Search

In this paper, we propose a Jacobian smoothing inexact Newton-type algorithm for solving the nonlinear complementarity problem by reformulating it as a system of nonlinear equations. We show that the algorithm converges up to q-quadratically and present numerical experiments that show its good local performance. In order to compare in terms of time our algorithm with other known algorithms, we introduce a new normalized measurement that we call time index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue de Psychoéducation is the property of La revue canadienne de psycho-education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This work presents a comparative theoretical analysis of spatial modal evolution in micro/nano-optical fiber (MNF) tapers. The study proposes the use of the Spectral Parameter Power Series (SPPS) Method and compares its performance with results from the so-called Exact Modes Method (EMM) and the Finite Element Method (FEM) (the method employed by the COMSOL© software in which the computations were implemented). By using these techniques, the modal analysis and intensity evolution are discussed along different sections of the optical fiber taper. Furthermore, the data are compared considering experimental values from a real micro/nano-optical fiber taper sample. The SPPS method offers a competitive accuracy and versatility to deal with graded index profiles, its computational costs are low, and its implementation is relatively easy. The results from the SPPS method fit to those of the EM method, which sometimes involves intricated models, and those of the FEM, which may require more computational time. The SPPS method offers an average relative error of less than 5% with respect to the exact method with less computational cost compared to the FEM method for radii bigger than 2 μm at 1550 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organ preservation strategies, especially watch and wait, after neoadjuvant treatment in locally advanced rectal cancer, have become topics that generate significant interest, for both patients and clinicians. The obvious advantage of these strategies is the avoidance of surgery with its associated risks and functional consequences. Over time, it has become evident that these strategies offer acceptable safety in oncological terms and, in most patients, allows preservation of the rectum without harming patients in terms of distant metastasis or survival. However, there is a small group of patients in whom the tumor returns after an initially diagnosed clinical complete response; patients with local tumor regrowth. The main threat in these patients is not simply local disease, which can be successfully managed in most cases, but the possible effects it may have on distant metastases. The pathophysiology of the phenomenon of local tumor regrowth is not well known and, therefore, strategies to minimize possible impact on survival are not well defined. Our aim is to review key issues in this subgroup that pose a substantial threat to the safety and viability of organ-preserving and watch-and-wait strategies. We also explore possible pathophysiologic explanations and future directions and perspectives that may improve both local and systemic disease control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work addresses the ongoing development of a mesh-based magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) to estimate the magnetic flux distribution in a superconducting hybrid rotating synchronous machine, superconducting (SC) rotor, and conventional stator. The MEC is to be integrated in an existing thermoelectric lumped-parameter machine model for the transient simulation of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) field coil synchronous generator (SG) in the dq0 frame of reference. It will allow the inclusion of the magnetic flux density inside the definition of the non-linear resistance of the superconductor in addition to the already-present temperature and current. The objective is to gain further accuracy on the coupled thermal and electromagnetic behavior of superconducting hybrid machines during partial or total loss of the superconducting state. In the present work, the MEC is benchmarked against a Finite Element Model (FEM). It is shown that the MEC can provide proper magnitude of the magnetic flux density over the HTS winding achieving a good estimation of the magnetic response of the field winding by taking into account the penetration of current within the superconductor. The case study is a 100-MVA hydroelectric HTS field coil SG considering a field current ramp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the optimal design of a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). A finite element (FE) model is used to construct a metamodel, which afterward is utilized to define the objective function that models the PMSG. Kriging modeling is employed along with the design of experiments based on Latin hypercube sampling. The utilization of a surrogate model allows to speed up the optimization process while keeping the accuracy since they are developed from the FE analysis. On the other hand, it has been reported that the non-sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) III is better than NSGA-II because it can solve multi- and many-objective optimization problems. This article demonstrates by numerical experiments that NSGA-III can be successfully used in the optimal design of PMSG with three objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Galileo High Accuracy Service (HAS) is a new capability of the European Global Navigation Satellite System that is currently under development. The Galileo HAS will start providing satellite orbit and clock corrections (i.e. non-dispersive effects) and soon it will also correct dispersive effects such as inter-frequency biases and, in its full capability, ionospheric delay. We analyse here an ionospheric correction system based on the fast precise point positioning (Fast-PPP) and its potential application to the Galileo HAS. The aim of this contribution is to present some recent upgrades to the Fast-PPP model, with the emphasis on the model geometry and the data used. The results show the benefits of integer ambiguity resolution to obtain unambiguous carrier phase measurements as input to compute the Fast-PPP model. Seven permanent stations are used to assess the errors of the Fast-PPP ionospheric corrections, with baseline distances ranging from 100 to 1000 km from the reference receivers used to compute the Fast-PPP corrections. The 99% of the GPS and Galileo errors in well-sounded areas and in mid-latitude stations are below one total electron content unit. In addition, large errors are bounded by the error prediction of the Fast-PPP model, in the form of the variance of the estimation of the ionospheric corrections. Therefore, we conclude that Fast-PPP is able to provide ionospheric corrections with the required ionospheric accuracy, and realistic confidence bounds, for the Galileo HAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Boosting NAD+ via supplementation with niacin equivalents has been proposed as a potential modality capable of promoting healthy aging and negating age-dependent declines of skeletal muscle mass and function.Objectives: We investigated the efficacy of NAD+-precursor supplementation (tryptophan, nicotinic acid, and nicotinamide) on skeletal muscle mitochondrial function in physically compromised older adults.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted in 14 (female/male: 4/10) community-dwelling, older adults with impaired physical function [age, 72.9 ± 4.0 years; BMI, 25.2 ± 2.3 kg/m2]. Participants were supplemented with 207.5 mg niacin equivalents/day [intervention (INT)] and a control product (CON) that did not contain niacin equivalents, each for 32 days. The primary outcomes tested were mitochondrial oxidative capacity and exercise efficiency, analyzed by means of paired Student's t-tests. Secondary outcomes, such as NAD+ concentrations, were analyzed accordingly.Results: Following supplementation, skeletal muscle NAD+ concentrations [7.5 ± 1.9 compared with 7.9 ± 1.6 AU, respectively] in INT compared with CON conditions were not significantly different compared to the control condition, whereas skeletal muscle methyl-nicotinamide levels were significantly higher under NAD+-precursor supplementation [INT, 0.098 ± 0.063 compared with CON, 0.025 ± 0.014; P = 0.001], suggesting an increased NAD+ metabolism. Conversely, neither ADP-stimulated [INT, 82.1 ± 19.0 compared with CON, 84.0 ± 19.2; P = 0.716] nor maximally uncoupled mitochondrial respiration [INT, 103.4 ± 30.7 compared with CON, 108.7 ± 33.4; P = 0.495] improved under NAD+-precursor supplementation, nor did net exercise efficiency during the submaximal cycling test [INT, 20.2 ± 2.77 compared with CON, 20.8 ± 2.88; P = 0.342].Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with previous findings on NAD+ efficacy in humans, and we show in community-dwelling, older adults with impaired physical function that NAD+-precursor supplementation through L-tryptophan, nicotinic acid, and nicotinamide does not improve mitochondrial or skeletal muscle function. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03310034. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variations in the mass and heat transported by the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) have important, well‐documented, influences on global and regional climate, weather, ecosystems, and coastal sea levels. However, continuous, high‐frequency, observations of these quantities have been limited to date. Multiple years of full‐depth daily observations from moored instruments in the South Atlantic at 34.5°S are combined with satellite observations to resolve the volume transports in both the upper and abyssal MOC cells, and the associated full‐depth meridional heat transport (MHT), on daily to interannual timescales. A newly developed method for combining satellite sea level observations with historical hydrographic measurements was used to estimate daily full‐depth ocean profiles of temperature in the ocean interior where mooring coverage is sparse. The average MHT during 2013–2017 is 0.5 PW, with a daily standard deviation of 0.8 PW. The MHT variability is most strongly driven by the geostrophic relative velocity contributions (horizontal density‐gradient changes). This variability is highly correlated with the volume transport variability of the MOC upper cell (r = 0.96) and modestly anti‐correlated (r = −0.52) with the abyssal cell variations. An empirical relationship between the MHT and MOC values was developed allowing the reconstruction of a longer MHT time series including the pilot array period (2009–2010). Seasonal variation of the MHT is significant, and results from strong variations of all terms (Ekman, barotropic, and baroclinic). Although the 2013–2017 shows an increasing MHT trend (0.14 PW/year), the longer time period record suggests that the apparent trend may simply be interannual modulation of MHT at 34.5°S. Plain Language Summary: Changes in the meridional overturning circulation, a large system of ocean currents driven by differences in temperature and salt content as well as the winds, are known to have significant influences on the global climate system. This study presents, for the first time, full‐depth, daily measurements of the volume and heat transported by this circulation system in the South Atlantic at 34.5°S based on direct observations. As the instruments anchored on the seafloor are too widely spaced in the basin interior, a new method for using satellite observations to estimate interior temperature profiles was developed and used. The roughly 4 years of continuous daily data reveal seasonal and interannual changes of these important flows. The observations also demonstrate that the volume and heat transports vary in a consistent manner with one another. This allows us to use some earlier moored observations from a pilot version of the array, extending the data record further back in time and producing ∼6 years of daily estimates of heat transport in the South Atlantic during 2009–2017, with a gap during 2010–2013. Key Points: Implementation of a novel methodology for computing the daily meridional heat transport time series at 34.5°S from 2013 to 2017The heat transport has significant variability highly correlated with changes in the strength of the meridional overturning circulationA reconstructed/extended meridional heat transport time series allows analysis of seasonal to interannual changes and long‐term trend [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Brazil Current, the western limb of the subtropical gyre of the South Atlantic Ocean, is one of the major Western Boundary Currents of the global ocean. Here, we present the first multiyear continuous daily time series of Brazil Current absolute volume transport obtained using 6+ years of observations from a line of four pressure‐recording inverted echo sounders (PIES) deployed at 34.5°S. The array was augmented in December 2012 with two current meter‐equipped PIES and in December 2013 with a moored Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler on the upper continental slope. The Brazil Current is bounded by the sea surface and the neutral density interface separating South Atlantic Central Water and Antarctic Intermediate Water, which is on average at a reference pressure of 628 ± 46 dbar, and it is confined west of 49.5°W. The Brazil Current has a mean strength of −14.0 ± 2.8 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1; negative indicates southward flow) with a temporal standard deviation of 8.8 Sv and peak‐to‐peak range from −41.7 to +20 Sv. About 80% of the absolute transport variance is concentrated at periods shorter than 150 days with a prominent peak at 100 days. The baroclinic component accounts for 85% of the absolute transport variance, but the barotropic variance is not negligible. The baroclinic and barotropic transports are uncorrelated, demonstrating the need to measure both transport components independently. Given the energetic high frequency transport variations, statistically significant seasonal to interannual variability and trends have yet to be detected. Plain Language Summary: Western Boundary Currents are the most intense currents of the global ocean and are key to the redistribution of mass, heat, salt, and carbon throughout the globe. In the South Atlantic, the Brazil Current transports warm and salty waters off the South American coast toward the pole and is a major driver of climate variability. This study presents, for the first time, multiyear continuous‐in‐time direct observations of the Brazil Current at 34.5°S. Roughly 6 years of daily measurements from moored sensors, together with high‐resolution snapshots of temperature, salinity, oxygen, and velocity collected during seven oceanographic cruises since 2009, provide the ability to characterize the daily to seasonal to year‐to‐year variability of the Brazil Current with unprecedented detail. These observations reveal strong and rapid changes in the Brazil Current on time scales as short as 14–60 days, allow quantification of the required sampling to resolve longer‐term variability, and improve estimates of the Brazil Current transport. The Brazil Current variability is dominated by the east‐west density variations in the water column although east‐west differences in bottom pressure are not negligible. Understanding of the strength, structure, and time variability of the Brazil Current is needed to improve model representations of this important flow. Key Points: The multiyear continuous absolute Brazil Current transport measured at 34.5°S has significant variability on daily to monthly time scalesThe baroclinic component accounts for the largest part of the absolute transport variance, but the barotropic variance is not negligibleNo meaningful seasonal cycle, interannual variability, or trend is detected during the roughly 6 years of daily transport measurements [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diurnal and semidiurnal variations of atmospheric pressure and surface winds are fundamental to the Earth‐Sun system. Past research in the tropical Pacific shows semidiurnal and diurnal patterns in the zonal and meridional wind anomalies, respectively. While the semidiurnal zonal wind pattern is consistent with atmospheric thermal tidal forcing, it is not yet certain what drives diurnal meridional wind variability. This study examines the diurnal cycle of meridional winds in the tropical Atlantic Ocean across four different seasons and the extent to which they impact the diurnal evolution of open‐ocean precipitation in boreal summer. Comparisons of direct observations from long‐term moored buoys to an atmospheric reanalysis (MERRA‐2) show that MERRA‐2 reproduces diurnal and semidiurnal pressure and wind variations. The MERRA‐2 atmospheric thermal tides are decomposed into migrating and nonmigrating tidal components, and the linear terms in the zonal and meridional momentum equations are calculated. There is an approximate balance between the acceleration and pressure gradient terms for the zonal migrating momentum budget in the open ocean, with larger residuals or imbalances between those terms for the other budgets. The meridional nonmigrating budget shows largest residuals near the African coastline, indicating that nonlinear processes like the evening initiation of convection are important over land. This evening convection drives the meridional component of surface convergence which is translated offshore by the nonmigrating tide in the form of gravity waves, potentially modified by the African Easterly Jet. During boreal summer, this convergence helps to induce a morning peak of precipitation over the open ocean. Plain Language Summary: The Sun's radiation is absorbed by different chemicals (ozone and water vapor) in the atmosphere, to which the surface atmosphere response can be observed as a wave‐like pattern that migrates westward in pressure data. East‐west wind patterns are explained as atmospheric thermal tides forced by the solar radiation in the tropical Atlantic that migrate westward around globe twice per day. We examine the cause of the diurnal north‐south wind velocity variations, which had yet to be fully explained, and how they influence rainfall over the open‐ocean. Nonmigrating (no westward movement) atmospheric tides drive the north‐south wind pattern, carrying with them a signal of low‐level convergence of the wind from western Africa to the middle of the tropical Atlantic Ocean, which helps to initiate early morning rainfall during the boreal summer. Climate models are deficient at simulating diurnal rainfall, and these results may aid in improving model precipitation. Key Points: MERRA‐2 represents well the diurnal cycles of surface pressure and winds, and hence atmospheric thermal tides in the tropical AtlanticNonmigrating atmospheric thermal tides are largely responsible for diurnal cycles of meridional wind anomalies in the tropical AtlanticDiurnal cycles in divergence/convergence and precipitation in the Atlantic Ocean may be related to diurnal cycles of convection over Africa [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The goal of this study was to assess differences in low back stabilization and underlying mechanisms between patients with low back pain (LBP) and healthy controls. It has been hypothesized that inadequate trunk stabilization could contribute to LBP through high tissue strains and/or impingement. Evidence to support this is inconsistent, and not all methods that have been used to study trunk stabilization are equally suitable. We have recently developed a method to assess intrinsic and reflexive contributions to trunk stabilization, which aims to circumvent the limitations of previous studies. Methods: Forty-nine participants suffering from chronic LBP and a control group of fifty healthy subjects participated in this study. Trunk stabilization was measured using force-controlled perturbations directly applied to the trunk. The actuator displacement and contact force between the actuator and subject were measured as well as electromyography (EMG) of the M. Longissimus. Underlying mechanisms were characterized using system identification. Results: LBP patients showed lower admittance, i.e., less displacement per unit of force applied, mainly due to higher position, velocity and acceleration feedback gains. Among patients, lower trunk admittance and higher reflex gains were associated with more negative pain-related cognitions. Conclusion: Trunk stabilization differs between LBP patients and controls, with the same perturbations causing less trunk movement in patients, due to stronger reflexes. We interpret these changes as reflecting protective behavior. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receptor internalization and degradation (RID), is a transmembrane protein coded within the E3 region expression cassette of adenoviruses. RID downregulates the cell surface expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR), and apoptosis antigen 1 (FAS), causing a reduction of the effects of their respective ligands. In addition, RID inhibits apoptosis by decreasing the secretion of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) by normal tissue cells. In this article, we report that RID inhibited chemokine expression in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 but showed no effect in cell line MCF7. These dissimilar results may be due to the different molecular and functional properties of both cell lines. Therefore, it is necessary to replicate this study in other breast cancer cell models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferromagnetic wires are widely used in microwave technologies. In this work, impedance studies were carried out in a wide range of microwave frequencies (from 0.1 to 20 GHz). By compensating the parameter $\boldsymbol S_{11}$ for the length of the adapter and the holder, it was possible to ensure the inductive nature of the wire impedance up to the frequency of 14 GHz. As a result, the wire response was described as a lossy inductance, and the inductive resistance of which changes by the $\Delta {X}$ value and the active resistance by $\Delta $ R value under the influence of an external constant magnetic field. We were able to approximate $\Delta $ X and $\Delta $ R changes with the real and imaginary parts of the diagonal component of the magnetic susceptibility tensor, obtained from the Landau–Lifshitz equation with a Gilbert damping term for ferromagnetic resonance (FMR), and determine the FMR parameters in the microwave region. It was also possible to separate the FMR region from the region of such microwave absorption phenomena as magnetoimpedance. An optimized system based on the vector network analyzer ZVA-67 was designed and tested. It allowed to determine experimentally the parameters of magnetoimpedance and FMR of the electroplated FeCoNi/CuBe and rapidly quenched CoFeSiB amorphous wires measured by the same device and in the same configuration in a single-frequency scan. A prototype of the magnetic field sensor has been proposed and tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new analytical method is presented for computing the leakage inductance of the single-end coils of electrical machines, based on the solution of Maxwell’s equations, which considers core eddy currents. Maxwell’s equations are solved in general form in two regions: inside and outside the core, employing appropriate boundary conditions and an iteration scheme. Asymptotic methods are effectively employed for the analytical calculation of Green’s functions in both the regions. Analytical results are compared with 3-D finite-element computations. The comparison shows a close correspondence between the analytical and numerical results. Our formula is the basis for further computations of the end-winding leakage inductance of rotating electric machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During embryonic development, spatial and temporal patterns of mechanical forces help to transform unstructured groups of cells into complex, functional tissue architectures. Here, we review emerging approaches to manipulate these patterns of forces to investigate the mechanical mechanisms that shape multicellular tissues, with a focus on recent experimental studies of epithelial tissue sheets in the embryo of the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An organ-preserving strategy may be a valid alternative in the treatment of selected patients with rectal cancer after neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Preoperative assessment of the risk for tumor recurrence is a key component of surgical planning. The aim of the present study was to increase the current knowledge on the risk factors for tumor recurrence. Methods: The present study included individual participant data of published studies on rectal cancer surgery. The literature was reviewed according to according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Individual Participant Data checklist (PRISMA-IPD) guidelines. Series of patients, whose data were collected prospectively, having neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by transanal local excision for rectal cancer were reviewed. Three independent series of univariate/multivariate binary logistic regression models were estimated for the risk of local, systemic and overall recurrence, respectively. Results: We identified 15 studies, and 7 centers provided individual data on 517 patients. The multivariate analysis showed higher local and overall recurrences for ypT3 stage (OR 4.79; 95% CI 2.25–10.16 and OR 6.43 95% CI 3.33–12.42), tumor size after radiotherapy > 10 mm (OR 5.86 95% CI 2.33–14.74 and OR 3.14 95% CI 1.68–5.87), and lack of combined chemotherapy (OR 3.68 95% CI 1.78–7.62 and OR 2.09 95% CI 1.10–3.97), while ypT3 was the only factor correlated with systemic recurrence (OR 5.93). The analysis of survival curves shows that the overall survival is associated with ypT and not with cT. Conclusions: Local excision should be offered with caution after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy to selected patients with rectal cancers, who achieved a good response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the torsional properties of the NiTi glide path reciprocating instruments R‐Pilot (VDW, Munich, Germany) and WaveOne Gold Glider (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland). Methodology: Ten R‐Pilot (size 12.5,.04 taper) and 10 WaveOne Gold Glider (size 15,.02v taper) instruments were used. The torque and angle of rotation at failure of new instruments (n = 10) were measured according to ISO 3630‐1. Three millimetres of each instrument tip was clamped to a small load cell by a lever arm linked to the torsion axis. The fracture surface of all fragments was examined with a scanning electron microscope. Data were analysed using the Student t‐test at a significance level of P < 0.05. Results: The maximum torsional strength of the R‐Pilot instruments was greater than the WaveOne Gold Glider (P < 0.05). In contrast, WaveOne Gold Glider instruments had significantly higher angular rotation to fracture than R‐Pilot instruments (P < 0.05). The scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surfaces revealed similar and typical features of torsional failure (ductile type) for both brands. The torsional failure displayed two zones: the first with microvoids in the centre of the instruments (core) and the second one represented by plastic deformation around the microvoids; this configuration occurred because of the shear stresses originated during the twisting. Conclusions: R‐Pilot instruments had a lower angle of rotation to fracture but a higher torque to failure than WaveOne Gold Glider instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new circuit-field coupling methodology for a single-phase transformer connected to a half-wave rectifier is presented. The rectifier is composed of switched electronic devices (EDs) which can be modeled through a piecewise-linear approximation technique. The modified nodal analysis (MNA) is used to solve the circuit where the EDs are represented with stamps that are systematically incorporated into the system of differential equations. The transformer is modeled using a 2-D finite-element (FE) approach, leading to a coupled circuit-field system, which is solved using proprietary software. The system is also implemented experimentally using an xPC-Target data acquisition system, showing close correspondence with simulation results. Thus, this paper provides the basis for implementing multi-level power converters connected to transformers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome is a painful and disabling post-traumatic primary pain disorder. Acute and chronic complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) are major clinical challenges. In Europe, progress is hampered by significant heterogeneity in clinical practice. We sought to establish standards for the diagnosis and management of CRPS.Methods: The European Pain Federation established a pan-European task force of experts in CRPS who followed a four-stage consensus challenge process to produce mandatory quality standards worded as grammatically imperative (must-do) statements.Results: We developed 17 standards in 8 areas of care. There are 2 standards in diagnosis, 1 in multidisciplinary care, 1 in assessment, 3 for care pathways, 1 in information and education, 4 in pain management, 3 in physical rehabilitation and 2 on distress management. The standards are presented and summarized, and their generation and consequences were discussed. Also presented are domains of practice for which no agreement on a standard could be reached. Areas of research needed to improve the validity and uptake of these standards are discussed.Conclusion: The European Pain Federation task force present 17 standards of the diagnosis and management of CRPS for use in Europe. These are considered achievable for most countries and aspirational for a minority of countries depending on their healthcare resource and structures.Significance: This position statement summarizes expert opinion on acceptable standards for CRPS care in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Milk is one of the most consumed agricultural products in Brazil, and its processing industry has a key role in absorbing its raw material, providing milk products, and generating jobs and income. Therefore, this study investigates the technical and scale efficiency levels of the Brazilian dairy industry from a multi-input perspective. Primary data from 40 dairy establishments distributed among the Brazilian regions was collected from online surveys. An exploratory analysis was performed to sample the characterization, using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with input-orientation to obtain the technical and scale efficiency scores of the Brazilian dairy industry based on the use of the inputs: energy (thermal and electrical), raw material (milk), and income generation (product). The results showed that the Brazilian dairy industry has 64.7% of pure technical efficiency and 73.8% of scale efficiency. In general, the main inefficiency is associated with the energy use (23.2%) and raw material (24.1%). These results should be considered essential for this industry as dairy establishments have demonstrated greater efficiency in adopting the most appropriate production scale (scale efficiency), and that they can be more efficient, especially by reducing their energy consumption, their processing losses, and increasing the raw milk earned value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated an aluminum compound intrinsic epitaxial layers in the indirect band gap region using low-temperature photoluminescence. Methods; Results; Discussion.

Discusses the preparation of highly piezoelectric films of poly (α-isobutyl-L-aspartate) from a solution in chloroform which was allowed to evaporate in a 2600-V/cm electric field, with the field direction parallel to the casting surface. Description of the resulting oriented film; Materials and method; Characteristic of liquid crystals.

In this work, we propose a novel approach to predict adsorption equilibrium using artificial neural networks. The equilibrium model (particularly the derivative of such approach) is employed into a surface diffusion model to interpret the concentration decay curves during the adsorption of pyridine onto activated carbon in aqueous solution. Moreover, we estimated the external mass transfer and surface diffusion coefficients through an experimental-based inverse problem formulation. Also, we predict and compare with lab measurements the adsorption equilibrium curve and concentration decay dynamics. We found that results obtained by an artificial neural networks-based equilibrium model coupled with diffusional model agree well with experimental data. Thus, the artificial neural networks capabilities suggest that using a subrogate approach to predict the equilibrium relationship is an appropriate alternative when standard isotherm models fail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A novel controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) using FibroScan® has been developed for assessment of liver steatosis. The aim was to evaluate the frequency and associated factors for moderate/severe steatosis evaluated by CAP in CHC patients submitted to transient elastography (TE) by FibroScan®. CHC patients underwent TE with CAP evaluation. The classification of steatosis was defined as: CAP < 222 dB/m  =  S0; CAP ≥ 222 dB/m and <233dB/m  =  S1; ≥233 dB/m < 290dB/m  =  S2 and >= 290 dB/m  =  S3. The prevalence of moderate/severe steatosis (CAP ≥ S2) and the related independent factors were identified by a logistic regression analysis. A significance level of 5% was adopted. 1104 CHC patients, 85% genotype‐1 were included (mean age 55 ± 11 years; 46% male, mean BMI 25 ± 4 Kg/m2). Systemic arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus prevalences were 39% and 17%, respectively. Liver stiffness measurement ≥ 9.5 kPa was observed in 39% of patients and steatosis was identified in 50% (S1 = 7%, S2 = 28% and S3 = 15%). The variables independently associated with moderate/severe steatosis were: male gender (OR=1.35; P = .037; 95% CI:1.01‐1.81); systemic arterial hypertension (OR=1.57; P = .002; 95% CI:1.17‐2.10) and BMI (OR=1.17; P < .01;95% CI:1.12‐1.22). In conclusion, when CAP was adopted as a tool to detect steatosis, genotype 1 CHC patients presented a high prevalence of moderate/advanced steatosis. In these patients, liver steatosis was associated mostly to metabolic factors (arterial hypertension and high BMI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onychomycosis is the most common nail disease caused by dermatophytic fungus, non-dermatophytic molds or yeasts. It is an infection that continues to increase due to various factors such as chronic degenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the etiologic diversity of onychomycosis in Mexican patients with chronic-degenerative diseases. The research was performed in 51 adult outpatient of a second level hospital in the city of Puebla, Mexico. Isolation and fungal identification were executed by using conventional methods (Microculture, Auxacolor, CHROMagar-Candida). All patients had onychomycosis on the toenails. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was the most common chronic degenerative disease. According to the richness and abundance of organisms, we found: Candida albicans 17% (9), Candida glabrata 6% (3), Trichophyton mentagrophytes 8% (4), Trichophyton rubrum 4% (2), Trychophyton tonsurans 6% (3), Microsporum canis 6% (3), Scopulariopsis brevicaulis 12% (6), Fusarium solani 19% (10), Penicillium sp. 8% (4) and Aspergillus flavus 14% (7). A high percentage of non-dermatophyte filamentous fungi isolates was obtained indicating the importance of these fungi as causal agents of onychomycosis in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The surgical management of rectal cancer has evolved from a disease without any possibility of cure in the early 1700s where surgical management consisted of the palliative drainage of disease related abscesses to the present day where surgical cure is not only possible but also possible with sphincter or even organ preservation. Prof Habr‐Gama's lecture describes the evolution of the surgical management of rectal cancer and the current focus on organ preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies of new, fuel-efficient transport aircraft have considered designs, which make use of two principal lifting surfaces to provide the required lift as well as trim and static stability. Such designs include open tandem-wings as well as closed joined and box-wings. As a group, these aircraft can be termed dual-wing designs. This study developed a new analytic model, which takes into account the downwash from the two main wings and is sensitive to three important design variables: the relative areas of each wing, the streamwise separation of the wings, and the center of gravity position. This model was used to better understand trends in the dual-wing geometry on the stability, maneuverability, and lift-to-drag ratio of the aircraft. Dual-wing aircraft have been shown to have reduced the induced drag compared to the conventional designs. In addition, further drag reductions can be realized as the horizontal tail can be removed if the dual-wings have sufficient streamwise stagger to provide the moments necessary for trim and longitudinal stability. As both wings in a dual-wing system carry a significant fraction of the total lift, trends in such designs that led to longitudinal stability can differ from those of the conventional aircraft and have not been the subject of detailed investigation. Results from the analytic model showed that the longitudinal stability required either a reduction of the fore wing area or shifting the center of gravity forward from the midpoint of both wings' aerodynamic centers. In addition, for wing configurations of approximately equal fore and aft wing areas, increasing the separation between the two wings decreased the stability of the aircraft. The source of this unusual behavior was the asymmetric distribution of downwash upstream and downstream of the wing. These relationships between dual-wing geometry and stability will provide initial guidance on the conceptual design of dual-wing aircraft and aid in the understanding of the results of more complex studies of such designs, furthering the development of future transport aircraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aim: The study aim was to evaluate the potential of 405‐nm light as a virus intervention for blueberries. Methods and Results: Tulane virus (TV)‐inoculated blueberries were treated with 4·2 mW cm−2 of 405‐nm light for 5–30 min. To mitigate thermal heating due to the intense light, a dry ice‐chilled, nitrogen‐based cooling system was utilized. Blueberries were rotated to ensure exposure of all surfaces to 405‐nm light. Five‐, 15‐ and 30‐min treatments resulted in little or no inactivation of TV on blueberries (average log reductions of −0·18; −0·02; and +0·06 respectively). Since 405‐nm light's inactivation mechanism may involve singlet oxygen, two singlet oxygen enhancers, riboflavin and rose bengal, were used to coat the blueberries prior to 405‐nm light treatment. When 0·1% riboflavin or rose bengal was added, resulting in an average PFU reduction of −0·51 and −1·01 logs respectively. However, it was noted that the addition of riboflavin and rose bengal in the absence of 405‐nm light treatment produced some inactivation. Average untreated log reductions for riboflavin and rose bengal were −0·13 and −0·66 respectively. Also, 60–30‐s 405‐nm light pulses with 2‐min ambient cooling periods without the dry ice nitrogen cooling system did not inactivate TV, suggesting that oxygen limitation by the nitrogen CO2 mixture was not the cause of limited inactivation. Conclusions: Overall results indicate that 405‐nm light has some potential to inactivate viruses if singlet oxygen enhancers are present. Significance and Impact of the Study: The potential of visible monochromatic violet/blue light (405 nm) as a nonthermal intervention for viruses on foods, such as berries that are prone to norovirus contamination, had not been previously evaluated. Use of food‐grade singlet oxygen enhancer compounds in combination with visible spectra light may offer a means to inactivate foodborne viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the increasingly recognized importance of the tumor microenvironment (TME) as a regulator of tumor progression, only few in vitro models have been developed to systematically study the effects of TME on tumor behavior in a controlled manner. Here we developed a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model that recapitulates the physical and compositional characteristics of Glioblastoma (GBM) extracellular matrix (ECM) and incorporates brain stromal cells such as astrocytes and endothelial cell precursors. The model was used to evaluate the effect of TME components on migration and survival of various patient-derived GBM cell lines (GBM10, GBM43 and GBAM1) in the context of STAT3 inhibition. Migration analysis of GBM within the 3D in vitro model demonstrated that the presence of astrocytes significantly increases the migration of GBM, while presence of endothelial precursors has varied effects on the migration of different GBM cell lines. Given the role of the tumor microenvironment as a regulator of STAT3 activity, we tested the effect of the STAT3 inhibitor SH-4-54 on GBM migration and survival. SH-4-54 inhibited STAT3 activity and reduced 3D migration and survival of GBM43 but had no effect on GBM10. SH-4-54 treatment drastically reduced the viability of the stem-like line GBAM1 in liquid culture, but its effect lessened in presence of a 3D ECM and stromal cells. Our results highlight the interplay between the ECM and stromal cells in the microenvironment with the cancer cells and indicate that the impact of these relationships may differ for GBM cells of varying genetic and clinical histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus induces liver fibrosis, but it is unknown why some patients progress to advanced fibrosis while others remain with mild disease. Recently, an inverse association between serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA- S) and liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease was described, and it was postulated that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has antifibrotic effects. Our aim was to compare serum DHEA- S levels with liver fibrosis in hepatitis C patients. We collected serum samples from hepatitis C patients at the same day they underwent a liver biopsy. S- DHEA was compared to different stages of fibrosis. Binary logistic regression models were applied to evaluate independent variables associated to fibrosis. We included 287 patients (43.9% male). According to fibrosis stages 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4, median serum DHEA- S levels were 103 (26- 462), 73 (5-391), 46 (4- 425), 35 (6- 292) and 28 (2-115) μg/dL, respectively (P < .001). Median serum DHEA- S levels were 74 (5- 462) vs 36 (2- 425) μg/dL for mild (F0- 1) vs significant (F2- 4) fibrosis, respectively (P < .001). Median serum DHEA- S levels were 64 (4- 462) vs 31 (2- 292) μg/dL for non advanced (F0- 2) vs advanced fibrosis (F3- 4), respectively (P < .001). The same association was found when the subgroup of HCV patients with and without steatosis or steatohepatitis was analysed. The association between lower DHEA- S levels and advanced fibrosis was independent of age, gender, diabetes mellitus, obesity and steatosis. Lower circulating DHEA- S levels are associated with more advanced stages of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The solar cycle 24 will not be registered as the most intense of the last cycles. In fact, its intensity is roughly half of the previous cycle and the ionospheric effects experienced in this cycle have been far milder than originally expected, despite having several major ionospheric storms in this period, as the so‐called St. Patrick's Day's ionospheric storm. On the other hand, in this same period of time, the Galileo system has started the deployment phase and it started the In‐Orbit‐Validation campaign on 2013 with the first four full operational satellites, following the launch of a number of additional satellites allowing the declaration of Initial Services in December 2016 and targeting the Full Operational Capability by 2020. Thus, during this period of time, Galileo has been broadcasting the 3 Az coefficients needed to use the NeQuick G for correcting the ionospheric delay for single‐frequency users. In this work, the full analysis of the performance of the NeQuick G for the last solar cycle will be presented along with the detailed analysis of some of the most relevant ionospheric storms occurred during the very same period. In general, the NeQuick G presents around 50 cm better root mean square than the Global Positioning System broadcast model for all the period of study. As an internal measure of the goodness of the NeQuick G, the percentage of slant total electron content inside of target Galileo specification will also be analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is one of the preferred initial treatment strategies for locally advanced rectal cancer. Responses are variable, and most patients still require surgery. The aim of this study was to identify molecular mechanisms determining poor response to CRT. Methods: Global gene expression and pathway enrichment were assessed in pretreatment biopsies from patients with non‐metastatic cT2–4 N0–2 rectal cancer within 7 cm of the anal verge. Downstream Akt activation was assessed in an independent set of pretreatment biopsies and in colorectal cancer cell lines using immunohistochemistry and western blot respectively. The radiosensitizing effects of the Akt inhibitor MK2206 were assessed using clonogenic assays and xenografts in immunodeficient mice. Results: A total of 350 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 123 were upregulated and 199 downregulated in tumours from poor responders. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (P < 0·001) and phosphatidylinositol signalling pathways (P < 0·050) were identified as significantly enriched pathways among the set of differentially expressed genes. Deregulation of both pathways is known to result in Akt activation, and high immunoexpression of phosphorylated Akt S473 was observed among patients with a poor histological response (tumour regression grade 0–2) to CRT (75 per cent versus 48 per cent in those with a good or complete response; P = 0·016). Akt activation was also confirmed in the radioresistant cell line SW480, and a 50 per cent improvement in sensitivity to CRT was observed in vitro and in vivo when SW480 cells were exposed to the Akt inhibitor MK2206 in combination with radiation and 5‐fluorouracil. Conclusion: Akt activation is a key event in the response to CRT. Pharmacological inhibition of Akt activation may enhance the effects of CRT. Surgical relevance Organ preservation is an attractive alternative in rectal cancer management following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) to avoid the morbidity of radical surgery. Molecular steps associated with tumour response to CRT may provide a useful tool for the identification of patients who are candidates for no immediate surgery. In this study, tumours resistant to CRT were more likely to have activation of specific genetic pathways that result in phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) activation. Pretreatment biopsy tissues with high immunoexpression of pAkt were more likely to exhibit a poor histological response to CRT. In addition, the introduction of a pAkt inhibitor to cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo led to a significant improvement in sensitivity to CRT. Identification of pAkt‐activated tumours may thus allow the identification of poor responders to CRT. In addition, the concomitant use of pAkt inhibitors to increase sensitivity to CRT in patients with rectal cancer may constitute an interesting strategy for increasing the chance of a complete response to treatment and organ preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Alergia de Mexico is the property of Coleg. Mexicano de Inmunologia Clinica y Alergia A.C.; Soc. Lat. de Alergia, Asma e Inmunologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)