Search

This document presents the 2012 Tech United Eindhoven adult size humanoid robot team from The Netherlands. The team contributes the adult-size humanoid robot TUlip. Here we present the mechanical design and kinematic structure of the robot. We introduce the walking gait and contribute a controller structure including gravity compensation. Finally, we describe the vision system, self localization and world model, which are used for the attacker and defender strategy in the humanoid robot soccer game.

Szabo et al. [1] demonstrated that administration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) during early reperfusion improves cardiopulmonary recovery after cardioplegic arrest and extracorporeal circulation in dogs. Application of BH4 restored myocardial, endothelial, and pulmonary function and increases plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphatase (cGMP) levels. Szabo et al. concluded that the beneficial effect of BH4 on reperfusion injury after cardiopulmonary bypass can be explained by recoupling of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), as supported by increased cGMP levels measured by radioimmunoassay. However, there are many factors that can cause induction of cGMP other than NO, such as carbon monoxide and natriuretic peptides [2], which are also released in ischemia/reperfusion damage [3]. In addition, plasma arterial cGMP is correlated with atrial natriuretic peptide levels, and its production is secondary to an enhancement of the local tissue cGMP of the vascular bed [4]. It is required to measure natriuretic peptide to exclude this as another factor of cGMP production. Moreover, there are several more direct ways to evaluate eNOS coupling, such as eNOS monomer/dimer analysis, eNOS activity, eNOS- dependent superoxide generation, and quantification of BH4 and BH2 levels [5]. In addition, it is not clear whether the dose of BH4 that is used in the study of Szabo et al. increases myocardial and endothelial levels of BH4. Subsequently, it is unclear whether the improved left-ventricular function is due to improved myocyte function or is secondary to improved endothelial function. Furthermore, administration of BH4 results in increased BH2 levels, which have been described to have an inhibitory role on eNOS function. Therefore, measurement of myocardial and endothelial levels of both BH4 and BH2 is recommended from both a safety and a mechanistic point. Szabo et al. have paved the way to further reduce reperfusion injury after cardioplegic arrest and extracorporeal circulation. However, more focused molecular analysis is needed to further unravel the mechanism of action and optimize of the use of this eNOS-modulator (BH4), which is already approved as phenylketonuria (PKU) drug, in this clinical relevant model of reperfusion injury.

The effects of fluvastatin and bezafibrate on lipids, lipoproteins, and apoproteins (apo) were investigated in a multicenter randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. After 8 weeks of strictly controlled (computer-based assessment) dietary stabilization, patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C] > or = 160 mg/dL; triglycerides < or = 300 mg/dL) were enrolled into a 6-week placebo phase. Altogether, 131 patients were randomized to receive either fluvastatin at 40 mg once daily (n = 64; mean age 53 years) or bezafibrate at 400 mg once daily (n = 67; mean age 52 years) for 12 weeks. Compliance with the diet was monitored (3-day food records) after 6 and 12 weeks. Fluvastatin led to significant reductions in LDL-C (-23%), total cholesterol (-17%), LDL-C/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (-24%) and apo B (-19%). Fluvastatin significantly increased LpA-I (+8%) and apo E (+20%). Bezafibrate produced significant reductions in LDL-C (-17%), total cholesterol (-13%), LDL-C/HDL-C (-24%), triglycerides (-28%), apo B (-15%), and LpA-I (-10%) and significantly increased HDL-C (+12%), apo A-I (+9%), apo A-II (+30%), apo E (+14%), and Lp(a) (+3%). No clinically notable increases in levels of liver enzymes or creatine phosphokinase were observed with either treatment. Both treatments were well tolerated. There was a low incidence of adverse events that tended to be mild and included headache, muscular pain, angina, and dyspepsia. The frequency of adverse events was similar in both treatment groups, and no significant differences in dietary behavior were observed. In conclusion, fluvastatin is a well tolerated 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor for the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia. Effects of fluvastatin on LpA-I occur irrespective of changes in HDL-C.

It is possible to realize rheological stationary states in nematic main chain LC-polymers by prolonged annealing and/or shear which are characterized by reproducible mechanical dynamic data. During...

STUDY DESIGN: Two case reports of a choroidal fissure cyst in the temporal horn associated with complex partial seizure. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical course, image findings and literature review of choroidal fissure cysts. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: there are few reported cases of choroidal fissure cysts. RESULTS: We report two patients with complex partial seizures and temporal choroidal fissure cysts. The seizures were controlled in both patients. CONCLUSION: The choroidal fissure cyst diagnosis must highlight the importance of considering this lesion in the differential diagnosis of temporal lobe cyst and temporal lobe seizure. DESENHO DO ESTUDO: Dois relatos de caso de cisto de fissura coroidal no corno temporal associado com crise parcial complexa. OBJETIVOS: Descrever o curso clínico, achados radiológicos e fazer uma revisão da literatura a respeito de cistos da fissura coroidal. RESUMO DOS DADOS DA LITERATURA: existem poucos casos descritos de cistos da fissura coroidal. RESULTADOS: Nós descrevemos dois pacientes com crises parciais complexas e cistos de fissura coroidal. As crises foram controladas em ambos os pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico de cisto da fissura coroidal deve ser levado em conta no diagnóstico diferencial de cistos do lobo temporal e em crises de lobo temporal.

Between 1972 and 1987, 192 patients have been operated upon for pectus excavatum of which 152 patients were included in the study (79%). Mean age at operation was 15.3 +/- 5.5 years; 117 were male. Mean follow-up was 8.1 +/- 3.6 years. The deformity was noted before the age of 5 in 90%. Type I symmetrical and localized deformity was seen in 33.2%, type II symmetrical but diffuse depression in 23.7% and type III localized or diffuse asymmetrical deformity in 43.1%. It was considered severe in 68.9%, fair in 16.9% and mild in 14.2%. There were significantly more asymmetrical defects in the older age groups. The operation consisted of subperichondral chondrectomy, transverse sternotomy and division of the intercostal bundles at the outer limit of the chondrectomy and suturing the edge of this broad sheet of muscle and perichondrium to the anterior surface of the chest wall more laterally and under tension, elevating and stabilizing the sternum. Results were satisfactory in 83.6% (excellent 44.1%, good 39.5%). Results were not significantly influenced by age, sex, severity, type, symmetry, the extent of cartilage resection or follow-up. Results were inversely influenced by the occurrence of wound problems. The optimal age for operation is considered to be between 5 and 10 years. Both physical as well as psychological cosmetic factors may serve as an indication for operation.

Progression schemes are widely used for traffic signal control in arterial streets. Under such a scheme a continuous green band of uniform width is provided in each direction along the artery at the desired speed of travel. A basic limitation of existing bandwidth-based programs is that they do not consider the actual traffic volumes and flow capacities on each link in their optimization criterion. Consequently they cannot guarantee the most suitable progression scheme for different traffic flow patterns. In this paper we present a new optimization approach for arterial progression that incorporates a systematic traffic-dependent criterion. The method generates a variable bandwidth progression in which each directional road section can obtain an individually weighted bandwidth (hence, the term multi-band). Mixed-integer linear programming is used for the optimization. Simulation results indicate that this method can produce considerable gains in performance when compared with traditional progression methods. It also lends itself to a natural extension for the optimization of grid networks.

The collimation system of the LHC, primarily designed for proton operation, must function safely also with 208Pb82+ions. However, the particle-matter interaction in a collimator is different for heavy ions and protons. Heavy ions are subject to nuclear fragmentation, which creates a spectrum of secondary particles exiting the collimators with a Z/A ratio different from the nominal beam. These particles could be lost in a superconducting magnet and the induced heating might cause a quench. The program ICOSIM has previously been used to simulate these losses in the LHC. In this article, we present a benchmark of ICOSIM, using measured proton and ion loss maps in the SPS, and find a good qualitative agreement. We also make a quantitative comparison where the showers of the lost particles are simulated with the FLUKA code in the full magnet geometry. Here a discrepancy of a factor 3.8 is found. Estimation of expected uncertainties continues.

The ongoing miniaturization trend in the microelectronic industry enforces component sizes to approach the micron, or even the nano scale. At these scales, the underlying microstructural sizes and the geometrical dimensions are comparable. The increasing influence of microscopic entities on the overall mechanical properties makes conventional continuum material models more and more questionable. In this study, the thermomechanical reliability of lead-free BGA solder balls is investigated by microstructural modeling. Microstructural input is provided by orientation imaging microscopy (OIM), converted into a finite element framework. Blowholes in BGA solder balls are examined by optical microscopy and a statistical analysis on their size, position and frequency is conducted. Combining the microstructural data with the appropriate material models, three dimensional local models are created. The fatigue life of the package is determined through a critical solder ball. The thermomechanical reliability of the local models are predicted using cohesive zone based fatigue damage models. The simulation results are validated by statistical analyses provided by the industry.

An analysis of the properties of hadronic final states produced in electron-positron annihilation at centre-of-mass energies of 130 and 136 GeV is presented. The measurements are based on a data sample of 5.7 pb(-1) collected in November 1995 with the ALEPH detector at LEP. Inclusive charged particle distributions, jet rates and event-shape distributions are measured and the results are compared with the predictions of QCD-based models. From the measured distributions quantities are determined for which the dependence on the centre-of-mass energy can be predicted by QCD, including the mean multiplicity of charged particles, the peak position of the inclusive distribution of xi = - 1nx(p) (x(p) = p/p(beam)), and the strong coupling constant alpha(s). The QCD predictions are tested by comparing with corresponding measurements at E(cm) = 91.2 GeV and at lower energies. RI ANTONELLI, ANTONELLA/C-6238-2011; Passalacqua, Luca/F-5127-2011; St.Denis, Richard/C-8997-2012; Sanchez, Federico/F-5809-2012

Resumo: Esse artigo trata do relato de parte do trabalho de conclusão de curso de graduação em enfermagem de um grupo de acadêmicas da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. O objetivo do trabalho foi realizar uma prática assistencial junto ao idoso, ao familiar e ao cuidador numa Unidade Local de Saúde e no âmbito domiciliar, sendo um dos objetivos específicos a avaliação da capacidade funcional de idosos residentes em uma das micro-áreas da área de abrangência da primeira Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) onde foi desenvolvido o trabalho. A avaliação da capacidade funcional foi realizada com 23 idosos utilizando-se o Older Americans Resources and Services – OARS. No grupo de idosos estudados observamos que o déficit de capacidade mais freqüente foi em relação à limpeza e arrumação da casa, seguido por problemas de controle esfincteriano e controle das finanças. Esses resultados apontam que esses idosos requerem uma assistência voltada para recuperação ou promoção das Atividades da Vida Diária e das Atividades Instrumentais da Vida Diária. Requisitos, esses, que transcendem a linha programática da biomedicina. Palavras-chave: Capacidade funcional. Idoso. Independência. Enfermagem. Abstract: This Article treats about a part of the course conclusion work of a group of nursing students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. The objective of this work was realize an assistance with older ones, the family and the carers at one Public Health Station and in their homes, being one of the specifi c objectives the evaluation of the functional capacity of ages residents in a area of the health station where the work was realized. The evaluation of the functional capacity was realized with 23 ages using the Older Americans Resources and Services – OARS. In this aged group, the defi cit of more frequency was in relation to the cleanness and arrangement of the house, followed by problems of sphincter control and fi nances control. These results appoint that the aged one requests a assistance that turns to the recuperation ore promotion of the Daily Live Activities and the Daily Live Instrumental Activities. There are requisitions that transcend the programmatically line of the biomedicine. Keywords: Functional capacity. Aged ones. Independence. Nursing.

Item does not contain fulltext beta-Ureidopropionase is the third enzyme of the pyrimidine degradation pathway and it catalyses the irreversible hydrolysis of N-carbamyl-ss-aminoisobutyric acid or N-carbamyl-ss-alanine to beta-aminoisobutyric acid or ss-alanine, ammonia, and CO2. Analysis of the beta-ureidopropionase gene (UPB1) of the first 4 patients presenting with a complete enzyme deficiency, revealed the presence of 2 splice-site mutations (IVS1-2A>G and IVS8-1G>A) and one missense mutation (A85E). RT-PCR analysis of the complete beta-ureidopropionase cDNA suggested that both splice-site mutations lead to a variety of alternative splice variants, with deletions of a single or several exons. The alanine at position 85 was not conserved in other eukaryotic beta-ureidopropionase protein sequences.

The EXhaustion Intervention Trial investigated the effect of a behavioural intervention programme on exhaustion, health-related quality of life (HRQL), depression, anxiety, hostility, and anginal complaints in angioplasty patients who felt exhausted after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Seven hundred ten patients were randomized into an intervention group and a usual care control group. The group intervention focused on stressors leading to exhaustion and on support of recovery. HRQL (measured by the MacNew questionnaire), exhaustion [measured by the Maastricht Questionnaire and the Maastricht Interview Vital Exhaustion (MIVE)], anxiety (measured by the State-Trait Inventory), and depression (measured by the structured clinical interview for DSM-IV) were assessed at intake and at 6 and 18 months. Presence of anginal complaints was assessed at 18 months.The intervention had a significant beneficial effect on all psychological factors except hostility and on the presence of anginal complaints. The effect of the intervention on exhaustion, as assessed by the MIVE, was modified by a previous history of coronary artery disease (CAD). Gender modified the effect of the intervention on exhaustion and on anxiety, the strongest effect being observed in women.The behavioural intervention improved HRQL and related psychological factors. Somatic comorbidity and a history of CAD limited the effect of the intervention.

International audience; abstract simple

The parallelization of imperative programs working on pointer data structures is possible by using extensive heap analysis. Therefore, we consider a new interprocedural version of the heap analysis algorithm with summary nodes from Chase, Wegman and Zadeck (1990). Our analysis handles arbitrary call graph inclusive recursion, works on a realistic low-level intermediate language, and uses a modified propagation method to correct an inaccuracy of the original algorithm. Furthermore, we discuss how loops and recursions over heap data structures can be parallelized based on the analysis information. >

Made available in DSpace on 2011-04-09T21:48:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PROCIRG2001.00085.PDF: 242266 bytes, checksum: 078e1ac614b1e0805e2eb80732a89e7f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2001-04-10

Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-20T09:16:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 13211.pdf: 950908 bytes, checksum: 75f0a041e63327dbe5dd4524a8ea8971 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2001-04-10

Background & Aims: The follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) over mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues consists of distinct enterocytes and M cells concentrated at its periphery. The basement membrane composition was analyzed to test whether differences account for the distinct differentiation programs along the crypt-villus and crypt-FAE axes. To determine whether the decreased number of M cells in the FAE apex is caused by premature extrusion, we mapped the site where they undergo apoptosis. Methods: The FAE basal lamina of Peyer's patches from BALB/c mice was analyzed by immunochemistry. M cells were identified using the Ulex europaeus agglutinin lectin. The cell proliferation and apoptotic compartments were characterized using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and the TUNEL assay. Results: The perlecan and laminin 2 stainings were different in FAE and villi. Myofibroblasts were absent beneath the FAE. The migration kinetics of cells along the FAE was similar to that along the villi. Apoptotic cells were detected exclusively at the apex of the FAE. Conclusions: FAE and M-cell differentiation is associated with a distinct basal lamina composition. FAE enterocytes express transient M-cell features as they move from the crypts toward the apoptotic compartment. M cells have a highly plastic phenotype that raises interesting questions about the control of intestinal epithelial cell differentiation. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;119:734-743

Tangier disease is characterized by low serum high density lipoproteins and a biochemical defect in the cellular efflux of lipids to high density lipoproteins. ABC1 , a member of the ATP-binding cassette family, recently has been identified as the defective gene in Tangier disease. We report here the organization of the human ABC1 gene and the identification of a mutation in the ABC1 gene from the original Tangier disease kindred. The organization of the human ABC1 gene is similar to that of the mouse ABC1 gene and other related ABC genes. The ABC1 gene contains 49 exons that range in size from 33 to 249 bp and is over 70 kb in length. Sequence analysis of the ABC1 gene revealed that the proband for Tangier disease was homozygous for a deletion of nucleotides 3283 and 3284 (TC) in exon 22. The deletion results in a frameshift mutation and a premature stop codon starting at nucleotide 3375. The product is predicted to encode a nonfunctional protein of 1,084 aa, which is approximately half the size of the full-length ABC1 protein. The loss of a Mnl 1 restriction site, which results from the deletion, was used to establish the genotype of the rest of the kindred. In summary, we report on the genomic organization of the human ABC1 gene and identify a frameshift mutation in the ABC1 gene of the index case of Tangier disease. These results will be useful in the future characterization of the structure and function of the ABC1 gene and the analysis of additional ABC1 mutations in patients with Tangier disease.

Four families are described in which mental retardation segregates in an X-linked fashion. Mental retardation was the only consistent clinical finding in all affected males. The degree of retardation varied from mild to profound both between and within families. Linkage analysis localized the genetic defect of MRX43 to Xp22. 31-p21.2, MRX44 to Xp11.3-p11.21, MRX45 to Xp11.3-p11.21, and MRX52 to Xp11.21-q21.33 with LOD scores of2 at straight theta = 0.0 in all four families.

As part of an integrated approach to DNA-linkage analysis in X-linked mental retardation (XLMR), 29 members of five families suspected of having XLMR underwent psychometric assessment. Mental retardation was confirmed in all participants. The range of mental retardation varied from mild to profound within and between families. In addition, these preliminary results indicated family-specific cognitive profiles in MRX45 and MRX46. The fact that two non-overlapping loci were involved provides strong evidence that specific cognitive profiles are linked to specific loci (genes) in mental retardation. We therefore recommend the application of standardised psychometric tests for the assessment of XLMR.

As part of an integrated approach to DNA-linkage analysis in X-linked mental retardation (XLMR), 29 members of five families suspected of having XLMR underwent psychometric assessment. Mental retardation was confirmed in all participants. The range of mental retardation varied from mild to profound within and between families. In addition, these preliminary results indicated family-specific cognitive profiles in MRX45 and MRX46. The fact that two non-overlapping loci were involved provides strong evidence that specific cognitive profiles are linked to specific loci (genes) in mental retardation. We therefore recommend the application of standardised psychometric tests for the assessment of XLMR.

Objective: To evaluate the cognitive profiles of children with Noonan syndrome (NS) and to relate these profiles to measures of overall clinical severity. Study design: Thirty-five children with NS between the ages of 7 and 18 years were tested on their intellectual, psychosocial, and academic functioning. The diagnosis of NS was established on the presence of a typical face, the characteristic heart defect, thorax deformity, short stature, affected first-degree relative(s), and cryptorchidism in male subjects. Results: The total group of children with NS (n = 35) achieved significantly lower mean full-scale IQ, verbal IQ (VIQ), and performance IQ (PIQ) scores (between 85.9 and 89.3) than expected based on normative data. The individual full-scale IQ scores varied between 48 and 130. Because of this wide range of individual scores, the mean group values are not extremely informative. The mean full-scale IQ for the group with moderate NS (n = 19) is 90.8; for the children with severe NS (n = 16) the mean full-scale IQ is 80.6. The patterns of discrepancies between VIQ and PIQ are: (1) an extreme discrepancy between VIQ and PIQ is most likely to emerge in children with severe NS with (low) average intellectual abilities; (2) children with moderate NS are more likely to attain similarities in VIQ and PIQ scores; and (3) children with moderate NS demonstrate a particular pattern of discrepancy between VIQ and PIQ (ie, VIQ > PIQ). Conclusion: For children with NS, the findings on physical examination are indicative of the pattern of cognitive abilities. NS is not associated with substantial deficits in the level of intellectual functioning or with a single/unitary cognitive pattern. Severe NS expression, however, predicts in part a specific pattern of deficits and capacities in cognitive functioning. (J Pediatr 1999;135:707-13)

Item does not contain fulltext

A detailed analysis of the chemical constituents of a Caribbean specimen of Aiolochroia crassa was performed. Five brominated products (1-5) were isolated and one of these was a new bromotyrosine metabolite. The structure of the new compound 1 has been established from spectral studies. Compounds 1 and 2, which are the major brominated metabolites and have not been previously identified in any Aiolochroia species, could be usefully employed as chemotaxonomic makers.

Background and purpose : For radiobiological reasons the new concept of pulsed dose rate (PDR) brachytherapy seems to be suitable to replace traditional CLDR brachytherapy with line sources. PDR brachytherapy using a stepping source seems to be particularly suitable for the interstitial boost of breast carcinoma after breast-conserving surgery and external beam irradiation since in these cases the exact adjustment of the active lengths is essential in order to prevent unwanted skin dose and consequential unfavorable cosmetic results. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and morbidity of a PDR boost with flexible breast implants. Materials and methods : Sixty-five high risk patients were treated with an interstitial PDR boost. The criteria for an interstitial boost were positive margin or close margin, extensive intraductal component (EIC), intralymphatic extension, lobular carcinoma, T2 tumors and high nuclear grade (GIII). Dose calculation and specification were performed following the rules of the Paris system. The dose per pulse was 1 Gy. The pulse pauses were kept constant at 1 h. A geometrically optimized dose distribution was used for all patients. The treatment schedule was 50 Gy external beam to the whole breast and 20 Gy boost. PDR irradiations were carried out with a nominal 37 GBq 192-Ir source. Results : The median follow-up was 30 months (minimum 12 months, maximum 54 months). Sixty percent of the patients judged their cosmetic result as excellent, 27% judged it as good, 11% judged it as fair and 2% judged it as poor. Eighty-six percent of the patients had no radiogenous skin changes in the boost area. In 11% of patients minimal punctiform telangiectasia appeared at single puncture sites. In 3% (265) of patients planar telangiectasia appeared on the medial side of the implant. The rate of isolated local recurrences was 1.5%. In most cases geometrical volume optimization (GVO) yields improved dose distributions with respect to homogeneity and compensation of underdosage at the margins of the implant. Only in 9% of patients was the dose distribution impaired by GVO. However, GVO causes a number of substantial changes of the dose distribution which have consequences for its application. Conclusions : The interstitial CLDR boost of the breast can be replaced by the PDR technique without severe acute and late complications and without deterioration of the cosmetic results.

Contains fulltext : 25879___.PDF (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)

Item does not contain fulltext

Contains fulltext : 24187___.PDF (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)