Large-Scale Spectroscopic Mapping of the ρ\rho Ophiuchi Molecular Cloud Complex I. The C2_{2}H to N2_2H+^+ Ratio as a Signpost of Cloud Characteristics

We present 2.5-square-degree C$_{2}$H N=1-0 and N$_2$H$^+$ J=1-0 maps of the $\rho$ Ophiuchi molecular cloud complex. These are the first large-scale maps of the $\rho$ Ophiuchi molecular cloud complex with these two tracers. The C$_{2}$H emission is spatially more extended than the N$_2$H$^+$ emission. One faint N$_2$H$^+$ clump Oph-M and one C$_{2}$H ring Oph-RingSW are identified for the first time. The observed C$_{2}$H to N$_{2}$H$^{+}$ abundance ratio ([C$_{2}$H]/[N$_{2}$H$^{+}$]) varies between 5 and 110. We modeled the C$_{2}$H and N$_2$H$^+$ abundances with 1-D chemical models which show a clear decline of [C$_2$H]/[N$_2$H$^+$] with chemical age. Such an evolutionary trend is little affected by temperatures when they are below 40 K. At high density (n$_H$ $>$ 10$^5$ cm$^{-3}$), however, the time it takes for the abundance ratio to drop at least one order of magnitude becomes less than the dynamical time (e.g., turbulence crossing time $\rm \sim$10$^5$ years). The observed [C$_2$H]/[N$_2$H$^+$] difference between L1688 and L1689 can be explained by L1688 having chemically younger gas in relatively less dense regions. The observed [C$_{2}$H]/[N$_{2}$H$^{+}$] values are the results of time evolution, accelerated at higher densities. For the relative low density regions in L1688 where only C$_2$H emission was detected, the gas should be chemically younger.Comment: Accepted by ApJ, 45 pages, 10 figure

A Magnetic Bead-Based Sensor for the Quantification of Multiple Prostate Cancer Biomarkers.

Novel biomarker assays and upgraded analytical tools are urgently needed to accurately discriminate benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) from prostate cancer (CaP). To address this unmet clinical need, we report a piezeoelectric/magnetic bead-based assay to quantitate prostate specific antigen (PSA; free and total), prostatic acid phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase 1 (CA1), osteonectin, IL-6 soluble receptor (IL-6sr), and spondin-2. We used the sensor to measure these seven proteins in serum samples from 120 benign prostate hypertrophy patients and 100 Gleason score 6 and 7 CaP using serum samples previously collected and banked. The results were analyzed with receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. There were significant differences between BPH and CaP patients in the PSA, CA1, and spondin-2 assays. The highest AUC discrimination was achieved with a spondin-2 OR free/total PSA operation--the area under the curve was 0.84 with a p value below 10(-6). Some of these data seem to contradict previous reports and highlight the importance of sample selection and proper assay building in the development of biomarker measurement schemes. This bead-based system offers important advantages in assay building including low cost, high throughput, and rapid identification of an optimal matched antibody pair

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)—A Rare Etiology of Dysphagia

A 72-year-old gentleman presented to the hospital with progressively worsening dysphagia to soft foods and liquids. He was diagnosed with severe pharyngeal dysphagia by modified barium swallow. A CT scan of the neck with IV contrast showed anterior flowing of bridging osteophytes from C3–C6, indicative of DISH, resulting in esophageal impingement. He underwent resection of the DISH segments. Following the surgery, a PEG tube for nutrition supplementation was placed. However, the PEG tube was removed after five months when the speech and swallow evaluation showed no residual dysphagia. DISH is a rare non-inflammatory condition that results in pathological ossification and calcification of the anterolateral spinal ligaments

DAÑOS AMBIENTALES Y SU RELACIÓN CON EL INVENTARIO DE GANADO BOVINO - PANAMÁ, PERIODO 2016 - 2020

The relationship of environmental damage with the inventory of cattle registered in the INEC for the period 2016 - 2020 was estimated. For the analysis, the variables evaluated were Year, Region, Damage, Forest, Water, Soil, Atmosphere, Marine Coast and Fauna, Human settlements, Fauna and flora, and Existence of cattle for breeding, milk and fattening by province. All records were described through their frequencies. The information was homogenized and grouped. The interrelation, through Principal Components Analysis, and the correlation of the variables were also evaluated. From the results it can be concluded that the number of records of damage to the environment continues to increase, the most frequent being fires and pollution due to hydrocarbon spills. The most affected resources have been the fauna and flora and the forests in the provinces of Panama and Chiriquí. The effects at the soil level were only registered for a third of the region, however problems with water, fauna and flora, atmosphere and forests were registered, at the national level. Fires and contamination due to hydrocarbon spills were frequent at the national level, and contamination by sewage and inadequate management of solid waste were registered in at least 3/4 and 1/10 of the national territory, respectively. The relationship of the presence of damage to the environment with the registration of fattening cattle was significant.Fue estimada la relación de los daños ambientales con el inventario de ganado bovino registrado en el INEC para el período 2016 - 2020. Para el análisis, las variables evaluadas fueron Año, Región, Daño, Bosque, Agua, Suelo, Atmósfera, Costa y Fauna marina, Asentamientos humanos, Fauna y flora, y Existencia de ganado vacuno de cría, leche y ceba por provincia. Todos los registros fueron descritos a través de sus frecuencias. Las informaciones fueron homogeneizadas y agrupadas. La interrelación, a través del Análisis en Componentes Principales, y la correlación de las variables también fueron evaluadas. De los resultados se puede concluir que el número de registros de daños al ambiente sigue aumentando, siendo los más frecuentes los incendios y la contaminación por derrame de hidrocarburos. Los recursos más afectados han sido la fauna y flora y los bosques, en las provincias de Panamá y Chiriquí. Las afectaciones a nivel de suelos solo fueron registradas para un tercio de la república, sin embargo, problemas con el agua, la fauna y flora, atmósfera y los bosques se registraron a nivel nacional. Los incendios y la contaminación por derrame de hidrocarburos fueron frecuentes a nivel nacional, y la contaminación por aguas residuales y el manejo inadecuado de desechos sólidos se registraron en por lo menos 3/4 y 1/10 del territorio nacional, respectivamente. La relación de la presencia de afectaciones al ambiente con el registro de ganado vacuno de ceba fue significativa

EVALUACIÓN DE LA PRODUCCIÓN DE GRANOS Y DE BIOMASA EN CAJANUS CAJAN CON EL USO DE INDUCTOR FLORAL

In this study, we evaluated the effect of floral inducers on grain and biomass production in Cajanus cajan. We used a completely randomized block design with two varieties (red and black) and the dependent variables were total weight (pounds) and plant height (cm). The results showed that the use of floral inducers had a significant effect on grain and biomass production. However, it is important to assess the side effects, cost-benefit and environmental impact before implementing these treatments commercially. Further research is needed to better understand the influence of floral inducers on grain and biomass production in C. cajan.En este estudio, se evaluó el efecto de los inductores florales en la producción de granos y biomasa en Cajanus cajan. Usamos un modelo de bloques completamente aleatorizados con dos variedades (roja y negra) y las variables dependientes peso total (lbs) y altura de la planta (cm). Los resultados mostraron que el uso de inductor floral tuvo un efecto significativo en la producción de granos y biomasa. Sin embargo, es importante evaluar los efectos secundarios, el costo-beneficio y el impacto ambiental antes de implementar estos tratamientos a nivel comercial. Se necesitan más investigaciones para comprender mejor la influencia de los inductores florales en la producción de granos y biomasa en C. cajan

Application of Artificial Neural Network to Search for Gravitational-Wave Signals Associated with Short Gamma-Ray Bursts

We apply a machine learning algorithm, the artificial neural network, to the search for gravitational-wave signals associated with short gamma-ray bursts. The multi-dimensional samples consisting of data corresponding to the statistical and physical quantities from the coherent search pipeline are fed into the artificial neural network to distinguish simulated gravitational-wave signals from background noise artifacts. Our result shows that the data classification efficiency at a fixed false alarm probability is improved by the artificial neural network in comparison to the conventional detection statistic. Therefore, this algorithm increases the distance at which a gravitational-wave signal could be observed in coincidence with a gamma-ray burst. In order to demonstrate the performance, we also evaluate a few seconds of gravitational-wave data segment using the trained networks and obtain the false alarm probability. We suggest that the artificial neural network can be a complementary method to the conventional detection statistic for identifying gravitational-wave signals related to the short gamma-ray bursts.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figure