Respiratory failure in acute pancreatitis: the role of free fatty acids

Hypertriglyceridemia has been noted in patients with acute pancreatitis and respiratory failure. Utilizing an isolated, perfused, canine pulmonary lobe, the effect of triglyceride infusion on pulmonary function was evaluated. When heparin was used to anticoagulate the perfusion circuit, the addition of triglyceride to the autologous blood perfusate resulted in massive weight gain (226 gm), intrapulmonary shunting (36%), and a marked drop in pulmonary compliance (congruent to 50%). Heparin activates lipoprotein lipase, and therefore some triglyceride in the perfusate was lipolyzed with a resultant increase in serum free fatty acids (FFAs) to 253 mumole/dl. When anticoagulation of the perfusion circuit was accomplished by defibrinogenation with Arvin, the addition of triglyceride to the autologous blood perfusate caused minimal weight gain (28 gm), no intrapulmonary shunting, and only a slight decrease in pulmonary compliance (22%). Arvin has no effect on lipoprotein lipase, and the FFA level in the perfusate remained normal (less than 70 mumole/dl). Thus it appears that FFA release secondary to the action of pulmonary lipoprotein lipase on blood triglyceride is the important pathogenic step in the induction of respiratory failure in this model.     

The use of microbial tracers to monitor seasonal variations in effluent retention in a constructed wetland

Effluent retention in a constructed wetland was determined using both microbial and chemical tracers. Seasonal variation in effluent retention was the main focus of the study. The biotracers used in the study were the coliphage MS2, a bacteriophage of Enterobacter cloacae and antibiotic resistant endospores of Bacillus globigii. Two separate tracer runs were conducted, Winter high flow (January 2002) and Summer low flow (June 2002). The three biotracers were evaluated simultaneously on both occasions, with the commonly used chemical tracer, rhodamine WT, a bright red fluorescent dye, being evaluated during the final experiment. The Winter tracer run was conducted during a typical Winter storm, with a mean effluent discharge of 4.1 ls(-1). Tracer recovery was 98% MS2, 91% Ent. cloacae phage and 2% endospore. Effluent retention was estimated at between 2 and 4 h at 90% phage tracer recovery. The Summer tracer run was conducted at a typical site operating discharge rate of 0.8 ls(-1). Tracer recovery was 23% MS2, 36% Ent. cloacae phage, 8% rhodamine and 14% for the endospores. Effluent retention was estimated at between 11 and 18 h at 90% of phage tracer recovery. Initial results are encouraging and indicate bacteriophage to have further potential as tracing agents in wetlands.     

A histopathologic study of macular cysts and holes

Forty-four eyes from 39 patients with either lamellar macular holes (17 eyes), full-thickness macular holes (18 eyes), and/or macular cysts (9 eyes) were studied histopathologically. Lamellar and full-thickness holes were frequently found in eyes with a history of trauma or ocular surgery. Diabetes mellitus was the most common condition associated with macular cysts. Four lamellar holes and four full-thickness holes occurred in eyes with senile macular degeneration. Six lamellar holes, eight full-thickness holes, and one macular cyst developed on an idiopathic basis. Residual cystoid macular edema was the most prevalent accompanying pathologic feature. Cystoid macular edema was also noted in the opposite eye in seven cases of lamellar and full-thickness holes. A preretinal glial membrane, thought to be a secondary change, was found at or near the edges of the lamellar or full-thickness holes or over the macular cyst in the majority of cases. Wrinkling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) was present in five cases. Vitreous traction, with or without an operculum, was infrequently associated with these entities.     

Internal oxidation of lead-tin alloys

From the measurement of the widths of internal oxidation zones in dilute Pb-Sn alloys, the product of the solubility N _o ^(s) and diffusivity D_o of oxygen in lead was obtained from 225 to 320° C. The enhancement factor for Sn was calculated from the experimental values of N _o ^(s) D_o and compared to the results obtained by x-ray fluorescence measurements. The results indicated that the aging of Pb-Sn alloys observed at high temperatures is due to internal oxidation which causes the migration of tin toward the specimen surface.     

Particle Characterization and Settling Velocities for a Water Supply Reservoir during a Turbidity Event

Characterization of the particle population for a location in a water supply reservoir, Kensico Reservoir, N.Y., is documented for a high turbidity event, from its onset, through alum treatment and its waning. Supporting in situ measurements included the beam attenuation coefficient at 670?nm (c670) and 660?nm (c660) [surrogates of turbidity (Tn)], particle concentrations (N) and size distributions (PSDs), and size class specific settling velocities (SVs). Laboratory measurements included chemical and morphometric analyses of individual particles, and routine measurements of Tn. The turbidity is shown to be primarily derived from clay minerals, mostly in the size range of 1.5–6?μm. An initial high c670 level (40?m?1;Tn ～ 100?NTU) decreased sevenfold in less than 1?week in response to alum treatment that largely eliminated the particle size classes responsible for the elevated turbidity. Successful SV experiments, made using a laser in situ scattering and transmissometry (LISST) instrument, for seven particle size classes in the range of 1.25–129?μm yielded SV values of 0.17–69.4?m?day?1. Size classes larger than ～ 5?μm settled much slower than Stokes law predictions, before alum treatment, indicating that these classes existed as porous flocs or aggregates. Decreases in SVs following treatment suggest changes in floc character consistent with increased porosity. In situ measurements of c670, N, PSDs, and SVs can contribute to the development and testing of a multiple particle size class model to simulate fate, transport, and impacts of suspended particles.     

Effects of DC Current on the Mechanical Behavior of AlMg1SiCu

The effect of an electron wind on the mechanical properties of aluminum is investigated with the ultimate goal of establishing a technique by which the mechanical energy associated with the deformation of a material can be reduced without requiring a significant increase in the material's temperature. In the study presented herein, the effect that the electrical flow has on the mechanical properties of aluminum is examined through tensile testing. However, as electricity is passed through the material, some incidental resistive heating occurs. Therefore, in order to isolate the effect of the electrical flow from that resulting from resistive heat, the effect of transient temperatures on the stress-strain behavior of aluminum is also considered, with, and without, the presence of the electrical flow. In addition, variation in the electrical effect, with respect to the aluminum's temper and electrical pre-treating, is investigated. The experimental results indicate that the electrical current has the potential to substantially reduce deformation energies without causing significant increases in the workpiece temperature. The data also indicates that this effect exists regardless of the temper on the material. Finally, the study found that electrically pre-treating the aluminum produced results similar to that of an annealing process (i.e., the energies were significantly reduced).