An image quality comparison of standard and dual-side read CR systems for pediatric radiology.

An objective analysis of image quality parameters was performed for a computed radiography (CR) system using both standard single-side and prototype dual-side read plates. The pre-sampled modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) for the systems were determined at three different beam qualities representative of pediatric chest radiography, at an entrance detector air kerma of 5 microGy. The NPS and DQE measurements were realized under clinically relevant x-ray spectra for pediatric radiology, including x-ray scatter radiations. Compared to the standard single-side read system, the MTF for the dual-side read system is reduced, but this is offset by a significant decrease in image noise, resulting in a marked increase in DQE (+40%) in the low spatial frequency range. Thus, for the same image quality, the new technology permits the CR system to be used at a reduced dose level.

Evaluation of RbCl and CrCl3 as markers of Triatoma brasiliensis (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) nymphs: persistence and influence of Rb and Cr on triatomine biology

In order to mark Triatoma brasiliensis, the vector of Chagas disease in Brazil, two chemical compounds, rubidium chloride (RbCl) and chromium chloride (CrCl3), were tested. First, 199 N2-N5 nymphs were fed on blood with 0.025M RbCl. Rb marker positivity ranged from 2.5% (N3)-70% (N2), with a maximum persistence of 98 days. Second, 265 N2-N5 nymphs were fed on blood containing 0.0015M CrCl3. Cr marker positivity ranged up to 93% (N5), with a maximum persistence of 119 days. Finally, we blood fed 213 T. brasiliensis to investigate whether CrCl3 altered the biology of this insect. The developmental time of T. brasiliensis was unaltered, but the survival of the Cr-marked group was lower than that of the control group. Differences in the mean fecundity of the control (mean of 156.1) and experimental (mean of 135.6) groups were not statistically significant and 100% of the egg batches of females Cr-marked as nymphs were positive. In conclusion, CrCl3 is a useful tool for marking T. brasiliensis nymphs due to its high positivity and persistence.

Can Mosquito Magnet® substitute for human-landing catches to sample anopheline populations?

The efficiency of the Mosquito Magnet Liberty PlusTM (MMLP) trap was evaluated in comparison to human-landing catches (HLCs) to sample anopheline populations in Jabillal, state of Bolivar, southern Venezuela. The village comprised 37 houses and a population of 101; malaria in this village is primarily due to Plasmodium vivax and the Annual Parasite Index is 316.8 per 1,000 population. A longitudinal study was conducted between June 2008-January 2009 for three nights per month every two months between 17:30 pm-21:30 pm, a time when biting mosquitoes are most active. Anopheles darlingi and Anopheles nuneztovari were the most common species collected by both methods, whereas Anopheles marajoara was more abundant according to the HLC method. The MMLP trap was more efficient for collecting An. nuneztovari [63%, confidence interval (CI): 2.53] than for collecting An. darlingi (31%, CI: 1.57). There were significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the two methods for An. darlingi [Pearson correlation (R²) = 0.65] and An. nuneztovari (R² = 0.48). These preliminary results are encouraging for further investigations of the use of the MMLP trap for monitoring anopheline populations in remote malaria-endemic areas in the Amazon Basin.

The first report of the qnrB19, qnrS1 and aac(6´)-Ib-cr genes in urinary isolates of ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli in Brazil

In this study, we investigated the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes among 101 ciprofloxacin-resistant urinary Escherichia coli isolates and searched for mutations in the quinolone-resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of the DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV genes in PMQR-carrying isolates. Eight isolates harboured the qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes (3 qnrS1, 1 qnrB19 and 4 aac(6')-Ib-cr). A mutational analysis of the QRDRs in qnr and aac(6')-Ib-cr-positive isolates revealed mutations in gyrA, parC and parE that might be associated with high levels of resistance to quinolones. No mutation was detected in gyrB. Rare gyrA, parC and parE mutations were detected outside of the QRDRs. This is the first report of qnrB19, qnrS1 and aac(6')-Ib-cr -carrying E. coli isolates in Brazil.

Evaluation of three automated systems for susceptibility testing of enterobacteria containing qnrB, qnrS, and/or aac(6')-Ib-cr.

The accuracy of the MicroScan WalkAway, BD Phoenix, and Vitek-2 systems for susceptibility testing of quinolones and aminoglycosides against 68 enterobacteria containing qnrB, qnrS, and/or aac(6 ')-Ib-cr was evaluated using reference microdilution. Overall, one very major error (0.09%), 6 major errors (0.52%), and 45 minor errors (3.89%) were noted.

Effectiveness of Mosquito Magnet&#174; trap in rural areas in the southeastern tropical Atlantic Forest

Traps are widely employed for sampling and monitoring mosquito populations for surveillance, ecological and fauna studies. Considering the importance of assessing other technologies for sampling mosquitoes, we addressed the effectiveness of Mosquito Magnet® Independence (MMI) in comparison with those of the CDC trap with CO2 and Lurex3® (CDC-A) and the CDC light trap (CDC-LT). Field collections were performed in a rural area within the Atlantic Forest biome, southeastern state of São Paulo, Brazil. The MMI sampled 53.84% of the total number of mosquitoes, the CDC-A (26.43%) and CDC-LT (19.73%). Results of the Pearson chi-squared test (χ2) showed a positive association between CDC-LT and species of Culicini and Uranotaeniini tribes. Additionally, our results suggested a positive association between CDC-A and representatives of the Culicini and Aedini tribes, whereas the MMI was positively associated with the Mansoniini and Sabethini as well as with Anophelinae species. The MMI sampled a greater proportion (78.27%) of individuals of Anopheles than either the CDC-LT (0.82%) or the CDC-A traps (20.91%). Results of the present study showed that MMI performed better than CDC-LT or CDC-A in sampling mosquitoes in large numbers, medically important species and assessing diversity parameters in rural southeastern Atlantic Forest.

Kuranishi type Moduli Spaces for proper CR submersions fibering over the circle

Kuranishi's fundamental result (1962) associates to any compact complex manifold X&sub&0&/sub& a finite-dimensional analytic space which has to be thought of as a local moduli space of complex structures close to X&sub&0&/sub&. In this paper, we give an analogous statement for Levi-flat CR manifolds fibering properly over the circle by describing explicitely an infinite-dimensional Kuranishi type local moduli space of Levi-flat CR structures. We interpret this result in terms of Kodaira-Spencer deformation theory making clear the likenesses as well as the differences with the classical case. The article ends with applications and examples.

Variétés CR polarisées et G-polarisées, partie I

Polarized and G-polarized CR manifolds are smooth manifolds endowed with a double structure: a real foliation &em&F&/em& (given by the action of a Lie group G in the G-polarized case) and a transverse CR distribution. Polarized means that (E,J) is roughly speaking invariant by&em&F&/em&. Both structures are therefore linked up. The interplay between them gives to polarized CR-manifolds a very rich geometry. In this paper, we study the properties of polarized and G-polarized manifolds, putting special emphasis on their deformations.

[Félix] Léonard [portrait du boxeur français, salle Cré] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 57120

M. Cré [dans la salle de boxe portant son nom, 56 rue Rodier, à Paris] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 57118

Walter Ross [boxeur anglais, s'entraînant salle Cré, rue Rodier, à Paris] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 57121

Dumas [portrait du boxeur, salle Cré] : [photographie de presse] / [Agence Rol]

Référence bibliographique : Rol, 57119

Comentario general del crucero de evaluación del recurso merluza ejecutado en otoño de 1995 (Cr. BIC SNP-1, 9505-06)

Presenta las observaciones realizadas desde hace varios años, investigadas por el Instituto del Mar del Perú a través de su programa de seguimiento de pesqueras demersales y costeras, y de la evaluación directa de los stocks de peces de mar.

Aspectos metodológicos de la evaluación directa de la merluza (meluccius gayi peruanus) con el método del área barrida (Cr.BIC SNP-1, 9505-06)

Revisión de los principales problemas que se han presentado en la aplicación del método de área barrida para evaluar el stock de merluza en el Perú. Se indica que, entre otros, el desconocimiento de los factores que regulan el comportamiento migratorio de la merluza (tanto nictemeral como estacional) es una permanente fuente de sesgo en los estimados de biomasa. Asimismo, se describen algunos de los pasos que se dieron durante la ejecución del crucero de evaluación de merluza en 1995 que intentan mejorar la aplicación de esta metodología.

Comportamiento de la red de arrastre de fondo (Cr. BIC SNP-1, 9505-06)

Presenta las principales características del comportamiento de la red de arrastre de fondo tipo Granton 400/127 utilizada durante el crucero de evaluación del recurso merluza efectuada en otoño de 1995. Se analiza la captura por subáreas y por estrato de profundidad, observadas en 100 lances de comprobación. Se dan resultados de la geometría de la red de arrastre en sus diferentes niveles. Se obtiene la relación de la profundidad con la longitud del cable para cada estrato de profundidad; así mismo, de la ruptura por unidad de esfuerzo por subárea.