On the Number of Nonnegative Solutions to the Inequality a1 +....ar < n

In this paper, we present a simple and fast method for counting the number of nonnegative integer solutions to the equality a1x1+a2x2+: : :+arxr = n where a1; a2; :::; ar and n are positive integers. As an application, we use the method for finding the number of solutions of a Diophantine inequality

Hydrothermal Endometrial Ablation Can Reduce the Need for Hysterectomy and Transfusion

The authors report that hydrothermal ablation can obviate the necessity for transfusion in cases of persistent uterine bleeding secondary to large submucosal and intrauterine myomas that are resistant to medical therapy

A review of UAE native seaweed as potential bio-refinery feedstock for jet fuel and high value chemicals

The UAE government has hosted several initiatives to produce sustainable jet fuel from locally available feedstock to support its sustainable energy strategy and vision. With more than 2000 km of coastline UAE is home to a large variety of aquatic biomass, such as seaweed. The local seaweed strains can act as ultimate candidate feedstock for not only bioenergy (jet fuel) but also a source for high value chemicals. Seaweed contains high carbohydrates and rapid growth rates and low lignin content. Several seaweed biomasses strains have been identified along the shores of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi amongst which one strain Ulva Sp. was the most dominant in terms of occurrence and availability. A bio refinery utilizing the local UAE seaweed strains could provide many advantages for the commercial viability the due to the fact that seaweed has potential to other high value product such as active components for pharmaceutical products as their market value is much higher that sustainable jet fuel. The preliminary chemical characterization showed significant glucan contents which indicate fermentable sugar content in these biomass samples. This make the local aquatic biomass an interesting research project both to fulfill the sustainable jet fuel initiative and establish further knowledge in the local aquatic biomass biorefinery capabilities

Biodegradation of dodecylbenzene solfonate sodium by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Biofilm

Immobilization for microbial cultures has proved to be advantageous in municipal and industrial sewage treatment because of high degradation efficiency and good operational stability. In this survey, a bacterial strain was isolated from activated sludge that utilized branched anionic surfactants (BAS) as a sole carbon source. Identification of isolated strain was from 16S rRNA sequencing method. The immobilized cells on silanized glass beads as support and unmodified surfaces were used for removal of BAS; both types showed effective biodegrading of BAS. The removal rate in silanized surface was about 2 fold of unmodified surface. The result of biodegradation was studied by HPLC method and scanning electron microscope

A physics-based model for frost buildup under turbulent flow using direct numerical simulations

We present a new model for frost buildup under turbulent (and laminar) flow using direct numerical simulations. The physical model consists of two layers, the air and the frost. The air layer is fully resolved and consists of solving for the velocity, temperature, and vapor mass fraction fields. The frost layer thickness is resolved using conservation of mass and energy. Both phases are dynamically coupled using the immersed boundary method. Three-dimensional simulations are conducted in an open-channel configuration. A number of challenges need to be overcome to make these simulations feasible. First, to enforce far-field conditions of zero gradient and prescribed mean temperature and humidity, a source term is added to the energy and transport equations in the flow solver. Second, the mean frost thickness is subtracted after each time step to ensure a constant mean flow thickness and level of turbulence in the numerical domain. Third, a slow-time acceleration approach, which accelerates the frost buildup by a predetermined factor, is employed to bridge the gap between the fast turbulent and slow frost buildup time scales. Finally, a frost densification scheme is used to overcome the difficulties of vertically varying frost properties. The model is validated by comparing the frost thickness and frost thickness buildup rate over a period of one hour from a cooled flat plate experiment. Both quantities compare favorably with experiments

Relationship between aerobic and anaerobic power, and Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) in elite Iranian male judokas

Introduction The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between aerobic and anaerobic power, and special judo fitness test in elite male judokas. Method Nineteen elite Judokas [age 24.3 (3.1) yr, height 1.78 (.06) m, body mass 76.4 (11.2) kg, body mass index 20.2 (3.6) kg·m−2 and body fat 11.0 (1.8)%] performed a graded exercise test in treadmill, the Wingate anaerobic test for arms and the special judo fitness test. The graded exercise test in treadmill estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the Wingate anaerobic test assessed peak and mean power, descriptors of short-term power output and local muscular endurance respectively. Results The index of special judo fitness test was in inverse direct relationship with VO2max (r = -.87, p < .01), peak power (r = -.74, p < .01) and mean power (r = -.62, p < .05). Discussion Based on these findings, it was showed that the special judo fitness test is a field test that describes chiefly aerobic power, and in a lesser degree short-term power output and local muscular fatigue. Therefore, its further use from judo coaches and fitness trainers as a measure to monitor aerobic power is recommended, and the need for a field test that will describe anaerobic power is highlighted

The combined molecular adjuvant CASAC enhances the CD8+ T cell response to a tumor-associated self-antigen in aged, immunosenescent mice

BACKGROUND: Ineffective induction of T cell mediated immunity in older individuals remains a persistent challenge for vaccine development. Thus, there is a need for more efficient and sophisticated adjuvants that will complement novel vaccine strategies for the elderly. To this end, we have investigated a previously optimized, combined molecular adjuvant, CASAC (Combined Adjuvant for Synergistic Activation of Cellular immunity), incorporating two complementary Toll-like receptor agonists, CpG and polyI:C, a class-II epitope, and interferon (IFN)-γ in aged mice. FINDINGS: In aged mice with typical features of immunosenescence, antigen specific CD8+ T cell responses were stimulated after serial vaccinations with CASAC or Complete/Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA/IFA) and a class I epitope, deriving either from ovalbumin (SIINFEKL, SIL) or the melanoma-associated self-antigen, tyrosinase-related protein-2 (SVYDFFVWL, SVL). Pentamer analysis revealed that aged, CASAC/SIL-vaccinated animals had substantially higher frequencies of H-2K(b)/SIL-specific CD8+ T cells compared to the CFA/IFA-vaccinated groups. Similarly, higher frequencies of H-2K(b)/SVL-pentamer+ and IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells were detected in the aged, CASAC + SVL-vaccinated mice than in their CFA/IFA-vaccinated counterparts. In both antigen settings, CASAC promoted significantly better functional CD8+ T cell activity. CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrate that functional CD8+ T cells, specific for both foreign and tumour-associated self-antigens, can be effectively induced in aged immunosenescent mice using the novel multi-factorial adjuvant CASAC

Cerebral blood flow response to flavanol-rich cocoa in healthy elderly humans

Farzaneh A Sorond1,2, Lewis A Lipsitz2,4, Norman K Hollenberg3,5, Naomi DL Fisher31Department of Neurology, Stroke Division; 2Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA; 3Department of Medicine, Endocrine-Hypertension Division; 4Department of Medicine, Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; 5Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women&amp;rsquo;s Hospital, Boston, MABackground and Purpose: Cerebral ischemia is a common, morbid condition accompanied by cognitive decline. Recent reports on the vascular health benefits of flavanol-containing foods signify a promising approach to the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Our study was designed to investigate the effects of flavanol-rich cocoa (FRC) consumption on cerebral blood flow in older healthy volunteers.Methods: We used transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound to measure mean blood flow velocity (MFV) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in thirty-four healthy elderly volunteers (72 &amp;plusmn; 6 years) in response to the regular intake of FRC or flavanol-poor cocoa (FPC).Results: In response to two weeks of FRC intake, MFV increased by 8% &amp;plusmn; 4% at one week (p = 0.01) and 10% &amp;plusmn; 4% (p = 0.04) at two weeks. In response to one week of cocoa, significantly more subjects in the FRC as compared with the FPC group had an increase in their MFV (p &amp;lt; 0.05).Conclusions: In summary, we show that dietary intake of FRC is associated with a significant increase in cerebral blood flow velocity in the MCA as measured by TCD. Our data suggest a promising role for regular cocoa flavanol&amp;rsquo;s consumption in the treatment of cerebrovascular ischemic syndromes, including dementias and stroke.Keywords: cerebral blood flow, flavanol, cocoa, transcranial Doppler ultrasoun

Clinical impact of a new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging program: a single center US experience

While establishing a Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) program at an academic institution in the United States, we sought to evaluate indications and direct clinical impact of CMR on patient management and decision- making