Apparatus for measuring thermal conductivity Patent

Development of apparatus for measuring thermal conductivit

Sustainability assessment of high voltage transmission lines

This work aims to contribute to the proposal of a multi-criteria based methodology for sustainability evaluation of impacts from high voltage transmission lines integrating indicators reflecting environmental and socio-economic criteria. The proposed methodology was applied to a transmission grid project in Manaus/Amazonas, Brazil, evaluating its sustainability. From the analysis, it can be observed that the implementation of the project tends to have a significant impact during the construction phase. The most important indexes come from the environmental dimension resulting from a proximity to environmental protected areas and reduction of vegetation both during implementation and operation phases, which is particularly important for the case of Amazonia forest. As for the socio-economic index, this reflects an optimistic expectation of the population towards the arrival of electricity to communities that can lead to the creation of more jobs and improvement of cities infrastructures along with the low expected impact on local protected communities, given the previous studies addressing these concerns during the design phase. Based on the results achieved, avenues for future research are proposed.This work is financed by the ERDF – European Regional Development Fund through the Oper ational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation COMPETE 2020 Programme, and by National Funds through the Portuguese funding agency, FCT Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, within project SAICTPAC/0004/2015-POCI/01/0145/FEDER/016434.as well as by the ALGORITMI research Centre POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043 and FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/CEC/00319/2013

Scans for signatures of selection in Russian cattle breed genomes reveal new candidate genes for environmental adaptation and acclimation

Domestication and selective breeding has resulted in over 1000 extant cattle breeds. Many of these breeds do not excel in important traits but are adapted to local environments. These adaptations are a valuable source of genetic material for efforts to improve commercial breeds. As a step toward this goal we identified candidate regions to be under selection in genomes of nine Russian native cattle breeds adapted to survive in harsh climates. After comparing our data to other breeds of European and Asian origins we found known and novel candidate genes that could potentially be related to domestication, economically important traits and environmental adaptations in cattle. The Russian cattle breed genomes contained regions under putative selection with genes that may be related to adaptations to harsh environments (e.g., AQP5, RAD50, and RETREG1). We found genomic signatures of selective sweeps near key genes related to economically important traits, such as the milk production (e.g., DGAT1, ABCG2), growth (e.g., XKR4), and reproduction (e.g., CSF2). Our data point to candidate genes which should be included in future studies attempting to identify genes to improve the extant breeds and facilitate generation of commercial breeds that fit better into the environments of Russia and other countries with similar climates

Image formation and data acquisition in a stage scanning 4Pi confocal fluorescence microscope

We describe the three-dimensional (3-D) image formation and data acquisition in a stage scanning 4Pi confocal fluorescence microscope with the use of two-photon excitation. The 3-D point-spread functions of the 4Pi confocal and regular confocal microscope are measured and compared. Particular emphasis is given to the data acquisition procedure. 4Pi confocal microscopy results in a point-spread function that is 4 times sharper than that of a regular confocal microscope, ultimately leading to superior 3-D imaging of translucent fluorescent specimens. For a two-photon excitation wavelength of approximately 800 nm, we obtain an axial resolution of 140 nm. (C) 1997 Optical Society of America

Recent developments in genetics and medically assisted reproduction: from research to clinical applications

Two leading European professional societies, the European Society of Human Genetics and the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology, have worked together since 2004 to evaluate the impact of fast research advances at the interface of assisted reproduction and genetics, including their application into clinical practice. In September 2016, the expert panel met for the third time. The topics discussed highlighted important issues covering the impacts of expanded carrier screening, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, voiding of the presumed anonymity of gamete donors by advanced genetic testing, advances in the research of genetic causes underlying male and female infertility, utilisation of massively parallel sequencing in preimplantation genetic testing and non-invasive prenatal screening, mitochondrial replacement in human oocytes, and additionally, issues related to cross-generational epigenetic inheritance following IVF and germline genome editing. The resulting paper represents a consensus of both professional societies involved

Rituximab in B-Cell Hematologic Malignancies: A Review of 20 Years of Clinical Experience

Rituximab is a human/murine, chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody with established efficacy, and a favorable and well-defined safety profile in patients with various CD20-expressing lymphoid malignancies, including indolent and aggressive forms of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Since its first approval 20 years ago, intravenously administered rituximab has revolutionized the treatment of B-cell malignancies and has become a standard component of care for follicular lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and mantle cell lymphoma. For all of these diseases, clinical trials have demonstrated that rituximab not only prolongs the time to disease progression but also extends overall survival. Efficacy benefits have also been shown in patients with marginal zone lymphoma and in more aggressive diseases such as Burkitt lymphoma. Although the proven clinical efficacy and success of rituximab has led to the development of other anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in recent years (e.g., obinutuzumab, ofatumumab, veltuzumab, and ocrelizumab), rituximab is likely to maintain a position within the therapeutic armamentarium because it is well established with a long history of successful clinical use. Furthermore, a subcutaneous formulation of the drug has been approved both in the EU and in the USA for the treatment of B-cell malignancies. Using the wealth of data published on rituximab during the last two decades, we review the preclinical development of rituximab and the clinical experience gained in the treatment of hematologic B-cell malignancies, with a focus on the well-established intravenous route of administration. This article is a companion paper to A. Davies, et al., which is also published in this issue

High TWIST1 mRNA expression is associated with poor prognosis in lymph node-negative and estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer and is co-expressed with stromal as well as ECM related genes

Introduction: The TWIST homolog 1 (TWIST1) is a transcription factor that induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a key process in metastasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether TWIST1 expression predicts disease progression in a large breast cancer cohort with long-term clinical follow-up, and to reveal the biology related to TWIST1 mediated disease progression.Methods: TWIST1 mRNA expression level was analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 1,427 primary breast cancers. In uni- and multivariate analysis using Cox regression, TWIST1 mRNA expression level was associated with metastasis-free survival (MFS), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Separate analyses in lymph node-negative patients (LNN, n = 778) who did not receive adjuvant systemic therapy, before and after stratification into estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (n = 552) and ER-negative (n = 226) disease, were also performed. The association of TWIST1 mRNA with survival endpoints was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Using gene expression arrays, genes showing a significant Spearman rank correlation with TWIST1 were used to identify overrepresented Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)-annotated biological pathways.Results: Increased mRNA expression level of TWIST1 analyzed as a continuous variable in both uni- and multivariate analysis was associated with shorter MFS in all patients (hazard ratio (HR): 1.17, 95% confidence interval, (95% CI):1.09 to 1.26; and HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.26; respectively), in LNN patients (HR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.09 to 1.36; and HR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.36; respectively) and in the ER-positive subgroup of LNN patients (HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.53; and HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.53; respectively). Similarly, high TWIST1 expression was associated with shorter DFS and OS in all patients and in the LNN/ER-positive subgroup. In contrast, no association of TWIST1 mRNA expression with MFS, DFS or OS was observed in ER-negative patients. Genes h

Low-level gas multicounter for C-14 dating of small samples: Electronic, numerical and shielding optimisation

Up to 14 methane samples can be dated simultaneously in our compact gas multicounter. Sample detectors are 10 ml (NTP) in volume each. They are made of copper and linked to form two 7 detector rigid assemblies which are filled in situ. Monitoring of the counting conditions is enabled through multichannel analysis of the cosmic pulse height spectrum, which shows the changes in gas amplification due to impurities or leakage. HV is set (and adjusted) automatically using the cosmic peak. All individual events are stored on disc, including pulse height (PH), risetime (RT) (both 256 Ch), time of arrival (TA), detector identification, anticoincidence status and elapsed and live time. Software programs analyse and validate data. Numerical discrimination and manipulations of counting parameters can be performed without destroying the original data set. Statistical quality control is based on chi-square and Poisson distribution of count rates around their mean in user defined energy regions as weil as time of arrival of pulses mode. TA analysis offers the user an early means for recognizing some types of system malfunction that otherwise might remain undetected for Jong periods of time. RT analysis is used to discriminate sample beta pulses from environmental radiation pulses, resulting in a low background with compact and relat ively inexpensive shielding. The automatic high voltage setting, PH, RT and TA electronics as weil as the liquid scintillation anticoincidence systems are applicable to all existing gas counting systems. Delivery of the gas multicounter to the Australian National University is to take place at the end of the year 1984

Manganese superoxide dismutase as a diagnostic marker for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Although several immunohistochemical markers are available, differential diagnosis between mesothelioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pleura is difficult. We have found that the immunoreactivity of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), an important antioxidant enzyme, is high in mesothelioma compared to healthy pleural mesothelium. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether MnSOD can be used in the differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pleura. MnSOD expression was assessed by using immunohistochemistry in biopsies of malignant mesothelioma (n = 35) and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pleura (n = 21). MnSOD immunoreactivity was assessed semiquantitatively with and without microwave pretreatment. Fifteen of the 35 malignant mesotheliomas showed moderate or strong MnSOD expression without and 23 with microwave pretreatment, the corresponding figures for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pleura being 1 and 2 out of 21 (P = 0.002 and P< 0.001, respectively by Fisher's exact test). Only mesothelioma biopsies showed strong MnSOD reactivity, and it was never negative in mesothelioma, whereas one-third of the adenocarcinomas showed no MnSOD reactivity. In conclusion, MnSOD immunoreactivity can, combined with other markers, aid the differential diagnosis between malignant mesothelioma and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the pleura. © 2000Cancer Research Campaig