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In this paper we introduce and study the classes of signed Borel measure Mp(Rn) as well as Mp(Rn) (1 < p < n) which are generalization of the Kato class. For these classes we obtain an upper estimate for the energy operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colloidal lithography is a cost-effective and scalable technique for producing nanostructures with defined shapes and sizes. In this study, colloidal lithography was utilized to fabricate nanostructured silver layers for a three-layer transparent conductive oxide AZO/Ag/AZO. The silver nanostructures were deposited onto an aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) substrate via RF sputtering at room temperature and served as the conductive layer in the AZO/Ag/AZO stack. The resulting nanostructured silver layer exhibited a peak of 93% transmittance in the 300–400 nm range and a steady value of 61% in the 400–1000 nm range. The sheet resistance value was 9.3 Ω/sq for the 15 nm Ag film after polystyrene nanospheres (PS) were chemically removed; it showed improved electrical conductivity and transparency compared to traditional AZO layers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed a disordered, random distribution of the PS in the films. The incorporation of the optimized nanostructured silver layer in this structure resulted in highly competent transparent conductive oxide (TCO), whose performance was evaluated using a figure of merit. This work demonstrates the potential of colloidal lithography for the fabrication of nanostructured silver layers in transparent conductive oxides, opening new alternatives for the development of low-cost and highly efficient transparent conductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the heat equation with non-smooth perturbation caused by a delay applied to the time variable through a piecewise constant function, but keeping the time positive, which does not merit changing the phase space as usually occurs when the delay makes the time negative. To do so, we first prove the existence of solutions using Fourier's transform. Next, we prove the uniqueness of solutions by applying the maximum principle method. After that, we study the stability of these solutions. Finally, we propose some problems that can be solved with this or similar techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery is the primary form of definitive treatment for early-stage lung cancer. Patients with poor lung function before surgery are at high risk of pulmonary complications after resection. Surgeons evaluate patient fitness for surgery using pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and calculate the predicted postoperative PFT (ppoPFT) values by estimating the volume of lung tissue to be resected. Conventional ppoPFT calculations assume a homogeneous lung function, which can be inaccurate. The 4DCT-ventilation is a novel lung function imaging modality developed in radiation oncology that uses 4DCT data to calculate ventilation maps. The purpose of this study was to report the first pilot clinical trial to prospectively investigate the suitability of 4DCT-ventilation for lung cancer surgical evaluation. The trial enrolled patients with lung cancer who were being evaluated for surgical resection. Eligible patients were being considered for pneumonectomy, lobectomy, or segmentectomy. Each patient underwent PFTs and 4DCT imaging prior to surgery and 3 months after surgery. Previously validated image processing techniques generated 4DCT-ventilation images using the presurgical 4DCT data. We calculated 4DCT-ventilation-based ppoPFTs by scaling preoperative PFTs by the 4DCT-ventilation-based lung function in the delineated surgical volume. We compared ppoPFTs to true postoperative PFTs using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and root mean squared (RMS) error for the 3 most common PFT measures: Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 seconds (FEV1), Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), and Diffusing Capacity of the Lungs for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO). The primary endpoint was CCC between 4DCT-ventilation-based ppoPFTs and true postoperative PFTs, with a hypothesized correlation ≥ 85%. From May 2018 to August 2021, 65 patients consented to the study and 37 completed presurgical 4DCT and pre- and post-surgical PFTs. Twenty-six (70%) patients underwent lobectomy and 11 (30%) underwent segmentectomy. The 4DCT-ventilation-based CCCs for predicting true postoperative PFTs were 90%, 87%, and 89% for FEV1, FVC, and DLCO, respectively. The RMS errors in 4DCT-ventilation-based ppoPFTs were 13.5%, 14.9%, and 14.4% for FEV1, FVC, and DLCO, respectively. This was the first pilot study to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of 4DCT-ventilation imaging for predicting PFT-based lung function following lung cancer surgery. The study met the primary CCC criteria for the 3 most common PFT measures with variations observed in individual patients. Future work will evaluate individual patient differences, compare 4DCT-ventilation with conventional ppoPFT calculations, and develop more sophisticated algorithms for postoperative lung function prediction. 4DCT-ventilation methods developed in radiation oncology can be innovatively applied to improve the ability of surgeons to quantitatively evaluate patient appropriateness and safety for lung cancer resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MOC1 and MOC2 represent two human papillomavirus (HPV)-negative mouse oral carcinoma (MOC) models commonly used for preclinical studies of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). While most publications employ subcutaneous heterotopic implantation of these cell lines, orthotopic models are increasingly being used to better recapitulate the tumor microenvironment of human HNSCC. However, the behavior of these tumor models based on location has not been well characterized. Here we present a comparison of time to tumor onset, tumor penetrance, and metastatic potential for MOC1 and MOC2 tumor models in heterotopic (subcutaneous vs intramuscular) or orthotopic (buccal) locations. MOC1 or MOC2 cells in PBS were implanted heterotopically (MOC1: 1 × 106 cells, MOC2: 1 × 105 cells) in the subcutaneous (SC) flank (MOC1: n=20, MOC2: n=11), intramuscular (IM) hind limb (MOC1: n=29, MOC2: n=29) or orthotopically (MOC1: 3 × 106 cells, MOC2: 3 × 104 cells) in the buccal mucosa (MOC1: n=23, MOC2: n=29) of C57BL/6J mice. Mice were monitored and tumors measured ≥3x/week. Time-to-tumor onset and penetrance were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Tumor growth curves were compared by 2-way ANOVA with Tukey's Post Hoc test. H&E-stained slides of lungs were analyzed by a veterinary pathologist blinded to tumor model. MOC2 had a shorter time-to-tumor onset compared to MOC1 in all models. In the buccal model, median time to tumor onset was 7.7 wks with 74% penetrance for MOC1 versus 2.1 wks with 97% penetrance for MOC2. In the SC model, tumor onset and penetrance were 6.4 wks and 55% for MOC1 and 1.4 wks and 100% for MOC2. In the IM model, tumor onset and penetrance were 13.7 wks and 52% for MOC1 and 1.1 wks and 97% for MOC2. Tumor growth curves showed a similar trend with MOC2 being more aggressive than MOC1 across all models. In the buccal model, MOC2 tumors grew significantly faster than MOC1 (p<0.0001), where MOC2 tumors were >2.5x the size of MOC1 tumors by Day 7 post-initial measurement. The SC and IM models showed similar differences with MOC2 growing significantly faster compared to MOC1 (p<0.0001 for SC, p=0.009 for IM). The MOC2 SC model grew the fastest with most tumors reaching volumetric endpoint (2000 mm3) at least one week before any other heterotopic model. Lung metastases were observed in all three MOC2 models (25% buccal, 60% IM, 75% SC), as well as both heterotopic MOC1 models (50% IM, 12.5% SC), which has not been reported in the literature. We demonstrate significant intra-model differences for MOC1 and MOC2 models based on location, indicating the importance of microenvironment on tumor behavior. Importantly, we found that MOC1 tumors, normally considered non-metastatic, can spread to the lungs in heterotopic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we make the convolution between Φ, the fundamental solution of the Laplace equation, and function V that belongs to the space Ln/p (ℝn). Since this convolution solves Poisson's equation -Δz = V, we use this result to derive Fefferman's inequality, which will be the cornerstone in the proof of our main result, which deals with the unique continuation property of the nonnegative solution of the quasilinear elliptic equation div A(x; u;...ru) = B(x; u;...ru), whose coefficients belong to the Ln/p (ℝn) space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PtCu based catalyst for the preferential oxidation of CO. • The role of copper and platinum in the Pt x Cu y alloy. • Hydrocarbon oxidation induced by copper atoms. This work is devoted to the study of the role of both metals in the intermetallic Pt x Cu y / γ Al 2 O 3 catalysts commonly employed in CO-PROX reaction. Therefore, monometallic Pt and Cu based catalysts and PtCu intermetallic compound with different molar ratios (Pt 3 Cu 1 and Pt 1 Cu 3) supported catalysts were carefully synthesized and deeply characterized. Room temperature CO adsorptions by FTIR spectroscopy were carried out on the mono- and intermetallic catalysts being the monometallic catalyst determinant for the study. From the analysis of the nature of the platinum surface in Pt/ γ Al 2 O 3 , we have demonstrated that the role of Pt sites is based in the CO dissociation for the CO 2 formation and also how the platinum surface is partially blocked by leftovers from the synthesis. Moreover, the study of the Cu/ γ Al 2 O 3 and the bimetallic catalysts Pt x Cu y / γ Al 2 O 3 allowed elucidating the effect of the copper in the metallic site and support interphase as well as the role of copper in the hydrocarbon oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The expansion of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to public health measures such as educational institutions closure and home confinement of the population. Methods: Bibliographic review in scientific literature of psychological effects in children and adolescents of the pandemic and confinement, the impact on children development, associated risk factors and possible preventative strategies. Results: Infectious pandemics are associated to an increase of anxious, depressive and post traumatic symptomatology in children and adolescents. Confinement has a negative impact on their mental and physical health. Children development could be affected by school closure, limitations on relationships with peers, a pause on outdoor physical activities and loss of healthy life habits. COVID-19 pandemic is associated to an increase of psychosocial risk factors such as isolation, domestic violence, poverty, overcrowding and overuse of technologies. Preventive measures are being proposed within families, like positive communication, promotion of healthy habits and parenting. It is essential to reinforce accessibility to the mental health network. Strategies for the protection of children and adolescent population should be designed in the context of the actual health crisis. Conclusion: To preserve children's rights, their mental health and development, without putting community health at risk, is a challenge that competent authorities have to face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to its central role in cellular metabolism, adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) is an important extracellular signalling molecule involved in various physiological processes. In reproduction, extracellular ATP participates in both autocrine and paracrine paths regulating gametogenesis, gamete maturation and fertilisation. This review focusses on how extracellular ATP modulates sperm physiology with emphasis on the mammalian acrosome reaction. The presence of extracellular ATP in the reproductive tract is primarily determined by the ion channels and transporters that influence its movement within the cells comprising the tract. The main targets of extracellular ATP in spermatozoa are its own transporters, particularly species-specific sperm purinergic receptors. We also discuss notable phenotypes from knock-out mouse models and human Mendelian inheritance related to ATP release mechanisms, along with immunological, proteomic, and functional observations regarding sperm purinergic receptors and their involvement in sperm signalling. Reproductive systems express different ion channels and transporters that release ATP into their lumens, which may regulate sperm physiology. Epididymal ATP has been suggested to influence basal sperm motility. Oviductal ATP triggers a head sperm volume increase which contributes to acrosome reaction. Image by López-González, I. This article belongs to the Collection Dedication to Jim Cummins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fundamental understanding of the effect of scaling amorphous layers on the thermal stability of active concentrations is required for the formation of ultrashallow junctions. A study on the influence of boron on the evolution of the end of range defects for samples containing shallow amorphous layers formed by low energy germanium implants is conducted. Czochralski grown (100) silicon wafers are preamorphized with 1×1015 cm-2, 10 keV Ge+ and subsequently implanted with 1×1015 cm-2, 1 keV B+ such that high boron levels are attained in the end of range region. A sequence of anneals are performed at 750 °C, under nitrogen ambient for times ranging from 1 s to 6 h and the end of range defect evolution is imaged via plan-view transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Defect analyses are conducted utilizing quantitative TEM which indicates substantial differences in the defect evolution for samples with boron in the end of range. The extended defects observed are very unstable and undergo a fast dissolution. In contrast, stable defects are observed in the experimental control in which the evolution follows an Ostwald ripening behavior. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy analyses confirm the ephemeral nature of the defects observed and also demonstrates drastic reductions in interstitial supersaturation. In addition, uphill-type diffusion is observed to occur for a short time frame, which emphasizes a transient interstitial supersaturation. Correlation of this data with sheet resistance and active dose measurements conducted on a Hall measurement system strongly indicates the formation of boron interstitial clusters. The high boron concentrations and supersaturation levels attained at the anneal temperature enables the cluster formation. An estimate of the boron concentrations trapped in the clusters is determined from the active dose obtained from the Hall measurements and indicates concentrations much higher than those available in the end of range. This suggests an interstitial migration from the end of range to regions of higher boron levels. Since the end of range is in the vicinity of the highly doped layer it is not isolated from the strain effects induced by the high initial activation levels. Hence it is proposed that the tensile strain stimulates the interstitial migration from the end of range to the boron-doped layer. Consequently, the end of range defects dissolve as the interstitial supersaturation falls below levels required to sustain their evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the mean-field kinetic variational theory, a numerical study is presented to understand the concentration dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient in terms of molecular sizes and interaction parameters for the van der Waals binary mixtures of types II, III, IV, and V, in the scheme of Scott and van Konynenburg. This work is an extension to the study for systems of type I presented by us quite recently. In addition, the behavior of the mutual diffusion coefficient of the van der Waals mixture is compared with that of the hard-sphere mixture and for the case of systems of type II, with experimental data of actual systems: water/n-propanol, n-hexane/acetone, and n-heptane/acetone. The mutual diffusion coefficients for the last two systems were determined by us with the Taylor dispersion technique. The mutual diffusion coefficients for the systems n-hexane/acetone and n-heptane/acetone are reported here at 298.15 and 303.15 K, respectively, along all the concentration range. The explicit model used here allows us to obtain an explanation about the role played by the variables that determine the concentration dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient for actual systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the framework of the mean-field kinetic variational theory, the explicit dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient of the van der Waals binary mixture with composition and interaction parameters is obtained. The different kinds of behavior shown by this coefficient can be classified according to the scheme of van Konynenburg and Scott devised to describe the global phase diagram of this model mixture. A numerical study to understand the concentration dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficients for mixtures of type I is presented here, in terms of molecular masses, sizes, and interaction parameters. Moreover, the behavior of the mutual diffusion coefficient of the van der Waals mixture is compared with that of a hard-sphere mixture. In addition, a comparison is made between our calculations and experimental data of binary systems classified as belonging to type I: H2O/D2O, hexane/heptane, toluene/hexane, and benzene/hexane. From the explicit model presented here, one can obtain semiquantitative explanations of the role played by the variables that determine the concentration dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional imaging has been developed that uses 4DCT images along with image processing to generate lung ventilation maps (4DCT-ventilation). 4DCT-ventilation based functional avoidance uses 4DCT-images to generate plans that avoid functional regions of the lung with the goal of reducing pulmonary toxicity for lung cancer patients. A phase II, multi-center, prospective study was completed to evaluate 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance radiotherapy. As part of the trial, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were acquired at baseline and 3 months following radiotherapy in order to quantitatively assess pulmonary function decline. The purpose of this study is to report the results for pre- to post-treatment PFT changes for patients treated with functional avoidance radiotherapy. Patients with locally advanced lung cancer receiving curative intent radiotherapy (prescription 45-75 Gy) and curative intent chemotherapy were accrued from two institutions. Each patient had a 4DCT-ventilation image generated using 4DCT scans and image processing techniques. Favorable arc geometry and optimization techniques were used to generate functional avoidance plans based on the 4DCT-ventilation images. PFTs were obtained at baseline and 3 months (median 3.4 months) following radiotherapy and included measurements of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC). Pre- to post-treatment PFT changes are reported as mean ± standard deviation. PFT metrics were compared for patients who did/did not experience grade 2+ pneumonitis. 56 patients enrolled on the study had baseline and post-treatment PFTs evaluable for analysis. The median age was 65 years, 43 (76.8%) patients had stage III disease, and 29 (51.8%) had pre-existing COPD. The mean change in DLCO, FEV1, and FVC was -11.6% ± 14.2%, -5.6% ± 16.9%, and -9.0% ± 20.1%, respectively. Mean DLCO and FEV1 change were higher for patients with grade 2+ pneumonitis than for patients with < grade 2 pneumonitis (-15.4 versus -10.8% and -14.3 versus -3.9%, respectively). The current work is the first to quantitatively characterize PFT changes for lung cancer patients treated on a prospective functional avoidance radiotherapy study. Large review studies show mean DLCO reductions of -15.3% (range -10% to -26%) and mean FEV1 reductions of -5.5% (range -1% to -24%) for lung cancer patients treated with standard chemoradiation. In comparison to patients treated with standard thoracic chemoradiation, our data qualitatively show that functional avoidance resulted in less of a decline in DLCO and similar declines of FEV1. The presented data can help elucidate the potential pulmonary function improvement with functional avoidance radiotherapy using a quantitative, PFT-based, pulmonary function end-point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional avoidance radiotherapy proposes to use functional imaging to reduce pulmonary toxicity by designing radiotherapy treatment plans that reduce doses to functional regions of the lung. A novel form of lung functional imaging has been proposed that uses 4DCT imaging to calculate 4DCT-based lung ventilation (4DCT-ventilation) maps. A phase II, multi-center, prospective study was completed that showed that 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance radiotherapy results in decreased ≥ grade 2 pneumonitis when compared to historical controls. Studies are needed that apply machine learning methods to evaluate the large prospective trial dataset to elucidate which factors are most critical in predicting toxicity. The purpose of this work is to use machine learning to predict ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis for patients treated with 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance radiotherapy. Lung cancer patients receiving curative chemo-radiotherapy (doses of 45-75 Gy) were accrued from 2 institutions. Patient 4DCTs along with image processing techniques were used to generate 4DCT-ventilation images. The 4DCT-ventilation images were used to generate functional avoidance plans that reduced doses to functional portions of the lung while delivering the prescribed tumor dose and respecting tolerances of organs-at-risk. 49 factors were initially used in a machine learning feature selection algorithm, and 36 factors with the highest participation were selected to train 26 classifiers to predict ≥ grade 2 pneumonitis. The assessed factors included patients (age, gender, performance status, etc.), clinical (immunotherapy, surgery, chemotherapy), dose metrics (lung, esophagus, heart, and PTV), and metrics that combine 4DCT-ventilation based function and dose (e.g., V20 to lung portions with ≥50% function). The classifiers were trained using a 5-fold cross-validation scheme. The performance of the classifiers was evaluated using accuracy and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC). Of the 67 accrued patients, 10 (14.9%) developed ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis. The best performing classifier was a decision tree classifier with an accuracy of 0.92 and an AUC of 0.75. Dose-function and heart dosimetric indices were the metrics most predictive of ≥ grade 2 pneumonitis. This is the first study to comprehensively evaluate factors predictive of pneumonitis for patients treated on a prospective 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance clinical trial. Machine learning methods revealed that lung dose-function metrics and heart doses were significant in predicting toxicity. The results validate the clinical significance in reducing doses to functional portions of the lung and provide seminal clinical guidance for functional avoidance thoracic radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the living polymerization of alpha-methylstyrene in tetrahydrofuran followed by dynamic light scattering near its polymerization temperature. Intensity correlation functions of the scattered light; Dimeric and micerllarlike association of living polystyrene in benzene initiated by lithium alkyls.

ZnS/CdS bilayers were prepared by non-reactive RF magnetron sputtering. The bilayers were post-annealed from 100 °C to 500 °C. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, atomic force microscopy, optical spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectra. It was found that changing the annealing temperature for the multilayers ZnS/CdS is possible to promote the formation of Zn x Cd 1-x S thin films. For CdTe/CdS solar cells this is an interesting route to improve the window layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroxyapatite-based materials have been used for dental and biomedical applications. They are commonly studied due to their favorable response presented when used for replacement of bone tissue. Those materials should be porous enough to allow cell penetration, internal tissue growth, vascular incursion and nutrient supply. Furthermore, their morphology should be designed to guide the growth of new bone tissue in anatomically applicable ways. In this work, the mechanical performance and 3D X-ray microtomography (X-ray μCT) study of a biomimetic, organic-inorganic composite material, based on hydroxyapatite, with physicochemical, structural, morphological and mechanical properties very similar to those of natural bone tissue is reported. Ceramic pieces in different shapes and several porous sizes were produced using a Modified Gel Casting Method. Pieces with a controlled and 3D hierarchical interconnected porous structure were molded by adding polymethylmethacrylate microspheres. Subsequently, they were subject to a thermal treatment to remove polymers and to promote a sinterization of the ceramic particles, obtaining a HAp scaffold with controlled porosity. Then, two different organic phases were used to generate an organic-inorganic composite material, so gelatin and collagen, which was extracted from bovine tail, were used. The biomimetic organic-inorganic composite material was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and 3D X-ray microtomography techniques. Mechanical properties were characterized in compression tests, obtaining a dramatic and synergic increment in the mechanical properties due to the chemical and physical interactions between the two phases and to the open-cell cellular behavior of the final composite material; the maximum compressive strength obtained corresponds to about 3 times higher than that reported for natural cancellous bone. The pore size distribution obtained could be capable to allow cell penetration, internal tissue in-growth, vascular incursion and nutrient supply and this material has tremendous potential for use as a replacement of bone tissue or in the manufacture and molding of prosthesis with desired shapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well defined block copolymer architectures based on poly(ε-caprolactone) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) were prepared thanks to the methane sulfonic acid (MSA) organocatalyzed ROP of the corresponding monomers. The interplay between the crystallization kinetics, self-assembling behavior and superstructural morphology was investigated. In order to probe the influence of the block copolymer architecture (molecular weight, number of blocks and sequence), kinetics theories of polymer crystallization were applied to the isothermal crystallization kinetics data obtained by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy. The results suggest that the PCL crystallization kinetic is only slightly disturbed by the segregation strength for weakly segregated systems while the block copolymer sequence shows a strong impact on the overall crystallization kinetics, and particularly on the nucleation step due to topological constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein kinases, representing one of the largest protein families involved in almost all aspects of cell life, have become one of the most important targets for the development of new drugs to be used in, for instance, cancer treatments. In this article an exhaustive theoretical study of the phosphoryl transfer reaction from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to dihydroxyacetone (Dha) catalyzed by DhaK from Escherichia coli (E. coli) is reported. Two different mechanisms, previously proposed for the phosphoryl transfer from ATP to the hydroxyl side chain of specific serine, threonine, or tyrosine residues, have been explored based on the generation of free energy surfaces (FES) computed with hybrid QM/MM potentials. The results suggest that the substrate-assisted phosphoryl and proton-transfer mechanism is kinetically more favorable than the mechanism where an aspartate would be activating the Dha. Although the details of the mechanisms appear to be dramatically dependent on the level of theory employed in the calculations (PM3/MM, B3LYP:PM3/MM, or B3LYP/MM), the transition states (TSs) for the phosphoryl transfer step appear to be described as a concerted step with different degrees of synchronicity in the breaking and forming bonds process in both explored mechanisms. Residues of the active site belonging to different subunits of the protein, such as Gly78B, Thr79A, Ser80A, Arg178B, and one Mg2+ cation, would be stabilizing the transferred phosphate in the TS. Asp109A would have a structural role by posing the Dha and other residues of the active site in the proper orientation. The information derived from our calculations not only reveals the role of the enzyme and the particular residues of its active site, but it can assist in the rational design of new more specific inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Appendiceal tumors are a rare pathology, not exceeding 0.1% of appendectomies. Objectives: Describe the management and survival of patients diagnosed with appendiceal adenocarcinoma at the Complejo Asistencial Doctor Sótero del Río. Materials and methods: Descriptive retrospective analysis of patients underwent appendectomy, with histopathologic diagnosis of appendiceal adenocarcinoma, in the period from January 2003 to December 2013. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, management and survival were evaluated. Results: Data from 14,582 appendectomies was analyzed; 84 positive biopsies for primary appendiceal tumors (0.58%) were obtained. Of this group, 9 biopsies corresponded to an appendiceal adenocarcinoma (0.06%). Seven of the 9 patients had complete record. The median age was 53 years. Six patients presented with an acute abdomen. Right hemicolectomy underwent 6 patients. Of these, 4 received adjuvant chemotherapy. The 3-year survival was 58%. Conclusions: Appendiceal adenocarcinoma is a rare finding during an appendectomy and is associated with a low overall survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the rearrangement of a cluster of neon atoms as a consequence of the photoexitation of an impurity (a lithium atom) to its first state of Rydberg, Li (3s 2s). The distribution of neon particles is calculated using the density functional theory for quantum liquids, while introducing a description of the correlation effects based on the London formula for quantum rigid particles. An algorithm was implemented to solve the Schrödinger equation in a self-consistent way, using a damped iteration scheme. The possibility of formation of the structure known as scolium in this system is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Because fitness level is a potent biomarker of health from an early age, the improvements of physical fitness performance through the promotion of physical activity could be important for the health of preschool children, particularly in obesity prevention. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine the physical fitness in children aged 3-6 years, discriminating performance by sex, age and body mass index (BMI). Method A total of 3868 children from 3 to 6 years agreed voluntarily to participate. Demographic characteristics revealed that 1961 children were male (age: 55.71 ± 11.11 months old, BMI = 16.03 ± 1.93 kg/m2), and 1907 were female (age 56.16 ± 0.97 months old, BMI = 15.85 ± 1.89 kg/m2), and they were selected from 51 schools in southern Spain. Results Significant differences were found between sexes: boys showed a greater performance on cardio respiratory endurance, reaction time, strength and running speed. We found significant differences by sex in the different age groups (3, 4, 5 and 6 years old). Conclusions Sex differences in physical fitness are evident at an early age; in addition, the relationship between physical fitness and BMI is inconsistent in preschool children. The improvements of physical fitness performance and its association with physical activity could be important for the health of children, particularly in obesity prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The National Society of Surgery has defined the minimum number of surgical procedures that must be performed by general surgeons in trainee, however, there is no national data reporting this accomplishment. The aim of this study is to report on detail the surgical interventions performed by General Surgery Residents at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC) as lead surgeons. Methods: Retrospective analysis of surgical procedures performed by 26 Residents of the General Surgery Program (GSP) at PUC who graduated between the years 2012 and 2014. A total of 10.102 registered surgeries were reviewed and summarized. Results: The mean number of interventions performed by surgery residents was 481 (20% of them on the first year). The most frequently performed procedures were (mean per resident) laparoscopic cholecystectomy (115;24%), open appendectomy (89;19%), classic hernioplasty (43;9%), laparoscopic appendectomy (34;7%) and open cholecystectomy (25;5%). Regarding complex/sub-specialty interventions, partial/ total colectomy (12;2%), thyroidectomy-parathyroidectomy (9;2%), vascular access (8;2%), thoracotomy- VATS-sternotomy (5;1%) and breast surgery (4;1%) were the most commonly performed. Fifty three percent of all procedures were done in an emergency setting. The proportion of emergency procedures increased through the GSP training (elective vs emergency: 62 vs 38% at first year and 34 vs 66% at third year, respectively; p < 0.002). Interventions were mainly performed in the capital city of Chile, Santiago (74%) and the remaining were done in other provinces. Regarding only abdominal interventions (mean per resident: 366), 42% was performed by laparoscopy. Conclusions: Residents of the PUC-GSP execute a considerable large amount of interventions as resident surgeons throughout their 3-years-training program, exceeding the minimum recommendations established by the National Society of Surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective(s): Chemoradiation (CRT) followed by maintenance durvalumab is the standard of care for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) but is limited by toxicity to normal lung tissue from radiotherapy and immunotherapy1. Many lung cancer patients have heterogeneous lung function as a result of the tumor and/or pre-existing co-morbidities2. We proposed Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) could be used to spare the functional parts of the lung (FL) without exceeding organs at risk (OARs) constraints or compromising tumor coverage.Materials/methods: Functional lung volumes were retrospectively contoured using 4D-CT ventilation maps for 32 patients with stage III NSCLC treated with CRT and maintenance durvalumab at a single institution from September 2017- October 2019. Functional lung volumes were created from 4D-CT data using methodology previously described3,4. Studies have shown 4D-CT ventilation maps generated from the changes in the density of lungs during the respiratory cycle correlate with pulmonary function tests and ventilation-perfusion imaging5. New VMAT plans were generated to spare the FL while also maintaining adequate planning target volume (PTV) coverage and without exceeding dose constraints to the OARs. The dosimetric values of the original plans were compared to the dosimetric values of the optimized plans using paired t-test or paired Wilcox rank-sum test as appropriate. Specifically, the PTV D95, heart mean, esophagus mean, spinal cord Dmax, as well as the FL mean, FL V5, FL V10, FL V20, and FL V30 were compared.Results: Optimized plans had statically significant lower FL mean dose, FL V5, FL V10, FL V20, and FL V30 (all P values < 0.001). Numerically, the mean dose to the heart, mean dose to the esophagus, and spinal cord Dmax were lower in the optimized plan as compared to the original plan, though only the esophageal dose was statistically significant (P < 0.001). When comparing the PTV D95, the median for both plans were the same (60 Gy), though statistically lower (P = 0.032) in the optimized plan (range, 57-66.15) as compared to the original plan (range, 57-67.27). However, both plans provided adequate PTV coverage.Conclusion: We demonstrated the ability to optimize VMAT plans to avoid functional parts of the lung while maintaining adequate PTV coverage and meeting OAR constraints for locally advanced NSCLC. VMAT plans optimized to avoid functional lung can be created with minimal extra cost or change in treatment planning workflow as 4D-CT acquisition at time of simulation is standard practice, which is advantageous compared to other functional lung avoidance techniques, i.e., single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). Given already compromised lung function and risk of pulmonary toxicities from treatment, this work highlights a personalized approach to radiation treatment planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/objective(s): Pulmonary toxicity, and in particular radiation pneumonitis, remains a major limitation in the radiotherapy treatment of lung cancer patients. Functional avoidance radiotherapy proposes to use functional imaging to reduce pulmonary toxicity by designing radiotherapy treatment plans that reduce doses to functional regions of the lung. A novel form of lung functional imaging has been proposed that uses 4DCT imaging to calculating 4DCT-based lung ventilation (4DCT-ventilation) maps. A phase II, multi-center, prospective study was initiated to evaluate 4DCT-ventilaiton functional avoidance radiotherapy. The study hypothesis was that functional avoidance radiotherapy could reduce the rate of ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis to 12% compared to a 25% ≥ grade 2 historical pneumonitis rate. Based on a binomial, one-sided 95% confidence interval (CI), the trial would be positive if ≤ 11 of 67 patients (16.4%) experienced ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis.Materials/methods: Lung cancer patients receiving curative intent radiotherapy (prescription doses of 45-75 Gy) and planned curative intent chemotherapy were accrued from 2 institutions. Patient 4DCTs along with image processing techniques were used to generate 4DCT-ventilation images. The 4DCT-ventilation images were used to generate functional avoidance plans that reduced doses to functional portions of the lung while delivering the prescribed tumor dose and respecting tolerances of organs-at-risk. Functional doses were reduced by selecting favorable arc geometry and employing optimization techniques. Patients were evaluated for pneumonitis at 3, 6, and 12 months after completing radiotherapy.Results: Sixty-seven evaluable patients were accrued between April 2015 and December 2019. Median Karnofsky performance status was 90 and 76% of patient's had stage III disease. The median prescription dose was 60 Gy (range 45-66 Gy) delivered in 30 fractions (range 15-33 fractions). Eleven patients (16%) underwent surgery as part of their treatment, 88% of patients received concurrent chemotherapy, and 25% of patients were treated with immunotherapy while they were on study. Median follow-up was 312 days. The crude rate of ≥ grade 2 radiation pneumonitis was 14.9% (10/67 patients, upper 95% CI of 24.0%), meeting the phase II criteria.Conclusion: Because 4DCTs are a standard part of the treatment planning process for lung cancer patients, 4DCT-ventilation offers an imaging modality that is convenient and provides functional imaging without an extra imaging procedure necessary. Our study reports on the first multi-center, prospective study of 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance radiotherapy. The study met phase II criteria demonstrating reduced pneumonitis rates and provides favorable evidence for 4DCT-ventilation functional avoidance to be investigated in a phase III study. Future work will report on secondary objective including pulmonary function, patient-reported outcomes, and imaging-based end-points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New food products are normally marketed after research regarding consumers’ preferences. As an alternative, we used trendsetting chefs to develop and evaluate products with the traditional, long shelf life, “Penjar” tomato (alcgene). The most appreciated creations were Catalan bread with tomato, tomato sauce, and tomato jam, excelling by its flavor complexity and balance. The description of the products by a trained panel revealed significant differences between varieties (especially between the food products elaborated with the “Penjar” type and conventional tomatoes). However, it was not easy to match the chefs’ assessments about sensory properties with the panel descriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: La2TeO6 nanocrystals doped with Eu3+ ions have been prepared by the Pechini sol–gel process. A total of seven samples obtained with different Eu3+ concentrations (1–7%). The Eu3+ ions are usually taken as probe ions to test the local structure of the lanthanide in solids. Analyzing the luminescence has been shown two different sites for the Eu3+ ions (in good agreement with the crystallographic analysis). Moreover, the luminescence properties have been analyzed as function of the Eu3+ doping concentration in order to study the interaction between these ions. Under direct excitation into the 5D0 level (at 578nm) the corresponding decay curves show a pure exponential character independently of the Eu3+ concentration. However, the decay curves obtained for the 5D1 level becomes non-exponential for the higher doped nanocrystals samples indicating that the energy transfer processes are important. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The mercury content of seven thermoformed and six biodegradable flexible films samples were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry with cold vapor; before the experiments, the statistical quality parameters were implemented and standardized (Detection and quantification limit, linear range, calibration sensitivity, precision and accuracy), who established the performance of the method. The thermo formed were digested with a mixture HNO3:HClO4, ratio 3:1, by 3 hours at 70°C and the flexible films by 45 minutes at 50°C. The calibration curve at 253.7 nm was the quantification method, obtaining concentrations of mercury in the range from not detectable to 60 µg/L in thermoformed and not detectable to 6 µg/L in the flexible films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Methods of preparing bean samples for sensory analyses should be simple and reproducible. The method we propose, based on popular traditions (soaking and cooking beans in distilled water, forgoing blanching, and keeping simmering to a minimum), increased the number of beans that remained whole after cooking by 50% compared with the check method. No differences between the new method and the check were observed in the solids lost during the cooking process or in a panel's evaluation of the sensory properties of the beans. Furthermore, the new method is more efficient for handling the small samples that are common in breeding programs. Its repeatability for both sensory and nutritional analyses is very high: two replicates seem sufficient for high resolution. Thus, we propose that it be adopted for sensory and nutritional analyses of cooked beans. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This article describes a new standardized method to prepare dry beans for sensory and nutritional analyses. This clear, simple, repeatable method has the additional advantages of being similar to traditional cooking methods, and is suitable for use with small samples of seeds. We propose it as a reference for sensory and nutritional research in dry beans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information systems age over time and become legacy information systems which often embed business knowledge that is not present in any other artefact. The embedded knowledge must be preserved to align the modernised versions of the legacy systems with the current business processes of an organisation. Modernisation efforts to preserve business knowledge typically consider different software artefacts as knowledge sources (e.g. code, databases, documentation etc.). Usually, the business knowledge needed to modernise a respective legacy system is statically recovered by reverse engineering techniques. Unfortunately, there is much knowledge that is only known during system execution. This study provides a semi-automatic technique based on dynamic analysis, combined with static analysis to instrument the source code for obtaining event log models. The event log represents a mapping between the pieces of source code executed and the business activities that they support. The obtained event log can then be used to mine the business processes embedded in legacy systems. In addition, the feasibility of the technique is validated by means of a formal case study, using a real-life legacy information system. The case study reports that the technique makes it possible to obtain event logs to effectively and efficiently discover business processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the establishment of indigenous feminist groups in Latin America. The author comments on how indigenous women such as feminist Alma López have formed organizations to promote women's rights and gender equality and notes that indigenous women have begun to embrace feminism despite differences between indigenous feminism and other women's movements. The creation of the Women's Revolutionary Law by women in the Zapatista National Liberation Army of Mexico and the participation of indigenous women in peasant movements are noted.

Epilepsy is a disease characterized by unprovoked epileptic seizures resulting from a bioelectrical brain dysfunction. Antiepileptic treatment controls 75% of all epileptic patients; the other 25% continue to have epileptic seizures in spite of a combination of multiple antiepileptic drugs. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of methylprednisolone in the treatment of children with refractory epilepsy. Fourteen children with refractory epilepsy at the Hospital de Especialidades No. 25 of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Monterrey, Northeast Mexico were included. For five consecutively days, each patient received methylprednisolone by intravenous administration at a dosage of 15 mg/kg/day each 8h, once a month for 3 months. The frequency of epileptic seizures and possible related side effects were evaluated every month during the three months before, during, and after administration of methylprednisolone. The frequency of epileptic seizures was reduced by more than 50% in 12/14 patients during methylprednisolone treatment. The median number of seizures before treatment with methylprednisolone was 8,8, and 7; during the treatment: 1, 1, and 1; and after treatment: 2, 2, and 3 (p=0.000). We conclude that methylprednisolone reduces the frequency of epileptic seizures in children with refractory epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A regularization method is proposed for the polynomial approximation of a function from its approximated values in a fixed family of nodes. As a regularization parameter we consider the number of nodes. We present explicit expressions for the optimal number of nodes in terms of the original error of the approximated values of the function. These problems appear frequently in studying inverse problems and when a smoothing technique should be applied to a series of numerical data. We obtain estimation of the approximation error by means of discrete versions of a convolution operators with polynomial kernels, and we observe the differences between the use of positive and non positive kernels. Some numerical examples are provided to illustrate the efficiency and computational performance of the method. They also help us to compare different criteria for the construction of polynomial approximations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A negative pleiotropic effect on fitness of nuclear sex-determining genes (cost of restoration) could explain nuclear–cytoplasmic gynodioecy but rarely has been demonstrated empirically. In a gynodioecious Phacelia dubia population, maternal lineages produce only hermaphroditic progenies irrespective of the pollen parent (N) or can segregate females (S). Natural progenies of N maternal plants had lower seed viability than that of S. Full-sib progenies of unrelated hermaphrodites from all possible matings between N and S lineages had similar pollen filling but differed in sporophyte performance, mainly at seed germination stage. A discrete multivariate analysis reveals that the performance of N♀ × S♂ progeny at early stages of development was significantly lower than that of the other three types of mating in agreement with the silent-cost-of-restoration hypothesis, affecting the sporophyte. The restoration cost and male sterility appear to be dominant and consequence of nuclear–cytoplasmic incompatibilities that may maintain nuclear–cytoplasmic polymorphism by frequency-dependent selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mapuche farmers in southern Chile have been cultivating local ecotypes of chili pepper (Capsicum annuuin L.), called locally "Cacho de cabra", for many decades. It is used to make "merkén", a condiment that is consumed locally and exported. This vegetable requires a nursery stage and can obtain nutritional benefits from symbiotic associations such as mycorrhizal fungi, achieving a better adaptation to transplanting. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate biotrophes appearing in abundance in agroecosystems with conservation management. The aim of this study was to compare effectiveness of two AMF, a commercial mycorrhizal inoculant (IC, Glomus intraradices) and another native (IN, Glomus claroideum) with a control without inoculation (-I) on the production and quality of "Cacho de cabra". At 45 days after sowing (DAS) transplanting was carried out and at 90 and 216 DAS fruit quality, fungal and edaphic parameters were evaluated. The harvest was at four stages. With IN inoculation plants and with greater foliar area were obtained. Also, precocity of fruit production was observed:The harvest started 49 days earlier and fresh weight was 177% higher than that of the control. Root colonization was low, showing significant differences between IN and IC, while a large number of spores was produced in the substrate. It was concluded that inoculation with native fungi decreased transplanting stress thus accelerating the maturation stage of plants and resulting in higher and better yield quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusion of dry beans in diets has clear health benefits. However, consumers in developed countries mainly choose beans for their sensory qualities, especially for their texture. This article describes the constitution, training and validation of a panel of judges to evaluate the texture of dry beans. The judges were trained in the perception of different textures, analyzed a wide range of beans and selected seed-coat roughness, seed-coat perceptibility and creaminess/mealiness of the cotyledon as the main attributes to be scored. After training, the panel was capable of discriminating between different varieties of beans and even between beans of the same variety grown at different locations. The analysis of the behavior of the panel in a standard tasting session 2 years after its formation showed that periodic inclusion of samples from the extremes of the scales for the attributes during tasting sessions was sufficient to keep the panel trained. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This article could serve as a guide for the training of sensory panels to evaluate the texture of dry beans. It describes the selection of the attributes on which the analysis is based, references for the extreme values of the attributes and how to train the panel. It also provides a practical example of the analysis of the behavior of the panel some time after training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we analyze the relationship between the use of currency derivatives and the market value of Chilean non financial firms. The results indicate a positive relationship between the amount of derivatives used and the market value of the firm. The use of derivatives allows the firms to reduce their exchange rate exposure, which in turn has a negative impact on the market value of the companies analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Inbreeding depression is common among plants and may distort mating system estimates. Mating system studies traditionally ignore this effect, nonetheless an assessment of inbreeding depression that may have occurred before progeny evaluation could be necessary. • In the neotropical Pinus chiapensis inbreeding depression was evaluated using regression analysis relating progeny F-values with seed germinability, the mating system was analysed in three populations with contrasting size, using isozymes, obtained a corrected outcrossing rate. • Selfing decreased seed viability by 19%, relative to an outcrossed plant. Multilocus outcrossing rates, tm, varied widely among populations. In the two smallest populations tm ≅ 1. Therefore, inbreeding depression did not affect the estimates, but overestimated tm by 10% in the third population, which has a true mixed mating system (selfing was the major source of inbreeding), and an unusually low tm for pines ( tm = 0.54, uncorrected, tm = 0.49, corrected). • Inbreeding depression may be an uneven source of bias for outcrossing estimates even at the infraspecific level. Precision but not accuracy may be gained by including inbreeding depression in outcrossing estimates. Therefore, caution should be taken when comparing tm among species or even populations within the same species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this work we have considered the ability of nanoscale molecular surfaces (around 2nm in width) in trapping excess electrons. As previously reported, we suggested that molecular surfaces with hydrogen bonding networks (consisting of OH groups) on one side of the surface and hydrogen atoms on the opposite side were capable of forming stable dipole-bound anions. The increased dipole moments generated by the OH groups coupled to the partial positive charge of the hydrogen atoms creates charge pockets that are can trap excess electrons. We have extended the size of the surface to study the effect of electron localization on molecular surfaces. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we explore the possibility of a small water cluster composed of three water molecules in forming stable dipole-bound anions with molecular surfaces. Our recent results show that charge pockets on surfaces can form by which OH groups situated on one side of the surface (that create hydrogen bonded networks) coupled to the hydrogen atoms on the opposite side of a surface can form positive charge pockets that attracts negative charge. These charge pockets from the molecular surfaces can align with the dipole moment generated by the small (H2O)3 cluster to increase the stability of the resulting dipole-bound anion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid polymeric ionic conductors were sintered by solution casting method for diferent salt weight fractions, by adding the cesium trifluroacetate organometalic salt to PEO poly(oxide-ethilene) polymeric matriz.The ray-X patterns for the polimeric electrolyte membranes show PEO amorphous nature when the concentration and temperature salt increase. The DSC plots show that the melting point of the membrane crystalline part shift to lower temperature when the salt concentration is increased. The TG plots show that the membrane are thermally stable up to 423 K. The morphology study show that the membranes are texturized and homogeneus at a microscopic scale, thus presenting uniform topographic surfaces. The EDAX spectra show a chemical composition that is in concordance with the mixed componets and therefore a polymer salt complex formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many katydids, the male feeds his mate with a large gelatinous spermatophore. Males of most species also produce elaborate calling songs. We predicted a negative relationship between spermatophore size and call frequency because of trade-offs between these two costly traits. Our comparative analysis controlling phylogeny and body size supported this prediction. Although call frequency is expected to decrease with increasing body size, after controlling for phylogeny, both variables were not related. Finally, given that song frequency and spermatophore size are likely targets of sexual selection, we examined the relationship between these variables and sexual size dimorphism (SSD) which can be influenced by sexual selection on body size. We found that only female body size was positively related to SSD, suggesting that natural and/or sexual selection on female body size may be stronger than sexual selection on male and spermatophore size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report presents the results of dimerized water hydration on several hypothetical cyclooctane and cyclohexane molecular surfaces. When these complexes have extensive OH groups on one side of a hydrocarbon surface (i.e. cyclohexane sheets), extended hydrogen bonded networks can form that increase the dipole moment of the system. At the same time, the hydrogen atoms on the opposite side form a pocket of positive charge that can attract excess electrons. In this work two orientations for water dimer hydration on eight molecular surfaces have been studied. All systems have been demonstrated to be stable towards electron detachment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This experiment was conducted to study productive performance and carcass characteristics of finishing lambs fed diets containing yeast culture (YC) and/or sodium bicarbonate (SB). Twenty male Pelibuey lambs, weighing 11.4kg, were assigned to one of four groups according to a completely randomized design, with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each group received a basal diet with one of the following four treatments: (1) no additives (NA); (2) 0.12% yeast culture (YC; Yea Sacc® 1026; All-Tech, Lexington, Kentucky) containing 2.8×104 cfu of yeast/g; (3) 0.5% sodium bicarbonate (SB); and (4) both, 0.12% YC and 0.5% SB. Lambs were individually confined to 1.5m2 metabolic cages. Dry matter (DM) intake, on a live weight basis, was not different among treatments (P >0.05) during the entire 60-day period. However, when expressed on an empty body weight basis, SB in the diet significantly increased (P <0.05) DM intake. Similarly, weight gain was not affected (P >0.05) by the inclusion of YC or SB. Although feed efficiency was not affected (P >0.05) by YC, more feed was required per unit gain when SB was added to the ration (P <0.05). Cold and hot carcass weights (kg) were not different (P >0.05) among treatments. Full gastrointestinal tract weight was not affected by YC or SB supplementation. Neither YC or SB affected marbling score, external fat, or longissimus muscle (ribeye) area. However, SB increased (P <0.05) degree of finishing of lamb carcasses. No effect of YC or SB in the diet was observed on weight of skin, liver, lungs, testicles or blood. Heart weight was greater (P <0.05) for lambs consumed diets with YC. First and second yield carcass grade were not affected (P >0.05) by YC or SB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the effects of adding yeast culture and sodium bicarbonate to the finishing diets for lambs on intake, digestibility, rumina1 parameters and nitrogen retention. Twenty Pelibuey male lambs, weighing an average of 23kg, were assigned to one of four treatment groups according to a completely randomized design with a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Treatments were: (1) no additive (NA); (2) 0.12% yeast culture (YC); (3) 0.5% sodium bicarbonate (SB); and (4) 0.12% YC and 0.5% SB. During the 7-day collection period, SB increased DM intake (P <0.05), while YC had no effect (P >0.05) on intake. Intake of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) was increased (P <0.05) with SB in the ration, but not by supplementing YC (P >0.05). The YC had no effect (P >0.05) on dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) or non-fibrous carbohydrates digestibility. A higher intake of NFC with the SB treatments was associated with a lower (P <0.05) digestibility. SB increased excretion of NDF (P <0.05), which reduced its digestibility (P <0.05) by more than 9 percentage units. Lambs consuming diets with SB had 27% more N retained, in contrast with those fed the basal diet without additives. Rumen pH was greater than the minimum considered to cause acidosis (≤pH 5.5). The SB reduced (P <0.05) percent molar acetate and increased (P <0.05) percent molar propionate, which is in contrast to what has been normally observed with dairy cattle research. A lower acetate to propionate ratio with the SB rations may be a result of a lower digestibility and a higher intake of NDF, which may have increased the rate of passage of fiber particles through the gastrointestinal tract. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this work we strive to design a novel electron trap located on a molecular surface. The process of electron trapping involves hydration of the trapped electron. Previous calculations on surface electron trapping revealed that clusters of OH groups can form stable hydrogen-bonded networks on one side of a hydrocarbon surface (i.e. cyclohexane sheets), while the hydrogen atoms on the opposite side of the surface form pockets of positive charge that can attract extra negative charge. The excess electron density on such surfaces can be further stabilized by interactions with water molecules. Our calculations show that these anionic systems are stable with respect to vertical electron detachment (VDE). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have studied the phase behavior of the polymeric system based on poly (ethilene oxide) (PEO) and the organometallic salt potassium trifluoracetate (CF3 COOK). Transparent membranes with mass fraction salt concentration, x, between 0.27 and 0.77 and thickness between 0.2 and 0.5 mm were thermally characterized by using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results show phase boundaries which are different from those of pure PEO, at temperatures about 390 and 440 K, respectively, which are shifted to lower temperatures an the salt concentration increases, thus showing the formation of new solid phase in the studied system. Moreover, it is shown that this system is thermally stable up to 470 K. Based on the obtained results, it is proposed a phase diagram of the system PEO-CF3 COOK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The molecular mechanism of the Hoffmann elimination involving (N-Cl),N-methylethanolamine and HO− to yield 2-methyleneamino-ethanol has been theoretically characterized by using DFT at the B3LYP/6-31++G∗∗ computing level. The role of water as a solvent was analyzed by using both discrete and hybrid discrete-continuum models. The rearrangement proceeds along a water-assisted asynchronous concerted mechanism. The Gibbs free energy reaction barrier decreases when two water molecules are included in the reaction, one of them acting simultaneously as H+ donor/acceptor to/from the nitrogen/oxygen atom of (N-Cl),N-methylethanolamine, although not involved in a proton relay mechanism, it favours the elimination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Although traumatic anterior shoulder instability is common, the usefulness of various physical examination tests as tools for the diagnosis of this condition has been studied infrequently. We hypothesized that (1) such tests would be specific but not sensitive for this condition, (2) the usefulness of the anterior drawer test would be limited because of pain during the test, and (3) an anterior drawer test would be a useful adjunct for making the diagnosis if it reproduced the instability symptoms.Methods: Between 2000 and 2004, 363 patients underwent a physical examination followed by shoulder arthroscopy. Forty-six patients with traumatic anterior shoulder instability that had been noted arthroscopically or documented radiographically after the trauma were included in our study group, and the remaining patients served as controls. The clinical usefulness of three tests (anterior apprehension, relocation, and anterior drawer tests) performed during the physical examination to make a diagnosis of traumatic anterior instability then was evaluated with statistical methods to assess their sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios.Results: If demonstration (or relief) of apprehension was used as the diagnostic criterion for a positive test, the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio were 72%, 96%, and 20.2, respectively, for the apprehension test and 81%, 92%, and 10.4, respectively, for the relocation test. If pain (or relief of pain) was used as the diagnostic criterion for a positive test, the values for the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of both tests were lower. The anterior drawer test could be performed successfully in the physician's office for 87% of the patients. If reproduction of instability symptoms was used as the criterion for a positive anterior drawer test, the sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio values of that test were 53%, 85%, and 3.6, respectively.Conclusions: The three physical examination tests for traumatic anterior shoulder instability are specific but not sensitive. Apprehension is a better criterion than pain for a positive apprehension or relocation test. The anterior drawer test (when pain does not prevent it from being performed) is helpful for diagnosing traumatic anterior instability.Level Of Evidence: Diagnostic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]