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The aim of this paper is to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the selective nature of border regimes as well as to the way the global economic crisis affects migratory flows and policies. For this purpose, our analysis focuses on a public policy created to attract a specific migrant profile, the residence permit for investment activity (ARI), aka Golden Visa, created in Portugal in 2012. The Golden Visa Programme assigns residence visas for Third Country Nationals (TCN) who invest a minimum of 500 thousand Euros. Most candidates and recipients of this visa are Chinese nationals. This paper discusses how the Golden Visa Programme changed the profile of the Chinese community in Portugal by critically looking at how it fitted the neoliberal narrative and politics during the period of the financial crisis that hit Portugal in 2011. In so doing, this paper falls within the broader studies of governmentality and management of borders and migratory flows which cross them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares the efficacy and safety of using the Luso-Cor esophageal stent (LCES) versus conventional covered metallic stents (CS) for managing fistulas after bariatric surgery. The study involved 60 patients who underwent primarily endoscopic management of fistulas, with 13 patients receiving LCES and 47 patients receiving CS. The results showed that the LCES was highly effective in closing fistulas, with a trend for lower incidence of adverse events, fewer endoscopies, and shorter time until fistula closure compared to CS. However, larger multi-center studies are needed to confirm these findings. [Extracted from the article]

The effect of 30% H2O2 solutions with different pH (2, 4 and 6) on the wear of human dental enamel was studied. Additionally, the whitening efficiency and changes in hardness and morphology were evaluated. The enamel tribological response was accessed through two different approaches: ball-on-plate and atomic force microscopy (AFM), the later following a tribological model based on a single asperity contact. The results showed differences in the specific wear rate and wear mechanisms between the two used approaches. Regardless of the tribological approach used, the wear resistance of enamel was lower for pH = 2. It was observed that pH = 6 leads to a safe and efficient whitening treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Patient engagement in clinical guidelines development is essential. The results of a self-administered online survey identified themes important to people living with osteoporosis and will inform the development of Osteoporosis Canada clinical guidelines recommendations. Introduction: Patient engagement is essential in the development of high-quality and relevant guidelines for osteoporosis management. Osteoporosis Canada (OC) is updating its national clinical practice guidelines in collaboration with people living with osteoporosis in the process. Methods: Using electronic mail, we contacted 6937 members of the Canadian Osteoporosis Patient Network (COPN) to provide input on the selection of relevant content, outcomes, and research questions via a self-administered online survey. Close-ended questions were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and conventional content analysis was conducted for open-ended questions. Results: A total of 1108 individuals completed the survey (97% women, 86% stated they lived with osteoporosis). Most participants considered it critical to have recommendations on physical activity and exercise (74%), fall prevention (69%), nutrition (68%), and initial bone mineral density testing (67%). In addition to preventing fractures, over 75% of respondents stated that consideration of preserving quality of life and ability to perform daily activities, preventing admission to long-term care and fracture-related death, and avoiding serious harms from medications were essential outcomes to consider in evaluating the evidence. In terms of selection of research questions, seven themes emerged from the content analysis including pharmacotherapy, screening and monitoring, diet and supplements, education, exercise, alternative therapies, and pain management. Conclusions: Patients emphasized that autonomy, mobility, and quality of life are highly valued outcomes and must be integral to practice guideline development. As expected, guidance on pharmacotherapy, screening and monitoring, and fracture prevention were priorities identified to be included in osteoporosis management guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the formation of polar ring galaxies via minor mergers. We used N -body + hydrodynamics simulations to reproduce the dynamics of the observed system AM 2229-735 that is a minor merger whose interaction signals are those of a progenitor for a polar ring galaxy. We used the observational information of the system to get initial conditions for the orbit and numerical realizations of the galaxies to run the simulations. Our simulations reproduce the global characteristics of interaction observed in the system such as arms and a material bridge connecting the galaxies. As a merger remnant, we found a quasi-stable and self-gravitating planar tidal stream with dark matter, stars, and gas orbiting in a plane approximately perpendicular to the main galaxy disc leading in the future to a polar ring galaxy. We studied the dynamical conditions of the polar structure and found evidence suggesting that this kind of merger remnant can settle down in a disc-like structure with isothermal support, providing inspiring evidence about the process of formation of galactic discs and providing a potentially independent scenario to study the presence of dark matter in this kind of galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical relevance: There is strong evidence from meta-analyses that exercise as a single intervention can reduce the number and risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults, yet not all types of exercise are equal. Observations: Programs that include 3 h a week of exercise and provide a high challenge to balance can reduce falls by almost 40%. Reactive and volitional stepping interventions have also been shown to reduce falls by about 50%. Evidence is less clear regarding the efficacy of exercise in individuals who have experienced a stroke, who live in long-term care, who have been recently discharged from the hospital, or who have visual impairments, but there is some evidence that multifactorial programs may be useful. Conclusion: Depending on the population, exercise as a single or as part of a multifactorial intervention may be beneficial in reducing falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of graphite platelets used as matrix epoxy polymer reinforcement in the sliding reciprocating wear performance of carbon fibre composites. First, epoxy reinforced composites with different amounts of graphite in weight were produced (0, 7.5, 11.5 and 30 wt %) to ascertain the optimal composition regarding wear resistance. Additionally, carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites were produced, with and without the addition of 7.5 wt% graphite platelets to the polymer matrix, and its wear resistance was also evaluated. The laminated carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites were produced through vacuum assisted hand lay-up method. Reciprocating sphere-on-plate wear tests, using Ø 6 mm spheres of AISI52100 steel as counter-body, were performed during 6 h at room temperature. The tests were carried out using an applied normal load of 4 N, 2 Hz of frequency and 8 mm stroke per cycle. At the end of the tests, the wear losses were estimated through integration of cross-section wear track profiles and the worn surfaces were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The coefficient of friction was accessed during testing. The results showed that the lowest specific wear rate of the polymer composites without carbon fibre was obtained with the insertion of 7.5 wt% of graphite platelets (9.7 × 10−8 mm3/N m) and that increase in the graphite fraction leads to higher material loss as a result of increased fatigue surface. Furthermore, the addition of 7.5 wt% graphite platelets to the epoxy matrix of carbon fibre reinforced polymer composites leads to enhance its wear resistance. The reinforced matrix supports and protects the fibres reducing fibre failure and, consequently, wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a phytopathogenic bacteria, and it is the causative agent of black rot in crucifers. Recent studies have shown that Bacillus species have strong biological control on Xanthomonas. One of the mechanisms of this control is secondary metabolites production. A collection of 257 bacteria isolated from a suppressive soil was evaluated for in vitro antagonistic activity against X. campestris, and 92 isolates (44.6%) were able to inhibit its growth. Among the 92 isolates evaluated in the double‐layer technique, 51 (55.43%) inhibited Xcc growth on the inhibition tests with cell‐free filtrates (CFF) in liquid medium. Thirteen of these isolates presented 50% or more growth inhibition, and five isolates presented 100% growth inhibition of Xcc. The CFF of the isolate TCDT‐08, which belongs to the Paenibacillus genus, was used for in vivo tests with kale crops. The artificial inoculation of kale with Xcc‐629IBSBF pretreated with CFF from the isolate TCDT‐08 demonstrated that the bacterium loses the ability of colonizing kale and of causing black rot. A Paenibacillus sp. isolate has strong inhibitory activity against X. campestris pv. campestris, and further studies can result in the use of this isolate to protect kale from Xcc infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Osteoporosis affects many aspects of daily life. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of exercise interventions on functional outcomes in persons with osteoporosis, in comparison with controls.Methods: Four databases were searched and yielded 1587 citations. Two reviewers independently determined study eligibility, rated risk of bias, appraised methodological quality of studies, and resolved discordance by consensus.Results: A total of 28 studies examining 2113 participants met inclusion criteria; 25 studies were suitable for meta-analyses. Four categories of exercise were identified using the ProFaNE taxonomy. After removing studies with high risk of bias and sorting them into intervention sub-types, we were able to sufficiently reduce the heterogeneity. The standardized mean difference (SMD) favored multicomponent exercise for mobility (− 0.56, 95% CI [− 0.81, − 0.32], p = 0.06, I2 = 51%); balance (0.50, 95% CI [0.27, 0.74], p = 0.28, I2 = 21%); and self-reported measures of functioning (− 0.69, 95% CI [− 1.04, − 0.34], p = 0.02, I2 = 61%). Trials were judged at low or unclear risk of selection bias, indicating inadequate reporting and at high risk of performance bias due to lack of participant blinding. The mean methodological quality rating of the studies was 63.5% indicating moderate quality.Conclusions: A multicomponent exercise program of high-speed training combined with simulated functional tasks is promising to enhance functional outcomes. Due to substantial clinical heterogeneity of the target groups and specific demands of exercise modes, it is unclear which exercise program is optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN 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.)

We present an observational study of the galaxy HRG 54103, a peculiar galaxy with an asymmetric disc ring. The main goal of this work is to study the stellar population and oxygen abundances for the inner bulge region. The kinematics derived from long-slit spectroscopy suggest that the line of nodes of the gaseous component of HRG 54103 is nearly along the galaxy ring minor axis. The gaseous disc seems to be kinematically decoupled relative to the morphology of the stellar ring. A small, but non-negligible, fraction of young stars (5-10 per cent) is estimated to contribute. This object is mainly dominated by old and intermediate stellar populations. The emission-line spectrum shows low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER) type characteristics. We determined oxygen abundances using calibrations between this parameter and the strong emission line ratios known as the indices O3N2 and N2. Our results suggest a relatively homogeneous O/H across the minor axis of the galaxy, with average values of 12 + log(O/H)=8.4 dex and 12 + log(O/H)=8.7 dex, using the O3N2 and N2 parameters, respectively. These values are compatible with the few estimations of oxygen abundance for peculiar ring galaxies published in the literature. Implications on the formation history of HRG 54103 were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of HOLOS is the property of Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do norte - IFRN 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 study relates multiple parameters that are involved in the occurrence and control of malaria in the Amazon. Ebbs and floods, black and white waters, fishponds, and 'repiquete' (Amazonian waters phenomenon) influence the density of Anopheles darlingi Root, 1926. The adaptive processes, genetic background, and resilience of Anopheles vectors change in response to climate and environmental changes. This study covers the diversity of anophelines, which increases due to anthropic activities. Regarding strategies for vector control, the following measures are important: (1) use mechanical barriers inside houses (screens and impregnated mosquito nets), (2) determine the level of anopheline resistance to insecticides, and (3) determine the effect of the physiological state of females on malaria transmission effectiveness. Bioinsecticides were found to be efficient in the control of immatures, and there was no alteration of the associated fauna. Data on genetic variability and vector populations demonstrated greater polymorphism in intradomicile subpopulations. Furthermore, knowledge on the structural genome and transcriptome of A. darlingi, associated with bio-ecology and evolution, may indicate an adaptive strategy of this species to the Amazon biome. There are anthropic activities and environmental and climatic changes that favor increased vector density, requiring specific control strategies to reduce populations of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The aim of this study was to categorize the facilitators and barriers of exercise and identify methods to promote exercise adherence in the osteoporosis population. Despite the fair methodological quality of included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), less than 75 % identified facilitators and barriers to exercise. Methods to promote and measure exercise adherence were poorly reported. Introduction: Several studies have shown exercise to be successful in maintaining or increasing BMD in individuals with low bone mass. Yet, adherence to exercise is poor, with 50 % of those registered in an exercise program dropping out within the first 6 months, lack of time being the number one barrier in many populations. However, in the osteoporosis population, the main facilitator and barrier to exercise is still unclear. The aim of this study is to examine the extent to which RCTs reported the facilitators and the barriers to exercise and identified methods to promote adherence to an exercise program. Methods: PubMed, CINHAL, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Review were queried using a predefined search criterion, and the resulting citations were imported into DistillerSR. Screening was carried out by two independent reviewers, and articles were included in the analysis by consensus. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. Results: Fifty-four RCTs examining exercise interventions in patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis were included. A spectrum of facilitators and barriers to exercise for osteoporotic patients were identified; however, no one facilitator was more frequently reported than the other. The most commonly reported barriers were lack of time and transportation. In most RCTs, methods to promote and measure exercise adherence were unsatisfactory. Of the 54 papers, 72 % reported an adherence rate to an exercise program; the lowest reported rate was 51.7 %, and the highest 100 %. Conclusions: Most RCTs found were of fair quality; however, less than three quarters identified facilitators and barriers to exercise. Reporting of methods to promote and measure exercise adherence were low. Future work should be directed toward identifying major facilitators and barriers to exercise adherence within RCTs. Only then can methods be identified to leverage facilitators and overcome barriers, thus strengthening the evidence for efficacy of optimal interventional exercise programs. This review has been registered in PROSPERO under registration number CRD42016039941. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph and its Integral Field Unit observational data were used to study the detailed 2D gas kinematics and morphological structures within the ~500 x 421 pc² of the active Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 4501. We provide empirical pieces of evidence of possible outflowing material from the central zones of NGC 4501 to the observer. In addition, we performed a spectral synthesis and diagnostic diagram analysis to determine respectively the dominant stellar population in the inner disc of this galaxy and to unveil the actual nature of the central engine of NGC 4501. The principal finding of this work is that the central regions of NGC 4501 are dominated by non-circular motions connected to probable outflows of matter from the nuclear regions of this galaxy. A predominant old stellar population inhabits the internal zones of NGC 4501, excluding the possibility of ongoing starburst activity in the central parsecs of this galaxy. The latter result is confirmed by the diagnostic diagram analysis that establishes a preponderant active galactic nucleus character for NGC 4501. These outcomes together provide a general description of the gas motion and the corresponding nuclear activity in the internal disc of NGC 4501 in an attempt to elucidate the possible relation among the central activity and the induced kinematic properties of this nearby galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a circumprimary gaseous disk is pushed into the primary supermassive black hole (SMBH) by the tidal force of the decaying secondary black hole, it can produce an increase in the luminosity. In the case of a disk that lies in the same plane of the SMBHs binary, that luminosity exceeds the Eddington limit. In this paper, we extend these previous investigations to the case of systems misaligned with different mass values for the binary components. Our aim is to probe which mass range can produce stronger electromagnetic counterparts in the last stages of coalescence. We concentrate in geometrically thin disk models and binary SMBHs with mass ratio q = 10−3. We compare our numerical results with previously obtained analytical results in the literature. Disks misaligned surrounding a primary SMBH can lead to an electromagnetic signature of the gravitational wave signal emitted from final stages of the SMBH's binary orbital decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to observe the extent of transfer of aflatoxin B1 in feed to the aflatoxin M1 metabolite in milk in Nili-Ravi buffaloes and to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial mycotoxin binder (Mycofix, Biomin Singapore) incorporated into feed to minimise this transfer. Multiparous animals (n = 28) were randomly distributed to four groups corresponding to two treatments each with two levels of aflatoxin B1. Individual animals were exposed to naturally contaminated feed providing a total of 1475 μg/day (Groups A and B) or 2950 μg/day (Groups C and D) of aflatoxin B1. Groups B and D were given 50 g of mycotoxin binder daily mixed with feed whereas Groups A and C were kept as controls. Feed samples were analysed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography for aflatoxin B1 and milk samples were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the liver metabolite aflatoxin M1. The mean value of total daily aflatoxin M1 excretion for animals fed 2950 μg/day of aflatoxin B1 (112.6 μg/day) was almost double (P < 0.001) than the excretion in buffaloes fed 1475 μg/day (62.2 μg/day). The mean daily concentration of aflatoxin M1 in milk of animals from both treatment groups supplemented with 50 g/day of mycotoxin binder was 76.5 μg/day, nearly 22 μg lower than those without binder at 98.3 μg/day (s.e.d. = 5.99: P < 0.01). The interaction of binder and treatment was not significant i.e. the 50 g/day of binder was able to sequester aflatoxin B1 with the same efficiency in groups fed with high and low concentrations of aflatoxin B1. Carry over was (3.44%) lower (P = 0.001) in animals supplemented with 50 g/day of mycotoxin binder than those fed no binder (4.60%). Thus buffaloes are highly efficient at transferring aflatoxins in feed to the aflatoxin M1 metabolite in milk, whereas mycotoxin binder is capable of alleviating without preventing this contamination risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a tandem visible/nearinfrared (VIS/NIR) wavelength selector based on a multilayer a-SiC:H optical filter that requires appropriate near-ultraviolet steady states optical switches to select the desired wavelengths in the VIS/NIR ranges. Spectral response measurements are presented and show the feasibility of tailoring the wavelength and bandwidth of a polychromatic mixture of different wavelengths. The selector filter is realized by using a two terminal double pi'n/pin a-SiC:H photodetector. Five visible/infrared communication channels are transmitted together, each one with a specific bit sequence. The combined optical signal is analysed by reading out the photocurrent, under near-UV steady state background. Results show that the background side and intensity works as a selector in the infrared/visible regions, shifting the sensor sensitivity. This nonlinearity allows the identification and decoding of the different input channels in the visible/infrared ranges. This concept is extended to implement a 1 by 5 wavelength division multiplexer with channel separation in the VIS/NIR range and a transmission capability of 30 Kbps. The relationship between the optical inputs and the output signal is established and an algorithm to decode the Multiplexed (MUX) signal presented. An optoeletronic model gives insight on the system physics. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the relation between oxygen abundances in the narrow-line regions (NLRs) of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) estimated from the optical emission lines through the strong-line method, via the direct Te-method, and the central intersect abundances in the host galaxies determined from the radial abundance gradients. We found that the Te-method underestimates the oxygen abundances by up to ~2 dex (with averaged value of ~0.8 dex) compared to the abundances derived through the strong-line method. This confirms the existence of the so-called 'temperature problem' in AGNs. We also found that the abundances in the centres of galaxies obtained from their spectra trough the strong-line method are close to or slightly lower than the central intersect abundances estimated from the radial abundance gradient both in AGNs and star-forming galaxies. The oxygen abundance of the NLR is usually lower than the maximum attainable abundance in galaxies (~2 times the solar value). This suggests that there is no extraordinary chemical enrichment of the NLRs of AGNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible range to telecom band spectral translation is accomplished using an amorphous SiC pi'n/pin wavelength selector under appropriate front and back optical light bias. Results show that background intensity works as selectors in the infrared region, shifting the sensor sensitivity. Low intensities select the near-infrared range while high intensities select the visible part according to its wavelength. Here, the optical gain is very high in the infrared/red range, decreases in the green range, stays close to one in the blue region and strongly decreases in the near-UV range. The transfer characteristics effects due to changes in steady state light intensity and wavelength backgrounds are presented. The relationship between the optical inputs and the output signal is established. A capacitive optoelectronic model is presented and tested using the experimental results. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the linguistic, structural and functional recovery on which the production of aphasic recurring utterances (RUs) is based. Methods & Procedures: Retrospective database analysis was performed to study the prevalence of RUs among aphasia patients. Language features and recovery were examined in patients with RUs, who were matched with aphasic controls with similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Outcomes & Results: Of the 147 aphasia patients admitted to a rehabilitation unit, between 2008 and 2012, 12.92% exhibited some form of RU. When we examined the prevalence among those with global aphasia, it increased to 24.6%. Each patient displayed the stereotypy, with some meaningful modulation or intonation with communicative intent. Although there was some recovery (particularly in comprehension), language of all patients remained severely impaired. Patients with RU scored considerably less than the control group in aphasia quotient (U = 209.00;p = .000), in naming task (U = 174.0;p = .002) and in word repetition (U = 196.0;p = .000). But there were no significant differences between the two groups on a comprehension task (t = −.75 (1,28);p = .261) and Token test scores (U = 321.1;p = .130). Conclusions: Our data support the notion that RUs do not represent an absence of language abilities. Language characteristics and recovery pattern were discussed in terms of cognitive processes and neuroplasticity. The social impact of RUs is also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we derive oxygen abundance gradients from H ii regions located in 11 galaxies in eight systems of close pairs. Long-slit spectra in the range 4400–7300 Å were obtained with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph at Gemini South (GMOS-S). Spatial profiles of oxygen abundance in the gaseous phase along galaxy discs were obtained using calibrations based on strong emission lines (N2 and O3N2). We found oxygen gradients to be significantly flatter for all the studied galaxies than those in typical isolated spiral galaxies. Four objects in our sample, AM 1219A, AM 1256B, AM 2030A and AM 2030B, show a clear break in the oxygen abundance at galactocentric radius R/R25 between 0.2 and 0.5. For AM 1219A and AM 1256B, we found negative slopes for the inner gradients, and for AM 2030B, we found a positive slope. All three cases show a flatter behaviour to the outskirts of the galaxies. For AM 2030A, we found a positive slope for the outer gradient, while the inner gradient is almost compatible with a flat behaviour. We found a decrease of star formation efficiency in the zone that corresponds to the oxygen abundance gradient break for AM 1219A and AM 2030B. For the former, a minimum in the estimated metallicities was found very close to the break zone, which could be associated with a corotation radius. However, AM 1256B and AM 2030A, present a star formation rate maximum but not an extreme oxygen abundance value. All four interacting systems that show oxygen gradient breaks have extreme SFR values located very close to break zones.The H ii regions located in close pairs of galaxies follow the same relation between the ionization parameter and the oxygen abundance as those regions in isolated galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycotoxins are toxic chemical compounds of low molecular weight produced by moulds. Throughout the years, the resistance of ruminants to mycotoxins has been assumed to be an almost absolute fact and the negative effects of these metabolites have been largely neglected by dairy farmers. However, such resistance should not be taken for granted as ruminants are fed various feed materials which might contain several different mycotoxins and in some cases, grazing animals might consume other mycotoxins via pasture. Metabolisation of mycotoxins in the rumen is not equivalent to complete detoxification. Moreover, its potential degradation is highly dependent on rumen microflora stability and pH, which vary according to feed composition and to the direct antimicrobial activity of mycotoxins. Young animals, high-yielding cows and animals in the transition period should be given particular attention as they are more susceptible to the negative effects of these toxic metabolites. A brief overview on the occurrence of these toxic compounds in commodities commonly used in dairy feeds will set the scene for a review of their impacts on rumen function and rumen health, reproduction, feed intake and performance, carry-over into milk, liver toxicity and foot health/lameness and other metabolic disorders. When toxins produced by moulds are ingested by ruminants, the adverse impacts may range from sub-clinical effects to overt disease manifestations. This paper covers such effects which are not only witnessed at the farm level but which may also result in public health concerns should such metabolites be transferred into milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yittria-stabilised-zirconia is a biomaterial widely employed in the production of dental prostheses through several traditional manufacturing and shaping processes (such as machining and surface grinding of a green or sintered block, gel-casting and injection moulding) which carry relatively high labour, tooling, moulding and waste material costs. Additive manufacturing 3D-printing processes, such as robocasting, enable the quick production of customised and intricate parts without the need for costly milling tools and moulds [1,2]. In this work, the robocasting process was employed in the production of zirconia parts using a layer-by-layer deposition strategy of a dispersed ceramic powder slurry through a numerically controlled extruder and nozzle. The highest possible solid content allowing for proper extrusion through a fine nozzle was determined for a plain, inexpensive water-based slurry of zirconia powders and dispersing agent. A commercial open-source 3D printer was modified to use a standard micrometric syringe and needle as an extruder Figure 1. An initial batch of 80 wt.% solid zirconia powder slurry was produced using a predetermined optimal CE64 dispersant ratio and equal portions were subsequently condensed through air-drying at 50 °C until an 82, 84, 86, 88 or 90 wt.% solid content ratio was reached. Each slurry was then used for the robocasting of zirconia cuboid samples, which were air-dried for 48 h at 50 °C and sintered at 1500 °C for 2 h. Sintered sample densities were measured using the Archimedes method and the polished base sample surfaces were characterised through microscopy analysis, hardness and toughness tests. The slurry yielding the best results was, thus selected for the production of a sintered tooth prototype using the same sample extrusion speeds, nozzle travel speeds and diameter (0.45 mm). The best sample print quality was attained using 88 wt.% solid content slurries, which resulted in minimal microscopic sintering defects and no extrusion faults due to transient clogging of the extrusion nozzle, thus reaching a sintered density 97% that of theoretical. A full-size tooth prototype was successfully fabricated using the 88 wt.% solid content slurries Figure 2. Discussion and conclusions: The 88 wt.% solid content slurry showed increased viscosity, consistently raising extrusion pressure and shear stresses which likely broke-up any soft agglomerates, thus avoiding temporary nozzle clogging and the formation of agglomerate-related sintering defects. The 90 wt.% slurry showed near-dilatant behaviour, possibly possessing harder agglomerates. Thus, sintered sample parts with 97% theoretical density were realised from an 88 wt.% plain water-based slurry with no binders or plasticisers that would otherwise require an additional pre-sintering burnout stage and likely generate sintering defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AimsTo examine pre-operative characteristics of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and their relationship to visual acuity (VA) following surgery.MethodsReview of prospectively completed electronic database. Baseline characteristics, retinal drawings and outcomes were analysed.ResultsIn all, 847 eyes from 847 patients with a mean age of 62.2 years, 60% males, and 56% right eyes were studied. Mean follow-up was 9.6 months. Preoperative VA correlated with final VA (r2=0.21, P<0.0001). Median postoperative VA was 6/9 (Logmar 0.18, quartiles=0.0-0.48) and was significantly related to anatomical success: 70.15% achieved 0.18 or better with fully attached retina and primary success, whereas only 8.33% achieved this when the retina was not fully attached at final follow-up (failure) (P<0.0001). Univariate analysis found multiple variables associated with achieving 0.18 postoperative vision, however, multivariate analysis revealed only primary anatomical success with surgery; absence of proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR), better-presenting VA and fewer quadrants of detachment were associated with a better visual outcome (r2=0.26, P<0.0001). Patients with a clinically attached fovea achieved better vision than patients with a clinically detached fovea, independent of the visual loss duration. With foveal detachment however, postoperative VA was better in patients with 1-3 days of visual loss compared with 4-6 days (P=0.013).ConclusionsFailure of primary surgery, PVR, extensive RRD and poor-presenting VA are risk factors for poorer visual outcome following surgery for RRD. Fovea off RRD at presentation achieved poorer postoperative VA than fovea attached and visual outcome was poorer when there was a longer duration of visual symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) still remains an obscure event in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC).Methods:Immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, Snail, Slug, Twist and Vimentin was analysed in 87 VSCC, controlled for human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity, considering tumour front and central tumour as different morphological categories from the same tumour.Results:Lower β-catenin and higher Vimentin expression was associated with invasive front when compared with the central tumour (P=0.013 and P0.001, respectively). Higher expression of E-cadherin in central tumour was significantly related to absence of vascular and perineural invasion, lower invasion depth and 2 lymph node involvement. Loss of β-catenin and high Slug, Snail and Twist expression was associated with HPV-negative tumours. Moreover, β-catenin lower expression associated with gain in Slug expression predicts a subgroup with worst outcome (P=0.001). Lower expression of β-catenin in both central tumour and invasive front correlated with lower overall survival (P=0.021 and P=0.011, respectively). Also, multivariate analysis showed that lower β-catenin expression was independently associated with poorer outcome (P=0.044).Conclusion:Human papillomavirus-related tumours show better prognosis and outcome; besides, they do not progress through EMT phenomenon. Immunohistochemical analysis of β-catenin in invasive tumour front is a key issue for establishing prognosis of vulva cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Interactions between galaxies are very common. There are special types of interactions that produce systems called polar ring galaxies (PRGs), composed of a lenticular, elliptical or spiral host galaxy, surrounded by a ring of stars and gas, orbiting in an approximately polar plane. In this paper, we study AM 2020-504, a PRG with an elliptical host galaxy, and a narrow and well-defined ring, probably formed by accretion of material from a donor galaxy, collected by the host galaxy. Our observational study is based on BVRI broad-band imagery as well as long-slit spectroscopy in the wavelength range 4100-8600 Å, performed at the 1.6-m telescope at the Observatório do Pico dos Dias, Brazil. We have estimated a redshift of z = 0.01683, corresponding to a heliocentric radial velocity of 5045 ± 23 km s−1. The ( B − R) colour map shows that the ring is bluer than the host galaxy, which indicates that the ring is a younger structure. Standard diagnostic diagrams have been used to classify the main ionizing source of selected emission-line regions (nucleus, host galaxy and ring). We find that the ring regions are mainly ionized by massive stars, while the nucleus presents the characteristics of an active galactic nucleus. Using two empirical methods, we have found oxygen abundances for the H ii regions located in the ring in the range 12+log(O/H) = 8.3-8.8 dex. We have also found the presence of an oxygen gradient across the ring, and it appears that AM 2020-504 follows the metallicity-luminosity relation of spiral galaxies. These results support the accretion scenario for this object and they rule out cold accretion as the source for the H i gas in the polar ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We report first results of an investigation of the tidally disturbed galaxy system AM546-324, whose two principal galaxies 2MFGC04711 and AM0546-324 (NED02) were previously classified as interacting doubles. This system was selected to study the interaction of ellipticals in a moderately dense environment. We provide spectral characteristics of the system and present an observational study of the interaction effects on the morphology, kinematics, and stellar population of these galaxies. Methods. The study is based on long-slit spectrophotometric data in the range of ∼4500-8000 Å obtained with the Gemini Multi- Object Spetrograph at Gemini South (GMOS-S). We have used the stellar population synthesis code STARLIGHT to investigate the star formation history of these galaxies. The Gemini/GMOS-S direct r-G0303 broad band pointing image was used to enhance and study fine morphological structures. The main absorption lines in the spectra were used to determine the radial velocity. Results. Along the whole long-slit signal, the spectra of the Shadowy galaxy (discovered by us), 2MFGC 04711, and AM0546-324 (NED02) resemble that of an early-type galaxy. We estimated redshifts of z = 0.0696, z = 0.0693 and z = 0.0718, corresponding to heliocentric velocities of 20 141 km s-1, 20 057 km s-1, and 20 754 km s-1 for the Shadowy galaxy, 2MFGC 04711 and AM0546-324 (NED02), respectively. The central regions of 2MFGC04711 and AM0546-324 (NED02) are completely dominated by an old stellar population of 2 × 109 < t ⩽ 13 × 109 yr and do not show any spatial variation in the contribution of the stellar-population components. Conclusions. The observed rotation profile distribution of 2MFGC 04711 and AM0546-324 (NED02) can be adequately interpreted as an ongoing stage of interaction with the Shadowy galaxy as the center of the local gravitational potential-well of the system. The three galaxies are all early-type. The extended and smooth distribution of the material in the Shadowy galaxy is a good laboratory to study direct observational signatures of tidal friction in action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between February and October 2009, 324 grain, feed and feed commodity samples were sourced directly at animal farms or feed production sites in Middle East and Africa and tested for the presence of A- and B-trichothecenes, zearalenone, fumonisins, aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, or for selected groups of mycotoxins only. Samples were analyzed after clean-up by immunoaffinity or solid-phase extraction followed by HPLC with derivatization where appropriate and fluorescence, UV or mass spectrometric detection. The percentage of positive samples of B-trichothecenes ranged from 0 to 87% of tested samples. The prevalence of fumonisins in the different countries was >50% in most cases. Zearalenone was present in tested commodities from all countries except three. The presence of aflatoxin in analyzed samples varied from 0 to 94%. Ochratoxin A was present in 67% of samples in Sudan and in 100% of Nigerian samples. No A-trichothecenes were found in this survey. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ABSTRACT We present an observational study of the impacts of the interactions on the kinematics, stellar populations and oxygen abundances of the components of the galaxy pair AM 2322−821. A fairly symmetric rotation curve for the companion (AM 2322B) galaxy with a deprojected velocity amplitude of 110 km s−1 was obtained, and a dynamical mass of 1.1-1.3 × 1010 M⊙ within a radius of 4 kpc was estimated using this deprojected velocity. Asymmetries in the radial velocity field were detected for the companion, very likely due to the interaction between the galaxies. The interaction between the main and companion galaxies was modelled using numerical N-body/hydrodynamical simulations, with the result indicating that the current stage of the system would be about 90 Myr after perigalacticon. The spatial variation in the distribution of the stellar population components in both galaxies was analysed using the stellar population synthesis code starlight. The companion galaxy is dominated by a very young ( t≤ 1 × 108 yr) population, with the fraction that this population is of the total flux at λ 5870 Å increasing outwards in the galaxy disc. On the other hand, the stellar population of AM 2322A is heterogeneous along the slit positions observed. Spatial profiles of oxygen abundance in the gaseous phase were obtained using the diagnostic diagram R23= ([O ii]λ 3727 +[O iii]λ 4959 +[O iii]λ 5007)/Hβ versus [O iii]λ 5007/[O ii]λ 3727 where we compared the observed values with the ones obtained from photoionization models. Such gradients of oxygen abundance are significantly flatter for this pair of galaxies than in typical isolated spiral galaxies. This metallicity distribution is interpreted as the gradients having been destroyed by interaction-induced gas flows from the outer parts to the centre of the galaxy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To assess the cost-effectiveness of motivational enhancement therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy for poorly controlled Type 1 diabetes. Methods Within-trial prospective economic evaluation from (i) health and social care and (ii) societal perspectives. Three hundred and forty-four adults with Type 1 diabetes for at least 2 years and persistent, suboptimal glycaemic control were recruited to a three-arm multi-centre randomized controlled trial in London and Manchester, UK. They were randomized to (i) usual care plus four sessions of motivational enhancement therapy (ii) usual care plus four sessions of motivational enhancement therapy and eight sessions of cognitive behaviour therapy or (iii) usual care alone. Outcomes were (i) costs, (ii) Quality-Adjusted Life Year gains measured by the EuroQol 5-dimensional health state index and the 36-item Short Form and (iii) diabetes control measured by change in HbA1c level at 1 year. Results Both intervention groups had significantly higher mean health and social care costs (+ £535 for motivational enhancement therapy and + £790 for combined motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioural therapy ), but not societal costs compared with the usual-care group. There were no differences in Quality Adjusted Life Years. There was a significantly greater HbA1c improvement in the combined motivational enhancement and cognitive behavioural therapy group (+ 0.45%; incremental cost-effectiveness ratio = £1756), but the not in the motivational enhancement therapy group. Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves suggested that both interventions had low probabilities of cost-effectiveness based on Quality Adjusted Life Years (but high based on HbA1c improvements). Imputing missing costs and outcomes confirmed these findings. Conclusions Neither therapy was undisputedly cost-effective compared with usual care alone, but conclusions vary depending on the relative importance of clinical and quality-of-life outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer is the second cause of cancer death in Brazilian men. One of the relevant phenomena to the inherited susceptibility is the presence of allelic variants in genes involved with the DNA repair pathway. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequencies of prevalent, heterozygous and rare genotypes of the base excision repair genes APEX1 and XRCC1 in a case-control study and relate the genotypes with tumoral aggressiveness . DNA from peripheral blood of 172 patients and 172 controls were analyzed by RFLP-PCR method. The polymorphisms were also evaluated in relation to clinical and pathological parameters. The OR (Odds Ratio) and confidence interval (CI = 95%) were used in the association study and the Chi-square and ANOVA tests for the evaluation of histopathological parameters. The rare genotypes frequencies of the gene APEX1 increased the risk for the development of prostate cancer (OR = 1.68 95% CI 1.10-2.58). No association was found for the gene XRCC1 (OR = 0.82 95% CI 0.53-1.27). The combined analysis for both genes did not show association with this neoplasia (OR = 1.27 95% CI 0.79-20.5). The relationship of XRCC1 and APEX1 genotypes with cancer aggressiveness through the correlation with histopathological parameters, did not find any association. Our results suggest that the polymorphism in the gene APEX1 may be indicated as a potential marker for prostate cancer risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]