Doppler-free Yb Spectroscopy with Fluorescence Spot Technique

We demonstrate a simple technique to measure the resonant frequency of the 398.9 nm 1S0 - 1P1 transition for the different Yb isotopes. The technique, that works by observing and aligning fluorescence spots, has enabled us to measure transition frequencies and isotope shifts with an accuracy of 60 MHz. We provide wavelength measurements for the transition that differ from previously published work. Our technique also allows for the determination of Doppler shifted transition frequencies for photoionisation experiments when the atomic beam and laser beam are not perpendicular and furthermore allows us to determine the average velocity of the atoms along the direction of atomic beam

The Classical Sumudu Transform and its q-Image of the Most Generalized Hypergeometric and Wright-Type Hypergeometric Functions

The q- Calculus has served as a bridge between mathematics and physics, particularly in case of quantum physics. The q-generalizations of mathematical concepts like Laplace, Fourier and Sumudu transforms, Hypergeometric functions etc. can be advantageously used in solution of various problems arising in the field of physical and engineering sciences. The q-Sumudu transform, the q-image of classical Sumudu transform is the theoretical dual of the q-Laplace transform. In view of this, the present paper deals with some of the important applications of classical Sumudu and q-Sumudu transform of generalized hypergeometric function and Wright-type hypergeometric function. The results have been presented in terms of well-known Fox’s H-function. Some special cases have also been discussed

Gene expression and micro RNA profiling in acute pancreatitis

Introduction Prognostication in Acute pancreatitis (AP) remains a challenging issue. This study aimed to measure gene expression of the peripheral blood in patients with acute pancreatitis and identify an expression signature that would accurately stratify patients into either mild or severe disease groups. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and play important roles in a variety of cellular functions. These have emerged as major potential biomarkers in a variety of sepsis related disorders and cancers. Alongside, gene expression profiling, the prognostic potential of micro RNA at the time of admission in context of acute pancreatitis was also explored. Methods This observational study was conducted at Royal Liverpool University Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, in collaboration with University Hospital Aintree, NHS Foundation Trust. For gene expression profiling, Affymetrix HGU133 Plus 2.0 microarrays were utilised. Total RNA extracted from whole blood samples of patients collected at the time of admission was included. A pilot study was conducted in the first instance to enable sample size calculations. Analysis was performed using Partek Genomics Suite software. Expression level data were quantile normalised and ANOVA was used with batch hybridization effects. For microRNA analysis, a similar pilot study was undertaken to estimate sample size. Total RNA was extracted from plasma samples of patients obtained at the time of admission. RNA were hybridised to GeneChipTM miRNA 2.0 arrays. Analysis was performed using appropriate packages in R/Bioconductor and using Partek Genomics Suite software. Expression level data were invariant set normalized. Differential expression of miRNAs in severe compared to mild pancreatitis was detected using ANOVA with batch hybridization effects removed. Severity was defined in line with Atlanta criteria for both the parts of the study. Results 58 patients were included (23 severe, 35 mild). After adjusting for batch effects, setting power at 80%, fold change at 1.5 and significance at 0.05, 98 genes were identified that were differentially expressed between mild and severe disease. More specifically, 49 genes were up-regulated in severe form and 49 were down-regulated when compared to the mild disease. Canonical pathway analysis revealed signalling in T cells and lymphocytes to be the most significant pathway involved in the process. These were specifically down-regulated in severe form of the disease. While a lot of processes associated with the cellular immune response were down-regulated in severe pancreatitis, the innate response didn’t change and the humoral response might be stimulated. Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells (NFAT) was noted to be the most significantly implicated gene in the dataset, being a key molecule implicated in at least 12 different pathways. Nineteen patients were included (severe 9, mild 10) for the miRNA profiling. Keeping the FDR p <0.05, 45 micro RNA were found to be differentially expressed between mild and severe pancreatitis. Out of these, only 23 were annotated in IPA – 22 were novel discoveries. Interestingly, 19 small nucleolar RNA (snoRNAs) were identified to be differentially expressed between the two groups. Conclusions Understanding more about the pathophysiology and genomic regulation in acute pancreatitis will provide us with potential prognostic biomarkers and targets for therapy. This study has selected a series of gene expression features which could act as biomarkers to accurately stratify patients into mild and severe groups. Appropriate therapy can then be chosen earlier to improve outcomes in the disease. MiRNA and snoRNA can predict severity of acute pancreatitis at the time of admission. These can also be developed to predict specific complications of the disease, including organ failure and pancreatic necrosis, as early as, at the time of admission. Once developed, this could fill in the gap that currently exists in prognostication arena in acute pancreatitis

Using Dates Leaves Midribs to Prepare Hierarchical Structures Incorporating Porous Carbon and Zeolite A Composites for Cesium137Cs Ion Exchange

تم في هذه الدراسة تحضير مادة مساميه سُلمية تتضمن الكربون والزيولايت نوع 4A مع كفاءة عالية لإزالة السيزيوم المشع من مخلفات المياه الملوثة اشعاعيا.&nbsp; استعملت الطريقة الهيدروحراريه لأنماء طبقه من زيولايت نوع 4A على سطح الكربون المسامي لتحسين عمليه نقل الكتلة وزيادة المساحة السطحية للزيولايت استخدم كرب سعف النخيل العراقي (DM) كمخلفات زراعية متوفرة محليا لتحضير كربون مسامي واطئ الكلفة باستخدام طريقة الكربنه في فرن انبوبي عند درجة حرارة 900C ولمدة ساعتين. التراكيب المسامية الُسلمية تم تحضيرها باستخدام التنشيط الميكانيكي لسطح الكربون باستعمال الموجات الفوق الصوتية بوجود عالق يحتوي على&nbsp; دقائق نانوية للزيولايت&nbsp; المطحون نوع 4A. لتحضير عالق يحتوي دقائق نانوية للزيولايت تم طحن الزيولايت التجاري باستعمال كرات زجاجيه بقطر&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(0.3-0.4 mm) كوسط للطحن. تعمل دقائق الزيولايت النانوية كبذور (مراكز تنوي) لزيادة تبلور جل الالوميناسليكا العشوائي على سطح الكربون المعدل. تم تشخيص الزيولايت4A المحضر و المادة المتراكبة المحضرة &nbsp;&nbsp;باستعمال المجهر الالكتروني الماسح (SEM),جهاز حيود الأشعة السينية (XRD) , جهاز قياس المساحة السطحية(BET) , و (EDX) للتحقق من الهيئة , التركيب ,&nbsp; المساحة السطحية , والتركيب الكيميائي على التوالي.استخدم المنتج لمعالجة المخلفات السائلة الملوثة اشعاعيا والتي تحتوي على نظير السيزيوم المشعCs-137 تم جمعها من بناية مختبرات الكيمياء الإشعاعية المدمرة في موقع التويثه النووي. قيس تركيز النشاط الإشعاعي للمياه الملوثة قبل وبعد المعالجة باستعمال منظومة أطياف كاما المزودة بكاشف الجرمانيوم عالي النقاوة (HPGe) ذي كفاءة كشف نسبيه تصل الى 60%. أظهرت النتائج &nbsp;ان تركيز النشاط الاشعاعي للسيزيوم 137 &nbsp;قد انخفض بصورة ملحوظة من 4800 Bq/L الى 186 Bq/L,121 Bq/L باستخدام 0.045 gm من الزيولات 4A و DMZ على التوالي.This study synthesized zeolite 4A, and hierarchical composite structure consisting of zeolite 4A- carbon were successfully prepared. Hydrothermal method was used to grow a layer of zeolite 4A over porous carbon surfaces to enhance mass transfer and increase surface area of zeolite. The products then were used to remove radioactive cesium137Cs from liquid wastewater. Iraqi dates leaves midribs (DM) were used as locally available agricultural waste to prepare low- cost porous carbon, using carbonization method in tubular furnace at 900C for two hours. Hierarchical porous structures including zeolite are prepared by mechanically activating the carbon surface via Ultrasonicating nanoparticles suspension of ground zeolite type 4A.For preparing nanoparticles suspension, commercial zeolite has been milled using 0.3-0.4 mm diameter glass balls as grinding media. Nanoparticles of zeolite 4A acting as seeding (nucleation centers) increase the crystallization of amorphous aluminosilica gel&nbsp;&nbsp; on modification carbon surface. The products of the syntheses zeolite 4A and the hierarchal composite materials (DMZ) were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Nitrogen sorption (BET) and Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) to check the morphology, structure, surface area, and the chemical composition respectively. The products were used to treat radioactive wastewater contaminated with radioactive cesium 137Cs collected from destroyed building of the Radiochemistry Laboratories (RCL) in AL-Tuwaitha Nuclear Site. The activity concentration for the contamination water pre and after the treatment were measured using gamma spectroscopy system supplied with a high purity germanium detector (HPGe) with 60% relative efficiency. The results showed that the radioactivity concentration after the treatment process decreased significantly from 4800 Bq/L to 186 and Bq/L,121 Bq/L using 0.045 gm from synthesized&nbsp; zeolite&nbsp; 4A and DMZ respectively

Versatile ytterbium ion trap experiment for operation of scalable ion-trap chips with motional heating and transition-frequency measurements

We present the design and operation of an ytterbium ion trap experiment with a setup offering versatile optical access and 90 electrical interconnects that can host advanced surface and multilayer ion trap chips mounted on chip carriers. We operate a macroscopic ion trap compatible with this chip carrier design and characterize its performance, demonstrating secular frequencies >1 MHz, and trap and cool nearly all of the stable isotopes, including 171Yb+ ions, as well as ion crystals. For this particular trap we measure the motional heating rate 〈ṅ〉 and observe an 〈ṅ〉∝1/ω2 behavior for different secular frequencies ω. We also determine a spectral noise density SE(1 MHz)=3.6(9)×10-11 V2 m-2 Hz-1 at an ion electrode spacing of 310(10) μm. We describe the experimental setup for trapping and cooling Yb+ ions and provide frequency measurements of the 2S1/2↔2P1/2 and 2D3/2↔3D[3/2]1/2 transitions for the stable 170Yb+, 171Yb+, 172Yb+, 174Yb+, and 176Yb+ isotopes which are more precise than previously published work

Going Deep in Medical Image Analysis: Concepts, Methods, Challenges and Future Directions

Medical Image Analysis is currently experiencing a paradigm shift due to Deep Learning. This technology has recently attracted so much interest of the Medical Imaging community that it led to a specialized conference in `Medical Imaging with Deep Learning' in the year 2018. This article surveys the recent developments in this direction, and provides a critical review of the related major aspects. We organize the reviewed literature according to the underlying Pattern Recognition tasks, and further sub-categorize it following a taxonomy based on human anatomy. This article does not assume prior knowledge of Deep Learning and makes a significant contribution in explaining the core Deep Learning concepts to the non-experts in the Medical community. Unique to this study is the Computer Vision/Machine Learning perspective taken on the advances of Deep Learning in Medical Imaging. This enables us to single out `lack of appropriately annotated large-scale datasets' as the core challenge (among other challenges) in this research direction. We draw on the insights from the sister research fields of Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition and Machine Learning etc.; where the techniques of dealing with such challenges have already matured, to provide promising directions for the Medical Imaging community to fully harness Deep Learning in the future

Pre-text Representation Transfer for Deep Learning with Limited Imbalanced Data : Application to CT-based COVID-19 Detection

Annotating medical images for disease detection is often tedious and expensive. Moreover, the available training samples for a given task are generally scarce and imbalanced. These conditions are not conducive for learning effective deep neural models. Hence, it is common to 'transfer' neural networks trained on natural images to the medical image domain. However, this paradigm lacks in performance due to the large domain gap between the natural and medical image data. To address that, we propose a novel concept of Pre-text Representation Transfer (PRT). In contrast to the conventional transfer learning, which fine-tunes a source model after replacing its classification layers, PRT retains the original classification layers and updates the representation layers through an unsupervised pre-text task. The task is performed with (original, not synthetic) medical images, without utilizing any annotations. This enables representation transfer with a large amount of training data. This high-fidelity representation transfer allows us to use the resulting model as a more effective feature extractor. Moreover, we can also subsequently perform the traditional transfer learning with this model. We devise a collaborative representation based classification layer for the case when we leverage the model as a feature extractor. We fuse the output of this layer with the predictions of a model induced with the traditional transfer learning performed over our pre-text transferred model. The utility of our technique for limited and imbalanced data classification problem is demonstrated with an extensive five-fold evaluation for three large-scale models, tested for five different class-imbalance ratios for CT based COVID-19 detection. Our results show a consistent gain over the conventional transfer learning with the proposed method.Comment: Best paper at IVCN

Using of Chroococcus SP. to Treat Polluted Water with Cadmium & Nickel

Chroococcus sp. was exposed to different concentrations 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 ppm, from cadmium and nickel. The results revealed that the ability of the alga to remove cadmium and nickel was increased with the increase of the metal concentration which the alga exposed to them and this case does not record before. This may relate to mechanisms of adsorption and removal which not understood perfectly till now according to many researches that concerned with this field of studies. It was noticed that the removal percentage of cadmium reaches to 77.66 &amp; 76% in the two higher concentrations 6 &amp; 7 ppm, which exposed to the alga till the last day (twelve days) from the experiment, but same percentage (77.66 &amp; 76%) was recorded on the eighth day of the experiment to remove nickel and decrease to 12.5 &amp; 28% on the last day of the experiment for the above two concentrations

A difficult diagnosis - constrictive pericarditis and its treatment: a case report

RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are.Abstract The diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis requires a high degree of clinical suspicion, for the signs and symptoms of this disease can be falsely attributed to other causes. Herein, we present a case of a 70-year old retired farmer whose symptoms of right heart failure were initially attributed to co-existing pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. He was discharged. Three weeks later he presented with worsening breathlessness and ascites. Echocardiography, computed tomography and cardiac catheterization revealed the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. He underwent complete pericardectomy and to date has made a good recovery. This case exemplifies the difficulty in diagnosing this condition, the investigation required, and provides a discussion of the benefit and outcomes of prompt treatment.Peer Reviewe

Polyisoprenylated benzophenone, garcinol, a natural histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, represses chromatin transcription and alters global gene expression

Histone acetylation is a diagnostic feature of transcriptionally active genes. The proper recruitment and function of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and deacetylases (HDACs) are key regulatory steps for gene expression and cell cycle. Functional defects of either of these enzymes may lead to several diseases, including cancer. HATs and HDACs thus are potential therapeutic targets. Here we report that garcinol, a polyisoprenylated benzophenone derivative from Garcinia indica fruit rind, is a potent inhibitor of histone acetyltransferases p300 (IC50&#8776;7 &#956;M) and PCAF (IC50&#8776;5 &#956;M) both in vitro and in vivo. The kinetic analysis shows that it is a mixed type of inhibitor with an increased affinity for PCAF compared with p300. HAT activity-dependent chromatin transcription was strongly inhibited by garcinol, whereas transcription from DNA template was not affected. Furthermore, it was found to be a potent inducer of apoptosis, and it alters (predominantly down-regulates) the global gene expression in HeLa cells