Soluble CD40 ligand and prolactin levels in migraine patients during interictal period

The relationship of migraine with cardiovascular diseases has been clarified by many studies, and currently, migraine is suggested to be a systematic vasculopathy. Inflammation, thrombosis and impaired vascular reactivity are the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of the vasculopathy. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between prolactin levels and subclinical atherosclerosis risk factors such as soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) and high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) in migraine patients during interictal period. Fifty female migraine patients and age-matched 25 female control cases were enrolled in the study. Migraine diagnosis was settled according to the ICHD-II diagnostic criteria. A questionnaire was completed about the existence of vascular risk factors. Serum samples were used to measure sCD40L, hsCRP and prolactin levels. No difference was found between the prolactin levels of the migraine patients and the controls. The sCD40L levels were significantly higher in migraine patients (p < 0.001). High-sensitivity CRP levels showed no difference between the groups. There was no correlation between prolactin, sCD40L, and hs-CRP levels in migraine patients. We consider that the migraine patients are prone to subclinical atherosclerosis, but this tendency is independent of prolactin levels

Arc melted glass piles for structural foundations and method of use

A system for forming a piling structure includes a hollow casing, a control assembly positioned proximately to the hollow casing, and a pivoting support device connected to the control assembly. A pivoting electrode is connected to the pivoting support device and configured to extend into the hollow casing. A second electrode is connected to the control assembly and extends into the hollow casing within the range of motion of the pivoting electrode. An electric power source is connected to the pivoting electrode and the second electrode, wherein charge on the electrodes produces a current arc between the pivoting electrode and the second electrode. A lift mechanism is positioned proximately to the hollow casing to control the electrodes position within the hollow casing

Arc melted glass piles for structural foundations and method of use

A system for forming a piling structure includes a hollow casing, a control assembly positioned proximately to the hollow casing, and a pivoting support device connected to the control assembly. A pivoting electrode is connected to the pivoting support device and configured to extend into the hollow casing. A second electrode is connected to the control assembly and extends into the hollow casing within the range of motion of the pivoting electrode. An electric power source is connected to the pivoting electrode and the second electrode, wherein charge on the electrodes produces a current arc between the pivoting electrode and the second electrode. A lift mechanism is positioned proximately to the hollow casing to control the electrodes position within the hollow casing

Capital Market Liability of Foreignness of IPO Firms

This study contributes to the capital market liability of foreignness (CMLOF) literature. Utilizing the context of foreign IPO firms, we investigate how long CMLOF lasts, if CMLOF turns into capital market advantage of foreignness (CMAOF) over time, if the global financial crisis influences CMLOF, and how some firms mitigate CMLOF after IPO. Utilizing an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, we quantitatively analyze 549 foreign IPO firms and qualitatively analyze 1233 units of data and show quantitatively that CMLOF does diminish after one year and turns into CMAOF after 3 years for IPO firms and qualitatively reveal strategies to mitigate CMLOF

Thermal Comfort and Perception Inside Air-Conditioned Areas

This study describes and compares the results of two field surveys about thermal comfort inside air conditioned buildings in two different classrooms. Both field studies were conducted in classrooms at The University of South Florida, Tampa, USA during the summer of 2014 and the fall of 2015. The purpose of this study is to investigate the temperature perception of humans in closed areas based on the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 55 and to understand whether or not these areas are within the acceptable level of thermal comfort. The study also investigates the influence of gender on temperature perception and thermal comfort. The field studies consisted of 14 multiple-choice questions that were distributed to students in the classrooms. The results of the two studies showed significant differences in temperature perception and prediction between genders. The results also showed that participants reported an average of neutral thermal sensation even though the temperature inside the classrooms was raised significantly

Ultrasonic Excitation Induced Wenzel to Cassie Transition

Wetting on textured solids has gained much attention in the past decade due to increasing interest in artificial superhydrophobic surfaces. (Bahadur & Garimella, 2007; Boreyko & Chen, 2009; Forsberg, Nikolajeff, & Karlsson, 2011; Heikenfeld & Dhindsa, 2008) On textured surfaces, the wetting liquid can be in either the Cassie–Baxter state, which the liquid does not fill the surface texture; or the Wenzel state, which the liquid completely wets the surface and fills the recesses. For a hydrophobic micro-scale rough surface, the Cassie state is usually a more favorable state since it requires less energy. However, due to contact angle hysteresis, the Wenzel state can also be meta-stable. By controlling the roughness of the texture and initial droplet position, both Cassie and Wenzel states can be stable simultaneously. (Koishi, Yasuoka, Fujikawa, Ebisuzaki, & Xiao, 2009) However, with the proper energy input, the droplets can be induced to transition between states. While multiple methods have been developed to switch from Cassie to Wenzel states (Bormashenko, Pogreb, Whyman, & Erlich, 2007; Krupenkin et al., 2007; Kumari & Garimella, 2011; Ran, Ding, Liu, Deng, & Hou, 2008), it is much more difficult to switch from the Wenzel state to the Cassie state. Wenzel-Cassie transitions have been achieved by changing the surface structure to destabilize the Wenzel state (Krupenkin et al., 2007)(Ran et al., 2008) or by changing the ambient fluid (Dhindsa et al., 2006)

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the nasopharynx

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcomas of the nasopharynx are rare tumours; only seven cases have been reported in the English language medical literature. The authors present an eighth case, which occurred in a 70-year-old woman whose main complaint was nasal obstruction. It has been more than 10 years since FDC sarcoma was reported to occur in extranodal sites, and clinical and pathological characteristics of extranodal FDC sarcomas remain to be defined. The lack of a high index of suspicion is the main reason for misdiagnosis. The authors point out the difficulties in the diagnosis and management of this rare condition