Microvariation in Catalan and Occitan complementizers : the so-called expletive se*

The present paper offers further independent evidence for the functional projection INT(errogative) in the left periphery of the sentence (Rizzi 2001) that is needed for an adequate analysis of interrogative clauses in Catalan and Occitan Pyrenees dialects. Since they show a particle se preceding a wh phrase as an instance of the so called “doubly filled complementizer”, according to the central hypothesis of this paper, the INT head is required in order to properly accommodate this element

Microvariation in Catalan and Occitan complementizers: the so-called expletive se*

The present paper offers further independent evidence for the functional projection INT(errogative) in the left periphery of the sentence (Rizzi 2001) that is needed for an adequate analysis of interrogative clauses in Catalan and Occitan Pyrenees dialects. Since they show a particle se preceding a wh phrase as an instance of the so called “doubly filled complementizer”, according to the central hypothesis of this paper, the INT head is required in order to properly accommodate this element.Aquest article ofereix més indicis independents de la projecció funcional INT(errogatiu) de la perifèria esquerra de l’oració (Rizzi 2001), que és necessària per a una anàlisi adequada de les oracions interrogatives dels dialectes pirinencs del català i l’occità. Com que aquests dialectes mostren una partícula se que precedeix un sintagma qu, com a manifestació de l’anomenat «com- plementador doblement omplert», segons la hipòtesi central d’aquest article el nucli INT és reque- rit per tal d’acomodar adequadament aquest element.The research behind this work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología and FEDER to two research projects HUM2006-13295-02-01 and FFI2008- 06223/FILO, and also by the Generalitat de Catalunya (2009SGR-1079)

Complete genomic sequence of the temperate bacteriophage ΦAT3 isolated from Lactobacillus casei ATCC 393

AbstractThe complete genomic sequence of a temperate bacteriophage ΦAT3 isolated from Lactobacillus (Lb.) casei ATCC 393 is reported. The phage consists of a linear DNA genome of 39,166 bp, an isometric head of 53 nm in diameter, and a flexible, noncontractile tail of approximately 200 nm in length. The number of potential open reading frames on the phage genome is 53. There are 15 unpaired nucleotides at both 5′ ends of the ΦAT3 genome, indicating that the phage uses a cos-site for DNA packaging. The ΦAT3 genome was grouped into five distinct functional clusters: DNA packaging, morphogenesis, lysis, lysogenic/lytic switch, and replication. The amino acid sequences at the NH2-termini of some major proteins were determined. An in vivo integration assay for the ΦAT3 integrase (Int) protein in several lactobacilli was conducted by constructing an integration vector including ΦAT3 int and the attP (int-attP) region. It was found that ΦAT3 integrated at the tRNAArg gene locus of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN 001, similar to that observed in its native host, Lb. casei ATCC 393

The effect of a high-impact jumping intervention on bone mass, bone stiffness and fitness parameters in adolescent athletes

This is the final version. Available on open access from Springer via the DOI in this record.This study demonstrates that a 9-month jumping intervention can improve bone mass gains and physical fitness performance in adolescent males participating in non-osteogenic sports, such as swimming and cycling. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of a jumping intervention on bone mass, bone stiffness and fitness parameters in adolescents involved in different sports. METHODS: Ninety-three adolescent male swimmers (SWI), footballers (FOO) and cyclists (CYC) were randomised to intervention (INT) and sport (INT-SWI = 19, INT-FOO = 15, INT-CYC = 14) or sport only (CON-SWI = 18, CON-FOO = 15, CON-CYC = 12) groups. The 9-month jumping intervention consisted of 3 levels (12 weeks each) of 20 repetitions per set of counter movement jumps (CMJ) using adjustable weight vests (level 1 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 0 kg, 3 sets/day, 3 times/week; level 2 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 2 kg, 4 sets/day, 3 times/week; level 3 = 20 CMJ jumps/set, 5 kg, 4 sets/day, 4 times/week). Total body bone mineral content (BMC) at total body less head (TBLH) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and bone stiffness using quantitative ultrasound. Fitness was assessed using the 20-m shuttle run (20mSRT), CMJ and standing long jump (SLJ) tests. RESULTS: INT-SWI had significantly higher increase in BMC legs and bone stiffness compared to CON-SWI (4.2-12.7%). INT-CYC had significantly higher increase in BMC at TBLH and legs and bone stiffness compared to CON-CYC (5.0-12.3%). There were no significant differences between INT-FOO and CON-FOO in any bone outcomes (0.9-3.9%). The increase in CMJ performance was significantly higher in INT-SWI (3.1 cm) and INT-CYC (3.2 cm) compared to CON-SWI and CON-CYC groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 9-month jumping intervention can improve bone mass, bone stiffness and muscular fitness in adolescent males participating in non-osteogenic sports, such as swimming and cycling. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN17982776.European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013

Saccadic Eye Movements Between Strategic, Interceptive, and Non-athletes

Introduction: Athletes have differences in object tracking, search strategies, number and duration of fixations, dynamic visual acuity (DVA), and predictive eye movements than non-athletes (NON). However, these eye functions have not been assessed between athlete groups during a task that encompasses antisaccade and DVA characteristics. Purpose: To evaluate the oculomotor control sport paradigm differences between interceptive (INT) and strategic (STR) Division I collegiate athletes, as well as NON with an antisaccade task (AS) and a sport-like dual task (SDT). Methods: Fifty-seven participants (19 STR, 19 INT, and 19 NON) performed 2 trials of an AS and a SDT. Participants stood 55 in away from a monitor with a monocular eye tracker (240Hz) that used eye-to-head integrated to an 8 camera Vicon Motion Capture system (120Hz). Data were exported to MATLAB where a custom smoothing algorithm for AS and SDT resultant distance (RDA and RDSDT) and AS and SDT mean horizontal (MHVA and MHVSDT) velocity were applied. Four one-way ANOVAs measured the differences between groups. Results: There were no significant differences between INT and STR groups in RDA, RDSDT, MHVSDT. For the AS and SDT. The INT and STR had significantly greater RDA and RDSDT than NON (pDiscussion:RDA and RDSDT in both athlete groups were greater than the NON, while MHVA was lower than the NON. This could suggest that there are no saccadic differences between athlete groups, while the NON may be undershooting their eye movements during both tasks

Update of Radiofrequency Ablation for Treating Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules. The Future Is Now

Thermal and chemical ablation are minimally invasive procedures that avoid removal of the thyroid gland and target symptomatic nodules directly. Internationally, Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is among one of the most widely used thermal ablative techniques, and is gaining traction in North America. Surgery remains the standard of care for most thyroid cancer, and in the right clinical setting, Active Surveillance (AS) can be a reasonable option for low risk disease. Minimally invasive techniques have emerged as an alternative option for patients deemed high risk for surgery, or for those patients who wish to receive a more active treatment approach compared to AS. Herein, we review the literature on the safety and efficacy of RFA for treating benign non-functioning thyroid nodules, autonomously functioning thyroid nodules, primary small low risk thyroid cancer (namely papillary thyroid cancer) as well as recurrent thyroid cancer.Peer reviewe

The Efficiency of Gravitational Bremsstrahlung Production in the Collision of Two Schwarzschild Black Holes

We examine the efficiency of gravitational bremsstrahlung production in the process of head-on collision of two boosted Schwarzschild black holes. We constructed initial data for the characteristic initial value problem in Robinson-Trautman spacetimes, that represent two instantaneously stationary Schwarzschild black holes in motion towards each other with the same velocity. The Robinson-Trautman equation was integrated for these initial data using a numerical code based on the Galerkin method. The final resulting configuration is a boosted black hole with Bondi mass greater than the sum of the individual mass of each initial black hole. Two relevant aspects of the process are presented. The first relates the efficiency $\Delta$ of the energy extraction by gravitational wave emission to the mass of the final black hole. This relation is fitted by a distribution function of non-extensive thermostatistics with entropic parameter $q \simeq 1/2$; the result extends and validates analysis based on the linearized theory of gravitational wave emission. The second is a typical bremsstrahlung angular pattern in the early period of emission at the wave zone, a consequence of the deceleration of the black holes as they coalesce; this pattern evolves to a quadrupole form for later times.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Int. J. Modern Phys. D (2008

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma to the Cervical Lymph Nodes From an Unknown Primary Cancer : Management in the HPV Era

Background Patients with metastases in the lymph nodes of the neck and no obvious primary tumor, neck cancer with unknown primary (NCUP), represent a management challenge. A majority of patients have metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), although other histologies do occur. Methods We comprehensively reviewed the literature, compared available guidelines, and conferred with an international team of experts. Results Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) under ultrasound guidance increase accuracy of diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC), determination of human papilloma virus (HPV) status, by p16 staining or by in situ hybridization (ISH), and next-generation gene sequencing can guide us regarding probable primary sites and tumor biology. Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) has been introduced for the early detection of subtle mucosal lesions. Direct laryngoscopy (DL) and tonsillectomy have long been procedures used in the search for a primary site. More recently, TransOral Robotic Surgery (TORS) or Transoral LASER Microsurgery (TLM) have been introduced for lingual tonsillectomy. Conclusions New technologies have been developed which can better detect, diagnose, and treat occult primary tumors. Decisions regarding therapy are based on the primary tumor site (if discovered) and N stage. Options include neck dissection with or without postoperative adjuvant therapy, primary irradiation, or combined chemotherapy with irradiation. The preferred treatment of patients whose primary remains unidentified is controversial.Peer reviewe