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Objective In the hospital of La Princesa, the "Sepsis Code" (CSP) began in 2015, as a multidisciplinary group that provides health personnel with clinical, analytical and organizational tools, with the aim of the detection and early treatment of patients with sepsis. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of CSP implantation on mortality and to determine the variables associated with an increase in it. Methods A retrospective analytical study of patients with CSP alert activation from 2015 to 2018 was conducted. Clinical-epidemiological variables, analytical parameters, and severity factors such as admission to critical care units (UCC) and the need for amines were collected. Statistical significance was established at p Results We included 1,121 patients. The length of stay was 16 days and 32% required admission to UCC. Mortality showed a statistically significant linear downward trend from 24% in 2015 to 15% in 2018. The predictive mortality variables with statistically significant association were lactate > 2 mmol/L, creatinine > 1.6 mg/dL and the need for amines.>5.0%, mortality at the time of chart review 62.0%, and 6-months-post-discharge readmission 47.7%. Conclusions The implementation of Sepsis Code decreases the mortality of patients with sepsis and septic shock. The presence of a lactate > 2 mmol/L, creatinine > 1.6 mg/dL and/or the need to administer amines in the first 24 hours, are associated with an increase in mortality in the patient with sepsis.

When subcloned into low-copy-number expression vectors, rumAB, encoding polVR391 (RumA'2 B), is best characterized as a potent mutator giving rise to high levels of spontaneous mutagenesis in vivo. This is in dramatic contrast to the poorly mutable phenotype when polVR391 is expressed from the native 88.5 kb R391, suggesting that R391 expresses cis-acting factors that suppress the expression and/or the activity of polVR391 . Indeed, we recently discovered that SetRR391 , an ortholog of λ cI repressor, is a transcriptional repressor of rumAB. Here, we report that CroSR391 , an ortholog of λ Cro, also serves as a potent transcriptional repressor of rumAB. Levels of RumA are dependent upon an interplay between SetRR391 and CroSR391 , with the greatest reduction of RumA protein levels observed in the absence of SetRR391 and the presence of CroSR391 . Under these conditions, CroSR391 completely abolishes the high levels of mutagenesis promoted by polVR391 expressed from low-copy-number plasmids. Furthermore, deletion of croSR391 on the native R391 results in a dramatic increase in mutagenesis, indicating that CroSR391 plays a major role in suppressing polVR391 mutagenesis in vivo. Inactivating mutations in CroSR391 therefore have the distinct possibility of increasing cellular mutagenesis that could lead to the evolution of antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria harboring R391.

Introduction In-person cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can reduce self-reported anxiety in older adults. However, studies are limited for remote CBT. We assessed the effectiveness of remote CBT in mitigating self-reported anxiety in older adults. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis based on a literature search of PubMed, Embase, PsycInfo, and Cochrane databases up to March 31, 2021, for randomized controlled clinical trials comparing the effectiveness of remote CBT versus non-CBT controls on mitigating self-reported anxiety in older adults. We calculated within-group pre-to-post-treatment standardized mean difference using Cohen's d, obtained the difference between a remote CBT group and a non-CBT control group as our effect size for cross-study comparison, and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis. Changes in scores on self-reported anxiety symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item Scale, Penn State Worry Questionnaire, or Penn State Worry Questionnaire – Abbreviated), and self-reported depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 item Scale or Beck Depression Inventory) were primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Results Six eligible studies, containing 633 participants with a pooled mean age of 66.6 years, were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. There was a significant mitigating effect of intervention on self-reported anxiety, favoring remote CBT over non-CBT controls (between-group effect size: −0.63; 95% CI: −0.99 to −0.28). We also found a significant mitigating effect of intervention on self-reported depressive symptoms (between-group effect size: −0.74; 95% CI: −1.24 to −0.25). Discussion Remote CBT is more effective in reducing self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms than non-CBT control in older adults.

Introduction Lipoprotein A (LpA) has been shown to be an emerging risk factor, proposing that values greater than 60 mg/dl increases cardiovascular risk. There are few data about LpA values in young patients who have suffered a major cardiovascular event. Purpose The objective of this work was to describe the LpA values observed in young patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome in our center, and subsequently to compare these values according to the patients' previous cardiovascular risk. Methods This is a descriptive and observational study, in which all male patients under 65 years and women under 70 years who have suffered STEMI or NSTEMI from November 2019 to February 2021 admitted to our center were consecutively included. In addition to LpA values, the following variables were recollected: age, sex, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, stroke, chronic kidney injury, smoking, alcoholism, toxics, total cholesterol and SCORE risk. Results 159 patients were included. The mean of LpA value was 41,08 mg/dl (standard deviation 38, range 1–155, percentile 25th: 9,7; percentile 50th: 28,8; percentile 75th: 59,1). 24,5% presented levels of LpA greater than 60 mg/dl. The percentage of patients with LpA levels >60 mg was 32,4% in low SCORE group and 22,4% in greater than low SCORE group without significant differences. The table compares the LpA values according to the cardiovascular risk SCORE those patients presented before the acute coronary syndrome (low SCORE vs moderate, high or very high SCORE). As we can see in the table, we found a trend to present higher LpA values in patients with low SCORE risk compared to those with higher than low SCORE risk, without reaching statistical significance. Conclusions In a sample of young patients with acute coronary syndrome, the LpA mean was 41,08 mg/dl. 24,5% of patients had values of LpA greater than 60 mg/dl. No significant differences were found according to the SCORE prior to the event, although there was a non-significant trend towards a higher LpA in patients with low SCORE. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None. Table 1. LpA values

When subcloned into low‐copy‐number expression vectors, rumAB, encoding polVR391 (RumA′2B), is best characterized as a potent mutator giving rise to high levels of spontaneous mutagenesis in vivo. This is in dramatic contrast to the poorly mutable phenotype when polVR391 is expressed from the native 88.5 kb R391, suggesting that R391 expresses cis‐acting factors that suppress the expression and/or the activity of polVR391. Indeed, we recently discovered that SetRR391, an ortholog of λ cI repressor, is a transcriptional repressor of rumAB. Here, we report that CroSR391, an ortholog of λ Cro, also serves as a potent transcriptional repressor of rumAB. Levels of RumA are dependent upon an interplay between SetRR391 and CroSR391, with the greatest reduction of RumA protein levels observed in the absence of SetRR391 and the presence of CroSR391. Under these conditions, CroSR391 completely abolishes the high levels of mutagenesis promoted by polVR391 expressed from low‐copy‐number plasmids. Furthermore, deletion of croS R391 on the native R391 results in a dramatic increase in mutagenesis, indicating that CroSR391 plays a major role in suppressing polVR391 mutagenesis in vivo. Inactivating mutations in CroSR391 therefore have the distinct possibility of increasing cellular mutagenesis that could lead to the evolution of antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria harboring R391., When subcloned from R391 into low‐copy‐number expression vectors, polVR391 (RumA′2B) encoded by rumAB, is a potent mutator giving rise to high levels of spontaneous mutagenesis in vivo. This is in contrast to the poorly mutable phenotype when polVR391 is expressed from the native R391. Here, we report that CroSR391, an ortholog of λ Cro, serves as a potent transcriptional repressor of rumAB that plays a major role in suppressing polVR391 mutagenesis in vivo.

Background and importance Baricitinib has recently been used off-label for COVID-19 because of its potential role in reducing systemic inflammation, lung damage, immune response and viral endocytosis based on preclinical data Aim and objectives To analyse the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib for severe COVID-19 in hospitalised patients Material and methods An observational, retrospective, multidisciplinary, single centre study was conducted in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and receiving treatment with baricitinib in a tertiary hospital between 15 March and 30 April 2020 All adult patients receiving baricitinib for 3 or more days were included The variables collected were: sex, age, admission period, days of treatment, medication during admission, analytical parameters, overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AE) Clinical improvement was measured as the difference in values on a 1-8 scale of clinical status during admission (from 1=hospital discharge without limitation of activities to 8=death) between day +1 of starting baricitinib and day +14 Other COVID-19 treatments were allowed Data were collected from the hospital electronic prescription programme and the electronic medical records Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS V 25, expressing the variables as frequencies and medians (IQR), and the Wilcoxon test Results 43 patients treated with baricitinib were included: 70% men (n=30), aged 70 years (IQR 54-79) Duration of treatment was 6 days (IQR 5-7), with a hospital stay of 12 days (IQR 9-25) from the start of baricitinib Clinical improvement was 3 points (IQR 1-4) on the clinical scale (6 points (IQR 6-4) on day +1 vs 3 points (IQR 2-4) on day +14) with a statistically significant difference (p

The promising outcomes of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy in hematologic malignancies potentiates its capability in the fight against many cancers. Nevertheless, this immunotherapy modality needs significant improvements for the treatment of solid tumors. Researchers have incrementally identified limitations and constantly pursued better CAR designs. However, even if CAR T cells are armed with optimal killer functions, they must overcome and survive suppressive barriers imposed by the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we will discuss in detail the important role of TME in CAR T cell trafficking and how the intrinsic barriers contribute to an immunosuppressive phenotype and cancer progression. It is of critical importance that preclinical models can closely recapitulate the in vivo TME to better predict CAR T activity. Animal models have contributed immensely to our understanding of human diseases, but the intensive care for the animals and unreliable representation of human biology suggest in vivo models cannot be the sole approach to CAR T cell therapy. On the other hand, in vitro models for CAR T cytotoxic assessment offer valuable insights to mechanistic studies at the single cell level, but they often lack in vivo complexities, inter-individual heterogeneity, or physiologically relevant spatial dimension. Understanding the advantages and limitations of preclinical models and their applications would enable more reliable prediction of better clinical outcomes.

An Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) has been proposed to further explore the strong force and QCD, focusing on the structure and the interaction of gluon-dominated matter. A generic detector RD a dual-radiator RICH, consisting of an aerogel radiator and C2F6 gas in a mirror-focused configuration. We present the simulations of the two detectors and their estimated performance.

A powerful new electron–ioncollider (EIC) has been recommended in the 2015 Long Range Plan for Nuclear Science for probing the partonic structure inside nucleons and nuclei with unprecedented precision and versatility [1] . EIC detectors are currently under development [2] , all of which require hadron identification over a broad kinematic range. A prototype ring imaging Cherenkov detector has been developed for hadron identification in the momentum range from 3 GeV/c to 10 GeV/c. The key feature of this new detector is a compact and modular design, achieved by using aerogel as radiator and a Fresnel lens for ring focusing. In this paper, the results from a beam test of a prototype device at Fermilab are reported.

As pump thrombosis is reduced in current-generation ventricular assist devices (VAD), adverse events such as bleeding or stroke remain at unacceptable rates. Thrombosis around the VAD inlet cannula (IC) has been highlighted as a possible source of stroke events. Recent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies have attempted to characterize the thrombosis risk of different IC-ventricle configurations. However, purely CFD simulations relate thrombosis risk to ad-hoc criteria based on flow characteristics, with little consideration of biochemical factors. This study investigates the genesis of IC thrombosis including two elements of the Virchow's triad: Endothelial injury and Hypercoagulability. To this end a multi-scale thrombosis simulation that includes platelet activity and coagulation reactions was performed. Our results show significant thrombin formation in stagnation regions (|u|< 0.002 m/s) close to the IC wall. In addition, high shear-mediated platelet activation was observed over the leading-edge tip of the cannula which mirrors the thrombus deposition pattern observed clinically. The current study reveals the importance of biochemical factors to the genesis of thrombosis at the ventricular-cannula junction which can inform clinical decisions in terms of anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy and guide engineers to develop more robust designs., 11 pages, 10 figures, original article

Brain tumors remain especially challenging to treat due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier. The unique biophysical properties of nanomaterials enable access to the tumor environment with minimally invasive injection methods such as intranasal and systemic delivery.In this review, we will discuss approaches taken in NP delivery to brain tumors in preclinical neuro-oncology studies and ongoing clinical studies.Despite recent development of many promising nanoparticle systems to modulate immunologic function in the preclinical realm, clinical work with nanoparticles in malignant brain tumors has largely focused on imaging, chemotherapy, thermotherapy and radiation.Review of early preclinical studies and clinical trials provides foundational safety, feasibility and toxicology data that can usher a new wave of nanotherapeutics in application of immunotherapy and translational oncology for patients with brain tumors.

Introduction: Myocardial injury is common after out-of-hospital-cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, little is known about the role of early serial hs-TnT in patients with OHCA for identifying myocardial injury, and whether the prevalence and severity of injury differs according to cardiac (CV) vs noncardiac (non-CV) cause of OHCA. Hypothesis: Early hs-TnT will demonstrate high rates of myocardial injury after OHCA regardless of etiology. However, in the first 6 hours after OHCA the extent of hs-TnT elevation and rate of rise will be higher in patients with CV vs non-CV etiology. Methods: Multicenter retrospective study including OHCA patients presenting from 4/1/2018 to 4/1/2019. Hs-TnT was drawn as part of routine clinical care. Results: Baseline hs-TnT was measured in 120 patients after OHCA due to CV (n=51) and non-CV (n=69) etiologies, with subsequent serial hs-TnT values at 1hr, 3hrs, and 6hrs. Hs-TnT was greater than the 99 th percentile in 97% (115/120) of patients and myocardial injury (hs-TnT> 52ng/L) was detected in 88% (105/120) of patients (no difference between CV vs non-CV etiology). Median hs-TnT values were compared between CV and non-CV etiologies of OHCA identifying no difference in hs-TnT at baseline (Figure: 54 [IQR 18-134] vs. 41 [IQR 19-100]; p=0.357) but significantly higher hs-TnT in patients with CV etiology at 1hr (159 [IQR 80-392] vs 93 [IQR 42-247]; p=0.049), 3hrs (400 [IQR 168-1005] vs 151 [IQR 75-401] p=0.009), and 6hrs (746 [IQR 248-1965] vs 251 [IQR 75-580]; p=0.001). Additionally, hs-TnT rise from baseline was present in both CV and non-CV etiologies but was significantly higher in patients with CV etiology (p = 0.005). Conclusions: As identified by hs-TnT, myocardial injury was prevalent in patients with both CV and non-CV cause of OHCA. Baseline hs-TnT was no different in patients with CV vs non-CV cause, however, over the first 6 hours both absolute value and rate of hs-TnT rise were significantly higher for patients with CV vs non-CV etiology of OHCA.

Introduction: Head computed tomography (CT) is frequently performed in survivors of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). However, the clinical utility of routine, early head CT in these patients is not well understood. We sought to characterize the associations between findings on early head CT with presenting characteristics and outcomes in survivors of OHCA. Hypothesis: Presence of early intracranial swelling is associated with poor outcomes. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis from a multicenter cohort of 432 patients with non-traumatic OHCA between 2/1/17 through 4/1/19. Patients were included if they underwent head CT Result: Early head CT ( Conclusions: In survivors of non-traumatic OHCA, routine, early (

Introduction: The role of cardiac biomarkers in patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) has been subject to recent research due to myocardial stress and injury associated with cardiac arrest. However, it remains unclear to what extent NT-proBNP can be used as a prognostic tool after OHCA. Hypothesis: Baseline NT-proBNP is an independent predictor of mortality in patients after OHCA. Methods: Multicenter retrospective observational cohort study including non-traumatic OHCA patients presenting from 2/1/2017 to 4/1/2019. Relationship between NT-proBNP quartiles and mortality was assessed through unadjusted and adjusted (age, gender, presenting rhythm) analyses with logistic regression. Results: Baseline NT-proBNP values were obtained for 283 patients on presentation after OHCA with median 965 pg/mL (IQR 157-3550). Levels did not differ by arrest etiology (cardiac vs noncardiac) or presenting rhythm. NT-proBNP levels correlated with age (r = 0.44, p Conclusion: In this multicenter cohort of patients with shockable and nonshockable OHCA, increased levels of NT-proBNP were predictive of an increased risk of in-hospital mortality even after adjustment for age, gender, and presenting rhythm.

A common indication for corneal transplantation, which is the most transplanted tissue, is a dysfunctional corneal endothelium due to Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy (FED). FED is diagnosed by the presence of in vivo pathological microtopography on the Descemet membrane, which is called corneal guttata. Minimally invasive corneal endothelial cell regenerative procedures such as endothelial cell injection therapy and Rho kinase inhibitor pharmacotherapy have been proposed as alternatives to conventional corneal transplantation for FED patients. However, the effect of guttata on monolayer reformation following such therapies is unknown and there is no equivalent in vitro or animal model to study monolayer reformation. Using a synthetic guttata FED disease model, the formation of the monolayer is investigated to evaluate the efficacy of both therapies. Results obtained suggest that guttata dimensions, density, and spacing greatly affect the fate of corneal endothelial cells in terms of migratory behavior and monolayer reformation. Densely packed synthetic guttata mimicking late-stage FED hinders monolayer reformation, while synthetic guttata of lower height and density show improved monolayer formation. These results suggest that severity of the FED, as determined by height and density of existing guttata, can potentially attenuate corneal endothelial monolayer formation of corneal cell injection therapy and pharmacotherapy.

This article explores how strategic communication, public diplomacy, international governmental broadcasting, and social media networking can be brought together in a system of strategic influence and global engagement. The analysis offers a contrasting approach to various views of public diplomacy or strategic communication which privilege one form of governmental influence over others and treat partial aspects of national persuasion as complete pictures of government communication aimed at foreign audiences. Because so much of public diplomacy literature today emphasizes social media, it is necessary to determine how specific tools of influence such as international broadcasting, can be used in ways that fit new thinking in public diplomacy as well as continuously emerging new media ecologies. (author's abstract)

Advanced detector R&D requires performing computationally intensive and detailed simulations as part of the detector-design optimization process. We propose a general approach to this process based on Bayesian optimization and machine learning that encodes detector requirements. As a case study, we focus on the design of the dual-radiator Ring Imaging Cherenkov (dRICH) detector under development as part of the particle-identification system at the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The EIC is a US-led frontier accelerator project for nuclear physics, which has been proposed to further explore the structure and interactions of nuclear matter at the scale of sea quarks and gluons. We show that the detector design obtained with our automated and highly parallelized framework outperforms the baseline dRICH design within the assumptions of the current model. Our approach can be applied to any detector R&D, provided that realistic simulations are available., 22 pages, 11 figures

Introduction: Immunotherapy is promising for patients with treatment-refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, >80% of patients do not respond to checkpoint inhibitors, suggesting that the highly immunosuppressive tumor immune microenvironment of HNSCC may play a role in treatment resistance. Our group has developed a novel treatment platform utilizing clinically translatable RNA-nanoparticles (NPs) to remodel the systemic and intratumoral HNSCC microenvironment in favor of an activated immunologic milieu. Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility, safety and immunologic activity of systemic/intratumoral administration of RNA NPs for HNSCC. Materials and Methods: RNA-NPs were prepared by complexing negatively charged mRNA with nanoliposomes. These complexes were injected into naive and B16 or MOC1/MOC2 (murine oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma cell lines) tumor bearing C57Bl/6 mice. In vitro transfection experiments were performed in human HNSCC cell lines. Results: Human HNSCC cell lines were efficiently transfected with RNA NPs in vitro. MOC1/MOC2 tumors were efficiently transfected with RNA NPs in vivo. RNA-NPs activate dendritic cells (DCs) in the peripheral and intratumoral microenviroment of naive and B16 tumor bearing mice, and mediate antitumor efficacy in a preclinical in vivo murine model for HNSCC. RNA-NPs mediate their effects through interferon-alpha released from plasmacytoid DCs. We have successfully scaled up production of RNA-NPs for translation into human clinical trials and demonstrated safety of RNA-NPs in acute/chronic murine toxicity studies based on CBCs, electrolytes, organ function tests, and end-organ H&E histology. Conclusions: RNA-NPs safely reprogram the peripheral and intratumoral immune microenvironments, unlocking antitumor activity. We have successfully generated RNA-NPs, providing a renewable resource that can be made readily available for all HNSCC patients. FDA-IND enabling studies are currently under way in preparation for first-in-human trials for checkpoint refractory HNSCC. Citation Format: Natalie L. Silver, Rekha R. Garg, Kristianna M. Fredenberg, Hector R. Mendez, Duane A. Mitchell, Elias J. Sayour. RNA-nanoparticles for immunotherapy-resistant head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2018 Nov 27-30; Miami Beach, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2020;8(4 Suppl):Abstract nr B83.

We report the first measurement of the full angular distribution for inclusive $J/\psi\rightarrow\mu^{+}\mu^{-}$ decays in $p$$+$$p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}=510$ GeV. The measurements are made for $J/\psi$ transverse momentum $2

We report measurements of the photon beam asymmetry Σ for the reactions γ - p→pπ0 and γ - p→pη from the GlueX experiment using a 9 GeV linearly polarized, tagged photon beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target in Jefferson Lab's Hall D. The asymmetries, measured as a function of the proton momentum transfer, possess greater precision than previous π0 measurements and are the first η measurements in this energy regime. The results are compared with theoretical predictions based on t-channel, quasiparticle exchange and constrain the axial-vector component of the neutral meson production mechanism in these models.

The PHENIX Collaboration has measured the ratio of the yields of ψ(2S) to ψ(1S) mesons produced in p+p, p+Al, p+Au, and He3+Au collisions at sNN=200 GeV over the forward and backward rapidity intervals 1.2

The dependence of the bulk viscosity with the relativistic parameter z = kT/mc 2, obtained through the complete Boltzmann equation [1, 2], is thoroughly analyzed. A complete and rigorous examination of the relevant non-relativistic and ultra-relativistic limits is carried out in the case of a hard disk model and compared with the results obtained in the relaxation time approximation. The modifications of the non-vanishing bulk viscosity to the Rayleigh - Brillouin is briefly discussed.

A local measurement technique for the study of the kinetic processes of emerging of grains or blocks of grains from the inner volume to the free surface of superplastic materials during deformation is presented and used for the case of the Cd-Zn eutectic alloy deformed at room temperature. This technique could be used to evaluate the approximate time of fracture due to fissure or cavitation growth in samples under superplastic deformation. In principle, this technique will be useful for the development of physical procedures, which allows retarding the process of formation of low mismatch angle, , between neighboring grains, process which gives place to blocks of grains which dynamically behave as units under the shear stress action. For materials with nanocrystalline structures, such processes are expected to be higher than those of the case of microcrystalline materials.

In this paper, the influence of the cooling rate and cooling media after a standard solution heat treatment on the size and distribution of the gamma prime phase (γ′) in the nickel-based super alloy INCONEL 738 in over-aged conditions is described. The volume fraction of the gamma prime depends on the chemical composition of the alloy, the solution treatment temperature and the cooling rate; in over-aged alloys (i.e., with more than 25,000 h of service) the volume fraction of γ′ is about 78.8%. However, it has been demonstrated that in order to maintain excellent creep strength a volume fraction of at least 60% or lower is required. In this work the volume fraction was optimized between 40 and 55% by means of a standard solution heat treatment at 1120 °C using different cooling gases. A γ′ volume fraction of 54.8% was obtained by using argon as the cooling medium at a cooling rate of 87 °C/min, producing a precipitate of partial distribution of primary and secondary γ′. Better results were obtained in a nitrogen atmosphere at a cooling rate of 287 °C/min, leading to a volume fraction of 40% and obtaining a total re-precipitation of primary and secondary γ′.

Laboratory work assignments are very important for computer science learning. Over the last 12 years many students have been involved in solving such assignments in the authors' department, having reached a figure of more than 400 students doing the same assignment in the same year. This number of students has required teachers to pay special attention to conceivable plagiarism cases. A plagiarism detection tool has been developed as part of a full toolset for helping in the management of the laboratory work assignments. This tool defines and uses four similarity criteria to measure how similar two assignment implementations are. The paper describes the plagiarism detection tool and the experience of using it over the last 12 years in four different programming assignments, from microprogramming a CPU to system programming in C.

The crystallization of paracetamol from ethanol and methanol solutions was used to examine the possibility of using rapid cooling in a tubular flow-through apparatus to manipulate crystal size distribution and morphology. Flow through the tubular portion of the apparatus was laminar, and hence, the device, including a receiving vessel, is referred to as a laminar-flow tubular crystallizer (LFTC). Undersaturated solution entered the tubular portion of the LFTC and was rapidly cooled to temperatures far below solubility conditions. Experimental results were also obtained using a typical batch configuration with the same solute and solvents, but with significantly lower cooling rates than in the LFTC. The crystals produced in the flow-through apparatus were of smaller mean size than those obtained from batch crystallizations, and evidence was found that using the rapid-cooling technique could lead to the generation of kinetically stable polymorphs. Moreover, the total run time required to relieve all of the ...

The activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), sucrose synthase (SUSY), neutral invertase (NI) and soluble acid invertase (SAI) were measured in callus cultures of four Mexican sugarcane cultivars (Saccharum spp.) with a different capacity to accumulate sucrose in stem parenchyma cells. The results indicated that sucrose accumulation in callus was positively correlated to the activity of SPS and SUSY and negatively to the activity of SAI and NI while SPS explained most of the variation found for sucrose accumulation and NI least.