Anhydrobiosis in yeast: Activation effect

Peer reviewe

On a new conformal functional for simplicial surfaces

We introduce a smooth quadratic conformal functional and its weighted version $$W_2=\sum_e \beta^2(e)\quad W_{2,w}=\sum_e (n_i+n_j)\beta^2(e),$$ where $\beta(e)$ is the extrinsic intersection angle of the circumcircles of the triangles of the mesh sharing the edge $e=(ij)$ and $n_i$ is the valence of vertex $i$. Besides minimizing the squared local conformal discrete Willmore energy $W$ this functional also minimizes local differences of the angles $\beta$. We investigate the minimizers of this functionals for simplicial spheres and simplicial surfaces of nontrivial topology. Several remarkable facts are observed. In particular for most of randomly generated simplicial polyhedra the minimizers of $W_2$ and $W_{2,w}$ are inscribed polyhedra. We demonstrate also some applications in geometry processing, for example, a conformal deformation of surfaces to the round sphere. A partial theoretical explanation through quadratic optimization theory of some observed phenomena is presented.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, to appear in the proceedings of "Curves and Surfaces, 8th International Conference", June 201

Multi-Scale Modeling of Hypertension

The focus of this work is the coupling of a 1-D lumped parameter model representing the circulatory system to a 3-D finite element based left ventricle (LV) model in order to study the effects of mild hypertension on the cardiovascular system. A Finite Element LV model under normotensive loading (116/80 mmHg) was developed as well as a mild hypertension (165/90 mmHg) model. In both cases, coupled analysis was utilized so that at one diastolic time point and four systolic time points the values for the LV volumes and pressures were determined from the steady-state JSim solution. The normotensive model had an average first principal stress of 39.1KPa while the hypertensive case showed an increased value of 51.8KPa representing a 32.3 % increase. A relatively mild increase in the afterload resulted in a pronounced increase in workload to maintain the same systemic flow. 1

Understanding adverse drug-related emergency department visits: development of a conceptual model through a systematic review

Background: The burden of adverse drug event (ADE)-related emergency department (ED)visits is increasing despite several preventive measures. The objective of this paper was todevelop and validate a conceptual model for a better understanding of ADE-related ED visitsand to guide the design and implementation of effective interventions.Methods: The development of the model involved a systematic review of the literatureusing PubMed and Embase databases. Studies reporting the risk factors associatedwith ADE-related ED visits were included. The methodological qualities of the includedstudies were assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The model wasmapped and validated using face and content validity by an expert panel. Deficiencies andtargeted interventions were identified, and steps for the design and implementation wererecommended.Results: The literature search generated 1361 articles, of which 38 were included in thereview; 41 risk factors associated with ADE-related ED visits were identified. All factors weremapped, and the model was validated through face and content validity. The model consistedof six concepts related to sociodemographic factors, clinical factors, ADE-related to ED visits,ADE while in the ED, outcomes, and consequences. Interventions could be targeted at thefactors identified in each concept to prevent ADE-related ED burden.Conclusion: A conceptual model to guide the successful design and implementation ofstrategies to prevent ADE-related ED visits and the occurrence of ADE at ED was developed.Clinicians should take these factors into consideration to prevent untoward events, especiallywhen treating high-risk patients

Factors limiting the establishment of canopy-forming algae on artificial structures

Macroalgal canopies are important ecosystem engineers, contributing to coastal productivity and supporting a rich assemblage of associated flora and fauna. However, they are often absent from infrastructures such as coastal defences and there has been a worldwide decline in their distribution in urbanised coastal areas. The macroalga Fucus spiralis is the only high-shore canopy forming species present in the Azores. It is widely distributed in the archipelago but is never found on coastal infrastructures. Here we evaluate factors that may potentially limit its establishment on artificial structures. A number of observational and manipulative experiments were used to test the hypotheses that: (i) limited-dispersal ability limits the colonisation of new plants onto artificial structures, (ii) vertical substratum slope negatively influences the survivorship of recruits, and (iii) vertical substratum slope also negatively influences the survivorship and fitness of adults. Results showed that the limited dispersal from adult plants may be a more important factor than slope in limiting the species ability to colonise coastal infrastructures, since the vertical substratum slope does not affect its fitness or survivorship.European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); COMPETE - Operational Competitiveness Programme; FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology; cE3c funding. GMM was supported by a postdoctoral grant awarded by FCT (SFRH/BDP/63040/2009). ACLP was funded by a FRCT research grant M3.1.5/F/098/2012. Support was also provided by CIRN/UAc (Centre of Natural Resources of University of the Azores).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Co-morbidities in children hospitalized for community acquired pneumonia in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Background: Pneumonia is one of the commonest causes of morbidity and mortality in children, especially in developing countries. These children are also at risk of other morbidities, thus, increasing the morbidity and mortality.Objective: This study was conducted to examine the prevalence and pattern of co-morbidities in children admitted for community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Maiduguri.Methodology: All children admitted into the Emergency Paediatric Unit (EPU) of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), Maiduguri, in 2011, with CAP were prospectively followed until discharge or death. The children were evaluated for co-morbidities clinically and by examination of appropriate specimen where necessary.Result: A total of 115 children aged one month to 14 years were admitted for CAP during the study period. While majority of the children studied were underfive; 107 (93%), 65(56.5%) were males, 101 (87.8%) had one or multiple co morbidities, with about half of them 58 (50.4%) afflicted by malaria. Pre admission medication was commoner for orthodox than traditional medication. No significant difference in mortality outcome was however noticed between children with co-morbidity and those without comorbidity, p > 0.05.Conclusion: The occurrence of comorbid conditions among children hospitalized for CAP in Maiduguri is common; however, the presence of co-morbidity did not significantly affect the mortality outcome of their management. It is recommended that the presence of comorbidity be actively looked for in children hospitalized for pneumonia, so as to effect holistic treatment, and improve the outcome of management.Keywords: Pneumonia, Children. Co-morbidity, Maiduguri, Mortality outcom

Presentation, complications and management outcome of community acquired pneumonia in hospitalized children in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Background: Pneumonia remains a leading cause of U-5 morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Nigeria. This study was conducted to determine the clinical presentation, complications and factors contributing to mortality in the hospitalized children with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Maiduguri, Nigeria.Methods: Children younger than 14 years admitted into the EmergencyPaediatric Unit of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital(UMTH), Maiduguri, in 2011 with the diagnosis of community acquiredpneumonia were followed up until discharge or death. Chest radiographswere read by radiologists.Results: Eighty nine children aged two months to 14 years were studied. The commonest clinical features were fever, cough, tachypnoea and dyspnoea. Radiographic evidence of pneumonia was found in 84 (94.4%) of cases. Dehydration and congestive cardiac failure (CCF) were the commonest complications encountered. Eight (9.0%) children died, seven of whom had complications of pneumonia. The rate of occurrence of complications, radiographic pattern of pneumonia and outcome of treatment did not significantly differ statistically in the different age groups; p = 0.135, 0.622 and 0.167 respectively.Conclusion: While dehydration and CCF were found to be commonestcomplications, mortality was commoner among the male infants hospitalized for pneumonia

Vortex Core Structure and Dynamics in Layered Superconductors

We investigate the equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of the core region of vortices in layered superconductors. We discuss the electronic structure of singly and doubly quantized vortices for both s-wave and d-wave pairing symmetry. We consider the intermediate clean regime, where the vortex-core bound states are broadened into resonances with a width comparable to or larger than the quantized energy level spacing, and calculate the response of a vortex core to an {\em a.c.} electromagnetic field for vortices that are pinned to a metallic defect. We concentrate on the case where the vortex motion is nonstationary and can be treated by linear response theory. The response of the order parameter, impurity self energy, induced fields and currents are obtained by a self-consistent calculation of the distribution functions and the excitation spectrum. We then obtain the dynamical conductivity, spatially resolved in the region of the core, for external frequencies in the range, 0.1\Delta < \hbar\omega \lsim 3\Delta. We also calculate the dynamically induced charge distribution in the vicinity of the core. This charge density is related to the nonequilibrium response of the bound states and collective mode, and dominates the electromagnetic response of the vortex core.Comment: Presented at the 2000 Workshop on ``Microscopic Structure and Dynamics of Vortices in Unconventional Superconductors and Superfluids'', held at the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden, Germany (28 pages with 15 figures). Alternate version with higher resolution figures: http://snowmass.phys.nwu.edu/~sauls/Eprints/Dresden2000.htm