Changes in Intragastric Temperature Reflect Changes in Heat Stress Following Tepid Fluid Ingestion But Not Ice Slurry Ingestion

This study examined the effects of fluid and ice slurry ingestion on the relationship between intragastric temperature and rectal temperature in humans during physical activity. The purpose was to identify a technique to quantify changes in heat stress in situations when temperature probes are not feasible and when time constraints do not allow for a period long enough for an indigestible temperature capsule to reach the lower gastrointestinal tract. Eight moderately trained male runners inserted a rectal probe and ingested a telemetric capsule before randomized, crossover, pre-exercise ingestion of 7.5 mL x kg-1 x BM-1tepid fluid (22°C) or ice slurry (-1°C). Beverage ingestion was followed by a self-paced endurance running time trial. Average intragastric temperature was significantly lower than average rectal temperature across the run following both fluid (37.9 +/- 0.4°C vs. 38.4 +/- 0.2°C; p=0.003) and ice slurry ingestion (37.2 +/- 0.9 vs. 38.3 +/- 0.2; p=0.009). However, a strong relationship was observed between measurements following fluid (r=0.89) but not ice slurry (r=0.18). The average bias +/- limits of agreement during the run was 0.46 +/- 0.50 following fluid and 1.09 +/- 1.68 following ice slurry ingestion, which improved to 0.06 +/- 0.76 and 0.65 +/- 1.42, respectively when analyzed as delta scores. Intragastric temperature appears to not be a valid measure of absolute core body temperature at baseline or during exercise following either fluid or ice slurry ingestion. However, the relative changes in intragastric temperature during endurance exercise appears to be a strong indicator of systemic heat stress during exercise following ingestion of fluid at 22°C, but not ice slurry at -1°C

Interactome comparison of human embryonic stem cell lines with the inner cell mass and trophectoderm

Networks of interacting co-regulated genes distinguish the inner cell mass (ICM) from the differentiated trophectoderm (TE) in the preimplantation blastocyst, in a species specific manner. In mouse the ground state pluripotency of the ICM appears to be maintained in murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from the ICM. This is not the case for human ESCs. In order to gain insight into this phenomenon, we have used quantitative network analysis to identify how similar human (h)ESCs are to the human ICM. Using the hESC lines MAN1, HUES3 and HUES7 we have shown that all have only a limited overlap with ICM specific gene expression, but that this overlap is enriched for network properties that correspond to key aspects of function including transcription factor activity and the hierarchy of network modules. These analyses provide an important framework which highlights the developmental origins of hESCs

Coherently coupled photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser array

The realization of a 1 × 2 coherently coupled photonic crystal surface emitting laser array is reported. New routes to power scaling are discussed and the electronic control of coherence is demonstrated

Non-destructive characterization of thin layer resonant tunnelling diodes

We present an advanced nondestructive characterization scheme for high current density AlAs/InGaAs resonant tunneling diodes pseudomorphically grown on InP substrates. We show how low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy (LT-PL) and high-resolution X-ray diffractometry (HR-XRD) are complementary techniques to increase the confidence of the characterized structure. The lattice-matched InGaAs is characterized and found to be of high quality. We discuss the inclusion of an undoped “copy” well (C-well) in terms of enhancements to HR-XRD and LT-PL characterization and quantify the improved precision in determining the structure. As a consequence of this enhanced precision in the determination of physical structure, the AlAs barriers and quantum well (QW) system are found to contain nonideal material interfaces. Their roughness is characterized in terms of the full width to half-maximum of the split LT-PL emission peaks, revealing a ±1 atomic sheet variance to the QW width. We show how barrier asymmetry can be detected through fitting of both optical spectra and HR-XRD rocking curves

The Rainbow Scale for the Assessment of the Cervicomental Angle:A Validated Scale

Background: Aging of the neck results in an increased cervicomental angle, which can be treated by various surgical and nonsurgical procedures. To measure the success of these procedures, standardized validated objective photographic measurement tools are needed. However, no online standardized photographic measurement tools exist for the assessment of the cervicomental angle. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to establish a validated and reliable measurement tool for the assessment of the cervicomental angle based on the Rainbow Scale. Methods: A 5-point photographic rating scale was developed and created from 1 photograph with Adobe Photoshop. Fifteen reference photographs of women, 3 photographs per grade, were included for validation. Seven panelists (ie, plastic and maxillofacial surgeons) assessed the reference photographs 3 times with a minimal interval of 3 days in an online survey. Intra- and inter-observer agreements were calculated utilizing the weighted kappa coefficient. Results: Mean intra-observer agreement was 0.93 (0.78-1.00). Mean interobserver agreement was 0.796 (0.574-0.961) for survey 1, 0.868 (0.690-0.960) for survey 2, and 0.820 (0.676-0.959) for survey 3. Conclusions: The Rainbow Scale for the assessment of the cervicomental angle has been validated in an online fashion. The scale is reproducible and reliable and requires no learning curve. Potential applications include objective assessment of neck treatment planning and surgical outcome

Time-dependent wave selection for information processing in excitable media

We demonstrate an improved technique for implementing logic circuits in light-sensitive chemical excitable media. The technique makes use of the constant-speed propagation of waves along defined channels in an excitable medium based on the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, along with the mutual annihilation of colliding waves. What distinguishes this work from previous work in this area is that regions where channels meet at a junction can periodically alternate between permitting the propagation of waves and blocking them. These valve-like areas are used to select waves based on the length of time that it takes waves to propagate from one valve to another. In an experimental implementation, the channels which make up the circuit layout are projected by a digital projector connected to a computer. Excitable channels are projected as dark areas, unexcitable regions as light areas. Valves alternate between dark and light: every valve has the same period and phase, with a 50% duty cycle. This scheme can be used to make logic gates based on combinations of OR and AND-NOT operations, with few geometrical constraints. Because there are few geometrical constraints, compact circuits can be implemented. Experimental results from an implementation of a 4-bit input, 2-bit output integer square root circuit are given. This is the most complex logic circuit that has been implemented in BZ excitable media to date

Resonant Tunnelling Diodes for Next Generation THz Systems

Resonant tunnelling diodes (RTDs) are a strong candidate for future wireless communications in the THz spectrum (sub-millimetre waves), offering compact, roomtemperature operation with the potential to exceed the bit transfer rate mandated by the 12G-SDI standard, using a single wireless link. A free-space RTD emitter operating at 353GHz is described. The fabrication process consists of a dual-pass I-line photolithography & etch technique using an air bridge, allowing low resistivity ohmic contacts, and accurate control of desired device area. With extrinsic circuit elements taken into account, the intrinsic semiconductor efficiency is analysed to investigate structural improvements for radiative efficiency. Such optimised structures are presented, and then characterised after being epitaxially grown with commercially viable metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) reactors. A combination of low temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-Ray diffractometry, and transmission electron microscopy attest the quality of the new material. We end with a suggestion for the next steps to exceed technological readiness levels of 8, and use monolithic RTD emitters as components in new systems

The politics of rurality (editorial)

Guest edited special issue of Landscape Research

Treatment Outcomes of Childhood Tuberculous Meningitis in a Real-World Retrospective Cohort, Bandung, Indonesia

We retrospectively evaluated clinical features and outcomes in children treated for tuberculous meningitis (TBM) at Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia, during 2011–2020. Among 283 patients, 153 (54.1%) were 38°C, stage III TBM, and baseline motor deficit. Despite treatment, childhood TBM in Indonesia causes substantial neurologic sequelae and death, highlighting the importance of improved early diagnosis, better tuberculosis prevention, and optimized TBM management strategies

Assessing architectural evolution: A case study

This is the post-print version of the Article. The official published can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2011 SpringerThis paper proposes to use a historical perspective on generic laws, principles, and guidelines, like Lehman’s software evolution laws and Martin’s design principles, in order to achieve a multi-faceted process and structural assessment of a system’s architectural evolution. We present a simple structural model with associated historical metrics and visualizations that could form part of an architect’s dashboard. We perform such an assessment for the Eclipse SDK, as a case study of a large, complex, and long-lived system for which sustained effective architectural evolution is paramount. The twofold aim of checking generic principles on a well-know system is, on the one hand, to see whether there are certain lessons that could be learned for best practice of architectural evolution, and on the other hand to get more insights about the applicability of such principles. We find that while the Eclipse SDK does follow several of the laws and principles, there are some deviations, and we discuss areas of architectural improvement and limitations of the assessment approach