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Much of the previous research has been done on distributed software transactional memories targeting data centers in Internet clouds, which resulted in nondeterministic and nonrealtime middleware solutions mainly written in Java and C++. On the other hand, embedded systems based on the Internet of Things at the edge of the Internet, such as smart homes, cars, etc., need to operate in realtime, and should, therefore, be deterministic. In order to be smart, these systems use machine learning, and nowadays Python is becoming a leading language in this venue, too. This is the first paper that presents a distributed software transactional memory that is at the same time: (i) fault tolerant, (ii) deterministic, (iii) based on Python, and (iv) extended from a formally verified root. The presented solution consists of a pair of master-slave transaction coordinators and a set of replicated data servers and targets small-to-medium edge networks. Besides intelligent embedded systems, based on the Internet of Things, it can be also used in a wide range of application domains, from SCADA systems to large-scale simulations. The experimental results, presented in the paper, show a superlinear growth of the system throughput as the workload changes from write-only to read-only.

Study question Is delayed blastocyst development, assessed by the day of trophectoderm (TE) biopsy, associated with higher rates of aneuploidy? Summary answer Our findings show an association between delayed blastocyst development and poorer prognosis, in terms of euploidy rates, in patients of advanced maternal age. What is known already Extended culture of embryos past day 5 of development has become routine practice in all freeze-all cycles, including those applying preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (PGT-A). As healthy live births have been obtained from day 6 and day 7 blastocysts, increasing the pool of embryos available for PGT-A is beneficial, particularly for patients of advanced maternal age who face higher cancellation rates. Nevertheless, the association between delayed blastocyst development and aneuploidy rates remains unclear. As current studies have reported opposing findings, detailed analysis of the chromosomal constitution of slowly developing embryos remains paramount. Study design, size, duration Retrospective, international, multicentre cohort study of 4211 patients undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) from January 2016 to July 2020. We evaluated the chromosomal status of 14757 blastocysts tested using TE biopsy and next generation sequencing (NGS). Both autologous and donation cycles were included in the analysis. Cycles were excluded if they utilised preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) or preimplantation genetic testing for structural rearrangements (PGT-SR). Participants/materials, setting, methods We evaluated euploidy, aneuploidy and mosaicism rates reported in day 5 (n = 9560), day 6 (n = 4753) and day 7 (n = 262) blastocysts, stratified by SART-defined maternal age categories (42). We further assessed the type and frequency of abnormalities reported in all blastocysts classified as clinically unsuitable, according to the day of biopsy. Finally, we examined the specific chromosomes affected in embryos diagnosed with a single uniform (n = 3882) or single mosaic (n = 518) abnormality. Main results and the role of chance The mean maternal age within our patient cohort was 39.9±3.7. Overall, slowly developing blastocysts were significantly more likely to be classified as clinically unsuitable (60.6%) compared to day 5 embryos (55.2%; p Limitations, reasons for caution Due to the retrospective nature of the study, full elucidation of all potential confounders may not be possible in all instances. The low number of day 7 blastocysts limited statistical power. As such, the results from day 6 and day 7 embryos were evaluated together. Wider implications of the findings: Our findings offer an important clinical resource for counselling patients of advanced maternal age. Maternal aging may be associated with a higher incidence of aneuploidy in slowly developing blastocysts. Nevertheless, extended culture increases the pool of biopsiable blastocysts, ultimately improving the chance of having a euploid embryo for transfer. Trial registration number NA

Introduction In the Serbian population allergy to weed pollen is the most common type of pollen-associated allergy, ahead of grass and tree pollens. Besides causing discomfort, allergy to pollen is often associated with rhinitis and asthma. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the only treatment that can lead to potential long-term immune modification while reducing development of new sensitization and halting disease progression. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) to weeds in the adult patient population using vaccine produced by the local Serbian Torlak Institute for virology, vaccines and serum. Methods Adult patients with a clinical history of allergic rhinitis with and without asthma were included in the study. IgE-mediated sensitization to grass, tree and weed pollens was confirmed by skin prick testing and/or positive specific IgE. Patients were divided into two groups: patients with allergy to tree and grass pollen and patients with allergy to weeds. All patients received SLIT for three years, either with or without additional symptomatic therapy. Results Three-year SLIT therapy led to significant improvement in several parameters, including skin-prick reactivity, decrease in specific IgE and use of symptomatic therapy, with mild adverse effects and high patient satisfaction concerning therapy. Conclusion Three-year SLIT is a safe and efficient treatment option for respiratory allergy to weeds. Further observations in a larger number of patients could provide a better epidemiological evaluation of SLIT, but the positive effects we observed in our study may be considered representative despite the small number of patients.

This paper introduces the possibility of the determination of optical absorption and reflexivity coefficient of silicon samples using neural networks and reverse-back procedure based on the photoacoustics response in the frequency domain. Differences between neural network predictions and parameters obtained with standard photoacoustic signal correction procedures are used to adjust our experimental set-up due to the instability of the optical excitation source and the state (contamination) of the illuminated surface. It has been shown that the changes of the optical absorption values correspond to the light source wavelength fluctuations, while changes in the reflexivity coefficient, obtained in this way, correspond to the small effect of the ultrathin layer formation of SiO2 due to the natural process of surface oxidation.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a recently described, clinically significant entity, with prevalence rates ranging from 1% to 14% and a mean of 6% of all patients with myocardial infarction. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS; Hughes syndrome) is characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies associated with thrombosis (arterial and/or venous) and/or pregnancy morbidity and could be the cause of MINOCA. Data on genetic predisposition to APS are scarce. The present study describes a unique case of monozygotic twin brothers who, at a young age, developed the same clinical presentation of APS. The diagnosis of APS was later confirmed, along with a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus in one brother.

In this paper, a methodology for the application of neural networks in phase-match calibration of gas–microphone photoacoustics in frequency domain is developed. A two-layer deep neural network is used to determine, in real-time, reliably and accurately, the phase transfer function of the used microphone, applying the photoacoustic response of aluminum as reference material. This transfer function was used to correct the photoacoustic response of laser-sintered polyamide and to compare it with theoretical predictions. The obtained degree of correlation of the corrected and theoretical signal tells us that our method of phase-match calibration in photoacoustics can be generalized to a photoacoustic response coming from a solid sample made of different materials.

Background Endocrine treatment (ET) with an aromatase inhibitor (AI) is the treatment of choice in post-menopausal patients with hormone receptor–positive early breast cancer (EBC). However, adverse events (AEs) often lead to treatment discontinuation. This analysis aimed to identify side-effects that lead to patients failing to persist with letrozole treatment. Patients and methods Post-menopausal hormone receptor–positive EBC patients starting ET with letrozole were enroled in EvAluate-TM, a non-interventional study. Information regarding treatment compliance and persistence was gathered in months 6 and 12. Persistence was defined as the time from 30 d after the start to the end of treatment. The influence on persistence of musculoskeletal syndrome, menopausal disorder, sleep disorder and other AEs within the first 30 d was analysed using Cox regression analyses. Results Among 3887 patients analysed, the persistence rate after 12 months was >85%. In all, 568 patients (14.6%) discontinued the treatment, 358 of whom (63.0%) did so only because of side-effects. The main AEs influencing persistence were musculoskeletal symptoms (hazard ratio [HR] 2.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.90–3.42), sleep disorders (HR 1.95; 95% CI, 1.41–2.70) and other AEs (HR 2.03; 95% CI, 1.51–2.73). Menopausal disorder was not associated with non-persistence (HR 1.17; 95% CI, 0.74–1.84). Conclusions These results suggest that side-effects of AIs such as musculoskeletal syndrome and sleep disorder lead to ET discontinuation within the first treatment year in significant numbers of EBC patients. Compliance programmes adapted for subgroups that are at risk for early non-persistence might help to ensure the recommended therapy duration. Clinical Trials Number CFEM345DDE19.

Introduction/Background The RAIDs consortium (http://www.raids-fp7.eu/) conducted a prospective study [BioRAIDs (NCT02428842)] with the objectives to stratify patient populations as well as to identify clinical and molecular patterns associated with poor outcome. Debate is ongoing about the benefit of surgical staging prior to chemoradiation. Here we report on the value of diagnostic pelvic and para-aortal lymphadenectomy (LA) for patients scheduled for primary chemoradiation. Methodology Between 2013–2017, the RAIDs Network collected a clinical dataset involving 419 participant patients from 18 centers in seven EU countries, of whom 377 patients are evaluable. Treatment decisions had been based on guidelines defined in the clinical protocol as detailed in Ngo et al, 2015 and were also based on the policy of the center. Systematic MRI imaging was mandatory. LA as well as PET imaging was recommended. From 262 patients in stage IIB-IV who were scheduled for primary chemoradiation 126underwent LA. Results Patients who underwent surgical LA followed by chemoradiation showed better PFS at 24 months compared to those who did not. This difference was statistically significant (p-value of univariate : p=0.008). If we adjust with the FIGO, the effect of staging LA remains. Conclusion Although these data were collected retrospectively and might be biased we found that staging LA improved PFS also after adjusting for stage. These data are in line with literature and advocate for a randomized trial to proof the value of staging lymphadenectomy prior to chemoradiation for patients with high stage cervical cancer. Disclosure This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Program for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No 30481.

In this paper, a theoretical model of temperature variations is derived for a two-layer optically absorbing structure, including thermal memory effects. It is considered that the two-layer structure is surrounded by gas and illuminated on the front side by a harmonically modulated laser beam. This model is based on the hyperbolic theory of heat conduction and Beer–Lambert's law of absorption neglecting multiple optical reflections in each layer. The derived model represents the generalization of the current models in two aspects. First, the influence of thermal memory properties of both layers is accounted for, and second, both layers are regarded as volume absorbers of the incident light. Based on the derived model, the expressions for surface temperature variations are given and discussed for the special type of two-layer structures, irradiated on the coated side, which is a prominent configuration in photoacoustic and photothermal experiments. It is shown that there exists a frequency range in which the influence of the thermal properties of the coating cannot be neglected, especially at the high-frequency range in which thermal memory of coating becomes significant. It is an important result in terms of understanding experimentally measured photothermal and photoacoustic response and, consequently, accurate characterizations of various high optically reflected and/or optically transparent samples by using these experimental techniques.

Background Between 2013 and 2017, the RAIDs consortium conducted a European biobanking study, [BioRAIDs (NCT02428842)] aiming at prospectively annotating cervical cancer (CC) patients and identifying molecular patterns associated with outcome. Dominant oncogenic alterations were reported in PIK3CA (40%), while dominant suppressor gene alterations were seen in KMT2D (15%) and KMT2C (16%). A “metagene” combining these alterations was associated with outcome ( https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.03.069 ). Methods WES and RPPA data together with PFS at 24 months are available in 89 patients. A boosting approach based on a solid theoretical framework, able to cope with high-dimensional data and censored survival end-points, allowed the identification of innovative potential prognostic markers. Results At a median follow up (FU) of 24 months, progression-free survival (PFS) rates of this FIGO stage IB1-IV population, treated predominantly (87%) by chemoradiation, were 65.4% [CI95%: 60.2-71.1]. In the present analysis, beyond viral clade and FIGO stage, a number of RPPA phospho-protein parameters came up as relevant predictors, associated with better or poorer outcome. Of particular interest is the detection of two different sites for β-catenin phosphorylation (at serine residues 552 and 675), which were associated with prediction of extremes of positive or negative outcome. Conclusions Proteasome-dependant posttranslational modifications to a low molecular weight form of β-catenin phophorylated at COOH-terminal residue S552 has been shown to enhance nuclear translocation and β-catenin/TCF reporter activation possibly through association with histone acetylases (doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-18421-8). Phospho-β-catenin S552 and S675 may predict CC tumor control/progression in patients who failed DNA repair pathway inhibition. Ongoing studies attempt to better define the role of different β-catenin phosphorylations and molecular forms in the BioRAIDS population. Clinical trial identification NCT02428842. Legal entity responsible for the study Institut Curie. Funding The European Union’s Seventh Program for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration under Grant agreement No 304810 and the Fondation ARC pour la Recherche Contre le Cancer. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

The aim is to determine pathological -ulcero-erosive changes in the gastroduodenal mucosa (erosions, ulcers, ulcers, ulcer complications, subepithelial hemorrhage, etc.) resulting from the adverse effects of salicylates /ACK/ corticosteroid, imunoodulatora which was prescribed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The test was performed on 50 patients diagnosed with RA who were on the two-year continuous therapy. When respondents were done gastroscopy and pathological macroscopic changes resulting from the gastroduodenal mucosa as a result of adverse effects of administered drugs verified. After two years of preparations ACK controlled therapy, corticosteroids, imunomodula- sector on mucosa gastroduodenal erosions were found in 81.5% of patients, gastric ulcer in 33%, duodenal ulcer with 18.5% of patients and bleeding in 44.4%.

The aim of the study is to determine the pathological changes in the gastroduodenal mucosa (erosions, ulcers, ulcers, ulcer complications, subepithelial hemorrhage, etc.) incurred as a result of adverse effects of NSAIDs (NSAIDs) drugs that are administered in the treatment of rheumatoid artrit- (RA). The test was performed on 100 patients diagnosed with RA who were on continuous treatment with NSAIDs. In half of the patients underwent gastroscopy to verify Macromorphological pathological changes before the controlled use of NSAIDs. After 2 years taking continuous NSAID therapy revealed a control gastroscopy and pathological changes Macromorphological- endoscopic verify. After a two-year controlled NSAID therapy in gastroduodenal mucosa erosion are described in 66% of patients, gastric ulcer in 18% of duodenal ulcers in 14% of patients, bleeding in 25% of patients.

Extended CT range in conventional CT scanners has a potential to allow for a more conformal treatment of patients with hip prosthesis. Its use may limit inaccuracies in electron density maps that are observed due to severe artifacts in CT data. In this study, we investigate the use of CT images with extended CT numbers in dose calculations and compare the results of calculations with standard CT data and measured doses. A phantom containing a hip prosthesis was scanned and treatment was planned with extended and standard CT numbers. The density override function was used to eliminate the effect of artifacts in the region outside of the metallic implant, while raw CT numbers were used to indicate density within the implant. Dose measurements were performed with two types of ion chambers at 6, 10 and 18MV energies. Our results indicate that data with extended CT range result in a better agreement between measured and calculated dose at the central position of the body phantom, as should be expected. However, CT artifacts within the implant region also result in discrepancies between the measured and calculated dose. The discrepancy is greater at lower cross-sectional thickness where bright, high density surface artifacts are high relative to the artificially low density inner region of the implant. Potential ways of resolving the discrepancies are outlined and a possibility of their application to clinical routine will be discussed.

Over the last thirty years, multilayered systems have increasingly drawn attention due to their growing appearance in both natural and artificial structures. A number of measurements require the adsorption of an electrically conductible, anti-reflection and/or optically absorbing layer, which induces the necessity for theoretical modelling of the system as two-layered structure, when characterized or imaged by these methods. In this paper, the models of photoacoustic (PA) response are derived for transmission PA setup configurations of two-layered optically transparent samples with thermal memory. These models are considered a generalization of the models used so far, in two directions: first, the impact of finite heat propagation velocity through both layers is included; second, the existence of volume absorption in both layers is taken into account. These studies are important for the fundamental investigations of heat transfer mechanisms in soft matter, as well as for numerous applied researches, such as self-heating problems of very large scaling integration (VLSI) circuits, engineering of physical properties of the multi-layer structures etc. VI International School and Conference on Photonics and COST actions: MP1406 and MP1402 : PHOTONICA2017 : program and the book of abstracts; August 23 - September 1, 2017; Belgrade

Uric arthritis (gout) je a clinical syndrome with main characteristics in recidivist inflammations of one or more joints due to hyper saturation of urine acid and the storage of urathe crystals into the joints and the structures around the joints, creation of toff, joint deformation due to urathe arthrophaty and the creation of urathe nephrophaty. Depending on the stage of the disease it is manifested by the pain in affected joints by recidivist arthritis mostly in basal joint of thumb or rarely in the other joints of foot followed by the deformations. In the study, around 40 analyzed and the results of the clinical manifestations of the disease are presented: laboratory and radiology findings and the presence of concomitant diseases.

On the basis of the generalized photoacoustic response model, which includes the influence of thermal memory on both thermoconducting and thermoelastic components, photoacoustic response of thin films is analyzed. It is demonstrated that the influence of thermal memory is manifested at frequencies above certain boundary frequency, which depends on thermal memory properties of the sample and its depth. A linear relation, linking heat propagation velocity and measured signal, is derived. Taking into account the confinement of the frequency range imposed by the measuring system, it is indicated that thermal memory properties of non-cristaline thin films can be determined in a photoacoustic experiment.

The influence of multiple optical reflexions on optically generated surface temperature variations has scarcely been considered throughout the literature. In this work, a model of optically generated heat sources in the sample with low optical absorption coefficient is derived. Multiple optical reflexions are considered at both surfaces of the sample exposed to the intensity-modulated laser beam. The impacts of the reflexion coefficient, the absorption coefficient and the thickness of the sample on the amplitude characteristics of photothermal responses are discussed.

A minimum volume photoacoustic (PA) cell, employed as an acoustic resonator, is presented. A model of the PA cell transfer function, as a combination of two Helmholtz resonators, is derived. Frequency PA response is described as the product of theoretically derived pressure variation and the transfer function of the PA cell. The derived model is applied to the frequency PA measurements, performed on laser-sintered polyamide. It is shown that the derived model explains the occurrence of resonant peaks in the high-frequency domain ( $${>}$$ 10 kHz), in both amplitude and phase measurements, obtained by a gas-microphone minimal volume PA cell. The implementation of the model in the growing possibilities of sample characterization using gas-microphone PA cell is discussed.

In this work, thermoelastic component of the photoacoustic response is derived, including thermal memory of the material. The comparison between this model and the classic one, which does not account for the influence of thermal memory is made. It has been noticed that the two models tend to overlap at very high and very low frequencies of the light modulation spectrum, while in the middle range some deviations become more apparent, which proves that thermal memory must be taken into account. It has also been shown that the limits of this range are the function of heat propagation velocity and thickness of the sample. Based upon the processing of obtained data, it has been concluded that the characteristics of the output signal, in the range of the interest, are highly influenced by thermal dynamic qualities, like heat diffusivity and thermal relaxation time, as well as the sample thickness.

Fosfomycin (FOM) is an antibiotic which has varying application indications across the globe. European, Japanese, South African and Brazilian usage practices are much broader, involving multiple formulations of FOM than the currently limited application of FOM in the United States, where uncomplicated urinary tract infection represents the only indication for FOM-tromethamine. Based on early difficulty in determining FOMs genuine in vitro activity, there was initial skepticism about its efficacy and application range. However, in the mid 1970s, correctly executed experiments coupled with an improved understanding of microbiological concepts opened the door for broader use of FOM. During the following 40 years FOM was evaluated in pre-clinical and clinical trials in a wide range of applications and in a multitude of settings. The gathering of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data was incorporated into large scale studies in which FOM efficacy was further explored and proven. Among European nations, intravenous FOM-disodium for patients presenting with soft tissue infections, sepsis or deep seated infectious processes has become well accepted over the last two decades. The recent emergence of bacterial strains, which impede and encumber pharmacotherapy, namely, MRSA, ESBL and MSSA, lends itself to the idea of reviving long-standing, sensibly used antimicrobial agents like FOM. This review provides a comprehensive conspectus on FOM's history, mode of action, tissue penetration characteristics, resistance, antibacterial activity, combination partners and clinical uses among other facets of interest.

The calculation of photothermal response detected by a photothermal microscope is presented. By using a technique based on Green's functions and integral transforms, a model for laser-induced temperature distribution functions has been derived. The mathematical method for solution of inverse problem is proposed. It suggests that photothermal microscopy, besides imaging subsurface of solids, has the potential for quantitative thermal analysis of various samples.

The utility of Al, Cu and In filters and collimators of different diameters in the X-ray fluorescence measurement of lead in the bone was investigated. The changes in Compton scattering and Pb K-series peaks were analyzed with different filters and collimators. Compton scattering and fractional dead time were significantly reduced with the use of filters. The FWHM values of Pb Kα 1 , Kβ 1,3 peaks decrease in a nearly linear relation with the ratio of length of collimator to the diameter as the small diameter collimator with long length reduces divergence of spectra, thus improves resolution. The measurement precisions of Kα 1 and Kβ 1,3 peaks were improved by applying an indium filter. The ratio of signal-to-noise slightly increases when an indium filter was used.

An analytical model that describes surface temperature variations of media with thermal memory stimulated by laser pulses was developed. The influence of thermal memory for semi-infinite sample was analyzed by comparing our results with classical model results which neglect the thermal memory of materials for different pulse widths and for different pulse shapes. It was shown that this influence was outstanding around steep changes of the incentive flux and for short incident pulses. 5th Young Researchers Seminar, Dec 25-26, 2006, Belgrade, Serbia

In 1994, 207 women participated in a study designed to examine the effects of occupational exposure and various lifestyle factors on bone and blood lead levels. In vivo measurements of Pb concentrations in tibia were performed by X-ray fluorescence. All 108 former smelter employees and 99 referents provided blood samples and answered a questionnaire on lifestyle characteristics and the relevant medical history. Lead concentrations in tibia and blood were significantly higher in the exposed group. The difference in mean bone Pb concentrations of the two groups is markedly greater than the difference in the mean blood Pb concentrations, supporting the view that bone Pb measurements are a more reliable determinant of Pb body burden. Chronic exposure did not result in any statistically significant differences in adverse pregnancy outcomes. A significantly lower age at the onset of menopause in occupationally exposed women may suggest that Pb causes adverse changes in the pattern of estrus and menses. The exposed women had lower bone Pb concentrations than those found in most studies on predominantly male workers. Blood Pb concentrations remain increased in women long after the cessation of occupational exposure, reflecting the importance of the endogenous exposure. The endogenous exposure relation found for postmenopausal exposed women is consistent with data on male smelter workers, whereas the relation found for premenopausal women is significantly lower. This suggests that sex plays an important role in the metabolism of lead, and current models of exposure extrapolated from male data may be inappropriate for use on women.

Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is presently considered the standard technique for diagnosis of osteoporosis. It has been suggested that the presence of lead interferes with the accurate measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) by DXA because of the increased attenuation and that an accurate measurement of BMD cannot be determined unless the patient’s bone lead content of patients is known. We performed DXA measurements on plaster of Paris phantoms and a Hologic Spine phantom in combination with polyester resin doped with various concentrations of lead. At lead levels which correspond to bone concentrations in occupationally exposed individuals, the suggested increase in densitometric BMD was not detected. Numerical calculations show that the effect of the lead depends upon the two energies of the X-ray beam of a particular device. The discrepancy between the actual and the densitometric BMD increases linearly and is about 0.3% at 100 ppm. Such change cannot be detected by the Hologic QDR 4500A, the device used for this experiment.

The paper presents a new digital fault location algorithm developed for the determination of the location of the transmission line faults. The calculations for the estimation of the fault location are performed using one-terminal voltage and current data of the transmission line. The development of the algorithm is based on the detailed consideration of all the return paths (ground wire, towers, and substation grounding electrodes) of the ground fault current to its sources (the power system). The algorithm takes into account all of the factors important for the accuracy of the estimation (i.e., fault impedance, fault current component supplied from the opposite end of the line, and the prefault current). Also, the imaginary part of the fault impedance is not ignored as is the case with the previously published methods. The proposed algorithm was tested using simulated current data. Sample test results are also included.

Summary Background: The association between social position, living environment and nasal symptoms is inconsistent. We wanted to test how living environment, occupation and social position were associated with nasal symptoms. Methods: In a postal survey study of a random sample of 12,079 adults, aged 20–59 years living in the southern part of Sweden the relationship between nasal symptoms, socioeconomic status and environmental factors was analysed. Results: The response rate was 70% (n ¼ 8469) of whom 33% reported significant nasal symptoms. Nasal discharge, thick yellow discharge, a blocked nose, sneezing and itching were strongly associated with living close to heavy traffic or living in cities Most of the nasal symptoms provoked by extrinsic factors were more frequently reported among subjects who lived close to heavy traffic and in cities. Apart from thick yellow discharge and nasal symptoms provoked by damp/cold air which were more common in the socio-economic position ‘‘low’’ no relation to the socio-economic group was found. The prevalence of self-reported hay fever was neither affected by site of living nor by socio-economic status. Nasal symptoms evoked by ‘‘allergic’’ factors were linked to asthma but symptoms evoked by non-allergic factors were linked to chronic bronchitis/emphysema CBE. Conclusions: To conclude, we found a strong relation between geographical site and the prevalence of self-reported nasal symptoms which emphasizes the environment as a risk factor for nasal symptoms. Only by merging the socio-economic groups into ‘‘low’’ and ‘‘middle/high’’ an association to nasal symptoms was apparent. Nasal symptoms evoked by ‘‘allergic’’ factors were linked to asthma but symptoms evoked by ‘‘non allergic factors’’ were linked to CBE. r 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

"Hairy cell" leukemija (HCL) je retka i neuobicajena forma hronicne limfoidne leukemije sa ne-predvidljivim tokom. Splenomegalija je najucestaliji klinicki nalaz a vecina drugih manifestacija je direktna posledica citopenije i splenomegalye. Splenektomija kao terapijski tretman, eliminise ne samo efekat "pooliranja" krvnih celija u slezini, vec dovodi i do uklanjanja glavnog mesta leukemijske celijske proliferacije. U nasem radu retrospektivno smo analizirali 38 bolesnika sa dijagnozom HCL kod kojih je splenektomija primenjena kao prva linija terapije. Rezultati lecenja bolesnika sa HCL-om primenom splenektomije su pokazali da je 22/38 bolesnika (58%) i dalje u hematoloskoj remisiji (u periodu pracenja od 7 godina) primenom samo ovog terapijskog modaliteta, a da je 16/38 bolesnika (42%) progrediralo krace ili duze vreme nakon splenektomije i nastavilo lecenje alfa interferonom kao drugom linijom terapije. Medijana duzine remisije nakon splenektomije je bila 36 meseci. Medjutim, analiza veceg broja klinickih i hematoloskih parametara definisala je prognosticki povoljnu grupu bolesnika sa HCL-om kod koje je splenektomija kao inicijalno lecenje dovela do dugotrajne hematoloske remisije (medijana: 72 meseca). S druge strane, kod prognosticki nepovoljne grupe bolesnika sa HCL-om splenektomija je kao inicijalno lecenje dovela do kratkotrajne hematoloske remisije (medijana: 6-7 meseci) i bolesnici su ubrzo nastavili lecenje alfa interferonom. Na osnovu nasih rezultata a uzimajuci u obzir i literaturne podatke, inicijalna splenektomija imala bi najveci uspeh kod grupe bolesnika sa HCL-om sa povoljnom prognozom i vrednostima hematoloskih parametara: hemoglobin > 110 g/l, broj trombocita > 130xl0^9/l i stepen infiltracije kostne srzi < 70%. Kod bolesnika sa nepovoljnom prognozom i vrednostima hemoglobina < 90 g/l, broja trombocita < 60xl0^9/l i stepena infiltracije kostne srzi 90%, efekat splenektomije je kratkotrajan, tako da je svrsishodnije inicijalno primeniti sistemsku terapiju alfa interferonom ili purinskim analozima.

Silicon-based nanoparticles are synthesized by picosecond laser ablation in liquid using silicon single-crystal plates as targets. We demonstrated that applying the additional continuous laser immediately prior to and during the ablation changed the size distribution and oxygen content of the nanoparticles produced. This opens up the possibility of using the continuous laser as a simple tool for tailoring nanoparticle properties.

Increased morbidity and mortality rates as well as some other manifestations in Alzheimer's disease can be explained by subcortical degeneration. Pathological evidence is scarce but confirmative. We report a 77-year-old patient who presented with a 6-year history of dyspnoea, stridor and dysphagia. Unexpectedly, histopathological examination disclosed extensive degeneration of the medulla by tau pathology. The majority of symptoms and signs could be explained by the medullary tau pathology. Whether the medullary tau pathology in this case was a rare aberrant progression of Alzheimer's disease or a new presentation of tauopathy concomitant with subclinical Alzheimer's disease should be elucidated by additional studies.

Silicon-based nanoparticles were produced by irradiating a single-crystal silicon target with 10.6 mu m nanosecond transverse excited atmospheric (TEA) pulsed CO2 laser in de-ionized water. The effects of the laser pulse energies and repetition rate were studied. To reveal the role of thermal effects, a low laser repetition rate has been applied, excluding the interaction of the laser beam with the previously generated cavitation bubble. The analysis of the influence of the laser pulse energies and the laser repetition rate showed that the increase of the laser pulse energies leads to an increase of the nanoparticle size. An explanation of such results was proposed and the importance of the role of the target surface temperature in the ablation process is discussed.

Obstructive sleep apnea is generally recognized as more common in men than in women. This could relate to gender differences in either ventilatory control mechanisms or the structure and function of the pharyngeal airway. Most studies suggest that women have a structurally smaller pharyngeal airway than men, which would likely predispose rather than protect them from airway collapse. However, pharyngeal airway patency is actually a dynamic interaction between anatomy and pharyngeal muscle activity. We therefore hypothesized that females may have increased pharyngeal dilator muscle activity, thereby protecting them from airway collapse during sleep. To test this hypothesis, we compared genioglossal EMG (GG-EMG, measured as a percentage of maximal muscle activity) and upper airway resistance in 22 healthy subjects, 11 males and 11 females, during wakefulness. No significant difference in pharyngeal resistance could be found between the genders. However, inspiratory peak phasic and expiratory tonic GG-EMG activity were both significantly greater in females (GG-EMG peak phasic; 24.3 +/- 3.8 versus 13.1 +/- 4.5% of maximum, p < 0.02; GG-EMG tonic; 12.2 +/- 2.8 versus 4.7 +/- 1.2% of maximum, p < 0.01). In addition, females demonstrated a significant EMG response to inspiratory loading that was not observed in men. We conclude that women have, under basal conditions during wakefulness, augmented genioglossal muscle activity compared with men. To the extent that this augmented muscle activity is maintained across states, the female airway may be more stable and less collapsible.

Step-like structures oriented along 〈110〉 or 〈100〉 directions on {100} oriented Si substrates are first etched with mask following maskless etching in 30 wt. % KOH solution in water at 80 °C. The step structures investigated by maskless etching are convex prismatic edges bounded by {100} and {111} planes for 〈110〉 oriented steps or only {100} planes for 〈100〉 oriented steps. Experimental results are used to verify the nature of {hkl} cutting planes that are developed at the convex corners of the steps during maskless anisotropic etching. From analytical relations and experimental results, the ratio between the etching rates for the {hkl} (fast-etching plane at the edge step) and {100} planes is found for both step orientations.

Nagrinėjamos modernios pasiskirstymo valdymo sistemos, naudojancios multiprocesorines sistemas didelio duomenų kiekio modeliui efektyviai apdoroti. Sio tyrimo tikslas – gauti optimalią procesorių apkrovą atminties panaudojimo ir skaiciavimo trukmės atžvilgiu. Vykdymo metu atliekamas dinaminis perskirstymas, kai aptinkamas issibalansavimas. Aptarti difuzinio perskirstymo ir Cut-Paste algoritmai. Be to, atliktas minėtų algoritmų modifikavimas siekiant pagerinti dinaminį perskirstymą, atliekamą multiprocesorinėse sistemose. Pasiūlyti algoritmai buvo pritaikyti didelio galios tinklo modelio duomenims. Eksperimentai parodė procesorių apkrovos issibalansavimo sumažėjimą ir nasumo padidėjimą. Bibl. 12, lent. 2 (anglų kalba; santraukos anglų ir lietuvių k.). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eee.120.4.1461

Valproic acid (VPA)-induced hyperammonaemia, with or without clinical or laboratory evidence of hepatoxicity, is well-documented. This study was designed to assess the prevalance of hyperammonaemia in institutionalised patients treated with VPA chronically and to identify contributing factors. Eight-two refractory patients (60 men and 22 women; mean age, 39 years; mean weight, 70.1 kg), were studied. Ten patients were on VPA monotherapy, and 72 were on antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy. Fourteen epileptic patients on AED polytherapy excluding VPA (patient controls) and 10 volunteers (healthy controls) were also evaluated. VPA dose ranged between 7.1 and 71.4 mg/kg/day and was associated with VPA plasma concentrations of 114–753 and 77–1,315 μmol/L pre-and postprandially, respectively. A plasma ammonium (NH 4 + ) concentration of 50 μmol/L is considered the upper normal limit in healthy adult subjects. Pre- and postprandial plasma NH 4 + concentrations >50 μmol/L were seen in 20% and 30% of VPA-treated patients, respectively. In contrast, all healthy and patient controls had plasma NH 4 + concentrations 4 + concentration. The highest VPA dose (71.4 mg/kg/day) was associated with the highest (95 μmol/L) plasma NH 4 + concentration. There was a significant correlation ( r = 0.61; p 4 + and VPA concentration postprandially in male patients taking VPA and carbamazepine in combination. It is concluded that, although VPA medication can be associated with elevated plasma NH 4 + concentrations that are not clinically significant in many patients, caution is necessary when prescribing VPA.

The paper presents investigation of micromechanical technique using 3D anisotropically etched Si structures. Ridge-like structure oriented along LT 110> direction is first etched with mask following maskless etching in 25 wt. % TMAH solution in water at 80°C. The ridge structures investigated by maskless etching are convex prismatic edges included by {100} and {111} planes. Experimental results verify that the cutting planes developed at the ridge corners are {733} planes. From analytical relations applied to experiments, the ratio between the etching rates for the {733} (the fastest etching plane at the edge step) and {100} planes is found.

A system of coupled plasma and elastic waves (the plasmaelastic waves) equations are analyzed. The treatment considers a semiconductor elastic plate with isotropic and homogeneous plasma and elastic properties. The solution of the coupled system of plasma and elastic equations are given for a typical photothermal configuration including the carrier surface and volume recombination processes. The analysis of the plasma density and elastic fields shows that the coupling plasmaelastic effects show the attenuation and disperse phenomena. 15th International Conference on Photoacoustic and Photothermal Phenomena, Jul 19-23, 2009, Catholic Univ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

It is well known that the MV paper-insulated cables lines act as long grounding electrodes, or inject fault current directly into the surrounding soil. As a consequence of that the MV lines performed of this type of cables spontaneously form a very large and complex grounding system around the HV/MV distribution substations. The area encompassed by this type of grounding system is much larger than occupied by the HV/MV substation itself. Because of that these grounding systems manifest excellent performances including a very low value of the impedance to ground. The problem with this type of grounding systems appears only at the design stage of the HV/MV substation, when safety condition inside and in the vicinity of this substation should be estimated. This paper provides improvements in accuracy to the only existing practical method developed for the analysis of this type of grounding systems.

of inhomogeneous thermal properties in photothermal amplitude and phase spectra of coatings. Finally, a method for quantitative depth profiling that makes use of prior knowledge about the type of profile existing in a sample to reduce the instabilities associated with the mathematically ill conditioned task is demonstrated. Photothermal (PT) measurement techniques are being intensively developed and applied with increased success in the measurement of thermal, optical and other related physical properties, as well as for the investigation of subsurface structure and macroscopic defects of various samples. Photothermal methods are based on direct or indirect measurements of temperature variations, which occur because of generation and transfer of the heat produced by excitation of a testing structure by an external source of energy. Hence, a correct description of thermal transport processes is necessary for the analysis of the measured signals and for their application in the determination of the physical sample properties. All the existing models of photothermal signals are based on the solutions of the classical heat conduction equation that neglects the thermal memory eects. However, a large group of ver

This paper reviews current status of silicon microphotonics and the recent prototype of on-chip optical interconnection. Si microphotonics pursues complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatibility of photonic devices to reduce the materials diversity eventually to integrate on Si chips. Fractal optical H-trees have been implemented on a chip and found to be a technology breakthrough beyond metal interconnection. It has shown that large RC time constants associated with metal can be eliminated at least long distant data communication on a chip, and eventually improve yield and power issues. This has become the world's first electronic and photonic integrated circuits (EPICs) and the possibility of at least 10 GHz clocking for personal computers has been demonstrated.

Towards the goal of developing stable humanoid robots and leg prostheses, we present a biologically motivated control strategy for walking where system angular momentum is explicitly controlled. Using human kinematic gait data, we calculate the distribution of spin angular momentum throughout the human body at slow and self-selected walking speeds. Principal component analysis reveals three angular momentum primitives that explain 99% of the walking data for sagittal plane body rotations. In addition, our analysis shows that the angular momentum primitives are invariant with walking speed. Using these biomechanical results, we simulate human walking during the single support phase using a morphologically realistic humanoid model walking in the sagittal plane. There is minimal predefined specification of the desired gait motion. With only the model's walking speed and stride length as an input, our control system searches for joint reference trajectories that minimize the error between the model's angular momentum distribution and the biologically determined distribution. Resulting model joint kinematics are in qualitative agreement with human gait data, suggesting that exploiting invariant angular momentum primitives In humanoid control may prove critical to achieving biological realism in legged robots and prostheses. The angular momentum primitives framework can substantially simplify the process of gait synthesis and enable the operator of a humanoid robot or powered leg prosthesis to easily change stride length and/or walking speed.

The paper discusses some problems in the use of intrusion detection systems (IDS), especially related to evasion attacks. Important characteristics of this type of attack are presented, and the possibilities for attack analyzed. Characteristics of network and host based IDS systems are compared, and some aspects of a distributed approach to the architecture of IDS are analyzed. On the basis of such discussion, the paper proposes the use of distributed network based IDS systems, which are client based, in the detection of evasion attacks. The proposed model is compared to host based intrusion prevention systems (HIPS). Important characteristics of the model are discussed. Some implementation issues are presented.

An morphological confirmation of neurophysiologically assessed small nerve fibre dysfunction in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome was sought. Conventional motor and sensory nerve conduction studies were normal, while examination of the thermal specific and thermal pain sensitivity and an autonomic nervous system evaluation showed striking abnormalities. Sural nerve electron microscopy showed almost normally large nerve fibres and abnormalities in unmyelinated nerve fibres or Schwann cells, and verified morphologically the neurophysiologically supposed small nerve fibre involvement.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) associated with pregnancy often involves considerable risk both for mother and child, and usually worsens in the third trimester of gestation. Pregnancy and delivery are especially difficult in patients with severe ITP (platelet count below 20x10^9/l), who are resistant to prednisone and high dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIgG). In those cases we applied cesarean section (CS), to prevent intracranial haemorrhage due to fetal/neonatal ITP, and splenectomy at the same time as an effective therapeutic strategy for ITP. We present 5 patients (4 with chronic ITP and 1 with ITP associated with HIV infection), aged 21-35 years, with severe ITP (platelet count 2-10xl0^9/l), resistant to prednisone (1-2 mg/kg), and 2/3 were resistant to IVIgG (0.4 g/kg x 5d). Four patients with severe resistant ITP were supported with 1-2 doses of platelets from cell separator before CS and 1-3 dose during splenectomy. One patient increased platelet count to 55x10^9/l after treatment with IVIgG and splenectomy following CS were done without platelet transfusion. Splenectomy was performed immediately after CS in all patients, and two of them were hysterectomised (one with HIV infection). After splenectomy, platelet count was normalised in all patients, and they had no haemorrhage, wound haematoma formation or any adverse events. But ITP relapsed in 2/5 patients after 1-2 months. Two newborns had severe thrombocytopenia, which solved spontaneously after 3 days in one or after treatment with IVIgG in other. We propose that splenectomy following cesarean section should be considered as approach for delivery and treatment option for mothers with severe resistant ITP.

The paper presents a software development and testing methodology, which was used for the new version of the subscriber digital concentrator ACK-2000. This concentrator was developed for the Russian telecommunication network. During the development process special attention was paid to precise software specification, professional implementation, and testing/redesign, in order to reach the given criterion of 0.1% of unsuccessful calls. The tests, which were conducted, include functional tests and real-time load tests, with the real exchange and the call generator connected to the subscriber lines. The results of these tests and software reliability analysis are reported.

Results of a systematic study of the frequency response of a Fermilab Booster RF cavity are presented. Measurements were carried out on a spare test cavity as well as on a cavity used in normal booster operation. Measurements on the latter cavity were performed under no-beam conditions. An attempt has been made to relate parasitic (non-fundamental) frequency modes with beam instabilities. >