An ultrawideband 3.1-10.6-GHz low-noise amplifier employing an input three-section band-pass Chebyshev filter is presented. Fabricated in a 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS process, the IC prototype achieves a ...power gain of 9.3 dB with an input match of -10 dB over the band, a minimum noise figure of 4 dB, and an IIP3 of -6.7 dBm while consuming 9 mW.
In Europe, many of the ancient buildings, especially sacred architecture, are subject to renovation projects by converting their initial occupation type for temporary exposition. In particular, the ...demand for assisting to live musical performance is increased considerably in Italy because of the missing of places dedicated to the performing arts. As such, one of the churches of Imola (i.e. San Domenico), located approximately 30 Km far from Bologna, has been requested by citizens to be adapted into an auditorium when necessary. Based on needs expressed by the local population, this paper recommends one of the possibilities of how the acoustical design can be applied to the church in order to adjust the main volume to the realization of transient musical venues, cancelling any undesirable reflections that can lower the quality perception of sound. The actual acoustics has been adapted in order to reach both speech and musical intelligibility, especially focused on sacred music style. Both measured and simulated results have been compared determining the choice of the proposed acoustical solutions in terms of type of finishes and surface area to be covered by the added materials. The suitable treatments in consideration include absorbing wooden panels, curtains and fabric wrap.
Some bariatric procedures have been associated with increased gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms; however, there are limited data on the long-term changes to the esophagus across ...bariatric procedures, and how preoperative esophageal disease is impacted by bariatric surgery.
To estimate incidence of GERD, esophagitis, Barrett's esophagus, and esophageal adenocarcinoma before and after bariatric surgery and to identify potential risk factors for these conditions.
Retrospective analysis of New York State Database (SPARCS).
Adult patients undergoing bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion) from 1995 to 2010. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association between preoperative diagnosis, surgery type, and postoperative diagnosis.
A total of 48,967 records were analyzed; 30.3% had a diagnosis of GERD at the time of surgery and .4% had a diagnosis of esophagitis and Barrett's. Preoperative GERD/esophagitis/Barrett's was associated with higher risk of GERD, esophagitis, and Barrett's, but not esophageal adenocarcinoma, postoperatively. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients had lowest risk of being diagnosed with GERD postoperatively. Overall, esophageal adenocarcinoma incidence in the sample was .04%; the rate among patients with preoperative GERD and Barrett's was .1% and .9%, respectively. Incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma did not differ by bariatric surgery type.
Preoperative diagnosis is a risk factor for postoperative esophageal disease after bariatric surgery. Adjustable gastric banding and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are associated with higher risk of postoperative GERD and esophagitis compared with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma did not differ by surgery type.
The objective of this work was to study the effects of different dietary fibers on sensory and rheological properties of yogurts fortified with these fibers. Commercial fibers from apple, wheat, ...bamboo or inulin were used. Rheological characterization was performed by dynamic, shear and compression–extrusion assays. Storage time and type of fiber were significant factors for instrumental analysis. Syneresis and pH did not show any difference, while only apple fiber yogurt showed color differences compared to control. An untrained sensory panel analyzed consumer acceptability. Even though fibers modified certain rheological characteristics of the plain yogurt, the panelists awarded the supplemented yogurts scores indicating acceptability.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The interest in sound spatialization is strongly increased throughout the last decade. Sound spatialization, or as it is commonly named auralization, is very important for both the design phase of ...any listening room and the virtual reproduction of a 3D sound field 1. The international standard ISO 3382:2009 explains the different techniques of how to measure spatial parameters (e.g. LE, LF, IACC) and one of the methods that can be performed for a binaural measurement is the utilization of a dummy head. Nowadays room impulse response (RIR) is often measured by using multichannel transducers working independently each other. This technique is very useful to virtually reproduce a 3D soundscape, corresponding to the same sound perception as it is found inside the architectural volume where the measurements have been performed 2. In this paper, an alternative procedure of measuring and reconstructing the auralization characteristics is presented. Furthermore, this methodology has been compared with other techniques of 3D sound reproduction. This paper treats the opportunity to improve the quality of soundscape reproduction other than the analysis of acoustical parameters required by standards.
Summary
This review is an account of experiences of two research teams (from Italy to Spain); the leading idea is the following: yeasts represent valuable sources in food science and microbiology and ...are a kind of food factories, because of the potentiality of whole cells or for their produced compounds. This review covers three major areas: the first section addresses the role of yeasts as starter cultures with a special focus on wine. The second section is an update on probiotic yeasts. Finally, the focus of the last section is on enzymes produced by yeasts, with a short description of the removal of mycotoxin.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIMs) have been studied within the framework of autoimmune diseases where skeletal muscle appears to have a passive role in the illness. However, persiting ...weakness even after resolving inflammation raises questions about the role that skeletal muscle plays by itself in these diseases. "Non-immune mediated" hypotheses have arisen to consider inner skeletal muscle cell processes as trigger factors in the clinical manifestations of IIMs. Alterations in oxidative phosphorylation, ATP production, calcium handling, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, among others, have been proposed as alternative cellular pathophysiological mechanisms. In this study, we used skeletal muscle-derived cells, from healthy controls and IIM patients to determine mitochondrial function and mitochondrial ability to adapt to a metabolic stress when deprived of glucose. We hypothesized that mitochondria would be dysfunctional in IIM samples, which was partially true in normal glucose rich growing medium as determined by oxygen consumption rate. However, in the glucose-free and galactose supplemented condition, a medium that forced mitochondria to function, IIM cells increased their respiration, reaching values matching normal derived cells. Unexpectedly, cell death significantly increased in IIM cells under this condition. Our findings show that mitochondria in IIM is functional and the decrease respiration observed is part of an adaptative response to improve survival. The increased metabolic function obtained after forcing IIM cells to rely on mitochondrial synthesized ATP is detrimental to the cell's viability. Thus, therapeutic interventions that activate mitochondria, could be detrimental in IIM cell physiology, and must be avoided in patients with IIM.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae) is the most harmful ectoparasite of laying hens, represents an occupational hazard for poultry workers, and a growing threat to medical science per ...se. There is increasing demand for alternative products, including plant‐derived acaricides, with which to control the mite. The present study investigated the efficacy of neem oil against D. gallinae on a heavily infested commercial laying hen farm. A novel formulation of 20% neem oil, diluted from a 2400‐p.p.m. azadirachtin‐concentrated stock (RP03™), was administered by nebulization three times in 1 week. Using corrugated cardboard traps, mite density was monitored before, during and after treatment and results were statistically analysed. Mite populations in the treated block showed 94.65%, 99.64% and 99.80% reductions after the first, second and third product administrations, respectively. The rate of reduction of the mite population was significantly higher in the treated block (P < 0.001) compared with the control and buffer blocks. The results suggest the strong bioactivity of neem, and specifically of the patented neem‐based formulation RP03™, against D. gallinae. The treatment was most effective in the 10 days following the first application and its effects persisted for over 2 months. Further studies will aim to overcome observed side effects of treatment represented by an oily layer on equipment and eggs.
A novel formulation of neem oil designed to protect laying hens against Dermanyssus gallinae was tested.
The mite population was reduced by over 99% after the second treatment and effects persisted for over 2 months.
This is the first study of neem efficacy against D. gallinae in laying hens housed in an enriched colony.
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DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Dynamin-2 is a ubiquitously expressed GTP-ase that mediates membrane remodeling. Recent findings indicate that dynamin-2 also regulates actin dynamics. Mutations in dynamin-2 cause dominant ...centronuclear myopathy (CNM), a congenital myopathy characterized by progressive weakness and atrophy of skeletal muscles. However, the muscle-specific roles of dynamin-2 affected by these mutations remain elusive. Here we show that, in muscle cells, the GTP-ase activity of dynamin-2 is involved in de novo actin polymerization as well as in actin-mediated trafficking of the glucose transporter GLUT4. Expression of dynamin-2 constructs carrying CNM-linked mutations disrupted the formation of new actin filaments as well as the stimulus-induced translocation of GLUT4 to the plasma membrane. Similarly, mature muscle fibers isolated from heterozygous knock-in mice that harbor the dynamin-2 mutation p.R465W, an animal model of CNM, exhibited altered actin organization, reduced actin polymerization and impaired insulin-induced translocation of GLUT4 to the sarcolemma. Moreover, GLUT4 displayed aberrant perinuclear accumulation in biopsies from CNM patients carrying dynamin-2 mutations, further suggesting trafficking defects. These results suggest that dynamin-2 is a key regulator of actin dynamics and GLUT4 trafficking in muscle cells. Our findings also support a model in which impairment of actin-dependent trafficking contributes to the pathological mechanism in dynamin-2-associated CNM.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Summary
Vignetting is the radial attenuation effect of the image's brightness intensity from the center of the optical axis to the edges. To perform quantitative image analyses it is mandatory to ...take into account this effect, intrinsic of the acquisition system. Many image processing steps, such as segmentation and object tracking, are strongly affected by vignetting and the effect becomes particularly evident in mosaicing. The most common approach to compensate the attenuation of the image's brightness intensity is to estimate the vignetting function from a homogeneous reference object, typically an empty field, and to use it to normalize the images acquired under the same microscope set‐up conditions. However, several reasons lead to the use of image‐based methods to estimate the vignetting function from the images themselves. In this work, we propose an effective multi‐image based method suitable for real‐time applications. It is designed to correct vignetting in wide field light microscopy images. The vignetting function is computed stemming from a background built incrementally from the proposed background segmentation algorithm, validated on several manually segmented images. The extensive experiments carried out using cell cultures, histological samples and synthetic images prove that our method almost always yields the best results and in worst cases are comparable to those achieved by using homogeneous reference objects.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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