204 research outputs found
Modeling electricity loads in California: a continuous-time approach
In this paper we address the issue of modeling electricity loads and prices
with diffusion processes. More specifically, we study models which belong to
the class of generalized Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes. After comparing
properties of simulated paths with those of deseasonalized data from the
California power market and performing out-of-sample forecasts we conclude
that, despite certain advantages, the analyzed continuous-time processes are
not adequate models of electricity load and price dynamics.Comment: To be published in Physica A (2001): Proceedings of the NATO ARW on
Application of Physics in Economic Modelling, Prague, Feb. 8-10, 200
Murine glial progenitor cells transplantation and synthetic PreImplantation Factor (sPIF) reduces inflammation and early motor impairment in ALS mice.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive motor neuronal disorder characterized by neuronal degeneration and currently no effective cure is available to stop or delay the disease from progression. Transplantation of murine glial-restricted precursors (mGRPs) is an attractive strategy to modulate ALS development and advancements such as the use of immune modulators could potentially extend graft survival and function. Using a well-established ALS transgenic mouse model (SOD1G93A), we tested mGRPs in combination with the immune modulators synthetic PreImplantation Factor (sPIF), Tacrolimus (Tac), and Costimulatory Blockade (CB). We report that transplantation of mGRPs into the cisterna magna did not result in increased mice survival. The addition of immunomodulatory regimes again did not increase mice lifespan but improved motor functions and sPIF was superior compared to other immune modulators. Immune modulators did not affect mGRPs engraftment significantly but reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Finally, sPIF and CB reduced the number of microglial cells and prevented neuronal number loss. Given the safety profile and a neuroprotective potential of sPIF, we envision its clinical application in near future
The initial zones of the atrioventricular node: really neglected anatomical features of potential clinical significance?
The constant evolution of medical knowledge and accompanying development
of diagnostic and treatment possibilities for arrhythmias and conduction disturbances
has reawakened interest in the structure and function of the conduction
system of the human heart, especially in the region of the atrioventricular (AV)
junction and within the junction itself. Of the large number of studies dealing
with the AV junction few focus on the initial zones of the AV node. These were
described for the first time by Tawara in 1906. Similarly, Anderson et al. distinguished
two origins of the AV node, the left one running towards the basis of
the mitral valve and the right one leading towards the tricuspid valve. The differences
in length and scale could be the result of the adoption of different reference
points.
The study was carried out on the material of 50 human hearts, of both sexes
and ranging in age from 22 to 93, which were fixed in 10% formalin and 98%
ethanol solution. The tissue obtained was fixed in the 10% formalin solution
and, after being sunk in the paraffin, was cut into layers of about 10 μm thick.
According to the age of the hearts, every 10th or 6th section was stained by the
Masson-Goldner method. The preparations were examined under a LEICA 2000
and BIOLAR 2 microscope at magnifications of 2× to 400×.
Each of the 50 examined hearts contained the atrioventricular node and its initial
parts. We observed that the initial zone of the AV node is created by an
assembly of cells typical for a conduction system that can create three groups
that are initially independent of each other and are always arranged around the
AV nodal artery. In all the hearts examined we found at least two initial parts of
the node: the superior and inferior. These two groups were present in 45 hearts
(90%). In the last 5 cases (10%) there was also a middle group. No cases were
found either with a single initial group or without any initial groups. In the
sections examined the superior group appeared to be first in 27 hearts (54%),
while in 23 cases (46%) the inferior group was first. The length of each group
was measured from its first appearance to its first direct contact with the second
part. The length of the superior part varied from 0.15 to 2.91 mm (mean 0.90 ± 0.6 mm), the inferior from 0.11 to 2.41 mm (mean 0.88 ± 0.6 mm) and the middle from 0.67 to 2.21 mm (mean 1.04 ± 0.7 mm). As mentioned above, in
all 50 hearts there was a direct connection between the atrial muscle and the
upper origin of AV node. Furthermore, in all sections (100%) the same part of
the interatrial septal muscle was connected to the compact part of the node.
Additionally, in 3 cases (6%) we were able to observe direct connections between
the muscle fibres running from the fasciculus limbicus inferior to the
initial zone of the AV node: in 2 cases (4%) with the superior group and in
1 case (2%) with the inferior group. In 8% of the material the atrial muscle of
the supra-orificial zone made direct contact with the superior initial group and
the compact zone of the node and in 10% there was contact between the
suborificial muscle and the inferior group and the compact part of the node.
This configuration was not observed in relation to the middle and inferior groups
Natural radioactivity content in groundwater of Mt. Etna’s eastern flank and gamma background of surrounding rocks
Waters of Mt. Etna are the main source of drinking water for the local
population and are also distributed in municipal supply systems to neighbouring
areas. Radioactivity in underground waters and surrounding
rocks from the eastern flank of Mt. Etna was investigated on the basis of
9 water and 8 rock samples from 12 localities altogether. Three samples
were from water drainage galleries and six from water wells. All water intakes
are used for consumption. Activity concentration of uranium isotopes
234,238U, radium isotopes 226,228Ra and radon 222Rn were
determined with the use different nuclear spectrometry techniques. The
determination of uranium isotopes was carried out with the use of alpha
spectrometry. The measurements of radium and radon activity concentration
in water were performed with the use of a liquid scintillation technique.
Additionally, rocks surrounding the intakes were examined with
gamma spectrometry. All water samples showed uranium concentration
above Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA), with the highest total uranium
(234U + 238U) activity concentration equal to 149.2±6 mBq/L.
Conversely, all samples showed radium isotopes activity concentrations
below MDA. Radon activity concentration was within the range from
2.91±0.36 to 21.21±1.10 Bq/L, hence these waters can be classified as
low-radon waters. Gamma natural background of the rocks surrounding
the water sampling sites was found on the same levels as other volcanic
rocks of Italy
Clinical significance of Her-2/neu receptor expression, efficacy and tolerance of trastuzumab treatment in breast cancer
The Interactions Between Rapeseed Lipoxygenase and Native Polyphenolic Compounds in a Model System
The focus of the present research was to study inhibition of lipoxygenase activity by rapeseed native polyphenols and the interactions between those compounds and the enzyme. The enzyme and polyphenolic compounds (polyphenols, phenolic acids) were extracted from rapeseed (Brassica napus) varieties Aviso and PR45DO3. The total phenolic compounds concentration in tested rapeseed was 1,485–1,691 mg/100 g d.m. (dry matter) and the free phenolic acids content in both rapeseed varieties was about 76 μg/100 g d.m. The isolated proteins showed lipoxygenase activity. Prooxidant properties of phenolic compounds in the presence of lipoxygenase and linoleic acid were observed rather in the case of extracts containing a relatively high concentration of miscellaneous polyphenols. Antioxidant properties were recorded in the case of phenolic acid extracts which contain only 1.4–1.9% of phenolics present in raw phenolic extracts. We propose that the prooxidant effect of phenolic compounds comes from quinone and oxidized polyphenols formation. The observed antioxidant activity of phenolic acid extracts is probably due to their ability to scavenge free radicals formed from linoleic acid. However, reduction of lipoxygenase ferric to ferrous ions, which prevent the activation of the enzyme and inhibited its activity, was also observed
Effectiveness of the third wave cognitive behavior therapy for peripartum depression treatment – a systematic review
Introduction: To investigate the effectiveness of third-wave cognitive behavior therapies in the treatment of peripartum depression. Method: A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychological interventions in treating peripartum depression focus on the Third Wave has been conducted. The electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Clinical Trials were searched, using a combination of different search terms. Data were independently extracted by two authors and a synthesis of the results was offered. Methodological quality was assessed by three authors, using ROBE-2 and MINORS. Search date was conducted in February 2022 and the search was re-run in November 2022 for new entries. Findings: Six papers were included and reported, focused on, the effectiveness of Third Wave approach interventions in reducing depressive symptoms. Papers included the following intervention approaches: Behavioral intervention (n = 2), Mindfulness (n = 2), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (n = 1) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (n = 1). All six papers were consistent in that interventions lead to a decrease in depression symptoms. However, risk of bias evaluation showed that all were critical low, but one paper was high quality. Conclusion and implications for practice and research: Systematic review showed that third-wave approaches are promising in effectiveness to reduce depression symptoms in peripartum women. However, more high-quality studies with follow-up are needed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons bound to outdoor and indoor airborne particles (PM2.5) and their mutagenicity and carcinogenicity in Silesian kindergartens, Poland
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