Effects of chain decays, radial flow and UA(1)U_{A}(1) restoration on the low-mass dilepton enhancement in sNN=200\sqrt{s_{NN}}=200 GeV Au+Au reactions

In sqrt(sNN) = 200 GeV Au+Au collisions PHENIX reported a significant enhancement in the low-mass region (0.1 < m_ee < 0.7 GeV) of the dielectron spectrum, which is still not fully understood. Several theoretical works and an indirect measurement suggest that, due to the possible restoration of the U_A(1) part of the chiral symmetry in a hot and dense medium, the mass of the eta' meson may substantially decrease. This work reports on a statistically acceptable description of the PHENIX low-mass dilepton enhancement using a radial flow dominated meson spectra, chain decays of long-lived resonances and an in-medium eta' mass modification

Yield and chemical composition of plant parts of silage maize (Zea mays L) hybrids and their interest for biogas production

Silage maize (Zea mays L) hybrids bred in Martonvásár were tested for morphological traits, yield and chemical composition of the whole plant and the plant parts in three years (2010-2012). Biogas production of the hybrids was investigated in 2009 and 2010. The dry matter, protein, starch, water soluble carbohydrates, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, lignin and in vitro digestible organic matter contents were measured by NIR spectroscopy. The ratio of ear attachment height to plant height was smaller, the leaf number above the ear and the proportion of the leaves in the total plant dry matter was greater for leafy hybrids. It was concluded that the differences in the chemical composition of the parts of the same genotype were greater than between the same parts of different genotypes. The leaves had the greatest protein content. The starch and WSC content in the ear was significantly higher than in the other plant parts. The ear had the lowest lignin content and the highest IVDOM content compared to other plant parts. NDF and ADF contents were greatest in the stalk below the ear. Significant differences were found for WSC content of the plant parts of leafy and non-leafy hybrids. Digestible dry matter yield (DDMY) was calculated from individual dry matter production, plant number per hectare and digestible organic matter content. The highest DDMY value was recorded for Siloking (19.18 t ha-1). Biogas yield was highest for Mv Massil (659 l kg-1 DM) with 61.38% methane concentration. Leafy hybrids produced significantly more biogas than conventional hybrids. Biogas yield proved to have significant positive correlations with starch and WSC content, and negative correlations with protein and lignin content

Effect of drought on yield components of maize hybrids (Zea mays L)

When investigating drought tolerance, it must not be forgotten that drought stress is a complex phenomenon ex¬hibiting quite different characters in different years and locations. For this reason, the plant response to drought is also a complex process. In our study, 83 maize hybrids originating from various countries were investigated over a period of two years, under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions. The drought tolerance of plants in the non-irrigated plots was analysed in terms of flowering synchrony and yield components. It could be concluded from the results that in response to long-term water deficit the period between tasselling and silking became longer, while the analysis of yield components revealed the greatest reductions in the number of kernels per ear and in the proportion of seed set. As the degree of proterandry increased, there was a decline in the grain yield, confirming that the analysis of this trait could be a way of predicting drought tolerance. Considerable differences in drought tolerance were observed between the genetic materials included in the analysis, suggesting the presence among these parental lines and hybrids of genotypes resistant to long-term water deficit, suitable for cultivation under dry conditions. An analysis of correlations between the traits revealed that proterandry should be treated as a priority trait when investigating drought stress tolerance, as better predictions can be made of both drought tolerance and potential yields, leading to more reliable selection for higher yields

Tilted pillar array fabrication by the combination of proton beam writing and soft lithography for microfluidic cell capture Part 2: Image sequence analysis based evaluation and biological application

As a continuation of our previously published work, this paper presents a detailed evaluation of a microfabricated cell capture device utilizing a doubly tilted micropillar array. The device was fabricated using a novel hybrid technology based on the combination of proton beam writing and conventional lithography techniques. Tilted pillars offer unique flow characteristics and support enhanced fluidic interaction for improved immuno-affinity based cell capture. The performance of the microdevice was evaluated by an image sequence analysis based in-house developed single cell tracking system. Individual cell tracking allowed in-depth analysis of the cell-chip surface interaction mechanism from hydrodynamic point of view. Simulation results were validated by using the hybrid device and the optimized surface functionalization procedure. Finally, the cell capture capability of this new generation microdevice was demonstrated by efficiently arresting cells from a HT29 cellline suspension

Radiofrequency thermal ablation of giant placental chorioangioma complicated with fetal hydrops: a case report and successful outcome

ObjectivesChorioangiomas are the most frequently occurring type of benign tumour of the placenta. However, large chorioangiomas greater than 4 cm are rare and can be more frequently associated with serious complications such as: polyhydramnios, hydrops fetalis, fetal anaemia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and an increased risk of perinatal mortality. Importantly timely prenatal diagnosis with close surveillance alongside potential intrauterine intervention can prove impactful on pregnancy outcome and fetal survival.Case presentationWe present a case of a 36-year-old female referred to our tertiary fetal medicine unit at 28 weeks’ gestation with a large chorioangioma measuring 9.4×8.8×5.5 cm and ultrasonographic evidence of severe fetal anaemia and fetal hydrops. The patient underwent an intrauterine transfusion and in utero surgical therapy with radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Immediately following the procedure, the fetus sustained a period of bradycardia, followed by asystole. Delivery was expedited via emergency caesarean section. Careful planning and rapid delivery after fetal intervention within the most appropriate surgical setting mitigated risks for the baby and resulted in a positive outcome. The baby was discharged from the neonatal unit on day 84 of life.ConclusionsLarge placental chorioangiomas are a rare occurrence, however, when associated with fetal complications present a high incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes. In utero interventions require careful planning and surgical expertise to ensure improved fetal and neonatal outcomes. To the best of our knowledge this case is the first recorded instance of a successful postnatal outcome following RFA for a large placental chorioangioma, whereby the fetus was complicated by fetal hydrops

SARS-CoV-2 Causes a Different Cytokine Response Compared to Other Cytokine Storm-Causing Respiratory Viruses in Severely Ill Patients

Hyper-induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, also known as a cytokine storm or cytokine release syndrome (CRS), is one of the key aspects of the currently ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. This process occurs when a large number of innate and adaptive immune cells activate and start producing pro-inflammatory cytokines, establishing an exacerbated feedback loop of inflammation. It is one of the factors contributing to the mortality observed with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) for a subgroup of patients. CRS is not unique to the SARS-CoV-2 infection; it was prevalent in most of the major human coronavirus and influenza A subtype outbreaks of the past two decades (H5N1, SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and H7N9). With a comprehensive literature search, we collected changing the cytokine levels from patients upon infection with the viral pathogens mentioned above. We analyzed published patient data to highlight the conserved and unique cytokine responses caused by these viruses. Our curation indicates that the cytokine response induced by SARS-CoV-2 is different compared to other CRS-causing respiratory viruses, as SARS-CoV-2 does not always induce specific cytokines like other coronaviruses or influenza do, such as IL-2, IL-10, IL-4, or IL-5. Comparing the collated cytokine responses caused by the analyzed viruses highlights a SARS-CoV-2-specific dysregulation of the type-I interferon (IFN) response and its downstream cytokine signatures. The map of responses gathered in this study could help specialists identify interventions that alleviate CRS in different diseases and evaluate whether they could be used in the COVID-19 cases.</p