Convergent effects of growth factors, hormones, and fibronectin are necessary for the enterocyte differentiation of a colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT29-D4)

To investigate causes, associations, and results of treatment with blepharospasm, 1,653 patients were evaluated by extensive questionnaires to study blepharospasm and long-term results of treatment with the full myectomy operation, botulinum-A toxin, drug therapy, and help from the Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation (BEBRF). The percent of patients improved by the BEBRF was 90%, full myectomy 88%, botulinum-A toxin 86%, and drug therapy 43%. The patient acceptance rate for the BEBRF was 96%, full myectomy 82%, botulinum-A toxin 95%, and drug therapy 57%. Blepharospasm is multifactorial in origin and manifestation. A vicious cycle and defective circuit theory to explain in origin and direct treatment rather than a defective specific locus is presented. All four forms of therapy evaluated are useful and must be tailored to the patient's needs. Mattie Lou Koster and the BEBRF have helped blepharospasm sufferers more than any other modality, and all patients should be informed of this support group. The full myectomy is reserved for botulinum-A toxin failures, and the limited myectomy is an excellent adjunct to botulinum-A toxin.     

Synthesis and characterization of sub-micron size Co-Ni alloys using malonate as precursor

Sub-micron size (0.2-0.6 μm) particles of Co_1−xNi_x (0≤x≤1) alloys have been synthesized by the polyol method using Co-Ni malonates as precursors but without using any protective agents such as PVP or any other surfactants. The synthesized alloys are found to be homogeneous. EDX analysis of the alloys showed particle-to-particle uniformity in composition. SEM showed largely non-agglomerated, almost spherical particles, with a fairly narrow size distribution. In the first reported effort of its kind, WAXS analysis was carried out to estimate the amounts of HCP and FCC phases present in pure Co and Co_0.8Ni_0.2. Coercivity, saturation magnetization and remanent magnetization at room temperature for all the compositions are reported. These results agree well with the composition of the alloys.     

CHEREN2, the Cherenkov counting efficiency by an anisotropy detection model

The commercially available liquid-scintillation spectrometers are also feasible for the detection of the Cherenkov light emitted by β-rays in transparent liquids, when the maximum-point energy of the Fermi distribution is greater than the Cherenkov threshold energy. We present a second version of the program CHEREN, which applies Poisson statistics to compute the two photomultipliers counting efficiency. We redefine previous version free parameters, including two new different coefficients into the counting efficiency equation. The Frank and Tamm theory of Cherenkov radiation is applied to compute the total number of Cherenkov light photons emitted by the β-particles along their pathways.

Program summary

Title of program:CHEREN2Catalogue identifier:ADWJProgram summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADWJProgram obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. IrelandLicensing provisions:noneComputers: any IBM PC compatible with 80386 or higher Intel processorsOperating systems under which the program has been tested:MS-DOS and higher systemsProgramming language used:FORTRAN 77Memory required to execute with typical data:45 kwordNo. of bits in a word:32No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.:966No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.:7356Distribution format:tar.gzNature of the physical problem:Although a liquid-scintillation spectrometer can be applied to count Cherenkov light photons free of noise interference, the non-isotropic character of the Cherenkov light emission reduces the counting efficiency of the two-phototube system working in coincidence, and makes the Cherenkov light measurements comparatively much less efficient than with scintillators. However, the application of standardization techniques based on Cherenkov counting is recommend when the radioactive sample cannot be dissolved into the liquid scintillator cocktail. Also the ability to recover the radioactive sample unaltered and the possibility of eliminating low-energy contributions below the Cherenkov threshold energy are interesting aspects to be considered.Method of solution:The directional character of Cherenkov light and the amount of energy Cherenkov light needs to create one photoelectron at the photocathode are defined as two new free parameters into the counting efficiency expression. The number of photons emitted by the β-particle is computed according to Frank and Tamm theory. Additionally, the application of a range to energy relationship, which takes into account the strong deceleration of the β-particle in the medium, is required. To determine the free parameter values, the program needs the measured efficiencies for at least two radionuclides of well-known shape factors (e.g., ³⁶Cl and ³²P).Restrictions on the complexity of the problem:Computations are restricted to pure β and β-γ-emitters for which the contribution of the Compton electrons to the total Cherenkov counting efficiency is less than 2%. The comparison between the computed and experimental counting efficiencies requires one to maintain unaltered the vial material, the sample volume and the acid concentration throughout the experiments.     

R4: Realistic rain rendering in realtime

Realistic rain simulation is a challenging problem due to the variety of different phenomena to consider. In this paper we propose a new rain rendering algorithm that extends present state of the art in the field, achieving real-time rendering of rain streaks and splashes with complex illumination effects, along with fog, halos and light glows as hints of the participating media. Our algorithm creates particles in the scene using an artist-defined storm distribution (e.g., provided as a 2D cloud distribution). Unlike previous algorithms, no restrictions are imposed on the rain area dimension or shape. Our technique adaptively samples the storm area to simulate rain particles only in the relevant regions and only around the observer. Particle simulation is executed entirely in the graphics hardware, by placing the particles at their updated coordinates at each time-step, also checking for collisions with the scene. To render the rain streaks, we use precomputed images and combine them to achieve complex illumination effects. Several optimizations are introduced to render realistic rain with virtually millions of falling rain droplets.     

Catalytic pyrolysis of recycled polypropylene using a regenerated FCC catalyst

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - The increasing generation of plastic wastes forces us to search for final disposal technologies environmentally friendly such as pyrolysis, which...     

"Cholos de Coclé": determination of their racial mixture and genetic origins]

We have found, in this first genetic study of a supposedly admixed Panamanian population, that the cultural group known as "cholos of Coclé" constitute a trihybrid mixture, whose genetic pool has the following composition: 44% Amerindian, 38% Caucasoid and 18% Negroid. Similarly, we have detected Amerindian genes, such as LDHB--Gua and TFchi, in proportions that relate this population with the extant Ngawbé (Guaymí). Nevertheless, the very high frequency of variant PEPA--KUN seems to indicate the genetic contribution of Amerindian populations from Eastern Panama, possibly from the extinct indigenous group cueva. This variant is frequently found among the present-day Kuna, but has not been detected among Nagawbé and Buglé.     

Audio-visual interactions and soundscape preferences

The analysis of preferences for combinations of four sounds and eight visual landscapes revealed that the sound and not the visual component dominated the patterns of preference. This is attributed to the more varied nature of the sounds in comparison with the relatively homogenous quality of the visual scenes shown. The affective role of sound in combination with the visual setting deserves more attention and this traditional ingredient of landscaping deserves to be revived.     

Predicting availability functions in time-dependent complex systems with SAEDES simulation algorithms

In this paper, we propose the use of discrete-event simulation (DES) as an efficient methodology to obtain estimates of both survival and availability functions in time-dependent real systems—such as telecommunication networks or distributed computer systems. We discuss the use of DES in reliability and availability studies, not only as an alternative to the use of analytical and probabilistic methods, but also as a complementary way to: (i) achieve a better understanding of the system internal behavior and (ii) find out the relevance of each component under reliability/availability considerations. Specifically, this paper describes a general methodology and two DES algorithms, called SAEDES, which can be used to analyze a wide range of time-dependent complex systems, including those presenting multiple states, dependencies among failure/repair times or non-perfect maintenance policies. These algorithms can provide valuable information, specially during the design stages, where different scenarios can be compared in order to select a system design offering adequate reliability and availability levels. Two case studies are discussed, using a C/C++ implementation of the SAEDES algorithms, to show some potential applications of our approach.     

Study of the miscibility gap in H2SO4/HI/I2/H2O mixtures produced by the Bunsen reaction – Part I: Preliminary results at 308 K

In the framework of the optimization of the sulfur–iodine thermochemical cycle for massive hydrogen production, investigations were performed in order to characterize the liquid phase (HIx and H₂SO_4(aq) phases) separation of solutions resulting from Bunsen reaction. Quaternary H₂SO₄/HI/I₂/H₂O mixtures were prepared at 308 K with different relative proportions of reactants and the chemical composition of each of the two phases formed was analyzed. An increase in iodine concentration and a decrease in water concentration appeared to improve the liquid–liquid equilibrium phase separation. However, a too low concentration of water also promoted the formation of byproducts. An increase in the [H₂SO₄]/[HI] ratio tended to favor the separation and seemed to lead to a dehydration of the HIx phase.     

Authenticating hard decision sensing reports in cognitive radio networks

Cognitive radio networks sense spectrum occupancy and manage themselves to operate in unused bands without disturbing licensed users. Spectrum sensing can be more accurate if jointly performed by several nodes. In order to get a successful result, avoiding fake nodes’ inputs is required and so, it is necessary to authenticate their local sensing reports. A few authentication algorithms have been proposed up to now. However, they introduce a notable overhead in lightweight hard decision systems. In this paper we present an efficient protocol based on symmetric cryptography and one-way functions, and an analysis of its security features. The system allows determining a final sensing decision from multiple sources in a quick and secure way.