A generalized Ufnarovski graph

An important tool for studying standard finitely presented algebras is the Ufnarovski graph. In this paper we extend the use of the Ufnarovski graph to automaton algebras, introducing the generalized Ufnarovski graph. As an application, we show how this construction can be used to test Noetherianity of automaton algebras.     

A non-Newtonian model based on limiting shear stress and slip planes—parametric studies

Parametric studies and corresponding results are presented using a rheological model based on the limiting shear stress and possible occurrence of slip planes. The model is applied to elastohydrodynamically lubricated line contacts with smooth surfaces and isothermal conditions. A few investigations are carried out where different parameters are varied. The first study investigates the influence on the film thickness distribution due to a variation of the maximum Hertzian pressure when the slide-to-roll ratio is constant. The second study investigates how far the non-Newtonian region propagates at low slide-to-roll ratios for a few different values of the Hertzian pressure. The results show that it is a remarkably small slide-to-roll ratio necessary to cause slip planes in a large part of the Hertzian contact zone. A third study regards the influence of the entrainment velocity on the film thickness generation at different slide-to-roll ratios. Finally some rheological parameters are varied. First, only the limiting shear stress at atmospheric pressure (τ₀) is varied, and second, a few different lubricants are studied, each with their own set of rheological parameters.     

Fast, accurate, and stable algorithm for the stress field around a zig-zag-shaped crack

A new scheme decreases memory usage and execution time for the evaluation of certain weighted Cauchy type singular integrals. The scheme is incorporated into an algorithm based on an integral equation of Fredholm second kind. The algorithm computes mode I and II stress intensity factors of cracks in infinite elastic domains. Problems with analytical solutions are solved with relative errors less than 10⁻¹⁵. Earlier investigators' results for kinked cracks with one to four corners are improved. Cracks with a large number of corners can also be studied. In an example the stress intensity factors of a crack with 100 corners are calculated with a relative error of less than 10⁻⁶.     

Liquid and vapor phase silanes coating for the release of thin film MEMS

Stiction remains one of the biggest reliability problems in the fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). This work investigates the techniques adapted to release thin-film devices (100 nm thick) and submicron gaps MEMS. First, a CMOS compatible wet release process was developed, using nonchlorinated silanes coating providing a high hydrophobicity (contact angle in the range of 110/spl deg/). Second, a vapor phase release process based on the same chemistry is shown to be adequate to release thin-film beams from a silicon-on-insulator wafer, where the wet process failed. This is to the authors' knowledge the first time that an in-use stiction-free release process has been demonstrated for such thin structures. The layers resist up to 300/spl deg/C without damage and X-ray reflectivity confirmed that homogeneous monolayers were obtained.     

A multiplex ligation detection assay for the characterization of Salmonella enterica strains

A proof of principle of a multi-target assay for genotyping Salmonella has been developed targeting 62 genomic marker sequences of Salmonella related to pathogenicity. The assay is based on multiplex ligation detection reaction (LDR) followed by customized ArrayTube? microarray detection. The feasibility of the developed assay was verified in a method comparison study with conventional PCR using 16 Salmonella 'test' strains comprising eight serovars. Subsequently, the feasibility of the LDR microarray assay was also tested by analyzing 41 strains belonging to 23 serovars. With the exception of four serovars each serovar was characterized by a unique virulence associated gene repertoire. The LDR microarray platform proved to be a convenient, rapid and easy to use tool with potential in tracing a Salmonella contamination in the food chain, for outbreak studies, and to provide data for risk assessors that support bio-traceability models.     

Silencing DTX3L Inhibits the Progression of Cervical Carcinoma by Regulating PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway

Cervical carcinoma (CC) is the second most prevalent gynecologic cancer in females across the world. To obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of CC, high-resolution label-free mass spectrometry was performed on CC and adjacent normal tissues from eight patients. A total of 2631 proteins were identified, and 46 significant differently expressed proteins (DEPs) were found between CC and normal tissues (p < 0.01, fold change >10 or <0.1). Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed that the majority of the proteins were involved in the regulation of eIF4 and p70S6K signaling and mTOR signaling. Among 46 DEPs, Integrinβ6 (ITGB6), PPP1CB, TMPO, PTGES3 (P23) and DTX3L were significantly upregulated, while Desmin (DES) was significantly downregulated in CC tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissues. In in vivo and in vitro experiments, DTX3L knockdown suppressed CC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and xenograft tumorigenesis, and enhanced cell apoptosis. Combination of silencing DTX3L and cisplatin treatment induced higher apoptosis percentage compared to cisplatin treatment alone. Moreover, DTX3L silencing inhibited the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway. Thus, our results suggested DTX3L could regulate CC progression through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal pathway and is potentially a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for CC.     

Disease Recurrence during Adjuvant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment in Metastatic Melanoma: Clinical,Laboratory, and Radiological Characteristics in Patients from a Single Tertiary Referral Center

Despite the dramatic improvements in recurrence-free survival in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), a number of patients develop metastases during adjuvant therapy. It is not currently possible to predict which patients are most likely to develop disease recurrence due to a lack of reliable biomarkers. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed the case records of all patients who commenced adjuvant ICI therapy between January 2018 and December 2021 in a single university skin cancer center (n = 46) (i) to determine the rates of disease recurrence, (ii) to examine the utility of established markers, and (iii) to examine whether re-challenge with immunotherapy resulted in clinical response. Twelve out of forty-six (26%) patients developed a relapse on adjuvant immunotherapy in our cohort, and the median time to relapse was 139 days. Adjuvant immunotherapy was continued in three patients. Of the twelve patients who developed recurrence during adjuvant immunotherapy, seven had further disease recurrence within the observation period, with a median time of 112 days after the first progress. There was no significant difference comparing early recurrence (<180 days after initiation) on adjuvant immunotherapy to late recurrence (>180 days after initiation) on adjuvant immunotherapy. Classical tumor markers, including serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and S-100, were unreliable for the detection of disease recurrence. Baseline lymphocyte and eosinophil counts and those during immunotherapy were not associated with disease recurrence. Interestingly, patients with NRAS mutations were disproportionately represented (60%) in the patients who developed disease recurrence, suggesting that these patients should be closely monitored during adjuvant therapy.     

Electromyography as an aid in the prevention of excessive shoulder strain

Disorders in the musculo-skeletal system constitute the most common reasons for lowered working capacity and sick-leave in the engineering industry. The symptoms are often located in the neck-shoulder-arm and are greatly influenced by unfavourable muscle loads. A method for the routine study of muscular activity has been developed and tested for the purpose of reducing the risk of such work-related disorders. This method is based on the application of an electromyographic (EMG) technique and is primarily intended to facilitate the ergonomic assessment and the selection of alternative work postures. The tests performed confirm that EMG studies, in a simplified version for the shop-floor, may constitute a valuable aid for an objective analysis. They demonstrate that the EMG equipment used offers good possibilities to detect differences in muscle load in different work postures and that it meets the requirements for rapid presentation of the measured values, a simple analysis procedure, use on the shop-floor and simple handling.     

Evaluation of the retinal nerve fiber layer

In normal eyes, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) is usually best visible in the inferior temporal part of the fundus, followed by the superior temporal region, the nasal superior region and the nasal inferior region. This distribution correlates with the configuration of the neuroretinal rim, the diameter of the retinal arterioles, the location of the foveola, and the lamina cribrosa morphology. With increasing age, the RNFL visibility decreases diffusely without preferring special fundus regions and without the development of localized defects. With all optic nerve diseases, the visibility of the RNFL is decreased in addition to the age-related loss, in a diffuse and/or a localized manner. The localized defects are wedge-shaped and not spindle-like defects, running toward or touching the optic disk border. Typically occurring in about 20% of all glaucoma eyes, they can be found also in other ocular diseases, such as optic disk drusen, toxoplasmotic retinochoroidal scars, longstanding papilledema or optic neuritis due to multiple sclerosis. Since they are not present in normal eyes, they almost always signify an abnormality. RNFL evaluation is especially helpful for early glaucoma diagnosis and in glaucoma eyes with small optic disks. In advanced optic nerve atrophy, other examination techniques, such as perimetry, may be more helpful for following optic nerve damage. Considering its great importance in the assessment of optic nerve anomalies and diseases and taking into account the feasibility of its ophthalmoscopic evaluation using green light, the retinal nerve fiber layer should be examined during any routine ophthalmoscopy.