Vanishing Parotid Tumors on MR Imaging

PubMed Central

Matsusue, Eiji; Fujihara, Yoshio; Matsuda, Eiken; Tokuyasu, Yusuke; Nakamoto, Shu; Nakamura, Kazuhiko; Ogawa, Toshihide

2018-01-01

Background Of all parotid gland tumors, only oncocytoma has been reported to appear isointense to the parotid gland, namely vanishing, on fat-saturated T2 and T1 postcontrast gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate vanishing of parotid tumors on conventional MRI with and/or without postcontrast gadolinium-enhancement and on diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). Methods In 8 of 51 patients, ten parotid gland tumors had homogeneously enhanced lesions and were retrospectively analysed. Comparisons of signal intensity between those parotid tumors and parotid glands and evaluations of vanishing were performed on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), fat-suppressed T2WI (FS-T2WI), postcontrast gadolinium-enhanced T1WI (CE-T1WI) and fat-suppressed CE-T1WI (FS-CE-T1WI), DWI as well as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Results Ten parotid gland tumors consisted of five Warthin tumors, two pleomorphic adenomas, two parotid carcinomas (small cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma) and one oncocytoma. All tumors showed hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on DWI. Nine of ten tumors showed vanishing on the other MR sequences. All Warthin tumors showed vanishing on FS-T2WI, FS-CE-T1WI and the ADC map. One oncocytoma showed vanishing on FS-T2WI and the ADC map and hyperintensity on FS-CE-T1WI. All pleomorphic adenomas showed vanishing on T2WI and CE-T1WI. One adenoid cystic carcinoma showed vanishing only on CE-T1WI. Conclusion Vanishing of parotid tumors can be observed not only on FS-T2WI and FS-CE-T1WI but also on T2WI, CE-T1WI and ADC mapping. PMID:29599620

Triptorelin and cetrorelix induce immune responses and affect uterine development and expressions of genes and proteins of ESR1, LHR, and FSHR of mice.

PubMed

Wei, Suocheng; Guo, Huiling; Gong, Zhuandi; Zhang, Fengwei; Ma, Zhongren

2016-06-01

GnRH immunity can reduce the expression of pituitary GnRH levels, and cause the changes in reproductive behaviors. It is unclear whether triptorelin (TRI) and cetrorelix (CET) immunity influences uterine development and expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), and estradiol receptor 1 (ERS1) in the uterus. The study investigated the effects of active immunity of GnRH agonist and antagonist on uterine development, microstructures, expression of hormone receptors mRNAs, and proteins in uteri. One hundred and five mice were assigned into CET, TRI, and control groups (CG). Mice in CET-1, CET-2, and CET-3 (n = 15) were subcutaneously injected with 10, 20, and 40 μg CET antigens for seven days, respectively. Mice in TRI-1, TRI-2, and TRI-3 were injected with 10, 20, and 40 μg TRI antigens for seven days, respectively. The qPCR and Western blot were implemented to determine expressions of ESR1, LHR and FSHR mRNAs, and proteins. Compared with CG, the uterine weights of CET-1, CET-2, and CET-3 increased by 42.86, 62.86, and 10.00% on day 35 (p < 0.05), respectively. Uterine weights of TRI-2, TRI-3 reduced by 28.57% and 11.43% (p < 0.05), respectively. The uterine cavity in CET-1, CET-2, and CET-3 increased; the uterine wall became thick. The cytoplasm of endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) increased slightly. In TRI group, the uterine wall thinned. Uterine cavity became narrow slightly in TRI-1. Numbers of uterine glands reduced. The endometrium epithelial thickness (EET) in CET-1 and CET-2 increased by 68.21% and 79.46% (p < 0.05), respectively. EET in TRI-1 was decreased by 13.69%. Uterine wall thicknesses (UWT) in CET-1 and CET-2 were higher than CG, with the increment of 28.59% and 30.72%. UWT of TRI-1, TRI-2, and TRI-3 reduced by 29.35, 15.36, and 14.41%, respectively. Expressions of ESR1, FSHR, and LHR mRNAs in CET and TRI mice increased. ESR1 and FSHR protein levels increased in all experimental mice (p < 0.05), with a maximum of TRI-3. LHR protein levels of the CET decreased. LHR protein levels of TRI group increased, with a maximum of TRI-3 (p < 0.05). ESR1 protein level had significant negative correlations to mRNA expressions of ESR1, LHR, and FSHR. CET immunity promoted the uterine development, improved EET and UWT, and also promoted the expressions of ESR1 and FSHR protein levels. It lessened the LHR protein levels. TRI immunity blocked EET and UWT, inhibited uterine growth and development. The efficacy of CET immunity was more obvious than TRI.

VIRTUAL REALITY CUE EXPOSURE THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF TOBACCO DEPENDENCE

PubMed Central

Culbertson, Christopher S.; Shulenberger, Stephanie; De La Garza, Richard; Newton, Thomas F.; Brody, Arthur L.

2012-01-01

Researchers and clinicians have recently begun using Virtual Reality (VR) to create immersive and interactive cue exposure paradigms. The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of individual cue exposure therapy (CET), using smoking-related VR cues (smoking-VR) as a smoking cessation treatment compared to a placebo-VR (neutral cue) treatment. The sample consisted of healthy treatment-seeking cigarette smokers, who underwent bi-weekly cognitive behavioral group therapy (CBT) plus either smoking-VR CET or placebo-VR CET (random assignment). Smoking-VR CET participants had a higher quit rate than placebo-VR CET participants (P = 0.015). Smoking-VR CET treated participants also reported smoking significantly fewer cigarettes per day at the end of treatment than placebo-VR CET treated participants (P = 0.034). These data indicate that smoking-related VR CET may prove useful in enhancing the efficacy of CBT treatment for tobacco dependence. PMID:25342999

A Comparison of EFL Raters' Essay-Rating Processes across Two Types of Rating Scales

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Hang; He, Lianzhen

2015-01-01

This study used think-aloud protocols to compare essay-rating processes across holistic and analytic rating scales in the context of China's College English Test Band 6 (CET-6). A group of 9 experienced CET-6 raters scored the same batch of 10 CET-6 essays produced in an operational CET-6 administration twice, using both the CET-6 holistic…

Prognostic value of cetuximab-related skin toxicity in metastatic colorectal cancer patients and its correlation with parameters of the epidermal growth factor receptor signal transduction pathway: results from a randomized trial of the GERMAN AIO CRC Study Group.

PubMed

Stintzing, Sebastian; Kapaun, Christine; Laubender, Rüdiger Paul; Jung, Andreas; Neumann, Jens; Modest, Dominik Paul; Giessen, Clemens; Moosmann, Nicolas; Wollenberg, Andreas; Kirchner, Thomas; Heinemann, Volker

2013-01-01

Skin toxicity is a frequent adverse event of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting agents. Occurrence of cetuximab-induced skin toxicity (Cet-ST) correlates with better treatment response and longer survival times. Molecular markers predicting Cet-ST are still missing. This investigation analyzed the value of Cet-ST for treatment efficacy in a randomized trial comparing cetuximab plus capecitabine/irinotecan to cetuximab plus capecitabine/oxaliplatin as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Patient characteristics and molecular parameters (KRAS mutation, EGFR-FISH, EGFR-IHC and EGFR intron-1 polymorphism) of the tumour were correlated with response and Cet-ST. Cet-ST grade 0-1 was observed in 31%, grade 2-3 in 69% of patients. Outcome favoured patients with grade 2-3 Cet-ST with regard to overall response rate (62 vs. 41%), PFS (7.8 vs. 5.2 months) and overall survival (OS) (30.3 vs. 18.0 months). First-cycle rash was observed in 66% of patients and corresponded with longer survival (30.7 vs. 20.2 months, p = 0.007). Patients without Cet-ST had a poor outcome (PFS, 1.9 months; OS, 11 months). The correlation of Cet-ST with survival was specifically evident in patients with KRAS codon-12-mutated tumours assumed to be cetuximab resistant. In multivariate analysis of patient characteristics, male gender and younger age were significantly correlated with Cet-ST. Among molecular parameters, no significant correlation with Cet-ST was found. Cet-ST is an early predictor of treatment efficacy in cetuximab-treated patients. This effect of Cet-ST is independent of the KRAS mutation status, suggesting that Cet-ST rather relates to constitutional factors of the patient than alterations of the EGFR pathway in the tumour. Copyright © 2012 UICC.

WITHDRAWN: Ivory vertebra and systemic mastocytosis. Comments on the article by Frenzel et al.

PubMed

Marhadour, Thierry; Saraux, Alain

2013-06-02

L'éditeur a le regret de vous informer que cet article ayant déjà été publié dans: , 80/5 (2013) 553-554, doi:10.1016/< S1297-319X(13)00186-3 >, cette seconde publication faite par erreur a été retirée. Copyright © 2013 Société française de rhumatologie. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Technological Specialisation Courses in Portugal: Description and Suggested Improvements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

da Costa, Nilza Maria Vilhena Nunes; Simoes, Ana Raquel; Pereira, Giselia Antunes; Pombo, Lucia

2009-01-01

This study is a part of the "Post-secondary Vocational Training in Portugal Project: from a description through to suggestions to improve training quality", which ran from 2003 to 2006. This article, which makes use of data obtained from interviews with Directors of Schools which offer technological specialisation courses (CETs) and from…

Computer-Based English Language Testing in China: Present and Future

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yu, Guoxing; Zhang, Jing

2017-01-01

In this special issue on high-stakes English language testing in China, the two articles on computer-based testing (Jin & Yan; He & Min) highlight a number of consistent, ongoing challenges and concerns in the development and implementation of the nationwide IB-CET (Internet Based College English Test) and institutional computer-adaptive…

CET and IT in Education and Training. CET Information Sheet 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burton, Jane; Morris, Judith

This summary of Council for Educational Technology (CET) activities begins with a definition of educational technology and a brief statement on its importance in the learning process. Activities, including involvement in both CET and cooperative projects, are then briefly described in 16 areas: (1) instructional technology (IT) in the curriculum;…

A randomized controlled study of exposure therapy as aftercare for alcohol use disorder: study protocol.

PubMed

Mellentin, Angelina Isabella; Nielsen, Bent; Nielsen, Anette Søgaard; Yu, Fei; Stenager, Elsebeth

2016-04-21

It is well documented that individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) respond well during evidence-based psychological treatment, but also that a large proportion relapses when discharged from treatment and confronted with alcohol in real life. Cue Exposure Treatment (CET) focuses on exposing individuals to alcohol cues in order to reduce cravings as well as the likelihood of relapse. The aims of the study are: 1) to investigate whether CET aftercare delivered via a smartphone or in group sessions increases the effect of Cognitive Behavioural Treatment in groups of alcohol dependent individuals; 2) to investigate whether CET as a smartphone application is as or more effective than CET group therapy, and 3) to investigate whether CET as a smartphone application is more cost-effective than CET group aftercare and Aftercare as Usual. The study will be implemented as an investigator-blinded randomized controlled trial. A total of 300 consecutively enrolled alcohol use disorder individuals recruited from an alcohol outpatient clinic will be randomized into one of the three following aftercare groups after concluding primary treatment: (1) CET as a smartphone application; (2) CET as group therapy, and (3) Aftercare as Usual. It is hypothesized that the two experimental groups will achieve better treatment outcomes compared to the control group (3). Individuals in the CET groups are given the opportunity to practise coping strategies during exposure to alcohol stimuli before being unavoidably confronted with alcohol and associated stimuli in real life. Thus, CET may help prevent patients from relapsing after concluding treatment, and in the long term. Moreover, the CET application has the potential to improve AUD treatment and continuing care by offering psychological treatment whenever and wherever the patient finds it convenient. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02298751 Registration date: 6 November 2014.

Characteristics and determinants of endurance cycle ergometry and six-minute walk distance in patients with COPD.

PubMed

Andrianopoulos, Vasileios; Wagers, Scott S; Groenen, Miriam T J; Vanfleteren, Lowie E; Franssen, Frits M E; Smeenk, Frank W J M; Vogiatzis, Ioannis; Wouters, Emiel F M; Spruit, Martijn A

2014-05-31

Exercise tolerance can be assessed by the cycle endurance test (CET) and six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). We sought to investigate the characteristics of functional exercise performance and determinants of the CET and 6MWT in a large clinical cohort of COPD patients. A dataset of 2053 COPD patients (43% female, age: 66.9 ± 9.5 years, FEV1% predicted: 48.2 ± 23.2) was analyzed retrospectively. Patients underwent, amongst others, respiratory function evaluation; medical tests and questionnaires, one maximal incremental cycle test where peak work rate was determined and two functional exercise tests: a CET at 75% of peak work rate and 6MWT. A stepwise multiple linear regression was used to assess determinants. On average, patients had impaired exercise tolerance (peak work rate: 56 ± 27% predicted, 6MWT: 69 ± 17% predicted). A total of 2002 patients had CET time of duration (CET-Tend) less than 20 min while only 51 (2.5%) of the patients achieved 20 min of CET-Tend . In former patients, the percent of predicted peak work rate achieved differed significantly between men (48 ± 21% predicted) and women (67 ± 31% predicted). In contrast, CET-Tend was longer in men (286 ± 174 s vs 250 ± 153 s, p < 0.001). Also, six minute walking distance (6MWD) was higher in men compared to women, both in absolute terms as in percent of predicted (443 m, 67%predicted vs 431 m, 72%predicted, p < 0.05). Gender was associated with the CET-Tend but BMI, FEV1 and FRC were related to the 6MWD highlighting the different determinants of exercise performance between CET and 6MWT. CET-Tend is a valuable outcome of CET as it is related to multiple clinical aspects of disease severity in COPD. Gender difference should temper the interpretation of CET.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) tracking of chelerythrine, a Na(+)/K(+) pump inhibitor, into cytosol and plasma membrane fractions of human lens epithelial cell cultures.

PubMed

Dorney, Kevin M; Sizemore, Ioana E P; Alqahtani, Tariq; Adragna, Norma C; Lauf, Peter K

2013-01-01

The quaternary benzo-phenanthridine alkaloid (QBA) chelerythrine (CET) is a pro-apoptotic drug and Na(+)/K(+) pump (NKP) inhibitor in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs). In order to obtain further insight into the mechanism of NKP inhibition by CET, its sub-cellular distribution was quantified in cytosolic and membrane fractions of HLEC cultures by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) prepared by the Creighton method were concentrated, and size-selected using a one-step tangential flow filtration approach. HLECs cultures were exposed to 50 μM CET in 300 mOsM phosphate-buffered NaCl for 30 min. A variety of cytosolic extracts, crude and purified membranes, prepared in lysing solutions in the presence and absence of a non-ionic detergent, were incubated with AgNPs and subjected to SERS analysis. Determinations of CET were based on a linear calibration plot of the integrated CET SERS intensity at its 659 cm(-1) marker band as a function of CET concentration. SERS detected chemically unaltered CET in both cytosol and plasma membrane fractions. Normalized for protein, the CET content was some 100 fold higher in the crude and purified plasma membrane fraction than in the soluble cytosolic extract. The total free CET concentration in the cytosol, free of membranes or containing detergent-solubilized membrane material, approached that of the incubation medium of HLECs. Given a negative membrane potential of HLECs the data suggest, but do not prove, that CET may traverse the plasma membrane as a positively charged monomer (CET(+)) accumulating near or above passive equilibrium distribution. These findings may contribute to a recently proposed hypothesis that CET binds to and inhibits the NKP through its cytosolic aspect. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Application de l’analyse des séries chronologiques à la projection d’effectifs de population scolaire par la méthode des composantes

PubMed Central

Smith, Herbert L.

2016-01-01

Cet article veut montrer qu’on peut réécrire des modèles démographiques en vue de réaliser des projections par cohorte, en les transposant dans un modèle économétrique vecteur autoré-gressif (VAR). De cette façon, la méthode des composantes se dote d’un cadre stochastique qui étend son envergure. Le potentiel de cette perspective est illustré à travers l’exemple d’une projection d’effectifs de population scolaire. Il met en valeur une série d’équations qui permet de vérifier la validité de plusieurs choix de modélisations habituellement utilisées dans le domaine de la prévision. PMID:27346921

Rétraction: plagiat aggravé dans l'article Aspergillose broncho-pulmonaire allergique lors d'un asthme réfractaire: à propos d'un cas clinique. Khalid Lahmadi, Hind El Youssi, Jawad Rochdi, BoughrineNawal, Er-Rami Mohammed. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2015;20:350. (doi:10.11604/pamj.2015.20.350.6572)

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Cet article retracte l'article "Aspergillose broncho-pulmonaire allergique lors d'un asthme réfractaire: à propos d'un cas clinique. Khalid Lahmadi, Hind El Youssi, Jawad Rochdi, BoughrineNawal, Er-Rami Mohammed. The Pan African Medical Journal. 2015;20:350. (doi:10.11604/pamj.2015.20.350.6572)" PMID:26401219

Computing Equilibrium Chemical Compositions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcbride, Bonnie J.; Gordon, Sanford

1995-01-01

Chemical Equilibrium With Transport Properties, 1993 (CET93) computer program provides data on chemical-equilibrium compositions. Aids calculation of thermodynamic properties of chemical systems. Information essential in design and analysis of such equipment as compressors, turbines, nozzles, engines, shock tubes, heat exchangers, and chemical-processing equipment. CET93/PC is version of CET93 specifically designed to run within 640K memory limit of MS-DOS operating system. CET93/PC written in FORTRAN.

Cue exposure treatment in a virtual environment to reduce nicotine craving: a functional MRI study.

PubMed

Moon, Jiyoon; Lee, Jang-Han

2009-02-01

Smokers show an increase in cue reactivity during exposure to smoking-related cues. CET aims at extinguishing cue reactivity by repeated presentation of substance-related cues and has been claimed a potentially effective method of treating addictive behaviors, including cigarette smoking. We applied CET to eight late-adolescent smokers in virtual environments (VEs). When comparing pre-CET regions to those of post-CET, the inferior frontal gyrus and superior frontal gyrus were detected. These regions are consistent with previous studies of activated brain regions related to nicotine craving, and VE-CET seems to be an effective method of treating nicotine craving.

Minutes of the Speech Understanding Workshop Convened on 13 November 1975 in Washington, D.C.

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-11-13

Paul Butler and the Technology Utilization progrn for their 76 support. To Dr. Orin Cornett of Gallaudet College, I want to express my thanks for his...to Dr. Ronald S. Hershel and "Messrs. Michael A. M\\’onahan, Timothy C. Strand and Larry B. Stotts for advice and criticism. we Cet article discute une

Cognitive diversity and moral enhancement.

PubMed

Gyngell, Chris; Easteal, Simon

2015-01-01

One debate in contemporary bioethics centers on whether the development of cognitive enhancement technologies (CETs) will hasten the need for moral enhancement. In this article we provide a new argument in favor of pursuing these enhancement technologies together. The widespread availability of CETs will likely increase population-level cognitive diversity. Different people will choose to enhance different aspects of their cognition, and some won't enhance themselves at all. Although this has the potential to be beneficial for society, it could also result in harms as people become more different from one another. Aspects of our moral psychology make it difficult for people to cooperate and coordinate actions with those who are very different from themselves. These moral failings could be targeted by moral enhancement technologies, which may improve cooperation among individuals. Moral enhancement technologies will therefore help society maximize the benefits, and reduce the costs, associated with widespread access to cognitive enhancements.

SA122. Participant Satisfaction and Subjective Experiences in a Community-Based Cognitive Enhancement Therapy Program

PubMed Central

Faith, Laura; Collins-Stiner, Jennifer; Rempfer, Melisa; Racette, Elise; Jarvis, Stephen

2017-01-01

Abstract Background: Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) is an effective treatment to improve social cognition and neurocognition for individuals with schizophrenia (Hogarty & Flesher, 1999). CET is associated with improvement in employment (Eack et al., 2009), functional outcomes (Eack et al., 2011), and reducing negative symptoms (Eack et al, 2013). While CET is linked to these outcomes, research has not investigated client satisfaction and subjective experiences. Our proposed study hopes to address this gap in the literature and evaluate experiences and satisfaction in a diverse community medical center. Methods: The current study utilizes participants (N = 17) engaging in CET. Participants completed a satisfaction survey and semistructured interview to capture satisfaction and subjective experiences. Surveys consist of 13 questions stressing CET components such as satisfaction, coaching, and homework. Survey questions are on a Likert-type scale with 1 being “completely disagree” and 5 being “completely agree”. Semistructured interviews consist of 8 open-ended questions exploring likes/dislikes, accomplishments, and areas of learning. Descriptive statistics of surveys were analyzed and thematic analysis was used to code transcribed interviews. Results: Participants’ mean age was 42.24 (SD = 12.23). All participants were diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (N=17). Participants’ racial/ethnic backgrounds included Caucasian/white (n = 5), African American/black (n = 5), multiracial (n = 4), and Asian/Pacific Islander (n = 3). Results from surveys indicated that CET is worth their time (n = 17, 100%), satisfaction with CET classes is high (M = 4.06), and all CET participants feel comfortable talking with their CET coach (n = 17, 100%). Several themes from interviews emerged. Themes indicated that CET compared to other groups (1) is more difficult, (2) feels more educational, and (3) has more client participation and coach questioning. Interviews also suggested that participants find CET beneficial due to (1) treatment being interactive, (2) promotion of learning communication and social skills, (3) improved attention, and (4) individual coaching and feedback. More details about participant surveys and interviews will be reported. Conclusion: The current study shows preliminary evidence that CET is a unique and satisfactory treatment. Previous research shows that client preferences affect satisfaction, completion, and clinical outcomes (Lindhiem et al., 2014). Thus, more research is needed to measure program satisfaction and experiences to improve outcomes.

Physiological Correlates of Endurance Time Variability during Constant-Workrate Cycling Exercise in Patients with COPD

PubMed Central

Vivodtzev, Isabelle; Gagnon, Philippe; Pepin, Véronique; Saey, Didier; Laviolette, Louis; Brouillard, Cynthia; Maltais, François

2011-01-01

Rationale The endurance time (Tend) during constant-workrate cycling exercise (CET) is highly variable in COPD. We investigated pulmonary and physiological variables that may contribute to these variations in Tend. Methods Ninety-two patients with COPD completed a CET performed at 80% of peak workrate capacity (Wpeak). Patients were divided into tertiles of Tend [Group 1: <4 min; Group 2: 4–6 min; Group 3: >6 min]. Disease severity (FEV1), aerobic fitness (Wpeak, peak oxygen consumption [ peak], ventilatory threshold [ VT]), quadriceps strength (MVC), symptom scores at the end of CET and exercise intensity during CET (heart rate at the end of CET to heart rate at peak incremental exercise ratio [HRCET/HRpeak]) were analyzed as potential variables influencing Tend. Results Wpeak, peak, VT, MVC, leg fatigue at end of CET, and HRCET/HRpeak were lower in group 1 than in group 2 or 3 (p≤0.05). VT and leg fatigue at end of CET independently predicted Tend in multiple regression analysis (r = 0.50, p = 0.001). Conclusion Tend was independently related to the aerobic fitness and to tolerance to leg fatigue at the end of exercise. A large fraction of the variability in Tend was not explained by the physiological parameters assessed in the present study. Individualization of exercise intensity during CET should help in reducing variations in Tend among patients with COPD. PMID:21386991

Apigenin enhances the antitumor effects of cetuximab in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by inhibiting EGFR signaling.

PubMed

Hu, Wen-Jian; Liu, Jing; Zhong, Lun-Kun; Wang, Jian

2018-06-01

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of head and neck cancers with poor prognosis. Despite that platinum-based chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy have made great achievements for the treatment of NPC, the therapeutic reaction and toxicity varies dramatically among individuals. Apigenin (API), a naturally occurring plant flavone, is considered to have anti-cancer effect. Cetuximab (CET), a well known epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, is widely used in various cancers, especially head and neck cancers. The aim of our study was to measure the combination of API and CET for the treatment of NPC in vitro and in vivo. Results demonstrated that combining API and CET could better suppress the viability of the human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines (HONE1 and CNE2) and inhibit the growth of NPC than API or CET used alone. Besides, the combination of API with CET produced greater pro-apoptosis effect. Moreover, the increased G2/M phase arrest caused by CET could be remarkably enhanced by adding API in HONE1 and CNE2 cells. Although, both API and CET could decrease the expressions of p-EGFR, p-Akt, p-STAT3 and Cyclin D1. Combining them produced greater inhibition effect. These results suggested that the combination of API and CET may be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of NPC. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Cetuximab-conjugated iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy

PubMed Central

Tseng, Shih-Heng; Chou, Min-Yuan; Chu, I-Ming

2015-01-01

We have developed a theranostic nanoparticle, ie, cet-PEG-dexSPIONs, by conjugation of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody, cetuximab, to dextran-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) via periodate oxidation. Approximately 31 antibody molecules were conjugated to each nanoparticle. Cet-PEG-dexSPIONs specifically bind to EGFR-expressing tumor cells and enhance image contrast on magnetic resonance imaging. Cet-PEG-dexSPION-treated A431 cells showed significant inhibition of epidermal growth factor-induced EGFR phosphorylation and enhancement of EGFR internalization and degradation. In addition, a significant increase in apoptosis was detected in EGFR-overexpressing cell lines, A431 and 32D/EGFR, after 24 hours of incubation at 37°C with cet-PEG-dexSPIONs compared with cetuximab alone. The antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity of cetuximab was observed in cet-PEG-dexSPIONs. The results demonstrated that cet-PEG-dexSPIONs retained the therapeutic effect of cetuximab in addition to having the ability to target and image EGFR-expressing tumors. Cet-PEG-dexSPIONs represent a promising targeted magnetic probe for early detection and treatment of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. PMID:26056447

Detecting Eating Psychopathology in Female Athletes by Asking About Exercise: Use of the Compulsive Exercise Test.

PubMed

Plateau, Carolyn R; Arcelus, Jon; Meyer, Caroline

2017-11-01

The present study assessed the suitability of the Compulsive Exercise Test (athlete version; CET-A) for identifying female athletes with clinically significant features related to or comparable with eating psychopathology. Three hundred and sixty-one female athletes (including 12 with a clinically diagnosed eating disorder) completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire and the CET-A. Receiver operating curve analysis was employed to identify a cut-off value on the CET-A, which could indicate clinically significant features related to or comparable with eating psychopathology among female athletes. The analysis demonstrated that a CET-A score of 10 successfully discriminated female athletes with a current eating disorder. The results suggest that the CET-A may be a suitable tool for detecting eating psychopathology in female athletes. Additional longitudinal research is needed to evaluate the predictive value of the CET-A. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Effects of Systematic Cue Exposure Through Virtual Reality on Cigarette Craving

PubMed Central

Pericot-Valverde, Irene; Secades-Villa, Roberto; Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José

2014-01-01

Introduction: Cigarette cravings have been associated with less successful attempts to quit smoking and a greater likelihood of relapse after smoking cessation. Background craving refers to a relatively steady and continuous experience of craving, while cue-induced craving refers to phases of intense craving triggered by cues associated with smoking. Cue exposure treatment (CET) involves repeated exposure to stimuli associated with substance use in order to reduce craving responses. However, mixed results have been found regarding the effect of CET on both types of craving. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of systematic virtual reality cue exposure treatment (VR-CET) on background and cue-induced cravings. Methods: Participants were 48 treatment-seeking smokers. The VR-CET consisted of prolonged exposure sessions to several interactive virtual environments. The VR-CET was applied once a week over 5 weeks. An individualized hierarchy of exposure was drawn up for each patient starting from the easiest virtual environment. Background and cue-induced cravings were recorded in each session. Results: Cue-induced craving decreased over each session as a result of prolonged exposure. VR-CET also reduced cue-induced and background cravings across the 5 sessions, showing a cumulative effect across the exposure sessions. Conclusions: Our results evidenced the utility of VR-CET in reducing both types of cigarette craving. A combination of CET through VR with psychological treatments may improve current treatments for smoking cessation. PMID:24962558

To Jump or Cycle? Monitoring Neuromuscular Function in Rugby Union Players.

PubMed

Roe, Gregory; Darrall-Jones, Joshua; Till, Kevin; Phibbs, Padraic; Read, Dale; Weakley, Jonathon; Jones, Ben

2017-05-01

To evaluate changes in performance of a 6-s cycle-ergometer test (CET) and countermovement jump (CMJ) during a 6-wk training block in professional rugby union players. Twelve young professional rugby union players performed 2 CETs and CMJs on the 1st and 4th mornings of every week before the commencement of daily training during a 6-wk training block. Standardized changes in the highest score of 2 CET and CMJ efforts were assessed using linear mixed modeling and magnitude-based inferences. After increases in training load during wk 3 to 5, moderate decreases in CMJ peak and mean power and small decreases in flight time were observed during wk 5 and 6 that were very likely to almost certainly greater than the smallest worthwhile change (SWC), suggesting neuromuscular fatigue. However, only small decreases, possibly greater than the SWC, were observed in CET peak power. Changes in CMJ peak and mean power were moderately greater than in CET peak power during this period, while the difference between flight time and CET peak power was small. The greater weekly changes in CMJ metrics in comparison with CET may indicate differences in the capacities of these tests to measure training-induced lower-body neuromuscular fatigue in rugby union players. However, future research is needed to ascertain the specific modes of training that elicit changes in CMJ and CET to determine the efficacy of each test for monitoring neuromuscular function in rugby union players.

39 CFR 121.2 - Periodicals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... standard is applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero Critical Entry Time (CET... Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero CET and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for... properly accepted before the day-zero CET if: the origin and destination are separately in Puerto Rico and...

39 CFR 121.2 - Periodicals.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... standard is applied to Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero Critical Entry Time (CET... Periodicals pieces properly accepted before the day-zero CET and merged with First-Class Mail pieces for... properly accepted before the day-zero CET if: the origin and destination are separately in Puerto Rico and...

Cue exposure therapy for the treatment of opiate addiction: results of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Marissen, Marlies A E; Franken, Ingmar H A; Blanken, Peter; van den Brink, Wim; Hendriks, Vincent M

2007-01-01

Persistent cue reactivity to drug-related stimuli is a well-known phenomenon among abstinent drug users and has been found to be a predictor of relapse. Cue exposure therapy (CET) aims to reduce this cue reactivity by exposing abstinent drug users to conditioned drug-related stimuli while preventing their habitual response, i.e. drug use. 127 abstinent heroin-dependent Dutch inpatients were randomized to CET (n = 65; 55 completers) and placebo psychotherapy treatment (PPT) (n = 62; 59 completers). It was examined whether CET would lead to a decrease in drug-related cue reactivity (using mixed-design ANOVA) and subsequently to lower dropout and relapse rates (using logistic regression) compared to PPT. Both groups responded with a similar decrease in self-reported cue reactivity (craving, mood). The CET group did show a significant decrease in physiological reactivity (skin conductance) compared to PPT. However, dropout and relapse rates were, contrary to our expectations, significantly higher in the CET group. This is the first randomized controlled trial showing that CET, compared to a non-specific psychotherapy, might increase dropout and relapse rates among abstinent heroin-dependent clients in a drug-free setting. Caution is warranted when applying CET in this specific context. Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Cycle ergometer and inspiratory muscle training offer modest benefit compared with cycle ergometer alone: a comprehensive assessment in stable COPD patients

PubMed Central

Luo, Yu-wen; Wang, Mei; Hu, Yu-he; Xu, Wen-hui; Zhou, Lu-qian; Chen, Rong-chang; Chen, Xin

2017-01-01

Background Cycle ergometer training (CET) has been shown to improve exercise performance of the quadriceps muscles in patients with COPD, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may improve the pressure-generating capacity of the inspiratory muscles. However, the effects of combined CET and IMT remain unclear and there is a lack of comprehensive assessment. Materials and methods Eighty-one patients with COPD were randomly allocated to three groups: 28 received 8 weeks of CET + IMT (combined training group), 27 received 8 weeks of CET alone (CET group), and 26 only received 8 weeks of free walking (control group). Comprehensive assessment including respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, pulmonary function, dyspnea, quality of life, emotional status, nutritional status, and body mass index, airflow obstruction, and exercise capacity index were measured before and after the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Results Respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, inspiratory capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression and anxiety, and nutritional status were all improved in the combined training and CET groups when compared with that in the control group (P<0.05) after pulmonary rehabilitation program. Inspiratory muscle strength increased significantly in the combined training group when compared with that in the CET group (ΔPImax [maximal inspiratory pressure] 5.20±0.89 cmH2O vs 1.32±0.91 cmH2O; P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the other indices between the two groups (P>0.05). Patients with weakened respiratory muscles in the combined training group derived no greater benefit than those without respiratory muscle weakness (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in these indices between the patients with malnutrition and normal nutrition after pulmonary rehabilitation program (P>0.05). Conclusion Combined training is more effective than CET alone for increasing inspiratory muscle strength. IMT may not be useful when combined with CET in patients with weakened inspiratory muscles. Nutritional status had slight impact on the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation. A comprehensive assessment approach can be more objective to evaluate the effects of combined CET and IMT. PMID:28919733

Cycle ergometer and inspiratory muscle training offer modest benefit compared with cycle ergometer alone: a comprehensive assessment in stable COPD patients.

PubMed

Wang, Kai; Zeng, Guang-Qiao; Li, Rui; Luo, Yu-Wen; Wang, Mei; Hu, Yu-He; Xu, Wen-Hui; Zhou, Lu-Qian; Chen, Rong-Chang; Chen, Xin

2017-01-01

Cycle ergometer training (CET) has been shown to improve exercise performance of the quadriceps muscles in patients with COPD, and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) may improve the pressure-generating capacity of the inspiratory muscles. However, the effects of combined CET and IMT remain unclear and there is a lack of comprehensive assessment. Eighty-one patients with COPD were randomly allocated to three groups: 28 received 8 weeks of CET + IMT (combined training group), 27 received 8 weeks of CET alone (CET group), and 26 only received 8 weeks of free walking (control group). Comprehensive assessment including respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, pulmonary function, dyspnea, quality of life, emotional status, nutritional status, and body mass index, airflow obstruction, and exercise capacity index were measured before and after the pulmonary rehabilitation program. Respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity, inspiratory capacity, dyspnea, quality of life, depression and anxiety, and nutritional status were all improved in the combined training and CET groups when compared with that in the control group ( P <0.05) after pulmonary rehabilitation program. Inspiratory muscle strength increased significantly in the combined training group when compared with that in the CET group (ΔPI max [maximal inspiratory pressure] 5.20±0.89 cmH 2 O vs 1.32±0.91 cmH 2 O; P <0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the other indices between the two groups ( P >0.05). Patients with weakened respiratory muscles in the combined training group derived no greater benefit than those without respiratory muscle weakness ( P >0.05). There were no significant differences in these indices between the patients with malnutrition and normal nutrition after pulmonary rehabilitation program ( P >0.05). Combined training is more effective than CET alone for increasing inspiratory muscle strength. IMT may not be useful when combined with CET in patients with weakened inspiratory muscles. Nutritional status had slight impact on the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation. A comprehensive assessment approach can be more objective to evaluate the effects of combined CET and IMT.

Effects of systematic cue exposure through virtual reality on cigarette craving.

PubMed

Pericot-Valverde, Irene; Secades-Villa, Roberto; Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José; García-Rodríguez, Olaya

2014-11-01

Cigarette cravings have been associated with less successful attempts to quit smoking and a greater likelihood of relapse after smoking cessation. Background craving refers to a relatively steady and continuous experience of craving, while cue-induced craving refers to phases of intense craving triggered by cues associated with smoking. Cue exposure treatment (CET) involves repeated exposure to stimuli associated with substance use in order to reduce craving responses. However, mixed results have been found regarding the effect of CET on both types of craving. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of systematic virtual reality cue exposure treatment (VR-CET) on background and cue-induced cravings. Participants were 48 treatment-seeking smokers. The VR-CET consisted of prolonged exposure sessions to several interactive virtual environments. The VR-CET was applied once a week over 5 weeks. An individualized hierarchy of exposure was drawn up for each patient starting from the easiest virtual environment. Background and cue-induced cravings were recorded in each session. Cue-induced craving decreased over each session as a result of prolonged exposure. VR-CET also reduced cue-induced and background cravings across the 5 sessions, showing a cumulative effect across the exposure sessions. Our results evidenced the utility of VR-CET in reducing both types of cigarette craving. A combination of CET through VR with psychological treatments may improve current treatments for smoking cessation. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

CRITICAL EXPERIMENT TANK (CET) REACTOR HAZARDS SUMMARY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Becar, N.J.; Kunze, J.F.; Pincock, G..D.

1961-03-31

The Critical Experiment Tank (CET) reactor assembly, the associated systems, and the Low Power Test Facility in which the reactor is to be operated are described. An evaluation and summary of the hazards associated with the operation of the CET reactor in the LPTF at the ldsho Test Station are also presented. (auth)

Original research paper. Characterization and taste masking evaluation of microparticles with cetirizine dihydrochloride and methacrylate-based copolymer obtained by spray drying.

PubMed

Amelian, Aleksandra; Szekalska, Marta; Ciosek, Patrycja; Basa, Anna; Winnicka, Katarzyna

2017-03-01

Taste of a pharmaceutical formulation is an important parameter for the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy. Cetirizine dihydrochloride (CET) is a second-generation antihistamine that is commonly administered in allergy treatment. CET is characterized by extremely bitter taste and it is a great challenge to successfully mask its taste; therefore the goal of this work was to formulate and characterize the microparticles obtained by the spray drying method with CET and poly(butyl methacrylate-co-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate 1:2:1 copolymer (Eudragit E PO) as a barrier coating. Assessment of taste masking by the electronic tongue has revealed that designed formulations created an effective taste masking barrier. Taste masking effect was also confirmed by the in vivo model and the in vitro release profile of CET. Obtained data have shown that microparticles with a drug/polymer ratio (0.5:1) are promising CET carriers with efficient taste masking potential and might be further used in designing orodispersible dosage forms with CET.

Le premier examen gynécologique idéal imaginé par les jeunes filles

PubMed Central

Freyens, Anne; Dejeanne, Mélanie; Fabre, Elise; Rouge-Bugat, Marie-Eve; Oustric, Stéphane

2017-01-01

Résumé Objectif Explorer les représentations sur l’examen gynécologique (EG) et identifier les critères nécessaires à son bon déroulement chez des adolescentes n’ayant pas encore vécu cet examen. Type d’étude Enquête qualitative par entrevues semi-dirigées. Contexte Midi-Pyrénées (France) et Auvergne (France). Participants Jeunes filles de 15 à 19 ans qui n’ayant pas vécu l’EG. Méthodes Le mode de recrutement de l’échantillon a été double : sélection des jeunes filles par la technique boule-de-neige et sélection par la technique d’échantillonnage ciblé jusqu’à l’obtention de la saturation des données tout en cherchant la variation maximale dans les profils des sujets. Les questions ouvertes portaient sur les sources d’informations, les connaissances, les critères de bon déroulement et l’imaginaire autour de l’EG. Le verbatim a fait l’objet d’une analyse longitudinale immédiate rassemblant le contexte (notes des chercheurs) et les idées principales de l’entretien. Une analyse transversale thématique a été réalisée. Principales constatations Une méconnaissance générale des jeunes filles sur l’EG entretenait l’imaginaire autour de cet examen perçu comme obligatoire. L’EG idéal, selon les jeunes filles interrogées, aurait lieu chez une jeune fille qui se sentirait prête, informée préalablement, pouvant être accompagnée selon son souhait. Cet examen se déroulerait dans un environnement chaleureux et confortable afin de diminuer le sentiment de vulnérabilité. La qualité du lien avec le médecin conditionnerait l’acceptation de cet examen par les jeunes filles. Conclusion Une consultation dédiée à l’information, préalable à la consultation où a lieu l’EG, permettrait de diminuer les appréhensions, d’améliorer les connaissances des jeunes filles et de favoriser le bon déroulement du futur premier EG tant pour le médecin que pour la patiente. PMID:28807971

A randomized, phase 2 study of cetuximab plus cisplatin with or without paclitaxel for the first-line treatment of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

PubMed

Bossi, P; Miceli, R; Locati, L D; Ferrari, D; Vecchio, S; Moretti, G; Denaro, N; Caponigro, F; Airoldi, M; Moro, C; Vaccher, E; Sponghini, A; Caldara, A; Rinaldi, G; Ferrau, F; Nolè, F; Lo Vullo, S; Tettamanzi, F; Hollander, L; Licitra, L

2017-11-01

B490 (EudraCT# 2011-002564-24) is a randomized, phase 2b, noninferiority study investigating the efficacy and safety of first-line cetuximab plus cisplatin with/without paclitaxel (CetCis versus CetCisPac) in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). Eligible patients had confirmed R/M SCCHN (oral cavity/oropharynx/larynx/hypopharynx/paranasal sinus) and no prior therapy for R/M disease. Cetuximab was administered on day 1 (2-h infusion, 400 mg/m2), then weekly (1-h infusions, 250 mg/m2). Cisplatin was given as a 1-h infusion (CetCis arm: 100 mg/m2; CetCisPac arm: 75 mg/m2) on day 1 of each cycle for a maximum of six cycles. Paclitaxel was administered as a 3-h infusion (175 mg/m2) on day 1 of each cycle. After six cycles, maintenance cetuximab was administered until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). We assumed a noninferiority margin of 1.40 as compatible with efficacy. A total of 201 patients were randomized 1 : 1 to each regimen; 191 were assessable. PFS with CetCis (median, 6 months) was noninferior to PFS with CetCisPac (median, 7 months) [HR for CetCis versus CetCisPac 0.99; 95% CI: 0.72-1.36, P = 0.906; margin of noninferiority (90% CI of 1.4) not reached]. Median overall survival was 13 versus 11 months (HR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.53-1.11, P = 0.117). The overall response rates were 41.8% versus 51.7%, respectively (OR = 0.69; 95% CI: 0.38-1.20, P = 0.181). Grade ≥3 adverse event rates were 76% and 73% for CetCis versus CetCisPac, respectively, while grade 4 toxicities were lower in the two-drug versus three-drug arm (14% versus 33%, P = 0.015). No toxic death or sepsis were reported and cardiac events were negligible (1%). The two-drug CetCis regimen proved to be noninferior in PFS to a three-drug combination with CetCisPac. The median OS of both regimens is comparable with that observed in EXTREME, while the life-threatening toxicity rate appeared reduced. EudraCT# 2011-002564-24. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

MR imaging of patients with lateral epicondylitis of the elbow: is the common extensor tendon an isolated lesion?

PubMed

Qi, Liang; Zhu, Zheng-Feng; Li, Feng; Wang, Ren-Fa

2013-01-01

To investigate whether an injury of the common extensor tendon (CET) is associated with other abnormalities in the elbow joint and find the potential relationships between these imaging features by using a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-three patients were examined with 3.0 T MR. Two reviewers were recruited for MR images evaluation. Image features were recorded in terms of (1) the injury degree of CET; (2) associated injuries in the elbow joint. Spearman's rank correlation analysis was performed to analyze the relationships between the injury degree of CET and associated abnormalities of the elbow joint, correlations were considered significant at p<0.05. Total 24 elbows in 23 patients were included. Various degrees of injuries were found in total 24 CETs (10 mild, 7 moderate and 7 severe). Associated abnormalities were detected in accompaniments of the elbow joints including ligaments, tendons, saccussynovialis and muscles. A significantly positive correlation (r = 0.877,p<0.01) was found in injuries of CET and lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL). Injury of the CET is not an isolated lesion for lateral picondylitis, which is mostly accompanied with other abnormalities, of which the LUCL injury is the most commonly seen in lateral epicondylitis, and there is a positive correlation between the injury degree in CET and LUCL.

Cue-induced Behavioral and Neural Changes among Excessive Internet Gamers and Possible Application of Cue Exposure Therapy to Internet Gaming Disorder

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yongjun; Ndasauka, Yamikani; Hou, Juan; Chen, Jiawen; Yang, Li zhuang; Wang, Ying; Han, Long; Bu, Junjie; Zhang, Peng; Zhou, Yifeng; Zhang, Xiaochu

2016-01-01

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) may lead to many negative consequences in everyday life, yet there is currently no effective treatment for IGD. Cue-reactivity paradigm is commonly used to evaluate craving for substance, food, and gambling; cue exposure therapy (CET) is applied to treating substance use disorders (SUDs) and some other psychological disorders such as pathological gambling (PG). However, no study has explored CET’s application to the treatment of IGD except two articles having implied that cues’ exposure may have therapeutic effect on IGD. This paper reviews studies on cue-induced behavioral and neural changes in excessive Internet gamers, indicating that behavioral and neural mechanisms of IGD mostly overlap with those of SUD. The CET’s effects in the treatment of SUDs and PG are also reviewed. We finally propose an optimized CET paradigm, which future studies should consider and investigate as a probable treatment of IGD. PMID:27242589

Monitoring of Mira (omi Cet) in support of HST Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karovska, Margarita; Templeton, Matthew R.

2007-09-01

Dr. Margarita Karovska (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) and collaborators are performing a comprehensive study of the Mira AB interacting system, using the HST WFPC2 camera. Mira AB is composed of the prototype Mira variable omi Cet and its companion VZ Cet, separated by about 0.5 arcsecond. As part of this project they plan to obtain a large number of high-angular resolution images at wavelengths ranging from UV to optical. The main objectives of the HST/WFPC2 observations are 1) to determine the properties of the material ejected in December 2004 as it flows throughout the binary and interacts with the Mira A (omi Cet, Mira) circumstellar material and wind; 2) to determine the physical characteristics of mass transfer in this system and especially the role of the accretion stream between Mira A and its accreting companion Mira B (VZ Cet); 3) to determine the response of the system to the increased accretion rate onto Mira B following the outburst. The HST observations are scheduled for September 23, 1900-2300 UT. Both visual and instrumental observers are requested to observe this object, currently at minimum around visual magnitude 9-9.5. Observations should be made approximately two weeks on either side of the September 23 observation date. Visual observer should observe as usual, making not more than 3 observations spaced about 10 days apart. PEP and CCD observers should use the bluest-wavelength filters they have, and should make nightly observations, with intensive observations during the HST observations themselves. UBV and RIJH observations would be very valuable. Please make sure to use an aperture that covers both omi Cet and VZ Cet when evaluating CCD images. Observations should be submitted to the AAVSO International Database as OMI CET.

Columnar and Equiaxed Solidification of Al-7 wt.% Si Alloys in Reduced Gravity in the Framework of the CETSOL Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmermann, G.; Sturz, L.; Nguyen-Thi, H.; Mangelinck-Noel, N.; Li, Y. Z.; Gandin, C.-A.; Fleurisson, R.; Guillemot, G.; McFadden, S.; Mooney, R. P.; Voorhees, P.; Roosz, A.; Ronaföldi, A.; Beckermann, C.; Karma, A.; Chen, C.-H.; Warnken, N.; Saad, A.; Grün, G.-U.; Grohn, M.; Poitrault, I.; Pehl, T.; Nagy, I.; Todt, D.; Minster, O.; Sillekens, W.

2017-08-01

During casting, often a dendritic microstructure is formed, resulting in a columnar or an equiaxed grain structure, or leading to a transition from columnar to equiaxed growth (CET). The detailed knowledge of the critical parameters for the CET is important because the microstructure affects materials properties. To provide unique data for testing of fundamental theories of grain and microstructure formation, solidification experiments in microgravity environment were performed within the European Space Agency Microgravity Application Promotion (ESA MAP) project Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in SOLidification Processing (CETSOL). Reduced gravity allows for purely diffusive solidification conditions, i.e., suppressing melt flow and sedimentation and floatation effects. On-board the International Space Station, Al-7 wt.% Si alloys with and without grain refiners were solidified in different temperature gradients and with different cooling conditions. Detailed analysis of the microstructure and the grain structure showed purely columnar growth for nonrefined alloys. The CET was detected only for refined alloys, either as a sharp CET in the case of a sudden increase in the solidification velocity or as a progressive CET in the case of a continuous decrease of the temperature gradient. The present experimental data were used for numerical modeling of the CET with three different approaches: (1) a front tracking model using an equiaxed growth model, (2) a three-dimensional (3D) cellular automaton-finite element model, and (3) a 3D dendrite needle network method. Each model allows for predicting the columnar dendrite tip undercooling and the growth rate with respect to time. Furthermore, the positions of CET and the spatial extent of the CET, being sharp or progressive, are in reasonably good quantitative agreement with experimental measurements.

Effects of cue-exposure treatment on neural cue reactivity in alcohol dependence: a randomized trial.

PubMed

Vollstädt-Klein, Sabine; Loeber, Sabine; Kirsch, Martina; Bach, Patrick; Richter, Anne; Bühler, Mira; von der Goltz, Christoph; Hermann, Derik; Mann, Karl; Kiefer, Falk

2011-06-01

In alcohol-dependent patients, alcohol-associated cues elicit brain activation in mesocorticolimbic networks involved in relapse mechanisms. Cue-exposure based extinction training (CET) has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of alcoholism; however, it has remained unexplored whether CET mediates its therapeutic effects via changes of activity in mesolimbic networks in response to alcohol cues. In this study, we assessed CET treatment effects on cue-induced responses using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In a randomized controlled trial, abstinent alcohol-dependent patients were randomly assigned to a CET group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15). All patients underwent an extended detoxification treatment comprising medically supervised detoxification, health education, and supportive therapy. The CET patients additionally received nine CET sessions over 3 weeks, exposing the patient to his/her preferred alcoholic beverage. Cue-induced fMRI activation to alcohol cues was measured at pretreatment and posttreatment. Compared with pretreatment, fMRI cue-reactivity reduction was greater in the CET relative to the control group, especially in the anterior cingulate gyrus and the insula, as well as limbic and frontal regions. Before treatment, increased cue-induced fMRI activation was found in limbic and reward-related brain regions and in visual areas. After treatment, the CET group showed less activation than the control group in the left ventral striatum. The study provides first evidence that an exposure-based psychotherapeutic intervention in the treatment of alcoholism impacts on brain areas relevant for addiction memory and attentional focus to alcohol-associated cues and affects mesocorticolimbic reward pathways suggested to be pathophysiologically involved in addiction. Copyright © 2011 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Non-English Majors' Listening Teaching Based on Lexical Chunks Theory and Schema Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

He, Xiaoyu

2016-01-01

English listening is seen as a vital means of linguistic input for Chinese EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners, which lays a solid foundation for English learning and communication with English speakers. Besides, with increasing of scores of the listening part in the newly-reformed CET-4 and CET-6 (CET refers to college English test in…

Cryopreserved embryo transfer is an independent risk factor for placenta accreta.

PubMed

Kaser, Daniel J; Melamed, Alexander; Bormann, Charles L; Myers, Dale E; Missmer, Stacey A; Walsh, Brian W; Racowsky, Catherine; Carusi, Daniela A

2015-05-01

To explore the association between cryopreserved embryo transfer (CET) and risk of placenta accreta among patients utilizing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Case-control study. Academic medical center. All patients using IVF and/or ICSI, with autologous or donor oocytes, undergoing fresh or cryopreserved transfer, who delivered a live-born fetus at ≥24 weeks of gestation at our center, from 2005 to 2011 (n = 1,571), were reviewed for placenta accreta at delivery. Cases of accreta (n = 50) were matched by age and prior cesarean section to controls (1:3) without accreta. The association between CET and accreta was modeled using conditional logistic regression, controlling a priori for age and placenta previa. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to determine thresholds of endometrial thickness and peak serum E2 levels related to accreta. Placenta accreta. Univariate predictors of accreta were non-Caucasian race (odds ratio [OR] 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-6.47); uterine factor infertility (OR 5.80, 95% CI 2.49-13.50); prior abdominal or laparoscopic myomectomy (OR 7.24, 95% CI 1.92-27.28); and persistent or resolved placenta previa (OR 4.25, 95% CI 1.94-9.33). In multivariate analysis, we observed a significant association between CET and accreta (adjusted OR 3.20, 95% CI 1.14-9.02), which remained when analyses were restricted to cases of accreta with morbid complications (adjusted OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.08-13.81). Endometrial thickness and peak serum E2 level were each significantly lower in CET cycles and those with accreta. Cryopreserved ET is a strong independent risk factor for accreta among patients using IVF and/or ICSI. A threshold endometrial thickness and a "safety window" of optimal peak E2 level are proposed for external validation. Copyright © 2015 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

N-CET: Network-Centric Exploitation and Tracking

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

DATES COVERED (From - To) October 2008 – August 2009 4 . TITLE AND SUBTITLE N-CET: NETWORK – CENTRIC EXPLOITATION AND TRACKING 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER...At the core of N-CET are information management services that decouple data producers and consumers , allowing reconfiguration to suit mission needs...Shown around the head-node are different pieces of hardware including the Sony PlayStation R©3 (PS3) nodes used for computationally demanding tasks

Competing pseudogap and impurity effects on the normal-state specific heat properties of cuprate superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dzhumanov, S.; Karimboev, E. X.

2014-07-01

In this paper, we show that the pseudogap in the excitation spectra of high-Tc cuprates together with the impurity phase and charge inhomogeneity plays key roles in determining the essential features of their anomalous specific heat properties observed above Tc. We consider the doped cuprate superconductor as a multi-carrier model system (which consists of intrinsic and extrinsic polarons and pre-formed bosonic Cooper pairs) and study the competing pseudogap and impurity effects on the normal-state electronic specific heat of high-Tc cuprates taking into account charge inhomogeneities. We argue that unconventional electron-phonon interactions are responsible for the precursor Cooper pairing in the polaronic band below a mean-field temperature T∗ and the existence of a pseudogap above Tc in the cuprates. The electronic specific heat Ce(T) of doped cuprates below T∗ is calculated taking into account three contributions coming from the excited components of Cooper pairs, the ideal Bose-gas of incoherent Cooper pairs and the unpaired carriers in the impurity band. Above T∗, two contributions to Ce(T) coming from the unpaired intrinsic and extrinsic polarons are calculated within the two-component degenerate Fermi-gas model. By comparing our results with the experimental Ce(T) data obtained for La- and Y-based cuprates, we find that the observed behaviors of Ce(T) (below and above T∗) are similar to the calculated results for Ce(T) and the BCS-type jumps of Ce(T) at T∗ may be depressed by the impurity effects and may become more or less pronounced BCS-type anomalies in Ce(T) .

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy Improves Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Early Course Schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Eack, Shaun M.; Newhill, Christina E.; Keshavan, Matcheri S.

2016-01-01

Objective Cognitive remediation is emerging as an effective psychosocial intervention for addressing untreated cognitive and functional impairments in persons with schizophrenia, and might achieve its benefits through neuroplastic changes in brain connectivity. This study seeks to examine the effects of cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) on fronto-temporal brain connectivity in a randomized controlled trial with individuals in the early course of schizophrenia. Method Stabilized, early course outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N = 41) were randomly assigned to CET (n = 25) or an active enriched supportive therapy (EST) control (n = 16) and treated for 2 years. Functional MRI data were collected annually, and pseudo resting-state functional connectivity analysis was used to examine differential changes in fronto-temporal connectivity between those treated with CET compared with EST. Results Individuals receiving CET evidenced significantly less functional connectivity loss between the resting-state network and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex as well as significantly increased connectivity with the right insular cortex compared to EST (all corrected p < .01). These neural networks are involved in emotion processing and problem-solving. Increased connectivity with the right insula significantly mediated CET effects on improved emotion perception (z′ = −1.96, p = .021), and increased connectivity with the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex mediated CET-related improvements in emotion regulation (z′ = −1.71, p = .052). Conclusions These findings provide preliminary evidence that CET, a psychosocial cognitive remediation intervention, may enhance connectivity between frontal and temporal brain regions implicated in problem-solving and emotion processing in service of cognitive enhancement in schizophrenia. PMID:27713804

Effects of Combined Phase III and Phase II Cardiac Exercise Therapy for Middle-aged Male Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

PubMed Central

Lee, Chih-Wei; Wang, Ji-Hung; Hsieh, Jen-Che; Hsieh, Tsung-Cheng; Huang, Chien-Hui

2013-01-01

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of cardiac exercise therapy (CET) on exercise capacity and coronary risk factors (CRFs) of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). [Methods] Patients who participated in an 8-week supervised, hospital-based phase II and 6-month home-based phase III CET with monthly telephone and/or home visits were defined as the exercise group (EG) (n=20), while those who did not receive phase II or phase III CET were defined as the no-exercise group (NEG) (n=10). CRFs were evaluated pre- and post-phase II and eight months after discharge. One and two-way repeated measures ANOVA were used to perform intra- and inter-group comparisons. [Results] Thirty men with AMI aged 49.3 ± 8.3 years were studied. EG increased their exercise capacity (METs) (6.8 ± 1.6 vs.10.0 ± 1.9) after phase II CET and was able to maintain it at 8-month follow-up. Both groups had significantly fewer persons who kept on smoking compared to the first examination. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased from 38.1 ± 11.0 to 43.7 ± 8.7 mg/dl at follow-up in EG while no significant difference was noted in NEG. [Conclusion] After phase III CET subjects had maintained the therapeutic effects of smoking cessation, and increasing exercise capacity obtained in phase II CET. HDL-C in EG continued to improve during phase III CET. PMID:24396201

Exploring human error in military aviation flight safety events using post-incident classification systems.

PubMed

Hooper, Brionny J; O'Hare, David P A

2013-08-01

Human error classification systems theoretically allow researchers to analyze postaccident data in an objective and consistent manner. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework is one such practical analysis tool that has been widely used to classify human error in aviation. The Cognitive Error Taxonomy (CET) is another. It has been postulated that the focus on interrelationships within HFACS can facilitate the identification of the underlying causes of pilot error. The CET provides increased granularity at the level of unsafe acts. The aim was to analyze the influence of factors at higher organizational levels on the unsafe acts of front-line operators and to compare the errors of fixed-wing and rotary-wing operations. This study analyzed 288 aircraft incidents involving human error from an Australasian military organization occurring between 2001 and 2008. Action errors accounted for almost twice (44%) the proportion of rotary wing compared to fixed wing (23%) incidents. Both classificatory systems showed significant relationships between precursor factors such as the physical environment, mental and physiological states, crew resource management, training and personal readiness, and skill-based, but not decision-based, acts. The CET analysis showed different predisposing factors for different aspects of skill-based behaviors. Skill-based errors in military operations are more prevalent in rotary wing incidents and are related to higher level supervisory processes in the organization. The Cognitive Error Taxonomy provides increased granularity to HFACS analyses of unsafe acts.

Correlation between thermal parameters, structures, dendritic spacing and corrosion behavior of Zn Al alloys with columnar to equiaxed transition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ares, A. E.; Gassa, L. M.; Gueijman, S. F.; Schvezov, C. E.

2008-04-01

The columnar to equiaxed transition (CET) has been examined for many years and the significance of CET has been treated in several articles. Experimental observations in different alloy systems have shown that the position of the transition is dependent on parameters like cooling rate, velocity of the liquidus and solidus fronts, local solidification time, temperature gradients and recalescence. The dendritic structure in alloys results in microsegregation of solute species which affects significantly the mechanical properties of the material. The main parameters characterizing the microstructure and the length range of microsegregation is the spacing which is classified as primary, secondary and tertiary. Properties like mechanical resistance and ductility are influenced by the dimensions and continuity of the primary branches, while the secondary and tertiary branches permit the isolation of interdendritic phases which can deteriorate the mechanical behavior of the material. Since the morphology and dimensions of the dendritic structure is related to the solidification parameters mentioned above, for each type of alloy it is essential to correlate dimensions and solidification conditions in order to control the structure. The objective of the present research consists on studying the influence of solidification thermal parameters with the type of structure (columnar, equiaxial or with the CET); and with grain size and dendritic spacing (primary and secondary) in Zn-Al (ZA) alloys (Zn—4 wt%Al, Zn—16 wt%Al and Zn—27 wt%Al, weight percent). Also, correlate the thermal parameters, type of structure, grain size and dendritic spacing with the corrosion resistance of these alloys.

Dimensions of Compulsive Exercise across Eating Disorder Diagnostic Subtypes and the Validation of the Spanish Version of the Compulsive Exercise Test.

PubMed

Sauchelli, Sarah; Arcelus, Jon; Granero, Roser; Jiménez-Murcia, Susana; Agüera, Zaida; Del Pino-Gutiérrez, Amparo; Fernández-Aranda, Fernando

2016-01-01

Objectives: Compulsive exercise in eating disorders has been traditionally considered as a behavior that serves the purpose of weight/shape control. More recently, it has been postulated that there may be other factors that drive the compulsive need to exercise. This has led to the development of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET); a self-reported questionnaire that aims to explore the cognitive-behavioral underpinnings of compulsive exercise from a multi-faceted perspective. The objectives of this study were threefold: (1) to validate the Spanish version of the CET; (2) to compare eating disorder diagnostic subtypes and a healthy control group in terms of the factors that drive compulsive exercise as defined by the CET; (3) to explore how the dimensions evaluated in the CET are associated with eating disorder symptoms and general psychopathology. Methods: The CET was administered to a total of 157 patients with an eating disorder [40 anorexia nervosa, 56 bulimia nervosa (BN), and 61 eating disorder not-otherwise-specified (EDNOS)] and 128 healthy weight/eating controls. Patients were assessed via a semi-structured interview to reach a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis. Additionally, all participants completed the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R) and the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated adequate goodness-of-fit to the original five-factor model of the CET. BN and EDNOS patients scored higher in the avoidance and rule-driven behavior, weight control, and total CET scales in comparison to the healthy controls, and higher across all scales apart from the exercise rigidity scale compared to the anorexia nervosa patients. Mean scores of the anorexia nervosa patients did not differ to those of the control participants, except for the mood improvement scale where the anorexia nervosa patients obtained a lower mean score. Mean scores between the BN and EDNOS patients were equivalent. The CET scales avoidance and rule-driven behavior, weight of control and total CET scores were positively correlated with the clinical assessment measures of the SCL-90R and EDI-2. Conclusion: Compulsive exercise is a multidimensional construct and the factors driving compulsive exercise differ according to the eating disorder diagnostic subtype. This should be taken into account when addressing compulsive exercise during the treatment of eating disorders.

Dimensions of Compulsive Exercise across Eating Disorder Diagnostic Subtypes and the Validation of the Spanish Version of the Compulsive Exercise Test

PubMed Central

Sauchelli, Sarah; Arcelus, Jon; Granero, Roser; Jiménez-Murcia, Susana; Agüera, Zaida; Del Pino-Gutiérrez, Amparo; Fernández-Aranda, Fernando

2016-01-01

Objectives: Compulsive exercise in eating disorders has been traditionally considered as a behavior that serves the purpose of weight/shape control. More recently, it has been postulated that there may be other factors that drive the compulsive need to exercise. This has led to the development of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET); a self-reported questionnaire that aims to explore the cognitive-behavioral underpinnings of compulsive exercise from a multi-faceted perspective. The objectives of this study were threefold: (1) to validate the Spanish version of the CET; (2) to compare eating disorder diagnostic subtypes and a healthy control group in terms of the factors that drive compulsive exercise as defined by the CET; (3) to explore how the dimensions evaluated in the CET are associated with eating disorder symptoms and general psychopathology. Methods: The CET was administered to a total of 157 patients with an eating disorder [40 anorexia nervosa, 56 bulimia nervosa (BN), and 61 eating disorder not-otherwise-specified (EDNOS)] and 128 healthy weight/eating controls. Patients were assessed via a semi-structured interview to reach a DSM-IV-TR diagnosis. Additionally, all participants completed the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90R) and the Eating Disorders Inventory-2 (EDI-2). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated adequate goodness-of-fit to the original five-factor model of the CET. BN and EDNOS patients scored higher in the avoidance and rule-driven behavior, weight control, and total CET scales in comparison to the healthy controls, and higher across all scales apart from the exercise rigidity scale compared to the anorexia nervosa patients. Mean scores of the anorexia nervosa patients did not differ to those of the control participants, except for the mood improvement scale where the anorexia nervosa patients obtained a lower mean score. Mean scores between the BN and EDNOS patients were equivalent. The CET scales avoidance and rule-driven behavior, weight of control and total CET scores were positively correlated with the clinical assessment measures of the SCL-90R and EDI-2. Conclusion: Compulsive exercise is a multidimensional construct and the factors driving compulsive exercise differ according to the eating disorder diagnostic subtype. This should be taken into account when addressing compulsive exercise during the treatment of eating disorders. PMID:27933021

Period changes of 7 bright RR Lyrae variables included in the BAV standard program.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wunder, E.

1995-11-01

On the basis of 1578 times of maxima historical and present period changes of the RR Lyrae stars SW And, SW Aqr, AA Aql, X Ari, RS Boo, RR Cet and XZ Cyg are analysed. In tables the period jumps and the quadratic terms of the elements are quantified and timed; elements are given to describe the historical O-C-curves; instant elements are listed to support nowadays observations.

The clinician-educator track: training internal medicine residents as clinician-educators.

PubMed

Smith, C Christopher; McCormick, Ian; Huang, Grace C

2014-06-01

Although resident-as-teacher programs bring postgraduate trainees' teaching skills to a minimum threshold, intensive, longitudinal training is lacking for residents who wish to pursue careers in medical education. The authors describe the development, implementation, and preliminary assessment of the novel track for future clinician-educators that they introduced in the internal medicine residency program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 2010. Categorical medical interns with a career interest in medical education apply to participate in the clinician-educator track (CET) at the midpoint of their first postgraduate year. CET residents complete a 2.5-year curriculum in which they review foundations of medical education, design and assess new curricula, and evaluate learners and programs. They apply these skills in a variety of clinical settings and receive frequent feedback from faculty and peers. All CET residents design and implement at least one medical education research project. A comprehensive evaluation plan to assess the impact of the CET on resident teaching skills, scholarly productivity, career selection, and advancement is under way. A preliminary evaluation demonstrates high satisfaction with the track among the first cohort of CET residents, who graduated in 2012. Compared with residents in the traditional resident-as-teacher program, CET residents reported higher gains in their confidence in core medical education skills. Although these preliminary data are promising, data will be collected over the next several years to explore whether the additional curricular time, faculty time, and costs and potential expansion to other institutions are justified.

Conditional equivalence testing: An alternative remedy for publication bias

PubMed Central

Gustafson, Paul

2018-01-01

We introduce a publication policy that incorporates “conditional equivalence testing” (CET), a two-stage testing scheme in which standard NHST is followed conditionally by testing for equivalence. The idea of CET is carefully considered as it has the potential to address recent concerns about reproducibility and the limited publication of null results. In this paper we detail the implementation of CET, investigate similarities with a Bayesian testing scheme, and outline the basis for how a scientific journal could proceed to reduce publication bias while remaining relevant. PMID:29652891

The Earth System Grid Center for Enabling Technologies (ESG-CET): Scaling the Earth System Grid to Petascale Data

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, Dean N.

2007-09-27

This report, which summarizes work carried out by the ESG-CET during the period April 1, 2007 through September 30, 2007, includes discussion of overall progress, period goals, highlights, collaborations and presentations. To learn more about our project, please visit the Earth System Grid website. In addition, this report will be forwarded to the DOE SciDAC project management, the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER) project management, national and international stakeholders (e.g., the Community Climate System Model (CCSM), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (AR5), the Climate Science Computational End Station (CCES), etc.), and collaborators. Themore » ESG-CET executive committee consists of David Bernholdt, ORNL; Ian Foster, ANL; Don Middleton, NCAR; and Dean Williams, LLNL. The ESG-CET team is a collective of researchers and scientists with diverse domain knowledge, whose home institutions include seven laboratories (ANL, LANL, LBNL, LLNL, NCAR, ORNL, PMEL) and one university (ISI/USC); all work in close collaboration with the project's stakeholders and domain researchers and scientists. During this semi-annual reporting period, the ESG-CET increased its efforts on completing requirement documents, framework design, and component prototyping. As we strove to complete and expand the overall ESG-CET architectural plans and use-case scenarios to fit our constituency's scope of use, we continued to provide production-level services to the community. These services continued for IPCC AR4, CCES, and CCSM, and were extended to include Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project (CFMIP) data.« less

"Smoking in Children's Environment Test": a qualitative study of experiences of a new instrument applied in preventive work in child health care.

PubMed

Carlsson, Noomi; Alehagen, Siw; Andersson Gäre, Boel; Johansson, Annakarin

2011-12-15

Despite knowledge of the adverse health effects of passive smoking, children are still being exposed. Children's nurses play an important role in tobacco preventive work through dialogue with parents aimed at identifying how children can be protected from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. The study describes the experiences of Child Health Care (CHC) nurses when using the validated instrument SiCET (Smoking in Children's Environment Test) in dialogue with parents. In an intervention in CHC centres in south-eastern Sweden nurses were invited to use the SiCET. Eighteen nurses participated in focus group interviews. Transcripts were reviewed and their contents were coded into categories by three investigators using the method described for focus groups interviews. The SiCET was used in dialogue with parents in tobacco preventive work and resulted in focused discussions on smoking and support for behavioural changes among parents. The instrument had both strengths and limitations. The nurses experienced that the SiCET facilitated dialogue with parents and gave a comprehensive view of the child's ETS exposure. This gave nurses the possibility of taking on a supportive role by offering parents long-term help in protecting their child from ETS exposure and in considering smoking cessation. Our findings indicate that the SiCET supports nurses in their dialogue with parents on children's ETS exposure at CHC. There is a need for more clinical use and evaluation of the SiCET to determine its usefulness in clinical practice under varying circumstances. © 2011 Carlsson et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

"Smoking in Children's Environment Test": a qualitative study of experiences of a new instrument applied in preventive work in child health care

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Despite knowledge of the adverse health effects of passive smoking, children are still being exposed. Children's nurses play an important role in tobacco preventive work through dialogue with parents aimed at identifying how children can be protected from environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure. The study describes the experiences of Child Health Care (CHC) nurses when using the validated instrument SiCET (Smoking in Children's Environment Test) in dialogue with parents. Method In an intervention in CHC centres in south-eastern Sweden nurses were invited to use the SiCET. Eighteen nurses participated in focus group interviews. Transcripts were reviewed and their contents were coded into categories by three investigators using the method described for focus groups interviews. Results The SiCET was used in dialogue with parents in tobacco preventive work and resulted in focused discussions on smoking and support for behavioural changes among parents. The instrument had both strengths and limitations. The nurses experienced that the SiCET facilitated dialogue with parents and gave a comprehensive view of the child's ETS exposure. This gave nurses the possibility of taking on a supportive role by offering parents long-term help in protecting their child from ETS exposure and in considering smoking cessation. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the SiCET supports nurses in their dialogue with parents on children's ETS exposure at CHC. There is a need for more clinical use and evaluation of the SiCET to determine its usefulness in clinical practice under varying circumstances. PMID:22172056

Identification d'une loi thermo-élasto-viscoplastique en vue de la modélisation du laminage à chaud du cuivre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moureaux, P.; Moto Mpong, S.; Remy, M.; Bouffioux, C.; Lecomte-Beckers, J.; Habraken, A. M.

2002-12-01

la mise au point d'un modèle de simulation de la dernière passe du laminage à chaud du cuivre ne présente à priori pas de problème du point de vue numérique pour un code d'éléments finis non linéaire. La collecte d'informations précises tant sur le procédé industriel que sur le comportement du matériau est par contre une opération non triviale. Cet article présente les diverses méthodes expérimentales mises en œuvre pour caractériser le matériau : essais de compression à chaud, mesures d'analyse thermique différentielle, essais de dilatométrie et de diffusivité. Les méthodes permettant d'identifier les paramètres de la loi élasto-visco-plastique de type Norton-Hoff à partir des essais sont présentées et une analyse bibliographique investigue le problème de la détermination du module de Young à haute température. Tant les hypothèses supplémentaires relatives au procédé et nécessaires au modèle que les résultats finaux sont résumés.

Canonical Bcl-2 motifs of the Na+/K+ pump revealed by the BH3 mimetic chelerythrine: early signal transducers of apoptosis?

PubMed

Lauf, Peter K; Heiny, Judith; Meller, Jarek; Lepera, Michael A; Koikov, Leonid; Alter, Gerald M; Brown, Thomas L; Adragna, Norma C

2013-01-01

Chelerythrine [CET], a protein kinase C [PKC] inhibitor, is a prop-apoptotic BH3-mimetic binding to BH1-like motifs of Bcl-2 proteins. CET action was examined on PKC phosphorylation-dependent membrane transporters (Na+/K+ pump/ATPase [NKP, NKA], Na+-K+-2Cl+ [NKCC] and K+-Cl- [KCC] cotransporters, and channel-supported K+ loss) in human lens epithelial cells [LECs]. K+ loss and K+ uptake, using Rb+ as congener, were measured by atomic absorption/emission spectrophotometry with NKP and NKCC inhibitors, and Cl- replacement by NO3ˉ to determine KCC. 3H-Ouabain binding was performed on a pig renal NKA in the presence and absence of CET. Bcl-2 protein and NKA sequences were aligned and motifs identified and mapped using PROSITE in conjunction with BLAST alignments and analysis of conservation and structural similarity based on prediction of secondary and crystal structures. CET inhibited NKP and NKCC by >90% (IC50 values ~35 and ~15 μM, respectively) without significant KCC activity change, and stimulated K+ loss by ~35% at 10-30 μM. Neither ATP levels nor phosphorylation of the NKA α1 subunit changed. 3H-ouabain was displaced from pig renal NKA only at 100 fold higher CET concentrations than the ligand. Sequence alignments of NKA with BH1- and BH3-like motifs containing pro-survival Bcl-2 and BclXl proteins showed more than one BH1-like motif within NKA for interaction with CET or with BH3 motifs. One NKA BH1-like motif (ARAAEILARDGPN) was also found in all P-type ATPases. Also, NKA possessed a second motif similar to that near the BH3 region of Bcl-2. Findings support the hypothesis that CET inhibits NKP by binding to BH1-like motifs and disrupting the α1 subunit catalytic activity through conformational changes. By interacting with Bcl-2 proteins through their complementary BH1- or BH3-like-motifs, NKP proteins may be sensors of normal and pathological cell functions, becoming important yet unrecognized signal transducers in the initial phases of apoptosis. CET action on NKCC1 and K+ channels may involve PKC-regulated mechanisms; however, limited sequence homologies to BH1-like motifs cannot exclude direct effects.

Development of Theories of Collective and Cognitive Skill Retention

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-03-31

les FC fonctionnent au niveau organisationnel, en faisant appel à une technologie toujours plus perfectionnée et en accordant de plus en plus...d’importance aux tâches cognitives. Cet article passe en revue les données et théories publiées et non publiées provenant du milieu de la recherche et du...développement militaires et portant sur la préservation des compétences collectives et cognitives en tant qu’étape menant à la proposition d’un

Cue-exposure software for the treatment of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder.

PubMed

Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José; Pla-Sanjuanelo, Joana; Ferrer-García, Marta

2016-11-01

Cue-exposure therapy (CET) has proven its efficacy in treating patients with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder who are resistant to standard treatment. Furthermore, incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly considered a valid exposure method that may help to increase the efficacy of standard treatments in a variety of eating disorders. Although immersive displays improve the beneficial effects, expensive technology is not always necessary. We aimed to assess whether exposure to food related virtual environments could decrease food craving in a non-clinical sample. In addition, we specifically compared the effects of two VR systems (one non-immersive and one immersive) during CET. We therefore applied a one-session CET to 113 undergraduate students. Decreased food craving was found during exposure to both VR environments compared with pre-treatment levels, supporting the efficacy of VR-CET in reducing food craving. We found no significant differences in craving between immersive and non-immersive systems. Low-cost non-immersive systems applied through 3D laptops can improve the accessibility of this technique. By reducing the costs and improving the usability, VR-CET on 3D laptops may become a viable option that can be readily applied in a greater range of clinical contexts.

Cryopreserved embryo transfer: adjacent or non-adjacent to failed fresh long GnRH-agonist protocol IVF cycle.

PubMed

Volodarsky-Perel, Alexander; Eldar-Geva, Talia; Holzer, Hananel E G; Schonberger, Oshrat; Reichman, Orna; Gal, Michael

2017-03-01

The optimal time to perform cryopreserved embryo transfer (CET) after a failed oocyte retrieval-embryo transfer (OR-ET) cycle is unknown. Similar clinical pregnancy rates were recently reported in immediate and delayed CET, performed after failed fresh OR-ET, in cycles with the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. This study compared outcomes of CET performed adjacently (<50 days, n = 67) and non-adjacently (≥50 to 120 days, n = 62) to the last OR-day of cycles with the GnRH agonist down-regulation protocol. Additional inclusion criteria were patients' age 20-38 years, the transfer of only 1-2 cryopreserved embryos, one treatment cycle per patient and artificial preparation for CET. Significantly higher implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were found in the non-adjacent group than in the adjacent group: 30.5% versus 11.3% (P = 0.001), 41.9% versus 17.9% (P = 0.003) and 32.3% versus 13.4% (P = 0.01), respectively. These results support the postponement of CET after a failed OR-ET for at least one menstrual cycle, when a preceding long GnRH-agonist protocol is used. Copyright © 2016 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Femtosecond coherent nuclear dynamics of excited tetraphenylethylene: Ultrafast transient absorption and ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kayal, Surajit; Roy, Khokan; Umapathy, Siva

2018-01-01

Ultrafast torsional dynamics plays an important role in the photoinduced excited state dynamics. Tetraphenylethylene (TPE), a model system for the molecular motor, executes interesting torsional dynamics upon photoexcitation. The photoreaction of TPE involves ultrafast internal conversion via a nearly planar intermediate state (relaxed state) that further leads to a twisted zwitterionic state. Here, we report the photoinduced structural dynamics of excited TPE during the course of photoisomerization in the condensed phase by ultrafast Raman loss (URLS) and femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. TA measurements on the S1 state reveal step-wise population relaxation from the Franck-Condon (FC) state → relaxed state → twisted state, while the URLS study provides insights on the vibrational dynamics during the course of the reaction. The TA spectral dynamics and vibrational Raman amplitudes within 1 ps reveal vibrational wave packet propagating from the FC state to the relaxed state. Fourier transformation of this oscillation leads to a ˜130 cm-1 low-frequency phenyl torsional mode. Two vibrational marker bands, Cet=Cet stretching (˜1512 cm-1) and Cph=Cph stretching (˜1584 cm-1) modes, appear immediately after photoexcitation in the URLS spectra. The initial red-shift of the Cph=Cph stretching mode with a time constant of ˜400 fs (in butyronitrile) is assigned to the rate of planarization of excited TPE. In addition, the Cet=Cet stretching mode shows initial blue-shift within 1 ps followed by frequency red-shift, suggesting that on the sub-picosecond time scale, structural relaxation is dominated by phenyl torsion rather than the central Cet=Cet twist. Furthermore, the effect of the solvent on the structural dynamics is discussed in the context of ultrafast nuclear dynamics and solute-solvent coupling.

Efficacy of Behavioural Graded Activity Compared with Conventional Exercise Therapy in Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: Implication for Direct Health Care Cost.

PubMed

Bello, A I; Quartey, Jna; Lartey, M

2015-09-01

The relative efficacy of conventional exercise therapy (CET) and behavioural graded activity (BGA) has not been fully established to inform the preference in clinical practice. To compare CET and BGA on the treatment outcome of chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). Participants were assigned into either BGA or CET group in this randomized feasibility intervention. The CET group received supervised exercise therapy while BGA group engaged in individually prescribed sub-maximal activities based on time-contingent principles. Interventions were carried out twice weekly and over a period of 12 weeks. Outcome measures were numerical rating scale and RAND 36-item health survey which were administered at baseline, week 4 and week 12. Health care cost questionnaire was also administered to evaluate physiotherapy cost after 12 weeks. Mixed design two-way ANOVA with level of significance set as priori at p<0.05 was used to compare both groups. Seventy-seven and half percent (62) participants (CET=29 and BGA=33) with mean ages 45.0±12.2 and 43.1±13.2 years respectively, completed the study. Both groups improved significantly (p<0.001) during the intervention. However, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the treatment groups at any time points and for any measures assessed. Therapeutic benefits in both groups have bearing on direct health care costs. The results indicate that CET and BGA have similar outcomes in patients with chronic nonspecific LBP with regard to the pain and quality of life. Effective application may however be hampered by the cost-related factors thus suggesting evaluation of health care system in Ghana.

[Relapse prevention program consisting of coping skills training, cue exposure treatment, and letter therapy for Japanese alcoholic men who relapsed after standard cognitive-behavioral therapy].

PubMed

Yokoyama, Akira; Matsushita, Sachio; Toyama, Tomomi; Nakayama, Hideki; Takimura, Tsuyoshi; Kimura, Mitsuru; Yoneda, Junichi; Maesato, Hitoshi; Mizukami, Takeshi; Higuchi, Susumu; Yokoyama, Tetsuji

2015-04-01

Coping skills training (CST) and cue exposure treatment (CET) have yielded favorable outcomes when used to treat alcoholics. We conducted 6-week inpatient programs that consisted of 9 CST group sessions (n = 117) during 2005-2009 and 9 CST group sessions plus 4 CET group sessions (n = 49) during 2009-2011 and subsequent 1-year letter therapy for Japanese alcoholic men who had relapsed and been readmitted after standard cognitive-behavioral inpatient therapy. When patients received a letter containing encouraging words every 2 weeks, they were asked to reread their CST and CET records and to respond to the letter by marking drinking days on a calendar and naming the skills on a list of the 9 CST themes and CET that were useful for maintaining abstinence during that 2-week period. The estimated percentages of achievement of 30 or fewer drinking days during the one year of letter therapy were 36.1 - 45.8%. 'Non-smoking', '2nd admission', and 'After age-limit job retirement' were significant factors in achieving good outcomes. The 'usefulness' responses for 'Increasing pleasant activities', 'CET', 'Anger management', ' Managing negative thinking', 'Problem solving', and ' Seemingly irrelevant decisions' as percentages of overall responses to the letters were significantly higher, in order of decreasing percentages, in the achiever group than in the non-achiever group, but the differences between the groups in ' Managing urges to drink', ' Drink refusal skills', ' Planning for emergencies', and ' Receiving criticism about drinking' were not significant. The odds ratios for achievement of 30 or fewer drinking days during the 1-year period increased significantly by 1.15 -1.31 fold per 10% increment in the 'usefulness' ratio for 'Increasing pleasant activities'. The difference in percentage achievement between the group treated by CST alone and the group treated by CST plus CET was not significant. In conclusion, some coping skills were more useful for relapse prevention than others in this study population, and addition of CET to CST and subsequent letter therapy did not improve outcomes.

CET93 and CETPC: An interim updated version of the NASA Lewis computer program for calculating complex chemical equilibria with applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcbride, Bonnie J.; Reno, Martin A.; Gordon, Sanford

1994-01-01

The NASA Lewis chemical equilibrium program with applications continues to be improved and updated. The latest version is CET93. This code, with smaller arrays, has been compiled for use on an IBM or IBM-compatible personal computer and is called CETPC. This report is intended to be primarily a users manual for CET93 and CETPC. It does not repeat the more complete documentation of earlier reports on the equilibrium program. Most of the discussion covers input and output files, two new options (ONLY and comments), example problems, and implementation of CETPC.

Center for Employment Training Annual Report. 1989.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Center for Employment Training, San Jose, CA.

This document summarizes the 1989 performance of the Center for Employment Training (CET) a nonprofit corporation with training centers located throughout the West. The document consists of a variety of reports and "focus" pieces examining labor market changes and CET's adjustments in its operations. The executive director's report…

Cognitive remediation training improves performance in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

PubMed

McBride, Richard L; Horsfield, Sarah; Sandler, Carolina X; Cassar, Joanne; Casson, Sally; Cvejic, Erin; Vollmer-Conna, Uté; Lloyd, Andrew R

2017-11-01

Neurocognitive disturbance with subjectively-impaired concentration and memory is a common, disabling symptom reported by patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). We recently reported preliminary evidence for benefits of cognitive remediation as part of an integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)/ graded exercise therapy (GET) program. Here, we describe a contemporaneous, case-control trial evaluating the effectiveness of an online cognitive remediation training program (cognitive exercise therapy; CET) in addition to CBT/GET (n=36), compared to CBT/GET alone (n=36). The study was conducted in an academic, tertiary referral outpatient setting over 12 weeks (11 visits) with structured, home-based activities between visits. Participants self-reported standardized measures of symptom severity and functional status before and after the intervention. Those in the CET arm also completed standardized neurocognitive assessment before, and following, treatment. The addition of formal CET led to significantly greater improvements in self-reported neurocognitive symptoms compared to CBT/GET alone. Subjective improvement was predicted by CET group and lower baseline mood disturbance. In the CET group, significant improvements in objectively-measured executive function, processing speed, and working memory were observed. These subjective and objective performance improvements suggest that a computerized, home-based cognitive training program may be an effective intervention for patients with CFS, warranting randomized controlled trials. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the effectiveness of virtual cue exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for nicotine dependence.

PubMed

Park, Chan-Bin; Choi, Jung-Seok; Park, Su Mi; Lee, Jun-Young; Jung, Hee Yeon; Seol, Jin-Mi; Hwang, Jae Yeon; Gwak, Ah Reum; Kwon, Jun Soo

2014-04-01

Previous studies have reported promising results regarding the effect of repeated virtual cue exposure therapy on nicotine dependence. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of virtual cue exposure therapy (CET) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for nicotine dependence. Thirty subjects with nicotine dependence participated in 4 weeks of treatment with either virtual CET (n=15) or CBT (n=15). All patients were male, and none received nicotine replacement treatment during the study period. The main setting of the CET used in this study was a virtual bar. The primary foci of the CBT offered were (a) smoking cessation education, (b) withdrawal symptoms, (c) coping with high-risk situations, (d) cognitive reconstruction, and (e) stress management. Daily smoking count, level of expiratory carbon monoxide (CO), level of nicotine dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and subjective craving were examined on three occasions: week 0 (baseline), week 4 (end of treatment), and week 12 (follow-up assessment). After treatment, the daily smoking count, the expiratory CO, and nicotine dependence levels had significantly decreased. These effects continued during the entire study period. Similar changes were observed in both virtual CET and CBT groups. We found no interaction between type of therapy and time of measurement. Although the current findings are preliminary, the present study provided evidence that virtual CET is effective for the treatment of nicotine dependence at a level comparable to CBT.

Cue-exposure therapy to decrease alcohol craving in virtual environment.

PubMed

Lee, Jang-Han; Kwon, Hyoseok; Choi, Joonho; Yang, Byung-Hwan

2007-10-01

During abstinence from alcohol, craving is elicited by the cues and contexts previously associated with alcohol, which contribute to relapse. To prevent the craving and relapse experienced by alcoholics, cue-exposure therapy (CET) has been used to extinguish the association between alcohol and alcohol-related cues and contexts. This study applied CET, using a virtual reality (VR) system, to eight members of an Alcoholics Anonymous group for eight sessions. Cues and contexts most likely to elicit an urge to drink were selected through a preliminary survey in order to compose VR-CET scenarios: a glass, a bottle, food, and a bar were judged to be the most tempting for people in alcohol dependence and abstinence. Using these cues and contexts, a Japanese-style pub and a western bar were created. Each session was administered for 30 minutes by a psychiatrist and included an introduction, immersion, VR navigation, interviews about feelings, and self-report questionnaires about cravings. The eight sessions consisted of initial and closing sessions and person-, object-, and situation-focused sessions. As a result, a reduction in cue-elicited craving after VR-CET was reported. A mean score of 15.75 (SD = 10.91) on the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire in the first session decreased to 11.50 (SD = 5.76) in the final session. This study suggests that using virtual reality can enhance the effectiveness of CET.

43Ca NMR in solid state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellot, P.-V.; Trokiner, A.; Zhdanov, Yu.; Yakubovskii, A.

1998-02-01

In this paper we show that 43Ca is a suitable NMR probe to study the properties of high-Tc superconducting oxides. In the normal state, we report the temperature and doping dependencies of the spin susceptibility measured by 43Ca NMR. In the superconducting state and more exactly in the mixed state, by analysing 43Ca NMR linewidth, we have studied the magnetic induction distribution due to the presence of vortices and deduced λ, the penetration depth. Dans cet article, on montre que l'isotope 43 du calcium est une bonne sonde RMN pour l'étude des propriétés des oxydes supraconducteurs à haute température. Dans l'état normal, par la détermination du déplacement de la raie, en fonction de la température, on accède à la variation thermique de la susceptibilité de spin. Dans l'état supraconducteur et plus particulièrement dans l'état mixte, la largeur de raie RMN permet d'étudier la distribution d'induction magnétique due à la présence des vortex et de déterminer λ, la longueur de pénétration.

Continuing Education in New Materials. FEU PICKUP.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gunning, Angela; Clift, Roland

A British project: (1) identified national needs for continuing education and training (CET) in new materials; (2) assessed the priorities among the needs and developed course outlines; and (3) established a CET needs review system for training in new materials. The new materials fall into four categories: (1) polymers; (2) composites; (3)…

Postretrieval Extinction Attenuates Alcohol Cue Reactivity in Rats.

PubMed

Cofresí, Roberto U; Lewis, Suzanne M; Chaudhri, Nadia; Lee, Hongjoo J; Monfils, Marie-H; Gonzales, Rueben A

2017-03-01

Conditioned responses to alcohol-associated cues can hinder recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Cue exposure (extinction) therapy (CET) can reduce reactivity to alcohol cues, but its efficacy is limited by phenomena such as spontaneous recovery and reinstatement that can cause a return of conditioned responding after extinction. Using a preclinical model of alcohol cue reactivity in rats, we evaluated whether the efficacy of alcohol CET could be improved by conducting CET during the memory reconsolidation window after retrieval of cue-alcohol associations. Rats were provided with intermittent access to unsweetened alcohol. Rats were then trained to predict alcohol access based on a visual cue. Next, rats were treated with either standard extinction (n = 14) or postretrieval extinction (n = 13). Rats were then tested for long-term memory of extinction and susceptibility to spontaneous recovery and reinstatement. Despite equivalent extinction, rats treated with postretrieval extinction exhibited reduced spontaneous recovery and reinstatement relative to rats treated with standard extinction. Postretrieval CET shows promise for persistently attenuating the risk to relapse posed by alcohol cues in individuals with AUD. Copyright © 2017 by the Research Society on Alcoholism.

Chemical dosimetry system for criticality accidents.

PubMed

Miljanić, Saveta; Ilijas, Boris

2004-01-01

Ruder Bosković Institute (RBI) criticality dosimetry system consists of a chemical dosimetry system for measuring the total (neutron + gamma) dose, and a thermoluminescent (TL) dosimetry system for a separate determination of the gamma ray component. The use of the chemical dosemeter solution chlorobenzene-ethanol-trimethylpentane (CET) is based on the radiolytic formation of hydrochloric acid, which protonates a pH indicator, thymolsulphonphthalein. The high molar absorptivity of its red form at 552 nm is responsible for a high sensitivity of the system: doses in the range 0.2-15 Gy can be measured. The dosemeter has been designed as a glass ampoule filled with the CET solution and inserted into a pen-shaped plastic holder. For dose determinations, a newly constructed optoelectronic reader has been used. The RBI team took part in the International Intercomparison of Criticality Accident Dosimetry Systems at the SILENE Reactor, Valduc, June 2002, with the CET dosimetry system. For gamma ray dose determination TLD-700 TL detectors were used. The results obtained with CET dosemeter show very good agreement with the reference values.

POST-RETRIEVAL EXTINCTION ATTENUATES ALCOHOL CUE REACTIVITY IN RATS

PubMed Central

Cofresí, Roberto U.; Lewis, Suzanne M.; Chaudhri, Nadia; Lee, Hongjoo J.; Monfils, Marie-H.; Gonzales, Rueben A.

2017-01-01

BACKGROUND Conditioned responses to alcohol-associated cues can hinder recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Cue exposure (extinction) therapy (CET) can reduce reactivity to alcohol cues, but its efficacy is limited by phenomena such as spontaneous recovery and reinstatement that can cause a return of conditioned responding after extinction. Using a preclinical model of alcohol cue reactivity in rats, we evaluated whether the efficacy of alcohol CET could be improved by conducting CET during the memory reconsolidation window after retrieval of a cue-alcohol association. METHODS Rats were provided with intermittent access to unsweetened alcohol. Rats were then trained to predict alcohol access based on a visual cue. Next, rats were treated with either standard extinction (n=14) or post-retrieval extinction (n=13). Rats were then tested for long-term memory of extinction and susceptibility to spontaneous recovery and reinstatement. RESULTS Despite equivalent extinction, rats treated with post-retrieval extinction exhibited reduced spontaneous recovery and reinstatement relative to rats treated with standard extinction. CONCLUSIONS Post-retrieval CET shows promise for persistently attenuating the risk to relapse posed by alcohol cues in individuals with AUD. PMID:28169439

Matters of Scale: Sociology in and for a Complex World.

PubMed

Pyyhtinen, Olli

2017-08-01

The article proposes that if sociology is to make sense of a world that is ever more complex and complicated, it is important to reconsider the scale(s) of our relations and actions. Instead of assuming a nested vertical hierarchy of the micro to macro binary, scale should be treated not only as multiple, but also as something produced and sustained in practice. Coming to grips with the complex world, we are living in also necessitates attending to the conduits and connections between various sites, fields, and terrains to which our lives are entangled. The article concludes with a note on the marginalization of sociology from public discussions, and it argues that it is possibly by attending to ambiguity and to the unfinished making of our contemporary world that sociology might have the most to give to discussions about the economy, about the future of humanity, and how to organize society. Cet article suggère que si la sociologie doit nous éclairer sur le sens d'un monde de plus en plus complexe, il est important de revoir l'échelle de nos relations et actions. Au lieu d'assumer une hiérarchie verticale de la dualité micro-macro, cette étendue doit être traitée non seulement comme multiple, mais aussi comme une chose produite et soutenue par la pratique. Pour faire face à la complexité du monde dans lequel nous vivons, il faut aussi de s'occuper des conduits et connections entre des sites divers, des champs, et des terrains dans lesquels nos vies se déroulent. Cet article conclut avec une note sur la marginalisation de la sociologie dans les discussions publiques ; et il défend l'idée que c'est possiblement en appréhendant l'ambiguïté et la construction incomplète de notre monde contemporain que la sociologie peut être la plus fructueuse en termes de discussions portant sur l'économie, le futur de l'humanité, et l'organisation de la société. © 2017 Canadian Sociological Association/La Société canadienne de sociologie.

A Smarter Pathway for Delivering Cue Exposure Therapy? The Design and Development of a Smartphone App Targeting Alcohol Use Disorder.

PubMed

Mellentin, Angelina Isabella; Stenager, Elsebeth; Nielsen, Bent; Nielsen, Anette Søgaard; Yu, Fei

2017-01-30

Although the number of alcohol-related treatments in app stores is proliferating, none of them are based on a psychological framework and supported by empirical evidence. Cue exposure treatment (CET) with urge-specific coping skills (USCS) is often used in Danish treatment settings. It is an evidence-based psychological approach that focuses on promoting "confrontation with alcohol cues" as a means of reducing urges and the likelihood of relapse. The objective of this study was to describe the design and development of a CET-based smartphone app; an innovative delivery pathway for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). The treatment is based on Monty and coworkers' manual for CET with USCS (2002). It was created by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, programmers, and graphic designers as well as patients with AUD. A database was developed for the purpose of registering and monitoring training activities. A final version of the CET app and database was developed after several user tests. The final version of the CET app includes an introduction, 4 sessions featuring USCS, 8 alcohol exposure videos promoting the use of one of the USCS, and a results component providing an overview of training activities and potential progress. Real-time urges are measured before, during, and after exposure to alcohol cues and are registered in the app together with other training activity variables. Data packages are continuously sent in encrypted form to an external database and will be merged with other data (in an internal database) in the future. The CET smartphone app is currently being tested at a large-scale, randomized controlled trial with the aim of clarifying whether it can be classified as an evidence-based treatment solution. The app has the potential to augment the reach of psychological treatment for AUD. ©Angelina Isabella Mellentin, Elsebeth Stenager, Bent Nielsen, Anette Søgaard Nielsen, Fei Yu. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 30.01.2017.

Optimal target concentration of remifentanil during cataract surgery with monitored anesthesia care.

PubMed

Ryu, Jung-Hee; So, Yun-mi; Hwang, Jung-Won; Do, Sang-Hwan

2010-11-01

To determine the effect-site target concentration (C(et)) of remifentanil that provides optimal conditions for patients and operators during cataract surgery during monitored anesthesia care using a target controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol and remifentanil. Prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Operating room and postoperative recovery area of a university-affiliated hospital. 66 adult, ASA physical status I, II, and III patients undergoing cataract surgery. Group I received C(et) of remifentanil 0.5 ng/mL; Group 2 received C(et) of remifentanil one ng/mL; and Group 3 received C(et) of remifentanil 1.5 ng/mL. After giving TCI propofol (C(et); one μg/mL)-remifentanil, an ophthalmologist administered topical anesthesia. Intraoperative hemodynamics, pain scores, sedation scores, patient satisfaction scores, and operators' satisfaction scores regarding surgical conditions were recorded. No statistical differences in heart rate or mean blood pressure were detected among the three groups during surgery. Pain scores (Group 1: 31.9 ± 17.9 vs. Group 2: 11.8 ± 7.7 and Group 3: 11.8 ± 7.7; P < 0.05) were higher and patient satisfaction scores (Group 1: 4.7 ± 0.8 vs. Group 2: 5.4 ± 0.4 and Group 3: 5.5 ± 0.4; P < 0.05) were lower in Group 1 than Groups 2 and 3. On the other hand, surgeon satisfaction was lowest in Group 3 (Group 3: 2.9 ± 1.3 vs. Group 1: 4.7 ± 0.4 and Group 2: 4.6 ± 0.7; P < 0.05) due to ocular movement. C(et) values of remifentanil and propofol of one ng/mL and one μg/mL, respectively, appear to provide optimal conditions for patients and operators during cataract surgery using monitored anesthesia care with TCI. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Smarter Pathway for Delivering Cue Exposure Therapy? The Design and Development of a Smartphone App Targeting Alcohol Use Disorder

PubMed Central

Stenager, Elsebeth; Nielsen, Bent; Nielsen, Anette Søgaard; Yu, Fei

2017-01-01

Background Although the number of alcohol-related treatments in app stores is proliferating, none of them are based on a psychological framework and supported by empirical evidence. Cue exposure treatment (CET) with urge-specific coping skills (USCS) is often used in Danish treatment settings. It is an evidence-based psychological approach that focuses on promoting “confrontation with alcohol cues” as a means of reducing urges and the likelihood of relapse. Objective The objective of this study was to describe the design and development of a CET-based smartphone app; an innovative delivery pathway for treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). Methods The treatment is based on Monty and coworkers’ manual for CET with USCS (2002). It was created by a multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, programmers, and graphic designers as well as patients with AUD. A database was developed for the purpose of registering and monitoring training activities. A final version of the CET app and database was developed after several user tests. Results The final version of the CET app includes an introduction, 4 sessions featuring USCS, 8 alcohol exposure videos promoting the use of one of the USCS, and a results component providing an overview of training activities and potential progress. Real-time urges are measured before, during, and after exposure to alcohol cues and are registered in the app together with other training activity variables. Data packages are continuously sent in encrypted form to an external database and will be merged with other data (in an internal database) in the future. Conclusions The CET smartphone app is currently being tested at a large-scale, randomized controlled trial with the aim of clarifying whether it can be classified as an evidence-based treatment solution. The app has the potential to augment the reach of psychological treatment for AUD. PMID:28137701

The role of economic analysis in groundwater management in semi-arid regions: the case of Nigeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acharya, Gayatri

The aim of this paper is to use an economic framework to derive decision making rules for river basin management with a focus on groundwater resources. Using an example from northern Nigeria, the paper provides an example of how decision making for sustainable water resources management may be facilitated by comparing net benefits and costs across a river basin. It is argued that economic tools can be used to assess the value of water resources in different uses, identify and analyze management scenarios, and provide decision rules for the sustainable use and management of surface and ground water resources in the region. L'objet de cet article est l'utilisation d'un cadre économique pour établir des règles de prise de décision pour la gestion d'un bassin versant prenant en compte les ressources en eau souterraine. À partir d'un exemple du Nigéria septentrional, cet article explique comment une prise de décision pour la gestion durable de ressources en eau peut être facilitée en comparant les bénéfices nets et les coûts sur tout le bassin versant. Il est montré que les outils économiques peuvent être utilisés pour établir la valeur des ressources en eau dans les différents usages, pour identifier et analyser des scénarios de gestion et pour fournir des règles de décision pour un usage et une gestion durables des ressources en eaux de surface et souterraines dans la région. El objetivo de este artículo es utilizar un enfoque económico para deducir reglas de toma de decisión en la gestión de cuencas, haciendo énfasis en los recursos subterráneos. Por medio de un ejemplo del Norte de Nigeria, se ilustra cómo la toma de decisiones orientadas a la gestión sustentable de los recursos hídricos puede ser facilitada si se compara los beneficios netos y los costes en toda la cuenca. Se argumenta que las herramientas económicas pueden servir para establecer el valor de los recursos hídricos destinados a usos diferentes, para identificar y analizar escenarios de gestión, y para proporcionar reglas de decisión que posibiliten el uso sustentable y la gestión de los recursos superficiales y subterráneos en la región.

The Integration of Quality-Oriented Education and Instrument-Driven Training in Chinese College English Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jian, Shi

2013-01-01

College English Teaching (CET) plays an important and basic part in the whole college education system in China and whether it should adopt the quality-centered education or tool-oriented training remains controversial in current Chinese CET practices. After comparing several basic concepts and analyzing the existing problems in Chinese practical…

Impact of daylight saving time on road traffic collision risk: a systematic review.

PubMed

Carey, Rachel N; Sarma, Kiran M

2017-07-02

Bills have been put forward in the UK and Republic of Ireland proposing a move to Central European Time (CET). Proponents argue that such a change will have benefits for road safety, with daylight being shifted from the morning, when collision risk is lower, to the evening, when risk is higher. Studies examining the impact of daylight saving time (DST) on road traffic collision risk can help inform the debate on the potential road safety benefits of a move to CET. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the impact of DST on collision risk. Major electronic databases were searched, with no restrictions as to date of publication (the last search was performed in January 2017). Access to unpublished reports was requested through an international expert group. Studies that provided a quantitative analysis of the effect of DST on road safety-related outcomes were included. The primary outcomes of interest were road traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen examined the short-term impact of transitions around DST and 12 examined long-term effects. Findings from the short-term studies were inconsistent. The long-term findings suggested a positive effect of DST. However, this cannot be attributed solely to DST, as a range of road collision risk factors vary over time. The evidence from this review cannot support or refute the assertion that a permanent shift in light from morning to evening will have a road safety benefit. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Nicotine craving and cue exposure therapy by using virtual environments.

PubMed

Lee, Janghan; Lim, Yungsik; Graham, Simon J; Kim, Gho; Wiederhold, Brenda K; Wiederhold, Mark D; Kim, In Y; Kim, Sun I

2004-12-01

Smokers who are exposed to cues associated with smoking show cardiovascular reactivity and an increase in smoking urges as compared to when they are presented with neutral cues. Cue exposure therapy (CET), which refers to the repeated exposure to drug-related cues in order to extinguish this learned association, has increasingly been proposed as a potential treatment of addictive behaviors, including tobacco smoking. The result of our pilot study suggests that a cue elicited using a virtual environment (VE) is more effective than other cue exposure devices. The VE was composed of craving environments (virtual bar) and objects (an alcoholic drink, a packet of cigarettes, a lighter, an ashtray, a glass of beer, and advertising posters) that are likely to trigger craving, a smoking avatar, and an audio environment that included the noisy sound and music of a restaurant. Sixteen late-adolescent males who smoked at least 10 cigarettes a day were recruited to participate in the VE-CET study. The CET virtual bar program consisted of six sessions, and the participants were exposed repeatedly to each session using different questions and procedures. Although the effects of CET did not yield significant reductions in all of the dependent variables, the craving for cigarettes was gradually decreased during the course of the sessions. This tendency was closely related to the reduction in the smoking count between the morning before the experiment and the start of the experiment. Based on these preliminary results, it appears that VE-CET maybe a useful tool to use in treatment programs to help reduce craving in those who are nicotine dependent.

Aerobic physical training does not condition against strenuous exercise-induced changes in immune function but modulates T cell proliferative responses.

PubMed

Patiño, Pablo J; Caraballo, Domingo I; Szewczyk, Katarzyna; Quintana, Juan C; Bedoya, Lady R; Ramírez, Beatriz E; Jaramillo, Andrés

2017-09-29

Exercise-induced stress induces considerable changes in the immune system. To better understand the mechanisms related to these immune changes during acute and chronic physical stress, we studied the effects of aerobic physical training (APT) on several parameters of the immune system. Previously untrained males (18-25 years of age) were divided into a group that was subjected to 6 months of APT (n=10) and a sedentary control group (n=7). The subjects performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CET) at 0, 3, and 6 months of the APT program. B cell (CD19+), T cell (CD4+ and CD8+), and natural killer cell (CD56+) levels, and mitogen-induced T cell proliferation and cytokine production (interleukin-1, interleukin-4, interleukin-12, and interferon-) were evaluated before and at 30 seconds and 24 hours after the CET. There was a significant increase in CD4+ T cells and natural killer cells and a significant reduction in T cell proliferation in both groups 30 seconds after the CET at 3 and 6 months of the APT program. Of note, the trained group showed significantly lower resting T cell proliferation (before and 24 hour after the CET) than the sedentary control group at 3 and 6 months of the APT program. There were no significant differences in cytokine production after the CET between both groups at any time point of the APT program. These data show that APT does not condition against strenuous exercise induced immune changes but significantly modulates T cell proliferative responses.

Fundamental Concerns in High-Stakes Language Testing: The Case of the College English Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jin, Yan

2011-01-01

The College English Test (CET) is an English language test designed for educational purposes, administered on a very large scale, and used for making high-stakes decisions. This paper discusses the key issues facing the CET during the course of its development in the past two decades. It argues that the most fundamental and critical concerns of…

Motivation and Test Anxiety in Test Performance across Three Testing Contexts: The CAEL, CET, and GEPT

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheng, Liying; Klinger, Don; Fox, Janna; Doe, Christine; Jin, Yan; Wu, Jessica

2014-01-01

This study examined test-takers' motivation, test anxiety, and test performance across a range of social and educational contexts in three high-stakes language tests: the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment in Canada, the College English Test (CET) in the People's Republic of China, and the General English Proficiency Test (GEPT)…

Evaluation of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) in Adolescents with Eating Disorders: Factor Structure and Relation to Eating Disordered Psychopathology.

PubMed

Swenne, Ingemar

2016-07-01

The aims of this study were to explore the factor structure of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) in a clinical sample of Swedish adolescents with eating disorders (ED) and to study the relationship of CET with ED cognitions, body weight and exercise frequency. The compulsive Exercise Test, the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire, body mass index (BMI) and exercise frequency were available at assessment of 210 adolescents (age 14.4 ± 1.6 years) with ED. Factor analysis generated four factors with close similarity to factors previously obtained in a community sample of adolescents samples and supported the use of the original version of CET. Exercise for weight control was strongly related to ED cognitions but less to exercise frequency and BMI. Exercise for regulation of mood was related to ED cognitions and exercise frequency but not to BMI. In adolescents with ED, different aspects of exercise are related to ED cognitions. This needs addressing in the treatment of adolescents with ED. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results of an 18-Month Feasibility Study

PubMed Central

Eack, Shaun M.; Greenwald, Deborah P.; Hogarty, Susan S.; Bahorik, Amber L.; Litschge, Maralee Y.; Mazefsky, Carla A.; Minshew, Nancy J.

2013-01-01

Adults with autism experience significant impairments in social and non-social information processing for which few treatments have been developed. This study conducted an 18-month uncontrolled trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET), a comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation intervention, in 14 verbal adults with autism spectrum disorder to investigate its feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy in treating these impairments. Results indicated that CET was satisfying to participants, with high treatment attendance and retention. Effects on cognitive deficits and social behavior were also large (d = 1.40 to 2.29) and statistically significant (all p < .001). These findings suggest that CET is a feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective intervention for remediating the social and non-social cognitive impairments in verbal adults with autism. PMID:23619953

Legitimizing Security in the Ivory Tower: Canadian University Corporate Security Services' Public Quest for Legitimacy.

PubMed

Wilkinson, Blair

2016-05-01

This article examines how university corporate security (UCS) services engage in legitimation work in their attempts to make their university communities (i.e., faculty, staff, students) and political masters (i.e., university administrators, boards of governors, senators) believe that they are honest, trustworthy, and caring and have authority that should be deferred to. This is accomplished through the analysis of interview and observational data collected as part of a research project exploring UCS services at five Canadian universities and an examination of how UCS services at 14 Canadian universities communicate using the social media service Twitter. These UCS services were found to primarily use Twitter for the purposes of soliciting or requesting information and for networking. In communicating through Twitter, UCS services engage in public legitimation work in which they make claims about and attempt to demonstrate their expertise, authority, and accountability. This article argues that both UCS services' particular legitimacy problem (i.e., their possession of both private and public attributes) and the interactive nature of public legitimation work create tensions that may serve to disrupt UCS services' ability to attain legitimacy. Cet article examine la manière dont les services de sécurité d'entreprise à l'université (SEU) s'engagent à légitimer leurs tentatives de persuader leurs communautés universitaires (c'est-à-dire le corps professoral, le personnel et les étudiants) ainsi que la haute administration (c'est-à-dire les administrateurs de l'université, le conseil des gouverneurs et les sénateurs) qu'ils sont honnêtes, attentifs, dignes de confiance, et qu'ils possèdent un niveau d'autorité auquel quiconque devrait se référer. Ceci sera accompli en analysant un corpus d'entrevues et d'observations dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche examinant les services de type SEU dans cinq universités canadiennes, ainsi qu'une étude sur la manière dont les services de SEU dans quatorze universités canadiennes gèrent leurs communications sur le réseau de médias sociaux Twitter. Il a été établi que ces services de SEU utilisent principalement Twitter pour la sollicitation ou la demande d'informations, et pour le réseautage. En communiquant par Twitter, les services de SEU s'engagent dans un processus de légitimation par lequel ils revendiquent et tentent de démontrer leur expertise, autorité, transparence et responsabilité. Cet article propose l'argument suivant: la question de la légitimité particulière des services de SEU (c'est-à-dire leur possession d'attributs à la fois privés et publics) combinée avec la nature interactive du processus de légitimation publique crée des tensions qui peuvent en fin de compte perturber la capacité des services de SEU à atteindre réellement cette légitimité. © 2016 Canadian Sociological Association/La Société canadienne de sociologie.

Effects of the Herbicide Imazethapyr on Photosynthesis in PGR5- and NDH-Deficient Arabidopsis thaliana at the Biochemical, Transcriptomic, and Proteomic Levels.

PubMed

Sun, Chongchong; Chen, Si; Jin, Yujian; Song, Hao; Ruan, Songlin; Fu, Zhengwei; Asad, Muhammad Asad Ullah; Qian, Haifeng

2016-06-08

Photosynthesis is a very important metabolic pathway for plant growth and crop yield. This report investigated the effect of the herbicide imazethapyr on photosynthesis in the Arabidopsis thaliana pnsB3 mutant (a defect in the NDH pathway) and pgr5 mutant (a defect in the PGR5 pathway) to determine which cyclic electron transport chain (CET) of the NDH and PGR5 pathways is more important for protecting the photosynthetic system under herbicide stress. The results showed that 20 μg/L imazethapyr markedly inhibited the growth of the three ecotypes of A. thaliana and produced more anthocyanins and reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly in the pgr5 mutant. The chlorophyll fluorescence results showed that PSII was severely damaged in the pgr5 mutant. Additionally, the CET was significantly stimulated to protect the photosynthetic system from light damage in Wt and the pnsB3 mutant but not the pgr5 mutant. The real-time PCR analysis indicated that imazethapyr treatment considerably decreased the transcript levels of most photosynthesis-related genes in the three treated groups. Several genes in the PGR5 pathway were significantly induced in the pnsB3 mutant, but no genes in the NDH pathway were induced in the pgr5 mutant. The gene transcription analysis showed that the pgr5 mutant cannot compensate for the deficit in the PGR5 pathway by stimulating the NDH pathway, whereas the pnsB3 mutant can compensate for the deficit in the CET cycle by regulating the PGR5 pathway. The iTRAQ analyses also showed that the photosynthesis system, glycolysis, and TCA cycle suffered the most severe damage in the pgr5 mutant. All of these results showed that the PGR5 pathway is more critical for electron transfer around PSI than the NDH pathway to resist herbicide stress.

Barriers to Employment for Out-of-School Youth: Evidence from a Sample of Recent CET Applicants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Cynthia; Porter, Kristin E.

2005-01-01

This paper examines employment and earnings over a four-year period for a group of disadvantaged out-of-school youth who entered the Evaluation of the Center for Employment Training (CET) Replication Sites between 1995 and 1999. It assesses the importance of three key factors as barriers to employment: lack of a high school diploma, having…

Organization of ESOMM-2014 Conference

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-30

protected) LONG-TERM GOALS Connect key players of marine mammal science community with associated regulators and other stakeholders...implementa- tion of noise as indicator in the European Union’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The ESOMM special issue of Aquatic Mammals Journal...provided input from many relvant projects on Marine mammal research. Some examples are: SOCAL-BRS, 3S-BRS, AUTEC-BRS, MOCHA, PCAD, IOGP-JIP, CET-Map, CET

An Empirical Study on Washback Effects of the Internet-Based College English Test Band 4 in China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Chao; Yan, Jiaolan; Liu, Bao

2014-01-01

Based on Bailey's washback model, in respect of participants, process and products, the present empirical study was conducted to find the actual washback effects of the internet-based College English Test Band 4 (IB CET-4). The methods adopted are questionnaires, class observation, interview and the analysis of both the CET-4 teaching and testing…

Consistency of corneal sublayer thickness measurements using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography after phacoemulsification.

PubMed

López-Miguel, Alberto; Calabuig-Goena, María; Marqués-Fernández, Victoria; Fernández, Itziar; Alió, Jorge L; Maldonado, Miguel J

2016-11-04

To assess the reliability of corneal epithelial thickness (CET), nonepithelial central corneal thickness (NECCT), and central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements using Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography (HD-OCT) in patients who did and did not undergo cataract surgery. Forty patients who underwent uneventful phacoemulsification and 40 healthy participants were recruited to evaluate the intraobserver repeatability and interobserver reproducibility of CET, NECCT, and CCT measurements using Cirrus HD-OCT. To analyze repeatability, one examiner obtained 5 consecutive scans in each participant; for interobserver reproducibility, another examiner randomly obtained another scan. Within-subject standard deviation, coefficient of variation (CV), limits of agreement, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) data were obtained. For intraobserver repeatability, the intrasession CV (CVw) and ICC values of the CET in the operated and nonoperated groups were 3.7% and 0.80 and 3.8% and 0.73, respectively; for NECCT, 0.7% and 0.98 and 0.8% and 0.97; and for CCT, 0.6% and 0.99 and 0.7% and 0.98. For interobserver reproducibility, the CVw and ICC values for the CET in the operated and nonoperated groups were 2.6% and 0.82 and 2.3% and 0.62, respectively; for NECCT, 0.7% and 0.98 and 0.5% and 0.98; and for CCT, 0.5% and 0.99 and 0.4% and 0.99. The corneal sublayer thickness can be measured reliably using Cirrus HD-OCT in patients who underwent cataract surgery and elderly participants; however, the CET consistency is poorer than the NECCT. Corneal epithelial thickness modifications exceeding 4% reflect true thickness changes instead of random error variations using HD-OCT.

Technical Feasibility Assessment of Lunar Base Mission Scenarios

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magelssen, Trygve ``Spike''; Sadeh, Eligar

2005-02-01

Investigation of the literature pertaining to lunar base (LB) missions and the technologies required for LB development has revealed an information gap that hinders technical feasibility assessment. This information gap is the absence of technical readiness levels (TRL) (Mankins, 1995) and information pertaining to the criticality of the critical enabling technologies (CETs) that enable mission success. TRL is a means of identifying technical readiness stages of a technology. Criticality is defined as the level of influence the CET has on the mission scenario. The hypothesis of this research study is that technical feasibility is a function of technical readiness and technical readiness is a function of criticality. A newly developed research analysis method is used to identify the technical feasibility of LB mission scenarios. A Delphi is used to ascertain technical readiness levels and CET criticality-to-mission. The research analysis method is applied to the Delphi results to determine the technical feasibility of the LB mission scenarios that include: observatory, science research, lunar settlement, space exploration gateway, space resource utilization, and space tourism. The CETs identified encompasses four major system level technologies of: transportation, life support, structures, and power systems. Results of the technical feasibility assessment show the observatory and science research LB mission scenarios to be more technical ready out of all the scenarios, but all mission scenarios are in very close proximity to each other in regard to criticality and TRL and no one mission scenario stands out as being absolutely more technically ready than any of the other scenarios. What is significant and of value are the Delphi results concerning CET criticality-to-mission and the TRL values evidenced in the Tables that can be used by anyone assessing the technical feasibility of LB missions.

On the impact of CO{sub 2} emission-trading on power generation emissions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chappin, E.J.L.; Dijkema, G.P.J.

2009-03-15

In Europe one of the main policy instruments to meet the Kyoto reduction targets is CO{sub 2} emission-trading (CET), which was implemented as of January 2005. In this system, companies active in specific sectors must be in the possession of CO{sub 2} emission rights to an amount equal to their CO{sub 2} emission. In Europe, electricity generation accounts for one-third of CO{sub 2} emissions. Since the power generation sector has been liberalized, reregulated and privatized in the last decade, around Europe autonomous companies determine the sectors' CO{sub 2} emission. Short-term they adjust their operation, long-term they decide on (dis) investmentmore » in power generation facilities and technology selection. An agent-based model is presented to elucidate the effect of CET on the decisions of power companies in an oligopolistic market. Simulations over an extensive scenario-space show that there CET does have an impact. A long-term portfolio shift towards less-CO{sub 2} intensive power generation is observed. However, the effect of CET is relatively small and materializes late. The absolute emissions from power generation rise under most scenarios. This corresponds to the dominant character of current capacity expansion planned in the Netherlands (50%) and in Germany (68%), where companies have announced many new coal based power plants. Coal is the most CO{sub 2} intensive option available and it seems surprising that even after the introduction of CET these capacity expansion plans indicate a preference for coal. Apparently in power generation the economic effect of CO{sub 2} emission-trading is not sufficient to outweigh the economic incentives to choose for coal.« less

The septal bulge--an early echocardiographic sign in hypertensive heart disease.

PubMed

Gaudron, Philipp Daniel; Liu, Dan; Scholz, Friederike; Hu, Kai; Florescu, Christiane; Herrmann, Sebastian; Bijnens, Bart; Ertl, Georg; Störk, Stefan; Weidemann, Frank

2016-01-01

Patients in the early stage of hypertensive heart disease tend to have normal echocardiographic findings. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pathology-specific echocardiographic morphologic and functional parameters can help to detect subclinical hypertensive heart disease. One hundred ten consecutive patients without a history and medication for arterial hypertension (AH) or other cardiac diseases were enrolled. Standard echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle-tracking-imaging analysis were performed. Resting blood pressure (BP) measurement, cycle ergometer test (CET), and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) were conducted. Patients were referred to "septal bulge (SB)" group (basal-septal wall thickness ≥ 2 mm thicker than mid-septal wall thickness) or "no-SB" group. Echocardiographic SB was found in 48 (43.6%) of 110 patients. In this SB group, 38 (79.2%) patients showed AH either by CET or ABPM. In contrast, in the no-SB group (n = 62), 59 (95.2%) patients had no positive test for AH by CET or ABPM. When AH was solely defined by resting BP, SB was a reasonable predictive sign for AH (sensitivity 73%, specificity 76%). However, when AH was confirmed by CET or ABPM the echocardiographic SB strongly predicted clinical AH (sensitivity 93%, specificity 86%). In addition, regional myocardial deformation of the basal-septum in SB group was significantly lower than in no-SB group (14 ± 4% vs. 17 ± 4%; P < .001). In conclusion, SB is a morphologic echocardiographic sign for early hypertensive heart disease. Sophisticated BP evaluation including resting BP, ABPM, and CET should be performed in all patients with an accidental finding of a SB in echocardiography. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Vers des boites quantiques a base de graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Branchaud, Simon

Le graphene est un materiau a base de carbone qui est etudie largement depuis 2004. De tres nombreux articles ont ete publies tant sur les proprietes electroniques, qu'optiques ou mecaniques de ce materiel. Cet ouvrage porte sur l'etude des fluctuations de conductance dans le graphene, et sur la fabrication et la caracterisation de nanostructures gravees dans des feuilles de ce cristal 2D. Des mesures de magnetoresistance a basse temperature ont ete faites pres du point de neutralite de charge (PNC) ainsi qu'a haute densite electronique. On trouve deux origines aux fluctuations de conductance pres du PNC, soit des oscillations mesoscopiques provenant de l'interference quantique, et des fluctuations dites Hall quantique apparaissant a plus haut champ (>0.5T), semblant suivre les facteurs de remplissage associes aux monocouches de graphene. Ces dernieres fluctuations sont attribuees a la charge d'etats localises, et revelent un precurseur a l'effet Hall quantique, qui lui, ne se manifeste pas avant 2T. On arrive a extraire les parametres caracterisant l'echantillon a partir de ces donnees. A la fin de cet ouvrage, on effectue des mesures de transport dans des constrictions et ilots de graphene, ou des boites quantiques sont formees. A partir de ces mesures, on extrait les parametres importants de ces boites quantiques, comme leur taille et leur energie de charge.

Data Service Provider Cost Estimation Tool

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fontaine, Kathy; Hunolt, Greg; Booth, Arthur L.; Banks, Mel

2011-01-01

The Data Service Provider Cost Estimation Tool (CET) and Comparables Database (CDB) package provides to NASA s Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) the ability to estimate the full range of year-by-year lifecycle cost estimates for the implementation and operation of data service providers required by ESE to support its science and applications programs. The CET can make estimates dealing with staffing costs, supplies, facility costs, network services, hardware and maintenance, commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software licenses, software development and sustaining engineering, and the changes in costs that result from changes in workload. Data Service Providers may be stand-alone or embedded in flight projects, field campaigns, research or applications projects, or other activities. The CET and CDB package employs a cost-estimation-by-analogy approach. It is based on a new, general data service provider reference model that provides a framework for construction of a database by describing existing data service providers that are analogs (or comparables) to planned, new ESE data service providers. The CET implements the staff effort and cost estimation algorithms that access the CDB and generates the lifecycle cost estimate for a new data services provider. This data creates a common basis for an ESE proposal evaluator for considering projected data service provider costs.

Cryo-scanning transmission electron tomography of vitrified cells.

PubMed

Wolf, Sharon Grayer; Houben, Lothar; Elbaum, Michael

2014-04-01

Cryo-electron tomography (CET) of fully hydrated, vitrified biological specimens has emerged as a vital tool for biological research. For cellular studies, the conventional imaging modality of transmission electron microscopy places stringent constraints on sample thickness because of its dependence on phase coherence for contrast generation. Here we demonstrate the feasibility of using scanning transmission electron microscopy for cryo-tomography of unstained vitrified specimens (CSTET). We compare CSTET and CET for the imaging of whole bacteria and human tissue culture cells, finding favorable contrast and detail in the CSTET reconstructions. Particularly at high sample tilts, the CSTET signals contain more informative data than energy-filtered CET phase contrast images, resulting in improved depth resolution. Careful control over dose delivery permits relatively high cumulative exposures before the onset of observable beam damage. The increase in acceptable specimen thickness broadens the applicability of electron cryo-tomography.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Cetacean and Sound Mapping Effort: Continuing Forward with an Integrated Ocean Noise Strategy.

PubMed

Harrison, Jolie; Ferguson, Megan; Gedamke, Jason; Hatch, Leila; Southall, Brandon; Van Parijs, Sofie

2016-01-01

To help manage chronic and cumulative impacts of human activities on marine mammals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) convened two working groups, the Underwater Sound Field Mapping Working Group (SoundMap) and the Cetacean Density and Distribution Mapping Working Group (CetMap), with overarching effort of both groups referred to as CetSound, which (1) mapped the predicted contribution of human sound sources to ocean noise and (2) provided region/time/species-specific cetacean density and distribution maps. Mapping products were presented at a symposium where future priorities were identified, including institutionalization/integration of the CetSound effort within NOAA-wide goals and programs, creation of forums and mechanisms for external input and funding, and expanded outreach/education. NOAA is subsequently developing an ocean noise strategy to articulate noise conservation goals and further identify science and management actions needed to support them.

Eccentric Ergometer Training Promotes Locomotor Muscle Strength but Not Mitochondrial Adaptation in Patients with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

PubMed

MacMillan, Norah J; Kapchinsky, Sophia; Konokhova, Yana; Gouspillou, Gilles; de Sousa Sena, Riany; Jagoe, R Thomas; Baril, Jacinthe; Carver, Tamara E; Andersen, Ross E; Richard, Ruddy; Perrault, Hélène; Bourbeau, Jean; Hepple, Russell T; Taivassalo, Tanja

2017-01-01

Eccentric ergometer training (EET) is increasingly being proposed as a therapeutic strategy to improve skeletal muscle strength in various cardiorespiratory diseases, due to the principle that lengthening muscle actions lead to high force-generating capacity at low cardiopulmonary load. One clinical population that may particularly benefit from this strategy is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as ventilatory constraints and locomotor muscle dysfunction often limit efficacy of conventional exercise rehabilitation in patients with severe disease. While the feasibility of EET for COPD has been established, the nature and extent of adaptation within COPD muscle is unknown. The aim of this study was therefore to characterize the locomotor muscle adaptations to EET in patients with severe COPD, and compare them with adaptations gained through conventional concentric ergometer training (CET). Male patients were randomized to either EET ( n = 8) or CET ( n = 7) for 10 weeks and matched for heart rate intensity. EET patients trained on average at a workload that was three times that of CET, at a lower perception of leg fatigue and dyspnea. EET led to increases in isometric peak strength and relative thigh mass ( p < 0.01) whereas CET had no such effect. However, EET did not result in fiber hypertrophy, as morphometric analysis of muscle biopsies showed no increase in mean fiber cross-sectional area ( p = 0.82), with variability in the direction and magnitude of fiber-type responses (20% increase in Type 1, p = 0.18; 4% decrease in Type 2a, p = 0.37) compared to CET (26% increase in Type 1, p = 0.04; 15% increase in Type 2a, p = 0.09). EET had no impact on mitochondrial adaptation, as revealed by lack of change in markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, content and respiration, which contrasted to improvements ( p < 0.05) within CET muscle. While future study is needed to more definitively determine the effects of EET on fiber hypertrophy and associated underlying molecular signaling pathways in COPD locomotor muscle, our findings promote the implementation of this strategy to improve muscle strength. Furthermore, contrasting mitochondrial adaptations suggest evaluation of a sequential paradigm of eccentric followed by concentric cycling as a means of augmenting the training response and attenuating skeletal muscle dysfunction in patients with advanced COPD.

A Randomized, Head-to-Head Study of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

PubMed

McLay, Robert N; Baird, Alicia; Webb-Murphy, Jennifer; Deal, William; Tran, Lily; Anson, Heather; Klam, Warren; Johnston, Scott

2017-04-01

Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) is one of the few interventions supported by randomized controlled trials for the treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in active duty service members. A comparative effectiveness study was conducted to determine if virtual reality technology itself improved outcomes, or if similar results could be achieved with a control exposure therapy (CET) condition. Service members with combat-related PTSD were randomly selected to receive nine weeks of VRET or CET. Assessors, but not therapists, were blinded. PTSD symptom improvement was assessed one week and 3 months after the conclusion of treatment using the clinician-administered PTSD scale (CAPS). A small crossover component was included. Results demonstrated that PTSD symptoms improved with both treatments, but there were no statistically significant differences between groups. Dropout rates were higher in VRET. Of those who received VRET, 13/42 (31%) showed >30% improvement on the CAPS, versus 16/43 (37%) who received CET. Three months after treatment, >30% improvement was seen in 10/33 (30%) of VRET participants and 12/33 (36%) in CET. Participants who crossed over (n = 11) showed no statistically significant improvements in a second round of treatment, regardless of condition. This study supported the utility of exposure therapy for PTSD, but did not support additional benefit by the inclusion of virtual reality.

Formulation and evaluation of novel coated floating tablets of bergenin and cetirizine dihydrochloride for gastric delivery.

PubMed

He, Shuang; Li, Feng; Zhou, Dan; Du, Junrong; Huang, Yuan

2012-10-01

A novel coated gastric floating drug-delivery system (GFDDS) of bergenin (BN) and cetirizine dihydrochloride (CET) was developed. First, the pharmacodynamic studies were performed and the results revealed that the new compounds of bergenin/cetirizine dihydrochloride had comparative efficacy as commercial products (bergenin/chlorphenamine maleate) but with fewer side effects on central nervous system (CNS). Subsequently, bergenin was formulated as an extended-release core tablet while cetirizine dihydrochloride was incorporated into the gastric coating film for immediate release. The formulation of GFDDS was optimized by CET content uniformity test, in vitro buoyancy and drug release. Herein, the effects of sodium bicarbonate (effervescent), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, matrix polymer) and coating weight gain were investigated respectively. The optimized GFDDS exhibited good floating properties (buoyancy lag time < 2 min; floating duration > 10 h) and satisfactory drug-release profiles (immediate release of CET in 10 min and sustained release of BN for 12 h). In vivo gamma scintigraphy proved that the optimized GFDDS could retain in the stomach with a prolonged gastric retention time (GRT) of 5 h, and the coating layer showed no side effect for gastric retention. The novel coated gastric floating drug-delivery system offers a new approach to enhance BN's absorption at its absorption site and the efficacy of both CET and BN.

SciDAC's Earth System Grid Center for Enabling Technologies Semiannual Progress Report October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Williams, Dean N.

2011-04-02

This report summarizes work carried out by the Earth System Grid Center for Enabling Technologies (ESG-CET) from October 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. It discusses ESG-CET highlights for the reporting period, overall progress, period goals, and collaborations, and lists papers and presentations. To learn more about our project and to find previous reports, please visit the ESG-CET Web sites: http://esg-pcmdi.llnl.gov/ and/or https://wiki.ucar.edu/display/esgcet/Home. This report will be forwarded to managers in the Department of Energy (DOE) Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) program and the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER), as well as national and international collaborators andmore » stakeholders (e.g., those involved in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, phase 5 (CMIP5) for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th Assessment Report (AR5); the Community Earth System Model (CESM); the Climate Science Computational End Station (CCES); SciDAC II: A Scalable and Extensible Earth System Model for Climate Change Science; the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP); the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) program; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)), and also to researchers working on a variety of other climate model and observation evaluation activities. The ESG-CET executive committee consists of Dean N. Williams, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL); Ian Foster, Argonne National Laboratory (ANL); and Don Middleton, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The ESG-CET team is a group of researchers and scientists with diverse domain knowledge, whose home institutions include eight laboratories and two universities: ANL, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), LLNL, NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), NCAR, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL)/NOAA, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and University of Southern California, Information Sciences Institute (USC/ISI). All ESG-CET work is accomplished under DOE open-source guidelines and in close collaboration with the project's stakeholders, domain researchers, and scientists. Through the ESG project, the ESG-CET team has developed and delivered a production environment for climate data from multiple climate model sources (e.g., CMIP (IPCC), CESM, ocean model data (e.g., Parallel Ocean Program), observation data (e.g., Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, Microwave Limb Sounder), and analysis and visualization tools) that serves a worldwide climate research community. Data holdings are distributed across multiple sites including LANL, LBNL, LLNL, NCAR, and ORNL as well as unfunded partners sites such as the Australian National University (ANU) National Computational Infrastructure (NCI), the British Atmospheric Data Center (BADC), the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory/NOAA, the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M), the German Climate Computing Centre (DKRZ), and NASA/JPL. As we transition from development activities to production and operations, the ESG-CET team is tasked with making data available to all users who want to understand it, process it, extract value from it, visualize it, and/or communicate it to others. This ongoing effort is extremely large and complex, but it will be incredibly valuable for building 'science gateways' to critical climate resources (such as CESM, CMIP5, ARM, NARCCAP, Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS), etc.) for processing the next IPCC assessment report. Continued ESG progress will result in a production-scale system that will empower scientists to attempt new and exciting data exchanges, which could ultimately lead to breakthrough climate science discoveries.« less

CET89 - CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIUM WITH TRANSPORT PROPERTIES, 1989

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcbride, B.

1994-01-01

Scientists and engineers need chemical equilibrium composition data to calculate the theoretical thermodynamic properties of a chemical system. This information is essential in the design and analysis of equipment such as compressors, turbines, nozzles, engines, shock tubes, heat exchangers, and chemical processing equipment. The substantial amount of numerical computation required to obtain equilibrium compositions and transport properties for complex chemical systems led scientists at NASA's Lewis Research Center to develop CET89, a program designed to calculate the thermodynamic and transport properties of these systems. CET89 is a general program which will calculate chemical equilibrium compositions and mixture properties for any chemical system with available thermodynamic data. Generally, mixtures may include condensed and gaseous products. CET89 performs the following operations: it 1) obtains chemical equilibrium compositions for assigned thermodynamic states, 2) calculates dilute-gas transport properties of complex chemical mixtures, 3) obtains Chapman-Jouguet detonation properties for gaseous species, 4) calculates incident and reflected shock properties in terms of assigned velocities, and 5) calculates theoretical rocket performance for both equilibrium and frozen compositions during expansion. The rocket performance function allows the option of assuming either a finite area or an infinite area combustor. CET89 accommodates problems involving up to 24 reactants, 20 elements, and 600 products (400 of which may be condensed). The program includes a library of thermodynamic and transport properties in the form of least squares coefficients for possible reaction products. It includes thermodynamic data for over 1300 gaseous and condensed species and transport data for 151 gases. The subroutines UTHERM and UTRAN convert thermodynamic and transport data to unformatted form for faster processing. The program conforms to the FORTRAN 77 standard, except for some input in NAMELIST format. It requires about 423 KB memory, and is designed to be used on mainframe, workstation, and mini computers. Due to its memory requirements, this program does not readily lend itself to implementation on MS-DOS based machines.

Pax narcotica

PubMed Central

Bourgois, Philippe; Hart, Laurie Kain

2016-01-01

RÉSUMÉ/ABSTRACT Fondé sur un travail de terrain mené pendant cinq ans dans le ghetto portoricain de Philadelphie, cet article explore les logiques de violence et de paix à l’œuvre dans ce secteur situé en fin de circuit de l’industrie globale du narcotrafic. Tout en recourant à la violence armée pour éliminer leurs rivaux et défendre leur territoire, les patrons locaux de la drogue doivent simultanément renvoyer l’image de figures généreuses pour éviter que les habitants ne les dénoncent à la police, en se montrant responsables, prêts à redistribuer les ressources, à offrir des emplois bien rémunérés, à discipliner leurs employés et à contenir les excès de violence. Les chefs de la drogue sont donc contraints de transformer leur force brute en un pouvoir vertueux pour prospérer. Ils participent ainsi, avec voisins et employés, à une économie morale de relations patrimoniales et clientélistes au sein de laquelle ils s’imposent comme des leaders charismatiques. À partir d’une relecture du concept d’ « accumulation primitive », cet article revient à la fois : 1) sur la relation coloniale qui pousse la diaspora portoricaine ghettoïsée dans la niche économique que représente la revente de drogue au détail; 2) sur la violence symbolique à l’œuvre à tous les échelons de ce trafic; 3) sur les profits artificiellement élevés générés par cette industrie criminalisée par l’État; 4) et sur la prolifération opportuniste de secteurs spécialisés de l’économie légale et de la bureaucratie publique chargés de gérer les effets collatéraux de la coercition et des violences d’État. PMID:28090135

La victimisation homophobe et liée à la non-conformité de genre et l’adaptation scolaire et psychosociale chez les 14–22 ans : Résultats d’une enquête québécoise

PubMed Central

Boucher, Kathleen; Blais, Martin; Hébert, Martine; Gervais, Jesse; Banville-Côté, Christine; Bédard, Isabelle; Dragieva, Nataliya

2017-01-01

Résumés Cet article étudie la victimisation homophobe et liée à la non-conformité de genre et ses effets sur l’adaptation scolaire et psychosociale de jeunes Québécois. Un échantillon non probabiliste de 262 jeunes (173 filles, 89 garçons), âgés de 14 à 22 ans (M = 17,9 ans) a été constitué. Des comparaisons bivariées et un modèle d’équations structurales ont été réalisés. Les jeunes LGBTQ affichent un sentiment de sécurité à l’école et une réussite scolaire autoévaluée plus faibles et un niveau de détresse psychologique plus élevé. Les résultats montrent que la victimisation homophobe, le soutien social des amis, la détresse psychologique et le sentiment de sécurité à l’école jouent un rôle médiateur important dans la réussite scolaire autoévaluée des jeunes LGBTQ. Ces constats appuient l’importance de mettre en place des interventions pour réduire l’homophobie dans les écoles et soulignent le rôle central des pairs dans cet effort. PMID:28191287

Portable+: A Ubiquitous And Smart Way Towards Comfortable Energy Savings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jain, Milan; Singh, Amarjeet; Chandan, Vikas

An air conditioner (AC) consumes a significant proportion of the total household power consumption. Primarily used in developing countries, decentralised AC has an inbuilt thermostat to cool the room to a temperature, manually set by the users. However, residents are incapable of specifying their goal through these thermostats - maximise their comfort or save AC energy. State-of-the-art portable thermostats emulate AC remotes and assist occupants in remotely changing the thermostat temperature, through their smartphones. We propose extending such thermostats to portable+ by adding a Comfort-Energy Trade-off (CET) knob, realised through an optimisation framework to allow users to balance their comfortmore » and the savings without worrying about the right set temperature. Analysis based on real data, collected from a controlled experiment (across two rooms for two weeks) and an in-situ deployment (across five rooms for three months), indicates that portable+ thermostats can reduce residents’ discomfort by 23% (CET selection for maximal comfort) and save 26% energy when CET is set for maximising savings.« less

Field-Induced Transitions in Anisotropic Kondo Lattice — Application to CeT2Al10 —

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kikuchi, Taku; Hoshino, Shintaro; Shibata, Naokazu; Kuramoto, Yoshio

2017-09-01

The magnetic properties of an anisotropic Kondo lattice are investigated under a magnetic field using dynamical mean field theory and the continuous-time quantum Monte Carlo method. The magnetic phase diagram is determined from the temperature dependence of both uniform and staggered magnetizations in magnetic fields. We find a spin-flop transition inside the antiferromagnetic (AF) phase, whose transition field increases with increasing Kondo coupling while the AF transition temperature decreases. These results cannot be described by a simple spin Hamiltonian and are consistent with the experimental results of the field-induced transition observed in CeT2Al10 (T = Ru, Os). The anisotropic susceptibilities of CeT2Al10 are reproduced in the whole temperature range by incorporating the effects of the crystalline electric field (CEF) in the anisotropic Kondo lattice. We also propose a possible explanation for the difference in anisotropies between the magnetic susceptibility and AF moments observed in experiments.

Identification de lois constitutives et de lois de frottement adaptées aux grandes vitesses de sollicitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalverny, O.; Capéraa, S.; Pantalé, O.; Sattouf, C.

2002-12-01

Cet article présente une méthodologie d'identification de lois constitutives et de lois de contact adaptées aux matériaux métalliques sous chargement dynamique à grande vitesse de déformation. Les essais sont effectués à partir de montages expérimentaux adaptés à un lanceur à gaz permettant d'obtenir une vitesse de projectile de l'ordre de 350m/s pour une masse totale de 30gr. Le premier essai consiste en un impact de Taylor correspondant à un chargement mécanique de type compression. Le second essai de type “extrusion conique" permet la détermination des lois de frottement à grande vitesse. La procédure générale d'identification des lois de comportement à partir d'essais dynamiques se fait au moyen d'une analyse post-mortem des échantillons et de la corrélation entre ces résultats expérimentaux et un modèle numérique des essais. Pour les deux cas précédemment cités, nous présentons la configuration optimale d'essai ainsi que les résultats obtenus à partir d'un algorithme d'optimisation de type Levenberg-Marquard.

Detection of CI line emission towards the oxygen-rich AGB star omi Ceti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saberi, M.; Vlemmings, W. H. T.; De Beck, E.; Montez, R.; Ramstedt, S.

2018-05-01

We present the detection of neutral atomic carbon CI(3P1-3P0) line emission towards omi Cet. This is the first time that CI is detected in the envelope around an oxygen-rich M-type asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star. We also confirm the previously tentative CI detection around V Hya, a carbon-rich AGB star. As one of the main photodissociation products of parent species in the circumstellar envelope (CSE) around evolved stars, CI can be used to trace sources of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in CSEs. The observed flux density towards omi Cet can be reproduced by a shell with a peak atomic fractional abundance of 2.4 × 10-5 predicted based on a simple chemical model where CO is dissociated by the interstellar radiation field. However, the CI emission is shifted by 4 km s-1 from the stellar velocity. Based on this velocity shift, we suggest that the detected CI emission towards omi Cet potentially arises from a compact region near its hot binary companion. The velocity shift could, therefore, be the result of the orbital velocity of the binary companion around omi Cet. In this case, the CI column density is estimated to be 1.1 × 1019 cm-2. This would imply that strong UV radiation from the companion and/or accretion of matter between two stars is most likely the origin of the CI enhancement. However, this hypothesis can be confirmed by high-angular resolution observations.

Efficacy of double inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of the synovium in the femoro-patellar joint without contrast enhancement.

PubMed

Son, Ye Na; Jin, Wook; Jahng, Geon-Ho; Cha, Jang Gyu; Park, Yong Sung; Yun, Seong Jong; Park, So Young; Park, Ji Seon; Ryu, Kyung Nam

2018-02-01

To investigate the efficacy of double inversion recovery (DIR) sequence for evaluating the synovium of the femoro-patellar joint without contrast enhancement (CE). Two radiologists independently evaluated the axial DIR and CE T1-weighted fat-saturated (CET1FS) images of 33 knees for agreement; the visualisation and distribution of the synovium were evaluated using a four-point visual scaling system at each of the five levels of the femoro-patellar joint and the location of the thickest synovium. The maximal synovial thickness at each sequence was measured by consensus. The interobserver agreement was good (κ = 0.736) for the four-point scale, and was excellent for the location of the thickest synovium on DIR and CET1FS (κ = 0.955 and 0.954). The intersequential agreement for the area with the thickest synovium was also excellent (κ = 0.845 and κ = 0.828). The synovial thickness on each sequence showed excellent correlation (r = 0.872). The DIR showed as good a correlation as CET1FS for the evaluation of the synovium at the femoro-patellar joint. DIR may be a useful MR technique for evaluating the synovium without CE. • DIR can be useful for evaluating the synovium of the femoro-patellar joint. • Interobserver and intersequential agreements between DIR and CET1FS were good. • Mean thickness of the synovium was significantly different between two sequences.

In vivo evaluation of cetuximab-conjugated poly(γ-glutamic acid)-docetaxel nanomedicines in EGFR-overexpressing gastric cancer xenografts.

PubMed

Sreeranganathan, Maya; Uthaman, Saji; Sarmento, Bruno; Mohan, Chethampadi Gopi; Park, In-Kyu; Jayakumar, Rangasamy

2017-01-01

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), upregulated in gastric cancer patients, is an oncogene of interest in the development of targeted cancer nanomedicines. This study demonstrates in silico modeling of monoclonal antibody cetuximab (CET MAb)-conjugated docetaxel (DOCT)-loaded poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) nanoparticles (Nps) and evaluates the in vitro/in vivo effects on EGFR-overexpressing gastric cancer cells (MKN-28). Nontargeted DOCT-γ-PGA Nps (NT Nps: 110±40 nm) and targeted CET MAb-DOCT-γ-PGA Nps (T Nps: 200±20 nm) were prepared using ionic gelation followed by 1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl)carbodiimide-N-Hydoxysuccinimide (EDC-NSH) chemistry. Increased uptake correlated with enhanced cytotoxicity induced by targeted Nps to EGFR +ve MKN-28 compared with nontargeted Nps as evident from MTT and flow cytometric assays. Nanoformulated DOCT showed a superior pharmacokinetic profile to that of free DOCT in Swiss albino mice, indicating the possibility of improved therapeutic effect in the disease model. Qualitative in vivo imaging showed early and enhanced tumor targeted accumulation of CET MAb-DOCT-γ-PGA Nps in EGFR +ve MKN-28-based gastric cancer xenograft, which exhibited efficient arrest of tumor growth compared with nontargeted Nps and free DOCT. Thus, actively targeted CET MAb-DOCT-γ-PGA Nps could be developed as a substitute to conventional nonspecific chemotherapy, and hence could become a feasible strategy for cancer therapy for EGFR-overexpressing gastric tumors.

Thickness scaling of atomic-layer-deposited HfO2 films and their application to wafer-scale graphene tunnelling transistors

PubMed Central

Jeong, Seong-Jun; Gu, Yeahyun; Heo, Jinseong; Yang, Jaehyun; Lee, Chang-Seok; Lee, Min-Hyun; Lee, Yunseong; Kim, Hyoungsub; Park, Seongjun; Hwang, Sungwoo

2016-01-01

The downscaling of the capacitance equivalent oxide thickness (CET) of a gate dielectric film with a high dielectric constant, such as atomic layer deposited (ALD) HfO2, is a fundamental challenge in achieving high-performance graphene-based transistors with a low gate leakage current. Here, we assess the application of various surface modification methods on monolayer graphene sheets grown by chemical vapour deposition to obtain a uniform and pinhole-free ALD HfO2 film with a substantially small CET at a wafer scale. The effects of various surface modifications, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone treatment and introduction of sputtered ZnO and e-beam-evaporated Hf seed layers on monolayer graphene, and the subsequent HfO2 film formation under identical ALD process parameters were systematically evaluated. The nucleation layer provided by the Hf seed layer (which transforms to the HfO2 layer during ALD) resulted in the uniform and conformal deposition of the HfO2 film without damaging the graphene, which is suitable for downscaling the CET. After verifying the feasibility of scaling down the HfO2 thickness to achieve a CET of ~1.5 nm from an array of top-gated metal-oxide-graphene field-effect transistors, we fabricated graphene heterojunction tunnelling transistors with a record-low subthreshold swing value of <60 mV/dec on an 8″ glass wafer. PMID:26861833

Enquête internationale sur l'état de l'art et l'état de la pratique en géotechnique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acosta-Martinez, Hugo; Delage, Pierre; Nicks, Jennifer; Day, Peter

2018-05-01

Cet article présente une synthèse des résultats de l'enquête internationale sur l'état de l'art et l'état de la pratique en ingénierie géotechnique lancée par le Groupe présidentiel des entreprises associées et le Comité de supervision technique de la Société internationale de mécanique des sols et de géotechnique en mars 2017. Il résume également les discussions qui ont eu lieu sur le sujet durant le 19e CIMSG à Séoul, le 20 septembre 2017.

Modélisation des phénomènes électromagnétiques dans les matériaux supraconducteurs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maslouh, M.; Bouillault, F.

1998-03-01

This paper describes a numerical method to determine the losses in a solid superconductor plunged in transverse magnetic field or in transport current. The model which is based on the Bean critical state, shows that the hysteretic phenomena are taken in account. Cet article présente une méthode de calcul permettant la détermination des pertes dans un matériau massif supraconducteur soumis à un champ magnétique transversal ou parcouru par un courant de transport. Le modèle, basé sur celui de l'état critique de Bean, met en évidence le caractère hystérétique des phénomènes.

COSMIC monthly progress report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

Activities of the Computer Software Management and Information Center (COSMIC) are summarized for the month of May 1994. Tables showing the current inventory of programs available from COSMIC are presented and program processing and evaluation activities are summarized. Nine articles were prepared for publication in the NASA Tech Brief Journal. These articles (included in this report) describe the following software items: (1) WFI - Windowing System for Test and Simulation; (2) HZETRN - A Free Space Radiation Transport and Shielding Program; (3) COMGEN-BEM - Composite Model Generation-Boundary Element Method; (4) IDDS - Interactive Data Display System; (5) CET93/PC - Chemical Equilibrium with Transport Properties, 1993; (6) SDVIC - Sub-pixel Digital Video Image Correlation; (7) TRASYS - Thermal Radiation Analyzer System (HP9000 Series 700/800 Version without NASADIG); (8) NASADIG - NASA Device Independent Graphics Library, Version 6.0 (VAX VMS Version); and (9) NASADIG - NASA Device Independent Graphics Library, Version 6.0 (UNIX Version). Activities in the areas of marketing, customer service, benefits identification, maintenance and support, and dissemination are also described along with a budget summary.

La singularité du patient tuberculeux dans le système de santé: l'expérience du Burkina Faso

PubMed Central

Zerbo, Roger

2013-01-01

La démarche pluridisciplinaire s'impose de plus en plus dans le secteur de la santé dans le contexte africain, où les parcours thérapeutiques sont pluriels et les rapports des usagers des centres de santé sont complexes et peu satisfaisants. La compréhension des représentations de la maladie est nécessaire pour offrir des soins appropriés certes, mais l'expérience individuelle des malades représente également une source de savoir. Les données ont été collectées à travers des entretiens semi-directifs, le recueil des récits de vie et des observations participantes. Cet article rend compte d'une expérience d'implication de socio-anthropologue dans la mise en œuvre d'un programme de santé publique au Burkina Faso en vue d'une amélioration de la prise en charge des malades tuberculeux. L'analyse des données à été conduite dans une visée réflexive. Les perspectives socio-anthropologiques ont révélé que l'expérience des anciens malades tuberculeux peut être mise à profit afin d'apporter des changements dans les relations thérapeutiques et l'intégration sociale des autres malades. Cette idée à été mise en application pour tenir lieu d'une traduction des analyses anthropologiques en actes pour un changement. L'article évoque la manière dont l'approche socio-anthropologique au sein d'un programme de santé, peut mettre en évidence le potentiel des malades à être des acteurs importants dans le fonctionnement des services de soins et leur propre bien-être. Dans cette situation, la démarche théorique implique la réflexivité de l'anthropologue, mais également un regard critique sur les modes d'intervention en santé publique. PMID:24009798

Thresholds for decision-making: informing the cost-effectiveness and affordability of rotavirus vaccines in Malaysia.

PubMed

Loganathan, Tharani; Ng, Chiu-Wan; Lee, Way-Seah; Hutubessy, Raymond C W; Verguet, Stéphane; Jit, Mark

2018-03-01

Cost-effectiveness thresholds (CETs) based on the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (CMH) are extensively used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lacking locally defined CETs. These thresholds were originally intended for global and regional prioritization, and do not reflect local context or affordability at the national level, so their value for informing resource allocation decisions has been questioned. Using these thresholds, rotavirus vaccines are widely regarded as cost-effective interventions in LMICs. However, high vaccine prices remain a barrier towards vaccine introduction. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness, affordability and threshold price of universal rotavirus vaccination at various CETs in Malaysia. Cost-effectiveness of Rotarix and RotaTeq were evaluated using a multi-cohort model. Pan American Health Organization Revolving Fund's vaccine prices were used as tender price, while the recommended retail price for Malaysia was used as market price. We estimate threshold prices defined as prices at which vaccination becomes cost-effective, at various CETs reflecting economic theories of human capital, societal willingness-to-pay and marginal productivity. A budget impact analysis compared programmatic costs with the healthcare budget. At tender prices, both vaccines were cost-saving. At market prices, cost-effectiveness differed with thresholds used. At market price, using 'CMH thresholds', Rotarix programmes were cost-effective and RotaTeq were not cost-effective from the healthcare provider's perspective, while both vaccines were cost-effective from the societal perspective. Using other CETs, both vaccines were not cost-effective at market price, from the healthcare provider's and societal perspectives. At tender and cost-effective prices, rotavirus vaccination cost ∼1 and 3% of the public health budget, respectively. Using locally defined thresholds, rotavirus vaccination is cost-effective at vaccine prices in line with international tenders, but not at market prices. Thresholds representing marginal productivity are likely to be lower than those reflecting human capital and individual preference measures, and may be useful in determining affordable vaccine prices. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Neuroprotective effect of agmatine in rats with transient cerebral ischemia using MR imaging and histopathologic evaluation.

PubMed

Huang, Y C; Tzeng, W S; Wang, C C; Cheng, B C; Chang, Y K; Chen, H H; Lin, P C; Huang, T Y; Chuang, T J; Lin, J W; Chang, C P

2013-09-01

This study aimed to further investigate the effects of agmatine on brain edema in the rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) injury using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) monitoring and biochemical and histopathologic evaluation. Following surgical induction of MCAO for 90min, agmatine was injected 5min after beginning of reperfusion and again once daily for the next 3 post-operative days. The events during ischemia and reperfusion were investigated by T2-weighted images (T2WI), serial diffusion-weighted images (DWI), calculated apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (CE-T1WI) during 3h-72h in a 1.5T Siemens MAGNETON Avanto Scanner. Lesion volumes were analyzed in a blinded and randomized manner. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), Nissl, and Evans Blue stainings were performed at the corresponding sections. Increased lesion volumes derived from T2WI, DWI, ADC, CE-T1WI, and TTC all were noted at 3h and peaked at 24h-48h after MCAO injury. TTC-derived infarct volumes were not significantly different from the T2WI, DWI-, and CE-T1WI-derived lesion volumes at the last imaging time (72h) point except for significantly smaller ADC lesions in the MCAO model (P<0.05). Volumetric calculation based on TTC-derived infarct also correlated significantly stronger to volumetric calculation based on last imaging time point derived on T2WI, DWI or CE-T1WI than ADC (P<0.05). At the last imaging time point, a significant increase in Evans Blue extravasation and a significant decrease in Nissl-positive cells numbers were noted in the vehicle-treated MCAO injured animals. The lesion volumes derived from T2WI, DWI, CE-T1WI, and Evans blue extravasation as well as the reduced numbers of Nissl-positive cells were all significantly attenuated in the agmatine-treated rats compared with the control ischemia rats (P<0.05). Our results suggest that agmatine has neuroprotective effects against brain edema on a reperfusion model after transient cerebral ischemia. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trapping effect on a small molecular drug with vascular-disrupting agent CA4P in rodent H22 hepatic tumor model: in vivo magnetic resonance imaging and postmortem inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.

PubMed

Gao, Meng; Yao, Nan; Huang, Dejian; Jiang, Cuihua; Feng, Yuanbo; Li, Yue; Lou, Bin; Peng, Fei; Sun, Ziping; Ni, Yicheng; Zhang, Jian

2015-06-01

The aim of the present study is to verify the trapping effect of combretastatin A-4-phosphate (CA4P) on small molecular drugs in rodent tumors. Mice with H22 hepatocarcinoma were randomized into groups A and B. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of T1WI, T2WI, and DWI was performed as baseline. Mice in group A were injected with Gd-DTPA and PBS. Mice in group B were injected with Gd-DTPA and CA4P. All mice undergo CE-T1WI at 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h. Enhancing efficacy of the two groups on CE-T1WI was compared with the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) calculated. Concentrations of gadolinium measured by ICP-AES in the tumor were compared between groups. On the early CE-T1WI, tumors were equally enhanced in both groups. On the delayed CE-T1WI, the enhancing effect of group A was weaker than that of group B. The SNR and the concentration of gadolinium within the tumor of group A were lower than that of group B at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after administration. This study indicates that CA4P could improve the retention of Gd-DTPA in the tumor and MRI allowed dynamically monitoring trapping effects of CA4P on local retention of Gd-DTPA as a small molecular drug.

Influence of peak oral temperatures on veneer–core interface stress state

PubMed Central

Marrelli, Massimo; Pujia, Antonella; Apicella, Davide; Sansalone, Salvatore; Tatullo, Marco

2015-01-01

Abstract Objective: There is a growing interest for the use of Y-TZP zirconia as core material in veneered all-ceramic prostheses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of CET on the stress distribution of a porcelain layered to zirconia core single crowns by finite elements analysis. Material and methods: CET of eight different porcelains was considered during the analysis. Results: Results of this study indicated that the mismatch in CET between the veneering porcelain and the Y-TZP zirconia core has to be minimum (0.5–1 μm/mK) so as to decrease the growing of residual stresses which could bring chipping. Conclusions: The stress state due to temperature variation should be carefully taken into consideration while studying the effect of mechanical load on zirconia core crown by FEA. The interfacial stress state can be increased by temperature variation up to 20% with respect to the relative failure parameter (interface strength in this case). This means that stress due to mechanical load combined to temperature variation-induced stress can lead porcelain veneer–zirconia core interfaces to failure. PMID:28642897

Validation of smoking-related virtual environments for cue exposure therapy.

PubMed

García-Rodríguez, Olaya; Pericot-Valverde, Irene; Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José; Ferrer-García, Marta; Secades-Villa, Roberto

2012-06-01

Craving is considered one of the main factors responsible for relapse after smoking cessation. Cue exposure therapy (CET) consists of controlled and repeated exposure to drug-related stimuli in order to extinguish associated responses. The main objective of this study was to assess the validity of 7 virtual reality environments for producing craving in smokers that can be used within the CET paradigm. Forty-six smokers and 44 never-smokers were exposed to 7 complex virtual environments with smoking-related cues that reproduce typical situations in which people smoke, and to a neutral virtual environment without smoking cues. Self-reported subjective craving and psychophysiological measures were recorded during the exposure. All virtual environments with smoking-related cues were able to generate subjective craving in smokers, while no increase was observed for the neutral environment. The most sensitive psychophysiological variable to craving increases was heart rate. The findings provide evidence of the utility of virtual reality for simulating real situations capable of eliciting craving. We also discuss how CET for smoking cessation can be improved through these virtual tools. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Post-traumatic Vertical Gaze Paresis in Nine Patients: Special Vulnerability of the Artery of Percheron in Trauma?

PubMed Central

Galvez-Ruiz, Alberto

2015-01-01

Purpose: The purpose was to present a case series of vertical gaze paresis in patients with a history of cranioencephalic trauma (CET). Methods: The clinical characteristics and management are presented of nine patients with a history of CET secondary to motor vehicle accidents with associated vertical gaze paresis. Results: Neuroimaging studies indicated posttraumatic contusion of the thalamic-mesencephalic region in all nine patients who corresponded to the artery of Percheron region; four patients had signs of hemorrhagic transformation. Vertical gaze paresis was present in all patients, ranging from complete paralysis of the upward and downward gaze to a slight limitation of upward gaze. Discussion: Posttraumatic vertical gaze paresis is a rare phenomenon that can occur in isolation or in association with other neurological deficits and can cause a significant limitation in the quality-of-life. Studies in the literature have postulated that the unique anatomy of the angle of penetration of the thalamoperforating and lenticulostriate arteries makes these vessels more vulnerable to isolated selective damage in certain individuals and can cause-specific patterns of CET. PMID:26180479

Post-traumatic Vertical Gaze Paresis in Nine Patients: Special Vulnerability of the Artery of Percheron in Trauma?

PubMed

Galvez-Ruiz, Alberto

2015-01-01

The purpose was to present a case series of vertical gaze paresis in patients with a history of cranioencephalic trauma (CET). The clinical characteristics and management are presented of nine patients with a history of CET secondary to motor vehicle accidents with associated vertical gaze paresis. Neuroimaging studies indicated posttraumatic contusion of the thalamic-mesencephalic region in all nine patients who corresponded to the artery of Percheron region; four patients had signs of hemorrhagic transformation. Vertical gaze paresis was present in all patients, ranging from complete paralysis of the upward and downward gaze to a slight limitation of upward gaze. Posttraumatic vertical gaze paresis is a rare phenomenon that can occur in isolation or in association with other neurological deficits and can cause a significant limitation in the quality-of-life. Studies in the literature have postulated that the unique anatomy of the angle of penetration of the thalamoperforating and lenticulostriate arteries makes these vessels more vulnerable to isolated selective damage in certain individuals and can cause-specific patterns of CET.

A Comparative Analysis of the Sugar Phosphate Cyclase Superfamily Involved in Primary and Secondary Metabolism

PubMed Central

Wu, Xiumei; Flatt, Patricia M.; Schlörke, Oliver; Zeeck, Axel; Dairi, Tohru

2011-01-01

Sugar Phosphate Cyclases (SPCs) catalyze the cyclization of sugar phosphates to produce a variety of cyclitol intermediates that serve as the building blocks of many primary metabolites, e.g., aromatic amino acids, and clinically relevant secondary metabolites, e.g., aminocyclitol/aminoglycoside and ansamycin antibiotics. Feeding experiments with isotopically-labeled cyclitols revealed that cetoniacytone A, a unique C7N-aminocyclitol antibiotic isolated from an insect endophytic Actinomyces sp., is derived from 2-epi-5-epi-valiolone, a product of SPC. Using heterologous probes from the 2-epi-5-epi-valiolone synthase class of SPCs, an SPC homolog gene, cetA, was isolated from the cetoniacytone producer. CetA is closely related to BE-orf9 found in the BE-40644 biosynthetic gene cluster from Actinoplanes sp. strain A40644. Recombinant expression of cetA and BE-orf9 and biochemical characterization of the gene products confirmed their function as 2-epi-5-epi-valiolone synthases. Further phylogenetic analysis of SPC sequences revealed a new clade of SPCs that may regulate the biosynthesis of a novel set of secondary metabolites. PMID:17195255

A search for near-infrared molecular hydrogen emission in the CTTS LkHα 264 and the debris disk 49 Ceti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carmona, A.; van den Ancker, M. E.; Henning, Th.; Goto, M.; Fedele, D.; Stecklum, B.

2007-12-01

We report on the first results of a search for molecular hydrogen emission from protoplanetary disks using CRIRES, ESO's new VLT Adaptive Optics high resolution near-infrared spectrograph. We observed the classical T Tauri star LkHα 264 and the debris disk 49 Cet, and searched for υ= 1-0 S(1) H2 emission at 2.1218 μm, υ = 1-0 S(0) H2 emission at 2.2233 μm and υ = 2-1 S(1) H2 emission at 2.2477 μm. The H2 line at 2.1218 μm is detected in LkHα 264 confirming the previous observations by Itoh et al. (2003). In addition, our CRIRES spectra reveal the previously observed but not detected H2 line at 2.2233 μm in LkHα 264. An upper limit of 5.3 × 10-16 erg s-1 cm-2 on the υ = 2-1 S(1) H2 line flux in LkHα 264 is derived. The detected lines coincide with the rest velocity of LkHα 264. They have a FWHM of ~20 km s-1. This is strongly suggestive of a disk origin for the lines. These observations are the first simultaneous detection of υ = 1-0 S(1) and υ = 1-0 S(0) H2 emission from a protoplanetary disk. 49 Cet does not exhibit H2 emission in any of the three observed lines. We derive the mass of optically thin H2 at T˜1500 K in the inner disk of LkHα 264 and derive stringent limits in the case of 49 Cet at the same temperature. There are a few lunar masses of optically thin hot H2 in the inner disk (~0.1 AU) of LkHα 264, and less than a tenth of a lunar mass of hot H2 in the inner disk of 49 Cet. The measured 1-0 S(0)/1-0 S(1) and 2-1 S(1)/1-0 S(1) line ratios in LkHα 264 indicate that the H2 emitting gas is at a temperature lower than 1500 K and that the H2 is most likely thermally excited by UV photons. The υ = 1-0 S(1) H2 line in LkHα 264 is single peaked and spatially unresolved. Modeling of the shape of the line suggests that the disk should be seen close to face-on (i<35°) and that the line is emitted within a few AU of the LkHα 264 disk. A comparative analysis of the physical properties of classical T Tauri stars in which the H2 υ = 1-0 S(1) line has been detected and non-detected indicates that the presence of H2 emission is correlated with the magnitude of the UV excess and the strength of the Hα line. The lack of H2 emission in the NIR spectra of 49 Cet and the absence of Hα emission suggest that the gas in the inner disk of 49 Cet has dissipated. These results combined with previous detections of 12CO emission at sub-mm wavelengths indicate that the disk surrounding 49 Cet should have an inner hole. We favor inner disk dissipation by inside-out photoevaporation, or the presence of an unseen low-mass companion as the most likely explanations for the lack of gas in the inner disk of 49 Cet. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Chile (program ID 60.A-9064(A)).

CAFE simulation of columnar-to-equiaxed transition in Al-7wt%Si alloys directionally solidified under microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, D. R.; Mangelinck-Noël, N.; Gandin, Ch-A.; Zimmermann, G.; Sturz, L.; Nguyen Thi, H.; Billia, B.

2016-03-01

A two-dimensional multi-scale cellular automaton - finite element (CAFE) model is used to simulate grain structure evolution and microsegregation formation during solidification of refined Al-7wt%Si alloys under microgravity. The CAFE simulations are first qualitatively compared with the benchmark experimental data under microgravity. Qualitative agreement is obtained for the position of columnar to equiaxed transition (CET) and the CET transition mode (sharp or progressive). Further comparisons of the distributions of grain elongation factor and equivalent diameter are conducted and reveal a fair quantitative agreement.

Evolution of the ablation region after magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation in a Vx2 tumor model.

PubMed

Wijlemans, Joost W; Deckers, Roel; van den Bosch, Maurice A A J; Seinstra, Beatrijs A; van Stralen, Marijn; van Diest, Paul J; Moonen, Chrit T W; Bartels, Lambertus W

2013-06-01

Volumetric magnetic resonance (MR)-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a completely noninvasive image-guided thermal ablation technique. Recently, there has been growing interest in the use of MR-HIFU for noninvasive ablation of malignant tumors. Of particular interest for noninvasive ablation of malignant tumors is reliable treatment monitoring and evaluation of response. At this point, there is limited evidence on the evolution of the ablation region after MR-HIFU treatment. The purpose of the present study was to comprehensively characterize the evolution of the ablation region after volumetric MR-HIFU ablation in a Vx2 tumor model using MR imaging, MR temperature data, and histological data. Vx2 tumors in the hind limb muscle of New Zealand White rabbits (n = 30) were ablated using a clinical MR-HIFU system. Twenty-four animals were available for analyses. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and immediately after ablation; MR temperature mapping was performed during the ablation. The animals were distributed over 7 groups with different follow-up lengths. Depending on the group, animals were reimaged and then killed on day 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, or 28 after ablation. For all time points, the size of nonperfused areas (NPAs) on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1-w) images was compared with lethal thermal dose areas (ie, the tissue area that received a thermal dose of 240 equivalent minutes or greater [EM] at 43°C) and with the necrotic tissue areas on histology sections. The NPA on CE-T1-w imaging showed an increase in median size from 266 ± 148 to 392 ± 178 mm(2) during the first day and to 343 ± 170 mm(2) on day 3, followed by a gradual decrease to 113 ± 103 mm(2) on day 28. Immediately after ablation, the NPA was 1.6 ± 1.4 times larger than the area that received a thermal dose of 240 EM or greater in all animals. The median size of the necrotic area on histology was 1.7 ± 0.4 times larger than the NPA immediately after ablation. After 7 days, the size of the NPA was in agreement with the necrotic tissue area on histology (ratio, 1.0 ± 0.2). During the first 3 days after MR-HIFU ablation, the ablation region increases in size, after which it gradually decreases in size. The NPA on CE-T1-w imaging underestimates the extent of tissue necrosis on histology in the initial few days, but after 1 week, the NPA is reliable in delineating the necrotic tissue area. The 240-EM thermal dose limit underestimates the necrotic tissue area immediately after MR-HIFU ablation. Reliable treatment evaluation techniques are particularly important for noninvasive, image-guided tumor ablation. Our results indicate that CE-T1-w imaging is reliable for MR-HIFU treatment evaluation after 1 week.

Impulsions laser femtosecondes intenses à contraste élevé dans le bleu-vert par amplification directe dans un milieu gazeux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uteza, O.; Tcheremiskine, V.; Clady, R.; Coustillier, G.; Sentis, M.; Spiga, Ph.; Mikheev, L. D.

2005-06-01

Cet article présente la conception d'une chaîne laser femtoseconde TW visible, associant (i) un oscillateur solide Ti:Sa opéré à 950 nm, (ii) un amplificateur optique à dérive de fréquence permettant l'amplification du signal à 950 nm au niveau de plusieurs dizaines de mJ, (iii) un système doubleur pour convertir le signal à 475 nm et l'injecter dans le milieu amplificateur XeF (C-A), (iv) un milieu gazeux excimères XeF (C-A) permettant l'amplification directe du signal à 475 nm à plusieurs centaines de mJ et ainsi l'obtention d'impulsions TW visibles à contraste élevé.

Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy Targeting EGFR Positive Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Optimizing the Conjugate-Light Regimen

PubMed Central

Nagaya, Tadanobu; Sato, Kazuhide; Harada, Toshiko; Nakamura, Yuko; Choyke, Peter L.; Kobayashi, Hisataka

2015-01-01

Aim Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a cancer treatment that employs an antibody-photosensitizer conjugate (APC) followed by exposure of NIR light for activating selective cytotoxicity on targeted cancer cells and may have application to TNBC. In order to minimize the dose of APC while maximizing the therapeutic effects, dosing of the APC and NIR light need to be optimized. In this study, we investigate in vitro and in vivo efficacy of cetuximab (cet)-IR700 NIR-PIT on two breast cancer models MDAMB231 (TNBC, EGFR moderate) and MDAMB468 (TNBC, EGFR high) cell lines, and demonstrate a method to optimize the dosing APC and NIR light. Method After validating in vitro cell-specific cytotoxicity, NIR-PIT therapeutic effects were investigated in mouse models using cell lines derived from TNBC tumors. Tumor-bearing mice were separated into 4 groups for the following treatments: (1) no treatment (control); (2) 300 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., (APC i.v. only); (3) NIR light exposure only, NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 100 J/cm2 on day 2 (NIR light only); (4) 300 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 after injection and 100 J/cm2 of light on day 2 after injection (one shot NIR-PIT). To compare different treatment regimens with a fixed dose of APC, we added the following treatments (5) 100 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 50 μg of cet-IR700 i.v. immediately after NIR-PIT, then NIR light was administered at 100 J/cm2 on day 2, which were performed two times every week (“two split” NIR-PIT) and (6) 100 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 100 J/cm2 on day 2, which were performed three times per week (“three split” NIR-PIT). Result Both specific binding and NIR-PIT effects were greater with MDAMB468 than MDAMB231 cells in vitro. Tumor accumulation of cet-IR700 in MDAMB468 tumors was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in MDAMB231 tumors in vivo. Tumor growth and survival of MDAMB231 tumor bearing mice was significantly lower in the NIR-PIT treatment group (p < 0.05). In MDAMB468 bearing mice, tumor growth and survival was significantly improved in the NIR-PIT treatment groups in all treatment regimens (one shot NIR-PIT; p < 0.05, “two split” NIR-PIT; p < 0.01, “three split” NIR-PIT; p < 0.001) compared with control groups. Conclusion NIR-PIT for TNBC was effective regardless of expression of EGFR, however, greater cell killing was shown with higher EGFR expression tumor in vitro. In all treatment regimens, NIR-PIT suppressed tumor growth, resulting in significantly prolonged survival that further improved by splitting the APC dose and using repeated light exposures. PMID:26313651

Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy Targeting EGFR Positive Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Optimizing the Conjugate-Light Regimen.

PubMed

Nagaya, Tadanobu; Sato, Kazuhide; Harada, Toshiko; Nakamura, Yuko; Choyke, Peter L; Kobayashi, Hisataka

2015-01-01

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a cancer treatment that employs an antibody-photosensitizer conjugate (APC) followed by exposure of NIR light for activating selective cytotoxicity on targeted cancer cells and may have application to TNBC. In order to minimize the dose of APC while maximizing the therapeutic effects, dosing of the APC and NIR light need to be optimized. In this study, we investigate in vitro and in vivo efficacy of cetuximab (cet)-IR700 NIR-PIT on two breast cancer models MDAMB231 (TNBC, EGFR moderate) and MDAMB468 (TNBC, EGFR high) cell lines, and demonstrate a method to optimize the dosing APC and NIR light. After validating in vitro cell-specific cytotoxicity, NIR-PIT therapeutic effects were investigated in mouse models using cell lines derived from TNBC tumors. Tumor-bearing mice were separated into 4 groups for the following treatments: (1) no treatment (control); (2) 300 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., (APC i.v. only); (3) NIR light exposure only, NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 100 J/cm2 on day 2 (NIR light only); (4) 300 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 after injection and 100 J/cm2 of light on day 2 after injection (one shot NIR-PIT). To compare different treatment regimens with a fixed dose of APC, we added the following treatments (5) 100 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 50 μg of cet-IR700 i.v. immediately after NIR-PIT, then NIR light was administered at 100 J/cm2 on day 2, which were performed two times every week ("two split" NIR-PIT) and (6) 100 μg of cet-IR700 i.v., NIR light was administered at 50 J/cm2 on day 1 and 100 J/cm2 on day 2, which were performed three times per week ("three split" NIR-PIT). Both specific binding and NIR-PIT effects were greater with MDAMB468 than MDAMB231 cells in vitro. Tumor accumulation of cet-IR700 in MDAMB468 tumors was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in MDAMB231 tumors in vivo. Tumor growth and survival of MDAMB231 tumor bearing mice was significantly lower in the NIR-PIT treatment group (p < 0.05). In MDAMB468 bearing mice, tumor growth and survival was significantly improved in the NIR-PIT treatment groups in all treatment regimens (one shot NIR-PIT; p < 0.05, "two split" NIR-PIT; p < 0.01, "three split" NIR-PIT; p < 0.001) compared with control groups. NIR-PIT for TNBC was effective regardless of expression of EGFR, however, greater cell killing was shown with higher EGFR expression tumor in vitro. In all treatment regimens, NIR-PIT suppressed tumor growth, resulting in significantly prolonged survival that further improved by splitting the APC dose and using repeated light exposures.

High-efficiency lysis of cervical cancer by allogeneic NK cells derived from umbilical cord progenitors is independent of HLA status.

PubMed

Veluchamy, John P; Heeren, A Marijne; Spanholtz, Jan; van Eendenburg, Jaap D H; Heideman, Daniëlle A M; Kenter, Gemma G; Verheul, Henk M; van der Vliet, Hans J; Jordanova, Ekaterina S; de Gruijl, Tanja D

2017-01-01

Down-regulation of HLA in tumor cells, low numbers and dysfunctionality of NK cells are commonly observed in patients with end-stage cervical cancer. Adoptive transfer of high numbers of cytotoxic NK cells might be a promising treatment approach in this setting. Here, we explored the cytotoxic efficacy on ten cervical cancer cell lines of activated allogeneic NK cells from two sources, i.e., peripheral blood (PBNK) with and without cetuximab (CET), a tumor-specific monoclonal antibody directed against EGFR, or derived from umbilical cord blood (UCB-NK). Whereas CET monotherapy was ineffective against the panel of cervical cancer cell lines, irrespective of their EGFR expression levels and despite their RAS wt status, it significantly enhanced the in vitro cytotoxic efficacy of activated PBNK (P = 0.002). Equally superior cytotoxicity over activated PBNK alone was achieved by UCB-NK (P < 0.001). Both PBNK- and UCB-NK-mediated cytotoxic activity was dependent on the NK-activating receptors natural killer group 2, member D receptor (NKG2D) and DNAX accessory molecule-1 (DNAM-1) (P < 0.05) and unrelated to expression levels of the inhibitory receptors HLA-E and/or HLA-G. Most strikingly, whereas the PBNK's cytotoxic activity was inversely correlated with HLA-ABC levels (P = 0.036), PBNK + CET and UCB-NK cytotoxicity were entirely independent of HLA-ABC expression. In conclusion, this study provides a rationale to initiate a clinical trial for cervical cancer with adoptively transferred allogeneic NK cells, employing either UCB-NK or PBNK + CET for EGFR-expressing tumors. Adoptive transfer of UCB-NK might serve as a generally applicable treatment for cervical cancer, enabled by HLA-, histology- and HPV-independent killing mechanisms.

Tumeur de Frantz: deux nouveaux cas

PubMed Central

Bellarbi, Salma; Sina, Mohamed; Jahid, Ahmed; Zouaidia, Fouad; Bernoussi, Zakia; Mahassini, Najat

2013-01-01

A travers cet article, nous détaillons les caractéristiques clinico-pathologiques et discutons l'histogenèse de la tumeur de Frantz. Deux patients opérés pour tumeur de Frantz. Ils ont eu un traitement chirurgical seul. L'étude morphologique était couplée à un examen immuno-histochimique (IHC) utilisant les anticorps anti CD10, anti- vimentine, anti-énolase neuronale spécifique (NSE), anti-synaptophysine, anti-chromogranine A et anti-cytokératine. Un immuno-marquage à l'anti-oestrogène et l'anti-progestérone a été réalisé dans un cas. Il s'agissait d'une femme âgée de 45ans et d'un garçon de 12 ans. Les aspects échographiques et scannographiques étaient non spécifiques. Une exérèse chirurgicale complète a été réalisée dans les deux cas. L'analyse histologique évoquait une tumeur de Frantz. Le diagnostic a été retenu après étude immuno-histohimique. L'évolution était favorable sans récidive avec respectivement un recul de 18 et 16 mois. La tumeur de Frantz est une entité rare. Son diagnostic repose sur l'examen anatomopathologique complété par l'étude immuno-histochimique. Son pronostic est excellent après résection chirurgicale. PMID:23503717

Possiblités de mesure quantitative avec un appareillage de réflectométrie X utilisant le mode angulaire dispersif

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chihab, J.; Naudon, A.

1992-12-01

A normalization procedure for reflectivity curves obtained with a new apparatus using the angle-resolved dispersive mode (J. Appl. Cryst., 1989) is described here. Simulation of spectra with the optical theory of X-rays is then possible. It allows to determine with a good accuracy the density, thickness and interfacial rugosities of layers when their thicknesses are less than about 200 nm. In order to check the normalization procedure a bulk silicon sample and a layer of evaporated nickel are analysed. Dans cet article nous présentons une procédure pour la normalisation des courbes de réflectivité obtenues par un nouvel appareillage de réflectométrie X utilisant le mode angulaire dispersif (J. Appl. Cryst., 1989). La simulation de ces courbes, dans le cadre de la théorie optique, devient alors possible. Pour les dépôts d'épaisseur inférieure à environ 200 nm, elle permet de déterminer précisément l'épaisseur, les rugosités interfaciales et la compacité. Afin de vérifier la validité de notre procédure de normalisation, nous analysons à titre d'exemples le cas d'un échantillon massif de silicium, et celui d'une couche mince de nickel évaporée sur un support en silicium.

Muon-spin-relaxation and inelastic neutron scattering investigations of the caged-type Kondo semimetals: CeT2Al10 (T = Fe, Ru and Os)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adroja, D. T.; Hillier, A. D.; Muro, Y.; Takabatake, T.; Strydom, A. M.; Bhattacharyya, A.; Daoud-Aladin, A.; Taylor, J. W.

2013-12-01

Recently, Ce-based caged-type compounds with the general formula CeT2Al10 (T = Fe, Ru and Os) have generated considerable interest due to the Kondo semiconducting paramagnetic ground state (down to 40 mK) observed in CeFe2Al10 and anomalously high magnetic ordering temperature with spin gap formation at low temperatures in Kondo semimetals CeRu2Al10 and CeOs2Al10. The formation of long-range magnetic ordering out of the Kondo semiconducting/semimetallic state itself is extraordinary and these are the first examples of this enigmatic coexistence of electronic ground states. These compounds also exhibit strong anisotropy in magnetic and transport properties, which has been explained on the basis of single-ion crystal electric field anisotropy in the presence of strongly anisotropic hybridization between localized 4f-electron and conduction electrons. Furthermore, they also exhibit a remarkable modification of magnetic and transport properties with doping on Ce, or T or Al sites. In this article, we briefly discuss the bulk properties of these compounds, giving a detailed discussion on our muon-spin-relaxation (μSR) investigations and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) results. We present the μSR and the INS results of Ce(Ru1-xFex)2Al10 and CeOs2Al10 as well as the μSR results of NdFe2Al10, NdOs2Al10 and YFe2Al10 for comparison. The zero-field μSR spectra clearly reveal coherent two-frequency oscillations at low temperatures in CeT2Al10 (T = Ru and Os) and Ce(Ru1-xFex)2Al10 (x = 0.3-0.5), which confirms the long-range magnetic ordering with a reduced moment of the Ce. On the other hand, the μSR spectra of Ce(Ru1-xFex)2Al10 (x = 0.8 and 1) down to 1.2 and 0.04 K, respectively, exhibit a temperature independent Kubo-Toyabe (KT) term confirming a paramagnetic ground state. INS measurements on CeT2Al10 (T = Ru and Os) exhibit sharp inelastic excitations at 8 and 11 meV at 5 K due to an opening of a gap in the spin excitation spectrum. A spin gap of 8-12 meV at 7 K, with a strong Q-dependent intensity, is observed in the magnetic ordered state of Ce(Ru1-xFex)2Al10 with x = 0.3 and 0.5 which remarkably extends into the paramagnetic state of x = 0.8 and 1. The observation of a spin gap in the paramagnetic samples (x = 0.8 and 1) is an interesting finding in this study and it challenges our understanding of the origin of the semiconducting energy gap in CeT2Al10 (T = Ru and Os) in terms of a hybridization gap opening only a small part of the Fermi surface, gapped spin waves or a spin-dimer gap. Furthermore, the μSR study of NdFe2Al10 below TN exhibits a clear sign of two frequency oscillations, which are absent in NdOs2Al10. Moreover, the μSR study of YFe2Al10, which has been proposed as a compound exhibiting ferromagnetic critical fluctuations did not reveal any clear sign of critical magnetic fluctuations down to 60 mK, within the ISIS μSR time window, which is unexpected for a T → 0 quantum phase transition (QPT).

RR Lyrae, Delta Scuti, SX Phoenicis stars and Baade-Wesselink method. I - Photometric and radial velocity measurements of four field stars - RR Cet, DX Del, BS AQR and DY Peg

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meylan, G.; Burki, G.; Rufener, F.; Mayor, M.; Burnet, M.; Ischi, E.

1986-04-01

Simultaneous measurements in the Geneva seven-color photometry and in radial velocities with the spectrophotometer CORAVEL for two RR Lyrae, one Delta Scuti and one SX Phoenicis field star were obtained in order to apply the Baade-Wesselink method to these kinds of variable stars. As a first step, the data regarding the RR Cet, DX Del, BS Aqr, and DY Peg are presented. The target of this study will consist in determining the physical parameters (temperature, gravity, metal content, mass, luminosity) and distances of these stars.

Reciprocal Expression of Human ETS1 and ETS2 Genes during T-Cell Activation: Regulatory Role for the Protooncogene ETS1

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-05-01

viral v-ets oncogene of the E26 have studied the expression and regulation of ETS1 and ETS2 avian leukemia virus ( 1 . 2). The c-ets-i (3-5), c-ets-2...ets- 1 mRNA is detectable in different murine large granular lymphocytes, and CDll-bearing T cells. The (17-19) and human tissues (20. 21). c-ets- 1 mRNA...We have shown that: (i) the . (800 ng/ml) or a combination of PMA and ionomycin. An murine Ets-2 expression appears 1 day earlier than Ets-l optimal

[Legal medical evaluation of the sequels derived from moderate-serious cranioencephalic traumas].

PubMed

Vilardell Molas, J; Pérez-Bouton, M P; Martí Agustí, G

2007-12-01

Currently, the increasing number of subjects who survive a moderate to severe cranioencephalic traumatism (CET) has led to a greater number of sequels. This has made it necessary to study these sequels more specifically. Thus, we have wanted to manifest which are the most common sequels in the cases of patients who have suffered moderate to severe CET through our professional experience and current research done on this. Furthermore, we indicate the need to become aware of these deficits since these (specifically neuropsychological) are often too specific if we compare them with the generality of the standard used for their evaluation.

Predicting Anthropogenic Noise Contributions to US Waters.

PubMed

Gedamke, Jason; Ferguson, Megan; Harrison, Jolie; Hatch, Leila; Henderson, Laurel; Porter, Michael B; Southall, Brandon L; Van Parijs, Sofie

2016-01-01

To increase understanding of the potential effects of chronic underwater noise in US waters, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) organized two working groups in 2011, collectively called "CetSound," to develop tools to map the density and distribution of cetaceans (CetMap) and predict the contribution of human activities to underwater noise (SoundMap). The SoundMap effort utilized data on density, distribution, acoustic signatures of dominant noise sources, and environmental descriptors to map estimated temporal, spatial, and spectral contributions to background noise. These predicted soundscapes are an initial step toward assessing chronic anthropogenic noise impacts on the ocean's varied acoustic habitats and the animals utilizing them.

The Nature of the Enigmatic 10-Minute Accreting Binary System ES CET

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steeghs, Daniel

2005-01-01

ES Cet is one of the most compact binary systems known with an orbital period of only 10.3 minutes. Our allocated observations with the XMM-Newton X-ray satellite were performed in January and July 2004, with the data being delivered to the PI in August 2004. Preliminary results were presented by the PI in September 2004 and January 2005. We have also secured supporting optical observations of ES Ceti using the Magellan telescopes (November 2004). The team is currently performing a thorough and final analysis of the X-ray, UV and optical data sets with the latest XMM pipeline software and our own analysis packages.

The Fall and the Rise of X-Rays from Dwarf Novae in Outburst: RXTE Observations of VW Hydri and WW Ceti

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fertig, D.; Mukai, K.; Nelson, T.; Cannizzo, J. K.

2011-01-01

In a dwarf nova, the accretion disk around the white dwarf is a source of ultraviolet, optical, and infrared photons, but is never hot enough to emit X-rays. Observed X-rays instead originate from the boundary layer between the disk and the white dwarf. As the disk switches between quiescence and outburst states, the 2-10 keV X-ray flux is usually seen to be anti-correlated with the optical brightness. Here we present RXTE monitoring observations of two dwarf novae, VW Hyi and WW Cet, confirming the optical/X-ray anti-correlation in these two systems. However, we do not detect any episodes of increased hard X-ray flux on the rise (out of two possible chances for WW Cet) or the decline (two for WW Cet and one for VW Hyi) from outburst, attributes that are clearly established in SS Cyg. The addition of these data to the existing literature establishes the fact that the behavior of SS Cyg is the exception, rather than the archetype as is often assumed. We speculate that only dwarf novae with a massive white dwarf may show these hard X-ray spikes.

Perhaps More Consideration of Pavlovian–Operant Interaction May Improve the Clinical Efficacy of Behaviorally Based Drug Treatment Programs

PubMed Central

Troisi, Joseph R.

2014-01-01

Drug abuse remains costly. Drug-related cues can evoke cue-reactivity and craving, contributing to relapse. The Pavlovian extinction-based cue-exposure therapy (CET) has not been very successful in treating drug abuse. A functional operant analysis of complex rituals involved in CET is outlined and reinterpreted as an operant heterogeneous chain maintained by observing responses, conditioned reinforcers, and discriminative stimuli. It is further noted that operant functions are not predicated on Pavlovian processes but can be influenced by them in contributing to relapse; several empirical studies from the animal and human literature highlight this view. Cue-reactivity evoked by Pavlovian processes is conceptualized as an operant establishing/motivating operation. CET may be more effective in incorporating an operant-based approach that takes into account the complexity of Pavlovian–operant interaction. Extinction of the operant chain coupled with the shaping of alternative behaviors is proposed as an integrated therapy. It is proposed that operant-based drug abuse treatments (contingency management, voucher programs, and the therapeutic work environment) might consider incorporating cue-reactivity, as establishing/motivating operations, to increase long-term success—a hybrid approach based on Pavlovian–operant interaction. PMID:25346551

Perhaps More Consideration of Pavlovian-Operant Interaction May Improve the Clinical Efficacy of Behaviorally Based Drug Treatment Programs.

PubMed

Troisi, Joseph R

2013-01-01

Drug abuse remains costly. Drug-related cues can evoke cue-reactivity and craving, contributing to relapse. The Pavlovian extinction-based cue-exposure therapy (CET) has not been very successful in treating drug abuse. A functional operant analysis of complex rituals involved in CET is outlined and reinterpreted as an operant heterogeneous chain maintained by observing responses, conditioned reinforcers, and discriminative stimuli. It is further noted that operant functions are not predicated on Pavlovian processes but can be influenced by them in contributing to relapse; several empirical studies from the animal and human literature highlight this view. Cue-reactivity evoked by Pavlovian processes is conceptualized as an operant establishing/motivating operation. CET may be more effective in incorporating an operant-based approach that takes into account the complexity of Pavlovian-operant interaction. Extinction of the operant chain coupled with the shaping of alternative behaviors is proposed as an integrated therapy. It is proposed that operant-based drug abuse treatments (contingency management, voucher programs, and the therapeutic work environment) might consider incorporating cue-reactivity, as establishing/motivating operations, to increase long-term success-a hybrid approach based on Pavlovian-operant interaction.

Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement Imaging of Glioblastoma at 7 Tesla: Region Specific Correlation with Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Histology

PubMed Central

Windschuh, Johannes; Meissner, Jan-Eric; Zaiss, Moritz; Eidel, Oliver; Kickingereder, Philipp; Nowosielski, Martha; Wiestler, Benedikt; Sahm, Felix; Floca, Ralf Omar; Neumann, Jan-Oliver; Wick, Wolfgang; Heiland, Sabine; Bendszus, Martin; Schlemmer, Heinz-Peter; Ladd, Mark Edward; Bachert, Peter; Radbruch, Alexander

2015-01-01

Objective To explore the correlation between Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (NOE)-mediated signals and tumor cellularity in glioblastoma utilizing the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cell density from histologic specimens. NOE is one type of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) that originates from mobile macromolecules such as proteins and might be associated with tumor cellularity via altered protein synthesis in proliferating cells. Patients and Methods For 15 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, NOE-mediated CEST-contrast was acquired at 7 Tesla (asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTRasym) at 3.3ppm, B1 = 0.7 μT). Contrast enhanced T1 (CE-T1), T2 and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) were acquired at 3 Tesla and coregistered. The T2 edema and the CE-T1 tumor were segmented. ADC and MTRasym values within both regions of interest were correlated voxelwise yielding the correlation coefficient rSpearman (rSp). In three patients who underwent stereotactic biopsy, cell density of 12 specimens per patient was correlated with corresponding MTRasym and ADC values of the biopsy site. Results Eight of 15 patients showed a weak or moderate positive correlation of MTRasym and ADC within the T2 edema (0.16≤rSp≤0.53, p<0.05). Seven correlations were statistically insignificant (p>0.05, n = 4) or yielded rSp≈0 (p<0.05, n = 3). No trend towards a correlation between MTRasym and ADC was found in CE-T1 tumor (-0.310.05, n = 6). The biopsy-analysis within CE-T1 tumor revealed a strong positive correlation between tumor cellularity and MTRasym values in two of the three patients (rSp patient3 = 0.69 and rSp patient15 = 0.87, p<0.05), while the correlation of ADC and cellularity was heterogeneous (rSp patient3 = 0.545 (p = 0.067), rSp patient4 = -0.021 (p = 0.948), rSp patient15 = -0.755 (p = 0.005)). Discussion NOE-imaging is a new contrast promising insight into pathophysiologic processes in glioblastoma regarding cell density and protein content, setting itself apart from DWI. Future studies might be based on the assumption that NOE-mediated CEST visualizes cellularity more accurately than ADC, especially in the CE-T1 tumor region. PMID:25789657

Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement imaging of glioblastoma at 7 Tesla: region specific correlation with apparent diffusion coefficient and histology.

PubMed

Paech, Daniel; Burth, Sina; Windschuh, Johannes; Meissner, Jan-Eric; Zaiss, Moritz; Eidel, Oliver; Kickingereder, Philipp; Nowosielski, Martha; Wiestler, Benedikt; Sahm, Felix; Floca, Ralf Omar; Neumann, Jan-Oliver; Wick, Wolfgang; Heiland, Sabine; Bendszus, Martin; Schlemmer, Heinz-Peter; Ladd, Mark Edward; Bachert, Peter; Radbruch, Alexander

2015-01-01

To explore the correlation between Nuclear Overhauser Enhancement (NOE)-mediated signals and tumor cellularity in glioblastoma utilizing the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and cell density from histologic specimens. NOE is one type of chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) that originates from mobile macromolecules such as proteins and might be associated with tumor cellularity via altered protein synthesis in proliferating cells. For 15 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, NOE-mediated CEST-contrast was acquired at 7 Tesla (asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTRasym) at 3.3ppm, B1 = 0.7 μT). Contrast enhanced T1 (CE-T1), T2 and diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) were acquired at 3 Tesla and coregistered. The T2 edema and the CE-T1 tumor were segmented. ADC and MTRasym values within both regions of interest were correlated voxelwise yielding the correlation coefficient rSpearman (rSp). In three patients who underwent stereotactic biopsy, cell density of 12 specimens per patient was correlated with corresponding MTRasym and ADC values of the biopsy site. Eight of 15 patients showed a weak or moderate positive correlation of MTRasym and ADC within the T2 edema (0.16≤rSp≤0.53, p<0.05). Seven correlations were statistically insignificant (p>0.05, n = 4) or yielded rSp≈0 (p<0.05, n = 3). No trend towards a correlation between MTRasym and ADC was found in CE-T1 tumor (-0.310.05, n = 6). The biopsy-analysis within CE-T1 tumor revealed a strong positive correlation between tumor cellularity and MTRasym values in two of the three patients (rSppatient3 = 0.69 and rSppatient15 = 0.87, p<0.05), while the correlation of ADC and cellularity was heterogeneous (rSppatient3 = 0.545 (p = 0.067), rSppatient4 = -0.021 (p = 0.948), rSppatient15 = -0.755 (p = 0.005)). NOE-imaging is a new contrast promising insight into pathophysiologic processes in glioblastoma regarding cell density and protein content, setting itself apart from DWI. Future studies might be based on the assumption that NOE-mediated CEST visualizes cellularity more accurately than ADC, especially in the CE-T1 tumor region.

Thermal comfort of pedestrians in an urban street canyon is affected by increasing albedo of building walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyunjung; Mayer, Helmut

2018-03-01

Numerical simulations based on the ENVI-met model were carried out for an E-W street canyon in the city of Stuttgart (Southwest Germany) to analyse the effect of increased albedo of building walls on outdoor human thermal comfort. It was quantified by air temperature (T a ), mean radiant temperature (T mrt ) and physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). The simulations were conducted on 4 August 2003 as a heat wave day that represents a typical scenario for future summer weather in Central Europe. The simulation results presented for 13 CET and averaged over the period 10-16 CET are focused on pedestrians on both sidewalks. For the initial situation, i.e. albedo of 0.2, human heat stress indicated by mean PET is by 26% lower on the N-facing than on the S-facing sidewalk, while this reduction amounts to 42% for mean T mrt . Mean T a does not show any spatial differentiation. The systematic albedo increment by 0.2 from 0.2 to 0.8 leads to a linear increase of outdoor human heat stress in terms of T mrt and PET. For both variables, this increase is more pronounced on the N-facing than on the S-facing sidewalk. Mean relative T a shows the tendency of a minimal increase with rising albedo. The results were achieved for the usual standardised human-biometeorological reference person. Its substitution by two other types of male and female pedestrians, respectively, which are statistically characteristic of human conditions in Germany, does not reveal any significant change in the results.

Thermal comfort of pedestrians in an urban street canyon is affected by increasing albedo of building walls.

PubMed

Lee, Hyunjung; Mayer, Helmut

2018-03-12

Numerical simulations based on the ENVI-met model were carried out for an E-W street canyon in the city of Stuttgart (Southwest Germany) to analyse the effect of increased albedo of building walls on outdoor human thermal comfort. It was quantified by air temperature (T a ), mean radiant temperature (T mrt ) and physiologically equivalent temperature (PET). The simulations were conducted on 4 August 2003 as a heat wave day that represents a typical scenario for future summer weather in Central Europe. The simulation results presented for 13 CET and averaged over the period 10-16 CET are focused on pedestrians on both sidewalks. For the initial situation, i.e. albedo of 0.2, human heat stress indicated by mean PET is by 26% lower on the N-facing than on the S-facing sidewalk, while this reduction amounts to 42% for mean T mrt . Mean T a does not show any spatial differentiation. The systematic albedo increment by 0.2 from 0.2 to 0.8 leads to a linear increase of outdoor human heat stress in terms of T mrt and PET. For both variables, this increase is more pronounced on the N-facing than on the S-facing sidewalk. Mean relative T a shows the tendency of a minimal increase with rising albedo. The results were achieved for the usual standardised human-biometeorological reference person. Its substitution by two other types of male and female pedestrians, respectively, which are statistically characteristic of human conditions in Germany, does not reveal any significant change in the results.

Une masse palpébrale révélant une fistule carotidocaverneuse

PubMed Central

Oulali, Noureddine; Moufid, Fayçal; Khoulali, Mohammed; Sekhsoukh, Rachid; Housni, Brahim; Ghailan, Mohamed Rachid

2012-01-01

Les auteurs rapportent une observation particulière, chez un homme de 48 ans ayant dans ces antécédents un traumatisme crânio-faciale grave il y'a dix ans, qui présente depuis huit mois une masse palpébrale droite, avec une discrète exophtalmie et hémorragie sous conjonctivale, l'angio IRM a permis de confirmer le diagnostique d'une fistule carotidocaverneuse à haut débit, qui est responsable de cette symptomatologie. L'objectif de cet article est de mettre la lumière sur cette pathologie rare, en insistant sur les particularités cliniques de présentation d'une part, et sur le plan thérapeutique d'autre part, en exposant l'intérêt de la radiologie interventionnelle. PMID:23330040

Retrievable Stent-Assisted Coiling Technique Using a Solitaire Stent: Treatment of Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm Associated With Celiac Artery Occlusion.

PubMed

Sanal, Bekir; Nas, Omer Fatih; Hacikurt, Kadir; Hakyemez, Bahattin; Erdogan, Cuneyt

2016-02-01

True aneurysm of pancreaticoduodenal arcade (PDA) is usually accompanied by stenosis or occlusion of celiac trunk (CeT). The up-to-date and first choice treatment modality of PDA aneurysm is the endovascular approach in nearly all cases except few selected ones necessitating surgery. The main approach in endovascular treatment is embolization of the aneurysm by preserving the parent artery. A case with concomitant CeT occlusion and PDA aneurysm was treated with coil embolization by preserving inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery with retrievable Solitaire(®) stent. In our knowledge, this is the first case with PDA aneurysm treated with this technique. © The Author(s) 2016.

Prévention de la transmission mère-enfant du VIH/sida au Bénin: le consentement des femmes au dépistage est-il libre et éclairé ?

PubMed Central

Kêdoté, N.M.; Brousselle, A.; Champagne, F.; Laudy, D.

2016-01-01

Résumé Introduction Dans les politiques internationales et nationales sur le VIH/sida, le consentement libre et éclairé est reconnu comme une composante essentielle des programmes de dépistage. Le consentement libre et éclairé implique pour les femmes enceintes d’obtenir des informations sur le programme de prévention de la transmission du VIH de la mère à l’enfant (PTME), de les comprendre et de faire un choix autonome après avoir évalué les risques et avantages. Cependant, aucune évaluation du programme de PTME ne s’est intéressée au consentement. L’objectif de cet article est d’explorer le caractère libre et éclairé du consentement des femmes enceintes quant au dépistage et à leurs motivations à faire le test. Méthode Nous avons utilisé des données récoltées dans le cadre d’une analyse d’implantation du programme de PTME au Bénin. Cette analyse s’appuie sur un devis d’étude de cas multiples incluant six maternités choisies parmi les 56 sites fonctionnels. Spécifiquement pour l’analyse du consentement, nous avons associé les données provenant d’une enquête à celles d’une recherche qualitative. Résultats Hormis trois cas de dépistage à l’insu, le caractère volontaire du consentement au test est respecté sur les sites de PTME. Vingt-neuf cas de refus ont été identifiés. Les raisons les plus souvent évoquées par les femmes enceintes sont la peur du résultat positif et de ses conséquences sur la vie familiale dans 55,2 % des cas et l’attente de l’accord ou du désaccord du mari dans 27,6 % des cas. Si globalement le consentement a été volontaire sur tous les sites, son caractère éclairé est moins probant. PMID:27840660

Chemical Equilibrium And Transport (CET)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcbride, B. J.

1991-01-01

Powerful, machine-independent program calculates theoretical thermodynamic properties of chemical systems. Aids in design of compressors, turbines, engines, heat exchangers, and chemical processing equipment.

A Randomised Controlled Comparison of Second-Level Treatment Approaches for Treatment-Resistant Adults with Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder: Assessing the Benefits of Virtual Reality Cue Exposure Therapy.

PubMed

Ferrer-García, Marta; Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José; Pla-Sanjuanelo, Joana; Vilalta-Abella, Ferran; Riva, Giuseppe; Clerici, Massimo; Ribas-Sabaté, Joan; Andreu-Gracia, Alexis; Fernandez-Aranda, Fernando; Forcano, Laura; Riesco, Nadine; Sánchez, Isabel; Escandón-Nagel, Neli; Gomez-Tricio, Osane; Tena, Virginia; Dakanalis, Antonios

2017-11-01

A question that arises from the literature on therapy is whether second-level treatment is effective for patients with recurrent binge eating who fail first-level treatment. It has been shown that subjects who do not stop binge eating after an initial structured cognitive-behavioural treatment (CBT) programme benefit from additional CBT (A-CBT) sessions; however, it has been suggested that these resistant patients would benefit even more from cue exposure therapy (CET) targeting features associated with poor response (e.g. urge to binge in response to a cue and anxiety experienced in the presence of binge-related cues). We assessed the effectiveness of virtual reality-CET as a second-level treatment strategy for 64 patients with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder who had been treated with limited results after using a structured CBT programme, in comparison with A-CBT. The significant differences observed between the two groups at post-treatment in dimensional (behavioural and attitudinal features, anxiety, food craving) and categorical (abstinence rates) outcomes highlighted the superiority of virtual reality-CET over A-CBT. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

Role of Dopamine 2 Receptor in Impaired Drug-Cue Extinction in Adolescent Rats.

PubMed

Zbukvic, Isabel C; Ganella, Despina E; Perry, Christina J; Madsen, Heather B; Bye, Christopher R; Lawrence, Andrew J; Kim, Jee Hyun

2016-06-01

Adolescent drug users display resistance to treatment such as cue exposure therapy (CET), as well as increased liability to relapse. The basis of CET is extinction learning, which involves dopamine signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). This system undergoes dramatic alterations during adolescence. Therefore, we investigated extinction of a cocaine-associated cue in adolescent and adult rats. While cocaine self-administration and lever-alone extinction were not different between the two ages, we observed that cue extinction reduced cue-induced reinstatement in adult but not adolescent rats. Infusion of the selective dopamine 2 receptor (D2R)-like agonist quinpirole into the infralimbic cortex (IL) of the mPFC prior to cue extinction significantly reduced cue-induced reinstatement in adolescents. This effect was replicated by acute systemic treatment with the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole (Abilify), a partial D2R-like agonist. These data suggest that adolescents may be more susceptible to relapse due to a deficit in cue extinction learning, and highlight the significance of D2R signaling in the IL for cue extinction during adolescence. These findings inspire new tactics for improving adolescent CET, with aripiprazole representing an exciting potential pharmacological adjunct for behavioral therapy. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition and Equiaxed Grain Alignment in Directionally Solidified Ni3Al Alloy Under an Axial Magnetic Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huan; Xuan, Weidong; Xie, Xinliang; Li, Chuanjun; Wang, Jiang; Yu, Jianbo; Li, Xi; Zhong, Yunbo; Ren, Zhongming

2017-09-01

The effect of an axial magnetic field on the solidification structure in directionally solidified Ni-21.5Al-0.4Zr-0.1B (at. pct) alloy was investigated. The experimental results indicated that the application of a high magnetic field caused the deformation of dendrites and the occurrence of columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). The magnetic field tended to orient the 〈001〉 crystal direction of the equiaxed grains along the magnetic field direction. The bulk solidification experiment under a high magnetic field showed that the crystal exhibited magnetic crystalline anisotropy. Further, the thermoelectric (TE) magnetic force and TE magnetic convention were analyzed by three-dimensional (3-D) numerical simulations. The results showed that the maximum value of TE magnetic force localized in the vicinity of the secondary dendrite arm root, which should be responsible for the dendrite break and CET. Based on the high-temperature creep mechanism, a simple model was proposed to describe the magnetic field intensity needed for CET: B ≥ kG^{ - 1.5} R^{1.25} . The model is in good agreement with the experiment results. The experimental results should be attributed to the combined action of TE magnetic effects and the magnetic moment.

Athletic identity, compulsive exercise and eating psychopathology in long-distance runners.

PubMed

Turton, Robert; Goodwin, Huw; Meyer, Caroline

2017-08-01

Having a high athletic identity is thought to increase vulnerability for compulsive exercise and Eating Disorder (ED) psychopathology. This study examined whether there is an association between athletic identity and levels of compulsive exercise and ED psychopathology in long-distance runners. A sample of 501 long-distance runners completed the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS), Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) and Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDEQ). There was a significant positive association between participants' AIMS and total CET scores (moderate effect size; r=0.34 for males and 0.33 for females). BMI did not influence the relationship between AIMS and CET scores in males. However, for females, AIMS scores were positively associated with levels of Weight Control Exercise when covarying for BMI (small to moderate effect size, r=0.22). No significant associations with EDEQ scores were found (negligible to small effect sizes; r=0.06 for males and r=0.14 for females). Following replication, coaches might need to be vigilant to the welfare of endurance runners that have a strong athletic identity, since this could be linked to them exercising compulsively. Future work should examine whether having a strong athletic identity predicts ED psychopathology when this identity is challenged (e.g., due to injury). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparison between nonspecific and necrosis-avid gadolinium contrast agents in vascular disrupting agent-induced necrosis of rodent tumors at 3.0T.

PubMed

Wang, Huaijun; Miranda Cona, Marlein; Chen, Feng; Li, Junjie; Yu, Jie; Feng, Yuanbo; Peeters, Ronald; De Keyzer, Frederik; Marchal, Guy; Ni, Yicheng

2011-09-01

: To compare a commercial contrast agent (CA) Dotarem and a necrosis-avid CA (NACA) for their ability to evaluate the therapeutic necrosis with a vascular disrupting agent (VDA) on magnetic resonance imaging in rodent liver tumors to determine which could better correlate with the histopathologic outcome. : After the VDA treatment, 16 rats with 32 liver rhabdomyosarcomas were randomized into Dotarem and NACA groups (n = 8 per group) for both interindividual and intraindividual comparisons. T2-weighted imaging, T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), contrast-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (CE-T1WI), and diffusion-weighted imaging were performed at baseline, after VDA treatment and CA injections. The enhancing efficacy of CAs at immediate and delayed enhancement on CE-T1WI in viable tumor and necrosis was compared. Tumor necrosis ratios calculated from NACA and Dotarem were compared and correlated with gold-standard histopathology. : On the immediate CE-T1WI, viable tumor was enhanced by either CA. On the delayed CE-T1WI at 30 minutes, both CAs failed to demarcate viable tumor from necrosis. At 24 hours post-NACA, the necrosis was clearly distinguished from viable tumor and thus derived necrosis ratio matched that from histopathology (P = 0.99); necrosis ratio from Dotarem was significantly lower than that from NACA and histopathology (P < 0.05, both), with a higher correlation of NACA than that of Dotarem with histopathology (r = 0.99 vs. r = 0.82). : NACA better evaluated VDA-induced tumor necrosis than nonspecific CA on T1WI in tumor models of rat liver. NACA showed a closer correlation with histopathology than nonspecific CA for the delineation of true necrosis. Delayed enhancement on T1WI with nonspecific CA is not suitable for the assessment of VDA-induced tumor necrosis.

HERSCHEL OBSERVATIONS OF GAS AND DUST IN THE UNUSUAL 49 Ceti DEBRIS DISK

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roberge, A.; Kamp, I.; Montesinos, B.

2013-07-01

We present far-IR/sub-mm imaging and spectroscopy of 49 Ceti, an unusual circumstellar disk around a nearby young A1V star. The system is famous for showing the dust properties of a debris disk, but the gas properties of a low-mass protoplanetary disk. The data were acquired with the Herschel Space Observatory PACS and SPIRE instruments, largely as part of the ''Gas in Protoplanetary Systems'' (GASPS) Open Time Key Programme. Disk dust emission is detected in images at 70, 160, 250, 350, and 500 {mu}m; 49 Cet is significantly extended in the 70 {mu}m image, spatially resolving the outer dust disk formore » the first time. Spectra covering small wavelength ranges centered on eight atomic and molecular emission lines were obtained, including [O I] 63 {mu}m and [C II] 158 {mu}m. The C II line was detected at the 5{sigma} level-the first detection of atomic emission from the disk. No other emission lines were seen, despite the fact that the O I line is the brightest one observed in Herschel protoplanetary disk spectra. We present an estimate of the amount of circumstellar atomic gas implied by the C II emission. The new far-IR/sub-mm data fills in a large gap in the previous spectral energy distribution (SED) of 49 Cet. A simple model of the new SED confirms the two-component structure of the disk: warm inner dust and cold outer dust that produces most of the observed excess. Finally, we discuss preliminary thermochemical modeling of the 49 Cet gas/dust disk and our attempts to match several observational results simultaneously. Although we are not yet successful in doing so, our investigations shed light on the evolutionary status of the 49 Cet gas, which might not be primordial gas but rather secondary gas coming from comets.« less

Herschel Observations of Gas and Dust in the Unusual 49 Ceti Debris Disk

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberge, A.; Kamp, I.; Montesinos, B.; Dent, W. R. F.; Meeus, G.; Donaldson, J. K.; Olofsson, J.; Moor, A.; Augereau, J.-C.; Howard, C.;

Comparing peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory responses during field walking tests with incremental cycle ergometry in COPD.

PubMed

Hill, Kylie; Dolmage, Thomas E; Woon, Lynda; Coutts, Debbie; Goldstein, Roger; Brooks, Dina

2012-02-01

Field and laboratory-based tests are used to measure exercise capacity in people with COPD. A comparison of the cardiorespiratory responses to field tests, referenced to a laboratory test, is needed to appreciate the relative physiological demands. We sought to compare peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory responses to the 6-min walk test, incremental shuttle walk test and endurance shuttle walk test with a ramp cycle ergometer test (CET) in patients with COPD. Twenty-four participants (FEV(1) 50 ± 14%; 66.5 ± 7.7 years; 15 men) completed four sessions, separated by ≥24 h. During an individual session, participants completed either two 6-min walk tests, incremental shuttle walk tests, endurance shuttle walk tests using standardized protocols, or a single CET, wearing a portable gas analysis unit (Cosmed K4b(2)) which included measures of heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation (SpO(2)). Between tests, no difference was observed in the peak rate of oxygen uptake (F(3,69) = 1.2; P = 0.31), end-test heart rate (F(2,50) = 0.6; P = 0.58) or tidal volume (F(3,69) = 1.5; P = 0.21). Compared with all walking tests, the CET elicited a higher peak rate of carbon dioxide output (1173 ± 350 mL/min; F(3,62) = 4.8; P = 0.006), minute ventilation (48 ± 17 L/min; F(3,69) = 10.2; P < 0.001) and a higher end-test SpO(2) (95 ± 4%; F(3,63) = 24.9; P < 0.001). In patients with moderate COPD, field walking tests elicited a similar peak rate of oxygen uptake and heart rate as a CET, demonstrating that both self- and externally paced walking tests progress to high intensities. © 2011 The Authors. Respirology © 2011 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.

Modeling of Dendritic Evolution of Continuously Cast Steel Billet with Cellular Automaton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Weiling; Ji, Cheng; Luo, Sen; Zhu, Miaoyong

2018-02-01

In order to predict the dendritic evolution during the continuous steel casting process, a simple mechanism to connect the heat transfer at the macroscopic scale and the dendritic growth at the microscopic scale was proposed in the present work. As the core of the across-scale simulation, a two-dimensional cell automaton (CA) model with a decentered square algorithm was developed and parallelized. Apart from nucleation undercooling and probability, a temperature gradient was introduced to deal with the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) by considering its variation during continuous casting. Based on the thermal history, the dendritic evolution in a 4 mm × 40 mm region near the centerline of a SWRH82B steel billet was predicted. The influences of the secondary cooling intensity, superheat, and casting speed on the dendritic structure of the billet were investigated in detail. The results show that the predicted equiaxed dendritic solidification of Fe-5.3Si alloy and columnar dendritic solidification of Fe-0.45C alloy are consistent with in situ experimental results [Yasuda et al. Int J Cast Metals Res 22:15-21 (2009); Yasuda et al. ISIJ Int 51:402-408 (2011)]. Moreover, the predicted dendritic arm spacing and CET location agree well with the actual results in the billet. The primary dendrite arm spacing of columnar dendrites decreases with increasing secondary cooling intensity, or decreasing superheat and casting speed. Meanwhile, the CET is promoted as the secondary cooling intensity and superheat decrease. However, the CET is not influenced by the casting speed, owing to the adjusting of the flow rate of secondary spray water. Compared with the superheat and casting speed, the secondary cooling intensity can influence the cooling rate and temperature gradient in deeper locations, and accordingly exerts a more significant influence on the equiaxed dendritic structure.

Exercise and taurine in inflammation, cognition, and peripheral markers of blood-brain barrier integrity in older women.

PubMed

Chupel, Matheus Uba; Minuzzi, Luciele Guerra; Furtado, Guilherme; Santos, Mário Leonardo; Hogervorst, Eef; Filaire, Edith; Teixeira, Ana Maria

2018-07-01

Immunosenescence contribute to increase the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, leading cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. Thus, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of exercise and taurine supplementation on peripheral markers of BBB, inflammation, and cognition of elderly women. Forty-eight elderly women (age, 83.58 ± 6.9 years) participated in the study, and were allocated into combined exercise training (CET: n = 13), taurine supplementation (TAU: n = 12), exercise training associated with taurine (CET+TAU: n = 11), or control (CG: n = 12) groups. Exercise was applied twice a week (multi-modal exercise). Taurine ingestion was 1.5 g., once a day. Participants were evaluated before and after 14-weeks of intervention. Plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and serum concentration of S100β and neuron specific enolase (NSE) were determined. The mini mental state examination (MMSE) was also applied. Concentrations of S100β were maintained in all intervention groups, while a subtle increase in the CG was found. NSE levels increased only in TAU group (p < 0.05). CET reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β/IL-1ra, IL-6/IL10, and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios (p < 0.05). TAU decreased the IL-1β/IL-1ra ratio (p < 0.05). MMSE score increased only in the CET+TAU group (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that there was a trend for changes in IL-1β and the Charlson Comorbidity Index to be independently associated with changes in S100β. Exercise and taurine decreased inflammation, and maintained the BBB integrity in elderly women. Exercise emerged as an important tool to improve brain health even when started at advanced ages.

Herschel Observations of Gas and Dust in the Unusual 49 Ceti Debris Disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roberge, A.; Kamp, I.; Montesinos, B.; Dent, W. R. F.; Meeus, G.; Donaldson, J. K.; Olofsson, J.; Moór, A.; Augereau, J.-C.; Howard, C.; Eiroa, C.; Thi, W.-F.; Ardila, D. R.; Sandell, G.; Woitke, P.

2013-07-01

We present far-IR/sub-mm imaging and spectroscopy of 49 Ceti, an unusual circumstellar disk around a nearby young A1V star. The system is famous for showing the dust properties of a debris disk, but the gas properties of a low-mass protoplanetary disk. The data were acquired with the Herschel Space Observatory PACS and SPIRE instruments, largely as part of the "Gas in Protoplanetary Systems" (GASPS) Open Time Key Programme. Disk dust emission is detected in images at 70, 160, 250, 350, and 500 μm 49 Cet is significantly extended in the 70 μm image, spatially resolving the outer dust disk for the first time. Spectra covering small wavelength ranges centered on eight atomic and molecular emission lines were obtained, including [O I] 63 μm and [C II] 158 μm. The C II line was detected at the 5σ level—the first detection of atomic emission from the disk. No other emission lines were seen, despite the fact that the O I line is the brightest one observed in Herschel protoplanetary disk spectra. We present an estimate of the amount of circumstellar atomic gas implied by the C II emission. The new far-IR/sub-mm data fills in a large gap in the previous spectral energy distribution (SED) of 49 Cet. A simple model of the new SED confirms the two-component structure of the disk: warm inner dust and cold outer dust that produces most of the observed excess. Finally, we discuss preliminary thermochemical modeling of the 49 Cet gas/dust disk and our attempts to match several observational results simultaneously. Although we are not yet successful in doing so, our investigations shed light on the evolutionary status of the 49 Cet gas, which might not be primordial gas but rather secondary gas coming from comets.

Intraplate Stresses Within the North Andes Block; an Enigma Soon to be Clarified

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trenkamp, R.; Mora P., H.

2008-05-01

High precision geodesy (GPS) has given earth scientists the unprecedented opportunity for studying the kinematics and dynamics of present day deformation processes at both plate boundary zones and within areas of wide plate boundary deformation. Global Positioning System (GPS) data from northwestern South America collected between 1991 and 2007 reveal wide plate margin deformation along a 1400 km length of the North Andes associated with the oblique subduction of the Nazca plate at the Colombia-Ecuador trench (CET) and ongoing collision with the Panama microplate. Also associated with this oblique subduction at the CET is the escape of the North Andes block (NAB). The NAB is delineated by the Bocono-East Andean fault systems and the Dolores Guayaquil Megasheare to the east, the South Caribbean deformed belt on the north and the CET and Panama on the west. Within the subduction complex at the CET many damaging earthquakes have occurred in the past, including the 1906-1979 mega-sequence of four earthquakes with moment magnitudes between 7.5 and 8.8. and two moment magnitude 7.1 earthquakes north of the mega-sequence rupture zone that have ruptured the same point within a 13 year time-span. Within the NAB many damaging crustal earthquakes have occurred which is most recently exemplified by the December 5, 1999 Armenia earthquake and the spectacular sequence known as the Bucaramanga nest. Much of the deformation of the NAB is constrained within the S-N and W-E trending fault systems within the NAB which contribute to the continuing seismic hazards within the system. Although the GPS data has been collected intermittently in the past, the many first order observations have been useful for developing strategies for future more extensive occupations and have led to the funding through INGEOMINAS of the Colombian national permanent GPS array; GEORED Geodesia: Red de Estudios de Deformacion.

Local Interstellar Medium Properties and Deuterium Abundances for the Lines of Sight Toward HR 1099, 31 Comae, beta Ceti, and beta Cassiopeiae

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Piskunov, Nikolai; Wood, Brian E.; Linsky, Jeffrey L.; Dempsey, Robert C.; Ayres, Thomas R.

1997-01-01

We analyze Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph data to infer the properties of local interstellar gas and the Deuterium/Hydrogen (D/H) ratio for lines of sight toward four nearby late-type stars-HR 1099, 31 Comae, beta Ceti, and beta Cassiopeiae. The data consist of spectra of the hydrogen and deuterium Lyman-(alpha) lines, and echelle spectra of the Mg IIh and k lines toward all stars except beta Cas. Spectra of the RS CVn-type spectroscopic binary system HR 1099 were obtained near opposite quadratures to determine the intrinsic stellar emission line profile and the interstellar absorption separately. Multiple-velocity components were found toward HR 1099 and beta Cet. The spectra of 31 Com and beta Cet are particularly interesting because they sample lines of sight toward the north and south Galactic poles, respectively, for which H I and D I column densities were not previously available. The north Galactic pole appears to be a region of low hydrogen density like the 'interstellar tunnel' toward epsilon CMa. The temperature and turbulent velocities of the Local InterStellar Medium (LISM) that we measure for the lines of sight toward HR 1099, 31 Com, beta Cet, and beta Cas are similar to previously measured values (T approx.7000 K and xi = 1.0-1.6 km/s). The deuterium/hydrogen ratios found for these lines of sight are also consistent with previous measurements of other short lines of sight, which suggest D/H approx. 1.6 x 10(sup -5). In contrast, the Mg abundance measured for the beta Cet line of sight (implying a logarithmic depletion of D(Mg) = +0.30 +/- 0.15) is about 5 times larger than the Mg abundance previously observed toward alpha Cen, and about 20 times larger than all other previous measurements for the LISM. These results demonstrate that metal abundances in the LISM vary greatly over distances of only a few parsecs.

A defense in depth approach for nuclear power plant accident management

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chih-Yao Hsieh; Hwai-Pwu Chou

2015-07-01

An initiating event may lead to a severe accident if the plant safety functions have been challenged or operators do not follow the appropriate accident management procedures. Beyond design basis accidents are those corresponding to events of very low occurrence probability but such an accident may lead to significant consequences. The defense in depth approach is important to assure nuclear safety even in a severe accident. Plant Damage States (PDS) can be defined by the combination of the possible values for each of the PDS parameters which are showed on the nuclear power plant simulator. PDS is used to identifymore » what the initiating event is, and can also give the information of safety system's status whether they are bypassed, inoperable or not. Initiating event and safety system's status are used in the construction of Containment Event Tree (CET) to determine containment failure modes by using probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) technique. Different initiating events will correspond to different CETs. With these CETs, the core melt frequency of an initiating event can be found. The use of Plant Damage States (PDS) is a symptom-oriented approach. On the other hand, the use of Containment Event Tree (CET) is an event-oriented approach. In this study, the Taiwan's fourth nuclear power plants, the Lungmen nuclear power station (LNPS), which is an advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) with fully digitized instrumentation and control (I and C) system is chosen as the target plant. The LNPS full scope engineering simulator is used to generate the testing data for method development. The following common initiating events are considered in this study: loss of coolant accidents (LOCA), total loss of feedwater (TLOFW), loss of offsite power (LOOP), station blackout (SBO). Studies have indicated that the combination of the symptom-oriented approach and the event-oriented approach can be helpful to find mitigation strategies and is useful for the accident management. (authors)« less

Association Between Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure and the Occurrence of EGFR Mutations and ALK Rearrangements in Never-smokers With Non-Small-cell Lung Cancer: Analyses From a Prospective Multinational ETS Registry.

PubMed

Soo, Ross A; Kubo, Akihito; Ando, Masahiko; Kawaguchi, Tomoya; Ahn, Myung-Ju; Ou, Sai-Hong Ignatius

2017-09-01

Molecular studies have demonstrated actionable driver oncogene alterations are more frequent in never-smokers with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The etiology of these driver oncogenes in patients with NSCLC remains unknown, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is a potential cause in these cases. We assembled clinical and genetic information for never-smoker patients with NSCLC accrued in Japan, Korea, Singapore, and the United States. To determine an association between cumulative ETS and activating EGFR mutations or ALK rearrangements, the Mantel extension test was used. Multivariate analysis on activating EGFR and ALK gene rearrangements was performed using the generalized linear mixed model with nations as a random effect. From July 2007 to December 2012, 498 never-smokers with pathologically proven NSCLC were registered and tested for the association between ETS and EGFR and ALK status. EGFR mutations were more frequent in the ever-ETS cohort (58.4%) compared with the never-ETS cohort (39.6%), and the incidence of EGFR mutations was significantly associated with the increment of cumulative ETS (cETS) in female never-smokers (P = .033), whereas the incidence of ALK rearrangements was not significantly different between the ever-ETS and never-ETS cohorts. Odds ratio for EGFR mutations for each 10-year increment in cETS was 1.091 and 0.89 for female and male never-smokers (P = .031 and P = .263, respectively). Increased ETS exposure was closely associated with EGFR mutations in female never-smokers with NSCLC in the expanded multinational cohort. However, the association of ETS and ALK rearrangements in never-smokers with NSCLC was not significant. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Electromagnetic response of a conductor with complex conductivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leylekian, L.; Ocio, M.; Hammann, J.

1993-02-01

The aim of this paper is to describe the electromagnetic response of a conductor with complex conductivity. We will show how the geometry of the measuring apparatus can modify the amplitude of this response. We will particularly emphasize the role that plays a complex conductivity, as we can find in granular superconductors, on the mesured magnetic susceptibility of the sample. Cet article a pour but de décrire la réponse électromagnétique d'un conducteur muni d'une conductivité complexe. Nous montrerons comment la géométrie du dispositif de mesure peut modifier l'amplitude de cette réponse. Nous insisterons particulièrement sur le rôle que joue une conductivité complexe, comme nous pouvons en trouver dans les supraconducteurs granulaires, sur la susceptibilité magnétique mesurée de l'échantillon.

[Not Available].

PubMed

Haza, Marion

2012-08-01

Dans cet article, nous abordons la question de l'accès à la pornographie sur Internet par les adolescents. Nous déclinons plusieurs facettes de ces rencontres: la rencontre «fortuite», quand les adolescents sont confrontés à des images intempestives, des publicités ou spams avec des contenus pornographiques; la rencontre «spectatrice», quand les adolescents cherchent activement des vidéos ou photos mettant en scène la sexualité; et enfin la rencontre «actrice», quand les adolescents se mettent en scène eux-mêmes, seuls ou à plusieurs, de façon pornographique sur le Net. A partir d'exemple, nous réfléchissons aux enjeux de ces rencontres virtuelles précoces de la sexualité adulte par rapport au développement adolescent et à la représentation de leur propre sexualité en construction.

Adolescence et pornographie sur la toile

PubMed Central

Haza, Marion

2012-01-01

Dans cet article, nous abordons la question de l’accès à la pornographie sur Internet par les adolescents. Nous déclinons plusieurs facettes de ces rencontres: la rencontre «fortuite», quand les adolescents sont confrontés à des images intempestives, des publicités ou spams avec des contenus pornographiques; la rencontre «spectatrice», quand les adolescents cherchent activement des vidéos ou photos mettant en scène la sexualité; et enfin la rencontre «actrice», quand les adolescents se mettent en scène eux-mêmes, seuls ou à plusieurs, de façon pornographique sur le Net. A partir d’exemple, nous réfléchissons aux enjeux de ces rencontres virtuelles précoces de la sexualité adulte par rapport au développement adolescent et à la représentation de leur propre sexualité en construction. PMID:22876261

Compte rendu de la table ronde du 36ème Congrès de la SFB à Cassis (1-3 Juin 2016), première partie: brûlures chimiques, brûlures électriques

PubMed Central

Le Floch, R.; Laguerre, J.; Perrot, P.

2016-01-01

Summary La table ronde du congrès 2016 de la SFB a duré toute la journée du 2 juin et portait sur les brûlures non thermiques. A la différence du résumé concernant les brûlures radiques, qui est en cours de réalisation par les auteurs des communications, celui-ci a été commis par les auteurs de cet article, à partir des notes prises en séance et de la vidéo réalisée pendant la communication. Le lecteur voulant approfondir le sujet pourra se rapprocher de l’auteur de la communication, systématiquement cité. PMID:28289367

Diffusion and plasticity at high temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Philibert, J.

1991-06-01

High temperature plastic deformation requires atomic migration whatever the mechanism of deformation. The constitutive equations contain a diffusion coefficient and the deformation rate follows an Arrhenius law. This paper will only discuss the case of viscous creep in order to elucidate the nature of the diffusion processes and the expression of the diffusion coefficient involved in alloys or compounds. La déformation plastique à haute température met en jeu des migrations atomiques, quel que soit le mécanisme de déformation. Les lois de comportement contiennent donc un coefficient de diffusion et la vitesse de déformation obéit à une loi d'Arrhenius. Dans cet article, qui ne conceme qu'un seul type de déformation, lefluage visqueux, on s'efforce de préciser la nature des processus de diffusion et du coefficient de diffusion mis en jeu dans le cas des alliages et des composés.

La carence en vitamine D chez l'adulte au Gabon: cas isolé ou problème méconnu?

PubMed Central

Ntyonga-Pono, Marie-Pierrette

2014-01-01

La carence en vitamine D chez l'adulte est un sujet d'actualité à cause de ses multiples effets et de son extension de par le monde. Cependant elle est peu explorée au Gabon et en Afrique centrale en général. Le but de cet article qui rapporte trois cas documentés de carence en vitamine D chez l'adulte au Gabon, est d'attirer l'attention sur l'existence de ce problème même en zone équatoriale ensoleillée. Vu les implications de cette carence dans diverses pathologies osseuses, cardio-vasculaires, métaboliques, infectieuses, auto-immunes, néoplasiques..., des recherches plus approfondies sont nécessaires pour cerner le problème et prendre des mesures appropriées. PMID:25815104

Méthode de prédétermination des caractéristiques électromagnétiques de machines á bobinage global à commutation de flux. Application à un actionneur linéaire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prevond, L.; Ben Ahmed, A.; Multon, B.; Lucidarme, J.

1997-06-01

This paper presents a predetermination method of Permanent Magnet (P.M.) multicellular flux switching machines. The non-linear characteristic of the ferromagnetic material is integrated in this method which combines analytical and numerical calculus. This study permits to make a fast parametrical analysis to define optimal parameters of a flux switching cell such as magnetic shear stress and flux concentration factor as function of magnetomotive force. The demagnetisation limit is introduced by a finite element calculus applied. The comparison of the theoritical results and experimental one gives a good correlation. Cet article présente une méthode de prédétermination des caractéristiques de machines multicellulaires (bobinage global) à commutation de flux (aimants permanents) en tenant compte de la non linéarité des matériaux ferromagnétiques. Cette méthode allie le calcul numérique par éléments finis et le calcul analytique. Cette étude nous a permis, d'une part, d'effectuer une analyse paramétrique intrinsèque et, d'autre part, de définir les paramètres optimaux de la cellule à commutation de flux. La notion de désaimantation est introduite en calculant le champ démagnétisant dans l'aimant. Les calculs effectués, dans le cas d'un actionneur linéaire à cômmutation de flux, montrent une bonne corrélation avec les essais directs.

Evaluation of the cognitive, psychomotor and pharmacokinetic profiles of rupatadine, hydroxyzine and cetirizine, in combination with alcohol, in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Barbanoj, Manuel J; García-Gea, Consuelo; Antonijoan, Rosa; Izquierdo, Iñaki; Donado, Ester; Pérez, Iñaki; Solans, Anna; Jané, Francesc

2006-01-01

The Central Nervous System (CNS) impairment induced by moderate alcohol (ALC) ingestion may be enhanced if other drugs are taken simultaneously. Rupatadine (RUP) is a new H(1)-antihistamine which also inhibits platelet activating factor (PAF) release in inflammatory reactions. The main aim of the study was to assess the effects of ALC 0.8 g/Kg on RUP (10 mg and 20 mg) CNS effects. An evaluation of alcohol and RUP pharmacokinetics was also attained. Eighteen healthy young volunteers of both sexes participated in a phase I, randomised, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. At 2-week intervals they received six treatments: (a) placebo (PLA), (b) ALC alone and ALC in combination with: (c) hydroxyzine 25 mg (HYD), (d) cetirizine 10 mg (CET), (e) RUP 10 mg or (f) RUP 20 mg. At baseline and several times thereafter, seven psychomotor performance tests (finger tapping, fine motoric skills, nystagmus, temporal estimation, critical-flicker-fusion frequency, 'd2' cancellation, simple reaction) and eleven subjective self-reports (drunkenness, sleepiness, alertness, clumsiness, anger, inattentiveness, efficiency, happiness, hostility, interest and extraversion) were carried out. Two-way (treatment, time) ANOVAs for repeated measures to each variable together with a multivariate non-parametric approach were applied. Plasma concentrations of alcohol, and of RUP and its metabolites, were quantified by validated immunofluorescence and LC/MS/MS methods, respectively. Plasma-time curves for all compounds were analysed by means of model-independent methods. The combination of alcohol with HYD, CET and RUP 20 mg produced more cognitive and psychomotor impairment as compared to alcohol alone, being the combination of alcohol and HYD the one which induced the greatest deterioration. The combination of alcohol and RUP 10 mg could not be differentiated from ALC alone. Subjective self-reports reflect effects on metacognition after the combination of alcohol with HYD and CET i.e. the increased objective impairment observed was not subjectively perceived by the subjects. No significant differences were obtained when comparing alcohol plasma concentrations assessed after the treatments evaluated. RUP showed a lineal kinetic relationship after 10 and 20 mg with a higher exposition to both metabolites assayed. Present results showed that single oral doses of rupatadine 10 mg in combination with alcohol do not produce more cognitive and psychomotor impairment than alcohol alone. Higher doses of rupatadine, in combination with alcohol, may induce cognitive and psychomotor deterioration as hydroxyzine and cetirizine at therapeutic doses.

Compulsive exercise as a mediator between clinical perfectionism and eating pathology.

PubMed

Egan, Sarah J; Bodill, Kate; Watson, Hunna J; Valentine, Emily; Shu, Chloe; Hagger, Martin S

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to examine whether compulsive exercise mediates the relationship between clinical perfectionism and eating pathology, based on the cognitive behavioral model of compulsive exercise. Participants were 368 adults who participated regularly in sport/exercise and completed online measures of perfectionism, compulsive exercise and eating disorders. In support of the well-established link between perfectionism and eating disorders, clinical perfectionism predicted eating pathology both directly and indirectly mediated by compulsive exercise. In addition, there were also direct effects of clinical perfectionism on the avoidance/rule-driven behavior, weight control, and mood improvement subscales of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET). There was a direct effect of the CET weight control subscale on eating pathology and a negative direct effect of the CET subscale mood improvement on eating pathology. Findings lend support to the cognitive behavioral model of compulsive exercise in which clinical perfectionism is conceptualized as related to eating disorders directly and indirectly through the mediation of compulsive exercise. Compulsive exercise was also found to have a direct effect on eating disorders. Compulsive exercise may be a symptom of eating pathology, rather than an antecedent, however causal inferences could not be established given the correlational design. Longitudinal research using cross-lagged panel designs to examine a bidirectional relationship between compulsive exercise and eating disorders is needed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dysréflexie autonome

PubMed Central

Milligan, James; Lee, Joseph; McMillan, Colleen; Klassen, Hilary

2012-01-01

Résumé Objectif Sensibiliser davantage les médecins de famille à la dysréflexie autonome (DA) chez les patients victimes d’une lésion médullaire (LM) et proposer certaines interventions. Sources de l’information On a fait une recension dans MEDLINE de 1970 à juillet 2011 à l’aide des expressions en anglais autonomic dysreflexia et spinal cord injury, ainsi que family medicine ou primary care. On a aussi passé en revue et utilisé d’autres ressources et guides de pratique pertinents. Message principal Il arrive souvent que les médecins de famille ne se sentent pas confiants de traiter des patients ayant une LM dont les problèmes sont complexes et exigent beaucoup de temps. Les médecins de famille ont l’impression de n’avoir pas la formation nécessaire pour répondre à leurs besoins. Pourtant, ils offrent une composante essentielle des soins à de tels patients et il est important qu’ils comprennent les problèmes médicaux particuliers aux LM. La dysréflexie autonome est un important et fréquent problème potentiellement sérieux que connaissent mal de nombreux médecins de famille. Cet article passe en revue les signes et les symptômes de la DA et présente certaines options de prise en charge aiguë, ainsi que des stratégies de prévention à l’intention des médecins de famille. Conclusion Les médecins de famille devraient savoir quels patients traumatisés médullaires sont susceptibles d’avoir une DA et surveiller ceux qui sont touchés par ce problème. Une explication est donnée dans cet article quant à l’approche à suivre pour la prise en charge aiguë. Les médecins de famille jouent un rôle essentiel dans la prévention de la DA, notamment par l’éducation (du patient et des autres professionnels de la santé) et la consignation dans le dossier médical de stratégies comme les soins appropriés de la vessie, de l’intestin et de la peau, d’avertissements et de plans de prise en charge.

Conception d'un capteur intelligent pour la détection des vapeurs de styrène dans l'industrie

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agbossou, Kodjo; Agbebavi, T. James; Koffi, Demagna; Elhiri, Mohammed

1994-10-01

The techniques of measurement of toxic gases are nowadays based on the semiconductor type sensors. The modelling and the electronic processing of their signals can be used to improve the accuracy and the efficiency of the measurement. In this paper, an intelligent system using a semiconductor sensor has been designed for the detection of the styrene vapors. A set of the environmental parameters sensors such as the temperature, the pressure and the humidity, is added to the basic sensor and allows a precise detection of the styrene vapors in air. A microcontroller and a communication interface, that are included in the control system and in the data processing system, provide the local intelligence. The linearization routines of the differents sensors are in the memory of the microcontroller. The system made of the sensors, of the amplification circuits, of the microcontroller and of the communication network between the smart sensor and the computer is analysed. A laboratory test of the device is presented and the accuracies and efficiencies of the differents sensors are given. Les techniques fiables de quantification des gaz polluants sont aujourd'hui basées sur l'utilisation des détecteurs à récepteurs chimiques et sur des capteurs à semiconducteurs. La modélisation et le traitement numérique des signaux résultants sont importants pour une mesure efficace et précise dans un milieu donné. Dans cet article, un capteur intelligent, utilisant un détecteur de gaz type semiconducteur a été réalisé pour la détection des vapeurs de styrène. Un ensemble de détecteurs des paramètres environnementaux, tels que la température, la pression et l'humidité, ajoutés au capteur de styrène, permettent de mesurer avec un bon contrôle les vapeurs de styrène dans l'air. Le système de contrôle et de gestion local des données est constitué d'un microcontrôleur et d'une interface de communication. Le microcontrôleur contient dans sa mémoire toutes les fonctions de linéarisation des différents capteurs. Cet ensemble de capteurs, de circuits conditionneurs, de microcontrôleur et d'interface de communication est appelé " capteur intelligent ". Le réseau de communication entre le capteur intelligent et le micro-ordinateur est analysé en terme de traitement de signal. Un exemple d'application au laboratoire est présenté, les sensibilités et les précisions des différents capteurs sont données.

In Situ X-Ray Observations of Dendritic Fragmentation During Directional Solidification of a Sn-Bi Alloy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gibbs, John W.; Tourret, Damien; Gibbs, Paul J.

2015-09-25

Dendrite fragmentation is an important phenomenon in microstructural development during solidification. For instance, it plays a key role in initiating the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). Here, we use x-ray radiography to study dendrite fragmentation rate in a Sn-39.5 wt.% Bi alloy during directional solidification. Experiments were performed in which solidification was parallel and anti-parallel to gravity, leading to significantly different fragmentation rates. We quantify the distribution of fragmentation rate as a function of distance from the solidification front, time in the mushy zone, and volume fraction of solid. While the observed fragmentation rate can be high, there is no evidence ofmore » a CET, illustrating that it requires more than just fragmentation to occur.« less

Fully gapped superconductivity in single crystals of noncentrosymmetric Re6Zr with broken time-reversal symmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pang, G. M.; Nie, Z. Y.; Wang, A.; Singh, D.; Xie, W.; Jiang, W. B.; Chen, Y.; Singh, R. P.; Smidman, M.; Yuan, H. Q.

2018-06-01

The noncentrosymmetric superconductor Re6Zr has attracted much interest due to the observation of broken time-reversal symmetry in the superconducting state. Here we report an investigation of the superconducting gap structure of Re6Zr single crystals by measuring the magnetic penetration depth shift Δ λ (T ) and electronic specific heat Ce(T ) . Δ λ (T ) exhibits an exponential temperature dependence behavior for T ≪Tc , which indicates a fully open superconducting gap. Our analysis shows that a single gap s -wave model is sufficient to describe both the superfluid density ρs(T ) and Ce(T ) results, with a fitted gap magnitude larger than the weak coupling BCS value, providing evidence for fully gapped superconductivity in Re6Zr with moderate coupling.

In Situ X-Ray Observations of Dendritic Fragmentation During Directional Solidification of a Sn-Bi Alloy

DOE PAGES

Gibbs, John W.; Tourret, Damien; Gibbs, Paul J.; ...

2015-09-25

Dendrite fragmentation is an important phenomenon in microstructural development during solidification. For instance, it plays a key role in initiating the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). In this paper, we use x-ray radiography to study dendrite fragmentation rate in a Sn-39.5 wt.% Bi alloy during directional solidification. Experiments were performed in which solidification was parallel and anti-parallel to gravity, leading to significantly different fragmentation rates. We quantify the distribution of fragmentation rate as a function of distance from the solidification front, time in the mushy zone, and volume fraction of solid. Finally, while the observed fragmentation rate can be high, there ismore » no evidence of a CET, illustrating that it requires more than just fragmentation to occur.« less

Searching for H2 emission from protoplanetary disks using near- and mid-infrared high-resolution spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carmona, A.; van den Ancker, M. E.; Henning, Th.; Pavlyuchenkov, Ya.; Dullemond, C. P.; Goto, M.; Fedele, D.; Stecklum, B.; Thi, W.-F.; Bouwman, J.; Waters, L. B. F. M.

2008-05-01

The mass and dynamics of protoplanetary disks are dominated by molecular hydrogen (H2). However, observationally very little is known about the H2. In this paper, we discuss two projects aimed to constrain the properties of H2 in the disk's planet forming region (R<50AU). First, we present a sensitive survey for pure-rotational H2 emission at 12.278 and 17.035 μm in a sample of nearby Herbig Ae/Be and T Tauri stars using VISIR, ESO's VLT high-resolution mid-infrared spectrograph. Second, we report on a search for H2 ro-vibrational emission at 2.1228, 2.2233 and 2.2477 μm in the classical T Tauri star LkHα 264 and the debris disk 49 Cet employing CRIRES, ESO's VLT high-resolution near-infrared spectrograph. VISIR project: none of the sources show H2 mid-IR emission. The observed disks contain less than a few tenths of MJupiter of optically thin H2 at 150 K, and less than a few MEarth at T>300 K. % and higher T. Our non-detections are consistent with the low flux levels expected from the small amount of H2 gas in the surface layer of a Chiang and Goldreich (1997) Herbig Ae two-layer disk model. In our sources the H2 and dust in the surface layer have not significantly departed from thermal coupling (Tgas/Tdust<2) and the gas-to-dust ratio in the surface layer is very likely <1000. CRIRES project: The H2 lines at 2.1218 μm and 2.2233 μm are detected in LkHα 264. An upper limit on the 2.2477 μm H2 line flux in LkHα 264 is derived. 49 Cet does not exhibit H2 emission in any of observed lines. There are a few MMoon of optically thin hot H2 in the inner disk (0.1 AU) of LkHα 264, and less than a tenth of a MMoon of hot H2 in the inner disk of 49 Cet. The shape of the 1 0 S(0) line indicates that LkHα disk is close to face-on (i<35o). The measured 1 0 S(0)/1 0 S(1) and 2 1 S(1)/1 0 S(1) line ratios in LkHα 264 indicate that the H2 is thermally excited at T<1500 K. The lack of H2 emission in the NIR spectra of 49 Cet and the absence of Hα emission suggest that the gas in the inner disk of 49 Cet has dissipated.

Nutritional and environmental studies on an ocean-going oil tanker. 1. Thermal environment

PubMed Central

Collins, K. J.; Eddy, T. P.; Lee, D. E.; Swann, P. G.

1971-01-01

Collins, K. J., Eddy, T. P., Lee, D. E., and Swann, P. G. (1971).Brit. J. industr. Med.,28, 237-245. Nutritional and environmental studies on an ocean-going oil tanker. I. Thermal environment. Investigations were made on board a modern, air-conditioned oil tanker (S.S. Esso Newcastle) en route to the Persian Gulf in July to August 1967 in order to study thermal conditions in the working environment, and the nutritional status of the crew, and to examine the interrelationship between climate and nutritional balance. In this introductory paper an account is given of the aims and design of the experiments together with details of the environmental survey. The voyage round Africa lasted one month, with high ambient temperatures of 37·7°C dry bulb, 30·8°C wet bulb (100/87°F) occurring only on the last few days into and out of the Persian Gulf. Mean accommodation temperature was maintained in the zone of comfort throughout, and at 23·9°C (75°F) Corrected Effective Temperature (CET) in the Gulf. On a previous voyage in a tanker without air-conditioning CETs up to 31·6°C (89°F) had been recorded in the accommodation in the same ambient conditions. With exposure to high solar radiation in the Gulf, the deck officer's cabins and bridge house in the upper superstructure became uncomfortably warm (CET exceeding 26·6°C (80°F)) and in these temperatures skilled performance is likely to deteriorate. The main thermal problems in the working environment were associated with the engine and boiler rooms which were consistently 11 to 17°C (20 to 30°F) higher than ambient temperature. For personnel on watch, the levels of heat stress were high but not intolerable if advantage was taken of the air blowers. Conditions under which emergency or repair tasks were carried out in very hot engine-room spaces were examined and often found to allow only a small margin of safety. Predicted average tolerance times were deduced from the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) scale of heat stress. Additional safeguards in these work situations could include the use of a WBGT meter and self-contained air-conditioned protective clothing, and the provision of air-conditioned cubicles. The CET and WBGT heat stress indices were compared in a wide range of climates with Predicted 4-hr Sweat Rates (P4SR) from 0·1 to 4·9. The regressions of WBGT on P4SR and CET on P4SR were best fitted by quadratic relationships, but the WBGT regression approximated more closely to linearity under the conditions of the present survey. Images PMID:5557844

Computer-assisted study of the axial orientation and distances between renovisceral arteries ostia.

PubMed

Lawton, James; Touma, Joseph; Sénémaud, Jean; de Boissieu, Paul; Brossier, Julien; Kobeiter, Hicham; Desgranges, Pascal

2017-02-01

Endovascular navigation in aortic, renal and visceral procedures are based on precise knowledge of arterial anatomy. Our aim was to define the anatomical localization of the ostia of renovisceral arteries and their distribution to establish anatomical landmarks for endovascular catheterization. Computer-assisted measurements performed on 55 CT scans and patients features (age, sex, aortic diameter) were analyzed. p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean axial angulation of CeT and the SMA origin was 21.8° ± 10.1° and 9.9° ± 10.5°, respectively. The ostia were located on the left anterior edge of the aorta in 96 % of cases for the CeT and 73 % for the SMA. CeT and SMA angles followed Gaussian distribution. Left renal artery (LRA) rose at 96° ± 15° and in 67 % of cases on the left posterior edge. The right renal artery (RRA) rose at -62° ± 16.5° and in 98 % of cases on the right anterior edge of the aorta. RRA angle measurements and cranio-caudal RRA-LRA distance measurements did not follow Gaussian distribution. The mean distances between the CeT and the SMA, LRA, and RRA were 16.7 ± 5.0, 30.7 ± 7.9 and 30.5 ± 7.7 mm, respectively. CeT-SMA distance showed correlation with age and aortic diameter (p = 0.03). CeT-LRA distance showed correlation with age (p = 0.04). The mean distance between the renal ostia was 3.75 ± 0.21 mm. The RRA ostium was higher than the LRA ostium in 52 % of cases. RRA and LRA origins were located at the same level in 7 % of cases. Our results illustrate aortic elongation with ageing and high anatomical variability of renal arteries. Our findings are complementary to anatomical features previously published and might contribute to enhance endovascular procedures safety and efficacy for vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists.

Effectiveness of low-dose naltrexone in the post-detoxification treatment of opioid dependence.

PubMed

Mannelli, Paolo; Patkar, Ashwin A; Peindl, Kathleen; Murray, Heather W; Wu, Li-Tzy; Hubbard, Robert

2007-10-01

The clinical use of naltrexone (NTX) in the treatment of opioid dependence has been limited because of poor compliance and inconsistent outcomes. In particular, the therapeutic benefit of extended treatment with NTX after opioid detoxification is unclear. The present study evaluated whether the augmentation with low-dose NTX during the post-detoxification treatment of opioid dependence would improve outcomes. In an open-label naturalistic design, 435 opioid-dependent patients who had completed inpatient detoxification were offered the choice of entering 1 of the 2 outpatient treatment arms: clonidine extended treatment (CET) (clonidine + psychosocial treatment), or enhanced extended treatment (EET) (oral NTX [1-10 mg/d] + CET) for 21 days. The primary outcome measure was retention in treatment. Secondary outcomes included abstinence from opioids, dropouts, and adherence to postdischarge care. One hundred sixty-two patients (37.2%) accepted EET. Subjects receiving EET stayed longer in the program (F = 64.4; P = 0.000), were less likely to drop out, used less opioids, and followed through with referral to long-term outpatient treatment in a higher number, compared with patients in the CET arm (P = 0.000 in each case). The NTX + clonidine combination was safe and well tolerated. This preliminary study indicates the potential benefit of augmentation with low-dose NTX to improve outcomes after opioid detoxification for a preferred group of patients. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to further evaluate the role of low-dose NTX in the outpatient treatment of opioid dependence.

Effects of HfO2/Al2O3 gate stacks on electrical performance of planar In x Ga1- x As tunneling field-effect transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Dae-Hwan; Yoon, Sang-Hee; Takenaka, Mitsuru; Takagi, Shinichi

2017-08-01

We study the impact of gate stacks on the electrical characteristics of Zn-diffused source In x Ga1- x As tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs) with Al2O3 or HfO2/Al2O3 gate insulators. Ta and W gate electrodes are compared in terms of the interface trap density (D it) of InGaAs MOS interfaces. It is found that D it is lower at the W/HfO2/Al2O3 InGaAs MOS interface than at the Ta/HfO2/Al2O3 interface. The In0.53Ga0.47As TFET with a W/HfO2 (2.7 nm)/Al2O3 (0.3 nm) gate stack of 1.4-nm-thick capacitance equivalent thickness (CET) has a steep minimum subthreshold swing (SS) of 57 mV/dec, which is attributed to the thin CET and low D it. Also, the In0.53Ga0.47As (2.6 nm)/In0.67Ga0.33As (3.2 nm)/In0.53Ga0.47As (96.5 nm) quantum-well (QW) TFET supplemented with this 1.4-nm-thick CET gate stack exhibits a steeper minimum SS of 54 mV/dec and a higher on-current (I on) than those of the In0.53Ga0.47As TFET.

Solidification Microstructure, Segregation, and Shrinkage of Fe-Mn-C Twinning-Induced Plasticity Steel by Simulation and Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Peng; Tang, Haiyan; Zhang, Jiaquan

2016-06-01

A 3D cellular automaton finite element model with full coupling of heat, flow, and solute transfer incorporating solidification grain nucleation and growth was developed for a multicomponent system. The predicted solidification process, shrinkage porosity, macrosegregation, grain orientation, and microstructure evolution of Fe-22Mn-0.7C twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) steel match well with the experimental observation and measurement. Based on a new solute microsegregation model using the finite difference method, the thermophysical parameters including solid fraction, thermal conductivity, density, and enthalpy were predicted and compared with the results from thermodynamics and experiment. The effects of flow and solute transfer in the liquid phase on the solidification microstructure of Fe-22Mn-0.7C TWIP steel were compared numerically. Thermal convection decreases the temperature gradient in the liquid steel, leading to the enlargement of the equiaxed zone. Solute enrichment in front of the solid/liquid interface weakens the thermal convection, resulting in a little postponement of columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). The CET behavior of Fe-Mn-C TWIP steel during solidification was fully described and mathematically quantized by grain morphology statistics for the first time. A new methodology to figure out the CET location by linear regression of grain mean size with least-squares arithmetic was established, by which a composition design strategy for Fe-Mn-C TWIP steel according to solidification microstructure, matrix compactness, and homogeneity was developed.

Repeatability and responsiveness of exercise tests in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

PubMed

Mainguy, Vincent; Malenfant, Simon; Neyron, Anne-Sophie; Bonnet, Sébastien; Maltais, François; Saey, Didier; Provencher, Steeve

2013-08-01

Exercise tolerance in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is most commonly assessed by the 6-min walk test (6MWT). Whether endurance exercise tests are more responsive than the 6MWT remains unknown. 20 stable PAH patients (mean±sd age 53±15 years and mean pulmonary arterial pressure 44±16 mmHg) already on PAH monotherapy completed the 6MWT, the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) and the cycle endurance test (CET) before and after the addition of sildenafil citrate 20 mg three times daily or placebo for 28 days in a randomised double-blind crossover setting. Pre- or post-placebo tests were used to assess repeatability of each exercise test, whereas pre- or post-sildenafil citrate tests were used to assess their responsiveness. Sildenafil citrate led to placebo-corrected changes in exercise capacity of 18±25 m (p = 0.02), 58±235 s (p = 0.58) and 29±77 s (p = 0.09) for the 6MWT, the ESWT and the CET, respectively. The 6MWT was associated with a lower coefficient of variation between repeated measures (3% versus 18% versus 13%), resulting in a higher standardised response mean compared with endurance tests (0.72, 0.25 and 0.38 for the 6MWT, the ESWT and the CET, respectively). The 6MWT had the best ability to capture changes in exercise capacity when sildenafil citrate was combined with patients' baseline monotherapy, supporting its use as an outcome measure in PAH.

First detection of thermal radio emission from solar-type stars with the Karl G. Jansky very large array

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Villadsen, Jackie; Hallinan, Gregg; Bourke, Stephen

2014-06-20

We present the first detections of thermal radio emission from the atmospheres of solar-type stars τ Cet, η Cas A, and 40 Eri A. These stars all resemble the Sun in age and level of magnetic activity, as indicated by X-ray luminosity and chromospheric emission in Ca II H and K lines. We observed these stars with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array with sensitivities of a few μJy at combinations of 10.0, 15.0, and 34.5 GHz. τ Cet, η Cas A, and 40 Eri A are all detected at 34.5 GHz with signal-to-noise ratios of 6.5, 5.2, andmore » 4.5, respectively. 15.0 GHz upper limits imply a rising spectral index greater than 1.0 for τ Cet and 1.6 for η Cas A, at the 95% confidence level. The measured 34.5 GHz flux densities correspond to stellar disk-averaged brightness temperatures of roughly 10,000 K, similar to the solar brightness temperature at the same frequency. We explain this emission as optically thick thermal free-free emission from the chromosphere, with possible contributions from coronal gyroresonance emission above active regions and coronal free-free emission. These and similar quality data on other nearby solar-type stars, when combined with Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array observations, will enable the construction of temperature profiles of their chromospheres and lower transition regions.« less

International network on endocrine complications in thalassaemia (I-CET): an opportunity to grow.

PubMed

De Sanctis, V; Soliman, A T; Angastiniotis, M; Eleftheriou, A; Kattamis, Ch; Karimi, M; El Kholy, M; Elsedfy, H; Yassin, Mohd Abdel Daem Mohd; El Awwa, A; Stoeva, I; Skordis, N; Raiola, G; Fiscina, B

2012-04-01

Most of the endocrine complications in thalassaemia are attributable to iron overload which may be the result of economic circumstances (expense of the chelation therapy), late onset of chelation therapy or poor compliance with the iron chelation therapy. The major difficulties reported by hematologists or pediatric endocrinologists experienced in thalassaemias or thalassaemia syndromes in following growth disorders and endocrine complications were: lack of familiarity with medical treatment of endocrine complications (40%), interpretation of endocrine tests (30%), costs (65%), absence of paediatric endocrinologist for consultation on growth disorders and endocrine complications (27%), facilities (27%), other (e.g. lack of collaboration and on-time consultation between thalassaemic Centers supervised by hematologists and endocrinologists) (17%). Because any progress we make in research into growth disorders and endocrine complications in thalassaemia should be passed on to all those suffering from it, guaranteeing them the same therapeutic benefits and the same quality of life, on the 8th of May, 2009 in Ferrara (Italy), the International Network on Endocrine Complications in Thalassemia (I-CET) was founded. The I-CET group is planning to conduct, in Ferrara in May 2012, a workshop, "MRI and Endocrine Complications in Thalassaemia", and in Doha (Qatar) in September 2012, a 3-day intensive course entitled, "Growth disorders and Endocrine Complications in Thalassaemia", to provide interested pediatricians, physicians and hematologists from all over the world with an in-depth approach to the diagnosis and management of growth and endocrine disorders in thalassaemic patients.

Supervised Phase II Cardiac Exercise Therapy Shortens the Recovery of Exercise Capacity in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

PubMed Central

Lee, Chih-Wei; Wang, Ji-Hung; Hsieh, Jen-Che; Hsieh, Tsung-Cheng; Wu, Yu-Zu; Chen, Tung-Wei; Huang, Chien-Hui

2014-01-01

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of Phase II cardiac exercise therapy (CET) on exercise capacity and changes in coronary risk factors (CRFs) of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). [Subjects] Thirty male subjects with AMI were divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). Another 30 age-matched subjects with patent coronary arteries served as a normal-control group (NCG). [Methods] Subjects in EG (n=20) trained using a stationary bicycle for 30 min at their target heart rate twice a week for 8 weeks. Exercise capacity was defined as the maximal metabolic equivalents (METs) that subjects reached during the symptom-limited maximal exercise test. HR, BP and RPP were recorded. Subjects in EG and CG received exercise tests and screening for CRFs at the beginning of, end of, and 3 months after Phase II CET, while subjects in NCG participated only in the 1st test. [Results] METs of CG did not improve until the 3rd test, while RPP at the 2nd test showed a significant increase. However, EG showed increased METs at the 2nd test without increase of RPP, and increased their high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) during the follow-up period between the 2nd and 3rd tests. [Conclusion] Phase II CET shortens the recovery time of exercise capacity, helps to maintain the gained exercise capacity and increases HDL-C in phase III. PMID:25276046

Molecular dynamics study of vacancy-like defects in a model glass : static behaviour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Delaye, J. M.; Limoge, Y.

1993-10-01

The possibility of defining vacancy-like defects in a Lennard-Jones glass is searched for in a systematic manner. Considering different relaxation levels of the same system, as well as different external pressures, we use a Molecular Dynamics simulation method, to study at constant volume or external pressure, the relaxation of a “piece” of glass, after the sudden removal of an atom. Three typical kinds of behaviour can be observed: the persistence of the empty volume left by the missing atom, its migration by clearly identifiable atomic jumps and the dissipation “on the spot”. A careful analysis of the probabilities of these three kinds of behaviour shows that a meaningful definition of vacancy-like defects can be given in a Lennard-Jones glass. Dans cet article, nous nous penchons de façon systématique sur la possibilité de définir des défauts de type lacunaire dans un verre de Lennard-Jones, à différents niveaux de relaxation et de pression, par une méthode de simulation numérique en dynamique moléculaire à volume ou à pression constants. Le défaut est créé en supprimant un atome et en suivant la réponse du système. Nous observons trois comportements typiques : la persistance sur place du “trou” laissé par l'atome supprimé, sa migration par des sauts atomiques clairement identifiés et enfin sa dissipation sur place. Une analyse détaillée de ces trois comportements montre qu'il est possible dans un verre de Lennard-Jones de définir des défauts de type lacunaire.

Analyse de l'effet des courants induits sur l'impédance d'un système électromagnétique alimenté en tension BF ou HF. Utilisation de la méthode des circuits couplés

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maouche, B.; Feliachi, M.

1997-10-01

In this paper, a study of the interaction between the inductor and the load of an axisymmetrical induction device is proposed. This interaction concerns the effect of the eddy current on both the excitation current and on the system impedance. A half analytical model, based on a numerical discretization of the electromagnetic solution domain, is used. In each cell of the numerical discretization, an analytical calculation using the Moment Method (MM) is considered. In the case of strong skin effect (High Frequency: HF), the formulation makes use of the Impedance Boundary Condition (IBC); in the contrary case (Low Frequency: LF), the interior domain is discretized. Dans cet article nous proposons l'étude de l'influence d'une charge (induit) conductrice sur la répartition du courant inducteur ainsi que sur l'impédance du système. L'inducteur est à géométrie axisymétrique de forme solénoïdale ou pancake destiné au chauffage par induction. Une méthode semi-analytique, basée sur une discrétisation du domaine en mailles élémentaires auxquelles s'applique une formulation intégrale (Méthode des Circuits Couplés : MCC) des grandeurs électromagnétiques, est utilisée. Dans le cas où l'effet de peau est important (Haute Fréquence:HF), la formulation associe la Condition d'Impédance de Surface; dans le cas contraire (Basse Fréquence : BF), un maillage du domaine interne est pratiqué.

Tensions entre rationalité technique et intérêts politiques : l’exemple de la mise en œuvre de la Loi sur les agences de développement de réseaux locaux de services de santé et de services sociaux au Québec

PubMed Central

Contandriopoulos, D.; Hudon, Raymond; Martin, Elisabeth; Thompson, Daniel

2013-01-01

Sommaire L’objet de cet article est constitué par les processus décisionnels entourant la mise en œuvre de la Loi sur les agences de développement de réseaux locaux de services de santé et de services sociaux (Loi 25). Nous entendons mettre en lumière les stratégies des groupes ou institutions de diverses natures qui ont fait valoir leurs préférences et ont tenté, avec un succès inégal, d’influencer les décisions relatives à cette réforme majeure de la structure du système de santé québécois. Au plan théorique, nous nous appuyons principalement sur les modèles d’analyse du lobbying qui, depuis les travaux fondateurs de Milbrath (1960, 1963), présentent cette pratique comme un processus fondamental d’échange d’information. Selon les données colligées dans les retranscriptions d’entrevues, les stratégies observées correspondent effectivement aux caractéristiques constitutives du lobbying et, dans quelques situations, à celles du patronage. La combinaison de ces divers éléments révèle que la mise en œuvre de la Loi 25 s’avère être avant tout un processus proprement politique. Ainsi, furent relégués au second plan les arguments techniques qui composaient initialement les objectifs de la Loi. PMID:23509412

Conception, elaboration et mise a l'essai d'un simulateur interactif permettant une approche modelisante: Application aux lois de la genetique mendelienne

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lasri, Abdel-Halim

Dans cette recherche-developpement, nous avons concu, developpe et mis a l'essai un simulateur interactif pour favoriser l'apprentissage des lois probabilistes impliqees dans la genetique mendelienne. Cet environnement informatise devra permettre aux etudiants de mener des experiences simulees, utilisant les statistiques et les probebilites comme outils mathematiques pour modeliser le phenomene de la transmission des caracteres hereditaires. L'approche didactique est essentiellement orientee vers l'utilisation des methodes quantitatives impliquees dans l'experimentation des facteurs hereditaires. En incorporant au simulateur le principe de la "Lunette cognitive" de Nonnon (1986), l'etudiant fut place dans une situation ou il a pu synchroniser la perception de la representation iconique (concrete) et symbolique (abstraite) des lois probabilistes de Mendel. A l'aide de cet environnement, nous avons amene l'etudiant a identifier le(s) caractere(s) hereditaire(s) des parents a croiser, a predire les frequences phenotypiques probables de la descendance issue du croisement, a observer les resultats statistiques et leur fluctuation au niveau de l'histogramme des frequences, a comparer ces resultats aux predictions anticipees, a interpreter les donnees et a selectionner en consequence d'autres experiences a realiser. Les etapes de l'approche inductive sont privilegiees du debut a la fin des activites proposees. L'elaboration, du simulateur et des documents d'accompagnement, a ete concue a partir d'une vingtaine de principes directeurs et d'un modele d'action. Ces principes directeurs et le modele d'action decoulent de considerations theoriques psychologiques, didactiques et technologiques. La recherche decrit la structure des differentes parties composant le simulateur. L'architecture de celui-ci est construite autour d'une unite centrale, la "Principale", dont les liens et les ramifications avec les autres unites confere a l'ensemble du simulateur sa souplesse et sa facilite d'utilisation. Le simulateur "Genetique", a l'etat de prototype, et la documentation qui lui est afferente ont ete soumis a deux mises a l'essai: l'une fonctionnelle, l'autre empirique. La mise a l'essai fonctionnelle, menee aupres d'un groupe d'enseignants experts, a permis d'identifier les lacunes du materiel elabore afin de lui apporter les reajustements qui s'imposaient. La mise a l'essai empirique, conduite par un groupe de onze (11) etudiants de niveau secondaire, avait pour but, d'une part, de tester la facilite d'utilisation du simulateur "Genetique" ainsi que les documents d'accompagnement et, d'autre part, de verifier si les participants retiraient des avantages pedagogiques de cet environnement. Trois techniques furent exploitees pour recolter les donnees de la mise a l'essai empirique. L'analyse des resultats a permis de faire un retour critique sur les productions concretes de cette recherche et d'apporter les modifications necessaires tant au simulateur qu'aux documents d'accompagnement. Cette analyse a permis egalement de conclure que notre simulateur interactif favorise une approche inductive permettant aux etudiants de s'approprier les lois probabilistes de Mendel. Enfin, la conclusion degage des pistes de recherches destinees aux etudes ulterieures, plus particulierement celles qui s'interessent a developper des simulateurs, afin d'integrer a ceux-ci des representations concretes et abstraites presentees en temps reel. Les disquettes du simulateur "Genetique" et les documents d'accompagnement sont annexes a la presente recherche.

L’érysipèle sur cicatrice post opératoire en traumatologie: à propos d'un cas et revue de la littérature

PubMed Central

Abid, Hatim; El Idrissi, Mohamed; Shimi, Mohamed; El Ibrahimi, Abdelhalim; El Mrini, Abdelmajid; Amraoui, Nissrine; Mernissi, Fatima Zohra

2015-01-01

L’érysipèle sur cicatrice post opératoire est une entité rare, décrite principalement chez des patients présentant les facteurs de risque classiques de la maladie au niveau des sites de veinectomie pour pontage coronarien. En traumatologie orthopédie, nous n'avons que les 3 cas rapportés dans le travail de Dhrif survenus au décours d'une implantation prothétique chez des malades à risque. Nous présentons à travers cet article, le cas d'un érysipèle post opératoire sur une cicatrice d'ostéosynthèse d'une fracture fermée du pilon tibial, ayant la particularité du terrain et des circonstances de survenues, pour enfin conclure aux principes de la prévention primaire à adopter. PMID:26401204

YBa_2Cu_3O_{7-δ} : in pursuit of the ideal microstructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, D. S.; Suasmoro, S.; Lejeune, M.; Rabier, J.; Denanot, M. F.; Heintz, J. M.; Magro, C.; Bonnet, J. P.

1992-02-01

This paper examines the role of different factors in the microstructure of ceramic YBa2Cu3O{7-δ} with emphasis on its electrical response. In particular we discuss : 1. the effect of microstructural variations on j_c and ρ_{300}, 2. measurement of j_c, 3. the presence of minor phases and carbonates, 4. oxygen uptake and microcracks, 5. plastic deformation and related structural defects. Dans cet article, nous examinons d'une part la réponse électrique de céramiques supraconductrices massives de type YBa2Cu3O{7-δ} et d'autre part sa relation avec la microstructure. Nous présenterons successivement : 1. L'incidence de modifications microstructurales sur les valeurs de j_c et ρ_{300}, 2. les mesures expérimentales de j_c, 3. la présence de phases minoritaires et de carbonates, 4. la reprise d'oxygène et la microfissuration, 5. la déformation plastique et les défauts structuraux associés.

Dégénérescence Maculaire Liée à l' âge et Risque d' Accident Vasculaire Cérébral

PubMed Central

Biousse, Valérie; Bousser, Marie-Germaine; Gaudric, Alain

2010-01-01

La dégénérescence maculaire liée à l' âge (DMLA) et les accidents vasculaires cérébraux (AVC) affectent un nombre important de sujets de plus de 40 ans à travers le monde et contribuent largement aux dépenses de la santé. Les causes de la DMLA restent mystérieuses et de nombreuses études épidémiologiques ont suggéré une association entre DMLA et facteurs de risque cardio-vasculaire associés aux AVC. Il a également été suggéré que les patients atteints de DMLA ont un risque plus important d' AVC que la population générale du même âge. Les arguments en faveur de cette association entre DMLA et AVC sont résumés dans cet article. PMID:18401309

CONCLUSIONS ET RECOMMANDATIONS À L’ISSUE DE LA CONSULTATION DE L’OMS SUR LA LUTTE CONTRE LA CARENCE MARTIALE CHEZ LE NOURRISSON ET LE JEUNE ENFANT DANS LES PAYS D’ENDÉMIE PALUSTRE

PubMed Central

Allen, L.; Black, R.E.; Brandes, N.; Brittenham, G.; Chazot, G.; Chunming, C.; Crawley, J.; de Benoist, B.; Dalmiya, N.; Darnton-Hill, I.; Dewey, K.; El-Arifeen, S.; Fontaine, O.; Geissler, C.; Haberle, H.; Harvey, P.; Hasler, J.; Hershko, C.; Hurrell, R.; Juma, M.A.; Lönnerdal, B.; Lozoff, B.; Lynch, S.; Salgado, H. Martines; McLean, E.; Metz, J.; Oppenheimer, S.; Premji, Z.; Prentice, A.; Ramsan, M.; Ratledge, C.; Stoltzfus, R.; Tielsch, J.; Winachagoon, P.

2011-01-01

Cet article présentent les résultats d'une Consultation d'Experts dont l'objectif était d'évaluer l'efficacité et l'innocuité des suppléments de fer administrés aux nourrissons et aux jeunes enfants dans les zones d’endémie palustre, ainsi que les conséquences d’une telle mesure pour la santé publique. Les participants à cette Consultation, qui s’est déroulée à Lyon (France) les 12–14 juin 2006, se sont entendus sur plusieurs questions importantes concernant l’administration d’une supplémentation martiale aux nourrissons et aux jeunes enfants dans les zones d’endémie palustre. Les conclusions du présent rapport s’appliquent plus particulièrement aux pays où le paludisme est endémique. PMID:18630054

First detection of nonflare microwave emissions from the coronae of single late-type dwarf stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gary, D. E.; Linsky, J. L.

1981-01-01

Results are presented of a search for nonflare microwave radiation from the coronae of nearby late-type dwarf stars comparable to the sun: single stars without evidence for either a large wind or circumstellar envelope. The observing program consisted of flux measurements of six stars over a 24-h period with the VLA in the C configuration at a wavelength of 6 cm with 50 MHz bandwidth. Positive detections at 6 cm were made for Chi 1 Ori (0.6 mJy) and the flare star UV Cet (1.55 mJy), and upper limits were obtained for the stars Pi 1 UMa, Xi Boo A, 70 Oph A and Epsilon Eri. It is suggested that Chi 1 Ori, and possibly UV Cet, represent the first detected members of a new class of radio sources which are driven by gyroresonance emission, i.e. cyclotron emission from nonrelativistic Maxwellian electrons.

Design of a Forward Looking Synthetic Aperture Radar for an Autonomous Cryobot for Subsurface Exploration of Europa and Enceladus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pradhan, O.; Gasiewski, A. J.; Stone, W.

2017-12-01

We present the design, analyses and field testing of a forward-looking endfire synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for the `Very deep Autonomous Laser-powered Kilowatt-class Yo-yoing Robotic Ice explorer' (VALKYRIE) ice-penetrating cryobot. This design demonstrates critical technologies that will support an eventual landing and ice penetrating mission to Jupiter's icy moon, Europa. The project consists of (1) design of an array of four conformal cavity-backed log-periodic folded slot dipole array (LPFSA) antennas that form the radiating elements, (2) design of a radar system that includes RF signal generation, 4x4 transmit-receive antenna switching and isolation and digital SAR data processing and (3) field testing of the SAR system. The antennas were designed, fabricated, and lab tested at the Center for Environmental Technology (CET) at CU-Boulder. The radar analog and digital system were also designed and integrated at CET utilizing rugged RF components and FPGA based digital waveform generation. Field testing was performed in conjunction with VALKYRIE tests by Stone Aerospace in June, 2015 on Matanuska Glacier, Alaska. In this presentation we will describe in detail the following aspects pertaining to the design, analysis and testing of the endfire SAR system; (1) Waveform generation capability of the radar as well as transmit and receive channel calibration (2) Theoretical analysis of the radial resolution improvement made possible by using the radar in an endfire SAR mode along with the free space radar tests performed to validate the proposed endfire SAR system (3) A method for azimuth ambiguity resolution by operating the endfire SAR in a bistatic mode (4) Modal analysis of the layered cylindrical LPFSA antenna structure and a forward model of the wave propagation path through planar layered ice medium and (5) Analysis and interpretation of the in-situ measurements of the antennas and endfire SAR operation on the Matanuska glacier.

Phenotypic and genotypic analysis of benzimidazole resistance in the ovine parasite Nematodirus battus.

PubMed

Morrison, Alison A; Mitchell, Sian; Mearns, Rebecca; Richards, Iain; Matthews, Jacqui B; Bartley, David J

2014-12-09

Benzimidazole resistance is common amongst many ovine trichostrongylid nematodes species globally. Although anthelmintics have been used for over half a century in some areas of the world for the control of Nematodirus battus, resistance has never been detected. Veterinary investigations conducted in 2010 demonstrated reduced efficacy in a flock that had been treated previously with fenbendazole (FBZ), suggesting probable resistance in N. battus. Infective larvae (L3; designated MNba2) were generated from the original material to conduct a controlled efficacy test (CET). Faecal egg counts showed an average of 37% reduction in the FBZ treated group 7 days post treatment compared to the untreated lambs. Average worm burden results showed no reduction after FBZ treatment compared to the untreated group (3850 and 3850 worms respectively). A molecular assay to assess the frequency of the commonly associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene, F200Y and E198A, was developed. Larval genotypes were predominantly homozygous resistant at codon 200 SNP, ranging from 56%-83% and remained stable at 70% for adult worm populations taken from treated and control lambs in the CET. Only susceptible genotypes were found at codon 198. The allele frequency for F200Y ranged between 80-83% in adult worms taken from the CET from treated and control lambs. The results confirmed initial findings and demonstrated the first report of FBZ resistance in N. battus whilst providing evidence that the P200 point mutation in the β-tubulin isotype 1 gene is a potential mechanism of resistance in the species.

Growth and endocrine disorders in thalassemia: The international network on endocrine complications in thalassemia (I-CET) position statement and guidelines

PubMed Central

De Sanctis, Vincenzo; Soliman, Ashraf T.; Elsedfy, Heba; Skordis, Nicos; Kattamis, Christos; Angastiniotis, Michael; Karimi, Mehran; Yassin, Mohd Abdel Daem Mohd; El Awwa, Ahmed; Stoeva, Iva; Raiola, Giuseppe; Galati, Maria Concetta; Bedair, Elsaid M.; Fiscina, Bernadette; El Kholy, Mohamed

2013-01-01

The current management of thalassemia includes regular transfusion programs and chelation therapy. It is important that physicians be aware that endocrine abnormalities frequently develop mainly in those patients with significant iron overload due to poor compliance to treatment, particularly after the age of 10 years. Since the quality of life of thalassemia patients is a fundamental aim, it is vital to monitor carefully their growth and pubertal development in order to detect abnormalities and to initiate appropriate and early treatment. Abnormalities should be identified and treatment initiated in consultation with a pediatric or an adult endocrinologist and managed accordingly. Appropriate management shall put in consideration many factors such as age, severity of iron overload, presence of chronic liver disease, thrombophilia status, and the presence of psychological problems. All these issues must be discussed by the physician in charge of the patient's care, the endocrinologist and the patient himself. Because any progress in research in the field of early diagnosis and management of growth disorders and endocrine complications in thalassemia should be passed on to and applied adequately to all those suffering from the disease, on the 8 May 2009 in Ferrara, the International Network on Endocrine Complications in Thalassemia (I-CET) was founded in order to transmit the latest information on these disorders to the treating physicians. The I-CET position statement outlined in this document applies to patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia major to help physicians to anticipate, diagnose, and manage these complications properly. PMID:23776848

A Simple Evaluation Tool (ET-CET) Indicates Increase of Diagnostic Skills From Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy Training Courses: A Prospective Observational European Multicenter Study.

PubMed

Albert, J G; Humbla, O; McAlindon, M E; Davison, C; Seitz, U; Fraser, C; Hagenmüller, F; Noetzel, E; Spada, C; Riccioni, M E; Barnert, J; Filmann, N; Keuchel, M

2015-10-01

Small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) has become a first line diagnostic tool. Several training courses with a similar format have been established in Europe; however, data on learning curve and training in SBCE remain sparse.Between 2008 and 2011, different basic SBCE training courses were organized internationally in UK (n = 2), Italy (n = 2), Germany (n = 2), Finland (n = 1), and nationally in Germany (n = 10), applying similar 8-hour curricula with 50% lectures and 50% hands-on training. The Given PillCam System was used in 12 courses, the Olympus EndoCapsule system in 5, respectively. A simple evaluation tool for capsule endoscopy training (ET-CET) was developed using 10 short SBCE videos including relevant lesions and normal or irrelevant findings. For each video, delegates were required to record a diagnosis (achievable total score from 0 to 10) and the clinical relevance (achievable total score 0 to 10). ET-CET was performed at baseline before the course and repeated, with videos in altered order, after the course.Two hundred ninety-four delegates (79.3% physicians, 16.3% nurses, 4.4% others) were included for baseline analysis, 268 completed the final evaluation. Forty percent had no previous experience in SBCE, 33% had performed 10 or less procedures. Median scores for correct diagnosis improved from 4.0 (IQR 3) to 7.0 (IQR 3) during the courses (P < 0.001, Wilcoxon), and for correct classification of relevance of the lesions from 5.0 (IQR 3) to 7.0 (IQR 3) (P < 0.001), respectively. Improvement was not dependent on experience, profession, SBCE system, or course setting. Previous experience in SBCE was associated with higher baseline scores for correct diagnosis (P < 0.001; Kruskal-Wallis). Additionally, independent nonparametric partial correlation with experience in gastroscopy (rho 0.33) and colonoscopy (rho 0.27) was observed (P < 0.001).A simple ET-CET demonstrated significant improvement of diagnostic skills on completion of formal basic SBCE courses with hands-on training, regardless of preexisting experience, profession, and course setting. Baseline scores for correct diagnoses show a plateau after interpretation of 25 SBCE before courses, supporting this number as a compromise for credentialing. Experience in flexible endoscopy may be useful before attending an SBCE course.

Speckle interferometric measurements of binary stars. IX

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartkopf, W. I.; Gaston, B. J.; Fekel, F. C.; Hendry, E. M.; Mcalister, H. A.

1984-01-01

Four hundred-forty measurements of 232 binary stars observed during 1981 by means of speckle interferometry with the 4-m telescope at KPNO are represented. Newly resolved systems include Xi-1 Cet, Rho Her A, HD 187321, and 59 Cyg A.

A Last Look Back at Vesta

NASA Image and Video Library

2012-09-05

This image is from the last sequence of images NASA Dawn spacecraft obtained of the giant asteroid Vesta, looking down at Vesta north pole as it was departing. Dawn escaped from Vesta orbit on Sept. 4, 2012 PDT Sept. 5, 2012 CET.

The internal structure of ZZ Cet stars using quantitative asteroseismology: The case of R548

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giammichele, N.; Fontaine, G.; Brassard, P.; Charpinet, S.

2014-02-01

We explore quantitatively the low but sufficient sensitivity of oscillation modes to probe both the core composition and the details of the chemical stratification of pulsating white dwarfs. Until recently, applications of asteroseismic methods to pulsating white dwarfs have been far and few, and have generally suffered from an insufficient exploration of parameter space. To remedy this situation, we apply to white dwarfs the same double-optimization technique that has been used quite successfully in the context of pulsating hot B subdwarfs. Based on the frequency spectrum of the pulsating white dwarf R548, we are able to unravel in a robust way the unique onion-like stratification and the chemical composition of the star. Independent confirmations from both spectroscopic analyses and detailed evolutionary calculations including diffusion provide crucial consistency checks and add to the credibility of the inferred seismic model. More importantly, these results boost our confidence in the reliability of the forward method for sounding white dwarf internal structure with asteroseismology.

Data management and analysis for the Earth System Grid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, D. N.; Ananthakrishnan, R.; Bernholdt, D. E.; Bharathi, S.; Brown, D.; Chen, M.; Chervenak, A. L.; Cinquini, L.; Drach, R.; Foster, I. T.; Fox, P.; Hankin, S.; Henson, V. E.; Jones, P.; Middleton, D. E.; Schwidder, J.; Schweitzer, R.; Schuler, R.; Shoshani, A.; Siebenlist, F.; Sim, A.; Strand, W. G.; Wilhelmi, N.; Su, M.

2008-07-01

The international climate community is expected to generate hundreds of petabytes of simulation data within the next five to seven years. This data must be accessed and analyzed by thousands of analysts worldwide in order to provide accurate and timely estimates of the likely impact of climate change on physical, biological, and human systems. Climate change is thus not only a scientific challenge of the first order but also a major technological challenge. In order to address this technological challenge, the Earth System Grid Center for Enabling Technologies (ESG-CET) has been established within the U.S. Department of Energy's Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC)-2 program, with support from the offices of Advanced Scientific Computing Research and Biological and Environmental Research. ESG-CET's mission is to provide climate researchers worldwide with access to the data, information, models, analysis tools, and computational capabilities required to make sense of enormous climate simulation datasets. Its specific goals are to (1) make data more useful to climate researchers by developing Grid technology that enhances data usability; (2) meet specific distributed database, data access, and data movement needs of national and international climate projects; (3) provide a universal and secure web-based data access portal for broad multi-model data collections; and (4) provide a wide-range of Grid-enabled climate data analysis tools and diagnostic methods to international climate centers and U.S. government agencies. Building on the successes of the previous Earth System Grid (ESG) project, which has enabled thousands of researchers to access tens of terabytes of data from a small number of ESG sites, ESG-CET is working to integrate a far larger number of distributed data providers, high-bandwidth wide-area networks, and remote computers in a highly collaborative problem-solving environment.

A 305 year monthly rainfall series for the Island of Ireland (1711-2016)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murphy, Conor; Burt, Tim P.; Broderick, Ciaran; Duffy, Catriona; Macdonald, Neil; Matthews, Tom; McCarthy, Mark P.; Mullan, Donal; Noone, Simon; Ryan, Ciara; Thorne, Peter; Walsh, Seamus; Wilby, Robert L.

2017-04-01

This paper derives a continuous 305-year monthly rainfall series for the Island of Ireland (IoI) for the period 1711-2016. Two key data sources are employed: i) a previously unpublished UK Met Office Note which compiled annual rainfall anomalies and corresponding monthly per mille amounts from weather diaries and early observational records for the period 1711-1977; and ii) a long-term, homogenised monthly IoI rainfall series for the period 1850-2016. Using estimates of long-term average precipitation sampled from the quality assured series, the full record is reconstituted and insights drawn regarding notable periods and the range of climate variability and change experienced. Consistency with other long records for the region is examined, including: the England and Wales Precipitation series (EWP; 1766-2016); the early EWP Glasspoole series (1716-1765) and the Central England Temperature series (CET; 1711-2016). Strong correspondence between all records is noted from 1780 onwards. While disparities are evident between the early EWP and Ireland series, the latter shows strong decadal consistency with CET throughout the record. In addition, independent, early observations from Cork and Dublin, along with available documentary sources, corroborate the derived series and add confidence to our reconstruction. The new IoI rainfall record reveals that the wettest decades occurred in the early 18th Century, despite the fact that IoI has experienced a long-term winter wetting trend consistent with climate model projections. These exceptionally wet winters of the 1720s and 1730s were concurrent with almost unprecedented warmth in the CET, glacial advance throughout Scandinavia, and glacial retreat in West Greenland, consistent with a wintertime NAO-type forcing. Our study therefore demonstrates the value of long-term observational records for providing insight to the natural climate variability of the North Atlantic region.

The chemical exposure toxicity space (CETS) model: Displaying exposure time, aqueous and organic concentration, activity, and onset of toxicity.

PubMed

Mackay, Donald; Celsie, Alena K D; Parnis, J Mark; McCarty, Lynn S; Arnot, Jon A; Powell, David E

2017-05-01

A 1-compartment toxicokinetic model is used to characterize the chemical exposure toxicity space (CETS), providing a novel graphic tool that can aid in the design of aquatic toxicity tests for fish and for interpreting their results. The graph depicts the solution to the differential equation describing the uptake kinetics of a chemical by a modeled fish under conventional bioassay conditions. The model relates the exposure concentration in the water to a dimensionless time and the onset of toxicity as determined by an estimated or assumed critical body residue or incipient lethal aqueous concentration. These concentration graphs are specific to each chemical and exposure and organism parameters and clearly demonstrate differences in toxicity between chemicals and how factors such as hydrophobicity influence the toxic endpoint. The CETS plots can also be used to assess bioconcentration test conditions to ensure that concentrations are well below toxic levels. Illustrative applications are presented using a recent set of high-quality toxicity data. Conversion of concentrations to chemical activities in the plots enables results for different baseline toxicants to be superimposed. For chemicals that have different modes of toxic action, the increased toxicity then becomes apparent. Implications for design and interpretation of aquatic toxicity tests are discussed. The model, and pictorial visualization of the time-course of aquatic toxicity tests, may contribute to improvements in test design, implementation, and interpretation, and to reduced animal usage. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:1389-1396. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Dissociable contributions of dorsal and ventral striatal regions on a rodent cost/benefit decision-making task requiring cognitive effort.

PubMed

Silveira, Mason M; Tremblay, Melanie; Winstanley, Catharine A

2018-04-24

Cognitive effort is a ubiquitous process, yet surprisingly little is known about the brain mechanisms responsible for evaluating it. Here, we utilize the rat Cognitive Effort Task (rCET) to probe the striatum's role in deciding between options that vary in the amount of cognitive effort required for success. In the rCET, animals choose to perform either an easy trial, in which the attentional demand is low but the potential reward is small, or a difficult trial which is more attentionally demanding but can yield twice the sugar pellets. Twenty-six male Long Evans rats were trained on the rCET and the effects of pharmacologically inactivating the dorsomedial striatum (DMS) and core region of the nucleus accumbens were determined. Temporary inactivation of the DMS decreased all animals' choice of the high-effort, high-reward option, impaired attentional accuracy, and robustly increased premature responding without impairing general indices of motor ability. The DMS therefore appears necessary for the integration of cognitive signals required for optimal performance. In stark contrast, following temporary inactivation of the ventral striatum, subjects were fundamentally unable to perform the task, as reflected by a drastic decrease in the number of trials initiated and an increase in omitted responses. Together, these data suggest the striatum is likely part of a larger cortico-limbic-striatal network whose function is to optimize decisions requiring cognitive effort costs, at least in the attentional domain, and that striatal subregions have dissociable roles in the adjudication and application of this form of cognitive effort. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identifying specific cues and contexts related to bingeing behavior for the development of effective virtual environments.

PubMed

Pla-Sanjuanelo, Joana; Ferrer-García, Marta; Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José; Riva, Giuseppe; Andreu-Gracia, Alexis; Dakanalis, Antonios; Fernandez-Aranda, Fernando; Forcano, Laura; Ribas-Sabaté, Joan; Riesco, Nadine; Rus-Calafell, Mar; Sánchez, Isabel; Sanchez-Planell, Luís

2015-04-01

Binge eating behavior constitutes a central feature of both bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED). Cue exposure therapy (CET) has been proposed as an effective intervention. To determine which situations and specific cues trigger higher levels of binge craving and to use the results in the development of virtual reality scenarios in which CET could be applied with BN and BED patients. Participants were 101 outpatients, 50 with BED and 51 with BN, according to DSM-5 criteria, and 63 healthy undergraduate students who completed a self-administered questionnaire to assess binge craving. The likelihood of binge craving in the clinical group was greater when alone at home, during the afternoon/early evening and in the late evening/at night, at weekends, and at dinner time or between meals. Higher levels of craving were produced in the kitchen, bedroom, dining room, and bakery situations. With regard to the specific cues reported, the presence of and access to high calorie food and snacks was the most commonly reported cue. Although some gender differences regarding triggering factors were obtained, no statistical differences were observed between ED subtypes. BN and BED patients showed significantly higher levels of binge craving than controls in all the contexts except when feeling positive affect; in this situation, levels of craving were low in both groups. This information regarding trigger contexts and specific cues can be used to create valid and reliable virtual environments for CET. Indeed, the data from this study may serve to develop a wide range of situations with different levels of binge craving, in which the therapeutic aim is to extinguish conditioned responses and facilitate the generalization of craving extinction. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development and verification of an alcohol craving-induction tool using virtual reality: craving characteristics in social pressure situation.

PubMed

Cho, Sangwoo; Ku, Jeonghun; Park, Jinsick; Han, Kiwan; Lee, Hyeongrae; Choi, You Kyong; Jung, Young-Chul; Namkoong, Kee; Kim, Jae-Jin; Kim, In Young; Kim, Sun I; Shen, Dong Fan

2008-06-01

Alcoholism is a disease that affects parts of the brain that control emotion, decisions, and behavior. Therapy for people with alcoholism must address coping skills for facing high-risk situations. Therefore, it is important to develop tools to mimic such conditions. Cue exposure therapy (CET) provides high-risk situations during treatment, which raises the individual's ability to recognize that alcohol craving is being induced. Using CET, it is hard to simulate situations that induce alcohol craving. By contrast, virtual reality (VR) approaches can present realistic situations that cannot be experienced directly in CET. Therefore, we hypothesized that is possible to model social pressure situations using VR. We developed a VR system for inducing alcohol craving under social pressure situations and measured both the induced alcohol craving and head gaze of participants. A 2 x 2 experimental model (alcohol-related locality vs. social pressure) was designed. In situations without an avatar (no social pressure), more alcohol craving was induced if alcohol was present than if it was not. And more alcohol craving was induced in situations with an avatar (social pressure) than in situations without an avatar (no social pressure). The difference of angle between the direction of head gazing and the direction of alcohol or avatar was smaller in situations with an avatar alone (social pressure) than in situations with alcohol alone. In situations with both alcohol and an avatar, the angle between the direction of head gaze and the direction of the avatar was smaller than between the direction of head gaze and the direction of the alcohol. Considering the results, this VR system induces alcohol craving using an avatar that can express various social pressure situations.

In-Home Pulmonary Telerehabilitation for Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Pre-experimental Study on Effectiveness, Satisfaction, and Adherence.

PubMed

Marquis, Nicole; Larivée, Pierre; Saey, Didier; Dubois, Marie-France; Tousignant, Michel

2015-11-01

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) has proven effective in improving exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In Canada, however, there are insufficient rehabilitation services. New strategies such as telerehabilitation must be deployed to increase accessibility. This study aims to investigate the effect of telerehabilitation on exercise tolerance and quality of life and to document patient satisfaction and adherence. Twenty-six patients with moderate to very severe COPD participated in this pre-/postintervention study. They received 15 in-home teletreatment sessions over 8 weeks via videoconference from a service center to their home. Education was provided via self-learning health capsules. Assessments were carried out twice before (T0 and T1; 8 weeks apart) and immediately after the intervention (T2). Primary outcome measures were changes in exercise tolerance (6-min walk test [6MWT] and cycle endurance test [CET]) and quality of life (Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire [CRQ]). There were significant improvements between pre- and postintervention (T2-T1) on the 6MWT (32 m; p<0.001), CET (41 s; p=0.005), and three of four CRQ domains (dyspnea [p<0.001], fatigue [p=0.002], and emotion [p=0.002]). Improvements in the CET and fatigue during the 8-week intervention period were greater than changes over 8 weeks of maturation (T1-T0) (p=0.004 and 0.02, respectively). Participants' satisfaction and adherence rate with telerehabilitation were very high. Using telehealth technology to deliver in-home PR is a feasible and practical solution for patients with moderate to very severe COPD. The telerehabilitation program was associated with beneficial effects on exercise tolerance and quality of life and was well received by users.

The Missing Memory of Canadian Sociology: Reflexive Government and "the Social Science".

PubMed

Curtis, Bruce

2016-05-01

The modest literature on the history of Canadian Sociology takes the appearance of a named academic discipline as its object. Canadian Sociology is held to have had some precursors in the 1880s, but really to appear only in the 1920s. It is described as a foreign import and as an activity first of intellectual speculation and moral reform. Observational and analytic practice are absent before 1880. The activities of state agents and government departments in the social field are not discussed. This article offers a richer account through an examination of the larger field from which Sociology was extracted, "the social science," which was practiced actively in colonial Canada from the early nineteenth century. The social science shaped and was itself shaped by colonial conditions. The article outlines three interrelated moments in social science to carry its claims: inventory-making, the emergence of "population-thinking," and "reflexive government." Attending to the social science underlines the complex and convoluted relations of sociology with state power. Les rares oeuvrages académiques portant sur l'histoire de la sociologie canadienne prend pour objet l'apparition du terme dans le contexte universitaire. Dans cet optique, ils signalent certains précurseurs de la sociologie canadienne dès les années 1880, mais en fait ils affirment que cette discipline n'apparaît que dans les années 1920. Cette discipline est présentée comme une importation académique et, d'abord et avant tout, comme de la spéculation intellectuelle et comme un projet de réforme morale. D'après cette vision, les pratiques d'observation et d'analyse sociales ne semblent pas exister avant 1880, et les acteurs politiques et administratifs sont absents du terrain. Notre article propose un examen plus riche du vaste champ duquel la sociologie académique fut arrachée: activement pratiquée au Canada à l'époque coloniale dès le début du XIXe siècle. La science sociale forma et fut formée par les conditions sociales et politiques existant dans la colonie. Notre article expose trois moments pertinents et inter-reliés de la science sociale: la fabrication d'inventaires sociaux; l'émergence du , et l'exercice du . La réintégration de l'histoire de la sociologie canadienne dans la science sociale accentue la relation complexe et incontournable entre sociologie et pouvoir étatique. © 2016 Canadian Sociological Association/La Société canadienne de sociologie.

Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms: XXX. The middle B through early A stars ξ2 Ceti (B9 III), 21 Aquilae (B8 II-III), ι Aquilae (B5 III), and ι Delphini (A2V)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adelman, S. J.; Westbrook, P. C.; Gulliver, A. F.

2010-04-01

This series of high quality elemental abundance analyses of mostly main-sequence band normal and peculiar B, A, and F stars defines their properties and provides data for the comparison with the analyses of somewhat similar stars and with theoretical predictions. Most use high dispersion and high S/N (≥ 200) spectrograms obtained with CCD detectors at the long camera of the Coudé spectrograph of the 1.22-m Dominion Astrophysical Observatory telescope. Here we reanalyze 21 Aql with better quality spectra and increase the number of stars consistently analyzed in the spectral range B5 to A2 by analyzing three new stars for this series. In the early A stars the normal and non-mCP stars have abundances with overlapping ranges. But more stars are needed especially in the B5 to B9 range. ξ2 Cet on average has a solar composition with a few abundances outside the solar range while both 21 Aql and ι Aql have abundances marginally less than solar. The abundances of ι Del are greater than solar with a few elements such as Ca being less than solar. It is an Am star. Table 3 is only available in electronic form at the CDS via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/ftp/cats/J/other/AN/331/378

Observations of H-beta and He II lambda 4686 lines in the spectra of flares of UV Cet-type stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chugainov, P. F.; Petrov, P. P.; Scherbakov, A. G.

The main results of 45.4 hours of continuous spectroscopic and photoelectric B-band observations of AD Leo, DT Virgo, and YZ CMi are discussed. In two AD Leo flares and two YZ CMi flares, an increase of the central intensity of H-beta was observed 10-20 min before the maximum B-band brightness. The spectra of one AD Leo flare and one YZ CMi flare definitely indicate the formation of broad wings of H-beta occurring mainly during flare maximum. These flares surpass the other four in total optical energy. The Stark effect seems to be the most appropriate explanation for the origin of the wings. The upper limit of the equivalent widths of the He II wavelength 4686 line was higher than that in the quiet state. The equivalent width values cannot be explained by the cascade recombination mechanism if the ratio of optical and X-ray luminosities is nearly the same for all flares of UV Cet-type stars.

Characterization of a Trifunctional Mimivirus mRNA Capping Enzyme and Crystal Structure of the RNA Triphosphatase Domain

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Benarroch,D.; Smith, P.; Shuman, S.

2008-01-01

The RNA triphosphatase (RTPase) components of the mRNA capping apparatus are a bellwether of eukaryal taxonomy. Fungal and protozoal RTPases belong to the triphosphate tunnel metalloenzyme (TTM) family, exemplified by yeast Cet1. Several large DNA viruses encode metal-dependent RTPases unrelated to the cysteinyl-phosphatase RTPases of their metazoan host organisms. The origins of DNA virus RTPases are unclear because they are structurally uncharacterized. Mimivirus, a giant virus of amoeba, resembles poxviruses in having a trifunctional capping enzyme composed of a metal-dependent RTPase module fused to guanylyltransferase (GTase) and guanine-N7 methyltransferase domains. The crystal structure of mimivirus RTPase reveals a minimized tunnelmore » fold and an active site strikingly similar to that of Cet1. Unlike homodimeric fungal RTPases, mimivirus RTPase is a monomer. The mimivirus TTM-type RTPase-GTase fusion resembles the capping enzymes of amoebae, providing evidence that the ancestral large DNA virus acquired its capping enzyme from a unicellular host.« less

ASCA X-ray spectra of the active single stars Beta Ceti and pi(1) Ursae Majoris

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Drake, S. A.; Singh, K. P.; White, N. E.; Simon, Theodore

1994-01-01

We present X-ray spectra obtaiined by ASCA of two single, active stars, the G dwarf pi(1) UMa, and the G9/K0 giant Beta Cet. The spectra of both stars require the presence of at least two plasma components with different temperatures, 0.3-0.4 keV and approximately 0.7 keV, in order for acceptable fits to be obtained. The spectral resolving power and signal-to-noise ratio of the solid state imaging spectrometer (SIS) spectra allow us to formally constrain the coronal abundances of a number of elements. In Beta Cet, we find Mg to be overabundant, while other elements such as O, Ne, and N are underabundant, relative to the solar photospheric values. From the lower signal-to-noise ratio SIS spectrum of pi(1) UMa, we find evidence for underabundances of O, Ne, and Fe. These results are discussed in the context of the present understanding of elemental abundances in solar and stellar coronae.

Psychometric properties of the Compulsive Exercise Test in an adolescent eating disorder population.

PubMed

Formby, Pam; Watson, Hunna J; Hilyard, Anna; Martin, Kate; Egan, Sarah J

2014-12-01

The objective of this study was to evaluate the factor structure, validity, and reliability of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) in an adolescent clinical eating disorder population. The data source was the Helping to Outline Paediatric Eating Disorders (HOPE) Project, a prospective ongoing registry study comprising consecutive pediatric tertiary eating disorder referrals. Adolescents (N=104; 12-17years) with eating disorders completed the CET and other measures. Factor structure, convergent validity, and internal consistency were evaluated. Despite failing to identify a factor structure, the study provided clear evidence of the multidimensionality of the measure. The total score correlated significantly with measures of eating pathology, perfectionism, and frequency of exercise for shape and weight control (r=0.32-0.70, ps<0.05). More research into the multidimensional nature of compulsive exercise in clinical populations is needed. Further, research into compulsive exercise offers promise as an addition to existing cognitive behavioral models and treatments for eating disorders. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Disordered Eating, Compulsive Exercise, and Sport Participation in a UK Adolescent Sample.

PubMed

Goodwin, Huw; Haycraft, Emma; Meyer, Caroline

2016-07-01

The sport literature has produced equivocal results as to whether sport participation is a protective or risk factor for disordered eating. One mechanism by which it could be a risk factor is the increased drive or compulsion to exercise. This study compared the levels of disordered eating and compulsive exercise between adolescent sport and non-sport participants. A sample of 417 male and female adolescents, aged 14-16 years old, was recruited from UK secondary schools. Participants completed questionnaire packs that included: the Eating Disorder Inventory; a measure of exercise behaviour; and the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET). Non-sport participants reported significantly greater body dissatisfaction than sport participants, and this was true for boys and girls. Significant group differences were also reported for many of the CET scales, with sport participants generally reporting greater levels of compulsive exercise than non-sport participants. Implications of these results are discussed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.

The COMET Sleep Research Platform.

PubMed

Nichols, Deborah A; DeSalvo, Steven; Miller, Richard A; Jónsson, Darrell; Griffin, Kara S; Hyde, Pamela R; Walsh, James K; Kushida, Clete A

2014-01-01

The Comparative Outcomes Management with Electronic Data Technology (COMET) platform is extensible and designed for facilitating multicenter electronic clinical research. Our research goals were the following: (1) to conduct a comparative effectiveness trial (CET) for two obstructive sleep apnea treatments-positive airway pressure versus oral appliance therapy; and (2) to establish a new electronic network infrastructure that would support this study and other clinical research studies. The COMET platform was created to satisfy the needs of CET with a focus on creating a platform that provides comprehensive toolsets, multisite collaboration, and end-to-end data management. The platform also provides medical researchers the ability to visualize and interpret data using business intelligence (BI) tools. COMET is a research platform that is scalable and extensible, and which, in a future version, can accommodate big data sets and enable efficient and effective research across multiple studies and medical specialties. The COMET platform components were designed for an eventual move to a cloud computing infrastructure that enhances sustainability, overall cost effectiveness, and return on investment.

The Magnetic Binary GJ 65: A Test of Magnetic Diffusivity Effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacDonald, James; Mullan, D. J.; Dieterich, Sergio

2018-06-01

GJ 65 is an M dwarf binary system consisting of the two flare stars BL Cet (GJ 65A) and UV Cet (GJ 65B). Two teams of investigators have recently reported total magnetic fluxes corresponding to fields of 4.5 and 5.2 kG for GJ 65A and 5.8 and 6.7 kG for GJ 65B: for each component, the magnetic results obtained by the two teams agree with each other to within 1σ. For the first time, we can directly compare the predictions of our magneto-convective models, based on fitting observed stellar parameters, with measured field strengths. We find that our models agree with the observed field strengths, provided the effects of finite conductivity are accounted for. Thus, GJ 65 provides us with an opportunity to use observations of field strengths to distinguish between the predictions of our models that assume perfect electrical conductivity and those that allow for finite conductivity.

The COMET Sleep Research Platform

PubMed Central

Nichols, Deborah A.; DeSalvo, Steven; Miller, Richard A.; Jónsson, Darrell; Griffin, Kara S.; Hyde, Pamela R.; Walsh, James K.; Kushida, Clete A.

2014-01-01

Introduction: The Comparative Outcomes Management with Electronic Data Technology (COMET) platform is extensible and designed for facilitating multicenter electronic clinical research. Background: Our research goals were the following: (1) to conduct a comparative effectiveness trial (CET) for two obstructive sleep apnea treatments—positive airway pressure versus oral appliance therapy; and (2) to establish a new electronic network infrastructure that would support this study and other clinical research studies. Discussion: The COMET platform was created to satisfy the needs of CET with a focus on creating a platform that provides comprehensive toolsets, multisite collaboration, and end-to-end data management. The platform also provides medical researchers the ability to visualize and interpret data using business intelligence (BI) tools. Conclusion: COMET is a research platform that is scalable and extensible, and which, in a future version, can accommodate big data sets and enable efficient and effective research across multiple studies and medical specialties. The COMET platform components were designed for an eventual move to a cloud computing infrastructure that enhances sustainability, overall cost effectiveness, and return on investment. PMID:25848590

Long-term Optical Activity of the Hard X-ray Flaring Star DG CVn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Šimon, V.

2017-04-01

DG CVn is a young late-type star which displayed an X-ray and optical superflare in 2014. This paper presents an analysis of the long-term activity of this object in the optical band. I used the photographic data from DASCH (Digital Access to a Sky Century @ Harvard). These measurements from the years 1895-1989 cover the blue spectral region. CCD V-band ASAS data were used for several UV Cet-type stars to place the activity of DG CVn in the context of flaring stars. I show that three large brightenings (flares) of DG CVn by more than 1 mag were detected on the DASCH plates. The character of the long-term activity (regarding the histogram of brightness) of DG CVn is compatible with those of flaring stars UV Cet and V371 Ori. The flares brighter than ˜ 0.4 mag represent less than 1 percent of the observed data in all three objects

Microelectronics and Special Education. CET/MEP Information Sheet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council for Educational Technology, London (England).

Used as an additional aid by the teacher, microelectronics can assist mentally and physically handicapped children to meet educational objectives that have been specifically agreed upon for the individual child. Microelectronics can help deaf children develop speech production, communication skills, and grammar and sentence construction;…

Telesoftware. CET Information Sheet No. 3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council for Educational Technology, London (England).

Telesoftware provides the transmission of computer programs from one computer to another by either broadcast radio or television via telephone lines and offers a national electronic system for the distribution of computer programs. Telephone based telesoftware can be based on any viewdata system or locally established telephone lines between…

Second space Christmas for ESA: Huygens to begin its final journey to Titan/ Media activities.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2004-12-01

At 1.25 billion km from Earth, after a 7-year journey through the Solar system, ESA’s Huygens probe is about to separate from the Cassini orbiter to enter a ballistic trajectory toward Titan, the largest and most mysterious moon of Saturn, in order to dive into its atmosphere on 14 January. This will be the first man-made object to explore in-situ this unique environment, whose chemistry is assumed to be very similar to that of the early Earth just before life began, 3.8 billion years ago. The Cassini-Huygens pair, a joint mission conducted by NASA, ESA and the Italian space agency (ASI), was launched into space on 15 October 1997. With the help of several gravity assist manoeuvres during flybys of Venus, Earth and Jupiter, it took almost 7 years for the spacecraft to reach Saturn. The Cassini orbiter, carrying Huygens on its flank, entered an orbit around Saturn on 1 July 2004, and began to investigate the ringed planet and its moons for a mission that will last at least four years. The first distant flyby of Titan took place on 2-3 July 2004. It provided data on Titan's atmosphere which were confirmed by the data obtained during the first close flyby on 26 October 2004 at an altitude of 1174 km. These data were used to validate the entry conditions of the Huygens probe. A second close flyby of Titan by Cassini-Huygens at an altitude of 1200 km is scheduled on 13 December and will provide additional data to further validate the entry conditions of the Huygens probe. On 17 December the orbiter will be placed on a controlled collision course with Titan in order to release Huygens on the proper trajectory, and on 21 December (some dates and times are subject to minor adjustment for operational reasons, except the entry time on 14 January which is know to within an accuracy of under 2 minutes) all systems will be set up for separation and the Huygens timers will be set to wake the probe a few hours before its arrival at Titan. The Huygens probe is due to separate on the morning of 25 December at about 05:08 CET. Since the Cassini orbiter will have to achieve precise pointing for the release, there will be no real-time telemetry available until it turns back its main antenna toward Earth and beams the recorded data of the release. It will take over an hour (67 min) for the signals to reach us on Earth. The final data confirming the separation will be available later on Christmas Day. After release, Huygens will move away from Cassini at a speed of about 35 cm per second and, to keep on track, will spin on its axis, making about 7 revolutions a minute. Huygens will not communicate with Cassini for the whole period until after deployment of the main parachute following entry into Titan’s atmosphere. On 28 December Cassini will then manoeuvre off collision course to resume its mission and prepare itself to receive Huygens data, which it will record for later playback to Earth. Huygens will remain dormant until a few hours before its arrival at Titan on 14 January. The entry into the atmosphere is set for 11:15 CET. Huygens is planned to complete its descent in about two hours and 15 minutes, beaming back its science data to the Cassini orbiter for replay to Earth later in the afternoon. If Huygens, which is designed as an atmospheric probe rather than a lander, survives touchdown on the surface, it could deliver up to 2 hours of bonus data before the link with Cassini is lost. Direct radio signals from Huygens will reach Earth after 67 minutes of interplanetary travel at the speed of light. An experiment has been set up by radio scientists that will use an array of radio telescopes around the Pacific to attempt to detect a faint tone from Huygens. If successful, early detection is not expected before around 11:30 CET. The European Space Agency owns and manages the Huygens probe and is in charge of operations of the probe from its control centre in Darmstadt, Germany. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, designed, developed and assembled the Cassini orbiter. NASA's Deep Space Network, also managed by JPL, will be providing communications support via the Cassini orbiter and relaying it to ESA’s control centre in Darmstadt for processing. The Italian Space Agency provided the high-gain antenna on the Cassini orbiter, much of the radio system and elements of several of Cassini's science instruments. The Huygens payload has been provided by teams including from CNES, DLR, ASI and PPARC, and outside Europe, from NASA. Practical arrangements for the Media wishing to cover the event These dramatic events marking the first attempt ever to unveil the mysteries of Titan in-situ, a distant world bigger than Mercury and Pluto which may hold clues to the early days of our own planet, will be marked by several media activities not to be missed. Pencil them into your diary. Saturday 25 December Spacecraft operations will be run at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The ESA Media Relations Office in Paris will be operational from 04:00 hrs to 12:00 CET. ESA specialists can be reached for interviews and comments via the ESA News Desk on +33(0)1.53.69.71.55. Contacts: Franco Bonacina, Anne-Marie Rémondin, Roberto Lo Verde. Interviews from JPL can also be arranged by calling the JPL media relations office at + 1. 818-354-5011. ESA specialists at JPL: Jean-Pierre Lebreton, Claudio Sollazzo. 05:08 CET - Expected separation of the Huygens probe from the Cassini orbiter ~07:00 CET - Status report upon successful separation from NASA/JPL 10:00 CET at the latest : ESA press release assessing the separation of the Huygens probe ~10:00 CET - ESA TV Video News Release produced at JPL during separation (contact for TVs: Claus Habfast: + 31(0)6.51.18.14.96, claus.habfast@esa.int) Transmission details will be on http://television.esa.int 12:00 CET - Replay of ESA TV Video News Release on separation Thursday 13 January ESA’s ESOC establishment in Darmstadt, Germany, will act as the main European press centre. The Huygens Principal Investigators, the ESA Huygens Mission Manager and Project Scientist will be at ESA/ESOC and available for interviews. If you wish to attend the media activities at ESOC, please return the attached accreditation form. Press Contacts: Jocelyne Landeau-Constantin jocelyne.landeau-constantin@esa.int (+49(0)6151.90.2696) Bernhard von Weyhe Bernhard.von.Weyhe@esa.int (+49(0)6151.90.2516). 17:00-17:30 CET - Press briefing at ESA/ESOC Control Centre. Televised on ESA TV - This event can also be followed remotely by phone : +49(0)69.4035.9681. Friday 14 January Media briefings originated at ESA/ESOC will also be retransmitted to several ESA establishments and across Europe: Cité des Sciences/ La Villette in Paris (F), (event hosted in coordination with ESA and CNES), ESA/ESTEC in Noordwijk (NL), ESA/ESRIN Frascati (I), ESA/ESAC in Villafranca (E), Central London (event hosted by PPARC). ESA specialists will be on hand at the various locations for interviews. If you wish to attend the briefings at one of these venues, please contact the local Communication services directly. ESA for Cité des Sciences, Paris (F): Anne-Marie Rémondin (Anne-Marie.Remondin@esa.int), + 33(0)1.5369.7155 or Brigitte Kolmsee (Brigitte.Kolmsee@esa.int), + 33(0)1.5369.7299 ESA/ESTEC,Noorwijk Space Expo (NL): + 31(0)71.565.3006- Wil Spangenberg (Wil.Spangenberg@esa.int) ESA/ESRIN, Frascati (I): + 39 06 9418 0951- Franca Morgia (Franca.Morgia@esa.int) ESA/ESAC, Villafranca (E): + 34 91 813 11 00- Monica Oerke (Monica.Oerke@esa.int) PPARC, London (UK) : Peter Barratt + 44 (0)1793 44 20 25 (Peter.Barratt@pparc.ac.uk) ESA TV Broadcast schedule for 14 January 2005 09:00-09:30 CET - ESA TV broadcast - Cassini turns to Huygens - Feeds from ESA/ESOC main Control Room 11:00-12:15 CET - ESA TV Broadcast - Probe activation to parachute deployment and status of tracking by radio-telescope 13:30-14:00 CET - Press briefing at ESA/ESOC: Huygens descent update (possible results from ground radio telescope observations - televised on ESA TV 14:30-15:00 CET - ESA TV broadcast: mission update 16:00-16:30 CET - ESA TV broadcast: mission update As of 17:15 CET - Press briefing: arrival of first data - televised on ESA TV 23:00-24:00 CET - Press briefing: presentation of first image if available) - Televised on ESA TV All events can also be followed (audio only) by calling + 49(0)69.4035.9681 and highlights of ESA TV can be watched on the Web at http://saturn.esa.int Saturday 15 January 11:00-12:00 CET - Press conference at ESA/ESOC: presentation of the first image, sounds, etc. - not broadcast live on ESA TV. This event can also be followed (audio only) by calling + 49(0)69.4035.9681. A video news release with the highlights will be available on ESA TV for broadcasters immediately at the end of the press conference. Satellite details for ESA TV broadcast reception: The ESA TV Service provides live broadcasts of ESA’s most important events on the Astra 2-C satellite, using a digital transponder that enables everyone in the satellite’s footprint, with a digital receiver and a parabolic pointing at 19.2 degrees East, to follow these events. For more information and updates, please check the ESA TV Website: http://television.esa.int . And on the Web You can follow all main Cassini/Huygens mission events on the ESA web at: http://saturn.esa.int Here you will find information on Cassini-Huygens and its status, a rich selection of multimedia material, news on the separation of Huygens from the Cassini orbiter and the latest updates on January 13. There will be continuous coverage during the last exciting hours of the descent on 14 January, with the first image expected late on 14 January or on 15 January. Bookmark now http://saturn.esa.int ! And if you have not already done so, subscribe to the ESA portal news at http://www.esa.int/esaCP/subscribers.html , you will get the latest news on this fascinating mission directly into your mail box! Messages from earthlings and pop music heading to Titan Before the mission was launched, ESA offered Europeans a unique opportunity to send a message to the unknown. Over 80 000 people wanted to share the excitement of this mission and wrote or drew a message that was engraved on a CD-ROM put on board the Huygens probe. The messages can be seen on http://television.esa.int/Huygens/index.cfm The same CD ROM carries four pop songs, composed by French musicians Julien Civange and Louis Haéri. More about this project at http://www.music2titan.com Specific information for media representatives going to ESA/ESOC Getting there: The nearest airport is Frankfurt-am-Main and it takes about 20 minutes by taxi to get to ESA/ESOC. A shuttle bus is also available from the airport approximately every 30 minutes. There are also frequent trains (approx. every 40 minutes) from the airport to Darmstadt (one change). http://www.heag.de/verkehr/02_02.html http://www.bahn.de/pv/view/index.shtml Accommodation: Darmstadt has many hotels, ranging in price from € 68 to € 230 (the closest to ESA/ESOC is a 4-star Maritim Konferenz Hotel, in walking distance from the Control Centre). For further information about Darmstadt hotels go to http://www.proregio-darmstadt.de/uebernachten/hotel.asp. If you need help with accommodation, do not hesitate to contact the ESA/ESOC travel office on +49(0)6151.902.885. Laptops/ Internet/ Cell Phones: Power supply rating: 220-240 volts (adaptor plug available in most hardware stores or at most international airport shops). Most North American cell phones will not work in Europe unless they are tri-band phones. Internet via LAN: Standard network connector RJ45 required in laptop. Internet via analogue modem: Standard RJ11 connector in laptop, special German Telekom TAE connection to the socket. Internet via ISDN: PCMCIA Card inside Laptop, RJ45 in the wall. The ESA/ESOC Press Rooms are equipped with ISDN and standard network with RJ45 cable. No wireless LAN is available for the media. Analog lines can be provided if needed.

Modélisation par éléments finis 3D du champ magnétostatique dans les enroulements des réactances cuirassées de grande puissance. Comparaison avec le calcul en 2D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ngnegueu, Triomphant; Terme, Claude; Mailhot, Michel

1993-03-01

In this paper, the finite element method is applied for the computation of the magnetostatic field in the windings of a shell-form reactor. The modeling is carried out in 3D, using FLUX3D, a software developed at the Laboratoire d'Electrotechnique de Grenoble. The results are compared to those obtained in 2D. These calculation results are also compared to some test results. Dans cet article, nous décrivons une application de la méthode des éléments finis pour la modélisation du champ magnétostatique dans les enroulements d'une réactance cuirassée de grande puissance. La modélisation est conduite en 3D, en utilisant le logiciel FLUX3D. Les résultats du calcul sont comparés avec ceux obtenus en 2D. Quelques comparaisons sont aussi effectuées avec des résultats de mesure.

Films minces d'oxycarbonates préparés par ablation laser pulsé : du système monocible au système multicible

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prellier, W.; Mercey, B.; Allen, J. L.; Tebano, A.; Hamet, J. F.; Hervieu, M.; Raveau, B.

1998-01-01

The microstructural study of superconductor thin films with general formula: (CaCuO_2)_m(Ba_2CuO_2CO_3)_n, grown from a single target, has shown that these films exhibited numerous intergrowth phases. Such films can not be used for precise physical studies. To obtain a regular stacking along a growth direction perpendicular to the substrate a multi-target system has to be used. The preliminary results of this study are presented herein. L'étude microstructurale des films minces supraconducteurs de formule générale : (CaCuO_2)_m(Ba_2CuO_2CO_3)_n, déposés à partir d'une seule cible, a montré qu'ils sont formés de nombreuses intercroissances. Ceci les rend pratiquement inutilisables pour des caractérisations physiques fines. Dans cet article sont présentées les étapes de la mise en oeuvre du système multicible nécessaire à la croissance d'un empilement régulier.

Le kyste hydatique du cordon spermatique: une localisation exceptionnelle

PubMed Central

Hamdane, Mohamed Moncef; Bougrine, Fethi; Msakni, Issam; Dhaoui-Ghozzi, Amen; Bouziani, Ammar

2011-01-01

L’ hydatidose est une anthropo-zoonose due au développement chez l'homme de la forme larvaire du taenia Echinococcus granulosis. La plupart des kystes hydatiques se localisent dans le foie et les poumons. Le kyste hydatique du cordon spermatique est extrêmement rare avec seulement 4 cas rapportés dans la littérature. Les auteurs rapportent dans cet article un nouveau cas d'hydatidose du cordon spermatique. Il s'agissait d'un homme de 40 ans qui consultait pour des douleurs scrotales évoluant depuis huit mois. L'examen clinique a mis en évidence une tuméfaction mobile, inguino-scrotale, droite. L’échographie testiculaire a objectivé une hernie inguinale droite associée à deux kystes épididymaires bilatéraux. Le patient a été opéré pour cure de son hernie avec découverte en per-opératoire d'un kyste du cordon spermatique qui a été réséqué. L'examen anatomopathologique a conclu à une hydatidose du cordon spermatique. PMID:22384304

Profil épidémiologique des brûlés à Marrakech: à propos de 152 cas

PubMed Central

Ibnouzahir, M.; Ettalbi, S.; Ouahbi, S.; Droussi, H.; Sousou, M.; Chlihi, A.; Bahaichar, N.; Boukind, H.

2011-01-01

Summary Cet article concerne une étude épidémiologique rétrospective portant sur 152 patients brûlés hospitalisés entre 2006 et 2008. Les brûlés avaient moins de 20 ans dans 65% des cas. Le sex ratio (m/f) était de 1,18/1. L’origine thermique est incriminée dans 84% des cas. L’atteinte par flammes représente 56% des cas. La surface corporelle brûlée moyenne chez nos patients était de 28%, et les brûlures de deuxième degré étaient de loin les plus fréquentes. Dans notre série, le visage et le cou étaient le siège le plus fréquemment touché. La prévention reste la meilleure arme pour lutter contre ce fléau, et pour cela plusieurs mesures sont proposées pour améliorer l’état actuel des choses. PMID:21991231

Méthode d'estimation des tassements des sols fins sous les remblais d'infrastructures ferroviaires pour lignes à grande vitesse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Said Alami, Soukaina; Reiffsteck, Philippe; Cuira, Fahd

2018-02-01

Le besoin de maîtriser les déformations des sols sous les remblais destinés à recevoir les structures de lignes à grande vitesse, en fait un enjeu important pour ces projets. Toutefois, de nombreuses difficultés ont été soulevées liées principalement au grand nombre d'incertitudes qui entourent le phénomène. En effet, la caractérisation géologique et géotechnique dépend de sondages et d'essais où le risque de remaniement est important et dont l'interprétation est, souvent, délicate. Cet article présente une procédure de calcul qui permettrait en pratique d'évaluer le tassement sous remblai avec une bonne précision et qui a été validée sur un certain nombre d'ouvrages. Pour cela, des corrections sont introduites aux méthodes usuelles de calcul permettant d'approcher les valeurs mesurées sur chantier.

Le satellite Encelade source d'ions N+ dans la magnétosphère de Saturne

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouhram, Mehdi; Berthelier, Jean-Jacques; Illiano, Jean-Marie; Smith, Howard T.; Sittler, Edward C.; Crary, Frank J.; Young, Dave T.

2005-12-01

xml:lang="fr">RésuméLe premier passage de la sonde Cassini dans l'environnement de Saturne, au dessus de l'anneau E, a mis en évidence l'existence d'un plasma composé d'un mélange d'ions issus des produits de l'eau (H+, O+, OH+, H2O+) avec une faible composante en ions N+ (3 %). A partir d'un modèle simple du transport des ions dans la magnétosphère, nous montrons que la source de ces ions N+ coïncide avec le satellite Encelade. Un tel résultat peut s'expliquer par la présence de composés volatiles tels que l'ammoniac NH3 sur ce satellite de glace, supposé encore actif géologiquement, ou par la présence d'ions N+ d'origine externe préalablement implantés sur sa surface. Pour citer cet article : M. Bouhram et al., C. R. Physique 6 (2005).

Videotex. CET Information Sheet No. 10.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council for Educational Technology, London (England).

This overview of videotex covers three types of systems--teletext, viewdata, and cabletext. Teletext, which stores information as a series of pages which are broadcast along with television pictures for viewing on specially adapted television screens, is characterized as journalistic, and the offerings of three British systems--CEEFAX (BBC),…

IT in Educational Administration and Management. CET Information Sheet No. 9.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monaco, Jenny; MacDonald, Lesley

This document provides information on the use of information technology (IT) to assist in educational management and administration, considers where future developments may lead, and provides definitions of IT and its elements--information handling, communications technology, and information transformation. The involvement of the Council for…

The impacts of climate on retailing in the UK with particular reference to the anomalously hot summer of 1995

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agnew, M. D.; Palutikof, J. P.

1999-11-01

The impacts on the UK retailing sector of the extreme climate of 1995 are analysed in the context of monthly climate conditions in the previous two decades. Over the period from November 1994 to October 1995, the mean monthly Central England temperature (CET) was 1.6°C above the 1961-1990 normal, the highest mean 12-month temperature since the CET records began in 1659. Retail activities are geared towards average conditions and are therefore affected in the short-term by any unexpected change in supply and demand. This study focuses on those areas of retailing where the responses to climate in terms of a change in consumer demand are most likely to be clear: first, clothing and footwear and, second, food and drink. Economic time series are extracted from official government publications (1972-1995). Stepwise multiple regressions are performed to assess the amount of variance in the retail series accounted for by monthly temperature, rainfall and sunshine indices.Statistically significant associations are found between retail and climate indices over the 1972-1995 study period, these are generally strongest in winter and spring, and weakest in summer. There is some indication of an increase in the climate-sensitivity of the retail series in unusually hot years. This may be a function of factors such as: just-in-time supply chains, refrigeration and changes in the trading environment. The anomalous climate of 1995 has the greatest economic impact on the clothing and footwear market, with extreme temperatures at the end of the summer associated with a decline in the market. An attempt is made to place a monetary value on the 1995 impacts. It is estimated that the clothing and footwear market sustained a loss of #383 million (1.7% of turnover). However, the extreme climate of 1995 brought gains to the beer and wine industries of #123 million (0.9% of turnover) and #11 million (0.2% of turnover), respectively, and a gain of approximately #25 million (1.8% of turnover) to the fruit and vegetable markets.

Developpement de mesures non destructives, par ondes ultrasonores, d'epaisseurs de fronts de solidification dans les reacteurs metallurgiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Floquet, Jimmy

Dans les cuves d'electrolyse d'aluminium, le milieu de reaction tres corrosif attaque les parois de la cuve, ce qui diminue leur duree de vie et augmente les couts de production. Le talus, qui se forme sous l'effet des pertes de chaleur qui maintiennent un equilibre thermique dans la cuve, sert de protection naturelle a la cuve. Son epaisseur doit etre controlee pour maximiser cet effet. Advenant la resorption non voulue de ce talus, les degats generes peuvent s'evaluer a plusieurs centaines de milliers de dollars par cuve. Aussi, l'objectif est de developper une mesure ultrasonore de l'epaisseur du talus, car elle serait non intrusive et non destructive. La precision attendue est de l'ordre du centimetre pour des mesures d'epaisseurs comprenant 2 materiaux, allant de 5 a 20 cm. Cette precision est le facteur cle permettant aux industriels de controler l'epaisseur du talus de maniere efficace (maximiser la protection des parois tout en maximisant l'efficacite energetique du procede), par l'ajout d'un flux thermique. Cependant, l'efficacite d'une mesure ultrasonore dans cet environnement hostile reste a demontrer. Les travaux preliminaires ont permis de selectionner un transducteur ultrasonore a contact ayant la capacite a resister aux conditions de mesure (hautes temperatures, materiaux non caracterises...). Differentes mesures a froid (traite par analyse temps-frequence) ont permis d'evaluer la vitesse de propagation des ondes dans le materiau de la cuve en graphite et de la cryolite, demontrant la possibilite d'extraire l'information pertinente d'epaisseur du talus in fine. Fort de cette phase de caracterisation des materiaux sur la reponse acoustique des materiaux, les travaux a venir ont ete realises sur un modele reduit de la cuve. Le montage experimental, un four evoluant a 1050 °C, instrumente d'une multitude de capteurs thermique, permettra une comparaison de la mesure intrusive LVDT a celle du transducteur, dans des conditions proches de la mesure industrielle. Mots-cles : Ultrasons, CND, Haute temperature, Aluminium, Cuve d'electrolyse.

Live Webcasts from CERN and ESO for European Science and Technology Week

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2002-10-01

Visit http://www.cern.ch/sci-tech on 7 - 8 November to find out what modern Europeans can't live without. Seven of Europe's leading Research Organizations [1] are presenting three live Webcasts from CERN in a joint outreach programme for the European Science and Technology Week . The aim of Sci-Tech... couldn't be without it! is to show how today's society couldn't be without cutting-edge scientific research. See also ESO Press Release 05/02. Northern Europeans can't imagine their households without ovens, whereas Southern Europeans identify the refrigerator as the most essential household appliance. In the area of communications, cars and motorbikes are clearly the technologies of choice in Italy, but are regarded as less important in countries like Norway and Germany. For entertainment, the personal computer is a clear winner as the device is considered most essential by all Europeans, followed by the TV and the Internet. This hit parade of technological marvels is the result of a phone and online survey conducted by the Sci-Tech... couldn't be without it! team for this year's European Science and Technology Week on 4-10 November. The technologies Europeans could not be without, form the starting point of three entertaining and informative Webcast shows in Italian (Thursday 7 November at 10:00 CET), French (Thursday 7 November at 15:00 CET) and English (Friday 8 November at 15:00 CET), broadcast live on the Internet from a studio at CERN. During these Webcasts scientists from the seven research Organizations and their industrial partners Sun Microsystems, Siemens, L'Oreal and Luminex will engage - from the CERN studio or from remote locations through teleconference links - an audience of Internauts all over the world. The public will be taken inside their most popular gadgets to discover the science that made them possible and how vital fundamental research has been in the creation of modern technology. Fundamental science will be brought as close as possible to people's daily lives by showing in an entertaining way how the behaviour of electrons in silicon was essential to the development of transistors and thus to computers, for example. How new medicines are developed by looking at the genome of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and how cancer can be diagnosed and treated with particle beams. People will be amazed to discover how everyday products such as cosmetics are developed using advanced scientific instruments like synchrotron radiation sources. And how fashion and design will be soon revolutionised by a new fabric made of the same optical fibre used for advanced computer networks. The excitement of the Internet audience will be maintained thanks to live quiz shows for 15 to 19 year-old Europeans in the studio and online, with top-tech prizes to win. Sci-tech... couldn't be without it! will show the next generation of technology users how fundamental research is relevant to everyday life, and draw attention to the fascinating opportunities that lie ahead in the world of research and development. WATCH THE LIVE WEBCASTS and take part in the Online quizzes: * Thursday 7 November at 10:00 hrs CET in Italian * Thursday 7 November at 15:00 hrs CET in French * Friday 8 November at 15:00 hrs CET in English on http://www.cern.ch/sci-tech For more information on the webcasts and the Sci-tech... couldn't be without it! project, contact: paola.catapano@cern.ch Catch A Star! Go to the Catch a Star! educational programme Another interesting webcast can be followed on Friday, November 8, 2002, from 13:00 hrs CET (in English) at: http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/eduoff/cas/cas2002/cas-webcast.html Earlier this year, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and the European Association for Astronomy Education (EAAE) invited all students in Europe's schools to the exciting Catch A Star! web-based educational programme with a competition. It takes place within the context of the EC-sponsored European Week of Science and Technology (EWST) - 2002 . See also ESO Press Release 08/02. This project revolves around a web-based competition and is centred on astronomy. It is specifically conceived to stimulate the interest of young people in various aspects of this well-known field of science, but will also be of interest to the broad public. Three hundred groups of up to four persons (e.g., three students and one teacher) have selected an astronomical object of their choice - a bright star, a distant galaxy, a beautiful comet, a planet or a moon in the solar system, or some other celestial body. They come from 25 countries. Until tomorrow, November 1, 2002, they have to deliver a comprehensive report about their chosen object. All reports have to conform with certain rules and are judged by a jury. Those fulfilling the criteria (explained at the Catch A Star! website) will participate in a lottery with exciting prizes, the first prize being a free trip in early 2003 for the members of the group to the ESO Paranal Observatory in Chile, the site of the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) . The lottery drawing will take place at the end of the European Week of Science and Technology, on November 8th, 2002, beginning at 13:00 hrs CET (12:00 UT) . This event will be broadcast by webcast and the outcome will be displayed via a dedicated webpage. All accepted reports (that fulfill the criteria) will be published on the Catch A Star! website soon thereafter.

Are you ready for Mars? - Main media events surrounding the arrival of ESA's Mars Express at Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2003-11-01

Launched on 2 June 2003 from Baikonur (Kazakhstan) on board a Russian Soyuz launcher operated by Starsem, the European probe -built for ESA by a European team of industrial companies led by Astrium - carries seven scientific instruments that will perform a series of remote-sensing experiments designed to shed new light on the Martian atmosphere, the planet’s structure and its geology. In particular, the British-made Beagle 2 lander, named after the ship on which Charles Darwin explored uncharted areas of the Earth in 1830, will contribute to the search for traces of life on Mars through exobiology experiments and geochemistry research. On Christmas Eve the Mars Express orbiter will be steered on a course taking it into an elliptical orbit, where it will safely circle the planet for a minimum of almost 2 Earth years. The Beagle 2 lander - which will have been released from the mother craft a few days earlier (on 19 December) - instead will stay on a collision course with the planet. It too should also be safe, being designed for atmospheric entry and geared for a final soft landing due to a sophisticated system of parachutes and airbags. On arrival, the Mars Express mission control team will report on the outcome of the spacecraft's delicate orbital insertion manoeuvre. It will take some time for Mars Express to manouvre into position to pick communications from Beagle 2. Hence, initially, other means will be used to check that Beagle 2 has landed: first signals from the Beagle 2 landing are expected to be available throughout Christmas Day, either through pick-up and relay of Beagle 2 radio signals by NASA’s Mars Odyssey, or by direct pick-up by the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in the UK. Mars Express will then pass over Beagle 2 in early January 2004, relaying data and images back to Earth. The first images from the cameras of Beagle 2 and Mars Express are expected to be available between the end of the year and the beginning of January 2004. The key dates relating to the arrival of Mars Express at its destination will be marked by several media events not to be missed. Pencil them into your diaries so as not to miss one of the most exciting events of the year. Tuesday 11 November Mars Express/Beagle 2 Media briefing Royal Society- 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London 10:00 - 13:00 -Status report on the mission -Technical details on forthcoming Mars Express/Beagle 2 operations -News handling arrangements around Christmas Speakers: Prof. David Southwood, ESA Director of Science; Prof. Colin Pillinger, Beagle 2 Lander Lead Scientist; John Reddy, ESA Mars Express Principal Electrical Systems Engineer. Contact: Peter Barratt, PPARC Tel. + 44 (0) 1793 44 20 25 e-mail: Beagle2@pparc.ac.uk Wednesday 3 December ESA Media briefing ESA/ ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany 10:30 - 12:30 -Scientific outlook and expected results -Status report on the mission -Presentation of upcoming events Speakers: Rudolf Schmidt, ESA Mars Express Project Manager; Augustin Chicarro, ESA Mars Express Project Scientist. In addition, Mars Express scientists and Mission Control Managers will highlight their contribution to the Mars Express mission. In videoconference with ESA/Headquarters, Paris (F); ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk (NL), ESA/ESRIN, Frascati (I). Contact: Jocelyne Landeau Constantin, ESA/ESOC Tel. + 49 6151 90 26 96 e-mail: Jocelyne.Landeau-Constantin@esa.int Friday 19 December Mars Express Orbiter/ Beagle 2 separation Mission Control Managers announce results of Beagle 2 separation from the mother craft. a.Event at ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt , Germany 08:30 - 14:00 Speakers: Prof. David Southwood, ESA Director of Science; Rudolf Schmidt, ESA Mars Express Project Manager Contact: Jocelyne Landeau Constantin, ESA/ESOC Tel. + 49 6151 90 26 96 e-mail: Jocelyne.Landeau-Constantin@esa.int b.Event in London -location and time t.b.c. Speaker: Prof. Colin Pillinger, Beagle 2 Lander Lead Scientist. Contact: Peter Barratt, PPARC Tel. + 44 (0) 1793 44 20 25 e-mail: Beagle2@pparc.ac.uk Thursday 25 December Christmas on Mars a.Media event at ESA/ ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany 03:00 - 07:00 Mars Express orbit insertion follow-up and Beagle 2 landing- Experience the accomplishment of one of the most exciting phases of the Mars Express mission in real time in the presence of Mission Control Managers and Scientists. 08:30 - 10:00 Christmas media brunch- Announcement of Mars orbit insertion results and Beagle 2 landing, with the participation of Prof. David Sourthwood, ESA Director of Science. Contact: Jocelyne Landeau Constantin, ESA/ESOC Tel. + 49 6151 90 26 96 e-mail: Jocelyne.Landeau-Constantin@esa.int b.Event in central London - location and time t.b.c. Contact: Peter Barratt, PPARC Tel. + 44 (0) 1793 44 20 25 e-mail: Beagle2@pparc.ac.uk Note to Editors: Timeline of expected main mission events 16 December All day Fine targeting of Mars Express to point at landing site - ranging 19 December 06:51 GMT/07:51 CET Decision to release Beagle 2 08:41 GMT/09:41 CET Eject command sent to Mars Express 10:15 GMT/11:15 CET First results of release available 20 December Re-targeting of Mars Express on an orbital insertion course 23 December Update on Mars Express Orbital Insertion Sequence 24 December Night Final decision to steer Mars Express into a Martian orbit 25 December 02:45 GMT/03:45 CET Beagle 2 landing on Mars 03:00 GMT/04:00 CET Mars Express Orbital Insertion 05:15 GMT/06:15 CET Mars Odyssey orbiter flight over Beagle 2 07:00 GMT/08:00 CET First evaluation of Mars Express orbital insertion 22:45 GMT/23:45 CET Possible direct capture of Beagle 2 signals at Jodrell Bank (UK)

A validity and reliability study of the coping self-efficacy scale

PubMed Central

Chesney, Margaret A.; Neilands, Torsten B.; Chambers, Donald B.; Taylor, Jonelle M.; Folkman, Susan

2006-01-01

Objectives Investigate the psychometric characteristics of the coping self-efficacy (CSE) scale, a 26-item measure of one’s confidence in performing coping behaviors when faced with life challenges. Design Data came from two randomized clinical trials (N1 = 149, N2 = 199) evaluating a theory-based Coping Effectiveness Training (CET) intervention in reducing psychological distress and increasing positive mood in persons coping with chronic illness. Methods The 348 participants were HIV-seropositive men with depressed mood who have sex with men. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and comparison conditions and assessed pre- and post-intervention. Outcome variables included the CSE scale, ways of coping, and measures of social support and psychological distress and well-being. Results Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) revealed a 13-item reduced form of the CSE scale with three factors: Use problem-focused coping (6 items, α = .91), stop unpleasant emotions and thoughts (4 items, α = .91), and get support from friends and family (3 items, α = .80). Internal consistency and test–retest reliability are strong for all three factors. Concurrent validity analyses showed these factors assess self-efficacy for different types of coping. Predictive validity analyses showed that residualized change scores in using problem- and emotion-focused coping skills were predictive of reduced psychological distress and increased psychological well-being over time. Conclusions The CSE scale provides a measure of a person’s perceived ability to cope effectively with life challenges, as well as a way to assess changes in CSE over time in intervention research. PMID:16870053

Copyright. CET Information Sheet No. 6.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Council for Educational Technology, London (England).

The United Kingdom (UK) is a large producer of published materials and as such has a strong copyright law (the Copyright Act of 1956). The law protects eight categories of materials--literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works; sound recordings; film; broadcasts; and published editions--but the law varies from one type of material to another.…

Cognitive Enhancement Therapy for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results of an 18-Month Feasibility Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eack, Shaun M.; Greenwald, Deborah P.; Hogarty, Susan S.; Bahorik, Amber L.; Litschge, Maralee Y.; Mazefsky, Carla A.; Minshew, Nancy J.

2013-01-01

Adults with autism experience significant impairments in social and non-social information processing for which few treatments have been developed. This study conducted an 18-month uncontrolled trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET), a comprehensive cognitive rehabilitation intervention, in 14 verbal adults with autism spectrum disorder to…

Adult Learning by Choice. Results of the CET LEARNING LINKS Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hall, Dorothea

The LEARNING LINKS project was undertaken to expand opportunities for adult learning in nonformal, noneducational settings. It had the following three broad aims: stimulate student-negotiated learning, stimulate and support informal adult learning, and test the usefulness of microcomputers in an information service for adults. Over a period of 2…

Ram Accelerator Performance Calculations Using a Modified Version of the NASA CET89 Equilibrium Chemistry Code

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-12-01

Army Research Laboratory ATTN: AMSRL-WT-PA Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-5066 9 . SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORING...8 1.5 DISTANCE vs. TIME CALCULATION ........................................... 9 2. D ISCU SSIO N...21 Figure 9 : Comparison of calculated thrust curves ..................................... 32 v

Comfort studies of rail passengers

PubMed Central

Nicol, J. F.; Doré, C.; Weiner, J. S.; Lee, D. E.; Prestidge, S. P.; Andrews, M. J.

1973-01-01

Nicol, J. F., Doré, C., Weiner, J. S., Lee, D. E., Prestidge, S. P., and Andrews, M. J. (1973).British Journal of Industrial Medicine,30, 325-334. Comfort studies of rail passengers. A short series of trials is described in which a specimen car of the new High Density Rolling Stock was laden with passengers at different densities and under different environmental constraints, designed to simulate `shut-down' conditions. The results suggest that the limit for comfort, 21·8°C corrected effective temperature (CET), proposed by Bell and Watts (1971) is reasonable but that temperatures some 3 or 4°C higher can be tolerated without undue discomfort. The physiological limit for safety recommended by Bell and Watts is a CET of 30·6°C. This will be reached in less than 20 minutes if there is a power failure in warm conditions in crowded trains. An undesirable, possibly dangerous, level of discomfort will be experienced by passengers in ventilated but crowded trains after 30 minutes. In any case it is recommended that the globe temperature in a carriage should not exceed 30°C. Images PMID:4753715

Weak hybridization and isolated localized magnetic moments in the compounds CeT 2Cd 20 (T = Ni, Pd)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

White, B. D.; Yazici, D.; Ho, P. -C.

2015-07-20

Here, we report the physical properties of single crystals of the compounds CeT 2Cd 20 (T = Ni, Pd) that were grown in a molten Cd flux. Large separations of ~6.7- 6.8 Å between Ce ions favor the localized magnetic moments that are observed in measurements of the magnetization. The strength of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya- Yosida magnetic exchange interaction between the localized moments is severely limited by the large Ce-Ce separations and by weak hybridization between localized Ce 4f and itinerant electron states. Measurements of electrical resistivity performed down to 0.138 K were unable to observe evidence for the emergence ofmore » magnetic order; however, magnetically-ordered ground states with very low transition temperatures are still expected in these compounds despite the isolated nature of the localized magnetic moments. Such a fragile magnetic order could be highly susceptible to tuning via applied pressure, but evidence for the emergence of magnetic order has not been observed so far in our measurements up to 2.5 GPa.« less

Analyse des possibilités de fonctionnement en régime des désexcitation des moteurs à aimants permanents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Multon, Bernard; Lucidarme, Jean; Prévond, Laurent

1995-05-01

In this paper, we study the extending of speed range of motors (or generators) with permanent magnet inductor and supplied by electronic converter. The amplitude of phase voltage and current waveforms are limited by electronics supply. The aim of this study is to achieve a maximum power near of the base speed one on an extended speed range. This require an airgap flux weakening so called “flux weakening” above base speed. A parametric analysis of motor electromagnetic characteristics is made to show the influence of armature reaction and magnetic saliency on speed range. We show that exists an ideal condition to obtain a constant power speed range theoretically unlimited. Magnetic saliency permits to enhance the power factor especially when L_d> L_q. As main hypotheses, we consider no saturation, e.m.f. and current sine waveforms and a sinusoidal airgap flux density. Finally, we recapitulate the permanent magnet rotor structures able to obtain a flux-weakening operation. Cet article traite de l'extension de la plage de vitesse des moteurs (ou alternateurs) à excitation par aimants permanents et alimentés par convertisseur électronique. La tension et le courant sont limités en amplitude par l'alimentation électronique.L'objectif est d'obtenir une puissance proche de celle correspondant au régime de base sur une plage de vitesse étendue. Ceci nécessite une réduction de flux d'entrefer ou “désexition” au delà de la vitesse de base. Une analyse paramétrique des caractéristiques du moteur est effectuée pour mettre en évidence l'influence de la réaction d'induit et de la saillance magnétique. Nous montrons qu'il existe une condition idéale pour obtenir une plage de fonctionnement à puissance constante théoriquement illimitée. La saillance magnétique permet d'accroître le facteur de puissance surtout lorsque L_d> L_q. Les principales hypothèses de cette étude sont l'absence de saturation, des f.e.m. et des courants sinusoïdaux et une induction spatiale sinusoïdale dans l'entrefer. Enfin, nous effectuons un bilan des structures de rotors permettant un fonctionnement en régime de désexcitation.

The contribution of multidimensional spatial analysis to a waste management policy: implementation of the ELECTRE method for characterizing transfer centers in the region of Oran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saidi, A.; Trache, M. A.; Khelfi, M. F.

2016-08-01

The social and economic activity steadily growing in our cities creates a significant waste production in constantly evolving. The management of this waste is problematic because it is the center of many issues and interests. Indeed, any action or decision to the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste should be considered in the economic, social, political and especially environmental aspect. A global Geomatic solution requires implementing a GIS with powerful multidimensional spatial analysis tools that support really waste management problem. Algeria has adopted a solution of waste landfill for all urban cities. In the Oran region, it exists three Centers Controlled landfill (CET) which the most important is that of Hassi-Bounif. This center currently meeting the needs of the region is unsustainable solution at the long-term because of its rapid saturation and its geographic location, which is still far from city centers (20-30 km) implying a negative impact on the vehicle park collecting such frequent breakdowns, the rapid degradation, slow delivery time and especially the high cost of the maintenance operation. This phenomenon is aggravated by the absence of real and actual initiatives targeting the recycling and recovery of waste, which makes the CET an endpoint for all types of waste. We present in this study, the use of the ELECTRE method (Multicriteria Analysis) integrated into a GIS to characterize the impact of the implementation of transfers centers at Oran region. The results of this study will accentuate the advantages of the activation of waste warehouse closer to the city, and relieving considerably the volume of transfer towards CET. The objective of our presentation is to show the leading role of the new Geomatics tools and the multidimensional spatial analysis in the apprehension of an environmental problem such the waste management and more generally in the urban management.

Cl⋯N weak interactions. Conformational analysis of imidazol-2-ylum heterocycles bearing N-β-chloroethyl and N-vinyl pendant groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez-López, Germán; Montes-Tolentino, Pedro; Sánchez-Ruiz, Sonia; Villaseñor-Granados, Tayde Osvaldo; Flores-Parra, Angelina

2017-11-01

Enantiomerically pure and racemic mixtures of β-chloroethylamines hydrochlorides with one and two stereogenic centres were used to synthesise 1,4-dialkyl-1,3-diimines, which in turn gave place to a series of imidazolium chlorides and tetraphenylborates bearing pendant N-β-chloroethyl substituents (sbnd CHEt-CH2Cl; sbnd CHMe-CHPhCl). Stereoselective dehydrochlorination of imidazolium compounds afforded in good yield the corresponding heterocycles bearing N-vinyl groups (-CEt=CH2; -CMe=CHPh). The volume of the N-substituents provides a steric screening of the cationic ring. The structure of the new compounds was determined by IR, mass spectra, NMR and X-ray diffraction analyses as well as DFT calculations of the optimized geometries. Uncommon stabilising intramolecular Cl⋯N weak interactions are described, together with H⋯Cl and H···π hydrogen bonds. The existence of the non-covalent weak intramolecular bonds was deduced from the X-ray diffraction analysis and confirmed by calculations of the electrostatic potential, electronic density distributions and the maps of the Laplacian functions of the electronic density.

Evolution of the Solar Activity Over Time and Effects on Planetary Atmospheres. II. κ1 Ceti, an Analog of the Sun when Life Arose on Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ribas, I.; Porto de Mello, G. F.; Ferreira, L. D.; Hébrard, E.; Selsis, F.; Catalán, S.; Garcés, A.; do Nascimento, J. D., Jr.; de Medeiros, J. R.

2010-05-01

The early evolution of Earth's atmosphere and the origin of life took place at a time when physical conditions at the Earth were radically different from its present state. The radiative input from the Sun was much enhanced in the high-energy spectral domain, and in order to model early planetary atmospheres in detail, a knowledge of the solar radiative input is needed. We present an investigation of the atmospheric parameters, state of evolution, and high-energy fluxes of the nearby star κ1 Cet, previously thought to have properties resembling those of the early Sun. Atmospheric parameters were derived from the excitation/ionization equilibrium of Fe I and Fe II, profile fitting of Hα, and the spectral energy distribution. The UV irradiance was derived from Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer and Hubble Space Telescope data, and the absolute chromospheric flux from the Hα line core. From careful spectral analysis and the comparison of different methods, we propose for κ1 Cet the following atmospheric parameters: T eff = 5665 ± 30 K (Hα profile and energy distribution), log g = 4.49 ± 0.05 dex (evolutionary and spectroscopic), and [Fe/H] = +0.10 ± 0.05 (Fe II lines). The UV radiative properties of κ1 Cet indicate that its flux is some 35% lower than the current Sun's between 210 and 300 nm, it matches the Sun's at 170 nm, and increases to at least 2-7 times higher than the Sun's between 110 and 140 nm. The use of several indicators ascribes an age to κ1 Cet in the interval ~0.4-0.8 Gyr and the analysis of the theoretical Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (H-R) suggests a mass ~1.04 M sun. This star is thus a very close analog of the Sun when life arose on Earth and Mars is thought to have lost its surface bodies of liquid water. Photochemical models indicate that the enhanced UV emission leads to a significant increase in photodissociation rates compared with those commonly assumed of the early Earth. Our results show that reliable calculations of the chemical composition of early planetary atmospheres need to account for the stronger solar photodissociating UV irradiation. Based on spectroscopic observations collected at the Observatório do Pico dos Dias (OPD), operated by the Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica, CNPq, Brazil, at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), within the ON/ESO and ON/IAG agreements, under FAPESP project no. 1998/10138-8, and with the Hubble Space Telescope.

A Study on Critical Thinking Assessment System of College English Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dong, Tian; Yue, Lu

2015-01-01

This research attempts to discuss the validity of introducing the evaluation of students' critical thinking skills (CTS) into the assessment system of college English writing through an empirical study. In this paper, 30 College English Test Band 4 (CET-4) writing samples were collected and analyzed. Students' CTS and the final scores of collected…

Effects of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy on Employment Outcomes in Early Schizophrenia: Results from a 2-Year Randomized Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eack, Shaun M.; Hogarty, Gerard E.; Greenwald, Deborah P.; Hogarty, Susan S.; Keshavan, Matcheri S.

2011-01-01

Objective: To examine the effects of psychosocial cognitive rehabilitation on employment outcomes in a randomized controlled trial for individuals with early course schizophrenia. Method: Early course schizophrenia outpatients (N = 58) were randomly assigned to cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) or an enriched supportive therapy (EST) control and…

Cetus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murdin, P.

2000-11-01

(the Sea Monster or Whale; abbrev. Cet, gen. Ceti; area 1231 sq. deg.) An equatorial constellation which lies between Aquarius and Taurus, and culminates at midnight in October. It is named after the sea monster from which Perseus rescued Andromeda in Greek mythology, though it is sometimes identified as a whale. Its brightest stars were cataloged by Ptolemy (c. AD 100-175) in the Almagest....

FIRST trial: Lemay park collection plan

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-12-01

expériences : une expé- rience de détection de panache de gaz, une de plastique simulant un panache de gaz, DRDC Valcartier TN 2007-435 i une de...panache de gaz, une de plastique simulant un panache de gaz, une de poudre chimique et une d’artilleries non explosées. Objectifs : Par cet exercice

Studies in the Nature and Control of Sepsis in Thermal and Combined Thermal-Irradiation Injuries

DTIC Science & Technology

1970-03-01

burns in 1, purulent scleritis in I1 chicken pox in 1 and otitis media in 1. * .nlg,. .. cet al. arch 31,. 1970 Pi•c~ forty-nine VIII. Publications 1...relationship to synergism in poly- microbic in rections; III- Clinical evaluation of Pseudomonas Vaccine, SIV. . Gnotobiotic studies of the response

The Power of Social and Motivational Relationships for Test-Anxious Adolescents' Academic Self-Regulation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raufelder, Diana; Hoferichter, Frances; Schneeweiss, David; Wood, Megan A.

2015-01-01

Based on cognitive evaluation theory (CET) and organismic integration theory (OIT)--both sub-theories of self-determination theory (SDT)--the present study examined whether the academic self-regulation of youth with test anxiety can be strengthened through social and motivational relationships with peers and teachers. This study employed a large…

Some Tentative Proposals to the Current Reform of Chinese College English Teaching on the Basis of Needs Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jian, Shi

2013-01-01

Under the circumstances of economic globalization and educational internationalization as well as against the background of the improved requirements in the new High School English Syllabus (HSES), the Chinese college English teaching (CET) nowadays is confronted with great pressure and unprecedented challenges with the decrease of school-aged…

Assessing the Depth and Breadth of Vocabulary Knowledge with Listening Comprehension

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Teng, Feng

2014-01-01

This study was inspired by Qian (1999) and Staehr (2009) and researched 88 Chinese learners who had already passed the College English Test 4 (CET). These learners volunteered to participate in the study regarding the depth and breadth of vocabulary knowledge and its relationship with listening comprehension, which was assessed by analyzing the…

Traitement intra-artériel des métastases hépatiques de cancer colorectal

PubMed Central

Pellerin, O.; Geschwind, J.-F.

2015-01-01

Le cancer colorectal représente un problème majeur de santé publique. Son incidence annuelle mondiale est d’environ un million de cas et la mortalité annuelle est de plus de 500 000 cas par an. Le foie est l’organe le plus fréquemment touché par les métastases. Leur survenue est observée dans 40 à 60% des cas (contemporaines dans 25% des cas). Bien que la résection chirurgicale soit le seul traitement curatif, nombre de patients ne peuvent en bénéficier en raison de l’importante diffusion des métastases hépatiques. Chimiothérapies et biothérapies systémiques sont les options conventionnelles de la prise en charge des métastases hépatiques multiples. C’est dans ces situations cliniques que les thérapies intra-artérielles peuvent jouer un rôle important. Dans cet article, nous présenterons les différentes thérapies endovasculaires applicables aux métastases hépatiques de cancers colorectaux, avec leurs indications, résultats et complications éventuelles. PMID:21944243

Modélisation macroscopique des milieux stratifiés conducteurs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matagne, E.; Conard, J. Ph.

1997-11-01

Many laminated structures are recognised in Electrotechnics : magnetic cores, flat conductors windings, slotted surfaces... These structures exhibit macroscopic properties, as magnetic than electric ones. This paper shows how these characteristics can be obtained by homogenisation. It deals with linear materials but taking into account the effect of eddy currents, as well on the macroscopic magnetic permeability as on the macroscopic electric conductivity, which become then complex numbers. An example of use of the macroscopic properties is provided. On peut identifier en électrotechnique de nombreuses structures stratifiées: noyaux magnétiques, bobinages formés de conducteurs plats, surfaces encochées... Ces structures présentent des propriétés macroscopiques tant magnétiques qu'électriques. Cet article montre comment ces caractéristiques peuvent être obtenues par homogénéisation. Il se limite au cas de matériaux linéaires mais en prenant en compte l'effet des courants de Foucault aussi bien sur la perméabilité magnétique macroscopique que sur la conductivité électrique macroscopique, grandeurs qui deviennent alors des nombres complexes. Un exemple d'utilisation des caractéristiques macroscopiques est fourni.

Optimisation thermique de moules d'injection construits par des processus génératifs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boillat, E.; Glardon, R.; Paraschivescu, D.

2002-12-01

Une des potentialités les plus remarquables des procédés de production génératifs, comme le frittage sélectif par laser, est leur capacité à fabriquer des moules pour l'injection plastique équipés directement de canaux de refroidissement conformes, parfaitement adaptés aux empreintes Pour que l'industrie de l'injection puisse tirer pleinement parti de cette nouvelle opportunité, il est nécessaire de mettre à la disposition des moulistes des logiciels de simulation capables d'évaluer les gains de productivité et de qualité réalisables avec des systèmes de refroidissement mieux adaptés. Ces logiciels devraient aussi être capables, le cas échéant, de concevoir le système de refroidissement optimal dans des situations où l'empreinte d'injection est complexe. Devant le manque d'outils disponibles dans ce domaine, le but de cet article est de proposer un modèle simple de moules d'injection. Ce modèle permet de comparer différentes stratégies de refroidissement et peut être couplé avec un algorithme d'optimisation.

Formulation de cas dans la psychose débutante : Quels outils pour le travail en équipe?

PubMed Central

Elowe, Julien; Mebdouhi, Nadir; Solida, Alessandra; Conus, Philippe

2017-01-01

Nous présentons d’abord brièvement le programme TIPP et les concepts généraux de la prise en charge précoce dans la psychose débutante. Un des objectifs de l’intervention dans la phase précoce des troubles psychotiques est notamment de proposer des soins spécifiques adaptés à cette phase de la maladie. En début de prise en charge, l’équipe de soins et en particulier le gestionnaire de cas (case manager), chef d’orchestre de la prise en charge, sont confrontés à une quantité importante d’information dont il faut dégager les lignes de forces pour mettre en place une prise en charge adaptée. Cet article propose un modèle qui peut constituer un outil de travail précieux pour les équipes travaillant dans l’intervention précoce pour faire émerger une formulation de cas et synthétiser les situations cliniques des patients, en extraire une histoire qui fasse sens et ainsi faciliter la mise en place d’un projet thérapeutique. PMID:28558256

Des schémas équivalents pour les circuits couplés multi-enroulements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keradec, J. P.; Cogitore, B.; Laveuve, E.; Bensoam, M.

1994-04-01

The aim of this paper is to represent the electrical behaviour of any number of magnetically coupled windings with couplers and inductors. Two methods, mathematicaly justified, are proposed. The second one introduces only positive inductances. As an exemple, it is applied to the representation of a three column three phase transformer. The obtained circuits supply the requisite guide to design more complete circuits which allow the high frequency behaviour of wound components to be taken into account, especialy in electronics simulation softwares. Le but de cet article est de traduire le comportement électrique d'un nombre quelconque d'enroulements magnétiquement couplés, par des coupleurs et des inductances. Deux méthodes, établies mathématiquement, sont proposées. La seconde n'introduit que des inductances positives. A titre d'exemple, elle est appliquée à la représentation d'un transformateur triphasé à trois colonnes. Les schémas obtenus fournissent l'indispensable ossature de schémas plus complets, aptes à représenter le comportement haute fréquence des composants bobinés, notamment dans un logiciel de simulation électronique.

L’euthanasie de convenance des animaux de compagnie : portrait du dilemme au sein de la profession vétérinaire québécoise

PubMed Central

Rathwell-Deault, Dominick; Godard, Béatrice; Frank, Diane; Ravel, André; Doizé, Béatrice

2017-01-01

Résumé L’euthanasie de convenance des animaux de compagnie représente un dilemme auquel sont confrontés les vétérinaires travaillant dans le domaine des animaux de compagnie au Québec. De par leur formation comme professionnels de la santé, les vétérinaires sont formés pour soigner les animaux qui leur sont présentés. Il est donc facile d’envisager que le fait d’euthanasier des animaux sains provoque un dilemme moral au sein de la profession. Les balises réglementaires entourant cette pratique se concentrent sur la méthode employée, mais ne sont pas impératives sur la légitimité des circonstances qui devraient entourer les demandes d’euthanasie. À ce jour peu d’écrits sur le sujet au sein de la littérature sont disponibles et la voix des vétérinaires y est peu décrite. Cet article présente les résultats obtenus suite à une étude menée auprès des vétérinaires québécois. Pour ce faire, un sondage en ligne a été effectué et portait sur la vision des vétérinaires concernant l’euthanasie de convenance, sur les conséquences découlant de cet acte et sur les pistes de solutions envisageables par la profession pour améliorer la situation de l’euthanasie de convenance. Les données recueillies ont permis de mettre de l’avant la dualité d’allégeance à laquelle les vétérinaires doivent faire face dans ce dilemme. D’une part, les vétérinaires reconnaissent que l’euthanasie de convenance va à l’encontre du bien-être animal et d’autre part ils reconnaissent qu’ils doivent respecter le droit décisionnel du propriétaire de se départir de son animal en demandant son euthanasie. PMID:28878419

Visual Times of Maxima for Short Period Pulsating Stars III

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samolyk, G.

2018-06-01

Abstract This compilation contains 524 times of maxima of 9 short period pulsating stars (primarily RR Lyrae stars; RW Cnc, TT Cnc, VZ Cnc, RR Cet, XZ Cyg, DM Cyg, RW Dra, XZ Dra, RR Gem). These were reduced from a portion of the visual observations made from 1966 to 2014 that are included in the AAVSO International Database.

Staying in a Certain State of Mind: Becoming and Being a Freelance Adult Educator in Singapore

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rushbrook, Peter; Karmel, Annie; Bound, Helen

2014-01-01

Over recent years Singapore has developed a strong adult and vocational education system based on those of Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Its Continuing Education and Training (CET) sector makes use of competency-based training in the form of Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQs) which are delivered in mainly small private providers by…

Multiple Channel Exposure Therapy: Combining Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Panic Attacks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Falsetti, Sherry A.; Resnick, Heidi S.; Davis, Joanne

2005-01-01

A large proportion of patients who present for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience comorbid panic attacks, yet it is unclear to what extent currently available PTSD treatment programs address this problem. Here we describe a newly developed treatment, multiple-channel exposure therapy (M-CET), for comorbid PTSD and panic…

Training for Success: A Comparison of Anti-Fraud Knowledge Competencies

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-12-01

fraud, money laundering , and tax fraud. The section on punishing offenders contains two competencies: criminal prosecutions and the civil justice...investigations (Kittay, 2011). Money laundering investigations focus on the various methods individuals use to conceal proceeds earned from criminal ...Chartered Accowltants Cet·tified Anti - Money CAMS The Association of Cettified Laundering Specialist Anti - Money Latmdering Specialists Certified

Primary and Secondary Vestibular Connections in the Brain Stem and Cerebellum: An Axoplasmic Transport Study in the Monkey and Cat

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-08-25

Edinger-Westphal nucleus in the cat, Brain Research, 141 (1978) 153-159. Lorente de No, R., Etudes sur le cerveau posterieur. Ill, Sur 1 es connexions...extra-cerebelleuses des fascicules afferents au cerveau , et sur la fontion de cet organe, Trav. Lab. Rech. Biol. Univ. Madrid, 22 (1924) 51-65

Validation of high-quality potato seed production protocol under controlled conditions (CETS System) in cultivated potato species (Solanum tuberosum L.)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Low potato yield in Peru and other countries in the region are attributed to the use of low quality seeds and tuber recycling. Therefore, there is consensus on the need of incorporating seed production technologies that are effective and efficient but also consistent with the reality of potato in La...

The accuracy of a 2D and 3D dendritic tip scaling parameter in predicting the columnar to equiaxed transition (CET)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seredyński, M.; Rebow, M.; Banaszek, J.

2016-09-01

The dendrite tip kinetics model accuracy relies on the reliability of the stability constant used, which is usually experimentally determined for 3D situations and applied to 2D models. The paper reports authors' attempts to cure the situation by deriving 2D dendritic tip scaling parameter for aluminium-based alloy: Al-4wt%Cu. The obtained parameter is then incorporated into the KGT dendritic growth model in order to compare it with the original 3D KGT counterpart and to derive two-dimensional and three-dimensional versions of the modified Hunt's analytical model for the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). The conclusions drawn from the above analysis are further confirmed through numerical calculations of the two cases of Al-4wt%Cu metallic alloy solidification using the front tracking technique. Results, including the porous zone-under-cooled liquid front position, the calculated solutal under-cooling and a new predictor of the relative tendency to form an equiaxed zone, are shown, compared and discussed two numerical cases. The necessity to calculate sufficiently precise values of the tip scaling parameter in 2D and 3D is stressed.

Three-week inpatient Cognitive Evolutionary Therapy (CET) for patients with personality disorders: evidence of effectiveness in symptoms reduction and improved treatment adherence.

PubMed

Prunetti, Elena; Bosio, Valentina; Bateni, Marco; Liotti, Giovanni

2013-09-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Cognitive Evolutionary Therapy (CET) in an intensive short residential treatment of a wide range of severe personality disorders (PDs) that resulted in a reduction of social functioning and significant personal distress. Each patient was assessed at admission, discharge, and 3 months later in order to determine if there was a reduction in symptoms and an improved adherence to former outpatient programs and to check if patients were undergoing new treatment after discharge. Fifty-one patients participated in this study. The 20-hr weekly program consisted of two individual sessions and various group modules. Outcome measures included: self-reported measures of depression, anxiety, general symptoms, number and duration of inpatient admissions after the programme, and continuation in an outpatient treatment programme. The results show an overall improvement in general psychopathology after the release and in follow-up sessions, a decrease in the number of further hospital admissions, and an increased level of attendance of outpatient therapy. This study shows that intensive short residential treatment is an effective treatment for patients with a wide range of PDs. © 2012 The British Psychological Society.

Nonlinear Electrostatic Properties of Lunar Dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Irwin, Stacy A.

2012-01-01

A laboratory experiment was designed to study the induction charging and charge decay characteristics of small dielectric particles, or glass beads. Initially, the goal of the experiment was further understanding of induction charging of lunar dust particles. However, the mechanism of charging became a point of greater interest as the project continued. Within an environmentally-controlled acrylic glove box was placed a large parallel plate capacitor at high-voltage (HV) power supply with reversible polarity. Spherical 1-mm and 0.5-mm glass beads, singly, were placed between the plates, and their behaviors recorded on video and quantified. Nearly a hundred trials at various humidities were performed. The analysis of the results indicated a non-linear relationship between humidity and particle charge exchange time (CET), for both sizes of beads. Further, a difference in CET for top-resting beads and bottom-resting beads hinted at a different charging mechanism than that of simple induction. Results from the I-mm bead trials were presented at several space science and physics conferences in 2008 and 2009, and were published as a Master's thesis in August 2009. Tangential work stemming from this project resulted in presentations at other international conferences in 2010, and selection to attend workshop on granular matter flow 2011.

Efficient Bayesian inference for natural time series using ARFIMA processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graves, T.; Gramacy, R. B.; Franzke, C. L. E.; Watkins, N. W.

2015-11-01

Many geophysical quantities, such as atmospheric temperature, water levels in rivers, and wind speeds, have shown evidence of long memory (LM). LM implies that these quantities experience non-trivial temporal memory, which potentially not only enhances their predictability, but also hampers the detection of externally forced trends. Thus, it is important to reliably identify whether or not a system exhibits LM. In this paper we present a modern and systematic approach to the inference of LM. We use the flexible autoregressive fractional integrated moving average (ARFIMA) model, which is widely used in time series analysis, and of increasing interest in climate science. Unlike most previous work on the inference of LM, which is frequentist in nature, we provide a systematic treatment of Bayesian inference. In particular, we provide a new approximate likelihood for efficient parameter inference, and show how nuisance parameters (e.g., short-memory effects) can be integrated over in order to focus on long-memory parameters and hypothesis testing more directly. We illustrate our new methodology on the Nile water level data and the central England temperature (CET) time series, with favorable comparison to the standard estimators. For CET we also extend our method to seasonal long memory.

Passive metamaterial-based acoustic holograms in ultrasound energy transfer systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakhtiari-Nejad, Marjan; Elnahhas, Ahmed; Hajj, Muhammad R.; Shahab, Shima

2018-03-01

Contactless energy transfer (CET) is a technology that is particularly relevant in applications where wired electrical contact is dangerous or impractical. Furthermore, it would enhance the development, use, and reliability of low-power sensors in applications where changing batteries is not practical or may not be a viable option. One CET method that has recently attracted interest is the ultrasonic acoustic energy transfer, which is based on the reception of acoustic waves at ultrasonic frequencies by a piezoelectric receiver. Patterning and focusing the transmitted acoustic energy in space is one of the challenges for enhancing the power transmission and locally charging sensors or devices. We use a mathematically designed passive metamaterial-based acoustic hologram to selectively power an array of piezoelectric receivers using an unfocused transmitter. The acoustic hologram is employed to create a multifocal pressure pattern in the target plane where the receivers are located inside focal regions. We conduct multiphysics simulations in which a single transmitter is used to power multiple receivers with an arbitrary two-dimensional spatial pattern via wave controlling and manipulation, using the hologram. We show that the multi-focal pressure pattern created by the passive acoustic hologram will enhance the power transmission for most receivers.

Cost-effectiveness thresholds: methods for setting and examples from around the world.

PubMed

Santos, André Soares; Guerra-Junior, Augusto Afonso; Godman, Brian; Morton, Alec; Ruas, Cristina Mariano

2018-06-01

Cost-effectiveness thresholds (CETs) are used to judge if an intervention represents sufficient value for money to merit adoption in healthcare systems. The study was motivated by the Brazilian context of HTA, where meetings are being conducted to decide on the definition of a threshold. Areas covered: An electronic search was conducted on Medline (via PubMed), Lilacs (via BVS) and ScienceDirect followed by a complementary search of references of included studies, Google Scholar and conference abstracts. Cost-effectiveness thresholds are usually calculated through three different approaches: the willingness-to-pay, representative of welfare economics; the precedent method, based on the value of an already funded technology; and the opportunity cost method, which links the threshold to the volume of health displaced. An explicit threshold has never been formally adopted in most places. Some countries have defined thresholds, with some flexibility to consider other factors. An implicit threshold could be determined by research of funded cases. Expert commentary: CETs have had an important role as a 'bridging concept' between the world of academic research and the 'real world' of healthcare prioritization. The definition of a cost-effectiveness threshold is paramount for the construction of a transparent and efficient Health Technology Assessment system.

Interaction between light and superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilabert, Alain

In the first part of this review article we resume briefly the fundamental aspect of the photon-superconductor interaction. The emphase is focused on the characteristic times and on the phenomenological models (the T*, the μ* models and the model of the kinetics equations) describing the out of equilibrium superconductivity. The experiments made on classical illuminated superconductors especially on tunnel junctions are then reported. In the second part we present the applied aspect of the photon-superconductor interaction. The interaction of the light with the high Tc superconductors is reviewed in the last part. Dans la première partie de cet article de revue, on résume brièvement 1'aspect fondamental de l'action des photons sur les supraconducteurs en s'attachant surtout à rappeler les différents temps caractéristiques de cette interaction et les modèles phénoménologiques (le modèle T*, le modèle μ*, le modèle des équations cinétiques) décrivant la supraconductivité hors équilibre. La seconde partie rappelle les expériences réalisées sur les supraconducteurs classiques illuminés et spécialement les jonctions tunnel ainsi que certaines applications de la supraconductivité hors équilibre comme les liens faibles controllables par des moyens optiques. La dernière partie est consacrée aux nouvelles expériences qui démarrent concernant l'action de la lumière sur les supraconducteurs à hautes températures critiques.

Publication bias in dermatology systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

PubMed

Atakpo, Paul; Vassar, Matt

2016-05-01

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in dermatology provide high-level evidence for clinicians and policy makers that influence clinical decision making and treatment guidelines. One methodological problem with systematic reviews is the under representation of unpublished studies. This problem is due in part to publication bias. Omission of statistically non-significant data from meta-analyses may result in overestimation of treatment effect sizes which may lead to clinical consequences. Our goal was to assess whether systematic reviewers in dermatology evaluate and report publication bias. Further, we wanted to conduct our own evaluation of publication bias on meta-analyses that failed to do so. Our study considered systematic reviews and meta-analyses from ten dermatology journals from 2006 to 2016. A PubMed search was conducted, and all full-text articles that met our inclusion criteria were retrieved and coded by the primary author. 293 articles were included in our analysis. Additionally, we formally evaluated publication bias in meta-analyses that failed to do so using trim and fill and cumulative meta-analysis by precision methods. Publication bias was mentioned in 107 articles (36.5%) and was formally evaluated in 64 articles (21.8%). Visual inspection of a funnel plot was the most common method of evaluating publication bias. Publication bias was present in 45 articles (15.3%), not present in 57 articles (19.5%) and not determined in 191 articles (65.2%). Using the trim and fill method, 7 meta-analyses (33.33%) showed evidence of publication bias. Although the trim and fill method only found evidence of publication bias in 7 meta-analyses, the cumulative meta-analysis by precision method found evidence of publication bias in 15 meta-analyses (71.4%). Many of the reviews in our study did not mention or evaluate publication bias. Further, of the 42 articles that stated following PRISMA reporting guidelines, 19 (45.2%) evaluated for publication bias. In comparison to other studies, we found that systematic reviews in dermatology were less likely to evaluate for publication bias. Evaluating and reporting the likelihood of publication bias should be standard practice in systematic reviews when appropriate. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Perspectives for Continuing Education and Training: Cooperation between Western and Eastern Europe. European Congress on Continuing Education and Training (3rd, Berlin, Germany, March 14-15, 1991). Congress Papers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wollschlager, Norbert, Ed.

The proceedings of the congress include the following workshop summaries: "Continuing Education and Training (CET) and Society" (Sellin); "The Social Dialogue" (Smith); "The Role of the Social Partners in Vocational and Further Training in Denmark" (Jensen); "Problems of Vocational Training in the Period of…

European temperature records of the past five centuries based on documentary information compared to climate simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zorita, E.

2009-09-01

Two European temperature records for the past half-millennium, January-to-April air temperature for Stockholm (Sweden) and seasonal temperature for a Central European region, both derived from the analysis of documentary sources combined with long instrumental records, are compared with the output of forced (solar, volcanic, greenhouse gases) climate simulations with the model ECHO-G. The analysis is complemented with the long (early)-instrumental record of Central England Temperature (CET). Both approaches to study past climates (simulations and reconstructions) are burdened with uncertainties. The main objective of this comparative analysis is to identify robust features and weaknesses that may help to improve models and reconstruction methods. The results indicate a general agreement between simulations and the reconstructed Stockholm and CET records regarding the long-term temperature trend over the recent centuries, suggesting a reasonable choice of the amplitude of the solar forcing in the simulations and sensitivity of the model to the external forcing. However, the Stockholm reconstruction and the CET record also show a long and clear multi-decadal warm episode peaking around 1730, which is absent in the simulations. The uncertainties associated with the reconstruction method or with the simulated internal climate variability cannot easily explain this difference. Regarding the interannual variability, the Stockholm series displays in some periods higher amplitudes than the simulations but these differences are within the statistical uncertainty and further decrease if output from a regional model driven by the global model is used. The long-term trends in the simulations and reconstructions of the Central European temperature agree less well. The reconstructed temperature displays, for all seasons, a smaller difference between the present climate and past centuries than the simulations. Possible reasons for these differences may be related to a limitation of the traditional technique for converting documentary evidence to temperature values to capture long-term climate changes, because the documents often reflect temperatures relative to the contemporary authors' own perception of what constituted 'normal' conditions. By contrast, the simulated and reconstructed inter-annual variability is in rather good agreement.

Broadband down-conversion based near infrared quantum cutting in Eu{sup 2+}–Yb{sup 3+} co-doped SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} for crystalline silicon solar cells

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tai, Yuping, E-mail: yupingtai@126.com; Zheng, Guojun, E-mail: zhengguojun88@126.com; Wang, Hui, E-mail: huiwang@nwu.edu.cn

2015-03-15

Near infrared (NIR) quantum cutting involving the down conversion of an absorbed visible photon to emission of two NIR photons was achieved in SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:0.01Eu{sup 2+}, xYb{sup 3+} (x=0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 mol%) samples. The photoluminescence properties of samples in visible and NIR regions were measured to verify the energy transfer (ET) from Eu{sup 2+} to Yb{sup 3+}. The results demonstrated that Eu{sup 2+} was an efficient sensitizer for Yb{sup 3+} in the SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} host lattice. According to Gaussian fitting analysis and temperature-dependent luminescence experiments, the conclusion was drawn that the cooperative energy transfermore » (CET) process dominated the ET process and the influence of charge transfer state (CTS) of Yb{sup 3+} could be negligible. As a result, the high energy transfer efficiency (ETE) and quantum yield (QY) have been acquired, the maximum value approached 73.68% and 147.36%, respectively. Therefore, this down-conversion material has potential application in crystalline silicon solar cells to improve conversion efficiency. - Graphical abstract: Near infrared quantum cutting was achieved in Eu{sup 2+}–Yb{sup 3+} co-doped SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} samples. The cooperative energy transfer process dominated energy transfer process and high energy transfer efficiency was acquired. - Highlights: • The absorption spectrum of Eu{sup 2+} ion is strong in intensity and broad in bandwidth. • The spectra of Eu{sup 2+} in SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} lies in the strongest region of solar spectrum. • The cooperative energy transfer (CET) dominated the energy transfer process. • The domination of CET is confirmed by experimental analysis. • SrAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Eu{sup 2+},Yb{sup 3+} show high energy transfer efficiency and long lifetime.« less

High-Intensity Interval vs. Continuous Endurance Training: Preventive Effects on Hormonal Changes and Physiological Adaptations in Prediabetes Patients.

PubMed

Safarimosavi, Saleh; Mohebbi, Hamid; Rohani, Hadi

2018-06-22

Safarimosavi, S, Mohebbi, H, and Rohani, H. High-intensity interval vs. continuous endurance training: Preventive effects on hormonal changes and physiological adaptations in prediabetes patients. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2018-The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention, or an isocaloric continuous endurance training (CET) intervention on insulin resistance indices and change in irisin and preptin in patients with prediabetes. Thirty-two prediabetic male patients (age = 38.7 ± 4; body mass index = 26.9 ± 1.4 kg·m; and V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak = 2.49 ± 0.22 L·min) were randomly assigned into 3 training groups (N = 8). These groups were matched based on the required energy expenditure (EE) for completing each protocol: (a) HIIT (10 × 60 seconds at 90% peak oxygen uptake [V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak], 1: 1 work to recovery at 50 W), (b) CET at an intensity equivalent to maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax) (CETFAT) (pedaling for a duration that expends an equivalent EE to an HIIT session [E ≈ HIIT]), (c) CET at an intensity equivalent to anaerobic threshold (CETAT) (E ≈ HIIT), and (d) the control group (CON): continued to perform their daily activities. After intervention, blood glucose levels were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the HIIT group compared with CETAT group. Exercise training improved the insulin resistance index by 35, 28, and 37% in CETFAT, CETAT, and HIIT groups, respectively. Irisin concentrations in the HIIT and CETAT groups was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased compared with the pre-training values. Also, HIIT and CETFAT resulted in significant (p < 0.05) changes in preptin concentration compared with baseline. This study demonstrated that both HIIT and CETFAT protocols had similar effects on the insulin resistance index of prediabetic patients. Also, the intensity and type of exercise were effective factors in changing irisin and preptin concentrations.

Use of high-scale traffic modeling to estimate road vehicle emissions of CO2 and impact on the atmospheric concentration in São Paulo, Brazil.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miranda, R. M.; Perez-Martinez, P.; Andrade, M. D. F.

2015-12-01

Adequate estimations of motor vehicle CO2 emission inventories at high spatial and temporal urban scales are needed to establish transport policy measures aim to reduce climate change impacts from global cities. The Metropolitan Region of São Paulo (MRSP) is impacted by the emission of 7 million vehicles (97% light-duty gasoline vehicles LDVs and 3% heavy-duty diesel vehicles HDVs) and several environmental programs were implemented to reduce the emissions. Inventories match site measurements and remote sensing and help to assess the real impact of road vehicle emissions on city's air quality. In this paper we presented a high-resolution vehicle-based inventory of motor CO2 emissions mapped at a scale of 100 m and 1 hour. We used origin and destination (O/D) transport area zone trips from the mobility survey of the São Paulo Transport Metropolitan Company (Metro), a road network of the region and traffic datasets from the São Paulo Transport Engineering Company (CET). The inventory was done individually for LDVs and HDVs for the years 2008 and 2013 and was complemented with air quality datasets from the State Environmental Company (CETESB), together with census data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Our inventory showed partial disagreement with the São Paulo State's GHG inventory, caused by the different approach used - bottom vs. top down - and characteristic spatial and temporal biases of the population inputs used (different emission factors). Higher concentrations became apparent near the road-network at the spatial scale used. The total emissions were estimated in 20,781 million tons per year of CO2eq (83.7% by LDVs and 16.3% HDVs). Temporal profiles - diurnal, weekly and monthly - in vehicle emission distributions were calculated using CET's traffic counts and surrogates of congestion. These profiles were compared with average road-site measurements of CO2 for the year 2013. Measurements showed two peaks associated to the morning/evening peak hour of vehicles, one in the morning of 430 ppm at 8:00 am, and the average concentration was 406 ± 12 ppm. Correlation analyses were performed between the vehicle kilometers travelled (VKT), the CO2 concentrations (proxy for the temporal variation of the CO2 emission) and the census data (personal income and hospital admissions).

Within What Distance Does “Greenness” Best Predict Physical Health? A Systematic Review of Articles with GIS Buffer Analyses across the Lifespan

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Is the amount of “greenness” within a 250-m, 500-m, 1000-m or a 2000-m buffer surrounding a person’s home a good predictor of their physical health? The evidence is inconclusive. We reviewed Web of Science articles that used geographic information system buffer analyses to identify trends between physical health, greenness, and distance within which greenness is measured. Our inclusion criteria were: (1) use of buffers to estimate residential greenness; (2) statistical analyses that calculated significance of the greenness-physical health relationship; and (3) peer-reviewed articles published in English between 2007 and 2017. To capture multiple findings from a single article, we selected our unit of inquiry as the analysis, not the article. Our final sample included 260 analyses in 47 articles. All aspects of the review were in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Analyses were independently judged as more, less, or least likely to be biased based on the inclusion of objective health measures and income/education controls. We found evidence that larger buffer sizes, up to 2000 m, better predicted physical health than smaller ones. We recommend that future analyses use nested rather than overlapping buffers to evaluate to what extent greenness not immediately around a person’s home (i.e., within 1000–2000 m) predicts physical health. PMID:28644420

Francophonie: An Alternative Education for Globalisation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gavari Starkie, Elisa

2011-01-01

This article analyses the Francophonie strategy to foster diversity of cultures and multilingualism in a globalised world. The first part of the article provides the analyses of the historic role of the French cultural and educational model in the diplomatic relations. Then the article refers to the context of the Second World War and the American…

Mediator and moderator effects in developmental and behavioral pediatric research.

PubMed

Rose, Brigid M; Holmbeck, Grayson N; Coakley, Rachael Millstein; Franks, Elizabeth A

2004-02-01

The terms mediation and moderation are defined and clarified with particular emphasis on the role of mediational and moderational analyses in developmental and behavioral pediatric research. The article highlights the applicability of mediational and moderational analyses to longitudinal, intervention, and risk and protective factor research, and it provides basic information about how these analyses might be conducted. Also included is a discussion of various ways that both mediator and moderator variables can be incorporated into a single model. The article concludes with extended examples of both types of analyses using a longitudinal pediatric study for illustration. The article provides recommendations for applying mediational and moderational research in clinical practice.

The Information Society: Towards an Iron Cage of e-Learning?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hautakangas, Sami; Kiilakoski, Tomi

2004-01-01

The purpose of this article is to analyse the meaning of different cultural paradigms in the development of educational technology. The article analyses technology critically from the perspective of the philosophy of technology, examines the manifestations of instrumentalism in the curriculum theory and analyses its effects on the different levels…

Effect of Hardness, Surface Finish and Grain Size on Rolling Contact Fatigue Life of M50 Bearing Steel

DTIC Science & Technology

1958-01-01

the surface-finish range desired, differ- cessary in order to establish optimum conditions ent grades of grinding wheels were used on the cen- for...FATIGUEHESULTS 05 MT O AT VARIO0 QRIAIN U- ZES HABLESSES , AND SURFACE INISHE.. TEbT BEOLTJ OF 010 LOBE IN DE1CEtDIh, (’D,6 Hard- Gr-in Sur(...(e Wiebull Ha

The Challenge of Repeating Success in a Changing World: Final Report on the Center for Employment Training Replication Sites

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Cynthia; Bos, Johannes M.; Porter, Kristin E.; Tseng, Fannie M.; Abe, Yasuyo

2005-01-01

Succeeding in the labor market depends now more than ever on having the right education and training. This reality poses a particular challenge for out-of-school youth, who are no longer connected to institutions designed to provide them with training and connect them to good jobs. The Center for Employment Training (CET) in San Jose, California,…

Mental State Decoding in Adolescent Boys with Major Depressive Disorder versus Sex-Matched Healthy Controls.

PubMed

Mellick, William; Sharp, Carla

2016-01-01

Several adult depression studies have investigated mental state decoding, the basis for theory of mind, using the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test. Findings have been mixed, but a comprehensive study found a greater severity of depression to be associated with poorer mental state decoding. Importantly, there has yet to be a similar study of adolescent depression. Converging evidence suggests that atypical mental state decoding may have particularly profound effects for psychosocial functioning among depressed adolescent boys. Adolescent boys with major depressive disorder (MDD, n = 33) and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n = 84) completed structured clinical interviews, self-report measures of psychopathology and the Child Eyes Test (CET). The MDD group performed significantly better than HCs on the CET overall (p = 0.002), underscored by greater accuracy for negatively valenced items (p = 0.003). Group differences on items depicting positive (p = 0.129) and neutral mental states (p = 0.081) were nonsignificant. Enhanced mental state decoding among depressed adolescent boys may play a role in the maintenance of and vulnerability to adolescent depression. Findings and implications are discussed. Limitations of this study include a reliance on self-report data for HC boys, as well as a lack of 'pure' depression among the boys with MDD. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

The role of the dendritic growth model dimensionality in predicting the Columnar to Equiaxed Transition (CET)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seredyński, M.; Rebow, M.; Banaszek, J.

2017-06-01

The dendrite tip kinetics model accuracy relies on the reliability of the stability constant used, which is usually experimentally determined for 3D situations and applied to 2D models. The paper reports authors` attempts to cure the situation by deriving 2D dendritic tip scaling parameter for aluminium-based alloy: Al-4wt%Cu. The obtained parameter is then incorporated into the KGT dendritic growth model in order to compare it with the original 3D KGT counterpart and to derive two-dimensional and three-dimensional versions of the modified Hunt's analytical model for the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). The conclusions drawn from the above analysis are further confirmed through numerical calculations of the two cases of Al-4wt%Cu metallic alloy solidification using the front tracking technique. Results, including the porous zone-under-cooled liquid front position, the calculated solutal under-cooling, the average temperature gradient at a front of the dendrite tip envelope and a new predictor of the relative tendency to form an equiaxed zone, are shown, compared and discussed for two numerical cases. The necessity to calculate sufficiently precise values of the tip scaling parameter in 2D and 3D is stressed.

Association between study design and citation counts of articles published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and Angle Orthodontist.

PubMed

Allareddy, Veerasathpurush; Lee, Min Kyeong; Shah, Andrea; Elangovan, Satheesh; Lin, Chin-Yu

2012-01-01

The scientific community views meta-analyses and systematic reviews, in addition to well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials, as the highest echelon in the continuum of hierarchy of evidence. The objective of this study was to examine the association between different study designs and citation counts of articles published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and Angle Orthodontist. All articles, excluding editorial comments, letters to the editor, commentaries, and special articles, that were published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and Angle Orthodontist during the years 2004 and 2005 were examined in this study. The number of times an article was cited in the first 24 months after its publication was computed. The PubMed database was used to index the study design of the articles. The association between study design and citation counts was examined using the Kruskal-Wallis test. A multivariable negative binomial regression model was used to examine the association between citation count and study design along with several other confounding variables. A total of 624 articles were selected for analysis. Of these, there were 25 meta-analyses or review articles, 42 randomized clinical trials, 59 clinical trials, 48 animal studies, 64 case reports, and 386 quasiexperimental/miscellaneous study designs. The mean ± SD citation count was 1.04 ± 1.46. Nearly half of the articles (n = 311) were not cited even once during the observation period. Case reports were cited less frequently than meta-analyses or reviews (incident risk ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval, 0.19 to 0.72; P = .003), even after adjusting for other independent variables. Among various study designs, meta-analyses and review articles are more likely to be cited in the first 24 months after publication. This study demonstrates the importance of publishing more meta-analyses and review articles for quicker dissemination of research findings.

More of Titan's secrets to be unveiled on January 21

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2005-01-01

After a 4 billion kilometre journey through the Solar System that lasted almost 7 years, the Huygens probe plunged into the hazy atmosphere of Titan at 11:13 CET on January 14 and landed safely on its frozen ground at 13:45 CET. It continued transmitting from the surface for several hours, even after the Cassini orbiter dropped below the horizon and stopped recording the data to relay them towards Earth. Cassini received excellent data from the surface of Titan for 1 hour 12 minutes. More than 474 megabits of data were received in 3 hours 44 minutes from Huygens, including some 350 pictures collected during the descent and on the ground, which revealed a landscape apparently modelled by erosion with drain channels, shoreline-like features and even pebble-shaped objects on the surface. The atmosphere was probed and sampled for analysis at altitudes from 160 km to the ground, revealing a uniform mix of methane with nitrogen in the stratosphere. Methane concentration increased steadily in the troposphere down to the surface. Clouds of methane at about 20 km altitude and methane or ethane fog near the surface were detected. The probe’s signal, monitored by a global network of radio telescopes on Earth, will help reconstruct its actual trajectory with an accuracy of 1 km and will provide data on Titan’s winds. Early analysis of the received signal indicate that Huygens was still transmitting after 3 hours on the surface. Later recordings are being analysed to see how long Huygens kept transmitting from the surface. Samples of aerosols were also collected at altitudes between 125 and 20 km and analysed onboard. During the descent, sounds were recorded in order to detect possible distant thunder from lightning, providing an exciting acoustic backdrop to Huygens’s descent. As the probe touched down at about 4.5 m/s, a whole series of instruments provided a large amount of data on the texture of the surface, which resembles wet sand or clay with a thin solid crust, and its composition, mainly a mix of dirty water ice and hydrocarbon ice, resulting in a darker soil than expected. The temperature measured at ground level was about -180 degrees Celsius. Some stunning preliminary results were presented shortly after the science teams obtained access to their data, on 15 January. After several days of processing and analysis of these results, the scientists will be able to deliver a better view of this strange distant world during a press conference on Friday 21 January at 11:00 CET at ESA’s Headquarters in Paris (rebroadcast at several other ESA establishments). See the attached form. Participating in this event: David Southwood ESA’s Director of Science Programmes, Jean-Pierre Lebreton ESA’s Huygens Project Scientist and Mission Manager, Marcello Fulchignoni (TBC) Principal Investigator for the Huygens Atmospheric Structure Instrument (HASI), from the University of Paris/Observatoire de Paris-Meudon, France, Martin G. Tomasko Principal Investigator for the Descent Imager and Spectral Radiometer (DISR), from the University of Arizona in Tucson, United States, John C. Zarnecki Principal Investigator for the Surface Science Package (SSP), from the Open University at Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, Guy Israel Principal Investigator for Aerosol Collector and Pyroliser (ACP), from CNRS, Service d’Aéronomie, Verrières-le-Buisson, France Toby Owen Cassini Interdisciplinary Scientist for the atmospheres of Titan and Saturn, from the Institute for Astronomy, Honolulu, United States. The ESA TV service will televise the press conference live via satellite (Eutelsat W1). For transmission details, check http://television.esa.int NASA-TV will broadcast the press conference across the US and as partner in the Cassini-Huygens mission ensure live streaming. For details, see: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperation between NASA, ESA and ASI, the Italian space agency. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, is managing the mission for NASA’s Office of Space Science, Washington DC. JPL designed, developed and assembled the Cassini orbiter. Media representatives wishing to attend are kindly requested to complete the attached accreditation form and return it, preferably by fax, to the ESA Media Relations Division in Paris (Fax : +33(0)1.53.69.7690).

Multi-country health surveys: are the analyses misleading?

PubMed

Masood, Mohd; Reidpath, Daniel D

2014-05-01

The aim of this paper was to review the types of approaches currently utilized in the analysis of multi-country survey data, specifically focusing on design and modeling issues with a focus on analyses of significant multi-country surveys published in 2010. A systematic search strategy was used to identify the 10 multi-country surveys and the articles published from them in 2010. The surveys were selected to reflect diverse topics and foci; and provide an insight into analytic approaches across research themes. The search identified 159 articles appropriate for full text review and data extraction. The analyses adopted in the multi-country surveys can be broadly classified as: univariate/bivariate analyses, and multivariate/multivariable analyses. Multivariate/multivariable analyses may be further divided into design- and model-based analyses. Of the 159 articles reviewed, 129 articles used model-based analysis, 30 articles used design-based analyses. Similar patterns could be seen in all the individual surveys. While there is general agreement among survey statisticians that complex surveys are most appropriately analyzed using design-based analyses, most researchers continued to use the more common model-based approaches. Recent developments in design-based multi-level analysis may be one approach to include all the survey design characteristics. This is a relatively new area, however, and there remains statistical, as well as applied analytic research required. An important limitation of this study relates to the selection of the surveys used and the choice of year for the analysis, i.e., year 2010 only. There is, however, no strong reason to believe that analytic strategies have changed radically in the past few years, and 2010 provides a credible snapshot of current practice.

Identifying the Research Process to Analyse the Adoption of the International Baccalaureate's Diploma Programme in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Outhwaite, Deborah

2018-01-01

This article analyses the flow-line around the methodology used inside an educational research process that was originally established to examine the expansion of the International Baccalaureate's Diploma Programme (IBDP) in England. This article analyses the research question, then assesses the research focus, aims and objectives. The article…

Les campagnes de dépistage du VIH, une stratégie efficace pour l’accès universel à la prévention et au traitement ? L’expérience du Burkina Faso

PubMed Central

Somé, J.F.; Desclaux, A.; Ky-Zerbo, O.; Lougué, M.; Kéré, S.; Obermeyer, C.; Simaga, F.

2014-01-01

Objectifs l’augmentation du taux de personnes qui connaissent leur statut VIH est un impératif, notamment en Afrique subsaharienne, ce qui impose d’évaluer les stratégies utilisées pour accroître la fréquentation des services de dépistage. Cet article vise à faire le bilan de la pertinence, de la faisabilité et de l’efficacité des campagnes nationales de dépistagemenées entre 2006 et 2010 au Burkina Faso. Méthodologie une analyse de toutes les données de fréquentation du conseil dépistage sur cette période a été faite, couplée à des entretiens avec les principaux acteurs intervenant dans le dépistage. Résultats les résultats montrent que les huit campagnes de dépistage organisées sur la période ont permis à 487 727 personnes de faire leur test VIH. Ce nombre représente 50 % du nombre total de personnes ayant fait leur test et contribue à hauteur de 24,6 % au dépistage des personnes séropositives identifiées au cours de cette période. Les campagnes ont touché des populations difficiles à atteindre (en particulier les jeunes), à un coût moindre. Conclusions cette stratégie est donc pertinente pour identifier les personnes VIH+. Son intérêt pour la prévention, important selon les soignants et au vu des populations jeunes qui y participent, devrait être mesuré par des études complémentaires. Les campagnes sont efficaces et coût-efficaces même dans un pays de niveau de prévalence faible. Ces résultats soulignent l’intérêt de la synergie entre les associations et les services de santé dans l’offre de services de conseil et dépistage. PMID:24681563

Equivalent Thermal Conductivities for Twisted Flat Windings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glises, R.; Bernard, R.; Chamagne, D.; Kauffmann, J. M.

1996-10-01

The authors of this paper intend to develop a method of determination of equivalent thermal conductivities for twisted flat windings. The conductivities determined are radial and parallel to the principal directions of the windings. A design has been realized thanks to the thermal modulus of the computation software Flux2D using a finite elements method. Following that phase, numerical correlations permitting to express the radial conductivities as a function of temperature, filling rate and insulation conductivities are proposed. Les auteurs de cet article se proposent de développer une étude de détermination de conductivités thermiques équivalentes d'empilements de bobinages plats torsadés. Les conductivités sont déterminées dans le plan radial (perpendiculaire à l'axe des bobinages) et parallèlement aux directions principales de la structure. La méthode utilisée est exclusivement numérique et est réalisée à l'aide du logiciel de calculs bidimensionnels par éléments finis Flux2D. Des corrélations numériques exploitables permettent d'obtenir directement les conductivités radiales en fonction du taux de remplissage, de la température du milieu et des conductivités des isolants électriques.

Comparaison des effets des irradiations γ, X et UV dans les fibres optiques

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Girard, S.; Ouerdane, Y.; Baggio, J.; Boukenter, A.; Meunier, J.-P.; Leray, J.-L.

2005-06-01

Les fibres optiques présentent de nombreux avantages incitant à les intégrer dans des applications devant résister aux environnements radiatifs associés aux domaines civil, spatial ou militaire. Cependant, leur exposition à un rayonnement entraîne la création de défauts ponctuels dans la silice amorphe pure ou dopée qui constitue les différentes parties de la fibre optique. Ces défauts causent, en particulier, une augmentation transitoire de l'atténuation linéique des fibres optiques responsable de la dégradation voire de la perte du signal propagé dans celles-ci. Dans cet article, nous comparons les effets de deux types d'irradiation: une impulsion X et une dose γ cumulée. Les effets de ces irradiations sont ensuite comparés avec ceux induits par une insolation ultraviolette (244 nm) sur les propriétés d'absorption des fibres optiques. Nous montrons qu'il existe des similitudes entre ces différentes excitations et qu'il est possible, sous certaines conditions, d'utiliser celles-ci afin d'évaluer la capacité de certaines fibres optiques à fonctionner dans un environnement nucléaire donné.

LE MAINTIEN DU POUVOIR CHEZ LA PERSONNE ÂGÉE HÉBERGÉE SOUFFRANT DE DÉFICITS COGNITIFS

PubMed Central

Vézina, Aline; Pelletier, Daniel

2013-01-01

Cet article théorique interpelle à la fois la recherche et l’intervention, à l’égard du mieux-être des personnes âgées hébergées présentant des troubles cognitifs associés à des démences dégénératives. Appuyé par la perspective de l’interactionnisme symbolique, il met l’accent sur les interactions entre le personnel soignant (infirmière, infirmière auxiliaire, préposée, ergothérapeute, personnel de réadaptation et des loisirs, travailleuse sociale, etc.) et les proches aidants, dans un objectif de maintien du pouvoir pour et par la personne âgée. Sous l’angle de l’approche centrée sur la personne, qui affirme l’importance de dépasser l’âgisme et l’impuissance quant à la démence, il aborde deux approches : l’approche prothétique élargie et l’approche biographique qui permettent de soutenir l’identité et l’affirmation de soi de la personne âgée hébergée souffrant de déficits cognitifs. PMID:24795486

Proposition d'un modèle expérimental pour la caractérisation de la réponse mécanique d'un composite (tissu de verre / résine époxyde)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Naceri, A.; Vautrin, A.

2005-05-01

L'objet de cet article est de proposer une géométrie d'éprouvette pour la caractérisation de la réponse mécanique d'un composite constitué de 12 plis de tissus de fibres de verre noyé dans une résine époxyde. Des essais de traction uniaxiale en rampe monotone réalisés sur différentes configurations géométriques d'éprouvettes avec différentes vitesses d'essais et le calcul numérique par éléments finis de la répartition des contraintes dans la zone centrale du modèle expérimental proposé, nous ont permis de justifier le choix d'une éprouvette profilée avec un rayon de 1000 mm qui présente une section réduite au centre et pour laquelle la rupture survient dans la zone centrale sans chute notable des caractéristiques mécaniques ultimes par rapport à l'éprouvette de forme parallélépipédique.

Performance of an Automated Versus a Manual Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging Workflow.

PubMed

Stocker, Daniel; Finkenstaedt, Tim; Kuehn, Bernd; Nanz, Daniel; Klarhoefer, Markus; Guggenberger, Roman; Andreisek, Gustav; Kiefer, Berthold; Reiner, Caecilia S

2018-04-24

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of an automated workflow for whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI), which reduces user interaction compared with the manual WB-MRI workflow. This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee. Twenty patients underwent WB-MRI for myopathy evaluation on a 3 T MRI scanner. Ten patients (7 women; age, 52 ± 13 years; body weight, 69.9 ± 13.3 kg; height, 173 ± 9.3 cm; body mass index, 23.2 ± 3.0) were examined with a prototypical automated WB-MRI workflow, which automatically segments the whole body, and 10 patients (6 women; age, 35.9 ± 12.4 years; body weight, 72 ± 21 kg; height, 169.2 ± 10.4 cm; body mass index, 24.9 ± 5.6) with a manual scan. Overall image quality (IQ; 5-point scale: 5, excellent; 1, poor) and coverage of the study volume were assessed by 2 readers for each sequence (coronal T2-weighted turbo inversion recovery magnitude [TIRM] and axial contrast-enhanced T1-weighted [ce-T1w] gradient dual-echo sequence). Interreader agreement was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients. Examination time, number of user interactions, and MR technicians' acceptance rating (1, highest; 10, lowest) was compared between both groups. Total examination time was significantly shorter for automated WB-MRI workflow versus manual WB-MRI workflow (30.0 ± 4.2 vs 41.5 ± 3.4 minutes, P < 0.0001) with significantly shorter planning time (2.5 ± 0.8 vs 14.0 ± 7.0 minutes, P < 0.0001). Planning took 8% of the total examination time with automated versus 34% with manual WB-MRI workflow (P < 0.0001). The number of user interactions with automated WB-MRI workflow was significantly lower compared with manual WB-MRI workflow (10.2 ± 4.4 vs 48.2 ± 17.2, P < 0.0001). Planning efforts were rated significantly lower by the MR technicians for the automated WB-MRI workflow than for the manual WB-MRI workflow (2.20 ± 0.92 vs 4.80 ± 2.39, respectively; P = 0.005). Overall IQ was similar between automated and manual WB-MRI workflow (TIRM: 4.00 ± 0.94 vs 3.45 ± 1.19, P = 0.264; ce-T1w: 4.20 ± 0.88 vs 4.55 ± .55, P = 0.423). Interreader agreement for overall IQ was excellent for TIRM and ce-T1w with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.86-0.98) and 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.95). Incomplete coverage of the thoracic compartment in the ce-T1w sequence occurred more often in the automated WB-MRI workflow (P = 0.008) for reader 2. No other significant differences in the study volume coverage were found. In conclusion, the automated WB-MRI scanner workflow showed a significant reduction of the examination time and the user interaction compared with the manual WB-MRI workflow. Image quality and the coverage of the study volume were comparable in both groups.

11th Annual Systems Engineering Conference

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-23

effectiveness for force structure architecture studies – Problem of interest was Layered Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance ( LISR ) with Integrated...Cleared for Public Release, Control No. 08-110, dtd. 10-1-0811 LISR CET Typical Products 1 Satellite_A; 1 Satellite_B; 3 VehA; 1 VehB (50%) 2 VehA; 3...the means to support LISR force structure architecture studies: Stand-alone and as a lead-in to detailed work Cleared for Public Release, Control No

The Location of Stress in Clothing

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

BUTON STATEMEN A Akppwood ttx public wlesE LI. Dlabuutiof Unlimite~d : DEFENCE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT OTTAWA REPORT 911 December 1984 Canadgi Ottawa 85 5...Protective Sciences Division * IV a., .4 DEFENCE RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT OTTAWA , REPORT 011 : - PCN December 1984 ", . 14B0M Ottawa - ’,o , , .; • -,,..- ’ t...seams. RESUME Cet exposi porte sur les r~sultats deune 6tude ayant pour but de * diterminer quelles positions imposent les plus grandes contraintes sur

Criteria for the assessment of analyser practicability

PubMed Central

Biosca, C.; Galimany, R.

1993-01-01

This article lists the theoretical criteria that need to be considered to assess the practicability of an automatic analyser. Two essential sets of criteria should be taken into account when selecting an automatic analyser: ‘reliability’ and ‘practicability’. Practibility covers the features that provide information about the suitability of an analyser for specific working conditions. These practibility criteria are classsified in this article and include the environment; work organization; versatility and flexibility; safely controls; staff training; maintenance and operational costs. PMID:18924972

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moore, B; Yin, F; Cai, J

Purpose: To determine the variation in tumor contrast between different MRI sequences and between patients for the purpose of MRI-based treatment planning. Methods: Multiple MRI scans of 11 patients with cancer(s) in the liver were included in this IRB-approved study. Imaging sequences consisted of T1W MRI, Contrast-Enhanced T1W MRI, T2W MRI, and T2*/T1W MRI. MRI images were acquired on a 1.5T GE Signa scanner with a four-channel torso coil. We calculated the tumor-to-tissue contrast to noise ratio (CNR) for each MR sequence by contouring the tumor and a region of interest (ROI) in a homogeneous region of the liver usingmore » the Eclipse treatment planning software. CNR was calculated (I-Tum-I-ROI)/SD-ROI, where I-Tum and I-ROI are the mean values of the tumor and the ROI respectively, and SD-ROI is the standard deviation of the ROI. The same tumor and ROI structures were used in all measurements for different MR sequences. Inter-patient Coefficient of variation (CV), and inter-sequence CV was determined. In addition, mean and standard deviation of CNR were calculated and compared between different MR sequences. Results: Our preliminary results showed large inter-patient CV (range: 37.7% to 88%) and inter-sequence CV (range 5.3% to 104.9%) of liver tumor CNR, indicating great variations in tumor CNR between MR sequences and between patients. Tumor CNR was found to be largest in CE-T1W (8.5±7.5), followed by T2W (4.2±2.4), T1W (3.4±2.2), and T2*/T1W (1.7±0.6) MR scans. The inter-patient CV of tumor CNR was also the largest in CE-T1W (88%), followed by T1W (64.3%), T1W (56.2%), and T2*/T1W (37.7) MR scans. Conclusion: Large inter-sequence and inter-patient variations were observed in liver tumor CNR. CE-T1W MR images on average provided the best tumor CNR. Efforts are needed to optimize tumor contrast and its consistency for MRI-based treatment planning of cancer in the liver. This project is supported by NIH grant: 1R21CA165384.« less

Priming for Improved Hand Strength in Persons with Chronic Tetraplegia: A Comparison of Priming-Augmented Functional Task Practice, Priming Alone, and Conventional Exercise Training

PubMed Central

Gomes-Osman, Joyce; Tibbett, Jacqueline A.; Poe, Brandon P.; Field-Fote, Edelle C.

2017-01-01

Many everyday tasks cannot be accomplished without adequate grip strength, and corticomotor drive to the spinal motoneurons is a key determinant of grip strength. In persons with tetraplegia, damage to spinal pathways limits transmission of signals from motor cortex to spinal motoneurons. Corticomotor priming, which increases descending drive, should increase corticospinal transmission through the remaining spinal pathways resulting in increased grip strength. Since the motor and somatosensory cortices share reciprocal connections, corticomotor priming may also have potential to influence somatosensory function. The purpose of this study was to assess changes in grip (precision, power) force and tactile sensation associated with two different corticomotor priming approaches and a conventional training approach and to determine whether baseline values can predict responsiveness to training. Participants with chronic (≥1 year) tetraplegia (n = 49) were randomized to one of two corticomotor priming approaches: functional task practice plus peripheral nerve somatosensory stimulation (FTP + PNSS) or PNSS alone, or to conventional exercise training (CET). To assess whether baseline corticospinal excitability (CSE) is predictive of responsiveness to training, in a subset of participants, we assessed pre-intervention CSE of the thenar muscles. Participants were trained 2 h daily, 5 days/week for 4 weeks. Thirty-seven participants completed the study. Following intervention, significant improvements in precision grip force were observed in both the stronger and weaker hand in the FTP + PNSS group (effect size: 0.51, p = 0.04 and 0.54, p = 0.03, respectively), and significant improvements in weak hand precision grip force were associated with both PNSS and CET (effect size: 0.54, p = 0.03 and 0.75, p = 0.02, respectively). No significant changes were observed in power grip force or somatosensory scores in any group. Across all groups, responsiveness to training as measured by change in weak hand power grip force was correlated with baseline force. Change in precision grip strength was correlated with measures of baseline CSE. These findings indicate that corticomotor priming with FTP + PNSS had the greatest influence on precision grip strength in both the stronger and weaker hand; however, both PNSS and CET were associated with improved precision grip strength in the weaker hand. Responsiveness to training may be associated with baseline CSE. PMID:28144229

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bourgeois, Tom

From October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2013 (“contract period”), the Northeast Clean Energy Application Center (“NE-CEAC”) worked in New York and New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine) to create a more robust market for the deployment of clean energy technologies (CETs) including combined heat and power (CHP), district energy systems (DES), and waste heat recovery (WHR) systems through the provision of technical assistance, education and outreach, and strategic market analysis and support for decision-makers. CHP, DES, and WHR can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce electrical and thermal energy costs, and provide more reliablemore » energy for users throughout the United States. The NE-CEAC’s efforts in the provision of technical assistance, education and outreach, and strategic market analysis and support for decision-makers helped advance the market for CETs in the Northeast thereby helping the region move towards the following outcomes: Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants; Improvements in energy efficiency resulting in lower costs of doing business; Productivity gains in industry and efficiency gains in buildings; Lower regional energy costs; Strengthened energy security; Enhanced consumer choice; Reduced price risks for end-users; and Economic development effects keeping more jobs and more income in our regional economy Over the contract period, NE-CEAC provided technical assistance to approximately 56 different potential end-users that were interested in CHP and other CETs for their facility or facilities. Of these 56 potential end-users, five new CHP projects totaling over 60 MW of install capacity became operational during the contract period. The NE-CEAC helped host numerous target market workshops, trainings, and webinars; and NE-CEAC staff delivered presentations at many other workshops and conferences. In total, over 60 different workshops, conferences, webinars, and presentation were hosted or delivered during the contract period. The NE-CEAC also produced publically available educational materials such as CHP project profiles. Finally, the NE-CEAC worked closely with the relevant state agencies involved with CHP development. In New York, the NE-CEAC played an important role in securing and maintaining funding for CHP incentive programs administered by the New York State Energy Research Development Authority. NE-CEAC was also involved in the NYC Mayor's Office DG Collaborative. The NECEAC was also named a strategic resource for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s innovative Microgrid Pilot Program.« less

How often do sensitivity analyses for economic parameters change cost-utility analysis conclusions?

PubMed

Schackman, Bruce R; Gold, Heather Taffet; Stone, Patricia W; Neumann, Peter J

2004-01-01

There is limited evidence about the extent to which sensitivity analysis has been used in the cost-effectiveness literature. Sensitivity analyses for health-related QOL (HR-QOL), cost and discount rate economic parameters are of particular interest because they measure the effects of methodological and estimation uncertainties. To investigate the use of sensitivity analyses in the pharmaceutical cost-utility literature in order to test whether a change in economic parameters could result in a different conclusion regarding the cost effectiveness of the intervention analysed. Cost-utility analyses of pharmaceuticals identified in a prior comprehensive audit (70 articles) were reviewed and further audited. For each base case for which sensitivity analyses were reported (n = 122), up to two sensitivity analyses for HR-QOL (n = 133), cost (n = 99), and discount rate (n = 128) were examined. Article mentions of thresholds for acceptable cost-utility ratios were recorded (total 36). Cost-utility ratios were denominated in US dollars for the year reported in each of the original articles in order to determine whether a different conclusion would have been indicated at the time the article was published. Quality ratings from the original audit for articles where sensitivity analysis results crossed the cost-utility ratio threshold above the base-case result were compared with those that did not. The most frequently mentioned cost-utility thresholds were $US20,000/QALY, $US50,000/QALY, and $US100,000/QALY. The proportions of sensitivity analyses reporting quantitative results that crossed the threshold above the base-case results (or where the sensitivity analysis result was dominated) were 31% for HR-QOL sensitivity analyses, 20% for cost-sensitivity analyses, and 15% for discount-rate sensitivity analyses. Almost half of the discount-rate sensitivity analyses did not report quantitative results. Articles that reported sensitivity analyses where results crossed the cost-utility threshold above the base-case results (n = 25) were of somewhat higher quality, and were more likely to justify their sensitivity analysis parameters, than those that did not (n = 45), but the overall quality rating was only moderate. Sensitivity analyses for economic parameters are widely reported and often identify whether choosing different assumptions leads to a different conclusion regarding cost effectiveness. Changes in HR-QOL and cost parameters should be used to test alternative guideline recommendations when there is uncertainty regarding these parameters. Changes in discount rates less frequently produce results that would change the conclusion about cost effectiveness. Improving the overall quality of published studies and describing the justifications for parameter ranges would allow more meaningful conclusions to be drawn from sensitivity analyses.

[The 100 Most Often Articles on Glaucoma Research: a Bibliometric Analysis].

PubMed

Frings, Andreas; Kromer, Robert; Ueberschaar, Julian; Druchkiv, Vasyl; Schargus, Marc

2017-10-25

Background Bibliometric science employs statistical and quantitative analyses to analyse the scholarly impact and characteristics of publications within a research field. The present study was initiated to analyse and quantify the 100 most often cited papers in glaucoma research. Materials and Methods The databases of the Institute for Scientific Information were utilised for the identification of articles published from 1900 to December 2016. All glaucoma articles were identified that had been published in 109 relevant journals and which had been cited at least 200 times. The top 100 articles were selected for further analysis of authorship, source journal, number of citations, citation rate, geographic origin, article type, and level of evidence. Results The publication dates of the 100 most often cited articles ranged from 1966 to 2011, with the greatest number of articles published in the 1990s. Citations per article ranged from 258 to 1908. All articles were published in 18 of the 109 journals. The leading countries of origin were the U. S. A., followed by the U. K. The study focussed on two main clinical articles (diagnostics; epidemiology) and basic research articles. The number of citations per article was greatest for articles published in the 2000s. Most articles provided level III evidence, followed by levels I and II. Conclusion The majority of the most cited articles were published in three of the top-ranked journals. Most clinical articles dealt with epidemiology and diagnostics. Individuals who authored multiple articles in the list often focussed on one of these two areas. Most studies were conducted in the U. S. A. and presented level III clinical outcomes. This indicates that even studies with small case series or cohort studies can attract attention. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Large-scale replication study reveals a limit on probabilistic prediction in language comprehension.

PubMed

Nieuwland, Mante S; Politzer-Ahles, Stephen; Heyselaar, Evelien; Segaert, Katrien; Darley, Emily; Kazanina, Nina; Von Grebmer Zu Wolfsthurn, Sarah; Bartolozzi, Federica; Kogan, Vita; Ito, Aine; Mézière, Diane; Barr, Dale J; Rousselet, Guillaume A; Ferguson, Heather J; Busch-Moreno, Simon; Fu, Xiao; Tuomainen, Jyrki; Kulakova, Eugenia; Husband, E Matthew; Donaldson, David I; Kohút, Zdenko; Rueschemeyer, Shirley-Ann; Huettig, Falk

2018-04-03

Do people routinely pre-activate the meaning and even the phonological form of upcoming words? The most acclaimed evidence for phonological prediction comes from a 2005 Nature Neuroscience publication by DeLong, Urbach and Kutas, who observed a graded modulation of electrical brain potentials (N400) to nouns and preceding articles by the probability that people use a word to continue the sentence fragment ('cloze'). In our direct replication study spanning 9 laboratories ( N =334), pre-registered replication-analyses and exploratory Bayes factor analyses successfully replicated the noun-results but, crucially, not the article-results. Pre-registered single-trial analyses also yielded a statistically significant effect for the nouns but not the articles. Exploratory Bayesian single-trial analyses showed that the article-effect may be non-zero but is likely far smaller than originally reported and too small to observe without very large sample sizes. Our results do not support the view that readers routinely pre-activate the phonological form of predictable words. © 2018, Nieuwland et al.

Large-scale replication study reveals a limit on probabilistic prediction in language comprehension

PubMed Central

Politzer-Ahles, Stephen; Heyselaar, Evelien; Segaert, Katrien; Darley, Emily; Kazanina, Nina; Von Grebmer Zu Wolfsthurn, Sarah; Bartolozzi, Federica; Kogan, Vita; Ito, Aine; Mézière, Diane; Barr, Dale J; Rousselet, Guillaume A; Ferguson, Heather J; Busch-Moreno, Simon; Fu, Xiao; Tuomainen, Jyrki; Kulakova, Eugenia; Husband, E Matthew; Donaldson, David I; Kohút, Zdenko; Rueschemeyer, Shirley-Ann; Huettig, Falk

2018-01-01

Do people routinely pre-activate the meaning and even the phonological form of upcoming words? The most acclaimed evidence for phonological prediction comes from a 2005 Nature Neuroscience publication by DeLong, Urbach and Kutas, who observed a graded modulation of electrical brain potentials (N400) to nouns and preceding articles by the probability that people use a word to continue the sentence fragment (‘cloze’). In our direct replication study spanning 9 laboratories (N=334), pre-registered replication-analyses and exploratory Bayes factor analyses successfully replicated the noun-results but, crucially, not the article-results. Pre-registered single-trial analyses also yielded a statistically significant effect for the nouns but not the articles. Exploratory Bayesian single-trial analyses showed that the article-effect may be non-zero but is likely far smaller than originally reported and too small to observe without very large sample sizes. Our results do not support the view that readers routinely pre-activate the phonological form of predictable words. PMID:29631695

Based on the development status of British BIM, exploring China’s BIM road

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiangang, Chu; hui, Li; shanjun, Zhang; Ningshan, Jiang; Dan, Zhang; Yu, Zhang; Guibo, Bao

2018-05-01

This article mainly analyses the development and application status and development trend of BIM technology after the implementation of the British government, to explore the policies and methods that our government should carry out in the development of BIM. The article also summarizes and analyses the relevant policies and standards implemented by various provincial and municipal governments in promoting BIM technology in China and summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of each other by comparing the development status of the implementation of BIM policies in various provinces and cities. The article also analysed the obstacles encountered in the implementation of some specific projects at the current stage of BIM technology, and summarized the feasible solutions. The article mainly analyses the application prospects of BIM from the technical aspects of design, the application of technology in the construction process, and the strategic implementation and operation of the company, and provides a reference for promoting the application of BIM in the construction industry in China, especially in the western region.

Abstracts of Reported Australian Military Studies on Manpower Attraction, Retention and Attrition.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

doing something exciting and varied. Social reasons are of secondary importance, while pay is least. Concrete, short-term reasons for joining are of...considered in relation to re-engagement only age and the service cet*gory chosen appear significant. Pay and Postings are thought to be the major reasons for ...climate and methods, e. conditions of service ( pay , DFRBF), f. overseas service, g. interpersonal factors. RETENTION IN THE ARMY RESERVE: A REVIEW

Prefrontal Cortical Inactivations Decrease Willingness to Expend Cognitive Effort on a Rodent Cost/Benefit Decision-Making Task.

PubMed

Hosking, Jay G; Cocker, Paul J; Winstanley, Catharine A

2016-04-01

Personal success often necessitates expending greater effort for greater reward but, equally important, also requires judicious use of our limited cognitive resources (e.g., attention). Previous animal models have shown that the prelimbic (PL) and infralimbic (IL) regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are not involved in (physical) effort-based choice, whereas human studies have demonstrated PFC contributions to (mental) effort. Here, we utilize the rat Cognitive Effort Task (rCET) to probe PFC's role in effort-based decision making. In the rCET, animals can choose either an easy trial, where the attentional demand is low but the reward (sugar) is small or a difficult trial on which both the attentional demand and reward are greater. Temporary inactivation of PL and IL decreased all animals' willingness to expend mental effort and increased animals' distractibility; PL inactivations more substantially affected performance (i.e., attention), whereas IL inactivations increased motor impulsivity. These data imply that the PFC contributes to attentional resources, and when these resources are diminished, animals shift their choice (via other brain regions) accordingly. Thus, one novel therapeutic approach to deficits in effort expenditure may be to focus on the resources that such decision making requires, rather than the decision-making process per se. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Activatable clinical fluorophore-quencher antibody pairs as dual molecular probes for the enhanced specificity of image-guided surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obaid, Girgis; Spring, Bryan Q.; Bano, Shazia; Hasan, Tayyaba

2017-12-01

The emergence of fluorescently labeled therapeutic antibodies has given rise to molecular probes for image-guided surgery. However, the extraneous interstitial presence of an unbound and nonspecifically accumulated probe gives rise to false-positive detection of tumor tissue and margins. Thus, the concept of tumor-cell activation of smart probes provides a potentially superior mechanism of delineating tumor margins as well as small tumor deposits. The combination of molecular targeting with intracellular activation circumvents the presence of extracellular, nonspecific signals of targeted probe accumulation. Here, we present a demonstration of the clinical antibodies cetuximab (cet, anti-EGFR mAb) and trastuzumab (trast, anti-HER-2 mAb) conjugated to Alexa Fluor molecules and IRDye QC-1 quencher optimized at the ratio of 1∶2∶6 to provide the greatest degree of proteolytic fluorescence activation, synonymous with intracellular lysosomal degradation. The cet-AF-Q-C1 conjugate (1∶2∶6) provides up to 9.8-fold proteolytic fluorescence activation. By preparing a spectrally distinct, irrelevant sham IgG-AF-QC-1 conjugate, a dual-activatable probe approach is shown to enhance the specificity of imaging within an orthotopic AsPC-1 pancreatic cancer xenograft model. The dual-activatable approach warrants expedited clinical translation to improve the specificity of image-guided surgery by spectrally decomposing specific from nonspecific probe accumulation, binding, and internalization.

Aspects épidémiologiques du suicide à Dakar

PubMed Central

Soumah, Mohamed Maniboliot; Eboué, Brice Angwé; Ndiaye, Mor; Sow, Mamadou Lamine

2013-01-01

Introduction Le suicidé est le sujet mort par suicide et le suicidant est la personne ayant fait des tentatives de suicide. L'objectif de cette étude porte sur l'analyse épidémiologique des suicides dans la région de Dakar. Méthodes Par une étude rétrospective portant sur les registres du service d'anatomie pathologique de l'Hôpital Aristide Le Dantec, nous rapportons 143 suicides sur 10 ans. Le traitement et l'analyse des données ont été faits sur Epidata version 2.1 b pour la saisie et Epiinfo version 6.04 fr pour l'analyse. Résultats A Dakar, les morts par suicide restent peu fréquentes au regard de la mortalité générale. Les hommes se suicident deux fois plus que les femmes et le suicide reste l'apanage de l'adulte jeune dont l'âge se situe entre 21 et 30 ans. Les suicidés résident le plus souvent en zone périurbaine et ils commettent cet acte dans la majorité des cas en période de froid (pendant les mois de janvier, février et mars), plus avant midi et en soirée qu'en après-midi. Aussi 97.2% des suicidés ont utilisé un seul moyen pour se suicider et le suicide complexe (utilisation de plusieurs moyens) a concerné seulement un cas dans notre étude. La pendaison reste le mode le plus utilisé. Conclusion Les hommes préfèrent donc des moyens de suicides violents (pendaison, arme à feu et arme blanche) alors que les femmes et les adolescents (tout sexe confondu) utilisent les intoxications. Le recueil des facteurs concourant au suicide permettrait une prévention de ce dernier. PMID:23847707

Rain research with disdrometers: a bibliometric review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernandez-Raga, M.; Palencia, C.; Tomas, C.; Calvo, A. I.; Castro, A.; Fraile, R.

2011-09-01

This study analyses the research on disdrometers based on published studies. To do so, a wide data base of bibliographic references has been used: the Web of Science (published by Thomson Reuters). The search was carried out for all of the articles whose "TOPIC" was disdrometer. The more than 300 articles found were analysed according to various criteria: countries with research using disdrometers; publication dates; evolution of the number of articles; concepts studied and research lines followed in each article; and finally, a bibliometric analysis of the more than 60 journals where these articles have been published. Since 1963, there has been an increase in the number of articles published on disdrometers, which in the last 20 yr has been more than ten times higher than the increase in the number of articles on meteorology.

Novel citation-based search method for scientific literature: application to meta-analyses.

PubMed

Janssens, A Cecile J W; Gwinn, M

2015-10-13

Finding eligible studies for meta-analysis and systematic reviews relies on keyword-based searching as the gold standard, despite its inefficiency. Searching based on direct citations is not sufficiently comprehensive. We propose a novel strategy that ranks articles on their degree of co-citation with one or more "known" articles before reviewing their eligibility. In two independent studies, we aimed to reproduce the results of literature searches for sets of published meta-analyses (n = 10 and n = 42). For each meta-analysis, we extracted co-citations for the randomly selected 'known' articles from the Web of Science database, counted their frequencies and screened all articles with a score above a selection threshold. In the second study, we extended the method by retrieving direct citations for all selected articles. In the first study, we retrieved 82% of the studies included in the meta-analyses while screening only 11% as many articles as were screened for the original publications. Articles that we missed were published in non-English languages, published before 1975, published very recently, or available only as conference abstracts. In the second study, we retrieved 79% of included studies while screening half the original number of articles. Citation searching appears to be an efficient and reasonably accurate method for finding articles similar to one or more articles of interest for meta-analysis and reviews.

Simulation of the as-cast structure of Al-4.0wt.%Cu ingots with a 5-phase mixed columnar-equiaxed solidification model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, M.; Ahmadein, M.; Kharicha, A.; Ludwig, A.; Li, J. H.; Schumacher, P.

2012-07-01

Empirical knowledge about the formation of the as-cast structure, mostly obtained before 1980s, has revealed two critical issues: one is the origin of the equiaxed crystals; one is the competing growth of the columnar and equiaxed structures, and the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). Unfortunately, the application of empirical knowledge to predict and control the as-cast structure was very limited, as the flow and crystal transport were not considered. Therefore, a 5-phase mixed columnar-equiaxed solidification model was recently proposed by the current authors based on modeling the multiphase transport phenomena. The motivation of the recent work is to determine and evaluate the necessary modeling parameters, and to validate the mixed columnar-equiaxed solidification model by comparison with laboratory castings. In this regard an experimental method was recommended for in-situ determination of the nucleation parameters. Additionally, some classical experiments of the Al-Cu ingots were conducted and the as-cast structural information including distinct columnar and equiaxed zones, macrosegregation, and grain size distribution were analysed. The final simulation results exhibited good agreement with experiments in the case of high pouring temperature, whereas disagreement in the case of low pouring temperature. The reasons for the disagreement are discussed.

Hubble Space Telescope Servicing begins.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1993-12-01

The day's work began when astronauts Story Musgrave and Jeff Hoffman stepped out into the cargo bay at 9h41 pm CST, Saturday (4h41 am CET, Sunday). They immediately set to work replacing two gyroscope assemblies, known as the Rate Sensor Units, two associated electronics boxes, called Electronic Control Units, and eight electrical fuse plugs. The work was completed ahead of schedule, but the astronauts had trouble closing the doors of the compartment housing the gyros and took over an hour to get them shut. The astronauts also prepared equipment for the replacement of the solar arrays. "The feeling down here is one of great satisfaction for a tremendous job today" said spacecraft communicator Greg Harbaugh in mission control. "We are very proud of the work that you all did and we are very confident in the continued success of the mission. Everything is going great and tomorrow is going to be another great day". ESA astronaut Claude Nicollier played a vital role during the spacewalk moving the astronauts and their equipment around the cargo bay with the shuttle's robot arm. The Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission features more robot arm operations than any other shuttle flight. The telescope's left-hand solar array was rolled up successfully at 6h24 am CST (1h24 pm CET). The 11-tonne observatory was rotated 180 degrees on its turntable before commands were sent to retract the second array at 8h23 am CST (3h23 pm CET). The crew stopped the retraction when it appeared the system may have jammed. Mission control instructed the crew to jettison the array, a procedure that they have trained for. Tomorrow astronauts Kathy Thornton and Tom Akers will make a six-hour spacewalk to jettison the troublesome wing, store the other in the cargo bay, and install two new panels supplied by ESA. The second set of arrays feature thermal shields and a modified thermal compensation system to prevent the flexing that affected the first pair. The Hubble Space Telescope was plucked from orbit this Saturday by ESA astronaut Claude Nicollier, operating the shuttle's robot arm. The Swiss-born astronaut gripped the 11- tonne observatory with the shuttle's 15-metre long robot arm at 2h34 am CST (9h34 am CET) after a two-day chase through space as the two spacecraft flew over the South Pacific Ocean. "Endeavour has a firm handshake with Mr. Hubble's telescope" said mission commander Dick Covey. "It's quite a sight". About half an hour later Nicollier had the telescope berthed on a special turntable in the back of the Shuttle's cargo bay. Later he used the camera at the end of the arm to surveyed the telescope for any damage. As the shuttle approached the telescope the astronauts first reported that one of the twin solar arrays appeared to be bowed and twisted. ESA officials said the problem was caused by the failure in early 1992 of the tensioning system on one side of the right-hand array. The system is designed to allow the blanket-like array to expand and contract in orbit. That failure placed stress on one of the supporting bi-stem booms resulting in its bent condition. Endeavour's mission began Thursday 2 December and will end 13 December. A total of five spacewalks are planned to service the telescope.

Europe reaches new frontier - Huygens lands on Titan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2005-01-01

The first scientific data arrived at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, this afternoon at 17:19 CET. Huygens is mankind’s first successful attempt to land a probe on another world in the outer Solar System. “This is a great achievement for Europe and its US partners in this ambitious international endeavour to explore Saturn system,” said Jean-Jacques Dordain, ESA’s Director General. Following its release from the Cassini mothership on 25 December, Huygens reached Titan’s outer atmosphere after 20 days and a 4 million km cruise. The probe started its descent through Titan’s hazy cloud layers from an altitude of about 1270 km at 11:13 CET. During the following three minutes Huygens had to decelerate from 18 000 to 1400 km per hour. A sequence of parachutes then slowed it down to less than 300 km per hour. At a height of about 160 km the probe’s scientific instruments were exposed to Titan’s atmosphere. At about 120 km, the main parachute was replaced by a smaller one to complete the descent, with an expected touchdown at 13:34 CET. Preliminary data indicate that the probe landed safely, likely on a solid surface. The probe began transmitting data to Cassini four minutes into its descent and continued to transmit data after landing at least as long as Cassini was above Titan’s horizon. The certainty that Huygens was alive came already at 11:25 CET today, when the Green Bank radio telescope in West Virginia, USA, picked up a fain but unmistakable radio signal from the probe. Radio telescopes on Earth continued to receive this signal well past the expected lifetime of Huygens. Huygens data, relayed by Cassini, were picked up by NASA’s Deep Space Network and delivered immediately to ESA’s European Space Operation Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, where the scientific analysis is currently taking place. “Titan was always the target in the Saturn system where the need for ‘ground truth’ from a probe was critical. It is a fascinating world and we are now eagerly awaiting the scientific results,” says Professor David Southwood, Director of ESA’s scientific programmme. “The Huygens scientists are all delighted. This was worth the long wait,” says Dr Jean-Pierre Lebreton, ESA Huygens Mission Manager. Huygens is expected to provide the first direct and detailed sampling of Titan’s atmospheric chemistry and the first photographs of its hidden surface, and will supply a detailed ‘weather report’. One of the main reasons for sending Huygens to Titan is that its nitrogen atmosphere, rich in methane, and its surface may contain many chemicals of the kind that existed on the young Earth. Combined with the Cassini observations, Huygens will afford an unprecedented view of Saturn’s mysterious moon. “Descending through Titan was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and today’s achievement proves that our partnership with ESA was an excellent one,” says Alphonso Diaz, NASA Associate Administrator of Science. The Cassini-Huygens mission is a cooperation between NASA, the European Space Agency and ASI, the Italian space agency. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, is managing the mission for NASA’s Office of Space Science, Washington. JPL designed, developed and assembled the Cassini orbiter. “The teamwork in Europe and the USA, between scientists, industry and agencies has been extraordinary and has set the foundations for today’s enormous success,” concludes Jean-Jacques Dordain.

Big Data Analyses in Health and Opportunities for Research in Radiology.

PubMed

Aphinyanaphongs, Yindalon

2017-02-01

This article reviews examples of big data analyses in health care with a focus on radiology. We review the defining characteristics of big data, the use of natural language processing, traditional and novel data sources, and large clinical data repositories available for research. This article aims to invoke novel research ideas through a combination of examples of analyses and domain knowledge. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

The Adaptive Professional: Teachers, School Leaders and Ethical-Governmental Practices of (Self-) Formation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Brien, Peter C.

2018-01-01

This article analyses the relations that teachers and school leaders establish with themselves and with others--especially those who would seek to govern them--through the professional and personal--professional activities that increasingly accompany pedagogical and administrative practice today. Specifically, the article seeks to analyse the…

The Roles and Performance of Professional Driving Instructors in Novice Driver Education

PubMed Central

Jawi, Zulhaidi M.; Deros, Baba M.; Rashid, Ahmad A. A.; Isa, Mohd H. M.; Awang, Azmi

2017-01-01

This review article aimed to analyse existing literature regarding the roles and performance of professional driving instructors (PDIs) in novice driver education (DE). A systematic classification scheme was adopted to analyse identified articles to determine the study context of PDIs in novice DE, the competency level of PDIs in relation to experienced and learner drivers and the contributions of PDIs to the novice driver learning process. A total of 14 original research articles were identified, with no systematic reviews or meta-analyses available. Overall, all of the articles were found to be inadequate in providing an in-depth understanding of the roles and performance of PDIs in novice DE. There is an urgent need to improve current understanding of the roles of PDIs in novice DE and to work towards an internationally recognised PDI management approach. PMID:29062549

The Roles and Performance of Professional Driving Instructors in Novice Driver Education.

PubMed

Jawi, Zulhaidi M; Deros, Baba M; Rashid, Ahmad A A; Isa, Mohd H M; Awang, Azmi

2017-08-01

This review article aimed to analyse existing literature regarding the roles and performance of professional driving instructors (PDIs) in novice driver education (DE). A systematic classification scheme was adopted to analyse identified articles to determine the study context of PDIs in novice DE, the competency level of PDIs in relation to experienced and learner drivers and the contributions of PDIs to the novice driver learning process. A total of 14 original research articles were identified, with no systematic reviews or meta-analyses available. Overall, all of the articles were found to be inadequate in providing an in-depth understanding of the roles and performance of PDIs in novice DE. There is an urgent need to improve current understanding of the roles of PDIs in novice DE and to work towards an internationally recognised PDI management approach.

Relevans og intention. To analyser af en massemedietekst om okonomisk politik. ROLIG-papir 33 (Relevance and Intention. Two Analyses of a Mass Media Text on Economic Politics. ROLIG-paper 33).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heltoft, Lars; Geist, Uwe

The three papers in this publication analyze a newspaper article on "economic politics," or more specifically, the devaluing of the Danish kroner. The papers all examine some linguistic or structural feature of the language used in writing the article. Specific focus is on relevance theory and relevance in the article, the use of text…

The Aerodynamcis of Parachutes

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-07-01

saine pour cc qui faisait I’objet de son livre ’Les parachutes". Les fonctions remplies par les matiriels qu’il y d&crivait itaient d’abord r’emport...port le titre, cet "AGARDographe eat considdre comme Ia suite directe du livre "Les parachutes" de Brown, car il insiste sur le maine themne: ’lea...reconnaitre au passage lea apports inestimablemn qu’clles ont faits A cette publication qui eat l’aboutissenient de tous nos efforts conjuguis. David

L'optique pour la sécurité sanitaire des aliments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piat, Félix

2017-12-01

Il semble aujourd'hui évident que chaque produit alimentaire commercialisé ne représente aucun danger pour la santé. Cet acquis repose pourtant sur un système complexe de règles et de contrôles appliqués quotidiennement dans les coulisses de l'industrie agro-alimentaire. Les technologies optiques y jouent un rôle prépondérant, permettant de séparer le bon grain de l'ivraie.

Environmental Impact Study of the Northern Section of the Upper Mississippi River. Pool 3.

DTIC Science & Technology

1973-11-01

checked wi iiimerctiry- f i Led precis;ion gJ;thie rirmet or. A-2 Dissolved Ox gen DO was measured with a YSI membrane-probed meter. it was calibrated...that they were limited to these locations. C~~t in(’i vv inl7CK C7~::1er’Aa c (,I, m:: dz-y fanc Cou;ty) as bein" oF ’.~ hi dopt1 ’:nv, cet In z g :n

Computing Properties Of Chemical Mixtures At Equilibrium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcbride, B. J.; Gordon, S.

1995-01-01

Scientists and engineers need data on chemical equilibrium compositions to calculate theoretical thermodynamic properties of chemical systems. Information essential in design and analysis of such equipment as compressors, turbines, nozzles, engines, shock tubes, heat exchangers, and chemical-processing equipment. CET93 is general program that calculates chemical equilibrium compositions and properties of mixtures for any chemical system for which thermodynamic data are available. Includes thermodynamic data for more than 1,300 gaseous and condensed species and thermal-transport data for 151 gases. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Beaked Whale Strandings and Naval Exercises

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

varamiento de cetá- ceos–Viceconsejería de Medio Ambiente . Gran Canaria: Government of the Canary Islands. Retrieved 30 November 2009 from www.gobcan.es...Department of the Navy (U.S. DoN). (2002a). Marine resources assessment for the Gulf of Mexico operating area. Prepared by Geo-Marine, Inc., Plano, TX...and Heritageb 1 June 1986 Zc, Me 5 Spain (Canary Islands) 4 Vonk & Martín Martel, 1988d 2 July 1986 Bb 7 Mexico 4 Aurioles-Gamboa, 1992d 29-31 Aug 1986

A 52 Kilodalton Protein Vaccine Candidate for Francisella tularensis

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-12-01

du vaccin vivant F. tularensis (LVS). Soixante pourcent (60%) des souris vaccindes ont survdcu la dose ltale multiple alors que toutes les souris non...le lysat des cellules de cultures vivantes du vaccin vivant F. tularensis. Plusieurs composants de Francisella tularensis ont dt6 identifids par cet...antiserum. Le s6rum de souris provenant de souris vaccin6es avec F. tularensis non- vivant n’a pas identifid ces composants. A partir de ces prot6ines

CRTs – Cluster Randomized Trials or “Courting Real Troubles”

PubMed Central

Ranson, M. Kent; Sinha, Tara; Morris, Saul S.; Mills, Anne J.

2006-01-01

This paper addresses the logistical challenges of implementing public health interventions in the setting of cluster randomized trials (CRTs), drawing on the experience of carrying out a CRT within a community-based health insurance (CBHI) scheme in rural India. Our CRT is seeking to improve the equity impact – i.e., reduce the differential in claims submission for hospitalization between poor and less poor – of this CBHI in rural areas. Five main challenges are identified and discussed: 1) assigning control clusters, 2) blinding, 3) implementing interventions simultaneously, 4) minimizing leakage, and 5) piggy-backing on a changing scheme. These challenges are not likely to be unique to low-income settings, although the fifth challenge is particularly likely when working with relatively small and resource-constrained programs. While compromises to methodological best-practice may reduce internal validity, they make the intervention more ‘real’, and potentially more applicable, to other programs and settings. Further, careful documentation of compromises allows them to be considered in the final analysis. RÉSUMÉ Cet article traite des difficultés logistiques rencontrées dans la mise en oeuvre d'interventions de santé publique dans le cadre d'essais contrôlés randomisés par grappes. Il tire les enseignements d'une expérience menée au sein d'un système d'assurance-santé communautaire dans une région rurale de l'Inde. Il s'agit d'une intervention randomisée par grappes qui a pour but d'améliorer l'équité du système, à savoir réduire l'écart entre les demandes de remboursement des frais d'hospitalisation soumises par les populations pauvres et moins pauvres. Cinq grandes difficultés sont présentées et discutées dans l'article : 1) la mise en place des groupes de contrôle, 2) la création des conditions d'un test en aveugle, 3) la simultanéité des interventions, 4) le risque de contamination entre les groupes et 5) l'implantation sur un dispositif connaissant des modifications. Ces problèmes ne sont pas propres au contexte des pays en développement, bien que le dernier soit plus courant dans le cas de petits programmes aux ressources limitées. Les concessions faites par rapport aux canons méthodologiques sont susceptibles de réduire la validité interne de l'étude, mais elles rendent l'intervention plus réaliste et potentiellement plus applicable à d'autres contextes. En outre, une documentation précise de ces compromis nous permet de les prendre en compte à la fin de l'analyse. PMID:16512334

Smoking cessation in smokers who smoke menthol and non-menthol cigarettes.

PubMed

Smith, Stevens S; Fiore, Michael C; Baker, Timothy B

2014-12-01

To assess the relations of menthol cigarette use with measures of cessation success in a large comparative effectiveness trial (CET). Participants were randomized to one of six medication treatment conditions in a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. All participants received six individual counseling sessions. Community-based smokers in two communities in Wisconsin, USA. A total of 1504 adult smokers who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day during the past 6 months and reported being motivated to quit smoking. The analysis sample comprised 1439 participants: 814 white non-menthol smokers, 439 white menthol smokers and 186 African American (AA) menthol smokers. There were too few AA non-menthol smokers (n = 16) to be included in the analyses. Nicotine lozenge, nicotine patch, bupropion sustained release, nicotine patch + nicotine lozenge, bupropion + nicotine lozenge and placebo. Biochemically confirmed 7-day point-prevalence abstinence assessed at 4, 8 and 26 weeks post-quit. In longitudinal abstinence analyses (generalized estimating equations) controlling for cessation treatment, menthol smoking was associated with reduced likelihood of smoking cessation success relative to non-menthol smoking [model-based estimates of abstinence = 31 versus 38%, respectively; odds ratio (OR) = 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59, 0.86]. In addition, among menthol smokers, AA women were at especially high risk of cessation failure relative to white women (estimated abstinence = 17 versus 35%, respectively; OR = 2.63, 95% CI = 1.75, 3.96; estimated abstinence rates for AA males and white males were both 30%, OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.60, 1.66). In the United States, smoking menthol cigarettes appears to be associated with reduced cessation success compared with non-menthol smoking, especially in African American females. © 2014 Society for the Study of Addiction.

Protocol for the MATCH study (Mindfulness and Tai Chi for cancer health): A preference-based multi-site randomized comparative effectiveness trial (CET) of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) vs. Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) for cancer survivors.

PubMed

Carlson, Linda E; Zelinski, Erin L; Speca, Michael; Balneaves, Lynda G; Jones, Jennifer M; Santa Mina, Daniel; Wayne, Peter M; Campbell, Tavis S; Giese-Davis, Janine; Faris, Peter; Zwicker, Jennifer; Patel, Kamala; Beattie, Tara L; Cole, Steve; Toivonen, Kirsti; Nation, Jill; Peng, Philip; Thong, Bruce; Wong, Raimond; Vohra, Sunita

2017-08-01

A growing number of cancer survivors suffer high levels of distress, depression and stress, as well as sleep disturbance, pain and fatigue. Two different mind-body interventions helpful for treating these problems are Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) and Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ). However, while both interventions show efficacy compared to usual care, they have never been evaluated in the same study or directly compared. This study will be the first to incorporate innovative design features including patient choice while evaluating two interventions to treat distressed cancer survivors. It will also allow for secondary analyses of which program best targets specific symptoms in particular groups of survivors, based on preferences and baseline characteristics. The design is a preference-based multi-site randomized comparative effectiveness trial. Participants (N=600) with a preference for either MBCR or TCQ will receive their preferred intervention; while those without a preference will be randomized into either intervention. Further, within the preference and non-preference groups, participants will be randomized into immediate intervention or wait-list control. Total mood disturbance on the Profile of mood states (POMS) post-intervention is the primary outcome. Other measures taken pre- and post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up include quality of life, psychological functioning, cancer-related symptoms and physical functioning. Exploratory analyses investigate biomarkers (cortisol, cytokines, blood pressure/Heart Rate Variability, telomere length, gene expression), which may uncover potentially important effects on key biological regulatory and antineoplastic functions. Health economic measures will determine potential savings to the health system. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Smoking Cessation in Smokers Who Smoke Menthol and Non-Menthol Cigarettes

PubMed Central

Smith, Stevens S.; Fiore, Michael C.; Baker, Timothy B.

2015-01-01

Aims To assess the relations of menthol cigarette use with measures of cessation success in a large comparative effectiveness trial (CET). Design Participants were randomized to one of six medication treatment conditions in a randomized double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. All participants received six individual counseling sessions. Setting Community-based smokers in two communities in Wisconsin, USA. Participants 1504 adult smokers who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day during the past 6 months and reported being motivated to quit smoking. The analysis sample comprised 1439 participants: 814 White non-menthol smokers, 439 White menthol smokers, and 186 African American (AA) menthol smokers. There were too few AA non-menthol smokers (n=16) to be included in the analyses. Interventions Nicotine lozenge, nicotine patch, bupropion sustained release, nicotine patch + nicotine lozenge, bupropion + nicotine lozenge, and placebo. Measurements Biochemically-confirmed 7-day point-prevalence abstinence assessed at 4, 8, and 26 weeks post-quit. Findings In longitudinal abstinence analyses (generalized estimating equations) controlling for cessation treatment, menthol-smoking was associated with reduced likelihood of smoking cessation success relative to non-menthol smoking (model-based estimates of abstinence = 31% vs. 38%, respectively; odds ratio [OR] =0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.59, 0.86). In addition, amongst menthol smokers, AA women were at especially high risk of cessation failure relative to White women (estimated abstinence =17% vs. 35%, respectively; OR=2.63, 95% CI=1.75, 3.96); estimated abstinence rates for AA males and White males were both 30%, OR=1.06, 95% CI=0.60, 1.66). Conclusion In the USA, smoking menthol cigarettes appears to be associated with reduced cessation success compared with non-menthol smoking, especially in African-American females. PMID:24938369

Assessing Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Tests--A Mathematical Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scharf, Eric M.; Baldwin, Lynne P.

2007-01-01

The reasoning behind popular methods for analysing the raw data generated by multiple choice question (MCQ) tests is not always appreciated, occasionally with disastrous results. This article discusses and analyses three options for processing the raw data produced by MCQ tests. The article shows that one extreme option is not to penalize a…

Analysis of international content of ranked nursing journals in 2005 using ex post facto design.

PubMed

Dougherty, Molly C; Lin, Shu-Yuan; McKenna, Hugh P; Seers, Kate; Keeney, Sinead

2011-06-01

The purpose of this study was to examine articles in ISI-ranked nursing journals and to analyse the articles and journals, using definitions of international and article content. Growing emphasis on global health includes attention on international nursing literature. Contributions from Latin America and Africa have been reported. Attention to ranked nursing journals to support scholarship in global health is needed. Using an ex post facto design, characteristics of 2827 articles, authors and journals of 32 ranked nursing journals for the year 2005 were analysed between June 2006 and June 2007. Using definitions of international and of article content, research questions were analysed statistically. (a) 928 (32·8%) articles were international; (b) 2016 (71·3%) articles were empirical or scholarly; (c) 826 (89·3%) articles reflecting international content were scholarly or empirical; (d) among international articles more were empirical (66·3 % vs. 32·8 %; χ(2) ((1)) = 283·6, P < 0·001); (e) among non-international articles more were scholarly (29·2 % vs. 22·7 %; χ(2) ((1)) = 15·85, P < 0·001; 22·7 %); (f) 1004 (78·0 %) articles were international, based on author characteristics; (f) 20 (62·5 %) journals were led by an international editorial team; and (g) international journals had more international articles (3·6 % vs. 29·2 %; χ(2) ((1)) = 175·75, P < 0·001) and higher impact factors than non-international journals (t = -14·43, P < 0·001). Articles with empirical content appear more frequently in international journals. Results indicate the need to examine the international relevance of the nursing literature. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Parotidite aigue néonatale suppurative: à propos de trois cas cliniques avec revue de la littérature

PubMed Central

Isfaoun, Zineb; Radouani, Mohammed Amine; Azzaoui, Sihame; Knouni, Houria; Aguenaou, Hassan; Barkat, Amina

2016-01-01

Cet article fait mention de trois cas de parotidite bactérienne néonatale observés pendant une période de sept mois. Ce diagnostic est souvent clinique: on retrouve classiquement hyperthermie, tuméfaction, érythème, chaleur ainsi que sensibilité locale et écoulement purulent au niveau du canal de Sténon lors du massage de la parotide. Le diagnostic clinique est confirmé par échographie et culture de la sécrétion parotidienne purulente. Elles sont le plus souvent d’origine nosocomiale, favorisées par la prématurité et la déshydratation. Traitées précocement, leur évolution est favorable. Les risques liés à l’âge doivent faire débuter une antibiothérapie empirique puis fonction de l'examen direct du pus extrait du canal de Sténon. On isole le plus communément le Staphylocoque aureus; le Streptocoque Viridans et les germes anaérobies. Les parotidites aigues sont très rares en période néonatale: moins de 50 cas ont été rapportés dans la littérature. Nous rapportons trois observations assez particulières. Le diagnostic avait été suspecté sur les signes inflammatoires locaux. PMID:28154641

Mesure de la conductivité complexe et de la résistance de surface de films supraconducteurs YBaCuO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mehri, F.; Lepercq, P.; Carru, J. C.; Playez, E.; Thivet, C.; Perrin, A.; Chambonnet, D.

1994-11-01

We describe in this paper 2 non destructive measurement methods in microwaves (18-26 GHz) well-suited to the characterization of conducting and superconducting thin films. From the experimental values we show that it is possible to infer, without any hypothesis, the following parameters : σ^*, R_s, X_s and λ between 20 K and 300 K. Some examples are given with metallic and superconducting samples from various origins. At 22 GHz and below 75 K, YBaCuO films deposited on MgO have a surface resistance inferior to bulk copper one. Dans cet article nous décrivons 2 méthodes de mesure non destructives adaptées à la caractérisation en microondes (18-26 GHz) de films minces conducteurs et supraconducteurs. A partir des valeurs expérimentales nous montrons qu'il est possible d'en déduire les grandeurs caractéristiques à savoir σ^*, R_s, X_s et λ entre 20 K et 300 K. Nous donnons des exemples de caractérisation de films métalliques et supraconducteurs provenant de différentes origines. A 22 GHz, en dessous de 75 K, les films YBaCuO déposés sur MgO ont une résistance de surface inférieure à celle du cuivre massif.

La cryomicroélectronique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamarinos, Georges

1991-02-01

The Integrated Circuits and the microelectronics devices working in temperatures lower than 100 K are studied by cryomicroelectronics. In this short review paper the development of this new branch of microelectronics is described. Particularly the advantages and the drawbacks of the cooling of integrated circuits and devices are listed. Then the current research axis are given. They correspond to two different approaches ; the " classic " one which is based to the materials used in the present VLSI technology and the innovative way which aims at using new HT_c superconductors. L'objet de la cryomicroélectronique est l'étude des Circuits Intégrés et des composants microélectroniques à des températures inférieures à 100 K. Cet article de revue décrit très brièvement l'état d'avancement des connaissances relatives aux avantages et aux inconvénients des composants et Circuits Intégrés au Silicium fonctionnant à basse température. Ensuite on expose les axes de recherche actuels ; ils sont relatifs à deux approches : l'une, classique, est basée sur les matériaux utilisés actuellement dans la technologie de l'intégration à grande échelle; l'autre, novatrice, vise à utiliser les matériaux supraconducteurs à haute température critique.

Determination of the Dissolution Slowness Surface by Study of Etched Shapes: II. Comparison of 2D Experimental and Theoretical Etching Shapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leblois, T.; Tellier, C. R.; Messaoudi, T.

1997-03-01

The anisotropic etching behavior of quartz crystal in concentrated ammonium bifluoride solution is studied and analyzed in the framework of a tensorial model. This model allows to simulate bi- or three-dimensional etching shapes from the equation for the representative surface of the dissolution slowness. In this paper, we present experimental results such as surface profile and initially circular cross-sectional profiles of differently singly- or doubly-rotated cuts. The polar diagrams of the dissolution slowness vector in several planes are deduced from experimental data. The comparison between predicted surface and cross-sectional profiles and experimental results is detailed and shows a good agreement. In particular, several examples give evidence that the final etched shapes are correlated to the extrema of the dissolution slowness. However, in several cases, experimental shapes cannot be simply correlated to the presence of extrema. Simulation gives effectively evidence for an important role played by more progressive changes in the curvature of the slowness surface. Consequently, analysis of data merits to be treated carefully. Nous nous proposons d'étudier et d'analyser à l'aide du modèle tensoriel de la dissolution l'attaque chimique anisotrope du cristal de quartz dans une solution concentrée de bifluorure d'ammonium. Ce modèle permet de simuler des formes usinées à deux ou trois dimensions à partir de l'équation de la surface représentative de la lenteur de dissolution du cristal de quartz. Dans cet article, nous présentons des résultats expérimentaux concernant des profils de surface et des sections initialement cylindriques de coupes à simple et double rotation. Les diagrammes polaires du vecteur lenteur de dissolution dans différents plans sont déduits de données expérimentales. La comparaison entre les profils de surface et de section théoriques et les résultats expérimentaux est détaillée et montre un bon accord. En particulier plusieurs exemples montrent que la forme finale est corrélée à la présence d'extrema de la lenteur de dissolution. Cependant, la corrélation entre résultats expérimentaux et théoriques n'est pas toujours simple et mérite une analyse soignée. Pour conclure, le modèle 3D est appliqué pour prévoir la forme usinée d'un trou initialement circulaire dans une coupe tournée autour de l'axe Y. Le résultat théorique est comparé avec la forme usinée expérimentale et montre un parfait accord.

Interacting with the Reader: Politeness Strategies in Engineering Research Article Discussions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Salom, Luz Gil; Monreal, Carmen Soler

2009-01-01

The writer's strategy to combine the exposition of factual information with personal judgement and interaction with the reader has been analysed in a number of studies (Hunston, 1994; Hyland, 1998a, 1998b; Latour and Woolgar, 1979; Skelton, 1997). Myers' studies (1989, 1992) on the pragmatics of politeness in scientific articles analyse politeness…

The Emergence of Innovative Work in School Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vennebo, Kirsten Foshaug; Ottesen, Eli

2015-01-01

In this article, we analyse the school developmental work of a project team in Norwegian upper secondary schools. The team aims to improve teaching and learning by making use of new technologies. The aim of the article is to explore the "black box" of developmental work practices by analysing the interactions between the team members to…

Testing virtual reality-based cue-exposure software: Which cue-elicited responses best discriminate between patients with eating disorders and healthy controls?

PubMed

Pla-Sanjuanelo, Joana; Ferrer-García, Marta; Vilalta-Abella, Ferran; Riva, Giuseppe; Dakanalis, Antonios; Ribas-Sabaté, Joan; Andreu-Gracia, Alexis; Fernandez-Aranda, Fernando; Sanchez-Diaz, Isabel; Escandón-Nagel, Neli; Gomez-Tricio, Osane; Tena, Virgínia; Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José

2017-07-27

Virtual reality (VR) technologies have been proposed as a new tool able to improve on in vivo exposure in patients with eating disorders. This study assessed the validity of a VR-based software for cue exposure therapy (CET) in people with bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED). Fifty eight outpatients (33 BN and 25 BED) and 135 healthy participants were exposed to 10 craved virtual foods and a neutral cue in four experimental virtual environments (kitchen, dining room, bedroom, and cafeteria). After exposure to each VR scenario, food craving and anxiety were assessed. The frequency/severity of episodes of uncontrollable overeating was also assessed and body mass index was measured prior to the exposure. In both groups, craving and anxiety responses when exposed to the food-related virtual environments were significantly higher than in the neutral-cue virtual environment. However, craving and anxiety levels were higher in the clinical group. Furthermore, cue-elicited anxiety was better at discriminating between clinical and healthy groups than cue-elicited craving. This study provides evidence of the ability of food-related VR environments to provoke food craving and anxiety responses in BN and BED patients and highlights the need to consider both responses during treatment. The results support the use of VR-CET in the treatment of eating disorder patients characterized by binge-eating and people with high bulimic symptoms.

Comparison of different methods for the assessment of the urban heat island in Stuttgart, Germany.

PubMed

Ketterer, Christine; Matzarakis, Andreas

2015-09-01

This study of the urban heat island (UHI) aims to support planning authorities by going beyond the traditional way of urban heat island studies. Therefore, air temperature as well as the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) were applied to take into account the effect of the thermal atmosphere on city dwellers. The analysis of the urban heat island phenomenon of Stuttgart, Germany, includes a long-term frequency analysis using data of four urban and one rural meteorological stations. A (high resolution map) of the UHI intensity and PET was created using stepwise multiple linear regression based on data of car traverses as well as spatial data. The mapped conditions were classified according to the long-term frequency analysis. Regarding climate change, the need for adaptation measures as urban greening is obvious. Therefore, a spatial analysis of quantification of two scenarios of a chosen study area was done by the application of a micro-scale model. The nocturnal UHI of Stuttgart is during 15 % stronger than 4 K in the city center during summer when daytime heat stress occurs during 40 %. A typical summer condition is mapped using statistical approach to point out the most strained areas in Stuttgart center and west. According to the model results, the increase in number of trees in a chosen area (Olga hospital) can decrease PET by 0.5 K at 22:00 CET but by maximum 27 K at 14:00 CET.

Electrical characterization of 4H-SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor structure with Al2O3 stacking layers as dielectric

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, P. K.; Hwu, J. G.

2018-02-01

Interface defects and oxide bulk traps conventionally play important roles in the electrical performance of SiC MOS device. Introducing the Al2O3 stack grown by repeated anodization of Al films can notably lower the leakage current in comparison to the SiO2 structure, and enhance the minority carrier response at low frequency when the number of Al2O3 layers increase. In addition, the interface quality is not deteriorated by the stacking of Al2O3 layers because the stacked Al2O3 structure grown by anodization possesses good uniformity. In this work, the capacitance equivalent thickness (CET) of stacking Al2O3 will be up to 19.5 nm and the oxidation process can be carried out at room temperature. For the Al2O3 gate stack with CET 19.5 nm on n-SiC substrate, the leakage current at 2 V is 2.76 × 10-10 A/cm2, the interface trap density at the flatband voltage is 3.01 × 1011 eV-1 cm-2, and the effective breakdown field is 11.8 MV/cm. Frequency dispersion and breakdown characteristics may thus be improved as a result of the reduction in trap density. The Al2O3 stacking layers are capable of maintaining the leakage current as low as possible even after constant voltage stress test, which will further ameliorate reliability characteristics.

Incorporation of fragmentation into a volume average solidification model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Y.; Wu, M.; Kharicha, A.; Ludwig, A.

2018-01-01

In this study, a volume average solidification model was extended to consider fragmentation as a source of equiaxed crystals during mixed columnar-equiaxed solidification. The formulation suggested for fragmentation is based on two hypotheses: the solute-driven remelting is the dominant mechanism; and the transport of solute-enriched melt through an interdendritic flow in the columnar growth direction is favorable for solute-driven remelting and is the necessary condition for fragment transportation. Furthermore, a test case with Sn-10 wt%Pb melt solidifying vertically downward in a 2D domain (50 × 60 mm2) was calculated to demonstrate the model’s features. Solidification started from the top boundary, and a columnar structure developed initially with its tip growing downward. Furthermore, thermo-solutal convection led to fragmentation in the mushy zone near the columnar tip front. The fragments transported out of the columnar region continued to grow and sink, and finally settled down and piled up in the bottom domain. The growing columnar structure from the top and pile-up of equiaxed crystals from the bottom finally led to a mixed columnar-equiaxed structure, in turn leading to a columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). A special macrosegregation pattern was also predicted, in which negative segregation occurred in both columnar and equiaxed regions and a relatively strong positive segregation occurred in the middle domain near the CET line. A parameter study was performed to verify the model capability, and the uncertainty of the model assumption and parameter was discussed.

Use of Statistical Analyses in the Ophthalmic Literature

PubMed Central

Lisboa, Renato; Meira-Freitas, Daniel; Tatham, Andrew J.; Marvasti, Amir H.; Sharpsten, Lucie; Medeiros, Felipe A.

2014-01-01

Purpose To identify the most commonly used statistical analyses in the ophthalmic literature and to determine the likely gain in comprehension of the literature that readers could expect if they were to sequentially add knowledge of more advanced techniques to their statistical repertoire. Design Cross-sectional study Methods All articles published from January 2012 to December 2012 in Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology and Archives of Ophthalmology were reviewed. A total of 780 peer-reviewed articles were included. Two reviewers examined each article and assigned categories to each one depending on the type of statistical analyses used. Discrepancies between reviewers were resolved by consensus. Main Outcome Measures Total number and percentage of articles containing each category of statistical analysis were obtained. Additionally we estimated the accumulated number and percentage of articles that a reader would be expected to be able to interpret depending on their statistical repertoire. Results Readers with little or no statistical knowledge would be expected to be able to interpret the statistical methods presented in only 20.8% of articles. In order to understand more than half (51.4%) of the articles published, readers were expected to be familiar with at least 15 different statistical methods. Knowledge of 21 categories of statistical methods was necessary to comprehend 70.9% of articles, while knowledge of more than 29 categories was necessary to comprehend more than 90% of articles. Articles in retina and glaucoma subspecialties showed a tendency for using more complex analysis when compared to cornea. Conclusions Readers of clinical journals in ophthalmology need to have substantial knowledge of statistical methodology to understand the results of published studies in the literature. The frequency of use of complex statistical analyses also indicates that those involved in the editorial peer-review process must have sound statistical knowledge in order to critically appraise articles submitted for publication. The results of this study could provide guidance to direct the statistical learning of clinical ophthalmologists, researchers and educators involved in the design of courses for residents and medical students. PMID:24612977

Excess success for psychology articles in the journal science.

PubMed

Francis, Gregory; Tanzman, Jay; Matthews, William J

2014-01-01

This article describes a systematic analysis of the relationship between empirical data and theoretical conclusions for a set of experimental psychology articles published in the journal Science between 2005-2012. When the success rate of a set of empirical studies is much higher than would be expected relative to the experiments' reported effects and sample sizes, it suggests that null findings have been suppressed, that the experiments or analyses were inappropriate, or that the theory does not properly follow from the data. The analyses herein indicate such excess success for 83% (15 out of 18) of the articles in Science that report four or more studies and contain sufficient information for the analysis. This result suggests a systematic pattern of excess success among psychology articles in the journal Science.

Excess Success for Psychology Articles in the Journal Science

PubMed Central

Francis, Gregory; Tanzman, Jay; Matthews, William J.

2014-01-01

This article describes a systematic analysis of the relationship between empirical data and theoretical conclusions for a set of experimental psychology articles published in the journal Science between 2005–2012. When the success rate of a set of empirical studies is much higher than would be expected relative to the experiments' reported effects and sample sizes, it suggests that null findings have been suppressed, that the experiments or analyses were inappropriate, or that the theory does not properly follow from the data. The analyses herein indicate such excess success for 83% (15 out of 18) of the articles in Science that report four or more studies and contain sufficient information for the analysis. This result suggests a systematic pattern of excess success among psychology articles in the journal Science. PMID:25474317

Understanding School Leadership and Management Development in England: Retrospect and Prospect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simkins, Tim

2012-01-01

This article explores the ways in which leadership and management development (LMD) in England has been researched and analysed over the past 40 years. The article is in two parts. The first analyses the ways in which patterns of provision have evolved in response to changing conceptions of how the school system should be organized and how,…

Theory of Knowledge Aims, Objectives and Assessment Criteria: An Analysis of Critical Thinking Descriptors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Conrad

2014-01-01

This article analyses the construct validity of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme's Theory of Knowledge course in the light of claims that it is a course in critical thinking. After discussion around critical thinking--what it is and why it is valuable educationally--the article analyses the extent to which the course aims,…

The 100 most-cited articles on non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection from 1995 to 2015.

PubMed

Jhun, B W; Kim, S-Y; Kong, J H; Park, J R; Park, S Y; Shim, M A; Jeon, K; Park, H Y; Shin, S J; Koh, W-J

2017-01-01

Citation analyses aid in assessing quality, trends and future directions of research fields. To identify the most influential articles on infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in the last 20 years. We performed a cited reference search of the Web of Science database from 1995 to 2015. The 100 most cited articles on NTM infections were analysed. The top 100 articles were cited 114-1471 times, and were published from 1995 to 2013. Sixty-five were laboratory-based, basic science articles, with the major topics being pathophysiology (n = 20) and molecular methods for NTM identification (n = 15). Among the 35 non-laboratory studies, major topics were clinical management (n = 15) and epidemiology (n = 14). The top article was a clinical treatise on the management of NTM disease, published in 2007. Although there was a correlation between article rank and journal impact factor (P = 0.043, ρ = -0.202), the five articles from the journals with highest impact factors did not rank among the top 10 articles. A large proportion of influential articles on NTM infection are basic scientific studies, and the most influential articles are not always published in high-impact journals.

Preliminary results from the hydrodynamic element of the 1994 entrapment zone study

USGS Publications Warehouse

Burau, J.R.; Stacey, M.; Gartner, J.W.

1995-01-01

This article discusses preliminary results from analyses of USGS hydrodynamic data collected as part of the 1994 Interagency Ecological Program entrapment zone study. The USGS took part in three 30-hour cruises and deployed instruments for measuring currents and salinity from April to June. This article primarily focuses on the analysis of data from five Acoustic Doppler Current ProUers (ADCPs) deployed in Carquinez Strait, Suisun Bay, and the Western Delta. From these analyses a revised conceptual model of the hydrodynamics of the entrapment/null zone has evolved. The ideas discussed in this newsletter article are essentially working hypotheses, which are presented here to stimulate discussion and further analyses. In this article we discuss the currently-held conceptual model of entrapment and present data that are inconsistent with this conceptual model. Finally, we suggest a revised conceptual model that is consistent with all of the hydrodynamic data collected to date and describe how the 1995 study incorporates our revised conceptual model into its design.

Congestion estimation technique in the optical network unit registration process.

PubMed

Kim, Geunyong; Yoo, Hark; Lee, Dongsoo; Kim, Youngsun; Lim, Hyuk

2016-07-01

We present a congestion estimation technique (CET) to estimate the optical network unit (ONU) registration success ratio for the ONU registration process in passive optical networks. An optical line terminal (OLT) estimates the number of collided ONUs via the proposed scheme during the serial number state. The OLT can obtain congestion level among ONUs to be registered such that this information may be exploited to change the size of a quiet window to decrease the collision probability. We verified the efficiency of the proposed method through simulation and experimental results.

Measurement of Particle Size Distribution in a Solid Propellant Rocket Motor Using Light Scattering

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-01

RE>NTOF PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN A SOLID PROPELLA NT iRO7CET M -OTOR USING7V LIG-THT SCATTERI0- PERO’J: ABTHOS) 3j -*"i 0, REPORT 30 ,’ME COVERED...ENGINEERING SCIENCE from the NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL " June 1987 Author: Ted E.Prqi Approved by: 61’ D. W. Netzer, Thesdvisor M . F. Platzer, Chairman...Motor Profile, 22 May .................... .......... 87 4.38 Motor Profile, 26 May ................................ 88 N) 4. 8 M t r P o i e 2 a

Consistency and accuracy of indexing systematic review articles and meta-analyses in medline.

PubMed

Wilczynski, Nancy L; Haynes, R Brian

2009-09-01

Systematic review articles support the advance of science and translation of research evidence into healthcare practice. Inaccurate retrieval from medline could limit access to reviews. To determine the quality of indexing systematic reviews and meta-analyses in medline. The Clinical Hedges Database, containing the results of a hand search of 161 journals, was used to test medline indexing terms for their ability to retrieve systematic reviews that met predefined methodologic criteria (labelled as 'pass' review articles) and reviews that reported a meta-analysis. The Clinical Hedges Database contained 49 028 articles; 753 were 'pass' review articles (552 with a meta-analysis). In total 758 review articles (independent of whether they passed) reported a meta-analysis. The search strategy that retrieved the highest number of 'pass' systematic reviews achieved a sensitivity of 97.1%. The publication type 'meta analysis' had a false positive rate of 5.6% (95% CI 3.9 to 7.6), and false negative rate of 0.31% (95% CI 0.26 to 0.36) for retrieving systematic reviews that reported a meta-analysis. Inaccuracies in indexing systematic reviews and meta-analyses in medline can be partly overcome by a 5-term search strategy. Introducing a publication type for systematic reviews of the literature could improve retrieval performance.

Content analysis of press coverage during the H1N1 influenza pandemic in Germany 2009-2010.

PubMed

Husemann, Sabine; Fischer, Florian

2015-04-15

The H1N1 influenza pandemic occurred in Germany between April 2009 and August 2010. Pandemics often lead to uncertainty amongst the public and so risk communication on health-related issues is one of the key areas of action for health authorities and other healthcare institutions. The mass media may contribute to risk communication, so this study analysed press coverage during the H1N1 pandemic in Germany. A comprehensive analysis of the press coverage during the H1N1 pandemic was conducted in two steps. First, a temporal analysis was carried out of newspaper articles over the entire course of the pandemic, a total of 15,353 articles. The newspaper articles were obtained from the database Nexis. The total number of articles about the influenza pandemic during each individual week was plotted against the number of incident influenza cases during that week. Second, a quantitative content analysis of 140 newspaper articles from selected dates was conducted. This study indicates that media awareness seems to be strongly related to the actual situation in the pandemic, because changes in the number of infected people were associated with nearly identical changes in the number of newspaper articles. Few articles contained information on the agent of the influenza or support measures. Information on vaccination was included in 32.9% of all articles. Almost half of the articles (48.6%) used case reports. Fear appeals were used in only 10.7% of the newspaper articles; 32.9% of the articles contained the message characteristic "self-efficacy". The newspaper articles that were analysed in the content analysis included different information and message characteristics. The extent of information provided differed during the pandemic. As current research indicates, the use of message characteristics such as fear appeals and self-efficacy, which were also included in the analysed newspaper articles, can help to make health messages effective.

Clinical Evaluation of a Fully-automatic Segmentation Method for Longitudinal Brain Tumor Volumetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meier, Raphael; Knecht, Urspeter; Loosli, Tina; Bauer, Stefan; Slotboom, Johannes; Wiest, Roland; Reyes, Mauricio

2016-03-01

Information about the size of a tumor and its temporal evolution is needed for diagnosis as well as treatment of brain tumor patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of a fully-automatic segmentation method, called BraTumIA, for longitudinal brain tumor volumetry by comparing the automatically estimated volumes with ground truth data acquired via manual segmentation. Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging data of 14 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma encompassing 64 MR acquisitions, ranging from preoperative up to 12 month follow-up images, was analysed. Manual segmentation was performed by two human raters. Strong correlations (R = 0.83-0.96, p < 0.001) were observed between volumetric estimates of BraTumIA and of each of the human raters for the contrast-enhancing (CET) and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments (NCE-T2). A quantitative analysis of the inter-rater disagreement showed that the disagreement between BraTumIA and each of the human raters was comparable to the disagreement between the human raters. In summary, BraTumIA generated volumetric trend curves of contrast-enhancing and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments comparable to estimates of human raters. These findings suggest the potential of automated longitudinal tumor segmentation to substitute manual volumetric follow-up of contrast-enhancing and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments.

Clinical Evaluation of a Fully-automatic Segmentation Method for Longitudinal Brain Tumor Volumetry.

PubMed

Meier, Raphael; Knecht, Urspeter; Loosli, Tina; Bauer, Stefan; Slotboom, Johannes; Wiest, Roland; Reyes, Mauricio

2016-03-22

Information about the size of a tumor and its temporal evolution is needed for diagnosis as well as treatment of brain tumor patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of a fully-automatic segmentation method, called BraTumIA, for longitudinal brain tumor volumetry by comparing the automatically estimated volumes with ground truth data acquired via manual segmentation. Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging data of 14 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma encompassing 64 MR acquisitions, ranging from preoperative up to 12 month follow-up images, was analysed. Manual segmentation was performed by two human raters. Strong correlations (R = 0.83-0.96, p < 0.001) were observed between volumetric estimates of BraTumIA and of each of the human raters for the contrast-enhancing (CET) and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments (NCE-T2). A quantitative analysis of the inter-rater disagreement showed that the disagreement between BraTumIA and each of the human raters was comparable to the disagreement between the human raters. In summary, BraTumIA generated volumetric trend curves of contrast-enhancing and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments comparable to estimates of human raters. These findings suggest the potential of automated longitudinal tumor segmentation to substitute manual volumetric follow-up of contrast-enhancing and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments.

Parents’ experiences of participating in an intervention on tobacco prevention in Child Health Care

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Child health care is an important arena for tobacco prevention in Sweden. The aim of this study was to describe parents’ experiences from participating in a nursebased tobacco prevention intervention. Methods Eleven parents were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The material was analysed in a qualitative content analysis process. Results The analysis emerged four categories; Receiving support, Respectful treatment, Influence on smoking habits and Receiving information. The parents described how the CHC nurses treated them with support and respect. They described the importance of being treated with respect for their autonomy in their decisions about smoking. They also claimed that they had received little or no information about health consequences for children exposed to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). The findings also indicate that both the questionnaire used and the urine-cotinine test had influenced parents’ smoking. Conclusion The clinical implication is that CHC is an important arena for preventive work aiming to minimize children’s tobacco smoke exposure. CHC nurses can play an important role in tobacco prevention but should be more explicit in their communication with parents about tobacco issues. The SiCET was referred to as an eye-opener and can be useful in the MI dialogues nurses perform in order to support parents in their efforts to protect their children from ETS. PMID:24612749

The Variability of Delta-Ceti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jerzykiewicz, M.; Sterken, C.; Kubiak, M.

1988-03-01

Differential uvby observations of the well-known β Cephei star δ Cet, obtained on seven nights in 1981 and on one night in 1982, are presented and analysed. Contrary to a recent report, no variation in the shape of the light curves is found. However, a marginal night-to-night variation of the 1981 amplitudes is noted. It is then demonstrated that the amplitude variation was caused either by a secondary short-period component with an amplitude not exceeding 0m.0016, or by slow drifts in the differential magnitudes. In addition, it is shown that all available epochs of maximum light, except three unreliable ones, can be accounted for by a parabolic ephemeris which implies an increase of the period at a rate of 0.47 ± 0.09 sec/century. However, it is also shown that the epochs of maximum light from 1963 onwards can be satisfactorily represented with a constant period, equal to 0d.16113762 ± 0d.00000002. The available epochs of maximum radial-velocity are then examined. No compelling evidence for a variation of the phase lag between the light and radial-velocity curves is found. From modern radial-velocity data, a phase lag equal to 0.200 ± 0.005 is derived. Finally, it is shown that the available photometric observations are still not sufficient to detect a secular light amplitude change.

Clinical Evaluation of a Fully-automatic Segmentation Method for Longitudinal Brain Tumor Volumetry

PubMed Central

Meier, Raphael; Knecht, Urspeter; Loosli, Tina; Bauer, Stefan; Slotboom, Johannes; Wiest, Roland; Reyes, Mauricio

2016-01-01

Information about the size of a tumor and its temporal evolution is needed for diagnosis as well as treatment of brain tumor patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of a fully-automatic segmentation method, called BraTumIA, for longitudinal brain tumor volumetry by comparing the automatically estimated volumes with ground truth data acquired via manual segmentation. Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging data of 14 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma encompassing 64 MR acquisitions, ranging from preoperative up to 12 month follow-up images, was analysed. Manual segmentation was performed by two human raters. Strong correlations (R = 0.83–0.96, p < 0.001) were observed between volumetric estimates of BraTumIA and of each of the human raters for the contrast-enhancing (CET) and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments (NCE-T2). A quantitative analysis of the inter-rater disagreement showed that the disagreement between BraTumIA and each of the human raters was comparable to the disagreement between the human raters. In summary, BraTumIA generated volumetric trend curves of contrast-enhancing and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments comparable to estimates of human raters. These findings suggest the potential of automated longitudinal tumor segmentation to substitute manual volumetric follow-up of contrast-enhancing and non-enhancing T2-hyperintense tumor compartments. PMID:27001047

Key issues in the quality assurance of the One Number Census.

PubMed

Diamond, Ian; Abbott, Owen; Jackson, Neil

2003-01-01

As part of the 2001 Census, the One Number Census project estimated and adjusted the Census database for underenumeration. As a result of the highly innovative One Number Census and the Quality Assurance process it encompassed, it was also ensured that robust results could be obtained for each local authority area. This article examines some of the issues and analyses that were undertaken as part of that assessment of the 2001 Census population counts for England and Wales. The article firstly highlights the key issues surrounding the implementation of the 2001 Census fieldwork. The article then explores the 2001 Census results through a series of demographic analyses to illustrate the sorts of issues investigated during the One Number Census Quality Assurance process itself. These analyses look at the patterns contained within the results, and comparisons with key alternative sources of population counts. Overall, these in-depth analyses and investigations provide further credence to the plausibility of the One Number Census results.

The Prevalence of Cyberbullying and the Views of 5-12 Grade Pupils and Teachers on Cyberbullying Prevention in Lithuanian Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baraldsnes, Dziuginta

2015-01-01

This article analyses the views of cyberbullying prevention among 5-12 grade pupils and teachers in Lithuanian schools. It defines the concept of cyberbullying in the context of school pupils, and analyses the theoretical grounds for prevention of this form of bullying. The article also presents the results of the survey (which was conducted in…

An Epistemology of One's Own: Curricular (Re-)Construction of School Technology and Non-Technology in Sweden, 1975-1995

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lovheim, Daniel

2010-01-01

This article analyses the introduction and, later on, reconstruction of compulsory school technology in Sweden 1975-1995. It focuses on two curricular reforms and different attempts to increase the legitimacy of technology as a school subject. The article builds upon theories from science studies and the term boundary-work is used to analyse the…

Extraction of water and solutes from argillaceous rocks for geochemical characterisation: Methods, processes and current understanding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sacchi, Elisa; Michelot, Jean-Luc; Pitsch, Helmut; Lalieux, Philippe; Aranyossy, Jean-François

2001-01-01

This paper summarises the results of a comprehensive critical review, initiated by the OECD/NEA "Clay Club," of the extraction techniques available to obtain water and solutes from argillaceous rocks. The paper focuses on the mechanisms involved in the extraction processes, the consequences on the isotopic and chemical composition of the extracted pore water and the attempts made to reconstruct its original composition. Finally, it provides some examples of reliable techniques and information, as a function of the purpose of the geochemical study. Résumé. Cet article résume les résultats d'une synthèse critique d'ensemble, lancée par le OECD/NEA "Clay Club", sur les techniques d'extraction disponibles pour obtenir l'eau et les solutés de roches argileuses. L'article est consacré aux mécanismes impliqués dans les processus d'extraction, aux conséquences sur la composition isotopique et chimique de l'eau porale extraite et aux tentatives faites pour reconstituer sa composition originelle. Finalement, il donne quelques exemples de techniques fiables et d'informations, en fonction du but de l'étude géochimique. Resúmen. Este artículo resume los resultados de una revisión crítica exhaustiva (iniciada por el "Clay Club" OECD/NEA) de las técnicas de extracción disponibles para obtener agua y solutos en rocas arcillosas. El artículo se centra en los mecanismos involucrados en los procesos extractivos, las consecuencias en la composición isotópica y química del agua intersticial extraída, y en los intentos realizados para reconstruir su composición original. Finalmente, se presentan algunos ejemplos de técnicas fiables e información, en función del propósito del estudio geoquímico.

Methodologies nouvelles pour la realisation d'essais dans la soufflerie Price-Paidoussis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flores Salinas, Manuel

Le present memoire en genie de la production automatisee vise a decrire le travail effectue dans la soufflerie Price-Paidoussis du laboratoire LARCASE pour trouver les methodologies experimentales et les procedures de tests, qui seront utilisees avec les modeles d'ailes actuellement au laboratoire. Les methodologies et procedures presentees ici vont permettre de preparer les tests en soufflerie du projet MDO-505 Architectures et technologies deformables pour l'amelioration des performances des ailes, qui se derouleront durant l'annee 2015. D'abord, un bref historique des souffleries subsoniques sera fait. Les differentes sections de la soufflerie Price-Paidoussis seront decrites en mettant l'emphase sur leur influence dans la qualite de l'ecoulement qui se retrouve dans la chambre d'essai. Ensuite, une introduction a la pression, a sa mesure lors de tests en soufflerie et les instruments utilises pour les tests en soufflerie au laboratoire LARCASE sera presente, en particulier le capteur piezoelectrique XCQ-062. Une attention particuliere sera portee au mode de fonctionnement, a son installation, a la mesure et a la detection des frequences et aux sources d'erreurs lorsqu'on utilise des capteurs de haute precision comme la serie XCQ-062 du fournisseur Kulite. Finalement, les procedures et les methodologies elaborees pour les tests dans la soufflerie Price-Paidoussis seront utilisees sur quatre types d'ailes differentes. L'article New methodology for wind tunnel calibration using neural networks - EGD approch portant sur une nouvelle facon de predire les caracteristiques de l'ecoulement a l'interieur de la soufflerie Price-Paidoussis se trouve dans l'annexe 2 de ce document. Cet article porte sur la creation d'un reseau de neurones multicouche et sur l'entrainement des neurones, Ensuite, une comparaison des resultats du reseau de neurones a ete fait avec des valeurs simules avec le logiciel Fluent.

Underutilisation of routinely collected data in the HIV programme in Zambia: a review of quantitatively analysed peer-reviewed articles.

PubMed

Munthali, Tendai; Musonda, Patrick; Mee, Paul; Gumede, Sehlulekile; Schaap, Ab; Mwinga, Alwyn; Phiri, Caroline; Kapata, Nathan; Michelo, Charles; Todd, Jim

2017-06-13

The extent to which routinely collected HIV data from Zambia has been used in peer-reviewed published articles remains unexplored. This paper is an analysis of peer-reviewed articles that utilised routinely collected HIV data from Zambia within six programme areas from 2004 to 2014. Articles on HIV, published in English, listed in the Directory of open access journals, African Journals Online, Google scholar, and PubMed were reviewed. Only articles from peer-reviewed journals, that utilised routinely collected data and included quantitative data analysis methods were included. Multi-country studies involving Zambia and another country, where the specific results for Zambia were not reported, as well as clinical trials and intervention studies that did not take place under routine care conditions were excluded, although community trials which referred patients to the routine clinics were included. Independent extraction was conducted using a predesigned data collection form. Pooled analysis was not possible due to diversity in topics reviewed. A total of 69 articles were extracted for review. Of these, 7 were excluded. From the 62 articles reviewed, 39 focused on HIV treatment and retention in care, 15 addressed prevention of mother-to-child transmission, 4 assessed social behavioural change, and 4 reported on voluntary counselling and testing. In our search, no articles were found on condom programming or voluntary male medical circumcision. The most common outcome measures reported were CD4+ count, clinical failure or mortality. The population analysed was children in 13 articles, women in 16 articles, and both adult men and women in 33 articles. During the 10 year period of review, only 62 articles were published analysing routinely collected HIV data in Zambia. Serious consideration needs to be made to maximise the utility of routinely collected data, and to benefit from the funds and efforts to collect these data. This could be achieved with government support of operational research and publication of findings based on routinely collected Zambian HIV data.

Students' Attitudes to Information in the Press: Critical Reading of a Newspaper Article with Scientific Content

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oliveras, B.; Márquez, C.; Sanmartí, N.

2014-01-01

This research analyses what happens when a critical reading activity based on a press article dealing with an energy-related problem is implemented with two groups of students of 13-14 years old and 16-17 years old in the same school (a total of 117 students). Specifically, the research analyses the students' profiles from the standpoint of…

Accuracy of medical subject heading indexing of dental survival analyses.

PubMed

Layton, Danielle M; Clarke, Michael

2014-01-01

To assess the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) indexing of articles that employed time-to-event analyses to report outcomes of dental treatment in patients. Articles published in 2008 in 50 dental journals with the highest impact factors were hand searched to identify articles reporting dental treatment outcomes over time in human subjects with time-to-event statistics (included, n = 95), without time-to-event statistics (active controls, n = 91), and all other articles (passive controls, n = 6,769). The search was systematic (kappa 0.92 for screening, 0.86 for eligibility). Outcome-, statistic- and time-related MeSH were identified, and differences in allocation between groups were analyzed with chi-square and Fischer exact statistics. The most frequently allocated MeSH for included and active control articles were "dental restoration failure" (77% and 52%, respectively) and "treatment outcome" (54% and 48%, respectively). Outcome MeSH was similar between these groups (86% and 77%, respectively) and significantly greater than passive controls (10%, P < .001). Significantly more statistical MeSH were allocated to the included articles than to the active or passive controls (67%, 15%, and 1%, respectively, P < .001). Sixty-nine included articles specifically used Kaplan-Meier or life table analyses, but only 42% (n = 29) were indexed as such. Significantly more time-related MeSH were allocated to the included than the active controls (92% and 79%, respectively, P = .02), or to the passive controls (22%, P < .001). MeSH allocation within MEDLINE to time-to-event dental articles was inaccurate and inconsistent. Statistical MeSH were omitted from 30% of the included articles and incorrectly allocated to 15% of active controls. Such errors adversely impact search accuracy.

Structural and dielectric properties of thin ZrO2 films on silicon grown by atomic layer deposition from cyclopentadienyl precursor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Niinistö, J.; Putkonen, M.; Niinistö, L.; Kukli, K.; Ritala, M.; Leskelä, M.

2004-01-01

ZrO2 thin films with thicknesses below 20 nm were deposited by the atomic layer deposition process on Si(100) substrates at 350 °C. An organometallic precursor, Cp2Zr(CH3)2 (Cp=cyclopentadienyl, C5H5) was used as the zirconium source and water or ozone as oxygen source. The influence of oxygen source and substrate pretreatment on the dielectric properties of ZrO2 films was investigated. Structural characterization with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy was performed to films grown onto HF-etched or native oxide covered silicon. Strong inhibition of ZrO2 film growth was observed with the water process on HF-etched Si. Ozone process on HF-etched Si resulted in interfacial SiO2 formation between the dense and uniform film and the substrate while water process produced interfacial layer with intermixing of SiO2 and ZrO2. The effective permittivity of ZrO2 in Al/ZrO2/Si/Al capacitor structures was dependent on the ZrO2 layer thickness and oxygen source used. The interfacial layer formation increased the capacitance equivalent oxide thickness (CET). CET of 2.0 nm was achieved with 5.9 nm ZrO2 film deposited with the H2O process on HF-stripped Si. The ozone-processed films showed good dielectric properties such as low hysteresis and nearly ideal flatband voltage. The leakage current density was lower and breakdown field higher for the ozone-processed ZrO2 films.

Impact of daylight saving time on road traffic collision risk: a systematic review

PubMed Central

Carey, Rachel N; Sarma, Kiran M

2017-01-01

Background Bills have been put forward in the UK and Republic of Ireland proposing a move to Central European Time (CET). Proponents argue that such a change will have benefits for road safety, with daylight being shifted from the morning, when collision risk is lower, to the evening, when risk is higher. Studies examining the impact of daylight saving time (DST) on road traffic collision risk can help inform the debate on the potential road safety benefits of a move to CET. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the impact of DST on collision risk. Methods Major electronic databases were searched, with no restrictions as to date of publication (the last search was performed in January 2017). Access to unpublished reports was requested through an international expert group. Studies that provided a quantitative analysis of the effect of DST on road safety-related outcomes were included. The primary outcomes of interest were road traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities. Findings Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Seventeen examined the short-term impact of transitions around DST and 12 examined long-term effects. Findings from the short-term studies were inconsistent. The long-term findings suggested a positive effect of DST. However, this cannot be attributed solely to DST, as a range of road collision risk factors vary over time. Interpretation The evidence from this review cannot support or refute the assertion that a permanent shift in light from morning to evening will have a road safety benefit. PMID:28674131

Effects of a Context Shift and Multiple Context Extinction on Reactivity to Alcohol Cues

PubMed Central

MacKillop, James; Lisman, Stephen A.

2008-01-01

Cue exposure treatment (CET) attempts to reduce the influence of conditioned substance cues on addictive behavior via prolonged cue exposure with response prevention (i.e., extinction), but has received only modest empirical support in clinical trials. This may be because extinction learning appears to be context dependent and a change in context may result in a return of conditioned responding (i.e., renewal), although this has received only limited empirical examination. The current study used a four-session laboratory analogue of CET to examine whether a change in context following three sessions of alcohol cue exposure with response prevention would result in renewal of conditioned responding. In addition, this study examined whether conducting extinction in multiple contexts would attenuate renewal of conditioned responding. In a one-way between-subjects design, 73 heavy drinkers (71% male) were randomized to three conditions: 1) single context extinction (extinction to alcohol cues in the same context for three sessions followed by a context shift at the fourth session); 2) multiple context extinction (extinction to alcohol cues in different contexts each day for all four sessions); and 3) pseudo-extinction control condition (exposure to neutral cues in the same context for three sessions followed by exposure to alcohol cues at the fourth session). The results revealed the predicted cue reactivity and extinction effects, but the hypotheses that a context shift would generate renewed cue reactivity and that multiple contexts would enhance extinction were not supported. Methodological aspects of the study and the need for parametric data on the context dependency of extinction to alcohol cues are discussed. PMID:18729687

Effects of solid-medium type on routine identification of bacterial isolates by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Anderson, Neil W; Buchan, Blake W; Riebe, Katherine M; Parsons, Lauren N; Gnacinski, Stacy; Ledeboer, Nathan A

2012-03-01

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid method for the identification of bacteria. Factors that may alter protein profiles, including growth conditions and presence of exogenous substances, could hinder identification. Bacterial isolates identified by conventional methods were grown on various media and identified using the MALDI Biotyper (Bruker Daltonics, Billerica, MA) using a direct smear method and an acid extraction method. Specimens included 23 Pseudomonas isolates grown on blood agar, Pseudocel (CET), and MacConkey agar (MAC); 20 Staphylococcus isolates grown on blood agar, colistin-nalidixic acid agar (CNA), and mannitol salt agar (MSA); and 25 enteric isolates grown on blood agar, xylose lysine deoxycholate agar (XLD), Hektoen enteric agar (HE), salmonella-shigella agar (SS), and MAC. For Pseudomonas spp., the identification rate to genus using the direct method was 83% from blood, 78% from MAC, and 94% from CET. For Staphylococcus isolates, the identification rate to genus using the direct method was 95% from blood, 75% from CNA, and 95% from MSA. For enteric isolates, the identification rate to genus using the direct method was 100% from blood, 100% from MAC, 100% from XLD, 92% from HE, and 87% from SS. Extraction enhanced identification rates. The direct method of MALDI-TOF analysis of bacteria from selective and differential media yields identifications of varied confidence. Notably, Staphylococci spp. from CNA exhibit low identification rates. Extraction enhances identification rates and is recommended for colonies from this medium.

Individual variables related to craving reduction in cue exposure treatment.

PubMed

Pericot-Valverde, Irene; García-Rodríguez, Olaya; Gutiérrez-Maldonado, José; Secades-Villa, Roberto

2015-10-01

Although extensive research has demonstrated that cigarette craving can be effectively attenuated, very few studies have explored associations between individual variables and craving reduction. This study explored whether individual characteristics predict craving decreases during virtual reality cue exposure treatment (VR-CET). Participants were 41 treatment-seeking smokers (73% women) with a mean age of 39.4 (SD=13.2), who had been smoking 15.0 (SD=7.1) cigarettes per day for 20.0 (SD=10.7) years. Their mean score on the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was 4.8 (SD=2.3). Participants completed five cue exposure sessions using virtual reality for smoking cessation over a five-week period. The percentage of reduction in craving was calculated by comparing self-reported craving after the first and last exposure sessions. Sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, years of education and marital status), tobacco-related [duration of daily smoking, cigarettes per day, FTND and Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS)] and psychological characteristics [depressive symptoms (Beck's Depression Inventory-Second Edition, BDI-II), impulsiveness (delay discounting) and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI)] were examined as possible predictors for craving reductions. Multiple regression revealed that greater decreases in craving were associated with younger age (β=-.30, p=.043), cigarettes smoked per day (β=.30, p=.042), higher values on delay discounting (β=.34, p=.020) and higher BDI-II scores (β=.30, p=.035). These findings suggest that smokers with certain individual characteristics may benefit most from interventions aimed at reducing craving through VR-CET. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sensitivity to cognitive effort mediates psychostimulant effects on a novel rodent cost/benefit decision-making task.

PubMed

Cocker, Paul J; Hosking, Jay G; Benoit, James; Winstanley, Catharine A

2012-07-01

Amotivational states and insufficient recruitment of mental effort have been observed in a variety of clinical populations, including depression, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Previous rodent models of effort-based decision making have utilized physical costs whereas human studies of effort are primarily cognitive in nature, and it is unclear whether the two types of effortful decision making are underpinned by the same neurobiological processes. We therefore designed a novel rat cognitive effort task (rCET) based on the 5-choice serial reaction time task, a well-validated measure of attention and impulsivity. Within each trial of the rCET, rats are given the choice between an easy or hard visuospatial discrimination, and successful hard trials are rewarded with double the number of sugar pellets. Similar to previous human studies, stable individual variation in choice behavior was observed, with 'workers' choosing hard trials significantly more than their 'slacker' counterparts. Whereas workers 'slacked off' in response to administration of amphetamine and caffeine, slackers 'worked harder' under amphetamine, but not caffeine. Conversely, these stimulants increased motor impulsivity in all animals. Ethanol did not affect animals' choice but invigorated behavior. In sum, we have shown for the first time that rats are differentially sensitive to cognitive effort when making decisions, independent of other processes such as impulsivity, and these baseline differences can influence the cognitive response to psychostimulants. Such findings could inform our understanding of impairments in effort-based decision making and contribute to treatment development.

Molecular and functional characterization of the promoter of ETS2, the human c-ets-2 gene.

PubMed Central

Mavrothalassitis, G J; Watson, D K; Papas, T S

1990-01-01

The 5' end of the human c-ets-2 gene, ETS2, was cloned and characterized. The major transcription initiation start sites were identified, and the pertinent sequences surrounding the ETS2 promoter were determined. The promoter region of ETS2 does not possess typical "TATA" and "CAAT" elements. However, this promoter contains several repeat regions, as well as two consensus AP2 binding sites and three putative Sp1 sites. There is also a palindromic region similar to the serum response element of the c-fos gene, located 1400 base pairs (bp) upstream from the first major transcription initiation site. A G + C-rich sequence (GC element) with dyad symmetry can be seen in the ETS2 promoter, immediately following an unusually long (approximately 250-bp) polypurine-polypyrimidine tract. A series of deletion fragments from the putative promoter region were ligated in front of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and tested for activity following transfection into HeLa cells. The 5' boundary of the region needed for maximum promoter activity was found to be 159 bp upstream of the major initiation site. This region of 159 bp contains putative binding sites for transcription factors Sp1 and AP2 (one for each), the GC element, one small forward repeat, one inverted repeat, and half of the polypurine-pyrimidine tract. The promoter of ETS2 (within the polypyrimidine tract) serves to illustrate an alternative structure that may be present in genes with "TATA-less" promoters. Images PMID:2405393

Sensitivity to Cognitive Effort Mediates Psychostimulant Effects on a Novel Rodent Cost/Benefit Decision-Making Task

PubMed Central

Cocker, Paul J; Hosking, Jay G; Benoit, James; Winstanley, Catharine A

2012-01-01

Amotivational states and insufficient recruitment of mental effort have been observed in a variety of clinical populations, including depression, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Previous rodent models of effort-based decision making have utilized physical costs whereas human studies of effort are primarily cognitive in nature, and it is unclear whether the two types of effortful decision making are underpinned by the same neurobiological processes. We therefore designed a novel rat cognitive effort task (rCET) based on the 5-choice serial reaction time task, a well-validated measure of attention and impulsivity. Within each trial of the rCET, rats are given the choice between an easy or hard visuospatial discrimination, and successful hard trials are rewarded with double the number of sugar pellets. Similar to previous human studies, stable individual variation in choice behavior was observed, with ‘workers' choosing hard trials significantly more than their ‘slacker' counterparts. Whereas workers ‘slacked off' in response to administration of amphetamine and caffeine, slackers ‘worked harder' under amphetamine, but not caffeine. Conversely, these stimulants increased motor impulsivity in all animals. Ethanol did not affect animals' choice but invigorated behavior. In sum, we have shown for the first time that rats are differentially sensitive to cognitive effort when making decisions, independent of other processes such as impulsivity, and these baseline differences can influence the cognitive response to psychostimulants. Such findings could inform our understanding of impairments in effort-based decision making and contribute to treatment development. PMID:22453140

Dopamine antagonism decreases willingness to expend physical, but not cognitive, effort: a comparison of two rodent cost/benefit decision-making tasks.

PubMed

Hosking, Jay G; Floresco, Stan B; Winstanley, Catharine A

2015-03-01

Successful decision making often requires weighing a given option's costs against its associated benefits, an ability that appears perturbed in virtually every severe mental illness. Animal models of such cost/benefit decision making overwhelmingly implicate mesolimbic dopamine in our willingness to exert effort for a larger reward. Until recently, however, animal models have invariably manipulated the degree of physical effort, whereas human studies of effort have primarily relied on cognitive costs. Dopamine's relationship to cognitive effort has not been directly examined, nor has the relationship between individuals' willingness to expend mental versus physical effort. It is therefore unclear whether willingness to work hard in one domain corresponds to willingness in the other. Here we utilize a rat cognitive effort task (rCET), wherein animals can choose to allocate greater visuospatial attention for a greater reward, and a previously established physical effort-discounting task (EDT) to examine dopaminergic and noradrenergic contributions to effort. The dopamine antagonists eticlopride and SCH23390 each decreased willingness to exert physical effort on the EDT; these drugs had no effect on willingness to exert mental effort for the rCET. Preference for the high effort option correlated across the two tasks, although this effect was transient. These results suggest that dopamine is only minimally involved in cost/benefit decision making with cognitive effort costs. The constructs of mental and physical effort may therefore comprise overlapping, but distinct, circuitry, and therapeutic interventions that prove efficacious in one effort domain may not be beneficial in another.

[At the origin of the development of russian angiology (dedicated to the 150 birthday of academician N.P. Kravkov)].

PubMed

Uzbekova, D G

2015-01-01

The article describes scientific activity of outstanding pharmacologist, Academician N.P. Kravkov (1865-1924) on studying dynamics of the vascular system in experiment: Using the method of isolated animal organs of animals, N.P. Kravkov discovered self-maintained periodic contractions of vessels independent of the central nervous system and not associated with cardiac contractions. On isolated animal organs (heart, kidneys, spleen, womb, pancreas and others) specialists of the laboratory of N.P. Kravkov studied vascular reactions and sensitivity of vascular zones to administration of pharmacological agents in normal conditions and on various experimental ''pathological" models. For studying physiology and pharmacology of coronary vessels irrespective of cardiac contractions masking change in their lumen N.P. Kravkov suggested his original method of cardiac arrest by means of administration of strophanthin followed by passing through vessels of the unfunctioning heart solutions of various pharmacological substances. N.P. Kravkov and !{is followers studied alterations in vascular tonicity on isolated organs of cadavers of people who had died of various diseases: tuberculosis, typhoid fever and epidemic typhus, scarlet fever, measles, diphtheria, pneumonia et cet. The scientist believed that studying the functional state of vessels on post-mortem material would make it possible to more precisely and accurately solve the problem of intravital alterations thereof N.P. Kravkov's works on physiology and pathology of'the vascular system served as the basis for the developing clinical discipline, i.e. angiology.

Cold pearl surfactant-based blends.

PubMed

Crombie, R L

1997-10-01

Pearlizing agents have been used for many years in cosmetic formulations to add a pearlescent effect. Cold pearl surfactant-based blends are mixtures of glycol stearates and surfactants which can be blended in the cold into a wide range of personal-care formulations to create a pearlescent lustre effect. Under controlled manufacturing conditions constant viscosities and crystalline characteristics can be obtained. The development of these blends has been driven by efforts to improve the economics of adding solid pearlizing agents directly into a hot mix formulation. This paper summarizes the history of pearlizers, describes their advantages and physical chemistry of the manufacturing process. Finally some suggestions for applications are given. Les agents nacrants sont utilises depuis de nombreuses annees dans les formulations cosmetiques pour ajouter un effet nacre. Les melanges a froid a base de tensioactif nacre sont des melanges de stearates de glycol et de tensioactifs qui peuvent etre melanges a froid dans une large gamme de formulations d'hygiene personnelle pour creer un effet de lustre nacre. On peut obtenir des viscosites et des proprietes cristallines constantes avec des conditions de fabrication maitrisees. Le developpement de ces melanges a ete porte par les efforts pour ameliorer les couts de l'ajout d'agents nacrants solides directement dans une formulation melangee de l'ajout d'agents nacrants solides directement dans une formulation melangee a chaud. Cet article resume l'histoire des agents nacrants, decrit leurs avantages et al physico-chimie du procede de fabrication. On emet a la fin cetaines suggestions d'applications.

Présentation de l’adaptation française de « l’échelle de coparentage » de McHale pour familles avec jeunes enfants

PubMed Central

Frascarolo, F.; Dimitrova, N.; Zimmermann, G.; Favez, N.; Kuersten-Hogan, R.; Baker, J.; McHale, J.

2009-01-01

Le but de cet article est de présenter l’autoquestionnaire américain de McHale permettant l’évaluation de la qualité du coparentage ainsi qu’un premier pas en direction de sa validation structurelle et de construit en langue française. Quarante et une familles suisses francophones et 84 familles nord-américaines ont rempli ce questionnaire ainsi qu’un autre portant sur leur satisfaction conjugale (Dyadic Adjustment Scale [DAS]). Les résultats des familles suisses correspondent aux résultats américains : d’une part, la distribution des items en quatre facteurs (intégrité familiale, conflit, affection et dénigrement) est retrouvée et, d’autre part, un lien relatif entre la qualité du coparentage et celle des relations conjugales est observé. Ce deuxième résultat confirme la validité de construit du questionnaire, vu le lien reconnu entre ces deux sous-systèmes. Étant donné l’influence de la qualité du coparentage sur le développement socio-affectif de l’enfant, disposer d’un outil permettant son évaluation, dans ses aspects tant positifs (soutien, chaleur, etc.) que négatifs (dénigrement, conflit, etc.), est un atout important aussi bien en recherche qu’en clinique. PMID:19655028

Viscoélasticité et diffusion dépolarisée de la lumière dans les liquides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quentrec, B.

The spectra of the depolarized light scattering in the liquids are related to the viscoelastic properties of the medium, which in turn reflect the local order. Their interpretation requires a theory which generalizes hydrodynamics. In this paper are reviewed the different theories allowing this generalization independently of the fact they use the formalism of Zwanzig-Mori or the non-equilibrium thermodynamics. A special place is given to the theory developed by the author which appears as the most general one. The comparison with the experimental results confirms the necessity of such a complex theory. Les spectres de diffusion dépolarisée de la lumière dans les liquides sont liés aux propriétés viscoélastiques du milieu, qui reflètent à leur tour l'ordre local. Leur interprétation demande une théorie généralisant l'hydrodynamique. Dans cet article sont passées en revue les différentes théories permettant cette généralisation, qu'elles utilisent le formalisme de Zwanzig-Mori ou la thermodynamique hors d'équilibre. Une place à part est faite à celle développée par l'auteur qui apparaît comme la plus générale. La comparaison avec les résultats expérimentaux confirme la nécessité d'une théorie aussi complexe.

Les métamatériaux, des micro-ondes à l'optique : théorie et applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kante, B.

2010-04-01

Cet article constitue une contribution originale et importante à la compréhension à la fois théorique et expérimentale des métamatériaux en micro-ondes et en infrarouge. Nous avons réalisé et caractérisé sur silicium des nano-structures metallo-diélectriques, briques de base des métamatériaux infrarouge et optique. Des caractérisations optiques exhaustives ont été réalisées pour la première fois sur ces structures en amplitude et en phase par interférométrie. Des topologies plus simples de métamatériaux d’un point de vue technologique et des performances optiques ont été introduites, et leur potentiel démontré dans la réalisation de fonctions aussi complexes que la réfraction négative, le couplage de mode plasmoniques, les nano senseurs pour la biologie et l’invisibilité électromagnétique en infrarouge. Les transformations d’espace, et le nouveau paradigme qu’elles offrent à l’optique, rendant possible une ingénierie de l’espace pour les photons ainsi que leur implémentation par métamatériaux ont été présentés par la première démonstration expérimentale d’une cape d’invisibilité non magnétique.

Appareillage automatisé de mesure simultanée du pouvoir thermoélectrique et de la conductivité électrique. Application à l'étude de couches polymères semi-conductrices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moliton, A.; Ratier, B.; Moreau, C.; Froyer, G.

1991-05-01

In this paper, we present an automatized system for simultaneous measurement of conductivity σ, and thermoelectric power S : measurements are allowed for temperatures ranging from 130 K to 360 K on brittle semiconductor layers. As an example of the application, results obtained in the case of polymer (PPP) layers implanted with Na ions are presented : with high energy implantation (E = 250 keV) we observe only a defect semiconduction of p type while at low energy (30 keV) an electronic n type conduction appears. Nous présentons dans cet article un système de mesure simultanée de la conductivité σ, et du pouvoir thermoélectrique S : il permet des mesures en fonction de la température (entre 130 K et 360 K) dans le cas de couches semi-conductrices relativement fragiles. A titre d'application, nous indiquons les résultats que nous avons obtenus dans le cas de couches polymères (PPP) implantées avec des ions sodium: alors que seule une semi-conduction par défaut est générée par de fortes énergies d'implantation (E = 250 keV ), il apparaît une semiconduction induite par le dopage n lors d'implantations à basse énergie (E = 30 keV ).

Avant Propos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cornet, Alain; Broll, Norbert; Denier, Philippe

2002-07-01

Le quatrième colloque Rayons X et Matière (RX 2001) s'est tenu à Strasbourg du 4 au 7 décembre 2001. Comme lors des colloques précédents (1995, 1997 et 1999) nous avons pu réunir de nombreux chercheurs, industriels et constructeurs concernés par la caractérisation des matériaux. Cette manifestation qui se déroule tous les deux ans a pour objectifs de rendre compte périodiquement des avancées faites dans le domaine des techniques X et plus particulièrement de l'ingénierie des surfaces. Cette année nous avons ajouté deux nouveaux thèmes : étude des nanomatériaux et techniques des microfaisceaux. André GUINIER était avec nous lors du premier colloque (colloque 1995, consacré à la commémoration du centenaire de la découverte des rayons X). Nous sommes attristés par son décès et nous lui dédions le Colloque RX 2001. Les premiers articles de cet ouvrage rappellent sa vie de scientifique et ses principaux travaux. En même temps que nous écrivons ces quelques lignes, nous nous préparons à lancer le colloque RX 2003. Ces colloques ont lieu grâce à la participation constante des chercheurs et l'engagement des constructeurs et distributeurs de matériels ; nous les en remercions vivement et nous leur donnons rendez-vous à Strasbourg, en décembre 2003.

Students' Attitudes to Information in the Press: Critical Reading of a Newspaper Article With Scientific Content

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliveras, B.; Márquez, C.; Sanmartí, N.

2014-08-01

This research analyses what happens when a critical reading activity based on a press article dealing with an energy-related problem is implemented with two groups of students of 13-14 years old and 16-17 years old in the same school (a total of 117 students). Specifically, the research analyses the students' profiles from the standpoint of their attitudes to the information given in the news story and the use they make of it when writing an argumentative text. It also analyses the difficulties the students have when it comes to applying their knowledge about energy in a real-life context. Lastly, some strategies are suggested for helping students to critically analyse the scientific content of a newspaper article. Three reader profiles were identified (the credulous reader, the ideological reader and the critical reader). No significant differences were found in reading profiles in terms of age or scientific knowledge. The findings show that the activity helped to link science learning in school with facts relating to an actual context, particularly in the case of students with more science knowledge.

Formalizing the definition of meta-analysis in Molecular Ecology.

PubMed

ArchMiller, Althea A; Bauer, Eric F; Koch, Rebecca E; Wijayawardena, Bhagya K; Anil, Ammu; Kottwitz, Jack J; Munsterman, Amelia S; Wilson, Alan E

2015-08-01

Meta-analysis, the statistical synthesis of pertinent literature to develop evidence-based conclusions, is relatively new to the field of molecular ecology, with the first meta-analysis published in the journal Molecular Ecology in 2003 (Slate & Phua 2003). The goal of this article is to formalize the definition of meta-analysis for the authors, editors, reviewers and readers of Molecular Ecology by completing a review of the meta-analyses previously published in this journal. We also provide a brief overview of the many components required for meta-analysis with a more specific discussion of the issues related to the field of molecular ecology, including the use and statistical considerations of Wright's FST and its related analogues as effect sizes in meta-analysis. We performed a literature review to identify articles published as 'meta-analyses' in Molecular Ecology, which were then evaluated by at least two reviewers. We specifically targeted Molecular Ecology publications because as a flagship journal in this field, meta-analyses published in Molecular Ecology have the potential to set the standard for meta-analyses in other journals. We found that while many of these reviewed articles were strong meta-analyses, others failed to follow standard meta-analytical techniques. One of these unsatisfactory meta-analyses was in fact a secondary analysis. Other studies attempted meta-analyses but lacked the fundamental statistics that are considered necessary for an effective and powerful meta-analysis. By drawing attention to the inconsistency of studies labelled as meta-analyses, we emphasize the importance of understanding the components of traditional meta-analyses to fully embrace the strengths of quantitative data synthesis in the field of molecular ecology. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Analysis of a Hybrid Wing Body Center Section Test Article

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Hsi-Yung T.; Shaw, Peter; Przekop, Adam

2013-01-01

The hybrid wing body center section test article is an all-composite structure made of crown, floor, keel, bulkhead, and rib panels utilizing the Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure (PRSEUS) design concept. The primary goal of this test article is to prove that PRSEUS components are capable of carrying combined loads that are representative of a hybrid wing body pressure cabin design regime. This paper summarizes the analytical approach, analysis results, and failure predictions of the test article. A global finite element model of composite panels, metallic fittings, mechanical fasteners, and the Combined Loads Test System (COLTS) test fixture was used to conduct linear structural strength and stability analyses to validate the specimen under the most critical combination of bending and pressure loading conditions found in the hybrid wing body pressure cabin. Local detail analyses were also performed at locations with high stress concentrations, at Tee-cap noodle interfaces with surrounding laminates, and at fastener locations with high bearing/bypass loads. Failure predictions for different composite and metallic failure modes were made, and nonlinear analyses were also performed to study the structural response of the test article under combined bending and pressure loading. This large-scale specimen test will be conducted at the COLTS facility at the NASA Langley Research Center.

The emergence and evolution of school psychology literature: A scientometric analysis from 1907 through 2014.

PubMed

Liu, Shuyan; Oakland, Thomas

2016-03-01

The objective of this current study is to identify the growth and development of scholarly literature that specifically references the term 'school psychology' in the Science Citation Index from 1907 through 2014. Documents from Web of Science were accessed and analyzed through the use of scientometric analyses, including HistCite and Pajek software, resulting in the identification of 4,806 scholars who contributed 3,260 articles in 311 journals. Whereas the database included journals from around the world, most articles were published by authors in the United States and in 20 journals, including the Journal of School Psychology, Psychology in the Schools, School Psychology Review, School Psychology International, and School Psychology Quarterly. Analyses of the database from the past century revealed that 20 of the most prolific scholars contributed 14% of all articles. Contributions from faculty and students at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of South Carolina, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Texas-Austin represented 10% of all articles including the term school psychology in the Science Citation Index. Relationships among some of the most highly cited articles are also described. Collectively, the series of analyses reported herein contribute to our understanding of scholarship in school psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Proceedings of the 1980 Army Science Conference, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, 17-20 June 1980. Volume 2. Principal Authors E through M.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-07-21

is under pressure, ignition could result when the explosive extrudes into the crack. This has been suggested as a possible ignition mechanism when...to occur when thu explosive is extruded Into cracks in the conf:inlng steel case while the munition is under pressure. This latter sequence of events...SESSIONS routine. They ate a hot lunch and dinner on the aircraft at the usual U.S. ’times, plus a breakfast snack at 0810 CET. No alcoholic beverages

Task-Based Teaching of English-Chinese Translation under "Caliber-Oriented Education to Success" Based on Web

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duan, Zhongyan

This paper, under 3-using principle in the philosophy of caliber-oriented education to success (CETS), makes a tentative qualitative study on the application of task-based approach in the teaching of English-Chinese translation based on the web. Translation teaching is characterized by its practicality. Therefore, the task-based approach can be employed to guide the web-based content collection and the process of English translation teaching. In this way, the prospect for enhancing student's translation ability is quite encouraging, which has been verified by one year's teaching.

The Radar Cross Sections of Hayes TRX-11, TPT-5A and TPT-5l Towed Targets

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-01

Cl~~~~~ C C’ tV e mata a-- e- acCA C C, ’aC ’.’. - Caý C I ’. Cl CA w t Cl- - - -- - - - - - -- - ,C -r laCa - - - wC 7 A;’ Va -.- C- ae o 0’ -CC Cln...ATF (2 copies) SPARES (6 COPIES) TOTAL (47 COPIES) k: I. 11 DE-P~a•AK-6EN7 OF !)F’ý.A;CEt PAGE C ia•%•,S F1 ( A’I!O \\ UNACLASSIFIED.O DOCUMENT CONTROL

Importance of Virtual Reality to Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, Study Design of a Randomized Trial.

PubMed

McLay, Robert N; Baird, Alicia; Murphy, Jennifer; Deal, William; Tran, Lily; Anson, Heather; Klam, Warren; Johnston, Scott

2015-01-01

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be a debilitating problem in service members who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is one of the few interventions demonstrated in randomized controlled trials to be effective for PTSD in this population. There are theoretical reasons to expect that Virtual Reality (VR) adds to the effectiveness of exposure therapy, but there is also added expense and difficulty in using VR. Described is a trial comparing outcomes from VRET and a control exposure therapy (CET) protocol in service members with PTSD.

Spin coherence in a Mn3 single-molecule magnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abeywardana, Chathuranga; Mowson, Andrew M.; Christou, George; Takahashi, Susumu

2016-01-01

Spin coherence in single crystals of the spin S = 6 single-molecule magnet (SMM) [Mn3O(O2CEt)3(mpko)3]+ (abbreviated Mn3) has been investigated using 230 GHz electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. Coherence in Mn3 was uncovered by significantly suppressing dipolar contribution to the decoherence with complete spin polarization of Mn3 SMMs. The temperature dependence of spin decoherence time (T2) revealed that the dipolar decoherence is the dominant source of decoherence in Mn3 and T2 can be extended up to 267 ns by quenching the dipolar decoherence.

Creative Contexts: Work Placement Subjectivities for the Creative Industries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ashton, Daniel

2016-01-01

This article examines reflections on work placement experiences generated for the Creative Contexts website by higher education students. The article outlines the aims of Creative Contexts to generate and share placement experiences and stories. The article analyses the reflections films available on the website, and reveals a continuum of agency…

Content and Citation Analyses of "Public Relations Review."

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morton, Linda P.; Lin, Li-Yun

1995-01-01

Analyzes 161 cited and 177 uncited articles published in "Public Relations Review" (1975-93) to determine if 3 independent variables--research methods, type of statistics, and topics--influenced whether or not articles were cited in other research articles. Finds significant differences between quantitative and qualitative research methods but not…

Biostereometrics In Art

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferenc, Kovats

1986-07-01

Desuis mon enfance je suis un type soidisant visuel. Cette deviation etait toujours profitable pour moi, pour le clinicien , ainsi que pour le rechercheur scientifique.I1 y a trente ans, que dans l'Atlas Radioanatomique du Thorax nous avons deja utilis6 la conception de trois dimensions. Dans les derni6res edition de cet ouvrage nous avons travaille mke avec la guatrieme, le temps facteur. DePuis cette 6poque-la je me suis ori-en-be vers les quatre dimensions, vers les mouvements dans l'espace et le temps. -:tudiant les mouvements,les mouvements ventilatoires mesure par photogrammetrie le tronc humain.En projetant sur la surface du tronc un reseau quadratique, on pent compter de 3oo-400 points d'information, si un carre est 2 This 2 cm. Simultanement on pent ainsi contraler les deplacement relatifs des differents points. Travaillant avec seriophotographie et ces dernieres annees avec Video, nous avons des documents cDntinuellement en trois dimensions sun la position actuelle en espace de notre modele.On pent mesurer, reproduire la position momentan6e du sujet d'une frequence et dans la quantite desiree. Par exemple on peut les reproduire, une a une, comme une sculpture, en domontrant les changements d'un tronc humain pendant les mouvements respiratoires, comme nous avions fait en 1969 avec le sculpteur Istvan Bencsik en realisant nos differents modeles en inspiration et expiration.flais thooriquement on pent construire tant de sculptures qu'on vent entre les deux positions extremes.La methode est tres utilisable pour l'observation des mouvements sportifs on artistiques, comme le ballet par exemple. / Figure 1./ En etudiant en plusieures series la morphometrie des mouvements respiratoires on pent acquerir une certain experience, qui concerne la phase de respiration, on se trouve un corps humain sculpte, dessine on peint. Come le mimique d'un visage explkue toujours l'6tat affectif d'un individu, le corps humain peut expliquer tart des chases entre les mains d'un artiste doue. Liais nous retournerons encore a cet argument. Avec un objet d'art l'artiste registe un seul moment dune serie de mouvements de son sujet, spit en deux dimensions, s'il est peintre on graveur , dessinateur etc., spit en trois dimensions s'il est sculpteur.i:algre cela , il y a beaucoup d'oeuvresd'art dyna-miques, qui donnent l'impression de mouvement.On pent produire cet effetavec la ROMDOSi-tion des mouvements non simultanees , comme par exemple sur les tableaux de XIX 'si8cle representant des concours hyppiques, on les extremit-ees des chevaux sort distandue an maximum en avant et en arriere; c'est un mode de galop inexistant, mais malgr6, qu'il est faux, it suggere la vitesse.

Creating single-subject design graphs in Microsoft Excel 2007.

PubMed

Dixon, Mark R; Jackson, James W; Small, Stacey L; Horner-King, Mollie J; Lik, Nicholas Mui Ker; Garcia, Yors; Rosales, Rocio

2009-01-01

Over 10 years have passed since the publication of Carr and Burkholder's (1998) technical article on how to construct single-subject graphs using Microsoft Excel. Over the course of the past decade, the Excel program has undergone a series of revisions that make the Carr and Burkholder paper somewhat difficult to follow with newer versions. The present article provides task analyses for constructing various types of commonly used single-subject design graphs in Microsoft Excel 2007. The task analyses were evaluated using a between-subjects design that compared the graphing skills of 22 behavior-analytic graduate students using Excel 2007 and either the Carr and Burkholder or newly developed task analyses. Results indicate that the new task analyses yielded more accurate and faster graph construction than the Carr and Burkholder instructions.

CREATING SINGLE-SUBJECT DESIGN GRAPHS IN MICROSOFT EXCELTM 2007

PubMed Central

Dixon, Mark R; Jackson, James W; Small, Stacey L; Horner-King, Mollie J; Lik, Nicholas Mui Ker; Garcia, Yors; Rosales, Rocio

2009-01-01

Over 10 years have passed since the publication of Carr and Burkholder's (1998) technical article on how to construct single-subject graphs using Microsoft Excel. Over the course of the past decade, the Excel program has undergone a series of revisions that make the Carr and Burkholder paper somewhat difficult to follow with newer versions. The present article provides task analyses for constructing various types of commonly used single-subject design graphs in Microsoft Excel 2007. The task analyses were evaluated using a between-subjects design that compared the graphing skills of 22 behavior-analytic graduate students using Excel 2007 and either the Carr and Burkholder or newly developed task analyses. Results indicate that the new task analyses yielded more accurate and faster graph construction than the Carr and Burkholder instructions. PMID:19949515

The Reporting Quality of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses in Industrial and Organizational Psychology: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Schalken, Naomi; Rietbergen, Charlotte

2017-01-01

Objective: The goal of this systematic review was to examine the reporting quality of the method section of quantitative systematic reviews and meta-analyses from 2009 to 2016 in the field of industrial and organizational psychology with the help of the Meta-Analysis Reporting Standards (MARS), and to update previous research, such as the study of Aytug et al. (2012) and Dieckmann et al. (2009). Methods: A systematic search for quantitative systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted in the top 10 journals in the field of industrial and organizational psychology between January 2009 and April 2016. Data were extracted on study characteristics and items of the method section of MARS. A cross-classified multilevel model was analyzed, to test whether publication year and journal impact factor (JIF) were associated with the reporting quality scores of articles. Results: Compliance with MARS in the method section was generally inadequate in the random sample of 120 articles. Variation existed in the reporting of items. There were no significant effects of publication year and journal impact factor (JIF) on the reporting quality scores of articles. Conclusions: The reporting quality in the method section of systematic reviews and meta-analyses was still insufficient, therefore we recommend researchers to improve the reporting in their articles by using reporting standards like MARS. PMID:28878704

International publication trends originating from anaesthetic departments from 2001 to 2015.

PubMed

Ausserer, J; Miller, C; Putzer, G; Pehböck, D; Hamm, P; Wenzel, V; Paal, P

2017-10-01

The aim of this study was to analyse publication trends from the anaesthetic literature of the G-20 countries. We performed a literature search in Medline to identify articles related to anaesthetic departments published between 2001 and 2015, by specific G-20 countries according to the affiliation field of the authors, and to three time periods 2001-2005, 2006-2010 and 2011-2015. The number of articles, number of original articles (vs. reviews, editorials or correspondence), articles per million inhabitants, and citations per article were analysed. In total, 96,920 articles were published between 2001 and 2015 in 74 anaesthetic and in 4117 non-anaesthetic journals, with an increase of +104% absolute (i.e. from 23,028 in 2001-05 to 46,887 articles ìn 2010-15) and +85% as articles per million inhabitants. Similarly, the number of original articles increased by 21%, but the anaesthetic specialty's share of original articles (as a proportion of total articles in biomedicine) decreased from 31% in 2001-2005 to 19% in 2011-2015 (-38%). The USA published most articles (2011-15 16,016; 31% of total), second came the EU as a whole and third Japan (from 2001 to 2005) or Germany (2006-2010) until 2011-2015 when China took over the third rank. In 2011-2015, Canada published most articles per million inhabitants (68.7 articles/million inhabitants). China and India exhibited the most publication growth 11- and 9-fold, respectively, and are now among the top five countries for the number of published articles. © 2017 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.

How to Read a Research Paper

MedlinePlus

... book is not reviewed by other scientists to evaluate the content. Make sure the article is written ... models, meta-analyses, and qualitative studies. You should evaluate each of these differently. Experiments If the article ...

Facial emotion perception in schizophrenia: Does sex matter?

PubMed

Mote, Jasmine; Kring, Ann M

2016-06-22

To review the literature on sex differences in facial emotion perception (FEP) across the schizophrenia spectrum. We conducted a systematic review of empirical articles that were included in five separate meta-analyses of FEP across the schizophrenia spectrum, including meta-analyses that predominantly examined adults with chronic schizophrenia, people with early (onset prior to age 18) or recent-onset (experiencing their first or second psychotic episode or illness duration less than 2 years) schizophrenia, and unaffected first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia. We also examined articles written in English (from November 2011 through June 2015) that were not included in the aforementioned meta-analyses through a literature search in the PubMed database. All relevant articles were accessed in full text. We examined all studies to determine the sample sizes, diagnostic characteristics, demographic information, methodologies, results, and whether each individual study reported on sex differences. The results from the meta-analyses themselves as well as the individual studies are reported in tables and text. We retrieved 134 articles included in five separate meta-analyses and the PubMed database that examined FEP across the schizophrenia spectrum. Of these articles, 38 examined sex differences in FEP. Thirty of these studies did not find sex differences in FEP in either chronically ill adults with schizophrenia, early-onset or recently diagnosed people with schizophrenia, or first-degree relatives of people with schizophrenia. Of the eight studies that found sex differences in FEP, three found that chronically ill women outperformed men, one study found that girls with early-onset schizophrenia outperformed boys, and two studies found that women (including first-degree relatives, adults with schizophrenia, and the healthy control group) outperformed men on FEP tasks. In total, six of the eight studies that examined sex differences in FEP found that women outperformed men across the schizophrenia spectrum. Evidence to date suggests few sex differences in FEP in schizophrenia; both men and women across the schizophrenia spectrum have deficits in FEP.

Methods to systematically review and meta-analyse observational studies: a systematic scoping review of recommendations.

PubMed

Mueller, Monika; D'Addario, Maddalena; Egger, Matthias; Cevallos, Myriam; Dekkers, Olaf; Mugglin, Catrina; Scott, Pippa

2018-05-21

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies are frequently performed, but no widely accepted guidance is available at present. We performed a systematic scoping review of published methodological recommendations on how to systematically review and meta-analyse observational studies. We searched online databases and websites and contacted experts in the field to locate potentially eligible articles. We included articles that provided any type of recommendation on how to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies. We extracted and summarised recommendations on pre-defined key items: protocol development, research question, search strategy, study eligibility, data extraction, dealing with different study designs, risk of bias assessment, publication bias, heterogeneity, statistical analysis. We summarised recommendations by key item, identifying areas of agreement and disagreement as well as areas where recommendations were missing or scarce. The searches identified 2461 articles of which 93 were eligible. Many recommendations for reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies were transferred from guidance developed for reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs. Although there was substantial agreement in some methodological areas there was also considerable disagreement on how evidence synthesis of observational studies should be conducted. Conflicting recommendations were seen on topics such as the inclusion of different study designs in systematic reviews and meta-analyses, the use of quality scales to assess the risk of bias, and the choice of model (e.g. fixed vs. random effects) for meta-analysis. There is a need for sound methodological guidance on how to conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies, which critically considers areas in which there are conflicting recommendations.

Designs and methods used in published Australian health promotion evaluations 1992-2011.

PubMed

Chambers, Alana Hulme; Murphy, Kylie; Kolbe, Anthony

2015-06-01

To describe the designs and methods used in published Australian health promotion evaluation articles between 1992 and 2011. Using a content analysis approach, we reviewed 157 articles to analyse patterns and trends in designs and methods in Australian health promotion evaluation articles. The purpose was to provide empirical evidence about the types of designs and methods used. The most common type of evaluation conducted was impact evaluation. Quantitative designs were used exclusively in more than half of the articles analysed. Almost half the evaluations utilised only one data collection method. Surveys were the most common data collection method used. Few articles referred explicitly to an intended evaluation outcome or benefit and references to published evaluation models or frameworks were rare. This is the first time Australian-published health promotion evaluation articles have been empirically investigated in relation to designs and methods. There appears to be little change in the purposes, overall designs and methods of published evaluations since 1992. More methodologically transparent and sophisticated published evaluation articles might be instructional, and even motivational, for improving evaluation practice and result in better public health interventions and outcomes. © 2015 Public Health Association of Australia.

Rational Analyses of Information Foraging on the Web

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pirolli, Peter

2005-01-01

This article describes rational analyses and cognitive models of Web users developed within information foraging theory. This is done by following the rational analysis methodology of (a) characterizing the problems posed by the environment, (b) developing rational analyses of behavioral solutions to those problems, and (c) developing cognitive…

A Dialogue on Space and Method in Qualitative Research on Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gildersleeve, Ryan Evely; Kuntz, Aaron M.

2011-01-01

In this article, the authors critically examine the use of space in education research and illustrate how spatial analyses of education reframe persistent educational problems in productive, actionable ways. The authors juxtapose critical spatial analyses with traditional temporal analyses. The authors approach the knowledge-construction process…

Application of Mixed-Methods Approaches to Higher Education and Intersectional Analyses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffin, Kimberly A.; Museus, Samuel D.

2011-01-01

In this article, the authors discuss the utility of combining quantitative and qualitative methods in conducting intersectional analyses. First, they discuss some of the paradigmatic underpinnings of qualitative and quantitative research, and how these methods can be used in intersectional analyses. They then consider how paradigmatic pragmatism…

[Corruption as individual and organizational sinking].

PubMed

Cecchinato, Fabio

2015-04-01

The article qualifies the nature of psychosociological perspective in analysing corruption in organizations. Corruption is analysed as a mental event and social conditions of corruption are investigated. In particular six social and organizational factors are identified as relevant in determining the diffusion of corruption: meaning, work wellbeing, consistency, social recognition, reflexivity, social relations. The main hypothesis explored in the article is that to take managerial care of the organisational factors above mentioned is a strong and active prevention of the risk of corruption.

Transition and closeout of the Fernald Closure Project

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bilson, H.E.; Terry, T.; Reising, J.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Fluor Fernald have completed the majority of the cleanup of the Fernald Site. The over 1,000 acre complex for processing uranium has been demolished and soil contamination has been remediated. With acres of wetlands and prairies replacing the buildings and waste pits. At the end of the project the focus shifted to developing demonstrating the completion of the project and the contract, as well as ensuring a smooth transition of the facility from the DOE's Environmental Management (EM) Program to the DOE's Legacy Management (LM) Program. Working with the DOE, each portion ofmore » the closure contract was examined for specific closure definition. From this negotiation effort the Comprehensive Exit and Transition Plan (CE/T Plan) was written. The CE/T Plan is intended to assist DOE in the analysis that the site is ready for transfer into long-term stewardship (LTS) (also referred to as legacy management) and that Fluor Fernald, Inc. has satisfactorily completed the closure contract statement of work elements. Following the Lessons Learned from the closure of the Rocky Flats Site, the DOE's Legacy Management Program created a matrix of Transition Elements required to ensure adequate information was in place to allow the new prime contractor to perform the Legacy Management scope of work. The transition plan included over 1,000 elements broken down into functional areas and relied on specific Fernald Responsibility Transition Packages (RTPs) for detailed transition actions. The template for Closure and Transition Planning used at the Fernald Site was developed using the best Lessons Learned from across the DOE Complex. The template could be used for other sites, and lessons learned from this closure and transition will be appropriate for all closure projects. (authors)« less

A network analysis of the Chinese medicine Lianhua-Qingwen formula to identify its main effective components.

PubMed

Wang, Chun-Hua; Zhong, Yi; Zhang, Yan; Liu, Jin-Ping; Wang, Yue-Fei; Jia, Wei-Na; Wang, Guo-Cai; Li, Zheng; Zhu, Yan; Gao, Xiu-Mei

2016-02-01

Chinese medicine is known to treat complex diseases with multiple components and multiple targets. However, the main effective components and their related key targets and functions remain to be identified. Herein, a network analysis method was developed to identify the main effective components and key targets of a Chinese medicine, Lianhua-Qingwen Formula (LQF). The LQF is commonly used for the prevention and treatment of viral influenza in China. It is composed of 11 herbs, gypsum and menthol with 61 compounds being identified in our previous work. In this paper, these 61 candidate compounds were used to find their related targets and construct the predicted-target (PT) network. An influenza-related protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and integrated with the PT network. Then the compound-effective target (CET) network and compound-ineffective target network (CIT) were extracted, respectively. A novel approach was developed to identify effective components by comparing CET and CIT networks. As a result, 15 main effective components were identified along with 61 corresponding targets. 7 of these main effective components were further experimentally validated to have antivirus efficacy in vitro. The main effective component-target (MECT) network was further constructed with main effective components and their key targets. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the MECT network predicted key functions such as NO production being modulated by the LQF. Interestingly, five effective components were experimentally tested and exhibited inhibitory effects on NO production in the LPS induced RAW 264.7 cell. In summary, we have developed a novel approach to identify the main effective components in a Chinese medicine LQF and experimentally validated some of the predictions.

Alternatives to the Six-Minute Walk Test in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

PubMed Central

Mainguy, Vincent; Malenfant, Simon; Neyron, Anne-Sophie; Saey, Didier; Maltais, François; Bonnet, Sébastien; Provencher, Steeve

2014-01-01

Introduction The physiological response during the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT), the cycle endurance test (CET) and the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) remains unknown in PAH. We tested the hypothesis that endurance tests induce a near-maximal physiological demand comparable to incremental tests. We also hypothesized that differences in respiratory response during exercise would be related to the characteristics of the exercise tests. Methods Within two weeks, twenty-one PAH patients (mean age: 54(15) years; mean pulmonary arterial pressure: 42(12) mmHg) completed two cycling exercise tests (incremental cardiopulmonary cycling exercise test (CPET) and CET) and three field tests (ISWT, ESWT and six-minute walk test (6MWT)). Physiological parameters were continuously monitored using the same portable telemetric device. Results Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) was similar amongst the five exercise tests (p = 0.90 by ANOVA). Walking distance correlated markedly with the VO2peak reached during field tests, especially when weight was taken into account. At 100% exercise, most physiological parameters were similar between incremental and endurance tests. However, the trends overtime differed. In the incremental tests, slopes for these parameters rose steadily over the entire duration of the tests, whereas in the endurance tests, slopes rose sharply from baseline to 25% of maximum exercise at which point they appeared far less steep until test end. Moreover, cycling exercise tests induced higher respiratory exchange ratio, ventilatory demand and enhanced leg fatigue measured subjectively and objectively. Conclusion Endurance tests induce a maximal physiological demand in PAH. Differences in peak respiratory response during exercise are related to the modality (cycling vs. walking) rather than the progression (endurance vs. incremental) of the exercise tests. PMID:25111294

Alternatives to the six-minute walk test in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

PubMed

Mainguy, Vincent; Malenfant, Simon; Neyron, Anne-Sophie; Saey, Didier; Maltais, François; Bonnet, Sébastien; Provencher, Steeve

2014-01-01

The physiological response during the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT), the cycle endurance test (CET) and the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) remains unknown in PAH. We tested the hypothesis that endurance tests induce a near-maximal physiological demand comparable to incremental tests. We also hypothesized that differences in respiratory response during exercise would be related to the characteristics of the exercise tests. Within two weeks, twenty-one PAH patients (mean age: 54(15) years; mean pulmonary arterial pressure: 42(12) mmHg) completed two cycling exercise tests (incremental cardiopulmonary cycling exercise test (CPET) and CET) and three field tests (ISWT, ESWT and six-minute walk test (6MWT)). Physiological parameters were continuously monitored using the same portable telemetric device. Peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) was similar amongst the five exercise tests (p = 0.90 by ANOVA). Walking distance correlated markedly with the VO(2peak) reached during field tests, especially when weight was taken into account. At 100% exercise, most physiological parameters were similar between incremental and endurance tests. However, the trends overtime differed. In the incremental tests, slopes for these parameters rose steadily over the entire duration of the tests, whereas in the endurance tests, slopes rose sharply from baseline to 25% of maximum exercise at which point they appeared far less steep until test end. Moreover, cycling exercise tests induced higher respiratory exchange ratio, ventilatory demand and enhanced leg fatigue measured subjectively and objectively. Endurance tests induce a maximal physiological demand in PAH. Differences in peak respiratory response during exercise are related to the modality (cycling vs. walking) rather than the progression (endurance vs. incremental) of the exercise tests.

Role of diffusion-weighted MRI in differentiation of hepatic abscesses from non-infected fluid collections.

PubMed

Schmid-Tannwald, C; Schmid-Tannwald, C M; Morelli, J N; Neumann, R; Reiser, M F; Nikolaou, K; Rist, C

2014-07-01

To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the differentiation of hepatic abscesses from non-infected fluid collections. In this retrospective study, 22 hepatic abscesses and 27 non-infected hepatic fluid collections were examined in 27 patients who underwent abdominal MRI including DW-MRI. Two independent observers reviewed T2-weighted + DW-MRI and T2-weighted + contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CET1W) images in two sessions. Detection rates and confidence levels were calculated and compared using McNemar's and Wilcoxon's signed rank tests, respectively. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of abscesses and non-infected fluid collections were compared using the t-test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed. There was no statistically significant difference in the accuracy of detecting abscesses using T2-weighted + DW-MRI (both observers: 21/22, 95.5%) versus T2-weighted + CET1W images (observer 1: 21/22, 95.5%; observer 2: 22/22, 100%; p < 0.01). Mean ADC values were significantly lower with abscesses versus non-infected fluid collections (0.83 ± 0.24 versus 2.25 ± 0.61 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s; p < 0.001). With ROC analysis there was good discrimination of abscess from non-infected fluid collections at a threshold ADC value of 1.36 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s. DW-MRI allows qualitative and quantitative differentiation of abscesses from non-infected fluid collections in the liver. Copyright © 2014 The Royal College of Radiologists. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental hydrophilic vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) impression materials incorporating a novel surfactant compared with commercial VPS.

PubMed

Ud Din, Shahab; Parker, Sandra; Braden, Michael; Tomlins, Pete; Patel, Mangala

2017-08-01

To formulate experimental hydrophilic (Exp) VPS impression materials incorporating a novel surfactant (Rhodasurf CET-2), and to compare their contact angles (CAs) with commercial materials, before/after disinfection. CAs were measured immediately after setting and after disinfection (1% NaOCl; 30min and 24h), together with their change whilst a droplet remained on the materials surface (over 10, 20, 30 60 and 120s), on three commercial (Aquasil Ultra-Monophase [Aq M], Elite HD-Monophase [Elt M], Extrude Medium-bodied [Extr M]) and four experimental (Exp I-IV) materials, using the Drop Shape Analysis 100 technique. The results were compared statistically. CAs of all experimental materials were within the range of those obtained for the commercial materials, with the exception of Exp-IV, which presented with the lowest CAs at the three time points. The control Exp-I was hydrophobic at all three time points (CAs ∼100+), as was Elite. Immediately after setting, Aq M had low CAs but these increased significantly after 30min of disinfection. After twenty four hours' disinfection CAs of all Exp/commercial VPS increased significantly compared to immediately after setting. The CAs of droplets left on the material (120s) decreased with time, even after disinfection, except for Exp-I. The novel surfactant Rhodasurf CET-2 in Exp-III and IV, is an effective surfactant, retaining a low CA after disinfection, compared with Igepal CO-530 in Aq M. Disinfecting VPS impression materials for more than 30min increases their surface CAs, and therefore prolonged disinfection periods should be avoided. Copyright © 2017 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Global and Small-scale Magnetic Fields of Fully Convective, Rapidly Spinning M Dwarf Pair GJ65 A and B

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kochukhov, Oleg; Lavail, Alexis

2017-01-20

The nearby M dwarf binary GJ65 AB, also known as BL Cet and UV Cet, is a unique benchmark for investigation of dynamo-driven activity of low-mass stars. Magnetic activity of GJ65 was repeatedly assessed by indirect means, such as studies of flares, photometric variability, X-ray, and radio emission. Here, we present a direct analysis of large-scale and local surface magnetic fields in both components. Interpreting high-resolution circular polarization spectra (sensitive to a large-scale field geometry) we uncovered a remarkable difference of the global stellar field topologies. Despite nearly identical masses and rotation rates, the secondary exhibits an axisymmetric, dipolar-like globalmore » field with an average strength of 1.3 kG while the primary has a much weaker, more complex, and non-axisymmetric 0.3 kG field. On the other hand, an analysis of the differential Zeeman intensification (sensitive to the total magnetic flux) shows the two stars having similar magnetic fluxes of 5.2 and 6.7 kG for GJ65 A and B, respectively, although there is evidence that the field strength distribution in GJ65 B is shifted toward a higher field strength compared to GJ65 A. Based on these complementary magnetic field diagnostic results, we suggest that the dissimilar radio and X-ray variability of GJ65 A and B is linked to their different global magnetic field topologies. However, this difference appears to be restricted to the upper atmospheric layers but does not encompass the bulk of the stars and has no influence on the fundamental stellar properties.« less

Épidémiologie des brûlures de la main chez les enfants vus dans le Centre National des Brûlés et de Chirurgie Plastique de Casablanca, Maroc

PubMed Central

Rafik, A.; Lahlou, M.; Diouri, M.; Bahechar, N.; Chlihi, A.

2015-01-01

Summary Les brûlures de la main chez l’enfant constituent une source de séquelles invalidantes. A cet régard, la conservation et la restauration complète de la fonction de la main demeurent le but primordial de la prise en charge. Afin de répertorier les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutives des mains brûlées, nous avons réalisé une étude rétrospective étalée sur 4 ans, de janvier 2011 à janvier 2015. Cette étude a permis de colliger les cas de 313 enfants atteints de brûlure de la main vus dans le Centre National des Brulés et de Chirurgie Plastique du CHU Ibn Rochd de Casablanca. La majorité des brûlures touche les enfants de 3 à 6 ans (70% des cas), avec une légère prédominance masculine. La principale cause des brûlures survenant à cet âge est l’ébouillantement. Les brûlures par flamme représentent 33% des cas, celles par électricité 4,5%. Les brûlures chimiques et par contact sont anecdotiques (1 cas chacune). L’accident survient le plus souvent à domicile. Soixante douze pour cent des brûlures ont guéri spontanément. Afin de diminuer l’incidence de ces accidents, une approche préventive faite de sensibilisation et d’éducation devrait faire partie du cursus scolaire. PMID:27777543

Extinction of conditioned opiate withdrawal in rats is blocked by intracerebroventricular infusion of an NMDA receptor antagonist.

PubMed

Coleman, Brian R; Carlezon, William A; Myers, Karyn M

2013-04-29

Maladaptive conditioned responses (CRs) contribute to psychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders and addiction. Methods of reducing these CRs have been considered as possible therapeutic approaches. One such method is extinction, which involves exposure to CR-eliciting cues in the absence of the event they once predicted. In animal models, extinction reduces both fear and addiction-related CRs, and in humans, extinction-based cue exposure therapy (CET) reduces fear CRs. However, CET is less effective in drug addicts, for reasons that are not clear. Increased understanding of the neurobiology of extinction of drug-related CRs as compared to fear CRs may help illuminate this issue. Here, we examine the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependence of extinction of conditioned opiate withdrawal in rats. Using a place conditioning paradigm, we trained morphine-dependent rats to associate an environment with naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. We then extinguished that association by returning the rats repeatedly to the environment in the absence of acute withdrawal. In some rats we administered the NMDA receptor antagonist d,l-2-amino-5-phosphovaleric acid (AP5) intracerebroventricularly immediately prior to extinction training. In a subsequent test session, these rats avoided the formerly naloxone-paired environment, similar to rats that had not undergone extinction training. By contrast, rats that received vehicle prior to extinction training did not avoid the formerly naloxone-paired environment. This finding indicates that extinction of a drug-related CR (conditioned opiate withdrawal) is dependent on NMDA receptors, similar to extinction of conditioned fear. The locus of the critical NMDA receptors is unclear but may include basolateral amygdala and/or medial prefrontal cortex. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Identification and Characterization of Modified Antisense Oligonucleotides Targeting DMPK in Mice and Nonhuman Primates for the Treatment of Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

PubMed Central

Wheeler, Thurman M.; Justice, Samantha L.; Kim, Aneeza; Younis, Husam S.; Gattis, Danielle; Jauvin, Dominic; Puymirat, Jack; Swayze, Eric E.; Freier, Susan M.; Bennett, C. Frank; Thornton, Charles A.; MacLeod, A. Robert

2015-01-01

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults. DM1 is caused by an expanded CTG repeat in the 3′-untranslated region of DMPK, the gene encoding dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK). Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) containing 2′,4′-constrained ethyl-modified (cEt) residues exhibit a significantly increased RNA binding affinity and in vivo potency relative to those modified with other 2′-chemistries, which we speculated could translate to enhanced activity in extrahepatic tissues, such as muscle. Here, we describe the design and characterization of a cEt gapmer DMPK ASO (ISIS 486178), with potent activity in vitro and in vivo against mouse, monkey, and human DMPK. Systemic delivery of unformulated ISIS 486718 to wild-type mice decreased DMPK mRNA levels by up to 90% in liver and skeletal muscle. Similarly, treatment of either human DMPK transgenic mice or cynomolgus monkeys with ISIS 486178 led to up to 70% inhibition of DMPK in multiple skeletal muscles and ∼50% in cardiac muscle in both species. Importantly, inhibition of DMPK was well tolerated and was not associated with any skeletal muscle or cardiac toxicity. Also interesting was the demonstration that the inhibition of DMPK mRNA levels in muscle was maintained for up to 16 and 13 weeks post-treatment in mice and monkeys, respectively. These results demonstrate that cEt-modified ASOs show potent activity in skeletal muscle, and that this attractive therapeutic approach warrants further clinical investigation to inhibit the gain-of-function toxic RNA underlying the pathogenesis of DM1. PMID:26330536

Identification and characterization of modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting DMPK in mice and nonhuman primates for the treatment of myotonic dystrophy type 1.

PubMed

Pandey, Sanjay K; Wheeler, Thurman M; Justice, Samantha L; Kim, Aneeza; Younis, Husam S; Gattis, Danielle; Jauvin, Dominic; Puymirat, Jack; Swayze, Eric E; Freier, Susan M; Bennett, C Frank; Thornton, Charles A; MacLeod, A Robert

2015-11-01

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults. DM1 is caused by an expanded CTG repeat in the 3'-untranslated region of DMPK, the gene encoding dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK). Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) containing 2',4'-constrained ethyl-modified (cEt) residues exhibit a significantly increased RNA binding affinity and in vivo potency relative to those modified with other 2'-chemistries, which we speculated could translate to enhanced activity in extrahepatic tissues, such as muscle. Here, we describe the design and characterization of a cEt gapmer DMPK ASO (ISIS 486178), with potent activity in vitro and in vivo against mouse, monkey, and human DMPK. Systemic delivery of unformulated ISIS 486718 to wild-type mice decreased DMPK mRNA levels by up to 90% in liver and skeletal muscle. Similarly, treatment of either human DMPK transgenic mice or cynomolgus monkeys with ISIS 486178 led to up to 70% inhibition of DMPK in multiple skeletal muscles and ∼50% in cardiac muscle in both species. Importantly, inhibition of DMPK was well tolerated and was not associated with any skeletal muscle or cardiac toxicity. Also interesting was the demonstration that the inhibition of DMPK mRNA levels in muscle was maintained for up to 16 and 13 weeks post-treatment in mice and monkeys, respectively. These results demonstrate that cEt-modified ASOs show potent activity in skeletal muscle, and that this attractive therapeutic approach warrants further clinical investigation to inhibit the gain-of-function toxic RNA underlying the pathogenesis of DM1. Copyright © 2015 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Enhancing Congruence between Implicit Motives and Explicit Goal Commitments: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Roch, Ramona M; Rösch, Andreas G; Schultheiss, Oliver C

2017-01-01

Objective: Theory and research suggest that the pursuit of personal goals that do not fit a person's affect-based implicit motives results in impaired emotional well-being, including increased symptoms of depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate an intervention designed to enhance motive-goal congruence and study its impact on well-being. Method: Seventy-four German students (mean age = 22.91, SD = 3.68; 64.9% female) without current psychopathology, randomly allocated to three groups: motivational feedback (FB; n = 25; participants learned about the fit between their implicit motives and explicit goals), FB + congruence-enhancement training (CET; n = 22; participants also engaged in exercises to increase the fit between their implicit motives and goals), and a no-intervention control group ( n = 27), were administered measures of implicit motives, personal goal commitments, happiness, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction 3 weeks before (T1) and 6 weeks after (T2) treatment. Results: On two types of congruence measures derived from motive and goal assessments, treated participants showed increases in agentic (power and achievement) congruence, with improvements being most consistent in the FB+CET group. Treated participants also showed a trend-level depressive symptom reduction, but no changes on other well-being measures. Although increases in overall and agentic motivational congruence were associated with increases in affective well-being, treatment-based reduction of depressive symptoms was not mediated by treatment-based agentic congruence changes. Conclusion: These findings document that motivational congruence can be effectively enhanced, that changes in motivational congruence are associated with changes in affective well-being, and they suggest that individuals' implicit motives should be considered when personal goals are discussed in the therapeutic process.

Enhancing Congruence between Implicit Motives and Explicit Goal Commitments: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

PubMed Central

Roch, Ramona M.; Rösch, Andreas G.; Schultheiss, Oliver C.

2017-01-01

Objective: Theory and research suggest that the pursuit of personal goals that do not fit a person's affect-based implicit motives results in impaired emotional well-being, including increased symptoms of depression. The aim of this study was to evaluate an intervention designed to enhance motive-goal congruence and study its impact on well-being. Method: Seventy-four German students (mean age = 22.91, SD = 3.68; 64.9% female) without current psychopathology, randomly allocated to three groups: motivational feedback (FB; n = 25; participants learned about the fit between their implicit motives and explicit goals), FB + congruence-enhancement training (CET; n = 22; participants also engaged in exercises to increase the fit between their implicit motives and goals), and a no-intervention control group (n = 27), were administered measures of implicit motives, personal goal commitments, happiness, depressive symptoms, and life satisfaction 3 weeks before (T1) and 6 weeks after (T2) treatment. Results: On two types of congruence measures derived from motive and goal assessments, treated participants showed increases in agentic (power and achievement) congruence, with improvements being most consistent in the FB+CET group. Treated participants also showed a trend-level depressive symptom reduction, but no changes on other well-being measures. Although increases in overall and agentic motivational congruence were associated with increases in affective well-being, treatment-based reduction of depressive symptoms was not mediated by treatment-based agentic congruence changes. Conclusion: These findings document that motivational congruence can be effectively enhanced, that changes in motivational congruence are associated with changes in affective well-being, and they suggest that individuals' implicit motives should be considered when personal goals are discussed in the therapeutic process. PMID:28955267

Conceptualizing primary and secondary pathological exercise using available measures of excessive exercise.

PubMed

Cunningham, Hayley E; Pearman, Silas; Brewerton, Timothy D

2016-08-01

There is disagreement about the conceptualization and measurement of pathological exercise (PE). This study seeks to elucidate the nature of this phenomenon as addictive or compulsive in its primary and secondary forms. 1,497 adults (608 men, 885 women, 4 other) completed a set of validated surveys, including the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, the Exercise Dependence Scale-21, the Exercise Addiction Inventory, the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET), the Obligatory Exercise Questionnaire, the Commitment to Exercise Scale, and an exercise specific adaptation of the Dimensional Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (ESDOCS). Participants completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, and DSM-5 eating disorder (ED) diagnoses were determined according to published guidelines. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent samples t-tests, χ(2) tests, 1-way ANOVA's, and ANCOVA's were calculated. All PE measures correlated highly with one another (P < 0.001). Participants with EDs scored higher on all measures than those without (P < 0.001), and those with bulimia nervosa had the highest scores. Participants with PE and an accompanying ED (secondary PE) scored higher than those with PE and no ED symptoms (primary ED) on the CET (P < 0.002) and ESDOCS (P < 0.003). Correlations between EDE-Q and PE scores were stronger among women than men. PE prevalence was 6.4% (1.4% primary PE, 5.0% secondary PE) in our heterogeneous sample. Secondary PE appears to be more compulsive while primary PE is more addictive in nature. Men and women are equally at risk for PE, but in men it is more often primary and addictive and in women it is more often secondary and compulsive. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:778-792). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Extinction of conditioned opiate withdrawal in rats is blocked by intracerebroventricular infusion of an NMDA receptor antagonist

PubMed Central

Coleman, Brian R.; Carlezon, William A.; Myers, Karyn M.

2015-01-01

Maladaptive conditioned responses (CRs) contribute to psychiatric disorders including anxiety disorders and addiction. Methods of reducing these CRs have been considered as possible therapeutic approaches. One such method is extinction, which involves exposure to CR-eliciting cues in the absence of the event they once predicted. In animal models, extinction reduces both fear and addiction-related CRs, and in humans, extinction-based cue exposure therapy (CET) reduces fear CRs. However, CET is less effective in drug addicts, for reasons that are not clear. Increased understanding of the neurobiology of extinction of drug-related CRs as compared to fear CRs may help illuminate this issue. Here, we examine the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependence of extinction of conditioned opiate withdrawal in rats. Using a place conditioning paradigm, we trained morphine-dependent rats to associate an environment with naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. We then extinguished that association by returning the rats repeatedly to the environment in the absence of acute withdrawal. In some rats we administered the NMDA receptor antagonist D,L-2-amino-5-phosphovaleric acid (AP5) intracerebroventricularly immediately prior to extinction training. In a subsequent test session, these rats avoided the formerly naloxone-paired environment, similar to rats that had not undergone extinction training. By contrast, rats that received vehicle prior to extinction training did not avoid the formerly naloxone-paired environment. This finding indicates that extinction of a drug-related CR (conditioned opiate withdrawal) is dependent on NMDA receptors, similar to extinction of conditioned fear. The locus of the critical NMDA receptors is unclear but may include basolateral amygdala and/or medial prefrontal cortex. PMID:23416323

Research trends and issues in informal science education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinthong, Tanwarat; Faikhamta, Chatree

2018-01-01

Research in informal science education (ISE) become more interesting area in science education for a few decades. The main purpose of this research is to analyse research articles in 30 issues of top three international journals in science education; Journal of Research in Science Teaching, Science Education, and the International Journal of Science Education. The research articles during 2007 and 2016 were reviewed and analysed according to the authors' nationality, informal science education's research topics, research paradigms, methods of data collection and data analysis. The research findings indicated that there were 201 published papers related to informal science education, successfully submitted by 469 authors from 27 different countries. In 2008, there was no article related to informal science education. Statistical analyses showed that authors from USA are the most dominant, followed by UK and Israel. The top three ISE's research topics most frequently investigated by the researchers were regarding students' informal learning, public understanding in science, and informal perspectives, policies and paradigms. It is also found that theoretical framework used in informal science education which is becoming more strongly rooted is in a mix of the sociocultural and constructivist paradigms, with a growing acceptance of qualitative research methods and analyses.

LA-ICP-MS and SIMS U-Pb and U-Th zircon geochronological data of Late Pleistocene lava domes of the Ciomadul Volcanic Dome Complex (Eastern Carpathians).

PubMed

Lukács, Réka; Guillong, Marcel; Schmitt, Axel K; Molnár, Kata; Bachmann, Olivier; Harangi, Szabolcs

2018-06-01

This article provides laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) U-Pb and U-Th zircon dates for crystals separated from Late Pleistocene dacitic lava dome rocks of the Ciomadul Volcanic Dome Complex (Eastern Carpathians, Romania). The analyses were performed on unpolished zircon prism faces (termed rim analyses) and on crystal interiors exposed through mechanical grinding an polishing (interior analyses). 206 Pb/ 238 U ages are corrected for Th-disequilibrium based on published and calculated distribution coefficients for U and Th using average whole-rock and individually analyzed zircon compositions. The data presented in this article were used for the Th-disequilibrium correction of (U-Th)/He zircon geochronology data in the research article entitled "The onset of the volcanism in the Ciomadul Volcanic Dome Complex (Eastern Carpathians): eruption chronology and magma type variation" (Molnár et al., 2018) [1].

Data on xylem sap proteins from Mn- and Fe-deficient tomato plants obtained using shotgun proteomics.

PubMed

Ceballos-Laita, Laura; Gutierrez-Carbonell, Elain; Takahashi, Daisuke; Abadía, Anunciación; Uemura, Matsuo; Abadía, Javier; López-Millán, Ana Flor

2018-04-01

This article contains consolidated proteomic data obtained from xylem sap collected from tomato plants grown in Fe- and Mn-sufficient control, as well as Fe-deficient and Mn-deficient conditions. Data presented here cover proteins identified and quantified by shotgun proteomics and Progenesis LC-MS analyses: proteins identified with at least two peptides and showing changes statistically significant (ANOVA; p ≤ 0.05) and above a biologically relevant selected threshold (fold ≥ 2) between treatments are listed. The comparison between Fe-deficient, Mn-deficient and control xylem sap samples using a multivariate statistical data analysis (Principal Component Analysis, PCA) is also included. Data included in this article are discussed in depth in the research article entitled "Effects of Fe and Mn deficiencies on the protein profiles of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum) xylem sap as revealed by shotgun analyses" [1]. This dataset is made available to support the cited study as well to extend analyses at a later stage.

Dimensionnement des actionneurs électriques alimentés à fréquence variable sous faible tension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biedinger, J.-M.; Vilain, J.-P.

1999-09-01

In Part I we present a multidisciplinary analysis model for the prediction of functional connections between the design variables and the electromagnetical, electrical and thermal performances of a brushless permanent magnet motor. In this paper we have elaborated a design methodology for electrical motors supplied from a variable-frequency low-voltage source. The objective is to take into account the influence of the inverter's dynamics from the beginning of the design, for the same reasons as we do for electromechanical and thermal constraints. The procedure is based on a Sequential Quadratic Programming optimization method. Two techniques are used to take into account the influence of the inverter: the first one develops the performance analysis with the multidisciplinary model; the second one considers the inverter's current reference as a supplementary optimization variable for the control of the design. Optimization difficulties linked to the chopping of the converter are discuted in connection with a sensitivity analysis of the torque, with respect to the inverter's current reference; a method is proposed to enhance the performances of the algorithm. The method has been applied to the design of a permanent magnet brushless DC motor used in the propulsion system of an electrical scooter; evolution of the design with the complexity level of analysis model is evidenced. Dans une première partie nous avons développé un modèle d'analyse pluridisciplinaire qui établissait les dépendances fonctionnelles entre les variables de conception et les performances magnéto-électro-thermiques d'un moteur brushless à aimants permanents. Dans cet article nous décrivons une procédure de dimensionnement adaptée à la conception de la machine alimentée à fréquence variable sous faible tension. L'objectif est d'intégrer la dynamique du convertisseur électronique dès la phase initiale du dimensionnement, au même titre que les spécifications électromécaniques et thermiques. La procédure est gérée par une méthode d'optimisation déterministe de type Programmation Quadratique Séquentielle. Elle intègre l'influence du convertisseur au moyen de deux spécificités : la première consiste à évaluer les fonctions du problème d'optimisation sur la base du module d'analyse pluridisciplinaire ; la deuxième permet de contrôler l'évolution du dimensionnement au travers de variables d'optimisation dont la liste inclut les consignes de la commande en courant du convertisseur. Les difficultés d'optimisation liées au mode de fonctionnement discret du convertisseur sont discutées au regard du calcul de la sensibilité du couple électromagnétique envers la consigne de courant du convertisseur ; une méthode est proposée pour assurer la robustesse de la procédure en présence du convertisseur. L'application porte sur le dimensionnement d'un moteur à aimants permanents de type “brushless trapézoïdal" destiné à la traction d'un scooter électrique ; l'évolution de la structure optimale avec le degré de complexité du module d'analyse est mise en évidence.

Skin Cancer Prevention, Tanning and Vitamin D: A Content Analysis of Print Media in Germany and Switzerland.

PubMed

Reinau, Daphne; Meier, Christoph R; Blumenthal, Ralf; Surber, Christian

2016-01-01

Print media are a major source of health information. To analyse press coverage related to skin cancer prevention. We conducted a content analysis of print media articles pertaining to skin cancer prevention, solaria and vitamin D published in Germany and Switzerland over a 1-year period between 2012 and 2013. Overall, 2,103 articles were analysed. Applying sunscreen was by far the most common sun protection recommendation. A considerable number of articles on solaria and vitamin D advocated exposure to ultraviolet radiation to enhance physical appearance and vitamin D photosynthesis, often without mentioning any precaution measures. In total, 26.8% of the articles contained misleading or erroneous statements mostly related to sunscreen use and vitamin D issues. Print media can serve as powerful education tools to foster skin cancer prevention. However, misleading or erroneous reports may negatively impact sun-safe behaviour. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Confusing Claims for Data: A Critique of Common Practices for Presenting Qualitative Research on Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hammer, David; Berland, Leema K.

2014-01-01

We question widely accepted practices of publishing articles that present quantified analyses of qualitative data. First, articles are often published that provide only very brief excerpts of the qualitative data themselves to illustrate the coding scheme, tacitly or explicitly treating the coding results as data. Second, articles are often…

Different Views on Digital Scholarship: Separate Worlds or Cohesive Research Field?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Raffaghelli, Juliana E.; Cucchiara, Stefania; Manganello, Flavio; Persico, Donatella

2016-01-01

This article presents a systematic review of the literature on Digital Scholarship, aimed at better understanding the collocation of this research area at the crossroad of several disciplines and strands of research. The authors analysed 45 articles in order to draw a picture of research in this area. In the first phase, the articles were…

Trend analyses in the health behaviour in school-aged children study: methodological considerations and recommendations.

PubMed

Schnohr, Christina W; Molcho, Michal; Rasmussen, Mette; Samdal, Oddrun; de Looze, Margreet; Levin, Kate; Roberts, Chris J; Ehlinger, Virginie; Krølner, Rikke; Dalmasso, Paola; Torsheim, Torbjørn

2015-04-01

This article presents the scope and development of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, reviews trend papers published on international HBSC data up to 2012 and discusses the efforts made to produce reliable trend analyses. The major goal of this article is to present the statistical procedures and analytical strategies for upholding high data quality, as well as reflections from the authors of this article on how to produce reliable trends based on an international study of the magnitude of the HBSC study. HBSC is an international cross-sectional study collecting data from adolescents aged 11-15 years, on a broad variety of health determinants and health behaviours. A number of methodological challenges have stemmed from the growth of the HBSC-study, in particular given that the study has a focus on monitoring trends. Some of those challenges are considered. When analysing trends, researchers must be able to assess whether a change in prevalence is an expression of an actual change in the observed outcome, whether it is a result of methodological artefacts, or whether it is due to changes in the conceptualization of the outcome by the respondents. The article present recommendations to take a number of the considerations into account. The considerations imply methodological challenges, which are core issues in undertaking trend analyses. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Using Mathematical Analyses Activities to Improve Manipulative Discrimination in Early Childhood Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ertle, Barbrina B.

2017-01-01

This article reports on the findings of manipulative analyses performed by preservice and in-service teachers in an early childhood teacher education program mathematics methods course. The activities are intended to model and promote mathematical analyses for better discrimination between mathematics manipulatives by early childhood teachers.…

Formation of Apprenticeships in the Swedish Education System: Different Stakeholder Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andersson, Ingela; Wärvik, Gun-Britt; Thång, Per-Olof

2015-01-01

The article explores the major features of the Swedish Government's new initiative--a school based Upper Secondary Apprenticeship model. The analyses are guided by activity theory. The analysed texts are part of the parliamentary reform-making process of the 2011 Upper Secondary School reform. The analyses unfold how the Government, the Swedish…

Nutrient and antinutrient composition of yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) products.

PubMed

Adepoju, Oladejo Thomas; Boyejo, Oluwatosin; Adeniji, Paulina Olufunke

2017-04-01

The data presented in this article are related to research article titled "Effects of processing methods on nutrient and antinutrient composition of yellow yam ( Dioscorea cayenensis ) products" (Adepoju et al., 2016) [1]. This article documented information on nutrient and antinutrient composition as well as nutrient retention of Dioscorea cayenensis products. Fresh Dioscorea cayenensis tubers obtained from Bodija market were prepared into raw sample and local delicacies and analysed for proximate, mineral, vitamin and antinutrient composition using AOAC methods [2]. Data obtained were analysed using ANOVA, and level of significance set at p<0.05. Processing significantly improved macronutrients and energy content of yam products, and led to significant reduction in values of all antinutrient content of the products (p<0.05).

A General Purpose Mini-Computer Based Digital Signal Processing Laboratory.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

DOUBLE PPEC IC I DM C0CT2 C3 0) - C0CET4 . 3 0> DOUBLE PPEC ISI Oh CUB 1 CS 0) < CUEE ɠ 0 > , SUB3 ɠ 0> DOUELE PPECICION CUE6O30> » SUB7 ɠQ> »SUB3CB0...97 J — MUM = 1.30 DEM = I.DO DO JO J=l«f HUM = NUM*< SUEI <J;>+SUB2<J>*C0ST2<:D «•suB3O>*C0S2T4<.i1 DEN • DEN*<SUB6’CJ>+ SUB7 <J

Non-Equilibrium Chemistry of O-Rich AGB Stars as Revealed by ALMA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Ka Tat

2018-04-01

Chemical models suggest that pulsation driven shocks propagating from the stellar surfaces of oxygen-rich evolved stars to the dust formation zone trigger non-equilibrium chemistry in the shocked gas near the star, including the formation of carbon-bearing molecules in the stellar winds dominated by oxygen-rich chemistry. Recent long-baseline ALMA observations are able to give us a detailed view of the molecular line emission and absorption at an angular resolution of a few stellar radii. I am going to present the latest results from the ALMA observations of IK Tau and o Cet in late 2017, with a particular focus on HCN.

Determination of Natural and Depleted Uranium in Urine at the ppt Level: An Interlaboratory Analytical Exercise

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-10-01

but de cet exercice analytique 6tait d𔄀valuer toutes les techniques analytiques disponibles ayant la capacit6 de mesurer les rapports isotopiques...B Formulation. Step Component Amount added 1 2% v/v nitric acid 500 mL 2 Calcium chloride (CaCl2.2H 20) 12.6 g 3 2% v/v nitric acid Dilute to 1000 mL...chloride (KCI) 3.43 Sodium chloride (NaCl) 2.32 Creatinine (C4H7N30) 1.10 Ammonium chloride (NH 4Cl) 1.06 Hippuric acid (C9H9N03) 0.63 Calcium chloride

A productive clash of perspectives? The interplay between articles' and authors' perspectives and their impact on Wikipedia edits in a controversial domain.

PubMed

Jirschitzka, Jens; Kimmerle, Joachim; Halatchliyski, Iassen; Hancke, Julia; Meurers, Detmar; Cress, Ulrike

2017-01-01

This study examined predictors of the development of Wikipedia articles that deal with controversial issues. We chose a corpus of articles in the German-language version of Wikipedia about alternative medicine as a representative controversial issue. We extracted edits made until March 2013 and categorized them using a supervised machine learning setup as either being pro conventional medicine, pro alternative medicine, or neutral. Based on these categories, we established relevant variables, such as the perspectives of articles and of authors at certain points in time, the (im)balance of an article's perspective, the number of non-neutral edits per article, the number of authors per article, authors' heterogeneity per article, and incongruity between authors' and articles' perspectives. The underlying objective was to predict the development of articles' perspectives with regard to the controversial topic. The empirical part of the study is embedded in theoretical considerations about editorial biases and the effectiveness of norms and rules in Wikipedia, such as the neutral point of view policy. Our findings revealed a selection bias where authors edited mainly articles with perspectives similar to their own viewpoint. Regression analyses showed that an author's perspective as well as the article's previous perspectives predicted the perspective of the resulting edits, albeit both predictors interact with each other. Further analyses indicated that articles with more non-neutral edits were altogether more balanced. We also found a positive effect of the number of authors and of the authors' heterogeneity on articles' balance. However, while the effect of the number of authors was reserved to pro-conventional medicine articles, the authors' heterogenity effect was restricted to pro-alternative medicine articles. Finally, we found a negative effect of incongruity between authors' and articles' perspectives that was pronounced for the pro-alternative medicine articles.

Developing the Model of Fuel Injection Process Efficiency Analysis for Injector for Diesel Engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anisimov, M. Yu; Kayukov, S. S.; Gorshkalev, A. A.; Belousov, A. V.; Gallyamov, R. E.; Lysenko, Yu D.

2018-01-01

The article proposes an assessment option for analysing the quality of fuel injection by the injector constituting the development of calculation blocks in a common injector model within LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim. The parameters of the injector model in the article correspond to the serial injector Common Rail-type with solenoid. The possibilities of this approach are demonstrated with providing the results using the example of modelling the modified injector. Following the research results, the advantages of the proposed approach to analysing assessing the fuel injection quality were detected.

Organ transplant AN-DRGs: modifying the exceptions hierarchy in casemix classification.

PubMed

Antioch, K; Zhang, X

2000-01-01

The study described in this article sought to develop AN-DRG Version 3 classification revisions for organ transplantation through statistical analyses of recommendations formulated by the Australian Casemix Clinical Committee. Two separate analyses of variance were undertaken for AN-DRG Version 2 and for the proposed Version 3 AN-DRGs, using average length of stay as the dependent variable. The committee made four key recommendations which were accepted and incorporated into AN-DRG Versions 3 and 3.1. This article focuses on the classification revisions for organ transplantation.

Understanding the Role of Conscientiousness in Healthy Aging: Where Does the Brain Come In?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Patrick, Christopher J.

2014-01-01

In reviewing this impressive series of articles, I was struck by 2 points in particular: (a) the fact that the empirically oriented articles focused on analyses of data from very large samples, with the articles by Friedman, Kern, Hampson, and Duckworth (2014) and Kern, Hampson, Goldbert, and Friedman (2014) highlighting an approach to merging…

Social Integration of Children with Intellectual Disabilities from Poor Rural Families of the Republic of Moldova

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Belibova, Silvia

2016-01-01

This article addresses the issue of integration of children with mental retardation from poor rural families of Moldovan society. Thus, the article analyses the current results of the data conducted for inclusion of children in society, social networks of children and their families being considered. The article also proves the existence of…

Research Trends in Science Education International: A Content Analysis for the Last Five Years (2011-2015)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cavas, B.

2015-01-01

The main purpose of this article is to analyse 5 volumes and 20 issues of "Science Education International" ("SEI") according to the authors' nationality and research topics of the articles, published in the journal between 2011 and 2015. In total, 126 articles were published, successfully submitted by 281 authors in 43…

"ToP"'s Greatest Hits: The Most Frequently Cited "Teaching of Psychology" Articles

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griggs, Richard A.; Collisson, Brian

2013-01-01

The authors conducted citation analyses to identify the most influential articles published in "Teaching of Psychology". Using the Web of Science and PsycINFO databases, we gathered citation counts for the 2,986 articles appearing in the journal from 1974 through 2011 and then used these counts to compile a Top 20 list for total citations, an…

Medical literature searches: a comparison of PubMed and Google Scholar.

PubMed

Nourbakhsh, Eva; Nugent, Rebecca; Wang, Helen; Cevik, Cihan; Nugent, Kenneth

2012-09-01

Medical literature searches provide critical information for clinicians. However, the best strategy for identifying relevant high-quality literature is unknown. We compared search results using PubMed and Google Scholar on four clinical questions and analysed these results with respect to article relevance and quality. Abstracts from the first 20 citations for each search were classified into three relevance categories. We used the weighted kappa statistic to analyse reviewer agreement and nonparametric rank tests to compare the number of citations for each article and the corresponding journals' impact factors. Reviewers ranked 67.6% of PubMed articles and 80% of Google Scholar articles as at least possibly relevant (P = 0.116) with high agreement (all kappa P-values < 0.01). Google Scholar articles had a higher median number of citations (34 vs. 1.5, P < 0.0001) and came from higher impact factor journals (5.17 vs. 3.55, P = 0.036). PubMed searches and Google Scholar searches often identify different articles. In this study, Google Scholar articles were more likely to be classified as relevant, had higher numbers of citations and were published in higher impact factor journals. The identification of frequently cited articles using Google Scholar for searches probably has value for initial literature searches. © 2012 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2012 Health Libraries Group.

A review of recent analyses of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS)

PubMed Central

Potter, D.; Nasserie, T.; Tonmyr, L.

2015-01-01

Abstract Introduction: The objective of this analysis is to identify, assess the quality and summarize the findings of peer-reviewed articles that used data from the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS) published since November 2011 and data from provincial oversamples of the CIS as well as to illustrate evolving uses of these datasets. Methods: Articles were identified from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s data request records tracking access to CIS data and publications produced from that data. At least two raters independently reviewed and appraised the quality of each article. Results: A total of 32 articles were included. Common strengths of articles included clearly stated research aims, appropriate control variables and analyses, sufficient sample sizes, appropriate conclusions and relevance to practice or policy. Common problem areas of articles included unclear definitions for variables and inclusion criteria of cases. Articles frequently measured the associations between maltreatment, child, caregiver, household and agency/referral characteristics and investigative outcomes such as opening cases for ongoing services and placement. Conclusion: Articles using CIS data were rated positively on most quality indicators. Researchers have recently focussed on inadequately studied categories of maltreatment (exposure to intimate partner violence [IPV]), neglect and emotional maltreatment) and examined factors specific to First Nations children. Data from the CIS oversamples have been underutilized. The use of multivariate analysis techniques has increased. PMID:26605559

Analysing Instrument Mixes in Quality Assurance: The Czech and Slovak Accreditation Commissions in the Era of Mass Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kohoutek, Jan

2014-01-01

Utilising insights from policy instrument theory, the article analyses the design, functioning and effects of the tools used by the Czech Accreditation Commission (CAC) and the Slovak Accreditation Commission (SAC) in the 2000s. Aside from programme accreditation, the other tools analysed are: institutional approval, institutional evaluations,…

The Religious Educational Legacy of Mordechai (Motti) Bar-Lev: Scholar and Visionary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gross, Zehavit

2013-01-01

The aim of this article is to analyse the educational and spiritual legacy of Mordechai (Motti) Bar-Lev, one of the pillars of religious education research in Israel. We first analyse the ideological-theoretical foundations that underlay his thought and provided inspiration for his scientific writing. Next, we analyse the principal dilemmas on…

Bleeding control in endoscopic sinus surgery: a systematic review of the literature.

PubMed

Rodriguez Valiente, A; Roldan Fidalgo, A; Laguna Ortega, D

2013-12-01

In the literature various methods are described to reduce bleeding in endoscopic sinus surgery. Scientific evidence and results were gathered and analysed to determine the effectiveness of the various methods used. A total of 20 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Two retrospective articles studied the differences between local and general anaesthesia. Three articles analysed the use of local methods to control bleeding. The majority of the articles analysed the use of different systemic drugs to control intraoperative bleeding. Certain procedures, such as the reverse Trendelenburg position, the use of high doses of epinephrine, the infiltration of phenylephrine and lidocaine into the pterygopalatine fossa, the preoperative use of prednisone, and the control of the heart rate (with dexmedetomidine or remifentanil), appear to reduce the intraoperative blood loss and/or improve the visualisation of the surgical field. However, the evidence supporting these conclusions is poor. The benefits of other procedures, such as the preoperative use of β-blockers, antihypertensive agents, and surgical pledgets with oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, or cocaine, for bleeding control are not evidenced in the literature. In addition, the literature does not present any evidence on the benefits of local anaesthesia compared with general anaesthesia or the use of propofol compared to inhaled analgesics in terms of intraoperative bleeding or complication rates.

Multimodal emissions from Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped lithium borate glass: Upconversion, downshifting and quantum cutting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bahadur, A.; Yadav, R.S.; Yadav, R.V.

This paper reports the optical properties of Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped lithium borate (LB) glass prepared by melt quench method. The absorption spectrum of the Yb{sup 3+} doped LB glass contains intense NIR band centered at 976 nm due to {sup 2}F{sub 7/2}→{sup 2}F{sub 5/2} transition. The emission spectra of the prepared glasses have been monitored on excitation with 266, 355 and 976 nm. The Yb{sup 3+} doped glass emits a broad NIR band centered at 976 nm whereas the Tb{sup 3+} doped glass gives off visible bands on excitations with 266 and 355 nm. When the Tb{sup 3+} andmore » Yb{sup 3+} ions are co-doped together, the emission intensity in the visible region decreases whereas it increases in the NIR region significantly. The increase in the emission intensity in the NIR region is due to efficient cooperative energy transfer (CET) from Tb{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} ions. The quantum cutting efficiency for Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped glass has been calculated and compared for 266 and 355 nm excitations. The quantum cutting efficiency is larger for 355 nm excitation (137%). The Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped LB glass also emits upconverted visible bands on excitation with 976 nm. The mechanisms involved in the energy transfer have been discussed using schematic energy level diagram. The Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped LB glass may be used in the optical devices and in solar cell for solar spectral conversion and behaves as a multi-modal photo-luminescent material. - Graphical abstract: The Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped lithium borate (LB) glass prepared by melt quench method emits upconverted visible emissions through upconversion CET from Yb{sup 3+} to Tb{sup 3+} ions and quantum cutting emissions through downconversion CET from Tb{sup 3+} to Yb{sup 3+} ions. Therefore, the Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped LB glass may find applications in optical devices and solar cell and behaves as a multi-modal photo-luminescent material. - Highlights: • The Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped lithium borate (LB) glass prepared by melt quench method. • The Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped glass gives QC emissions upon 266 and 355 nm excitations. • The Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped glass also emits intense green color on excitation with 976 nm. • The quantum cutting efficiency is larger for 355 nm excitation (137%). • The Tb{sup 3+}/Yb{sup 3+} co-doped glass may be used in solar cell and display devices.« less

A clinically feasible treatment protocol for magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation in the liver.

PubMed

Wijlemans, Joost W; de Greef, Martijn; Schubert, Gerald; Bartels, Lambertus W; Moonen, Chrit T W; van den Bosch, Maurice A A J; Ries, Mario

2015-01-01

Magnetic resonance-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) allows for noninvasive thermal ablation under real-time temperature imaging guidance. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of MR-HIFU ablation of liver tissue in a clinically acceptable setting. The experimental protocol was designed with a clinical ablation procedure of a small malignant tumor in mind; the procedures were performed within a clinically feasible time frame and care was taken to avoid adverse events. The main outcome was the size and quality of the ablated liver tissue volume on imaging and histology. Secondary outcomes were safety and treatment time. Healthy pigs (n = 10) under general anesthesia were positioned on a clinical MR-HIFU system, which consisted of an HIFU tabletop with a skin cooling system integrated into a 1.5-T MR scanner. A liver tissue volume was ablated with multiple sonication cells (4 × 4 × 10 mm, 450 W). Both MR thermometry and sonication were respiratory-gated using a pencil beam navigator on the diaphragm. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1w) imaging was performed for treatment evaluation. Targeted total treatment time was 3 hours. The abdominal wall, liver, and adjacent organs were inspected postmortem for thermal damage. Ablated tissue volumes were processed for cell viability staining. The ablated volumes were analyzed using MR imaging, MR thermometry, and cell viability histology. Eleven volume ablations were performed in 10 animals, resulting in a median nonperfused volume (NPV) on CE-T1w imaging of 1.6 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 0.8-2.3; range, 0.7-3.0). Cell viability histology showed a damaged volume of 1.5 mL (IQR, 1.1-1.8; range, 0.7-2.3). The NPV was confluent in 10 of the 11 cases. The ablated tissue volume on cell viability histology was confluent in all 9 available cases. In all cases, there was a good correspondence between the aspects of the NPV on CE-T1w and the ablated volume on cell viability histology. Two treatment-related adverse events occurred: 1 animal had a 7-mm skin burn and 1 animal showed evidence of thermal damage on the surface of the spleen. Median ablation time was 108 minutes (IQR, 101-120; range, 96-181 minutes) and median total treatment time was 180 minutes (IQR, 165-224; 130-250 minutes). Our results demonstrate the feasibility and safety of MR-HIFU ablation of liver tissue volumes. The imaging data and cell viability histology show, for the first time, that confluent ablation volumes can be achieved with motion-gated ablation and MR guidance. These results were obtained using a readily available MR-HIFU system with only minor modifications, within a clinically acceptable time frame, and with only minor adverse events. This shows that this technique is sufficiently reliable and safe to initiate a clinical trial.

Introduction à une théorie des systèmes composites : exemples simples de matériaux lamellaires

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akjouj, A.; Sylla, B.; Dobrzynski, L.

This review paper is mostly an introduction to the linear response theory for composite systems. The composite materials are defined here as being formed by different homogeneous parts connected together by interfaces. This type of material can be constructed with the help of homogeneous "bricks" cuted out from infinite materials. This cutting procedures are realized with the help of cleavage operators. The "bricks" are then put together by a coupling operator. This construction manner enables to obtain for any composite system a general equation relating the composite response function (called also Green's function) to the elements of the infinite material response functions and to the cleavage and coupling operators. A general and unified formulation valid as well in matrix algebra as in the algebra of differential equations results from this approach. Any general theory is abstract ; simple examples help very much to understand it. The principal aim of this review paper is the introduction of a general theory for composite systems through simple and analytical examples from the fields of phonons, magnons and electrons in the lamellar composite materials. In order to achieve this goal, the algebra of the examples is as explicit as possible. The references of what was already realized in theory of composite response are discussed also. A prospective and non exhaustive study of all the fields where such a theory can prove to be helpful is given also in this review paper. Cet article de revue est essentiellement une introduction à la théorie de la réponse linéaire dans les systèmes composites. Les matériaux composites sont définis ici comme étant formés de parties homogènes différentes reliées par des interfaces. Ce type de matériaux peut être construit à partir de "briques" homogènes découpées dans des matériaux infinis. Ces opérations de découpage sont effectuées par l'intermédiaire d'opérateurs de clivage. Les "briques" sont ensuite assemblées grâce à un opérateur de couplage. Cette façon de construire un système composite permet d'obtenir une équation générale reliant la fonction réponse (appelée aussi fonction de Green) du système composite aux éléments des fonctions réponses des matériaux infinis et aux opérateurs de clivage et de couplage. Une formulation générale unifiée valable aussi bien en algèbre des matrices pour les systèmes discrets qu'en algèbre différentielle pour les systèmes continus en résulte. Toute théorie générale est abstraite ; sa compréhension est grandement facilitée par la pratique d'exemples simples. Le but principal de cet article de revue est d'introduire une théorie générale des systèmes composites grâce à des exemples simples et analytiques empruntés au domaine des phonons, des magnons et des électrons dans les matériaux composites lamellaires (multicouches). Afin d'atteindre ce but, les développements mathématiques des exemples sont donnés le plus explicitement possible. Une revue bibliographique de ce qui a été déjà réalisé en théorie de la réponse dans les matériaux composites est donnée également. Une étude prospective et non exhaustive des très nombreux domaines où cette théorie peut être utile prolonge la revue bibliographique.

Disciplinarity and Normative Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strandbrink, Peter

2018-01-01

Drawing on recent interdisciplinary, multidimensional research on civic and religious education in northern Europe, this article explores disciplinary epistemological economies in an era of mounting discontent with the narrowness of mono-disciplinary analyses of complex social and educational issues. It is argued in the article that under…

Minimisation des inductances propres des condensateurs à film métallisé

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joubert, Ch.; Rojat, G.; Béroual, A.

1995-07-01

In this article, we examine the different factors responsible for the equivalent series inductance in metallized capacitors and we propose structures for capacitors that reduce this inductance. After recalling the structure of metallized capacitors we compare, by experimental measurements, the inductance due to the winding and that one added by the connections. The latter can become preponderant. In order to explain the experimental evolution of the winding impedance vs. frequency, we describe an analytical model which gives the current density in the winding and its impedance. This model enables us to determine the self resonant frequency for different types of capacitors. From where, we can infer the influence of the height of capacitors and their internal and external radius upon performances, It appears that to reduce the equivalent series inductance, it is better to use flat windings and annular windings. Dans cet article nous examinons les différents facteurs responsables de l'inductance équivalente série dans les condensateurs à film métallisé et proposons des géométries de condensateurs qui réduisent cette inductance. Après avoir rappelé la structure des condensateurs à film métallisé, nous comparons, par des mesures expérimentales, l'inductance due au bobinage et l'inductance ajoutée par les connexions. Cette dernière peut devenir prépondérante. Afin d'expliquer l'évolution de l'impédance du bobinage en fonction de la fréquence, nous décrivons un modèle analytique qui donne la densité du courant dans le bobinage et l'impédance de ce dernier. En outre, ce modèle permet de déterminer la fréquence de résonance série de divers types de condensateurs ce qui permet de déduire l'influence de la hauteur des condensateurs et de leurs rayons interne et externe sur les performances. Il apparaît ainsi que, pour diminuer l'inductance équivalente série, il vaut mieux employer des bobinages plats et des bobinages annulaires.

Trends in statistical methods in articles published in Archives of Plastic Surgery between 2012 and 2017.

PubMed

Han, Kyunghwa; Jung, Inkyung

2018-05-01

This review article presents an assessment of trends in statistical methods and an evaluation of their appropriateness in articles published in the Archives of Plastic Surgery (APS) from 2012 to 2017. We reviewed 388 original articles published in APS between 2012 and 2017. We categorized the articles that used statistical methods according to the type of statistical method, the number of statistical methods, and the type of statistical software used. We checked whether there were errors in the description of statistical methods and results. A total of 230 articles (59.3%) published in APS between 2012 and 2017 used one or more statistical method. Within these articles, there were 261 applications of statistical methods with continuous or ordinal outcomes, and 139 applications of statistical methods with categorical outcome. The Pearson chi-square test (17.4%) and the Mann-Whitney U test (14.4%) were the most frequently used methods. Errors in describing statistical methods and results were found in 133 of the 230 articles (57.8%). Inadequate description of P-values was the most common error (39.1%). Among the 230 articles that used statistical methods, 71.7% provided details about the statistical software programs used for the analyses. SPSS was predominantly used in the articles that presented statistical analyses. We found that the use of statistical methods in APS has increased over the last 6 years. It seems that researchers have been paying more attention to the proper use of statistics in recent years. It is expected that these positive trends will continue in APS.

A Systematic Summary of Systematic Reviews on the Topic of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament

PubMed Central

Anderson, Michael J.; Browning, William M.; Urband, Christopher E.; Kluczynski, Melissa A.; Bisson, Leslie J.

2016-01-01

Background: There has been a substantial increase in the amount of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Purpose: To quantify the number of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published on the ACL in the past decade and to provide an overall summary of this literature. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review of all ACL-related systematic reviews and meta-analyses published between January 2004 and September 2014 was performed using PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Database. Narrative reviews and non-English articles were excluded. Results: A total of 1031 articles were found, of which 240 met the inclusion criteria. Included articles were summarized and divided into 17 topics: anatomy, epidemiology, prevention, associated injuries, diagnosis, operative versus nonoperative management, graft choice, surgical technique, fixation methods, computer-assisted surgery, platelet-rich plasma, rehabilitation, return to play, outcomes assessment, arthritis, complications, and miscellaneous. Conclusion: A summary of systematic reviews on the ACL can supply the surgeon with a single source for the most up-to-date synthesis of the literature. PMID:27047983

Exposure assessment procedures in presence of wideband digital wireless networks.

PubMed

Trinchero, D

2009-12-01

The article analyses the applicability of traditional methods, as well as recently proposed techniques, to the exposure assessment of electromagnetic field generated by wireless transmitters. As is well known, a correct measurement of the electromagnetic field is conditioned by the complexity of the signal, which requires dedicated instruments or specifically developed extrapolation techniques. Nevertheless, it is also influenced by the typology of the deployment of the transmitting and receiving stations, which varies from network to network. These aspects have been intensively analysed in the literature and several cases of study are available for review. The present article collects the most recent analyses and discusses their applicability to different scenarios, typical of the main wireless networking applications: broadcasting services, mobile cellular networks and data access provisioning infrastructures.

A Meta-Meta-Analysis: Empirical Review of Statistical Power, Type I Error Rates, Effect Sizes, and Model Selection of Meta-Analyses Published in Psychology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cafri, Guy; Kromrey, Jeffrey D.; Brannick, Michael T.

2010-01-01

This article uses meta-analyses published in "Psychological Bulletin" from 1995 to 2005 to describe meta-analyses in psychology, including examination of statistical power, Type I errors resulting from multiple comparisons, and model choice. Retrospective power estimates indicated that univariate categorical and continuous moderators, individual…

The Global/Local Nexus in Comparative Policy Studies: Analysing the Triple Bonus System in Mongolia over Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steiner-Khamsi, Gita

2012-01-01

The article analyses a phenomenon that has accompanied teacher salary reform in Mongolia: the import of two global education policies that were nearly identical to the already existing local bonus system ("olympiads"). To make sense of an import that appears superfluous, the author analyses the reception and translation of the triple…

More challenges since Wikipedia: the effects of exposure to internet information about the Rorschach on selected comprehensive system variables.

PubMed

Schultz, Douglas S; Brabender, Virginia M

2013-01-01

To determine the effects of reading the Wikipedia article on the Rorschach on Comprehensive System variables, participants in this study (recruited from parent-teacher associations, online message boards, and graduate schools; N = 50) were provided with either a copy of the Wikipedia article on the Rorschach (from April 2010) or an irrelevant article, then administered the Rorschach and instructed to "fake good." Monetary incentives were used to increase motivation to dissimulate. Initial results indicated that participants given the Wikipedia article produced a lower number of responses (R) and had higher scores on Populars, X+%, XA%, and WDA% as compared to controls. However, post-hoc analyses revealed that when the influence of Populars was controlled, significant differences for X+%, XA%, and WDA% disappeared. No significant differences were found for Form%, Zf, Blends, or PER, although post-hoc analyses controlling for differences in R revealed a significant difference between groups on Zf%. Limitations of the study and implications for clinical and forensic practice are discussed.

An Analysis of the "Classic" Papers in Aesthetic Surgery.

PubMed

Joyce, Cormac W; Joyce, K M; Kelly, John C; Kelly, Jack L; Carroll, Sean M; Sugrue, Conor

2015-02-01

Over the past 50 years, there has been a significant increase in published articles in the medical literature. The aesthetic surgery literature is vast, consisting of a plethora of diverse articles written by a myriad of illustrious authors. Despite this considerable archive of published material, it remains nebulous as to which precise papers have had the greatest impact on our specialty. The aim of our study was to identify and analyse the characteristics of the top 50 papers in the field of aesthetic surgery in the published literature. The 50 most cited papers were identified in several surgical journals through the Web of Science. The articles were ranked in order of the number of citations received. These classic 50 papers were analysed for article type, their journal distribution, level of evidence as well as geographic and institutional origin. Six journals contributed to the top 50 papers in aesthetic surgery with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery contributing the most with 31 papers.

Knowledge Integration in Cancer: Current Landscape and Future Prospects

PubMed Central

Ioannidis, John P.A.; Schully, Sheri D.; Lam, Tram Kim; Khoury, Muin J.

2015-01-01

Knowledge integration includes knowledge management, synthesis, and translation processes. It aims to maximize the use of collected scientific information and accelerate translation of discoveries into individual and population health benefits. Accumulated evidence in cancer epidemiology constitutes a large share of the 2.7 million articles on cancer in PubMed. We examine the landscape of knowledge integration in cancer epidemiology. Past approaches have mostly used retrospective efforts of knowledge management and traditional systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Systematic searches identify 2,332 meta-analyses, about half of which are on genetics and epigenetics. Meta-analyses represent 1:89-1:1162 of published articles in various cancer subfields. Recently, there are more collaborative meta-analyses with individual-level data, including those with prospective collection of measurements [e.g., genotypes in genome-wide association studies (GWAS)]; this may help increase the reliability of inferences in the field. However, most meta-analyses are still done retrospectively with published information. There is also a flurry of candidate gene meta-analyses with spuriously prevalent "positive" results. Prospective design of large research agendas, registration of datasets, and public availability of data and analyses may improve our ability to identify knowledge gaps, maximize and accelerate translational progress or—at a minimum—recognize dead ends in a more timely fashion. PMID:23093546

Knowledge integration in cancer: current landscape and future prospects.

PubMed

Ioannidis, John P A; Schully, Sheri D; Lam, Tram Kim; Khoury, Muin J

2013-01-01

Knowledge integration includes knowledge management, synthesis, and translation processes. It aims to maximize the use of collected scientific information and accelerate translation of discoveries into individual and population health benefits. Accumulated evidence in cancer epidemiology constitutes a large share of the 2.7 million articles on cancer in PubMed. We examine the landscape of knowledge integration in cancer epidemiology. Past approaches have mostly used retrospective efforts of knowledge management and traditional systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Systematic searches identify 2,332 meta-analyses, about half of which are on genetics and epigenetics. Meta-analyses represent 1:89-1:1162 of published articles in various cancer subfields. Recently, there are more collaborative meta-analyses with individual-level data, including those with prospective collection of measurements [e.g., genotypes in genome-wide association studies (GWAS)]; this may help increase the reliability of inferences in the field. However, most meta-analyses are still done retrospectively with published information. There is also a flurry of candidate gene meta-analyses with spuriously prevalent "positive" results. Prospective design of large research agendas, registration of datasets, and public availability of data and analyses may improve our ability to identify knowledge gaps, maximize and accelerate translational progress or-at a minimum-recognize dead ends in a more timely fashion.

The Victorian female civilising mission and women's aspirations towards priesthood in the Church of England.

PubMed

Daggers, J

2001-01-01

This article analyses the effects of the Victorian female civilizing mission, with its central motif of spiritual womanhood, in shaping women's aspirations towards the Anglican priesthood during the twentieth century. The considerable development of nineteenth-century women's ex officio ministry is documented, and the ensuing clash in early twentieth-century male/clerical and female perspectives on women's appropriate role within church life is analysed. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the legacy of the Victorian civilising mission evident within the post-1960 Anglican debate over women's ordination.

Poor replication validity of biomedical association studies reported by newspapers

PubMed Central

Smith, Andy; Boraud, Thomas; Gonon, François

2017-01-01

Objective To investigate the replication validity of biomedical association studies covered by newspapers. Methods We used a database of 4723 primary studies included in 306 meta-analysis articles. These studies associated a risk factor with a disease in three biomedical domains, psychiatry, neurology and four somatic diseases. They were classified into a lifestyle category (e.g. smoking) and a non-lifestyle category (e.g. genetic risk). Using the database Dow Jones Factiva, we investigated the newspaper coverage of each study. Their replication validity was assessed using a comparison with their corresponding meta-analyses. Results Among the 5029 articles of our database, 156 primary studies (of which 63 were lifestyle studies) and 5 meta-analysis articles were reported in 1561 newspaper articles. The percentage of covered studies and the number of newspaper articles per study strongly increased with the impact factor of the journal that published each scientific study. Newspapers almost equally covered initial (5/39 12.8%) and subsequent (58/600 9.7%) lifestyle studies. In contrast, initial non-lifestyle studies were covered more often (48/366 13.1%) than subsequent ones (45/3718 1.2%). Newspapers never covered initial studies reporting null findings and rarely reported subsequent null observations. Only 48.7% of the 156 studies reported by newspapers were confirmed by the corresponding meta-analyses. Initial non-lifestyle studies were less often confirmed (16/48) than subsequent ones (29/45) and than lifestyle studies (31/63). Psychiatric studies covered by newspapers were less often confirmed (10/38) than the neurological (26/41) or somatic (40/77) ones. This is correlated to an even larger coverage of initial studies in psychiatry. Whereas 234 newspaper articles covered the 35 initial studies that were later disconfirmed, only four press articles covered a subsequent null finding and mentioned the refutation of an initial claim. Conclusion Journalists preferentially cover initial findings although they are often contradicted by meta-analyses and rarely inform the public when they are disconfirmed. PMID:28222122

Poor replication validity of biomedical association studies reported by newspapers.

PubMed

Dumas-Mallet, Estelle; Smith, Andy; Boraud, Thomas; Gonon, François

2017-01-01

To investigate the replication validity of biomedical association studies covered by newspapers. We used a database of 4723 primary studies included in 306 meta-analysis articles. These studies associated a risk factor with a disease in three biomedical domains, psychiatry, neurology and four somatic diseases. They were classified into a lifestyle category (e.g. smoking) and a non-lifestyle category (e.g. genetic risk). Using the database Dow Jones Factiva, we investigated the newspaper coverage of each study. Their replication validity was assessed using a comparison with their corresponding meta-analyses. Among the 5029 articles of our database, 156 primary studies (of which 63 were lifestyle studies) and 5 meta-analysis articles were reported in 1561 newspaper articles. The percentage of covered studies and the number of newspaper articles per study strongly increased with the impact factor of the journal that published each scientific study. Newspapers almost equally covered initial (5/39 12.8%) and subsequent (58/600 9.7%) lifestyle studies. In contrast, initial non-lifestyle studies were covered more often (48/366 13.1%) than subsequent ones (45/3718 1.2%). Newspapers never covered initial studies reporting null findings and rarely reported subsequent null observations. Only 48.7% of the 156 studies reported by newspapers were confirmed by the corresponding meta-analyses. Initial non-lifestyle studies were less often confirmed (16/48) than subsequent ones (29/45) and than lifestyle studies (31/63). Psychiatric studies covered by newspapers were less often confirmed (10/38) than the neurological (26/41) or somatic (40/77) ones. This is correlated to an even larger coverage of initial studies in psychiatry. Whereas 234 newspaper articles covered the 35 initial studies that were later disconfirmed, only four press articles covered a subsequent null finding and mentioned the refutation of an initial claim. Journalists preferentially cover initial findings although they are often contradicted by meta-analyses and rarely inform the public when they are disconfirmed.

The terrain of health policy analysis in low and middle income countries: a review of published literature 1994–2007

PubMed Central

Gilson, Lucy; Raphaely, Nika

2008-01-01

This article provides the first ever review of literature analysing the health policy processes of low and middle income countries (LMICs). Based on a systematic search of published literature using two leading international databases, the article maps the terrain of work published between 1994 and 2007, in terms of policy topics, lines of inquiry and geographical base, as well as critically evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. The overall objective of the review is to provide a platform for the further development of this field of work. From an initial set of several thousand articles, only 391 were identified as relevant to the focus of inquiry. Of these, 164 were selected for detailed review because they present empirical analyses of health policy change processes within LMIC settings. Examination of these articles clearly shows that LMIC health policy analysis is still in its infancy. There are only small numbers of such analyses, whilst the diversity of policy areas, topics and analytical issues that have been addressed across a large number of country settings results in a limited depth of coverage within this body of work. In addition, the majority of articles are largely descriptive in nature, limiting understanding of policy change processes within or across countries. Nonetheless, the broad features of experience that can be identified from these articles clearly confirm the importance of integrating concern for politics, process and power into the study of health policy. By generating understanding of the factors influencing the experience and results of policy change, such analysis can inform action to strengthen future policy development and implementation. This article, finally, outlines five key actions needed to strengthen the field of health policy analysis within LMICs, including capacity development and efforts to generate systematic and coherent bodies of work underpinned by both the intent to undertake rigorous analytical work and concern to support policy change. PMID:18650209

Relationship between funding source and conclusion among nutrition-related scientific articles.

PubMed

Lesser, Lenard I; Ebbeling, Cara B; Goozner, Merrill; Wypij, David; Ludwig, David S

2007-01-01

Industrial support of biomedical research may bias scientific conclusions, as demonstrated by recent analyses of pharmaceutical studies. However, this issue has not been systematically examined in the area of nutrition research. The purpose of this study is to characterize financial sponsorship of scientific articles addressing the health effects of three commonly consumed beverages, and to determine how sponsorship affects published conclusions. Medline searches of worldwide literature were used to identify three article types (interventional studies, observational studies, and scientific reviews) about soft drinks, juice, and milk published between 1 January, 1999 and 31 December, 2003. Financial sponsorship and article conclusions were classified by independent groups of coinvestigators. The relationship between sponsorship and conclusions was explored by exact tests and regression analyses, controlling for covariates. 206 articles were included in the study, of which 111 declared financial sponsorship. Of these, 22% had all industry funding, 47% had no industry funding, and 32% had mixed funding. Funding source was significantly related to conclusions when considering all article types (p = 0.037). For interventional studies, the proportion with unfavorable conclusions was 0% for all industry funding versus 37% for no industry funding (p = 0.009). The odds ratio of a favorable versus unfavorable conclusion was 7.61 (95% confidence interval 1.27 to 45.73), comparing articles with all industry funding to no industry funding. Industry funding of nutrition-related scientific articles may bias conclusions in favor of sponsors' products, with potentially significant implications for public health.

Promoting Ethics and Integrity in Management Academic Research: Retraction Initiative.

PubMed

Ayodele, Freida Ozavize; Yao, Liu; Haron, Hasnah

2018-02-13

In the management academic research, academic advancement, job security, and the securing of research funds at one's university are judged mainly by one's output of publications in high impact journals. With bogus resumes filled with published journal articles, universities and other allied institutions are keen to recruit or sustain the appointment of such academics. This often places undue pressure on aspiring academics and on those already recruited to engage in research misconduct which often leads to research integrity. This structured review focuses on the ethics and integrity of management research through an analysis of retracted articles published from 2005 to 2016. The study employs a structured literature review methodology whereby retracted articles published between 2005 and 2016 in the field of management science were found using Crossref and Google Scholar. The searched articles were then streamlined by selecting articles based on their relevance and content in accordance with the inclusion criteria. Based on the analysed retracted articles, the study shows evidence of ethical misconduct among researchers of management science. Such misconduct includes data falsification, the duplication of submitted articles, plagiarism, data irregularity and incomplete citation practices. Interestingly, the analysed results indicate that the field of knowledge management includes the highest number of retracted articles, with plagiarism constituting the most significant ethical issue. Furthermore, the findings of this study show that ethical misconduct is not restricted to a particular geographic location; it occurs in numerous countries. In turn, avenues of further study on research misconduct in management research are proposed.

Analyzing Likert Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boone, Harry N., Jr.; Boone, Deborah A.

2012-01-01

This article provides information for Extension professionals on the correct analysis of Likert data. The analyses of Likert-type and Likert scale data require unique data analysis procedures, and as a result, misuses and/or mistakes often occur. This article discusses the differences between Likert-type and Likert scale data and provides…

Interactional Metadiscourse in Research Article Abstracts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillaerts, Paul; Van de Velde, Freek

2010-01-01

This paper deals with interpersonality in research article abstracts analysed in terms of interactional metadiscourse. The evolution in the distribution of three prominent interactional markers comprised in Hyland's (2005a) model, viz. hedges, boosters and attitude markers, is investigated in three decades of abstract writing in the field of…

Becoming-Topologies of Education: Deformations, Networks and the Database Effect

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thompson, Greg; Cook, Ian

2015-01-01

This article uses topological approaches to suggest that education is becoming-topological. Analyses presented in a recent double-issue of "Theory, Culture & Society" are used to demonstrate the utility of topology for education. In particular, the article explains education's topological character through examining the global…

The Imperfect Child in Early Twentieth-Century Russia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Byford, Andy

2017-01-01

The article discusses the role that conceptualisations of child "imperfection" played in the rise and fall of Russian "child study" between the 1900s and the 1930s. Drawing on Georges Canguilhem's ideas on "the normal" and "the pathological", the article analyses practices centred on diagnosing subnormality…

Unveiling the South African Official Primary Mathematics Teacher Pedagogic Identity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pausigere, Peter; Graven, Mellony

2013-01-01

This article is theoretically informed by Bernstein's (2000) notion of pedagogic identity, supplemented by Tyler's (1999) elaboration of Bernstein's theory into an analytical framework that describes four possible identity positions relating to classification and framing properties. The article analyses key primary mathematics curriculum policy…

The Decline of the Myopic American Imperial Project, the "Great Experiment" for Education, and a Conversation beyond the Boundaries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kachur, Jerrold L.

2008-01-01

This article is a compilation of the views of 16 PhD students and the author on Steven Klees' 2007 article titled, "A quarter century of neoliberal thinking in education: Misleading analyses and failed policies." The students and the author have taken Klees' article as a stimulus to try and explicate the anatomy of the decline of the…