Approach to the Lower Pliocene marine-continental correlation from southern Spain. The micrommamal site of Alhaurín el Grande-1 (Málaga Basin, Betic Cordillera, Spain)

A new micromammal site at Alhaurín el Grande (Málaga, southern Spain) located above early Pliocene marine deposits allows an approach to the marine-continental correlation for this age. The early Pliocene marine filling throughout the Málaga Basin is developed in three transgressive-regressive sequences (Pl-1, Pl-2, and Pl-3 units) bounded by discontinuities. At the top of the intermediate sequence Pl-2, peaty sediments have yielded fossils of Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Insectivora, and Crocodylia. The presence of Cricetus barrieri Mein & Michaux, 1970 in combination with murids, both of primitive morphology, such as Apodemus gudrunae Van de Weerd, 1976, and more advanced forms (i.e. Occitanomys brailloni Michaux, 1969 and Stephanomys donnezani cordii Ruiz Bustos, 1986), points to an early Ruscinian age (MN 14 biozone). Based on the planktonic foraminifers, the biostratigraphic data indicate that marine sediments just below the micromammal beds belong to the MPl-2 biozone of the early Zanclean. Available paleomagnetic data from the marine sediments show that the micromammal bed must be located between the normal geomagnetic subchron C3n3n (4.89-4.80 Ma) and the subchron C3n2n (4.63-4.49 Ma), limiting the age of this site to the late part of the early Zanclean.

Beurling-Landau densities of weighted Fekete sets and correlation kernel estimates

Let $Q$ be a suitable real function on $C$. An $n$-Fekete set corresponding to $Q$ is a subset ${Z_{n1}},\dotsb, Z_{nn}}$ of $C$ which maximizes the expression $\Pi^n_i_{

Empirical study of correlated survival times for recurrent events with proportional hazards margins and the effect of correlation and censoring.

Background: In longitudinal studies where subjects experience recurrent incidents over a period of time, such as respiratory infections, fever or diarrhea, statistical methods are required to take into account the within-subject correlation. Methods: For repeated events data with censored failure, the independent increment (AG), marginal (WLW) and conditional (PWP) models are three multiple failure models that generalize Cox"s proportional hazard model. In this paper, we revise the efficiency, accuracy and robustness of all three models under simulated scenarios with varying degrees of within-subject correlation, censoring levels, maximum number of possible recurrences and sample size. We also study the methods performance on a real dataset from a cohort study with bronchial obstruction. Results: We find substantial differences between methods and there is not an optimal method. AG and PWP seem to be preferable to WLW for low correlation levels but the situation reverts for high correlations. Conclusions: All methods are stable in front of censoring, worsen with increasing recurrence levels and share a bias problem which, among other consequences, makes asymptotic normal confidence intervals not fully reliable, although they are well developed theoretically.

Comparison of Inoculation with the InoqulA and WASP Automated Systems with Manual Inoculation.

The quality of sample inoculation is critical for achieving an optimal yield of discrete colonies in both monomicrobial and polymicrobial samples to perform identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Consequently, we compared the performance between the InoqulA (BD Kiestra), the WASP (Copan), and manual inoculation methods. Defined mono- and polymicrobial samples of 4 bacterial species and cloudy urine specimens were inoculated on chromogenic agar by the InoqulA, the WASP, and manual methods. Images taken with ImagA (BD Kiestra) were analyzed with the VisionLab version 3.43 image analysis software to assess the quality of growth and to prevent subjective interpretation of the data. A 3- to 10-fold higher yield of discrete colonies was observed following automated inoculation with both the InoqulA and WASP systems than that with manual inoculation. The difference in performance between automated and manual inoculation was mainly observed at concentrations of >10(6) bacteria/ml. Inoculation with the InoqulA system allowed us to obtain significantly more discrete colonies than the WASP system at concentrations of >10(7) bacteria/ml. However, the level of difference observed was bacterial species dependent. Discrete colonies of bacteria present in 100- to 1,000-fold lower concentrations than the most concentrated populations in defined polymicrobial samples were not reproducibly recovered, even with the automated systems. The analysis of cloudy urine specimens showed that InoqulA inoculation provided a statistically significantly higher number of discrete colonies than that with WASP and manual inoculation. Consequently, the automated InoqulA inoculation greatly decreased the requirement for bacterial subculture and thus resulted in a significant reduction in the time to results, laboratory workload, and laboratory costs.

Social sensing for psychology: Automated interpersonal behavior assessment

In this article, we show how the use of state-of-the-art methods in computer science based on machine perception and learning allows the unobtrusive capture and automated analysis of interpersonal behavior in real time (social sensing). Given the high ecological validity of the behavioral sensing, the ease of behavioral-cue extraction for large groups over long observation periods in the field, the possibility of investigating completely new research questions, and the ability to provide people with immediate feedback on behavior, social sensing will fundamentally impact psychology.

Sidelobe elimination for generalized synthetic discriminant functions by a two-filter correlation and subsequent postprocessing of the intensity distributions

One of the most important problems in optical pattern recognition by correlation is the appearance of sidelobes in the correlation plane, which causes false alarms. We present a method that eliminate sidelobes of up to a given height if certain conditions are satisfied. The method can be applied to any generalized synthetic discriminant function filter and is capable of rejecting lateral peaks that are even higher than the central correlation. Satisfactory results were obtained in both computer simulations and optical implementation.

Structure of a-Si:H/a-Si1-xCx:H multilayers deposited in a reactor with automated substrate holder

This paper deals with the structural properties of a-Si:H/a-Si1-xCx: H multilayers deposited by glow-discharge decomposition of SiH4 and SiH4 and CH4 mixtures. The main feature of the rf plasma reactor is an automated substrate holder. The plasma stabilization time and its influence on the multilayer obtained is discussed. A series of a-Si:H/a-Si1-xCx: H multilayers has been deposited and characterized by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). No asymmetry between the two types of interface has been observed. The results show that the multilayers present a very good periodicity and low roughness. The difficulty of determining the abruptness of the multilayer at the nanometer scale is discussed.

High c-Met expression in stage I-II pancreatic adenocarcinoma: proposal for an immunostaining scoring method and correlation with poor prognosis.

AIMS: c-Met is an emerging biomarker in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); there is no consensus regarding the immunostaining scoring method for this marker. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of c-Met overexpression in resected PDAC, and to elaborate a robust and reproducible scoring method for c-Met immunostaining in this setting. METHODS AND RESULTS: c-Met immunostaining was graded according to the validated MetMab score, a classic visual scale combining surface and intensity (SI score), or a simplified score (high c-Met: ≥20% of tumour cells with strong membranous staining), in stage I-II PDAC. A computer-assisted classification method (Aperio software) was developed. Clinicopathological parameters were correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival(OS). One hundred and forty-nine patients were analysed retrospectively in a two-step process. Thirty-seven samples (whole slides) were analysed as a pre-run test. Reproducibility values were optimal with the simplified score (kappa = 0.773); high c-Met expression (7/37) was associated with shorter DFS [hazard ratio (HR) 3.456, P = 0.0036] and OS (HR 4.257, P = 0.0004). c-Met expression was concordant on whole slides and tissue microarrays in 87.9% of samples, and quantifiable with a specific computer-assisted algorithm. In the whole cohort (n = 131), patients with c-Met(high) tumours (36/131) had significantly shorter DFS (9.3 versus 20.0 months, HR 2.165, P = 0.0005) and OS (18.2 versus 35.0 months, HR 1.832, P = 0.0098) in univariate and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Simplified c-Met expression is an independent prognostic marker in stage I-II PDAC that may help to identify patients with a high risk of tumour relapse and poor survival.

Gene Expression Profiling of Desmoid Tumors by cDNA Microarrays and Correlation with Progression-Free Survival.

PURPOSE: Because desmoid tumors exhibit an unpredictable clinical course, translational research is crucial to identify the predictive factors of progression in addition to the clinical parameters. The main issue is to detect patients who are at a higher risk of progression. The aim of this work was to identify molecular markers that can predict progression-free survival (PFS). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Gene-expression screening was conducted on 115 available independent untreated primary desmoid tumors using cDNA microarray. We established a prognostic gene-expression signature composed of 36 genes. To test robustness, we randomly generated 1,000 36-gene signatures and compared their outcome association to our define 36-genes molecular signature and we calculated positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). RESULTS: Multivariate analysis showed that our molecular signature had a significant impact on PFS while no clinical factor had any prognostic value. Among the 1,000 random signatures generated, 56.7% were significant and none was more significant than our 36-gene molecular signature. PPV and NPV were high (75.58% and 81.82%, respectively). Finally, the top two genes downregulated in no-recurrence were FECH and STOML2 and the top gene upregulated in no-recurrence was TRIP6. CONCLUSIONS: By analyzing expression profiles, we have identified a gene-expression signature that is able to predict PFS. This tool may be useful for prospective clinical studies. Clin Cancer Res; 21(18); 4194-200. ©2015 AACR.

Preliminary integrated magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic correlation in the Miocene Lorca Basin (Murcia, SE Spain).

The Lorca basin is one of the Neogene basins OS South Eastern Spain. The infilling Tortonian-Messinian deposits are mainly composed OS marls and reach up to 1,200 m in thickness. A biostratigraphic survey OS these deposits, assisted by the determination OS the magnetic polarity reversal pattern Sor most OS these deposits (900 m), has enabled the Tortonian-Messinian chronostratigraphy to be precised. The close sampling space for biostratigraphic determination has enabled the accurate location OS Sour main biostratigraphic events than can be correlated with charactenstic events of the Mediterranean biostratigraphic Zones. In addition, the location OS the TortonianNessinian boundary has been accurately placed at some 150 m below the main gypsurn unit outcropping in the basin. The integrated bio-magnetostratigraphic data fiom the studied section allows a tentative interpretation OS the identified magnetozones. Thus, a correlation to the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale is presented for more than 900 m of pre-evaporite Miocene stratigraphic succession fiom the Lorca basin. Moreover, about 15' OS anticlockwise rotation has been detected. Its significance is evaluated in the basin geodynamic framework.

Spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC): nova técnica para avaliação do coração fetal

As malformações cardíacas são as mais freqüentes anomalias congênitas ao nascimento, entretanto, a sua detecção pré-natal pela ultra-sonografia convencional permanece baixa. As ultra-sonografias de terceira e quarta dimensões surgiram no início da década de 90, apresentando grandes aplicações em obstetrícia, principalmente nos casos de diagnósticos duvidosos à ultra-sonografia bidimensional. O spatio-temporal image correlation (STIC) representa grande avanço na área de ultra-som de quarta dimensão; constitui-se em um software acoplado ao aparelho Voluson 730 Expert, que permite a aquisição volumétrica do coração fetal e suas conexões vasculares. As análises volumétricas são realizadas nos modos multiplanar e de renderização, podendo-se também utilizar o Doppler. Apresenta, como grandes vantagens, a aquisição rápida e a possibilidade de análise posterior por especialistas em ecocardiografia fetal. Pode ser aplicada para a pesquisa de quaisquer cardiopatias congênitas, pois permite a aquisição de qualquer plano, diferentemente do ultra-som bidimensional. Sua principal desvantagem está relacionada aos movimentos fetais. A maior difusão do método pode permitir um aumento na detecção de malformações cardíacas, pois possibilita ao ultra-sonografista geral encaminhar, via Internet, os volumes para a análise por especialistas em ecocardiografia fetal.

A new approach for the separation of spermatozoa from other cell types in forensically relevant samples.

Due to imbalance in genetic material contribution, gynecological samples collected following a sexual assault are challenging to process in order to resolve the male contributor's DNA profile. We set up a new and fast procedure for the recovery and separation of cells from cotton swabs, or other supports. Using spermatozoa specific CD52 antibody coupled to magnetic beads along with magnetic columns, this procedure was first developed and optimized by flow cytometry. It allows the recovery of two enriched cell fractions: a sperm fraction, mostly enriched with the alleged offender's spermatozoa, and a non-sperm fraction, mostly enriched with cells from the victim. Processing fresh as well as six months old mock samples, made of buccal swabs loaded with sperm dilutions, resulted in full single NGM SElect DNA profiles of the sperm donors, respectively the epithelial cells donors, for the sperm and the non-sperm fractions. Untreated duplicate samples processed in parallel only provided the autosomal DNA profiles of the epithelial cells donors. This new procedure can be rapidly tested and adopted by forensic laboratories worldwide as it uses material already commercially available. Moreover it can be easily automated with existing platform, and could therefore provide a mean to rapidly reduce existing backlogs.