scholarly journals Progress in a Vacuum Weight Search Experiment

Physics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Saverio Avino ◽  
Enrico Calloni ◽  
Sergio Caprara ◽  
Martina De Laurentis ◽  
Rosario De Rosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vacuum Energy ◽  
Transition Energy ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Layered Superconductor ◽  
Final Measurement ◽  
The Status ◽  
Search Experiment ◽  
Superconducting Sample ◽  
And Control ◽  
Expected Signal

We present the status of the art of the Archimedes experiment, devoted to measuring the debated interaction of quantum vacuum fluctuations and gravity. The method is essentially the weighing of the transition energy of a layered superconductor where the contribution of vacuum energy to the transition energy is expected to be relevant. The transition is obtained by modulating the temperature of the superconducting sample at a frequency of about 10 mHz and the expected change of weight is measured with a suitably designed high sensitivity cryogenic beam balance. In this paper, we present an overview of the experiment, discussing the expected signal to be measured, and presenting in particular the result of a prototype balance operated in our present laboratory. In the frequency range of the measurement, the sensitivity is affected mainly by seismic, thermal, sensor, and control noise. We discuss these points showing in particular the design of the cryogenic apparatus, the final balance, and the quiet seismic site that will host the final measurement.

Efficacy of Ovsynch and Ovsynch Plus Protocol for Improvement of Fertility in Postpartum Sahiwal Cows

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Lakher ◽  
M. K. Awasthi ◽  
J. R. Khan ◽  
M. R. Poyam
Keyword(s):  
Fixed Time ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Group I ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sahiwal Cows ◽  
And Control

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of Ovsynch and Ovsynch plus protocol in postpartum (day 60) Sahiwal cows (n=18). Animals were randomly divided into three equal groups, viz., Ovsynch group Ovsynch plus group and Control group. Animals of group I (n = 6) were treated with traditional Ovsynch protocol. The animals (n = 6) of group II were treated with Ovsynch plus protocol which consisted of an initial intramuscular injection of eCG (Folligon) @ 250 IU on day 60 postpartum followed 3 days later by GPG (Ovsynch) protocol. In group-III Control, no treatment was given to animals (n = 6). Treated animals were inseminated at a fixed time between 14 and 20 hrs after second GnRH injection, irrespective of estrus detection. Blood samples were collected from each animal on days 50 and 60 postpartum to determine the status of cyclicity in animals based on serum concentrations of progesterone (P4). A third blood sample was collected on the day of prostaglandin treatment to determine the response of first GnRH injection. Four animals each were cyclic, and two were acyclic in both treatment groups. Four animals each responded to first GnRH treatment in both treatment groups. Similarly, two animals each got conceived giving conception rate of 50% (2/4) in each treatment. In the control group, one out of 6 animals got conceived yielding 16.66 % conception rate (1/6) during the study period. It may be thus concluded that Ovsynch and Ovsynch plus protocol may be used during the early postpartum period to improve the reproductive efficiency in postpartum Sahiwal cows.

scholarly journals Gold–Carbon Nanocomposites for Environmental Contaminant Sensing

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 719
Author(s):  
Shahrooz Rahmati ◽  
William Doherty ◽  
Arman Amani Babadi ◽  
Muhamad Syamim Akmal Che Mansor ◽  
Nurhidayatullaili Muhd Julkapli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
World Population ◽  
Chemical Contaminants ◽  
Carbon Nanocomposites ◽  
Minimal Sample ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Control ◽  
Analytical Tools

The environmental crisis, due to the rapid growth of the world population and globalisation, is a serious concern of this century. Nanoscience and nanotechnology play an important role in addressing a wide range of environmental issues with innovative and successful solutions. Identification and control of emerging chemical contaminants have received substantial interest in recent years. As a result, there is a need for reliable and rapid analytical tools capable of performing sample analysis with high sensitivity, broad selectivity, desired stability, and minimal sample handling for the detection, degradation, and removal of hazardous contaminants. In this review, various gold–carbon nanocomposites-based sensors/biosensors that have been developed thus far are explored. The electrochemical platforms, synthesis, diverse applications, and effective monitoring of environmental pollutants are investigated comparatively.

scholarly journals Post hoc analysis of ellipsoid zone changes beyond the central subfield in symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion patients from the OASIS trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000648
Author(s):  
Swetha Bindu Velaga ◽  
Muneeswar Gupta Nittala ◽  
Michael S Ip ◽  
Luc Duchateau ◽  
SriniVas R Sadda
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Vitreomacular Adhesion ◽  
Ellipsoid Zone ◽  
Post Hoc Analysis ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Phase Iiib ◽  
The Status ◽  
Registration Number ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
And Control

Background/aimsOASIS is a Phase IIIb trial (NCT01429441) assessing long-term outcomes in subjects with symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion (VMA). The purpose of this study is to report on the frequency, severity, location and time course of ellipsoid zone (EZ) alterations in ocriplasmin-treated and sham control eyes in the OASIS study.Methods220 patients (146 ocriplasmin, 74 sham) subjects with VMA were enrolled in this masked post hoc analysis phase IIIb, randomised, sham-controlled double-masked multicentre clinical trial. A masked post hoc analysis of OCT images was performed at the Doheny Image Reading Center from subjects enrolled in the OASIS trial. The status of the EZ band was assessed in three different macular regions: the central subfield (CS) (≤1 mm diameter), the parafoveal area (PAA) (>1 to ≤3 mm) and the perifoveal area (PEA) (>3 to ≤6 mm). The EZ band was rated as normal/intact, full thickness macular hole (FTMH), abnormal but continuous, discontinuous/disrupted or absent at visits from baseline (pretreatment) to week 1 (day 7), month 1 (day 28), month 3, month 6, month 12 and the final follow-up at month 24. EZ band status was compared in both study and control eyes.ResultsA total of 208 patients (138 ocriplasmin, 70 sham) were included in this analysis. At baseline, FTMH was present in 48.6%, 8.0%, 0% and 52.8%, 2.9%, 0% in the CS, PAA and PEA of the ocriplasmin and sham groups, respectively. The EZ was graded to be abnormal but continuous, discontinuous/disrupted or absent at Baseline in 21.0%, 4.3%, 2.8% in the CS, PAA and PEA, respectively, of the ocriplasmin group; and 12.9%, 10.0%, 4.3% in the CS, PAA and PEA of the sham group. For the ocriplasmin group in the PAA, this frequency increased to 6.6% at week 1, was 9.8% at month 1, but improved to 3.8% at month 3, and remained stable to 1.6% at month 24. These differences, however, were not statistically significant.ConclusionsOcriplasmin treatment for symptomatic VMA was associated with EZ abnormalities in a small percentage of patients that was best assessed in regions (PEA) relatively unaffected by the VM interface disease at baseline. The EZ abnormalities were apparent by week 1, persisted at month 1, and appeared to resolve in the majority of cases by month 3.Trial registration numberNCT01429441

Perceived Social Mobility and Political Trust in China

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Su ◽  
Yang Cao ◽  
Jingkai He ◽  
Waibin Huang
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Social Mobility ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Political Trust ◽  
Traditional Culture ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
World Values Survey ◽  
Reform Era ◽  
The Status ◽  
And Control

Existing studies have traced China’s high political trust to three sources: traditional culture, the state’s success in fostering economic growth, and ideological propaganda. We identify a fourth source: perceived social mobility. We argue that when people perceive a reasonable chance for upward mobility based on personal initiatives and efforts, the status quo becomes more justifiable because individuals are responsible for their own successes and failures. Perceived social mobility thus instills a sense of optimism and fairness and exonerates the regime from many blames, thereby enhancing political trust. Regression analysis of the China portion of the 2007 World Values Survey data shows that respondents who saw themselves as having choices and control in life were indeed more likely to trust the ruling communist party. The respondents’ overall level of perceived social mobility is also high, which is consistent with the massive shake-up of the preexisting social order in China’s reform era.

Intensive Statin Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke to Reduce the Number of Microemboli: A Preliminary, Randomized Controlled Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingyu Chen ◽  
Xiaorong Zhuang ◽  
Zhongwei Peng ◽  
Huili Yang ◽  
Liangyi Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽  
Statin Therapy ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Statin Group ◽  
Pre Treatment ◽  
Hs Crp ◽  
And Control ◽  
Intensive Statin Therapy

Background: To assess whether intensive statin therapy reduces the occurrence of microemboli in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke within 72 h of onset were randomized to the intensive statin (atorvastatin 60 mg/day, adjusted to 20 mg/day after 7 days) and control (atorvastatin 20 mg/day) groups. Combined aspirin and clopidogrel were used for antiplatelet therapy. Microemboli were monitored by transcranial Doppler on days 1 (pre-treatment), 3, and 7. Metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score were assessed on days 1 and 7. The modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used on day 90. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with microemboli on day 3. Results: There were 35 (58.3%) and 30 (52.6%) patients with microemboli in the intensive statin (n = 60) and control (n = 57) groups, respectively, on day 1 (p = 0.342). On day 3, there were significantly less microemboli in the intensive statin group (n = 9; 15.0%) compared with controls (n = 16; 28.1%; p = 0.002). No difference was observed in MMP-9 and hs-CRP levels on day 1, but on day 7, MMP-9 (median 79.3 vs. 95.9 μg/L; p = 0.004) and hs-CRP (median 2.01 vs. 3.60 mg/L; p = 0.020) levels were lower in the intensive statin group compared with controls. There were no differences in NIHSS scores on days 1 and 7. There was no difference in mRS on day 90. Conclusion: Intensive atorvastatin therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke reduces the occurrence of microemboli and inflammation, with no overt adverse events.

scholarly journals The development of rs7107217 genotyping method and initial study of the association of this gene with the breast cancer risk in Vietnamese women

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 40-49
Author(s):  
Thanh Thi Ngoc Nguyen ◽  
Giau Thi Ngoc Mai ◽  
Hue Thi Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Cancer Susceptibility ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Cancer Susceptibility Genes ◽  
And Control

Breast cancer is the most common cancer for women around the world. The presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on or near the coding region of breast cancer susceptibility genes can affect the regulation of gene expression, which may increase or decrease the risk of breast cancer. BARX2 was showed to stimulate the expression of ERS1, which involved in the development of breast cancer. SNP rs7107217 on 152kb downstream of the BARX2 could affect the level of protein BARX2 and had been proved to associate with the breast cancer risk in populations similar to Vietnamese, including Chinese and Korean. In this study, rs7107217 was genotyped and initially detemined the association with the breast cancer risk in Vietnamese. Real-time PCR HRM was optimized and used to genotype rs7107217 in 117 breast cancer cases and 105 healthy controls. Thereafter, the correlation of this SNP with the risk of breast cancer was initially determined by analyzing the differences in allelic and genotypic frequencies between cases and control groups. The results showed the optimal rs7107217 genotyping condition was successfully developed with the high sensitivity, specificity, and consistency. SNP rs7107217 had high polymorphism with the frequency of minor allele C of 29.9% and 35.3% in case and control, respectively. SNP rs7107217 had been found no association with the breast cancer risk (C vs A: P = 0.23, OR (95% CI) = 0.79 (0.53 – 1.17)). However with the low reliability of the analysis (11.71%) and the high potential related to the formation of breast cancer, the association between rs7107217 and breast cancer risk in Vietnamese population should be further conducted on a larger sample size to get higher accuracy.

scholarly journals Novel circulating protein biomarkers for thyroid cancer determined through data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9507
Author(s):  
Dandan Li ◽  
Jie Wu ◽  
Zhongjuan Liu ◽  
Ling Qiu ◽  
Yimin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Factor H ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Protein Biomarkers ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Data Independent Acquisition ◽  
Median Serum ◽  
And Control

Background Distinguishing between different types of thyroid cancers (TC) remains challenging in clinical laboratories. As different tumor types require different clinical interventions, it is necessary to establish new methods for accurate diagnosis of TC. Methods Proteomic analysis of the human serum was performed through data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry for 29 patients with TC (stages I–IV): 13 cases of papillary TC (PTC), 10 cases of medullary TC (MTC), and six cases follicular TC (FTC). In addition, 15 patients with benign thyroid nodules (TNs) and 10 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this study. Subsequently, 17 differentially expressed proteins were identified in 291 patients with TC, including 247 with PTC, 38 with MTC, and six with FTC, and 69 patients with benign TNs and 176 with HC, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results In total, 517 proteins were detected in the serum samples using an Orbitrap Q-Exactive-plus mass spectrometer. The amyloid beta A4 protein, apolipoprotein A-IV, gelsolin, contactin-1, gamma-glutamyl hydrolase, and complement factor H-related protein 1 (CFHR1) were selected for further analysis. The median serum CFHR1 levels were significantly higher in the MTC and FTC groups than in the PTC and control groups (P < 0.001). CFHR1 exhibited higher diagnostic performance in distinguishing patients with MTC from those with PTC (P < 0.001), with a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 85.08%, area under the curve of 0.93, and detection cut-off of 0.92 ng/mL. Conclusion CFHR1 may serve as a novel biomarker to distinguish PTC from MTC with high sensitivity and specificity.

scholarly journals Pedagogical conditions for the formation of counteraction to stressful phenomena in educational institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 69-77
Author(s):  
Г.А. Арсаханова
Keyword(s):  
Skin Diseases ◽  
First Graders ◽  
Behavioral Disorder ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Control ◽  
Psychosomatic Diseases

Жизнедеятельность школьника полна проблем, решение которых приводит к стрессовым ситуациям. Прежде всего, это изменение социального статуса и изменение дошкольной деятельности ребенка на учебную. Статус школьника требует больше обязанностей, ответственности, дисциплинированности, структурированности режима дня, контроля собственных поступков. Даже в самом продуманном и хорошо налаженному жизни случаются ситуации, которые негативно влияют на детей и приводят к стрессу. Первоклассники не всегда готовы к таким изменениям, что вызывает ряд психофизиологических и поведенческих проявлений. В состоянии стресса поведение ребенка дезорганизовывается, наблюдаются неконтролируемые движения, определенные речевые отклонения, появляются эмоции, не соответствующие культуре взаимоотношений. Стресс – это сильное проявление эмоций вызывает комплексную физиологическую реакцию, это состояние душевного и поведенческого расстройства, связанного с неспособностью личности целесообразно действовать в соответствующих ситуациях. Из-за недостаточной сформированности эмоциональной сферы в школьном возрасте при частых стрессовых ситуациях у ребенка исчезает аппетит, наступает депрессия, снижается интерес к учебе, общению, наступает апатия. Стрессовые ситуации негативно сказываются на здоровье школьника, у ребенка появляется целый «букет» опасных психосоматических заболеваний: мигрень, гипертония, астма, артрит, аллергия, диабет, кожные болезни и тому подобное. The student's life is full of problems, the solution of which leads to stressful situations. First of all, this is a change in the social status and a change in the preschool activity of the child to the educational one. The status of a student requires more responsibilities, responsibility, discipline, structured daily routine, and control of one's own actions. Even in the most thoughtful and well-established life, there are situations that negatively affect children and lead to stress. First-graders are not always ready for such changes, which causes a number of psychophysiological and behavioral manifestations. In a state of stress, the child's behavior is disorganized, uncontrolled movements are observed, certain speech deviations appear, emotions that do not correspond to the culture of relationships. Stress-this strong manifestation of emotions causes a complex physiological reaction, this is a state of mental and behavioral disorder associated with the inability of the individual to act appropriately in appropriate situations. Due to the lack of formation of the emotional sphere at school age, with frequent stressful situations, the child's appetite disappears, depression sets in, interest in learning, communication decreases, and apathy sets in. Stressful situations negatively affect the health of the student, the child has a whole "bouquet" of dangerous psychosomatic diseases: migraine, hypertension, asthma, arthritis, allergies, diabetes, skin diseases, and the like.

scholarly journals Comparison of Coombs Gel Test with ELISA and Standard Tube Agglutination Tests Used in Serological Diagnosis of Brucellosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cigdem Akalan Kuyumcu ◽  
Serpil Erol ◽  
Rıza Adaleti ◽  
Seniha Senbayrak ◽  
Secil Deniz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Serological Test ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Serological Diagnosis ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Reliable Test ◽  
And Control

Objective: Serological tests are the most commonly used tests in the diagnosis of brucellosis; however, each serological test has some drawbacks. In this study, we aimed to determine the value of the Brucella Coombs gel test (BCGT) in the serological diagnosis of brucellosis in comparison with Standard tube agglutination (STA) and ELISA tests. Materials and Methods: The study included 42 patients who were considered to have brucellosis as a preliminary diagnosis. BCGT, Brucella-IgM/IgG ELISA, and STA tests were performed from serum samples of the patients. The correlation of the diagnostic tests was analyzed using Cohen’s Kappa Analysis.  Results: Twenty-seven (64.2%) of 42 patients were diagnosed with brucellosis according to their medical history and clinical and serological tests. The sensitivity and specificity of BCGT to diagnose brucellosis was 96.2%, and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of brucellosis 62.9% and 100% for STA, respectively; 33.3% and 66.6% for Brucella-IgM; and 66.6% and 100% for Brucella-IgG. BCGT was significantly correlated with STA (κ= 0.590) and Brucella-IgG (κ=0.539) Conclusion: BCGT can be utilized as a simple and reliable test in the diagnosis of brucellosis with high sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the sensitivity and specificity of BCGT should be demonstrated by comprehensive studies, including culture-confirmed cases and control groups.

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