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This work seeks to make explicit the operational connection between the preparation of two-level quantum systems with their corresponding description (as states) in a Hilbert space. This may sound outdated, but we show there is more to this connection than common sense may lead us to believe. To bridge these two separated realms—the actual laboratory and the space of states—we rely on a paradigmatic mathematical object: the Hopf fibration. We illustrate how this connection works in practice with a simple optical setup. Remarkably, this optical setup also reflects the necessity of using two charts to cover a sphere. Put another way, our experimental realization reflects the bi-dimensionality of a sphere seen as a smooth manifold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent improvements in spatial resolution and measurement sensitivity for high-resolution digital image correlation (HR-DIC) now provide an avenue for the quantitative measurement of deformation events and capturing the physical nature of deformation mechanisms. However, HR-DIC measurements require significant time due to scanning electron image acquisition; such a limitation prevents the widespread use of HR-DIC for material characterization. Objective: Apply a novel SEM acquisition technology to enhance HR-DIC measurements for high throughput applications. Methods: Multi-beam SEM technology is employed to image an entire gauge length at once at high resolution and at nearly a hundredfold acceleration of typical HR-DIC image acquisition, even when automated stage movement and image acquisition are employed. These images were fed into a discontinuity-tolerant HR-DIC software to determine slip localization induced by non-metallic inclusions and grain structure. Results: Slip localization was able to be analyzed to an unprecedented level, with over 210,000 slip bands able to be investigated, with the most intense slip localizing near and parallel to twin boundaries and in the vicinity of non-metallic inclusion clusters. Additionally, secondary slip activation and grain boundary shearing by intense dislocation pileups are observed to reduce slip amplitude near and parallel to twin boundaries. Conclusions: By performing HR-DIC in conjunction with a multi-beam SEM, high-throughput measurements of large field-of-view, high-resolution images were able to be performed in a timely manner. These measurements provided an immense number of slip events for statistical analysis to be performed on to relate to microstructural features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of high-fidelity mechanical property prediction models for the design of polycrystalline materials relies on large volumes of microstructural feature data. Concurrently, at these same scales, the deformation fields that develop during mechanical loading can be highly heterogeneous. Spatially correlated measurements of 3D microstructure and the ensuing deformation fields at the micro-scale would provide highly valuable insight into the relationship between microstructure and macroscopic mechanical response. They would also provide direct validation for numerical simulations that can guide and speed up the design of new materials and microstructures. However, to date, such data have been rare. Here, a one-of-a-kind, multi-modal dataset is presented that combines recent state-of-the-art experimental developments in 3D tomography and high-resolution deformation field measurements. Measurement(s) 3D grain structure and grain orientations • Surface deformation fields Technology Type(s) Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) • Scanning electron microscope (SEM) • TriBeam microscope • high resolution digital image correlation Factor Type(s) applied macroscopic strain • crystallographic orientation Sample Characteristic - Organism nickel superalloy Inconel 718 Sample Characteristic - Environment mechanical deformation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advancements in the Digitial Image Correlation (DIC) technique over the past decade have greatly improved spatial resolution. However, many processes, such as plastic deformation, have a temporal component spanning from fractions of a second to minutes that has not yet been addressed in detail, particularly for DIC conducted in-situ in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Objective: To develop a methodology for conducting time-resolved digital image correlation in the SEM for analysis of time-dependent mechanical deformation phenomena. Methods: Microscope and electron beam scanning parameters that influence the rate at which time-resolved DIC information is mapped are experimentally investigated, providing a guide for use over a range of timescales and resolutions. Results: Time-resolved DIC imaging is demonstrated on a Ti-7Al alloy, where slip band propagation is resolved with imaging dwell times of seconds. The limits of strain resolution and strain collection speeds are analyzed. Conclusions: The new developed methodology can be applied to a wide range of materials loaded in-situ to quantify time-dependent plastic deformation phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on Digital Volume Correlation and its limitation in the case of fracture mechanics. Due to its sensitivity, detecting the crack opening in sub pixel level is extremely difficult and in-turn it does not provide an accurate estimation of the stress intensity factors. To address these limitations an improved DVC method was proposed to solve the uncertainty problems in the vicinity of cracks. The method (H-DVC) was developed using classical minimization process, including Heaviside functions in the kinematical field representation. Initial simulation has been performed for opening and sliding modes using classical DVC and proposed H-DVC. From these tests, crack detection limit has be evaluated to a jump of 0.1 voxels. A direct comparison of performances of DVC and H-DVC has been carried out on a fractured polymer sample to detect the kinematics discontinuity and to highlight the significant contribution of this novel approach. Furthermore, the local Crack Opening Displacement and local Stress Intensity Factor (KI) are calculated for mode-I loading (opening mode activated) condition. Parallelized computation of the proposed H-DVC method gave an access to high-resolution details, which indeed are not observable using classical DVC method. This allows a better evaluation of the distribution of localization phenomena in volumes under loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The present work focuses on an experimental analysis of different photoelastic extraction methods. An adapted test rig designed in order to evaluate several extraction methods, which come from the literature and 2 new proposed methods. Their comparisons point out dissimilar behaviours between them in an experimental environment. However, some specific cases require the use of most appropriate techniques to minimise the defects influence. Therefore, a specific application of the photoelasticity is presented to illustrate the meaning of the technique used. It mainly focuses on the determination of the residual stresses and their orientation inside photovoltaic crystal silicon wafers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on the stereo digital image correlation (SDIC) method and its extension in the case of fracture analysis. The aim of this work is to propose an improvement to the SDIC method for solving uncertainty problems in the vicinity of a discontinuous displacement field (cracks). It was developed using the classical minimization process, and the kinematical displacement field was enriched by a Heaviside function (H-SDIC). After a short presentation of the entire process used, some experimental tests were performed to demonstrate the performances of this new algorithm. Finally, an application of fracture detection and displacement field measurement on mudbricks is shown, thus validating the efficiency and the robustness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Cancellous bone; specific fracture energy (Gf); local fracture energy (Gi); wedge splitting method; digital image correlation (DIC) EN Cancellous bone specific fracture energy (Gf) local fracture energy (Gi) wedge splitting method digital image correlation (DIC) S532 S534 3 01/29/21 20191002 NES 191002 1. On the other hand, one can observe that there are very few works done on fracture properties of cancellous bone reported due to their porous nature and lack of tools to extract the parameters (crack length, crack opening displacement COD) for evaluating the fracture properties. Cancellous bone, specific fracture energy (Gf), local fracture energy (Gi), wedge splitting method, digital image correlation (DIC). [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: Cancellous bone; digital volume correlation (DVC); strain localization; µ-CT; bone fractures EN Cancellous bone digital volume correlation (DVC) strain localization µ-CT bone fractures S42 S44 3 01/29/21 20191002 NES 191002 1. Cancellous bone, digital volume correlation (DVC), strain localization, µ-CT, bone fractures. [Extracted from the article]

A full automated NIR polariscope has been specially built for residual stress measurement in crystal silicon wafers for solar applications. The multiple configurations of the instrument allow measuring both the isoclinic and the isochromatic parameters on a full field. A new algorithm has also been developed to extract the maximal shear stress inside the silicon wafers without linking the isoclinic parameter to the isochromatic parameter. Hence, it is straightforward to use and the extraction errors are reduced. Coupling this improved data analysis with the comprehensive capabilities of the test rig, allowed to show that the effect of the cutting process on the residual stress inside the silicon wafers is predominant compared with the effect of the cast process, related to the thermal gradient and impurities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family-directed umbilical cord blood (UCB) collection and banking is indicated in women delivering healthy babies who already have a member of their own family with a disease potentially treatable with an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (HSCs) transplantation (HSCT). The rapid availability of UCB is an important issue in HSCs procurement particularly for recipients with acute leukemia who urgently need HSCT. The aims of this study were to assess the usage rate of family UCB collections directed to patients with acute leukemia and to investigate the factors influencing the usage rate. A total of 113 families were enrolled, 118 UCB units were successfully collected and one collection failed due to emergency occurred during delivery. Among these, 7 collections were required for children who were in urgent need of a transplant: three HLA-matched units were successfully transplanted, respectively after 2, 5 and 6 months from collection; three collections resulted HLA-mismatched, while HLA-typing is pending for one unit. The remaining collections were mostly required for potential future use, among these units only one was transplanted in a HLA compatible sibling after 3 years and 4 months from collection. After a median time of storage of 8.5 years (range 0.1-20 years) a total of 4/118 (3.4 %) collection has been transplanted. During this time interval, considering only patients who have had the need of a transplant, the main factor influencing low utilization rate of UCB collections was due to HLA disparity, indeed among typed UCB unit mostly (77 %) resulted HLA mismatched with the intended recipient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on the digital image correlation (DIC) procedure and its limitation in the case of fracture analysis. A comparison of three different algorithms was carried out for the case of crossing cracks. An improvement of the DIC procedure was proposed to solve the uncertainty problems at the vicinity of the junction of two cracks. This procedure was proposed to perform an evaluation of the displacement when multiple cracks are present in the subset. It was developed using classical minimization process, including Heaviside functions in the kinematical field representation. Some tests were performed to demonstrate the performances of this new algorithm. An application of the multiple fractures on Argillite rock is shown to validate the efficiency and the robustness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Mortality after acute myocardial infarction is worse in women than in men, even after adjustment for comorbidity and age dissimilarities between sexes.Objective: To assess the influence of sex on survival after acute myocardial infarction.Design: Inception cohort obtained in a prospective registry of patients with acute myocardial infarction from 1992 through 1994.Setting: Four teaching hospitals in northeastern Spain.Patients: All consecutive patients aged 80 years or younger with first acute myocardial infarction. A total of 331 women and 1129 men were included.Main Outcome Measure: Survival at 28 days and mortality or readmission at 6 months.Results: Women were older (mean, 68.6 vs 60.1 years), presented more often with diabetes (52.9% vs 23.3%), hypertension (63.9% vs 42.3%), or previous angina (44.6% vs 37.4%), and developed more severe myocardial infarctions than men (acute pulmonary edema or cardiogenic shock occurred in 24.8% of women and 10.5% of men) (all P<.02). Men were more likely than women to receive thrombolytic therapy (41.3% vs 23.9%; P<.001), but rates of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft surgery at 28 days were similar among men and women. The 28-day mortality rate was significantly higher among women (18.5% for women, 8.3% for men; P<.001). Revascularization procedures at 6 months were performed in a similar proportion of women and men. However, women had higher 6-month mortality rates (25.8% in women, 10.8% in men; P<.001) and readmission rates (23.3% for women, 12.2% for men; P<.001). After adjustment, women had greater risk of death than men at 28 days (odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-2.65) and at 6 months (OR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.18-2.52).Conclusions: In this study population, women experienced more lethal and severe first acute myocardial infarction than men, regardless of comorbidity, age, or previous angina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical full-field techniques have a great importance in modern experimental mechanics. Even if they are reasonably spread among the university laboratories, their diffusion in industrial companies remains very narrow for several reasons, especially a lack of metrological performance assessment. A full-field measurement can be characterized by its resolution, bias, measuring range, and by a specific quantity, the spatial resolution. The present paper proposes an original procedure to estimate in one single step the resolution, bias and spatial resolution for a given operator (decoding algorithms such as image correlation, low-pass filters, derivation tools ...). This procedure is based on the construction of a particular multi-frequential field, and a Bode diagram representation of the results. This analysis is applied to various phase demodulating algorithms suited to estimate in-plane displacements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate by numerical simulations and experimental tests, that for a ductile specimen S.E.N. (Single Edge Notch) loaded in the mode I, the plastic zone dimension can be revealed by the shadow optical method. Assuming that the plasticity affects the displacement field topology near the crack tip, one shows that the study of multiple caustic shapes makes it possible to evaluate the plastic zone dimension. So, the use of the shadow optical method can give an excellent tool for the plasticity evaluation of loaded cracked structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A grid method is used to experimentally determine the in-plane displacement fields around a crack tip in a Single-Edge-Notch (SEN) tensile polyurethane specimen. Horizontal displacement u x-exp and vertical displacement u y-exp are expressed as functions of circular coordinates centred on the crack tip. These are compared with the approximate solutions of linear elastic fracture mechanics with a view to studying the applicability to polymers. The results show that this solution is not in agreement with the experiments at the focused on the vicinity of a crack tip. Taking this into account, an FEA program is developed with CAST3M for the purpose of comparing the experimental displacements and the numerical data. New formulations of displacements u x and u y are then developed. These formulations are derived from the principle of superposition and based on Arakawa’s formulation. With the displacement gradients obtained from the FEA and the new formulations, the determination of J-integrals is found to be in very good agreement with those derived from numerical calculation. Consequently, the proposed formulations can give displacement fields compatible with the J-integral calculation for the region near the crack tip. An application based on an experimental test is proposed to evaluate the performances of the proposed formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During a dynamic mechanical loading, we cannot use a phase-shifting technique because the mechanical parameters evolve according to the time. This problem can be avoided by the development of algorithms which can extract the mechanical information from only one fringe pattern. In this way, we present two algorithms, the modulated phase correlation (MPC) and the polynomial modulated phase correlation (pMPC). These processes are based on the use of the virtual fringe pattern which locally approaches the real fringe morphology. The similarity degree between real and virtual fringe pattern is estimated by digital correlation technique. When the best similarity is obtained, we suppose that the virtual phase function is very close to the real phase function. Some examples are presented to show the low noise sensitivity of these techniques. So, we propose to use the MPC or the pMPC algorithms to extract the relief from a single interferogram obtained by digital speckle-pattern interferometry. In this paper, we present experimental tests of impact loading on plates. The frame rate is adapted to the dynamic conditions of loading. Recorded fringe patterns and results of the unwrapped phase demodulated with our algorithms are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses about the genomic and expression analysis of B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-All). Mutations and rearrangements detected in BCP-ALL affect genes coding for transcriptional regulators. Experiments involving activating mutation in TSLPR gene is described and the result indicate that TSLPRF232C is able to induce a myeloproliferative-like syndrome in a bone marrow transplant mouse model. Also charts of the results are presented.

The article discusses about the NUP98 promiscuou gene. It is involved in chromosomal aberrations with other genes in variety of human hematological malignancies. Study of overexpression in mouse bone marrow indicates that NUP98 induce leukemic transformation. The article reports about the involvement of NUP98 in the therapy related acute myeloblastic leukemia. The article also describes the process of NUP98-HMBG3 fusion. Various charts related to the experiment is presented.

The article presents a case study of a 66-year-old man with hypercholesterolemia and peripheral arterial disease was diagnosed with a splenic flexure adenocarcinoma. The patient undergoes computed tomography (CT) scan and has shown large non-occlusive tumor at the splenic flexure and an enlarged arc of Riolan (AR). Antiplatelet therapy procedure was started along with the intake of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as part of the treatment of the disease.

Introduction Unintentional injury and suicide are leading causes of death for adolescents, and reducing these is an important health priority. Coroners' records provide a valuable source of information on the events leading up to the death of an individual, and analysis of these records may help our understanding of the causal pathway, and elucidate potential areas for intervention. Method All cases of unnatural death (poisoning, violence, unintentional injury) in young people aged 8-18 between 1996 and 2002 were identified from the death registers of one region in the UK. Data from Coroners' inquests were analysed to determine cause of death and involvement of professional agencies. A thematic analysis of the transcripts of statements presented at inquests aimed to identify areas of concern in the time immediately prior to death. Results A total of 77 cases were identified of whom 16 (20.8%) died from alcohol/drug misuse, 20 (26%) by suicide or probable suicide and 41 (53.2%) by other injuries and poisoning. Thematic analysis highlighted: bullying, teenage sexualization and pregnancy, alcohol and substance misuse, reconstituted family difficulties and out of control behaviour as being significant factors on the causal pathway. Conclusion This study based on comprehensive data from one region highlights some of the difficulties faced by young people as they negotiate how to deal with complex emotions and relationships. It also demonstrates how some parents and carers are uncertain about how to address their concerns. Finally, it shows how mortality among young people could potentially be markedly reduced if availability of alcohol and illicit and prescribed substances were reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Unintentional injury and suicide are leading causes of death for adolescents, and reducing these is an important health priority. Coroners’ records provide a valuable source of information on the events leading up to the death of an individual, and analysis of these records may help our understanding of the causal pathway, and elucidate potential areas for intervention. Method All cases of unnatural death (poisoning, violence, unintentional injury) in young people aged 8–18 between 1996 and 2002 were identified from the death registers of one region in the UK. Data from Coroners’ inquests were analysed to determine cause of death and involvement of professional agencies. A thematic analysis of the transcripts of statements presented at inquests aimed to identify areas of concern in the time immediately prior to death. Results A total of 77 cases were identified of whom 16 (20.8%) died from alcohol/drug misuse, 20 (26%) by suicide or probable suicide and 41 (53.2%) by other injuries and poisoning. Thematic analysis highlighted: bullying, teenage sexualization and pregnancy, alcohol and substance misuse, reconstituted family difficulties and out of control behaviour as being significant factors on the causal pathway. Conclusion This study based on comprehensive data from one region highlights some of the difficulties faced by young people as they negotiate how to deal with complex emotions and relationships. It also demonstrates how some parents and carers are uncertain about how to address their concerns. Finally, it shows how mortality among young people could potentially be markedly reduced if availability of alcohol and illicit and prescribed substances were reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A shovel performance monitoring study was undertaken in two oil sands mines operated by Syncrude Canada Ltd. using performance data obtained from P&H 4100 TS and BOSS electric mining shovels. One year of shovel performance data along with geological, geotechnical and climatic data were analysed. The approach adopted was to use current and voltage data collected from hoist and crowd motors to first identify dig cycles and then to calculate the energy and/or power associated with digging. Analysis of performance data while digging uniform material along with operator team schedules showed that the performance of a shovel can vary significantly depending on which operator is digging. Up to 25% variability in hoist power consumption and 50% variability in productivity was noted between different operators. Shovel type and dipper teeth configuration can also influence the power draw on electrical motors during digging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of grinding on thermal behavior of pyrophyllite and talc as commonly used ceramic clay minerals was investigated by DTA, TG, emanation thermal analysis (ETA), B.E.T. surface area (s.a.) measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A vibratory mill was used in this study, grinding time was 5 min. It was found that the grinding caused an increase in surface area and a grain size reduction of the samples. From TG and DTA results it followed that grinding caused a decrease of the temperature at which the structure bound OH groups released. The formation of high temperature phases was enhanced with the ground samples. For the ground talc sample the crystallization of non-crystalline phase into orthorhombic enstatite was observed in the range of 800°C. For ground pyrophyllite a certain agglomeration of grains was observed in the range above 950°C. Moreover, for both clays the ETA characterized a closing up of subsurface irregularities caused by grinding as a decrease of the emanation rate in the range 250–400°C. The comparison of thermal analysis results with the results of other methods made it possible to better understand the effect of grinding on the ceramic clays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcription factor hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF1), an HIF1α–aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) dimeric factor, is essential to the cellular response to hypoxia. We described a t(1;12)(q21;p13) chromosomal translocation in human acute myeloblastic leukemia that involves the translocated Ets leukemia (TEL/ETV6) and the ARNT genes and results in the expression of a TEL-ARNT fusion protein. Functional studies show that TEL-ARNT interacts with HIF1α and the complex binds to consensus hypoxia response element. In low oxygen tension conditions, the HIF1α/TEL-ARNT complex does not activate transcription but exerts a dominant-negative effect on normal HIF1 activity. Differentiation of normal human CD34+ progenitors cells along all the erythrocytic, megakaryocytic and granulocytic pathways was accelerated in low versus high oxygen tension conditions. Murine 32Dcl3 myeloid cells also show accelerated granulocytic differentiation in low oxygen tension in response to granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Interestingly, stable expression of the TEL-ARNT in 32Dcl3 subclones resulted in impaired HIF1-mediated transcriptional response and inhibition of differentiation enhancement in hypoxic conditions. Taken together, our results underscore the role of oxygen tension in the modulation of normal hematopoietic differentiation, whose targeting can participate in human malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static and dynamic heating of vermiculite samples from Santa Olalla, Huelva, Spain, saturated with different cations, i.e. Na+, Cs+, NH4 +, Mg2+, Ca2+, Ba2+ and Al3+, have been studied. The characterization of the phases formed during heating has been carried out by X-ray diffraction. The phases formed depend on the cation present in the interlamellar position and the heating process. The phases identified in the vermiculite samples saturated with different cations and heated at different temperatures are the following: enstatite, forsterite, spinel, cordierite, anorthite, pollucite, nepheline, coesite, celsian and others various mixed silicates; also some dehydrated and amorphous phases have been observed. On static heating, at the maximum temperature reached in this work, the phases formed appear mixed with a glassy phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differences on the thermal behaviour (DTG-DTA) of antigorite sample measured before and after sonication have been studied. Sonication treatment produces negligible changes in the structure of the material but substantial textural modifications. These modifications produce changes in the thermal behaviour of antigorite sample. Thus, it has been observed a decrease in the dehydroxylation temperature as measured by DTG and DTA effects. For sonication treatments longer than 20 h, two new effects of dehydroxylation are observed, the intensity of these two new effects increases with the sonication time showing a modification in the release of structural OH. It has been also observed that the formation of forsterite takes place simultaneously with the dehydroxylation of the antigorite. The high temperature exothermic effect is due to the recrystallization of forsterite and not to the formation of forsterite as traditionally assumed. Modifications in the thermal dehydroxylation of antigorite observed in this study are related to the pronounced decrease in particle size obtained by sonication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AIM: To know how compliant patients are, how much they know about their disease and treatment, and how their level of self-care is. METHODS: We performed a short nurse questionnaire during the first visit to a new Heart Failure Unit. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty-four patients have been evaluated, with a mean age of 65.4 years. Ninety-eight patients (30%) knew and understood the performance of the heart and 85 (29%) understood the disease. Two-hundred and nineteen (67%) knew more than three signs of worsening symptoms. One-hundred and five (32%) knew all the names of the medication they were taking and 74 (23%) knew the action of these medications. Two-hundred and ninety-four (91%) said they were taking all the medication prescribed and 229 (71%) carried on always their written prescription. Sixty-two percent of patients controlled weight only at the medical visit and only 14% controlled weight more than once a week. Fifty-nine (18%) controlled blood pressure more than once a week, while 45% controlled it only at the medical visit. Only 33% of patients were said always to follow sodium restricted diet. The great majority (93%) never smoked and only very rarely took alcohol (83%). While only 18 (6%) performed some kind of physical exercise, the majority (83%) did walking and daily living activities. The 85% of patients with ischemic heart disease knew how to use sublingual nitro-glycerine. When subgroups were analysed, we found significant differences by age, gender and previous specialist management. Younger patients, men and patients referred from the Cardiology outpatient clinic showed a higher level of knowledge and understanding of several aspects of disease and treatment, and performed more physical activities, compared to older patients, women and patients referred from other departments. On the contrary, older patients showed better adherence with sodium restriction, and, as women, better smoking and drinking habits. CONCLUSION: There is a lot of work to do in nurse-guided education of patients with heart failure, although treatment compliance, use of nitro-glycerine and abstinence of smoking and alcohol intake seem to be quite assumed by the majority of our patients. Significant differences in knowledge and behaviour were evident between younger and older patients, between men and women, and relating to previous specialist management. In spite of that, we found no differences in treatment compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of perforated packaging films is increasing with the application of modified atmosphere packaging for fresh produce. These films provide high to very high mass exchange rates. However, irrespective of the chemistry of the material, mass transport through such films cannot be described using conventional permeability equations (Henry's plus Fick's laws). Other expressions such as Knudsen's law, gas di4usivities or Poiseuille's hydrodynamic flow can be applicable. The application of these laws is discussed and their corresponding range of validity is provided. These laws were also applied to model experimental permeation rates of oxygen and water and were further used to describe the headspace evolution of two fruit products in modified atmosphere packaging. In the light of these results, the contribution of di4erent factors to the headspace evolution is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South American siskin radiation was studied by both mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt cyt b) DNA sequencing and homologous phenotypic characters; the latter were coded separately according to sex. Mixed phenetic and molecular (total evidence) dendrograms were constructed and the corresponding analyses suggest that speciation started in the South American siskin group with a north to south separation (Carduelis notata/C. barbata) along the Andean spine. A second split may have taken place around the Peruvian Andean mountains, corresponding to the present distribution pattern of C. olivacea. The most recent speciation events seem to have occurred in three sister species pairs: (i) C. xanthogastra/C. atrata, (ii) C. magellanica/C. yarrellii, (iii) C. cucullata/C. crassirostris. Accumulation of consistent characters in both morphological and molecular data at the basal nodes of the dendrograms indicate that speciation events occurred within a short period of time. Our data also suggest that speciation probably occurred by sexual selection through female mating choice in this radiation. Additionally, studies of variable amino acid residues in the mt cyt b molecule show that the three variable amino acids found are placed in the mitochondrial transmembrane region, which is also part of the hypervariable region in mammals. Each of the three amino acid changes occur in each of the three postulated evolutionary groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FISH identified a cryptic t(5;14)(q35;q32) in T acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), whereas it was not observed in B ALL samples. This translocation is present in five out of 23 (22%) children and adolescents with T ALL tested. RanBP17, a gene coding for a member of the importin beta protein family, and Hox11Like2, an orphan homeobox gene were mapped close to the chromosome 5 breakpoints and CTIP2, which is highly expressed during normal T cell differentiation, was localized in the vicinity of the chromosome 14 breakpoints. The Hox11L2 gene was found to be transcriptionally activated as a result of the translocation, probably under the influence of CTIP2 transcriptional regulation elements. These data establish the t(5;14)(q35;q32) as a major abnormality, and Hox11 family member activation as an important pathway in T ALL leukemogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: Mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) from 24 Carduelini species including crossbills, bullfinches, grosbeaks, rosefinches, and other related, but not conclusively classified species, was sequenced. These sequences were also compared with all the available sequences from the genera Carduelis, Serinus, and Passer. Phylogenetic analyses consistently gave the same groups of finches and the calculated divergence times suggest that speciation of the studied species occurred between 14 and 3 million years ago (Miocene-Pliocene), appearing before the Passer, Carduelis, and Serinus genera. Pleistocene glaciations may have been important in subspeciation. Crossbills are integrated within the genus Carduelis, and within redpolls; the common crossbill shows subspeciation with Loxia japonica in the Pleistocene epoch. Pinicola enucleator groups together with bullfinches and is probably the ancestor of the group. Hawfinch is only distantly related to the studied groups, and might either represent an isolated genus or be related to the New World genus Hesperiphona. The grosbeak genera Eophona and Mycerobas are clearly sister groups, and species belonging to the former might have given rise to Mycerobas species. The isolated (in classification) Uragus sibiricus and Haematospiza sipahi are included within the genus Carpodacus (rosefinches); Carpodacus nipalensis is outside the genus Carpodacus in the molecular analyses and might be an isolated species or related to the genus Montifringilla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of chlorhexidine digluconate was determined against some strains of collected and clinically isolated bacteria and fungi. The efficacy was evaluated either by calculating a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) or by efficacy trials according to the guidelines of the European Committee for Standardization. The MIC values of chlorhexidine for Staphylococcus aureus, Microsporum gypseum, Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were 0.625 μg/ml, 12.5 μg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 6.25 μg/ml, respectively. The in vitro efficacy of chlorhexidine was higher against ATCC strains of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa (0.5 mg/ml for 5 min and 0.5 mg/ml for 10 min, respectively) than against clinical isolates (0.5 mg/ml for 15 min and 1 mg/ml for 10 min, respectively). The antiseptic activity of aqueous solutions of chlorhexidine against spores of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillis sfericus and Clostridium perfringens required longer contact times than against the vegetative forms. Nevertheless, 5 mg/ml of chlorhexidine in water–ethanol 20:80 v/v was totally effective against the vegetative forms or spores of these microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TEL gene is involved in several chromosomal abnormalities of human hematopoietic malignancies. The chromosome 12 breakpoints frequently lie within the fifth intron of the gene, particularly in the most frequent translocation involving TEL, the t(12;21)(p13;q22). In order to search for a peculiar mechanism involved in the genesis of these translocations, we have established the sequence of two t(12;21) and a t(9;12)(q24;p13) breakpoints. Our data do not reveal the involvement of VDJ recombinase activity or Alu sequences but favor the occurrence of staggered breaks and DNA repair activity in the genesis of these translocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) from 25 out of 31 extant goldfinches, siskins, greenfinches and redpolls (genus Carduelis) has been sequenced from living samples taken around the world, specimens have also been photographed. Phylogenetic analysis consistently gave the same groups of birds, and this grouping was generally related to geographical proximity. It has been supposed that Pleistocene glaciations played a crucial role in the origin of extant diversity and distribution of Northern Hemisphere vertebrates. Molecular comparison of most extant songbird species belonging to the genus Carduelis does not support this assertion. The fossil record of chicken and pheasant divergence time has been used to calibrate the molecular clock; cyt b DNA dendrograms suggest that speciation in Carduelinae birds occurred during the Miocene and Pliocene Epochs (9 – 2 million years ago) in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Only about 4% average amount of nucleotide substitution per lineage is found between the most distant Carduelis species; this suggests a remarkably rapid radiation when compared with the radiation of other passerine songbird genera. In addition, a continuum of small songbird speciation may be found during the Miocene Epoch in parallel with speciation of other orders (i.e. Galliformes, chicken/pheasant). Pleistocene glaciations may have been important in subspeciation (i.e. Eastern European grey-headed goldfinches/Western European black-headed goldfinches) and also in ice-induced vicariance (isolation) (i.e. siskin in Western Europe vs. siskin in Far East Asia) around the world. European isolated Serinus citrinella (citril finch) is not a canary, but a true goldfinch. South American siskins have quickly radiated in the last 4 million years coinciding with the emergence of the Isthmus of Panama; probably, a North American siskin related to C. notata invaded a suitable and varied biotope (the South American island) for Carduelis birds. North American goldfinches may be renamed as siskins, because they have a distant genetic relationship with European goldfinches. Genus Acanthis could be dropped, and thus redpolls should be separated from twite and linnet, the latter (Europeans) probably being related to American goldfinches. Also, reproductive barriers are observed between closely related species and not between other more distant ones. Finally, a tentative classification for genus Carduelis species is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abnormalities of the short arm of chromosome 12 frequently involve the TEL/ETV6 gene in acute leukemias. In two cases of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia with translocation t(12;14)(p13;q11) and t(7;12)(q35;p13), respectively, the breakpoints were located telomeric to the TEL/ETV6 locus. Further fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies showed that the breakpoint was located between two markers, FGF6 (centromeric) and D12S983 (telomeric) on 12p in both patients. This result suggests that a new chromosomal breakpoint can nonrandomly involve rearrangements in T cell malignancies. The breakpoint on chromosome 14 was localized centromeric to the TRCA/D locus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]