Characterization of airborne particles during production of carbonaceous nanomaterials

Despite the rapid growth in nanotechnology, very little is known about the unintended health or environmental effects of manufactured nanomaterials. The development of nanotechnology risk assessments and regulations requires quantitative information on the potential for exposure to nanomaterials. The objective of this research isto characterize airborne particle concentrations during the production of carbonaceous nanomaterials, such as fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, in a commercial nanotechnology facility. We measured fine particle mass concentrations (PM2.5), submicrometer size distributions, and photoionization potential, an indicator of the particles' carbonaceous content, at three locations inside the facility: inside the fume hood where nanomaterials were produced, just outside the fume hood, and in the background. The measurements were not selective for engineered nanomaterials and may have included both engineered nanomaterials and naturally occurring or incidental particles. Average PM2.5 and particle number concentrations were not significantly different inside the facility versus outdoors. However, large, short-term increases in PM2.5 and particle number concentrations were associated with physical handling of nanomaterials and other production activities. In many cases, an increase in the number of sub-100 nm particles accounted for the majority of the increase in total number concentrations. Photoionization results indicate that the particles suspended during nanomaterial handling inside the fume hood were carbonaceous and therefore likely to include engineered nanoparticles, whereas those suspended by other production activities taking place outside the fume hood were not. Based on the measurements in this study, the engineering controls at the facility appear to be effective at limiting exposure to nanomaterials.     

HIV-Associated Cancer Biomarkers: A Requirement for Early Diagnosis

Globally, HIV/AIDS and cancer are increasingly public health problems and continue to exist as comorbidities. The sub-Saharan African region has the largest number of HIV infections. Malignancies previously associated with HIV/AIDS, also known as the AIDS-defining cancers (ADCs) have been documented to decrease, while the non-AIDS defining cancer (NADCs) are on the rise. On the other hand, cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease and precision oncology as the most effective cancer therapy is gaining attraction. Among HIV-infected individuals, the increased risk for developing cancer is due to the immune system of the patient being suppressed, frequent coinfection with oncogenic viruses and an increase in risky behavior such as poor lifestyle. The core of personalised medicine for cancer depends on the discovery and the development of biomarkers. Biomarkers are specific and highly sensitive markers that reveal information that aid in leading to the diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of the disease. This review focuses mainly on the risk assessment, diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic role of various cancer biomarkers in HIV-positive patients. A careful selection of sensitive and specific HIV-associated cancer biomarkers is required to identify patients at most risk of tumour development, thus improving the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.     

Hot Hydrogen Exposure Degradation of the Strength of Mullite

Near-stoichiometric mullite (3Al₂O₃2SiO₂) that contained small amounts of calcium and magnesium was exposed to pure dry hydrogen gas at elevated temperatures. Exposure temperatures were 1050° and 1250°C, and exposure times were up to 500 h. Preferential attack of the aluminosilicate glass that was present in the grain boundaries of the mullite occurred after 125 h at 1250°C. Hydrogen scrubbing of the silica from the glassy grain boundaries and the mullite grains yielded a porous alumina-rich surface. The room-temperature strength increased after short exposure times at 1250°C (up to 125 h) and then decreased by 53% after exposure for 500 h. At 1050°C, all exposure times (25-500 h) decreased the strength. The room-temperature strength of mullite decreased 22% after 500 h in hydrogen at 1050°C. We also observed a rapid 25% strength loss after short exposure times at 1050°C, which was attributed to the calcium/hydrogen-assisted crystallization of the glassy grain-boundary phase.     

A 2.7-V 900-MHz/1.9-GHz dual-band transceiver IC for digitalwireless communication

A 2.7-V 900-MHz/1.9-GHz dual-band transceiver IC consisting of receive, transmit, and local oscillator (LO) sections is presented. The transmit section achieves an unwanted sideband suppression of -43 dBc, LO leakage of -59 dBc, and third-order spurious rejection of -70 dBc. The transmit output noise level is -165 dBc/Hz at a 20-MHz offset from the carrier. The on-chip very high-frequency oscillator has a phase-noise level of -106 dBc/Hz at 100-kHz offset when operating at 800 MHz. The receive section has 36 dB of gain with 36 dB of gain range in 12-dB steps. The transceiver IC has been fabricated using a 25-GHz f_t silicon bipolar process and is designed to operate over a supply-voltage range of 2.7-5.0 V     

The design and evaluation of a buffer algorithm for database machines

This paper reports on the design, development and evaluation of a buffer algorithm named RESBAL, which exploits parallelism in order to provide high query execution performance in relational database systems. The algorithm aims to provide both predictive and efficient data buffering by exploiting the use of advance knowledge of query reference behaviour. Designed to offer a high level of flexibility, RESBAL employs a multiple buffering strategy both on page fetch level and page replacement level in order to improve buffer performance. The evaluation of RESBAL has been carried out in a parallel database system environment based on a transputer architecture. The results of this performance assessment allow comparison to be made between different buffer algorithms, and demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the RESBAL algorithm. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Application of combined neutron diffraction and impedance spectroscopy for in-situ structure and conductivity studies of La2Mo2O9

In-situ neutron diffraction combined with AC impedance spectroscopy was applied successfully to investigate the correlation between crystal structure and electrical properties of the La₂Mo₂O₉ oxide ion conducting electrolyte material. Neutron diffraction patterns were collected as a function of temperature while the AC impedance spectra were recorded simultaneously using a modified sample environment to monitor the conductivity change of the sample. A close relationship between unit cell parameters and the bulk conductivity was observed, confirming that the oxygen transport is dependent on the lattice structure. With the transition from the low temperature alpha to the high temperature beta phase, expansion of the crystal structure makes more space available for oxygen transport, leading to a dramatic increase of the ionic conductivity. The successful application of this technique provides a new method to simultaneously investigate crystal structure and electrical properties in electro-ceramics in the future.     

Applications of the self-awareness model of alcohol consumption: Predicting patterns of use and abuse.

Conducted 2 studies to test the applicability of J. G. Hull's (see record 1982-05684-001) self-awareness model of alcohol consumption to patterns of alcohol use outside of the laboratory. It was predicted that alcohol use would be a joint function of private self-consciousness and personal success or failure and that high self-conscious individuals would drink following personal failure and avoid drinking following personal success in an attempt to control their sensitivity to the self-relevant implications of such events. Consumption by low self-conscious individuals was predicted to be relatively independent of self-relevant events. Predictions were supported in a longitudinal study of relapse among 35 adult male alcoholics following alcoholic detoxification. They were then replicated in a study of alcohol use among 819 high school students and shown to be relatively independent of other significant environmental and behavioral predictors of consumption. Implications for theories of self-awareness and alcohol use are discussed. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A pocket calculator program for pharmacokinetic dosing of drugs exhibiting single compartment first-order elimination and zero-order or first-order absorption

A pocket computer program has been designed to assist clinicians in the appropriate administration of most drugs exhibiting single compartment first-order elimination and either zero-order (intravenous infusions) or first-order (intramuscular and oral) absorption. The program utilizes well-established pharmacokinetic parameters to calculate an optimal drug dose and dosing interval based upon a patient's demographic characteristics and the drug half-life, volume of distribution, and absorption rate constant or infusion time. It also allows the user to estimate peak and trough drug serum concentrations. When measured serum concentrations are available during steady state, it is possible to determine individual patient drug half-life and volume of distribution for more accurate adjustments in dose and/or dosing interval. Usage of this program should enable clinicians to better select effective but safe drug dosing regimens based on individual patient needs and characteristics.