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GaAs/Al0.30Ga0.70As/AlGaInAs/ heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy with embedded InAs quantum dots (QDs) have been investigated before and after thermal annealing at 640 °C for 2 h. Two types of QD structures with the different compositions of capping layers: (Al0.30Ga0.70As (#1) and Al0.10Ga0.75In0.15As (#2)), are studied using the photoluminescence (PL), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution XRD (HR-XRD) techniques. The high PL intensity, smaller half width of PL bands and lower energy of the ground state (GS) emission are detected in the structure with the Al0.10Ga0.75In0.15As capping layer. The blue shift of PL spectra is detected after annealing and this shift is more significant in the structure with Al0.10Ga0.75In0.15As capping as well. The last effect has been explained by the efficient Ga/In inter-diffusion at the AlGaInAs/InAs QD interface in #2 owing to the smaller In-As binding energy in comparison with Al-As and Ga-As ones in the studied alloy. The composition variation of the QDs and quantum wells (QWs) due to Ga/In intermixing at annealing has been modeled on the base of the numerical simulation of HR-XRD scans with the help of X′ Pert Epitaxy software.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine restrictions placed by the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) on executive compensation during the financial crisis. Since it remains unclear if TARP restored public confidence in financial institutions, the authors also analyze what effect such regulations had on investors’ confidence in the information provided by earning with respect to executive compensation during this critical period. Design/methodology/approach To test the assertions, the authors employ an Earnings Response Coefficient model, which captures the association between firms’ earnings surprise (ES) and perceived earnings informativeness. The authors implement both a long- and short-window test to obtain a better understanding of the effects of TARP on financial institutions’ earnings informativeness. The authors use the long-window approach to gather evidence about whether and how financial institutions’ ES are absorbed into security prices conditional on both their participation in TARP and their compliance with TARP’s compensation restrictions. The authors attempt to establish a stronger causal link by also using a short-window approach. Findings The authors find that firms paying their CEOs above the TARP threshold show higher earnings informativeness. Financial institutions that paid their CEOs above the TARP threshold achieved better performance during their participation in TARP. The authors also find that a decrease in total compensation while participating in TARP is associated with improved earnings informativeness. Lastly, separating total compensation into its cash and stock-based components, the authors find that firms improve earnings informativeness when they increase (decrease) cash (performance) compensation during TARP. However, overall earnings informativeness decreases during and after TARP relative to the pre-TARP period. Practical implications The research suggests that executive compensation incentives affect earnings informativeness and that tradeoffs are made between direct and indirect costs in retaining executives. The results have implications for policy makers, investors and researchers because the results allow policy makers and regulators to improve on how they design and implement accounting, market and finance regulations and reforms. Investors may potentially use the results when evaluating firm experiencing financial and, in some case, political distress. It also helps firms and offering optimal compensation contracts to create proper incentives for executives and ensure that managerial actions result in successful firm performance. Social implications The study shows how firms react to changing regulations that affect executive compensation and earning informativeness. The results of the study allow regulators to potentially design more effective regulations by targeting certain aspects of firms’ operation such excessive risk-taking behavior and rent extraction opportunities. Originality/value There are very few studies that deal with how firms react to regulation that affect executive compensation. The authors provide evidence regarding what effect TARP and its compensation restrictions had on financial institutions’ earnings informativeness. The evidence in the study will further regulators’ understanding of whether TARP improved investors’ confidence in financial institutions. The paper also contributes to the understanding in how changes in executive compensation in times of high political scrutiny affect investors’ perceptions of firm performance.

Purpose This paper aims to examine the applicability of real options methodology with respect to developing internal transfer pricing mechanisms. A pervasive theme in existing models is their inability to handle the dynamic and volatile nature of today’s business environment, as well as their lack of objective managerial flexibility. The authors address these and other issues and develop a transfer pricing mechanism based on Black–Scholes and the binomial options pricing methodology, which is better suited in today’s dynamic business environment. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a conceptual approach in developing theoretical justifications and show, practically, how a transfer price can be developed using two different real options pricing models. Findings The authors find that real options transfer price mechanism (real options framework [ROF]) can effectively deal with many of the issues that permeate a modern organization with complex multi-dimensional operations. The authors argue that uncertainty and behavioral issues commonly associated with setting transfer prices are better handled using a transfer pricing mechanism that preserves flexibility at the business unit level, the managerial level and the firm level. The approach allows for different managerial styles in both centralized and decentralized sub-units within the same organization. The authors argue that an open multi-dimensional framework using real options is suitable under conditions of uncertainty and managerial opportunism. Practical implications ROF-based transfer pricing may be significant in that firms can use it as a tool to manage an organization by setting the prices centrally and at the same time allowing managers to select the transfer price that best suits their specific situation and operating conditions. This may result in a more efficient and more profitable organization. Originality/value The contribution of the paper is the melding of the ROF from the finance literature with the accounting problem of setting a transfer price for items lacking a competitive market price. The authors also contribute to existing research by explicitly developing a framework that values managerial flexibility, takes into account uncertainty and considers the behavioral aspects of the transfer pricing process. The authors establish the conditions under which a generic real options model is a feasible alternative in determining a transfer price.

This paper examines whether country implementation of a public health treaty is influenced by the implementation behaviors of other countries to which they have network ties. We examine implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) adopted by the World Health Organization in 2003 and ratified by approximately 94% of countries as of 2016. We constructed five networks: (1) geographic distance, (2) general trade, (3) tobacco trade, (4) GLOBALink referrals, and (5) GLOBALink co-subscriptions. Network exposure terms were constructed from these networks based on the implementation scores for six articles of the FCTC treaty. We estimate effects using a lagged Type 1 Tobit model. Results show that network effects were significant: (a) across all networks for article 6 (pricing and taxation), (b) distance, general trade, GL referrals, and GL co-subscriptions for article 8 (second hand smoke), (c) distance, general trade, and GL co-subscriptions for article 11 (packaging and labeling), and (d) distance and GL co-subscription for article 13 (promotion and advertising), (e) tobacco trade and GL co-subscriptions for article 14 (cessation). These results indicate that diffusion effects were more prevalent for pricing and taxation as well as restrictions on smoking in public places and packaging and labeling. These results suggest that network influences are possible in domains that are amenable to control by national governments but unlikely to occur in domains established by existing regulatory systems. Implications for future studies of policy implementation are discussed.

Bovine rotavirus A (RVA) and bovine coronavirus (CoV) are the two main viral enteropathogens associated with neonatal calf diarrhea. The aim of the present work was to study the impact of group and individual housing systems in the epidemiology of RVA and CoV infection. Eleven calves reared in individual housing (FA) and nine calves in group housing (FB) were monitored during the first 7 weeks of life. Stool and serum samples were screened for RVA and CoV antigens by ELISA. IgG1 antibodies (Ab) to both antigens were also measured. From the 160 fecal samples collected, the proportion of positive samples to RVA and CoV was significantly higher in FB (23.6%) than in FA (9%) (p = 0.03). The geometric mean of colostral IgG1 Ab titers to CoV and RVA in FA (IgG1 anti-CoV 1024 and anti-RVA 1782.9) was lower than in FB (IgG1 anti-CoV 10,321.2 and anti-RVA 4096) at birth. Calves less than 2 weeks of life from FB had a higher risk of being infected by RVA (OR = 4.9; p = 0.01) and CoV (OR = 17.15; p = 0.01) than calves from FA. The obtained results showed that there was higher RVA and CoV shedding in group-housed calves than in individual-housed animals. Fil: Bertoni, Emiliano. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Bok, Marina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina Fil: Vega, Celina Guadalupe. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina Fil: Martinez, G. M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina Fil: Cimino, Rubén Oscar. Universidad Nacional de Salta; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Parreño, Gladys Viviana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Buenos Aires; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Animal health and welfare is under constant threat from pathogenic organisms and there is need to move from the use of antibiotics as a first line of defence. The oral administration of IgY antibodies constitutes a powerful passive immune strategy and has been used in terrestrial and aquatic animals. The prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, particularly diarrhoea from different infectious agents in livestock and dogs, is one of the most studied uses of IgY for passive protection. The use of IgY for the treatment of calves, adult cattle, pigs and poultry is described. One of the major factors impacting on the productivity of aquaculture is the outbreak of disease and there is a need for development of treatments suitable for an aqueous environment. IgY used in the treatment of dogs is also expanding. Finally, the use of IgY in the detection of disease is outlined.

Background: Neonatal diarrhea remains one of the main causes of morbi-mortality in dairy calves under artificial rearing. It is often caused by infectious agents of viral, bacterial, or parasitic origin. Cows vaccination and colostrum intake by calves during the first 6 h of life are critical strategies to prevent severe diarrhea but these are still insufficient. Here we report the field evaluation of a product based on IgY antibodies against group A rotavirus (RVA), coronavirus (CoV), enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and Salmonella sp. This product, named IgY DNT, has been designed as a complementary passive immunization strategy to prevent neonatal calf diarrhea. The quality of the product depends on the titers of specific IgY antibodies to each antigen evaluated by ELISA. In the case of the viral antigens, ELISA antibody (Ab) titers are correlated with protection against infection in calves experimentally challenged with RVA and CoV (Bok M, et al., Passive immunity to control bovine coronavirus diarrhea in a dairy herd in Argentina, 2017), (Vega C, et al., Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 142:156-69, 2011), (Vega C, et al., Res Vet Sci, 103:1-10, 2015). To evaluate the efficiency in dairy farms, thirty newborn Holstein calves were randomly assigned to IgY DNT or control groups and treatment initiated after colostrum intake and gut closure. Calves in the IgY DNT group received 20 g of the oral passive treatment in 2 L of milk twice a day during the first 2 weeks of life. Animals were followed until 3 weeks of age and diarrhea due to natural exposure to infectious agents was recorded during all the experimental time. Results: Results demonstrate that the oral administration of IgY DNT during the first 2 weeks of life to newborn calves caused a delay in diarrhea onset and significantly reduced its severity and duration compared with untreated calves. Animals treated with IgY DNT showed a trend towards a delay in RVA infection with significantly shorter duration and virus shedding compared to control calves. Conclusions: This indicates that IgY DNT is an effective product to complement current preventive strategies against neonatal calf diarrhea in dairy farms. Furthermore, to our knowledge, this is the only biological product available for the prevention of virus-associated neonatal calf diarrhea. Fil: Vega, Celina Guadalupe. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina Fil: Bok, Marina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina Fil: Ebinger, Maren. No especifíca; Fil: Rocha, Lucia Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina Fil: Rivolta, Alejandra Antonella. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina Fil: González Thomas, Valeria. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimento. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria; Argentina Fil: Muntadas, Pilar. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimento. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria; Argentina Fil: D´Aloia, Ricardo. Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería, Pesca y Alimento. Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria; Argentina Fil: Pinto, Verónica. No especifíca; Fil: Parreño, Gladys Viviana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina Fil: Wigdorovitz, Andrés. Instituto Nacional de Tecnologia Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigacion En Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronomicas. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit | Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Oficina de Coordinacion Administrativa Pque. Centenario. Instituto de Virologia E Innovaciones Tecnologicas. Grupo Vinculado Incuinta Al Ivit.; Argentina

The variation of the photoluminescence (PL) and Raman scattering spectra of CdSeTe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) on conjugation to an antibody has been investigated. Two types of CdSeTe/ZnS QD with different emission wavelength (705 nm and 800 nm) were studied comparatively before and after conjugation to anti-pseudorabies virus antibody (AB). Nonconjugated QDs were characterized by Gaussian-type PL bands. PL shifts to higher energy and asymmetric shape of PL bands was detected in PL spectra of bioconjugated QDs. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering effect was exhibited by the bioconjugated CdSeTe/ZnS QDs, indicating that the excitation light used in the Raman study generated electric dipoles in the AB molecules. The optical bandgap of the CdSeTe core was calculated numerically as a function of its radius based on an effective mass approximation model. The energy band diagrams for non- and bioconjugated CdSeTe/ZnS QDs were obtained, revealing a type II quantum well in the CdSeTe core. The calculations show that AB dipoles, excited in the bioconjugated QDs, stimulate a change in the energy band diagram of the QDs that alters the PL spectrum. These results could be useful for improving the sensitivity of QD biosensors.

Background:The calcium-binding proteins S100A8/A9 (calprotectin) and S100A12 (extracellular newly identified receptor for advanced glycation end-products binding protein [EN-RAGE]) are involved in multiple signalling pathways to mediate inflammation, can be secreted by activated monocytes/macrophages and exhibit cytokine-like extracellular functions. Circulating levels of these proteins have been associated with disease and clinical responses in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA), including treatment response.1 Studies suggest that serum S100A8/A9 and S100A12, which are released at inflammation sites, are more specific biomarkers of local inflammation (e.g. in the synovium) than systemic biomarkers such as CRP and ESR.2,3Objectives:To investigate if baseline S100A8/A9 and S100A12 predict clinical response to abatacept treatment in polyarticular JIA (pJIA), and to assess whether changes from baseline in S100A8/A9 or S100A12 can be better prognostic markers for response to abatacept treatment than CRP in pJIA.Methods:Data are from a phase III trial of SC abatacept for the treatment of pJIA (NCT01844518).4 This 24-month, single-arm, open-label, international, multicentre, two-part study included male and female patients with pJIA aged 2–17 years. This analysis examined the correlation between biomarkers (S100A8/A9, S100A12 and high-sensitivity CRP [hsCRP]) and disease activity (measured using Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score [JADAS]) at baseline, baseline biomarker values as predictors of future treatment response (ACR and JADAS endpoints), and the correlation between change from baseline in biomarker values and treatment response at Day 113.Results:Of 219 total patients, 158 (72%) had S100A8/A9 values and 155 (71%) had S100A12 values at baseline. Median S100A8/A9 and S100A12 values were 3295 ng/mL (normal range, 716–3004 ng/mL) and 176 ng/mL (normal range, 32–385 ng/mL), respectively. S100A8/A9, S100A12 and hsCRP (median 0.20 mg/dL; normal ≤0.6 mg/dL) had a low-to-moderate but significant association with disease activity at baseline; coefficients for associations between JADAS71-CRP low disease activity (LDA) and the biomarkers S100A8/A9, S100A12 and hsCRP were 0.23 (p=0.0038), 0.16 (p=0.0448) and 0.26 (p=0.0001), respectively. Baseline S100A8/A9 level above the median was associated with lower odds of ACR100 at Day 113 (p=0.0052). Figure 1 shows the associations of baseline biomarker values with Day 113 ACR and JADAS scores in the overall population. Baseline S100A8/A9 or S100A12 did not significantly influence ACR50 or ACR70 responses at Day 113, but high baseline values were associated with reduced odds of ACR90 (p=0.01), ACR100 (p=0.005), ACR-inactive disease (ID) (p=0.0001), and JADAS71-CRP (LDA) (p=0.02). By Day 477, elevated baseline S100A12 was still significantly associated with lower odds of ACR100 overall (0.467; p=0.0248) but baseline S100A8/A9 was not; at Day 645, neither was significantly associated with ACR100 response. At Day 113, changes from baseline in S100A8/A9 and S100A12 were correlated with ACR100 (coefficients of 0.22 [p=0.0082] and 0.26 [p=0.0015], respectively) and with ACR-ID (0.22 [p=0.0067] and 0.26 [p=0.0014], respectively); change in hsCRP was not significantly correlated with disease response.Conclusion:S100A8/A9 and S100A12 may serve as prognostic biomarkers to predict response to abatacept treatment at Day 113. Changes from baseline S100A8/A9 and S100A12 levels were more highly correlated with efficacy outcomes including ACR100 and ACR-ID at Day 113 compared with hsCRP.References:[1]Aljaberi N, et al. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2020;18:7.[2]Hammer H, et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2011;13:R178.[3]Nordal HH, et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2014;15:335.[4]Brunner H, et al. Arthritis Rheumatol 2018;70:1144–1154.Acknowledgements:Professional medical writing and editorial assistance was provided by Rob Coover, MPH, at Caudex and was funded by Bristol Myers Squibb.Disclosure of Interests:Nicolino Ruperto Speakers bureau: NR has received honoraria for consultancies or speaker bureaus (< 10.000 USD each) from the following pharmaceutical companies in the past 3 years: Ablynx, Astrazeneca-Medimmune, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sinergie, Sobi and UCB, Consultant of: NR has received honoraria for consultancies or speaker bureaus (< 10.000 USD each) from the following pharmaceutical companies in the past 3 years: Ablynx, Astrazeneca-Medimmune, Bayer, Biogen, Boehringer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffmann-La Roche, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, R-Pharma, Sinergie, Sobi and UCB, Grant/research support from: The IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini (IGG), where NR works as full-time public employee has received contributions (>10.000 USD each) from the following industries in the last 3 years: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, F Hoffmann-La Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sobi. This funding has been reinvested for the research activities of the hospital in a fully independent manner, without any commitment with third parties., Grant Schulert Speakers bureau: Novartis, Consultant of: SOBI, Alyssa Sproles: None declared, Sherry Thornton: None declared, Gabriel Vega Cornejo Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Parexel, Sanofi, Jordi Anton Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sobi, Consultant of: AbbVie, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sobi, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Gebro, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Novartis, Novimmune, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Sobi, Ruben Cuttica Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Paid instructor for: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB, Michael Henrickson: None declared, Ivan Foeldvari Consultant of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Gilead, Hexal, MEDAC, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Daniel Kingsbury Consultant of: Pfizer, Margarita Askelson Consultant of: Currently working for Syneos Health providing services to Bristol Myers Squibb, Jinqi Liu Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Sumanta Mukherjee Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Robert Wong Shareholder of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Employee of: Bristol Myers Squibb, Daniel J Lovell Speakers bureau: Genentech, Wyeth Pharm, Consultant of: Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Hoffman-La Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Takeda, UBC, Wyeth Pharma, Xoma, Alberto Martini Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Novartis, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, EMD Serono, Idorsia, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Alexei Grom Consultant of: AB2Bio, Novartis, Sobi (NovImmune), Grant/research support from: AB2Bio, Novartis, Sobi (NovImmune), Hermine Brunner Speakers bureau: GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Paid instructor for: Novartis, Pfizer (funds go to CCHMC/employer), Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB (funds go to CCHMC/employer), Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer (funds go to CCHMC/employer).

GaAs/In0.15Ga0.85As/GaAs QWs with embedded InAs QDs grown at different temperatures have been studied by means of the photoluminescence (PL), X ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution XRD (HR-XRD) methods. PL study has detected varying of QD parameters and HR-XRD permits monitoring the QW parameters. It is shown that increasing the QD growth temperature up to 510 °C leads to raising the QD sizes, to shift of QD emission peak to low energy and increasing the PL intensity of QDs. Simultaneously Ga/In atom intermixing is realized mainly between the InGaAs buffer and InAs wetting layers and did not influent on the InAs QD composition. At higher QD growth temperatures (525–535 °C) the PL intensity of QDs decreases significantly together with decreasing the QD heights and the shift of PL peaks into higher energy. Fitting the HR-XRD results has revealed that Ga/In atom intermixing involves the composition changes in buffer and wetting layers, as well as in QDs. The mentioned optical and structural effects have been discussed in details.

The variation of photoluminescence (PL) spectra in CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) at the conjugation to antibodies (ABs) has been investigated and discussed in this paper. Two types of CdSe/ZnS QDs with different CdSe core sizes (5.4 and 6.4nm) and emissions (605 and 655nm) were studied before and after the conjugation to anti-Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and anti-Pseudo rabies virus (PRV) ABs. The PL high energy shift and asymmetric shape of PL bands have been detected in bioconjugated QDs. Note that the bioconjugation impact on spectral characteristics of CdSe/ZnS QD emission has been not studied yet in details. The surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect is revealed in bioconjugated CdSe/ZnS QDs. The SERS effect testifies that the excitation light used at the Raman study generates the electric dipoles in AB molecules. At the same time, the permanent position of LO-phonon Raman lines in Raman spectra of nonconjugated and bioconjugated QDs confirms that QD materials do not change at the bioconjugation. It is shown as well that the compressive strains do not play any role in the PL high energy shift in bioconjugated QDs. PL spectra of pure anti IL-10 ABs, anti PRV ABs, a phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and PL spectrum dependences versus excitation light intensities have been investigated as well. Finally, the PL spectrum transformation in bioconjugated QDs is attributed to varying the quantum confinement effect in CdSe/ZnS QDs and the energy band profiles in QD cores. Both these effects are stimulated by the electromagnetic field of excited AB dipoles. The obtained results can be useful for sensitivity improving the QD bio-sensors.

This study uses recent data to investigate if smoking initiation diffuses through friendship networks over the high school period and explores if diffusion processes differ across schools. One thousand four hundred and twenty-five racially and ethnically diverse youth from four high schools in Los Angeles were surveyed four times over the high school period from 2010 to 2013. Probit regression models and stochastic actor-based models for network dynamics tested for peer effects on smoking initiation. Friend smoking was found to predict adolescent smoking, and smoking initiation diffused through friendship networks in some but not all of the schools. School differences in smoking rates and the popularity of smokers may be linked to differences in the diffusion of smoking through peer networks. We conclude that there are differences in peer effects on smoking initiation across schools that will be important to account for in network-based smoking interventions.

This work presents a simple, low-cost opto-mechatronic educational device that determines the refractive index for liquids, which is performed automatically on the computer with an Arduino UNO card through a LabVIEW graphical interface. The operation of the apparatus is based on passing a laser beam through a container with the given substance; then, the refracted beam will be detected with a photoresistor which is moved along the axis by a stepper motor. The distance traveled by the motor until the beam of light impinges on the photoresistor together with known constants (distances between the fixed elements, thickness of the container and refractive index of this material) will be used to calculate the refracted angle through the unknown medium, as well as its refractive index, by linking all the variables in a formula derived from Snell's Law.

The GaAs/In0.15Ga0.85As/InxGa1-xAs /GaAs quantum wells (QWs) with the InAs quantum dots (QDs) have been studied by means of photoluminescence and high resolution X ray diffraction (HR-XRD) methods. The QW structures are characterized by the different compositions of capping InxGa1-xAs layers with the parameter x from the range 0.10-0.25. The InxGa1-xAs composition varying is accompanied by the change non-monotonously of the PL intensity and peak positions of InAs QD emission. HR-XRD results have been used for the control the QW compositions. Numerical simulations of HR-XRD results have shown that the composition of quantum layers vary none monotonously in studied QD structures as well. The physical reasons of the mentioned optical and structural effects and their dependence on capping layer compositions have been discussed.

Treatment of patients with B-NHL with rituximab and CHOP has resulted in significant clinical responses. However, a subset of patients develops resistance to further treatments. The mechanism of unresponsiveness in vivo is not known. We have reported the development of rituximabresistant clones derived from B-NHL cell lines as models to investigate the mechanism of resistance. The resistant clones exhibit hyper-activated survival/anti-apoptotic pathways and no longer respond to a combination of rituximab and drugs. Recent studies reported the therapeutic efficacy in mice bearing B-cell lymphoma xenografts following treatment with the anti-CD20-hIFNα fusion protein. We hypothesized that the fusion protein may bypass rituximab resistance and inhibit survival signaling pathways. Treatment of the rituximab- resistant clones with anti-CD20-hIFNα, but not with rituximab, IFNα, or rituximab+IFNα resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of cell death. Treatment with anti-CD20-hIFNα sensitized the cells to apoptosis by CDDP, doxorubicin and Treanda. Treatment with anti-CD20-hIFNα inhibited the NF-κB and p38 MAPK activities and induced the activation of PKC-σ and Stat-1. These effects were corroborated by the use of the inhibitors SB203580 (p38 MAPK) and Rottlerin (PKC-σ). Treatment with SB203580 enhanced the sensitization of the resistant clone by anti-CD20-hIFNα to CDDP apoptosis. In contrast, treatment with Rotterin inhibited significantly the sensitization induced by anti-CD20-hIFNα. Overall, the findings demonstrate that treatment with anti-CD20-hIFNα reverses resistance of B-NHL. These findings suggest the potential application of anti-CD20-hIFNα in combination with drugs in patients unresponsive to rituximab.containing regimens.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine if the enactment of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) resulted in lower risk premium and return volatility in the US stock markets. The paper examines the two components of excess return (total risk premium) separately: the amount of volatility (risk) and the unit price of risk (risk premium). Design/methodology/approach – The authors use a Component Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity approach to estimate the permanent and transitory component of share price volatility. The authors then use the predicted volatility to measure the unit price of risk and its changes due to the enactment of the SOX Act. Findings – The results regarding excess returns indicate that the implementation of SOX had a positive effect on the market. A positive effect means a steady decrease in required excess rates of returns due to the implementation of SOX. The years leading up to the implementation of SOX are characterized by significant sources of uncertainty. Around the implementation of SOX, the authors observe a long-term reduction in return volatility (risk), and a temporary reduction in the unit price of risk. Subsequent to the implementation, investors gained confidence in the effectiveness of internal controls over the financial reporting process, which helped in reducing the information risk and, therefore, the risk premium. Research limitations/implications – The authors find that total risk premium decreased over extended periods. The authors conclude that the enactment of SOX helped in reducing the uncertainty in the US capital market resulting in a reduction of total risk premiums and hence the cost of capital. Practical implications – The results have implications for policy makers, investors and researchers in general and those in the US markets in particular. The results are important because it allows policy makers and regulators to improve on how they design and implement accounting, market and finance regulations and reforms. Social implications – The study shows how financial markets react to regulations and the authors also provide information on investors’ reaction as firms adjust to changing regulations. The results of the study allows regulators to potentially use a more refined or targeted approach when introducing new regulations. It also allows investors to make informed investment decisions as they relate to risk premium requirements, which in turn may allow investors to allocate capital more efficiently. Originality/value – There are many studies concerning the enactment of SOX but few, if any, existing studies examine the original intent of SOX: to calm the US equity markets and restore market confidence from a return volatility perspective. The results have implications for policy makers, investors and researchers in general and those in the US markets in particular. The results are important because it allows policy makers and regulators to improve on how they design and implement accounting, market and finance regulations and reforms.

Minimizing energy consumption of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings has experienced an increasing attention recently. Mainly motivated by the exploitation of building automation systems (BAS), as well as simulation tools, innovative practices and methodologies have been introduced to reduce the costs of energy required for heating and air conditioning of buildings. Outstanding has been the establishment of model predictive control (MPC) as a control strategy for the optimal operation of HVAC systems. The basis for MPC is a dynamic model, which is objectively challenging and time-consuming to obtain. This paper presents two modeling approaches of the return water temperature of a central chiller plant based on data of the real operation of a building, weather disturbances, and the temperature of a reference thermal zone. It integrates building's real measurements with a room simulator model. In this work, an original method for accurately describing the cooling dynamics of a case study hotel on a tropical island is proposed.

Esta investigación busca describir cómo la prensa escrita de Guadalajara, México, representa la violencia y su vinculación con la salud pública. Para ello, se realizó un análisis de contenido mixto de las noticias de violencia publicadas en las secciones locales de los cuatro periódicos de mayor circulación de Guadalajara durante el periodo del 1 al 15 de septiembre de 2013. Se revisaron 1.465 notas locales, en las que se identificaron 399 noticias de violencia, de las cuales solo 103 mencionaban aspectos sanitarios en sus contenidos, en su mayoría referentes a los servicios médicos. En sus contenidos, la prensa no identificó la violencia como un problema de salud prioritario, sino como un asunto de inseguridad que afecta a la comunidad.

Introduccion. El electroencefalograma (EEG) permite obtener informacion directa de la actividad bioelectrica del cerebro y es una herramienta fundamental para la evaluacion de la condicion neurologica del paciente. En los ultimos anos ha comenzado a emplearse tambien para obtener indirectamente informacion sobre la hemodinamica cerebral y las variables que intervienen en la autorregulacion del flujo sanguineo cerebral. Objetivo. Estudiar la posible relacion entre la actividad electroencefalografica y la presion intracraneal (PIC) en pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefalico y hemorragia subaracnoidea ingresados en cuidados intensivos. Pacientes y metodos. Se incluyo a 21 pacientes (10 mujeres) mayores de 18 anos con traumatismo craneoencefalico o hemorragia subaracnoidea que requerian monitorizacion de la PIC y a los que se les registro el EEG de forma continua. Se determino la causalidad de Granger entre la PIC con respecto a las variables espectrales del EEG para ventanas temporales de 10 minutos durante la estancia en cuidados intensivos. Resultados. La causalidad de Granger mostro una alta correlacion entre la PIC con las bandas del EEG. En la mayoria de los pacientes existe una causalidad de Granger significativa en la direccion del EEG hacia la PIC en gran parte del tiempo de monitorizacion, de forma que las variables del EEG precedian a la PIC. Conclusiones. El presente trabajo expone la relacion temporal subyacente entre la dinamica de la PIC y la actividad bioelectrica cerebral registrada mediante EEG en pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefalico y hemorragia subaracnoidea. El potencial uso de esta relacion podria permitir estimar la PIC de manera no invasiva.

Resumen Se presenta el caso clinico de una mujer de 25 anos de edad con embarazo de pretermino y un adenoma seroso gigante de ovario resuelto quirurgicamente, en el Hospital Regional No. 1 del IMSS de Queretaro. Femenina de 25 anos de edad, primigesta, control prenatal irregular, acudio al Servicio de Toco Quirurgica a las 35,4 semanas de embarazo, enviada por su medico familiar por alteraciones de la frecuencia cardiaca fetal. A la E.F. se encontro utero mayor que amenorrea con tumoracion abdominal palpable, movil, con signo de la ola positivo; al ultrasonido se observo una tumoracion quistica hipoecoica sin precisar tamano, producto unico vivo con retraso en el crecimiento intrauterino y oligohidramnios severo. Se efectua cesarea obteniendo producto femenino de 2.050 g. Apgar 9-9, se extrajo tumoracion quistica de 30 × 30 × 30 y 12 kg de peso. El reporte histopatologico reporto cistoadenoma seroso gigante de ovario. La evolucion postoperatoria de la madre y el recien nacido fue satisfactoria. Los tumores epiteliales son los tumores de ovario mas frecuentes encontrados en el embarazo. Su potencial para complicar el desarrollo del embarazo depende fundamentalmente de su tamano; en este caso, el volumen del tumor ocasiono retraso en el crecimiento intrauterino y sufrimiento fetal agudo, cuyo desenlace habria sido fatal para el producto si no hubiera sido diagnosticado y tratado quirurgicamente de manera oportuna.

The reconstruction of acquired maxillary bony defects after pathologic ablation, infectious debridement, avulsive trauma, or previously failed reconstructions with zygoma implants represents a treatment alternative that is safe, predictable, and cost-effective. Still the single most important factor for treatment success of these complex reconstructions is the implementation of a team approach between the surgeon and the restorative dentist. The focus of this article is to review the surgical and prosthetic nuances to successfully reconstruct acquired maxillary defects with zygoma implants.

The structure of the symmetric GaAs/In0.15 Ga0.85GaAs/GaAs quantum wells (QWs) with embedded InAs quantum dots (QDs) has been studied using High resolution X-ray diffraction HR-XRD method. The QDs were grown at different temperatures from the range 470 - 535°C. The increase of growth temperature stimulates decreasing the QD surface density and the enlargement of QD lateral sizes. Simultaneously, the variation of PL intensity and PL peak position non monotonously have been detected. To understand the reason of PL variations the HR-XRD method with a resolution of 0.0001 degree has been applied. The high intensity peaks that correspond to the diffraction from the (400) crystal planes in GaAs QWs, InAs QDs and InxGa1-xAs QWs have been detected by HR-XRD. The simulation fitting of experimental HR XRD curves has been done on the base of the dynamic diffraction theory. This simulation fitting testifies the different level of intermixing of Ga/In atoms in QDs and QW layers in studied QD structures. The simulation fitting parameters for QD structures with the QDs grown at 490°C and 510°C are very close to the original technological parameters. The simulation fitting parameters in QD structures with QDs grown at the temperatures 470°C, 525°C and 535°C are very different from technological one. Actually in these QD structures the process of Ga/In intermixing is essential due to the higher level of elastic strains that stimulates the variation of PL parameters as well.

Species A Rotaviruses (RVA) remain a leading cause of mortality in children under 5 years of age. Current treatment options are limited. We assessed the efficacy of two VP6-specific llama-derived heavy chain antibody fragments (VHH) -2KD1 and 3B2- as an oral prophylactic and therapeutic treatment against RVA-induced diarrhea in a neonatal mouse model inoculated with virulent murine RVA (ECw, G16P[16]I7). Joint therapeutic administration of 2KD1+3B2 (200 μg/dose) successfully reduced diarrhea duration, RVA infection severity and virus shedding in feces. While the same dose of 2KD1 or 3B2 (200 μg) significantly reduced duration of RVA-induced diarrhea, 2KD1 was more effective in diminishing the severity of intestinal infection and RVA shedding in feces, perhaps because 2KD1 presented higher binding affinity for RVA particles than 3B2. Neither prophylactic nor therapeutic administration of the VHH interfered with the host’s humoral immune response against RVA. When 2KD1 (200 μg) was administered after diarrhea development, it also significantly reduced RVA intestinal infection and fecal shedding. Host antibody responses against the oral VHH treatment were not detected, nor did viral escape mutants. Our findings show that oral administration of anti-VP6 VHH constitute, not only an effective prophylactic treatment against RVA-associated diarrhea, but also a safe therapeutic tool against RVA infection, even once diarrhea is present. Anti-VP6 VHH could be used complementary to ongoing vaccination, especially in populations that have shown lower immunization efficacy. These VHH could also be scaled-up to develop pediatric medication or functional food like infant milk formulas that might help treat RVA diarrhea. Fil: Maffey, Lucía. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Vega, Celina Guadalupe. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Miño, Orlando Samuel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; Argentina Fil: Garaicoechea, Lorena Laura. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Parreño, Gladys Viviana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Virología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

This paper presents the application of an offset-free model predictive controller (OF-MPC) for an energy efficient operation of the central chiller plant in a case study hotel on a tropical island. The OF-MPC performance is simulated under the mismatch between the real system's dynamics and the controller's internal model, the incidence of stochastic unmeasured disturbances, and different weather conditions and building occupancies over weekly periods throughout seven months. This controller is compared with two frequently used open-loop control methods (i.e., Baseline and Conventional). The simulations suggested that the proposed OF-MPC is able to track the set-point temperature of the worst-case reference room with lower thermal comfort violations than the Conventional. Furthermore, there is a significant energy savings potential for the OF-MPC compared to both strategies, which is deteriorated under extreme weather conditions. The promising OF-MPC ensures that the cooling capacity delivered by the central chiller plant can match the actual building cooling load, making the chilling system operate energy efficiently.

Eagle (Arch Otolaryngol. 1937;25:584 and Arch Otolaryngol. 1949;49:490) first identified elongation of the styloid process and ossification of the stylohyoid ligament as a cause of orofacial pain. The elongated styloid process presses on the internal carotid artery and adjacent structures, including branches of the glossopharyngeal nerve and this produce orofacial pain. Some authors define an elongated styloid process as longer than 4 cm because this length is associated with an increase in the incidence of Eagle’s syndrome. The syndrome is diagnosed by exclusion (Walkman SD. Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes. Philadelphia: Elsevier Science; 2003), and the diagnosis is confirmed by radiological studies and computed tomography. Treatment can be divided into medical, interventional, and surgical techniques. We report a patient with symptoms of glossopharyngeal neuralgia, who was diagnosed with Eagle’s syndrome on the basis of diagnostic imaging. The length of the stylohyoid process was 63 mm on the left side and 64 mm on the right. Treatment was performed by applying pulsed radiofrequency to the glossopharyngeal nerve with satisfactory results. The technique was performed twice on an outpatient basis, produced no complications or side effects, and proved effective in the short and medium term in decreasing the intensity of pain.

Purpose Tracheotomy is one of the oldest surgical procedures known. There are multiple indications for tracheostomies. Operative complications have ranged between 5-40%. This manuscript describes our experience with 171 open tracheostomies at a major academic medical center. Methods A retrospective review of all patients’ records who underwent an open tracheostomy by the Division of OMS between July 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010 was performed. Specific information including indication for procedure, age of patient, type and size of tracheostomy tube, and any post-operative complications were compiled. Based on the data gathered, statistical analysis was performed to establish incidence of complications and its correlation to the specific indication for the tracheostomy. Trends and outcome assessments were then determined. Results Median age for tracheostomy in the group was 36 (17-89). Majority of tracheostomies were performed in conjunction with head and neck oncologic procedures (51%). Complication rate was 4.1% (7 patients out of 171). Conclusion Open tracheostomy is an extremely useful surgical procedure. If performed appropriately, it is associated with a low complication rate.

The objective of the present work is to predict the formation of chevron crack in copper wire drawing process. The first part of this paper is to determine the chevron crack formation initiated by a central burst inside the wire material using experimental tests. These results are compared with results from a series of numerical simulations using the Cockcroft–Latham fracture criterion. The second part of this work concerns the determination of a curve that divides the chevron and safe zones for a better wire drawing process. The conditions of central burst defects formation along the wire axis depend on drawing parameters and friction coefficient between the die and the wire. The friction coefficient is defined as a linear function of temperature rise which is measured close to the wire-die interface. The obtained results show that the friction coefficient depending on temperature rise during wire drawing has an impact on the damage of copper wire.

The oil and gas industry is subject to different types of risks, many of which have the potential to generate extreme results. Classifying extreme events as global, industry specific and firm specific, we use a Bayesian probability model and the Exponential Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) model to evaluate the impact of disclosure of extreme events on returns and return volatilities. The results suggest political events have more of a pronounced effect compared to those classified as economic events. The overall effects are more pronounced at the global and firm-level classifications. At the firm level, extreme economic events have a more significant impact than political extreme events.

Introduction Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most commonly operated of entrapment peripheral neuropathies, and its surgical outcome largely depends on the underlying mechanism involved. Early identification of CTS is essential because it is associated with a better prognosis. Aim To identify CTS at an earlier stage and hence improve the potential future outcome, the authors propose incorporating a new method of using the second lumbricalis (2L-MC) to register the nerve conduction. Methods We prospectively evaluated 121 of 216 patients with confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome and 49 cases from 25 healthy subjects. According to the accepted criteria of Stevens, we divided our study into two groups of mild CTS and moderate CTS, respectively. Following our proposed method, we stimulated the palm, distal forearm, and elbow and measuring the difference in latency between the second lumbricalis and the second interosseous, in addition to the conventional neurophysiologic assessments. Results Seventeen of 109 (15.6%) hands showed a significant difference in latency using 2L-MC within the mild CTS group, while only 4 of 107 (3.7%) within the moderate CTS group remained undiagnosed using this method. In the mild CTS group, motor involvement was only shown to be slightly more sensitive when compared with 2LI-DML. Discussion Adding the proposed test to the conventional studies of CTS in our cases presented showed a 14% increased sensitivity in detecting motor dysfunction when compared with conventional studies alone. Therefore, this new 2L-MC study represents a useful technique for assessing early motor involvement in CTS and would only add a few extra minutes to the standard diagnostic procedures. To conclude, we propose that incorporating this study as part of the standard assessment of CTS is given further consideration.

TMJ surgeries are not always successful. Many potential pitfalls can occur during any phase of the treatment and can lead to complications, less than desirable results, and short- or long-term failures. Unsatisfactory results can occur for multiple reasons, including misdiagnosis of the original pathologic condition, incorrect selection of surgical technique, technical failures, complications, systemic disease, and unrealistic expectations. This article focuses on the reoperation of the TMJ primarily in cases of internal derangement and discusses TMJ arthrocentesis, arthroscopy, modified condylotomy, and open joint procedures.

International audience; In the present paper, the copper-wire drawing process is analysed in order to optimise the die design and to obtain the best quality of wire. Different design parameters of the drawing process have been studied using FE-analysis and experiment. This study investigates the effect of the process variables such as semi-die angle and reduction in area, and the coefficient of friction on the drawing force value. For the wire, elastoviscoplastic behaviour is considered, while the die material is assumed to be elastic. Two types of dies have been used in this work: crystal mono diamond core (MD) and crystal poly diamond (PCD). Experiments were carried out on drawing machine involving industrial conditions to measure the drawing force. The obtained results have been compared with analytical methods available in literature, particularly, with Siebel, Wistreich and Avitzur's solutions. Our results clearly indicate that friction has significant effects on the drawing force which decrease with the decrease of area reduction. The optimum die angle for wire drawing is assumed to be obtained when the plastic strain distribution across the diameter of the wire becomes uniform.

In the present investigation, an industrial multipass drawing machine is used in order to measure the drawing force and the temperature values corresponding to different speeds varying between 1 and 7 m/s. The drawing force is measured using wire rolling gauge, placed behind the die. Dies are instrumented with thermocouples to estimate the heat generated by the process. The experimental results show that the drawing force and the temperature depend on interface conditions as well as the wire materials. The Avitzur’s model has been modified by introducing a function between the friction coefficient and temperature experimentally determined.

Metastatic tumors to the head and neck from distant carcinomas are rare lesions that epitomize the "zebras." They represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for clinicians and health providers. These lesions usually rank low in the differential diagnosis list, but a history of cancer should prompt clinicians about the possibility of a metastatic lesion from a distant carcinoma. The presence of these lesions usually represents a poor prognosis. The surgeon's role in treating these lesions is to improve or maintain the patient's quality of life, taking into consideration the overall prognosis.

This paper comprises the methodology followed to design and implement a wavelet packet based algorithm for QRS region detection and R/S wave identification. Validation is performed using electrocardiographic (ECG) records 100 to 109 of the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database. The proposed algorithm reconstructs the ECG signal using two nodes from the wavelet packet decomposition. Sensitivity (Se) and positive predictivity (+P) are calculated and compared to other algorithms which use approaches based on derivative signals and digital filters (Hamilton & Tompkins) as well as wavelet-based QRS detection (Li et al.), obtaining the values Se = 99.87 % and +P = 99.85 %. Only 31 false negatives were found, from a total of 21,680 heartbeats, which shows the algorithms' contribution to region location improvement. Also, once the region is determined, a simple max/min threshold is used for R/S wave identification.

According to recent epidemiologic studies, patients with sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke. However, the mechanisms are not well defined. Nocturnal apneas can trigger acute cerebral ischemia in predisposed patients and impaired vasodilatation is present in SAHS, but few studies have explored vascular cerebral dysfunction and often gave inconclusive results. The aims of our study were to assess whether patients with SAHS have impairment of cerebral hemodynamics with respect to controls, and to investigate a possible relationship with clinical data. We studied two groups, one of 76 SAHS patients and another one of 76 non-SAHS subjects matched for age, sex and main cardiovascular risk factors. All participants underwent a daytime transcranial Doppler study of right middle cerebral artery to record cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity by means of breath-holding test (BHT). SAHS patients have a reduction in mean cerebral blood flow velocity (MFV) (52 ± 9 vs 60 ± 12 cms/s, p

The Phase-domain (or Universal) line and cable model (ULM) is one of the most advanced in its class. This model is synthesized from frequency-domain transmission line relations in three stages involving rational fitting, state-space analysis and numeric integration. Each one of these stages implies an approximation and this paper presents an evaluation their impact on the accuracy of the final model. First, a version of ULM is produced in the MatLab platform. Then, the numeric-error increase at each stage is evaluated in the implemented version through the Numerical Laplace Transform technique (NLT). Next, the accuracy of the implemented model is tested under three different numeric integration rules: Trapezoidal, Backward Euler and Gear Second Order. Finally, the implemented model is compared with the one available in an industrial-grade EMTP.

Summary Introduction: The relationship between osteoporosis and arterial hypertension has not been clearly esta- blished, with alterations in calcium metabolism having been reported in the latter which may explain their association. Our objective was to establish the relationship between the A986S polymorphism of the cal- cium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and the presence of osteoporotic clinical fractures in a group of patients with hypertension. Material: Prospective observational cohort study in 71 patients with hypertension, from 2001 to June 2014. We obtained socio-demographic and clinical data, including osteoporotic clinical fractures. The CaSR polymorphism was analysed using molecular techniques. The data was analysed using SPSS 15.0 (p

Diabetics' nutritional practices reflect the culture and human behavior of social groups; they also show how the diabetic faces health-sickness. This study's aim was to compare the nutritional practices in two geographic medical zones and to relate the value of metabolic control to age, sex, educational level, and length of the disease. The sample consisted of 404 cases chosen by systematic random sampling of 10 units of family medicine in the state of Jalisco, Mexico (five of them in metropolitan Guadalajara and five outside). Using 13 structured questions, validated, codified, and quantified according to Likert scale, nutritional practices were estimated with a range from 0–70 points. The results show that 20.54% of the diabetics have adequate nutritional practices (> 31 points). Of this figure, 80.72% are in the metropolitan zone and 19.27%, outside the metropolitan zone, showing a statistically significant difference ( p = 0.04). When relating the value of the practices with the educational level, there is a significant statistical difference shown between both medical zones ( p = 0.001). The simple regression between the value of the practices and metabolic control demonstrated that 8.2% and 1.5% of type-2 diabetics in the metropolitan zone and outside respectively account for metabolic control through high level nutritional practices.

Quantitative structure--activity relationships (QSAR and 3D-QSAR) have been applied in the last decade to obtain a reliable statistical model for the prediction of the anticonvulsant activities of new chemical entities. However, despite the large amount of information on QSAR, no recent review has published and discussed this data in detail. Areas covered: In this review, the authors provide a detailed discussion of QSAR studies that have been applied to compounds with anticonvulsant activity published between the years 2003 and 2013. They also evaluate the mathematical approaches and the main software used to develop the QSAR and 3D-QSAR model. Expert opinion: QSAR methodologies continue to attract the attention of researchers and provide valuable information for the development of new potentially active compounds including those with anticonvulsant activity. This has been helped in part by improvements in the size and performance of computers; the development of specific software and the development of novel molecular descriptors, which have given rise to new and more predictive QSAR models. The extensive development of descriptors, and the way by which descriptor values are derived, have allowed the evolution of the QSAR methods. This evolution could strengthen the QSAR methods as an important tool in research and development of new and more potent anticonvulsant agents. Fil: Garro Martinez, Juan Ceferino. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Quimica. Area de Quimica Fisica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: Vega Hissi, Esteban Gabriel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina Fil: Andrada, Matias Fernando. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Quimica, Bioquimica y Farmacia. Departamento de Quimica. Area de Quimica Fisica; Argentina Fil: Estrada, Mario R.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina

This paper comprises the analysis of rats electrocardiogram (EKG) recorded within a toxicology study. Acquired signals are processed to assess changes in heart response to air pollution in Mexico City, by means of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) using the SDNN index. EKG records were acquired along 8 days from 12 rats, divided into control group, supplied with filtered air (FA), and exposed group, who was provided a concentration of fine particles (FP) in the polluted air of Mexico City. After 8 recordings, FP group showed a significant decrease (p=0.028) in SDNN index values, while FA group showed no significant change (p=0.752) in SDNN index values.