Hohlraum-driven mid-Z (SiO2) double-shell implosions on the omega laser facility and their scaling to NIF.

High-convergence, hohlraum-driven implosions of double-shell capsules using mid-Z (SiO2) inner shells have been performed on the OMEGA laser facility [T. R. Boehly, Opt. Commun. 133, 495 (1997)]. These experiments provide an essential extension of the results of previous low-Z (CH) double-shell implosions [P. A. Amendt, Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 065004 (2005)] to materials of higher density and atomic number. Analytic modeling, supported by highly resolved 2D numerical simulations, is used to account for the yield degradation due to interfacial atomic mixing. This extended experimental database from OMEGA enables a validation of the mix model, and provides a means for quantitatively assessing the prospects for high-Z double-shell implosions on the National Ignition Facility [Paisner, Laser Focus World 30, 75 (1994)].

Observation of a Kelvin-helmholtz instability in a high-energy-density plasma on the omega laser.

A laser initiated experiment is described in which an unstable plasma shear layer is produced by driving a blast wave along a plastic surface with sinusoidal perturbations. In response to the vorticity deposited and the shear flow established by the blast wave, the interface rolls up into large vortices characteristic of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The experiment used x-ray radiography to capture the first well-resolved images of Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices in a high-energy-density plasma.

Experimental investigation of high-mach-number 3D hydrodynamic jets at the national ignition facility.

The first hydrodynamic experiments were performed on the National Ignition Facility. A supersonic jet was formed via the interaction of a laser driven shock ( approximately 40 Mbar) with 2D and 3D density perturbations. The temporal evolution of the jet's spatial scales and ejected mass were measured with point-projection x-ray radiography. Measurements of the large-scale features and mass are in good agreement with 2D and 3D numerical simulations. These experiments provide quantitative data on the evolution of 3D supersonic jets and provide insight into their 3D behavior.

The frequency of blood pressure measurements in children in four EDs.

The study's objective was to assess the frequency of triage blood pressure measurements in pediatric patients and the recognition of an elevated blood pressure. The design was retrospective and included chart review. The setting consisted of four emergency departments associated with one medical school, including one level I academic center, two level II Community departments, and a regional children's hospital. A convenience sample of 437 patients, aged 1 month to 18 years, was selected. The frequency of triage blood pressure measurements was recorded. The number of patients whose blood pressure was higher than the 90th percentile for age and sex as established by the Second Task Force on Blood Pressure Control in Children was also recorded. The frequency of a second blood pressure measurement in patients with an elevated initial blood pressure was recorded. All frequency data were stratified by hospital and by age group. The results showed 294/437 (66%) of children had blood pressures measured at triage. Of these measurements, 153/294 (52%) reflected blood pressures greater than the 90th percentile for age and sex, but only 58/153 (38%) of patients with such blood pressures had a second blood pressure measured. Hospitals varied in their frequency of blood pressure measurement. Adolescents had their blood pressure measured more frequently, 981105 (93%) than two to 12-year-olds, 144/185 (78%) or 1-month to 2-year-olds, 52/147 (35%). Frequency of triage blood pressure measurements in children varied by institution and increased in frequency with age.

Lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding.

Lower GI bleeding can be slow and chronic or massive and fatal. ED evaluation of these patients begins with history directed at determining the severity and amount of bleeding, and eliciting symptoms of volume depletion. Physical examination determines orthostasis, exclusion of an upper GI source for bleeding, and rectal examination. Laboratory evaluation is directed at determining baseline status of hemoglobin/hematocrit and platelet adequacy, as well as assessing concomitant medical problems. Although many of these patients are elderly, resuscitation is vigorous and should not be deterred by other medical problems. Differential diagnosis can be broad in the ED, but the vast majority of bleeding is caused by diverticulosis or angiodysplasia. Diagnostic capabilities are limited in the ED, but our skill at stabilization and resuscitation has helped decrease morbidity and mortality in acute lower GI bleeding.

Relationship of blood EG2+ eosinophils in patients with bronchial asthma.

The presence of eosinophils in peripheral blood has been previously associated with different degrees of activity in the evolution of disease in asthmatics. The eosinophil cationic protein is a mediator released by the eosinophils when they are activated due to various stimuli. The monoclonal antibody EG2 binds to human ECP, the epitopes which EG2 recognizes is only present in the secreted form of ECP, hence it only stains eosinophils which are undergoing activation and/or secretion. Flow cytometry was used to measure the level of eosinophils stained by the monoclonal antibody EG2 (eosinophil EG2+) in the peripheral blood of subjects with unstable extrinsic bronchial asthma, stable extrinsic bronchial asthma and healthy control group. A statistically significant higher level of eosinophil EG2+ was found in the group with unstable asthma than in either the group with stable asthma or the group of healthy subjects (p < 0.0002). No difference was found between the patients with stable asthma and the control group. The level of eosinophil EG2+ in peripheral blood, measured by flow cytometry, could be used as an indicator of inflammatory activity in patients suffering from bronchial asthma.

Production of soluble CD23 from peripheral blood lymphocytes of asthmatic patients.

The low-affinity receptor IgE (Fc epsilon RII) as shown to be identical to CD23 several years ago. The presence of the CD23 was demonstrated on a variety of human cells, such as T cells, monocytes, eosinophils, platelets, lymphocytes B, etc., and it can be cleaved in soluble fragments. We studied the in vitro production of soluble CD23 (sCD23) in PBMC of patients with bronchial asthma and in healthy donor cells. If we stimulate production with a polyclonal activator [Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml], it can be seen that the greatest amounts of sCD23 are produced on the fourth day and that production is greater in asthmatic patients than in control group (p < 0.01). When stimulated additionally by an antigen, the production of sCD23: Is greater when stimulated with PHA. Is released in quantities greater than in healthy group cells, when the PBMC are stimulated with the antigen to which the patients are sensitive (olive pollen). The quantity released depends on the concentration of the antigen added to the culture. Is not released in greater quantities by healthy groups cells in the presence of the antigen than in healthy group cells without the antigen. Is not released in greater quantities by cells of asthmatics in the presence of an antigen to which they are not sensitive (D. pteronyssinus). This leads us to conclude that the release of sCD23 in these patients could play a role in the physiopathology of extrinsic bronchial asthma.

Methylene iodide poisoning.

A 20-month-old girl ingested a maximum of 25 mL of pure methylene iodide. Within two hours, the patient exhibited lethargy and incoordination and vomited. An abdominal radiograph demonstrated the radiopaque material in the gut. In vivo conversion to carbon monoxide was documented with a peak carboxyhemoglobin level of 14.2% reached at 11 hours after ingestion. Two days after ingestion, evidence of hepatotoxicity was apparent, and fulminant hepatic failure quickly ensued. Despite aggressive supportive care and transfer to a liver transplant center, the patient died nine days after ingestion. Methylene iodide ingestion has not been previously reported in human beings. This case verifies that this substance is a potent hepatotoxin, is metabolized to carbon monoxide in vivo, is radiopaque, and may cause bone marrow suppression.