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Background and Aims Throughout the Cenozoic, Africa underwent several climatic and geological changes impacting the evolution of tropical rain forests (TRFs). African TRFs are thought to have extended from east to west in a 'pan-African' TRF, followed by several events of fragmentation during drier climate periods. During the Miocene, climate cooling and mountain uplift led to the aridification of tropical Africa and open habitats expanded at the expense of TRFs, which probably experienced local extinctions. However, in plants, these drivers were previously inferred using limited taxonomic and molecular data. Here, we tested the impact of climate and geological changes on diversification within the diverse clade Monodoreae (Annonaceae) composed of 90 tree species restricted to African TRFs. Methods We reconstructed a near-complete phylogenetic tree, based on 32 nuclear genes, and dated using relaxed clocks and fossil calibrations in a Bayesian framework. We inferred the biogeographical history and the diversification dynamics of the clade using multiple birth–death models. Key Results Monodoreae originated in East African TRFs ~25 million years ago (Ma) and expanded toward Central Africa during the Miocene. We inferred range contractions during the middle Miocene and document important connections between East and West African TRFs after 15–13 Ma. Our results indicated a sudden extinction event during the late Miocene, followed by an increase in speciation rates. Birth–death models suggested that African elevation change (orogeny) is positively linked to speciation in this clade. Conclusion East Africa is inferred as an important source of Monodoreae species, and possibly for African plant diversity in general. Our results support a 'sequential scenario of diversification' in which increased aridification triggered extinction of TRF species in Monodoreae. This was quickly followed by fragmentation of rain forests, subsequently enhancing lagged speciation resulting from vicariance and improved climate conditions. In contrast to previous ideas, the uplift of East Africa is shown to have played a positive role in Monodoreae diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: A probe set was previously designed to target 384 nuclear loci in the Melastomataceae family; however, when trying to use it, we encountered several practical and conceptual problems, such as the presence of sequences in reverse complement, intronic regions with stop codons, and other issues. This raised concerns regarding the use of this probe set for sequence recovery in Melastomataceae. Methods: In order to correct these issues, we cleaned the Melastomataceae probe set, extended it with additional sequences, and compared its performance with the original version. Results: The final probe set targets 396 putative nuclear loci represented by 6009 template sequences. The probe set has been made available, along with details on the cleaning process, for reproducibility. We show that the new probe set performs better than the original version in terms of sequence recovery. Discussion: This updated, extended, and cleaned probe set will improve the availability of phylogenomic resources across the Melastomataceae family. It is fully compatible with sequence recovery and extraction pipelines. The cleaning process can also be applied to any plant‐targeting probe set that would need to be cleaned or updated if new genomic resources for the targeted taxa become available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monodoreae (Annonaceae) is a tribe composed of 11 genera and 90 species restricted to the tropical African rain forests. All the genera are taxonomically well circumscribed except the species rich genera Uvariodendron and Uvariopsis which lack a recent taxonomic revision. Here, we used a robust phylogenomic approach, including all the 90 currently accepted species, with several specimens per species, and based on more than 300 Annonaceae-specific nuclear genes, to infer the phylogenetic tree of the Monodoreae and test the limits between the genera and species. We recover all the genera as monophyletic, except the genus Uvariopsis for which the species Uvariopsis tripetala falls outside this clade. We thus reinstate the monotypic genus Dennettia for its single species Dennettia tripetala. We also erect a new tribe, Ophrypetaleae trib. nov., to accommodate the genera Ophrypetalum and Sanrafaelia, as we recover them excluded from the Monodoreae tribe with good support. Below the genus level, the genera Isolona, Monodora, Uvariastrum, Uvariodendron and Uvariopsis show weakly supported nodes and phylogenetic conflicts, suggesting that population level processes of evolution might occur in these clades. Our results also support, at the molecular level, the description of several new species of Uvariodendron and Uvariopsis, as well as several new synonymies. Finally, we present a taxonomic revision of the genera Dennettia, Uvariodendron and Uvariopsis, which contain one, 18 and 17 species respectively. We provide a key to the 11 genera of the Monodoraeae and describe four new species to science: Uvariodendron kimbozaense Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov., Uvariodendron mossambicense Robson ex Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov., Uvariodendron pilosicarpum Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov. and Uvariopsis oligocarpa Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov., and provide provisional descriptions of three putatively new species. We also present lectotypifications and nomenclatural changes implying synonymies and new combinations (Uvariodendron citriodorum (Le Thomas) Dagallier & Couvreur, comb. et stat. nov., Uvariodendron fuscum var. magnificum (Verdc.) Dagallier & Couvreur, comb. et stat. nov., Uvariopsis congensis var. angustifolia Dagallier & Couvreur, var. nov., Uvariopsis guineensis var. globiflora (Keay) Dagallier & Couvreur, comb. et stat. nov., and Uvariopsis solheidii var. letestui (Pellegr.) Dagallier & Couvreur, comb. et stat. nov.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interrelationships of the extant crocodylians Gavialis gangeticus and Tomistoma schlegelii have been historically disputed. Whereas molecular analyses indicate a sister taxon relationship between these two gavialoid species, morphological datasets typically place Gavialis as the outgroup to all other extant crocodylians. Recent morphological‐based phylogenetic analyses have begun to resolve this discrepancy, recovering Gavialis as the closest living relative of Tomistoma; however, several stratigraphically early fossil taxa are recovered as closer to Gavialis than Tomistoma, resulting in anomalously early divergence timings. As such, additional morphological data might be required to resolve these remaining discrepancies. 'Tomistoma' dowsoni is an extinct species of gavialoid from the Miocene of North Africa. Utilising CT scans of a near‐complete, referred skull, we reconstruct the neuroanatomy and neurosensory apparatus of 'Tomistoma' dowsoni. Based on qualitative and quantitative morphometric comparisons with other crocodyliforms, the neuroanatomy of 'Tomistoma' dowsoni is characterised by an intermediate morphology between the two extant gavialoids, more closely resembling Gavialis. This mirrors the results of recent studies based on the external anatomy of these three species and other fossil gavialoids. Several neuroanatomical features of these species appear to reflect ecological and/or phylogenetic signals. For example, the 'simple' morphology of their neurosensory apparatus is broadly similar to that of other long and narrow‐snouted (longirostrine), aquatic crocodyliforms. A dorsoventrally short, anteroposteriorly long endosseous labyrinth is also associated with longirostry. These features indicate that snout and skull morphology, which are themselves partly constrained by ecology, exert an influence on neuroanatomical morphology, as has also been recognised in birds and turtles. Conversely, the presence of a pterygoid bulla in Gavialis and several extinct gavialoids, and its absence in Tomistoma schlegelii, could be interpreted as a phylogenetic signal of crocodylians more closely related to Gavialis than to Tomistoma. Evaluation of additional fossil gavialoids will be needed to further test whether these and other neuroanatomical features primarily reflect a phylogenetic or ecological signal. By incorporating such previously inaccessible information of extinct and extant gavialoids into phylogenetic and macroecological studies, we can potentially further constrain the clade's interrelationships, as well as evaluate the timing and ecological association of the evolution of these neuroanatomical features. Finally, our study supports recent phylogenetic analyses that place 'Tomistoma' dowsoni as being phylogenetically closer to Gavialis gangeticus than to Tomistoma schlegelii, indicating the necessity of a taxonomic revision of this fossil species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annonaceae is a major pantropical family with 113 genera and about 2550 species. Cameroon is one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa but its flora remains incompletely known. In this volume of the Flora of Cameroon, we describe 166 native taxa representing 163 species in 28 native genera within the family Annonaceae. A total of 22 species (about 13%) are endemic to the country. We provide keys to all native genera, species, and infraspecific taxa. For each species a detailed morphological description and a map of its distribution in Cameroon are provided. Distribution maps and diversity analyses are based on a taxonomically verified database of 2073 collections. Across Africa, Cameroon is a center of diversity for Annonaceae harboring one of the highest numbers of species and genera. For example, Cameroon harbors the highest number of African species for the only pantropical genus of Annonaceae, Xylopia. Annonaceae are found across all 10 administrative regions of Cameroon but diversity is concentrated within the tropical rain forest areas situated in the south and South-West. The areas around Bipindi and Mount Cameroon show the highest levels of diversity, but this is correlated with collection effort. Line drawings and/or photographs accompany most species. One species new to science Uvariopsis etugeana Dagallier & Couvreur sp. nov. is described. We also undertake a number of nomenclatural changes such as lectotypifications, six new synonymies and two new combinations (Uvaria anisotricha (Le Thomas) Couvreur, comb. nov.; Uvariodendron fuscum var. giganteum (Engl.) Dagallier & Couvreur, comb. nov.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

East Africa is a hotspot of biodiversity with many endemic plant species. We describe three new species of the genus Uvariodendron (Annonaceae) from the coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania. Uvariodendron mbagoi Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov. is endemic to Tanzania and unique within the genus by its strong bergamot scent and its tomentose fruits having regular tufts of higher hair density. Uvariodendron dzomboense Dagallier, W.R.Q. Luke & Couvreur, sp. nov. is endemic to Dzombo Hill in Kenya and is rendered distinct by its small leaves and very densely pubescent carpels. Uvariodendron schmidtii W.R.Q. Luke, Dagallier & Couvreur, sp. nov. is endemic to Shimba Hills in Kenya and differs by its small flowers and fused sepals forming a ring. Following IUCN criteria we assessed U. mbagoi and U. dzomboense as endangered (EN) while U. schmidtii is assessed as Vulnerable (VU). We also propose a new combination: Polyceratocarpus oligocarpus (Verdc.) Dagallier, comb. nov. The description of these three new species underlines the richness in endemics in East Africa and that new discoveries might arise from further botanical exploration of this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Determining where species diversify (cradles) and persist (museums) over evolutionary time is fundamental to understanding the distribution of biodiversity and for conservation prioritization. Here, we identify cradles and museums of angiosperm generic diversity across tropical Africa, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.Regions containing nonrandom concentrations of young (neo‐) and old (paleo‐) endemic taxa were identified using distribution data of 1719 genera combined with a newly generated time‐calibrated mega‐phylogenetic tree. We then compared the identified regions with the current network of African protected areas (PAs).At the generic level, phylogenetic diversity and endemism are mainly concentrated in the biogeographically complex region of Eastern Africa. We show that mountainous areas are centres of both neo‐ and paleo‐endemism. By contrast, the Guineo‐Congolian lowland rain forest region is characterized by widespread and old lineages. We found that the overlap between centres of phylogenetic endemism and PAs is high (> 85%).We show the vital role played by mountains acting simultaneously as cradles and museums of tropical African plant biodiversity. By contrast, lowland rainforests act mainly as museums for generic diversity. Our study shows that incorporating large‐scale taxonomically verified distribution datasets and mega‐phylogenies lead to an improved understanding of tropical plant biodiversity evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of the fatigue crack growth rate behavior of welded structural components made of ultra-high strength steels (UHHS) is very important to gain a comprehensive understanding of these materials under high-cycle fatigue loadings and to enhance their applications in the construction industry. The literature on the fatigue crack growth rates of welded ultra-high strength steel plates with nominal yield strengths higher than 690 MPa is very scarce and only very limited research has been done thus far to provide the Paris' Law fatigue material constants for welded UHSS components in terms of the base metal (BM), the weld metal (WM), and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) regions, which are essential for fatigue life prediction. Hence, the fatigue crack growth rates of butt-welded UHSS plates with three grades (S700, S960, and S1100) are experimentally investigated in this study using Paris' Law for these three different regions of the welded components. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and laser welding (LW) methods are adopted to analyze the influence of welding methods on each steel grade with respect to their static and fatigue strength, microstructural changes, and hardness. In the fatigue crack growth rate test, it was observed that the S700 base material shows the lowest fatigue crack propagation resistance amongst these three grades. In welded components, laser welding outperforms gas welding in terms of the fatigue crack growth resistance. Comparisons of fatigue crack growth behaviors are made among all three tested UHSSs as well as with those from the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning allows the value of motivationally salient events to become associated with stimuli that predict those events. Here, we asked whether value associations could facilitate visual working memory (WM), and whether such effects would be valence dependent. Our experiment was specifically designed to isolate value-based effects on WM from value-based effects on selective attention that might be expected to bias encoding. In a simple associative learning task, participants learned to associate the color of tinted faces with gaining or losing money or neither. Tinted faces then served as memoranda in a face identity WM task for which previously learned color associations were irrelevant and no monetary outcomes were forthcoming. Memory was best for faces with gain-associated tints, poorest for faces with loss-associated tints, and average for faces with no-outcome-associated tints. Value associated with 1 item in the WM array did not modulate memory for other items in the array. Eye movements when studying faces did not depend on the valence of previously learned color associations, arguing against value-based biases being due to differential encoding. This valence-sensitive value-conditioning effect on WM appears to result from modulation of WM maintenance processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If any engineering courses are unlikely to be transferable between Australasian and overseas universities, one could argue that civil engineering capstone design courses with a strong practical engineering focus would be the least likely. This analysis considers two capstone design courses in the US and New Zealand. The analysis examines the approaches each university has taken to improve design education through simulating professional practice. The two approaches are superficially very different with different course structure and course requirements. In addition the emphasis on site and project, and the consequent dependence on country-specific matters related to regulation and codes, would lead one to expect low transferability. Closer analysis shows that the learning objectives of the courses are relatively similar and that the relationship between site and design are key for both. The challenges faced by the two approaches have much in common, reflecting similar student experiences, and so high transferability. The paper provides details on learning objectives and challenges faced at the two programs to aid others who wish to analyse capstone design experiences across multiple universities. The conclusion is that transferability between these two design experiences is high. The implication is that, through similar forces for educational change in both countries, internationalisation of engineering education is high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faces with threatening versus positive expressions are better remembered in visual working memory (WM) and are especially effective at capturing attention. We asked how the presence of a single threatening or happy face affects WM for concurrently viewed faces with neutral expressions. If threat captures attention and attention determines WM, then a WM performance cost for neutral faces should be evident. However, if threat boosts processing in an object-specific, noncompetitive manner, then no such costs should be produced. Participants viewed three neutral and one angry or happy face for 2 s. Face recognition was tested 1 s later. Although WM was better for singletons than nonsingletons and better for angry versus happy singletons, WM for neutral faces remained unaffected by either singleton. These results, combined with eye movement and response time analyses, argue against a selective attention account of threat-based benefits to WM and support object-specific enhancement via threat processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the response of multi-layer epitaxial graphene and chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown single-layer graphene to strong terahertz (THz) fields. Contrary to theoretical predictions of strong nonlinear response, the transmitted fields exhibit no harmonic generation, indicating that the nonlinear response is limited by fast electron thermalization due to carrier-carrier scattering. The fast electron heating gives rise to large THz transmission enhancement (>15%) in single-layer CVD graphene at high THz fields (ETHz > 10 kV cm-1). The nonlinear effects exhibit non-Drude behavior in the THz conductivity, where THz fields induce extreme non-equilibrium electron distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate time-resolved terahertz transmission ellipsometry of vertically aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The angle-resolved transmission measurements reveal anisotropic characteristics of the terahertz electrodynamics in multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The anisotropy is, however, unexpectedly weak: the ratio of the tube-axis conductivity to the transverse conductivity, σz/σxy≅2.3, is nearly constant over the broad spectral range of 0.4-1.6 THz. The relatively weak anisotropy and the strong transverse electrical conduction indicate that THz fields readily induce electron transport between adjacent shells within multi-walled carbon nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant recent interest has focussed on improving outcomes after emergency laparotomy. This retrospective database analysis estimated the annual incidence and associated inpatient costs of emergency laparotomy in England. Demographic, process and outcome data were collected for all patients undergoing emergency laparotomy in Brighton for two calendar years (2009-2010). Cost analysis assumed £16 per minute theatre time, and £282 per day ward bed and £1382 per day critical care bed costs. National incidence was confirmed from Hospital Episode Statistics and Office of National Statistics mid-year population data. In total, 768 patients underwent 850 emergency laparotomies. The incidence of emergency laparotomy was estimated as ∼1:1100 population. Thirty-six percent (276 patients) were admitted for a median (IQR [range]) of 5 (3-11 [1-76]) days of critical care. Postoperative median (IQR [range]) length of stay was 13 (8-24 [1-176]) days. Our estimated annual inpatient cost of emergency laparotomy for Brighton was ∼£5 million, equivalent to ∼£13 000 per patient, and for England, an annual estimated cost of ∼£650 million. However, 'Payment by Results' reimbursement amounted to a mean (SD) hospital income of just £6905 (2639) per patient, a net financial loss of ∼£6100 per patient, equivalent to a reimbursement shortfall nationally of ∼£300 million. We also found that patients > 70 years (46%) had significantly higher 30-day postoperative mortality (18% vs 6%, p < 0.0001), significantly prolonged median (IQR [range]) length of stay (15 (10-26 [1-123]) days vs 12 (7-22 [1-176]) days, p < 0.001) and incurred higher costs (median (IQR [range]) £9667 (6620-15 732 [1920-103 624]) vs £7467 (4975-14 251 [1178-118 060]), p < 0.001). Emergency laparotomy is a common procedure associated with considerable cost, particularly among elderly patients. A National Emergency Laparotomy Database will help provide an evidence base on which to improve clinical outcome and cost efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hox transcription factors provide positional information during patterning of the anteroposterior axis. Hox transcription factors can co-operatively bind with PBC-class co-factors, enhancing specificity and affinity for their appropriate binding sites. The nuclear localisation of these co-factors is regulated by the Meis-class of homeodomain proteins. During development of the zebrafish hindbrain, Meis3 has previously been shown to synergise with Hoxb1 in the autoregulation of Hoxb1. In Xenopus XMeis3 posteriorises the embryo upon ectopic expression. Recently, an early temporally collinear expression sequence of Hox genes was detected in Xenopus gastrula mesoderm (see intro. P3). There is evidence that this sequence sets up the embryo's later axial Hox expression pattern by time-space translation. We investigated whether XMeis3 is involved in regulation of this early mesodermal Hox gene expression. Here, we present evidence that XMeis3 is necessary for expression of Hoxd1, Hoxb4 and Hoxc6 in mesoderm during gastrulation. In addition, we show that XMeis3 function is necessary for the progression of gastrulation. Finally, we present evidence for synergy between XMeis3 and Hoxd1 in Hoxd1 autoregulation in mesoderm during gastrulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparative pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis of the mTOR inhibitor RAD001 (everolimus) in rats and mice. Blood cell partitioning, plasma protein binding and PK parameters of RAD001 in blood and tissues (including brain) of both mice and rats were determined. PK modeling predicted plasma/blood and tumor levels from a variety of regimens and these were compared with the known human PK profile. DCE-MRI was used to compare tumor vascularity between mice and rats. Estimation of IC50 values in vitro and ED50 values in vivo were used to provide an indication of anti-tumor activity. The PK properties of RAD001 differed between mice and rats, including erythrocyte partitioning, plasma protein binding, plasma/blood t1/2, oral bioavailability, volume of distribution, tissue/tumor penetration and elimination. Modeling of tumor and blood/plasma PK suggested that in mice, multiple daily administrations result in a ~2-fold increase in tumor levels of RAD001 at steady state, whereas in rats, a ~7.9-fold increase would occur. Weekly high-dose regimens were predicted not to facilitate tumor accumulation in either species. Total tumor levels of RAD001 were four- to eight-fold greater in rats than in mice. Rat tumors had a >2-fold greater plasma content and permeability compared to mouse tumors, which could contribute to differences in tumor drug uptake. Maximal antitumor effects (T/C of 0.04–0.35) were observed in both species after daily administration with similar Cmax and AUC values of unbound (free) RAD001. These free levels of RAD001 are exceeded in serum from cancer patients receiving clinically beneficial daily regimens. In rodents, brain penetration of RAD001 was poor, but was dose-dependent and showed over-proportional uptake in rats with a longer t1/2 compared to the systemic circulation. The PK of RAD001 differed between mice and rats, with rats having a PK profile closer to that of humans. High intermittent doses of RAD001 may be more appropriate for treatment of brain tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seasonally breeding animals use a combination of photic (i.e. day length) and nonphotic (e.g. food availability, temperature) cues to regulate their reproduction. How these environmental cues are integrated is not understood. To assess the potential role of two candidate neuropeptides, kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide-3 (RFRP), we monitored regional changes in their gene expression in a seasonally breeding mammal exposed to moderate changes in photoperiod and food availability. Adult male Siberian hamsters ( Phodopus sungorus) were housed under a long (16 h light/day; 16 L) or intermediate (13.5 L) photoperiod and fed ad lib. or a progressive food restriction schedule (FR; reduced to 80% of ad lib.) for 11 weeks. Gonadal regression occurred only in FR hamsters housed under 13.5 L. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify diencephalic populations of kisspeptin- and RFRP-immunoreactive cells, and quantitative PCR was used to measure gene expression in adjacent coronal brain sections. Photoperiod, but not food availability, altered RFRP mRNA expression in the dorsomedial sections, whereas food availability but not photoperiod altered Kiss1 expression in the arcuate sections; intermediate photoperiods elevated RFRP expression, and food restriction suppressed Kiss1 expression. Regional- and neuropeptide-specific activity of RFamides may provide a mechanism for integration of multi-modal environmental information in the seasonal control of reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, liver transplantation (LT) is an accepted method of treatment of end-stage liver disease, metabolic diseases with their primary defect in the liver and unresectable primary liver tumors. Surgical techniques in LT have evolved considerably over the past 40 yr. The developments have led to a safer procedure for the recipient reflected by continuously improving survival figures after LT. Also the new techniques offer the possibility of tailoring the operation to the needs and condition of the recipient as in partial grafting or in different revascularization techniques, or in techniques of biliary reconstructions. In addition, the new techniques such as split LT, domino transplantation and living donor LT have brought about an increase in the available grafts. In this review the evolution of surgical techniques in LT over the past 40 yr and their contribution to the current results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between November 1982 and March 2006, 67 children with body weight ≤10 kg had a primary liver transplantation from deceased donors in our unit. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcome in terms of patient and graft survival and to search for factors affecting this outcome. Overall, one-, three-, five-, and 10-yr primary patient and graft survival rates were 73%, 71%, 66%, 63% and 59%, 56%, 53%, 48%, respectively. Twenty-four of 67 (36%) children died and in the remaining 22 (33%), the first grafts failed and they were retransplanted. Cox regression analysis revealed that a need for retransplantation and urgent transplantation were important predictors for patient survival (p = 0.04 and p = 0.001, respectively). To assess whether the need for retransplantation can be influenced, all study variables were compared between surviving grafts and failed grafts. Cox regression analysis showed that only donor/recipient (D/R) weight ratio proved to be independent predictor for graft survival (p = 0.004). After comparison of graft survival with the long rank test according to different D/R weight ratios (3.0–7.0), the cut-off point for significantly different graft survival approached 4.0. The one-, three-, five-, and 10-yr graft survival for technical variant grafts with a D/R weight ratio <4.0 was 85%, 68%, 68%, and 68% compared with a D/R weight ratio >4.0 was 44%, 38%, 38%, and 30%, respectively (p = 0.02). In summary, patient survival in children with body weight ≤10 kg is determined by urgent transplantation and the need for retransplantation. Graft loss and retransplantation in small children can be prevented by adequate size matching of donor and recipient whereby a D/R weight ratio <4.0 seems to offer the favorable outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the chronobiology of cohabitation in animals. It suggests that social regulation of animal circadian rhythms may allow individuals in a population to temporally synchronize or segregate their activities within the community. It cites the possibility that animals may segregate their activity times to avoid competition for a particular temporal niche. It notes that circadian rhythms are believed to be adaptive responses to the challenges of living on a rotating planet.

Considerable effort has been expended on understanding the genetic networks that regulate leaf development and morphology, however, less attention has been given to the role of leaf carbon status in modulating the plant developmental programme. Unexpected changes in plant development have been observed in response to changes in leaf metabolism. The focus of this review will be to discuss how manipulation of leaf carbon metabolic pathways, such as the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle and trehalose biosynthesis, has provided insights into links between metabolism and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) is the only cellular protein that contains the unusual amino acid hypusine [ Nε-(4-amino-2-hydroxybutyl)lysine]. Vertebrates carry two genes that encode two eIF5A isoforms, eIF5A-1 and eIF5A-2, which, in humans, are 84% identical. eIF5A-1 mRNA (1.3 kb) and protein (18 kDa) are constitutively expressed in human cells. In contrast, expression of eIF5A-2 mRNA (0.7–5.6 kb) and eIF5A-2 protein (20 kDa) varies widely. Whereas eIF5A-2 mRNA was demonstrable in most cells, eIF5A-2 protein was detectable only in the colorectal and ovarian cancer-derived cell lines SW-480 and UACC-1598, which showed high overexpression of eIF5A-2 mRNA. Multiple forms of eIF5A-2 mRNA (5.6, 3.8, 1.6 and 0.7 kb) were identified as the products of one gene with various lengths of 3′-UTR, resulting from the use of different polyadenylation (AAUAAA) signals. The eIF5A-1 and eIF5A-2 precursor proteins were modified comparably in UACC-1598 cells and both were similarly stable. When eIF5A-1 and eIF5A-2 coding sequences were expressed from mammalian vectors in 293T cells, eIF5A-2 precursor was synthesized at a level comparable to that of eIF5A-1 precursor, indicating that the elements causing inefficient translation of eIF5A-2 mRNA reside outside of the open reading frame. On sucrose gradient separation of cytoplasmic RNA, only a small portion of total eIF5A-2 mRNA was associated with the polysomal fraction, compared with a much larger portion of eIF5A-1 mRNA in the polysomes. These findings suggest that the failure to detect eIF5A-2 protein even in eIF5A-2 mRNA positive cells is, at least in part, due to inefficient translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the activity and safety of ecteinascidin (ET-743) in pretreated patients with advanced or metastatic soft tissue and bone sarcoma. Patients or subjects. Eighty-nine patients received ET-743 as a 24-hour continuous infusion at a dose of 900--1500 μ/m2 every 3 weeks. Results. We observed one complete remission, 5 partial remissions, one minimal response, and 16 patients with a disease stabilization of 6 months or more. The objective response rate was 6.7% and the clinical benefit rate at 3 and 6 months was 37.7% and 23.4%, respectively. Responses were noted in patients with lipo-, leiomyo-, osteo-, and myogenic sarcoma, with a median duration of 9.85 months. Toxicity mainly involved an asymptomatic elevation of transaminases and neutropenia. Estimated 1-and 2-year survival rates were 39.4% and 15.8%.Median overall survival was 8.25 months. Discussion. This retrospective analysis confirms that ET-743 induces objective responses and progression arrest in a clinically relevant proportion of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. were grown from seed in phosphate-sufficient and phosphate-deficient conditions. Separate plants were subjected to nitrate deficiency by removing nitrate from the rooting medium of previously nitrate-sufficient plants. Subsequently, they were also irrigated with 400 mM NaCl to induce CAM. Plants of M. crystallinum with induced CAM that had been grown in complete nutrient medium were deinduced by rehydration. Nitrate and phosphate deficiencies caused enhanced CAM activity prior to salt treatments. After salinisation, phosphate deficiency also caused higher background levels of malate. Prolonged nitrate deficiency reduced CAM activity. Endogenous P1 levels in phosphate-sufficient plants correlated with CAM activity. However in phosphate-deficient plants CAM occurred without a significant rise in P1 content. Levels of endogenous P1 appeared more related to nitrate deficiency than to CAM or salt treatment. Nitrate and phosphate deficiencies and salt treatment could all cause a nitrate deficiency within the leaf, causing high endogenous P1 when available in the rooting medium. It is speculated that a change in nitrogen status could play a role in the initiation of CAM induction in M. crystallinum. A further possibility is that CAM could be induced by reduced water potential due to dehydration and increased ion content in saline conditions, and by an inhibition of growth and concomitant accumulation of solutes in phosphate- and nitrate-deficient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in carbohydrate metabolism between the C3 and CAM forms of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. were demonstrated and studied. The CAM form accumulated less starch (defined as boiling water-insoluble polyglucan) than the C3 form at high irradiances, but at limiting light diverted a greater proportion of photosynthate to starch. Starch accumulation was more sensitive to the effects of exogenous inorganic phosphate in the C3 form than in the CAM form. Following induction of CAM by salt treatment, the CAM form ceased to accumulate glucose and fructose and commenced accumulating pinitol. Pinitol is not involved directly in CAM but may act as a compatible osmoregulatory solute. Concentrations of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate in the C3 and CAM forms were similar, but the cytosolic fructose 1,6-bisphophatase extracted from the two forms was markedly different in sensitivity to this effector. The two enzymes also differed both in their sensitivity to inorganic phosphate and in their affinity for fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. The concentrations of key intermediates of carbohydrate metabolism, fructose and glucose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate were measured in the C3 and CAM forms. Concentrations of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate were higher in the CAM form, whereas those of glucose and fructose 6-phosphate were higher in the C3 form. The differences observed are discussed in relation to the regulation of storage carbohydrate metabolism in the two forms. A partial explanation is offered for the differences in the characteristics of starch accumulation between the C3 and CAM forms through the influence of the effector fructose 2,6-bisphosphate on the enzyme fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to examine whether carbohydrates are involved in signalling N deficiency through source:sink imbalance. Photosynthetic metabolism in tobacco was studied over 8 d during the withdrawal of N from previously N-sufficient plants in which the source:sink ratio was manipulated by shading leaves on some of the plants. In N-sufficient plants over this timescale, there was a small decline in photosynthetic rate, Rubisco protein and amino acid content, with a larger decrease in carbohydrate content. Withdrawal of N from the growing medium induced a large decrease in the rate of photosynthesis (35% reduction after 8 d under the growing conditions, with a reduction also apparent at high and low measuring CO2), which was caused by a large decrease in the amount of Rubisco protein (62% after 8 d) and Rubisco activity. Higher amounts of hexoses preceded the loss of photosynthetic activity and sucrose and starch accumulation. Reduction of the source:sink ratio by shading prevented the loss of photosynthetic activity and the increase in hexoses and other carbohydrates. These data indicate that the reduction of photosynthesis that accompanies N deficiency in intact plants has the characteristics of sugar repression of photosynthesis observed in model systems, but that the accumulation of hexose prior to the decline in photosynthesis is small. The possibility that sugar repression of photosynthesis under physiological conditions depends more crucially on the C:N status of leaves than the carbohydrate status alone is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple method of growing plants in agar was exploited to investigate the effect of long-term nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiencies on respiratory metabolism and growth in shoots and roots of Nicotiana tabacum seedlings, and their interaction with exogenously supplied sucrose. Levels of hexose phosphates and 3-phosphoglyceric acid (3-PGA) were low in P-deficient shoots and roots and high in N-deficient shoots and roots. The ratio of hexose phosphates to 3-PGA and levels of fructose-2,6-bisphosphate were high in P-deficient plants and low in N-deficient plants. These data reflect differences in the way metabolism was perturbed, yet both deficiencies were associated with increased root growth relative to shoot growth, starch accumulation in the shoots, and soluble carbohydrate accumulation, especially hexoses, in the roots. Enzymes for sucrose degradation (sucrose synthase, acid and alkaline invertase) and glycolysis (phosphofructokinase, pyrophosphate-dependent phospho-fructokinase and pyruvate kinase) remained unaltered or declined in the shoots and roots. The accumulation of hexoses in roots of N- and P-deficient plants may result from maintenance of high invertase activities relative to sucrose synthase and glycolytic enzymes in the roots. The possibility that hexose accumulation may drive preferential root growth osmotically in N and P deficiencies is discussed. The addition of sucrose to roots to further investigate the interaction of carbohydrates with growth and allocation in low N and low P produced clear effects even though endogenous levels of soluble carbohydrate were already high in the nutrient-deficient plants. In complete nutrition, growth was stimulated, protein content particularly of the roots was increased and there was a preferential increase in activity of sucrose synthase in roots. At low P, enzyme activities in roots were increased, including sucrose synthase, and protein content increased, particularly in the roots, but there was no increase in growth. In N-deficient plants, exogenous sucrose led to decreased protein, Rubisco and chlorophyll content in shoots, in contrast to the other conditions, and a higher protein content and a general increase of catabolic enzyme activities and growth in the roots, [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesembryanthemum crystallinum plants were irrigated with 400 mol m-3 NaCl to induce CAM and levels of leaf starch, and activities of starch-degrading enzymes were measured. During Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) induction, daily starch turnover gradually became more pronounced and was three- to four-fold greater than in leaves of C3 plants alter 3 weeks. Activities of α- and β- amylase, D-enzyme and starch phosphorylase all increased 10- to 20-fold within 3 weeks of the start of salt treatment. Activities of α- and β-amylase increased more than fourfold within the first 24 h of salt treatment, which is the fastest increase in enzyme activities so far measured during the induction of CAM with salt solution in intact plants of this species. Most enzyme activities were partially chloroplastic; however, the principal starch-degrading activity was constituted by an extra-chloroplastic β-amylase. CAM starch-phosphorylase activity, which was mainly chloroplastic, exhibited a two- to three-fold diurnal change in parallel with starch content. CAM induction in M. crystallinum is clearly associated with greater starch turnover and enhanced starch-degrading enzyme activities, which as catalysts of the initial reaction to release carbon for synthesis of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) appear highly significant for the functioning of the CAM pathway. The diurnal rhythm of phosphorylase activity may be of particular significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate electron transport properties in large-area, single-layer graphene embedded in dielectric media, using free-space terahertz (THz) imaging and time-domain spectroscopy. Sandwiched between a thin polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) layer and a Si substrate, graphene layers of different growth recipes exhibit distinctive spatial inhomogeneity of sheet conductivity. The non-contacting, non-destructive THz probe reveals that the PMMA layer induces a small, yet noticeable reduction in conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft tissue infections when not identified and treated on time, leads to severe morbidity and mortality. Various factors are mentioned in literature to predict the severity of the infection. They are not universal and is based on retrospective studies. Hence, we proposed this prospective study to assess the various parameters that predicts the severity in patients with soft tissue infections of the lower limb. A nested case control study was designed with a sample size of fifty-five in each arm. Patients were recruited on accrual basis and based on the outcome they were grouped under one of the two arms: non mortality, non-morbidity arm and mortality, morbidity arm. From the data collected, univariate and multivariate analysis were done to find significant variables predicting morbidity and mortality. The significant variables that predict morbidity in patients with soft tissue infections are Neutrophilia (p-0.079) (OR 1.06, CI 0.99 – 1.14), Hyponatremia (p-0.008) (OR 0.84, CI 0.74 – 0.96) and Fever (p-0.029) (OR 4.30, CI 1.16 – 15.92) at presentation. In patients, who presents to hospital with soft tissue infections of the lower limb, those showing significant neutrophilia (OR 1.06, CI 0.99 – 1.14), hyponatremia (OR 0.84, CI 0.74 – 0.96) and fever at presentation (OR 4.30, CI 1.16 – 15.92) have an increased likelihood of morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Lithium‐ion batteries are indispensable in various applications owing to their high specific energy and long service life. Lithium‐ion battery models are used for investigating the behavior of the battery and enabling power control in applications. The Doyle‐Fuller‐Newman (DFN) model is a popular electrochemistry‐based model, which characterizes the dynamics in the battery through diffusions in solid and electrolyte and predicts current/voltage response. However, the DFN model contains a large number of parameters that need to be estimated to obtain an accurate battery model. In this paper, a computationally feasible two‐step estimation approach is proposed that only uses voltage and current measurements of the battery under consideration. In the two‐step procedure, the parameters are divided into 2 groups. The first group contains thermodynamic parameters, which are estimated using low‐current discharges, while the second group contains kinetic parameters, which are estimated using a well‐designed highly‐dynamic pulse (dis‐)charge current. A parameter sensitivity analysis is done to find a subset of parameters that can be reliably estimated using current and voltage measurements only. Experimental data are collected for 12 Ah nickel cobalt aluminum pouch lithium‐ion cell. The voltage predictions of the identified model are compared with several experimental data sets to validate the model. A root mean square error between model predictions and experimental data smaller than 16 mV is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimating time-dependent rates of speciation and extinction from dated phylogenetic trees of extant species (timetrees), and determining how and why they vary, is key to understanding how ecological and evolutionary processes shape biodiversity. Due to an increasing availability of phylogenetic trees, a growing number of process-based methods relying on the birth–death model have been developed in the last decade to address a variety of questions in macroevolution. However, this methodological progress has regularly been criticized such that one may wonder how reliable the estimations of speciation and extinction rates are. In particular, using lineages-through-time (LTT) plots, a recent study has shown that there are an infinite number of equally likely diversification scenarios that can generate any timetree. This has led to questioning whether or not diversification rates should be estimated at all. Here, we summarize, clarify, and highlight technical considerations on recent findings regarding the capacity of models to disentangle diversification histories. Using simulations, we illustrate the characteristics of newly proposed "pulled rates" and their utility. We recognize that the recent findings are a step forward in understanding the behavior of macroevolutionary modeling, but they in no way suggest we should abandon diversification modeling altogether. On the contrary, the study of macroevolution using phylogenetic trees has never been more exciting and promising than today. We still face important limitations in regard to data availability and methods, but by acknowledging them we can better target our joint efforts as a scientific community. [Birth–death models; extinction; phylogenetics; speciation.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a method for the active control of the deformations on a magnetically levitated moving-magnet planar motor. The planar motor under consideration is comprised of a stator on a double coil array configuration and a mover with permanent magnets, and it is designed to perform positioning tasks with nanometer level of accuracy. Due to the spatially asymmetric, nonuniform force distribution on the magnet plate, mechanical deformations are induced to the mover, which can severely hinder the desired positioning accuracy. The proposed method overcomes this challenge by properly shaping the force distribution on the moving magnet plate, which is enabled by the presence of multiple coils interacting with the mover, corresponding to an “overactuation” scheme. As a consequence, the independent control of elementary deformation shapes (modes) is achieved. The proposed overactuation scheme is experimentally validated on a planar motor prototype, proving the efficiency of the proposed method during both standstill and motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the mutational status of susceptibility genes including RET, VHL, SDHx (SDHB, SDHC, SDHD) among patients with pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PCC/PGL) is gaining importance. These genes have not been systematically characterized among patients with PCC/PGL from India. The aim of the work was to screen the most frequently mutated genes among patients with PCC/PGL to determine the frequency and spectrum of mutations seen in this region. Fifty patients with PCC/PGL treated at our tertiary care hospital between January 2010 and June 2012 were screened for mutations in susceptibility genes using an algorithmic approach. Thirty two percent (16/50) of patients were found to be positive for mutations including mutations among RET (n = 4), VHL (n = 6), SDHB (n = 3), and SDHD (n = 3) genes. None of these patients were positive for SDHC mutations. A significant association was found between young patients with bilateral tumors and VHL mutations (p = 0.002). Two of the 3 patients with extra-adrenal SDHB associated tumors, had unique mutations, viz., c.436delT (exon 5) and c.788_857del (exon 8), one of which was malignant. High frequency of mutations seen among patients in this study emphasizes the need to consider mutational analysis among Indian patients with PCC/PGL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aim to analyze the clinicopathological profile and outcomes of management for children with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: Relevant clinical data of children ≤ 18 years of age managed for PTC between January 2006 and July 2018 as well as details of their follow-up till December 2019 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: There were 82 children with PTC that were managed during the study period. At presentation, 39 (47.6%) had cervical lymphadenopathy, while 9 (11%) had systemic metastasis. Majority of patients 39 (47.6%) underwent total thyroidectomy with a selective neck dissection, while total thyroidectomy alone was performed in 26 (31.7%). Following surgery, hypocalcemia was seen in 39 (47.6%): 28 (34.1%) were temporary, while 11 (13.4%) were permanent. Twenty-eight (34%) developed persistent disease after surgery and 131I therapy. Significant risk factors for persistence and metastatic disease were metastatic cervical lymph node at presentation (p = 0.002) and tumor size (p = 0.014), respectively. The mean duration of follow-up was 60.3 (range 12–150) months with a mean overall disease-free survival of 60 months (95% CI 57.11, 77.95). Conclusion: Children with papillary thyroid cancers present with aggressive disease, 47.6% with cervical nodal metastasis and 11% with distant metastasis in this cohort. The rate of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia in this study is substantial, and efforts to reduce it are actively being pursued. The presence of metastatic cervical lymph node at presentation (p = 0.002) and tumor size (p = 0.014) were the only significant risk factors for persistent and metastatic disease, respectively, in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the incidence, risk factors and clinical relevance of inadvertent parathyroidectomy during thyroidectomy. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Tertiary care hospital and post-graduate teaching institute. Subjects & Methods: Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between 2004 and 2006 (three years) in a general surgical unit with a special interest in endocrine surgery were included in the study. Medical records were accessed for patient demographic data, diagnosis, operative details, histopathology reports, postoperative hypocalcaemia and the total duration of hospital stay. Results: Inadvertent removal of parathyroid glands occurred in 12.9% of cases. Removed parathyroids were intra-capsular / intra-thyroidal in 44.6% of cases. Female sex, malignancy and central neck dissection were found to be risk factors. These patients had an increased incidence of temporary and permanent biochemical hypocalcaemia but the hospital stay was not prolonged. Conclusion: In our study, inadvertent parathyroid excision accounted for increased morbidity. Steps should be taken to preserve more parathyroid glands by improving surgical technique (magnification) and auto-transplantation of parathyroid gland if necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which analyses that severity of diabetic foot ulceration is resulted from specific polymorphisms of the heat-shock protein 70 gene (HSPA1B). The study shows that amputation and hospital stay are needed for patients with HSPA1B genotype which is associated with the severity of diabetic foot ulceration. It mentions that DNA from venous blood of diabetic patients are extracted and is examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length analysis.

Tacrolimus is an important drug for immunosuppression after liver transplantation. Bioavailability of enterally administered tacrolimus is poor, and further reduced by gastric residuals or by enteral nutrition. Buccal administration might be an alternative route especially in children. Tacrolimus trough levels (TTLs) obtained after buccal administration of tacrolimus after liver transplantation have not been reported. The aim of this study was to determine whether buccal administration of tacrolimus is feasible and to compare TTLs after nasogastric tube (NGT) administration with buccal administration. TTLs after NGT or buccal administration during the first week after pediatric liver transplantation were analyzed from 28 cadaveric liver transplants in 23 pediatric recipients between June 2002 and March 2004. Each level was scored within, under or above the target range. Buccal administration was well tolerated in all patients. A total of 149 TTLs were obtained of which nine were excluded because of incomplete information on target levels. Overall 27% of TTLs was adequate. The percentage of levels under, within and above the target range were comparable in both groups (chi-square test; p = 0.64). Both groups had a decrease in percentages within the target range on day 3 and 4 after liver transplantation with a subsequent rise. Buccal tacrolimus administration is feasible. Similar TTLs are achieved compared with NGT tacrolimus administration during the first week after pediatric liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

slug gene expression is associated with the specification and migration of neural crest cells in the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis. We provide evidence that the protein Ying-Yang 1 (YY1) regulates the slug gene expression both indirectly and directly, via a YY1 ciselement in the slug promoter, during Xenopus development. The ability of the YY1 to bind this YY1 cis-element was confirmed by electromobility shift assays and reporter assays. YY1 was detected in the nuclei of ectodermai cells contemporaneously with the process of neural crest specification. The injection of anti-YY1 morpholino, which targeted both YY1α and YY1β gene products, depleted YY1 expression below 20% and was lethal at gastrulation. Sublethal depletion of YY1 reduced the length of the anterior-posterior axis and severely inhibited the expression of the neural marker Nrp1 and of the slug gene. Overexpression of YY1 or mutation of the YY1 cis-element reduced the restricted spatial expression of the slug reporter gene in the neural ectoderm border and provoked its expression in the nonneural ectoderm. Chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated that endogenous YY1 interacts directly with the YY1 cis-element of the endogenous slug gene and with the slug gene reporter sequence injected into embryos. The results suggest that YY1 is essential for Xenopus development; is necessary for neural ectoderm differentiation, a prerequisite for neural crest specification; and restricts which cells can form neural crest mesenchyme through directly blocking slug gene activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The class of finite impulse response (FIR), Laguerre, and Kautz functions can be generalized to a family of rational orthonormal basis functions for the Hardy space H2 of stable linear dynamical systems. These basis functions are useful for constructing efficient parameterizations and coding of linear systems and signals, as required in, e.g., system identification, system approximation, and adaptive filtering. In this paper, the basis functions are derived from a transfer function perspective as well as in a state space setting. It is shown how this approach leads to alternative series expansions of systems and signals in time and frequency domain. The generalized basis functions induce signal and system transforms (Hambo transforms), which have proved to be useful analysis tools in various modeling problems. These transforms are analyzed in detail in this paper, and a large number of their properties are derived. Principally, it is shown how minimal state space realizations of the system transform can be obtained from minimal state space realizations of the original system and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY 1. The effects of catchment urbanisation on water quality were examined for 30 streams (stratified into 15, 50 and 100 km2 ± 25% catchments) in the Etowah River basin, Georgia, U.S.A. We examined relationships between land cover (implying cover and use) in these catchments (e.g. urban, forest and agriculture) and macroinvertebrate assemblage attributes using several previously published indices to summarise macroinvertebrate response. Based on a priori predictions as to mechanisms of biotic impairment under changing land cover, additional measurements were made to assess geomorphology, hydrology and chemistry in each stream. 2. We found strong relationships between catchment land cover and stream biota. Taxon richness and other biotic indices that reflected good water quality were negatively related to urban land cover and positively related to forest land cover. Urban land cover alone explained 29–38% of the variation in some macroinvertebrate indices. Reduced water quality was detectable at c . >15% urban land cover. 3. Urban land cover correlated with a number of geomorphic variables such as stream bed sediment size (–) and total suspended solids (+) as well as a number of water chemistry variables including nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations (+), specific conductance (+) and turbidity (+). Biotic indices were better predicted by these reach scale variables than single, catchment scale land cover variables. Multiple regression models explained 69% of variation in total taxon richness and 78% of the variation in the Invertebrate Community Index (ICI) using phi variability, specific conductance and depth, and riffle phi , specific conductance and phi variability, respectively. 4. Indirect ordination analysis was used to describe assemblage and functional group changes among sites and corroborate which environmental variables were most important in driving differences in macroinvertebrate assemblages. The first axis in a... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that examined pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of fluorinated drugs through the use of magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Information on ifosfamide; Barriers that limit access of drugs to many parts of the tumor; Factors that have been used to increase tumor blood flow.

Spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage is a rare clinical entity which can lead to an adrenal crisis, shock, and death. We conducted this study to analyze the etiopathogenesis, clinical presentation, imaging modality, and treatment of patients with spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage. Retrospective analysis of 18 patients with spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage managed between 2005 and 2017 at a single institution was performed. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain in 10 (55.6%) patients. Contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CECT) was the most commonly used diagnostic modality (16/18 [88%]). Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage was seen in 6 patients (33%). Adrenal insufficiency was detected in 7 (38.9%) and these patients received steroid therapy. Etiology of the bleed included idiopathic (5 [27.8%]), antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLA) (5 [27.8%]), and pheochromocytoma (4 [22.2%]), associated with pregnancy, anticoagulant use, pseudoaneurysm, and myelolipoma in 1 (5.5%) each. Nine (50%) patients could be managed conservatively, and 8 (44.4%) required adrenalectomy while embolization was performed in one (5.6%). There were no mortalities. In this series, the most common clinical presentation of a patient with spontaneous adrenal hemorrhage was abdominal pain. The detection of an unexplained adrenal hemorrhage should prompt one to look for predisposing conditions like APLA. Patients with adrenal hemorrhage should be evaluated for adrenal insufficiency and if present, steroid therapy needs to be initiated. As seen in this series, not all patients with adrenal hemorrhage require an adrenalectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted this audit to assess and improve the quality of care for patients undergoing thyroid surgery at our institution. The audit process began in 2012. Key performance indicators assessed were rates of hypocalcemia (immediate postoperative, temporary and permanent), recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, chyle leak rate, re-exploration for chyle leak and post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage. Data of patients undergoing thyroidectomy from 1st January to 31st December 2011 was retrospectively collected from the electronic database. Performance indicators were assessed and compared to international standards. Actions to correct the short falls were implemented and retrospective re-audits were performed on prospectively collected data in subsequent years until 2015. The data was analysed using STATA IC/13.1. There has been a steady increase in the number of thyroidectomies performed/year from 357 in 2011 to 577 in 2015. The most common procedure performed was total thyroidectomy (~70%) and histopathology revealed thyroid malignancy in the majority of patients. Over 5 years, a significant improvement in the rates of post-thyroidectomy immediate and temporary hypocalcemia was witnessed (p < 0.001) as well as a near significant fall in permanent hypocalcemia and RLN injury rate (p = 0.06). In 2014 and 2015, no patients were re-explored for a chyle leak. The rate of post-thyroidectomy haemorrhage (1.2–1.8%) has remained static over 5 years. This audit portrays specialisation in endocrine surgery and high volumes of patients treated have resulted in a significant improvement in outcomes for patients following thyroid surgery that meet international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrolysis of aqueous solutions produces solutions that are supersaturated in oxygen and hydrogen gas. This results in the formation of gas bubbles, including nanobubbles ~100 nm in size that are stable for ~24 h. These aqueous solutions containing bubbles have been evaluated for cleaning efficacy in the removal of model contaminants bovine serum albumin and lysozyme from surfaces and in the prevention of the fouling of surfaces by these same proteins. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces were investigated. It is shown that nanobubbles can prevent the fouling of surfaces and that they can also clean already fouled surfaces. It is also argued that in practical applications where cleaning is carried out rapidly using a high degree of mechanical agitation the role of cleaning agents is not primarily in assisting the removal of soil but in suspending the soil that is removed by mechanical action and preventing it from redepositing onto surfaces. This may also be the primary mode of action of nanobubbles during cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of physical parameters in dynamical systems driven by linear partial differential equations is an important problem. In this paper, we introduce the least costly experiment design framework for these systems. It enables parameter estimation with an accuracy that is specified by the experimenter prior to the identification experiment, while at the same time minimising the cost of the experiment. We show how to adapt the classical framework for these systems and take into account scaling and stability issues. We also introduce a progressive subdivision algorithm that further generalises the experiment design framework in the sense that it returns the lowest cost by finding the optimal input signal, and optimal sensor and actuator locations. Our methodology is then applied to a relevant problem in heat transfer studies: estimation of conductivity and diffusivity parameters in front-face experiments. We find good correspondence between numerical and theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]