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High-intensity training (HIT) has commonly been the most effective training method for improvement in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and work economy, alongside a substantial volume of low-intensity training (LIT). The polarized training model combines both low- and high-intensity training into a specific training intensity distribution and has gained attention as a comprehensive approach. The objective of this review was to systematically search the literature in order to identify the effects of polarized training intensity distribution on VO2max, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and work economy among endurance athletes. A literature search was performed using PubMed and SPORTDiscus. A total of 1836 articles were identified, and, after the selection process, 14 relevant studies were included in this review. The findings indicate that a polarized training approach seems to be effective for enhancing VO2max, VO2peak, and work economy over a short-term period for endurance athletes. Specifically, a training intensity distribution involving a moderate to high volume of HIT (15–20%) combined with a substantial volume of LIT (75–80%) appears to be the most beneficial for these improvements. It was concluded that polarized training is a beneficial approach for enhancing VO2max, VO2peak, and work economy in endurance athletes. However, the limited number of studies restricts the generalizability of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-destructive electrical fault isolation (FI) techniques such as emission- and laser-based techniques have been utilized widely for chip-level failure analysis (FA). However, these techniques by themselves can sometimes be inadequate for certain failure modes. In this paper, we present six FA case studies using Time-domain Reflectometry (Electro-optical terahertz pulse reflectometry, EOTPR) in combination with the traditional FI techniques. We also present continuing development in making EOTPR accessible to the semiconductor process and packaging communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare self-selected speeds and corresponding physiological responses and perceived training stress between 1 long session versus 2 shorter sessions of low-intensity training (LIT) in 1 day among cross-country skiers. Methods: Thirteen national-level skiers performed 2 different LIT types during classical roller-skiing matched for the same distance in a counterbalanced order. The training consisted of either 1 long (approximately 3 h) session (1LIT) or 2 shorter (approximately 1.5 h each) sessions (2LIT) with 7 hours of recovery in between. Speed, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and blood lactate concentrations were measured, and perceived training stress (1–10) was assessed after sessions. Results: 2LIT was performed at mean (SD) 1.9% (2.0%) higher speeds versus 1LIT (P ≤.01). Higher speeds were also found in the second versus first session of 2LIT and the second versus first part of 1LIT (1.9% [3.2%] and 3.2% [3.6%], respectively, both P ≤.01). There were no significant differences between LIT types in heart rate, although rating of perceived exertion increased in the second versus first part of 1LIT (0.9 [0.8] point, P ≤.01). Blood lactate concentration was reduced in the second versus first session/part of both LIT types (approximately 0.16 [0.20] mmol·L−1, P ≤.05). There were no differences in perceived training stress between LIT types 7 and 23 hours after training, although higher perceived muscular exertion (2.0 [1.1] points, P ≤.01) was found directly after 1LIT. Conclusions: Compared with a distance-matched long session, skiers perform 2LIT at slightly higher self-selected speeds with the same physiological responses elicited, although minor differences in perceived training stress were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kemampuan pemecahan masalah merupakan salah satu tujuan yang penting dipelajari dalam proses pembelajaran. Banyaknya penggunaan rumus dan tidak terlibatnya peserta didik dalam penemuan konsep matematis menyebabkan rendahnya kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis. Untuk itu, dirancang suatu alur pembelajaran untuk memfasilitasi kemampuan pemecahan masalah dengan pendekatan yang tepat dan sesuai berbasis Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) untuk menghasilkan Local Instructional Theory (LIT) khususnya topik aritmetika sosial yang valid, praktis dan efektif. Penelitian pengembangan ini menggunakan gabungan design research model Plomp dan Gravemeijer & Cobb. Subyek penelitian terdiri dari peserta didik kelas VII sebanyak 3 orang (evaluasi perorangan), 6 orang (kelompok kecil) dan 32 orang (kelompok besar) di sebuah SMP di Kota Padang. Data penelitian dikumpulkan menggunakan lembar observasi, lembar validasi ahli, lembar angket, dan soal tes kemampuan pemecahan masalah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa LIT topik aritmetika sosial yang dikembangkan sudah valid dilihat dari aspek didaktik (penyajian), materi (isi), kebahasaan dan kegrafikaan (tampilan. Praktis karena alur belajar dapat digunakan oleh peserta didik dalam menemukan sendiri konsep matematika menggunakan tahap informal menuju tahap formal dengan uji kelayakan oleh peserta didik (kelompok kecil) 86,67% dengan kriteria “sangat praktis” dan peserta didik (kelompok besar) 78,27% dengan kriteria “praktis”. Selanjutnya dikatakan efektif karena memberikan dampak positif terhadap kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis peserta didik dan rata-rata tes 79,11% dengan kriteria “berhasil” pada tahap field test. Problem solving ability is one of the important goals studied in the learning process. The large use of formulas and the lack of involvement of students in discovering mathematical concepts causes low mathematical problem solving abilities. For this reason, a learning pathway was designed to facilitate problem solving abilities with an appropriate and appropriate approach based on Realistic Mathematics Education (RME) to produce Local Teaching Theory (LIT), especially social arithmetic topics that are valid, practical and effective. This development research uses the Plomp and Gravemeijer & Cobb combined design research model. The research subjects consisted of 3 class VII students (individual evaluation), 6 people (small group) and 32 people (large group) at a junior high school in Padang City. Research data was collected using observation sheets, expert validation sheets, questionnaires, and problem solving ability test questions. The results of the research show that the LIT topic of social arithmetic that was developed is valid from the didactic (presentation), material (content), linguistic and graphic (display) aspects. It is practical because the learning flow can be used by students in discovering their own mathematical concepts using the informal stage towards the formal with a feasibility test by students (small groups) 86.67% with the criteria "very practical" and students (large groups) 78.27% with the criteria "practical". Furthermore, it is said to be effective because it has a positive impact on mathematical problem solving abilities students and the test average was 79.11% with the criteria "successful" at the field test stage.

High-intensity training (HIT) has commonly been the most effective training method for improvement in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and work economy, alongside a substantial volume of low-intensity training (LIT). The polarized training model combines both low- and high-intensity training into a specific training intensity distribution and has gained attention as a comprehensive approach. The objective of this review was to systematically search the literature in order to identify the effects of polarized training intensity distribution on VO2max, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and work economy among endurance athletes. A literature search was performed using PubMed and SPORTDiscus. A total of 1836 articles were identified, and, after the selection process, 14 relevant studies were included in this review. The findings indicate that a polarized training approach seems to be effective for enhancing VO2max, VO2peak, and work economy over a short-term period for endurance athletes. Specifically, a training intensity distribution involving a moderate to high volume of HIT (15–20%) combined with a substantial volume of LIT (75–80%) appears to be the most beneficial for these improvements. It was concluded that polarized training is a beneficial approach for enhancing VO2max, VO2peak, and work economy in endurance athletes. However, the limited number of studies restricts the generalizability of these findings.

Abstract Background Performing multiple high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions in a compressed period of time (approximately 7–14 days) is called a HIIT shock microcycle (SM) and promises a rapid increase in endurance performance. However, the efficacy of HIIT-SM, as well as knowledge about optimal training volumes during a SM in the endurance-trained population have not been adequately investigated. This study aims to examine the effects of two different types of HIIT-SM (with or without additional low-intensity training (LIT)) compared to a control group (CG) on key endurance performance variables. Moreover, participants are closely monitored for stress, fatigue, recovery, and sleep before, during and after the intervention using innovative biomarkers, questionnaires, and wearable devices. Methods This is a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial that includes the results of a pilot participant. Thirty-six endurance trained athletes will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a HIIT-SM (HSM) group, HIIT-SM with additional LIT (HSM + LIT) group or a CG. All participants will be monitored before (9 days), during (7 days), and after (14 days) a 7-day intervention, for a total of 30 days. Participants in both intervention groups will complete 10 HIIT sessions over 7 consecutive days, with an additional 30 min of LIT in the HSM + LIT group. HIIT sessions consist of aerobic HIIT, i.e., 5 × 4 min at 90–95% of maximal heart rate interspersed by recovery periods of 2.5 min. To determine the effects of the intervention, physiological exercise testing, and a 5 km time trial will be conducted before and after the intervention. Results The feasibility study indicates good adherence and performance improvement of the pilot participant. Load monitoring tools, i.e., biomarkers and questionnaires showed increased values during the intervention period, indicating sensitive variables. Conclusion This study will be the first to examine the effects of different total training volumes of HIIT-SM, especially the combination of LIT and HIIT in the HSM + LIT group. In addition, different assessments to monitor the athletes' load during such an exhaustive training period will allow the identification of load monitoring tools such as innovative biomarkers, questionnaires, and wearable technology. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05067426. Registered 05 October 2021—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05067426 . Protocol Version Issue date: 1 Dec 2021. Original protocol. Authors: TLS, NH.

Aim: Unexplained infertility is a major burden for couples who want to have children. Lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) could be a therapeutic help for these couples. Although LIT has been carried out for decades, the data on the success of therapy are still controversial and there is hardly information on possible adverse drug reactions. Methods: In this study, we used a questionnaire to determine the frequency of local and systemic adverse drug reactions in our patients who were treated with LIT between 2017 and 2020 (n = 302). In addition, we asked about pregnancies and/or live births after LIT in a 2‐year follow‐up (n = 140). Results: Most of the patients reported the occurrence of mild local adverse drug reactions in a period of less than 4 weeks: Over 75% reported moderate erythema, itching or swelling, over 10% erythema, itching or swelling as more pronounced adverse drug reaction. Blistering was specified in 10% of the cases. Serious adverse drug reactions or adverse events were not described. In the follow‐up, 69% of our patients stated a pregnancy after LIT, and 50% a life birth. Conclusions: Overall, LIT represents a well‐tolerated therapy for couples with unexplained infertility, however, more evidence is needed on the benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Point Intercept Transect (PIT) method has commonly been used in recent decades for estimating the status of coral reef benthic communities. It is a simple method that is efficiently performed underwater, as benthic components are recorded only as presence or absence at specific interval points along transects. Therefore, PIT is also popular in citizen science activities such as Reef Check programs. Longer intervals are commonly associated with longer transects, yet sampling interval length can significantly influence benthic coverage calculations. Despite this, the relative accuracy of longer or shorter intervals related to transect length has not been tested for PIT. In this study, we tested the optimum intervals of PIT for several commonly used transect lengths using the bootstrap method on empirical data collected on tropical coral reefs and non-reefal coral communities. Our results recommend fine intervals of 10 cm or shorter, depending on the length of the transect, to increase the accuracy of estimating benthic community status on coral reefs. Permanent transects should also be considered in long-term monitoring programs to improve data quality.

Coral reefs are very important ecosystems and have a direct economic impact on coastal communities. In addition, coral reef ecosystems also play a role in providing habitat for various kinds of marine organisms such as Echinoderms, Crustaceans, Polychaeta, Chordata, Molluscs, Annelids and free-living marine biota such as plankton and fish. Over-exploitation of coral reefs and their resources, changes in top land that cause sedimentation and other anthropogenic activities will cause damage to coral reefs. Increasing pressure can threaten the existence and sustainability of coral reef ecosystems and the biota that live in them. In 2018 there was an earthquake 7.4 Richter scale accompanied by tsunami, the impact was large of destruction of the aquatic biota habitat of coral reef ecosystem. The aims of this study were (1) to examine the condition of coral reefs in Palu Bay, (2) to examine the composition of coral reefs in Palu Bay. Coral reef data was collected using the Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method. For coral reef observations using a transect with a length of 25 m, with every 50 cm observations or 50 points/transect. Each location were carried out 2 times. The results obtained shown the growth conditions of live coral were poor, but coral growth has started to improve. For water quality, it shown that the water quality in Palu Bay was suitable for coral reefs growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Performing multiple high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions in a compressed period of time (approximately 7–14 days) is called a HIIT shock microcycle (SM) and promises a rapid increase in endurance performance. However, the efficacy of HIIT-SM, as well as knowledge about optimal training volumes during a SM in the endurance-trained population have not been adequately investigated. This study aims to examine the effects of two different types of HIIT-SM (with or without additional low-intensity training (LIT)) compared to a control group (CG) on key endurance performance variables. Moreover, participants are closely monitored for stress, fatigue, recovery, and sleep before, during and after the intervention using innovative biomarkers, questionnaires, and wearable devices. Methods: This is a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial that includes the results of a pilot participant. Thirty-six endurance trained athletes will be recruited and randomly assigned to either a HIIT-SM (HSM) group, HIIT-SM with additional LIT (HSM + LIT) group or a CG. All participants will be monitored before (9 days), during (7 days), and after (14 days) a 7-day intervention, for a total of 30 days. Participants in both intervention groups will complete 10 HIIT sessions over 7 consecutive days, with an additional 30 min of LIT in the HSM + LIT group. HIIT sessions consist of aerobic HIIT, i.e., 5 × 4 min at 90–95% of maximal heart rate interspersed by recovery periods of 2.5 min. To determine the effects of the intervention, physiological exercise testing, and a 5 km time trial will be conducted before and after the intervention. Results: The feasibility study indicates good adherence and performance improvement of the pilot participant. Load monitoring tools, i.e., biomarkers and questionnaires showed increased values during the intervention period, indicating sensitive variables. Conclusion: This study will be the first to examine the effects of different total training volumes of HIIT-SM, especially the combination of LIT and HIIT in the HSM + LIT group. In addition, different assessments to monitor the athletes' load during such an exhaustive training period will allow the identification of load monitoring tools such as innovative biomarkers, questionnaires, and wearable technology. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05067426. Registered 05 October 2021—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05067426. Protocol Version Issue date: 1 Dec 2021. Original protocol. Authors: TLS, NH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este trabajo surge en el marco de nuestra práctica docente en un espacio curricular del Profesorado Universitario en Letras de la Facultad de Ciencias Humanas de la Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Argentina. Entre las problemáticas que abordamos en el seminario: Estudio de la Realidad Latinoamericana y Argentina están los conflictos socioambientales, que son aquellos que conciernen al acceso y control de los bienes naturales y el territorio. Teniendo en cuenta que la literatura infantil reciente se ha vuelto un escenario más de representación de problemáticas vinculadas a lo socioambiental, nos ha interesado indagar qué conflictos socioambientales son abordados en la literatura infantil que está disponible para el público de nuestra ciudad (San Luis, Argentina); y, una vez definidos dichos conflictos, ver cómo son tratados por los diferentes autores, cómo se representa la tensión, qué problemáticas aparecen asociadas, etcétera. Aunque nuestra muestra es pequeña aún (59 cuentos), establecimos algunas categorías y arribamos a algunas conclusiones que pueden ser significativas para futuros trabajos. Construimos once categorías —conflictos en torno al modelo de minería extractivo; conflictos en torno a la extracción de oro y las energías alternativas; conflictos en torno al modelo de producción de hidrocarburos por fractura hidráulica; conflictos en torno a la deforestación; conflictos en torno al modelo de agricultura y la producción de alimentos; conflictos en torno al modelo de pesca a gran escala; conflictos en torno a los animales en peligro de extinción; conflictos en torno al cambio climático: se derriten los polos, hay sequías y emergencia hídrica; conflictos en torno a la contaminación ambiental; conflictos en torno al consumo; y conflictos en torno a la conciencia ambiental y ecológica— e identificamos algunos aspectos significativos respecto a esa particular mirada del mundo que se vuelve situación a atravesar, que implica al deseo del lector en una actividad que no es contemplativa —esto es, no lo informa, instruye o ilustra—, sino polémica, controversial, incómoda, preocupante, y que lleva, sí o sí, a imaginar soluciones, muchas veces a contramano de lo establecido o naturalizado.

Purpose: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a mental disorder that affects approximately 2-3% of the population. The mainstay of treatment in bipolar disorder is lithium, which has also found an important application in the potentiation of antidepressants in drug-resistant depression, in the course of both bipolar disorder and recurrent depressive disorders. Views: The narrow therapeutic range of lithium and the frequent side effects it causes necessitates the monitoring of its concentration in the blood, which requires the periodic presence of the patient in a clinical laboratory. This is costly and inconvenient for patients, and is a common obstacle for psychiatrists who are reluctant to prescribe this effective drug precisely because of the inconvenience of having to monitor blood levels. If regular monitoring of lithium levels could be carried out without the need to puncture the vein and visit a clinic it would save time for both patients and healthcare professionals, avoid discomfort, and make difficult-to-reach patients easier to manage. Conclusions: Saliva in the monitoring of the lithium level is a promising biological material and offers the possibility to quickly estimate the individual lithium dosage for a specific patient which will provide the required therapeutic level. Saliva can be collected at home without the involvement of qualified personnel. Providing a more convenient and effective means of monitoring lithium therapy (e.g. the proposed non-invasive saliva level test) would enable safer, more effective therapy (more likely to maintain therapeutic blood levels) and an individualized therapeutic approach to a patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of ecological monitoring methods and descriptors determines the effectiveness of a program designed to assess the state of coral reef ecosystems. Here, we comparer the relative performance of the traditional Line Intercept Transect (LIT) method with three methods derived from underwater photogrammetry: LIT on orthomosaics, photoquadrats from orthomosaics, and surface analyses on orthomosaics. The data were acquired at Reunion Island on five outer reef slopes and two coral communities on underwater lava-flows. Coral cover was estimated in situ using the LIT method and with LITs and photoquadrats digitized on orthomosaic. Surface analyses were done on the same orthomosaics. Structural complexity of the surveyed sites was calculated from digital elevation models using three physical descriptors (fractal dimension, slope, surface complexity), and used to explore their possible influence in coral cover estimates. We also compared the methods in terms of scientific outputs, the human expertise and time required. Coral cover estimates obtained with in situ LITs were higher than those obtained with digitized LITs and photoquadrats. Surfaces analyses on orthomosaics yielded the lowest but most the precise cover estimates (i.e., lowest sample dispersion). Sites with the highest coral cover also had the highest structural complexity. Finally, when we added scientific outputs, and requirements for human expertise and time to our comparisons between methods, we found that surface analysis on the orthomosaics was the most efficient method. Photoquadrats were more time-consuming than both in situ and digitized LITs, even though they provided coral cover estimates similar to those of digitized LITs and yielded more than one descriptor. The LIT in situ method remains the least time-consuming and most effective for species-level taxonomic identifications but is the most limited method in terms of data outputs and representativeness of the ecosystem.

A common assumption in choice response time (RT) modeling is that after evidence accumulation reaches a certain decision threshold, the choice is categorically communicated to the motor system that then executes the response. However, neurophysiological findings suggest that motor preparation partly overlaps with evidence accumulation, and is not independent from stimulus difficulty level. We propose to model this entanglement by changing the nature of the decision criterion from a simple threshold to an actual process. More specifically, we propose a secondary, motor preparation related, leaky accumulation process that takes the accumulated evidence of the original decision process as a continuous input, and triggers the actual response when it reaches its own threshold. We analytically develop this Leaky Integrating Threshold (LIT), applying it to a simple constant drift diffusion model, and show how its parameters can be estimated with the D*M method. Reanalyzing 3 different data sets, the LIT extension is shown to outperform a standard drift diffusion model using multiple statistical approaches. Further, the LIT leak parameter is shown to be better at explaining the speed/accuracy trade-off manipulation than the commonly used boundary separation parameter. These improvements can also be verified using traditional diffusion model analyses, for which the LIT predicts the violation of several common selective parameter influence assumptions. These predictions are consistent with what is found in the data and with what is reported experimentally in the literature. Crucially, this work offers a new benchmark against which to compare neural data to offer neurobiological validation for the proposed processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Dans l’étiquette palatine espagnole, le lit royal est un meuble important qui sert au repos du monarque mais remplit aussi une fonction publique, notamment lors des obsèques royales. Sa prééminence repose sur la richesse des matériaux utilisés, en particulier les tentures, que l’on changeait selon la mode du moment et la présence d’un ciel. Les lits plus remarquables de la riche collection du Patrimonio Nacional datent du xvie au xixe siècle et sont actuellement répartis dans les divers palais où vécurent les rois d’Espagne. Ils révèlent des influences chinoises, indiennes, françaises ou italiennes. Quiconque veut rêver du sommeil des princes et des rois peut maintenant contempler cet héritage raffiné.

Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Metarhizium anisopliae, for the control of arthropods, have been studied for more than 20 years. The aim of this study was to determine the best methodology to evaluate the in vitro effect of the fungus M. anisopliae on Rhipicephalus microplus tick larvae. We compared a modified Larval Packet Test (LPT) and a Larval Immersion Test (LIT). For the LPT filter papers were impregnated with 1 mL of M. anisopliae suspension in Triton X-100 at 0.02%, in concentrations of 106, 107 and 108 conidia/mL and subsequently folded to include the larval ticks. LIT was performed by immersing the larvae in M. anisopliae suspensions for 5 min using the same three concentrations, then the larvae were placed on filter paper clips. For LPT, the LT50 values obtained were 134.6, 27.2 and 24.8 days for concentrations of 106, 107 and 108 conidia/mL; and the mortality after 21 days was 17.3, 17.6 and 38%, respectively. The LT50 values of LIT were 24.5, 20 and 9.2 days with mortality after 21 days of 50.5, 64.7 and 98% for 106, 107 and 108 conidia/mL, respectively. For the same conidia concentration, LIT showed a higher mortality in a shorter time interval when compared with LPT. These differences between the methods tested must be taking into account in further screening and effect studies with M. anisopliae. The set of results shown here could optimize the protocol used to identify M. anisopliae strains pathogenic against R. microplus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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• Recurrent pregnancy loss, also known as RPL, happens to 2–5% of women of reproductive age. • Immune system between the mother and the fetus plays an important role in the acceptance of the fetus and maintaining the pregnancy. • Modulation of the immune system by lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) is a reasonable way to prevent embryo rejection. • Pro-Inflammatory cytokines decline following subcutaneous LIT of women with RPL. In order to prevent miscarriage in RPL patients, the goal of this study was to determine how well lymphocyte immunotherapy (LIT) works in modifying immunological responses produced by cells, cytokines, transcription factors, and microRNAs. 200 RPL patients and 200 healthy controls were included in the study. Using flow cytometry, it was possible to compare the frequency of cells before and after lymphocyte treatment. Real-time PCR was used to assess the gene expression levels of transcription factors, cytokines, and microRNAs. ELISA method was used to evaluate the level of secretion of cytokines in the serum. Primary evaluation of the immune profile between healthy controls and RPL cases showed a higher frequency of Th17, NK, B cells and a lower frequency of Treg cells in RPL cases. Also, pro-inflammatory cytokines showed increased expression at mRNA and protein levels in the RPL group in comparison with the control group. Whereas, anti-inflammatory cytokines showed decreased expression in RPL patients. Decreased and increased frequency of Th17 and Treg lymphocytes observed in RPL cases following LIT, respectively. The same results obtained for RORγt and FoxP3 mRNA expression as transcription factor of Th17 and Treg cells, respectively. NK cell cytotoxicity decreased after LIT in RPL patients. miR-326a and miR-155 expression after LIT reduced, but miR-146a and miR-10a expression increased in RPL instances. LIT in RPL cases causes to elevation and modulation of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our data showed that lymphocyte therapy can be proposed as an effective therapeutic agent in RPL patients with immunological background by a modulating inflammatory condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been limited study on the impact of PBMC therapy in RSA patients with immunological disorders such as Th17 and Treg cell dysregulation, as well as their associated factors. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of PBMC therapy in modulating immune cell frequency, cytokine production, transcription factors, and miRNAs implicated in the regulation of their function, as well as their potential superiority to routine treatments. Fifty RSA women who had received PBMCs and 50 matched-paired control RSA women who had received the routine treatments were recruited and followed for three months. The frequencies of Th17, Treg, NK, and B cells were assessed using flow cytometry. Thereafter, the gene expression level of the transcription factors and related miRNAs of Treg cell and Th17 cell was quantified using RT-PCR. Then ELISA was employed to assess the cytokine production of Th17 and Treg cells. Finally, the live birth rate and miscarriage rate were evaluated as clinical outcomes in this study. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that PBMC therapy significantly reduces the frequencies of Th17 and NK cells while enhancing the frequency of Treg cells. RT-PCR analysis confirmed that PBMC therapy significantly downregulates RORγt and upregulates FoxP3. Likewise, RT-PCR analysis showed that PBMC therapy reduces the expression of miR-25, miR-155, and miR-326 while increasing the expression of miR-10a. ELISA results demonstrated that PBMC therapy considerably decreases the concentration of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-17, and TNF-α and enhances the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. Following PBMC therapy live birth rate raised while miscarriage rate reduced. Our findings suggested that, in contrast to routine treatments, PBMC therapy can significantly modulate the maternal immune system by enhancing the Treg/Th17 paradigm and regulating the expression of Treg and Th17 cell-associated cytokines, transcription factors, and miRNAs. This treatment also can increase the live birth rate in RSA patients. • LIT had superior immunomodulatory effects in RSA patients as compared to routine treatments. • LIT can effectively target the Treg/Th17 paradigm by directing the expression of cytokines, transcription factors, and miRNAs toward Treg cell immunodominance. • Many studies are still warranted to corroborate our findings and establish LIT as a viable therapeutic approach for RSA women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) power modules were exposed to high voltage, high humidity, high temperature and reverse bias (HV-H 3 TRB) conditions until end-of-life (EoL). The limited lifetime of power semiconductor devices when used in demanding applications involving high relative humidity during operation is commonly reported to be associated with the design of the edge termination in power transistor or diode chips. A physics-of-failure (PoF) oriented methodology was adopted in failure analysis, including using lock-in thermography (LiT) for failure localisation and using an advanced microwave-induced plasma (MIP) decapsulation technique for the selective etching of the edge termination polyimide passivation film. A focused ion beam (FIB) was utilised to create a cross-section of the samples for both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. The evidence gathered using the physics-of-failure methodology were compared with the results from advanced statistical analysis of the failure distributions in Weibull plots, including comparison of α and β parameters. This analysis revealed correlation with the Weibull distributions and the results from the physics-of-failure. Aluminium corrosion products were systematically observed on guard rings (GR) and field plates (FP) showing that the migration of these corrosion products forming an electrical path between the guard rings that seems to be a major failure mechanism in high humidity environments when reverse bias voltage is applied. • Humidity temperature voltage bias induced failures analysed in power semiconductors. • Al corrosion is the dominant failure mechanism in > 1200 V power semiconductors. • Al guard ring based the edge termination structures should be carefully dimensioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Elementology is the property of Journal of Elementology - issued by Polish Magnesium Society 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.)

Copyright of Médiévales is the property of Presses Universitaires de Vincennes 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.)

Since 1963 lithium treatment has been the best proven long-term pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder (BD), both in the prevention of depressive and manic episodes, along with the reduction of the suicide risk. Thyroid gland and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis play a role in the pathophysiology, clinical course and treatment of BD. The influence of lithium on the thyroid gland is one of the key side effects in the long-term therapy with this drug. Lithium is accumulated in the thyroid gland at 3 to 4-fold higher concentrations as compared to its plasma levels. Its administration results in the reduced production with release inhibition of thyroid hormones, altering the immune processes of this gland. The most common thyroid side effects associated with long-term lithium treatment are goiter and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is a rare complication of lithium therapy. Lithium may also induce an increase in the thyroid autoimmunity, especially if such change had been present before lithium treatment producing structural changes in this gland. This paper reviews the management of complications described above as well as recommendations for monitoring of thyroid function in patients receiving long-term lithium treatment are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The solubility of hydrogen isotope was evaluated to be S =6.56×10−7 exp(−0.11 [eV]/kT) [at. fr, Pa0.5]. [•] About 5% of tritium was released at single release stage around 600K for neutron irradiated Li17Pb83. [•] No tritium release was found at around 600K for the hydrogen isotope-doped Li17Pb83. [•] LiT was formed in Li17Pb83 by thermal neutron irradiation from the kinetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Potential Induced Degradation (PID) of crystalline Si solar modules has attracted a strong interest in recent years as one of the most prominent failure modes observed in solar park installations. In recent publications the influence of elevated voltages applied to the modules has been studied in detail. Depending on the electrical interconnection scheme, material properties of the modules as well as environmental conditions, in particular cases the total breakdown of module power has been observed. However, until now a clear understanding of the underlying degradation mechanism and the physical failure mode is still missing. Based on PID experiments on mini modules we have reproduced the degradation mechanism under laboratory conditions (elevated voltage, increased temperature and humidity). The local electrical shunting of the degraded mini modules has been investigated by high resolution Lock-in Thermography (LIT). Samples from regions with different degrees of degradation have been prepared. The material properties have been investigated using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Electron Beam Induced Current (EBIC) measurements at cross sections. The shunted regions of the solar cells show an accumulation of alkali metals at the interface of the front side coatings of the solar cell. In the same regions dramatic changes of the p-n junction contrast can be detected by SEM/EBIC. Based on these data, we propose a simple model that may explain the PID effect in solar cells through induced negative charges at SiNx/Si interface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: The use of support surfaces in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers prevention is an important part of care for a patient at risk and/or suffering from sore(s). Objectives: Define which support surfaces to use in prevention and treatment of at-risk and/or pressure sore patients. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature querying the several Pascal Biomed, PubMed and Cochrane Library databases from 2000 through 2010. Results (Grade A): In prevention, a structured foam mattress is more efficient than a standard hospital mattress. An alternating pressure mattress is more effective than a visco-elastic mattress limiting the occurrence heel pressure ulcers, but those that do occur are more serious. A low-air-loss bed is more efficient than a mixed pulsating air mattress in prevention of heel pressure ulcers. Some types of sheepskin can reduce sacral pressure ulcer incidence in orthopedic patients. Use of an overlay on an operating table limits the occurrence of peroperative and postoperative pressure ulcers. An air-fluidized bed improves pressure ulcer healing. Discussion: The data in the literature are not always relevant and do not suffice to dictate a clinician''s choices. We are compelled to recognize the methodological limitations of many studies, the lack of corporate interest in conducting such studies and the relatively small number of available trials. However, the effectiveness of some support surfaces reaches a sufficient level of evidence, especially when they are associated with postural, hydration and nutritional measures. Conclusion: Support surfaces are recommended in prevention and treatment of patients at risk and/or already suffering from pressure ulcer, and their use should constitute part of an overall preventive or curative strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Psychiatria Polska is the property of Editorial Committee of Polish Psychiatric Association 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.)

Lithium is widely used to treat bipolar disorder. The aim of the paper was to present a problem of lithium-induced nephropathy. The adverse renal effects of long term lithium therapy include nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, acute renal insufficiency and chronic renal disease. Screening test suggested to catch the beginning of renal function abnormalities in patients undergoing long-term lithium therapy are the analysis of urine (specific gravity, protein), serum creatinine, GFR, blood pressure, ultrasound / CT (renal microcysts). Our case study shows that a rapid increase of lithium level in the blood, despite use of the same dose is predictor of developing chronic kidney disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jadassohn syndrome (linear nevus sebaceous syndrome) is a relatively common (1/1000 live births) congenital syndrome among phakomatoses. Probably, it is caused by cellular line mosaicism containing an autosomal dominant lethal mutation. The characteristic triad of symptoms includes syndrome-specific sebaceous nevi (nevi of Jadassohn) in Voight or Blaschko lines, mental retardation, and epileptic seizures resulting from CNS developmental abnormalities. The article presents clinical and neuropsychological characteristics of a patient with Jadassohn syndrome [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of metal piece additives on effective thermal conductivity and diffusivity of an unconsolidated adsorbent bed in which adsorbent is silica gel were investigated. The metal piece additives were copper, brass, aluminum and stainless steel with two different sizes as 1.0–2.8mm and 2.8–4.75mm. The effective thermal conductivity and diffusivity of the mixed bed were predicted by comparison of the experimental results with the solution of dimensionless heat conduction equation for the bed. The performed experiments showed that the addition 15wt% of aluminum pieces with sizes between 1.0 and 2.8mm enhances the effective thermal diffusivity and conductivity of a pure silica gel bed by 157% and 242%, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We describe some biological characteristics of the Trypanosoma cruzi intermediate form derived from the transformation of epimastigotes to trypomastigotes obtained from cultivation in modified liver infusion tryptose (LIT) medium. The ultrastructural analysis of the intermediate forms in this medium showed the enlargement of the kinetoplast located adjacent to the flagellate nucleus. Some biological characteristics of the intermediate form are similar to trypomastigotes and others to epimastigotes. Despite displaying a similar trypomastigote surface charge, the intermediate forms, like the epimastigotes, are not resistant to complement-mediated lysis. Moreover, the intermediate forms are unable to infect cultured fibroblasts cells but develop limited infections in macrophages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Circulating insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) levels have been shown to be related to risk of prostate cancer in epidemiologic studies. While specific genetic loci responsible for interindividual variation in circulating IGF-I levels in normal men have not been identified, candidate genes include those involved in the growth hormone (GH)–IGF-I axis such as the hypothalamic factors GH releasing hormone (GHRH) and somatostatin and their receptors. To investigate the role of the GH–IGF-I axis on in vivo prostate carcinogenesis and neoplastic progression, we generated mice genetically predisposed to prostate cancer (the TRAMP model) to be homozygous for lit, a mutation that inactivates the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) and reduces circulating levels of GH and IGF-I. The lit mutation significantly reduced the percentage of the prostate gland showing neoplastic changes at 35 weeks of age (P=0.0005) and was also associated with improved survival (P<0.01). These data provide an example of a germ line mutation that reduces risk in an experimental prostate carcinogenesis model. The results suggest that prostate carcinogenesis and progression may be influenced by germ line variation of genes encoding signalling molecules in the GH–IGF-I axis.Oncogene (2005) 24, 4736–4740. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1208572 Published online 2 May 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power electronics reliability in a high humidity environment has recently been considered an important aspect of power converters. In this article boost stage power semiconductor modules from two vendors with varying device technologies were exposed to high humidity, high temperature and high voltage reverse bias direct current (H3TRB-HVDC) test conditions. The exposed modules were monitored with in situ leakage current measurement during the test. The in situ monitoring revealed that all samples from one vendor using a glass passivation technique failed while the samples from the second vendor with a polyimide passivation survived. After the test, electrical breakdown and associated thermal hotspots were consistently observed using lock-in thermography on top of the glass passivation covering the high voltage edge termination structure. It was concluded with microstructural and material analysis that the treelike structures that were observed right beneath the surface of the glass passivation were associated with the failure mechanism. The analysis revealed that the formed structures were amorphous and could not be caused by the electrochemical migration of metallic species. The failures were caused by the localised partial dissolution of lead from the glass passivation. The failure mechanism seems to be associated with water treeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the mixing modelling results for the hydrogeochemical characterisation of groundwaters in the Laxemar area (Sweden). This area is one of the two sites that have been investigated, under the financial patronage of the Swedish Nuclear Waste and Management Co. (SKB), as possible candidates for hosting the proposed repository for the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The classical geochemical modelling, interpreted in the light of the palaeohydrogeological history of the system, has shown that the driving process in the geochemical evolution of this groundwater system is the mixing between four end-member waters: a deep and old saline water, a glacial meltwater, an old marine water, and a meteoric water. In this paper we put the focus on mixing and its effects on the final chemical composition of the groundwaters using a comprehensive methodology that combines principal component analysis with mass balance calculations. This methodology allows us to test several combinations of end member waters and several combinations of compositional variables in order to find optimal solutions in terms of mixing proportions. We have applied this methodology to a dataset of 287 groundwater samples from the Laxemar area collected and analysed by SKB. The best model found uses four conservative elements (Cl, Br, oxygen-18 and deuterium), and computes mixing proportions with respect to three end member waters (saline, glacial and meteoric). Once the first order effect of mixing has been taken into account, water-rock interaction can be used to explain the remaining variability. In this way, the chemistry of each water sample can be obtained by using the mixing proportions for the conservative elements, only affected by mixing, or combining the mixing proportions and the chemical reactions for the non-conservative elements in the system, establishing the basis for predictive calculations., (© 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Fragment analysis of proteins and peptides by mass spectrometry using collision-induced dissociation (CID) revealed that the pairwise generated N-terminal b- and C-terminal y-ions have different stabilities resulting in underrepresentation of b-ions. Detailed analyses of large-scale spectra databases and synthetic peptides underlined these observations and additionally showed that the fragmentation pattern depends on utilized CID regime. To investigate this underrepresentation further we systematically compared resonant excitation energy and beam-type CID facilitated on different mass spectrometer platforms: (i) quadrupole time-of-flight, (ii) linear ion trap and (iii) three-dimensional ion trap. Detailed analysis of MS/MS data from a standard tryptic protein digest revealed that b-ions are significantly underrepresented on all investigated mass spectrometers. By N-terminal acetylation of tryptic peptides we show for the first time that b-ion cyclization reaction significantly contributes to b-ion underrepresentation even on ion trap instruments and accounts for at most 16% of b-ion loss., (© 2013.)

Oral infection has become the most important transmission mechanism of Chagas disease in Brazil. For this study, the development of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice, induced by the oral and intraperitoneal (IP) routes, was compared. Four groups of Swiss mice were used to evaluate the influence of parasite genetics, number of parasites, inoculation volume and developmental stages on the development of the orally induced infection: 1 - blood trypomastigotes (BT) via oral; 2 - BT via IP; 3 - culture metacyclic trypomastigotes (MT) via oral; and 4 - culture MT via IP. Animals inoculated orally showed levels of parasitemia, as well as infectivity and mortality rates, lower than animals inoculated via IP, regardless of DTU (discrete typing unit) and inoculum. Animals infected with TcII showed higher levels of these parameters than did animals infected with TcI. The larger volume of inoculum showed a greater capacity to cause an infection when administered via the oral route. BT infection was more virulent than culture MT infection for both routes (oral and IP). However, mice inoculated orally with BT showed lower levels than via IP, while mice inoculated orally with culture MT showed similar levels of infection to those inoculated via IP. Mice inoculated with culture MT showed more histopathological changes than those inoculated with BT, regardless of the inoculation route. These results indicate that this alternative experimental model is useful for evaluating infection by T. cruzi isolates with subpatent parasitemia and low virulence, such as those belonging to the TcI and TcIV DTUs, which are prevalent in outbreaks of orally transmitted Chagas disease., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this work was to investigate whether an alkaline ecto-phosphatase activity is present in the surface of Trypanosoma rangeli. Intact short epimastigote forms were assayed for ecto-phosphatase activity to study kinetics and modulators using β-glycerophosphate (β-GP) and p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) as substrates. Its role in parasite development and differentiation was also studied. Competition assays using different proportions of β-GP and pNPP evidenced the existence of independent and non-interacting alkaline and acid phosphatases. Hydrolysis of β-GP increased progressively with pH, whereas the opposite was evident using pNPP. The alkaline enzyme was inhibited by levamisole in a non-competitive fashion. The Ca(2+) present in the reaction medium was enough for full activity. Pretreatment with PI-PLC decreased the alkaline but not the acid phosphatase evidence that the former is catalyzed by a GPI-anchored enzyme, with potential intracellular signaling ability. β-GP supported the growth and differentiation of T. rangeli to the same extent as high orthophosphate (Pi). Levamisole at the IC50 spared significantly parasite growth when β-GP was the sole source of Pi and stopped it in the absence of β-GP, indicating that the alkaline enzyme can utilize phosphate monoesters present in serum. These results demonstrate the existence of an alkaline ecto-phosphatase in T. rangeli with selective requirements and sensitivity to inhibitors that participates in key metabolic processes in the parasite life cycle., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)