A 10-bit 40MS/s Pipelined ADC in a 0.13μm CMOS Process

This paper presents a 10-bit analogue to digital converter (ADC) that will be integrated in a general purpose charge readout ASIC that is the new generation of mixed-mode integrated circuits for Time Projection Chamber (TPC) readout. It is based on a pipelined structure with double sampling and was implemented with switched capacitor circuits in eight 1.5-bit stages followed by a 2-bit stage. The power consumption is adjustable with the conversion rate and varies between 15 and 34mW for a 15 to 40MS/s conversion speed. The ADC occupies a silicon area of 0.7mm2 in a 0.13μm CMOS process and operates from a single 1.5V supply

A thousand total colonoscopies: what is the relationship between distal and proximal findings?

BACKGROUND: Flexible sigmoidoscopy is indicated for colorectal cancer screening. The decision about who needs total colonoscopy based on distal findings is still controversial because of the uncertainty of the associations between distal and proximal findings. AIM: The purpose of the study was to characterize distal findings in patients with total colonoscopy, to investigate its importance as markers of advanced proximal lesions and to evaluate the usefulness of a clinical Predictive Index, already published in the literature, in the identification of these lesions. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the patients submitted to total colonoscopy between January 2006 and February 2007, with selection of 1000 consecutive cases with reference to polyps. We analysed demographic data, indication for the exam and morphological and histological characteristics of the polyps. Advanced lesion was defined as any adenoma larger than 10 mm or any polyp with villous characteristics, high grade dysplasia or cancer. The Predictive Index was obtained through the assignment of points to 3 categories: sex, age and distal findings, which result in 3 groups: low, intermediate and high risk. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 64,69 years and 65,1% were male. Distal and proximal polyps were identified in 829 (82,9%) and 369 (36,9%) patients, respectively. Advanced distal lesion was found in 342 patients (34,2%) and advanced proximal lesion in 98 (9,8%). 587 patients (58,7%) were in the high risk group. In the group of patients with advanced proximal lesion, a third presented low and intermediate risk, 52% had no distal polyps, 88,7% had less than three distal polyps and 71,4% had no advanced distal lesion. Sensitivity values for these four categories ranged between 11,2% and 66,6%. CONCLUSION: If the decision to perform total colonoscopy is based on distal colonic findings or on the Predictive Index, the ability to identify advanced proximal lesion is markedly reduced, endangering the aim of a screening program

Measuring next of kin satisfaction with hospital cancer care: using a mixed‐method approach as basis for improving quality and safety

Aim/s To explore next of kin satisfaction with cancer care, map next of kin suggestions for involvement and combine this information to create a basis for improving quality and safety in hospitals. Design Convergent parallel mixed-methods design applying the 20-item FAMCARE Scale survey instrument for quantitative measurement of satisfaction with care and with an open-ended question used for qualitative analysis. Data sources Responses from 238 next of kin (November 2016–November 2017). Methods Exploratory factor analysis, regression analysis and qualitative content analysis were combined. Results Both hospitals scored better in medical treatment (median, interquartile range: 1.5, 1.1–2.0), than in satisfaction with information and involvement of next of kin (1.9, 1.3–2.4), p < .001 (Wilcoxon signed ranks test). After adjusting for differences in demographical and clinical variables, the total FAMCARE scores were 13% higher (95% confidence interval: 1%–27%, Wald p = .029) at one of the hospitals. Qualitative findings support that the hospitals are not providing an equal offer to next of kin involvement in hospital cancer care that includes a proactive approach. Conclusion As a basis for quality and safety improvement, next of kin satisfaction and involvement in cancer care should be addressed in a two-sided perspective, balancing the next of kin's need for involvement in cancer treatment with the patient's perspective.publishedVersio

Analiza energije potrebne za prešanje peleta

In order to utilize waste products such as sawdust and chips in the wood industry, pellets are made using compaction pressures in the range of 100 MPa or higher. During the compaction process, the density and the modulus of elasticity of the material rapidly increase. Wood materials generally show non-linear viscoelasticplastic behavior and, therefore, the pressure-deformation relationship is dependent on the loading velocity and on the time during which the material is subjected to constant deformation or load. The energy requirement of pellet production depends on many influencing factors and in such cases the use of dimensionless numbers in the form of similarity equation facilitates the processing of experimental results and the obtained similarity relationship has a more general validity for the users. Various fractions of different wood species were used in these experiments, and the pressure, pellet diameter, temperature were also varied. The proposed similarity equation shows a good correlation with the experimental results.U praksi se često od poljoprivrednih ili drvnih materijala prešanjem usitnjenog materijala pod visokim tlakom proizvode pelete pri čemu je tlak često jednak ili veći od 100 MPa. Tijekom prešanja gustoća peleta rzo raste, a zajedno s njom povećava se i modul elastičnosti. Drvo i od njega proizvedeni peleti ponašaju se viskoelastično, tj. njihova tlačna deformacija ovisi o vremenu odnosno brzini pterećenja. Prijašnja istraživanja prešanja usitnjenoga drvnog ostatka pokazala su da cjelovito drvo ni tijekom prilično male kompresije ne pokazuje obilježja elastičnosti prema Hookeovu zakonu. Na kraju ciklusa opterećenja uvijek se zadrži određeni stupanj deformacije, a postupkom rasterećenja velik je dio deformacije nepovratan. Osim vremenom, odnos naprezanja i deformacije određen je i veličinom naprezanja tako da se ne može govoriti o linearnoj viskoelastičnosti. Na temelju rezultata provedenih istraživanja nastala je jednadžba prema kriteriju bezdimenzionalnosti koja univerzalno (neovisno o vrsti drva) karakterizira promjenu gustoće i pritiska s obzirom na prešanje i temperaturu prešanja usitnjenoga drvnog ostatka i dobivenog peleta različitog promjera. Osim toga, istom se jednadžbom može utvrditi karakteristična energija pri izradi peleta ovisno o pritisku prešanja

How is the mental toughness of student-athletes? An investigation of elite student-athletes in Bengkulu City

The objectives to be achieved in this study are knowing the level of the mental toughness of student-athletes in Bengkulu City. This research applies a quantitative descriptive method through a&nbsp; causal-comparative design. The research population was 34 student-athletes from 5 sports. Determination of the sample using purposive random sampling. Data were collected using the Mental Toughness in Sport Questionnaire instrument. The data analysis technique uses standard deviation and the ideal mean to determine the level of the mental toughness of student-athletes, meanwhile to determine the level of the mental toughness of student-athletes who are reviewed based on sport and gender by hypothesis testing (one-way ANOVA and t-test) using SPSS. The results of data analysis found the category&nbsp; of the mental toughness of student-athletes in Bengkulu City was very high and there were no differences in the mental toughness of athletes from each sport and gender. However, this study has not yet discussed the strategies and mental training programs implemented by athletes in each sport. Therefore, it is recommended that researchers who have an interest in continuing this research are advised to study further the strategies and programs of athletes' mental training

An exploration of alternative visualisations of the basic helix-loop-helix protein interaction network

Background: Alternative representations of biochemical networks emphasise different aspects of the data and contribute to the understanding of complex biological systems. In this study we present a variety of automated methods for visualisation of a protein-protein interaction network, using the basic helix-loop-helix ( bHLH) family of transcription factors as an example. Results: Network representations that arrange nodes ( proteins) according to either continuous or discrete information are investigated, revealing the existence of protein sub-families and the retention of interactions following gene duplication events. Methods of network visualisation in conjunction with a phylogenetic tree are presented, highlighting the evolutionary relationships between proteins, and clarifying the context of network hubs and interaction clusters. Finally, an optimisation technique is used to create a three-dimensional layout of the phylogenetic tree upon which the protein-protein interactions may be projected. Conclusion: We show that by incorporating secondary genomic, functional or phylogenetic information into network visualisation, it is possible to move beyond simple layout algorithms based on network topology towards more biologically meaningful representations. These new visualisations can give structure to complex networks and will greatly help in interpreting their evolutionary origins and functional implications. Three open source software packages (InterView, TVi and OptiMage) implementing our methods are available

Free weight training vs. elastic band training: What is a more effective strategy for increasing maximal velocity ability during handball throws?

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of two resistance training (RT) programmes (free weight [FW] and elastic band [EB]) on velocity variables (handball throwing velocity [HTV] and maximal theoretical velocity [V0]) using load-velocity (L-V) relationship modelling. Both programmes lasted 6 weeks and consisted of performing bench press and overarm dumbbell pull-over using free weights (FW group) or elastic bands (EB group). Nineteen male sports science students were randomly assigned to EB (n=10) or FW group (n=9). Both RT programmes increased HTV and V0, although the increment was greater in the FW (>2 m·s-1) compared to the EB group (<1 m·s-1). RT programmes had selective effects on the strength variables being FW more effective in increasing 1-repetition maximum, while EB in increasing maximal isometric force. Very large correlations were observed between two-point (L-V relationship modelled through two pairs of L and V data) and multiple-point methods (L-V relationship modelled through six pairs of L and V data) (V0: r=0.96; HTV: r=0.93). All coefficients of variation showed high validity both for V0 and HTV (≤6.2%). Altogether, FW training should be used for increasing the velocity of the throwing performance, while the two-point method for following training-induced changes

Identification of suitable reference genes for miRNA quantitation in bumblebee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) response to reproduction

International audienceAbstractThe precise quantification of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression level is a critical factor in mastering its functions. We evaluate the suitability of two common genes and ten miRNAs as normalizers for miRNA quantification in the head and ovary at different reproductive status of bumblebees, Bombus lantschouensis by using four different algorithms and one consensus rank approach. For the head and ovary combination, miR-275 was the best candidate. For different tissues, miR-275 was the most stable candidate in the head, while the candidate for the ovary was miR-277. To test the best candidate accuracy, miR-315 was demonstrated to be downregulated based on miR-275 normalization in ovipositor bumblebees. The miR-275 and miR-277 combination is identified to be the most reliable and suitable reference genes for the head and ovary of bumblebees

Gene methylation profiles of normal mucosa, and benign and malignant colorectal tumors identify early onset markers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Multiple epigenetic and genetic changes have been reported in colorectal tumors, but few of these have clinical impact. This study aims to pinpoint epigenetic markers that can discriminate between non-malignant and malignant tissue from the large bowel, i.e. markers with diagnostic potential.</p> <p>The methylation status of eleven genes (<it>ADAMTS1</it>, <it>CDKN2A</it>, <it>CRABP1</it>, <it>HOXA9</it>, <it>MAL</it>, <it>MGMT</it>, <it>MLH1</it>, <it>NR3C1</it>, <it>PTEN</it>, <it>RUNX3</it>, and <it>SCGB3A1</it>) was determined in 154 tissue samples including normal mucosa, adenomas, and carcinomas of the colorectum. The gene-specific and widespread methylation status among the carcinomas was related to patient gender and age, and microsatellite instability status. Possible CIMP tumors were identified by comparing the methylation profile with microsatellite instability (MSI), <it>BRAF</it>-, <it>KRAS</it>-, and <it>TP53 </it>mutation status.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean number of methylated genes per sample was 0.4 in normal colon mucosa from tumor-free individuals, 1.2 in mucosa from cancerous bowels, 2.2 in adenomas, and 3.9 in carcinomas. Widespread methylation was found in both adenomas and carcinomas. The promoters of <it>ADAMTS1</it>, <it>MAL</it>, and <it>MGMT </it>were frequently methylated in benign samples as well as in malignant tumors, independent of microsatellite instability. In contrast, normal mucosa samples taken from bowels without tumor were rarely methylated for the same genes. Hypermethylated <it>CRABP1, MLH1</it>, <it>NR3C1</it>, <it>RUNX3</it>, and <it>SCGB3A1 </it>were shown to be identifiers of carcinomas with microsatellite instability. In agreement with the CIMP concept, MSI and mutated <it>BRAF </it>were associated with samples harboring hypermethylation of several target genes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Methylated <it>ADAMTS1</it>, <it>MGMT</it>, and <it>MAL </it>are suitable as markers for early tumor detection.</p