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Does Osteoarthritis Of The Knee Also Have A Psychogenic Component? Psycho-emotional Treatment With a Radio-electric Device vs. Intra-articular Injection Of Sodium Hyaluronate: An Open-label, Naturalistic Study. This study is to compare, in patients suffering of knee joint disorder, the effects of intra-articular injection of Sodium Hyaluronate, and those of a treatment aiming at the improvement of the emotional status carried out by means of a Radio Electric Device (REAC). 30 subjects were divided into two groups: 15 who preferred a non-drugs approach (Group A) and 15 who preferred an infiltrative treatment (Group B). The evaluations were expressed for both pain level and knee bending and extension. Group A showed significant decrease in pain, stiffness, joint noises and intra-articular effusion, and significant improvement in motion range, without any patients worsening. 8 patients showed complete disappearance of pain in Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) evaluation, evident by a level of 0. The initial VAS results were between 8 and 4. One month after treatment's end, VAS results of the patients in Group A were between 3 and 0. Group B showed significant decrease in pain, stiffness, joint noises and intra-articular effusion, but no significant improvement in motion range; 2 of 15 patients showed worsening symptoms and no significant improvement in muscular hypotrophy. Initial VAS results were between 7 and 4. One month after treatment's end, VAS results were between 6 and 0.

Detecting 'wrong blood in tube' errors: Evaluation of a Bayesian network approach. Objective: In an effort to address the problem of laboratory errors, we develop and evaluate a method to detect mismatched specimens from nationally collected blood laboratory data in two experiments. Methods. In Experiments 1 and 2 using blood labs from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and values derived from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) respectively, a proportion of glucose and HbA1c specimens were randomly mismatched A Bayesian network that encoded probabilistic relationships among analytes was used to predict mismatches. In Experiment 1 the performance of the network was compared against existing error detection software. In Experiment 2 the network was compared against 11 human experts recruited from the American Academy of Clinical Chemists. Results were compared via area under the receiver-operator characteristic curves (AUCs) and with agreement statistics.Conclusions: Bayesian network can accurately identify mismatched specimens. The algorithm is best at identifying mismatches that result in a clinically significant magnitude of error. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Results: In Experiment 1 the network was most predictive of mismatches that produced clinically significant discrepancies between true and mismatched scores ((AUC of 0.87 (+/- 0.04) for HbA1c and 0.83 (+/- 0.02) for glucose), performed well in identifying errors among those self-reporting diabetes (N = 329) (AUC = 0.79 (+/- 0.02)) and performed significantly better than the established approach it was tested against (in all cases p < .0.05). In Experiment 2 it performed better (and in no case worse) than 7 of the 11 human experts. Average percent agreement was 0.79 and Kappa (kappa) was 0.59, between experts and the Bayesian network.

Alternative Preparation of Improved NiMo-Alumina Deoxygenation Catalysts. This investigation deals with NiMo-alumina hydrotreating catalysts effective in the deoxygenation of rapeseed oil. The main goal was to compare catalyst structure and their deoxygenation performance and to link these parameters to reveal important structural information regarding the catalyst's intended use. Catalysts were prepared from different precursors (nickel acetate tetrahydrate/molybdenyl acetylacetonate in ethanol and water vs. nickel nitrate hexahydrate/ammonium heptamolybdate tetrahydrate in water), which resulted in their contrasting structural arrangement. These changes were characterized by elemental composition determination, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, temperature programmed reduction by hydrogen, nitrogen physisorption at 77 K, scanning and transmission electron microscopies, and deoxygenation of rapeseed oil. The critical aspect of high oxygen elimination was a homogeneous dispersion of NiO and MoO3 phases on the support. It subsequently led to the effective transformation of the oxide form of a catalyst to its active sulfide form well-dispersed on the support. On the other hand, the formation of bulk MoO3 resulted in the separate bulk phase and lower extent of sulfidation.

Enhanced Charge Transfer in Atom-Thick 2H-WS2 Nanosheets' Electron Transport Layers of Perovskite Solar Cells. The structure and the electronic properties of the electron-transport layer (ETL) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) govern the interfacial charge transfer and charge transportation to the electrode. The ETLs of two dimensions, that are atom thick, and have a planar structure that possesses special electronic properties, such as the surface collective motion of excitons or charge transfer-driven defect state relief, that is 2D transition metal dichalcogenide, allow a highly energetic carrier dynamic process for enhanced photovoltaic effect. Herein, it is discovered that planar, few-atom-thick 2H-WS(2)nanosheets' ETLs drive ultrafast charge transfer and transportation along the ETL during the photovoltaic process. Time-resolved photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis results indicate that the charge transfer from the perovskite to the ETL occurs as fast as 5.9 ns with charge transfer resistance as low as 25.6 omega. This allows the PSC device to produce a power conversion efficiency of 18.21% with short-circuit current density, open-circuit voltage, and fill factor as high as 22.24 mA cm(2), 1.12 V, and 0.731, respectively. The PSC retains 96.87% of its performance when being aged in nitrogen atmosphere for 33 days. Atom-thick planar WS2 ETL nanosheets can be the basis for the development of high-performance PSC devices.

Letters from 'Glaucos': The Correspondence of Guy Debord during the Portuguese Revolution. Guy Debord, founder of the Situationist International and filmmaker, kept a meticulous record of his correspondence between 1951 and 1994. Published by Fayard, the fifth volume of the correspondence includes several letters signed 'Glaucos' (a character from the Iliad), which were sent to Afonso Monteiro, Gianfranco Sanguinetti, Eduardo Rothe, and Jaime Sempran. In those letters, Debord developed several analyses of the 'Carnation Revolution, arguing that 'the Portuguese proletariat' had gone 'further than the May 1968 movement. Debord initially supported a local group called Conselho para o Desenvolvimento da Revolucao Social, but he would later criticise it for not taking sufficient action. He also encouraged Jaime Semprtin to write La Guerre Social au Portugal, a book published by Editions Champ Libre in May 1975. This article analyses Debord's correspondence in 1974 and 1975, offering a critical assessment of how he related to the revolutionary situation in Portugal.

An Atypical Localized Form of Hidradenitis Suppurativa of the Jawline and Neck Mimicking Severe Cystic Acne on Presentation. Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic and debilitating suppurative disease primarily affecting the axillae, perineum, and inframammary regions, where apocrine sweat glands are present. However, HS can occur in atypical locations. We present an interesting case of a 40-year-old man who developed chronic painful subcutaneous nodules, deep sinus tracts, and abscesses involving the jawline and the anterior aspect of the neck as the only parts of the body affected and who responded satisfactorily to adalimumab and laser hair removal treatment. This case is relevant because it helps clinicians to remember that HS may be isolated to atypical locations, such as the anterior aspect of the neck and chin. It also supports another possible HS pathogenesis which consists of the occlusion of terminal hair follicles rather than being essentially a disorder of the apocrine glands. (C) 2017 S. Karger AG, Basel

Lamb wave scattering by a symmetric pair of surface-breaking cracks in a plate. The scattering problem of a Lamb wave incident on a symmetric pair of surface-breaking transverse cracks in a plate is considered. The Lamb wave is assumed to be obliquely incident on the crack plane. Since the cracks are part-through, the scattered field will contain reflected as well as transmitted waves. The energy of the incoming wave is partitioned into reflected and transmitted wave modes. Energy coefficients of the reflected and transmitted waves are calculated as a function of incident frequency and crack depth. The incidence angle of the incoming wave is also treated as a parameter. Both the reflected and transmitted wave fields are considered as linear superpositions of all real and complex wave modes in the plate. Decomposition of modes is achieved with the help of an orthogonality condition based on the principle of reciprocal work. Continuity of displacement and stress fields is imposed at the crack plane. Energy coefficients for reflection and transmission are obtained from the mode amplitudes. Energy coefficients are shown to be a strong function of incident frequency and crack depth. Experiments are conducted with a PZT transducer network interacting with a symmetric pair of machined cracks in an aluminum plate. Trends predicted by the analysis are reflected in the experimental results. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Three-reference-point based group ELECTRE III method for urban flood resilience evaluation. In order to cope with the growing problem of flood disasters, it is crucial to improve the urban flood resilience. Hence, this paper develops a novel evaluation methodology to find the weak links and capacity gaps of urban flood resilience. Firstly, according to the three periods of flood, the urban flood resilience evaluation indicator system is divided into the predictive capacity subsystem before the flood, the absorptive and coping capacity subsystem and the recovery capacity subsystem during the flood, and the adaptive capacity subsystem after the flood. This indicator system also creatively introduces the density of hydrological and meteorological station networks into the predictive capacity subsystem, and divides the adaptive capacity more meticulously into learning capacity at the governmental and individual-society levels. Secondly, a novel three-reference-point (T-R-P) based group ELECTRE III method is proposed to rank the flood resilience of different cities. This method integrates subjective and objective information to obtain more reasonable expert weights, and then sets thresholds with T-R-P to obtain more comprehensive and objective evaluation results. Furthermore, the proposed methodology is applied to six flood-prone cities in China, and its practicality and availability are verified through comparative analysis with other three evaluation methods and sensitivity analysis of the indicator weights. Finally, based on the results, targeted suggestions are made to enhance the flood resilience of the six cities.

A(2B) adenosine receptor antagonists and their potential indications. The intense efforts by many pharmaceutical companies and academics in the A(2B) adenosine receptor (AdoR) antagonist field are driven by the plethora of disease states where the A(2B) AdoR has been implicated to play a role: asthma, in which it mediates inflammatory cytokine release; diabetes, in which it mediates gluconeogenesis; diabetic retinopathy and cancer, in which it mediates angiogenesis; and inflammatory pain, in which it mediates inflammatory cytokine release. Major advances have been made in the past 5 years in obtaining selective, high affinity A(2B) adenosine receptor (AdoR) antagonists containing different classes of core heterocycles, including xanthines, 7-deazadenines and pyrimidines. The high affinity A(2B) AdoR antagonists have a high degree of structural diversity that should aid in further drug design attempts and optimisation of drug properties (i.e., solubility, oral bioavailability and half-life) through combinations of structural features from different classes. The goal of obtaining a selective, high affinity A(2B) AdoR antagonist has been met by several research groups and this will help address the role of the AN AdoR in asthma, diabetes, cancer and management of inflammatory pain.

Design and Analysis of a Novel 3-D Magnetization Structure for Laminated Silicon Steel. A novel 3-D magnetic properties tester for laminated silicon steel specimen has been designed and constructed. The magnetization structure is the critical part of the tester especially for the magnetic properties of the laminated silicon steel in perpendicular direction of grain oriented. To guarantee the experimental precision and accurately analyze the 3-D magnetic properties of the laminated silicon steel, a symmetrical 3-D magnetic flux path in the magnetization structure fit for given dimension of specimen has been calculated and modeled. Magnetic flux in each direction has been homogenized and concentrated on the top of the core poles through finite element analysis. Therefore, magnetic properties in each direction of the laminated specimen can be really concerned and analyzed in practical engineering.

Pain Management in Oncology Patients Amidst the Opioid Epidemic: How To Minimize Non-Medical Opioid Use. Management of pain, in general, is a complex topic, and cancer pain is no exception. Cancer patients may experience pain related to the disease itself, its treatment, or other comorbidities. This review aims to clarify the impact of reducing opioid use on cancer patients over the past eight years. We summarize the challenges facing providers as they attempt to manage cancer-related pain. Additionally, we propose tools for best practices to reduce the unnecessary suffering of cancer patients and protect against the overuse and abuse of opioids.Oncology patients have been significantly impacted on both ends of the opioid crisis. Like other populations, cancer patients were first affected during the initial surge of opioid availability, prescription, and use at the beginning of the crisis, where opioid abuse and overdose negatively impacted cancer patient populations at similar rates as the general population. Yet, cancer patients were perhaps even more heavily affected during secondary events after the initial crisis, as opioid restrictions and the stigmatization, undoubtedly beneficial in many spaces, of opioid use became prevalent across the American society. During this second period of the opioid crisis (loosely from 2013 to the present day after the Veterans Health Administration Opioid Safety Initiative started), restrictions on opioids have significantly decreased the use and access of opioids for cancer patients.The opioid epidemic continues to be a significant public health concern. On the surface, it appears difficult to understate the profound consequences and unnecessary loss of life at the hands of the opioid crisis throughout the 2010s. This reality should not dissuade rigorous attention toward those who have suffered unnecessarily due to an overreaching backlash toward the opioid crisis.

Penfield's ceiling Seeing brain injury through Galen's eyes. The cathedral ceiling located in the entrance hall of the Montreal Neurological Institute, planned by its founder Wilder Penfield, has intrigued visitors since it was erected in 1934. Central to its charm is a cryptic comment by the ancient physician Galen of Pergamum, which refutes a dire Hippocratic aphorism about prognosis in brain injury. Galen's optimism, shared by Penfield, is curious from a fellow ancient. In this article, we use primary sources in Ancient Greek as well as secondary sources to not only examine the origins of Galen's epistemology but also, using a methodology in classics scholarship known as reception studies, illustrate how an awareness of this ancient debate can illuminate contemporary clinical contexts. While Galen based his prognostications on direct clinical observations like the Hippocratics, he also engaged in experimental and anatomic work in both animals and humans, which informed his views on neurologic states and outcomes. Penfield's memorialization of Galen is representative of the evolution of the neurosciences and the ongoing importance of evidence-based prognostication in severe brain injury.

FABRICATION AND TESTING OF PRECISION SPHERES. Procedures for precision polishing and testing spheres of silicon and silica are described. Hand-polishing procedures result in the production of spheres of 90 mm diameter with deviations from roundness of less than 50 nm. The roundness was measured to an uncertainty of 5 nm on a Talyrond with averaging procedures to account for spindle errors.

Effect of GutGard in the Management of Helicobacter pylori: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Study. A randomized, double blind placebo controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of GutGard (root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra) in the management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastric load. Participants diagnosed with H. pylori infection were randomly assigned to two groups to orally receive 150mg of GutGard (n = 55) or placebo (n = 52) once daily for 60 days. H. pylori infection was assessed using C-13-urea breath test (C-13-UBT) at days 0, 30, and 60. Stool Antigen test (HpSA) was also performed on days 0, 30, and 60. Repeated measures of analysis of variance (RMANOVA), chi-square, and Fisher's exact probability tests were used to compare the treatment outcomes. A significant interaction effect between group and time (n = 0.00) and significant difference in mean Delta Over Baseline (DOB) values between GutGard (n = 50) and placebo (n = 50) treated groups after intervention period were observed. On day 60, the results of HpSA test were negative in 28 subjects (56%) in GutGard treated group whereas in placebo treated group only 2 subjects (4%) showed negative response; the difference between the groups was statistically significant. On day 60, the results of C-13-UBT were negative in 24 (48%) in GutGard treated group and the difference between the groups was statistically significant. The findings suggest GutGard is effective in the management of H. pylori.

Porpholactam-cinnamaldehyde conjugates for promoting ROS generation in photodynamic therapy. A novel type of photosensitizer was developed by conjugating cinnamaldehyde (CA), a kind of oxidative stress amplified agent, with porpholactam (PL) through a hydrazone bond, which result in enhanced ROS generation upon irradiation, providing a feasible approach to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects in PDT.Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive method for cancer treatment that relies on the generation of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), upon excitation of photosensitizer (PS), to eradicate tumor cells. However, the overexpress of endogenous antioxidants in tumor cells will eliminate the ROS and restrict the therapeutic efficacy of PDT. Herein, a novel type of PS was developed by conjugating cinnamaldehyde (CA), a kind of oxidative stress amplified agent, with porpholactam through a hydrazone bond. The new PS retains the photophysical properties of porpholactam, which displays high singlet oxygen quantum yield for the PDT function. The results of in vitro experiments performed including ROS assay and the cytotoxicity in cancer cells suggest that the rational design of the novel porpholactam-CA derivatives result in enhanced ROS generation upon irradiation, providing a possible approach to achieve enhanced therapeutic effects in PDT.

Inhibition of the human erythrocytic glutathione-S-transferase T1 (GST T1) by thimerosal. We have investigated the interaction of thimerosal, a widely used antiseptic and preservative, with the human erythrocytic GST TI (glutathione-S-transferase TI). This detoxifying enzyme is expressed in the erythrocytes of solely the human species and it displays a genetic polymorphism. Due to this polymorphism about 25 % of the individuals of the caucasian population lack this activity (\\'non-conjugators\\'), while 75 % show it (\\'conjugators\\') (Hallier, E., et al., 1993).Using our newly developed HPLC-fluorescence detection assay (Muller, M., et al., 2001) we have profiled the kinetics of enzyme inhibition in erythrocyte lysates of two individuals previously identified as \\'normal conjugator\\' (medium enzyme activity) and \\'super-conjugator\\' (very high activity). For the normal conjugator we have determined a 2.77 mM thimerosal concentration to inhibit 50 % of the GST TI activity. In the case of the super-conjugator a 2.3 mM thimerosal concentration causes a 50 % inhibition of the enzyme activity. For both phenotypes a 14.8 mM thimerosal concentration results in residual enzyme activities equal to those typically detected in non-conjugator lysates. Thus, sufficiently high doses of thimerosal may be able to change the phenotypic status of an individual - at least in vitro - by inhibition of the GST T1 enzyme.

Probing intermolecular interactions of ZnO-nanoparticle-reinforced molten energetic material. In this work, metal oxide nanoparticle ZnO was employed for the reinforcement of TNT. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used to study the microstructure on the fractured surface of TNT/nano-ZnO, and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy was utilized for structure characterization. Moreover, to understand the reinforcing mechanism between ZnO and TNT, quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics simulation were undertaken to investigate the intermolecular interaction and mechanical properties. It is concluded that with 2.85 wt% ZnO nanoparticle addition, the amount of voids and defects decreases with the increase in bulk and shear modulus. The modified TNT/ZnO composite has high heat of formation, negative oxygen balance, and good detonation properties, which is expected to be a candidate for high-energy blended explosives.

Heart rate variability in hypothyroid patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hypothyroidism may be associated with changes in the autonomic regulation of the cardiovascular system, which may have clinical implications.ObjectiveIntroductionHypothyroidism is associated with a decreased HRV, that may be explained by molecular mechanisms involving catecholamines and by the effect of TSH on HRV. The increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic activity may have clinical implications.ConclusionsWe included 17 studies with 11438 patients: 1163 hypothyroid patients and 10275 healthy controls. There was a decrease in SDNN (effect size = -1.27, 95% CI -1.72 to -0.83). RMSSD (-1.66, -2.32 to -1.00), pNN50 (-1.41, -1.98 to -0.84), TP (-1.55, -2.1 to -1.00), HFnu (-1.21, -1.78 to -0.63) with an increase in LFnu (1.14, 0.63 to 1.66) and LF/HF ratio (1.26, 0.71 to 1.81) (p <0.001). HRV alteration increased with severity of hypothyroidism.ResultsPubMed, Cochrane, Embase and Google Scholar were searched until 20 August 2021 for articles reporting HRV parameters in untreated hypothyroidism and healthy controls. Random-effects meta-analysis were stratified by degree of hypothyroidism for each HRV parameters: RR intervals (or normal to normal-NN intervals), SDNN (standard deviation of RR intervals), RMSSD (square root of the mean difference of successive RR intervals), pNN50 (percentage of RR intervals with >50ms variation), total power (TP), LFnu (low-frequency normalized unit), HFnu (high-frequency), VLF (very low frequency), and LF/HF ratio.Materials and methodsTo conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the impact of hypothyroidism on HRV.

Virtual reality as a support tool in the shoe life cycle. The life cycle of an industrial product goes through several stages, from the initial idea to the finished product, and on to the purchase and recycling. Virtual reality environments (VRE) allow the user to interact with a digital representation of a product, and so can be used to perform aesthetical, ergonomic, functional tests as well to support customer decisions in the selling process; mainly for customized products. In this contribution, ITIA-CNR presents two important applications in the shoes context: VRShoe and MagicMirror. VRShoe is a VRE for designing shoe aesthetics. MagicMirror, currently under development, is an augmented reality (AR) system for supporting the decision-making processes of customer customized shoes.

Origin of nonmetallic inclusions in ladle transition part of continuously cast slabs. ( 2) According to thermodynamic calculation, origin of spherical inclusions are mainly ladle slag and tundish slag.In the continuous casting process, it is important to reduce the off-quality portion due to ladle exchange or variation in process parameters. In the present study, experimental investigation and thermodynamic calculation has been carried out for analysis origin of non-metallic inclusions in ladle transition part of continuously cast slabs.( 3) Applying thermodynamic calculation for the equilibrium between slag and molten steel is useful for analysis origin of nonmetallic inclusions in the continuously cast slabs.The following results are obtained.( 1) In the present study, entrapped nonmetallic inclusions in the transition part of ladle exchange slabs are mainly spherical inclusions (CaO-Al2O3).

SPR detection of human hepcidin-25: A critical approach by immuno- and biomimetic-based biosensing. The human hepcidin-25 hormone has a key role in iron regulation in blood. The clinical relevance of this hepatic similar to 2.8 kDa cysteine-rich peptide is rapidly increasing, since altered levels can be associated with inflammatory events and iron dysfunctions, such as hereditary hemochromatosis and iron overload. Moreover, hepcidin has also attracted the anti-doping field for its possible role as indirect marker of erythropoietin blood doping. Methods currently reported are based on immunoassays (ELISA and RIA), or various types of mass spectroscopy (MS)-based protocols, semi-quantitative or quantitative. Despite the great effort in optimizing robust and simple assays measuring hepcidin in real matrices, at present this challenge remains still an open issue. To explore the possibility to face hepcidin detection through the development of affinity-based biosensors, we set up a comparative study by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology. An immuno-based, on anti-hepcidin-25 IgG, and a biomimetic-based, on a synthetic peptide corresponding to the hepcidin-binding site on ferroportin (HBD), biosensors were developed. Here we report behaviors and analytical performances of the two systems, discussing limits and potentialities. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bound states of plain and composite pulses: Multi-soliton solutions. We investigate numerically the formation and stability characteristics of bound states in the complex Ginzburg-Landau equation, considering both plain and composite pulses. Our numerical results show the existence of stable bound state of two plain or composite pulses when the phase difference between them is +/-pi/2. Two-composite pulses bound state have zero velocity, which is in contrast with the behavior of the bound states formed by plain pulses. The possibility of constructing multi soliton solutions is demonstrated. In particular, we show the possibility of constructing stable bound states of multiple plain pulses with zero velocity by choosing appropriately the phase profile of the whole solution. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Preparation and biodistribution of a novel potential blood pool imaging agent technetium-99m labeled COI complexes. The objective of this study is to develop a new potential cardiac blood pool imaging agent. An isonitrile ligand cyclooctylisonitrile(COI) is synthesized and a copper salt[Cu(I)(COI)(4)BF4] of this ligand is also prepared, the isonitrile and it's copper salt are characterized by IR and elemental analysis. The complex (TcN)-Tc-99m-COI is prepared by ligand exchange reaction while the complex Tc-99m-COI is prepared by a direct labeling method. The results of stability study indicated that both complexes are stable over a period of 6 h at room temperature. The biodistribution of these new complexes in mice indicated that they had significantly different uptake properties in most tissues. But they are all mainly accumulated in blood and maintained in it very good. Especially the T/NT ratios of Tc-99m-COI in mice are excellent as a cardiac blood pool imaging agent. Based on its promising properties, the complex Tc-99m-COI maybe suitable for cardiac blood pool imaging.

Design and fabrication of a double-axicon for generation of tailorable self-imaged three-dimensional intensity voids. We propose a new design for fabrication of a highly power-efficient double axicon to generate self-imaged three-dimensional intensity voids along the propagation of a beam. The conventional conical structure of an axicon is modified and shaped like an axiconlike structure with a double-gradient surface profile. The gradient conical surfaces generate Bessel beams with varying radial wave vectors that are superimposed and interfere to generate a sequence of three-dimensional intensity voids. The proposed element was fabricated using electron-beam lithography, and experimental verification of the design is reported. (c) 2006 Optical Society of America.

Is comparability of C-14 dates an issue?: A status report on the fourth international radiocarbon intercomparison. For more than 15 years, the radiocarbon community has participated in a series of laboratory intercomparisons in response to the issue of comparability of measurements as perceived within the wider user communities (Scott et al. 1990; Rozanski et al. 1992; Guiliksen and Scott 1995; Scott et al. 1997). In this report, we provide an update on the current C-14 laboratory intercomparison and reflect on future issues linked to the laboratory intercomparison program, not least those resulting from a significant growth in the number of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facilities providing routine dating of small samples (milligram size).

Adrenarche is associated with decreased 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression tn the adrenal reticularis. The increased production of adrenal dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS) which occurs during the prepubertal period is known as adrenarche. One hypothesis for adrenarche is that alterations in intra-adrenal expression of steroidogenic enzymes within the inner reticularis zone leads to the increased production of 19-carbon steroids. We tested the hypothesis that at the time of adrenarche there is decreased expression of 3 beta HSD in the reticularis. Immunohistochemical localization of 3 beta HSD was performed and staining intensities compared between adrenal glands from children ages 4 months to 7 years (N=11) and ages 8 to 11 years (N=6). No difference was observed between the levels of staining in the glomerulosa and fasciculata from either age group. However, the reticularis from the older children exhibited diminished 3 beta HSD immunoreactivity. These findings suggest that as children mature there is a decreased level of 3 beta HSD in the adrenal reticularis which may contribute to the increased production of DHEA and DHEAS seen during adrenarche.

Marcantonio Raimondi's Orpheus Enchanting the Animals: Intersection of Prints Between North and South. Art historians have often characterized the Italian Marcantonio Raimondi (c. 1480-before 1534) as a foremost reproductive engraver. This view was based mainly on the artist's activity in Rome when he worked after Raphael's designs. Until recently, his pre-Roman years were less frequently treated. It has been widely known that he borrowed motifs from Northern sources as Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) and Lucas van Leyden (c. 1494-1533). This essay suggests that Marcantonio drew inspiration, especially in his Bolognese years, from the works of two early engravers from the Upper Rhine, the Master E.S. (active c. 1450-1467), and the Master of the Playing Cards (active c. 1430-1450). He did not copy line-to-line motifs from these masters, however, but reinvented some of their work and imaginatively incorporated them into his own print, Orpheus Enchanting the Animals, c. 1505. This new engraving shows the artist's creative strength and ability as an independent thinker. The fact that some other North Italian artists also explored the engravings of the two masters from the Upper Rhine reinforces the plausibility of Marcantonio's engagement with the same sources.

Influence of sodium dodecyl sulfate on swelling, erosion and release behavior of HPMC matrix tablets containing a poorly water-soluble drug. The effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the swelling, erosion and release behavior of HPMC matrix tablets was examined. Swelling and erosion of HPMC matrix tablets were determined by measuring the wet and subsequent dry weights of matrices. The rate of uptake of the dissolution medium by the matrix was quantified using a square root relationship whilst the erosion of the polymer was described using the cube root law. The extent of swelling decreased with increasing SDS concentrations in the dissolution medium but the rate of erosion was found to follow a reverse trend. Such phenomena might have been caused by the attractive hydrophobic interaction between HPMC and SDS as demonstrated by the cloud points of the solutions containing both the surfactant and polymer. Release profiles of nimodipine from HPMC tablets in aqueous media containing different concentrations of SDS were finally studied. Increasing SDS concentrations in the medium was shown to accelerate the release of nimodipine from the tablets, possibly due to increasing nimodipine solubility and increasing rate of erosion by increasing SDS concentrations in the dissolution medium.

HDAC4: a key factor underlying brain developmental alterations in CDKL5 disorder. Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) is a Ser/Thr protein kinase predominantly expressed in the brain. Mutations of the CDKL5 gene lead to CDKL5 disorder, a neurodevelopmental pathology that shares several features with Rett Syndrome and is characterized by severe intellectual disability. The phosphorylation targets of CDKL5 are largely unknown, which hampers the discovery of therapeutic strategies for improving the neurological phenotype due to CDKL5 mutations. Here, we show that the histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) is a direct phosphorylation target of CDKL5 and that CDKL5-dependent phosphorylation promotes HDAC4 cytoplasmic retention. Nuclear HDAC4 binds to chromatin as well as to MEF2A transcription factor, leading to histone deacetylation and altered neuronal gene expression. By using a Cdkl5 knockout (Cdkl5 -/Y) mouse model, we found that hypophosphorylated HDAC4 translocates to the nucleus of neural precursor cells, thereby reducing histone 3 acetylation. This effect was reverted by re-expression of CDKL5 or by inhibition of HDAC4 activity through the HDAC4 inhibitor LMK235. In Cdkl5 -/Y mice treated with LMK235, defective survival and maturation of neuronal precursor cells and hippocampus-dependent memory were fully normalized. These results demonstrate a critical role of HDAC4 in the neurodevelopmental alterations due to CDKL5 mutations and suggest the possibility of HDAC4-targeted pharmacological interventions.

DEVELOPMENT OF A SEMIAUTOMATED METHOD FOR NON-ORTHO PCBS - APPLICATION TO CANADIAN ARCTIC MARINE MAMMAL TISSUES. A semi-automated carbon column method was developed for the analysis of the non-ortho substituted PCB congeners (3,4,4'-tri; 3,4,4',5-tetra; 3,3',4,4'-tetra; 3,3',4,4',5-penta; and 3,3',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl) (PCBs 37, 81, 77, 126 and 169). The system consisted of an AX21 carbon/glass fibre column with a programmable pumping and valving system. Precision and accuracy measurements indicated the method was reproducible for concentrations greater than 50 ng/kg. Canadian Arctic ringed seal and whale blubber samples were analysed using this method. Parts-pertrillion levels (ng/kg) of non-ortho PCBs were found in all samples. The non-ortho and mono-ortho PCBs (2,3,3',4,4'-penta; 2,3,4,4',5-penta; 2,3',4,4',5-penta; 2,3,3',4,4',5-hexachlorobiphenyl) (PCBs 105, 114, 118 and 156) were the major contributors to total TCDD equivalents in the whale samples (98% in beluga and narwhal) and contributed greater than 50% in the ringed seal samples.

The influence of visible light and inorganic pigments on fluorescence excitation emission spectra of egg-, casein- and collagen-based painting media. Spectrofluorimetric analysis of proteinaceous binding media is particularly promising because proteins employed in paintings are often fluorescent and media from different sources have significantly different fluorescence spectral profiles. Protein-based binding media derived from eggs, milk and animal tissue have been used for painting and for conservation, but their analysis using non-destructive techniques is complicated by interferences with pigments, their degradation and their low concentration. Changes in the fluorescence excitation emission spectra of films of binding media following artificial ageing to an equivalent of 50 and 100 years of museum lighting include the reduction of bands ascribed to tyrosine, tryptophan and Maillard reaction products and an increase in fluorescent photodegradation. Fluorescence of naturally aged paint is dependent on the nature of the pigment present and, with egg-based media, in comparison with un-pigmented films, emissions ascribed to amino acids are more pronounced.

Severe Snoring in a Young Healthy Female: A Diagnostic Surprise. Laryngeal Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors or plasma cell granulomas are unusual benign lesions. Subglottic laryngeal lesions of various benign and malignant types usually present with acute or chronic stridor and respiratory obstruction features. We describe the first case in the literature where severe snoring was the presenting complaint in a patient of subglottic mass lesion with comfortable breathing during wake hour. A 28 years old female presented with loud snoring and apneic episodes during sleep for three years which showed severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) (AHI, Apnoea- Hypoapnoea Index: 46.5) in polysomnography (PSG) and surprisingly smooth mucosa covered subglottic mass blocking 75% of airway lumen in the laryngoscopic examination. The patient underwent tracheostomy and coblation assisted endoscopic excision, and subsequent histopathology revealed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour. She was later decannulated and with no features of sleep apnea post decannulation. Subglottic mass can rarely present with severe snoring and requires solid clinical suspicion for early diagnosis. Hence, subglottic lesion should be one of the differentials for atypical presentations of severe OSA.

Solubilization of stratum corneum lipid liposomes by Triton X-100. Influence of the level of cholesteryl sulfate in the process. The interaction of Triton X-100 (TX-100) with stratum corneum (SC) lipid liposomes varying the proportion of cholesteryl sulfate (Chol-sulf) was investigated. The surfactant/lipid molar ratios (Re) and the bilayer/aqueous phase surfactant partition coefficients (K) were determined by monitoring the changes in the static light scattering of the system during solubilization. The fact that the free surfactant concentration was always similar to its critical micelle concentration (CMC) indicates that the liposome solubilization was mainly ruled by the formation of mixed micelles. The TX-100 ability to saturate and to solubilize SC liposomes decreased as the proportion of Chol-sulf in bilayers increased until a minimum was reached for a Chol-sulf proportion of 10%. Inversely, the surfactant partitioning into liposomes (or affinity with these bilayers) increased as the proportion of Chol-sulf increased until a maximum was reached at the same Chol-sulf proportion. Hence, when the Chol-sulf proportion in bilayers was 10% (the same that existing in the intercellular SC lipids) the ability of TX-100 molecules to interact with liposomes exhibits a minimum despite their enhanced partitioning into liposomes. These effects may be related to the reported dependencies between the level of Chol-sulf in the intercellular lipids and the abnormalities in the skin properties as the barrier Function. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

The 2013 Best Dissertation Winner and Runners-Up for the Academy of Management's Organizations and the Natural Environment Division. The Organizations and the Natural Environment (ONE) Division of the Academy of Management, like most Academy divisions, has an annual dissertation competition to recognize and honor exemplary work in the field. This article, kindly invited by the Editor of Business & Society, provides an overview of the winner and runners-up of that competition, insights into the process for selecting this work, and some reflections on future dissertations in the area.

Patient's knowledge and awareness about the effect of the over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and dietary supplements on laboratory test results: a survey in 18 European countries. Results: In total, 68% of patients were regularly taking at least one OTC drug or dietary supplement. The frequency of patients consuming at least one OTC drug or dietary supplement differed between countries (p = 0.001). Vitamins (38%), minerals (34%), cranberry juice (20%), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (17%) and omega fatty acids (17%) were the most commonly used in our study.Conclusions: The use of various OTC drugs and dietary supplements is highly prevalent in Europe and patients are often not willing to disclose this information to the laboratory staff and ordering physician. The education of both patients and healthcare staff is needed.Methods: Eighteen European countries participated in this study. The survey was carried out anonymously on a subsequent series of outpatients (n =200) in each participating country. Included were patients who were referred to the laboratory for blood sampling and who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The survey included questions about the frequency of consumption of various products, awareness of the importance of informing physicians and laboratory staff about it and information about influence of preanalytical factors in general on laboratory test results.Background: Nowadays over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and dietary supplements are widely used. Their use can have a significant impact on the validity of laboratory results. The aim of this multicenter European study was to determine the frequency of consumption of various dietary products and OTC drugs among patients and explore their level of knowledge and awareness about the potential impact of various products on laboratory test results.

An analytical study of undoped symmetric double gate MOSFET (SDG). In the present paper, compact analytical models for the threshold voltage, threshold voltage roll-off and subthreshold swing of undoped symmetrical double-gate MOSFET have been developed based on analytical solution of two-dimensional Poisson's equation for potential distribution. The developed models include drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) through the V-ds-dependent parameter. The calculated threshold voltage value, obtained from the proposed model, shows a good agreement with the experimental and published results. The simulation results for potential show that the conduction is highly confined to the surfaces. The threshold voltage sensitivity to the thickness is found to be approximately 0.2%. Model prediction indicates that subthreshold slope is not linearly related to DIBL parameter for thick silicon film. The proposed analytical models not only provide useful insight into behavior of symmetrical DG MOSFETs but also serve as the basis for compact modeling. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

p53 expression in pleomorphic adenoma of salivary glands: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective: There are conflicting data regarding immunohistochemical expression of p53 in pleomorphic adenoma. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine whether p53 expression has a role in the pathogenesis of pleomorphic adenoma.Design: A comprehensive literature search for relevant studies published from 2000 up to end of 2014 was performed using PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library Databases. Only articles in which p53 detected by immunohistochemical staining were included. The meta-analysis was done using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.Results: Eighteen eligible studies were included in this meta-analysis. Heterogeneity measures showed a statistically significant Cochrane Q value (P-value < 0.001). The random effects model showed an effect size of 0.254 with a 95% CI (0.139-0.417). The overall p53 positivity is 25.4%.Conclusion: Mutant p53 has to be detected by more precise techniques to emphasize on its role in development of pleomorphic adenoma of salivary gland. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Circular Data in Political Science and How to Handle It. There has been no attention to circular (purely cyclical) data in political science research. We show that such data exist and are mishandled by models that do not take into account the inherently recycling nature of some phenomenon. Clock and calendar effects are the obvious cases, but directional data are observed as well. We describe a standard maximum likelihood regression modeling framework based on the von Mises distribution, then develop a general Bayesian regression procedure for the first time, providing an easy-to-use Metropolis-Hastings sampler for this approach. Applications include a chronographic analysis of U.S. domestic terrorism and directional party preferences in a two-dimensional ideological space for German Bundestag elections. The results demonstrate the importance of circular models to handle periodic and directional data in political science.

A naturally occurring human Nedd4-2 variant displays impaired ENaC regulation in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) is regulated by the ubiquitin-protein ligase Nedd4 - 2 via interaction with ENaC PY-motifs. These PY-motifs are mutated/ deleted in Liddle's syndrome, resulting in elevated Na+ reabsorption and hypertension explained partly by impaired ENaC-Nedd4-2 interaction. We hypothesized that Nedd4 - 2 is a susceptibility gene for hypertension and screened 856 renal patients and healthy controls for mutations in a subset of exons of the human Nedd4 - 2 gene that are relevant for ENaC regulation by PCR/single-strand conformational polymorphism. Several variants were identified, and one nonsynonymous mutation ( Nedd4 - 2-P355L) was further characterized. This mutation next to the 3' donor site of exon 15 does not affect in vitro splicing of Nedd4 - 2 mRNA. However, in the Xenopus oocyte expression system, Nedd4 - 2-P355L-dependent ENaC inhibition was weaker compared with the wild type ( Nedd4-2-WT), and this difference depended on the presence of intact PY-motifs on ENaC. This could not be explained by the amount of wild type or mutant Nedd4 - 2 coimmunoprecipitating with ENaC. When the phosphorylation level of human Nedd4 - 2 Ser(448) (known to be phosphorylated by the Sgk1 kinase) was determined with a specific anti-pSer(448) antibody, we observed stronger basal phosphorylation of Nedd4-2-P355L. Both the phosphorylation level and the accompanying amiloride-sensitive Na+ currents could be further enhanced to approximately the same levels by coexpressing Sgk1. In addition, the role of the two other putative Sgk1 phosphorylation sites (S342 and T367) appears also to be affected by the P355L mutation. The differential phosphorylation status between wild-type and mutant Nedd4 - 2 provides an explanation for the different potential to inhibit ENaC activity.

Morphological trends in main stem of Pinus radiata D. Don: Transition between vegetative and reproductive phase. Developmental patterns of structural units of the main tree axis of Pinus radiata were investigated in two plantations in Chile growing under different ecological conditions. Environmental characteristics of sites were recorded and structural features of sample trees were measured. Annual shoot length, number of growth units per annual shoot, growth unit length, and number of branches and cones per growth unit were statistically compared between sites and between vegetative and reproductive phases of trees. No clear pattern of stand development was apparent when variables were directly examined in terms of actual dimensions ( cm) and time scale ( years). In contrast, common patterns of development of structural parameters were indicated after dimensions and time were normalized so as to express them on a ontogenetic scale. The number of growth units per annual shoot and average length of annual shoot increased during the juvenile stage of development. Transition from juvenile to mature stages brought about a change in this trend, either stabilizing or reversing the pattern of development and size of these structural elements. The practical consequence of these changes on wood quality for industrial purposes is discussed.

Dingle temperatures for a two-band model: Application to the two-dimensional electron gas on silicon (111). For zero temperature, we present theoretical results for the Dingle temperatures of a two-dimensional electron gas with two occupied bands. For impurity scattering, we apply the calculation to a two-band model for valley degeneracy g(v)=2 and g(v)=4 proposed recently for silicon (111). Taking into account the density of states and screening effects of the two electron gases, we predict huge differences for the Dingle temperature of the two bands and a strong density dependence for the Dingle temperature of the first band due to screening by the second band. The mobility of the two-band model shows a strong density dependence. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.

Non-Compliance of Malaysia Motor Vehicles (Safety Seatbelts) Rules 1978. Results: In various studies carried out previously, car occupants (driver and front passenger) used the seat belts mainly with the knowledge that seat belts prevents injuries, the fear of being fined by the authorities, comfortability of the seat belt, speed of travel, trip purpose and driving location. However, when these factors are removed, seat belts usage starts becoming lax. Other reasons were driving short distance (known location), forgetfulness and were in a hurry.Conclusion: Enforcement of seat belt usage by either the Police or Road Transport Department is only a short term solution. The relevant agencies are urged to consider making compulsory for all car makers in Malaysia to enable a system where the car would not be able to start without the seat belt being fixed first for the driver and passenger and to make auto seat belt fixing enabled in the car when the driver and or passenger enters the car.Background: Seat belts have been proven as one of the most successful means of preventing or reducing injuries to occupants of cars during an accident. This paper examines the reasons behind the non-compliance of the seat belt law in Malaysia and suggests possible measures to get the percentage of seat belt usage up higher.Methods: Various databases of articles were searched for seat belt usage in Malaysia, related legislation, related accident data, type of injuries and reviewed to put forth the need for a new measure to increase the usage of seat belts in Malaysia.

Circumventing the Feature Association Problem in SLAM. Inspired by developments in the tracking literature, recent research in SLAM has recast the map as a Random Finite Set (RFS) instead of a random vector, with huge mathematical consequences. With the application of recently formulated Finite Set Statistics (FISST), such a representation circumvents the need for fragile feature management and association routines, which are often the weakest component in vector based SLAM algorithms.This tutorial demonstrates that true sensing uncertainty lies not only in the spatial estimates of a feature, but also in its existence. This gives rise to sensor probabilities of detection and false alarm, as well as spatial uncertainty values. By re-addressing the fundamentals of SLAM under an RFS framework, it will be shown that it is possible to estimate the map in terms of true feature number, as well as location. The concepts are demonstrated with short range radar, which detects multiple features, but yields many false measurements. Comparison of vector, and RFS SLAM algorithms shows the superior robustness of RFS based SLAM to such realistic sensing defects.In autonomous applications, a vehicle requires reliable estimates of its location and information about the world around it. To capture prior knowledge of the uncertainties in a vehicle's motion response to input commands and sensor measurements, this fundamental task has been cast as probabilistic Simultaneous Localization and Map building (SLAM). SLAM has been investigated as a stochastic filtering problem in which sensor data is compressed into features, which are consequently stacked in a vector, referred to as the map.

Court intervention in medical decisions and the generation of new conflicts.. In the last decades, medical decisions are increasingly submitted to the courts of law for a number of reasons, also in our country. The various causes and different issues involved in such proceedings require comments referred to the possibility of causing an additional conflict to that which the courts of law are in theory required to address. In that context, this paper explores the repeated cases in which, due to the lack of positive legislation on a given issue, or due to different interpretations of existing legislation, or for lack of understanding of scientific progress or medical facts, defensive medicine finds its way to the detriment of society as a whole. In many other cases, fearful inexplicable attitudes of the doctors involved result in a transfer of exclusively medical decisions to the courts of law. This attitude contributes to the dismantling of a profession such as medicine, which is already subject to the difficult context of a variety of health systems that fail to sufficiently comply with their obligation of taking care of a community that needs and supports them.

Constraints on the post-25-ka slip rate of the Yammouneh fault (Lebanon) using in situ cosmogenic Cl-36 dating of offset limestone-clast fans. The most active seismogenic structure along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean is the N-S-trending left-lateral Levant Fault System (LFS), the plate boundary between Arabia and Africa. In Lebanon, it forms a 160-km-long restraining bend responsible for the uplift of Mount Lebanon. The resulting transpression is partitioned between the offshore Tripoli-Roum thrust and the Yammo (u) over cap neh strike-slip fault. There are few quantitative constraints on the Quaternary slip rate along the LFS. Here we present a direct estimate of the similar to25-ka mean slip rate on the Yammo (u) over cap neh fault. Mapped offsets of alluvial fans at two sites similar to50 km apart on the eastern flank of Mount Lebanon range between 24+/-2 and 80 8 in. About 30 limestone cobbles sampled on these fans yield in situ cosmogenic Cl-36 exposure ages mostly between 6 and 27 ka. A statistical assessment of offsets versus ages provides bounds on the Late Pleistocene-Holocene slip rate on the fault: 3.8-6.4 mm/yr. These results are consistent with long-term geological inferences, continuing that the Yammo (u) over cap neh fault is the main strike-slip branch of the LFS in Lebanon. They illustrate both the potential and the difficulties of using in situ cosmogenic Cl-36 dating of Iimestone-clast fan deposits for deciphering tectonic and geomorphic processes in the Mediterranean. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Electroless deposition, post annealing and characterization of nickel films on silicon. Electroless deposition of nickel (EN) films on n-type silicon has been investigated under different process conditions. The interface between the film and substrate has been characterized for electrical properties by probing the contact resistances. X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy have been performed to obtain information about the structural and morphological details of the films. As a comparative study, nickel films have also been sputter deposited on silicon substrates. An as-deposited electroless film is observed to form non-ohmic contact while in a sputtered film prepared without the application of substrate heating, the formation of metal-insulating-semiconductor type junction is seen.

Emulsification for castor biomass oil. Methanol added to the castor oil-water system may decrease the viscosity of the emulsion. Comparing the castor oil-water emulsion with methanol-castor oil-water emulsion, the optimal hydrophilic and lipophilic balance (HLB) value based on castor oil-water system was acquired between 6.6 and 7.5, while the optimal HLB value based on the methanol-castor oil-water system was between 5.5 and 6.0. The optimal HLB value of methanolcastor oil-water system gradually moved to that of castor oil-water emulsion with adding more water.The effect of the emulsifier formula on the stability of castor oil-water system was studied through compounding three groups of emulsifiers from the aspects of stability factor of absorbance, centrifuge stability, demulsification time in quiescence, appearance of the droplets, and viscosity. The best emulsifier formula for castor biomass oil was the composite formula of sorbitan monooleate and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate. Correlation exists between the stability of emulsion and the viscosity/particle size of the droplets, with better stability in the case of greater viscosity or narrower distribution of particle size in the emulsion of castor oil-water system.

Serving the Less-Commonly-Trained Teacher: Perspectives from Arabic Instructors. As proficient speakers of less-commonly-taught languages seek to meet the demand for qualified instructors, they face a range of personal and professional challenges. In an effort to understand the perspectives of these instructors and their particular educational experiences and needs, we conducted a phenomenological case study of two aspiring Arabic teachers. Specifically, we sought insights into their lived experiences, their motivations for pursuing a graduate degree, their attempts to connect coursework with pedagogical practices, and their needs in terms of professional development. Our findings illuminate the intersecting objectives these instructors must achieve. They need to position themselves as qualified candidates for the available positions as instructors, but they also need to reconcile a number of different roles as they develop their teacher identities and connect their backgrounds to ambitions for students' growth. As teacher educators, we find that we need to facilitate career placement as well as the negotiation of these roles.

Light quality determines primary production in nutrient-poor small lakes. The availability of nutrients for primary producers has long been thought to be the main limiting factor for primary productivity in nutrient-poor lake ecosystems. However, recent studies have indicated that the availability of light energy is also important. On the other hand, the amount of phototroph was reported to decrease in summer in Antarctic lakes, furthermore, the light environment underwater was shown containing high amount of ultraviolet energy in small Antarctic lakes. Here, we hypothesized that primary productivity is limited by not only nutrients and simple light quantity but also light quality in nutrient-poor lakes. Then, we investigate factors influencing primary production by benthic phototrophic communities in shallow nutrient-poor lakes. We examine the relationships between primary production in 17 Antarctic freshwater lakes and nutrient concentrations in lake and benthic water, temperature and light energy. Primary production is decreased by ultraviolet energy reaching the lake bed, showing that production is determined by light quality. We also correlate ultraviolet energy in lake water with the catchment area of each lake. Our results show that the underwater light environment has an important influence on primary production as a key limitation factor and is sensitive to materials in runoff from the surrounding environment for pristine lakes.

Imaging of an operating LaNi4.8Al0.2-based hydrogen storage container. In this paper the phenomena occurring inside of a hydrogen storage container (filled with LaNi4.8Al0.2 active material), in operation, are unveiled by means of high-resolution neutron radiography and tomography. Although the metallic hydride-based storage systems are commonly used and commercially available, the processes occurring inside of such devices have been derived rather on the knowledge of several external parameters (changes of H-2 pressure or the container's temperature) characterising the whole container than on a direct experimental evidence of the container's interior. The results of neutron imaging experiments reported here show the possibility of qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics with spatial resolution of 70 mu m. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anandamide and memory in CD1 mice: Effects of immobilization stress and of prior experience. Five sets of experiments were carried out with CD1 mice tested in a one-trial inhibitory avoidance task. In a first set, immediately posttraining administrations of the endogenous ligand for the cannabinoid CBI receptor anandamide (arachidonylethanolamide) (3 or 6 mg/kg) dose-dependently impaired memory consolidation in mice. A lower dose (1.5 mg/kg) was ineffective. In a second set of experiments, which was carried out at the same time of the first set, preexposure of the animals to the testing apparatus decreased the effect of the drug, as compared with non-preexposed mice. In a third set of experiments, administration of anandamide (3 or 6 mg/kg) prior to the retention test did not affect the retention performance of mice given posttraining injections of either saline or anandamide. These findings indicate that the memory-impairing effects of posttraining administration of anandamide are not state-dependent. In the fourth and fifth series of experiments, carried out with non-preexposed mice, an otherwise ineffective immobilization stress (15 min) enhanced the memory-impairing effect of anandamide, and an otherwise ineffective dose of naltrexone (0.1 mg/kg) completely antagonized the effect. The results are discussed in terms of attenuation of emotionality, resulting in impaired retention, following anandamide administration, and of involvement of opioid system in the effect of this drug. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Highly Improved Gaseous Hydrogen Storage Characteristics of the Nanocrystalline and Amorphous Nd-Cu-added Mg2Ni-type Alloys by Melt Spinning. The nanocrystalline and amorphous Mg-Nd-Ni-Cu quaternary alloys with a composition of (Mg24Ni10Cu2)(100-x)Nd-x (x = 0-20) were prepared by melt spinning. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy inspections reveal that, by varying the spinning rate and the Nd content, different microstructures could be obtained by melt spinning. Particularly, the as-spun Nd-free alloy holds an entire nanocrystalline structure but the as-spun Nd-added alloy has a nanocrystalline and amorphous structure, which implies that the addition of Nd facilitates the glass forming in the Mg2Ni-type alloy. Also, the degree of the amorphization in the as-spun Nd-added alloys clearly increases with increasing the spinning rate and the Nd content. The H-storage capacity and the hydrogenation kinetics of amorphous, partially and completely nanocrystalline alloys were investigated and it was found that they are dependent on the microstructure and the phase composition of the alloys. Specially, enhancing the spinning rate from 0 (the as-cast was defined as the spinning rate of 0 m/s) to 40 m/s makes the hydrogen absorption saturation ratio (R-5(a)) (a ratio of the hydrogen absorption quantity in 5 min to the saturated hydrogen absorption capacity) increase from 35.2% to 90.3% and the hydrogen desorption ratio (R-10(d)) (a ratio of the hydrogen desorption quantity in 10 min to the saturated hydrogen absorption capacity) rise from 12.7% to 44.9% for the (x = 5) alloy. And the growing of the Nd content from 0 to 20 gives rise to the R-5(a) and R-10(d) values rising from 85.7% to 94.5% and from 36.7% to 54.8% for the as-spun (30 m/s) alloys, respectively.

Cognitive disparities, lead plumbing, and water chemistry: Prior exposure to water-borne lead and intelligence test scores among World War Two US Army enlistees. Higher prior exposure to water-borne lead among male World War Two U.S. Army enlistees was associated with lower intelligence test scores. Exposure was proxied by urban residence and the water pH levels of the cities where enlistees lived in 1930. Army General Classification Test scores were six points lower (nearly 1/3 standard deviation) where pH was 6 (so the water lead concentration for a given amount of lead piping was higher) than where pH was 7 (so the concentration was lower). This difference rose with time exposed. At this time, the dangers of exposure to lead in water were not widely known and lead was ubiquitous in water systems, so these results are not likely the effect of individuals selecting into locations with different levels of exposure. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Suppression of Eu2+ Luminescence Loss. Owing to the intriguing luminescence properties, Eu2+ is one of the most desirable activators for next-generation lighting devices. Yet the application of Eu2+-doped phosphors is limited because of the drawback of inferior luminescence efficiency. Understanding of this issue is generally from perspectives of frame structural rigidity and electronic band structure, while the lack of persuasiveness of this paradigm is frequently noticed. Herein, the analysis is conducted from a fresh view to investigate the outstanding luminescence properties of Eu2+-doped SrMgP2O7 owning the narrow-band emission and near-unity quantum yield. The structural rigidity of materials is elaborately evaluated, and the influence of ionization on the luminescence efficiency of material is carefully discussed. Efforts are also made to assess the effect of vibronic coupling on 4f-5d transition of Eu2+ and clarify the excitation energy transfer route by using X-ray spectroscopy. Based on these discussions, the synergy of weak electron-vibration interaction and inactive ionization causes the suppression of Eu2+ luminescence loss, which is associated with highly rigid local coordination and strong binding of Eu2+ to its valence electrons in the system, respectively. This work provides insight into the luminescence mechanism of Eu2+, which benefits the exploration of novel phosphors with superior luminescence features.

CHARACTERIZING COVID-19-RELATED RETINAL VASCULAR OCCLUSIONS A Case Series and Review of the Literature. Purpose: To describe clinical and ophthalmologic features and outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease-19 with retinal vascular occlusions. Methods: Retrospective multicenter case series and PubMed review of cases reported from March 2020 to September 2021. Outcome measures are as follows: type of occlusion, treatments, best-corrected visual acuity, and central macular thickness on optical coherence tomography. Results: Thirty-nine patients were identified. Fifteen patients with a median age of 39 (30-67) years were included in the multicenter study. Vascular occlusions included central retinal vein occlusion (12 eyes), branch retinal vein occlusion (4 eyes), and central retinal artery occlusion (2 eyes). Three cases were bilateral. Baseline best-corrected visual acuity was 20/45 (no light perception-20/20). Baseline central macular thickness was 348.64 (+/- 83) mu m. Nine eyes received anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents, dexamethasone intravitreal implant, or both. Final best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 (no light perception-20/20), and central macular thickness was 273.7 +/- 68 mu m (follow-up of 19.6 +/- 6 weeks). Among the 24 cases from the literature review, retinal vein occlusion was the predominant lesion. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were similar to those found in our series. Conclusion: Coronavirus disease-19-associated retinal vascular occlusions tend to occur in individuals younger than 60 years. Retinal vein occlusion is the most frequent occlusive event, and outcomes are favorable in most cases.

Non-invasive on-site Raman study of polychrome and white enamelled glass artefacts in imitation of porcelain assigned to Bernard Perrot and his followers. Bernard Perrot produced sophisticated glass objects from similar to 1666-1709 in Orleans, particularly white enamelled artefacts and ruby glass. We present here the first non-invasive Raman study of 16 polychrome and white enamelled glass artefacts that are assigned to Bernard Perrot or his followers. These glasses belong to the museum collections at Orleans and Sevres in France. The prominent characteristic of these artefacts is their white bodies that were produced in imitation of porcelain. The small thickness of enamel applied to these glasses imposes the use of a high magnification (x200) long working distance microscope objective for Raman analysis. Pigments and opacifiers were identified, and the production technology was discussed. White opacification was found to be obtained by three compounds: calcium phosphate (bone opacification) for blown utensils, calcium antimonate for figurines, and cassiterite for thin enamels. The use of characteristic arsenic-rich European cobalt was identified in the blue enamels with the characteristic Raman signature of lead arsenate apatite as observed for the 17th and 18th century French soft-paste porcelains and Limoges enamels. The easy Raman detection of arsenic-rich phases also allows on-site identification of ruby glasses produced according to Perrot's technique (formation of Au degrees colloids by reaction initiated with an arsenic salt). The amount and crystallinity of calcium phosphate being variable appears to be a potential tool to discriminate between different production periods or workshops.

Expanding ulnar artery aneurysm presenting with signs of threatened rupture. The case of a 25-year-old man admitted with an ulnar artery aneurysm of the wrist is presented. The size of the aneurysm (1.5 x 2.7 cm) and progressive pain gave the impression of a threatened rupture. Radiologic examinations confirmed the existence of a non-thrombosed ulnar artery aneurysm with occlusion of the 411 and 51 digital arteries. During an urgent surgical exploration a pseudo-aneurysm was found and resected and the artery was repaired. Thrombolysis of the digital arteries was performed with a good result. The combination of a large-sized pseudoaneurysm, lack of a history of penetrating trauma and presentation of threatened rupture are unique and not reported previously in the literature.

A new multifunctional subresonant and resonant mechanical spectrometer. A new mechanical spectrometer working in a resonant and subresonant mode is described. Basic principles and technical details of the design are briefly described. The mechanical spectrometer operates in the frequency range from 10(-4) Hz to 50 Hz. High accuracy of the measurement of mechanical loss angle tanphi, below 1 x 10(-4), is achieved with an average resolution of the order of 3 x 10(-6). The signal quality test of forced vibrations and free decay performed by the wavelet transform and the Fourier transform proves to be helpful in improving the resolution of the mechanical spectrometer. The general concept of the mechanical spectrometer operating both in a resonant and in a subresonant mode is briefly discussed. First experimental results are reported.

An exponential chaotic oscillator design and its dynamic analysis. After years of development, chaotic circuits have possessed many different mathematic forms and multiple realization methods. However, in most of the existing chaotic systems, the nonlinear units are composed of the product terms. In this paper, in order to obtain a chaotic oscillator with higher nonlinearity and complexity to meet the needs of utilization, we discuss a novel chaotic system whose nonlinear term is realized by an exponential term. The new exponential chaotic oscillator is constructed by adding an exponential term to the classical Lu system. To further investigate the dynamic characteristics of the oscillator, classical theoretical analyses have been performed, such as phase diagrams, equilibrium points, stabilities of the system, Poincare mappings, Lyapunov exponent spectrums, and bifurcation diagrams. Then through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) statistical test, it is proved that the chaotic sequence generated by the exponential chaotic oscillator is more random than that produced by the Lu system. In order to further verify the practicability of this chaotic oscillator, by applying the improved modular design method, the system equivalent circuit has been realized and proved by the Multisim simulation. The theoretical analysis and the Multisim simulation results are in good agreement.

Ghost symmetry and an analogue of Steinitz's theorem. A ghost symmetry of a point configuration is a symmetry which appears in one or more of its projections. Generally, ghost symmetries are more interesting when they are abundant. Presented here is a necessary and sufficient condition for a list of three involutions to correspond to a point configuration whose ghost symmetries realize those involutions. Associated with any such triple of involutions is a Tait-colored graph, and the characterization is essentially 3-connectedness. The main theorem therefore appears to be a close analogue of the classical characterization of edge graphs of 3-dimensional convex polytopes due to Steinitz.

The alpha/B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 variant exhibits significantly higher affinity for ACE-2 and requires lower inoculation doses to cause disease in K18-hACE2 mice. The alpha/B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 lineage emerged in autumn 2020 in the United Kingdom and transmitted rapidly until winter 2021 when it was responsible for most new COVID-19 cases in many European countries. The incidence domination was likely due to a fitness advantage that could be driven by the receptor-binding domain (RBD) residue change (N501Y), which also emerged independently in other variants of concern such as the beta/B.1.351 and gamma/P.1 strains. Here, we present a functional characterization of the alpha/B.1.1.7 variant and show an eightfold affinity increase towards human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2). In accordance with this, transgenic hACE2 mice showed a faster disease progression and severity after infection with a low dose of B.1.1.7, compared to an early 2020 SARS-CoV-2 isolate. When challenged with sera from convalescent individuals or anti-RBD monoclonal antibodies, the N501Y variant showed a minor, but significant elevated evasion potential of ACE-2/RBD antibody neutralization. The data suggest that the single asparagine to tyrosine substitution remarkable rise in affinity may be responsible for the higher transmission rate and severity of the B.1.1.7 variant.

Crystal Structure Analysis of the Repair of Iron Centers Protein YtfE and Its Interaction with NO. Molecular mechanisms underlying the repair of nitrosylated [Fe-S] clusters by the microbial protein YtfE remain poorly understood. The X-ray crystal structure of YtfE, in combination with EPR, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), UV, and O-17-labeling electron spin echo envelope modulation measurements, show that each iron of the oxo-bridged Fe-II-Fe-III diiron core is coordinatively unsaturated with each iron bound to two bridging carboxylates and two terminal histidines in addition to an oxo-bridge. Structural analysis reveals that there are two solvent-accessible tunnels, both of which converge to the diiron center and are critical for capturing substrates. The reactivity of the reduced-form FeII-FeII YtfE toward nitric oxide demonstrates that the prerequisite for N2O production requires the two iron sites to be nitrosylated simultaneously. Specifically, the nitrosylation of the two iron sites prior to their reductive coupling to produce N2O is cooperative. This result suggests that, in addition to any repair of iron centers (RIC) activity, YtfE acts as an NO-trapping scavenger to promote the NO to N2O transformation under low NO flux, which precedes nitrosative stress.

HELGA CRANE RECONSIDERED: AN INTELLECTUAL EXPERIENCE WITH ESSENTIALISM IN QUICKSAND. The themes of quest for racial identity in Nella Larsen's Quicksand and the protagonist's struggle with dual identity are the most commonly discussed topics in countless critical articles over the past twenty years. However, Larsen's portrayal of Helga Crane's struggle to find an identity as a woman of mixed race serves to demonstrate that her issue is mainly with how society is essentialist. The primary goal of Quicksand is to demonstrate the fluidity of identity. With the challenges that the protagonist faces in the story, Larsen vividly demonstrated that identity is relentlessly changing. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate that the reductionist nature of different forms of essentialism causes many people continuous suffering. In other words, Larsen deploys the mulatto figure as a useful critical tool to explore how society is immersed in essentializing categories of race, class, gender and sexuality.

Clinical Rating Scale for Pantothenate Kinase-Associated Neurodegeneration: A Pilot Study. Methods: In this international cross-sectional study, patients were examined at the referral centers following a standardized protocol. The motor examination was filmed, allowing 3 independent specialists in movement disorders to analyze 28 patients for interrater reliability assessment. The scale included 34 items (maximal score, 135) encompassing 6 subscales for cognition, behavior, disability, parkinsonism, dystonia, and other neurological signs.Results: Forty-seven genetically confirmed patients (30 17 years; range, 6-77 years) were examined with the scale (mean score, 62 +/- 21; range, 20-106). Dystonia with prominent cranial involvement and atypical parkinsonian features were present in all patients. Other common signs were cognitive impairment, psychiatric features, and slow and hypometric saccades. Dystonia, parkinsonism, and other neurological features had a moderate to strong correlation with disability. The scale showed good internal consistency for the total scale (Cronbach's alpha = 0.87). On interrater analysis, weighted kappa values (0.30-0.93) showed substantial or excellent agreement in 85% of the items. The scale also discriminated a subgroup of homozygous c.1583C>T patients with lower scores, supporting construct validity for the scale.Conclusions: The proposed scale seems to be a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of pediatric and adult patients with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration. Additional validation studies with a larger sample size will be required to confirm the present results and to complete the scale validation testing. (c) 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder SocietyBackground: Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration is a progressive neurological disorder occurring in both childhood and adulthood. The objective of this study was to design and pilot-test a disease-specific clinical rating scale for the assessment of patients with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration.

Systemic hemodynamics during cough induced and vasovagal syncope. Common faint and the so-called situational syncope are usually listed together in the category of \\'neurally mediated syncope\\'. Although vasovagal syncope has been subject of extensive research in the past years, its mechanism is not fully understood. Much less information is available about situational syncope. Numerous entities in this heterogeneous group are related to excessive straining (e.g. weight lifter's or trumpet player's syncope). Cough syncope is also associated with tremendous intrathoracic, intravascular, and even intracranial pressure fluctuations. Although reflex responses are certainly triggered during cough, their relative role, and their analogy with the classical vasovagal reaction are not clear. We report a case of vasovagal syncope and cough reaction occurring in the same subject during laboratory testing.

Importance of Veins for Neurosurgery as Landmarks Against Brain Shifting Phenomenon: An Anatomical and 3D-MPRAGE MR Reconstruction of Superficial Cortical Veins. Modern neurosurgery uses preoperative imaging daily. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the cortical anatomy and of the superficial veins helps the surgeons plan and perform neurosurgical procedures much more safely. The target is always to give the patient maximum benefit in terms of outcome and minimize intraoperative and postoperative complications. This study aims to develop a method for the combined representation of the cerebral cortex anatomy and the superficial cerebral veins, whose integration is beneficial in daily practice. Only those patients who underwent surgical procedures with craniotomy and a large opening of the dura mater were included in this study, for a total of 23 patients, 13 females (56.5%) and 10 males (43.5%). The average age was 50.1 years. We used a magnetic resonance tomograph Magnetom Vision (R) 1.5T (Siemens AG). Two sequences were applied: a strongly T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) sequence to visualize cerebral anatomical structures, and a FLASH-2D-TOF angiography sequence to visualize the venous vessels on the cortical surface after the administration of a paramagnetic contrast agent. The two data sets were superimposed manually, co-registered in an interactive process, and merged to create a combined data set, segmented and visualized as a three-dimensional reconstruction. Furthermore, we present our method for visualizing superficial veins, which helps manage brain shift (BS). We also performed anatomical observations on the reconstructions. The reconstructions of the cortical and venous anatomy proved to be a valuable tool in surgical planning and positively influenced the surgical procedure. Due to the good correlation with the existing surgical site, this method should be validated on a larger cohort or in a multicentric study.

Structural Basis for Cytochrome c Y67H Mutant to Function as a Peroxidase. The catalytic activity of cytochrome c (cyt c) to peroxidize cardiolipin to its oxidized form is required for the release of proapoptotic factors from mitochondria, and for execution of the subsequent apoptotic steps. However, the structural basis for this peroxidation reaction remains unclear. In this paper, we determined the three-dimensional NMR solution structure of yeast cyt c Y67H variant with high peroxidase activity, which is almost similar to that of its native form. The structure reveals that the hydrogen bond between Met80 and residue 67 is disrupted. This change destabilizes the sixth coordination bond between heme Fe3+ ion and Met80 sulfur atom in the Y67H variant, and further makes it more easily be broken at low pH conditions. The steady-state studies indicate that the Y67H variant has the highest peroxidase activities when pH condition is between 4.0 and 5.2. Finally, a mechanism is suggested for the peroxidation of cardiolipin catalyzed by the Y67H variant, where the residue His67 acts as a distal histidine, its protonation facilitates O-O bond cleavage of H2O2 by functioning as an acidic catalyst.

In vitro activity of gemifloxacin (SB 265805; LB20304a) against human mycoplasmas. The in vitro activity of gemifloxacin, a new broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone, was compared with those of ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, azithromycin and doxycycline against 29 human respiratory or urogenital tract mycoplasmas. Gemifloxacin was highly active against all of the mycoplasma and ureaplasma species tested (MIC range 0.001-0.25 mg/L) and was 5- to 100-fold more active than ciprofloxacin. Doxycycline was less active than gemifloxacin against the mycoplasmas (MIC range 0.01-1 mg/L) but had similar activity against Ureaplasma urealyticum (MIC ranges 0.025-0.25 mg/L end 0.1-0.25 mg/L, respectively). The macrolides, particularly azithromycin, were more active than gemifloxacin against Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MIC range 0.001-0.0025 mg/L) and Mycoplasma genitalium (0.0005-0.001 mg/L) isolates but were less active against Mycoplasma fermentans and U. urealyticum and inactive against Mycoplasma hominis, Gemifloxacin may therefore be useful in the treatment of respiratory, urogenital or systemic mycoplasma infections in humans.

Far-infrared irradiation inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation independently of DNA damage through increased nuclear Ca2+/calmodulin binding modulated-activation of checkpoint kinase 2. Far-infrared (FIR) irradiation is reported to inhibit cell proliferation in various types of cancer cells; the underlying mechanism, however, remains unclear. We explored the molecular mechanisms using MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. FIR irradiation significantly inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation compared to hyperthermal stimulus, with no alteration in cell viability. No increase in DNA fragmentation or phosphorylation of DNA damage kinases including ataxia-telangiectasia mutated kinase, ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related kinase, and DNA-dependent protein kinase indicated no DNA damage. FIR irradiation increased the phosphorylation of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2) at Thr68 (p-Chk2-Thr68) but not that of checkpoint kinase 1 at Ser345. Increased nuclear p-Chk2-Thr68 and Ca2+/CaM accumulations were found in FIR-irradiated cells, as observed in confocal microscopic analyses and cell fractionation assays. In silico analysis predicted that Chk2 possesses a Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) binding motif ahead of its kinase domain. Indeed, Chk2 physically interacted with CaM in the presence of Ca2+, with their binding markedly pronounced in FIR-irradiated cells. Pre-treatment with a Ca2+ chelator significantly reversed FIR irradiation-increased p-Chk2-Thr68 expression. In addition, a CaM antagonist or small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of the CaM gene expression significantly attenuated FIR irradiation-increased p-Chk2-Thr68 expression. Finally, pre-treatment with a potent Chk2 inhibitor significantly reversed both FIR irradiation-stimulated p-Chk2-Thr68 expression and irradiation-repressed cell proliferation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that FIR irradiation inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation, independently of DNA damage, by activating the Ca2+/CaM/Chk2 signaling pathway in the nucleus. These results demonstrate a novel Chk2 activation mechanism that functions irrespective of DNA damage.

Top-Down, Scalable Graphene Sheets Production: It Is All about the Precipitate. Graphene production has been widely explored and developed in the past decade. Most research has aimed at developing scalable, environmentally friendly and cheap procedures to produce defect-free graphene that can be used in a variety of applications such as mechanical properties enhancement and energy storage. Top-down graphene production approaches (from graphite) in liquid, which include high-shear mixing and sonication, were recently scaled up. Nevertheless, their production yields have remained low (<5%) due to the need for stabilization of the graphene in dispersion (supernatant), while the precipitate has usually not been considered as graphene product. In this study, we focus on the liquid-based approach of sonication, from lab to industrial scale, in an attempt to improve the graphene yield. Unlike previous studies, we explore and characterize the product both in the supernatant and in the precipitate. We found that above a certain critical energy all graphite flakes were exfoliated into graphene sheets in an exfoliation-fragmentation mechanism described by a thermogravimetric signature. Remarkably, we discovered that other top-down approaches, namely, shear mixing and ball milling, have similar thermogravimetric signatures, indicating not only that they proceed by the same mechanism but also that they are capable of the same high yield, findings that fundamentally challenge existing knowledge about liquid-based methods of graphene production.

Characterization of acid-leaching cocoa pod husk (CPH) and its resulting activated carbon. In order to enhance the adsorption capacity of activated carbon (AC) from cocoa pod husk (CPH) and reuse the solution after the acid-leaching of CPH as a liquid fertilizer, CPH was first leached by acid and then used as a precursor (CPH-A) for preparing ACs by physical activation at a temperature range of 650-850 A degrees C in this work. Based on the proximate analysis, mineral compositions, thermogravimetric analysis, and thermochemical properties, the differences between CPH and CPH-A were investigated. The chemical and pore properties of the resulting ACs were further studied. The results show that the pretreatment of CPH with hydrochloric acid led to removal of over 90% of the ash content in the CPH, mainly composed of potassium minerals. The Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area of the AC derived from CPH-A at 650 A degrees C is 355.8 m(2)/g, significantly larger than that (i.e., 1.1 m(2)/g) of the AC derived from CPH. The higher activation temperature (e.g., 900 A degrees C) is beneficial to the pore development of the resulting AC (e.g., BET surface area E integral A 1300 m(2)/g). In addition, the carbon (C) and sulfur (S) contents of the resulting ACs indicate an increasing trend as the temperature increased from 650 to 850 A degrees C, but a decreasing trend in the hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O) contents.

Herlyn Werner Wunderlich syndrome: A case of obstructed hemivagina with ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA syndrome) and didelphic uterus. We report a rare case of obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) syndrome with a didelphic uterus. A 22-year-old female presented with infertility for one year. Imaging studies revealed an absent left kidney, massive hematometrocolpos on the left side with normal other side. She was diagnosed with OHVIRA syndrome. She underwent septostomy of the vaginal septum, drainage of hematometrocolpos and hysterolaparoscopy that showed a bicornuate uterus and hematosalpinx. Given the rarity of the syndrome it is frequently misdiagnosed. Delayed diagnosis can lead to endometriosis. (C) 2014 Pan African Urological Surgeons' Association. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Using Fourier series to analyse mass imperfections in vibratory gyroscopes. When a vibrating structure is subjected to a rotation, the vibrating pattern rotates at a rate (called the precession rate) proportional to the inertial angular rate. This is known as Bryan's effect and it is employed to calibrate the resonator gyroscopes that are used to navigate in outer space, the stratosphere and under the polar cap. We study Bryan's effect for a non-ideal resonator gyroscope, using the computer algebra system (CAS) MATHEMATICA to do the analysis involved, rendering this work accessible to undergraduate students with a working knowledge of college calculus and basic physics or mechanics (such as senior Engineering Mathematics students). In this paper the density of a slowly rotating vibrating annular disc is assumed to have small variations circumferentially, enabling a Fourier series representation of the density function. Using a CAS, the,Lagrangian of the system of vibrating particles in the disc is calculated and, employing the CAS on the Euler-Lagrange equations, the equations of motion of the vibrating, rotating system are calculated in terms of \\'fast\\' variables, enabling us to demonstrate that the mass anisotropy induces a frequency splitting (beats). Unfortunately the fast variables are difficult to analyse (even with the aid of a CAS) and consequently a transformation from fast to slow variables is achieved. These slow variables are the principal and quadrature vibration amplitudes, precession rate and a phase angle. The transformation yields a system of four nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). This system of ODE demonstrates that the Fourier coefficients of the density function influence the precession rate and consequently a gyroscope manufactured from such a disc cannot use Bryan's effect for calibration purposes. Indeed, the CAS visualises that a capture effect occurs with the precession angle that appears to vary periodically and not increase linearly (Bryan's effect) as it would for a perfect structure. Keeping in mind that manufacturing imperfections will always be present in the real-world, the analysis shows how such density variations may be minimised. Using a symbolic manipulator such as MATHEMATICA to do the \\'book-keeping\\' eliminates the plethora of technical detail that arises during calculations of a highly technical nature. This allows the aforementioned students to focus on the salient parts of the analysis, producing results that might have been beyond their capabilities without the aid of a CAS. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new species of Plioplatecarpus (Mosasauridae, Plioplatecarpinae) from the Bearpaw Formation (Campanian, Upper Cretaceous) of Montana, U.S.A.. MOR 1062 is a plioplatecarpine mosasaur that is represented by a nearly complete skull, complete cervical series, and partial dorsal vertebral column. The specimen, collected from Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) deposits of northeast Montana, exhibits a pristine level of preservation, yielding morphological details not typically observed. Phylogenetic analysis recovers MOR 1062 within an unresolved trichotomy with Plioplatecarpus marshi and P. houzeaui. However, based on the following autapomorphies, a new taxon, Plioplatecarpus peckensis, sp. nov., is erected to accommodate this suite of features exhibited by MOR 1062: a narrow, elongate prenarial portion of the premaxilla that is constricted at midlength; a maxilla with a nearly straight narial margin in lateral view; a short prefrontal lamina of maxilla that contributes to a very low profile of the snout immediately anterior to orbits; a suspensorial ramus of parietal that does not rotate into horizontal plane distally; nine or 10 pterygoid teeth; an otosphenoidal crest that covers the exit for cranial nerve VII in lateral view; jugular and condylar (= hypoglossal) foramina that exit separately; axial spine with a distinctly notched dorsal border; hypapophyseal peduncles on postcranial vertebrae 2-7; and hypapophyses 2-5 bearing paired, anteriorly projecting knobs.SUPPLEMENTAL DATA-Supplemental materials are available for this article for free at www.tandfonline.com/UJVPhttp://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3F2E8116-0190-4BEB-98B2-56A767379D98

An efficient method for determination of the degree of substitution of cellulose esters of long chain aliphatic acids. The determination of the degree of substitution (DS) of fatty acid cellulose esters, representing a broad range of substituents (C-6, C-12, C-18 and C-22), was performed by alkaline hydrolysis of the ester groups and the quantification of fatty acids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as their trimethylsilyl derivatives. The method was optimized and compared with established techniques for the DS determination (elemental analysis and alkaline hydrolysis/titrimetry). The results demonstrated that alkaline hydrolysis/GC-MS is a rapid, reliable and powerful method for analysis of fatty acid cellulose esters, particularly when different acyl substituents are present.

In vivo Use of Dextran-based Anterograde Cortical Tracers to Assess the Integrity of the Cortical Spinal Tract. When injected into the motor cortex of rats, anterograde tracers label fibers of the associated descending corticospinal tract (CST) that originate from pyramidal neurons in the tracer-injected cortex. These fibers can be assessed at the level of the spinal cord to determine the integrity of the descending CST and the spatial distribution of axons in the spinal grey matter. Here we provide detailed methods on the minimally invasive stereotaxic injection of anterograde tracers into the forelimb sensorimotor representation in the rat cortex. In addition, we detail the fixing and processing of spinal tissue for assessment of CST integrity and branching into spinal grey matter.

Replacement of Lys-300 with a glutamine in the NhaA Na+/H+ antiporter of Escherichia coli yields a functional electrogenic transporter. Much of the research on Na+/H+ exchange has been done in prokaryotic models, mainly on the NhaA Na+/H+-exchanger from Escherichia coli (EcNhaA). Two conserved aspartate residues, Asp-163 and Asp-164, are essential for transport and are candidates for possible binding sites for the two H+ that are exchanged for one Na+ to make the overall transport process electrogenic. More recently, a proposed mechanism of transport for EcNhaA has suggested direct binding of one of the transported H+ to the conserved Lys-300 residue, a salt bridge partner of Asp-163. This contention is supported by a study reporting that substitution of the equivalent residue, Lys-305, of a related Na+/H+ antiporter, NapA from Thermus thermophilus, renders the transporter electroneutral. In this work, we sought to establish whether the Lys-300 residue and its partner Asp-163 are essential for the electrogenicity of EcNhaA. To that end, we replaced Lys-300 with Gln, either alone or together with the simultaneous substitution of Asp-163 with Asn, and characterized these transporter variants in electrophysiological experiments combined with H+ transport measurements and stability analysis. We found that K300Q EcNhaA can still support electrogenic Na+/H+ antiport in EcNhaA, but has reduced thermal stability. A parallel electrophysiological investigation of the K305Q variant of TtNapA revealed that it is also electrogenic. Furthermore, replacement of both salt bridge partners in the ion-binding site of EcNhaA produced an electrogenic variant (D163N/K300Q). Our findings indicate that alternative mechanisms sustain EcNhaA activity in the absence of canonical ion-binding residues and that the conserved lysines confer structural stability.

POSTOPERATIVE FATIGUE. This review has been accepted as a thesis together with nine previously published papers by the University of Copenhagen. February 2, 1995, and defended on June 2, 1995.

An explanation of the 25% male excess mortality for all children under 5. BACKGROUND: To demonstrate that an epidemiologic probability model of a hypothesized X-linkage for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) that predicted its 50% male excess, also predicts the 25% male excess of all child mortality for ages under 5 years.METHODS: Neglecting trauma, infants die naturally from either respiratory causes R (breathing stops first) or cardiac causes C (heart stops beating first). An hypothesized dominant X-linked allele with frequency p = 1/3, that is protective against acute anoxic encephalopathy, predicted the 50% male excess of R. Given the similar to 0% male excess for cardiac deaths C, and assuming equal death risk for females by R and C, their average predicts a 25% male excess for equal numbers of infant males and females at risk. Thus, 5 males would die for each 4 females dying from all causes, predicting a male fraction of 5/9 = 0.55556.CONCLUSIONS: An X-linked dominant allele protective against respiratory failure, predicts accurately the 5/9 male fraction of all child mortality under 5 years. DNA study of SIDS can identify the candidate X-linked gene locus.RESULTS: Vital statistics for gender of children under 5 years at risk of dying and their corresponding mortality are obtained from the U.S.A. and multiple European countries. For 17 data sets from 15 countries, we total over 1.2 Billion child-years at risk and over 2.6 million child deaths. The observed total under 5 year male fraction, correcting for the nominal 5% male livebirth excess, is 0.55633, virtually as predicted.

Postmortem Femoral Blood Concentrations of Risperidone. Postmortem femoral blood concentrations of the antipsychotic drug risperidone and the active metabolite 9-hydroxyrisperidone were determined by an achiral LCMS/MS method in 38 cases. The cause of death was classified as unrelated to risperidone in 30 cases, in which the sum of the concentration of the drug and metabolite ranged from below the limit of quantification to 0.058 mg/kg (median 0.0098 mg/kg). This concentration range, which largely corresponds to published in vivo plasmalevels under therapy, may serve as a reference for judgment of postmortem cases involving risperidone. In one case, risperidone was judged to be a contributing factor to death, and the sum of concentrations was 0.29 mg/kg. This concentration is of the same order of magnitude as observed for plasma levels in clinical intoxication cases. For the remaining seven cases, the cause of death was unclear. The measurements observed here do not suggest that risperidone is subject to major postmortem redistribution.

Strategic revenue management of preemptive versus non-preemptive queues. Consider a two-class unobservable priority queue, with Poisson arrivals, generally distributed service, and strategic customers. Customers are charged a fee when joining the premium class. We analyze the maximum revenue achievable under the non-preemptive (NP) and preemptive-resume (PR) policies, and show that a provider is always better off implementing the PR policy. Further, the maximum revenue under PR is sometimes achieved when only a fraction of the customers join the premium class. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

QUANTUM METROLOGY WITHOUT QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT. We scrutinize the role of quantum entanglement in quantum metrology and discuss recent advances in nonlinear quantum metrology that allow improved scalings of the measurement precision with respect to the available resources. Such schemes can surpass the conventional Heisenberg limited scaling of 1/N of quantum enhanced metrology. Without investing in the preparation of entangled states, we review how systems with intrinsic nonlinearities such as Bose-Einstein condensates and light-matter interfaces can provide improved scaling in single parameter estimation.

Effect of Cryoprotectants on the Frozen Storage Stability of Mince and Quality of Mince-based Products from Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791). A study was undertaken to assess the effect of cryoprotectants on frozen storage stability of mince for a period of 80 days and acceptability of mince-based products from Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791). Mince was mixed with various cryoprotectants viz., 2% sucrose, 2% (1:1) sucrose and sorbitol mixture (sugar mixture) and 3% sugar mixture, quick frozen at -35 degrees C and frozen stored. A steady increase in perception of sweetness and elasticity with increase in cryoprotectant concentration was observed in the products. For sausage, 2% sucrose level was preferred while for patty, control (without cryoprotectant) was the most accepted one. During frozen storage of mince, pH showed a slight increase and total plate count remained nearly steady for all the samples throughout the storage period. Moisture content appeared to remain constant during storage, but decreased with increase in sugar concentration. Salt soluble nitrogen content of mince decreased with storage period, and increased with addition of cryoprotectant. Expressible water content of sausage showed an increasing trend with storage period while a decreasing trend with cryoprotectant concentration was observed. It was vice-versa in case of the gel strength of fish sausage. The study concluded that a 2 to 3% sugar mixture concentration can be considered as optimum for consumer acceptance of mince-based products as well as for enhancing the stability of mince stored at -20 degrees C for a period of 80 days.

Tunnelling effects and electron transport in quantum dot structures. Using an analytical model of electron confinement in quantum dots, we have calculated the tunnelling rates for electron quasi-bound states. Schrodinger equation for the disk-shaped system in consideration is readily solved both in the time-dependent and time-independent versions, and the quantitative importance of tunnelling phenomena in low temperature electron emission from quantum dots is revealed. Results of the quantum mechanical analysis are transferred into the device characteristics of common mufti-layer quantum dot hetero-structures. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Adaptive Evolution Is Common in Rapid Evolutionary Radiations. One of the most long-standing and important mysteries in evolutionary biology is why biological diversity is so unevenly distributed across space and taxonomic lineages. Nowhere is this disparity more evident than in the multitude of rapid evolutionary radiations found on oceanic islands and mountain ranges across the globe [1-5]. The evolutionary processes driving these rapid diversification events remain unclear [6-8]. Recent genome-wide studies suggest that natural selection may be frequent during rapid evolutionary radiations, as inferred from work in cichlid fish [9], white-eye birds [10], new world lupins [11], and wild tomatoes [12]. However, whether frequent adaptive evolution is a general feature of rapid evolutionary radiations remains untested. Here we show that adaptive evolution is significantly more frequent in rapid evolutionary radiations compared to background levels in more slowly diversifying lineages. This result is consistent across a wide range of angiosperm lineages analyzed: 12 evolutionary radiations, which together comprise 1,377 described species, originating from some of the most biologically diverse systems on Earth. In addition, we find a significant negative correlation between population size and frequency of adaptive evolution in rapid evolutionary radiations. A possible explanation for this pattern is that more frequent adaptive evolution is at least partly driven by positive selection for advantageous mutations that compensate for the fixation of slightly deleterious mutations in smaller populations.

Two decades of suspect evidence for adaptive molecular evolution-negative selection confounding positive-selection signals. The total evidence for natural selection at the DNA level in the last two decades is suspect.There has been a large literature in the last two decades affirming adaptive DNA sequence evolution between species. The main lines of evidence are from (i) the McDonald-Kreitman (MK) test, which compares divergence and polymorphism data, and (ii) the phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood (PAML) test, which analyzes multispecies divergence data. Here, we apply these two tests concurrently to genomic data of Drosophila and Arabidopsis. To our surprise, the >100 genes identified by the two tests do not overlap beyond random expectation. Because the non-concordance could be due to low powers leading to high false negatives, we merge every 20-30 genes into a 'supergene'. At the supergene level, the power of detection is large but the calls still do not overlap. We rule out methodological reasons for the non-concordance. In particular, extensive simulations fail to find scenarios whereby positive selection can only be detected by either MK or PAML, but not both. Since molecular evolution is governed by positive and negative selection concurrently, a fundamental assumption for estimating one of these (say, positive selection) is that the other is constant. However, in a broad survey of primates, birds, Drosophila and Arabidopsis, we found that negative selection rarely stays constant for long in evolution. As a consequence, the variation in negative selection is often misconstrued as a signal of positive selection. In conclusion, MK, PAML and any method that examines genomic sequence evolution has to explicitly address the variation in negative selection before estimating positive selection. In a companion study, we propose a possible path forward in two stages-first, by mapping out the changes in negative selection and then using this map to estimate positive selection. For now, the large literature on positive selection between species has to await reassessment.

Analysis of Ultrasonic Seam Tensile Properties of Thermal Bonded Nonwoven Fabrics. Ultrasonic seam strength and elongation at break properties of thermal bonded nonwoven fabrics are discussed in this study; and the effects of fiber type, fabric area density, and roller type on ultrasonic tensile properties of nonwoven fabrics are reported. Polypropylene (PP), Polyester (PES), and Polyamide - Polyester (70% PA - 30% PES) blend of thermal bonded nonwoven fabrics were used, and the seam strength and elongation at break were measured and the obtained data were evaluated. At the end of the experimental studies, the data from the ultrasonic tensile properties of thermal bonded nonwoven fabrics which were made of different fibers and same production method were evaluated in order to determine the tensile properties which lead to the best result. The experimental results show that the PP thermal bonded nonwoven fabric tended to provide the best seam strength and elongation at break values.

The compatibility of concurrent high intensity interval training and resistance training for muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the effect of concurrent high intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training (RT) on strength and hypertrophy. Five electronic databases were searched using terms related to HIIT, RT, and concurrent training. Effect size (ES), calculated as standardised differences in the means, were used to examine the effect of concurrent HIIT and RT compared to RT alone on muscle strength and hypertrophy. Sub-analyses were performed to assess region-specific strength and hypertrophy, HIIT modality (cycling versus running), and inter-modal rest responses. Compared to RT alone, concurrent HIIT and RT led to similar changes in muscle hypertrophy and upper body strength. Concurrent HIIT and RT resulted in a lower increase in lower body strength compared to RT alone (ES=-0.248, p=0.049). Sub analyses showed a trend for lower body strength to be negatively affected by cycling HIIT (ES=-0.377, p=0.074) and not running (ES=-0.176, p=0.261). Data suggests concurrent HIIT and RT does not negatively impact hypertrophy or upper body strength, and that any possible negative effect on lower body strength may be ameliorated by incorporating running based HIIT and longer inter-modal rest periods.

Reflective Groundcover Improves Fruit Skin Color in 'Honeycrisp' Apples Grown under Protective Netting. In semiarid apple (Malus domestica) growing regions, high temperatures and excessive solar radiation can increase the risk of sunburn development. Protective netting is increasingly used as a cultural practice under these conditions to mitigate fruit sunburn losses. However, fruit skin color development can be negatively affected under protective nets due to the reduction in light availability. Reflective groundcovers have been previously reported to increase fruit color development, particularly in the inner parts of the tree canopy. Here, we compared two types of reflective groundcover: a woven polyethylene fabric and a film material with a grassed control without reflective material under a protective netting installation that reduced photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) by 17%. The experiment was conducted in a semiarid climate on a 5-year-old 'Cameron SelectHoneycrisp' apple orchard near Quincy, WA. Light penetration into the canopy was measured with a PAR sensor. At harvest, fruit quality, yield, and size were assessed. The use of reflective groundcover between the rows significantly increased reflected PAR into the lower canopy. Moreover, reflective groundcovers significantly increased the amount of fruit with greater than 25% skin red color compared with the control. Reflective groundcover did not affect fruit weight, yield, and fruit number. The use of reflective groundcover under protective netting can increase light penetration into the canopy, thereby improving fruit skin red coloration in apple.

Prediction of Piled Raft Foundation Settlement - A Case Study. Piled raft foundation is an effective foundation method. For the last few decades, the rapid growth of cities all over the world led to a tremendous increase in the number as well as the height of high-rise and super high-rise buildings, even in unfavourable subsoil conditions. Piled raft foundation concept, in which piles are only used for reducing the settlement, not for carrying the whole load from the structure, has been successfully applied for many projects. In this paper the result from the Author's experimental study, which strongly supports the concept of settlement-reducing piles is reviewed. Basing on the experiment, which is surprisingly in good agreement with the monitoring results of case histories many years later, a simplified design method is proposed. In this paper, the method is used for conceptual design of a large high-rise complex. In combination with FEM analyses using Plaxis 3D, the simplified method is a reliable tool for conceptual design of piled-raft.

Determination of scattering properties and damage thresholds in tissue using ultrafast laser ablation. Ultrafast laser surgery of tissue requires precise knowledge of the tissue's optical properties to control the extent of subsurface ablation. Here, we present a method to determine the scattering lengths, e(s), and fluence thresholds, F-th, in multilayered and turbid tissue by finding the input energies required to initiate ablation at various depths in each tissue layer. We validated the method using tissue-mimicking phantoms and applied it to porcine vocal folds, which consist of an epithelial (ep) layer and a superficial lamina propia (SLP) layer. Across five vocal fold samples, we found e(s;ep) = 51.0 +/- 3.9 mu m, F-th,F-ep = 1.78 +/- 0.08 J/cm(2), e(s,SLP) = 26.5 +/- 1.6 mu m, and Fth; SLP = 1.14 +/- 0.12 J/cm(2). Our method can enable personalized determination of tissue optical properties in a clinical setting, leading to less patient-to-patient variability and more favorable outcomes in operations, such as femto-LASIK surgery. (C) 2016 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).

Well-posedness and analyticity of the Cauchy problem for the multi-component Novikov equation. In this paper, we are concerned with the Cauchy problem of the multi-component Novikov equation. We establish the local well-posedness in a range of the Besov spaces by using Littlewood-Paley decomposition and transport equation theory. Moreover, with analytic initial data, we show that its solutions are analytic in both variables, globally in space and locally in time.

How to proceed after 'negative' exome: A review on genetic diagnostics, limitations, challenges, and emerging new multiomics techniques. Exome sequencing (ES) in the clinical setting of inborn metabolic diseases (IMDs) has created tremendous improvement in achieving an accurate and timely molecular diagnosis for a greater number of patients, but it still leaves the majority of patients without a diagnosis. In parallel, (personalized) treatment strategies are increasingly available, but this requires the availability of a molecular diagnosis. IMDs comprise an expanding field with the ongoing identification of novel disease genes and the recognition of multiple inheritance patterns, mosaicism, variable penetrance, and expressivity for known disease genes. The analysis of trio ES is preferred over singleton ES as information on the allelic origin (paternal, maternal, \\'de novo\\') reduces the number of variants that require interpretation. All ES data and interpretation strategies should be exploited including CNV and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The constant advancements in available techniques and knowledge necessitate the close exchange of clinicians and molecular geneticists about genotypes and phenotypes, as well as knowledge of the challenges and pitfalls of ES to initiate proper further diagnostic steps. Functional analyses (transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) can be applied to characterize and validate the impact of identified variants, or to guide the genomic search for a diagnosis in unsolved cases. Future diagnostic techniques (genome sequencing [GS], optical genome mapping, long-read sequencing, and epigenetic profiling) will further enhance the diagnostic yield. We provide an overview of the challenges and limitations inherent to ES followed by an outline of solutions and a clinical checklist, focused on establishing a diagnosis to eventually achieve (personalized) treatment.

SELECTION OF TRANSMITTER RESPONSES AT SITES OF NEURITE CONTACT DURING SYNAPSE FORMATION BETWEEN IDENTIFIED LEECH NEURONS. 3. The channels underlying the depolarizing response to 5-HT were identified in patch clamp recordings from P cell growth cones. These cation channels showed rare, brief openings in the absence of 5-HT. Application of 5-HT in the bath (outside the patch pipette) increased channel activity in uncontacted P cell growth cones but not in growth cones of the same P cells contacted by R cells.2. As measured by intracellular recording at the P cell soma, synaptic release of 5-HT from R cell processes activated only the Cl--dependent response in P cell neurites. Focal application of 5-HT from a micropipette depolarized uncontacted P cell growth cones and neurites. In contrast, processes from the same P cells that were contacted by R cells were rarely depolarized by 5-HT application unless the application pipette was moved along the neurites away from the sites of contact.4. We conclude that the selection of transmitter responses during synapse formation was localized to discrete sites of contact between the synaptic partners.1. Pressure sensitive (P) neurons of the leech Hirudo medicinalis show both an inhibitory, Cl--dependent response and a depolarizing, cationic response to pipette application of serotonin (5-HT). Serotonergic Retzius (R) neurons in culture reform inhibitory, Cl--dependent synapses with P neurons but fail to elicit the extrasynaptic, depolarizing response to 5-HT. We have examined the localization of the selection of 5-HT responses by testing the sensitivity of P cell growth cones and neurites to 5-HT application.

Serum albumin binds beta- and alpha-monoolein in vitro. We investigated the interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and monoolein (MO) and estimated the number of BSA binding sites for the alpha- and beta -isomers of MO. The turbidity of increasing concentrations of aqueous dispersions of alpha -MO and beta -MO in the presence and absence of BSA was measured in triplicate by absorption spectrophotometry. Aqueous dispersions of [C-13(1)]MO and [C-13(1)]MO/BSA mixtures at molar ratios of 1:1, 3:1 and 5:1 were analyzed in duplicate by [C-13]nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) at pH 7.4 and 36 degreesC. BSA bound significantly more beta -MO than alpha -MO at 15 min: 5.4 +/- 0.42 and 3.3 +/- 0.60 mol MO/mol BSA, respectively (P < 0.05). [C-13]NMR spectra of the 1:1 molar ratio of [C-13(1)]MO/BSA exhibited a single carbonyl peak at 175.19 ppm, whereas spectra of 3:1 and 5:1 molar ratios exhibited three peaks between 172 and 174 (ppm), each distinct from carbonyl resonances of either [C-13(1)]MO dispersed in water, 176.72 (ppm) or BSA alone. The intensities of individual peaks, but not their chemical shift values, varied between 3:1 and 5:1 molar ratios, indicating that BSA has at least three MO binding sites and may bind up to five molecules of MO per molecule. This study confirms that serum albumin binds MO in vitro and supports the theory that albumin transports monoglycerides produced by lipoprotein lipase hydrolysis of triglyceride.

Association of Occupational Risk Factors with the Level of Lumbar Disc Nucleus Pulposus Herniation. Background: Lumbar disc nucleus pulposus herniation causes functional and life quality impairment.Objective: To evaluate the association of various occupations with increased risk of lumbar disc herniation.Study Design: Retrospective study.Place and Duration of Study: Department of Neurosurgery, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from 1st June 2011 to 3oth June 2020.Methodology: Eighty patients between 30-60 years were enrolled after complete examination and lumbar disc herniation (nucleus pulposus) diagnosis. Variable including occupations type, working hours, clinical history were noted.Results: There were 86% males and 13.8% females. The mean age of patients was 51 +/- 7.3 years. Majority of patients were either educationist or office worker with 28.75% those who were lifting weight >10 kg by bending forward flexion at >90 degrees. The working hours of 65% was >8 hours daily.Conclusion: Occupations with greater sitting, bending and weight lifting activities are risky and can result in lumbar disc nucleus pulposus herniation.

Assessment of index value performance of enzyme immunoassay test in predicting the diagnosis of human brucellosis. Introduction: Clinical presentation of brucellosis is variable. Therefore, it must be confirmed with laboratory findings. Standard tube agglutination test (STAT) is commonly used for diagnosis of brucellosis. ELISA tests differentiate between IgM and IgG antibodies. However, there are evidences revealing that they do not have sufficient specificity. This study aimed to determine an ELISA optimal index value in the diagnosis of brucellosis. Methodology: Brucella STAT and ELISA IgM/IgG tests of patients admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of brucellosis between January 2017 and December 2019 were evaluated in the Microbiology Laboratory. Results: ELISA IgM and IgG serum median index value was significantly higher in STAT positive (1 ??? 1:160) group (p < 0.001 for both). By ROC analysis of 117 patients, when the IgM index value was determined to be 2.44, the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were 85.7%, 71.4%, 60%, and 90.9%, respectively, and when the IgG index 7.85 was determined, these values were 85.7%, 53.7%, 36.7%, and 92.3%, respectively was detected. Conclusions: In this study, it was revealed that Vircell Brucella had a good clinical diagnostic performance for index value of 2.44 for IgM test kit and 7.95 for IgG test kit. If the diagnosis of brucellosis is correctly predicted with index values in Brucella IgM and IgG tests before STAT analysis, they can be used in the process of clinical decision. In addition to the results of Brucella ELISA, reporting index values and determining optimal index values for each laboratory can help the diagnosis of brucellosis.

High susceptibility of human c-Ha-ras protooncogene transgenic rats to carcinogenesis: A cancer-prone animal model. Transgenic animals carrying human c-Ha-ras proto-oncogene, v-Ha-ras transgenic mice, pim-1 transgenic mice and several knockout mice deficient of tumor suppressor genes, such as p53, have been shown to exhibit increased carcinogen susceptibility. As a result, studies into practical application and medium-term screening of environmental carcinogens are under way. Given the advantages of rat models characterized by larger organ size, abundant information regarding preneoplasias and virus-free constitution, we have concentrated on the generation of transgenic rats bearing copies of the human c-Ha-ras proto-oncogene and shown the Hras128 strain to be extremely sensitive to the induction of mammary carcinomas, and to a lesser extent, lesions in the urinary bladder, esophagus and skin. In most, if not all, the mammary cancers mutations of the transgene but not the endogenous H-ras gene are present, appearing to occur early in the process of tumorigenesis, which involves proliferation of cells in TEB and intraductal hyperplasia before carcinomas arise. Preliminary findings suggest that this is independent of enclogenous ovarian hormones, although inhibited by soy isoflavones and promoted by atrazine and nonylphenols. Although further studies of the mechanisms are clearly necessary, the model appears to have great potential for screening purposes, not only for modifiers active in the breast, but also other organs where tumors characterized by ras gene mutations develop.

INFRARED SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF THE PRODUCTS OF THERMAL-DEGRADATION OF POLYAMIDES IN INERT ATMOSPHERE. Infrared spectra were measured of condensates generated by heating polyamide-6, polyamide-12, polyamide-11, polyamide-8 and polyamide-6,6 in inert atmosphere at 300, 350, 400, 500, and 600-degrees-C for various time. The products of thermal degradation were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the thermal history of polyamide degradation can be detected from infrared spectra.

Indicators of Absolute and Relative Changes in Skeletal Muscle Mass during Adulthood and Ageing. This study aimed to explore the set of variables related to skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in both sexes, and to create age- and sex-related models of changes in SMM, using the most representative indicator of muscular status. Body composition was assessed in 8733 subjects (female = 3370 and male = 5363), allocated into subsamples according to age: 18-29.9, 30-39.9, 40-49.9, 50-59.9, 60-69.9, and 70.0-79.9 years. Nine variables were used: protein mass, protein percent, protein mass index, SMM, percent of SMM, SMM index, fat-free mass, fat-free mass index, and protein/fat index. Univariate and multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA and MANOVA) were used to determine between- and within-sex difference in all variables by age. Correlation analysis established the relationship between age and muscularity variables. Principal Component Analysis extracted the variables that loaded highest in explaining muscularity, while regression analysis determined the linearity of association between the age and indicators of muscular status. Variables SMMI and PSMM were extracted as the most sensitive to age, with SMMI being gender-independent while showing the parabolic and sinusoidal form of change as function of ageing in males and females, respectively; and PSMM being sex-dependent while showing a linear trend of decrease in both sexes.