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This study delves into the structure and properties of left inverse zero divisor bands within semigroups, identifying their maximal forms and broadening the theoretical landscape of semigroup analysis. A significant focus is placed on the automorphisms of a semigroup S of centralizers of idempotent transformations with restricted range, revealing that these automorphisms are inner ones and induced by the units of S. Additionally, we establish that the automorphism group Aut (S) is isomorphic to U S , the group of units of S. These findings extend previous results on semigroups of transformations, enhancing their applicability and providing a more unified theory. The practical implications of this work span multiple fields, including automata theory, coding theory, cryptography, and graph theory, offering tools for more efficient algorithms and models. By simplifying complex concepts and providing a solid foundation for future research, this study makes significant contributions to both theoretical and applied mathematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The article considers peculiarities of development of Russian commercial fishing in the Lower Reaches of the Volga region in the epoch of formation of the united Russian state. To study this process, the water area of the river from the influx of Bolshoy Cheremshan in it to the Volga-Don Portage. Researchers of fish resources of the European Southeast of Russia believe that in terms of their riches valuable species of fish these fishing grounds were inferior only to the lower Volga and Northern Caspian. The chronological framework of the work covers the period from the first attempts of penetration of Russian fishermen into the Volga in the late XV century. and continued until the appearance of regular fishing business after the annexation of the Middle and Lower Volga region to the Moscow state. The source for the study of the topic are archival materials from the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts, as well as written sources already introduced into the scientific circulation and published. The latter include descriptions of foreign and Russian travelers, chronicles, legislative and act material, business and production documents, etc. This problem was practically not subjected to special systemic study in the selected chronological framework. The author concludes that even in the second half of the XVI and early XVII century in the coastal zone of the river, there has been little or no permanent development of fishing and farming populations. The State has only just begun to regulate the allocation of fishing grounds and the regulation of their exploitation. The conclusions obtained during the course of the work provide an initial evolution of the fishing development of this vast region

We developed a procedure for locating genes on Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosomes and described three types of chromosome structures (gray bands, black bands, and interbands), which differed markedly in morphological and genetic properties. This was reached through the use of our original methods of molecular and genetic analysis, electron microscopy, and bioinformatics data processing. Analysis of the genome-wide distribution of these properties led us to a bioinformatics model of the Drosophila genome organization, in which the genome was divided into two groups of genes. One was constituted by 65, in which the genome was divided into two groups, 62 genes that are expressed in most cell types during life cycle and perform basic cellular functions (the so-called "housekeeping genes"). The other one was made up of 3162 genes that are expressed only at particular stages of development ("developmental genes"). These two groups of genes are so different that we may state that the genome has two types of genetic organization. Different are the timings of their expression, chromatin packaging levels, the composition of activating and deactivating proteins, the sizes of these genes, the lengths of their introns, the organization of the promoter regions of the genes, the locations of origin recognition complexes (ORCs), and DNA replication timings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key clinical Message: This case highlights the significance of maintaining clinical suspicion for CPBs in adults presenting with SBO. Early surgical intervention, offering both diagnosis and treatment, is essential for managing this rare cause of SBO. Increased clinical awareness of CPBs will help ensure they are considered in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with bowel obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this text, we present musical experiences that we developed in the fanfare of a municipal school in Blumenau/SC, from 2017 to 2022, to discuss how these practices can provide, in addition to specific knowledge in music, access to culture, social interactions and a possible aesthetic education. From this report, we problematize how social interactions can reverberate in the lives of students and other members of the community, promoting spaces for cultural mediation. Another aspect discussed was how the fanfare participants and others involved in their rehearsals and presentations relate to art and how this can mean aesthetic experiences that touch the sensitive dimension of the subject. We also present discussions regarding the power of the school as a cultural space, which enables actions that promote a specific form of access to art, and reflections on the role of the teacher as a cultural mediator, who thinks and plans the different forms of access to art. Finally, we conclude that the musical practices in this fanfare provide aesthetic experiences that cover different areas of human formation, therefore they are not limited to mechanical and repetitive learning in music. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An effective space opening for band placement with minimal pain and gingival inflammation is a prime requisite during fixed orthodontic procedures. The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two types of separators, elastomeric and Kansal, in the amount of space opening, pain perception elicited, and gingival inflammation. Methods: A random split-mouth study was designed with 30 subjects undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Two different separators (Elastomer and Kansal) were placed alternatively on the left and right sides around the mesial and distal sides of the first molars in the mandibular arch of each subject. After 3 days, the amount of separation after 3 days was assessed with a leaf gauge on both mesial and distal sides. The subjective pain perception by visual analog Scale (VAS) at different points and during different functions for each of the 3 days was evaluated. A self-filled chart was utilized to be performed by the patients. Gingival index was used to assess the inflammatory changes. Results: The most significant amount of separation (0.28 mm) was found with elastomers on the mesial side and is statistically significant (p < 0.001) compared to the mesial side (0.18 mm). The Kansal separators produced equivalent separation on mesial (0.19 mm) and distal sites (0.17 mm). The highest pain score was found after 24 h with elastomeric separators (median-40) for chewing and biting and the least for sleep (median-30). There is a statistical difference of pain perception between elastomers and Kansal separators at different points for the given function (p < 0.001). Both the separators resulted in mild gingival index of score less than 1 (0.70 ± 0.65, 0.97 ± 0.720, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two types of separators. Conclusion: Both the separators produced adequate separation after a minimum 3 days. Kansal produces minimum discomfort and pain compared to elastomeric separators. Mild gingival inflammation was observed with both the separators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accommodating resistance (AR) is a training technique that includes attaching elastic bands or chains to a loaded barbell to alter the resistance profile throughout the barbell movement. This study was the first to quantify the effects of AR versus a traditional resistance (TR) training program on changes in strength and power profiles in a trained female cohort. Resistance-trained (training history: 2.4 ± 1.4 years) females (age: 22.1 ± 3.0 years) completed baseline and postintervention tasks which included 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) testing in the back squat (BS) and bench press (BP), a repetitions to failure in the BP (60% of 1RM), and 1 30-s Wingate test. After baseline testing, subjects were stratified (based on relative strength) into either the AR (n = 9) or TR (n = 10) group and then completed a supervised, 7-week training intervention. Both groups improved their 1RM in both lifts, but no statistical differences were found between groups in 1 RM for BS, BP, or BP to failure (p > 0.05). However, the AR group increased Wingate peak power (837 ± 221 to 901 ± 215 W; p 5 0.04), whereas TR (868 ± 244 to 8,343 ± 182 W; p = 0.47) did not. This study supports AR with lighter relative barbell load incurs similar strength adaptations as TR. For coaches training athletes concerned with power, AR may be advantageous for improving rate of force development as demonstrated by large increases in peak Wingate power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite numerous studies on ion release from orthodontic appliances, no clear conclusions can be drawn due to complex interrelations of multiple factors. Therefore, as the first part of a comprehensive investigation of cytotoxicity of eluted ions, the objective of this study was to analyze four parts of a fixed orthodontic appliance. Specifically, NiTi archwires and stainless steel (SS) brackets, bands, and ligatures were immersed in artificial saliva and studied for morphological and chemical changes after 3-, 7-, and 14-day immersion, using the SEM/EDX technique. Ion release profiles were analyzed for all eluted ions using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results demonstrated dissimilar surface morphologies among parts of the fixed appliance, due to variations in manufacturing processes. The onset of pitting corrosion was observed for the SS brackets and bands in the as-received state. Protective oxide layers were not observed on any of the parts, but adherent layers developed on SS brackets and ligatures during immersion. Salt precipitation, mainly KCl, was also observed. ICP-MS proved to be more sensitive than SEM/EDX and exhibited results undetected by SEM/EDX. Ion release was an order-of-magnitude higher for SS bands compared to other parts, which was attributed to manufacturing procedure (welding). Ion release did not correlate with surface roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article gathers the work carried out with three punk bands of Bogota to talk about decoloniality regarding race, class and gender. To analyse the latter the theoretical framework we proposed was decolonial aesthetics and liberating music praxis. The results from the research were two-fold: on the one hand, through a quantitative methodology, Bogota's punk scene composition regarding race, class and gender; and on the other hand, through a qualitative methodology, a discursive analysis of the workshops, the in-depth interviews and the lyrics of the songs. We sought to answer the question: how does punk connect with decoloniality and become a music genre that supports the narration of oppressions? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, the RCC1 gene (Regulator of Chromosome Condensation 1), which is considered a regulator of chromosome condensation in the cell cycle, was characterized. This gene encodes a nuclear protein whose amino acid sequence is highly conserved among all eukaryotes and consists of seven repeating units. The authors have shown that all the most prominent black bands of polytene chromosomes (260 bands) and the chromocenter bind antibodies to this protein. Antibodies to the xenopus RCC1 protein specifically bind to the Drosophila and human RCC1 protein, while the relative amount of the RCC1 protein increases in Drosophila lines with under-replication suppression compared to the wild type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organization of promoters of developmental gene promoters and promoter of genes necessary for general cellular functions—the "housekeeping" of the cell in the complete genome of Drosophila melanogaster—were studied here for the first time. Using bioinformatic methods, it has been shown that the genes whose promoters are located in the interbands of polytene chromosomes are enriched in functions associated with general cellular processes, while the rest of the genes (approximately half of the Drosophila genome) are associated with highly specialized processes occurring during development. In the promoter zone of the housekeeping genes, four specific motifs were found that can be present in different genes individually or in various combinations. A significant part of interband promoters do not contain identified motifs. The analysis carried out using Gene Ontology showed that certain groups of interband genes containing one motif in promoters or their combinations are characterized by the performance of certain functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, double perovskite oxides have gained attention as promising candidates in the realms of solar cells and catalysis. By adjusting their composition and engineering the band gap, numerous materials are being developed for energy-related applications. Oxide perovskites offer the benefit of a longer carrier lifetime compared to halide perovskites, which is advantageous for energy applications. In this study, we present a systematic theoretical analysis of a double perovskite oxide, examining his composition. The associated electronic and optical properties are discussed, along with prospects for identifying highly efficient materials within this family. This paper reports the study of electronic and optical properties of double perovskite oxide LaFeWO6 by utilizing the FP − LAPW method within the framework of (DFT). Results of density of states and energy bands are presented. The direct band gaps have been found for the systems by using the GGA approximation. Calculations of optical properties is also presented by considering the variations of optical parameters as a function of incident photon energy. The results indicate that LaFeWO6 exhibits a suitable band gap (0.71eV) for visible light absorption, along with promising electronic properties, making it a candidate for photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications.

Agroforestry systems (AFS) promote a continuous deposition of organic material in the soil via litter and roots. Litter has a diversity of organic compounds with different chemical complexities, and which act as raw materials in forming and maintaining soil organic carbon. The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of litter provided in soils under natural forest, rubber tree and cacao AFSs of different ages (old and young AFS) and a pure rubber plantation. Litter samples were collected in each of the AFSs in both cacao and rubber lines. The determination of functional groups was performed by Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The results showed that the old AFS (cacao line) mainly presented bands associated with aromatic compounds (1600−1500 cm−1), while the highest absorbance intensity observed in the old AFS (rubber line) was in the range of 1097−1040 cm−1, attributed to the presence of cellulose. The main difference observed between cacao line and rubber line in the young AFS was the presence of polysaccharide functional groups (1380−1240 cm−1) in the rubber line. The similarity between the young AFS cacao line and rubber line, old AFS (rubber line) and the pure rubber plantation can be explained by the presence of phenolic (3690, 3620, 3290 cm−1) and aliphatic (2922 cm−1) compounds. The natural forest was dissimilar to the other systems mainly in the bands around 1051−1040 cm−1 and 918 cm−1, suggesting a forest litter with a predominance of less complex chemical structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that all subvarieties of the variety of rectangular bands are closed in the variety of all bands. Further, we show that the variety of regular bands is closed. Next, we introduce the varieties of generalized left [right] regular semigroups and show that all such varieties are saturated and, subsequently, epis from generalized left [right] regular semigroups are surjective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SIFT and SURF image matching were used in many industries such as survey and mapping, geology, medical and automotive. Multispectral sensors offered today become new challenge for researchers to study the performances of SIFT and SURF algorithms on multispectral image. Basically, multispectral image consists of more than three bands. As a result, the differences between those bands leads to nonlinear intensity between images. Both algorithm detectors using ‘blob detector’ that extracting the feature points as a key point for image matching later on. Hence, the less visibility of the feature on the multispectral images was one of the issues need to be solved. Many researchers investigate and propose a new strategy to extract and match the feature point using SIFT and SURF on multispectral image. The image fusions, combinations of different descriptors and revised or alteration of the algorithm themselves were among the approached taken by researchers in order to achieved good results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Algal blooms are harmful and can hinder the use of water. Remote sensing satellite images can help monitor the spatial–temporal distribution of these blooms. This helps us understand their dynamics and manage them better. In our work, we developed an algorithm using Sentinel-2 images. The validated algorithm showed good accuracy, suggesting the potential use of Sentinel-2 images to monitor algal blooms in other water bodies.

We construct an elementary quaternionic slowâ€"fast Hamiltonian dynamical system with one formal control parameter and two slow degrees of freedom as half-integer spin in resonance 1:1:2 with two slow oscillators. Invariant under spin reversal and having a codimension-5 crossing of its fast Kramers-degenerate semi-quantum eigenvalues, our system is the dynamical equivalent of the spin-quadrupole model by Avron et al (1989 Commun. Math. Phys. 124 595â€"627), exhibiting non-Abelian geometric phases. The equivalence is uncovered through the equality of the spectral flow between quantum superbands and Chern numbers c 2 computed by Avron et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wing scales of butterflies exhibit extreme diversity in shape, size, colour, and number of spines. They are sub microscopic with a length of 300 to 600 µm and a breadth of 150 to 400 µm. A typical scale possessed a flat body with basal pedicel and apical crown which is provided with a varying number of pointed edges called spines. Investigations were carried out on the morphology of wing scales in four species of common butterflies viz., Pachilopta hector (Linnaeus 1758), Troides minos (Cramer 1779), Jamides celeno (Cramer 1775) and Eurema andersonii (Linnaeus 1758). Wings of P. hector possessed nine types of scales, the crown of all are with pointed spines of varying numbers, ranging from one to five. The southern birdwing T. minos, possessed nine types of scales. A major portion of wings with black colour is due to black coloured scales but white bands of the forewings are due to transparent and colourless scales. The prominent yellow colour on the hind wings of this butterfly is due to the presence of a single type of scale with a round crown that is devoid of spines and is fully packed with yellow pigment. Jamides celeno possessed twenty different types of scales, most of them are devoid of spines and the ridges within the scales are not clear. Scales on the upper surface of the wing with ashy blue colour and scales of white bands on the lower surface of the wings are identical and are transparent and colourless. The common grass yellow E. andersonii possessed twenty five different types of scales, of which thirteen are on the black margins of wings and twelve are in the yellow portions of wings. Almost half of the total number of scales in the yellow portions of the wing is transparent and colourless and in coloured scales distribution of pigment is not uniform. This is the first report on the different types of wings scales in the selected butterflies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophils have an important role in the immune response. These cells can be subjected to an impaired function and a shift in population depending on disease states. In sepsis, this shift is recognized and flagged by automated hematology analyzers, including the presence of band neutrophils, while these cells, although present, appear not to be detected in trauma patients. To better understand this suspected error in flagging, we set out to distinguish neutrophil populations of these two patient groups and compared these with controls. Different data-driven methods were used compared to standard algorithms used by the software of the analyzers. Using K-means clustering, we extracted neutrophils from raw hematology analyzer datafiles, and compared characteristics of these clusters between the patient groups. We observed an increased neutrophil size for both sepsis and trauma patients, but trauma patients had a smaller increase. Trauma patients also had a high proportion of cells with relatively high nuclear segmentation, which is contradictory with the presence of band neutrophils. This, in combination with the smaller size increase, might explain the inability to flag band neutrophils in trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the narrative of two members of one of the Schools of Music affiliated to the same band club in Malta, focusing on the practice pre, during and post COVID-19 and the impact on its community impact. The paper also investigates the contributory factors of community and adult music-making as part of the social fabric. The UN Policy Brief (2020) states that the COVID-19 pandemic has created the largest disruption of education systems in human history, affecting nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries. The challenge in Malta is to restore cultural interaction, fair access of digital equity, and the preservation of community tradition. Sparkman (2017) highlights ideas of updating music education to close the social gap, making it accessible for all, and validating the contribution of music to community welfare and human well-being. A similar rationale advocated by Muezzinoglu and Gorgoretti (2019) suggests catering for student interests with new music teaching approaches that are inclusive and complementary with today's social expectations. Music education needs to strike a balance between the attention to developing technical and expressive facility - aesthetic encounter (Greene, 2001) and the social aspect of collective music-making - collectivism. In exploring the views of two members of one of the Schools of Music affiliated to the same band club in Malta, the interviewees' narratives shed light on the three categories of Practice, Participation and Social Activity. The interviews with participants not only address the sustainability of community and adult music practice, but also a sense of belonging that is the Band Clubs as a community of learners. In doing so it is focused on the music education practice pre, during and post COVID-19 in the Band Clubs and its community impact. Data was analysed with content analysis and findings suggest this community institution has and does offer socially sound music education, but with a need for informed current and future practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the subcultural movements of Vaporwave and Aesthetic by examining digital practices and products such as the creative and sound projects specific to the culture of the web, which are immediately welcomed by member of Generation Z through social media. Generation Z gives life to its own subcultural movements that cannot be analyzed according to the canons of the past, even if they look and are inspired by the past. In the context of the remediation under discussion, fluidity is seen as a starting paradigm, the technoexpressive boundaries mix until they are unrecognizable and perfectly integrated, and digital is an increasingly concrete dynamic. As a result, creative processes become increasingly fragmented and prismatic. The aesthetic recognizability of subcultures today is radically broken down by the logic of digital: the aesthetic canons on the web are less structured, less recognizable, more fragmented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For centuries music has played a vital role in the lives of people, communities, and organizations. This is the same for agricultural and youth organizations like the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the New Farmers of America (NFA). From the very beginning of these youth groups, music has played an important part in the lives of members, as well as in chapter, state, and national events. The purpose of this historical research study was to document the history of music within the Future Farmers of America and New Farmers of America youth organizations. Historical research methods were used to gather information for this study. From the beginnings of both the FFA and NFA, local advisors quickly saw the benefit of using music to build leadership, confidence, and esprit de corps among the boys in their organizations. The NFA developed quartet and talent competitions at the state and national levels. Both the FFA and NFA organizations established chorus groups for boys from across the country. The FFA placed more emphasis on state and national bands and orchestras than did the NFA. Song books were published to encourage the inclusion of singing in FFA and NFA events. Official manuals for the organizations included songs and yells that could be used in local chapter activities. Organization leaders saw the benefits of using music to inspire youth to develop their musical and leadership skills. Music has been a key component of the success of both the FFA and NFA organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have shown that a variety of left(right) normal bands is closed in some homotypical varieties. Further, we partially generalize a result of Isbell from the class of commutative semigroups to some generalized classes of commutative semigroups by showing that dominion of such semigroups belongs to same classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commodore Perry and his "Black Ships" opened Japanese harbors for foreign shipping in 1853 and 1854. Music was important for this Japan Expedition that obtained a treaty between the United States and Japan. Bands and singers performed music for parades, impressive ceremonies, religious services, and entertainment for the sailors and foreign audiences. This article examines the styles of Western music, instrumentation, and performance venues of Perry's musicians as they traveled to harbors in China, Okinawa, and Japan. Since the large bands from Perry's ships were impressive with their fancy uniforms, swords, and loud music, the Japanese associated band music with American military power. The performances on Perry's ships were some of the first performances of Western music in Japan, before the Westernization of the Japanese school music curriculum in the 1880s. Primary sources for this research include contemporary narrative accounts, printed programs, nineteenth-century prints, and songbooks. Secondary sources include websites, articles, and books to put the material in a historical context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although >10% bands on a CBC has been a part of the definition for sepsis, scant data exists regarding the clinical significance of lower percentages of bands. Our aim was to determine whether any associations exist between percentage of bands on an initial CBC and likelihood of a bloodstream infection and in-hospital mortality.Methods: We performed a retrospective study of emergency department adults from January 1, 2016 to September 1, 2019 who had a CBC with manual differential and blood cultures obtained during their initial evaluation. Band percentages were grouped into zero (0% bands), minimal (1-2% bands), mild (3-4% bands), moderate (5-10% bands) and high (>10% bands). The primary outcomes were bloodstream infections and in-hospital mortality.Results: Increasing rates of bloodstream infections were observed as bands went from zero (95% CI: 9.3%-10.5%) to minimal (17.5%-19.1%, p < 0.0001), minimal to mild (19.2%-22.0%, p = 0.0039), mild to moderate (23.5%-26.7%, p < 0.0001), and moderate to high (33.0%-37.4%, p < 0.0001). Similar observations were seen when comparing mortality. The most common bloodstream infections were due to Gram-negative bacilli.Conclusion: Elevated bands on an initial CBC were correlated with the likelihood of a concurrent bloodstream infection and in-hospital mortality, even at levels below 10%. Our results suggest that clinical suspicion for a bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli should rise if bands are elevated on an initial CBC. Therefore, clinicians should consider obtaining blood cultures if bands are elevated on an initial CBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophils have an important role in the immune response. These cells can be subjected to an impaired function and a shift in population depending on disease states. In sepsis, this shift is recognized and flagged by automated hematology analyzers, including the presence of band neutrophils, while these cells, although present, appear not to be detected in trauma patients. To better understand this suspected error in flagging, we set out to distinguish neutrophil populations of these two patient groups and compared these with controls. Different data-driven methods were used compared to standard algorithms used by the software of the analyzers. Using K-means clustering, we extracted neutrophils from raw hematology analyzer datafiles, and compared characteristics of these clusters between the patient groups. We observed an increased neutrophil size for both sepsis and trauma patients, but trauma patients had a smaller increase. Trauma patients also had a high proportion of cells with relatively high nuclear segmentation, which is contradictory with the presence of band neutrophils. This, in combination with the smaller size increase, might explain the inability to flag band neutrophils in trauma.

Background: Neonatal sepsis cause significant morbidities and mortality among affected neonates. The gold standard for its diagnosis is the blood culture. However, its usefulness is limited by many factors. A rapid diagnostic test with high sensitivity and specificity is needed for rapid identification of neonatal sepsis without exposing unaffected neonates to antibiotic therapy. The accuracy of immature neutrophil count for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis is controversial. Objective: Being rapid, simple and readily available, this study aimed to re-evaluate the usefulness of neutrophil left shift for the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and assess its prognostic value in reflecting the patients’ outcome. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included 285 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, Cairo University. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected including complete blood pictures with manual differentials and blood culture results. The diagnostic accuracy of neutrophil left shift was done through applying multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve. Results: Among the study group, 61.4% had definite sepsis while 12.3% had probable sepsis. The median immature to total neutrophil ratio (I/T ratio) was 0.25, IQR 0.21, range 0.03–0.8. I/T ratio ≥ 0.2 was present in 65.6% of the patients and had significantly increased odds of infection, sensitivity (82.4%), specificity (81.3%), positive predictive value (92.5%) and negative predictive value (62.2%). By plotting neutrophil left shift against blood culture, total white blood cell count (WBC) and platelet count in a ROC curve and calculating areas under the curve (AUC), it proved to be a good diagnostic test (AUC: 0.861) while total WBC count (AUC: 0.515) and platelet count (AUC: 0.366) had poor diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: Neutrophil left shift is a rapid, simple and readily available test that has a reasonable positive predictive value and specificity which denotes its usefulness in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis as well as in decreasing the exposure of non-septic neonates to antimicrobial therapy.

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Recountings of the Washington, DC punk rock scene's history often start with the founding of Dischord Records in 1980 and focus on the subsequent ascent of Dischord co-owner Ian MacKaye's bands like Minor Threat and Fugazi. As seminal as Dischord remains in the narrative of DC punk – a community still thriving today – the years just prior to the label's founding generated the scene's true incunabula. Beginning with the self-released debut EP from the Slickee Boys in 1976, this first wave of DC bands – also including Razz, Nurses, White Boy and others – combined elements of art rock, surf, proto-punk, pub rock and power pop together to craft a protean version of punk that embraced eccentricity and humour, serving as the city's own defiant rebuke of the staid state of 1970s rock music. No record label was more central to the nascent punk scene in DC than Limp Records. Operated by Skip Groff, Limp provided the punk community with its first proper record label. Rather than a label that centred around the efforts of a single band – as most other new DC punk labels did – Limp issued singles for several groups, collaborating with the fledgling Dacoit and O'Rourke labels to co-release defining singles for the Slickee Boys and Razz. DC punk would not have taken shape the way it did without Groff's efforts, particularly considering his connections with bands like Bad Brains and the Slickee Boys and his musical and entrepreneurial influence on local teenage punks like MacKaye, Jeff Nelson and Henry Rollins. This article is a history of DC punk record labels from 1976 to 1980 and seeks to establish this overshadowed era of the scene as one of the most critical in the community's 43-year existence. Considering the outsize influence the DC scene ultimately had on punk culture – whether through the eponymous clean living philosophy inspired by the Minor Threat song 'Straight Edge', the unwaveringly independent business model of Dischord or the pacesetting music reliably turned out each decade by participants in the scene – the impact of Groff and his first wave DC punk peers must be acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Drosophila melanogaster polytene chromosomes are the best model for studying the genome organization during interphase. Despite of the long-term studies available on genetic organization of polytene chromosome bands and interbands, little is known regarding long gene location on chromosomes. To analyze it, we used bioinformatic approaches and characterized genome-wide distribution of introns in gene bodies and in different chromatin states, and using fluorescent in situ hybridization we juxtaposed them with the chromosome structures. Short introns up to 2 kb in length are located in the bodies of housekeeping genes (grey bands or lazurite chromatin). In the group of 70 longest genes in the Drosophila genome, 95% of total gene length accrues to introns. The mapping of the 15 long genes showed that they could occupy extended sections of polytene chromosomes containing band and interband series, with promoters located in the interband fragments (aquamarine chromatin). Introns (malachite and ruby chromatin) in polytene chromosomes form independent bands, which can contain either both introns and exons or intron material only. Thus, a novel type of the gene arrangement in polytene chromosomes was discovered; peculiarities of such genetic organization are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iosif Chișinevschi’s (1905–1963) proclamation in Bucharest, in the autumn of 1947, of the Zhdanovist thesis according to which “great culture, worthy art cannot exist […] unless it is based on progressive ideology”, instituted socialist realism as the only method of artistic production and expression, one which also had to be adopted, without exception, by those dealing with art and culture in the Army. In the new political regime, perhaps more than ever, military music was called to – or, better yet, summoned to – assent to the Party’s desire that it join in the patriotic and civic education of the soldiers of the newly founded People’s Army. As such, orchestras and ensembles of all types were founded in the country’s defence institutions, based on the model of the famous Red Army Ensemble, Alexander Alexandrov; soviet repertoires were appropriated and adapted and the Army, either restructured and adapted, or simply founded new structures that were meant to create the official framework for the production and promotion of military songs and repertoires conforming to the aesthetic norms imposed by the Moscow regime. The present study investigates the mechanisms by which the new repertoires promoted by the military brass bands of the People’s Army became instruments of manipulation and struggle in the service of state power, as well as the aesthetic and compositional norms that took shape with these musical works during the Stalinist period in Romania.

Cholecystitis is a common finding in everyday practice of ultrasound. The diagnosis of Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis (XGC) is however an uncommon entity and every radiologist should be aware of the characteristic ultrasound and CT findings to identify it. Here, we present a 68-year-old female with fever and abdominal pain showing the classic imaging features of a Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis which was confirmed post cholecystectomy with histopathological diagnosis.