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Seventeen microsatellite loci were used to identify the phylogenetic relationship among four Egyptian breeds and one Spanish line of rabbits. A total of 114 bucks rabbits belonging to four Egyptian breeds -Black Baladi (EBB), Gabali (EG), Red Baladi (ERB) and White Giza (EWG)- and Spanish White New Zealand line from Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (NZW) were studied. All microsatellite loci typed were polymorphic. The average number of alleles per locus was 5.41, ranging from 2 to 12. A total of 16 private alleles were found in 7 out of 17 microsatellite loci used. Mean observed heterozygosity was 0.527, ranging from 0.477 in the NZW breed to 0.581 in the EWG. Lower values for Ho were found for all populations. The inbreeding coefficient of individuals relative to the total population (FIT) was 0.279. The overall within-population heterozygote deficit (FIS) was 0.165, ranging from 0.045 in NZW breed to 0.266 in EBB breed. The overall variation between population (FST) was 0.137, where the NZW breed showed the most differentiated population (FST = 0.194). The Neighbour-Joining tree of the Reynolds genetic distances (DR) among populations shows a clear separation of the Spanish population (NZW) from the Egyptians breeds and there is a population mixture in the Egyptian populations. Only the ERB may to cluster in one independent population.

The paper deals with the design of resilient networks that are fault tolerant against link failures. Usually,
fault tolerance is achieved by providing backup paths, which are used in case of an edge failure on a primary path. We consider this task as a multiobjective optimization problem: to provide resilience in networks while minimizing the cost subject to capacity constraint. We propose a stochastic approach,
which can generate multiple Pareto solutions in a single run. The feasibility of the proposed method is illustrated by considering several network design problems using a single weighted average of objectives and a direct multiobjective optimization approach using the Pareto dominance concept.

In this work a new algorithm inspired by the self organizing maps combined with evolutionary algorithms is lined up. A neuron in the map is not evolving by itself but it is the result of the application of an evolutionary algorithm during a set of iterations. This idea really helps to increasing the performance of both self organizing maps and evolutionary algorithms while considered individually. The experiments performed in this research envisage test functions having a single criteria but a high number of dimensions. Comparisons with four other well known metaheuristics for optimization (such as differential evolution, particle swarm optimization, simulated annealing) show the performance and efficiency of the proposed approach.

AIMS: QRS prolongation is a negative prognostic factor for the development of ventricular arrhythmia after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). In this MRI study, we performed a multivariate analysis to determine the influence of volumetric and functional parameters as well as time factors on QRS duration.

METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients after surgical repair of TOF were studied using a 1.5T MRI. Measurement of the ventricles was performed with a multislice-multiphase sequence. Left and right ventricular volumes, ejection fractions (EF) and myocardial masses were determined. Pulmonary regurgitant fraction (PRF) was quantified by velocity encoded flow measurement in the main pulmonary artery. Maximum QRS duration was taken from a 12-channel ECG. Mean maximum QRS duration was 132 ms (+/- 29 ms). Mean PRF was 29.2% (+/- 13.4%). QRS duration correlated significantly with PRF (r = 0.49; p < 0.01; n = 54) and with right ventricular enddiastolic volume index (RVEDVI) (r = 0.29; p < 0.05; n = 67). Multivariate analysis revealed that the combination of PRF, postoperative period, age at surgical repair, and left ventricular (LV) enddiastolic volume are correlated with QRS prolongation.

CONCLUSION: In patients after repair of TOF, pulmonary regurgitation is related to QRS prolongation. Furthermore, even LV size plays a role in the enlargement of the QRS complex.

AIM: To assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided pulmonary nodule localisation using a hooked guide wire before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 79 patients with a history of malignancies outside the lung associated with pulmonary nodules. Mean lesion size was 0.7 cm (range 0.5-1.8 cm) and the mean lesion distance to the pleural surface was 1.5 cm (range 0.2-5 cm). All lesions (n=82) were marked with a 22-G hook wire. The technique was designed to insert the tip of the hook wire within or maximally 1 cm from the edge of the lesion. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for univariate analyses and Fisher's exact test for categorical values.

RESULTS: The hooked guide wire was positioned successfully in all 82 pulmonary nodules within mean time of 9 minutes (8-20 minutes, SD: 2.5 minutes). The procedure time was inversely proportional to the size of the lesion (Spearman correlation factor 0.7). Minimal pneumothoraces were observed in five patients (7.6%). Pneumothorax was not correlated to the histopathology of the pulmonary nodules (p>0.09). Focal perilesional pulmonary haemorrhage developed in four patients (5%). Both haemorrhage and pneumothorax were significantly correlated to lesions <10 mm (p=0.02 and 0.01 respectively). The volume of resected lung tissue was significantly correlated to lesions of increased distance from the pleural surface ≥2.5 cm in comparison to lesions of <2.5 cm from the pleural surface.

CONCLUSION: CT-guided pulmonary nodule localisation prior to VATS could enable safe, accurate surgical guidance for the localisation of small pulmonary nodules.