Architectural,construction and environmental matters of Bahrain's International Formula 1 Circuit

The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is considered as one of the best international racing car track in terms of technical aspects and architectural quality. Two Formula 1 races have been hosted in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in 2004 and 2005, at BIC. The BIC had recently won the award of the best international racing car circuit.     

Polylactide‐perylene derivative for blue biodegradable organic light‐emitting diodes

In this work we demonstrate, for the first time, the use of polylactic acid (PLA) as a biodegradable host matrix for the construction of the active emissive layer of organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) devices for potential use in bioelectronics. In this preliminary study, we report a robust synthesis of two fluorescent PLA derivatives, pyrene‐PLA ( AH10 ) and perylene‐PLA ( AH11 ). These materials were prepared by the ring opening polymerisation of l ‐lactide with hydroxyalkyl‐pyrene and hydroxyalkyl‐perylene derivatives using 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene as catalyst. OLEDs were fabricated from these materials using a simple device architecture involving a solution‐processed single‐emitting layer in the configuration ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVK:OXD‐7 (35%): AH10 or AH11 (20%)/TPBi/LiF/Al (ITO, indium tin oxide; PEDOT:PSS, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonic acid); PVK, poly(vinylcarbazole); OXD‐7, (1,3‐phenylene)‐bis‐[5‐(4‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole]; TPBi, 2,2′,2″‐(1,3,5‐benzenetriyl)tris(1‐phenyl‐1H‐benzimidazole)). The turn‐on voltage for the perylene OLED at 10 cd m^–2 was around 6 V with a maximum brightness of 1200 cd m^–2 at 13 V. The corresponding external quantum efficiency and device current efficiency were 1.5% and 2.8 cd A^–1 respectively. In summary, this study provides proof of principle that OLEDs can be constructed from PLA, a readily available and renewable bio‐source. © 2020 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.     

Trends of total reaction cross sections for heavy ion collisions in the intermediate energy range

Direct measurements of total reaction cross sections (sigma R) have been performed in the energy range of 10-300 MeV/nucleon for heavy ion collisions. A decrease of sigma R with increasing energy was observed for a wide range of masses of the colliding systems. The data suggest that sigma R reaches a minimum located around 300 MeV/nucleon independently of the projectile target combination. A dependence of sigma R on mass asymmetry of the svstem is also demonstrated. Trends of sigma R in this energy range are well reproduced by the predictions of a simple microscopic model based on individual nucleon-nucleon collisions. Our data have been employed in this framework to derive a new semi-empirical parametrization of sigma R. Most of the experimental results in the intermediate and high energy range have been reproduced by this parametrization using a single energy-dependent parameter.     

Large ovarian endometriomas

The management of large endometriomas was described in a series of 814 patients. Combined therapy using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) and carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy was proposed. Drainage and GnRHa for 12 weeks provoked a reduction of the endometrioma size up to 50% of the initial value. After vaporization of the internal wall, a cumulative pregnancy of 51% after 1 year was achieved. A recurrence rate of 8% was observed for a follow-up of 2-11 years. Histological data demonstrated that the epithelium covering the ovary which is the mesothelium can invaginate in the ovarian cortex. Some of the invaginations were seen to be continuous with endometrial tissue, strongly suggesting the metaplasia theory in the pathogenesis of ovarian endometrioma.     

LASH: laparoscopic supracervical (subtotal) hysterectomy

From July 1990 to December 1993, 156 laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomies (LASH) were performed. No complications occurred. The technique and the advantages are described. Because of the easy feasibility of this technique, the quick recovery of the patients and the absence of complications this strictly laparoscopic approach must be widely proposed when an hysterectomy is indicated and no risk of remaining cervix cancer is assumed.     

Development of the transmission line matrix method in acoustics applications to higher modes in the vocal tract and other complex ducts

Most traditional theories of speech production are currently based on plane waves. However, it is well known that, for acoustic waveguides, higher acoustical modes start to propagate and can become predominant above cut-on frequencies. This paper thus presents the transmission line matrix method, a numerical method initially designed for electromagnetic waves, and its adaptation to acoustic waveguides. The method, and in particular the representation of boundary conditions, is validated by comparison with known analytical theories. It is then used to show the dramatic effect of higher order modes upon the radiation characteristics of uniform ducts, as well as the importance of source location. Finally, first applications to bent and bifurcating rectangular ducts are presented, and the transfer function of a vowel [a] is shown to display frequency patterns typical of those measured on human subjects and that cannot be explained by one-dimensional propagation only. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Luteal support after in-vitro fertilization: Crinone 8%, a sustained release vaginal progesterone gel, versus Utrogestan, an oral micronized progesterone

Two progesterone presentations, a vaginal application of 90 mg progesterone per day (Crinone) or 300 mg progesterone administered orally (Utrogestan), were compared for luteal phase support of patients undergoing an in-vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. A total of 283 patients were randomly allocated to either treatment. The treatment started within 24 h after the embryo transfer procedure and continued until day 30 in cases of implantation. Efficacy was assessed using the pregnancy and delivery rates. Safety was assessed through specific symptoms and usual safety monitoring. The pregnancy rates per transfer were not significantly different in the Crinone and Utrogestan groups at days 12 (Crinone 35.3%, Utrogestan 29.9%, P = 0.55), 30 (Crinone 28.5%, Utrogestan 25.0%, P = 0.61) and 90 (Crinone 25.9%, Utrogestan 22.9%, P = 0.69). No differences in the spontaneous abortion rates were seen thereafter. The delivery rates (number of deliveries per patient; Crinone 23.0%, Utrogestan 22.2%, P = 1.00), as well as the ratio of newborn babies per embryo transferred (Crinone 11.7%, Utrogestan 11.1%, P = 0.91), were not significantly different. Safety parameters were similar in both groups, except for drowsiness, which was more significantly frequent in the oral progesterone group than in the Crinone group at all time points. No serious adverse events were recorded in this study. The fact that Crinone matches the efficacy of the larger doses of progesterone used orally reflects an advantage of the transvaginal route of administration which avoids the metabolic inactivation of progesterone during its first liver pass.     

Templating polyacrylamide hydrogel for interconnected microstructure and improved performance

In this study, the pressure and temperature are monitored during acrylamide polymerization and their effects on the mechanical properties and swelling of the resulting hydrogel are investigated. The polymerization kinetic and network formation mechanism are correlated to the environmental thermodynamic conditions under which the hydrogels are polymerized. Then, the swelling and Young's modulus are measured and shown to be tunable along a wide range of values. The swelling ratio varies between 50 and 2262 while Young's modulus varies between 10.99 and 40.70 kPa. In addition, the formation of macroporous hydrogel with channel like structures along the vacuum direction under a reduced pressure of 5 mbar is reported. The macroporous hydrogel has a modulus of 40.70 kPa and shrink approximatively three times faster than the hydrogel polymerized under normal pressure and has a modulus of 10.99 kPa. Hence, this interconnected network can overcome the fluid diffusion limitations of bulk hydrogels without compromising the mechanical properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46205.