Gold ion implantation into alumina using an “inverted ion source” configuration.

We describe an approach to ion implantation in which the plasma and its electronics are held at\ud ground potential and the ion beam is injected into a space held at high negative potential, allowing\ud considerable savings both economically and technologically. We used an “inverted ion implanter”\ud of this kind to carry out implantation of gold into alumina, with Au ion energy 40 keV and dose\ud (3–9) × 1016 cm−2. Resistivity was measured in situ as a function of dose and compared with predictions\ud of a model based on percolation theory, in which electron transport in the composite is\ud explained by conduction through a random resistor network formed by Au nanoparticles. Excellent\ud agreement is found between the experimental results and the theory.FAPESPCNP

Copula-based probabilistic assessment of intensity and duration of cold episodes: A case study of Malayer vineyard region

Frost, particularly during the spring, is one of the most damaging weather phenomena for vineyards, causing significant economic losses to vineyards around the world each year. The risk of tardive frost damage in vine-yards due to changing climate is considered as an important threat to the sustainable production of grapes. Therefore, the cold monitoring strategies is one of the criteria with significant impacts on the yields and prosperity of horticulture and raisin factories. Frost events can be characterized by duration and severity. This paper investigates the risk and impacts of frost phenomenon in the vineyards by modeling the joint distribution of duration and severity factors and analyzing the influential parameter’s dependency structure using capabilities of copula functions. A novel mathematical framework is developed within this study to understand the risk and uncertainties associate with frost events and the impacts on yields of vineyards by analyzing the non-linear dependency structure using copula functions as an efficient tool. The developed model was successfully vali-dated for the case study of vineyard in Malayer city of Iran. The copula model developed in this study was shown to be a robust tool for predicting the return period of the frost events

Global Perspectives on Task Shifting and Task Sharing in Neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical task shifting and task sharing (TS/S), delegating clinical care to non-neurosurgeons, is ongoing in many hospital systems in which neurosurgeons are scarce. Although TS/S can increase access to treatment, it remains highly controversial. This survey investigated perceptions of neurosurgical TS/S to elucidate whether it is a permissible temporary solution to the global workforce deficit. METHODS: The survey was distributed to a convenience sample of individuals providing neurosurgical care. A digital survey link was distributed through electronic mailing lists of continental neurosurgical societies and various collectives, conference announcements, and social media platforms (July 2018-January 2019). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and univariate regression of Likert Scale scores. RESULTS: Survey respondents represented 105 of 194 World Health Organization member countries (54.1%; 391 respondents, 162 from high-income countries and 229 from low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]). The most agreed on statement was that task sharing is preferred to task shifting. There was broad consensus that both task shifting and task sharing should require competency-based evaluation, standardized training endorsed by governing organizations, and maintenance of certification. When perspectives were stratified by income class, LMICs were significantly more likely to agree that task shifting is professionally disruptive to traditional training, task sharing should be a priority where human resources are scarce, and to call for additional TS/S regulation, such as certification and formal consultation with a neurosurgeon (in person or electronic/telemedicine). CONCLUSIONS: Both LMIC and high-income countries agreed that task sharing should be prioritized over task shifting and that additional recommendations and regulations could enhance care. These data invite future discussions on policy and training programs

High Mobility Group A (HMGA): Chromatin Nodes Controlled by a Knotty miRNA Network

High mobility group A (HMGA) proteins are oncofoetal chromatin architectural factors that are widely involved in regulating gene expression. These proteins are unique, because they are highly expressed in embryonic and cancer cells, where they play a relevant role in cell proliferation, stemness, and the acquisition of aggressive tumour traits, i.e., motility, invasiveness, and metastatic properties. The HMGA protein expression levels and activities are controlled by a connected set of events at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational levels. In fact, microRNA (miRNA)-mediated RNA stability is the most-studied mechanism of HMGA protein expression modulation. In this review, we contribute to a comprehensive overview of HMGA-targeting miRNAs; we provide detailed information regarding HMGA gene structural organization and a comprehensive evaluation and description of HMGA-targeting miRNAs, while focusing on those that are widely involved in HMGA regulation; and, we aim to offer insights into HMGA-miRNA mutual cross-talk from a functional and cancer-related perspective, highlighting possible clinical implications

Feeding behaviour of Anopheles messeae/daciae and Anopheles maculipennis s.s. in Northeastern Italy

INTRODUCTION. Since the malaria eradication, the species composition of the Anopheles maculipennis complex in North-eastern Italy has changed considerably and, to date, the two main species are represented by Anopheles messeae/daciae and Anopheles maculipennis s.s. (Calzolari et al., 2021 Sci Rep. 11: 6421). The aim of this study was to investigate the feeding choices of these two species. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Mosquitoes belonging to Maculipennis complex were collected in 19 sites in Veneto region (2018-2020) by hand aspiration and trapping. All specimens were morphologically identified and a sub-sample of engorged An. maculipennis s.l. females was identified at species level by molecular analysis. Blood meal origin was identified by PCR and cox1 gene sequencing. Feeding choice of An. messeae/daciae was investigated in a site rich in animal diversity by calculating the forage ratio (FR) and feeding index (FI). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION. A total of 1,094 engorged An. maculipennis s.l. were collected, 267 of which were identified at species level (242 An. messeae/daciae, 25 An. maculipennis s.s.). For 127 specimens (115 An. messeae/daciae and 12 An. maculipennis s.s.) it was possible to identify the origin of the blood meal, from 13 and 3 different host species respectively. Both Anopheles species fed mainly on horse (45.2% An. messeae/daciae and 33.3% An. maculipennis s.s.) and cow (30.4% An. messeae/daciae and 58.3% An. maculipennis s.s). Despite these proportions, An. messeae/daciae FR indicates host preference for buffalo (21.2), horse (8.4), man and pig (5.3); the pairwise-comparison of human FI with each host reveals its preference for humans compared to chicken (79.5), rabbit (7.3) and dog (8.0). Our results show that, due to its opportunistic feeding behavior, An. messeae/daciae shows its potential role as a vector of human and zoonotic diseases in Italy

Skillful decadal prediction of unforced southern European summer temperature variations

International audienceAbstract We assess the capability of decadal prediction simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) archive to predict European summer temperature during the period 1970–2014. Using a multi-model ensemble average, we show that Southern European (SEU) summer temperatures are highly predictable for up to ten years in CMIP6. Much of this predictive skill, is related to the externally forced response: historical simulations explain about 90% of observed SEU summer temperature variance. Prediction skill for the unforced signal of SEU summer temperature is low: initialized model simulations explain less than 10% of observed variance after removing the externally forced response. An observed link between unforced SEU summer temperature and preceding spring Eastern North Atlantic—Mediterranean sea surface temperature (SST) motivates the application of a dynamical-statistical model to overcome the low summer temperature skill over Europe. This dynamical-statistical model uses dynamical spring SST predictions to predict European summer temperature, and significantly increases decadal prediction skill of unforced European summer temperature variations, showing significant prediction skill for unforced Southern European summer temperature 2–9 years ahead. As a result, dynamical-statistical models can benefit the decadal prediction of variables with initially limited skill beyond the forcing, such as summer temperature over Europe

Skillful decadal prediction of unforced southern European summer temperature variations

International audienceAbstract We assess the capability of decadal prediction simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) archive to predict European summer temperature during the period 1970–2014. Using a multi-model ensemble average, we show that Southern European (SEU) summer temperatures are highly predictable for up to ten years in CMIP6. Much of this predictive skill, is related to the externally forced response: historical simulations explain about 90% of observed SEU summer temperature variance. Prediction skill for the unforced signal of SEU summer temperature is low: initialized model simulations explain less than 10% of observed variance after removing the externally forced response. An observed link between unforced SEU summer temperature and preceding spring Eastern North Atlantic—Mediterranean sea surface temperature (SST) motivates the application of a dynamical-statistical model to overcome the low summer temperature skill over Europe. This dynamical-statistical model uses dynamical spring SST predictions to predict European summer temperature, and significantly increases decadal prediction skill of unforced European summer temperature variations, showing significant prediction skill for unforced Southern European summer temperature 2–9 years ahead. As a result, dynamical-statistical models can benefit the decadal prediction of variables with initially limited skill beyond the forcing, such as summer temperature over Europe

Radioguided occult lesion localization in deep schwannomas of the peripheral nerves: Results of a preliminary case series

The detection of small deep schwannomas of the peripheral nerves has been increasing since the the use of precise neuroimaging techniques has become more widespread; however, although nonpalpable lesions can be well defined by images, it is often difficult to identify them during the surgical procedure. The authors report seven cases of nonpalpable small deep schwannomas surgically treated after their identification using the radioguided occult lesion localization (ROLL) technique

Evolution of the beta-defensin 2 gene in higher primates

With the aim of further investigating the molecular evolution of beta defensin genes, after having analysed beta defensin 1 (DEFB1) in humans and several nonhuman primate species, we have studied the evolution of the beta defensin 2 gene (DEFB2), which codifies for a peptide with antimicrobial and chemoattractant activity, in humans and 16 primate species. We have found evidence of positive selection during the evolution of orthologous DEFB2 genes at two points on a phylogenetic tree relating these primates: during the divergence of the platyrrhines from the catarrhines and during the divergence of the Cercopithecidae from the Hylobatidae, Great Apes and humans. Furthermore, amino acid variations in Old World Monkeys seem to centre either on residues that are involved in oligomerisation in the human molecule, or that are conserved (40\u201380%) in beta-defensins in general. It is thus likely that these variations affect the biological function of the molecules and suggest that their synthesis and functional analysis might reveal interesting new information as to their role in innate immunity