The next step of the word problem over monoids

It is known that a group presentation P can be regarded as a 2-complex with a single 0-cell. Thus we can consider a 3-complex with a single 0-cell which is known as a 3-presentation. Similarly, we can also consider 3-presentations for monoids. In this paper, by using spher- ical monoid pictures, we show that there exists a finite 3-monoid-presentation which has unsolvable ‘‘generalized identity problem’’ that can be thought as the next step (or one- dimension higher) of the word problem for monoids. We note that the method used in this paper has chemical and physical applications

Molecular markers for cervical cancer screening

This review gives an overview of current screening practices for cervical cancer. In the introduction, we will cover approaches of population screening focusing on high-risk Human Papilloma Virus (hrHPV) and the need for a better triage assay. We will further assess the impact of current vaccination programs on screening. Subsequently, the review will cover various technological aspects of nucleic acid- and protein-based biomarker assays. We will then detail different molecular markers in view of their use in triage assays, emphasizing epigenetic and protein markers. Finally, we will place this in the context of cost-effectiveness considerations in view of their implementation in high- as well as in low- to middle-income countries. Introduction: Cervical cancer remains a significant healthcare problem, notably in low- to middle-income countries. While a negative test for hrHPV has a predictive value of more than 99.5%, its positive predictive value is less than 10% for CIN2+ stages. This makes the use of a so-called triage test indispensable for population-based screening to avoid referring women, that are ultimately at low risk of developing cervical cancer, to a gynecologist. This review will give an overview of tests that are based on epigenetic marker panels and protein markers. Areas covered: There is a medical need for molecular markers with a better predictive value to discriminate hrHPV-positive women that are at risk of developing cervical cancer from those that are not. Areas covered are epigenetic and protein markers as well as health economic considerations in view of the fact that most cases of cervical cancer arise in low-to-middle-income countries. Expert opinion: While there are biomarker assays based on changes at the nucleic acid (DNA methylation patterns, miRNAs) and at the protein level, they are not widely used in population screening. Combining nucleic acid-based and protein-based tests could improve the overall specificity for discriminating CIN2+ lesions that carry a low risk of progressing to cervical cancer within the screening interval from those that carry an elevated risk. The challenge is to reduce unnecessary referrals without an undesired increase in false-negative diagnoses resulting in cases of cervical cancer that could have been prevented. A further challenge is to develop tests for low-and middle-income countries, which is critical to reduce the worldwide burden of cervical cancer

Two solar eclipses observations in Turkey

In thispap er, the changesin the ionosphere over Turkey due to two solar eclipses are reported. TEC on the eclipse day (26 April 1976) and the intensity of an HF radio wave during itspropagation over 567 km between Ankara and Elazıˇg on the eclipse day (11 August 1999) exhibited a very marked decrease

Linear Stability Analysis for Plane-Poiseuille Flow of an Elastoviscoplastic fluid with internal microstructure

We study the linear stability of Plane Poiseuille flow of an elastoviscoplastic fluid using a revised version of the model proposed by Putz and Burghelea (Rheol. Acta (2009)48:673-689). The evolution of the microstructure upon a gradual increase of the external forcing is governed by a structural variable (the concentration of solid material elements) which decays smoothly from unity to zero as the stresses are gradually increased beyond the yield point. Stability results are in close conformity with the ones of a pseudo-plastic fluid. Destabilizing effects are related to the presence of an intermediate transition zone where elastic solid elements coexist with fluid elements. This region brings an elastic contribution which does modify the stability of the flow

Application of the linear principle for the strongly-correlated variables: Calculations of differences between spectra

In this paper the authors suggest a new method of detection of possible differences between similar near infrared (NIR) spectra based on the self-similar (fractal) property. This property is a general characteristic that belongs to a wide class of the strongly-correlated systems. As an example we take a set of NIR spectra measured for three systems: (1) glassy carbon (GC) electrodes, (2) GC electrodes affected by azobenzene (AB) substance and finally (3) films (AB-FILM). Besides the physical model that should describe the intrinsic properties of these substances we found the fitting function that follow from the linear principle for the strongly-correlated variables. This function expressed in the form of linear combination of 4 power-law functions describes with the high accuracy the integrated curves that were obtained from the averaged values of the initially measured spectra. The nine fitting parameters can be considered as the quantitative "finger prints" for detection of the differences between similar spectra. Besides this result we established the self-similar behavior of the remnant functions. In other words, the difference between the initially integrated function and its fitting function can be expressed in the form of linear combinations of periodical functions having a set of frequencies following to relationship ω(k)=ω0ξk, where the initial frequency ω0 and scaling factor ξ are determined by the eigen-coordinates method. This behavior in the NIR spectra was discovered in the first time and physical reasons of such behavior merit an additional research. © 2011

Comparison of Targeted Mass Spectrometry Techniques With an Immunoassay:A Case Study For HSP90α

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to better understand factors governing the variability and sensitivity in SRM and PRM, compared to immunoassay. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A 2D-LC-MS/MS-based SRM and PRM assay was developed for quantitative measurements of HSP90α in serum. Forty-three control sera were compared by SRM, PRM and ELISA following the manufacturer's instructions. Serum samples were trypsin-digested and fractionated by SCX chromatography prior to SRM and PRM measurements. Analytical parameters such as linearity, LOD, LOQ, repeatability and reproducibility of the SRM, PRM and ELISA were determined. RESULTS: PRM data obtained by high-resolution mass spectrometry correlated better with ELISA measurements than SRM data measured on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. While all three methods (SRM, PRM, ELISA) were able to quantify HSP90α in serum at the ng/mL level, the use of PRM on a high-resolution mass spectrometer reduced variation and showed comparable sensitivity to immunoassay. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Using fractionation, it is possible to measure ng/mL levels of HSP90α in a reproducible, selective and sensitive way using PRM in serum. This opens up the possibility to use PRM in a multiplexed way as an attractive alternative for immunoassays without the use of antibodies or comparable binders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

A rare genetic disorder in the differential diagnosis of the entrapment neuropathies: Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies

PubMedID: 16601541Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal-dominant, slowly progressive neuromuscular disorder, which is characterized by recurrent acute peripheral nerve palsies. Electrophysiological studies show decreased motor and sensory conduction velocities in both clinically affected and unaffected nerves. Focal thickening of myelin sheath with sausage-like formation, also called tomacula, is seen in nerve biopsies. In genetic studies, 1.5-Mb deletion on chromosome 17p11.2 is detected in approximately 85% of HNPP cases and point mutations are determined in some cases.We describe a 26-year-old man who had a 6-month history of paresthesia in the little fingers of his hands. He was diagnosed with HNPP by neurologic examination, and electrophysiological and histopathologic studies. Studies in his mother and one brother also showed entrapment neuropathy. However, no deletions or point mutations were determined in this family. Other genetic defects apart from the known ones might be present in this disease. The most frequent entrapment syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, is also seen in this disease, so physicians dealing with musculoskeletal problems should be alert about this subject. Awareness of HNPP may help avoid unnecessary operative interventions. Copyright © 2006 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Determination of potassium and magnesium status of soils using different soil extraction procedures in the upper part of Mesopotamia (in the Harran Plain)

It is a common belief that most of the Turkish soils are rich in potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) for crop production and that there is no crop response to fertilization of these nutrients. However, it is currently a common agricultural practice by farmers to use an excess amount of K and, in some instances, Mg fertilizers especially for horticultural cash crops. Two biological (pot and Neubauer experiments) and four chemical extraction methods (0.3 N HCl, 0.5 N HCl, 1 N NH4OAc, and 0.5 N NaHCO3) were employed to measure the amounts of extractable K and Mg in the selected ten soil series of Harran Plain (Fertile Crescent) in the upper part of the Mesopotamia area. Italian grass (Lolium italicum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) were used as test plants in the pot and Neubauer experiments, respectively. The amount of slowly available K extracted using four chemical extraction methods were much higher in two soil series (Ekinyazi and Akcakale) than that of the other soil series. The Akcakale series had more slowly available Mg than the other soil series. Total amounts of slowly available K extracted with both of the biological, and 0.3 N HCl and 1 N NH4OAc chemical extraction methods were found statistically significant at 1% level. Correlation coefficients between the biological and chemical methods were calculated. As the number of grass harvests increased, percentage of K content decreased and Mg content increased in plant dry matter. At the last harvest, K content of the soils depleted, whereas Mg content nearly did not change. According to index grouping, Italian grass grown in the pots did not need K and Mg fertilization