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Aim: of the work to determine serum levels of vitamin D and Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) compared to healthy controls and their possible associations. Patients and methods: The study included 30 RA and 30 primary knee OA patients as well as 25 control. The disease activity was measured by disease activity score 28 (DAS28) in RA. The functional status was estimated by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities index (WOMAC index) in OA. While the assessment of pain was measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) in both RA and OA. Serum vitamin D and MFG-E8 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The mean age of RA patients was 41.1 ± 9.2 years; 25 females and 5 males (F:M 5:1) and a disease duration of 6.9 ± 4.6 years. The mean age of OA patients was 48.7 ± 8.3 years; 28 females and 2 males (F:M 14:1) and disease duration was 5.4 ± 3.3 years. The mean vitamin D was significantly lower in RA (9.7 ± 5.04 ng/ml) than OA (16.4 ± 4 ng/ml) and controls (17.7 ± 3.4 ng/ml), p

Background Breast cancer (BC) is the most often diagnosed cancer in women globally. Cancer cells appear to rely heavily on RNA helicases. DDX43 is one of DEAD- box RNA helicase family members. But, the relationship between clinicopathological, prognostic significance in different BC subtypes and DDX43 expression remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the clinicopathological significance of DDX43 protein and mRNA expression in different BC subtypes. Materials and methods A total of 80 females newly diagnosed with BC and 20 control females that were age-matched were recruited for this study. DDX43 protein levels were measured by ELISA technique. We used a real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification (real-time PCR) to measure the levels of DDX43 mRNA expression. Levels of DDX43 protein and mRNA expression within BC patients had been compared to those of control subjects and correlated with clinicopathological data. Results The mean normalized serum levels of DDX43 protein were slightly higher in control than in both benign and malignant groups, but this result was non-significant. The mean normalized level of DDX43 mRNA expression was higher in the control than in both benign and malignant cases, although the results were not statistically significant and marginally significant, respectively. Moreover, the mean normalized level of DDX43 mRNA expression was significantly higher in benign than in malignant cases. In malignant cases, low DDX43 protein expression was linked to higher nuclear grade and invasive duct carcinoma (IDC), whereas high mRNA expression was linked to the aggressive types of breast cancer such as TNBC, higher tumor and nuclear grades. Conclusion This study explored the potential of using blood DDX43 mRNA expression or protein levels, or both in clinical settings as a marker of disease progression in human breast cancer. DDX43 mRNA expression proposes a less invasive method for discriminating benign from malignant BC.

SUMMARY: Students’ perceptions and feedback have a significant impact on academic progress. The aim of this study was to determine the perceptions of medical students regarding the cumulative effects of the first year general histology course and the sophomore pathology introductory course, in addition to their perceptions regarding the curricular integration of histology and pathology. In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was given to second-year and third-year medical students in the middle of second semester. The questionnaire comprised several items on students’ attitudes toward anatomic pathology, their feedback on the first year general histology and the sophomore pathology courses, and their perceptions regarding the integration of histology and pathology courses. A five-point Likert scale was used. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v 20 software. Two hundreds and fourteen of the 236 questionnaires distributed were analyzed (response rate = 90.7 %). More than 51 % of the respondents reported that they couldn’t identify the normal tissue counterpart of most practical pathology cases. Only 31.3 % thought their practical histology knowledge was beneficial for them in practical pathology. More than 87 % agreed or strongly agreed that pathology cases need to be copresented with normal tissue examples. A significant proportion of the respondents (60.7 %) were with merging histology and pathology in integrated courses. Pathology was of career choices for only 15.4 % of the participants. The curricular integration of histology and pathology in the first year needs to be tested, and much effort is needed to increase students’ affinity for anatomic pathology.

Highlights • Proteus Syndrome is an extremely rare case where only 200 cases has been reported. • Macrodactyly is a striking feature. • Biesker’s criteria is a diagnostic tool, which assist in reaching the diagnosis. • Confirmation is by finding genetic variation in AKT1 and/or PTEN gene. • Our case had multiple intestinal lipomatosis which caused him small bowel volvulus., Introduction Proteus Syndrome is a very rare syndrome, where only 200 cases has been reported so far. Presentation of case We were presented with a 45 year male with features of chronic Intestinal Obstruction. On Examination he had a giant right middle finger (Fig. 1), giant left forearm, with amputated left hand, and massive abdominal distension with tenderness in upper abdomen. Discussion Proteus Syndrome (PS) is a very rare syndrome, diagnosis of which is based on Biescker’s criteria, either one finding from Criteria A, or two from B, or three from C. Confirmation of the disease is by finding genetic variation in the AKT1 gene. In addition to the presence to some of the criteria in our patient, he also had numerous intestinal lipomatosis, involving almost most of his small intestine. This in addition to high riding caecum and a narrow long mesentery which contributed to the development of small Bowel volvulus. Conclusion PS should be suspected whenever we encounter patients with macrodactyly and this should alert us to the possibility of other congenital anomalies.

Exopolysaccharides nanoparticles (EPS-NPs), especially from probiotics, became one of the most innovative approaches for intelligent cancer therapy due to their stability and biocompatibility. In this study, a previously identified sulphated hetero-polysacchraide was extracted from Weissella paramesenteroides MN2C2 and partially purified. Some parameters of the operational culture conditions of the produced EPS were optimized. Nano-forms of crude and partially purified EPS were synthesised by sonication and characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The particles were platelet-like and their size diameter ranged from 37 to 105 for crude EPS-NP and 45 to 204 nm for partially purified EPS-NP. Interestingly, both EPS-NPs were effective and highly selective against Colon Caco-2, Liver HepG-2 and Breast MCF-7 malignant cells. They were also found to have potent DPPH antioxidant activities dependent on their concentration. The producing probiotic strain showed high sensitivity towards Tetracycline, Fusidic acid and Ampiciline with no haemolytic activity. And it was tolerant to low pH, bile salts and pancreatic juices as well as it exerted antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. These findings suggest that nano-EPS from the probiotic W. paramesenteroides possess excellent characteristics for potential medicine applications.

This paper uses system dynamics (SD) approach to predict and measure construction projects strategies and decisions success. SD model captures construction projects design phase processes using VENSIM software to simulate policies used. The model is validated by comparing results for the base case of Love, Edwards et al. 2008 model. Two scenarios are proposed to overcome owner changes. These changes are minimizing project schedule from 45 to 25 weeks. Polices used to overcome these changes are: 1- assign overtime to the available designers to increase the work output (one designer work more than one shift); 2- assign more experienced designers to work without assigning overtime to these designers (increase the available designers but the designer work only one shift). The SI model is developed to compare between these two scenarios. Two-round Delphi questionnaire are used for data gathering to build structure index (SI) model that represent measure of project success. Four success parameters; time, cost, quality, and Client’s Satisfaction; are used to formulate a success measure index for construction projects. This helps in indexing the success of finished projects in order to compare with each other. Also, using the proposed SI model with SD helps in measuring organization strategy success. And, help decision makers to assess their decisions. The results show that more designers assigned to finish the work in time (i.e. scenario two) is better than scenario one (i.e. better than working overtime that leads to more rework and increases the cost).

The introduction of new bio-product for human diseases treatment is still a great challenge in drug delivery field. This study aimed to extract, purify and characterize exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Weissella paramesenteroides MN2C2 which identified by 16S rDNA under accession number of MK530206 in gene bank. The chemical and spectroscopic analysis using UV, FTIR, NMR and HPLC were applied. The results revealed that the product composed of 80% fructose, 9.3% glucose and 5.6% sucrose with acetyl groups. EDX analysis demonstrated that it formed of high ratios of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous and sulfur. The three-dimensional structure showed irregular compacted lumps with smooth surface. The anticancer activity revealed that the partially purified EPS was strong anticancer agent and highly selective against Colon Caco-2, Breast MCF-7 and Liver HepG-2 cancer cell lines compared to the crude ones. Both EPSs showed antiviral activity (99.99%) against Coxsackie virus (CVB3). Their DPPH antioxidant activity acted in a dose dependent manner. From the obtained results it was concluded that our EPS can serve as a promising candidate for drug delivery.

Variation Orders in construction are often be accompanied with series of impacts on the quality, time, and cost of the projects. This issue requires proper analysis and action to develop quantitative methods to measure the reasons and effects of variation orders and make a complete assessment for them. This paper presents a study of the most important factors which are considered to have an impact on the time and the cost of the project during its life cycle stages for various governmental construction projects done in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The construction projects were in particular buildings, warehouses, facilities and government buildings with a contractual value of about 18.6 million US dollars.Those two dimensions of the variation orders (cost, time) are applied to these specific factors: Owner, Consultant, Contractor, Project Management, Local Authorities, and Force Majeure.Using questionnaire survey, replies received from 43 participants specialized in construction industry and various government and private sectors on the causes and effects of project changesto analyze the RISK significance index. The RISK significance indexindicates and sorts the most effective reasons causing variation orders. The results of the above mentioned analysisshowthat the owner is responsible for the most variation orders generated, and that the owner financial difficulties during construction stage has the most value of RISK significance index.

In this study, Differential display reverse transcription (DDRT) technique was used to analyze differentially upregulated genes in Helianthus annuus in response to Pb exposure. Seeds of sunflower were germinated in lead contaminated soils and untreated plants were used as control. Twenty differentially expressed fragments were identified and characterized. The fragments were classified according to their expression levels. The significance of the function of the identified differentially expressed genes was discussed in relation to their possible roles as stress genes. Two fragments showed no significant homology with any database sequences in the GenBank. Results of the database sequence alignment identified two fragments showed homology to unclassified and unknown genes; two cDNA fragments show homology with salinity responsive genes, three fragments showed homology with drought responsive genes, one fragment showed homology with cold responsive gene, one fragment showed homology with oxidative responsive gene and one fragment showed homology with biotic stress resistance gene. More importantly, a fragment had significant homology with EST of Glycine max similar to serine/threonine-protein kinase gene, a fragment showed significant homology with EST of Arabidopsis thaliana putative anion transporter 2 (ANTR2) mRNA, a fragment had significant homology with EST of Helianthus annuus delta-12 oleate desaturase (FAD2- 2) gene, a fragment showed significant homology with EST of Dianthus caryophyllus putative MtN3-like protein mRNA, two fragments showed significant homology with EST for NADH dehydrogenase chain 3 (nad3) genes, a fragment had significant homology with EST from Volvox sp. similar to cytochrome oxidase subunit 1(CoxI) and a fragment showed significant homology with EST23 of Medicago truncatula MLP-like protein. These results implicate that several pathways are involved in the plant's response to Pb exposure which still needs to be elucidated further.

Background The association between cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq IB polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been studied in different populations. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a group of clinical symptoms within acute myocardial ischemia, including unstable angina (UA) and myocardial infarction (MI). Because there are no data reported in the literature concerning the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq IB polymorphism in Egyptians, our study aimed to investigate the frequency of different CETP Taq IB genotypes in Egyptian patients with ACS and in healthy control individuals. Methods The current study was conducted with 70 hospitalized patients who had been diagnosed with ACS and 30 controls. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to determine CETP Taq IB in individuals with different genotypes. Results The frequency of the GA genotype was significantly lower in UA patients, compared with the control group ( P

INTRODUCTION The mobile-phone-based Bedfont iCOTM Smokerlyzer® is of unknown validity and reproducibility compared to the widely-used piCO+ Smokerlyzer®. We aimed to compare the validity and reproducibility of the iCOTM Smokerlyzer® with the piCO+ Smokerlyzer® among patients reducing or quitting tobacco smoking. METHODS Methadone-maintained therapy (MMT) users from three centers in Malaysia had their exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) levels recorded via the piCO+ and iCOTM Smokerlyzers®, their nicotine dependence assessed with the Malay version of the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND-M), and daily tobacco intake measured via the Opiate Treatment Index (OTI) Tobacco Q-score. Pearson partial correlations were used to compare the eCO results of both devices, as well as the corresponding FTND-M scores. RESULTS Among the 146 participants (mean age 47.9 years, 92.5% male, and 73.3% Malay ethnic group) most (55.5%) were moderate smokers (6-19 cigarettes/day). Mean eCO categories were significantly correlated between both devices (r=0.861, p

Information on the relationship between circulating cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) levels and coronary heart disease (CHD) incidence (and also, therefore, acute coronary syndrome [ACS]) is conflicting. Many studies have been published concerning this relationship, most of which have incompatible results. In our study, we aimed to determine serum CETP levels in subject individuals with ACS and healthy control individuals, and the association of those levels with Taq IB polymorphism. The current study was conducted with 62 hospitalized patients who had been diagnosed with ACS and 26 controls. All subjects were selected from a previous study of which we are among the coauthors. Serum CETP levels were determined by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mean serum CETP levels in all patients were significantly higher than those in controls. CETP TaqIB polymorphism affected serum CETP levels, with higher serum CETP for the GA genotype in both groups than in other genotypes. Although the AA genotype showed higher CETP levels than the GG genotype in patients with ACS, the GG showed higher CETP than the AA in healthy controls. Our results support an association between high serum CETP and ACS incidence. Our study helped address some of the controversies regarding the relationship of serum CETP mass to atherosclerosis, in addition to the association of ACS occurrence with circulating CETP levels.

Overweight and obesity is a worldwide problem its prevalence is significant among all ages Globally the obesity has nearly tripled since In England adult rsquo s survey aged and over showed that of people were either overweight or obese The present high prevalence of obesity in the UK is mainly attributed to the widely used takeaway food This project was designed to study the prevalence of morbid obesity among white English people and compare it with that in the Jordanian population where the race culture and food habits are different nbsp Morbid obese and normal bodyweight male and female of white English and Jordanian people were selected randomly They were divided into four groups One group was children aged years Second group was teen agers years old Third group was young adults aged ndash years Forth group was people aged years and over Prevalence rate of morbid obesity in each group was counted as a percentage of the morbid obese individuals related to the normal body weight people In the white English people the morbid obesity prevalence rate is nearly identical in both sexes within similar age groups There is as well a similar linear progressive rise in the prevalence rate from childhood up to the elderly age in both sexes nbsp In the Jordanians The prevalence rates are nearly similar in both sexes among children teen agers and young adults groups The prevalence is relatively low in children and teen agers it rises sharply in the young adults and older people Old ladies have higher prevalence rate than that in the men Overweight children and adolescents associated with parental obesity were noticed among the white British and Jordanian people nbsp This study showed that the morbid obesity prevalence is higher in the white English people than in the Jordanians in both sexes within all age groups These findings coincide with the previously reported data on the prevalence of obesity in the UK and Jordan nbsp The study emphasised the importance of watching body weight at all ages to avoid the obesity associated diseases nbsp

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the risk of lifetime and current methamphetamine-induced psychosis in patients with methamphetamine dependence. The association between psychiatric co-morbidity and methamphetamine-induced psychosis was also studied. Methods This was a cross-sectional study conducted concurrently at a teaching hospital and a drug rehabilitation center in Malaysia. Patients with the diagnosis of methamphetamine based on DSM-IV were interviewed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) for methamphetamine-induced psychosis and other Axis I psychiatric disorders. The information on sociodemographic background and drug use history was obtained from interview or medical records. Results Of 292 subjects, 47.9% of the subjects had a past history of psychotic symptoms and 13.0% of the patients were having current psychotic symptoms. Co-morbid major depressive disorder (OR = 7.18, 95 CI = 2.612–19.708), bipolar disorder (OR = 13.807, 95 CI = 5.194–36.706), antisocial personality disorder (OR = 12.619, 95 CI = 6.702–23.759) and heavy methamphetamine uses were significantly associated with lifetime methamphetamine-induced psychosis after adjusted for other factors. Major depressive disorder (OR = 2.870, CI = 1.154–7.142) and antisocial personality disorder (OR = 3.299, 95 CI = 1.375–7.914) were the only factors associated with current psychosis. Conclusion There was a high risk of psychosis in patients with methamphetamine dependence. It was associated with co-morbid affective disorder, antisocial personality, and heavy methamphetamine use. It is recommended that all cases of methamphetamine dependence should be screened for psychotic symptoms.

The aim of this work was to isolate novel lactobacilli probiotic strains from human feces and screen them for the presence of two valuable antitumor genes—the arginine deiminase-encoding gene arcA and l-asparaginase-encoding gene ansA—for future potential therapeutic application in cancer prevention. Feces samples were collected from Egyptian infants. Forty-two isolates were determined as Lactobacillus sp. and selected for further characterization. Only 20 isolates exhibited good tolerance to pH 1.5, 0.3 % bile salts and moderate tolerance to pancreatic enzymes in addition to antagonistic action. These isolates were screened by PCR for the presence of the arcA and ansA genes. Three strains were selected and identified to subspecies levels by amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes as Lactobacillus gasseri NM112 containing the ansA gene; Lactobacillus fermentum NM212; and Lactobacillus casei NM312 containing the arcA gene, and confirmed by determining enzyme activity. We conclude that these three strains can be suggested as probiotics with potential therapeutic effect against cancer.

The objective of this research is to study the effect of ambient temperature on the activity of aerobic bacteria in the activated sludge process and consequently, the efficiency of biological treatment of domestic sewage. The activated sludge process is one of the environment-friendly systems so as the progressive enhancement of the system is quite essential. In rural zones are military troops zones like Air-Force airports that are mostly located in rural zones where global sewerage system cannot be provided. Such situations need an optimized, integrated simple and potential treatment system for the sewage generated from the residents and personnel working over there. The target of optimizing the activated sludge is conducted intensively within this research via investigating the inter-relationships of temperature, dissolved oxygen as well as the efficiency of biological treatment process. All of these parameters are elaborated by measuring the decrease in (BOD5, COD and TSS). An experimental model scale system has been designed and built-up at El-Berkah SewageTreatment Plant site located to the north-east of Cairo, Egypt. The experimental system is fed with primary-treated sewage. The characteristics of experimented sewage have been varied widely over the experimental period that extended to more than one year. Samples of wastewater have been collected every week and analyzed for many parameters including (DO, TSS, BOD5, COD) as well as solid fractions. The experimental set up is scaled for temperature changes only in the range of (10-45oC) and dissolved oxygen (2-4) mg/l. All other operating parameters such as dissolved O2 and MLTSS are set constant all over the experimental period. The results of the experimental work reveal that the optimum operating temperature of the system is 25oC with respect to the removal of (TSS, BOD5) and COD (93, 97, and 95% respectively). Besides, it is shown that when the ambient temperature is in the range of 10-20oC, DO should be increased to raise removal ratio. On the other hand, when the temperature is raised more than 35oC, DO showed considerable decreases accompanied with indications of generation of filamentous bulking.

This study is an experimental investigation of the behavior of two-way simply supported RC flat slabs with centered circular, rectangular, and square openings. Four models were tested to failure, consisting of a reference model without opening, and three models with an opening and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) laminates applied to the tension face of the models. The results revealed that externally bonded CFRP laminates significantly increased both the overall stiffness and flexural capacity of the models p r o v i d e d with an opening. CFRP anchoring method can further increase the performance of the strengthening scheme used. Experimental load-deflection curves and failure modes are discussed.

Simpsonichthys lopesi, new species (Figs. 1���3; Table 1) Holotype. MZUSP 103102, male 33.3mm SL, City of Muqu��m de S��o Francisco, locality of Javi, temporary pool near the riacho de Santana, rio S��o Francisco basin, 12 o 12 '04.6"S, 43 o 39 ' 27.8 "W, 20.iii. 2008. Col. Rog��rio dos Reis Suzart, Amer Faour Mart��n, Walber Stepple Hiluey. Paratypes. MZUSP 103103, 2 males (45.8 ��� 31.7mm SL), 3 females (31.6 ��� 22.3mm SL), same data from holotype. MZUEL 5177, 5 males (41.0��� 23.1mm SL, 2 C&S), 8 females (34.5 ��� 17.8mm SL, 2 C&S), same data from holotype. Diagnosis: Simpsonichthys lopesi differs from remaining congeneric species, except S. multiradiatus and S. adornatus, because of the elongated dorsal fin base length of males that begins well anterior to the vertical line through the middle of the body, before pelvic fin origin. Simpsonichthys lopesi differs from S. multiradiatus by the color pattern of its body and anal fin without transverse stripes (vs. with red transverse stripes). Simpsonichthys lopesi differs from S. adornatus by the variable color pattern of its anal fin, with males presenting yellow and dark stripes or dark color with unlined yellow spots (vs. small blue spots). Males of S. lopesi generally have a lower number of rays on the dorsal fin compared to males of S. adornatus (22���30 vs. 28���32), higher predorsal length (34.3���38.8 % SL vs. 28.3���34.4 %), higher dorsal���fin base length (45.9��� 53.7 % SL vs. 54.0��� 60.3 %), lower anal fin base length (36.3���41.7 % SL vs. 43.4���48.2 %), lower head depth (75.9���98.5 % HL vs. 106.8���113.8 %), and bigger snout length (19.2 ���27.0% HL vs. 11.4���14.6 %). Females of S. lopesi differ from females of S. adornatus by having a lower body depth (22.1���32.7 % SL vs. 34.3���36.8 %), lower caudal peduncle depth (11.2���14.3 vs. 14.1���15.2), lower head depth (77.5���97.9 % HL vs. 98.3���108.9), lower head (57.3���72.3 % HL vs. 73.7���78.2 %), and bigger snout length (17.9���20.9 % HL vs. 12.3���14.9 %). Description. Morphometric data are presented in Table 1. Largest specimen examined 45.8mm SL. Body relatively high. Dorsal profile convex from snout to end of dorsal fin base, slightly concave or straight on caudal peduncle. Ventral profile convex from lower jaw to end of anal fin base, nearly straight on caudal peduncle. Body deep, compressed, greatest body depth at level of pelvic fin base. Eyes positioned on dorsal portion of side of head. Snout blunt. Urogenital papilla cylindrical and short in males, pocket-shaped in females. Tip of dorsal fin pointed in old males and rounded in young; rounded in females; tip of anal fin rounded in both sexes. Short filamentous ray on tip of dorsal fin in males, reaching vertical through base of caudal fin; filaments absent in anal fin. Dorsal fin rays unbranched except in one male and two females with two branched rays under the filamentous ray on tip of dorsal fin. Caudal fin rounded. Pectoral fins elliptical. Posterior margin of each pectoral fin reaching vertical through base of first, second or fourth anal-fin rays in males, and between pelvic fin and urogenital papilla in females. Tip of each pelvic fin reaching base of first or second anal-fin ray in males and base of first anal fin ray in females. Pelvic fin bases in close proximity. Dorsal fin origin previous to pelvic fin origin in males, anal fin origin on vertical through base of third dorsal fin ray; dorsal fin origin posterior to anal fin origin in females, on vertical through base of third and fifth anal fin ray; one female with dorsal fin origin anterior to anal fin. Dorsal fin origin between neural spines of vertebrae 3 and 5 in males, and neural spines of vertebrae 10 and 12 in females. Anal fin origin between pleural ribs of vertebrae 6 and 8 in males, and pleural ribs of vertebrae 8 and 10 in females. Dorsal fin rays 22 (1), 25 (2)*, 26 (1), 27 (1), 28 (1) and 30 (1) in males, 11 (1), 15 (4), 16 (5) and 17 (1) in females; anal fin rays 21 (3) and 22 (5)* in males, 18 (1), 19 (6), 20 (3) and 21 (1) in females; caudal fin 20 (1), 21 (6)*, 22 (4), 23 (1), 24 (7) and 25 (1); pectoral fin rays 10 (1), 11 (9), 12 (8)* and 13 (1); pelvic fin rays 4 (3), 5 (8) and 6 (6)*. Males (n= 8) Females (n= 11) Holotype Low-high Mean �� SD Low-high Mean �� SD Frontal squamation E-patterned; E-scales overlapping medially; no row of scales anterior to G-scale; supraorbital scales 2. Longitudinal series of scales 25 (2), 26 (5), 27 (5) and 28 (6)*; transverse series of scales 10 (6), 11 (10) and 12 (2)*; scale rows around caudal peduncle 10 (3), 11 (5), 12 (9) and 13 (1)*. Contact organ on each scale of flank and ventral portion of opercle in males. Small papillae contact organ on inner surface of three dorsalmost rays of pectoral fins in males. Basihyal sub triangle, its width about 50 % of length; basihyal cartilage about 25 % of total length of basihyal. Six branchiostegal rays. Second pharyngobranchial teeth 3���4. Gill-rakers on first branchial arch 2 + 7. Vomerine teeth absent. Dermosphenotic absent. Ventral process of postemporal long. Total vertebrae 26 (1) and 28 (3). Coloration in life. Males (Figs. 1 and 2). The color pattern of the trunk in newly collected specimens is yellowish white, slightly red. Head with dorsal and pre-dorsal areas reddish-yellow. Opercular area light yellow with an iridescent blue reflex. Black transversal stripe crossing eyes vertically. About three series of iridescent blue spots lined on flank. Dorsal-fin with yellow base becoming dark brown posteriorly. Oblique light yellow stripes on anterior dorsal-fin area that continuous as spots posteriorly; about 8 to 10 series of stripes and spots lined obliquely. Anal-fin color golden-yellow, with a lighter base, either followed by two yellow stripes or lined with light spots, with dark stripes in between. Caudal-fin golden yellow from base to its center, where it becomes transparent. Dorsal and pelvic fins hyaline and slightly dark posteriorly. FIGURE 1. Simpsonichthys lopesi, holotype, MZUSP 103102, male, 33.3mm SL, Bahia, Muqu��m do S��o Francisco, temporary pool close to riacho de Santana (12 o 12 ' 4.6 "S 43 o 39 ' 27.8 "W), rio S��o Francisco basin. Two different color patterns of male anal fin are evident in newly collected specimens, and become even more evident in specimens maintained in aquarium: one with stripes and another with spots. Even smaller adults already present the anal fin stripe or spot pattern well defined. Besides the difference in anal fin color pattern, other differences were identified. Striped form (Fig. 1): Dark blue trunk with white ventral area. Dorsal scales lightly red at the end, from snout to base of caudal fin. Several lines of iridescent blue on the dorsal area, from eyes to caudal fin base. A line of iridescent blue spots begins near dorsal fin base and extends to caudal fin, where the spots get progressively larger. Another line is composed of eight irregular iridescent blue spots, parallel to the first line, beginning near the vertical line that crosses the end of the dorsal fin and extends to the caudal fin base. More ventrally, a third line with smaller light and hardly noticeable spots is present. Dorsal fin with variable ground color, from reddish to golden, with yellow spots. Near the dorsal-fin base spots are larger and decrease when approaching the dorsal fin outline. Three light spots on the first rays of dorsal fin are present, starting on the fin base and spreading out towards the top with small spots on the higher part of the fin. Caudal fin with same pattern, but with less intense background body color. Two lines of red to golden small spots are present. Posteriorly on fins there are fine blue lines that are hardly noticeable. Pelvic fin light orange, more intense near base. Anal fin with five light and dark stripes. The external stripe is slender and almost black, becoming gray closer to edge. There is also a fine light yellow stripe, followed by a dark, almost black stripe and another light yellow stripe. The stripe nearest fin base is dark, but not as intense as the one located between the two light stripes. At the end of the intermediate light stripe there is a single, small iridescent light spot. There is an intermediate anal fin color pattern, with the proximal light stripe broken in elongated blotches and the distal stripe formed by small spots closely placed. Painted form (Fig. 2): Dark blue body, with various lines of shiny scales on dorsal area, beginning near eyes and ending on caudal fin. Dorsal fin golden red with different sizes of scattered spots. Four shining light blue stripes on the first rays of dorsal fin, beginning near the base and ending dorsally. Anal fin reddish yellow on first rays near base, black on posterior rays, and outlined with three lines of light blue circular or oval spots. The first line of spots, nearest the base, presents about seven bigger spots arranged in a line. The second line is placed under the first line, presents about ten spots of various sizes, but these always smaller then the first line. The third line, closer to the fin, presents a group of smaller spots. Female (Fig. 3): Body sides light purplish gray, golden on ventral area, with horizontal line of small dark brownish gray spots, sometimes coalesced to form horizontal stripes; spots on anterocentral portion of flanks black. Two black elliptical spots on the base of caudal fin, vertically arranged, with lighter margins. Two round black blotches, vertically arranged, on posterior portion of caudal peduncle. Iris light yellow, with dark gray stripe through center of eye. Opercular area light blue, with small gray spot. Dorsal and anal fins hyaline, with small dark brownish gray spots on membrane between the rays, and in continuity with the body. Pectoral and pelvic fins hyaline. Hyaline caudal fin with or without small dark spots on base. Some females present a black circular spot perfectly defined on middle of trunk. Distribution. Known only from the type-locality in rio S��o Francisco basin, Bahia, Brazil. Habitat (Fig. 4). The pool where specimens were collected from is located in a stream of the Santana basin that supplies the city of Muqu��m, on a left bank depression of the S��o Francisco river, near the mountains of the Espinha��o plateau, in an area of swamps and aluvial terraces. The pool was oval, with 20m in length and 10m in width, and was used as a water supply for cattle. The substrate was clay, which rendered the water turbid. The water temperature at surface was approximately 29 ��C and, in the deepest portion and banks, approximately 22 ��C. The annual average temperature of the region is 24 ��C, with maximum of 30.8 ��C and minimum of 20.1 ��C. The water pH was 7.2, slightly alkaline, as result of calcareous aluvial depositions. Average depth of water column was 40cm, with deepest portions about 60cm. The region has annual average rainfall of 800 to 900mm, and a rainy season from November to March. The marginal vegetation is typically of the Caatinga biome, about 2m in height, that supplied a shady area where the fishes were easily found. The aquatic vegetation was composed essentially of Echinodorus sp. and Nymphea sp. The left slide of the pool was artificially extended about 60m and reached a depth of more than 2m, but the vegetation was scarce and few specimens of S. lopesi were captured. Sympatric with S. lopesi were the rivulids S. flagellatus and Cynolebias gibbus. This was also noticed by Nielsen (2008) who observed sympatry among species of Hypsolebias and Cynolebias in other pools, with species of Cynolebias foraging on species of Hypsolebias. Behavior in captivity. Males active during the day, especially for feeding, reproduction and territorial defense. Those males that displayed very quick swimming movements were more aggressive, especially with females. When two males were maintained together one may die victim of the other. Fishes newly collected from the pool present a body color similar to the water, in yellowish white, that changes in captivity, presenting a color similar to S. igneus (reddish yellow), but with a greenish blue reflex, just like in S. adornatus. During courtship of females, the abdominal area becomes white in males and the rest of the body dark blue with light iridescent spots. Etymology. The name lopesi is in honor of Edson Lopes, because of his contribution to our knowledge on raising and breeding annual fishes in captivity., Published as part of Nielsen, Dalton Tavares Bressane, Shibatta, Oscar Akio, Suzart, Rog��rio Dos Reis & Mart��n, Amer Faour, 2010, A new species of Simpsonichthys (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae) from the rio S��o Francisco basin, northeastern Brazil, pp. 51-58 in Zootaxa 2452 on pages 52-56, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.293275, {"references":["Nielsen, D. T. B. (2008) Simpsonichthys e Nematolebias. Cabral Editora e Livraria Universitaria, Taubate. 235 pp."]}

We employ two different methods to generate controllable elliptical polarization of teraherz (THz) pulses. First, THz pulses are generated via optical rectification in nonlinear crystals using a pair of temporally separated and perpendicularly polarized optical pulses. The THz ellipticity is controlled by adjusting the relative time delay and polarization of the two optical pulses. We generate mixed polarization states of single-cycle THz pulses using ZnTe, and elliptically polarized multicycle THz pulses in periodically poled lithium niobate crystals. Second, we generate elliptically polarized THz pulses by making a THz “wave plate” using a combination of a wire-grid THz polarizer and a mirror to transform linearly polarized multicycle THz pulses into elliptical polarization.

The phase velocities of the optical waves guided in nematic-liquid-crystal waveguides can be electrically modulated by about 10 percent. Optical deflection in such waveguides are demonstrated in a configuration with an electric field applied across a film of thickness of the order of 1 μ. Effective index of refraction is changed by about 0.01/volt. Response time of the effect is in the millisecond range. Results of an analysis show good agreement with the measurements.

We present a new and more efficient method of calculating the losses of a waveguide laser resonator consisting of a hollow circular dielectric waveguide and flat mirrors, taking into account the effects of waveguide modes up to order HE 13 . Both symmetric and asymmetric cavities are considered. We show that low cavity losses, only slightly exceeding the HE 11 waveguiding losses, are predicted to be possible for much larger mirror distances than had previously been suspected, provided that an optimum total cavity length is chosen. The low losses arise when the HE 11 and HE 12 modes emerge from the guide with relative amplitudes and phases such that the returning diffraction patterns interfere to produce a narrow beam with low aperture losses. The theoretical predictions were checked experimentally for CO 2 lasers having various waveguide dimensions. Good qualitative agreement was found, but the optimum total cavity lengths were typically 3-5 percent longer than predicted. Possible explanations of this discrepancy are discussed. We also predicted and experimentally verified that variations of the cavity length over a few centimeters can exert a coarse wavelength selectivity sufficient to determine the band and branch on which a CO 2 laser oscillates; conversely, that for a grating tuned laser, the cavity length must be varied by a similar amount as the wavelength is tuned in order to maintain low cavity losses over the entire wavelength range.

Resonance enhancements in the Raman cross-section of longitudinal optical (LO) phonons in trigonal Se have been measured around its excitonic absorption edge at low temperatures. Our results are explained in terms of resonant scattering of LO phonons via the Frohlich interaction.