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While emerging pollutants are being detected in water bodies globally, a significant amount of solid waste that could be used for effluent remediation is being discarded. This not only reduces the half-life of landfills but also contributes to environmental pollution. Of these, eggshells (ES) are one of the most discarded food waste items worldwide. This paper presents the development and characterization of ES-based adsorbent for the removal of oxytetracycline (OTC), an emerging pharmaceutical pollutant, from aqueous solutions. The sorption of OTC on ES and ES-derived materials has not been previously studied. The ES was modified by removing the organic layer and both materials were used to grow Fe oxides, which can impart magnetic response to allow indirect manipulation or the addition of new sorption sites. Two methodologies were employed to synthesize Fe oxides: alkaline oxidation in the presence of nitrate and impregnation–pyrolysis (IP), which have not been used previously for developing magnetic ES. The materials developed by IP exhibit the highest total specific surface area and display a magnetic response due to the presence of magnetite and maghemite. Moreover, they exhibit a negative zeta potential over a wide range of pH values. All materials were able to adsorb OTC at pH 3, 7, or 9, indicating that ES (the simplest material) and ESIP (composite with good enough magnetic response) are suitable for removing OTC from aqueous solution. ES is recommended when indirect manipulation is not necessary, whereas ESIP is recommended when it is required. In order to explore the potential for reuse of the composite-pollutant materials, their antibacterial capacity against E. coli and E. faecium was evaluated. The findings of the present work contribute to the development of a circular economy by reducing waste generation, minimizing the consumption of natural resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while improving environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Profiting from previous works done with the INDRA multidetector on the description of the light response L of the CsI( Tl ) crystals to different impinging nuclei, we propose an improved Δ E − L identification-calibration procedure for Silicon–Caesium Iodide (Si–CsI) telescopes, namely an Advanced Mass Estimate ( AME ) method. AME is compared to the usual, simple visual analysis of the corresponding two-dimensional map of Δ E − E type, by using INDRA experimental data from nuclear reactions induced by heavy ions in the Fermi energy regime. We show that the capability of such telescopes to identify both the atomic Z and the mass A numbers of light and heavy reaction products, can be quantitatively improved thanks to the proposed approach. This conclusion opens new possibilities to use INDRA for studying these reactions especially with radioactive beams. Indeed, the determination of the mass for charged reaction products becomes of paramount importance to shed light on the role of the isospin degree of freedom in the nuclear equation of state [ 1,2 ]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individual differences in taste perception may influence appetite, dietary intakes, and subsequently, disease risk. Correlations of DNA methylation patterns at taste transducing genes with BMI and dietary intakes were studied. A nutriepigenomic analysis within the Methyl Epigenome Network Association (MENA) project was conducted in 474 adults. DNA methylation in peripheral white blood cells was analyzed by a microarray approach. KEGG pathway analyses were performed concerning the characterization and discrimination of genes involved in the taste transduction pathway. Adjusted FDR values (p < 0.0001) were used to select those CpGs that showed best correlation with BMI. A total of 29 CpGs at taste transducing genes met the FDR criteria. However, only 12 CpGs remained statistically significant after linear regression analyses adjusted for age and sex. These included cg15743657 (TAS1R2), cg02743674 (TRPM5), cg01790523 (SCN9A), cg15947487 (CALHM1), cg11658986 (ADCY6), cg04149773 (ADCY6), cg02841941 (P2RY1), cg02315111 (P2RX2), cg08273233 (HTR1E), cg14523238 (GABBR2), cg12315353 (GABBR1) and cg05579652 (CACNA1C). Interestingly, most of them were implicated in the sweet taste signaling pathway, except CACNA1C (sour taste). In addition, TAS1R2 methylation at cg15743657 was strongly correlated with total energy (p < 0.0001) and carbohydrate intakes (p < 0.0001). This study suggests that methylation in genes related to sweet taste could be an epigenetic mechanism associated with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study that examined factors that influence the recorded magnetization in the perpendicular recording process. Information on an analytical model of the recording process; Details on analytical results; Conclusions.

A continuous-wave Fabry–Pérot quantum cascade laser (QCL) emitting at 8.1 μm operating in the single mode regime has been coherently phase locked to a turn-key low-noise commercial mid-Infrared (mid-IR) optical frequency comb. The stability of the comb used as a reference is transferred to the QCL resulting in an integrated residual phase error of 0.4 rad. The laser linewidth is narrowed by more than two orders of magnitude reaching sub-kHz level at 1 ms observation time, limited by the spectral purity of the mid-IR comb. Our experiment is an important step toward the development of both powerful and metrology-grade QCLs and fully stabilized QCL frequency comb and opens perspectives for precision measurements and frequency metrology in the mid-IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: By looking specifically at free nucleons (here protons), we present for the first time a comprehensive body of experimental results concerning the mean free path, the nucleon-nucleon cross-section and in-medium effects in nuclear matter. Purpose: Using the large dataset of exclusive measurements provided by the 4π array INDRA, we determine the relative degree of stopping as a function of system mass and bombarding energy. We show that the stopping can be directly related to the transport properties in the nuclear medium. Methods: We perform a systematic study of protons nuclear stopping in central collisions for heavy-ion induced reactions in the Fermi-energy domain, between 15A and 100A MeV. Results: It is found that the mean free path exhibits a maximum at λNN =9.5 ± 2 fm, around Einc = 35A-40A MeV incident energy and decreases toward an asymptotic value λNN = 4.5 ± 1 fm at Einc = 100A MeV. Conclusions: After accounting for Pauli blocking of elastic nucleon-nucleon collisions, it is shown that the effective in-medium NNcross section is further reduced compared to the free value in this energy range. Therefore, in-medium effects cannot be neglected in the Fermi-energy range. These results bring new fundamental inputs for microscopic descriptions of nuclear reactions in the Fermi-energy domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Films based on thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) and chitosan/chitin were obtained by melt-mixing and thermo-compression. Chitosan and chitin incorporation to TPS matrix induced some structural modifications due mainly to the interactions between starch hydroxyl and chitosan/chitin amino groups. Crystallinity degree of TPS films was increased with biopolymers incorporation. Enthalpy melting values for TPS–chitosan/chitin films resulted lower than those corresponding to TPS control ones. Films had homogeneous and smooth surfaces, without pores and cracks and no glycerol migration was evidenced by Scanning Electronic Microscopy. Films fracture surfaces were uniform without the presence of unmelting starch granules neither chitosan/chitin agglomerates. Films with chitosan/chitin presented higher color, UV absorption capacity and opacity than TPS films. Addition of 10 g chitosan or chitin/100 g starch decreased 35 and 56% water vapor permeability, respectively. Biopolymers addition to TPS increased tensile strength and elastic modulus, and decreased elongation at break. Starch and glycerol-rich domains where evidenced in TPS matrixes by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis. Finally, TPS–chitosan films reduced Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli growth in the contact zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a method for accurate mid-infrared frequency measurements and stabilization to a near-infrared ultra-stable frequency reference, transmitted with a long-distance fibre link and continuously monitored against state-of-the-art atomic fountain clocks. As a first application, we measure the frequency of an OsO4 rovibrational molecular line around 10μm with an uncertainty of 8×10-13. We also demonstrate the frequency stabilization of a mid-infrared laser with fractional stability better than 4×10-14 at 1 s averaging time and a linewidth below 17 Hz. This new stabilization scheme gives us the ability to transfer frequency stability in the range of 10-15 or even better, currently accessible in the near infrared or in the visible, to mid-infrared lasers in a wide frequency range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first demonstration of a long-distance ultra-stable frequency dissemination in the microwave range. A 9.15-GHz signal is transferred through an 86-km urban optical link with a fractional frequency instability of 1.3×10−15 at 1-s integration time and below 10−18 at one day. The optical link phase noise compensation is performed with a round-trip method. To achieve such a result we implement light polarisation scrambling and dispersion compensation. This link outperforms all the previous radio-frequency links and compares well with recently demonstrated full optical links. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We developed two kernel smoothing based tests of a parametric mean-regression model against a nonparametric alternative when the response variable is right-censored. The new test statistics are inspired by the synthetic data and the weighted least squares approaches for estimating the parameters of a (non)linear regression model under censoring. The asymptotic critical values of our tests are given by the quantiles of the standard normal law. The tests are consistent against fixed alternatives, local Pitman alternatives and uniformly over alternatives in Hölder classes of functions of known regularity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We analyzed the 93Nb on natMg reaction at 30 MeV/nucleon in the aim of disentangling binary sequential decay and multifragmentation decay close to the energy threshold, i.e. ≃3 MeV/nucleon. Using the backtracing technique applied to the statistical models GEMINI and SMM we reconstruct simulated charge, mass and excitation energy distributions and compare them to the experimental ones. We show that data are better described by SMM than by GEMINI in agreement with the fact that multifragmentation is responsible for fragment production at excitation energies around 3 MeV/nucleon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

RF frequency transfer over an urban 86 km fibre has been demonstrated with a resolution of 2×10-18 at one day measuring time using an optical compensator. This result is obtained with a reference carrier frequency of 1 GHz, and a rapid scrambling of the polarisation state of the input light in order to reduce the sensitivity to the polarisation mode dispersion in the fibre. The limitation due to the fibre chromatic dispersion associated with the laser frequency fluctuations is highlighted and analyzed. A preliminary test of an extended compensated link over 186 km using optical amplifiers gives a resolution below 10-17 at 1 day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bimodal distributions of some chosen variables measured in nuclear collisions were recently proposed as a non-ambiguous signature of a first-order phase transition in nuclei. This section presents a compilation of both theoretical and experimental studies on bimodalities performed so far, in relation with the liquid-gas phase transition in nuclear matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the neuropsychological characteristics of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subgroups identified in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) cognition study. Methods: MCI was classified as MCI-amnestic type (MCI-AT): patients with documented memory deficits but otherwise normal cognitive function; and MCI-multiple cognitive deficits type (MCI-MCDT): impairment of at least one cognitive domain (not including memory), or one abnormal test in at least two other domains, but who had not crossed the dementia threshold. The MCI subjects did not have systemic, neurological, or psychiatric disorders likely to affect cognition. Results: MCI-AT (n = 10) had worse verbal and non-verbal memory performance than MCI-MCDT (n = 28) or normal controls (n = 374). By contrast, MCI-MCDT had worse language, psychomotor speed, fine motor control, and visuoconstructional function than MCI-AT or normal controls. MCI-MCDT subjects had memory deficits, though they were less pronounced than in MCI-AT. Of the MCI-MCDT cases, 22 (78.5%) had memory deficits, and 6 (21.5%) did not. MCI-MCDT with memory disorders had more language deficits than MCI-MCDT without memory disorders. By contrast, MCI-MCDT without memory deficits had more fine motor control deficits than MCI-MCDT with memory deficits. Conclusions: The most frequent form of MCI was the MCI-MCDT with memory deficits. However, the identification of memory impaired MCI groups did not reflect the true prevalence of MCI in a population, as 16% of all MCI cases and 21.5% of the MCI-MCDT cases did not have memory impairment. Study of idiopathic amnestic and non-amnestic forms of MCI is essential for an understanding of the aetiology of MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to examine the risk factors associated with the development of sensory neuropathy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in 292 HIV+ patients recruited through a community-based sentinel survey. We determined the clinical and treatment factors associated with the presence of peripheral sensory neuropathy in HIV+ subjects at baseline examination, and at 1-year follow-up. Baseline examination was assessed with a logistic regression analysis controlling for age, education level, history of drug/alcohol use, and anti-retroviral treatment. The risk of developing new peripheral neuropathy at follow-up was determined using a Cox proportional hazard model analysis. At study entry, neuropathy ( n = 64) was associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) (i.e. ddC), and history of alcohol abuse. After 1-year follow-up, the development of neuropathy was predicted by AIDS, age (older subjects), and NRTI use. These findings indicated that AIDS, age, alcohol abuse/dependence, and anti-retroviral medication use are important predictors of motor/sensory peripheral neuropathy in the HIV infection. The peripheral neurotoxic effect of anti-retroviral medication should be taken into account in the design of long-term therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. – To determine if asymptomatic stable chronic hyperlactatemia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART, including nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI)) could be improved by antioxidant supplementation.Design. – To match two groups of patients taking NRTI for at least 24 months: 15 without and 15 with antioxidant supplementation (vitamin E, β-carotene, N-acetylcysteine, selenium, Gingko biloba extracts and nutritional supplements). For both the groups, the supplementation by antioxidants or its lack was carefully assessed. Venous lactatemia, blood oxidative stress markers (plasma lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants), CDC revisited classification, CD4 count and viral load, NRTI (with or without stavudine) and other antiretroviral drugs used, lipoatrophy, central fat accumulation were assessed.Results. – Patients were not statistically different with respect to the CDC classification, CD4 count, viral load and characteristics of antiretroviral therapy. Blood oxidative stress markers, i.e. vitamin E, vitamin A and β-carotene tended to be higher in the supplemented group. The difference observed in venous lactate concentration between the two groups was significant (1.37 ± 0.10 vs. 1.82 ± 0.19 mmol/l in the supplemented and non-supplemented groups, respectively P = 0.04).Conclusion. – Antioxidant supplementation improves the asymptomatic stable chronic hyperlactatemia observed in HIV-infected patients taking HAART including NRTI for a long time. Controlled studies are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of this supplementation on mitochondrial toxicity observed during HAART and the possible usefulness of its combination with mitochondrial cofactors like carnitine, riboflavine, coenzyme Q, α-lipoic acid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The influence of the entrance channel mass asymmetry upon the fragmentation process is addressed by studying heavy-ion induced reactions around the Fermi energy. The data have been recorded with the INDRA 4π array. An event selection method called the Principal Component Analysis is presented and discussed. It is applied for the selection of central events and furthermore to multifragmentation of single source events. The selected subsets of data are compared to the Statistical Multifragmentation Model (SMM) to check the equilibrium hypothesis and get the source characteristics. Experimental comparisons show the evidence of a decoupling between thermal and compressional (radial flow) component of the excitation energy stored in such nuclear systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Discusses a study which estimated circulation and transport in the eastern basin of the Bransfield Strait through the use of hydrographic station and current meter data. Results; Discussion; Conclusions.

Background: Chronic illnesses like obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases, are worldwide major causes of morbidity and mortality. These pathological conditions involve interactions between environmental, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Recent advances in nutriepigenomics are contributing to clarify the role of some nutritional factors, including dietary fatty acids in gene expression regulation. This systematic review assesses currently available information concerning the role of the different fatty acids on epigenetic mechanisms that affect the development of chronic diseases or induce protective effects on metabolic alterations. Methods: A targeted search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline databases using the keywords "fatty acids and epigenetic". The data were analyzed according to the PRISMA-P guidelines. Results: Consumption fatty acids like n-3 PUFA: EPA and DHA, and MUFA: oleic and palmitoleic acid was associated with an improvement of metabolic alterations. On the other hand, fatty acids that have been associated with the presence or development of obesity, T2D, pro-inflammatory profile, atherosclerosis and IR were n-6 PUFA, saturated fatty acids (stearic and palmitic), and trans fatty acids (elaidic), have been also linked with epigenetic changes. Conclusions: Fatty acids can regulate gene expression by modifying epigenetic mechanisms and consequently result in positive or negative impacts on metabolic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical forest productivity represents an important global carbon sink, but many tropical forests grow on infertile soils. Efficient nutrient cycling by litterfall has long been assumed to maintain tropical tree growth, but there is no direct evidence that the nutrients cycled in litterfall are essential for tropical forest productivity.To test whether nutrient cycling by litterfall maintains tropical forest above‐ground productivity, we established large‐scale long‐term litter removal (L−) and litter addition (L+) treatments in a mature lowland tropical forest. We hypothesised that the removal of nutrients in litter would reduce tree growth, survival and litter production in L− plots. By contrast, the addition of nutrients in litter would enhance tree growth, survival and litter production in L+ plots. To test our hypotheses, we recorded tree growth and survival every 2 years, and measured litterfall monthly during 17 years of treatments.Tree growth and litterfall declined over time in L− plots, with consistently lower growth rates compared to controls after 8 years, and lower litter production after 4 years of treatments. By contrast, although litterfall was higher in the L+ plots relative to the controls, there was only a minor transient increase in tree growth immediately after the start of treatments. Tree survival declined over time in all treatments but was not affected by litter manipulation.The long‐term decline in tree growth and litterfall in the L− plots provides the first empirical evidence that nutrient cycling by litterfall plays a key role in maintaining above‐ground productivity in this tropical forest. By contrast, the transient increase in growth in the L+ plots can be attributed to the large inputs of nutrients with the addition of the entire litter standing crop at the start of treatments. The addition of nutrients in litter over the long term was nonetheless sufficient to enhance litter production, possibly by accelerating leaf turnover.Synthesis: Efficient nutrient cycling by litterfall makes an important contribution to the annual nutrient requirements of mature tropical forest trees, compensating for infertile soils. Disturbances that disrupt this finely balanced cycle could therefore reduce biomass carbon sequestration in tropical forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the importance of optical parametric amplifier to improve photodetection efficiency. Characterization of the amplifier as a noiseless optical device; Impact of the noiseless optical amplifier (NOA) on the preservation of photon dissociation; Relevance of NOA in accessing full photon statistics of incoming signal.

A response from the authors of the article "Determination of hydraulic conductivity from grain-size distribution for different depositional environments," in the 2014 issue is presented.

Background: We study heavy-ion reactions from barrier up to Fermi energy. The data were acquired with the INDRA detector at the GANIL (Caen, France) facility. Purpose: We aim to determine the reaction and fusion cross sections for the reactions induced by 129Xe projectiles on natSn targets for incident energies ranging from 8A to 35A MeV. In particular, the evaluation of the fusion and incomplete fusion cross sections is the main purpose, altogether with the comparison with the systematics of Eudes et al. [Europhys. Lett. 104, 22001 (2013)]. Method: The reaction cross sections are evaluated at each beam energy with data acquired thanks to the INDRA 4p array. The events are sorted with the help of the observable Eiso, max. We focus therefore our study on a selected sample of events, in such a way that the fusion and incomplete fusion cross sections can be estimated. Results: We present the excitation function of reaction and fusion cross sections for the heavy and nearly symmetric system 129Xe+natSn from 8A to 35A MeV. For the fusion excitation function the comparison with the systematics of Eudes et al. seems to be in a fair agreement starting from the beam energy 20A MeV. For the lower beam energies (8A and 12A MeV) discrepancies are observed. Conclusions: The evaluated fusionlike cross sections show a good agrement with a recent systematics for beam energies greater than 20A MeV. For low beam energies the cross-sectional values are lower than the expected ones. A probable reason for these low values is in the fusion hindrance at energies above or close to the barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Carriers of balanced reciprocal translocations are at increased risk of spontaneous abortions due to the high frequency of unbalanced gametes (20-80% depending specific chromosomes). Fragile sites appear as gaps or chromosome breaks in some of the metaphases from a given individual. The 16q22 fragile site (FRA16B) is not associated with any gene and no specific clinical problems have been reported for carriers. However, some fragile sites are related with chromosome instability. The aim of this study is to describe the outcome of the PGD cycle for a couple with a balanced translocation (11;22) and FRA16B. Materials and Methods: A 34 year-old woman was carrier of 46,XX,t(11;22)(q23;q11.2) karyotype. Her partner (normo-zoospermic, 35 year-old) had normal karyotype (46,XY) with FRA16B expression in 50% of metaphases analysed. They presented 2-year history of subfertility with a clinical abortion a biochemical pregnancy. FISH sperm analysis for 13, 18, 21, X and Y chromosomes was performed. Meiotic segregation of chromosome 16 (Tel 16pter/Tel 16 qter) was also analysed with the aim to discard 16q segregation problems. An IVF-PGD cycle was conducted to select normal/balanced embryos for chromosomes 11 and 22. Probable gains or losses due to 16q22 fragile site were also considered. In order to detect interchromosomal effects, chromosomes X, Y, 13, 14, 18 and 21 were included in the PGD cycle. Results: FISH analysis of the sperm did not show any increase of disomy nor diploidy for the chromosomes studied. Results of the meiotic segregation FRA16B reveal normal haploidy for the 98.6% of sperm analysed. The most common abnormalities observed were losses of 16pter (0.59%) and 16qter (0.39%). Of the 10 embryos analysed in the IVF-PGD cycle, none was suitable for transfer. Seven embryos showed abnormalities compatible with adjacent I and 3:1 segregation (3/10 and 4/10 embryos, respectively). Three embryos were balanced for the translocation but showed other chromosomal abnormalities (a monosomy 18, a trisomy 14 and one embryo with 16pter/16qter discordance). A gain of a 16qter fragment was found in a diploid embryo unbalanced for the translocation. Conclusions: In this case, the average of balanced embryos (30%) is comparable to the ones described in gametes of a carrier of 11;22 translocation (38%; Anton et al. 2004). The analysis of interchromosomal effect allows the detection of aneuploid embryos which are normal or balanced for the translocation, avoiding transfer of abnormal embryos. With the inclusion of 16pter/16qter probes in PGD, two embryos carrying 16qter chromosome marker have been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with Alzheimer Disease who develop psychotic symptoms (AD + P) experience more rapid cognitive decline and have reduced indices of synaptic integrity relative to those without psychosis (AD-P). We sought to determine whether the postsynaptic density (PSD) proteome is altered in AD + P relative to AD-P, analyzing PSDs from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of AD + P, AD-P, and a reference group of cognitively normal elderly subjects. The PSD proteome of AD + P showed a global shift towards lower levels of all proteins relative to AD-P, enriched for kinases, proteins regulating Rho GTPases, and other regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. We computationally identified potential novel therapies predicted to reverse the PSD protein signature of AD + P. Five days of administration of one of these drugs, the C-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 5 inhibitor, maraviroc, led to a net reversal of the PSD protein signature in adult mice, nominating it as a novel potential treatment for AD + P. The postsynaptic density proteome is found to be altered specifically in brain tissue from Alzheimer's Disease patients that experience psychosis and is thence computationally shown to be a potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "In-medium effects for nuclear matter in the Fermi-energy domain" that was online published in the December 1, 2014 issue is presented.

Presents a study that compared the performance of thin film longitudinal and perpendicular magnetic recording. Influence of noise on the performance of the longitudinal and perpendicular recording; Features of the longitudinal and perpendicular recording model used; Correlation between pulse amplitude and spacing in longitudinal and perpendicular recording.

Two fragile sites, FRA16B and FRA16C, are located in the chromosome band 16q22.1. Neither of them is associated with any specific clinical condition. We report the development and outcome of a clinically applied PGD cycle in a couple who had difficulty in achieving pregnancy. The woman was a carrier of a balanced reciprocal translocation, t(11;22)(q23;q11.2), and the man presented high expression of the fragile site 16q22.1 (FRA16B/C) in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Gains and losses of chromosome 16 fragments were detected in sperm and embryos. To our knowledge, this is the first documented case suggesting a link between FRA16B/C and chromosome 16 abnormalities in embryos and sperm from a carrier. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anosognosia is a common manifestation of Alzheimer's disease. There is an association between impaired awareness and frontal-executive cognitive deficits. Anosognosia is also correlated with decreased metabolism in the right hemisphere, particularly in frontal lobe regions.Objective: To investigate pathological correlates of anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease.Design: 41 subjects followed longitudinally in the University of Pittsburgh memory disorders clinic and with necropsy verified Alzheimer's disease were divided into two groups, based on previous clinical assessment: +Aware (n = 23) and -Aware (n = 18). A subset analysis matching subjects for dementia severity using mini-mental state examination scores was also carried out (13 +Aware; 13 -Aware). Histopathological data from necropsy brain tissue consisted of senile plaque (SP) and neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) counts (regional density) from four different brain regions in the right and left hemispheres: superior and middle frontal gyri (SMF), superior temporal isocortex (ST), the prosubiculum of the hippocampus (PRO), and the entorhinal cortex (EC).Results: SP density was greater in the right PRO region of -Aware subjects (F = 6.54, p = 0.015) than +Aware subjects. Significant differences between SP or NFT density were not observed in any other regions. In the subset analysis matching for dementia severity, SP density was again greater in the right PRO region of -Aware subjects than in the other regions (F = 12.72, p = 0.002).Conclusions: Increased SP density in the right PRO region suggests that selective pathological involvement of this area contributes to awareness deficits in Alzheimer's disease. The putative role of the PRO in self appraisal may reflect its interconnections with other medial temporal and prefrontal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anosognosia is a common manifestation of Alzheimer's disease. There is an association between impaired awareness and frontal-executive cognitive deficits. Anosognosia is also correlated with decreased metabolism in the right hemisphere, particularly in frontal lobe regions. Objective: To investigate pathological correlates of anosognosia in Alzheimer's disease. Design: 41 subjects followed longitudinally in the University of Pittsburgh memory disorders clinic and with necropsy verified Alzheimer's disease were divided into two groups, based on previous clinical assessment: +Aware (n = 23) and -Aware (n = 18). A subset analysis matching subjects for dementia severity using mini-mental state examination scores was also carried out (13 +Aware; 13 -Aware). Histopathological data from necropsy brain tissue consisted of senile plaque (SP) and neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) counts (regional density) from four different brain regions in the right and left hemispheres: superior and middle frontal gyri (SMF), superior temporal isocortex (ST), the prosubiculum of the hippocampus (PRO), and the entorhinal cortex (EC). Results: SP density was greater in the right PRO region of -Aware subjects (F = 6.54, p = 0.015) than +Aware subjects. Significant differences between SP or NFT density were not observed in any other regions. In the subset analysis matching for dementia severity, SP density was again greater in the right PRO region of -Aware subjects than in the other regions (F = 12.72, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Increased SP density in the right PRO region suggests that selective pathological involvement of this area contributes to awareness deficits in Alzheimer's disease. The putative role of the PRO in self appraisal may reflect its interconnections with other medial temporal and prefrontal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequency of 127I2 hyperfine component a3 of the P(13) 43-0 transition at 514.6 nm has been measured with an optical clockwork based on a femtosecond laser frequency comb generator. The measured frequency at an iodine pressure of 0.12 Pa is 67.3(0.75) kHz higher than the value of 582490603.38(15) MHz, adopted by the CIPM in 2003 [9] but is in a good agreement with the value measured by [29]. In our experiment we used H-maser reference frequency located at BNM-SYRTE Observatoire de Paris and transported to our laboratory by a 43 km optical fibre link. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B TYPE: b Abstract Publication B TOPIC: b Critical Care B PURPOSE: b The objective of this study was to validate a Bayesian Model that integrates qSOFA and prehospital Lactate, with a comparison analysis from a real clinical data of patients with sepsis. When comparing qSOFA + Abnormal Lactate vs qSOFA and normal Lactate, the ICU vs Non-ICU cohorts were statistically different (p<0.01) Odds Ratio: 2.35 (95% CI [1.22 - 4.6]). [Extracted from the article]

The limitation of the amplitude modulation rejection due to the spatial modulation of the output beam of an acousto-optic modulator, which is used in an active laser beam stabilisation system when a frequency modulation of a few megahertz is applied to this modulator, is analysed. It is shown how to overcome this problem, using a single-mode optical fibre at the output of the modulator. A residual amplitude modulation of 10-5 is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using freeze-out properties of multifragmenting hot nuclei produced in quasifusion central 129 Xe + nat Sn collisions at different beam energies (32, 39, 45 and 50 AMeV) which were estimated by means of a simulation based on experimental data collected by the 4 π INDRA multidetector, heat capacity in the thermal excitation energy range 4–12.5 AMeV was calculated from total kinetic energies and multiplicities at freeze-out. The microcanonical formulation was employed. Negative heat capacity which signs a first order phase transition for finite systems is observed and confirms previous results using a different method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equilibrium constants for hydrogen and helium isotopes as a function of density and temperature are measured in the framework of the study made by Qin et al [2012 Phys. Rev. Lett. 108 172701]. We review and comment on all stages of the analysis and conclude that our measurements are not inconsistent with the results of Qin et al. Improvements are being made to the initial analysis and we raise the issue of the binding energies which has to be clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this work, we investigate the electrical behavior and reliability of thin-film devices using a high-k dielectric on top of softening polymer. Hafnium oxide (HfO 2 ) 50 nm thick was used for gate dielectric in both capacitors and thin-film transistors (TFTs) and is deposited by atomic layer deposition at 100 °C. A thermoset thiol-ene/acrylate shape memory polymer (SMP) is used as flexible substrate with softening properties. The SMP belongs to a class of mechanically active materials used to store a metastable shape and return to a globally stable shape upon activation by stimuli, such as temperature, which softens the polymer via a decrease in storage modulus. An average dielectric constant of 13.6 was obtained for the HfO 2 layer after an annealing treatment at 200 °C for two hours in forming gas. Here, a clear dependence between the electrical behavior and the device dimensions was observed. In the same experimental process, indium-gallium-zinc-oxide TFTs with different dimensions were fabricated showing mobility values of approximately 17 cm2/V-s, presenting similar dependence on channel dimensions. Finally, the lifetime projection of the HfO 2 film was estimated from a time-dependent-dielectric-breakdown and leakage current analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a new semi-automatic method for charge and mass identification of charged nuclear fragments using either Δ E − E correlations between measured energy losses in two successive detectors or correlations between charge signal amplitude and rise time in a single silicon detector, derived from digital pulse shape analysis techniques. In both cases different nuclear species (defined by their atomic number Z and mass number A ) can be visually identified from such correlations if they are presented as a two-dimensional histogram (‘identification matrix’), in which case correlations for different species populate different ridge lines (‘identification lines’) in the matrix. The proposed algorithm is based on the identification matrix's properties and uses as little information as possible on the global form of the identification lines, making it applicable to a large variety of matrices. Particular attention has been paid to the implementation in a suitable graphical environment, so that only two mouse-clicks are required from the user to calculate all initialization parameters. Example applications to recent data from both INDRA and FAZIA telescopes are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]