On the Density of Coprime m-tuples over Holomorphy Rings

Let $\mathbb F_q$ be a finite field, $F/\mathbb F_q$ be a function field of genus $g$ having full constant field $\mathbb F_q$, $\mathcal S$ a set of places of $F$ and $H$ the holomorphy ring of $\mathcal S$. In this paper we compute the density of coprime $m$-tuples of elements of $H$. As a side result, we obtain that whenever the complement of $\mathcal S$ is finite, the computation of the density can be reduced to the computation of the $L$-polynomial of the function field. In the rational function field case, classical results for the density of coprime $m$-tuples of polynomials are obtained as corollaries.Comment: To appear in International Journal of Number Theor

Thromboelastography to Monitor Clotting/Bleeding Complications in Patients Treated with the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System

Background. The Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) has been shown to clear albumin-bound toxins from patients with liver failure but might cause bleeding complications potentially obscuring survival benefits. We hypothesized that monitoring clotting parameters and bed-side thromboelastography allows to reduce bleeding complications. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 25 MARS sessions during which clotting parameters were monitored by a standardized protocol. Results. During MARS therapy median INR increased significantly from 1.7 to 1.9 platelet count and fibrinogen content decreased significantly from 57 fL−1 to 42 fL−1 and 2.1 g/L to 1.5 g/L. Nine relevant complications occurred: the MARS system clotted 6 times 3 times we observed hemorrhages. Absent thrombocytopenia and elevated plasma fibrinogen predicted clotting of the MARS system (ROC 0.94 and 0.82). Fibrinolysis, detected by thromboelastography, uniquely predicted bleeding events. Conclusion. Bed-side thromboelastography and close monitoring of coagulation parameters can predict and, therefore, help prevent bleeding complications during MARS therapy

Para um modelo do estudo de abstenção eleitoral em Portugal: um estudo exploratório

O presente artigo constitui um ensaio de criação de um modelo para o estudo da abstenção eleitoral em Portugal. Após uma breve revisão dos principais modelos de comportamento eleitoral e da análise de 8 entrevistas em profundidade a outros tantos abstencionistas, propõe-se um modelo sensível quer as perspectivas teóricas revistas, quer aos dados obtidos no estudo exploratório.The present article is an essay to create a model to study electoral abstainers in Portugal. After a brief review of the main models of electoral behavior, and of the analysis of 8 depth interviews to some abstainers, we propose a sensitive model to both reviewed theoretical perspectives and the data obtained in the exploratory study

Sleep-wake disturbances 6 months after traumatic brain injury: a prospective study

Sleep-wake disturbances (SWD) are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In acute TBI, we recently found decreased CSF levels of hypocretin-1, a wake-promoting neurotransmitter. In the present study, we aimed to delineate the frequency and clinical characteristics of post-traumatic SWD, to assess CSF hypocretin-1 levels 6 months after TBI, and to identify risk factors for posttraumatic SWD. A total of 96 consecutive patients were enrolled within the first 4 days after TBI. Six months later, out of 76 TBI patients, who did not die and who did not move to foreign countries, we included 65 patients (86%, 53 males, mean age 39 years) in our study. Patients were examined using interviews, questionnaires, clinical examinations, computed tomography of the brain, laboratory tests (including CSF hypocretin-1 levels, and HLA typing), conventional polysomnography, maintenance of wakefulness and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT) and actigraphy. Potential causes of post-traumatic SWD were assessed according to international criteria. New-onset sleep-wake disturbances following TBI were found in 47 patients (72%): subjective excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS; defined by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale ≥10) was found in 18 (28%), objective EDS (as defined by mean sleep latency <5 min on MSLT) in 16 (25%), fatigue (daytime tiredness without signs of subjective or objective EDS) in 11 (17%), post-traumatic hypersomnia ‘sensu strictu' (increased sleep need of ≥2 h per 24 h compared to pre-TBI) in 14 (22%) patients and insomnia in 3 patients (5%). In 28 patients (43% of the study population), we could not identify a specific cause of the post-traumatic SWD other than TBI. Low CSF hypocretin-1 levels were found in 4 of 21 patients 6 months after TBI, as compared to 25 of 27 patients in the first days after TBI. Hypocretin levels 6 months after TBI were significantly lower in patients with post-traumatic EDS. There were no associations between post-traumatic SWD and severity or localization of TBI, general clinical outcome, gender, pathological neurological findings and HLA typing. However, post-traumatic SWD correlated with impaired quality of life. These results suggest that sleep-wake disturbances, particularly EDS, fatigue and hypersomnia are common after TBI, and significantly impair quality of life. In almost one out of two patients, post-traumatic SWD appear to be directly related to the TBI. An involvement of the hypocretin system in the pathophysiology of post-traumatic SWD appears possible. Other risk factors predisposing towards the development of post-traumatic SWD were not identifie

Biochemical characterization of the Nocardia lactamdurans ACV synthetase

The L-δ-(α-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine synthetase (ACVS) is a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) that fulfills a crucial role in the synthesis of β-lactams. Although some of the enzymological aspects of this enzyme have been elucidated, its large size, at over 400 kDa, has hampered heterologous expression and stable purification attempts. Here we have successfully overexpressed the Nocardia lactamdurans ACVS in E. coli HM0079. The protein was purified to homogeneity and characterized for tripeptide formation with a focus on the substrate specificity of the three modules. The first L-α-aminoadipic acid-activating module is highly specific, whereas the modules for L-cysteine and L-valine are more promiscuous. Engineering of the first module of ACVS confirmed the strict specificity observed towards its substrate, which can be understood in terms of the non-canonical peptide bond position

The Influence of Intense Tai Chi Training on Physical Performance and Hemodynamic Outcomes in Transitionally Frail, Older Adults

Background. Few data exist to evaluate whether Tai Chi (TC) training improves physical performance and hemodynamic outcomes more than a wellness education (WE) program does among older fallers transitioning to frailty. Methods. This 48-week randomized clinical trial was provided at 10 matched pairs of congregate living facilities in the Atlanta metropolitan area to 291 women and 20 men, who were transitionally frail, ≥70 years old, and had fallen at least once within the past year. Pairs of facilities were randomized to either TC exercise (n = 158) or WE (control) interventions (n = 153) over 48 weeks. Physical performance (freely chosen gait speed, reach, chair-rises, 360° turn, picking up an object from the floor, and single limb support) and hemodynamic outcomes (heart rate and blood pressure) were obtained at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 months. Results. Mean percent change (baseline to 1 year) for gait speed increased similarly in both cohorts (TC: 9.1% and WE: 8.2%; p =.78). However, time to complete three chair-rises decreased 12.3% for TC and increased 13.7% for WE (p =.006). Baseline to 1 year mean percent change decreased among TC and increased within WE cohorts for: body mass index (-2.3% vs 1.8%; p <.0001), systolic blood pressure (-3.4% vs 1.7%; p =.02), and resting heart rate (-5.9% vs 4.6%; p <.0001). Conclusions. TC significantly improved chair-rise and cardiovascular performance. Because TC training reduced fall occurrences in this cohort, factors influencing functional and cardiovascular improvements may also favorably impact fall event