Controlled generation and detection of a thermal bias in Corbino devices under the quantum Hall regime

We present an experimental technique to generate and measure a temperature bias in the quantum Hall effect of GaAs/AlGaAs Corbino samples. The bias is generated by injecting an electrical current at a central resistive heater and the resulting radial temperature drop is determine by local measurements of the conductance between internal and external concentric rings. The experimental results are in agreement with the predictions of numerical simulations of the heat flow through the substrate. We also compare these results with previous predictions based on the thermoelectric response of these devices.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Authorities’ fiscal forecasts in Latin America: are they optimistic?

Do governments in Latin America tend to be optimistic when preparing budgetary projections? We address this question by constructing a novel dataset of the authorities’ fiscal forecasts in six Latin American economies, using data from annual budget documents over the period 2000–2018. We compare such forecasts with the outturns reported in the corresponding budget documents of the following years, to understand the evolution of fiscal forecast errors. Our findings suggest that: (i) there is no general optimistic bias in the forecasts for the fiscal balance-to-GDP ratio; (ii) over time, fiscal forecasts have improved for some countries and worsened for others; (iii) forecast errors for the fiscal balance-to-GDP ratio are positively correlated with GDP growth and terms-of-trade changes, and negatively correlated with GDP deflator surprises; (iv) forecast errors for public debt-to-GDP ratios are negatively associated with surprises to GDP growth; and (v), budget balance rules may help contain fiscal forecast errors

Thermoelectricity in Quantum Hall Corbino Structures

We measure the thermoelectric response of Corbino structures in the quantum Hall effect regime and compare it with a theoretical analysis. The measured thermoelectric voltages are qualitatively and quantitatively simulated based upon the independent measurement of the conductivity, indicating that they originate predominantly from the electron diffusion. In contrast to earlier Hall-bar experiments, electron-phonon interaction does not lead to a phonon-drag contribution. This implies a description of the Onsager coefficients on the basis of a single transmission function, from which both thermovoltage and conductivity can be predicted with a single fitting parameter. Furthermore, it lets us predict a figure of merit for the efficiency of thermoelectric cooling, which becomes very large for partially filled Landau levels and high magnetic fields.Fil: Real, Mariano. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Gresta, Daniel Matías. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Reichl, Christian. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich; SuizaFil: Weis, Jürgen. Max Planck Institut für Festkörperforschung; AlemaniaFil: Tonina, Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; ArgentinaFil: Giudici, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Constituyentes | Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología - Nodo Constituyentes; ArgentinaFil: Arrachea, Liliana del Carmen. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Wegscheider, Werner. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich; SuizaFil: Fluck, Werner Thomas. Max Planck Institut für Festkörperforschung; Alemani

Combined Approach to Stroke Thrombectomy Using a Novel Short Flexible Aspiration Catheter with a Stent Retriever

Brain ischemia; Mechanical thrombectomy; DeviceIsquemia cerebral; Trombectomía mecánica; DispositivoIsquèmia cerebral; Trombectomia mecànica; DispositiuBackground Large-bore aspiration catheters enabling greater flow rates and suction force for mechanical thrombectomy might improve outcomes in patients with stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusion. Complete or near-complete reperfusion after a single thrombectomy pass (first-pass effect) is associated with improved clinical outcomes. We assessed the efficacy and safety of novel MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters in combination with stent-retriever devices. Methods We retrospectively analyzed demographics, procedure characteristics, and clinical data from consecutive patients with acute anterior large-vessel occlusion treated with a combined approach using MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters and stent retrievers. Reperfusion was defined according to the modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score. Clinical outcomes were measured by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores. Results We included 52 patients (median age, 75 y IQR: 64–83); 31 (59.6%) women; 14 (26.9%) with terminal internal carotid artery occlusions, 26 (50%) middle cerebral artery (MCA) segment M1 occlusions, and 12 (23.1%) MCA segment M2 occlusions; median NIHSS score at admission was 19 (IQR: 13–22). After the first pass, 25 (48%) patients had mTICI ≥ 2c. At the end of the procedure, 47 (90.4%) had mTICI ≥ 2b and 35 (67.3%) had mTICI ≥ 2c. No serious device-related adverse events were observed. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage developed in 1 patient. Mean NIHSS score was 13 at 24 h and 5 at discharge. At 90 days, 24 (46.2%) patients were functionally independent (mRS 0–2). Conclusion This preliminary study found good efficacy and safety for MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters used in combination with stent-retriever devices

Great ape Y Chromosome and mitochondrial DNA phylogenies reflect subspecies structure and patterns of mating and dispersal

The distribution of genetic diversity in great ape species is likely to have been affected by patterns of dispersal and mating. This has previously been investigated by sequencing autosomal and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), but large-scale sequence analysis of the male-specific region of the Y Chromosome (MSY) has not yet been undertaken. Here, we use the human MSY reference sequenceas a basis for sequence capture and read mapping in 19 great ape males, combining the data with sequences extracted from the published whole genomes of 24 additional males to yield a total sample of 19 chimpanzees, four bonobos, 14 gorillas, and six orangutans, in which interpretable MSY sequence ranges from 2.61 to 3.80 Mb. This analysis reveals thousands of novel MSY variants and defines unbiased phylogenies. We compare these with mtDNA-based trees in the same individuals, estimating time-to-most-recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for key nodes in both cases. The two loci show high topological concordance and are consistent with accepted (sub)species definitions, but time depths differ enormously between loci and (sub)species, likely reflecting different dispersal and mating patterns. Gorillas and chimpanzees/bonobos present generally low and high MSY diversity, respectively, reflecting polygyny versus multimale-multifemale mating. However, particularly marked differences exist among chimpanzee subspecies: The western chimpanzee MSY phylogeny has a TMRCA of only 13.2 (10.8-15.8) thousand years, but that for central chimpanzees exceeds 1 million years. Cross-species comparison within a single MSY phylogeny emphasizes the low human diversity, and reveals speciesspecific branch length variation that may reflect differences in long-term generation times

Comparison of First-Pass Effect in Aspiration vs. Stent-Retriever for Acute Intracranial ICA Occlusion

Internal carotid artery occlusion; Revascularization; Stent retrieverOclusión de la arteria carótida interna; Revascularización; Recuperador de stentOclusió de l'artèria caròtida interna; Revascularització; Recuperador de stentThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the best endovascular approach (aspiration or stent-retriever) and the impact of stent retriever size and length on clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of consecutive patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion undergoing endovascular treatment in four Comprehensive Stroke Center between June-2019 and December-2020. We include 121 patients; Stent-retriever (SR) was used as first technical approach in 107 patients (88.4%) and aspiration was used in 14 patients (11.6%). SR group had higher rate of FPE compared to aspiration group (29 vs. 0%, p = 0.02). In SR subgroup, treatment highlighted higher FPE in the 6 × 50 SR (37.7%), than in the rest of the SR which are 21.2% (4–5 mm size and 20–50 mm length SR) and 19% (6 mm size and 25–40 mm length SR), but it was not found to be statistically significant. There were no other significant differences across the groups regarding primary angiographic or clinical outcomes. In our intracranial ICA occlusion series, stent retrievers were superior to direct aspiration in obtaining FPEs and mFPEs, and longer devices achieved better results with no statistically significant difference. Further studies evaluating the effects of different ICA clot removal approaches are warranted to confirm these results

Artritis reumatoidea asociada a colangitis biliar primaria bajo tratamiento con medicamentos biológicos

El abordaje terapéutico de pacientes con dos o más enfermedades autoinmunes es un verdadero desafío, especialmente cuando el tratamiento enfocado en una de ellas podría precipitar la progresión de la otra. Si bien la asociación de artritis reumatoidea (AR) con colangitis biliar primaria (CBP) no es tan frecuente, cuando coexisten, la utilización de metotrexato u otras drogas hepatotóxicas debe decidirse con cautela. Con la indicación más generalizada de las drogas biológicas modificadoras del curso de la AR (DMARb) han aparecido algunos reportes de pacientes con AR y CBP tratados con etanercept, infliximab, rituximab, tocilizumab y abatacept. Presentamos una serie de casos de 4 pacientes con AR y CBP que fueron tratados con DMARb. Nuestro reporte sería el primero en describir dos casos con golimumab para controlar la AR y el segundo en reportar un caso con adalimumab y otro con abatacept. Con rituximab, ya existen tres casos publicados. En ninguno de los pacientes de nuestra serie empeoraron los síntomas de CBP y, al contrario, en dos de ellos hubo mejoría de los parámetros bioquímicos

Combined Approach to Stroke Thrombectomy Using a Novel Short Flexible Aspiration Catheter with a Stent Retriever

Background: Large-bore aspiration catheters enabling greater flow rates and suction force for mechanical thrombectomy might improve outcomes in patients with stroke secondary to large-vessel occlusion. Complete or near-complete reperfusion after a single thrombectomy pass (first-pass effect) is associated with improved clinical outcomes. We assessed the efficacy and safety of novel MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters in combination with stent-retriever devices. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed demographics, procedure characteristics, and clinical data from consecutive patients with acute anterior large-vessel occlusion treated with a combined approach using MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters and stent retrievers. Reperfusion was defined according to the modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score. Clinical outcomes were measured by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores. Results: We included 52 patients (median age, 75 y IQR: 64-83); 31 (59.6%) women; 14 (26.9%) with terminal internal carotid artery occlusions, 26 (50%) middle cerebral artery (MCA) segment M1 occlusions, and 12 (23.1%) MCA segment M2 occlusions; median NIHSS score at admission was 19 (IQR: 13-22). After the first pass, 25 (48%) patients had mTICI ≥ 2c. At the end of the procedure, 47 (90.4%) had mTICI ≥ 2b and 35 (67.3%) had mTICI ≥ 2c. No serious device-related adverse events were observed. Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage developed in 1 patient. Mean NIHSS score was 13 at 24 h and 5 at discharge. At 90 days, 24 (46.2%) patients were functionally independent (mRS 0-2). Conclusion: This preliminary study found good efficacy and safety for MIVI Q™ aspiration catheters used in combination with stent-retriever devices

Mycelial sensitivity of Cercospora beticola to copper oxychloride

Cercospora leaf spot or Cercospora spot, caused by Cercospora beticola Sacc is the most common disease in the leaf beet cultivation. This study aimed to determine the mycelial sensitivity in vitro, measured by the IC50 (concentration for 50% inhibition of mycelial fungus growth) of three isolates of C. beticola of sugarbeet leaves obtained in Guarapuava region (PR) to the fungicide copper oxychloride shield in controlling the Cercospora spot as well as the production of cercosporin. We tested six copper oxychloride concentrations (1260.0 ppm, 126.0 ppm, 12.6 ppm, 1.26 ppm, 0.126 ppm and 0.00 ppm of the active ingredient). The concentration of 0.00 ppm represents the control without addition of the fungicide and 1260.0 represented the recommended field dose. The assessment of mycelial growth was carried out with the aid of digital caliper, measuring the diameter of the colonies, where the fungal growth in the control treatment has reached the edge of the petri dish. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications. As for the fungus toxicity of the tested copper oxychloride active ingredient doses, it became clear that for the three isolated IC50 copper oxychloride reached sensitivity values. For analysis of cercosporin was no significant statistical difference for the different isolates and different concentrations of copper oxychloride.Cercospora leaf spot or Cercospora spot, caused by Cercospora beticola Sacc is the most common disease in the leaf beet cultivation. This study aimed to determine the mycelial sensitivity in vitro, measured by the IC50 (concentration for 50% inhibition of mycelial fungus growth) of five isolates of C. beticola of sugarbeet leaves obtained in Guarapuava region (PR) to the fungicide copper oxychloride used for controlling the Cercospora spot as well as the production of cercosporin. We tested six copper oxychloride concentrations (1260.0 ppm, 126.0 ppm, 12.6 ppm, 1.26 ppm, 0.126 ppm and 0.00 ppm of the active ingredient). The concentration of 0.00 ppm represents the control without addition of the fungicide and 1260.0 represented the recommended field dose. The assessment of mycelial growth was carried out measuring the diameter of the colonies, where the fungal growth in the control treatment has reached the border of the petri dish. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications. As for the fungus toxicity of the tested copper oxychloride active ingredient doses, it became clear that for the three isolated IC50 copper oxychloride reached sensitivity values. For analysis of cercosporin was no significant statistical difference for the different isolates and different concentrations of copper oxychloride

Comparison of First-Pass Effect in Aspiration vs. Stent-Retriever for Acute Intracranial ICA Occlusion

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the best endovascular approach (aspiration or stent-retriever) and the impact of stent retriever size and length on clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion. We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospective database of consecutive patients with acute intracranial ICA occlusion undergoing endovascular treatment in four Comprehensive Stroke Center between June-2019 and December-2020. We include 121 patients; Stent-retriever (SR) was used as first technical approach in 107 patients (88.4%) and aspiration was used in 14 patients (11.6%). SR group had higher rate of FPE compared to aspiration group (29 vs. 0%, p = 0.02). In SR subgroup, treatment highlighted higher FPE in the 6 x 50 SR (37.7%), than in the rest of the SR which are 21.2% (4-5 mm size and 20-50 mm length SR) and 19% (6 mm size and 25-40 mm length SR), but it was not found to be statistically significant. There were no other significant differences across the groups regarding primary angiographic or clinical outcomes. In our intracranial ICA occlusion series, stent retrievers were superior to direct aspiration in obtaining FPEs and mFPEs, and longer devices achieved better results with no statistically significant difference. Further studies evaluating the effects of different ICA clot removal approaches are warranted to confirm these results