping to meet M777 program goals for cost, performance, and production schedule by developing near-net-shape manufacturing routes for traditionally machined and welded components. Under two projects sponsored by the Navy Manufacturing Technology Program, the NCEMT has developed investment cast spade and saddle components as well as flowformed tubes and forged bell housings. This paper summarizes the results of the two ongoing projects. For more information, contact Kevin L. Klug, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, 100 CTC Drive, Johnstown, PA 15904; (814) 269-2868; e-mail klugk@ctc.com.     

Change in direction of carbon thermotransport in Nb-V system with alloying

Thermotransport of carbon in a complete series of Nb-V alloys was studied using a radioactive tracing technique. The heat of transport Q* of carbon in Nb and V is negative; i.e., thermotransport is toward the hotter regions. Marked changes in the value of Q* result from alloying of the two metals, however, and an unusual reversal in its sign, i.e., a reversal in thermotransport direction, occurs at ∼1.5 at. pct V on the Nb-rich end, and again at ∼25 at. pct Nb on the V-rich end of the system. It increases rather sharply from -54.8 kJ/mol in pure niobium to +7.6 kJ/mol at 2.5 at. pct V, and reaches a maximum of +43.6 kJ/mol at approximately 25 at. pct V. Further increase in the V content results in a more gradual decrease in Q* to its value of -42.3 kJ/mol in pure vanadium. Possible explanations of these results based on current theories of thermotransport are presented, and the implications from an engineering standpoint are examined. Formerly a Graduate Research Assistant, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University     

Cost-affordable titanium: The component fabrication perspective

Titanium is the material of choice for a wide variety of applications. However, because of its relatively high price—a result of extraction and processing costs—it is used only when it is the only choice. This paper will overview the potential areas that are amenable to cost reduction for titanium products, emphasizing all steps in component fabrication from extraction and processing to the fabrication of final parts.     

Conductivity response of porous electrodes supported on perfluorosulfonic acid membranes to acidic gas mixtures.

Gold or platinum films deposited on a Nafion membrane were used to measure surface conductance of the membrane. Acidic gases such as HCI or SO2, introduced as mixtures with an inert gas, were found to affect the conductance of the membrane surface facing this mixture while the other side of the membrane was constantly supplied with a moist inert gas. The relative conductance (G/Go) is most affected within the 0-0.5 and 3-4.5 vol % ranges both for HCI and SO2. The effect is higher for the Pt-deposited than it is for the gold-deposited membrane: for an HCI concentration of 1.5 vol %, G/Go is 5 for Pt deposited on Nafion while it is only 1.3 for gold deposited on Nafion. This is attributed to different geometries and porosity of the Pt and Au electrodes. No conductance response was observed for CO2 which yields with water a much weaker acid than those formed by HCI and SO2.     

Bilateral breast masses and bloody nipple discharge in a two year-old boy

Breast enlargement with bloody discharge is very rare in childhood. We report a two year-old boy with breast enlargement and bloody discharge. Because of persistent bloody discharge, subcutaneous mastectomy was performed. The specimen showed histologic changes identical to those seen in adult mammary duct ectasia. We suggested that the infant's own endocrine system is responsible for breast enlargement and mammary duct ectasia, possibly occurring as a result of a mechanism similar to that in adults.     

Development,theoretical analysis and performance evaluation of shelf type solar driers

A brief summary of solar driers is given. A simple shelf type drier is described and test results are outlined.The mathematical model of the multi-shelf type drier is developed and its solution using a digital computer is compared with test results to verify the mathematical formulation. Theoretical values of temperatures and drying rates are presented. Extension of the analysis for the refinement of the shelf type driers is discussed.