Cardiac Memory-induced T-wave Inversions

Introduction: Cardiac memory refers to T-wave inversions that result when normal ventricular activation resumes following a period of abnormal ventricular activation.Case Report: We present a case of a 29-year-old man with a pacemaker who presented with new, deep symmetric T-wave inversions caused by cardiac memory.Discussion: Abnormal ventricular activation is most commonly induced by ventricular pacing but can also occur in the setting of transient left bundle branch blocks, ventricular tachycardia, and intermittent ventricular pre-excitation.Conclusion: Recognition of this phenomenon may help to reduce unnecessary admissions, cardiac testing, and cardiac catheterizations

Maximum grain yield of corn as influenced by plant spacing, density and N, P and K fertilization

The objectives of these studies were to (1) determine the maximum yield of corn (Zea mays L.) under prevailing climatic conditions in eastern and central Iowa and (2) determine what combination of controlled factors of N, P and K fertilization, plant density, row spacing, hybrid and timing of N application would give maximum yields. Eight experiments were conducted in eastern and central Iowa in 1982 through 1984;Weather had a moderating effect in all but one experiment by either delaying planting providing severe moisture stress. Mean experiment grain yields ranged from 6.49 Mg ha[superscript] -1 in 1983 to 11.2 Mg ha[superscript] -1 in 1984. Combinations of the controlled variables that gave maximum yield varied with site year. There was no yield response to N fertilizer above the lowest rates which ranged from 67 to 168 Kg N ha [superscript] -1. Soil P levels were sufficient to produce maximum yields even when no fertilizer P was applied. Grain yields responded to the top K fertilizer rate of 279 Kg K ha[superscript] -1 in 1982 and the intermediate rate of 186 Kg K ha[superscript] -1 in 1984. However, in 1983, added P and K fertilizer resulted in a negative yield response;In all experiments, the lowest plant densities, which ranged from 49,420 to 64,246 plants ha[superscript] -1, gave maximum yields. The only deviation from this pattern was a 1984 interactive effect in which the 88,888 plants ha[superscript] -1 plant density gave maximum yields when K was adequate. The row spacing variable resulted in a yield difference only in 1982 when 50-cm rows had an advantage over 75-cm rows. Hybrid had a significant effect on yield in all but one experiment;Although varying the levels of the controlled variables in these experiments did not increase yields greatly, the following conclusions were reached: (1) Weather and hybrid selection were critical factors in determining maximum yield. (2) The plant density that produced the maximum yield was affected by hybrid selection, mineral nutrition and moisture and temperature stresses. (3) Nitrogen fertilizer rates of 67 to 168 Kg ha[superscript] -1 and soil P levels of 29 to 32 mg Kg[superscript] -1 were sufficient to produce maximum yields in these experiments. However, these levels may not be adequate in periods of more favorable weather. (4) Added fertilizer K had positive effects on grain yield and on plant lodging when plant densities and N fertilizer rates were increased

Containing the AIDS Virus . . . Testing . . . Reporting . . . Confidentiality . . . Quarantine . . . Constitutional Considerations

In addition to illness, disability, and death, AIDS has evoked fear in the hearts and minds of most Americans: fear of the AIDS virus and fear of the unknown. This fear has caused many Americans to act irrationally towards AIDS and its victims. This article will analyze the different legislative acts intended to curtail the spread of the disease and whether these enactments will aid or merely hinder the containment of the AIDS virus. It will illustrate potential conflicts this legislation poses to the AIDS victims\u27 constitutional rights of privacy and liberty. At its conclusion, it will illustrate that with rational proposals, much more modified disclosures, education, and counseling, the AIDS epidemic can be curtailed much more successfully

Coupled systems of fractional equations related to sound propagation: analysis and discussion

In this note we analyse the propagation of a small density perturbation in a one-dimensional compressible fluid by means of fractional calculus modelling, replacing thus the ordinary time derivative with the Caputo fractional derivative in the constitutive equations. By doing so, we embrace a vast phenomenology, including subdiffusive, superdiffusive and also memoryless processes like classical diffusions. From a mathematical point of view, we study systems of coupled fractional equations, leading to fractional diffusion equations or to equations with sequential fractional derivatives. In this framework we also propose a method to solve partial differential equations with sequential fractional derivatives by analysing the corresponding coupled system of equations

Gateway Discovery and Selection in Mobile Hotspots

Gaining IP connectivity in mobile hotspots (e.g. public transport vehicles) through on-board local area networks and mobile gateways has recently attracted strong commercial and research interests. In this paper we propose a multi-dimensional protocol to support the process of gatewaydiscovery in mobile hotspots, and to help in selecting the best path able to satisfy the user's requirements and to guarantee a target end-to-end service quality. Our proposal is based on highly popular and almost standard protocols, such as SDPng for session description and AODV for route discovery

Glyco-gold nanoparticles: Synthesis and applications

Glyco-gold nanoparticles combine in a single entity the peculiar properties of gold nanoparticles with the biological activity of carbohydrates. The result is an exciting nanosystem, able to mimic the natural multivalent presentation of saccharide moieties and to exploit the peculiar optical properties of the metallic core. In this review, we present recent advances on glyco-gold nanoparticle applications in different biological fields, highlighting the key parameters which inspire the glyco nanoparticle design

Analysis of Metal Cutting Acoustic Emissions by Time Series Models

We analyse some acoustic emission time series obtained from a lathe machining process. Considering the dynamic evolution of the process we apply two classes of well known stationary stochastic time series models. We apply a preliminary root mean square (RMS) transformation followed by an ARMA analysis; results thereof are mainly related to the description of the continuous part (plastic deformation) of the signal. An analysis of acoustic emission, as some previous works show, may also be performed with the scope of understanding the evolution of the ageing process that causes the degradation of the working tools. Once the importance of the discrete part of the acoustic emission signals (i.e. isolated amplitude bursts) in the ageing process is understood, we apply a stochastic analysis based on point processes waiting times between bursts and to identify a parameter with which to characterise the wear level of the working tool. A Weibull distribution seems to adequately describe the waiting times distribution

EIGHTEEN-MONTH RESULTS OF INTRAVITREAL ANTI-VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ON VISION AND MICROCIRCULATION IN RADIATION MACULOPATHY.

To evaluate 18 months' results of a strict anti-vascular endothelial growth factor protocol for radiation maculopathy following proton therapy in choroidal melanoma. Retrospective, comparative, nonrandomized study of 74 radiation maculopathy patients presenting macular lipid deposits, hemorrhages, microaneurysms, cystoid edema, nerve layer infarction, telangiectasia, or capillary nonperfusion. The study group included 52 consecutive patients injected with intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (bevacizumab/ranibizumab: 46/6) every two months for the first and every 3 months for the second year, with minimum 12 months' follow-up. The control group consisted of 22 patients having declined this treatment. Best-corrected visual acuity, spectral domain-optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography were recorded at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. The foveal avascular zone and capillary density were measured at the superficial capillary plexus. Radiation maculopathy was diagnosed at 2 years (1.5-3.5) after proton therapy. Best-corrected visual acuity at baseline, 12 and 18 months improved in the study group from 0.45, 0.3 to 0.2 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, but decreased in the control group from 0.5, 0.9 to 1.0 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution respectively (P < 0.001 at 12 months). Simultaneously, foveal avascular zone enlargement was less in the study (from 0.377, 0.665 to 0.744 mm2) than control group (from 0.436, 1.463 to 2.638 mm2) (P = 0.05 at 12 months). CMT (280 and 276 µm) and capillary density (37% and 38%, at baseline, respectively) did not evolve significantly different. Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factors, every 2 months for the first and every 3 months for the second year, slow down, over up to 18 months, vision loss and anatomical degradation in radiation maculopathy following proton therapy for choroidal melanoma

Anti-PD-L1 immunoconjugates for cancer therapy: Are available antibodies good carriers for toxic payload delivering?

Immune checkpoint mechanisms are important molecular cell systems that maintain tolerance toward autoantigens in order to prevent immunity-mediated accidental damage. It is well known that cancer cells may exploit these molecular and cellular mechanisms to escape recognition and elimination by immune cells. Programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and its natural ligand programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) form the PD-L1/PD-1 axis, a well-known immune checkpoint mechanism, which is considered an interesting target in cancer immunotherapy. In fact, the expression of PD-L1 was found in various solid malignancies and the overactivation of PD-L1/PD-1 axis results in a poor patient survival rate. Breaking PD-L1/PD-1 axis, by blocking either the cancer side or the immune side of the axis, is currently used as anti-cancer strategy to re-establish a tumor-specific immune response. For this purpose, several blocking antibodies are now available. To date, three anti-PD-L1 antibodies have been approved by the FDA, namely atezolizumab, durvalumab and avelumab. The main advantages of anti-PD-L1 antibodies arise from the overexpression of PD-L1 antigen by a high number of tumor cells, also deriving from different tissues; this makes anti-PD-L1 antibodies potential pan-specific anti-cancer molecules. Despite the good results reported in clinical trials with anti-PD-L1 antibodies, there is a significant number of patients that do not respond to the therapy. In fact, it should be considered that, in some neoplastic patients, reduced or absent infiltration of cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells in the tumor microenvironment or presence of other immunosuppressive molecules make immunotherapy with anti-PD-L1 blocking antibodies less effective. A strategy to improve the efficacy of antibodies is to use them as carriers for toxic payloads (toxins, drugs, enzymes, radionuclides, etc.) to form immunoconjugates. Several immunoconjugates have been already approved by FDA for treatment of malignancies. In this review, we focused on PD-L1 targeting antibodies utilized as carrier to construct immunoconjugates for the potential elimination of neoplastic cells, expressing PD-L1. A complete examination of the literature regarding anti-PD-L1 immunoconjugates is here reported, describing the results obtained in vitro and in vivo. The real potential of anti-PD-L1 antibodies as carriers for toxic payload delivery is considered and extensively discussed