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Propose: The present study aimed to assess clinical results, in terms of postoperative pain, functional recovery and recurrence rates of FESSA (Full Endoscopic Suprapubic Subcutaneous Access) technique compared to endoscopic anterior rectus sheaths plication and mesh, in male patients with midline ventral or incisional hernias and severe rectus diastasis (SRD) associated. Secondary aims were to identify intra- and postoperative complications associated with each technique. Methods: Male patients with midline ventral or incisional hernia and severe rectus diastasis were included in a prospectively maintained databased and retrospectively analyzed from January 2017 to December 2020. From January 2017 to January 2019, male patients underwent to anterior rectus sheaths plication (ARSP) (Control group). From January 2019 to December 2020, male patients underwent to FESSA technique (FT) (Case group). Results: 53 patients were finally included. 28 patients (52%) underwent to FT and 25 patients (48%) to ARSP. Regarding intraoperative complications, no significant differences were identified between the groups. Hospital stay was significantly improved in FT group when compared to ARSP group. No significant differences in terms of postoperative seroma or hematomas, were shown. FT group showed significantly less pain on 1st, 7th and 30th postoperative days than ARSP group. Functional recovery was significantly improved in FT group compared to ARSP group on the 30th day and no differences were observed on the 180th day after surgery. The mean follow-up was 17.3 ± 2.6 months in FT group and 24 ± 3 months in ARSP group. During the follow-up, 1(3%) and 9 (36%) diastasis recurrences were identified respectively, with significant differences in favor of FT group. Conclusion: In males with SRD and symptomatic midlines hernias, ARSP with onlay mesh placement shows high diastasis recurrence rate in mid-term follow-up. We propose FESSA technique in those patients, which decreases the excessive midline tension, improving the postoperative pain, functional recovery and recurrence rate, without increasing postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed at clinical results in terms of postoperative pain and functional recovery of new technique (eTEP) compared to IPOM + for ventral/incisional midline hernias. Recurrence rate, intra/postoperative complications and aesthetic results are secondary aims. Methods: Data from consecutive patients requiring minimally invasive hernia repair were collected. From January 2015 to September 2018, patients with midline ventral/incisional hernias underwent IPOM + were compared to patients underwent eTEP procedure from October 2018 to December 2019 in a case/control study. Results: Thirty-nine patients in IPOM + group and 40 in eTEP group were included. No significant differences were identified when hernias types, mean defect area, mean mesh area and intraoperative/postoperative complications (except seroma rate in favor of eTEP group) were compared. Operative time and hospital stay were significantly higher in eTEP group and IPOM + group, respectively. eTEP group showed significantly less pain on 1st, 7th and 30th postoperative days than IPOM + group. Restriction of activities was significantly decreased in eTEP group on the 30th and 180th day after surgery. Significant differences were observed in terms of cosmetic results 30th and 180th days after surgery in favor of eTEP group. Average follow-up was 15 months in eTEP group and 28 months in IPOM + group. No recurrences were identified in eTEP group and one recurrence in IPOM + group with no significant differences. Conclusion: Endoscopic retromuscular technique shows significant lower postoperative pain, better functional recovery and cosmesis than IPOM + without differences in intra/postoperative complications (except seroma rate) or recurrences during the follow-up. eTEP requires longer operative time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibitory effect of positional syllable frequency is a well-known phenomenon in visual word recognition: words with high-frequency syllables require extra time for deactivating the lexical syllabic neighbors. The inhibitory effect implies that a connection exists between graphemes, phonemes, the first syllable, and the phonological lexicon. However, experimental results of the first developmental stages of occurrence are scarce and inconclusive. A second- and fourth-grade sample of typical school readers participated in a lexical decision task containing high/low frequency words and high/low syllable frequency words. Our primary hypothesis was that the inhibitory effect would be found on both school grade groups. We did not predict significant differences in magnitude of effect between second- and fourth-grade participants. A general inhibitory effect was found, and separate analyses by school grade groups also indicated significant inhibitory effects. Furthermore, second- and fourth-grade children showed small sizes of the inhibitory effect, resembling the sizes found in adult normal readers. Our results suggest that Spanish readers reach a functional connection between syllables and words at an early stage. The straightforward theoretical implication is that the inhibitory effect relies heavily on the structural properties of the lexical access system that are acquired at an early age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a structure of pro on hypermatrices. This structure allows us to define multilinear representations of pros and in particular of free pros. As an example of applications, we investigate the relations of the representations of pros with the theory of automata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influence of the interaction between nearest-neighbor adatoms in a reaction of catalyzed oxidation of carbon monoxide has been studied by Monte Carlo simulation. The transition probabilities are chosen in the Arrhenius form, and the activation energy is divided into two additive terms, corresponding to the action of the substrate and to the interaction between nearest adatoms, respectively. When the interaction makes desorption easier or hinders adsorption the behavior is similar: Three steady state regimes or phases were observed; in the first phase, the surface is poisoned by oxygen; in the second phase there is a reactive steady state in which carbon dioxide is continuously produced, and in the third phase, the surface is poisoned by carbon monoxide. The transition from the O-poisoned phase to the reactive phase is continuous, or second order, and the transition from the reaction to the CO-poisoned phase is first order. The same occurs when the interaction is not considered. The interaction makes the second zone wider, where carbon dioxide is being produced. When the interaction makes easier adsorption or hinders desorption only two phases are observed: In the first phase the surface is poisoned by oxygen and in the second phase it is poisoned by carbon monoxide and the transition from one to another is first order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the determination of absolute number density distributions of C2, C3 and CH in the gas-phase reactive plume of a diamond depositing dc arcjet reactor during chemical vapor deposition. Excitation scans; Quantitative laser-induced fluorescence; Peak number density; Radial temperature profile in the arcjet plume.

Focuses on the determination of the atomic hydrogen mole fraction in the reactive plume of a dc-arcjet reactor used for diamond deposition. Identification of gas temperature by linear laser-induced fluorescence measurements of several rotational line of nitric oxide; Growth of diamond thin films through supersonic jet impinges in a water cooled molybdenum substrate.

A new raninoidian crab, Bellcarcinus aptiensis gen. nov., sp. nov., is described from the upper Aptian of Colombia. The new genus displays a combination of traits seen among some ancient species within the Necrocarcinidae and Orithopsidae, obscuring its family placement. This taxon represents the sixth known genus of pre-Albian raninoidians worldwide, and the fourth known from Colombia, in addition to Joeranina, Planocarcinus and Colombicarcinus. Bellcarcinus gen. nov., together with other Early Cretaceous finds from Colombia and Brazil, represents early stocks of stem-group frog crabs, which indicate that tropical South America might have played an important role in the early radiation of the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model that provides an overall description of both the short- and long-term mechanisms of arterial pressure regulation is presented. Short-term control is exerted through the baroreceptor reflex while renal elimination plays a role in long-term control. Both mechanisms operate in an integrated way over the compartmental model of the cardiovascular system. The whole system was modelled in MODELICA, which uses a hierarchical object-oriented modelling strategy, under the DYMOLA simulation environment. The performance of the controlled system was analysed by simulation in light of the existing hypothesis and validation tests previously performed with physiological data, demonstrating the effectiveness of both regulation mechanisms under physiological and pathological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Information on the natural infection rates of pruned canes caused by fungal trunk pathogens is scarce. This study aimed to determine the pathogenic mycoflora infecting the pruning wounds in two vineyards in Catalonia, Spain, each with a different level of trunk diseases, and in two pruning seasons. Methods and Results Vines were pruned in each vineyard in mid-autumn leaving four to six buds. Three months later, pathogens were isolated and identified in 250 pruned canes chosen at random in each vineyard. Vines were then definitively pruned to two buds, and sampling for pathogen isolation and identification was repeated 3 months later. The main fungal pathogens identified in this study were Eutypa lata (0-0.4% of isolations), Neofusicoccum parvum (0-1.2%), Botryosphaeria dothidea (0-1.6%), Phomopsis spp. (0-1.6%), Cryptovalsa ampelina (0-3.2%), Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (0-12.0%) and Diplodia seriata (0.4-68.4%). A strong seasonal effect on pathogen infections was detected for most species, with a higher isolation percentage detected after the late pruning as compared with that of the early pruning. Conclusions Under the environmental conditions and the geographical location of this study, our results showed that the rate of natural infection of pruning wounds was lower following early pruning (autumn) than following late pruning (winter). Significance of the Study Early pruning could be used in combination with other control measures, such as chemical and biological wound protectants, to reduce the infections caused by the grapevine trunk pathogens during the pruning season in Catalonia, Spain. The infection risk, however, and potential effects of the early pruning on grape production should be considered in other environments before expanding this recommendation to other grapegrowing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate several generalizations of the Hopf algebra MQSym whose constructions come from labelings of special diagrams in bijection with packed matrices. Their products come either from the Hopf algebras WSym or WQSym, respectively built on integer set partitions and set compositions. Realizations on bi-word are exhibited, and it is shown how these algebras fit into a commutative diagram. Hopf deformations and dendriform structures are also considered for some algebras in the picture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examination of 248 adult specimens of whitemouth croaker Micropogonias furnieri from five localities along the Brazilian coast revealed 8735 parasites belonging to 41 metazoan species. Samples from Ceará to Bahia and Rio de Janeiro to Santa Catarina showed a high level of correct assignation (92 and 87%, respectively) and cross assignation ( i.e. almost all specimens misidentified in Ceará were assigned to Bahia and almost all specimens misidentified in Bahia were classified as Ceará), so samples were pooled in the northern and south-eastern samples, and Rio Grande do Sul was considered a southern area. Eight parasite species were characteristic of the northern localities, five species were found just in the area associated with south-eastern localities and two species were characteristic of the southern area providing first evidence of stock discreteness. The multivariate discriminant analysis successfully discriminated three groups of localities associated with three stocks of M. furnieri in Brazil: a northern stock associated with Ceará and Bahia, a south-eastern stock related to Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina and a southern stock in the area of Rio Grande do Sul, which could be considered as the northern limit of the stock associated with the Common Fishing Zone of Uruguay and Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The 14–base pair (bp) polymorphism within the HLA-G gene has been investigated in heart transplant patients for the first time. The 14-bp polymorphism is associated with HLA-G mRNA stability and the patterns of alternative isoforms splicing, and therefore may influence the functionality of the HLA-G molecule. In heart transplantation, the highest production of soluble HLA-G was related to the −14/−14-bp genotype in the pre- and post-transplantation periods. Our study findings showed that the 14-bp polymorphism of the HLA-G gene influenced the expression of soluble HLA-G in heart transplantation and accordingly resulted in low rejection rates, being a possible marker of genetic variability associated with heart transplantation. In addition, the 14-bp polymorphism of the HLA-G gene is related to the absorber status of cyclosporine of each individual patient, and is useful for determining the oral dose of cyclosporine to manage patients (to adjust immunosuppressive protocols) so as to minimize the risk of a low or high immunosuppression and the side effects in the early stages of heart transplantation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Botryosphaeria canker of cork oak ( Quercus suber L.), caused by Botryosphaeria corticola, is a well-known factor contributing to the decline of this forest species and is a serious disease in the main cork-producing countries of the Western Mediterranean basin. In this work, fungicides with the potential for controlling the disease were selected using a combination of in vitro tests and field trials. Fourteen fungicides in different chemical families were tested in vitro to evaluate their effect on inhibition of mycelial growth. The most effective fungicides were benomyl, carbendazim, cyprodinil + fludioxonil, thiabendazol and thiophanate-methyl; these compounds were then further tested under field conditions. In the field trials, carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl were the most effective fungicides, as shown by efficacy indices, in reducing debarked trunk surface affected by cankers (76% and 50–65%, respectively). These results suggest that the occurrence of Botryosphaeria canker on cork oak can be reduced effectively with the application of selected fungicides after cork removal from the trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative analysis was performed to seek large-scale patterns in the relationships between a set of fish species traits (body size, type of environment, trophic level, schooling behaviour, depth range, mean habitat temperature, geographical range, ability to enter brackish waters and capability of migration) and the diversity of their metazoan parasite assemblages among 651 Neotropical fish species. Two measurements of parasite diversity are used: the species richness and the taxonomic distinctness of a fish’s parasite assemblage, including all metazoan parasites, ectoparasites only, or endoparasites only. The results showed that, on this scale, the average taxonomic distinctness of parasite assemblages was clearly more sensitive to the influence of host traits than parasite species richness. Differences in the taxonomic diversification of the parasite assemblages of different fish species were mainly related to the fish’s environment (higher values in benthic–demersal species), trophic level (positive correlation with increasing level), temperature (positive correlation with temperature in marine ectoparasites, negative in endoparasites; positive for all groups of parasites in freshwater fishes) and oceanic distribution (higher values in fish species from the Pacific Ocean than those of the Atlantic). The results suggest that, among Neotropical fish species, only certain key host traits have influenced the processes causing the taxonomic diversification of parasite assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to further determine the immediate influence, over a 12-h period, after the initiation of daily immunosuppressive treatment on the serum levels of sHLA-G in heart transplant patients during the post-transplant period (1 month). It was found that there are two patterns of patients in term of the changes observed in their levels of sHLA-G in response to the immunosuppressive treatment. One group (group A) showed no changes on sHLA-G while the other group (group B) a significant rise in sHLA-G levels was observed at 2 to 4 h post dose. Interestingly, it was observed that the patients in group B have better prognosis of acceptance of the heart graft than those of group A. On the other hand it was found that the patients with high levels of sHLA-G (77.3±34.8 ng/ml) in pre-transplant sera have a better prognosis of acceptance of the heart graft than those with low sHLA-G levels (9.7±7.1 ng/ml). In conclusion, both the intensity of changes of sHLA-G levels induced by immunosuppression and basal levels in pre-transplant could be used in the monitoring of the immunosuppression as well as the heart transplant evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aims of this study were to quantify the level of soluble HLA-G in heart transplant patients, to determine the relationship between the sHLA-G levels and the appearance of acute rejection episodes, and to identify the influence of immunosuppressive therapy on sHLA-G levels. Analysis of sHLA-G, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the transplant patients, revealed the existence of two similarly sized groups of patients. One group displayed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in sHLA-G during the first month after transplantation while the other group maintained low levels of the molecule (0–30 ng/ml) throughout the study. The latter group displayed a high incidence of recurrent severe rejection. A significant increase (p < 0.01) in sHLA-G 2 hours after administration of immunosuppressive treatment (mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine A/FK506, corticoids) was found. These results suggest that sHLA-G participates in the induction of certain levels of immunological tolerance in these recipients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two stocks of striped weakfish Cynoscion guatucupa in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, were identified using parasites as biological tags. A total of 297 fish caught in Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina, contained 29 species of metazoan parasites. Univariate analysis on parasite populations, as well as multivariate discriminant analysis, calculated for juvenile and adult fish separately, allowed the identification of the two stocks, one from Argentina and Uruguay and the other from Brazil, to be made. Southern samples were characterized by higher prevalences and abundance of larval endohelminths, whereas in the northern stock, gastrointestinal and ectoparasitic species were common. Discriminant analyses on parasite infracommunities of Brazilian fish showed notable differences between juvenile and adult hosts; no such trend was observed in fish from Argentina and Uruguay, despite differences between juveniles and adults at the population level. Different oceanographic conditions and their influence on the distribution of parasites as well as of other hosts involved in their life cycles could be key factors for the differences observed among stocks of C. guatucupa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, different solutions have been developed for power system control and telecommunication network management environments. The former was characterized by proprietary solutions, while the latter has been involved for years in a strong standardization process guided by criteria of openness. Today, power system control standardization is hi progress, but it is at an early stage compared to the telecommunications management area, especially in terms of information modeling. Today, control equipment tends to exhibit more computational power, and communication lines have increased their performance. These trends hint at some conceptual convergence between power systems and telecommunications networks from a management perspective. This convergence leads us to suggest the application of well-established telecommunications management standards for power systems control. This paper shows that this is a real medium-to-long term possibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of multifractals in heterogeneous chemistry has proven useful in the characterization of some complex phenomena. This paper proposes a multifractal analysis in order to study the distribution of adsorbed particles for a reaction of a monomer and a dimer that dissociates, both of which are adsorbed on a surface and react. For a range of a control parameter, there is a steady reactive window that changes when adsorbate-adsorbate lateral interaction is considered. τ(q) and f(α) for different values of control parameter and interactions are calculated, studying distribution of adsorbed particles in relation to multifractal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the existing relationship between a measurement error and the time elapsed since that measurement was taken in the field, a period of lime which we will call the datum age, will allow us to learn about its behavior in a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. This study has allowed us to know that, in the case of electrical measurements, they quickly reach their maximum error value because of their age. Therefore, it is not necessary to send measurements to the control center at small intervals: it is possible to wait a given time without having a higher associated error. After getting these results, we have done an experimental study about electrical measurements, in which these measurements are sent to the control center only if they exceed a given percentage of the former measurement, what we call measurement tolerance. In this paper, it has been experimentally proved that this send-by-tolerance method significantly reduces the transmission channel load, so the system can benefit from this because the bandwidth can be reused by more remote units, as well as performance of the existing ones is improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absolute, quantitative spatially resolved distribution of CH radicals was measured in the reaction zone of a low-pressure methane/air flame (25 Torr) using a combination of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and cavity ring-down (CRD) absorption spectroscopy operating on the A 2Δ–X 2Π(0,0) transition. The spatially resolved 1-D image of LIF provides a direct measure of the CH distribution along the path of the laser beam in the CRD cavity. The temperature distribution was determined from measurements on a pair of rotational transitions. A series of LIF line images and CRD absorption measurements taken at various burner heights are combined to form a quantitative 2-D image of the CH distribution. This is used to interpret the CRD measurements along this inhomogeneous path. The 10 ppm peak CH concentration measured here on the centerline of the flame is in good agreement (within 15%) with earlier CH A–X LIF measurements calibrated by Rayleigh and Raman scattering. A 1-D LIF image collected simultaneously with CRD absorption was also used to quantify and optimize the spatial resolution of the CRD measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model for the monomer-monomer surface reaction of the type A + B → AB, with diffusion of A and B monomers on a surface and reaction only on active sites randomly distributed on the surface, has been proposed and studied. For a critical point where both adsorption probabilities are the same, a seemingly reactive steady state transforms itself into a poisoned state. In this transient state, the production of AB molecules, in relation to the density of active sites, is considered and an inert-reactive irreversible phase transition is observed. The critical values of the density of active sites, where the irreversible phase transition occurs, is obtained in the limit L → ∞ by means of a finite-size scaling analysis. The critical exponents that dominate the correlation length of clusters, as well as the production of AB molecules at criticality, are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absolute number densities of the CH radical were determined in a partially premixed methane/air flame (equivalence ratio was 1.36) at atmospheric pressure by exciting a predissociating level via the CH B-X(1,0) transition using a quasilinear laser-induced fluorescence scheme. The peak number density was (1.0±0.4) × 10[sup 13] cm[sup -3] or 2.4 ± 1 ppm at 1900 K, with a flame-front width of 250 µm (FWHM). Rotational energy transfer must be considered for correct laser-induced fluorescence signal interpretation. Competition between optical pumping and rotational relaxation in both excited and ground states produces a signal that varies almost linearly with laser pulse energy even for large pumping rates. For these conditions, the population of the initial ground-state rotational level is depleted by optical pumping, and rotational energy transfer collisions rapidly repopulate the level during the laser pulse. Deviations from linear behavior are less than 20%. The effects of spatial resolution and polarization of the fluorescence on the absolute measurements are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monthly inoculations of both intact plants and excised shoots of Quercus suber with the pathogenic species Botryosphaeria stevensii and Phytophthora cinnamomi were performed to investigate seasonal changes in susceptibility of this forest tree species in relation to environmental parameters and plant water status. Infection symptoms were mainly detected on seedlings inoculated from spring to autumn (April through October) with either pathogen. Mean canker sizes also showed a seasonal pattern, the higher values being recorded in the same period as above. Lesion lengths were significantly (P < 0.001) related to environmental minimum temperature. Mean daily minimum temperatures within the range of 5-12°C clearly inhibited lesion development of E cinnamomi, whereas B. stevensii showed a less pronounced decrease in canker expansion at the same temperature range. In excised shoots of Q. suber inoculated monthly with B. stevensii, a negative linear relationship was found between the studied range of plant relative water content (81-91%) and canker length. In contrast, the lesions caused by P. cinnamomi were not significantly (P = 0.32) related to any seasonal change in water content. Some control measures for the diseases caused by both pathogens are discussed on the basis of the seasonal changes in host susceptibility observed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the control systems of electric networks. Use of computer network in controlling the electric network; Identification of the measurement errors in the control center; Factors contributing to communications delay.

The combination of two-dimensional, planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and cavity ring-down (CRD) absorption spectroscopy is applied to map quantitatively the spatial distributions of CH[sub 2] O and CH in a methane/air flame at 25 Torr. Both species are detected in the same spectral region using the overlapping CH[sub 2] O A [sup 1] A[sub 2] -X [sup 1] A[sub 1] 4[sub 1] [sup 0] and CH B-X(1,0 )bands. The combination of diagnostic techniques exploits the spatial resolution of LIF and the quantitative CRD absorption measure of column density. The spatially resolved PLIF provides the distribution of absorbers and line-of-sight CRD absorption the absolute number density needed for quantitative concentration images. The peak CH[sub 2] O concentration is (3.5±1.4 )×10[sup 14] cm[sup -3] , or 1450±550 ppm at 1000 K. The lack of precise absorption cross-section data produces these large error limits. Although a flame model predicts lower amounts, these large uncertainties limit this measurement’susefulness as a test of the flame chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Thirty-four fungal species isolated from cork oak (Quercus suber) in Catalonia (NE Spain) during 1992–95 were tested for pathogenicity either in stem, leaf or root inoculations. Eleven species were found to be pathogenic on stem: Biscogniauxia mediterranea, Botryosphaeria stevensii, Diatrype cf. stigma, Endothia gyrosa, Fusarium solani, Graphium sp., Ophiostoma quercus, Phomopsis sp., Phytophthora cinnamomi, Sporendocladia bactrospora and an unidentified Coelomycete. Three fungi showed pathogenic effects on leaves: Dendrophoma myriadea, Lembosia quercina and Phomopsis quercella. No clear pathogenic effects were detected in the root inoculation experiment. Trunk pathogens were differentiated into two groups according to the effects induced in the inoculated plants; B. stevensii, Phomopsis sp. and P. cinnamomi caused the death of the inoculated plants and induced the formation of large cankers and vascular necroses. The other pathogenic species also produced severe cankers and vascular lesions, but no significant mortality was detected. Water stress increased the lesions caused by B. mediterranea and Phomopsis sp., but limited those of P. cinnamomi and the rest of the inoculated fungi. However, water stress did not significantly affect the damage caused by B. stevensii, which was the most virulent of the species tested. Leaf pathogens only showed their effects if the leaf cuticle was previously damaged. Lembosia quercina caused small dark lesions whereas D. myriadea and P. quercella produced large necrotic areas in well-watered plants. The lesions caused by the last two fungi were reduced by water stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. Excitation and dispersed laser-induced fluorescence spectra of CHB[sup 2] SIGMA[sup -]v' = 0, 1 in methane flames are analyzed using rotational relaxation models to investigate their applicability for flame diagnostics. The existence of non-predissociative and highly predissociative rotational levels in the same vibrational state provides a unique scenario to test the effects of rotational relaxation in laser-induced fluorescence measurements. Using a statistical power gap law for rotational relaxation modeling, we find that the levels with collision-free lifetimes as short as 100 ps have apparent fluorescence yields larger than expected because of the extent of rotational relaxation at atmospheric pressure. Also, vibrational (v' = 1 to v' = 0) and electronic energy transfer (B[sup 2] SIGMA[sup -] v' = 1 to A[sup 2]change) are competitive, and together are half the value for the total collisional removal rate from CHB[sup 2]SIGMA[sup -]v' = 0. The measured electronic energy transfer branching ratio into A (v' = 0 - 3) depends on the initial rotational level pumped, and energy gap considerations can be used to explain these propensities. The combination of measurements and model calculations finds the excitation of the CH B[sup 2] SIGMA[sup -] - v' = 1, N' = 8 level a good candidate for laser-induced fluorescence quantitative measurements in flames at atmospheric pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated real delay measurement in distributed systems. Description of the measurement systems; Information on the application of the measuring method; Use of the delay measurement system.

Abstract. Gas temperatures deduced from one-line and two-line laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements of NO seeded into low-pressure methane flames are compared with those determined from LIF measurements of OH rotational distribution. The purpose is to make a quantitative assesment of the accuracy of one- and two-line LIF temperature strategies. Temperature determination from NO LIF intensity from a single transition must accurately account for any variation in the mole fraction of seeded NO. In the hot post-flame region, this added NO is diluted by the thermal equilibrium of radical species and incomplete combustion; this dilution depends on gas temperature and fuel/air stoichiometry. Chemical reactions of the NO produce an even larger variation in the NO mole fraction. Reburning of NO in the flame front (via reaction with CH) reduces the added NO by as much as 16% in the burnt gases of a slightly fuel-rich (PHI = 1.07) methane/air flame. The size of the reduction depends on both the amount of NO addition and the fuel/air stoichiometry. This effect can alter the apparent temperature determined from one-line NO LIF by as much as 25%. Two-line LIF strategies for gas temperature avoid these complications. Temperatures determined from all throe LIF methods show good agreement in low-pressure flames, when a detailed model of the chemistry is used to correct the one-line NO temperature. However, in reactive systems where a model of the chemistry cannot be applied, one-line LIF strategies for gas temperature from seeded NO are not reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To Current best practice in surgery for abdominal wall hernias involves minimal trauma to the tissues using modern low molecular weight mesh to achieve a low incidence of mesh complications such as chronic groin pain or the sensation of an inflexible 'mesh plate'. Objective: A retrospective audit of inguinal hernia repair with a new self-adhesive mesh (Progrip ®) in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. Material and Methods: Fifty patients were randomised to self-adhesive mesh repair or conventional mesh repair between January 2009 and January 2010. All patients were treated as day case procedures. Surgical operating time was compared with other techniques in open inguinal hernia repair in our hernia service. Results: There were 50 open hernioplasty with plug and mesh technique (Rutkow-Robbins). Surgery time: mean 28.6 minutes (range 10-50). Pain scores on a visual analogue scale of 1-10 were low (2.1 postoperatively and 0 at 6 months and one year. Other mesh techniques used had an operating time ranging between 34 and 45 minutes. Physical examination one month after the intervention reported no signs of recurrence, seroma, or infection or all of the patients. Conclusions: The use of self-adhesive mesh hernioplasty provides an effective technique, with the same complication profile as conventional suture fixation but with a reduced operating time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 39-year-old diabetic mother's newborn girl with a Tessier 7 cleft. The left fetal hemiface's deformity was discovered through two-dimensional ultrasound scanning at week 29 of the fetus, in which the ultrasound image remained the same throughout the pregnancy. The article discusses Tessier number 7 cleft, which is at high risk for those whose mothers are diabetic.

Little is known about the influence of shared decision making on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) receipt among men in the state of Florida. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between patient-provider communication and receipt of PSA after adjusting for individual factors, health access variables, and preventative behaviors. Our findings suggest that PSA screening behaviors can be influenced by the content and context of communication. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Primary aim of this study is to compare the postoperative outcomes of the laparoscopic intracorporeal rectus aponeuroplasty (LIRA) technique to the intraperitoneal onlay mesh closing the defect (IPOM plus), in terms of recurrence and bulging rates at one-year follow-up; secondary aim is to compare the postoperative complications, seroma and pain at 30 days and one-year after surgery. Methods: Patients with midline ventral hernia of 4–10 cm in width were included. Computed tomography scan was performed before, 1 and 12 months after surgery. Pain was evaluated using the visual analogue scale. Results: Forty-five and forty-seven consecutive patients underwent LIRA and IPOM plus, respectively. Preoperatively, smoke habits and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease rates were statistically significantly higher in the LIRA group (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.012, respectively). Two bulgings (4.4%) occurred in the LIRA group, while in the IPOM plus group occurred 10 bulgings (21.3%) and three recurrences (6.4%) (p = 0.017 and p = 0.085, respectively). Postoperatively, seven (15.6%, Clavien-Dindo I) and four complications (8.5%, two Clavien-Dindo I, two Clavien-Dindo III-b) occurred in the LIRA and in the IPOM plus group, respectively (p = 0.298). One month after surgery, clinical seroma, occurred in five (11.1%) and eight patients (17%) in the LIRA and in the IPOM plus group, respectively (p = 0.416). During follow-up, pain reduction occurred, without statistically significant differences. Conclusions: In this study, even if we analysed a small series, LIRA showed lower bulging and recurrence rates in comparison to IPOM plus at one-year follow-up. Further prospective studies, with a large sample of patients and longer follow-up are required to draw definitive conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microwave induced plasmas have been successfully used as an excitation source in atomic emission and mass spectrometry for the analytical determination of substances. In this work a study of the influence of the thermodynamic equilibrium state over the capacity of sample excitation of an argon plasma flame sustained by a surface wave at atmospheric pressure is presented. The state of the thermodynamic equilibrium in the discharge is determined by the relation between its temperatures and densities. The values of these parameters depend on the energy available in the discharge, which is also responsible for the excitation of the samples introduced into the plasma. We have compared the behavior of two characteristic parameters of plasma (electron density and temperature) and of the ArT level population with the microwave power. The results have shown that the values of these parameters and populations had a tendency to remain constant for microwave powers above a certain value. Thus, from 100 W only a part of the energy injected into the discharge is absorbed in the plasma and the plasma equilibrium state is not consequently modified. This behavior is the same as that found for atomic lines of both halogens and iron introduced as samples into the plasma and seems to show that if the plasma is close to thermodynamic equilibrium the excitation of the samples is favored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Because of a shortage of organs, non–heart-beating donors have been proposed to be a possible source of grafts for orthotopic liver transplantation. Herein, we have presented a blood group A+ patient with primary biliary cirrhosis, who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation from a non–heart-beating blood group A− donor. On day 5 after transplantation the patient displayed a low hemoglobin levels as well as an increased total bilirubin with progressive encephalopathy, hypotension, and oligoanuria on day 11. The patient responded to steroid treatment. We assume the main cause of organ dysfunction was a passenger lymphocyte syndrome (ABO-Rh incompatibility). Biliary complications were detected at a 6-month follow-up visit by increased hepatic enzymes. We thus concluded that it is useful to take Rh group into account. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Competitive adsorption of two species on a linear chain is considered. The adsorption–desorption probabilities are chosen in the Arrhenius form and it is assumed that the activation energies are partially due to interaction between nearest neighboring adatoms. Multistability can occur for an attractive interaction greater than a critical value, depending on the values of other parameters, and the least critical value corresponding to an interaction energy of [bar_over_tilde:_approx._equal_to]0.3 kcal mol-1 for room temperature. Up to seven steady states can result, three being stable. The relaxation times tend to infinitum at the critical points and the exponent α, where τJ→Jcritical∼(Jcritical-J)-α and J being a parameter gauging the strength of the interaction, has been determined for a number of cases. The analysis has been extended to two-dimensional lattices and similar results have been obtained, although Jcritical is less than that for the linear chain. Next a dimerization reaction between adatoms has been considered jointly with the adsorption–desorption process. The results obtained are again similar to the previous ones. It is noteworthy that when three stable steady states exist, depending on initial conditions, two of these states correspond to cases where one of the type of the adatoms has saturated the surface, thus displacing the other species, and practically stopping the dimerization reaction. The third state corresponds to partial coverages of the surface for both types of adatoms and the reaction rate is greater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children from families whose members have reading impairments are found to be poorer performers, take less advantage of instruction, and require more time to reach the reading level of children whose relatives are good readers. As a family's reading history may not be available, a self-report of reading abilities is used to identify children's background. In this paper, we explored the contribution of phonological, literacy, and linguistic abilities and reported parental reading abilities to predict reading achievement at the end of the school year in a Spanish sample. Children who were starting to read were assessed in a variety of oral language, phonological, and literacy tasks at the beginning and end of the school year. Parents filled out a self-report questionnaire about their reading abilities. Their answers were used to assign children to good or poor reader parent groups (GRP vs PRP). A logistic and ROC analysis were used to assess the variables' discriminative capability, considering literacy scores at the end of the year as a measure of reading achievement. GRP children obtained higher scores than PRP children did. Performance on tasks of rapid naming assessment (RAN) letters (78.6%), Word Reading (75.7%), and Deletion (75.6%) were the most accurate predictors of children's reading achievement. IPRA showed slightly lower accuracy (73.8) than did the behavioral measures and as high specificity as RAN letters (96.2%), similarly to the percentages found in previous studies. Although behavioral measures were shown as the best predictors, parents' self-reports could also provide a quick estimation of family risk of difficulties in literacy acquisition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the discovery of Phaeoacremonium viticola affecting grapevines in Spain. It is mentioned that the main limiting factor in grape production is grapevine trunk diseases, which includes eutypa dieback, esca, and black dead arm. A study as conducted in Spain to determine fungal pathogens connected to grapevine diseases. It is found out that the diseases are associated to the decline of vine, internal black wood streaking, and central sectorial necrosis. The result of the study shows that symptoms of Phaeoacremonium viticola were previously described, but it was the first report of the disease in Spain.

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The influence of habitat structure on helminth communities of three sigomdontinae rodent species (Akodon cursor, A. montensis and Oligoryzomys nigripes) was investigated in forest fragments within an agricultural landscape in south-eastern Brazil. This is a pionner study correlating the occurrence of helminth species of rodent hosts with microhabitat characteristics. Rodents were collected from 12 fragments and in a continuous conserved area. Up to 13 nematode, three cestode and two trematode species were identified, and habitat fragmentation was found to have more influence on the helminth composition of O. nigripes compared to the other two rodent species. Fragmentation appeared to limit the development of some helminths' life cycles, e.g. with some species such as Trichofreitasia lenti, Protospirura numidica, Cysticercus fasciolaris and Avellaria sp., occurring mostly in areas with less anthropic impact. However, fragmentation did not seem to affect the life cycles of other dominant helminths, such as the trematode Canaania obesa, the nematodes Stilestrongylus lanfrediae, S. eta and S. aculeata, and the cestode Rodentolepis akodontis. The helminth community structure followed a nested pattern of distribution in A. montensis and O. nigripes. Stilestrongylus lanfrediae seemed to be more associated with dense understorey, C. obesa with open canopy and dense understorey, and Guerrerostrongylus zetta with organic matter on the ground. Their presence in each area may be explained by aspects of their life cycles that take place in the external environment outside the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Colombia concluded a peace agreement with its largest guerrilla group (known as FARC) in 2016. The study aimed to compare neurosurgical procedures performed at the largest national military hospital during a two-year period at the height of the armed conflict (2003-2004) with a similar period around the official signing of the agreement (2015-2017). Methods: Clinical records of all patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures from January 2003 to December 2004 and from July 2015 to June 2017 were reviewed. Demographic variables and procedures were analysed through basic descriptive statistics. Results: 527 patients' records were retrieved from the first period and 871 from the second; patients were predominantly male (71% and 61%, respectively). Median age increased from 35 years in the first period to 50 years in the second; active personnel decreased from 60% to 31%. Trauma represented 170 of 313 cranial surgeries (54%) in the first period and 96 of 571 (17%) in the latter. Conclusion: Patient profile in this military institution changed from being a war hospital in the middle of the conflict to one with a more 'civilian' pattern of procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Acantholochus Cressey, 1984 (Cyclopoida, Bomolochidae), parasitic on the gills and opercular cavity of the barred grunt Conodon nobilis (Linnaeus, 1758), from the coastal zone of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The new species differs from its congeners through a combination of characters that includes presence of lamellae on the spines on the third segment of the exopods of the third leg, the number of antennule segments, and the presence of one seta on the second endopodal segment of the third leg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Treatment with neuroleptics may be associated with secondary sexual dysfunction. Studies of sexual dysfunction induced by antipsychotics are important to establish the effectiveness of these agents in patients taking chronic treatments. The main objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively whether a 3 month course of aripiprazole produces changes in the sexual function of patients with schizophrenia. Methods. The efficacy analysis was performed in the intention-to-treat population (41 patients) and the per protocol population (36 patients). The safety analysis was based on the total sample (42 patients). Results. The incidence of sexual dysfunction after 3 months of treatment with aripiprazole was zero both in patients who switched therapy due to lack of efficacy and in those taking aripiprazole as a first antipsychotic. Aripiprazole led to an improvement in the symptoms of psychosis (score on the BPRS) and lower scores on the- SALSEX questionnaire. The most remarkable improvement was in delayed ejaculation/orgasm. Conclusion. During the 3 months of treatment, we observed an overall improvement in sexual performance, with a quicker recovery in men than in women, although recovery was similar in both at the end of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]