A Laboratory Manual for Stepwise Cerebral White Matter Fiber Dissection.

PubMed

Koutsarnakis, Christos; Liakos, Faidon; Kalyvas, Aristotelis V; Sakas, Damianos E; Stranjalis, George

2015-08-01

White matter fiber dissection is an important method in acquiring a thorough neuroanatomic knowledge for surgical practice. Previous studies have definitely improved our understanding of intrinsic brain anatomy and emphasized on the significance of this technique in modern neurosurgery. However, current literature lacks a complete and concentrated laboratory guide about the entire dissection procedure. Hence, our primary objective is to introduce a detailed laboratory manual for cerebral white matter dissection by highlighting consecutive dissection steps, and to stress important technical comments facilitating this complex procedure. Twenty adult, formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres were included in the study. Ten specimens were dissected in the lateromedial and 10 in the mediolateral direction, respectively, using the fiber dissection technique and the microscope. Eleven and 8 consecutive and distinctive dissection steps are recommended for the lateromedial and mediolateral dissection procedures, respectively. Photographs highlighting various anatomic landmarks accompany every step. Technical recommendations, facilitating the dissection process, are also indicated. The fiber dissection technique, although complex and time consuming, offers a three-dimensional knowledge of intrinsic brain anatomy and architecture, thus improving both the quality of microneurosurgery and the patient's standard of care. The present anatomic study provides a thorough dissection manual to those who study brain anatomy using this technique. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ethanol and other oxygenateds from low grade carbonaceous resources

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

Joo, O.S.; Jung, K.D.; Han, S.H.

1995-12-31

Anhydrous ethanol and other oxygenates of C2 up can be produced quite competitively from low grade carbonaceous resources in high yield via gasification, methanol synthesis, carbonylation of methanol an hydrogenation consecutively. Gas phase carbonylation of methanol to form methyl acetate is the key step for the whole process. Methyl acetate can be produced very selectively in one step gas phase reaction on a fixed bed column reactor with GHSV over 5,000. The consecutive hydrogenation of methyl or ethyl acetate produce anhydrous ethanol in high purity. It is also attempted to co-produce methanol and DME in IGCC, in which low grademore » carbonaceous resources are used as energy sources, and the surplus power and pre-power gas can be stored in liquid form of methanol and DME during base load time. Further integration of C2 up oxygenate production with IGCC can improve its economics. The attempt of above extensive technology integration can generate significant industrial profitability as well as reduce the environmental complication related with massive energy consumption.« less

Computing and visualizing time-varying merge trees for high-dimensional data

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

Oesterling, Patrick; Heine, Christian; Weber, Gunther H.

2017-06-03

We introduce a new method that identifies and tracks features in arbitrary dimensions using the merge tree -- a structure for identifying topological features based on thresholding in scalar fields. This method analyzes the evolution of features of the function by tracking changes in the merge tree and relates features by matching subtrees between consecutive time steps. Using the time-varying merge tree, we present a structural visualization of the changing function that illustrates both features and their temporal evolution. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by applying it to temporal cluster analysis of high-dimensional point clouds.

Animal Construction as a Free Boundary Problem: Evidence of Fractal Scaling Laws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolis, S. C.

2014-12-01

We suggest that the main features of animal construction can be understood as the sum of locally independent actions of non-interacting individuals subjected to the global constraints imposed by the nascent structure. We first formulate an analytically tractable oscopic description of construction which predicts a 1/3 power law for how the length of the structure grows with time. We further show how the power law is modified when biases in random walk performed by the constructors as well as halting times between consecutive construction steps are included.

Neural Correlates of Temporal Credit Assignment in the Parietal Lobe

PubMed Central

Eisenberg, Ian; Gottlieb, Jacqueline

2014-01-01

Empirical studies of decision making have typically assumed that value learning is governed by time, such that a reward prediction error arising at a specific time triggers temporally-discounted learning for all preceding actions. However, in natural behavior, goals must be acquired through multiple actions, and each action can have different significance for the final outcome. As is recognized in computational research, carrying out multi-step actions requires the use of credit assignment mechanisms that focus learning on specific steps, but little is known about the neural correlates of these mechanisms. To investigate this question we recorded neurons in the monkey lateral intraparietal area (LIP) during a serial decision task where two consecutive eye movement decisions led to a final reward. The underlying decision trees were structured such that the two decisions had different relationships with the final reward, and the optimal strategy was to learn based on the final reward at one of the steps (the “F” step) but ignore changes in this reward at the remaining step (the “I” step). In two distinct contexts, the F step was either the first or the second in the sequence, controlling for effects of temporal discounting. We show that LIP neurons had the strongest value learning and strongest post-decision responses during the transition after the F step regardless of the serial position of this step. Thus, the neurons encode correlates of temporal credit assignment mechanisms that allocate learning to specific steps independently of temporal discounting. PMID:24523935

Is Pedometer-Determined Physical Activity Decreasing in Czech Adults? Findings from 2008 to 2013

PubMed Central

Pelclová, Jana; Frömel, Karel; Řepka, Emil; Bláha, Ladislav; Suchomel, Aleš; Fojtík, Igor; Feltlová, Dana; Valach, Petr; Horák, Svatopluk; Nykodým, Jiří; Vorlíček, Michal

2016-01-01

Objective measured trend data are important for public health practice. However, these data are rare for an adult population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe time trends in pedometer-determined physical activity of Czech adults (25–65 years) from 2008 to 2013. Participants were Czech national citizens whose physical activity was assessed objectively using a Yamax Digiwalker SW-700 pedometer (Yamax Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) for seven consecutive days in the period 2008 to 2013. The final sample was 4647 Czech adults [M age 41.4 ± 10 years; M body mass index (BMI) 25.1 ± 3.7 kg/m2]. The results showed that men took more steps/day (M (Mean) = 10,014; 95% CI (Confidence Interval) = 9864–10,164) than women (M = 9448; 95% CI = 9322–9673) in all age and BMI groups. Mean steps/day declined from 2008 to 2013 by 852 steps/day in men and 1491 steps/day in women. In the whole sample, the proportion of participants who had a sedentary lifestyle (<5000 steps/day) increased by 5.8%; the proportion taking ≥10,000 steps/day decreased by 15.8%. In 2013, men and women were 2.67 and 2.05 times, respectively, more likely to have a physically inactive lifestyle (<7500 steps/day) than in 2008. Conversely, in 2008, men and women were 1.68 and 2.46 times, respectively, less likely to have very active lifestyle (>12,500 steps/day). In conclusion, this study suggests that there has been a substantial reduction in physical activity in Czech adults over time. PMID:27783062

Assessing Gait Impairments Based on Auto-Encoded Patterns of Mahalanobis Distances from Consecutive Steps.

PubMed

Muñoz-Organero, Mario; Davies, Richard; Mawson, Sue

2017-01-01

Insole pressure sensors capture the force distribution patterns during the stance phase while walking. By comparing patterns obtained from healthy individuals to patients suffering different medical conditions based on a given similarity measure, automatic impairment indexes can be computed in order to help in applications such as rehabilitation. This paper uses the data sensed from insole pressure sensors for a group of healthy controls to train an auto-encoder using patterns of stochastic distances in series of consecutive steps while walking at normal speeds. Two experiment groups are compared to the healthy control group: a group of patients suffering knee pain and a group of post-stroke survivors. The Mahalanobis distance is computed for every single step by each participant compared to the entire dataset sensed from healthy controls. The computed distances for consecutive steps are fed into the previously trained autoencoder and the average error is used to assess how close the walking segment is to the autogenerated model from healthy controls. The results show that automatic distortion indexes can be used to assess each participant as compared to normal patterns computed from healthy controls. The stochastic distances observed for the group of stroke survivors are bigger than those for the people with knee pain.

Theoretical study of gas hydrate decomposition kinetics--model development.

PubMed

Windmeier, Christoph; Oellrich, Lothar R

2013-10-10

In order to provide an estimate of the order of magnitude of intrinsic gas hydrate dissolution and dissociation kinetics, the "Consecutive Desorption and Melting Model" (CDM) is developed by applying only theoretical considerations. The process of gas hydrate decomposition is assumed to comprise two consecutive and repetitive quasi chemical reaction steps. These are desorption of the guest molecule followed by local solid body melting. The individual kinetic steps are modeled according to the "Statistical Rate Theory of Interfacial Transport" and the Wilson-Frenkel approach. All missing required model parameters are directly linked to geometric considerations and a thermodynamic gas hydrate equilibrium model.

Minimising farm crop protection pressure supported by the multiple functionalities of the DISCUSS indicator set.

PubMed

Wustenberghs, Hilde; Fevery, Davina; Lauwers, Ludwig; Marchand, Fleur; Spanoghe, Pieter

2018-03-15

Sustainable crop protection (SCP) has many facets. Farmers may therefore perceive transition to SCP as very complex. The Dual Indicator Set for Crop Protection Sustainability (DISCUSS) can handle this complexity. To provide targeted support throughout the transition to SCP, complexity capture must be synchronised with the time course of on-farm decision-making. Tool use must be tuned to farmer awareness and appropriate level of data in consecutive stages. This paper thus explores the potential functionalities of DISCUSS in relation to both complexity and time. Results from apple and potato crop protection show three potential functions: DISCUSS can be used as (1) a simulation tool for communication and decision support, (2) an assessment and monitoring tool, and (3) a discussion support tool for farmer groups. Analysis of these functionalities using a framework for guiding on-farm sustainability assessment and strategic decision-making shows how each functionality can support the consecutive steps of transition to SCP, i.e. using the right tool functionality at the right time. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A two-step lyssavirus real-time polymerase chain reaction using degenerate primers with superior sensitivity to the fluorescent antigen test.

PubMed

Suin, Vanessa; Nazé, Florence; Francart, Aurélie; Lamoral, Sophie; De Craeye, Stéphane; Kalai, Michael; Van Gucht, Steven

2014-01-01

A generic two-step lyssavirus real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), based on a nested PCR strategy, was validated for the detection of different lyssavirus species. Primers with 17 to 30% of degenerate bases were used in both consecutive steps. The assay could accurately detect RABV, LBV, MOKV, DUVV, EBLV-1, EBLV-2, and ABLV. In silico sequence alignment showed a functional match with the remaining lyssavirus species. The diagnostic specificity was 100% and the sensitivity proved to be superior to that of the fluorescent antigen test. The limit of detection was ≤ 1 50% tissue culture infectious dose. The related vesicular stomatitis virus was not recognized, confirming the selectivity for lyssaviruses. The assay was applied to follow the evolution of rabies virus infection in the brain of mice from 0 to 10 days after intranasal inoculation. The obtained RNA curve corresponded well with the curves obtained by a one-step monospecific RABV-qRT-PCR, the fluorescent antigen test, and virus titration. Despite the presence of degenerate bases, the assay proved to be highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible.

A Two-Step Lyssavirus Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Using Degenerate Primers with Superior Sensitivity to the Fluorescent Antigen Test

PubMed Central

Nazé, Florence; Francart, Aurélie; Lamoral, Sophie; De Craeye, Stéphane; Kalai, Michael

2014-01-01

A generic two-step lyssavirus real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), based on a nested PCR strategy, was validated for the detection of different lyssavirus species. Primers with 17 to 30% of degenerate bases were used in both consecutive steps. The assay could accurately detect RABV, LBV, MOKV, DUVV, EBLV-1, EBLV-2, and ABLV. In silico sequence alignment showed a functional match with the remaining lyssavirus species. The diagnostic specificity was 100% and the sensitivity proved to be superior to that of the fluorescent antigen test. The limit of detection was ≤1 50% tissue culture infectious dose. The related vesicular stomatitis virus was not recognized, confirming the selectivity for lyssaviruses. The assay was applied to follow the evolution of rabies virus infection in the brain of mice from 0 to 10 days after intranasal inoculation. The obtained RNA curve corresponded well with the curves obtained by a one-step monospecific RABV-qRT-PCR, the fluorescent antigen test, and virus titration. Despite the presence of degenerate bases, the assay proved to be highly sensitive, specific, and reproducible. PMID:24822188

A financial analysis of operating room charges for robot-assisted gynaecologic surgery: Efficiency strategies in the operating room for reducing the costs

PubMed Central

Zeybek, Burak; Öge, Tufan; Kılıç, Cemil Hakan; Borahay, Mostafa A.; Kılıç, Gökhan Sami

2014-01-01

Objective To analyse the steps taking place in the operating room (OR) before the console time starts in robot-assisted gynaecologic surgery and to identify potential ways to decrease non-operative time in the OR. Material and Methods Thirteen consecutive robotic cases for benign gynaecologic disease at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) were retrospectively reviewed. The collected data included the specific terms ‘Anaesthesia Done’ (step 1), ‘Drape Done’ (step 2), and ‘Trocar In’ (step 3), all of which refer to the time before the actual surgery began and OR charges were evaluated as level 3, 4, and 5 for open abdominal/vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy, and robot-assisted hysterectomy, respectively. Results The cost of the OR for 0–30 minutes and each additional 30 minutes were $3,693 and $1,488, $4,961 and $2,426, $5,513 and $2,756 in level 3, 4, and 5 surgeries, respectively. The median time for step 1 was 12.1 min (5.25–23.3), for step 2 was 19 (4.59–44) min, and for step 3 was 25.3 (16.45–45) min. The total median time until the actual operation began was 54.58 min (40–100). The total cost was $6948.7 when the charge was calculated according to level 4 and $7771.1 when the charge was calculated according to level 5. Conclusion Robot-assisted surgery is already ‘cost-expensive’ in the preparation stage of a surgical procedure during anaesthesia induction and draping of the patient because of charging levels. Every effort should be made to shorten the time and reduce the number of instruments used without compromising care. (J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 2014; 15: 25–9) PMID:24790513

An efficient quantum algorithm for spectral estimation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steffens, Adrian; Rebentrost, Patrick; Marvian, Iman; Eisert, Jens; Lloyd, Seth

2017-03-01

We develop an efficient quantum implementation of an important signal processing algorithm for line spectral estimation: the matrix pencil method, which determines the frequencies and damping factors of signals consisting of finite sums of exponentially damped sinusoids. Our algorithm provides a quantum speedup in a natural regime where the sampling rate is much higher than the number of sinusoid components. Along the way, we develop techniques that are expected to be useful for other quantum algorithms as well—consecutive phase estimations to efficiently make products of asymmetric low rank matrices classically accessible and an alternative method to efficiently exponentiate non-Hermitian matrices. Our algorithm features an efficient quantum-classical division of labor: the time-critical steps are implemented in quantum superposition, while an interjacent step, requiring much fewer parameters, can operate classically. We show that frequencies and damping factors can be obtained in time logarithmic in the number of sampling points, exponentially faster than known classical algorithms.

a New Approach for Progressive Dense Reconstruction from Consecutive Images Based on Prior Low-Density 3d Point Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lari, Z.; El-Sheimy, N.

2017-09-01

In recent years, the increasing incidence of climate-related disasters has tremendously affected our environment. In order to effectively manage and reduce dramatic impacts of such events, the development of timely disaster management plans is essential. Since these disasters are spatial phenomena, timely provision of geospatial information is crucial for effective development of response and management plans. Due to inaccessibility of the affected areas and limited budget of first-responders, timely acquisition of the required geospatial data for these applications is usually possible only using low-cost imaging and georefencing sensors mounted on unmanned platforms. Despite rapid collection of the required data using these systems, available processing techniques are not yet capable of delivering geospatial information to responders and decision makers in a timely manner. To address this issue, this paper introduces a new technique for dense 3D reconstruction of the affected scenes which can deliver and improve the needed geospatial information incrementally. This approach is implemented based on prior 3D knowledge of the scene and employs computationally-efficient 2D triangulation, feature descriptor, feature matching and point verification techniques to optimize and speed up 3D dense scene reconstruction procedure. To verify the feasibility and computational efficiency of the proposed approach, an experiment using a set of consecutive images collected onboard a UAV platform and prior low-density airborne laser scanning over the same area is conducted and step by step results are provided. A comparative analysis of the proposed approach and an available image-based dense reconstruction technique is also conducted to prove the computational efficiency and competency of this technique for delivering geospatial information with pre-specified accuracy.

Novel techniques for data decomposition and load balancing for parallel processing of vision systems: Implementation and evaluation using a motion estimation system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Choudhary, Alok Nidhi; Leung, Mun K.; Huang, Thomas S.; Patel, Janak H.

1989-01-01

Computer vision systems employ a sequence of vision algorithms in which the output of an algorithm is the input of the next algorithm in the sequence. Algorithms that constitute such systems exhibit vastly different computational characteristics, and therefore, require different data decomposition techniques and efficient load balancing techniques for parallel implementation. However, since the input data for a task is produced as the output data of the previous task, this information can be exploited to perform knowledge based data decomposition and load balancing. Presented here are algorithms for a motion estimation system. The motion estimation is based on the point correspondence between the involved images which are a sequence of stereo image pairs. Researchers propose algorithms to obtain point correspondences by matching feature points among stereo image pairs at any two consecutive time instants. Furthermore, the proposed algorithms employ non-iterative procedures, which results in saving considerable amounts of computation time. The system consists of the following steps: (1) extraction of features; (2) stereo match of images in one time instant; (3) time match of images from consecutive time instants; (4) stereo match to compute final unambiguous points; and (5) computation of motion parameters.

The reliability of the quantitative timed up and go test (QTUG) measured over five consecutive days under single and dual-task conditions in community dwelling older adults.

PubMed

Smith, Erin; Walsh, Lorcan; Doyle, Julie; Greene, Barry; Blake, Catherine

2016-01-01

The timed up and go (TUG) test is a commonly used assessment in older people with variations including the addition of a motor or cognitive dual-task, however in high functioning older adults it is more difficult to assess change. The quantified TUG (QTUG) uses inertial sensors to detect test and gait parameters during the test. If it is to be used in the longitudinal assessment of older adults, it is important that we know which parameters are reliable and under which conditions. This study aims to examine the relative reliability of the QTUG over five consecutive days under single, motor and cognitive dual-task conditions. Twelve community dwelling older adults (10 females, mean age 74.17 (3.88)) performed the QTUG under three conditions for five consecutive days. The relative reliability of each of the gait parameters was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC 3,1) and standard error of measurement (SEM). Five of the measures demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC>0.70) under all three conditions (time to complete test, walk time, number of gait cycles, number of steps and return from turn time). Measures of variability and turn derived parameters demonstrated weak reliability under all three conditions (ICC=0.05-0.49). For the most reliable parameters under single-task conditions, the addition of a cognitive task resulted in a reduction in reliability suggesting caution when interpreting results under these conditions. Certain sensor derived parameters during the QTUG test may provide an additional resource in the longitudinal assessment of older people and earlier identification of falls risk. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Occupational Physical Activity Habits of UK Office Workers: Cross-Sectional Data from the Active Buildings Study.

PubMed

Smith, Lee; Sawyer, Alexia; Gardner, Benjamin; Seppala, Katri; Ucci, Marcella; Marmot, Alexi; Lally, Pippa; Fisher, Abi

2018-06-09

Habitual behaviours are learned responses that are triggered automatically by associated environmental cues. The unvarying nature of most workplace settings makes workplace physical activity a prime candidate for a habitual behaviour, yet the role of habit strength in occupational physical activity has not been investigated. Aims of the present study were to: (i) document occupational physical activity habit strength; and (ii) investigate associations between occupational activity habit strength and occupational physical activity levels. A sample of UK office-based workers ( n = 116; 53% female, median age 40 years, SD 10.52) was fitted with activPAL accelerometers worn for 24 h on five consecutive days, providing an objective measure of occupational step counts, stepping time, sitting time, standing time and sit-to-stand transitions. A self-report index measured the automaticity of two occupational physical activities (“being active” (e.g., walking to printers and coffee machines) and “stair climbing”). Adjusted linear regression models investigated the association between occupational activity habit strength and objectively-measured occupational step counts, stepping time, sitting time, standing time and sit-to-stand transitions. Eighty-one per cent of the sample reported habits for “being active”, and 62% reported habits for “stair climbing”. In adjusted models, reported habit strength for “being active” were positively associated with average occupational sit-to-stand transitions per hour (B = 0.340, 95% CI: 0.053 to 0.627, p = 0.021). “Stair climbing” habit strength was unexpectedly negatively associated with average hourly stepping time (B = −0.01, 95% CI: −0.01 to −0.00, p = 0.006) and average hourly occupational step count (B = −38.34, 95% CI: −72.81 to −3.88, p = 0.030), which may reflect that people with stronger stair-climbing habits compensate by walking fewer steps overall. Results suggest that stair-climbing and office-based occupational activity can be habitual. Interventions might fruitfully promote habitual workplace activity, although, in light of potential compensation effects, such interventions should perhaps focus on promoting moderate-intensity activity.

Do walking strategies to increase physical activity reduce reported sitting in workplaces: a randomized control trial

PubMed Central

Gilson, Nicholas D; Puig-Ribera, Anna; McKenna, Jim; Brown, Wendy J; Burton, Nicola W; Cooke, Carlton B

2009-01-01

Background Interventions designed to increase workplace physical activity may not automatically reduce high volumes of sitting, a behaviour independently linked to chronic diseases such as obesity and type II diabetes. This study compared the impact two different walking strategies had on step counts and reported sitting times. Methods Participants were white-collar university employees (n = 179; age 41.3 ± 10.1 years; 141 women), who volunteered and undertook a standardised ten-week intervention at three sites. Pre-intervention step counts (Yamax SW-200) and self-reported sitting times were measured over five consecutive workdays. Using pre-intervention step counts, employees at each site were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 60; maintain normal behaviour), a route-based walking group (n = 60; at least 10 minutes sustained walking each workday) or an incidental walking group (n = 59; walking in workday tasks). Workday step counts and reported sitting times were re-assessed at the beginning, mid- and endpoint of intervention and group mean± SD steps/day and reported sitting times for pre-intervention and intervention measurement points compared using a mixed factorial ANOVA; paired sample-t-tests were used for follow-up, simple effect analyses. Results A significant interactive effect (F = 3.5; p < 0.003) was found between group and step counts. Daily steps for controls decreased over the intervention period (-391 steps/day) and increased for route (968 steps/day; t = 3.9, p < 0.000) and incidental (699 steps/day; t = 2.5, p < 0.014) groups. There were no significant changes for reported sitting times, but average values did decrease relative to the control (routes group = 7 minutes/day; incidental group = 15 minutes/day). Reductions were most evident for the incidental group in the first week of intervention, where reported sitting decreased by an average of 21 minutes/day (t = 1.9; p < 0.057). Conclusion Compared to controls, both route and incidental walking increased physical activity in white-collar employees. Our data suggests that workplace walking, particularly through incidental movement, also has the potential to decrease employee sitting times, but there is a need for on-going research using concurrent and objective measures of sitting, standing and walking. PMID:19619295

Particular adaptations to potentially slippery surfaces: the effects of friction on consecutive postural adjustments (CPA).

PubMed

Memari, Sahel; Le Bozec, Serge; Bouisset, Simon

2014-02-21

This research deals with the postural adjustments that occur after the end of voluntary movement ("consecutive postural adjustments": CPAs). The influence of a potentially slippery surface on CPA characteristics was considered, with the aim of exploring more deeply the postural component of the task-movement. Seven male adults were asked to perform a single step, as quickly as possible, to their own footprint marked on the ground. A force plate measured the resultant reaction forces along the antero-posterior axis (R(x)) and the centre of pressure (COP) displacements along the antero-posterior and lateral axes (Xp and Yp). The velocity of the centre of gravity (COG) along the antero-posterior axis and the corresponding impulse (∫R(x)dt) were calculated; the peak velocity (termed "progression velocity": V(xG)) was measured. The required coefficient of friction (RCOF) along the progression axis (pμ(x)) was determined. Two materials, differing by their COF, were laid at foot contact (FC), providing a rough foot contact (RoFC), and a smooth foot contact (SmFC) considered to be potentially slippery. Two step lengths were also performed: a short step (SS) and a long step (LS). Finally, the subjects completed four series of ten steps each. These were preceded by preliminary trials, to allow them to acquire the necessary adaptation to experimental conditions. The antero-posterior force time course presented a positive phase, that included APAs ("anticipatory postural adjustments") and step execution (STEP), followed by a negative one, corresponding to CPAs. The backward impulse (CPI) was equal to the forward one (BPI), independently of friction and progression velocity. Moreover, V(xG) did not differ according to friction, but was faster when the step length was greater. Last CPA peak amplitudes (pCPA) were significantly greater and CPA durations (dCPA) shorter for RoFC and conversely for SmFC, contrary to APA. Finally, the results show a particular adaptation to the potentially slippery surface (SmFC). They suggest that adherence modulation at foot contact could be one of the rules for controlling COG displacement in single stepping. Consequently, the actual coefficient of friction value might be implemented in the motor programme at a higher level than the voluntary movement specific parameters. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Solvable continuous-time random walk model of the motion of tracer particles through porous media.

PubMed

Fouxon, Itzhak; Holzner, Markus

2016-08-01

We consider the continuous-time random walk (CTRW) model of tracer motion in porous medium flows based on the experimentally determined distributions of pore velocity and pore size reported by Holzner et al. [M. Holzner et al., Phys. Rev. E 92, 013015 (2015)PLEEE81539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.92.013015]. The particle's passing through one channel is modeled as one step of the walk. The step (channel) length is random and the walker's velocity at consecutive steps of the walk is conserved with finite probability, mimicking that at the turning point there could be no abrupt change of velocity. We provide the Laplace transform of the characteristic function of the walker's position and reductions for different cases of independence of the CTRW's step duration τ, length l, and velocity v. We solve our model with independent l and v. The model incorporates different forms of the tail of the probability density of small velocities that vary with the model parameter α. Depending on that parameter, all types of anomalous diffusion can hold, from super- to subdiffusion. In a finite interval of α, ballistic behavior with logarithmic corrections holds, which was observed in a previously introduced CTRW model with independent l and τ. Universality of tracer diffusion in the porous medium is considered.

Daily Steps in Midlife and Older Adults: Relationship with Demographic, Self-Rated Health, and Self-Reported Physical Activity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Payn, Tamara; Pfeiffer, Karin A.; Hutto, Brent; Vena, John E.; LaMonte, Michael J.; Blair, Steven N.; Hooker, Steven P.

2008-01-01

The relationship between average daily step counts and age, body mass index (BMI), self-reported physical activity (PA) level, and perceived health was determined in 85 middle-aged and older adults who wore a pedometer for 7 consecutive days. Average daily steps were significantly (p less than 0.05) correlated with BMI (r = -0.26), age (r = -0.44)…

Multi-objective optimization for an automated and simultaneous phase and baseline correction of NMR spectral data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawall, Mathias; von Harbou, Erik; Moog, Annekathrin; Behrens, Richard; Schröder, Henning; Simoneau, Joël; Steimers, Ellen; Neymeyr, Klaus

2018-04-01

Spectral data preprocessing is an integral and sometimes inevitable part of chemometric analyses. For Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra a possible first preprocessing step is a phase correction which is applied to the Fourier transformed free induction decay (FID) signal. This preprocessing step can be followed by a separate baseline correction step. Especially if series of high-resolution spectra are considered, then automated and computationally fast preprocessing routines are desirable. A new method is suggested that applies the phase and the baseline corrections simultaneously in an automated form without manual input, which distinguishes this work from other approaches. The underlying multi-objective optimization or Pareto optimization provides improved results compared to consecutively applied correction steps. The optimization process uses an objective function which applies strong penalty constraints and weaker regularization conditions. The new method includes an approach for the detection of zero baseline regions. The baseline correction uses a modified Whittaker smoother. The functionality of the new method is demonstrated for experimental NMR spectra. The results are verified against gravimetric data. The method is compared to alternative preprocessing tools. Additionally, the simultaneous correction method is compared to a consecutive application of the two correction steps.

The association between daily steps and health, and the mediating role of body composition: a pedometer-based, cross-sectional study in an employed South African population.

PubMed

Pillay, Julian D; van der Ploeg, Hidde P; Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L; Proper, Karin I; van Stralen, Maartje; Tomaz, Simone A; van Mechelen, Willem; Lambert, Estelle V

2015-02-22

Walking is recognized as an easily accessible mode of physical activity and is therefore supported as a strategy to promote health and well-being. To complement walking, pedometers have been identified as a useful tool for monitoring ambulatory physical activity, typically measuring total steps/day. There is, however, little information concerning dose-response for health outcomes in relation to intensity or duration of sustained steps. We aimed to examine this relationship, along with factors that mediate it, among employed adults. A convenience sample, recruited from work-site health risk screening (N = 312, 37 ± 9 yrs), wore a pedometer for at least three consecutive days. Steps were classified as "aerobic" (≥100 steps/minute and ≥10 consecutive minutes) or "non-aerobic" (<100 steps/minute and/or <10 consecutive minutes). The data were sub-grouped according to intensity-based categories i.e. "no aerobic activity", "low aerobic activity" (1-20 minutes/day of aerobic activity) and "high aerobic activity" (≥21 minutes/day of aerobic activity), with the latter used as a proxy for current PA guidelines (150-minutes of moderate-intensity PA per week). Health outcomes included blood pressure, body mass index, percentage body fat, waist circumference, blood cholesterol and blood glucose. Analysis of covariance, adjusting for age, gender and total steps/day were used to compare groups according to volume and intensity-based steps categories. A further analysis compared the mediation effect of body fat estimates (percentage body fat, body mass index and waist circumference) on the association between steps and health outcomes, independently. Average steps/day were 6,574 ± 3,541; total steps/day were inversely associated with most health outcomes in the expected direction (p < 0.05). The "no aerobic activity" group was significantly different from the "low aerobic activity" and "high aerobic activity" in percentage body fat and diastolic blood pressure only (P < 0.05). Percentage body fat emerged as the strongest mediator of the relationship between steps and outcomes, while body mass index showed the least mediation effect. The study provides a presentation of cross-sectional pedometer data that relate to a combination of intensity and volume-based steps/day and its relationship to current guidelines. The integration of volume, intensity and duration of ambulatory physical activity in pedometer-based messages is of emerging relevance.

Differences in lupus anticoagulant final conclusion through clotting time or Rosner index for mixing test interpretation.

PubMed

Depreter, Barbara; Devreese, Katrien M J

2016-09-01

Lupus anticoagulant (LAC) testing includes a screening, mixing and confirmation step. Although recently published guidelines on LAC testing are a useful step towards standardization, a lack of consensus remains whether to express mixing tests in clotting time (CT) or index of circulating anticoagulant (ICA). The influence of anticoagulant therapy, e.g. vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) on both methods of interpretation remains to be investigated. The objective of this study was to contribute to a simplification and standardization of the LAC three-step interpretation on the level of the mixing test. Samples from 148 consecutive patients with LAC request and prolonged screening step, and 77 samples from patients non-suspicious for LAC treated with VKA (n=37) or DOAC (n=30) were retrospectively evaluated. An activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and dilute Russell's viper venom time (dRVVT) were used for routine LAC testing. The supplemental anticoagulant samples were tested with dRVVT only. We focused on the interpretation differences for mixing tests expressed as CT or ICA and compared the final LAC conclusion within each distinct group of concordant and discordant mixing test results. Mixing test interpretation by CT resulted in 10 (dRVVT) and 16 (aPTT) more LAC positive patients compared to interpretation with ICA. Isolated prolonged dRVVT screen mix ICA results were exclusively observed in samples from VKA-treated patients without suspicion for LAC. We recommend using CT in respect to the 99th percentile cut-off for interpretation of mixing steps in order to reach the highest sensitivity and specificity in LAC detection.

Effects of fentanyl administration on locomotor response in horses with the G57C μ-opioid receptor polymorphism.

PubMed

Wetmore, Lois A; Pascoe, Peter J; Shilo-Benjamini, Yael; Lindsey, Jane C

2016-08-01

OBJECTIVE To determine the locomotor response to the administration of fentanyl in horses with and without the G57C polymorphism of the μ-opioid receptor. ANIMALS 20 horses of various breeds and ages (10 horses heterozygous for the G57C polymorphism and 10 age-, breed-, and sex-matched horses that did not have the G57C polymorphism). PROCEDURES The number of steps each horse took was counted over consecutive 2-minute periods for 20 minutes to determine a baseline value. The horse then received a bolus of fentanyl (20 μg/kg, IV), and the number of steps was again counted during consecutive 2-minute periods for 60 minutes. The mean baseline value was subtracted from each 2-minute period after fentanyl administration; step counts with negative values were assigned a value of 0. Data were analyzed by use of a repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS Data for 19 of 20 horses (10 horses with the G57C polymorphism and 9 control horses without the G57C polymorphism) were included in the analysis. Horses with the G57C polymorphism had a significant increase in locomotor activity, compared with results for horses without the polymorphism. There was a significant group-by-time interaction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Horses heterozygous for the G57C polymorphism of the μ-opioid receptor had an increased locomotor response to fentanyl administration, compared with the response for horses without this polymorphism. The clinical impact of this finding should be investigated.

Learning curve for peroral endoscopic myotomy

PubMed Central

El Zein, Mohamad; Kumbhari, Vivek; Ngamruengphong, Saowanee; Carson, Kathryn A.; Stein, Ellen; Tieu, Alan; Chaveze, Yamile; Ismail, Amr; Dhalla, Sameer; Clarke, John; Kalloo, Anthony; Canto, Marcia Irene; Khashab, Mouen A.

2016-01-01

Background and study aims: Although peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is being performed more frequently, the learning curve for gastroenterologists performing the procedure has not been well studied. The aims of this study were to define the learning curve for POEM and determine which preoperative and intraoperative factors predict the time that will be taken to complete the procedure and its different steps. Patients and methods: Consecutive patients who underwent POEM performed by a single expert gastroenterologist for the treatment of achalasia or spastic esophageal disorders were included. The POEM procedure was divided into four steps: mucosal entry, submucosal tunneling, myotomy, and closure. Nonlinear regression was used to determine the POEM learning plateau and calculate the learning rate. Results: A total of 60 consecutive patients underwent POEM in an endoscopy suite. The median length of procedure (LOP) was 88 minutes (range 36 – 210), and the mean (± standard deviation [SD]) LOP per centimeter of myotomy was 9 ± 5 minutes. The total operative time decreased significantly as experience increased (P < 0.001), with a “learning plateau” at 102 minutes and a “learning rate” of 13 cases. The mucosal entry, tunneling, and closure times decreased significantly with experience (P < 0.001). The myotomy time showed no significant decrease with experience (P = 0.35). When the mean (± SD) total procedure times for the learning phase and the corresponding comparator groups were compared, a statistically significant difference was observed between procedures 11 – 15 and procedures 16 – 20 (15.5 ± 2.4 min/cm and 10.1 ± 2.7 min/cm, P = 0.01) but not thereafter. A higher case number was significantly associated with a decreased LOP (P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this single-center retrospective study, the minimum threshold number of cases required for an expert interventional endoscopist performing POEM to reach a plateau approached 13. PMID:27227118

Mechanism of Inhibition of the V-Type Molecular Motor by Tributyltin Chloride

PubMed Central

Takeda, Mizuho; Suno-Ikeda, Chiyo; Shimabukuro, Katsuya; Yoshida, Masasuke; Yokoyama, Ken

2009-01-01

Tributyltin chloride (TBT-Cl) is an endocrine disruptor found in many animal species, and it is also known to be an inhibitor for the V-ATPases that are emerging as potential targets in the treatment of diseases such as osteoporosis and cancer. We demonstrated by using biochemical and single-molecular imaging techniques that TBT-Cl arrests an elementary step for rotary catalysis of the V1 motor domain. In the presence of TBT-Cl, the consecutive rotation of V1 paused for a long duration (∼0.5 s), even at saturated ATP concentrations, and the pausing positions were localized at 120° intervals. Analysis of both the pausing time and moving time revealed that TBT-Cl has little effect on the binding affinity for ATP, but, rather, it arrests the catalytic event(s). This is the first report to demonstrate that an inhibitor arrests an elementary step for rotary catalysis of a V-type ATP-driven rotary motor. PMID:19186155

Adherence to Insulin Pump Behaviors in Young Children With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Patton, Susana R; Driscoll, Kimberly A; Clements, Mark A

2017-01-01

Parents of young children are responsible for daily type 1 diabetes (T1DM) cares including insulin bolusing. For optimal insulin pump management, parents should enter a blood glucose result (SMBG) and a carbohydrate estimate (if food will be consumed) into the bolus advisor in their child's pump to assist in delivering the recommended insulin bolus. Previously, pump adherence behaviors were described in adolescents; we describe these behaviors in a sample of young children. Pump data covering between 14-30 consecutive days were obtained for 116 children. Assessed adherence to essential pump adherence behaviors (eg, SMBG, carbohydrate entry, and insulin use) and adherence to 3 Wizard/Bolus Advisor steps: SMBG-carbohydrate entry-insulin bolus delivered. Parents completed SMBG ≥4 times on 99% of days, bolused insulin ≥3 times on 95% of days, and entered carbohydrates ≥3 times on 93% of days, but they corrected for hyperglycemia (≥250 mg/dl or 13.9 mmol/l) only 63% of the time. Parents completed Wizard/Bolus Advisor steps (SMBG, carbohydrate entry, insulin bolus) within 30 minutes for 43% of boluses. Inverse correlations were found between children's mean daily glucose and the percentage of days with ≥4 SMBG and ≥3 carbohydrate entries as well as the percentage of boluses where all Wizard/Bolus Advisor steps were completed. Parents of young children adhered to individual pump behaviors, but showed some variability in their adherence to Wizard/Bolus Advisor steps. Parents showed low adherence to recommendations to correct for hyperglycemia. Like adolescents, targeting pump behaviors in young children may have the potential to optimize glycemic control.

Disparity between functional recovery and daily use of the upper and lower extremities during subacute stroke rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Rand, Debbie; Eng, Janice J.

2011-01-01

Background Although inpatient rehabilitation may enhance an individual’s functional ability after stroke, it is not known whether these improvements are accompanied by an increase in daily use of the arms and legs. Objective To determine the change in daily use of the upper and lower extremities of stroke patients during rehabilitation and to compare these values with that of community-dwelling older adults. Methods A total of 60 stroke patients underwent functional assessments and also wore 3 accelerometers for 3 consecutive weekdays on admission to rehabilitation and 3 weeks later prior to hospital discharge. The number of steps and upper-extremity activity counts were measured over the waking hours and during daily use for occupational therapy and physical therapy (PT) sessions. Healthy older adults (n = 40) also wore 3 accelerometers for 5 consecutive days. Results Stroke patients demonstrated a significant increase in mobility function, and this was accompanied by an increase in daily walking over the entire day as well as in PT. However, increases in daily walking were found predominantly in patients who were wheelchair users (and not walkers) at the time of admission. Control walking values (5202 steps) were more than 17 times that of stroke patients. Despite significant improvements in paretic hand function, no increase in daily use of the paretic or nonparetic hand was found over the entire day or in PT. Conclusions. A disparity between functional recovery and increases in daily use of the upper and lower extremities was found during inpatient stroke rehabilitation. PMID:21693771

Physical Activity Patterns in University Students: Do They Follow the Public Health Guidelines?

PubMed Central

Clemente, Filipe Manuel; Nikolaidis, Pantelis Theodoros; Martins, Fernando Manuel Lourenço; Mendes, Rui Sousa

2016-01-01

Physical activity is associated with health. The aim of this study was (a) to access if Portuguese university students meet the public health recommendations for physical activity and (b) the effect of gender and day of the week on daily PA levels of university students. This observational cross-sectional study involved 126 (73 women) healthy Portuguese university students aged 18–23 years old. Participants wore the ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Number of steps, time spent sedentary and in light, moderate and vigorous physical activity were recorded. The two-way MANOVA revealed that gender (p-value = 0.001; η2 = 0.038; minimum effect) and day of the week (p-value = 0.001; η2 = 0.174; minimum effect) had significant main effects on the physical activity variables. It was shown that during weekdays, male students walked more steps (65.14%), spent less time sedentary (6.77%) and in light activities (3.11%) and spent more time in moderate (136.67%) and vigorous activity (171.29%) in comparison with weekend days (p < 0.05). The descriptive analysis revealed that female students walked more steps (51.18%) and spent more time in moderate (125.70%) and vigorous (124.16%) activities during weekdays than in weekend days (p < 0.05). Women students did not achieve the recommended 10,000 steps/day on average during weekdays and weekend days. Only male students achieved this recommendation during weekdays. In summary, this study showed a high incidence of sedentary time in university students, mainly on weekend days. New strategies must be adopted to promote physical activity in this population, focusing on the change of sedentary behaviour. PMID:27022993

Has1 regulates consecutive maturation and processing steps for assembly of 60S ribosomal subunits

PubMed Central

Dembowski, Jill A.; Kuo, Benjamin; Woolford, John L.

2013-01-01

Ribosome biogenesis requires ∼200 assembly factors in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The pre-ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing defects associated with depletion of most of these factors have been characterized. However, how assembly factors drive the construction of ribonucleoprotein neighborhoods and how structural rearrangements are coupled to pre-rRNA processing are not understood. Here, we reveal ATP-independent and ATP-dependent roles of the Has1 DEAD-box RNA helicase in consecutive pre-rRNA processing and maturation steps for construction of 60S ribosomal subunits. Has1 associates with pre-60S ribosomes in an ATP-independent manner. Has1 binding triggers exonucleolytic trimming of 27SA3 pre-rRNA to generate the 5′ end of 5.8S rRNA and drives incorporation of ribosomal protein L17 with domain I of 5.8S/25S rRNA. ATP-dependent activity of Has1 promotes stable association of additional domain I ribosomal proteins that surround the polypeptide exit tunnel, which are required for downstream processing of 27SB pre-rRNA. Furthermore, in the absence of Has1, aberrant 27S pre-rRNAs are targeted for irreversible turnover. Thus, our data support a model in which Has1 helps to establish domain I architecture to prevent pre-rRNA turnover and couples domain I folding with consecutive pre-rRNA processing steps. PMID:23788678

Reliability of fitness tests using methods and time periods common in sport and occupational management.

PubMed

Burnstein, Bryan D; Steele, Russell J; Shrier, Ian

2011-01-01

Fitness testing is used frequently in many areas of physical activity, but the reliability of these measurements under real-world, practical conditions is unknown. To evaluate the reliability of specific fitness tests using the methods and time periods used in the context of real-world sport and occupational management. Cohort study. Eighteen different Cirque du Soleil shows. Cirque du Soleil physical performers who completed 4 consecutive tests (6-month intervals) and were free of injury or illness at each session (n = 238 of 701 physical performers). Performers completed 6 fitness tests on each assessment date: dynamic balance, Harvard step test, handgrip, vertical jump, pull-ups, and 60-second jump test. We calculated the intraclass coefficient (ICC) and limits of agreement between baseline and each time point and the ICC over all 4 time points combined. Reliability was acceptable (ICC > 0.6) over an 18-month time period for all pairwise comparisons and all time points together for the handgrip, vertical jump, and pull-up assessments. The Harvard step test and 60-second jump test had poor reliability (ICC < 0.6) between baseline and other time points. When we excluded the baseline data and calculated the ICC for 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month time points, both the Harvard step test and 60-second jump test demonstrated acceptable reliability. Dynamic balance was unreliable in all contexts. Limit-of-agreement analysis demonstrated considerable intraindividual variability for some tests and a learning effect by administrators on others. Five of the 6 tests in this battery had acceptable reliability over an 18-month time frame, but the values for certain individuals may vary considerably from time to time for some tests. Specific tests may require a learning period for administrators.

High-speed plasma imaging: A lightning bolt

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

Wurden, G.A.; Whiteson, D.O.

Using a gated intensified digital Kodak Ektapro camera system, the authors captured a lightning bolt at 1,000 frames per second, with 100-{micro}s exposure time on each consecutive frame. As a thunder storm approaches while darkness descended (7:50 pm) on July 21, 1994, they photographed lightning bolts with an f22 105-mm lens and 100% gain on the intensified camera. This 15-frame sequence shows a cloud to ground stroke at a distance of about 1.5 km, which has a series of stepped leaders propagating downwards, following by the upward-propagating main return stroke.

Walking to meet physical activity guidelines in knee osteoarthritis: is 10,000 steps enough?

PubMed

White, Daniel K; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Felson, David T; Gross, K Doug; Niu, Jingbo; Nevitt, Michael; Lewis, Cora E; Torner, James; Neogi, Tuhina

2013-04-01

To study if step goals (eg, walking 10,000 steps a day) approximate meeting the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Cross-sectional observational cohort. Community. People with or at high risk of knee OA (N=1788). None. Objective physical activity data were collected over 7 consecutive days from people with or at high risk of knee OA participating in the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study. Using activity monitor data, we determined the proportion that (1) walked ≥10,000 steps per day, (2) met the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines, and (3) achieved both recommendations. Of the subjects studied (mean age ± SD, 67±8y; mean body mass index ± SD, 31±6kg/m(2); 60% women), 16.7% of men and 12.6% of women walked ≥10,000 steps per day, while 6% of men and 5% of women met the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Of those walking ≥10,000 steps per day, 16.7% and 26.7% of men and women, respectively, also met the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines. Among this sample of older adults with or at high risk of knee OA, walking ≥10,000 steps a day did not translate into meeting public health guidelines. These findings highlight the disparity between the number of steps believed to be needed per day and the recommended time-intensity guidelines to achieve positive health benefits. Copyright © 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Behavioral preference in sequential decision-making and its association with anxiety.

PubMed

Zhang, Dandan; Gu, Ruolei

2018-06-01

In daily life, people often make consecutive decisions before the ultimate goal is reached (i.e., sequential decision-making). However, this kind of decision-making has been largely overlooked in the literature. The current study investigated whether behavioral preference would change during sequential decisions, and the neural processes underlying the potential changes. For this purpose, we revised the classic balloon analogue risk task and recorded the electroencephalograph (EEG) signals associated with each step of decision-making. Independent component analysis performed on EEG data revealed that four EEG components elicited by periodic feedback in the current step predicted participants' decisions (gamble vs. no gamble) in the next step. In order of time sequence, these components were: bilateral occipital alpha rhythm, bilateral frontal theta rhythm, middle frontal theta rhythm, and bilateral sensorimotor mu rhythm. According to the information flows between these EEG oscillations, we proposed a brain model that describes the temporal dynamics of sequential decision-making. Finally, we found that the tendency to gamble (as well as the power intensity of bilateral frontal theta rhythms) was sensitive to the individual level of trait anxiety in certain steps, which may help understand the role of emotion in decision-making. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A two-step method for rapid characterization of electroosmotic flows in capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Zhang, Wenjing; He, Muyi; Yuan, Tao; Xu, Wei

2017-12-01

The measurement of electroosmotic flow (EOF) is important in a capillary electrophoresis (CE) experiment in terms of performance optimization and stability improvement. Although several methods exist, there are demanding needs to accurately characterize ultra-low electroosmotic flow rates (EOF rates), such as in coated capillaries used in protein separations. In this work, a new method, called the two-step method, was developed to accurately and rapidly measure EOF rates in a capillary, especially for measuring the ultra-low EOF rates in coated capillaries. In this two-step method, the EOF rates were calculated by measuring the migration time difference of a neutral marker in two consecutive experiments, in which a pressure driven was introduced to accelerate the migration and the DC voltage was reversed to switch the EOF direction. Uncoated capillaries were first characterized by both this two-step method and a conventional method to confirm the validity of this new method. Then this new method was applied in the study of coated capillaries. Results show that this new method is not only fast in speed, but also better in accuracy. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Comparison of pedometer and accelerometer measures of free-living physical activity.

PubMed

Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Ainsworth, Barbara E; Thompson, Raymond W; Matthews, Charles E

2002-12-01

The purpose of this investigation was 1) to evaluate agreement between dual-mode CSA accelerometer outputs and Yamax pedometer outputs assessed concurrently under free-living conditions; 2) to determine the relationship between pedometer-steps per day and CSA-time spent in inactivity and in light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity activities; and 3) to identify a value of pedometer-steps per day that corresponds with a minimum of 30 CSA-min x d(-1) of moderate ambulatory activity. Data were analyzed from 52 participants (27 men, 25 women; mean age = 38.2 +/- 12.0 yr; mean BMI = 26.4 +/- 4.5 kg x m(-2)) who were enrolled in the International Physical Activity Questionnaire study and wore both motion sensors during waking hours for 7 consecutive days. Participants averaged 415.0+/-159.5 CSA-counts x min(-1) x d(-1), 357,601 +/- 138,425 CSA-counts x d(-1), 11,483 +/- 3,856 CSA-steps x d(-1), and 9,638 +/- 4,030 pedometer-steps x d(-1). There was a strong relationship between all CSA outputs and pedometer outputs (r = 0.74-0.86). The mean difference in steps detected between instruments was 1845+/-2116 steps x d(-1) (CSA > pedometer; t = 6.29, P < 0.0001). There were distinct differences (effect sizes >0.80) in mean CSA-time (min x d(-1)) in moderate and vigorous activity with increasing pedometer-determined activity quartiles; no differences were noted for inactivity or light activity. Approximately 33 CSA-min x d(-1) of moderate activity corresponded with 8000 pedometer-steps x d(-1). Differences in mean steps per day detected may be due to differences in set instrument sensitivity thresholds and/or attachment. Additional studies with different populations are needed to confirm a recommended number of steps per day associated with the duration and intensity of public health recommendations for ambulatory activity.

Efficient Encoding and Rendering of Time-Varying Volume Data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ma, Kwan-Liu; Smith, Diann; Shih, Ming-Yun; Shen, Han-Wei

1998-01-01

Visualization of time-varying volumetric data sets, which may be obtained from numerical simulations or sensing instruments, provides scientists insights into the detailed dynamics of the phenomenon under study. This paper describes a coherent solution based on quantization, coupled with octree and difference encoding for visualizing time-varying volumetric data. Quantization is used to attain voxel-level compression and may have a significant influence on the performance of the subsequent encoding and visualization steps. Octree encoding is used for spatial domain compression, and difference encoding for temporal domain compression. In essence, neighboring voxels may be fused into macro voxels if they have similar values, and subtrees at consecutive time steps may be merged if they are identical. The software rendering process is tailored according to the tree structures and the volume visualization process. With the tree representation, selective rendering may be performed very efficiently. Additionally, the I/O costs are reduced. With these combined savings, a higher level of user interactivity is achieved. We have studied a variety of time-varying volume datasets, performed encoding based on data statistics, and optimized the rendering calculations wherever possible. Preliminary tests on workstations have shown in many cases tremendous reduction by as high as 90% in both storage space and inter-frame delay.

Step-and-Shoot: a new low radiation coronary computed tomography angiography technology: our initial experience with 125 consecutive asymptomatic patients.

PubMed

Atar, Eli; Kornowski, Ran; Bachar, Gil N

2010-11-01

Coronary CTangiography is an accurate imaging modality; however, its main drawback is the radiation dose. A new technology, the "step and shoot," which reduces the radiation up to one-eighth, is now available. To assess our initial experience using the "step-and-shoot" technology for various vascular pathologies. During a 10 month period 125 consecutive asymptomatic patients (111 men and 14 women aged 25-82, average age 54.9 years) with various clinical indications that were appropriate for step-and-shoot CCTA (regular heart rate < 65 beats/minute and body weight < 115 kg) were scanned with a 64-slice multidetector computed tomography Brilliance scanner (Philips, USA). The preparation protocol for the scan was the same as for regular coronary CTA. All examinations were interpreted by at least one experienced radiologist and one experienced interventional cardiologist. The quality of the examinations was graded from 1 (excellent imaging quality of all coronary segments) to 4 (poor quality, not diagnostic). There were 99 patients without a history of coronary intervention, 13 after coronary stent deployment (19 stents) and 3 after coronary artery bypass graft. Coronary interpretation was obtained in 122 examinations (97.6%). The imaging quality obtained was as follows: 103 patients scored 1 (82.4%), 15 scored 2 (12%), 4 scored 3 (3.2%) and 3 scored 4 (2.4%). The grades were unrelated to cardiac history or type of previous examinations. Poor image quality occurred because of sudden heart rate acceleration during the scan (one patient), movement and respiration (one patient), and arrhythmia and poor scan timing (in one). Two patients were referred to percutaneous coronary intervention based on the CCTA findings, which correlated perfectly. Step-and-shoot CCTA is a reliable technique and CCTA algorithm comparable to regular CCTA. This technique requires the lowest radiation dose, as compared to other coronary imaging modalities, that can be used for all CCTA indications based on the inclusion criteria of low (> 65 bpm) and stable heart rate.

Time trends: a ten-year comparison (2005-2015) of pedometer-determined physical activity and obesity in Czech preschool children.

PubMed

Sigmund, Erik; Sigmundová, Dagmar; Badura, Petr; Trhlíková, Lucie; Gecková, Andrea Madarasová

2016-07-13

To explore the time trends (2005-2015) of pedometer-determined weekday and weekend physical activity (PA) and obesity prevalence in 4-7-year-old Czech preschool children and changes in proportion of kindergarten vs. leisure-time PA. The study compared data of two cross-sectional cohorts of preschool children (2005: 92 boys and 84 girls; 2015: 105 boys and 87 girls) in the Czech Republic, using the same measurements and procedures in both cases. PA was monitored by the Yamax Digiwalker SW-200 pedometer for at least eight continuous hours a day over seven consecutive days. Body weight and height were measured using calibrated Tanita scales and anthropometry. The analysis of variance was conducted to examine the gender and cohort effect on step counts. The t-test was used to examine the difference in step counts in kindergarten (or leisure-time) between non-obese and obese children, and the chi-square test compared the prevalence of obesity between 2005 and 2015. The steps/day (mean ± standard deviation) of preschoolers was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in 2015 (11,739 ± 4,229 steps/day) than in 2005 (10,922 ± 3,181 steps/day); and (p < 0.001) in boys (11,939 ± 3,855 steps/day) than in girls (10,668 ± 3,587 steps/day). In 2015, girls, but not boys, had a significantly (p < 0.01) greater step count on weekdays than in 2005, but not at weekends. A decline of leisure-time step counts on weekdays between 2005 and 2015 in girls (6,8652005 vs. 6,0592015, p < 0.01) and boys (7,8612005 vs. 6,4362015, p < 0.001) is compensated for by the increase of step counts in kindergarten (girls: 3,0582005 vs. 5,3302015, and boys: 4,0032005 vs. 5,9992015, p < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity was not significantly different either in 2005 or 2015 among preschool girls (7.14 % 2005 vs. 9.20 % 2015) or boys (6.52 % 2005 vs. 9.52 % 2015). The steps/day of preschoolers was higher in 2015 than in 2005; this higher level of PA was the result of increased PA in kindergartens over the last ten years, particularly among girls. Thus, the current PA program in kindergartens effectively compensates for the decline in PA in leisure-time of weekdays of non-obese and obese preschoolers compared to 2005 and 2015. Prevalence of obesity among Czech preschool children remains relatively stable between 2005 and 2015.

Does an Adolescent’s Accuracy of Recall Improve with a Second 24-h Dietary Recall?

PubMed Central

Kerr, Deborah A.; Wright, Janine L.; Dhaliwal, Satvinder S.; Boushey, Carol J.

2015-01-01

The multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall is used in most national dietary surveys. Our purpose was to assess if adolescents’ accuracy of recall improved when a 5-step multiple-pass 24-h recall was repeated. Participants (n = 24), were Chinese-American youths aged between 11 and 15 years and lived in a supervised environment as part of a metabolic feeding study. The 24-h recalls were conducted on two occasions during the first five days of the study. The four steps (quick list; forgotten foods; time and eating occasion; detailed description of the food/beverage) of the 24-h recall were assessed for matches by category. Differences were observed in the matching for the time and occasion step (p < 0.01), detailed description (p < 0.05) and portion size matching (p < 0.05). Omission rates were higher for the second recall (p < 0.05 quick list; p < 0.01 forgotten foods). The adolescents over-estimated energy intake on the first (11.3% ± 22.5%; p < 0.05) and second recall (10.1% ± 20.8%) compared with the known food and beverage items. These results suggest that the adolescents’ accuracy to recall food items declined with a second 24-h recall when repeated over two non-consecutive days. PMID:25984743

CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous drainage: comparison of the one step and the Seldinger techniques.

PubMed

Kajiwara, Kenji; Yamagami, Takuji; Ishikawa, Masaki; Yoshimatsu, Rika; Baba, Yasutaka; Nakamura, Yuko; Fukumoto, Wataru; Awai, Kazuo

2017-06-01

To evaluate the one step technique compared with the Seldinger technique in computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous drainage of abdominal and pelvic abscess. Seventy-six consecutive patients (49 men, 27 women; mean age 63.5 years, range 19-87 years) with abdominal and pelvic abscess were included in this study. Drainages were performed with the one step (n = 46) and with the Seldinger (n = 48) technique between September 2012 and June 2014. The technical success and clinical success rates were 95.8% and 93.5%, respectively, for the one step group, and 97.8% and 95.7%, respectively, for the Seldinger group. The mean procedure time was significantly shorter with the one step than with the Seldinger method (15.0 ± 4.3 min, range 10-29 min vs. 21.0 ± 9.5 min, range 13-54 min, p < .01). The mean abscess size and depth were 73.4 ± 44.0 mm and 42.5 ± 19.3 mm, respectively, in the one step group, and 61.0 ± 22.8 mm and 35.0 ± 20.7 mm in the Seldinger group. The one step technique was easier and faster than the Seldinger technique. The effectiveness of both techniques was similar for the CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous drainage of abdominal and pelvic abscess.

Phase-step retrieval for tunable phase-shifting algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ayubi, Gastón A.; Duarte, Ignacio; Perciante, César D.; Flores, Jorge L.; Ferrari, José A.

2017-12-01

Phase-shifting (PS) is a well-known technique for phase retrieval in interferometry, with applications in deflectometry and 3D-profiling, which requires a series of intensity measurements with certain phase-steps. Usually the phase-steps are evenly spaced, and its knowledge is crucial for the phase retrieval. In this work we present a method to extract the phase-step between consecutive interferograms. We test the proposed technique with images corrupted by additive noise. The results were compared with other known methods. We also present experimental results showing the performance of the method when spatial filters are applied to the interferograms and the effect that they have on their relative phase-steps.

Transfrontal orbitotomy in the dog: an adaptable three-step approach to the orbit.

PubMed

Håkansson, Nils Wallin; Håkansson, Berit Wallin

2010-11-01

To describe an adaptable and extensive method for orbitotomy in the dog. An adaptable three-step technique for orbitotomy was developed and applied in nine consecutive cases. The steps are zygomatic arch resection laterally, temporalis muscle elevation medially and zygomatic process osteotomy anteriorly-dorsally. The entire orbit is accessed with excellent exposure and room for surgical manipulation. Facial nerve, lacrimal nerve and lacrimal gland function are preserved. The procedure can easily be converted into an orbital exenteration. Exposure of the orbit was excellent in all cases and anatomically correct closure was achieved. Signs of postoperative discomfort were limited, with moderate, reversible swelling in two cases and mild in seven. Wound infection or emphysema did not occur, nor did any other complication attributable to the operative procedure. Blinking ability and lacrimal function were preserved over follow-up times ranging from 1 to 4 years. Transfrontal orbitotomy in the dog offers excellent exposure and room for manipulation. Anatomically correct closure is easily accomplished, postoperative discomfort is limited and complications are mild and temporary. © 2010 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Preparative isolation and purification of hainanmurpanin, meranzin, and phebalosin from leaves of Murraya exotica L. using supercritical fluid extraction combined with consecutive high-speed countercurrent chromatography.

PubMed

Yan, Rongwei; Shen, Jie; Liu, Xiaojing; Zou, Yong; Xu, Xinjun

2018-05-01

The objective of this study was to develop a consecutive preparation method for the isolation and purification of hainanmurpanin, meranzin, and phebalosin from leaves of Murraya exotica L. The process involved supercritical fluid extraction with CO 2 , solvent extraction, and two-step high-speed countercurrent chromatography. Pressure, temperature, and the volume of entrainer were optimized as 27 MPa, 52°C, and 60 mL by response surface methodology in supercritical fluid extraction with CO 2 , and the yield of the crude extracts was 7.91 g from 100 g of leaves. Subsequently, 80% methanol/water was used to extract and condense the three compounds from the crude extracts, and 4.23 g of methanol/water extracts was obtained. Then, a two-step high-speed countercurrent chromatography procedure was developed for the isolation of the three target compounds from methanol/water extracts, including conventional high-speed countercurrent chromatography for further enrichment and consecutive high-speed countercurrent chromatography for purification. The yield of concentrates from high-speed countercurrent chromatography was 2.50 g from 4.23 g of methanol/water extracts. Finally, the consecutive high-speed countercurrent chromatography produced 103.2 mg of hainanmurpanin, 244.7 mg of meranzin, and 255.4 mg of phebalosin with purities up to 97.66, 99.36, and 98.64%, respectively, from 900 mg of high-speed countercurrent chromatography concentrates in one run of three consecutive sample loadings without exchanging a solvent system. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effects of Neighborhood Walkability on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Long-Term Post-Bariatric Surgery.

PubMed

Reid, Ryan E R; Carver, Tamara E; Reid, Tyler G R; Picard-Turcot, Marie-Aude; Andersen, Kathleen M; Christou, Nicolas V; Andersen, Ross E

2017-06-01

ᅟ: Chronic inactivity and weight regain are serious health concerns following bariatric surgery. Neighborhood walkability is associated with higher physical activity and lower obesity rates in normal weight populations. Explore the influence of neighborhood walkability on physical activity and sedentarism among long-term post-bariatric surgery patients. Fifty-eight adults aged 50.5 ± 9.1 years, with a BMI of 34.6 ± 9.7 kg/m 2 having undergone surgery 9.8 ± 3.15 years earlier participated in this study. Participants were asked to wear an ActivPAL™ tri-axial accelerometer attached to their mid-thigh for 7-consecutive days, 24 hours/day. The sample was separated into those that live in Car-Dependent (n = 23), Somewhat Walkable (n = 14), Very Walkable (n = 16), and Walker's Paradise (n = 5) neighborhoods as defined using Walk Score®. ANCOVA was performed comparing Walk Score® categories on steps and sedentary time controlling for age and sex. Neighborhood walkability did not influence either daily steps (F (3, 54) = 0.921, p = 0.437) or sedentary time (F (3, 54) = 0.465, p = 0.708), Car-Dependent (6359 ± 2712 steps, 9.54 ± 2.46 hrs), Somewhat Walkable (6563 ± 2989 steps, 9.07 ± 2.70 hrs), Very Walkable (5261 ± 2255 steps, 9.97 ± 2.06 hrs), and Walker's Paradise (6901 ± 1877 steps, 10.14 ± 0.815 hrs). Walkability does not appear to affect sedentary time or physical activity long-term post-surgery. As the built-environment does not seem to influence activity, sedentarism, or obesity as it does with a normal weight population, work needs to be done to tailor physical activity programming after bariatric surgery.

Improving signal-to-noise ratios of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry peaks using noise frequency spectrum modification between two consecutive matched-filtering procedures.

PubMed

Wang, Shau-Chun; Huang, Chih-Min; Chiang, Shu-Min

2007-08-17

This paper reports a simple chemometric technique to alter the noise spectrum of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) chromatogram between two consecutive matched filter procedures to improve the peak signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio enhancement. This technique is to multiply one match-filtered LC-MS-MS chromatogram with another artificial chromatogram added with thermal noises prior to the second matched filter. Because matched filter cannot eliminate low-frequency components inherent in the flicker noises of spike-like sharp peaks randomly riding on LC-MS-MS chromatograms, efficient peak S/N ratio improvement cannot be accomplished using one-step or consecutive matched filter procedures to process LC-MS-MS chromatograms. In contrast, when the match-filtered LC-MS-MS chromatogram is conditioned with the multiplication alteration prior to the second matched filter, much better efficient ratio improvement is achieved. The noise frequency spectrum of match-filtered chromatogram, which originally contains only low-frequency components, is altered to span a boarder range with multiplication operation. When the frequency range of this modified noise spectrum shifts toward higher frequency regime, the second matched filter, working as a low-pass filter, is able to provide better filtering efficiency to obtain higher peak S/N ratios. Real LC-MS-MS chromatograms containing random spike-like peaks, of which peak S/N ratio improvement is less than four times with two consecutive matched filters typically, are remedied to accomplish much better ratio enhancement approximately 16-folds when the noise frequency spectrum is modified between two matched filters.

Validation of accelerometer wear and nonwear time classification algorithm.

PubMed

Choi, Leena; Liu, Zhouwen; Matthews, Charles E; Buchowski, Maciej S

2011-02-01

the use of movement monitors (accelerometers) for measuring physical activity (PA) in intervention and population-based studies is becoming a standard methodology for the objective measurement of sedentary and active behaviors and for the validation of subjective PA self-reports. A vital step in PA measurement is the classification of daily time into accelerometer wear and nonwear intervals using its recordings (counts) and an accelerometer-specific algorithm. the purpose of this study was to validate and improve a commonly used algorithm for classifying accelerometer wear and nonwear time intervals using objective movement data obtained in the whole-room indirect calorimeter. we conducted a validation study of a wear or nonwear automatic algorithm using data obtained from 49 adults and 76 youth wearing accelerometers during a strictly monitored 24-h stay in a room calorimeter. The accelerometer wear and nonwear time classified by the algorithm was compared with actual wearing time. Potential improvements to the algorithm were examined using the minimum classification error as an optimization target. the recommended elements in the new algorithm are as follows: 1) zero-count threshold during a nonwear time interval, 2) 90-min time window for consecutive zero or nonzero counts, and 3) allowance of 2-min interval of nonzero counts with the upstream or downstream 30-min consecutive zero-count window for detection of artifactual movements. Compared with the true wearing status, improvements to the algorithm decreased nonwear time misclassification during the waking and the 24-h periods (all P values < 0.001). the accelerometer wear or nonwear time algorithm improvements may lead to more accurate estimation of time spent in sedentary and active behaviors.

Reliability of Fitness Tests Using Methods and Time Periods Common in Sport and Occupational Management

PubMed Central

Burnstein, Bryan D.; Steele, Russell J.; Shrier, Ian

2011-01-01

Context: Fitness testing is used frequently in many areas of physical activity, but the reliability of these measurements under real-world, practical conditions is unknown. Objective: To evaluate the reliability of specific fitness tests using the methods and time periods used in the context of real-world sport and occupational management. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Eighteen different Cirque du Soleil shows. Patients or Other Participants: Cirque du Soleil physical performers who completed 4 consecutive tests (6-month intervals) and were free of injury or illness at each session (n = 238 of 701 physical performers). Intervention(s): Performers completed 6 fitness tests on each assessment date: dynamic balance, Harvard step test, handgrip, vertical jump, pull-ups, and 60-second jump test. Main Outcome Measure(s): We calculated the intraclass coefficient (ICC) and limits of agreement between baseline and each time point and the ICC over all 4 time points combined. Results: Reliability was acceptable (ICC > 0.6) over an 18-month time period for all pairwise comparisons and all time points together for the handgrip, vertical jump, and pull-up assessments. The Harvard step test and 60-second jump test had poor reliability (ICC < 0.6) between baseline and other time points. When we excluded the baseline data and calculated the ICC for 6-month, 12-month, and 18-month time points, both the Harvard step test and 60-second jump test demonstrated acceptable reliability. Dynamic balance was unreliable in all contexts. Limit-of-agreement analysis demonstrated considerable intraindividual variability for some tests and a learning effect by administrators on others. Conclusions: Five of the 6 tests in this battery had acceptable reliability over an 18-month time frame, but the values for certain individuals may vary considerably from time to time for some tests. Specific tests may require a learning period for administrators. PMID:22488138

Mesoporous g-C₃N₄ Nanosheets: Synthesis, Superior Adsorption Capacity and Photocatalytic Activity.

PubMed

Li, Dong-Feng; Huang, Wei-Qing; Zou, Lan-Rong; Pan, Anlian; Huang, Gui-Fang

2018-08-01

Elimination of pollutants from water is one of the greatest challenges in resolving global environmental issues. Herein, we report a high-surface-area mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheet with remarkable high adsorption capacity and photocatalytic performance, which is prepared through directly polycondensation of urea followed by a consecutive one-step thermal exfoliation strategy. This one-pot method to prepare mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheet is facile and rapid in comparison with others. The superior adsorption capacity of the fabricated mesoporous g-C3N4 nanostructures is demonstrated by a model organic pollutant-methylene blue (MB), which is up to 72.2 mg/g, about 6 times as that of the largest value of various g-C3N4 adsorbents reported so far. Moreover, this kind of porous g-C3N4 nanosheet exhibits high photocatalytic activity to MB and phenol degradation. Particularly, the regenerated samples show excellent performance of pollutant removal after consecutive adsorption/degradation cycles. Therefore, this mesoporous g-C3N4 nanosheet may be an attractive robust metal-free material with great promise for organic pollutant elimination.

A designed beta-hairpin forming peptide undergoes a consecutive stepwise process for self-assembly into nanofibrils.

PubMed

Wang, Chong; Sha, Yinlin

2010-04-01

We used a de novo designed, beta-hairpin forming T1 peptide as a model to investigate the kinetics of peptide fibrogenesis by a combination of light scattering (LS), circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results demonstrate that the T1 fibrogenesis undergoes a consecutive stepwise process, with a high degree of cooperation, presenting sigmoidal time-courses of the peptide aggregation, the subsequent conformational conversion of the backbone, and the peptide sidechains' rearrangement. We suggest that the conformational conversion was initiated after the peptide aggregates reach a dimensional size threshold, which could be a key step in the formation of beta-structural nuclei that catalyze the subsequent reactions. Furthermore, besides triggering the peptide aggregation, the interactions between the peptide sidechains predominately facilitate the regular alignment of the peptide molecules and the formation of a well-defined suprastructure. This work provides an insight of the hierarchical self-assembly of beta-hairpin forming peptides. It is helpful for designing beta-structural peptides for self-assembly into nanowires, which would have potential applications in the construction of nano-materials.

SeSaM-Tv-II generates a protein sequence space that is unobtainable by epPCR.

PubMed

Mundhada, Hemanshu; Marienhagen, Jan; Scacioc, Andreea; Schenk, Alexander; Roccatano, Danilo; Schwaneberg, Ulrich

2011-07-04

Generating high-quality mutant libraries in which each amino acid is equally targeted and substituted in a chemically diverse manner is crucial to obtain improved variants in small mutant libraries. The sequence saturation mutagenesis method (SeSaM-Tv(+) ) offers the opportunity to generate such high-quality mutant libraries by introducing consecutive mutations and by enriching transversions. In this study, automated gel electrophoresis, real-time quantitative PCR, and a phosphorimager quantification system were developed and employed to optimize each step of previously reported SeSaM-Tv(+) method. Advancements of the SeSaM-Tv(+) protocol and the use of a novel DNA polymerase quadrupled the number of transversions, by doubling the fraction of consecutive mutations (from 16.7 to 37.1 %). About 33 % of all amino acid substitutions observed in a model library are rarely introduced by epPCR methods, and around 10 % of all clones carried amino acid substitutions that are unobtainable by epPCR. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Identification of the coupling step in Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase from real-time kinetics of electron transfer.

PubMed

Belevich, Nikolai P; Bertsova, Yulia V; Verkhovskaya, Marina L; Baykov, Alexander A; Bogachev, Alexander V

2016-02-01

Bacterial Na(+)-translocating NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na(+)-NQR) uses a unique set of prosthetic redox groups-two covalently bound FMN residues, a [2Fe-2S] cluster, FAD, riboflavin and a Cys4[Fe] center-to catalyze electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone in a reaction coupled with Na(+) translocation across the membrane. Here we used an ultra-fast microfluidic stopped-flow instrument to determine rate constants and the difference spectra for the six consecutive reaction steps of Vibrio harveyi Na(+)-NQR reduction by NADH. The instrument, with a dead time of 0.25 ms and optical path length of 1 cm allowed collection of visible spectra in 50-μs intervals. By comparing the spectra of reaction steps with the spectra of known redox transitions of individual enzyme cofactors, we were able to identify the chemical nature of most intermediates and the sequence of electron transfer events. A previously unknown spectral transition was detected and assigned to the Cys4[Fe] center reduction. Electron transfer from the [2Fe-2S] cluster to the Cys4[Fe] center and all subsequent steps were markedly accelerated when Na(+) concentration was increased from 20 μM to 25 mM, suggesting coupling of the former step with tight Na(+) binding to or occlusion by the enzyme. An alternating access mechanism was proposed to explain electron transfer between subunits NqrF and NqrC. According to the proposed mechanism, the Cys4[Fe] center is alternatively exposed to either side of the membrane, allowing the [2Fe-2S] cluster of NqrF and the FMN residue of NqrC to alternatively approach the Cys4[Fe] center from different sides of the membrane. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Developmental Steps in Metaphorical Language Abilities: The Influence of Age, Gender, Cognitive Flexibility, Information Processing Speed, and Analogical Reasoning.

PubMed

Willinger, Ulrike; Deckert, Matthias; Schmöger, Michaela; Schaunig-Busch, Ines; Formann, Anton K; Auff, Eduard

2017-12-01

Metaphor is a specific type of figurative language that is used in various important fields such as in the work with children in clinical or teaching contexts. The aim of the study was to investigate the developmental course, developmental steps, and possible cognitive predictors regarding metaphor processing in childhood and early adolescence. One hundred sixty-four typically developing children (7-year-olds, 9-year-olds) and early adolescents (11-year-olds) were tested for metaphor identification, comprehension, comprehension quality, and preference by the Metaphoric Triads Task as well as for analogical reasoning, information processing speed, cognitive flexibility under time pressure, and cognitive flexibility without time pressure. Metaphor identification and comprehension consecutively increased with age. Eleven-year-olds showed significantly higher metaphor comprehension quality and preference scores than seven- and nine-year-olds, whilst these younger age groups did not differ. Age, cognitive flexibility under time pressure, information processing speed, analogical reasoning, and cognitive flexibility without time pressure significantly predicted metaphor comprehension. Metaphorical language ability shows an ongoing development and seemingly changes qualitatively at the beginning of early adolescence. These results can possibly be explained by a greater synaptic reorganization in early adolescents. Furthermore, cognitive flexibility under time pressure and information processing speed possibly facilitate the ability to adapt metaphor processing strategies in a flexible, quick, and appropriate way.

C-3 epimers of sugar amino acids as foldameric building blocks: improved synthesis, useful derivatives, coupling strategies.

PubMed

Nagy, Adrienn; Csordás, Barbara; Zsoldos-Mády, Virág; Pintér, István; Farkas, Viktor; Perczel, András

2017-02-01

To obtain key sugar derivatives for making homooligomeric foldamers or α/β-chimera peptides, economic and multigram scale synthetic methods were to be developed. Though described in the literature, the cost-effective making of both 3-amino-3-deoxy-ribofuranuronic acid (H-t X-OH) and its C-3 epimeric stereoisomer, the 3-amino-3-deoxy-xylofuranuronic acid (H-c X-OH) from D-glucose is described here. The present synthetic route elaborated is (1) appropriate for large-scale synthesis; (2) reagent costs reduced (e.g. by a factor of 400); (3) yields optimized are ~80% or higher for all six consecutive steps concluding -t X- or -c X- and (4) reaction times shortened. Thus, a new synthetic route step-by-step optimized for yield, cost, time and purification is given both for D-xylo and D-ribo-amino-furanuronic acids using sustainable chemistry (e.g. less chromatography with organic solvents; using continuous-flow reactor). Our study encompasses necessary building blocks (e.g. -X-OMe, -X-O i Pr, -X-NHMe, Fmoc-X-OH) and key coupling reactions making -Aaa-t X-Aaa- or -Aaa-t X-t X-Aaa- type "inserts". Completed for both stereoisomers of X, including the newly synthesized Fmoc-c X-OH, producing longer oligomers for drug design and discovery is more of a reality than a wish.

Improving preanalytic processes using the principles of lean production (Toyota Production System).

PubMed

Persoon, Thomas J; Zaleski, Sue; Frerichs, Janice

2006-01-01

The basic technologies used in preanalytic processes for chemistry tests have been mature for a long time, and improvements in preanalytic processes have lagged behind improvements in analytic and postanalytic processes. We describe our successful efforts to improve chemistry test turnaround time from a central laboratory by improving preanalytic processes, using existing resources and the principles of lean production. Our goal is to report 80% of chemistry tests in less than 1 hour and to no longer recognize a distinction between expedited and routine testing. We used principles of lean production (the Toyota Production System) to redesign preanalytic processes. The redesigned preanalytic process has fewer steps and uses 1-piece flow to move blood samples through the accessioning, centrifugation, and aliquoting processes. Median preanalytic processing time was reduced from 29 to 19 minutes, and the laboratory met the goal of reporting 80% of chemistry results in less than 1 hour for 11 consecutive months.

Position-dependent effects of polylysine on Sec protein transport.

PubMed

Liang, Fu-Cheng; Bageshwar, Umesh K; Musser, Siegfried M

2012-04-13

The bacterial Sec protein translocation system catalyzes the transport of unfolded precursor proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Using a recently developed real time fluorescence-based transport assay, the effects of the number and distribution of positive charges on the transport time and transport efficiency of proOmpA were examined. As expected, an increase in the number of lysine residues generally increased transport time and decreased transport efficiency. However, the observed effects were highly dependent on the polylysine position in the mature domain. In addition, a string of consecutive positive charges generally had a more significant effect on transport time and efficiency than separating the charges into two or more charged segments. Thirty positive charges distributed throughout the mature domain resulted in effects similar to 10 consecutive charges near the N terminus of the mature domain. These data support a model in which the local effects of positive charge on the translocation kinetics dominate over total thermodynamic constraints. The rapid translocation kinetics of some highly charged proOmpA mutants suggest that the charge is partially shielded from the electric field gradient during transport, possibly by the co-migration of counter ions. The transport times of precursors with multiple positively charged sequences, or "pause sites," were fairly well predicted by a local effect model. However, the kinetic profile predicted by this local effect model was not observed. Instead, the transport kinetics observed for precursors with multiple polylysine segments support a model in which translocation through the SecYEG pore is not the rate-limiting step of transport.

Position-dependent Effects of Polylysine on Sec Protein Transport*

PubMed Central

Liang, Fu-Cheng; Bageshwar, Umesh K.; Musser, Siegfried M.

2012-01-01

The bacterial Sec protein translocation system catalyzes the transport of unfolded precursor proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Using a recently developed real time fluorescence-based transport assay, the effects of the number and distribution of positive charges on the transport time and transport efficiency of proOmpA were examined. As expected, an increase in the number of lysine residues generally increased transport time and decreased transport efficiency. However, the observed effects were highly dependent on the polylysine position in the mature domain. In addition, a string of consecutive positive charges generally had a more significant effect on transport time and efficiency than separating the charges into two or more charged segments. Thirty positive charges distributed throughout the mature domain resulted in effects similar to 10 consecutive charges near the N terminus of the mature domain. These data support a model in which the local effects of positive charge on the translocation kinetics dominate over total thermodynamic constraints. The rapid translocation kinetics of some highly charged proOmpA mutants suggest that the charge is partially shielded from the electric field gradient during transport, possibly by the co-migration of counter ions. The transport times of precursors with multiple positively charged sequences, or “pause sites,” were fairly well predicted by a local effect model. However, the kinetic profile predicted by this local effect model was not observed. Instead, the transport kinetics observed for precursors with multiple polylysine segments support a model in which translocation through the SecYEG pore is not the rate-limiting step of transport. PMID:22367204

Learning Curve of the Application of Huang Three-Step Maneuver in a Laparoscopic Spleen-Preserving Splenic Hilar Lymphadenectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

PubMed Central

Huang, Ze-Ning; Huang, Chang-Ming; Zheng, Chao-Hui; Li, Ping; Xie, Jian-Wei; Wang, Jia-Bin; Lin, Jian-Xian; Lu, Jun; Chen, Qi-Yue; Cao, Long-long; Lin, Mi; Tu, Ru-Hong

2016-01-01

Abstract To investigate the learning curve of the application of Huang 3-step maneuver, which was summarized and proposed by our center for the treatment of advanced upper gastric cancer. From April 2012 to March 2013, 130 consecutive patients who underwent a laparoscopic spleen-preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (LSPL) by a single surgeon who performed Huang 3-step maneuver were retrospectively analyzed. The learning curve was analyzed based on the moving average (MA) method and the cumulative sum method (CUSUM). Surgical outcomes, short-term outcomes, and follow-up results before and after learning curve were contrastively analyzed. A stepwise multivariate logistic regression was used for a multivariable analysis to determine the factors that affect the operative time using Huang 3-step maneuver. Based on the CUSUM, the learning curve for Huang 3-step maneuver was divided into phase 1 (cases 1–40) and phase 2 (cases 41–130). The dissection time (DT) (P < 0.001), blood loss (BL) (P < 0.001), and number of vessels injured in phase 2 were significantly less than those in phase 1. There were no significant differences in the clinicopathological characteristics, short-term outcomes, or major postoperative complications between the learning curve phases. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that body mass index (BMI), short gastric vessels (SGVs), splenic hilar artery (SpA) type, and learning curve phase were significantly associated with DT. In the entire group, 124 patients were followed for a median time of 23.0 months (range, 3–30 months). There was no significant difference in the survival curve between phases. AUGC patients with a BMI less than 25 kg/m2, a small number of SGVs, and a concentrated type of SpA are ideal candidates for surgeons who are in phase 1 of the learning curve. PMID:27043698

Effects of a digital clinical pathway for elective electrocardioversion for atrial fibrillation on quality of care.

PubMed

Valente, Mattia; Zwaan, Esther; Wit, Mirjam; Kimman, Geert P; Umans, Victor

2010-12-01

Clinical pathways attempt to increase efficiency by organizing the care-delivery process into individual analyzable steps. However, full advantage may only be taken if the process is governed by a "process care taker." Currently, new opportunities are emerging for nurses to become involved as health care experts and may become an intermediate between patient and clinical team. We evaluate a digital clinical pathway for electrocardioversion in atrial fibrillation with a nurse-coordinator in the ongoing consecutive experience in clinical practice. The introduction of a digital pathway into the hospital information system allows continuous surveillance of clinical outcome indicators as well as variance indicators. This article describes a service evaluation and the implementation and effects of introducing a clinical pathway. However, when comparing the 2 eras, the primary goals were improved guideline-adherence and reduced walk-through times in the 600 consecutive pathway patients versus 100 consecutive control patients. The pathway was launched in January 2008. Up to January 2009, 600 all-comer, elective patients were treated using this integrated digital clinical pathway, without exception. Treatment and outpatient check-up appointments are made immediately for all patients. The pathway enabled the cardiologist to complete the risk calculator and drug therapy recommendations significantly better when compared with control patients and also reduced walk-through times significantly. Patient satisfaction rose from 8.7 to 9.1 (P < 0.01) using the pathway. A nurse-led clinical pathway for cardioversion patients is safely and efficaciously introduced in a teaching hospital. The pathway improved guideline-adherence. These results emphasize the importance of a nurse-coordinator who is an intermediary between atrial fibrillation patients and the clinical care team.

Preschool motor skills following physical and occupational therapy services among non-disabled very low birth weight children.

PubMed

Watkins, Stephanie; Jonsson-Funk, Michele; Brookhart, M Alan; Rosenberg, Steven A; O'Shea, T Michael; Daniels, Julie

2014-05-01

Children born very low birth weight (VLBW) are at an increased risk of delayed development of motor skills. Physical and occupational therapy services may reduce this risk. Among VLBW children, we evaluated whether receipt of physical or occupational therapy services between 9 months and 2 years of age is associated with improved preschool age motor ability. Using data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort we estimated the association between receipt of therapy and the following preschool motor milestones: skipping eight consecutive steps, hopping five times, standing on one leg for 10 seconds, walking backwards six steps on a line, and jumping distance. We used propensity score methods to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics between children who did and did not receive physical or occupational therapy, since children receiving therapy may be at higher risk of impairment. We applied propensity score weights and modeled the estimated effect of therapy on the distance that the child jumped using linear regression. We modeled all other end points using logistic regression. Treated VLBW children were 1.70 times as likely to skip eight steps (RR 1.70, 95 % CI 0.84, 3.44) compared to the untreated group and 30 % more likely to walk six steps backwards (RR 1.30, 95 % CI 0.63, 2.71), although these differences were not statistically significant. We found little effect of therapy on other endpoints. Providing therapy to VLBW children during early childhood may improve select preschool motor skills involving complex motor planning.

Tracking of pedometer-determined physical activity: a 10-year follow-up study from adolescence to adulthood in Sweden.

PubMed

Raustorp, Anders; Ekroth, Yvonne

2013-11-01

Tracking refers to the tendency for an individual to maintain their rank within a group over time. To identify levels of pedometer determined physical activity and explore tracking over 10-year follow up period. In October of 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2010, data of physical activity as steps/day was measured with Yamax SW-200 Tokyo, Japan for 4 consecutive schooldays in 40 (19 females) Swedish individuals (mean age 12.7 in 2000). In boys a decrease of mean step/day occurred between baseline and the 3-year (P < .001), the 5-year (P < .001) and the 10-year follow-up (P < .014). A significant moderate tracking occurred in those at baseline classified insufficient active, both over the 3- to 5-year span (rs = 0.56, P = .005) and the 0- to 10-year span (rs = 0.47, P = .05). The significant decrease of physical activity, as steps/day, in males at early adolescent seems to level out during late adolescence and early adulthood. Further, youth classified insufficient active according to published BMI reference standards at the baseline measures showed a significant moderate tracking over the 10-year follow-up period.

Measurement effects of seasonal and monthly variability on pedometer-determined data.

PubMed

Kang, Minsoo; Bassett, David R; Barreira, Tiago V; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Ainsworth, Barbara E

2012-03-01

The seasonal and monthly variability of pedometer-determined physical activity and its effects on accurate measurement have not been examined. The purpose of the study was to reduce measurement error in step-count data by controlling a) the length of the measurement period and b) the season or month of the year in which sampling was conducted. Twenty-three middle-aged adults were instructed to wear a Yamax SW-200 pedometer over 365 consecutive days. The step-count measurement periods of various lengths (eg, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days, etc.) were randomly selected 10 times for each season and month. To determine accurate estimates of yearly step-count measurement, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) and bias were calculated. The year-round average was considered as a criterion measure. A smaller MAPE and bias represent a better estimate. Differences in MAPE and bias among seasons were trivial; however, they varied among different months. The months in which seasonal changes occur presented the highest MAPE and bias. Targeting the data collection during certain months (eg, May) may reduce pedometer measurement error and provide more accurate estimates of year-round averages.

Mini access guide to simplify calyceal access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: A novel device.

PubMed

Chowdhury, Puskar Shyam; Nayak, Prasant; David, Deepak; Mallick, Sujata

2017-01-01

A precise puncture of the renal collecting system is the most essential step for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). There are many techniques describing this crucial first step in PCNL including the bull's eye technique, triangulation technique, free-hand technique, and gradual descensus technique. We describe a novel puncture guide to assist accurate percutaneous needle placement during bull's eye technique. The mini access guide (MAG) stabilizes the initial puncture needle by mounting it on an adjustable multidirectional carrier fixed to the patient's skin, which aids in achieving the "bull's eye" puncture. It also avoids a direct fluoroscopic exposure of the urologist's hand during the puncture. Sixty consecutive patients with solitary renal calculus were randomized to traditional hand versus MAG puncture during bull's eye technique of puncture and the fluoroscopy time was assessed. The median fluoroscopy screening time for traditional free-hand bull's eye and MAG-guided bull's eye puncture (fluoroscopic screening time for puncture) was 55 versus 21 s ( P = 0.001) and the median time to puncture was 80 versus 55 s ( P = 0.052), respectively. Novice residents also learned puncture technique faster with MAG on simulator. The MAG is a simple, portable, cheap, and novel assistant to achieve successful PCNL puncture. It would be of great help for novices to establish access during their learning phase of PCNL. It would also be an asset toward significantly decreasing the radiation dose during PCNL access.

[The centralized mycobacteriological laboratory is a necessary component of a phthisiological service in large towns of Russia].

PubMed

Dorozhkova, I R; Freĭman, G E; Moroz, A M

2007-01-01

The paper presents the main points of the authors' own concept of the centralization of mycobacteriological service in large towns of the Russian Federation. The main points of step-by-step organizational and methodological measures required to solve this problem are described in detail. Consecutive measures to realize the proposed mycobacteriological service centralization model originated in January 2004 on a model of the Moscow Eastern Administrative District with 1380 thousand inhabitants are described.

Bioluminescence enhancement through an added washing protocol enabling a greater sensitivity to carbofuran toxicity.

PubMed

Jia, Kun; Eltzov, Evgeni; Marks, Robert S; Ionescu, Rodica E

2013-10-01

The effects of carbofuran toxicity on a genetically modified bacterial strain E. coli DPD2794 were enhanced using a new bioluminescent protocol which consisted of three consecutive steps: incubation, washing and luminescence reading. Specifically, in the first step, several concentrations of carbofuran aqueous solutions were incubated with different bacterial suspensions at recorded optical densities for different lengths of time. Thereafter, the resulting bacterial/toxicant mixtures were centrifuged and the aged cellular supernatant replaced with fresh medium. In the final step, the carbofuran- induced bioluminescence to the exposed E. coli DPD2794 bacteria was shown to provide a faster and higher intensity when recorded at a higher temperature at30°C which is not usually used in the literature. It was found that the incubation time and the replacement of aged cellular medium were essential factors to distinguish different concentrations of carbofuran in the bioluminescent assays. From our results, the optimum incubation time for a "light ON" bioluminescence detection of the effect of carbofuran was 6h. Thanks to the replacement of the aged cellular medium, a group of additional peaks starting around 30min were observed and we used the corresponding areas under the curve (AUC) at different contents of carbofuran to produce the calibration curve. Based on the new protocol, a carbofuran concentration of 0.5pg/mL can be easily determined in a microtiter plate bioluminescent assay, while a non-wash protocol provides an unexplainable order of curve evolutionswhich does not allow the user to determine the concentration. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cancer patients' perception of the quality of communication before and after the implementation of a communication strategy in a regional cancer center in India.

PubMed

Nayak, Sukdev; Pradhan, Jeeta Parija B; Reddy, Suresh; Palmer, J Lynn; Zhang, Tao; Bruera, Eduardo

2005-07-20

Physician communication is one of the areas that cancer patients have expressed their lowest level of satisfaction. Very few studies have used patient-based outcomes in the Developing world. We conducted a survey of 400 consecutive patients attending our outpatient clinic (Step I). Survey results were used to make changes in the physical layout of the setting to increase privacy and to educate staff regarding practical techniques on communication (Step II). A second group of 400 patients were interviewed immediately after the implementation of the new communication strategy (Step III). Comparing Step I (n = 400) and Step III (n = 400) we observed a favorable response ("yes" v "no") with regard to overall satisfaction with communication in 52 patients (13%) versus 132 patients (33%; P = .0001), privacy in 21 patients (5%) versus 279 patients (70%; P = < .001), no interruptions in 170 patients (42%) versus 330 patients (82%; P = < .001), clear language in 57 patients (14%) versus 227 patients (57%; P = < .001), sufficient time in 88 patients (22%) versus 168 patients (42%; P = < .001), doubts cleared by the doctor in 105 patients (26%) versus 225 patients (56%; P = < .001). Patients older than 65 years and manual laborers were significantly more satisfied compared with younger patients and those patients with nonmanual occupations, during both Steps I and III. We conclude that cancer patients in Developing countries have many unmet needs regarding communication and that simple changes in the organization of clinics and oncologist education can result in major improvements in satisfaction with the quality of communication.

A Comparison of Two Motion Sensors for the Assessment of Free-Living Physical Activity of Adolescents

PubMed Central

Cuberek, Roman; Ansari, Walid El; Frömel, Karel; Skalik, Krzysztof; Sigmund, Erik

2010-01-01

This study assessed and compared the daily step counts recorded by two different motion sensors in order to estimate the free-living physical activity of 135 adolescent girls. Each girl concurrently wore a Yamax pedometer and an ActiGraph accelerometer (criterion measure) every day for seven consecutive days. The convergent validity of the pedometer can be considered intermediate when used to measure the step counts in free-living physical activity; but should be considered with caution when used to classify participants’ step counts into corresponding physical activity categories because of a likelihood of ‘erroneous’ classification in comparison with the accelerometer. PMID:20617046

Solar-assisted photodegradation of isoproturon over easily recoverable titania catalysts.

PubMed

Tolosana-Moranchel, A; Carbajo, J; Faraldos, M; Bahamonde, A

2017-03-01

An easily recoverable homemade TiO 2 catalyst (GICA-1) has been evaluated during the overall photodegradation process, understood as photocatalytic efficiency and catalyst recovery step, in the solar light-assisted photodegradation of isoproturon and its reuse in two consecutive cycles. The global feasibility has been compared to the commercial TiO 2 P25. The homemade GICA-1 catalyst presented better sedimentation efficiency than TiO 2 P25 at all studied pHs, which could be explained by its higher average hydrodynamic particle size (3 μm) and other physicochemical surface properties. The evaluation of the overall process (isoproturon photo-oxidation + catalyst recovery) revealed GICA-1 homemade titania catalyst strengths: total removal of isoproturon in less than 60 min, easy recovery by sedimentation, and reusability in two consecutive cycles, without any loss of photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, considering the whole photocatalytic cycle (good performance in photodegradation plus catalyst recovery step), the homemade GICA-1 photocatalyst resulted in more affordability than commercial TiO 2 P25. Graphical abstract.

Molecular chaperone function of Mia40 triggers consecutive induced folding steps of the substrate in mitochondrial protein import

PubMed Central

Banci, Lucia; Bertini, Ivano; Cefaro, Chiara; Cenacchi, Lucia; Ciofi-Baffoni, Simone; Felli, Isabella Caterina; Gallo, Angelo; Gonnelli, Leonardo; Luchinat, Enrico; Sideris, Dionisia; Tokatlidis, Kostas

2010-01-01

Several proteins of the mitochondrial intermembrane space are targeted by internal targeting signals. A class of such proteins with α-helical hairpin structure bridged by two intramolecular disulfides is trapped by a Mia40-dependent oxidative process. Here, we describe the oxidative folding mechanism underpinning this process by an exhaustive structural characterization of the protein in all stages and as a complex with Mia40. Two consecutive induced folding steps are at the basis of the protein-trapping process. In the first one, Mia40 functions as a molecular chaperone assisting α-helical folding of the internal targeting signal of the substrate. Subsequently, in a Mia40-independent manner, folding of the second substrate helix is induced by the folded targeting signal functioning as a folding scaffold. The Mia40-induced folding pathway provides a proof of principle for the general concept that internal targeting signals may operate as a folding nucleus upon compartment-specific activation. PMID:21059946

The effect of a novel minimally invasive strategy for infected necrotizing pancreatitis.

PubMed

Tong, Zhihui; Shen, Xiao; Ke, Lu; Li, Gang; Zhou, Jing; Pan, Yiyuan; Li, Baiqiang; Yang, Dongliang; Li, Weiqin; Li, Jieshou

2017-11-01

Step-up approach consisting of multiple minimally invasive techniques has gradually become the mainstream for managing infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN). In the present study, we aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of a novel four-step approach and the conventional approach in managing IPN. According to the treatment strategy, consecutive patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were put into two time intervals to conduct a before-and-after comparison: the conventional group (2010-2011) and the novel four-step group (2012-2013). The conventional group was essentially open necrosectomy for any patient who failed percutaneous drainage of infected necrosis. And the novel drainage approach consisted of four different steps including percutaneous drainage, negative pressure irrigation, endoscopic necrosectomy and open necrosectomy in sequence. The primary endpoint was major complications (new-onset organ failure, sepsis or local complications, etc.). Secondary endpoints included mortality during hospitalization, need of emergency surgery, duration of organ failure and sepsis, etc. Of the 229 recruited patients, 92 were treated with the conventional approach and the remaining 137 were managed with the novel four-step approach. New-onset major complications occurred in 72 patients (78.3%) in the two-step group and 75 patients (54.7%) in the four-step group (p < 0.001). For other important endpoints, although there was no statistical difference in mortality between the two groups (p = 0.403), significantly fewer patients in the four-step group required emergency surgery when compared with the conventional group [14.6% (20/137) vs. 45.6% (42/92), p < 0.001]. In addition, stratified analysis revealed that the four-step approach group presented significantly lower incidence of new-onset organ failure and other major complications in patients with the most severe type of AP. Comparing with the conventional approach, the novel four-step approach significantly reduced the rate of new-onset major complications and requirement of emergency operations in treating IPN, especially in those with the most severe type of acute pancreatitis.

Chitosan-Sodium Phytate Films with a Strong Water Barrier and Antimicrobial Properties Produced via One-Step-Consecutive-Stripping and Layer-by-Layer-Casting Technologies.

PubMed

Yang, Jie; Xiong, Liu; Li, Man; Sun, Qingjie

2018-06-20

The pursuit of sustainable functional materials requires the development of materials based on renewable resources and efficient fabrication methods. Here, we first fabricated chitosan-sodium phytate films via one-step-stripping and layer-by-layer-casting technologies. The proposed film-fabrication methods are general, facile, environmentally benign, cost-effective, and easy to scale up. The resultant one-step-stripped film was thin (9 ± 1 μm), soft, transparent, and strong, whereas the thickness of the layer-by-layer-cast film was 70 ± 3 μm. FTIR analysis of the films indicated the formation of interactions between the phosphoric groups in sodium phytate and the amino groups in chitosan. More importantly, the water-vapor-permeability values of the one-step-stripped and cast films were 4-5 orders of magnitude lower than chitosan films reported before. Layer-by-layer-cast films in particular exhibited high tensile strength (49.21 ± 1.12 MPa) and were more than three times stronger than other polyelectrolyte multilayer films. Both types of films remained stable in an acidic environment. Furthermore, the layer-by-layer-assembled films presented greater antimicrobial activity than the stripped films. The developed chitosan-sodium phytate films can enhance several biomedical and environmental applications, such as packaging, drug delivery, diagnostics, microfluidics, and biosensing.

Single-step simultaneous side-by-side placement of a self-expandable metallic stent with a 6-Fr delivery system for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction: a feasibility study.

PubMed

Kawakubo, Kazumichi; Kawakami, Hiroshi; Kuwatani, Masaki; Kudo, Taiki; Abe, Yoko; Kawahata, Shuhei; Kubo, Kimitoshi; Kubota, Yoshimasa; Sakamoto, Naoya

2015-02-01

Bilateral self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) placement for the management of unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (UMHBO) is technically challenging to perform using the existing metallic stents with thick delivery systems. The recently developed 6-Fr delivery systems could facilitate a single-step simultaneous side-by-side placement through the accessory channel of the duodenoscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure. Between May and September 2013, 13 consecutive patients with UMHBO underwent a single-step simultaneous side-by-side placement of SEMS with the 6-Fr delivery system. The technical success rate, stent patency, and rate of complications were evaluated from the prospectively collected database. Technical success was achieved in 11 (84.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 57.8-95.8) patients. The median procedure time was 25 min. Early and late complications were observed in 23% (one segmental cholangitis and two liver abscesses) and 15% (one segmental cholangitis and one cholecystitis) patients, respectively. Median dysfunction free patency was 263 days (95% CI: 37-263). Five patients (38%) experienced stent occlusion that was successfully managed by endoscopic stent placement. A single-step simultaneous side-by-side placement of SEMS with a 6-Fr delivery system was feasible for the management of UMHBO. © 2014 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.

Optimized Enrichment of Phosphoproteomes by Fe-IMAC Column Chromatography.

PubMed

Ruprecht, Benjamin; Koch, Heiner; Domasinska, Petra; Frejno, Martin; Kuster, Bernhard; Lemeer, Simone

2017-01-01

Phosphorylation is among the most important post-translational modifications of proteins and has numerous regulatory functions across all domains of life. However, phosphorylation is often substoichiometric, requiring selective and sensitive methods to enrich phosphorylated peptides from complex cellular digests. Various methods have been devised for this purpose and we have recently described a Fe-IMAC HPLC column chromatography setup which is capable of comprehensive, reproducible, and selective enrichment of phosphopeptides out of complex peptide mixtures. In contrast to other formats such as StageTips or batch incubations using TiO 2 or Ti-IMAC beads, Fe-IMAC HPLC columns do not suffer from issues regarding incomplete phosphopeptide binding or elution and enrichment efficiency scales linearly with the amount of starting material. Here, we provide a step-by-step protocol for the entire phosphopeptide enrichment procedure including sample preparation (lysis, digestion, desalting), Fe-IMAC column chromatography (column setup, operation, charging), measurement by LC-MS/MS (nHPLC gradient, MS parameters) and data analysis (MaxQuant). To increase throughput, we have optimized several key steps such as the gradient time of the Fe-IMAC separation (15 min per enrichment), the number of consecutive enrichments possible between two chargings (>20) and the column recharging itself (<1 h). We show that the application of this protocol enables the selective (>90 %) identification of more than 10,000 unique phosphopeptides from 1 mg of HeLa digest within 2 h of measurement time (Q Exactive Plus).

Identifying causes of laboratory turnaround time delay in the emergency department.

PubMed

Jalili, Mohammad; Shalileh, Keivan; Mojtahed, Ali; Mojtahed, Mohammad; Moradi-Lakeh, Maziar

2012-12-01

Laboratory turnaround time (TAT) is an important determinant of patient stay and quality of care. Our objective is to evaluate laboratory TAT in our emergency department (ED) and to generate a simple model for identifying the primary causes for delay. We measured TATs of hemoglobin, potassium, and prothrombin time tests requested in the ED of a tertiary-care, metropolitan hospital during a consecutive one-week period. The time of different steps (physician order, nurse registration, blood-draw, specimen dispatch from the ED, specimen arrival at the laboratory, and result availability) in the test turnaround process were recorded and the intervals between these steps (order processing, specimen collection, ED waiting, transit, and within-laboratory time) and total TAT were calculated. Median TATs for hemoglobin and potassium were compared with those of the 1990 Q-Probes Study (25 min for hemoglobin and 36 min for potassium) and its recommended goals (45 min for 90% of tests). Intervals were compared according to the proportion of TAT they comprised. Median TATs (170 min for 132 hemoglobin tests, 225 min for 172 potassium tests, and 195.5 min for 128 prothrombin tests) were drastically longer than Q-Probes reported and recommended TATs. The longest intervals were ED waiting time and order processing.  Laboratory TAT varies among institutions, and data are sparse in developing countries. In our ED, actions to reduce ED waiting time and order processing are top priorities. We recommend utilization of this model by other institutions in settings with limited resources to identify their own priorities for reducing laboratory TAT.

Changes in running kinematics, kinetics, and spring-mass behavior over a 24-h run.

PubMed

Morin, Jean-Benoît; Samozino, Pierre; Millet, Guillaume Y

2011-05-01

This study investigated the changes in running mechanics and spring-mass behavior over a 24-h treadmill run (24TR). Kinematics, kinetics, and spring-mass characteristics of the running step were assessed in 10 experienced ultralong-distance runners before, every 2 h, and after a 24TR using an instrumented treadmill dynamometer. These measurements were performed at 10 km·h, and mechanical parameters were sampled at 1000 Hz for 10 consecutive steps. Contact and aerial times were determined from ground reaction force (GRF) signals and used to compute step frequency. Maximal GRF, loading rate, downward displacement of the center of mass, and leg length change during the support phase were determined and used to compute both vertical and leg stiffness. Subjects' running pattern and spring-mass behavior significantly changed over the 24TR with a 4.9% higher step frequency on average (because of a significantly 4.5% shorter contact time), a lower maximal GRF (by 4.4% on average), a 13.0% lower leg length change during contact, and an increase in both leg and vertical stiffness (+9.9% and +8.6% on average, respectively). Most of these changes were significant from the early phase of the 24TR (fourth to sixth hour of running) and could be speculated as contributing to an overall limitation of the potentially harmful consequences of such a long-duration run on subjects' musculoskeletal system. During a 24TR, the changes in running mechanics and spring-mass behavior show a clear shift toward a higher oscillating frequency and stiffness, along with lower GRF and leg length change (hence a reduced overall eccentric load) during the support phase of running. © 2011 by the American College of Sports Medicine

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of consecutive terms that a Member of Congress may serve.

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19

2009-01-08

House - 02/09/2009 Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to limit the number of consecutive terms that a Member of Congress may serve.

THOMAS, 111th Congress

Rep. Hall, Ralph M. [R-TX-4

2010-01-21

House - 03/01/2010 Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Commensurability-driven structural defects in double emulsions produced with two-step microfluidic techniques.

PubMed

Schmit, Alexandre; Salkin, Louis; Courbin, Laurent; Panizza, Pascal

2014-07-14

The combination of two drop makers such as flow focusing geometries or ┬ junctions is commonly used in microfluidics to fabricate monodisperse double emulsions and novel fluid-based materials. Here we investigate the physics of the encapsulation of small droplets inside large drops that is at the core of such processes. The number of droplets per drop studied over time for large sequences of consecutive drops reveals that the dynamics of these systems are complex: we find a succession of well-defined elementary patterns and defects. We present a simple model based on a discrete approach that predicts the nature of these patterns and their non-trivial scheme of arrangement in a sequence as a function of the ratio of the two timescales of the problem, the production times of droplets and drops. Experiments validate our model as they concur very well with predictions.

Fertility of the male alpaca: effect of daily consecutive breeding.

PubMed

Bravo, P W; Solis, P; Ordoñez, C; Alarcon, V

1997-04-01

The fertility of the male alpaca under different frequencies of daily consecutive matings was evaluated. Fifteen adult male Huacaya alpacas were divided randomly into three groups of five each to breed lactating female alpacas. The schedule of daily matings was two, four and six consecutive breeding per group and for nine consecutive days. Ovulation was determined by progesterone at seven days after breeding. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasonography at 15 and 30 days after breeding. Two hundred and eighty females were bred with some males not fulfilling their schedule of breeding. There were differences (P < 0.05) in the fertility rate of males breeding two and four times daily (76%) in contrast to 59% for males breeding six times. There were also differences (P < 0.05) in the fertility of individual males. Length of copulation was affected (P < 0.05) by schedule of matings, day of breeding and male. Ovulation was independent of length of copulation. Overall, it seems the fertility of the male alpaca is affected significantly when consecutive matings are over four times a day and for nine consecutive days.

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

Volker, Arno; Hunter, Alan

Anisotropic materials are being used increasingly in high performance industrial applications, particularly in the aeronautical and nuclear industries. Some important examples of these materials are composites, single-crystal and heavy-grained metals. Ultrasonic array imaging in these materials requires exact knowledge of the anisotropic material properties. Without this information, the images can be adversely affected, causing a reduction in defect detection and characterization performance. The imaging operation can be formulated in two consecutive and reciprocal focusing steps, i.e., focusing the sources and then focusing the receivers. Applying just one of these focusing steps yields an interesting intermediate domain. The resulting common focusmore » point gather (CFP-gather) can be interpreted to determine the propagation operator. After focusing the sources, the observed travel-time in the CFP-gather describes the propagation from the focus point to the receivers. If the correct propagation operator is used, the measured travel-times should be the same as the time-reversed focusing operator due to reciprocity. This makes it possible to iteratively update the focusing operator using the data only and allows the material to be imaged without explicit knowledge of the anisotropic material parameters. Furthermore, the determined propagation operator can also be used to invert for the anisotropic medium parameters. This paper details the proposed technique and demonstrates its use on simulated array data from a specimen of Inconel single-crystal alloy commonly used in the aeronautical and nuclear industries.« less

A Classroom-Based Physical Activity Intervention for Urban Kindergarten and First-Grade Students: A Feasibility Study

PubMed Central

Wylie-Rosett, Judith; Kim, Mimi; Ozuah, Philip O.

2015-01-01

Abstract Background: Urban elementary schools in minority communities with high obesity prevalence may have limited resources for physical education (PE) to achieve daily activity recommendations. Little is known whether integrating physical activity (PA) into classrooms can increase activity levels of students attending such schools. Methods: We conducted a cluster randomized, controlled trial among kindergarten and first-grade students from four Bronx, New York, schools to determine feasibility and impact of a classroom-based intervention on students' PA levels. Students in two intervention schools received the Children's Hospital at Montefiore Joining Academics and Movement (CHAM JAM), an audio CD consisting of 10-minute, education-focused aerobic activities led by teachers three times a day. PA was objectively measured by pedometer. Each subject wore a sealed pedometer during the 6-hour school day for 5 consecutive days at baseline (Time 1) and 8 weeks postintervention (Time 2). Hierarchical linear models were fit to evaluate differences in mean number of steps between the two groups. Results: A total of 988 students participated (intervention group, n=500; control group, n=488). There was no significant difference at baseline between the two groups on mean number of steps (2581 [standard deviation (SD), 1284] vs. 2476 [SD, 1180]; P=0.71). Eight weeks post–CHAM JAM, intervention group students took significantly greater mean number of steps than controls (2839 [SD, 1262] vs. 2545 [SD, 1153]; P=0.0048) after adjusting for baseline number of steps and other covariates (grade, gender, recess, and PE class). CHAM JAM was equally effective in gender, grade level, and BMI subgroups. Conclusions: CHAM JAM significantly increased school-based PA among kindergarten and first-grade students in inner-city schools. This approach holds promise as a cost-effective means to integrate the physical and cognitive benefits of PA into high-risk schools. PMID:25747719

In vivo myosin step-size from zebrafish skeletal muscle

PubMed Central

Ajtai, Katalin; Sun, Xiaojing; Takubo, Naoko; Wang, Yihua

2016-01-01

Muscle myosins transduce ATP free energy into actin displacement to power contraction. In vivo, myosin side chains are modified post-translationally under native conditions, potentially impacting function. Single myosin detection provides the ‘bottom-up’ myosin characterization probing basic mechanisms without ambiguities inherent to ensemble observation. Macroscopic muscle physiological experimentation provides the definitive ‘top-down’ phenotype characterizations that are the concerns in translational medicine. In vivo single myosin detection in muscle from zebrafish embryo models for human muscle fulfils ambitions for both bottom-up and top-down experimentation. A photoactivatable green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged myosin light chain expressed in transgenic zebrafish skeletal muscle specifically modifies the myosin lever-arm. Strychnine induces the simultaneous contraction of the bilateral tail muscles in a live embryo, causing them to be isometric while active. Highly inclined thin illumination excites the GFP tag of single lever-arms and its super-resolution orientation is measured from an active isometric muscle over a time sequence covering many transduction cycles. Consecutive frame lever-arm angular displacement converts to step-size by its product with the estimated lever-arm length. About 17% of the active myosin steps that fall between 2 and 7 nm are implicated as powerstrokes because they are beyond displacements detected from either relaxed or ATP-depleted (rigor) muscle. PMID:27249818

Comparison of pedometer and accelerometer derived steps in older individuals with Parkinson's disease or osteoporosis under free-living conditions.

PubMed

Wallén, Martin Benka; Dohrn, Ing-Mari; Ståhle, Agneta; Franzén, Erika; Hagströmer, Maria

2014-10-01

To compare self-reported pedometer steps with accelerometer steps under free-living conditions in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) or osteoporosis (OP). Seventy-three individuals with PD and 71 individuals with OP wore a pedometer (Yamax LS2000) and an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT1M/GT3X+) simultaneously for one week. Fifty-one individuals with PD (72.6 ± 5.3 years) and 61 with OP (75.6 ± 5.3 years) provided simultaneously recorded data for 3-7 consecutive days. Pedometer steps were significantly lower than accelerometer steps in the PD group (p = .002) but not in the OP group (p = .956). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated wide limits of agreement between the instruments in both PD (range = 6,911 steps) and OP (range = 6,794 steps). These results suggest that the ActiGraph GT1M/GT3X+ should be preferred over the Yamax LS2000 for the assessment of steps in both research and clinical evaluations, particularly in individuals with PD or altered gait.

The electric field changes and UHF radiations caused by the triggered lightning in Japan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kawasaki, Zen-Ichiro; Kanao, Tadashi; Matsuura, Kenji; Nakano, Minoru; Horii, Kenji; Nakamura, Koichi

1991-01-01

In the rocket triggered lightning experiment of fiscal 1989, researchers observed electromagnetic field changes and UHF electromagnetic radiation accompanying rocket triggered lightning. It was found that no rapid changes corresponding to the return stroke of natural lightning were observed in the electric field changes accompanying rocket triggered lightning. However, continuous currents were present. In the case of rocket triggered lightning to the tower, electromagnetic field changes corresponding to the initiation of triggered lightning showed a bipolar pulse of a relatively large amplitude. In contrast, the rocket triggered lightning to the ground did not have such a bipolar pulse. The UHF radiation accompanying the rocket triggered lightning preceded the waveform portions corresponding to the first changes in electromagnetic fields. The number of isolated pulses in the UHF radiation showed a correlation with the time duration from rocket launching up to triggered lightning. The time interval between consecutive isolated pulses tended to get shorter with the passage of time, just like the stepped leaders of natural lightning.

Kinetic and Thermodynamics studies for Castor Oil Extraction Using Subcritical Water Technology.

PubMed

Abdelmoez, Wael; Ashour, Eman; Naguib, Shahenaz M; Hilal, Amr; Al Mahdy, Dalia A; Mahrous, Engy A; Abdel-Sattar, Essam

2016-06-01

In this work both kinetic and thermodynamics of castor oil extraction from its seeds using subcritical water technique were studied. It was found that the extraction process followed two consecutive steps. In these steps, the oil was firstly extracted from inside the powder by diffusion mechanism. Then the extracted oil, due to extending the extraction time under high temperature and pressure, was subjected to a decomposition reaction following first order mechanism. The experimental data correlated well with the irreversible consecutive unimolecular-type first order mechanism. The values of both oil extraction rate constants and decomposition rate constants were calculated through non-linear fitting using DataFit software. The extraction rate constants were found to be 0.0019, 0.024, 0.098, 0.1 and 0.117 min(-1), while the decomposition rate constants were 0.057, 0.059, 0.014, 0.019 and 0.17 min(-1) at extraction temperatures of 240, 250, 260, 270 and 280°C, respectively. The thermodynamic properties of the oil extraction process were investigated using Arrhenius equation. The values of the activation energy, Ea, and the frequency factor, A, were 73 kJ mol(-1) and 946, 002 min(-1), respectively. The physicochemical properties of the extracted castor oil including the specific gravity, viscosity, acid value, pH value and calorific value were found to be 0.947, 7.487, 1.094 mg KOH/g, 6.1, and 41.5 MJ/Kg, respectively. Gas chromatography analysis showed that ricinoleic acid (83.6%) appears as the predominant fatty acid in the extracted oil followed by oleic acid (5.5%) and linoleic acid (2.3%).

Physical activity monitoring in COPD: compliance and associations with clinical characteristics in a multicenter study.

PubMed

Waschki, Benjamin; Spruit, Martijn A; Watz, Henrik; Albert, Paul S; Shrikrishna, Dinesh; Groenen, Miriam; Smith, Cayley; Man, William D-C; Tal-Singer, Ruth; Edwards, Lisa D; Calverley, Peter M A; Magnussen, Helgo; Polkey, Michael I; Wouters, Emiel F M

2012-04-01

Little is known about COPD patients' compliance with physical activity monitoring and how activity relates to disease characteristics in a multi-center setting. In a prospective study at three Northern European sites physical activity and clinical disease characteristics were measured in 134 COPD patients (GOLD-stage II-IV; BODE index 0-9) and 46 controls. Wearing time, steps per day, and the physical activity level (PAL) were measured by a multisensory armband over a period of 6 consecutive days (in total, 144 h). A valid measurement period was defined as ≥22 h wearing time a day on at least 5 days. The median wearing time was 142 h:17 min (99%), 141 h:1 min (98%), and 142 h:24 min (99%), respectively in the three centres. A valid measurement period was reached in 94%, 97%, and 94% of the patients and did not differ across sites (P = 0.53). The amount of physical activity did not differ across sites (mean steps per day, 4725 ± 3212, P = 0.58; mean PAL, 1.45 ± 0.20, P = 0.48). Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed significant associations of FEV1, 6-min walk distance, quadriceps strength, fibrinogen, health status, and dyspnoea with both steps per day and PAL. Previously unrecognized correlates of activity were grade of fatigue, degree of emphysema, and exacerbation rate. The excellent compliance with wearing a physical activity monitor irrespective of study site and consistent associations with relevant disease characteristics support the use of activity monitoring as a valid outcome in multi-center studies. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

TOMO3D: 3-D joint refraction and reflection traveltime tomography parallel code for active-source seismic data—synthetic test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meléndez, A.; Korenaga, J.; Sallarès, V.; Miniussi, A.; Ranero, C. R.

2015-10-01

We present a new 3-D traveltime tomography code (TOMO3D) for the modelling of active-source seismic data that uses the arrival times of both refracted and reflected seismic phases to derive the velocity distribution and the geometry of reflecting boundaries in the subsurface. This code is based on its popular 2-D version TOMO2D from which it inherited the methods to solve the forward and inverse problems. The traveltime calculations are done using a hybrid ray-tracing technique combining the graph and bending methods. The LSQR algorithm is used to perform the iterative regularized inversion to improve the initial velocity and depth models. In order to cope with an increased computational demand due to the incorporation of the third dimension, the forward problem solver, which takes most of the run time (˜90 per cent in the test presented here), has been parallelized with a combination of multi-processing and message passing interface standards. This parallelization distributes the ray-tracing and traveltime calculations among available computational resources. The code's performance is illustrated with a realistic synthetic example, including a checkerboard anomaly and two reflectors, which simulates the geometry of a subduction zone. The code is designed to invert for a single reflector at a time. A data-driven layer-stripping strategy is proposed for cases involving multiple reflectors, and it is tested for the successive inversion of the two reflectors. Layers are bound by consecutive reflectors, and an initial velocity model for each inversion step incorporates the results from previous steps. This strategy poses simpler inversion problems at each step, allowing the recovery of strong velocity discontinuities that would otherwise be smoothened.

Single step high-speed printing of continuous silver lines by laser-induced forward transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puerto, D.; Biver, E.; Alloncle, A.-P.; Delaporte, Ph.

2016-06-01

The development of high-speed ink printing process by Laser-Induced Forward Transfer (LIFT) is of great interest for the printing community. To address the problems and the limitations of this process that have been previously identified, we have performed an experimental study on laser micro-printing of silver nanoparticle inks by LIFT and demonstrated for the first time the printing of continuous conductive lines in a single pass at velocities of 17 m/s using a 1 MHz repetition rate laser. We investigated the printing process by means of a time-resolved imaging technique to visualize the ejection dynamics of single and adjacent jets. The control of the donor film properties is of prime importance to achieve single step printing of continuous lines at high velocities. We use a 30 ps pulse duration laser with a wavelength of 343 nm and a repetition rate from 0.2 to 1 MHz. A galvanometric mirror head controls the distance between two consecutives jets by scanning the focused beam along an ink-coated donor substrate at different velocities. Droplets and lines of silver inks are laser-printed on glass and PET flexible substrates and we characterized their morphological quality by atomic force microscope (AFM) and optical microscope.

Documentation of and satisfaction with the service delivery process of electric powered scooters among adult users in different national contexts.

PubMed

Sund, Terje; Iwarsson, Susanne; Andersen, Mette C; Brandt, Åse

2013-03-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate how different service delivery systems for assistive devices were associated with the service delivery process (SDP) and user satisfaction in two national contexts when electric powered scooters were provided. The study had a follow-up design based on a consecutive inclusion of 50 Danish and 86 Norwegian adults as they were about to be provided a scooter. A study-specific structured questionnaire for documentation of the SDP was administered. The Satisfaction with Assistive Technology Services was used for documenting user satisfaction with the SDP. Besides descriptive statistics, regression analysis was used to identify contributors of variance and predictors of user satisfaction. The various steps of the SDP were carried out to a various degree. Significantly more total time was spent in the SDP in the Danish sample (p < 0.001). About 80% of the informants were satisfied/very satisfied with different aspects of the SDP. Time spent in the different steps was not associated with user satisfaction with the SDP. This study supports the assumption that structure of the service impacts on the SDP, but not that the process impacts on outcomes in terms of user satisfaction with the SDP. It may, however, be questioned whether this actually is an outcome.

Pair Negotiation When Developing English Speaking Tasks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bohórquez Suárez, Ingrid Liliana; Gómez Sará, Mary Mily; Medina Mosquera, Sindy Lorena

2011-01-01

This study analyzes what characterizes the negotiations of seventh graders at a public school in Bogotá when working in pairs to develop speaking tasks in EFL classes. The inquiry is a descriptive case study that follows the qualitative paradigm. As a result of analyzing the data, we obtained four consecutive steps that characterize students'…

Effect of rubber flooring on dairy cattle stepping behavior and muscle activity.

PubMed

Rajapaksha, Eranda; Winkler, Christoph; Tucker, Cassandra B

2015-04-01

Use of compressible flooring, such as rubber, has increased on dairy farms. Rubber improves locomotion and is well used by cattle in preference experiments that combine walking and standing. Previous work has found that rubber is particularly beneficial for lame animals, perhaps because a softer material is particularly useful when a single hoof is compromised. The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of flooring while standing, because cattle in freestall housing spend 40 to 50% of their time engaged in this behavior. In a 2 × 2 design, cows (n = 16) were evaluated on 4 standing surfaces that varied in terms of both floor type (concrete or rubber) and presentation [same floor under all 4 legs (all 4 legs on either concrete or rubber) or a rough surface under only one hind leg and the other 3 legs on concrete or rubber] in a crossover design. Surface electromyograms were used to evaluate muscle fatigue, total activity, and movement of muscle activity between legs during 1 h of standing. Muscle fatigue was evaluated in 2 contexts: (1) static contractions when cows continuously transferred weight to each hind leg, before and after 1 h of standing, and (2) dynamic contractions associated with steps during 1 h on treatment surfaces. In addition, stepping rate, time between each consecutive step, and the latency to lie down after testing were measured. No interaction between floor type and presentation was found. Presentation had a significant effect; when one hind leg was on a rough surface, cattle took 1.7 times more steps with this leg and the non-rough hind leg had 1.2 times more muscle activity, compared with when all 4 legs were on the same surface. These changes are consistent with movement away from concrete with protrusions. When standing on rubber, muscle-activity movements among legs remained stable (0.6-0.7 movements per min) over 1 h but increased on concrete (0.6-0.9 movements per min), indicating that, like humans, cattle may sway to counteract effects of standing. However, additional work, including measurements of blood flow in the leg, is needed to fully understand the biological implications of these changes. Overall, the rubber flooring tested had little effect on standing behavior. Copyright © 2015 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of film-based versus filmless operation on the productivity of CT technologists.

PubMed

Reiner, B I; Siegel, E L; Hooper, F J; Glasser, D

1998-05-01

To determine the relative time required for a technologist to perform a computed tomographic (CT) examination in a "filmless" versus a film-based environment. Time-motion studies were performed in 204 consecutive CT examinations. Images from 96 examinations were electronically transferred to a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) without being printed to film, and 108 were printed to film. The time required to obtain and electronically transfer the images or print the images to film and make the current and previous studies available to the radiologists for interpretation was recorded. The time required for a technologist to complete a CT examination was reduced by 45% with direct image transfer to the PACS compared with the time required in the film-based mode. This reduction was due to the elimination of a number of steps in the filming process, such as the printing at multiple window or level settings. The use of a PACS can result in the elimination of multiple time-intensive tasks for the CT technologist, resulting in a marked reduction in examination time. This reduction can result in increased productivity, and, hence greater cost-effectiveness with filmless operation.

The role of the right posterior parietal cortex in temporal order judgment.

PubMed

Woo, Sung-Ho; Kim, Ki-Hyun; Lee, Kyoung-Min

2009-03-01

Perceived order of two consecutive stimuli may not correspond to the order of their physical onsets. Such a disagreement presumably results from a difference in the speed of stimulus processing toward central decision mechanisms. Since previous evidence suggests that the right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) plays a role in modulating the processing speed of a visual target, we applied single-pulse TMS over the region in 14 normal subjects, while they judged the temporal order of two consecutive visual stimuli. Stimulus-onset-asynchrony (SOA) randomly varied between -100 and 100 ms in 20-ms steps (with a positive SOA when a target appeared on the right hemi-field before the other on the left), and a point of subjective simultaneity was measured for individual subjects. TMS stimulation was time-locked at 50, 100, 150, and 200 ms after the onset of the first stimulus, and results in trials with TMS on right PPC were compared with those in trials without TMS. TMS over the right PPC delayed the detection of a visual target in the contralateral, i.e., left hemi-field by 24 (+/-7 SE) ms and 16 (+/-4 SE) ms, when the stimulation was given at 50 and 100 ms after the first target onset. In contrast, TMS on the left PPC was not effective. These results show that the right PPC is important in a timely detection of a target appearing on the left visual field, especially in competition with another target simultaneously appearing in the opposite field.

Learning Traffic as Images: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Large-Scale Transportation Network Speed Prediction.

PubMed

Ma, Xiaolei; Dai, Zhuang; He, Zhengbing; Ma, Jihui; Wang, Yong; Wang, Yunpeng

2017-04-10

This paper proposes a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method that learns traffic as images and predicts large-scale, network-wide traffic speed with a high accuracy. Spatiotemporal traffic dynamics are converted to images describing the time and space relations of traffic flow via a two-dimensional time-space matrix. A CNN is applied to the image following two consecutive steps: abstract traffic feature extraction and network-wide traffic speed prediction. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by taking two real-world transportation networks, the second ring road and north-east transportation network in Beijing, as examples, and comparing the method with four prevailing algorithms, namely, ordinary least squares, k-nearest neighbors, artificial neural network, and random forest, and three deep learning architectures, namely, stacked autoencoder, recurrent neural network, and long-short-term memory network. The results show that the proposed method outperforms other algorithms by an average accuracy improvement of 42.91% within an acceptable execution time. The CNN can train the model in a reasonable time and, thus, is suitable for large-scale transportation networks.

Rapid identification of pathogens directly from blood culture bottles by Bruker matrix-assisted laser desorption laser ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry versus routine methods.

PubMed

Jamal, Wafaa; Saleem, Rola; Rotimi, Vincent O

2013-08-01

The use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) for identification of microorganisms directly from blood culture is an exciting dimension to the microbiologists. We evaluated the performance of Bruker SepsiTyper kit™ (STK) for direct identification of bacteria from positive blood culture. This was done in parallel with conventional methods. Nonrepetitive positive blood cultures from 160 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated by both methods. Of 160 positive blood cultures, the STK identified 114 (75.6%) isolates and routine conventional method 150 (93%). Thirty-six isolates were misidentified or not identified by the kit. Of these, 5 had score of >2.000 and 31 had an unreliable low score of <1.7. Four of 8 yeasts were identified correctly. The average turnaround time using the STK was 35 min, including extraction steps and 30:12 to 36:12 h with routine method. The STK holds promise for timely management of bacteremic patients. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Traffic as Images: A Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Large-Scale Transportation Network Speed Prediction

PubMed Central

Ma, Xiaolei; Dai, Zhuang; He, Zhengbing; Ma, Jihui; Wang, Yong; Wang, Yunpeng

2017-01-01

This paper proposes a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based method that learns traffic as images and predicts large-scale, network-wide traffic speed with a high accuracy. Spatiotemporal traffic dynamics are converted to images describing the time and space relations of traffic flow via a two-dimensional time-space matrix. A CNN is applied to the image following two consecutive steps: abstract traffic feature extraction and network-wide traffic speed prediction. The effectiveness of the proposed method is evaluated by taking two real-world transportation networks, the second ring road and north-east transportation network in Beijing, as examples, and comparing the method with four prevailing algorithms, namely, ordinary least squares, k-nearest neighbors, artificial neural network, and random forest, and three deep learning architectures, namely, stacked autoencoder, recurrent neural network, and long-short-term memory network. The results show that the proposed method outperforms other algorithms by an average accuracy improvement of 42.91% within an acceptable execution time. The CNN can train the model in a reasonable time and, thus, is suitable for large-scale transportation networks. PMID:28394270

Uterine Artery Embolization for Leiomyomata: Optimization of the Radiation Dose to the Patient Using a Flat-Panel Detector Angiographic Suite

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

Sapoval, Marc, E-mail: marc.sapoval2@egp.aphp.fr; Pellerin, Olivier; Rehel, Jean-Luc

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of low-dose/low-frame fluoroscopy/angiography with a flat-panel detector angiographic suite to reduce the dose delivered to patients during uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). A two-step prospective dosimetric study was conducted, with a flat-panel detector angiography suite (Siemens Axiom Artis) integrating automatic exposure control (AEC), during 20 consecutive UFEs. Patient dosimetry was performed using calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters placed on the lower posterior pelvis skin. The first step (10 patients; group A) consisted in UFE (bilateral embolization, calibrated microspheres) performed using the following parameters: standard fluoroscopy (15 pulses/s) and angiography (3 frames/s). The secondmore » step (next consecutive 10 patients; group B) used low-dose/low-frame fluoroscopy (7.5 pulses/s for catheterization and 3 pulses/s for embolization) and angiography (1 frame/s). We also recorded the total dose-area product (DAP) delivered to the patient and the fluoroscopy time as reported by the manufacturer's dosimetry report. The mean peak skin dose decreased from 2.4 {+-} 1.3 to 0.4 {+-} 0.3 Gy (P = 0.001) for groups A and B, respectively. The DAP values decreased from 43,113 {+-} 27,207 {mu}Gy m{sup 2} for group A to 9,515 {+-} 4,520 {mu}Gy m{sup 2} for group B (P = 0.003). The dose to ovaries and uterus decreased from 378 {+-} 238 mGy (group A) to 83 {+-} 41 mGy (group B) and from 388 {+-} 246 mGy (group A) to 85 {+-} 39 mGy (group B), respectively. Effective doses decreased from 112 {+-} 71 mSv (group A) to 24 {+-} 12 mSv (group B) (P = 0.003). In conclusion, the use of low-dose/low-frame fluoroscopy/angiography, based on a good understanding of the AEC system and also on the technique during uterine fibroid embolization, allows a significant decrease in the dose exposure to the patient.« less

Design and evaluation of a fault-tolerant multiprocessor using hardware recovery blocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Y. H.; Shin, K. G.

1982-01-01

A fault-tolerant multiprocessor with a rollback recovery mechanism is discussed. The rollback mechanism is based on the hardware recovery block which is a hardware equivalent to the software recovery block. The hardware recovery block is constructed by consecutive state-save operations and several state-save units in every processor and memory module. When a fault is detected, the multiprocessor reconfigures itself to replace the faulty component and then the process originally assigned to the faulty component retreats to one of the previously saved states in order to resume fault-free execution. A mathematical model is proposed to calculate both the coverage of multi-step rollback recovery and the risk of restart. A performance evaluation in terms of task execution time is also presented.

Pedometer-Assessed Physical Activity in Young Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Flohr, Judith A.; Todd, M. Kent; Tudor-Locke, Catrine

2006-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical activity (PA) patterns of children. Forty-four 7th-grade students (19 boys, 25 girls) recorded pedometer data for 2 consecutive weeks. Separate 2 x 3 repeated measures analyses of variance were used to examine differences in total steps/day between boys and girls and between after-school…

The Empirical Validation of Cognitive Domain Characteristics in the Gifted Screening Checklist

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dalia, Nasvytiene; Agne, Brandisauskiene

2013-01-01

The identification of gifted children is an interactive procedure consisting of two consecutive steps--screening for above-average cognitive abilities, followed by their monitoring. Teacher nomination is among the most widely used methods of screening. However, it is not free from bias. The analysis of screening criteria is of prime importance for…

Stilt walking: how do we learn those first steps?

PubMed

Akram, Sakineh B; Frank, James S

2009-09-01

This study examined how young healthy adults learn stilt walking. Ten healthy male university students attended two sessions of testing held on two consecutive days. In each session participants performed three blocks of 10 stilt-walking trials. Angular movements of head and trunk and the spatial and temporal gait parameters were recorded. When walking on stilts young adults improved their gait velocity through modifications of step parameters while maintaining trunk movements close to that observed during normal over-ground walking. Participants improved their performance by increasing their step frequency and step length and reducing the double support percentage of the gait cycle. Stilts are often used for drywall installation, painting over-the-head areas and raising workers above the ground without the burden of erecting scaffolding. This research examines the locomotor adaptation as young healthy adults learn the complex motor task of stilt walking; a task that is frequently used in the construction industry.

Acquisition of shape information in working memory, as a function of viewing time and number of consecutive images: evidence for a succession of discrete storage classes.

PubMed

Ninio, J

1998-07-01

The capacity of visual working memory was investigated using abstract images that were slightly distorted NxN (with generally N=8) square lattices of black or white randomly selected elements. After viewing an image, or a sequence of images, the subjects viewed couples of images containing the test image and a distractor image derived from the first one by changing the black or white value of q randomly selected elements. The number q was adjusted in each experiment to the difficulty of the task and the abilities of the subject. The fraction of recognition errors, given q and N was used to evaluate the number M of bits memorized by the subject. For untrained subjects, this number M varied in a biphasic manner as a function of the time t of presentation of the test image: it was on average 13 bits for 1 s, 16 bits for 2 to 5 s, and 20 bits for 8 s. The slow pace of acquisition, from 1 to 8 s, seems due to encoding difficulties, and not to channel capacity limitations. Beyond 8 s, M(t), accurately determined for one subject, followed a square root law, in agreement with 19th century observations on the memorization of lists of digits. When two consecutive 8x8 images were viewed and tested in the same order, the number of memorized bits was downshifted by a nearly constant amount, independent of t, and equal on average to 6-7 bits. Across the subjects, the shift was independent of M. When two consecutive test images were related, the recognition errors decreased for both images, whether the testing was performed in the presentation or the reverse order. Studies involving three subjects, indicate that, when viewing m consecutive images, the average amount of information captured per image varies with m in a stepwise fashion. The first two step boundaries were around m=3 and m=9-12. The data are compatible with a model of organization of working memory in several successive layers containing increasing numbers of units, the more remote a unit, the lower the rate at which it may acquire encoded information. Copyright 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.

Validity and reliability of the de Morton Mobility Index in the subacute hospital setting in a geriatric evaluation and management population.

PubMed

de Morton, Natalie A; Lane, Kylie

2010-11-01

To investigate the clinimetric properties of the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) in a Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) population. A longitudinal validation study (n = 100) and inter-rater reliability study (n = 29) in a GEM population. Consecutive patients admitted to a GEM rehabilitation ward were eligible for inclusion. At hospital admission and discharge, a physical therapist assessed patients with physical performance instruments that included the 6-metre walk test, step test, Clinical Test of Sensory Organization and Balance, Timed Up and Go test, 6-minute walk test and the DEMMI. Consecutively eligible patients were included in an inter-rater reliability study between physical therapists. DEMMI admission scores were normally distributed (mean 30.2, standard deviation 16.7) and other activity limitation instruments had either a floor or a ceiling effect. Evidence of convergent, discriminant and known groups validity for the DEMMI were obtained. The minimal detectable change with 90% confidence was 10.5 (95% confidence interval 6.1-17.9) points and the minimally clinically important difference was 8.4 points on the 100-point interval DEMMI scale. The DEMMI provides clinicians with an accurate and valid method of measuring mobility for geriatric patients in the subacute hospital setting.

Successes and limitations of targeted therapies in renal cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Pracht, Marc; Berthold, Dominik

2014-01-01

Until recently, the standard treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was nonspecific immunotherapy based on interleukin-2 or interferon-α. This was associated with a modest survival benefit and with significant clinical toxicities. The understanding of numerous molecular pathways in RCC, including HIF, VEGF, mTOR, and the consecutive use of targeted therapies since the beginning of 2005 have significantly improved outcomes for patients with metastatic RCC with an overall survival greater than 2 years. At present, at least 7 targeted agents are approved for first and consecutive lines of treatment of clear cell metastatic RCC. Long-term benefit and extended survival may be achieved through the optimal use of targeted therapies: optimal dosing, adverse event management and treatment duration and compliance. Advances in the finding of prognostic factors highlight the potential for personalizing treatment for patients with metastatic RCC. Data regarding the best sequencing of targeted therapies, predictive biomarkers, best timing of surgery, patient risk profiles, understanding of resistance mechanisms and safety of targeted therapies are growing and will provide a further step ahead in the management of advanced RCC. In parallel, a new class of therapeutics is emerging in RCC: immunotherapy; in particular check-point blockade antibodies are showing very promising results. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Time for actions in lucid dreams: effects of task modality, length, and complexity

PubMed Central

Erlacher, Daniel; Schädlich, Melanie; Stumbrys, Tadas; Schredl, Michael

2014-01-01

The relationship between time in dreams and real time has intrigued scientists for centuries. The question if actions in dreams take the same time as in wakefulness can be tested by using lucid dreams where the dreamer is able to mark time intervals with prearranged eye movements that can be objectively identified in EOG recordings. Previous research showed an equivalence of time for counting in lucid dreams and in wakefulness (LaBerge, 1985; Erlacher and Schredl, 2004), but Erlacher and Schredl (2004) found that performing squats required about 40% more time in lucid dreams than in the waking state. To find out if the task modality, the task length, or the task complexity results in prolonged times in lucid dreams, an experiment with three different conditions was conducted. In the first condition, five proficient lucid dreamers spent one to three non-consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. Participants counted to 10, 20, and 30 in wakefulness and in their lucid dreams. Lucidity and task intervals were time stamped with left-right-left-right eye movements. The same procedure was used for the second condition where eight lucid dreamers had to walk 10, 20, or 30 steps. In the third condition, eight lucid dreamers performed a gymnastics routine, which in the waking state lasted the same time as walking 10 steps. Again, we found that performing a motor task in a lucid dream requires more time than in wakefulness. Longer durations in the dream state were present for all three tasks, but significant differences were found only for the tasks with motor activity (walking and gymnastics). However, no difference was found for relative times (no disproportional time effects) and a more complex motor task did not result in more prolonged times. Longer durations in lucid dreams might be related to the lack of muscular feedback or slower neural processing during REM sleep. Future studies should explore factors that might be associated with prolonged durations. PMID:24474942

Time for actions in lucid dreams: effects of task modality, length, and complexity.

PubMed

Erlacher, Daniel; Schädlich, Melanie; Stumbrys, Tadas; Schredl, Michael

2013-01-01

The relationship between time in dreams and real time has intrigued scientists for centuries. The question if actions in dreams take the same time as in wakefulness can be tested by using lucid dreams where the dreamer is able to mark time intervals with prearranged eye movements that can be objectively identified in EOG recordings. Previous research showed an equivalence of time for counting in lucid dreams and in wakefulness (LaBerge, 1985; Erlacher and Schredl, 2004), but Erlacher and Schredl (2004) found that performing squats required about 40% more time in lucid dreams than in the waking state. To find out if the task modality, the task length, or the task complexity results in prolonged times in lucid dreams, an experiment with three different conditions was conducted. In the first condition, five proficient lucid dreamers spent one to three non-consecutive nights in the sleep laboratory. Participants counted to 10, 20, and 30 in wakefulness and in their lucid dreams. Lucidity and task intervals were time stamped with left-right-left-right eye movements. The same procedure was used for the second condition where eight lucid dreamers had to walk 10, 20, or 30 steps. In the third condition, eight lucid dreamers performed a gymnastics routine, which in the waking state lasted the same time as walking 10 steps. Again, we found that performing a motor task in a lucid dream requires more time than in wakefulness. Longer durations in the dream state were present for all three tasks, but significant differences were found only for the tasks with motor activity (walking and gymnastics). However, no difference was found for relative times (no disproportional time effects) and a more complex motor task did not result in more prolonged times. Longer durations in lucid dreams might be related to the lack of muscular feedback or slower neural processing during REM sleep. Future studies should explore factors that might be associated with prolonged durations.

Decreasing triage time: effects of implementing a step-wise ESI algorithm in an EHR.

PubMed

Villa, Stephen; Weber, Ellen J; Polevoi, Steven; Fee, Christopher; Maruoka, Andrew; Quon, Tina

2018-06-01

To determine if adapting a widely-used triage scale into a computerized algorithm in an electronic health record (EHR) shortens emergency department (ED) triage time. Before-and-after quasi-experimental study. Urban, tertiary care hospital ED. Consecutive adult patient visits between July 2011 and June 2013. A step-wise algorithm, based on the Emergency Severity Index (ESI-5) was programmed into the triage module of a commercial EHR. Duration of triage (triage interval) for all patients and change in percentage of high acuity patients (ESI 1 and 2) completing triage within 15 min, 12 months before-and-after implementation of the algorithm. Multivariable analysis adjusted for confounders; interrupted time series demonstrated effects over time. Secondary outcomes examined quality metrics and patient flow. About 32 546 patient visits before and 33 032 after the intervention were included. Post-intervention patients were slightly older, census was higher and admission rate slightly increased. Median triage interval was 5.92 min (interquartile ranges, IQR 4.2-8.73) before and 2.8 min (IQR 1.88-4.23) after the intervention (P < 0.001). Adjusted mean triage interval decreased 3.4 min (95% CI: -3.6, -3.2). The proportion of high acuity patients completing triage within 15 min increased from 63.9% (95% CI 62.5, 65.2%) to 75.0% (95% CI 73.8, 76.1). Monthly time series demonstrated immediate and sustained improvement following the intervention. Return visits within 72 h and door-to-balloon time were unchanged. Total length of stay was similar. The computerized triage scale improved speed of triage, allowing more high acuity patients to be seen within recommended timeframes, without notable impact on quality.

Screening and detection of delirium in older ED patients: performance of the modified Confusion Assessment Method for the Emergency Department (mCAM-ED). A two-step tool.

PubMed

Hasemann, Wolfgang; Grossmann, Florian F; Stadler, Rahel; Bingisser, Roland; Breil, Dieter; Hafner, Martina; Kressig, Reto W; Nickel, Christian H

2017-12-30

Delirium is frequent in older Emergency Department (ED) patients, but detection rates for delirium in the ED are low. To aid in identifying delirium, we developed and implemented a two-step systematic delirium screening and assessment tool in our ED: the modified Confusion Assessment Method for the Emergency Department (mCAM-ED). Components of the mCAM-ED include: (1) screening for inattention, the main feature of delirium, which was performed with the Months Backwards Test (MBT); (2) delirium assessment based on a structured interview with questions from the Mental Status Questionnaire by Kahn et al. and the Comprehension Test by Hart et al. The aims of our study are (1) to investigate the performance criteria of the mCAM-ED tool in a consecutive sample of older ED patients, (2) to evaluate the performance of the mCAM-ED in patients with and without dementia and (3) to test whether this tool is efficient in keeping evaluation time to a minimum and reducing screening and assessment burden on the patient. For this prospective validation study, we recruited a consecutive sample of ED patients aged 65 and older during an 11-day period in November 2015. Trained nurses assessed patients with the mCAM-ED. Results were compared to the reference standard [i.e. the geriatricians' delirium diagnosis based on the criteria of the Text Revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR)]. Performance criteria were computed. We included 286 consecutive ED patients aged 65 and older. The median age was 80.02 (Q 1  = 72.15; Q 3  = 86.76), 58.7% of included patients were female, 14.3% had dementia. We found a delirium prevalence of 7.0%. In patients with dementia, specificity and positive likelihood ratio were lower. When compared to the reference standard, delirium assessment with the mCAM-ED has a 0.98 specificity and a 39.9 positive likelihood ratio. In 80.0% of all cases, the first step of the mCAM-ED, i.e. screening for inattention with the MBT, took less than 30 s. On average, the complete mCAM-ED assessment required 3.2 (SD 2.0), 5.6 (SD 3.2), and 6.2 (SD 2.3) minutes in cognitively unimpaired patients, patients with dementia and patients with dementia or delirium, respectively. The mCAM-ED is able to efficiently rule out delirium as well as confirm the diagnosis of delirium in elderly patients with and without dementia and applies minimal screening and assessment burden on the patient.

Two-step glutamate dehydrogenase antigen real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of toxigenic Clostridium difficile.

PubMed

Goldenberg, S D; Cliff, P R; Smith, S; Milner, M; French, G L

2010-01-01

Current diagnosis of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) relies upon detection of toxins A/B in stool by enzyme immunoassay [EIA(A/B)]. This strategy is unsatisfactory because it has a low sensitivity resulting in significant false negatives. We investigated the performance of a two-step algorithm for diagnosis of CDI using detection of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). GDH-positive samples were tested for C. difficile toxin B gene (tcdB) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The performance of the two-step protocol was compared with toxin detection by the Meridian Premier EIA kit in 500 consecutive stool samples from patients with suspected CDI. The reference standard among samples that were positive by either EIA(A/B) or GDH testing was culture cytotoxin neutralisation (culture/CTN). Thirty-six (7%) of 500 samples were identified as true positives by culture/CTN. EIA(A/B) identified 14 of the positive specimens with 22 false negatives and two false positives. The two-step protocol identified 34 of the positive samples with two false positives and two false negatives. EIA(A/B) had a sensitivity of 39%, specificity of 99%, positive predictive value of 88% and negative predictive value of 95%. The two-step algorithm performed better, with corresponding values of 94%, 99%, 94% and 99% respectively. Screening for GDH before confirmation of positives by PCR is cheaper than screening all specimens by PCR and is an effective method for routine use. Current EIA(A/B) tests for CDI are of inadequate sensitivity and should be replaced; however, this may result in apparent changes in CDI rates that would need to be explained in national surveillance statistics. Copyright 2009 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Simulation trainer for practicing emergent open thoracotomy procedures.

PubMed

Hamilton, Allan J; Prescher, Hannes; Biffar, David E; Poston, Robert S

2015-07-01

An emergent open thoracotomy (OT) is a high-risk, low-frequency procedure uniquely suited for simulation training. We developed a cost-effective Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery trainer and assessed its potential for improving technical and interprofessional skills during an emergent simulated OT. We modified a commercially available mannequin torso with artificial tissue models to create a custom CT Surgery trainer. The trainer's feasibility for simulating emergent OT was tested using a multidisciplinary CT team in three consecutive in situ simulations. Five discretely observable milestones were identified as requisite steps in carrying out an emergent OT; namely (1) diagnosis and declaration of a code situation, (2) arrival of the code cart, (3) arrival of the thoracotomy tray, (4) initiation of the thoracotomy incision, and (5) defibrillation of a simulated heart. The time required for a team to achieve each discrete step was measured by an independent observer over the course of each OT simulation trial and compared. Over the course of the three OT simulation trials conducted in the coronary care unit, there was an average reduction of 29.5% (P < 0.05) in the times required to achieve the five critical milestones. The time required to complete the whole OT procedure improved by 7 min and 31 s from the initial to the final trial-an overall improvement of 40%. In our preliminary evaluation, the CT Surgery trainer appears to be useful for improving team performance during a simulated emergent bedside OT in the coronary care unit. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Residue behaviour of six pesticides in button crimini during home canning.

PubMed

Du, Pengqiang; Liu, Xingang; Gu, Xiaojun; Dong, Fengshou; Xu, Jun; Kong, Zhiqiang; Li, Yuanbo; Zheng, Yongquan

2014-01-01

The effect of home canning (including washing, boiling, cooling, adding solution and sterilisation) on residue levels of imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, abamectin, pyriproxyfen and β-cypermethrin and chlorothalonilin on button crimini was assessed. Residues of imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, abamectin and pyriproxyfen were measured by UPLC-MS/MS; the residues of β-cypermethrin and chlorothalonil were measured by GC. Results showed that washing resulted in a 3.8% reduction of the initial residue level of imidacloprid (p ≤ 0.05). From washing to sterilisation the processing effect was significant compared with raw crimini (p ≤ 0.05), but processing through cooling and adding solution had no effect. For diflubenzuron, from raw crimini to sterilisation the processing effect was significant by comparison with the initial level (p ≤ 0.05); the processing effect was not obvious between two sequential steps, and the sequential steps have list: washing and boiling, boiling and cooling, boiling and adding of solution, cooling and adding solution. The changes in abamectin levels were also significant from raw crimini to sterilisation compared with raw crimini (p ≤ 0.05), but the changes were not obvious from boiling to adding solution and amongst them. For pyriproxyfen, washing resulted in a 39% reduction, but changes were not obvious from washing to sterilisation, p ≤ 0.05 between two consecutive steps. The whole procedure could significantly decrease residues of β-cypermethrin (p ≤ 0.05); washing could significantly reduce residues of β-cypermethrin; the effects of last procedures were complicated, and p ≤ 0.05 between two consecutive steps. Washing resulted in an 80% reduction of chlorothalonil; after washing there were no detectable residues. After the whole process, the processing factors for imidacloprid, diflubenzuron, abamectin, pyriproxyfen, β-cypermethrin and chlorothalonil were 0.40, 0.22, 0.04, 0.85, 0.28 and 0, respectively.

Mathematical Modeling of Nitrous Oxide Production during Denitrifying Phosphorus Removal Process.

PubMed

Liu, Yiwen; Peng, Lai; Chen, Xueming; Ni, Bing-Jie

2015-07-21

A denitrifying phosphorus removal process undergoes frequent alternating anaerobic/anoxic conditions to achieve phosphate release and uptake, during which microbial internal storage polymers (e.g., Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)) could be produced and consumed dynamically. The PHA turnovers play important roles in nitrous oxide (N2O) accumulation during the denitrifying phosphorus removal process. In this work, a mathematical model is developed to describe N2O dynamics and the key role of PHA consumption on N2O accumulation during the denitrifying phosphorus removal process for the first time. In this model, the four-step anoxic storage of polyphosphate and four-step anoxic growth on PHA using nitrate, nitrite, nitric oxide (NO), and N2O consecutively by denitrifying polyphosphate accumulating organisms (DPAOs) are taken into account for describing all potential N2O accumulation steps in the denitrifying phosphorus removal process. The developed model is successfully applied to reproduce experimental data on N2O production obtained from four independent denitrifying phosphorus removal study reports with different experimental conditions. The model satisfactorily describes the N2O accumulation, nitrogen reduction, phosphate release and uptake, and PHA dynamics for all systems, suggesting the validity and applicability of the model. The results indicated a substantial role of PHA consumption in N2O accumulation due to the relatively low N2O reduction rate by using PHA during denitrifying phosphorus removal.

Computational Prediction of Excited-State Carbon Tunneling in the Two Steps of Triplet Zimmerman Di-π-Methane Rearrangement.

PubMed

Li, Xin; Liao, Tao; Chung, Lung Wa

2017-11-22

The photoinduced Zimmerman di-π-methane (DPM) rearrangement of polycyclic molecules to form synthetically useful cyclopropane derivatives was found experimentally to proceed in a triplet excited state. We have applied state-of-the-art quantum mechanical methods, including M06-2X, DLPNO-CCSD(T) and variational transition-state theory with multidimensional tunneling corrections, to an investigation of the reaction rates of the two steps in the triplet DPM rearrangement of dibenzobarrelene, benzobarrelene and barrelene. This study predicts a high probability of carbon tunneling in regions around the two consecutive transition states at 200-300 K, and an enhancement in the rates by 104-276/35-67% with carbon tunneling at 200/300 K. The Arrhenius plots of the rate constants were found to be curved at low temperatures. Moreover, the computed 12 C/ 13 C kinetic isotope effects were affected significantly by carbon tunneling and temperature. Our predictions of electronically excited-state carbon tunneling and two consecutive carbon tunneling are unprecedented. Heavy-atom tunneling in some photoinduced reactions with reactive intermediates and narrow barriers can be potentially observed at relatively low temperature in experiments.

What is in a word? Neuron: Early usage and evolution in antiquity to its long-lasting current significance.

PubMed

Frixione, Eugenio

2017-01-01

Neuron, a Greek term with a rustic background, made much of its way to its current significance since antiquity, when full recognition was achieved that sensory and motor signals travel through the animal body along nerves (neura, plural). Drawing from classic and recent historical scholarship, this study identifies the successive steps toward such a major breakthrough, starting from the usage of the expression in archaic times and continuing up to the much later transference of a mature theory into the modern world. It is shown that four main consecutive stages may be distinguished in the process: (a) incorporation of the word into early anatomical terminology; (b) theorizing on material composition, origin, properties, and role of the neura in animal bodies; (c) functional association of the neura with a transmitting vehicle; (d) identification of true anatomical and physiological correspondences. Upon this over 2000-year-old foundation is still being built one of the most relevant and fascinating scientific adventures of all time.

Preparative isolation and purification of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin from Capsici Fructus using supercritical fluid extraction combined with high speed countercurrent chromatography.

PubMed

Yan, Rongwei; Zhao, Leilei; Tao, Junfei; Zou, Yong; Xu, Xinjun

2018-05-01

Supercritical fluid extraction with CO 2 (SFE-CO 2 ) was utilized for extraction of capsaicin (CA) and dihydrocapsaicin (DHCA) from Capsici Fructus, and then a two-step enrichment method for separating capsaicinoids from SFE-CO 2 extracts was developed. The process involved extraction with aqueous methanol and crystallization by alkali extraction and acid precipitation. Finally, a consecutive high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) separation method was successfully applied in the purification of CA and DHCA from capsaicinoid crystal. The extraction pressure, extraction temperature and volume of co-solvent were optimized at 33 MPa, 41 °C and 75 mL, respectively, using response surface methodology; the extraction rates of CA and DHCA were about 93.18% and 93.49%, respectively. 407.43 mg capsaicinoid crystal was isolated from the SFE-CO 2 extracts obtained from 100 g capsicum powder by the two-step enrichment method. About 506 mg and 184 mg CA and DHCA with purities up to 98.31% and 96.68%, respectively, were obtained from 1 g capsaicinoid crystal in one HSCCC of three consecutive sample loadings without exchanging any solvent system. This method comprising SFE-CO 2 , a two-step enrichment and HSCCC was efficient, powerful and practical for the large-scale preparation of CA and DHCA from Capsici Fructus with high purity and high yield. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hyaluronan and N-ERC/mesothelin as key biomarkers in a specific two-step model to predict pleural malignant mesothelioma.

PubMed

Mundt, Filip; Nilsonne, Gustav; Arslan, Sertaç; Csürös, Karola; Hillerdal, Gunnar; Yildirim, Huseyin; Metintas, Muzaffer; Dobra, Katalin; Hjerpe, Anders

2013-01-01

Diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma is challenging. The first available diagnostic material is often an effusion and biochemical analysis of soluble markers may provide additional diagnostic information. This study aimed to establish a predictive model using biomarkers from pleural effusions, to allow early and accurate diagnosis. Effusions were collected prospectively from 190 consecutive patients at a regional referral centre. Hyaluronan, N-ERC/mesothelin, C-ERC/mesothelin, osteopontin, syndecan-1, syndecan-2, and thioredoxin were measured using ELISA and HPLC. A predictive model was generated and validated using a second prospective set of 375 effusions collected consecutively at a different referral centre. Biochemical markers significantly associated with mesothelioma were hyaluronan (odds ratio, 95% CI: 8.82, 4.82-20.39), N-ERC/mesothelin (4.81, 3.19-7.93), CERC/mesothelin (3.58, 2.43-5.59) and syndecan-1 (1.34, 1.03-1.77). A two-step model using hyaluronan and N-ERC/mesothelin, and combining a threshold decision rule with logistic regression, yielded good discrimination with an area under the ROC curve of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97-1.00) in the model generation dataset and 0.83 (0.74-0.91) in the validation dataset, respectively. A two-step model using hyaluronan and N-ERC/mesothelin predicts mesothelioma with high specificity. This method can be performed on the first available effusion and could be a useful adjunct to the morphological diagnosis of mesothelioma.

The semantic pathfinder: using an authoring metaphor for generic multimedia indexing.

PubMed

Snoek, Cees G M; Worring, Marcel; Geusebroek, Jan-Mark; Koelma, Dennis C; Seinstra, Frank J; Smeulders, Arnold W M

2006-10-01

This paper presents the semantic pathfinder architecture for generic indexing of multimedia archives. The semantic pathfinder extracts semantic concepts from video by exploring different paths through three consecutive analysis steps, which we derive from the observation that produced video is the result of an authoring-driven process. We exploit this authoring metaphor for machine-driven understanding. The pathfinder starts with the content analysis step. In this analysis step, we follow a data-driven approach of indexing semantics. The style analysis step is the second analysis step. Here, we tackle the indexing problem by viewing a video from the perspective of production. Finally, in the context analysis step, we view semantics in context. The virtue of the semantic pathfinder is its ability to learn the best path of analysis steps on a per-concept basis. To show the generality of this novel indexing approach, we develop detectors for a lexicon of 32 concepts and we evaluate the semantic pathfinder against the 2004 NIST TRECVID video retrieval benchmark, using a news archive of 64 hours. Top ranking performance in the semantic concept detection task indicates the merit of the semantic pathfinder for generic indexing of multimedia archives.

Adherence to wearing prescription custom-made footwear in patients with diabetes at high risk for plantar foot ulceration.

PubMed

Waaijman, Roelof; Keukenkamp, Renske; de Haart, Mirjam; Polomski, Wojtek P; Nollet, Frans; Bus, Sicco A

2013-06-01

Prescription custom-made footwear can only be effective in preventing diabetic foot ulcers if worn by the patient. Particularly, the high prevalence of recurrent foot ulcers focuses the attention on adherence, for which objective data are nonexisting. We objectively assessed adherence in patients with high risk of ulcer recurrence and evaluated what determines adherence. In 107 patients with diabetes, neuropathy, a recently healed plantar foot ulcer, and custom-made footwear, footwear use was measured during 7 consecutive days using a shoe-worn, temperature-based monitor. Daily step count was measured simultaneously using an ankle-worn activity monitor. Patients logged time away from home. Adherence was calculated as the percentage of steps that prescription footwear was worn. Determinants of adherence were evaluated in multivariate linear regression analysis. Mean ± SD adherence was 71 ± 25%. Adherence at home was 61 ± 32%, over 3,959 ± 2,594 steps, and away from home 87 ± 26%, over 2,604 ± 2,507 steps. In 35 patients with low adherence (<60%), adherence at home was 28 ± 24%. Lower BMI, more severe foot deformity, and more appealing footwear were significantly associated with higher adherence. The results show that adherence to wearing custom-made footwear is insufficient, particularly at home where patients exhibit their largest walking activity. This low adherence is a major threat for reulceration. These objective findings provide directions for improvement in adherence, which could include prescribing specific off-loading footwear for indoors, and they set a reference for future comparative research on footwear adherence in diabetes.

How humans use visual optic flow to regulate stepping during walking.

PubMed

Salinas, Mandy M; Wilken, Jason M; Dingwell, Jonathan B

2017-09-01

Humans use visual optic flow to regulate average walking speed. Among many possible strategies available, healthy humans walking on motorized treadmills allow fluctuations in stride length (L n ) and stride time (T n ) to persist across multiple consecutive strides, but rapidly correct deviations in stride speed (S n =L n /T n ) at each successive stride, n. Several experiments verified this stepping strategy when participants walked with no optic flow. This study determined how removing or systematically altering optic flow influenced peoples' stride-to-stride stepping control strategies. Participants walked on a treadmill with a virtual reality (VR) scene projected onto a 3m tall, 180° semi-cylindrical screen in front of the treadmill. Five conditions were tested: blank screen ("BLANK"), static scene ("STATIC"), or moving scene with optic flow speed slower than ("SLOW"), matched to ("MATCH"), or faster than ("FAST") walking speed. Participants took shorter and faster strides and demonstrated increased stepping variability during the BLANK condition compared to the other conditions. Thus, when visual information was removed, individuals appeared to walk more cautiously. Optic flow influenced both how quickly humans corrected stride speed deviations and how successful they were at enacting this strategy to try to maintain approximately constant speed at each stride. These results were consistent with Weber's law: healthy adults more-rapidly corrected stride speed deviations in a no optic flow condition (the lower intensity stimuli) compared to contexts with non-zero optic flow. These results demonstrate how the temporal characteristics of optic flow influence ability to correct speed fluctuations during walking. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Event-triggered logical flow control for comprehensive process integration of multi-step assays on centrifugal microfluidic platforms.

PubMed

Kinahan, David J; Kearney, Sinéad M; Dimov, Nikolay; Glynn, Macdara T; Ducrée, Jens

2014-07-07

The centrifugal "lab-on-a-disc" concept has proven to have great potential for process integration of bioanalytical assays, in particular where ease-of-use, ruggedness, portability, fast turn-around time and cost efficiency are of paramount importance. Yet, as all liquids residing on the disc are exposed to the same centrifugal field, an inherent challenge of these systems remains the automation of multi-step, multi-liquid sample processing and subsequent detection. In order to orchestrate the underlying bioanalytical protocols, an ample palette of rotationally and externally actuated valving schemes has been developed. While excelling with the level of flow control, externally actuated valves require interaction with peripheral instrumentation, thus compromising the conceptual simplicity of the centrifugal platform. In turn, for rotationally controlled schemes, such as common capillary burst valves, typical manufacturing tolerances tend to limit the number of consecutive laboratory unit operations (LUOs) that can be automated on a single disc. In this paper, a major advancement on recently established dissolvable film (DF) valving is presented; for the very first time, a liquid handling sequence can be controlled in response to completion of preceding liquid transfer event, i.e. completely independent of external stimulus or changes in speed of disc rotation. The basic, event-triggered valve configuration is further adapted to leverage conditional, large-scale process integration. First, we demonstrate a fluidic network on a disc encompassing 10 discrete valving steps including logical relationships such as an AND-conditional as well as serial and parallel flow control. Then we present a disc which is capable of implementing common laboratory unit operations such as metering and selective routing of flows. Finally, as a pilot study, these functions are integrated on a single disc to automate a common, multi-step lab protocol for the extraction of total RNA from mammalian cell homogenate.

Effects of low-energy electron irradiation on formation of nitrogen–vacancy centers in single-crystal diamond

DOE PAGES

Schwartz, J.; Aloni, S.; Ogletree, D. F.; ...

2012-04-20

Exposure to beams of low-energy electrons (2-30 keV) in a scanning electron microscope locally induces formation of NV-centers without thermal annealing in diamonds that have been implanted with nitrogen ions. In this study, we find that non-thermal, electron-beam-induced NV-formation is about four times less efficient than thermal annealing. But NV-center formation in a consecutive thermal annealing step (800°C) following exposure to low-energy electrons increases by a factor of up to 1.8 compared to thermal annealing alone. Finally, these observations point to reconstruction of nitrogen-vacancy complexes induced by electronic excitations from low-energy electrons as an NV-center formation mechanism and identify localmore » electronic excitations as a means for spatially controlled room-temperature NV-center formation.« less

Demonstrating a Conceptual Framework to Provide Efficient Wound Management Service for a Wound Care Center in a Tertiary Hospital.

PubMed

Chen, Yu-Tsung; Chang, Chang-Cheng; Shen, Jen-Hsiang; Lin, Wei-Nung; Chen, Mei-Yen

2015-11-01

Although the benefits of wound care services and multidisciplinary team care have been well elaborated on in the literature, there is a gap in the actual practice of wound care and the establishment of an efficient referral system. The conceptual framework for establishing efficient wound management services requires elucidation.A wound care center was established in a tertiary hospital in 2010, staffed by an integrated multidisciplinary team including plastic surgeons, a full-time coordinator, a physical therapist, occupational therapists, and other physician specialists. Referral patients were efficiently managed following a conceptual framework for wound care. This efficient wound management service consists of 3 steps: patient entry and onsite immediate wound debridement, wound re-evaluation, and individual wound bed preparation plan. Wound conditions were documented annually over 4 consecutive years.From January 2011 to December 2014, 1103 patients were recruited from outpatient clinics or inpatient consultations for the 3-step wound management service. Of these, 62% of patients achieved healing or improvement in wounds, 13% of patients experienced no change, and 25% of patients failed to follow-up. The outcome of wound treatment varied by wound type. Sixty-nine percent of diabetic foot ulcer patients were significantly healed or improved. In contrast, pressure ulcers were the most poorly healed wound type, with only 55% of patients achieving significantly healed or improved wounds.The 3-step wound management service in the wound care center efficiently provided onsite screening, timely debridement, and multidisciplinary team care. Patients could schedule appointments instead of waiting indefinitely for care. Further wound condition follow-up, education, and prevention were also continually provided.

Weekday-weekend patterns of physical activity and screen time in parents and their pre-schoolers.

PubMed

Sigmundová, Dagmar; Sigmund, Erik; Badura, Petr; Vokáčová, Jana; Trhlíková, Lucie; Bucksch, Jens

2016-08-30

This study focuses on the comparison of weekday/weekend parent-child behavioural patterns (step count (SC) and screen time (ST)) and answers the question of whether achieving the recommendations for daily SC (10,000) in parents also helps their preschool children achieve the recommended daily SC (11,500). The participants (278 parents aged 30-45 and their 194 children aged 4-7) were randomly recruited from 10 Czech public kindergartens. The participants recorded SC (pedometer Yamax Digiwalker SW-200) and ST duration (proxy-report) for seven consecutive days (≥8 h/day) during September-October 2014 and April-May 2015. Differences between weekdays/weekends SC or ST were tested using a paired t-test. The odds of achieving the recommended daily SC for children were estimated using general logistic regression separately for weekdays and weekends. Only the mothers were found to have a significantly lower SC at weekends than on weekdays. All of the participants showed significantly more ST at weekends than on weekdays (daughters: 78.6 vs. 45.7 min/day, p < 0.001; sons: 78.8 vs. 55.8 min/day; mothers: 93.0 vs. 68.3 min/day; and fathers: 116.6 vs. 87.5 min/day). Daughters and sons were significantly more likely to achieve daily SC recommendation if a) the SC on weekdays during the daily routine in kindergarten exceeded the median of kindergarten SC or b) at weekends if their mother (OR: 9.67, 95 % CI: 3.57-26.23) exceeded 10,000 steps a day. Especially at weekends, preschoolers have higher odds of meeting the recommended 11,500 steps per day when their mother reaches 10,000 steps per day and this is independent of the amount of parents' ST. Moreover, physical activity in kindergarten helps preschool children meet the 11,500 recommended steps per day on weekdays. Therefore, interventions to promote physical activity in preschoolers should focus on kindergartens and encourage involvement of their families.

Prostate ultrasound imaging: evaluation of a two-step scoring system in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

PubMed

Gao, Yong; Liao, Xin-Hong; Ma, Yan; Lu, Lu; Wei, Li-Yan; Yan, Xue

2017-12-01

This study aims to investigate the feasibility and performance of a two-step scoring system of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. 75 patients with 888 consecutive histopathologically verified lesions were included in this study. Step 1, an initial 5-point scoring system was developed based on conventional transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Step 2, a final scoring system was evaluated according to contrast-enhanced transrectal ultrasound (CE-TRUS). Each lesion was evaluated using the two-step scoring system (step 1 + step 2) and compared with only using conventional TRUS (step 1). 888 lesions were histologically verified: 315 of them were prostate cancer from 46 patients and 573 were benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) from 29 patients. According to the two-step scoring system, 284 lesions were upgraded and 130 lesions were downgraded from step 1 to step 2 (this means using step 2 to assess the results by step 1). However, 96 cases were improperly upgraded after step 2 and 48 malignant lesions were still missed after step 2 as score-1. For the two-step scoring system, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 84.7%, 83.2%, and 83.7%, respectively, versus 22.8%, 96.6%, and 70.4%, respectively, for conventional TRUS. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for lesion diagnosis was 0.799-0.952 for the two-step scoring system, versus 0.479-0.712 for conventional TRUS. The difference in the diagnostic accuracy of the two-step scoring system and conventional TRUS was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The two-step scoring system was straightforward to use and achieved a considerably accurate diagnostic performance for prostate cancer. The application of the two-step scoring system for prostate cancer is promising.

Daily steps among Finnish adults: variation by age, sex, and socioeconomic position.

PubMed

Hirvensalo, Mirja; Telama, Risto; Schmidt, Michael D; Tammelin, Tuija H; Xiaolin Yang; Magnussen, Costan G; Vkari, Jorma S A; Raitakari, Olli T

2011-11-01

The aim of this study was to provide descriptive population-based pedometer data from adults aged 30-45 years in Finland, and to compare daily step counts with evidence-based indices. The data was collected from 1853 participants in 7 consecutive days in winter 2007-08 in part of 27-year follow up of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study. The participants took (mean±standard deviation) 7499 ± 2908 steps/day. Step counts included 1925 ± 2052 aerobic steps/day gathered in bouts of at least 10 min continuous ambulatory activity. Women had more total steps than men ((7824 ± 2925 vs. 7089 ± 2774; p < 0.001). Although participants had higher mean total steps on weekdays than on weekend days, they took more aerobic steps on weekend days than weekdays (p < 0.001). High-level non-manual work, and unemployment were associated with having fewer total steps, but high-level non-manual workers had more aerobic steps than other occupation groups. According to pedometer thresholds proposed by Tudor-Locke and Basset, 26% of men and 16% of women could be classified as inactive (<5000 steps/day) and 20% of women and 15% of men would be classified as active (>10,000 steps/day). We conclude that about one-quarter of men and one-fifth of women are considered as inactive, based on the number of daily total steps. Our results suggest that total steps may provide a very different picture of activity from aerobic steps; important differences are evident by socioeconomic position and day of the week.

How Many Days Are Enough? A Study of 365 Days of Pedometer Monitoring

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kang, Minsoo; Bassett, David R.; Barreira, Tiago V.; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Ainsworth, Barbara; Reis, Jared P.; Strath, Scott; Swartz, Ann

2009-01-01

This study was designed to determine the number of days of pedometer monitoring necessary to achieve reliable and valid estimates of a 1-year average of step counts in adults based on either consecutive days (CD) or random days (RD) of data collection. Twenty-three participants (16 women; M age = 38 years, SD = 9.9) wore a Yamax SW 200 pedometer…

Evaluation of the "Angelina Jolie Effect" on Screening Mammography Utilization in an Academic Center.

PubMed

Huesch, Marco D; Schetter, Susann; Segel, Joel; Chetlen, Alison

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to understand the impact on screening mammography at our institution, comparing weekly utilization in the 2 years before and the 2 years after Ms Angelina Jolie disclosed in the New York Times on May 13, 2013, that she had had a prophylactic double mastectomy. All 48,110 consecutive screening mammograms conducted at our institution between May 16, 2011, and May 16, 2015, were selected from our electronic medical record system. We used interrupted time series statistical models and graphical methods on utilization data to understand utilization changes before and after Ms Jolie's news. The graphed trend of weekly screening mammogram utilization failed to show changes around the time of interest. Analytical models and statistical tests also failed to show a step change increase or acceleration of utilization around May 2013. However, graphical and time series analyses showed a flattening of utilization in the middle of 2014. In our well-powered analysis in a large regional breast imaging center, we found no support for the hypothesis that this celebrity news drove increased screening. Copyright © 2017 American College of Radiology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Solar kerosene from H2O and CO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Furler, P.; Marxer, D.; Scheffe, J.; Reinalda, D.; Geerlings, H.; Falter, C.; Batteiger, V.; Sizmann, A.; Steinfeld, A.

2017-06-01

The entire production chain for renewable kerosene obtained directly from sunlight, H2O, and CO2 is experimentally demonstrated. The key component of the production process is a high-temperature solar reactor containing a reticulated porous ceramic (RPC) structure made of ceria, which enables the splitting of H2O and CO2 via a 2-step thermochemical redox cycle. In the 1st reduction step, ceria is endo-thermally reduced using concentrated solar radiation as the energy source of process heat. In the 2nd oxidation step, nonstoichiometric ceria reacts with H2O and CO2 to form H2 and CO - syngas - which is finally converted into kerosene by the Fischer-Tropsch process. The RPC featured dual-scale porosity for enhanced heat and mass transfer: mm-size pores for volumetric radiation absorption during the reduction step and μm-size pores within its struts for fast kinetics during the oxidation step. We report on the engineering design of the solar reactor and the experimental demonstration of over 290 consecutive redox cycles for producing high-quality syngas suitable for the processing of liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

Single turnover studies of oxidative halophenol dehalogenation by horseradish peroxidase reveal a mechanism involving two consecutive one electron steps: toward a functional halophenol bioremediation catalyst.

PubMed

Sumithran, Suganya; Sono, Masanori; Raner, Gregory M; Dawson, John H

2012-12-01

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) catalyzes the oxidative para-dechlorination of the environmental pollutant/carcinogen 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP). A possible mechanism for this reaction is a direct oxygen atom transfer from HRP compound I (HRP I) to trichlorophenol to generate 2,6-dichloro 1,4-benzoquinone, a two-electron transfer process. An alternative mechanism involves two consecutive one-electron transfer steps in which HRP I is reduced to compound II (HRP II) and then to the ferric enzyme as first proposed by Wiese et al. [F.W. Wiese, H.C. Chang, R.V. Lloyd, J.P. Freeman, V.M. Samokyszyn, Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 34 (1998) 217-222]. To probe the mechanism of oxidative halophenol dehalogenation, the reactions between 2,4,6-TCP and HRP compounds I or II have been investigated under single turnover conditions (i.e., without excess H(2)O(2)) using rapid scan stopped-flow spectroscopy. Addition of 2,4,6-TCP to HRP I leads rapidly to HRP II and then more slowly to the ferric resting state, consistent with a mechanism involving two consecutive one-electron oxidations of the substrate via a phenoxy radical intermediate. HRP II can also directly dechlorinate 2,4,6-TCP as judged by rapid scan stopped-flow and mass spectrometry. This observation is particularly significant since HRP II can only carry out one-electron oxidations. A more detailed understanding of the mechanism of oxidative halophenol dehalogenation will facilitate the use of HRP as a halophenol bioremediation catalyst. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

2-Year follow-up to STeP trial shows sustainability of structured self-monitoring of blood glucose utilization: results from the STeP practice logistics and usability survey (STeP PLUS).

PubMed

Friedman, Kevin; Noyes, Jeannette; Parkin, Christopher G

2013-04-01

We report findings from a follow-up survey of clinicians from the STeP study that assessed their attitudes toward and current use of the Accu-Chek(®) 360° View tool (Roche Diagnostics, Indianapolis, IN) approximately 2 years after the study was completed. The Accu-Chek 360° View tool enables patients to record/plot a seven-point self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) profile (fasting, preprandial/2-h postprandial at each of the three meals, and bedtime) on 3 consecutive days, document meal sizes and energy levels, and comment on their SMBG experiences. Our findings showed that the majority of these physicians continue to use the tool with their patients, citing enhanced patient understanding and engagement, better discussions with patients regarding the impact of lifestyle behaviors, improved clinical outcomes, and better practice efficiencies as significant benefits of the tool.

A Case Study of the Environmental Experience of a Hospitalized Newborn Infant With Complex Congenital Heart Disease.

PubMed

Daniels, Jacki M; Harrison, Tondi M

2016-01-01

Infants with complex congenital heart disease are at high risk for developmental delays. Although the etiology of these delays is multifactorial, the physical environment may be a contributory factor. Extensive studies have been conducted in neonatal intensive care units measuring environmental influences on development, resulting in policy and practice changes. Cardiothoracic intensive care units and cardiac step-down units are new environments in which newborns with heart disease receive care. No environmental studies have been conducted in units caring for newborn infants recovering from cardiac surgery. The aim of this study is to examine the environmental experience of a newborn infant with heart disease after surgical intervention within the first month of life. Measurements of illumination, sound levels, and sleep were recorded on 1 infant for 2 consecutive postoperative days in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit and 2 consecutive days in the step-down unit. Although average daily noise exposure remained below recommended guidelines on 3 of 4 days, the infant experienced intermittent periods of excessive noise (≥55 dBA) during 59 of 87 hours and 110 episodes of acute noise events greater than 70 dBA. Average daily light exposure was below the recommended guidelines. However, light levels were more than twice the recommended levels at multiple points daily. For each of the 4 observation days, the infant experienced 66 to 102 awakenings during sleep, and sleep durations were less than 30 minutes 90% of the time. This study provides the first report of potential environmental stressors in newborn infants cared for in cardiac specialty units. Excessive levels of light and noise as well as frequent interruptions for medical and nursing care may contribute to disorganized sleep and increased patient distress and may impact subsequent neurodevelopment. Studies are needed to identify potentially adverse aspects of the intensive caregiving environment for newborn infants who have undergone cardiac surgery.

Associations between the Objectively Measured Office Environment and Workplace Step Count and Sitting Time: Cross-Sectional Analyses from the Active Buildings Study.

PubMed

Fisher, Abi; Ucci, Marcella; Smith, Lee; Sawyer, Alexia; Spinney, Richard; Konstantatou, Marina; Marmot, Alexi

2018-06-01

Office-based workers spend a large proportion of the day sitting and tend to have low overall activity levels. Despite some evidence that features of the external physical environment are associated with physical activity, little is known about the influence of the spatial layout of the internal environment on movement, and the majority of data use self-report. This study investigated associations between objectively-measured sitting time and activity levels and the spatial layout of office floors in a sample of UK office-based workers. Participants wore activPAL accelerometers for at least three consecutive workdays. Primary outcomes were steps and proportion of sitting time per working hour. Primary exposures were office spatial layout, which was objectively-measured by deriving key spatial variables: 'distance from each workstation to key office destinations', 'distance from participant's workstation to all other workstations', 'visibility of co-workers', and workstation 'closeness'. 131 participants from 10 organisations were included. Fifty-four per cent were female, 81% were white, and the majority had a managerial or professional role (72%) in their organisation. The average proportion of the working hour spent sitting was 0.7 (SD 0.15); participants took on average 444 (SD 210) steps per working hour. Models adjusted for confounders revealed significant negative associations between step count and distance from each workstation to all other office destinations (e.g., B = -4.66, 95% CI: -8.12, -1.12, p < 0.01) and nearest office destinations (e.g., B = -6.45, 95% CI: -11.88, -0.41, p < 0.05) and visibility of workstations when standing (B = -2.35, 95% CI: -3.53, -1.18, p < 0.001). The magnitude of these associations was small. There were no associations between spatial variables and sitting time per work hour. Contrary to our hypothesis, the further participants were from office destinations the less they walked, suggesting that changing the relative distance between workstations and other destinations on the same floor may not be the most fruitful target for promoting walking and reducing sitting in the workplace. However, reported effect sizes were very small and based on cross-sectional analyses. The approaches developed in this study could be applied to other office buildings to establish whether a specific office typology may yield more promising results.

Distinct motor impairments of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor knockout mice revealed by three types of motor behavior

PubMed Central

Nakamura, Toru; Sato, Asako; Kitsukawa, Takashi; Momiyama, Toshihiko; Yamamori, Tetsuo; Sasaoka, Toshikuni

2014-01-01

Both D1R and D2R knock out (KO) mice of the major dopamine receptors show significant motor impairments. However, there are some discrepant reports, which may be due to the differences in genetic background and experimental procedures. In addition, only few studies directly compared the motor performance of D1R and D2R KO mice. In this paper, we examined the behavioral difference among N10 congenic D1R and D2R KO, and wild type (WT) mice. First, we examined spontaneous motor activity in the home cage environment for consecutive 5 days. Second, we examined motor performance using the rota-rod task, a standard motor task in rodents. Third, we examined motor ability with the Step-Wheel task in which mice were trained to run in a motor-driven turning wheel adjusting their steps on foothold pegs to drink water. The results showed clear differences among the mice of three genotypes in three different types of behavior. In monitoring spontaneous motor activities, D1R and D2R KO mice showed higher and lower 24 h activities, respectively, than WT mice. In the rota-rod tasks, at a low speed, D1R KO mice showed poor performance but later improved, whereas D2R KO mice showed a good performance at early days without further improvement. When first subjected to a high speed task, the D2R KO mice showed poorer rota-rod performance at a low speed than the D1R KO mice. In the Step-Wheel task, across daily sessions, D2R KO mice increased the duration that mice run sufficiently close to the spout to drink water, and decreased time to touch the floor due to missing the peg steps and number of times the wheel was stopped, which performance was much better than that of D1R KO mice. These incongruent results between the two tasks for D1R and D2R KO mice may be due to the differences in the motivation for the rota-rod and Step-Wheel tasks, aversion- and reward-driven, respectively. The Step-Wheel system may become a useful tool for assessing the motor ability of WT and mutant mice. PMID:25076876

Distinct motor impairments of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor knockout mice revealed by three types of motor behavior.

PubMed

Nakamura, Toru; Sato, Asako; Kitsukawa, Takashi; Momiyama, Toshihiko; Yamamori, Tetsuo; Sasaoka, Toshikuni

2014-01-01

Both D1R and D2R knock out (KO) mice of the major dopamine receptors show significant motor impairments. However, there are some discrepant reports, which may be due to the differences in genetic background and experimental procedures. In addition, only few studies directly compared the motor performance of D1R and D2R KO mice. In this paper, we examined the behavioral difference among N10 congenic D1R and D2R KO, and wild type (WT) mice. First, we examined spontaneous motor activity in the home cage environment for consecutive 5 days. Second, we examined motor performance using the rota-rod task, a standard motor task in rodents. Third, we examined motor ability with the Step-Wheel task in which mice were trained to run in a motor-driven turning wheel adjusting their steps on foothold pegs to drink water. The results showed clear differences among the mice of three genotypes in three different types of behavior. In monitoring spontaneous motor activities, D1R and D2R KO mice showed higher and lower 24 h activities, respectively, than WT mice. In the rota-rod tasks, at a low speed, D1R KO mice showed poor performance but later improved, whereas D2R KO mice showed a good performance at early days without further improvement. When first subjected to a high speed task, the D2R KO mice showed poorer rota-rod performance at a low speed than the D1R KO mice. In the Step-Wheel task, across daily sessions, D2R KO mice increased the duration that mice run sufficiently close to the spout to drink water, and decreased time to touch the floor due to missing the peg steps and number of times the wheel was stopped, which performance was much better than that of D1R KO mice. These incongruent results between the two tasks for D1R and D2R KO mice may be due to the differences in the motivation for the rota-rod and Step-Wheel tasks, aversion- and reward-driven, respectively. The Step-Wheel system may become a useful tool for assessing the motor ability of WT and mutant mice.

Reaction Times to Consecutive Automation Failures: A Function of Working Memory and Sustained Attention.

PubMed

Jipp, Meike

2016-12-01

This study explored whether working memory and sustained attention influence cognitive lock-up, which is a delay in the response to consecutive automation failures. Previous research has demonstrated that the information that automation provides about failures and the time pressure that is associated with a task influence cognitive lock-up. Previous research has also demonstrated considerable variability in cognitive lock-up between participants. This is why individual differences might influence cognitive lock-up. The present study tested whether working memory-including flexibility in executive functioning-and sustained attention might be crucial in this regard. Eighty-five participants were asked to monitor automated aircraft functions. The experimental manipulation consisted of whether or not an initial automation failure was followed by a consecutive failure. Reaction times to the failures were recorded. Participants' working-memory and sustained-attention abilities were assessed with standardized tests. As expected, participants' reactions to consecutive failures were slower than their reactions to initial failures. In addition, working-memory and sustained-attention abilities enhanced the speed with which participants reacted to failures, more so with regard to consecutive than to initial failures. The findings highlight that operators with better working memory and sustained attention have small advantages when initial failures occur, but their advantages increase across consecutive failures. The results stress the need to consider personnel selection strategies to mitigate cognitive lock-up in general and training procedures to enhance the performance of low ability operators. © 2016, Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.

Efficiency and Safety of One-Step Procedure Combined Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and Eretrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Treatment of Cholecysto-Choledocholithiasis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PubMed

Liu, Zhiyi; Zhang, Luyao; Liu, Yanling; Gu, Yang; Sun, Tieliang

2017-11-01

We aimed to evaluate the efficiency and safety of one-step procedure combined endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for treatment of patients with cholecysto-choledocholithiasis. A prospective randomized study was performed on 63 consecutive cholecysto-choledocholithiasis patients during 2008 and 2011. The efficiency and safety of one-step procedure was assessed by comparing the two-step LC with ERCP + endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). Outcomes including intraoperative features, postoperative features (length of stay and postoperative complications) were evaluated. One- or two-step procedure of LC with ERCP + EST was successfully performed in all patients, and common bile duct stones were completely removed. Statistical analyses showed that length of stay and pulmonary infection rate were significantly lower in the test group compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05), whereas no statistical difference in other outcomes was found between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The one-step procedure of LC with ERCP + EST is superior to the two-step procedure for treatment of patients with cholecysto-choledocholithiasis regarding to the reduced hospital stay and inhibited occurrence of pulmonary infections. Compared with two-step procedure, one-step procedure of LC with ERCP + EST may be a superior option for cholecysto-choledocholithiasis patients treatment regarding to hospital stay and pulmonary infections.

Nitric Oxide Reduction to Ammonia by TiO 2 Electrons in Colloid Solution via Consecutive One-Electron Transfer Steps

DOE PAGES

Goldstein, Sara; Behar, David; Rajh, Tijana; ...

2015-03-02

The reaction mechanism of nitric oxide (NO) reduction by excess electrons on TiO 2 nanoparticles (e TiO2–) has been studied under anaerobic conditions. TiO 2 was loaded with 10–130 electrons per particle using γ-irradiation of acidic TiO 2 colloid solutions containing 2-propanol. The study is based on time-resolved kinetics and reactants and products analysis. The reduction of NO by e TiO2– is interpreted in terms of competition between a reaction path leading to formation of NH 3 and a path leading to N 2O and N 2. The proposed mechanism involves consecutive one-electron transfers of NO, and its reduction intermediatesmore » HNO, NH 2O•, and NH 2OH. The results show that e TiO2– does not reduce N 2O and N 2. Second-order rate constants of e TiO2– reactions with NO (740 ± 30 M –1 s –1) and NH 2OH (270 ± 30 M –1 s –1) have been determined employing the rapid-mixing stopped-flow technique and that with HNO (>1.3 × 10 6 M –1 s –1) was derived from fitting the kinetic traces to the suggested reaction mechanism, which is discussed in detail.« less

Objectively measured physical activity level during a physical education class: a pilot study with Swedish youth.

PubMed

Raustorp, Anders; Boldemann, Cecilia; Johansson, Maria; Mårtensson, Fredrika

2010-01-01

The aim of this study is to advance our knowledge of the contribution of a typical physical education (PE) class to children's daily physical activity. The pilot project is a part of a survey study comprising 11 fourth grader classes (250 pupils). One class of 19 pupils (9 girls) participated in the pilot study. Daily step counts were measured by Yamax pedometers during four consecutive weekdays. During PE class, the participants wore a second pedometer and an Actigraph GT1M accelerometer. The total average step count during PE class was 2512, average 74 steps/min. The counts for the whole day were 16668, and 19 steps/min respectively. The total share of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) of the PE class was 50.4% (52.5% and 48.3% for boys and girls respectively). There was an inverse correlation between daily mean step count and contribution of PE class step to daily mean step (r = -0.64, p = .003). The contribution of PE class to MVPA was in high in both boys and girls. Considering the suggested independent role of physical fitness for cardiovascular health in children, the PE class must be seen as an important health factor, especially for otherwise inactive children.

Factors Leading to Pregnancies in Stimulated Intrauterine Insemination Cycles and the Use of Consecutive Ejaculations Within a Small Clinic Environment.

PubMed

Bahadur, Gulam; Almossawi, Ofran; IIlahibuccus, Afeeza; Al-Habib, Ansam; Okolo, Stanley

2016-10-01

Understanding and improving IUI pregnancy rates has enormous global appeal and application. This pilot study goes one step further by utilising consecutive ejaculates from men with oligozoospermia and comparing with normozoospermic male group. A retrospective analysis was performed on 117 IUI-stimulated treatment cycles in a small fertility clinic in North Middlesex University Hospitals Trust, UK, within a NHS setting. Risks of OHSS and multiple births are carefully controlled. In our cohort, several factors are associated with positive IUI pregnancies and these were: age of the woman, inseminating with ≥5 total progressive motile sperm; having ≥50 % Grade A sperm progression and having ≥1 follicle achieved with a realistic hMG dosage, hCG trigger and IUI of 29.7 h (2.5-38.4 h), with an endometrial thickness of 10.7 mm (6.6-13.4 mm). Bifollicular presence in at least half the cases along with hMG protocols added usefully to the pregnancy outcomes. The pregnancy rates per cycle were 19 and 23 % in the consecutive ejaculates and non-consecutive ejaculate groups, respectively, P = 0.59. For the whole cohort, the pregnancy rate was 20.51 % per cycle and 33.8 % per women. This approach if validated with large RCT will have universally beneficial effects.

Catalytic Upgrading of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to Drop-in Biofuels by Solid Base and Bifunctional Metal-Acid Catalysts.

PubMed

Bohre, Ashish; Saha, Basudeb; Abu-Omar, Mahdi M

2015-12-07

Design and synthesis of effective heterogeneous catalysts for the conversion of biomass intermediates into long chain hydrocarbon precursors and their subsequent deoxygenation to hydrocarbons is a viable strategy for upgrading lignocellulose into distillate range drop-in biofuels. Herein, we report a two-step process for upgrading 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to C9 and C11 fuels with high yield and selectivity. The first step involves aldol condensation of HMF and acetone with a water tolerant solid base catalyst, zirconium carbonate (Zr(CO3 )x ), which gave 92 % C9 -aldol product with high selectivity at nearly 100 % HMF conversion. The as-synthesised Zr(CO3 )x was analysed by several analytical methods for elucidating its structural properties. Recyclability studies of Zr(CO3 )x revealed a negligible loss of its activity after five consecutive cycles over 120 h of operation. Isolated aldol product from the first step was hydrodeoxygenated with a bifunctional Pd/Zeolite-β catalyst in ethanol, which showed quantitative conversion of the aldol product to n-nonane and 1-ethoxynonane with 40 and 56 % selectivity, respectively. 1-Ethoxynonane, a low oxygenate diesel range fuel, which we report for the first time in this paper, is believed to form through etherification of the hydroxymethyl group of the aldol product with ethanol followed by opening of the furan ring and hydrodeoxygenation of the ether intermediate. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Working with a fixed operating room team on consecutive similar cases and the effect on case duration and turnover time.

PubMed

Stepaniak, Pieter S; Vrijland, Wietske W; de Quelerij, Marcel; de Vries, Guus; Heij, Christiaan

2010-12-01

If variation in procedure times could be controlled or better predicted, the cost of surgeries could be reduced through improved scheduling of surgical resources. This study on the impact of similar consecutive cases on the turnover, surgical, and procedure times tests the perception that repeating the same manual tasks reduces the duration of these tasks. We hypothesize that when a fixed team works on similar consecutive cases the result will be shorter turnover and procedure duration as well as less variation as compared with the situation without a fixed team. Case-control study. St Franciscus Hospital, a large general teaching hospital in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Two procedures, inguinal hernia repair and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were selected and divided across a control group and a study group. Patients were randomly assigned to the study or control group. Preparation time, surgical time, procedure time, and turnover time. For inguinal hernia repair, we found a significantly lower preparation time and 10 minutes less procedure time in the study group, as compared with the control group. Variation in the study group was lower, as compared with the control group. For laparoscopic cholecystectomy, preparation time was significantly lower in the study group, as compared with the control group. For both procedures, there was a significant decrease in turnover time. Scheduling similar consecutive cases and performing with a fixed team results in lower turnover times and preparation times. The procedure time of the inguinal hernia repair decreased significantly and has practical scheduling implications. For more complex surgery, like laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there is no effect on procedure time.

Adherence to Wearing Prescription Custom-Made Footwear in Patients With Diabetes at High Risk for Plantar Foot Ulceration

PubMed Central

Waaijman, Roelof; Keukenkamp, Renske; de Haart, Mirjam; Polomski, Wojtek P.; Nollet, Frans; Bus, Sicco A.

2013-01-01

OBJECTIVE Prescription custom-made footwear can only be effective in preventing diabetic foot ulcers if worn by the patient. Particularly, the high prevalence of recurrent foot ulcers focuses the attention on adherence, for which objective data are nonexisting. We objectively assessed adherence in patients with high risk of ulcer recurrence and evaluated what determines adherence. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In 107 patients with diabetes, neuropathy, a recently healed plantar foot ulcer, and custom-made footwear, footwear use was measured during 7 consecutive days using a shoe-worn, temperature-based monitor. Daily step count was measured simultaneously using an ankle-worn activity monitor. Patients logged time away from home. Adherence was calculated as the percentage of steps that prescription footwear was worn. Determinants of adherence were evaluated in multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS Mean ± SD adherence was 71 ± 25%. Adherence at home was 61 ± 32%, over 3,959 ± 2,594 steps, and away from home 87 ± 26%, over 2,604 ± 2,507 steps. In 35 patients with low adherence (<60%), adherence at home was 28 ± 24%. Lower BMI, more severe foot deformity, and more appealing footwear were significantly associated with higher adherence. CONCLUSIONS The results show that adherence to wearing custom-made footwear is insufficient, particularly at home where patients exhibit their largest walking activity. This low adherence is a major threat for reulceration. These objective findings provide directions for improvement in adherence, which could include prescribing specific off-loading footwear for indoors, and they set a reference for future comparative research on footwear adherence in diabetes. PMID:23321218

Three-dimensional finite analysis of acetabular contact pressure and contact area during normal walking.

PubMed

Wang, Guangye; Huang, Wenjun; Song, Qi; Liang, Jinfeng

2017-11-01

This study aims to analyze the contact areas and pressure distributions between the femoral head and mortar during normal walking using a three-dimensional finite element model (3D-FEM). Computed tomography (CT) scanning technology and a computer image processing system were used to establish the 3D-FEM. The acetabular mortar model was used to simulate the pressures during 32 consecutive normal walking phases and the contact areas at different phases were calculated. The distribution of the pressure peak values during the 32 consecutive normal walking phases was bimodal, which reached the peak (4.2 Mpa) at the initial phase where the contact area was significantly higher than that at the stepping phase. The sites that always kept contact were concentrated on the acetabular top and leaned inwards, while the anterior and posterior acetabular horns had no pressure concentration. The pressure distributions of acetabular cartilage at different phases were significantly different, the zone of increased pressure at the support phase distributed at the acetabular top area, while that at the stepping phase distributed in the inside of acetabular cartilage. The zones of increased contact pressure and the distributions of acetabular contact areas had important significance towards clinical researches, and could indicate the inductive factors of acetabular osteoarthritis. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.

An efficient method for computing unsteady transonic aerodynamics of swept wings with control surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, D. D.; Kao, Y. F.; Fung, K. Y.

1989-01-01

A transonic equivalent strip (TES) method was further developed for unsteady flow computations of arbitrary wing planforms. The TES method consists of two consecutive correction steps to a given nonlinear code such as LTRAN2; namely, the chordwise mean flow correction and the spanwise phase correction. The computation procedure requires direct pressure input from other computed or measured data. Otherwise, it does not require airfoil shape or grid generation for given planforms. To validate the computed results, four swept wings of various aspect ratios, including those with control surfaces, are selected as computational examples. Overall trends in unsteady pressures are established with those obtained by XTRAN3S codes, Isogai's full potential code and measured data by NLR and RAE. In comparison with these methods, the TES has achieved considerable saving in computer time and reasonable accuracy which suggests immediate industrial applications.

Experimental evidence of {alpha}-olefin readsorption in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on ruthenium-supported ETS-10 titanium silicate catalysts

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

Bianchi, C.L.; Ragaini, V.

1997-05-01

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis seems to develop the following two consecutive paths: a primary process that involves the formation of {alpha}-olefin products and a secondary process leading to the production of branched isomers and paraffins and requiring the readsorption of primary {alpha}-olefin products. It was already shown by Iglesia et al. that such readsorption steps are of fundamental importance for Ru catalysts and that they occur due to the slow diffusive removal of {alpha}-olefins when the molecular size increases, this resulting in a long intraparticle residence time. In the present paper {alpha}-olefins readsorption was enhanced by changing the metal distribution inside themore » pores of a titanium silicate (ETS-10), modified by ion exchange with alkali metal ions, used as a support for Ru-based catalysts. 24 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.« less

An improved model for teaching use of electronic apex locators.

PubMed

Tchorz, J P; Hellwig, E; Altenburger, M J

2012-04-01

To develop a simple, practical and inexpensive model, which enables the use of electronic apex locators (EALs) during pre-clinical and continuing education. Extracted teeth were placed in a mould and embedded in acrylic resin. The resin was applied in two consecutive steps to form a cavity around the root apices. A closable plastic tube serves as a valve, and a steel wire connects to the EAL. With its semi-closed reservoir for conductive fluids surrounding the root apices, the new model enables working length measurements of root canals using EALs. The model simulates the clinical situation for endodontic teaching purposes, as it allows working length determination of root canals as recommended. The measuring results of the EAL can be verified by radiography. At the same time, the roots are not directly visible and accessible to the user, allowing a precise evaluation and grading of the treatment. © 2011 International Endodontic Journal.

Effect of Methylation on Local Mechanics and Hydration Structure of DNA.

PubMed

Teng, Xiaojing; Hwang, Wonmuk

2018-04-24

Cytosine methylation affects mechanical properties of DNA and potentially alters the hydration fingerprint for recognition by proteins. The atomistic origin for these effects is not well understood, and we address this via all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the stiffness of the methylated dinucleotide step changes marginally, whereas the neighboring steps become stiffer. Stiffening is further enhanced for consecutively methylated steps, providing a mechanistic origin for the effect of hypermethylation. Steric interactions between the added methyl groups and the nonpolar groups of the neighboring nucleotides are responsible for the stiffening in most cases. By constructing hydration maps, we found that methylation also alters the surface hydration structure in distinct ways. Its resistance to deformation may contribute to the stiffening of DNA for deformational modes lacking steric interactions. These results highlight the sequence- and deformational-mode-dependent effects of cytosine methylation. Copyright © 2018 Biophysical Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The parallel programming of voluntary and reflexive saccades.

PubMed

Walker, Robin; McSorley, Eugene

2006-06-01

A novel two-step paradigm was used to investigate the parallel programming of consecutive, stimulus-elicited ('reflexive') and endogenous ('voluntary') saccades. The mean latency of voluntary saccades, made following the first reflexive saccades in two-step conditions, was significantly reduced compared to that of voluntary saccades made in the single-step control trials. The latency of the first reflexive saccades was modulated by the requirement to make a second saccade: first saccade latency increased when a second voluntary saccade was required in the opposite direction to the first saccade, and decreased when a second saccade was required in the same direction as the first reflexive saccade. A second experiment confirmed the basic effect and also showed that a second reflexive saccade may be programmed in parallel with a first voluntary saccade. The results support the view that voluntary and reflexive saccades can be programmed in parallel on a common motor map.

Agreement between pedometer and accelerometer in measuring physical activity in overweight and obese pregnant women.

PubMed

Kinnunen, Tarja I; Tennant, Peter W G; McParlin, Catherine; Poston, Lucilla; Robson, Stephen C; Bell, Ruth

2011-06-27

Inexpensive, reliable objective methods are needed to measure physical activity (PA) in large scale trials. This study compared the number of pedometer step counts with accelerometer data in pregnant women in free-living conditions to assess agreement between these measures. Pregnant women (n = 58) with body mass index ≥25 kg/m(2) at median 13 weeks' gestation wore a GT1M Actigraph accelerometer and a Yamax Digi-Walker CW-701 pedometer for four consecutive days. The Spearman rank correlation coefficients were determined between pedometer step counts and various accelerometer measures of PA. Total agreement between accelerometer and pedometer step counts was evaluated by determining the 95% limits of agreement estimated using a regression-based method. Agreement between the monitors in categorising participants as active or inactive was assessed by determining Kappa. Pedometer step counts correlated moderately (r = 0.36 to 0.54) with most accelerometer measures of PA. Overall step counts recorded by the pedometer and the accelerometer were not significantly different (medians 5961 vs. 5687 steps/day, p = 0.37). However, the 95% limits of agreement ranged from -2690 to 2656 steps/day for the mean step count value (6026 steps/day) and changed substantially over the range of values. Agreement between the monitors in categorising participants to active and inactive varied from moderate to good depending on the criteria adopted. Despite statistically significant correlations and similar median step counts, the overall agreement between pedometer and accelerometer step counts was poor and varied with activity level. Pedometer and accelerometer steps cannot be used interchangeably in overweight and obese pregnant women.

Wearable Sensors in Huntington Disease: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Andrzejewski, Kelly L; Dowling, Ariel V; Stamler, David; Felong, Timothy J; Harris, Denzil A; Wong, Cynthia; Cai, Hang; Reilmann, Ralf; Little, Max A; Gwin, Joseph T; Biglan, Kevin M; Dorsey, E Ray

2016-06-18

The Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) is the principal means of assessing motor impairment in Huntington disease but is subjective and generally limited to in-clinic assessments. To evaluate the feasibility and ability of wearable sensors to measure motor impairment in individuals with Huntington disease in the clinic and at home. Participants with Huntington disease and controls were asked to wear five accelerometer-based sensors attached to the chest and each limb for standardized, in-clinic assessments and for one day at home. A second chest sensor was worn for six additional days at home. Gait measures were compared between controls, participants with Huntington disease, and participants with Huntington disease grouped by UHDRS total motor score using Cohen's d values. Fifteen individuals with Huntington disease and five controls completed the study. Sensor data were successfully captured from 18 of the 20 participants at home. In the clinic, the standard deviation of step time (time between consecutive steps) was increased in Huntington disease (p < 0.0001; Cohen's d = 2.61) compared to controls. At home with additional observations, significant differences were observed in seven additional gait measures. The gait of individuals with higher total motor scores (50 or more) differed significantly from those with lower total motor scores (below 50) on multiple measures at home. In this pilot study, the use of wearable sensors in clinic and at home was feasible and demonstrated gait differences between controls, participants with Huntington disease, and participants with Huntington disease grouped by motor impairment.

Removal and recovery of uranium(VI) by waste digested activated sludge in fed-batch stirred tank reactor.

PubMed

Jain, Rohan; Peräniemi, Sirpa; Jordan, Norbert; Vogel, Manja; Weiss, Stephan; Foerstendorf, Harald; Lakaniemi, Aino-Maija

2018-05-24

This study demonstrated the removal and recovery of uranium(VI) in a fed-batch stirred tank reactor (STR) using waste digested activated sludge (WDAS). The batch adsorption experiments showed that WDAS can adsorb 200 (±9.0) mg of uranium(VI) per g of WDAS. The maximum adsorption of uranium(VI) was achieved even at an acidic initial pH of 2.7 which increased to a pH of 4.0 in the equilibrium state. Desorption of uranium(VI) from WDAS was successfully demonstrated from the release of more than 95% of uranium(VI) using both acidic (0.5 M HCl) and alkaline (1.0 M Na 2 CO 3 ) eluents. Due to the fast kinetics of uranium(VI) adsorption onto WDAS, the fed-batch STR was successfully operated at a mixing time of 15 min. Twelve consecutive uranium(VI) adsorption steps with an average adsorption efficiency of 91.5% required only two desorption steps to elute more than 95% of uranium(VI) from WDAS. Uranium(VI) was shown to interact predominantly with the phosphoryl and carboxyl groups of the WDAS, as revealed by in situ infrared spectroscopy and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy studies. This study provides a proof-of-concept of the use of fed-batch STR process based on WDAS for the removal and recovery of uranium(VI). Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of a dual-task net-step exercise on cognitive and gait function in older adults.

PubMed

Kitazawa, Kazutoshi; Showa, Satoko; Hiraoka, Akira; Fushiki, Yasuhiro; Sakauchi, Humio; Mori, Mitsuru

2015-01-01

Participation in generally recommended aerobics or strength exercises may be challenging for older adults. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the types and levels of physical activities suited for them to improve their cognitive and gait function and adherence to exercise programs. This has prompted efforts to identify exercises that require less physical strength and frequency of performance, while still offering cognitive and health benefits. Here, we aimed to assess the effect of a novel dual-task net-step exercise (NSE) performed once a week for 8 consecutive weeks on improvements in cognitive performance and gait function in an older population. In this pretest/posttest experimental case control study, 60 healthy older adults (mean age 76.4 years) were recruited from community-dwelling people and separated randomly into 2 groups: a dual-task NSE group and a control group. The NSE group was asked to walk across a net without stepping on the ropes or being caught in the net. Two computer panel-type cognitive functional assessments, the Touch-M and Touch Panel-Type Dementia Assessment Scale, were administered at baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention to determine the effects of NSE. Improvements in gait function were also evaluated using Timed Up and Go test scores. Mixed-effect models with repeated measures (group × time) (analysis of variance, F test) were used to test the effects of NSE. Adjustments were made for covariates including age and sex (analysis of covariance). The NSE group showed significant improvement in cognitive performance (6.8% change; total Touch-M score 5.4 points; P = .04) and gait performance (11.5% change; Timed Up and Go time -0.98 second; P < .001) over the 8-week period. In the control group, there was no significant improvement. This study shows that dual-task NSE is capable of improving cognitive and gait performance in healthy older adults. Our results indicate that NSE offers an option for a large segment of the older population who need an easier way to maintain their cognitive health and gait function.

More reliable protein NMR peak assignment via improved 2-interval scheduling.

PubMed

Chen, Zhi-Zhong; Lin, Guohui; Rizzi, Romeo; Wen, Jianjun; Xu, Dong; Xu, Ying; Jiang, Tao

2005-03-01

Protein NMR peak assignment refers to the process of assigning a group of "spin systems" obtained experimentally to a protein sequence of amino acids. The automation of this process is still an unsolved and challenging problem in NMR protein structure determination. Recently, protein NMR peak assignment has been formulated as an interval scheduling problem (ISP), where a protein sequence P of amino acids is viewed as a discrete time interval I (the amino acids on P one-to-one correspond to the time units of I), each subset S of spin systems that are known to originate from consecutive amino acids from P is viewed as a "job" j(s), the preference of assigning S to a subsequence P of consecutive amino acids on P is viewed as the profit of executing job j(s) in the subinterval of I corresponding to P, and the goal is to maximize the total profit of executing the jobs (on a single machine) during I. The interval scheduling problem is max SNP-hard in general; but in the real practice of protein NMR peak assignment, each job j(s) usually requires at most 10 consecutive time units, and typically the jobs that require one or two consecutive time units are the most difficult to assign/schedule. In order to solve these most difficult assignments, we present an efficient 13/7-approximation algorithm for the special case of the interval scheduling problem where each job takes one or two consecutive time units. Combining this algorithm with a greedy filtering strategy for handling long jobs (i.e., jobs that need more than two consecutive time units), we obtain a new efficient heuristic for protein NMR peak assignment. Our experimental study shows that the new heuristic produces the best peak assignment in most of the cases, compared with the NMR peak assignment algorithms in the recent literature. The above algorithm is also the first approximation algorithm for a nontrivial case of the well-known interval scheduling problem that breaks the ratio 2 barrier.

Validity of the SenseWear armband step count measure during controlled and free-living conditions.

PubMed

Lee, Joey Allen; Laurson, Kelly Rian

2015-06-01

Advances in technology continue to provide numerous options for physical activity assessment. These advances necessitate evaluation of the validity of newly developed activity monitors being used in clinical and research settings. The purpose of this study was to validate the SenseWear Pro3 Armband (SWA) step counts during treadmill walking and free-living conditions. Study 1 observed 39 individuals (17 males, 22 females) wearing an SWA and a Yamax Digiwalker SW-701 pedometer (DIGI) during treadmill walking, utilizing manually counted steps as the criterion. Study 2 compared free-living step count data from 35 participants (17 males, 18 females) wearing the SWA and DIGI (comparison) for 3 consecutive days. During Study 1, the SWA underestimated steps by 16.0%, 10.7%, 5.6%, 6.1%, and 6.5% at speeds of 54 m/min, 67 m/min, 80 m/min, 94 m/min, and 107 m/min, respectively, compared to manually counted steps. During Study 2, the intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficient of mean steps/d between the SWA and DIGI was strong (r = 0.98, p  < 0.001). Unlike Study 1, the SWA overestimated step counts during the 3-day wear period by an average of 1028 steps/d (or +11.3%) compared to the DIGI. When analyzed individually, the SWA consistently overestimated step counts for each day ( p  < 0.05). The SWA underestimates steps during treadmill walking and appears to overestimate steps during free-living compared to the DIGI pedometer. Caution is warranted when using the SWA to count steps. Modifications are needed to enhance step counting accuracy.

Very Long (> 48 hours) Shifts and Cardiovascular Strain in Firefighters: a Theoretical Framework

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Shift work and overtime have been implicated as important work-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Many firefighters who contractually work on a 24-hr work schedule, often do overtime (additional 24-hr shifts) which can result in working multiple, consecutive 24-hr shifts. Very little research has been conducted on firefighters at work that examines the impact of performing consecutive 24-hr shifts on cardiovascular physiology. Also, there have been no standard field methods for assessing in firefighters the cardiovascular changes that result from 24-hr shifts, what we call “cardiovascular strain”. The objective of this study, as the first step toward elucidating the role of very long (> 48 hrs) shifts in the development of CVD in firefighters, is to develop and describe a theoretical framework for studying cardiovascular strain in firefighters on very long shifts (i.e., > 2 consecutive 24-hr shifts). The developed theoretical framework was built on an extensive literature review, our recently completed studies with firefighters in Southern California, e-mail and discussions with several firefighters on their experiences of consecutive shifts, and our recently conducted feasibility study in a small group of firefighters of several ambulatory cardiovascular strain biomarkers (heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, salivary cortisol, and salivary C-reactive protein). The theoretical framework developed in this study will facilitate future field studies on consecutive 24-hr shifts and cardiovascular health in firefighters. Also it will increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which shift work or long work hours can affect CVD, particularly through CVD biological risk factors, and thereby inform policy about sustainable work and rest schedules for firefighters. PMID:24602344

Very Long (> 48 hours) Shifts and Cardiovascular Strain in Firefighters: a Theoretical Framework.

PubMed

Choi, Bongkyoo; Schnall, Peter L; Dobson, Marnie; Garcia-Rivas, Javier; Kim, Hyoungryoul; Zaldivar, Frank; Israel, Leslie; Baker, Dean

2014-03-06

Shift work and overtime have been implicated as important work-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Many firefighters who contractually work on a 24-hr work schedule, often do overtime (additional 24-hr shifts) which can result in working multiple, consecutive 24-hr shifts. Very little research has been conducted on firefighters at work that examines the impact of performing consecutive 24-hr shifts on cardiovascular physiology. Also, there have been no standard field methods for assessing in firefighters the cardiovascular changes that result from 24-hr shifts, what we call "cardiovascular strain". The objective of this study, as the first step toward elucidating the role of very long (> 48 hrs) shifts in the development of CVD in firefighters, is to develop and describe a theoretical framework for studying cardiovascular strain in firefighters on very long shifts (i.e., > 2 consecutive 24-hr shifts). The developed theoretical framework was built on an extensive literature review, our recently completed studies with firefighters in Southern California, e-mail and discussions with several firefighters on their experiences of consecutive shifts, and our recently conducted feasibility study in a small group of firefighters of several ambulatory cardiovascular strain biomarkers (heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure, salivary cortisol, and salivary C-reactive protein). The theoretical framework developed in this study will facilitate future field studies on consecutive 24-hr shifts and cardiovascular health in firefighters. Also it will increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which shift work or long work hours can affect CVD, particularly through CVD biological risk factors, and thereby inform policy about sustainable work and rest schedules for firefighters.

Ship Speed Retrieval From Single Channel TerraSAR-X Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soccorsi, Matteo; Lehner, Susanne

2010-04-01

A method to estimate the speed of a moving ship is presented. The technique, introduced in Kirscht (1998), is extended to marine application and validated on TerraSAR-X High-Resolution (HR) data. The generation of a sequence of single-look SAR images from a single- channel image corresponds to an image time series with reduced resolution. This allows applying change detection techniques on the time series to evaluate the velocity components in range and azimuth of the ship. The evaluation of the displacement vector of a moving target in consecutive images of the sequence allows the estimation of the azimuth velocity component. The range velocity component is estimated by evaluating the variation of the signal amplitude during the sequence. In order to apply the technique on TerraSAR-X Spot Light (SL) data a further processing step is needed. The phase has to be corrected as presented in Eineder et al. (2009) due to the SL acquisition mode; otherwise the image sequence cannot be generated. The analysis, when possible validated by the Automatic Identification System (AIS), was performed in the framework of the ESA project MARISS.

Predicting airborne particle deposition by a modified Markov chain model for fast estimation of potential contaminant spread

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mei, Xiong; Gong, Guangcai

2018-07-01

As potential carriers of hazardous pollutants, airborne particles may deposit onto surfaces due to gravitational settling. A modified Markov chain model to predict gravity induced particle dispersion and deposition is proposed in the paper. The gravity force is considered as a dominant weighting factor to adjust the State Transfer Matrix, which represents the probabilities of the change of particle spatial distributions between consecutive time steps within an enclosure. The model performance has been further validated by particle deposition in a ventilation chamber and a horizontal turbulent duct flow in pre-existing literatures. Both the proportion of deposited particles and the dimensionless deposition velocity are adopted to characterize the validation results. Comparisons between our simulated results and the experimental data from literatures show reasonable accuracy. Moreover, it is also found that the dimensionless deposition velocity can be remarkably influenced by particle size and stream-wise velocity in a typical horizontal flow. This study indicates that the proposed model can predict the gravity-dominated airborne particle deposition with reasonable accuracy and acceptable computing time.

Measurement of hyperpolarized gas diffusion at very short time scales

PubMed Central

Carl, Michael; Wilson Miller, G.; Mugler, John P.; Rohrbaugh, Scott; Tobias, William A.; Cates, Gordon D.

2007-01-01

We present a new pulse sequence for measuring very-short-time-scale restricted diffusion of hyperpolarized noble gases. The pulse sequence is based on concatenating a large number of bipolar diffusion-sensitizing gradients to increase the diffusion attenuation of the MR signal while maintaining a fundamentally short diffusion time. However, it differs in several respects from existing methods that use oscillating diffusion gradients for this purpose. First, a wait time is inserted between neighboring pairs of gradient pulses; second, consecutive pulse pairs may be applied along orthogonal axes; and finally, the diffusion-attenuated signal is not simply read out at the end of the gradient train but is periodically sampled during the wait times between neighboring pulse pairs. The first two features minimize systematic differences between the measured (apparent) diffusion coefficient and the actual time-dependent diffusivity, while the third feature optimizes the use of the available MR signal to improve the precision of the diffusivity measurement in the face of noise. The benefits of this technique are demonstrated using theoretical calculations, Monte-Carlo simulations of gas diffusion in simple geometries, and experimental phantom measurements in a glass sphere containing hyperpolarized 3He gas. The advantages over the conventional single-bipolar approach were found to increase with decreasing diffusion time, and thus represent a significant step toward making accurate surface-to-volume measurements in the lung airspaces. PMID:17936048

Nursing care at night: an evaluation using the Night Nursing Care Instrument.

PubMed

Oléni, Magnus; Johansson, Peter; Fridlund, Bengt

2004-07-01

Night nurses carry overall nursing responsibility for approximately half the time that patients spend in hospital. However, there is a paucity of literature that focuses on nursing care provided at night. The aim of this study was to evaluate nursing care provided at night from the perspective of both nurses and patients. The study, which had an evaluative and a comparative design, was carried out using the Night Nursing Care Instrument at a hospital in southern Sweden. Nurses (n = 178) on night duty were consecutively selected, while the patients (n = 356) were selected by convenience sampling. The results showed a statistically significant difference between nurses' assessments and patients' perceptions of the nursing care provided at night in nursing interventions (P < 0.0001). In the areas of medical interventions and evaluation, no statistically significant differences were found between nurses and patients. For eight of 11 items, patients reported that they were satisfied (> or =80%) with the nursing care provided at night. These findings suggest that night nurses need to improve their ability to assess patients' needs for nursing care at night. A first step in this direction is for them to become aware of how patients perceive night nursing. As a second step, nurses need to increase their knowledge of which nursing actions promote patients' rest at night.

Focusing management in implementing a smoking ban in a university hospital in Sweden.

PubMed

Ullén, H; Höijer, Y; Ainetdin, T; Tillgren, P

2002-04-01

To explore the impact of various steps when introducing a smoking ban at the Karolinska Hospital (1000 beds; 6000 employees) in Stockholm, Sweden, a multiple evaluation strategy was performed over 5 years. All heads of clinical departments (N = 41) and a random sample of employees (n = 517) and a convenience sample of hospital labour managers (n = 17) were separately addressed through questionnaire surveys at different time intervals after the introduction of the ban in 1992. An observational and interview study completed the follow-up. The implementation process was supplemented by a comprehensive information strategy over 5 years. The two most important steps during implementation were management support and focus on environmental tobacco. The ban was well known at introduction. Heads of clinical departments reported a third of staff to be satisfied with the restrictions. In contrast, the staff survey revealed 62% to be positive. A shift in favour of a radical tobacco-free hospital was perceived during follow-up. Co-operation between hospital board, heads of clinical departments and local labour managers proved successful. The consecutive evaluations served as tools in labour management and contributed to staff compliance. A total ban, including the selling of tobacco and smoking in the hospital grounds is still to be achieved.

Structural dynamics of free proteins in diffraction.

PubMed

Lin, Milo M; Shorokhov, Dmitry; Zewail, Ahmed H

2011-10-26

Among the macromolecular patterns of biological significance, right-handed α-helices are perhaps the most abundant structural motifs. Here, guided by experimental findings, we discuss both ultrafast initial steps and longer-time-scale structural dynamics of helix-coil transitions induced by a range of temperature jumps in large, isolated macromolecular ensembles of an α-helical protein segment thymosin β(9) (Tβ(9)), and elucidate the comprehensive picture of (un)folding. In continuation of an earlier theoretical work from this laboratory that utilized a simplistic structure-scrambling algorithm combined with a variety of self-avoidance thresholds to approximately model helix-coil transitions in Tβ(9), in the present contribution we focus on the actual dynamics of unfolding as obtained from massively distributed ensemble-convergent MD simulations which provide an unprecedented scope of information on the nature of transient macromolecular structures, and with atomic-scale spatiotemporal resolution. In addition to the use of radial distribution functions of ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) simulations in gaining an insight into the elementary steps of conformational interconversions, we also investigate the structural dynamics of the protein via the native (α-helical) hydrogen bonding contact metric which is an intuitive coarse graining approach. Importantly, the decay of α-helical motifs and the (globular) conformational annealing in Tβ(9) occur consecutively or competitively, depending on the magnitude of temperature jump.

Magnetic Field Effect in Conjugated Molecules-Based Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-23

triplet annihilation process (TTA) process in charge- balanced polymer light emitting diode (PLED) containing a super yellow poly-(phenylene vinylene...current density. Our results demonstrate a clear correlation between TTA process and current density as well as temperature in charge- balanced SY-PPV...dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (7:3, v/v) at 60 °C for 12 h inside the nitrogen -filled glove box. The perovskite films were spin-cast by a consecutive two-step

Synthetic Graphene Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition on Copper Foils

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-11

b) Transparent PMMA /graphene membrane floating on copper etchant. (c) Three layers of stacked CVD graphene on a cover glass made by consecutively...insulating substrate is a critical step for fabricating electronic devices. PMMA -assisted transfer techniques are commonly applied because of their...simplicity and repeatability.13 In a typical transfer, a graphene film on Cu substrate was first coated with PMMA (950PMMA-A4, MicroChem)b by spin

Residual right portal branch flow after first-step ALPPS: artifact or homeostatic response?

PubMed

De Carlis, Luciano; Sguinzi, Raffaella; De Carlis, Riccardo; Di Sandro, Stefano; Mangoni, Jacopo; Aseni, Paolo; Giacomoni, Alessandro; Vanzulli, Angelo

2014-09-01

Mutual interactions between portal vein and hepatic artery can be documented during hepatobiliary surgery. Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a recently introduced surgical technique which can also represent a unique living human model to investigate intrahepatic blood circulation. We report three consecutive cases in which a residual right portal branch flow was clearly detectable after first-step ALPPS, and try to further investigate this unexpected finding with intraoperative clamping tests. Every patient was evaluated with CT scan 7 days after first-step ALPPS and Intraoperative Doppler Ultrasonography (IOUS) at both steps of the procedure. In every patient, CT scan and second-step IOUS demonstrated a clear hepatopetal flow distally to the divided right portal branch. The flow was present after right biliary duct clamping and stopped after right total hilar clamping as well as after right hepatic artery occlusion. Neither cross-portal circulation between the two hemilivers nor trans-sinusoidal backflow from the hepatic veins can explain these findings, which are rather consistent with a refilling of the occluded portal branch through the opening of intrahepatic arterioportal shunts (APS). APS could represent the simplest homeostatic mechanism that regulate intrahepatic blood flow.

Terrorism as a process: a critical review of Moghaddam's "Staircase to Terrorism".

PubMed

Lygre, Ragnhild B; Eid, Jarle; Larsson, Gerry; Ranstorp, Magnus

2011-12-01

This study reviews empirical evidence for Moghaddam's model "Staircase to Terrorism," which portrays terrorism as a process of six consecutive steps culminating in terrorism. An extensive literature search, where 2,564 publications on terrorism were screened, resulted in 38 articles which were subject to further analysis. The results showed that while most of the theories and processes linked to Moghaddam's model are supported by empirical evidence, the proposed transitions between the different steps are not. These results may question the validity of a linear stepwise model and may suggest that a combination of mechanisms/factors could combine in different ways to produce terrorism. © 2011 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology © 2011 The Scandinavian Psychological Associations.

Computational investigation of rearrangements in huisgen cycloadducts of azolium N-dicyanomethanide 1,3-dipoles with alkynes: a mechanistic panoply.

PubMed

Burke, Luke A; Butler, Richard N

2009-08-07

The reaction surfaces leading to rearrangements and ring expansions of azapentalene cycloadducts of imidazolo- and triazolodicyanomethanide 1,3-dipoles with alkynes are studied with the B3LYP DFT method using the 6-31G(d) and 6-311+G(2d,p) basis sets. The surprisingly complex surface involves (1) consecutive but not combined pericyclic steps, a coarctate TS, and pseudopericyclic mechanisms, (2) anchimerically assisted H-atom transfer competing effectively with concerted symmetry-allowed sigmatropic steps, and (3) azolium methanide zwitterions and ketenimines as key intermediates. The azolium methanide is identified as the intermediate detected previously in a variable-temperature NMR experiment that converted the unstable cycloadduct to product imine.

Two types of rate-determining step in chemical and biochemical processes.

PubMed Central

Yagisawa, S

1989-01-01

Close examination of the concept of the rate-determining step (RDS) shows that there are two types of RDS depending on the definition of 'rate'. One is represented by the highest peak of the free-energy diagram of consecutive reactions and holds true where the rate is defined in terms of the concentration of the first reactant. The other is represented by the peak showing the maximum free-energy difference, where the free-energy difference is the height of a peak measured from the bottom of any preceding troughs, where the definition of the rate is in terms of the total reactant concentration including intermediates. There are no criteria a priori for selecting one of them. PMID:2597141

What is the preferred number of consecutive night shifts? results from a crossover intervention study among police officers in Denmark.

PubMed

Nabe-Nielsen, Kirsten; Jensen, Marie Aarrebo; Hansen, Åse Marie; Kristiansen, Jesper; Garde, Anne Helene

2016-10-01

Among police officers in Denmark, we studied (i) how many consecutive night shifts participants preferred at baseline; (ii) preferences regarding three intervention conditions (two, four, and seven consecutive night shifts followed by the same number of days off/day shifts: '2 + 2', '4 + 4', '7 + 7') at follow-up; (iii) characteristics of participants preferring each of these intervention conditions. Questionnaire data from a crossover intervention study were used (baseline: n = 73; follow-up: n = 68). At baseline, 49% preferred four consecutive night shifts. At follow-up, 57% preferred '4 + 4', 26% preferred '2 + 2' and 26% preferred '7 + 7'. Participants, who preferred longer spells of night work experienced that night work was less demanding, found it easier to sleep at different times of the day, and were more frequently evening types compared with participants who preferred shorter spells of night work. The participants' preferences are likely to be influenced by their previous shift work experience. Practitioner Summary: We investigated police officers' preferences regarding the number of consecutive night shifts. The majority preferred four consecutive night shifts. Those who preferred the longer spells of night work found night work less demanding, found it easier to sleep at different times of the day, and were more frequently evening types.

Infectious encephalitis: utility of a rational approach to aetiological diagnosis in daily clinical practice.

PubMed

López-Sánchez, C; Sulleiro, E; Bocanegra, C; Romero, S; Codina, G; Sanz, I; Esperalba, J; Serra, J; Pigrau, C; Burgos, J; Almirante, B; Falcó, V

2017-04-01

In this study we attempt to assess the utility of a simplified step-wise diagnostic algorithm to determinate the aetiology of encephalitis in daily clinical practice and to describe the main causes in our setting. This was a prospective cohort study of all consecutive cases of encephalitis in adult patients diagnosed between January 2010 and March 2015 at the University Hospital Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona, Spain. The aetiological study was carried out following the proposed step-wise algorithm. The proportion of aetiological diagnoses achieved in each step was analysed. Data from 97 patients with encephalitis were assessed. Following a simplified step-wise algorithm, a definite diagnosis was made in the first step in 53 patients (55 %) and in 12 additional cases (12 %) in the second step. Overall, a definite or probable aetiological diagnosis was achieved in 78 % of the cases. Herpes virus, L. monocytogenes and M. tuberculosis were the leading causative agents demonstrated, whereas less frequent aetiologies were observed, mainly in immunosuppressed patients. The overall related mortality was 13.4 %. According to our experience, the leading and treatable causes of encephalitis can be identified in a first diagnostic step with limited microbiological studies. L. monocytogenes treatment should be considered on arrival in some patients. Additional diagnostic effort should be made in immunosuppressed patients.

Direct endoscopic necrosectomy versus step-up approach for walled-off pancreatic necrosis: comparison of clinical outcome and health care utilization.

PubMed

Kumar, Nitin; Conwell, Darwin L; Thompson, Christopher C

2014-11-01

Infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is a complication of acute pancreatitis requiring intervention. Surgery is associated with considerable morbidity. Percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), initial therapy in the step-up approach, minimizes complications. Direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN) has demonstrated safety and efficacy. We compared outcome and health care utilization of DEN versus step-up approach. This was a matched cohort study using a prospective registry. Twelve consecutive DEN patients were matched with 12 step-up approach patients. Outcomes were clinical resolution after primary therapeutic modality, new organ failure, mortality, endocrine or exocrine insufficiency, length of stay, and health care utilization. Clinical resolution in 11 of 12 patients after DEN versus 3 of 12 step-up approach patients after PCD (P < 0.01). Nine step-up approach patients required surgery; 7 of these experienced complications. Direct endoscopic necrosectomy resulted in less new antibiotic use, pulmonary failure, endocrine insufficiency, and shorter length of stay (P < 0.05). Health care utilization was lower after DEN by 5.2:1 (P < 0.01). Direct endoscopic necrosectomy may be superior to step-up approach for WOPN with suspected or established infection. Primary PCD generally delayed definitive therapy. Given the higher efficacy, shorter length of stay, and lower health care utilization, DEN could be the first-line therapy for WOPN, with primary PCD for inaccessible or immature collections.

An Examination of Four Traditional School Physical Activity Models on Children's Step Counts and MVPA.

PubMed

Brusseau, Timothy A; Kulinna, Pamela H

2015-03-01

Schools have been identified as primary societal institutions for promoting children's physical activity (PA); however, limited evidence exists demonstrating which traditional school-based PA models maximize children's PA. The purpose of this study was to compare step counts and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) across 4 traditional school PA modules. Step count and MVPA data were collected on 5 consecutive school days from 298 children (Mage = 10.0 ± 0.6 years; 55% female) in Grade 5. PA was measured using the NL-1000 piezoelectric pedometer. The 4 models included (a) recess only, (b) multiple recesses, (c) recess and physical education (PE), and (d) multiple recesses and PE. Children accumulated the greatest PA on days that they had PE and multiple recess opportunities (5,242 ± 1,690 steps; 15.3 ± 8.8 min of MVPA). Children accumulated the least amount of PA on days with only 1 recess opportunity (3,312 ± 445 steps; 7.1 ± 2.3 min of MVPA). Across all models, children accumulated an additional 1,140 steps and 4.1 min of MVPA on PE days. It appears that PE is the most important school PA opportunity for maximizing children's PA. However, on days without PE, a 2nd recess can increase school PA by 20% (Δ = 850 steps; 3.8 min of MVPA).

Accelerating locomotor savings in learning: compressing four training days to one.

PubMed

Day, Kevin A; Leech, Kristan A; Roemmich, Ryan T; Bastian, Amy J

2018-06-01

Acquiring new movements requires the capacity of the nervous system to remember previously experienced motor patterns. The phenomenon of faster relearning after initial learning is termed "savings." Here we studied how savings of a novel walking pattern develops over several days of practice and how this process can be accelerated. We introduced participants to a split-belt treadmill adaptation paradigm for 30 min for 5 consecutive days. By training day 5, participants were able to produce near-perfect performance when switching between split and tied-belt environments. We found that this was due to their ability to shift specific elements of their stepping pattern to account for the split treadmill speeds from day to day. We also applied a state-space model to further characterize multiday locomotor savings. We then explored methods of achieving comparable savings with less total training time. We studied people training only on day 1, with either one extended split-belt exposure or alternating four times between split-belt and tied-belt conditions rapidly in succession. Both of these single-day training groups were tested again on day 5. Experiencing four abbreviated exposures on day 1 improved the performance on day 5 compared with one extended exposure on day 1. Moreover, this abbreviated group performed similarly to the group that trained for 4 consecutive days before testing on day 5, despite only having one-quarter of the total training time. These results demonstrate that we can leverage training structure to achieve a high degree of performance while minimizing training sessions. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Learning a new movement requires repetition. Here, we demonstrate how to more efficiently train an adapted walking pattern. By compressing split-belt treadmill training delivered over 4 days to four abbreviated bouts of training delivered on the first day of training, we were able to induce equivalent savings over a 5-day span. These results suggest that we can manipulate the delivery of training to most efficiently drive multiday learning of a novel walking pattern.

Microwave assisted step-by-step process for the production of fucoidan, alginate sodium, sugars and biochar from Ascophyllum nodosum through a biorefinery concept.

PubMed

Yuan, Yuan; Macquarrie, Duncan J

2015-12-01

The biorefinery is an important concept for the development of alternative routes to a range of interesting and important materials from renewable resources. It ensures that the resources are used fully and that all parts of them are valorized. This paper develops this concept, using brown macroalgae Ascophyllum nodosum as an example, by assistance of microwave technology. A step-by-step process was designed to obtain fucoidan, alginates, sugars and biochar (alga residue) consecutively. The yields of fucoidan, alginates, sugars and biochar were 14.09%, 18.24%, 10.87% and 21.44%, respectively. To make an evaluation of the biorefinery process, seaweed sample was also treated for fucoidan extraction only, alginate extraction only and hydrothermal treatment for sugars and biochar only. The chemical composition and properties of each product were also analyzed. The results indicated that A. nodosum could be potentially used as feedstock for a biorefinery process to produce valuable chemicals and fuels. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Technical Modifications for Intraoral Quadrangular Le Fort II Osteotomy.

PubMed

Klug, Clemens; Cede, Julia

2017-02-01

The intraoral quadrangular Le Fort II osteotomy (IQLFIIO) represents a reliable surgical method in cases of midfacial deficiency with good functional, esthetic, and stable long-term results. In this technical note, we present 3 surgical modifications to previous reports: 1) inferior orbital rim osteotomy by angulated piezosurgical instruments, thereby avoiding the use of chisels in the orbital region; 2) osteosynthetic fixation only laterally at the zygomatic buttress with 2 L-shaped miniplates, thus avoiding paranasal osteosynthesis; and 3) advancement step camouflage in the lateral infraorbital region with a compound mass of autologous bone chips and fibrin glue with the intention to reduce bone block-associated side effects. Thirteen consecutive patients presenting with midfacial deficiency and Class III malocclusion were treated by IQLFIIO and mandibular osteotomy. In all cases, osteotomy and consecutive down fracture could be conducted as planned using the piezotome. No atypical fractures were encountered. No cases of infraorbital nerve anesthesia developed. Midfacial hypesthesia was found in 54% of the operated sides after 3 months, in 23% after 6 months, and in 13% after 12 months. The 5-month postoperative 3-dimensional scans revealed osseous healing at the infraorbital advancement step. Our results suggest that IQLFIIO can be conducted fully without chisels in the orbital region. Implementation of piezosurgery in IQLFIIO allows for safe bone cutting in the orbital region. Two miniplates and step camouflage with fibrin glue-stabilized bone chips were sufficient for osseous healing. Future studies will focus on quantitative soft to hard tissue changes that occur with IQLFIIO advancement. Copyright © 2016 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Processing and properties of carbon nanofibers reinforced epoxy powder composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palencia, C.; Mazo, M. A.; Nistal, A.; Rubio, F.; Rubio, J.; Oteo, J. L.

2011-11-01

Commercially available CNFs (diameter 30-300 nm) have been used to develop both bulk and coating epoxy nanocomposites by using a solvent-free epoxy matrix powder. Processing of both types of materials has been carried out by a double-step process consisting in an initial physical premix of all components followed by three consecutive extrusions. The extruded pellets were grinded into powder and sieved. Carbon nanofibers powder coatings were obtained by electrostatic painting of the extruded powder followed by a curing process based in a thermal treatment at 200 °C for 25 min. On the other hand, for obtaining bulk carbon nanofibers epoxy composites, a thermal curing process involving several steps was needed. Gloss and mechanical properties of both nanocomposite coatings and bulk nanocomposites were improved as a result of the processing process. FE-SEM fracture surface microphotographs corroborate these results. It has been assessed the key role played by the dispersion of CNFs in the matrix, and the highly important step that is the processing and curing of the nanocomposites. A processing stage consisted in three consecutive extrusions has reached to nanocomposites free of entanglements neither agglomerates. This process leads to nanocomposite coatings of enhanced properties, as it has been evidenced through gloss and mechanical properties. A dispersion limit of 1% has been determined for the studied system in which a given dispersion has been achieved, as the bending mechanical properties have been increased around 25% compared with the pristine epoxy resin. It has been also demonstrated the importance of the thickness in the nanocomposite, as it involves the curing stage. The complex curing treatment carried out in the case of bulk nanocomposites has reached to reagglomeration of CNFs.

Dehydration of main-chain amides in the final folding step of single-chain monellin revealed by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Kimura, Tetsunari; Maeda, Akio; Nishiguchi, Shingo; Ishimori, Koichiro; Morishima, Isao; Konno, Takashi; Goto, Yuji; Takahashi, Satoshi

2008-01-01

Kinetic IR spectroscopy was used to reveal β-sheet formation and water expulsion in the folding of single-chain monellin (SMN) composed of a five-stranded β-sheet and an α-helix. The time-resolved IR spectra between 100 μs and 10 s were analyzed based on two consecutive intermediates, I1 and I2, appearing within 100 μs and with a time constant of ≈100 ms, respectively. The initial unfolded state showed broad amide I′ corresponded to a fluctuating conformation. In contrast, I1 possessed a feature at 1,636 cm−1 for solvated helix and weak features assignable to turns, demonstrating the rapid formation of helix and turns. I2 possessed a line for solvated helix at 1,637 cm−1 and major and minor lines for β-sheet at 1,625 and 1,680 cm−1, respectively. The splitting of the major and minor lines is smaller than that of the native state, implying an incomplete formation of the β-sheet. Furthermore, both major and minor lines demonstrated a low-frequency shift compared to those of the native state, which was interpreted to be caused by hydration of the CO group in the β-sheet. Together with the identification of solvated helix, the core domain of I2 was interpreted as being hydrated. Finally, slow conversion of the water-penetrated core of I2 to the dehydrated core of the native state was observed. We propose that both the expulsion of water, hydrogen-bonded to main-chain amides, and the completion of the secondary structure formation contribute to the energetic barrier of the rate-limiting step in SMN folding. PMID:18757727

Predicting radiologists' true and false positive decisions in reading mammograms by using gaze parameters and image-based features

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gandomkar, Ziba; Tay, Kevin; Ryder, Will; Brennan, Patrick C.; Mello-Thoms, Claudia

2016-03-01

Radiologists' gaze-related parameters combined with image-based features were utilized to classify suspicious mammographic areas ultimately scored as True Positives (TP) and False Positives (FP). Eight breast radiologists read 120 two-view digital mammograms of which 59 had biopsy proven cancer. Eye tracking data was collected and nearby fixations were clustered together. Suspicious areas on mammograms were independently identified based on thresholding an intensity saliency map followed by automatic segmentation and pruning steps. For each radiologist reported area, radiologist's fixation clusters in the area, as well as neighboring suspicious areas within 2.5° of the center of fixation, were found. A 45-dimensional feature vector containing gaze parameters of the corresponding cluster along with image-based characteristics was constructed. Gaze parameters included total number of fixations in the cluster, dwell time, time to hit the cluster for the first time, maximum number of consecutive fixations, and saccade magnitude of the first fixation in the cluster. Image-based features consisted of intensity, shape, and texture descriptors extracted from the region around the suspicious area, its surrounding tissue, and the entire breast. For each radiologist, a userspecific Support Vector Machine (SVM) model was built to classify the reported areas as TPs or FPs. Leave-one-out cross validation was utilized to avoid over-fitting. A feature selection step was embedded in the SVM training procedure by allowing radial basis function kernels to have 45 scaling factors. The proposed method was compared with the radiologists' performance using the jackknife alternative free-response receiver operating characteristic (JAFROC). The JAFROC figure of merit increased significantly for six radiologists.

Agreement between pedometer and accelerometer in measuring physical activity in overweight and obese pregnant women

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Inexpensive, reliable objective methods are needed to measure physical activity (PA) in large scale trials. This study compared the number of pedometer step counts with accelerometer data in pregnant women in free-living conditions to assess agreement between these measures. Methods Pregnant women (n = 58) with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 at median 13 weeks' gestation wore a GT1M Actigraph accelerometer and a Yamax Digi-Walker CW-701 pedometer for four consecutive days. The Spearman rank correlation coefficients were determined between pedometer step counts and various accelerometer measures of PA. Total agreement between accelerometer and pedometer step counts was evaluated by determining the 95% limits of agreement estimated using a regression-based method. Agreement between the monitors in categorising participants as active or inactive was assessed by determining Kappa. Results Pedometer step counts correlated moderately (r = 0.36 to 0.54) with most accelerometer measures of PA. Overall step counts recorded by the pedometer and the accelerometer were not significantly different (medians 5961 vs. 5687 steps/day, p = 0.37). However, the 95% limits of agreement ranged from -2690 to 2656 steps/day for the mean step count value (6026 steps/day) and changed substantially over the range of values. Agreement between the monitors in categorising participants to active and inactive varied from moderate to good depending on the criteria adopted. Conclusions Despite statistically significant correlations and similar median step counts, the overall agreement between pedometer and accelerometer step counts was poor and varied with activity level. Pedometer and accelerometer steps cannot be used interchangeably in overweight and obese pregnant women. PMID:21703033

The Allergic Rhinitis Control Test questionnaire is valuable in guiding step-down pharmacotherapy treatment of allergic rhinitis.

PubMed

Zhu, Rongfei; Wang, Jingru; Wu, Yuying; Yang, Yongshi; Huang, Nan; Yang, Yaqi; Zhang, Rui; Ma, Dongxia; Yang, Lin; Demoly, Pascal

2018-06-07

Allergic Rhinitis Control Test(ARCT) has been validated in allergic rhinitis(AR) step-up pharmacotherapy management approach. The aim of our study was to evaluate the potential of ARCT in AR step-down pharmacotherapy. In an open-labelled randomized controlled study, AR patients controlled with intranasal corticosteroid(INS) plus antihistamine(step 4) were included and randomized into an ARCT or a control group. In ARCT group, the patients were followed up every 15 days; if ARCT score was ≥20(controlled AR), the patient would step down to step 3(INS), step 2(daily antihistamine), step 1(antihistamine as needed) and step 0(no medication) consecutively; if ARCT score was strictly <20, the treatment would not be adjusted. In the control group, patients would be treated with step 4 medications during the whole study. Rhinitis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire(RQLQ), Morisky Questionnaire and Brief Illness-Perception-Questionnaire(B-IPQ) were completed at baseline and the end of the study. Medication use and side effects were recorded. A total of 255 AR patients were enrolled into the study, 27 patients dropped out. The control rates at D45 were 77.8% in ARCT group and 85.8% in control group(P>0.05). ARCT group had less mean medication use than control group(INS 1.27 vs. 2.22 bottle, antihistamines 35.9 vs. 61.4 tablets)(P<0.05). RQLQ, Morisky and B-IPQ score were significantly improved in both groups after treatment(P<0.05). Stepping down AR medications in controlled patients led to similar clinical outcomes at reduced cost compared with those who maintained their current treatment level. ARCT is an optimal tool for evaluating the step-down eligibility. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Aerobic Steps As Measured by Pedometry and Their Relation to Central Obesity

PubMed Central

DUCHEČKOVÁ, Petra; FOREJT, Martin

2014-01-01

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between daily steps and aerobic steps, and anthropometric variables, using the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Methods The participants in this cross-sectional study were taken the measurements of by a trained anthropologist and then instructed to wear an Omron pedometer for seven consecutive days. A series of statistical tests (Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, multiple comparisons of z’ values and contingency tables) was performed in order to assess the relation between daily steps and aerobic steps, and anthropometric variables. Results A total of 507 individuals (380 females and 127 males) participated in the study. The average daily number of steps and aerobic steps was significantly lower in the individuals with risky WHR and WHtR as compared to the individuals with normal WHR (P=0.005) and WHtR (P=0.000). A comparison of age and anthropometric variables across aerobic steps activity categories was statistically significant for all the studied parameters. According to the contingency tables for normal steps, there is a 5.75x higher risk in the low-activity category of having WHtR>0.50 as compared to the high-activity category. Conclusions Both normal and aerobic steps are significantly associated with central obesity and other body composition variables. This result is important for older people, who are more likely to perform low-intensity activities rather than moderate- or high-intensity activities. Our results also indicate that risk of having WHtR>0.50 can be reduced by almost 6x by increasing daily steps over 8985 steps per day. PMID:25927036

Magnetic resonance imaging-transectal ultrasound image-fusion biopsies accurately characterize the index tumor: correlation with step-sectioned radical prostatectomy specimens in 135 patients.

PubMed

Baco, Eduard; Ukimura, Osamu; Rud, Erik; Vlatkovic, Ljiljana; Svindland, Aud; Aron, Manju; Palmer, Suzanne; Matsugasumi, Toru; Marien, Arnaud; Bernhard, Jean-Christophe; Rewcastle, John C; Eggesbø, Heidi B; Gill, Inderbir S

2015-04-01

Prostate biopsies targeted by elastic fusion of magnetic resonance (MR) and three-dimensional (3D) transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) images may allow accurate identification of the index tumor (IT), defined as the lesion with the highest Gleason score or the largest volume or extraprostatic extension. To determine the accuracy of MR-TRUS image-fusion biopsy in characterizing ITs, as confirmed by correlation with step-sectioned radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens. Retrospective analysis of 135 consecutive patients who sequentially underwent pre-biopsy MR, MR-TRUS image-fusion biopsy, and robotic RP at two centers between January 2010 and September 2013. Image-guided biopsies of MR-suspected IT lesions were performed with tracking via real-time 3D TRUS. The largest geographically distinct cancer focus (IT lesion) was independently registered on step-sectioned RP specimens. A validated schema comprising 27 regions of interest was used to identify the IT center location on MR images and in RP specimens, as well as the location of the midpoint of the biopsy trajectory, and variables were correlated. The concordance between IT location on biopsy and RP specimens was 95% (128/135). The coefficient for correlation between IT volume on MRI and histology was r=0.663 (p<0.001). The maximum cancer core length on biopsy was weakly correlated with RP tumor volume (r=0.466, p<0.001). The concordance of primary Gleason pattern between targeted biopsy and RP specimens was 90% (115/128; κ=0.76). The study limitations include retrospective evaluation of a selected patient population, which limits the generalizability of the results. Use of MR-TRUS image fusion to guide prostate biopsies reliably identified the location and primary Gleason pattern of the IT lesion in >90% of patients, but showed limited ability to predict cancer volume, as confirmed by step-sectioned RP specimens. Biopsies targeted using magnetic resonance images combined with real-time three-dimensional transrectal ultrasound allowed us to reliably identify the spatial location of the most important tumor in prostate cancer and characterize its aggressiveness. Copyright © 2014 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Passive acoustic localization of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin using whistles and echolocation clicks.

PubMed

Freitag, L E; Tyack, P L

1993-04-01

A method for localization and tracking of calling marine mammals was tested under realistic field conditions that include noise, multipath, and arbitrarily located sensors. Experiments were performed in two locations using four and six hydrophones with captive Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Acoustic signals from the animals were collected in the field using a digital acoustic data acquisition system. The data were then processed off-line to determine relative hydrophone positions and the animal locations. Accurate hydrophone position estimates are achieved by pinging sequentially from each hydrophone to all the others. A two-step least-squares algorithm is then used to determine sensor locations from the calibration data. Animal locations are determined by estimating the time differences of arrival of the dolphin signals at the different sensors. The peak of a matched filter output or the first cycle of the observed waveform is used to determine arrival time of an echolocation click. Cross correlation between hydrophones is used to determine inter-sensor time delays of whistles. Calculation of source location using the time difference of arrival measurements is done using a least-squares solution to minimize error. These preliminary experimental results based on a small set of data show that realistic trajectories for moving animals may be generated from consecutive location estimates.

Reverse engineering gene regulatory networks from measurement with missing values.

PubMed

Ogundijo, Oyetunji E; Elmas, Abdulkadir; Wang, Xiaodong

2016-12-01

Gene expression time series data are usually in the form of high-dimensional arrays. Unfortunately, the data may sometimes contain missing values: for either the expression values of some genes at some time points or the entire expression values of a single time point or some sets of consecutive time points. This significantly affects the performance of many algorithms for gene expression analysis that take as an input, the complete matrix of gene expression measurement. For instance, previous works have shown that gene regulatory interactions can be estimated from the complete matrix of gene expression measurement. Yet, till date, few algorithms have been proposed for the inference of gene regulatory network from gene expression data with missing values. We describe a nonlinear dynamic stochastic model for the evolution of gene expression. The model captures the structural, dynamical, and the nonlinear natures of the underlying biomolecular systems. We present point-based Gaussian approximation (PBGA) filters for joint state and parameter estimation of the system with one-step or two-step missing measurements . The PBGA filters use Gaussian approximation and various quadrature rules, such as the unscented transform (UT), the third-degree cubature rule and the central difference rule for computing the related posteriors. The proposed algorithm is evaluated with satisfying results for synthetic networks, in silico networks released as a part of the DREAM project, and the real biological network, the in vivo reverse engineering and modeling assessment (IRMA) network of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . PBGA filters are proposed to elucidate the underlying gene regulatory network (GRN) from time series gene expression data that contain missing values. In our state-space model, we proposed a measurement model that incorporates the effect of the missing data points into the sequential algorithm. This approach produces a better inference of the model parameters and hence, more accurate prediction of the underlying GRN compared to when using the conventional Gaussian approximation (GA) filters ignoring the missing data points.

Stepped approach for prediction of syndrome Z in patients attending sleep clinic: a north Indian hospital-based study.

PubMed

Agrawal, Swastik; Sharma, Surendra Kumar; Sreenivas, Vishnubhatla; Lakshmy, Ramakrishnan; Mishra, Hemant K

2012-09-01

Syndrome Z is the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MS) with obstructive sleep apnea. Knowledge of its risk factors is useful to screen patients requiring further evaluation for syndrome Z. Consecutive patients referred from sleep clinic undergoing polysomnography in the Sleep Laboratory of AIIMS Hospital, New Delhi were screened between June 2008 and May 2010, and 227 patients were recruited. Anthropometry, body composition analysis, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and lipid profile were measured. MS was defined using the National Cholesterol Education Program (adult treatment panel III) criteria, with Asian cutoff values for abdominal obesity. Prevalence of MS and syndrome Z was 74% and 65%, respectively. Age, percent body fat, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), and ΔSaO(2) (defined as difference between baseline and minimum SaO(2) during polysomnography) were independently associated with syndrome Z. Using a cutoff of 15% for level of desaturation, the stepped predictive score using these risk factors had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 75%, 73%, 84%, and 61%, respectively for the diagnosis of syndrome Z. It correctly characterized presence of syndrome Z 75% of the time and obviated need for detailed evaluation in 42% of the screened subjects. A large proportion of patients presenting to sleep clinics have MS and syndrome Z. Age, percent body fat, EDS, and ΔSaO(2) are independent risk factors for syndrome Z. A stepped predictive score using these parameters is cost-effective and useful in diagnosing syndrome Z in resource-limited settings.

Methods for Isolation, Purification, and Propagation of Bacteriophages of Campylobacter jejuni.

PubMed

Gencay, Yilmaz Emre; Birk, Tina; Sørensen, Martine Camilla Holst; Brøndsted, Lone

2017-01-01

Here, we describe the methods for isolation, purification, and propagation of Campylobacter jejuni bacteriophages from samples expected to contain high number of phages such as chicken feces. The overall steps are (1) liberation of phages from the sample material; (2) observation of plaque-forming units on C. jejuni lawns using a spot assay; (3) isolation of single plaques; (4) consecutive purification procedures; and (5) propagation of purified phages from a plate lysate to prepare master stocks.

Exponential Megapriming PCR (EMP) Cloning—Seamless DNA Insertion into Any Target Plasmid without Sequence Constraints

PubMed Central

Ulrich, Alexander; Andersen, Kasper R.; Schwartz, Thomas U.

2012-01-01

We present a fast, reliable and inexpensive restriction-free cloning method for seamless DNA insertion into any plasmid without sequence limitation. Exponential megapriming PCR (EMP) cloning requires two consecutive PCR steps and can be carried out in one day. We show that EMP cloning has a higher efficiency than restriction-free (RF) cloning, especially for long inserts above 2.5 kb. EMP further enables simultaneous cloning of multiple inserts. PMID:23300917

Exponential megapriming PCR (EMP) cloning--seamless DNA insertion into any target plasmid without sequence constraints.

PubMed

Ulrich, Alexander; Andersen, Kasper R; Schwartz, Thomas U

2012-01-01

We present a fast, reliable and inexpensive restriction-free cloning method for seamless DNA insertion into any plasmid without sequence limitation. Exponential megapriming PCR (EMP) cloning requires two consecutive PCR steps and can be carried out in one day. We show that EMP cloning has a higher efficiency than restriction-free (RF) cloning, especially for long inserts above 2.5 kb. EMP further enables simultaneous cloning of multiple inserts.

Active transportation and public transportation use to achieve physical activity recommendations? A combined GPS, accelerometer, and mobility survey study.

PubMed

Chaix, Basile; Kestens, Yan; Duncan, Scott; Merrien, Claire; Thierry, Benoît; Pannier, Bruno; Brondeel, Ruben; Lewin, Antoine; Karusisi, Noëlla; Perchoux, Camille; Thomas, Frédérique; Méline, Julie

2014-09-27

Accurate information is lacking on the extent of transportation as a source of physical activity, on the physical activity gains from public transportation use, and on the extent to which population shifts in the use of transportation modes could increase the percentage of people reaching official physical activity recommendations. In 2012-2013, 234 participants of the RECORD GPS Study (French Paris region, median age = 58) wore a portable GPS receiver and an accelerometer for 7 consecutive days and completed a 7-day GPS-based mobility survey (participation rate = 57.1%). Information on transportation modes and accelerometry data aggregated at the trip level [number of steps taken, energy expended, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary time] were available for 7,644 trips. Associations between transportation modes and accelerometer-derived physical activity were estimated at the trip level with multilevel linear models. Participants spent a median of 1 h 58 min per day in transportation (8.2% of total time). Thirty-eight per-cent of steps taken, 31% of energy expended, and 33% of MVPA over 7 days were attributable to transportation. Walking and biking trips but also public transportation trips with all four transit modes examined were associated with greater steps, MVPA, and energy expenditure when compared to trips by personal motorized vehicle. Two simulated scenarios, implying a shift of approximately 14% and 33% of all motorized trips to public transportation or walking, were associated with a predicted 6 point and 13 point increase in the percentage of participants achieving the current physical activity recommendation. Collecting data with GPS receivers, accelerometers, and a GPS-based electronic mobility survey of activities and transportation modes allowed us to investigate relationships between transportation modes and physical activity at the trip level. Our findings suggest that an increase in active transportation participation and public transportation use may have substantial impacts on the percentage of people achieving physical activity recommendations.

Physical activity in chronic home-living and sub-acute hospitalized stroke patients using objective and self-reported measures.

PubMed

Vanroy, Christel; Vissers, Dirk; Vanlandewijck, Yves; Feys, Hilde; Truijen, Steven; Michielsen, Marc; Cras, Patrick

2016-04-01

Despite confirmed reduced physical activity (PA) after stroke in various stages of recovery, the type of activities stroke patients executed and the time spent at different activity levels have not been sufficiently verified with stroke-validated assessment tools. Observational study. To determine PA of sub-acute stroke patients hospitalized in a rehabilitation centre (HOS) compared to chronic home-living stroke patients (HOM) using objective and self-reported measures during 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day. Fifteen HOS and 15 HOM patients wore a Sense Wear Pro 2 accelerometer (METs*minutes/24 h) and a knee-worn pedometer Yamax Digi Walker SW 200 (steps) and filled in a coded activity diary (kcal/24 h; METs*minutes/24 h) during three consecutive days. In HOM significantly more steps (stepstotal HOM = 18722.6 ± 10063.6; stepstotal HOS = 7097.8 ± 5850.5) and higher energy expenditure (EE) levels (EEtotal HOM = 7759.34 ± 2243.04; EEtotal HOS = 5860.15 ± 1412.78) were measured. In this group less moderate activity (≥3-6 ≤ METs) was performed on a weekday (pday1 = 0.006; pday2 = 0.027) and in total (p = 0.037). Few therapy hours (physical, occupational and speech therapy, and psychological support) were provided in HOM compared to HOS (p < 0.001). Vigorous activities were only seen in HOM. In both groups few patients executed sport activities. In HOM significantly more steps were performed and higher EE values were measured. However, participation in moderate activities and time spent on therapy were less in HOM. Evaluating PA with quantitative measures is feasible in both chronic home-living and sub-acute hospitalized patients with stroke.

Relationship of functional fitness with daily steps in community-dwelling older adults.

PubMed

de Melo, Lucelia Luna; Menec, Verena H; Ready, A Elizabeth

2014-01-01

Walking is the main type of physical activity among community-dwelling older adults and it is associated with various health benefits. However, there is limited evidence about the relationship between functional fitness and walking performed under independent living conditions among older adults. This study examined the relationship between functional fitness and steps walked per day among older adults, both assessed objectively, with performance-based measures accounting for the effect of age, gender, and chronic conditions. In this cross-sectional study, 60 participants aged 65 years or older (mean = 76.9 ± 7.3 years, range 65-92 years) wore pedometers for 3 consecutive days. Functional fitness was measured using the Functional Fitness Test (lower and upper body strength, endurance, lower and upper body flexibility, agility/balance). The outcome measure was the mean number of steps walked for 3 days with participants classified into tertiles: low walkers (<3000 steps), medium walkers (≥3000 < 6500 steps), and high walkers (≥6500 steps). After controlling for age, gender, and the number of chronic conditions, none of the functional fitness parameters was significantly associated with steps taken per day when comparing medium walkers with low walkers. In contrast, all functional fitness parameters, except upper body flexibility, were significantly associated with steps taken per day when comparing high walkers with low walkers. In this sample of older adults, greater functional fitness was associated only with relatively high levels of walking involving 6500 steps per day or more. It was not related to medium walking levels. The findings point to the importance of interventions to maintain or enhance functional fitness among older adults.

34 CFR 682.216 - Teacher loan forgiveness program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... serves low-income families as a full-time teacher for five consecutive complete academic years. The... elementary or secondary school may be counted toward the required five consecutive complete academic years only if at least one year of teaching was after the 1997-1998 academic year. (iii) Teaching at an...

34 CFR 685.217 - Teacher loan forgiveness program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... serves low-income families as a full-time teacher for five consecutive complete academic years. The... elementary or secondary school may be counted toward the required five consecutive complete academic years only if at least one year of teaching was after the 1997-1998 academic year. (iii) Teaching at an...

Registration of X-rays at 2500 m altitude in association with lightning flashes and thunderstorms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Montanyà, Joan; Fabró, Ferran; van der Velde, Oscar; Romero, David; Solà, Gloria; Hermoso, Juan Ramon; Soula, Serge; Williams, Earle R.; Pineda, Nicolau

2014-02-01

Electric fields and high-energy radiation of natural lightning measured at close range from a mountaintop tower are discussed. In none of the 12 negative cloud-to-ground upward flashes were X-rays observed. Also no energetic radiation was found in one negative upward leader at close range (20 m). In the first of two consecutive negative cloud-to-ground flashes, X-rays were detected during the last 1.75 ms of the leader. During the time of energetic radiation in the flash an intense burst of intracloud VHF sources was located by the interferometers. The X-ray production is attributed to the high electric field runaway electron mechanism during leader stepping. Even though the second flash struck closer than the previous one, no X-rays were detected. The absence of energetic radiation is attributed to being outside of the beam of X-ray photons from the leader tip or to the stepping process not allowing sufficiently intense electric fields ahead of the leader tip. High-speed video of downward negative leaders at the time when X-rays are commonly detected on the ground revealed the increase of speed and luminosity of the leader. Both phenomena allow higher electric fields at the leader front favoring energetic radiation. Background radiation was also measured during thunderstorms. The count rate of a particular day is presented and discussed. The increases in the radiation count rate are more coincident with radar reflectivity levels above 30 dBZ than with the total lightning activity close to the site. The increases of dose are attributed to radon daughter-ion precipitation.

Barriers associated with reduced physical activity in COPD patients.

PubMed

Amorim, Priscila Batista; Stelmach, Rafael; Carvalho, Celso Ricardo Fernandes; Fernandes, Frederico Leon Arrabal; Carvalho-Pinto, Regina Maria; Cukier, Alberto

2014-10-01

To evaluate the ability of COPD patients to perform activities of daily living (ADL); to identify barriers that prevent these individuals from performing ADL; and to correlate those barriers with dyspnea severity, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and an ADL limitation score. In COPD patients and healthy, age-matched controls, the number of steps, the distance walked, and walking time were recorded with a triaxial accelerometer, for seven consecutive days. A questionnaire regarding perceived barriers and the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scale were used in order to identify the factors that prevent the performance of ADL. The severity of dyspnea was assessed with two scales, whereas submaximal exercise capacity was determined on the basis of the 6MWT. We evaluated 40 COPD patients and 40 controls. In comparison with the control values, the mean walk time was significantly shorter for COPD patients (68.5 ± 25.8 min/day vs. 105.2 ± 49.4 min/day; p < 0.001), as was the distance walked (3.9 ± 1.9 km/day vs. 6.4 ± 3.2 km/day; p < 0.001). The COPD patients also walked fewer steps/day. The most common self-reported barriers to performing ADL were lack of infrastructure, social influences, and lack of willpower. The 6MWT distance correlated with the results obtained with the accelerometer but not with the LCADL scale results. Patients with COPD are less active than are healthy adults of a comparable age. Physical inactivity and the barriers to performing ADL have immediate implications for clinical practice, calling for early intervention measures.

Does Living Outside of a Major City Impact on the Timeliness of Chlamydia Treatment? A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Analysis.

PubMed

Foster, Rosalind; Ali, Hammad; Crowley, Margaret; Dyer, Roisin; Grant, Kim; Lenton, Joanne; Little, Christine; Knight, Vickie; Read, Phillip; Donovan, Basil; McNulty, Anna; Guy, Rebecca

2016-08-01

Timely treatment of Chlamydia trachomatis infection reduces complications and onward transmission. We assessed client, process, and clinic factors associated with treatment delays at sexual health clinics in New South Wales, Australia. A retrospective review of 450 consecutive clients with positive chlamydia results (not treated at the time of the consultation) was undertaken at 6 clinics (1 urban, 3 regional, and 2 remote) from October 2013. Mean and median times to treatment were calculated, overall and stratified by process steps and clinic location. Nearly all clients (446, 99%) were treated, with 398 (88%) treated in ≤14 days and 277 (62%) in ≤7 days. The mean time-to-treatment was 22 days at remote clinics, 13 days at regional and 8 days at the urban clinic (P < 0.001). Mean time between the laboratory receipt of specimen and reporting of result was 4.9 in the remote clinics, 4.1 in the regional, and 2.7 days in the urban clinic (P < 0.001); and the mean time between the clinician receiving the result until client treatment was15, 5, and 3 days (P < 0.01), respectively. At participating clinics, treatment uptake was high, however treatment delays were greater with increasing remoteness. Strategies to reduce the time-to-treatment should be explored such as point-of-care testing, faster specimen processing, dedicated clinical time to follow up recalls, SMS results to clients, and taking treatment out to clients.

Construction of a System for the Strawberry Nursery Production towards Elimination of Latent Infection of Anthracnose Fungi by a Combination of PCR and Microtube Hybridization

PubMed Central

Furuta, Kazuyoshi; Nagashima, Saki; Inukai, Tsuyoshi; Masuta, Chikara

2017-01-01

One of the major problems in strawberry production is difficulty in diagnosis of anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum or Glomerella cingulata in latent infection stage. We here developed a diagnostic tool for the latent infection consisting of initial culturing of fungi, DNA extraction, synthesis of PCR-amplified probes and microtube hybridization (MTH) using a macroarray. The initial culturing step is convenient to lure the fungi out of the plant tissues, and to extract PCR-inhibitor-free DNA directly from fungal hyphae. For specific detection of the fungi, PCR primers were designed to amplify the fungal MAT1-2 gene. The subsequent MTH step using the PCR products as probes can replace the laborious electrophoresis step providing us sequence information and high-throughput screening. Using this method, we have conducted a survey for a few thousands nursery plants every year for three consecutive years, and finally succeeded in eliminating latent infection in the third year of challenge. PMID:28167891

Sexy transgenes: the impact of gene transfer and gene inactivation technologies on the understanding of mammalian sex determination.

PubMed

Vaiman, Daniel

2003-06-01

Amongst the various developmental pathways ending in a sound mammal, sex determination presents the peculiarity of a choice between two equally viable options: female or male. Therefore, destroying a 'male-determining gene' or a 'female-determining gene' should generally not be lethal. Genetic sex determination is divided into two consecutive steps: construction of the bipotential gonad, and then sex determination per se. The genes involved in the first step are in fact involved in the development of various body compartments, and their mutation is generally far from innocuous. From transgenic and inactivation studies carried out on the laboratory mouse, a complete picture of the two steps is beginning to emerge, where the gonad itself and the necessary ducts are shown to evolve in a very coordinate way, with well-defined sex-specificities. Compared with testis determination, the ovarian side of the picture is still relatively empty, but this situation can change rapidly as candidate ovarian genes for inactivation studies are beginning to be identified.

Visual Schedule System in Dental Care for Patients with Autism: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Mah, Janet Wt; Tsang, Phoebe

A pilot study to test whether a visual schedule system using picture communication symbols can help children with autism have successful routine dental cleaning visits. 14 boys with autism between three- to eight-years-old presented to the dental clinic for four weekly consecutive dental appointments. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control group who received the tell-show-do method (i.e., standard of care), or the test group who received the tell-show-do method plus the visual schedule system. Patients in the test group completed an average of 1.38 more steps, at 35.52 seconds per step faster, and with 18.7% lower levels of behavioral distress than those in the control group. The use of a visual schedule system, along with repeated weekly visits, showed some promise in helping children with autism successfully complete more steps, progress at a quicker rate, and exhibit lower levels of behavioral distress within a dental appointment, compared to a traditional tell-show-do approach.

Nonparametric methods for analyzing recurrent gap time data with application to infections after hematopoietic cell transplant.

PubMed

Lee, Chi Hyun; Luo, Xianghua; Huang, Chiung-Yu; DeFor, Todd E; Brunstein, Claudio G; Weisdorf, Daniel J

2016-06-01

Infection is one of the most common complications after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Many patients experience infectious complications repeatedly after transplant. Existing statistical methods for recurrent gap time data typically assume that patients are enrolled due to the occurrence of an event of interest, and subsequently experience recurrent events of the same type; moreover, for one-sample estimation, the gap times between consecutive events are usually assumed to be identically distributed. Applying these methods to analyze the post-transplant infection data will inevitably lead to incorrect inferential results because the time from transplant to the first infection has a different biological meaning than the gap times between consecutive recurrent infections. Some unbiased yet inefficient methods include univariate survival analysis methods based on data from the first infection or bivariate serial event data methods based on the first and second infections. In this article, we propose a nonparametric estimator of the joint distribution of time from transplant to the first infection and the gap times between consecutive infections. The proposed estimator takes into account the potentially different distributions of the two types of gap times and better uses the recurrent infection data. Asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are established. © 2015, The International Biometric Society.

Nonparametric methods for analyzing recurrent gap time data with application to infections after hematopoietic cell transplant

PubMed Central

Lee, Chi Hyun; Huang, Chiung-Yu; DeFor, Todd E.; Brunstein, Claudio G.; Weisdorf, Daniel J.

2015-01-01

Summary Infection is one of the most common complications after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Many patients experience infectious complications repeatedly after transplant. Existing statistical methods for recurrent gap time data typically assume that patients are enrolled due to the occurrence of an event of interest, and subsequently experience recurrent events of the same type; moreover, for one-sample estimation, the gap times between consecutive events are usually assumed to be identically distributed. Applying these methods to analyze the post-transplant infection data will inevitably lead to incorrect inferential results because the time from transplant to the first infection has a different biological meaning than the gap times between consecutive recurrent infections. Some unbiased yet inefficient methods include univariate survival analysis methods based on data from the first infection or bivariate serial event data methods based on the first and second infections. In this paper, we propose a nonparametric estimator of the joint distribution of time from transplant to the first infection and the gap times between consecutive infections. The proposed estimator takes into account the potentially different distributions of the two types of gap times and better uses the recurrent infection data. Asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are established. PMID:26575402

Daily physical activity patterns of children living in an American Indian community.

PubMed

Brusseau, Timothy A; Kulinna, Pamela H; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Ferry, Matthew

2013-01-01

Embracing a physically active lifestyle is especially important for American Indian (AI) children who are at a greater risk for hypokinetic diseases, particularly Type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to describe AI children's pedometer-determined physical activity (PA) segmented into prominent daily activity patterns. Participants included 5th- and 6th-grade children (N = 77) attending school from 1 Southwestern US AI community. Children wore a pedometer (Yamax Digiwalker SW-200) for 7 consecutive days. Boys accumulated 12,621 (± 5385) steps/weekday and girls accumulated 11,640 (± 3695) steps/weekday of which 38% (4,779 ± 1271) and 35% (4,027 ± 1285) were accumulated at school for boys and girls, respectively. Physical education (PE) provided the single largest source of PA during school for both boys (25% or 3117 steps/day) and girls (23% or 2638 steps/day). Lunchtime recess provided 1612 (13%) and 1241 (11%) steps/day for boys and girls, respectively. Children were significantly less active on weekend days, accumulating 8066 ± 1959 (boys) and 6676 ± 1884 (girls). Although children accumulate a majority of their steps outside of school, this study highlights the important contribution of PE to the overall PA accumulation of children living in AI communities. Further, PA programming during the weekend appears to be important for this population.

Physical activity among children: objective measurements using Fitbit One® and ActiGraph.

PubMed

Hamari, Lotta; Kullberg, Tiina; Ruohonen, Jukka; Heinonen, Olli J; Díaz-Rodríguez, Natalia; Lilius, Johan; Pakarinen, Anni; Myllymäki, Annukka; Leppänen, Ville; Salanterä, Sanna

2017-04-20

Self-quantification of health parameters is becoming more popular; thus, the validity of the devices requires assessments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Fitbit One step counts (Fitbit Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) against Actigraph wActisleep-BT step counts (ActiGraph, LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA) for measuring habitual physical activity among children. The study was implemented as a cross-sectional experimental design in which participants carried two waist-worn activity monitors for five consecutive days. The participants were chosen with a purposive sampling from three fourth grade classes (9-10 year olds) in two comprehensive schools. Altogether, there were 34 participants in the study. From these, eight participants were excluded from the analysis due to erroneous data. Primary outcome measures for step counts were Fitbit One and Actigraph wActisleep-BT. The supporting outcome measures were based on activity diaries and initial information sheets. Classical Bland-Altman plots were used for reporting the results. The average per-participant daily difference between the step counts from the two devices was 1937. The range was [116, 5052]. Fitbit One gave higher step counts for all but the least active participant. According to a Bland-Altman plot, the hourly step counts had a relative large mean bias across participants (161 step counts). The differences were partially explained by activity intensity: higher intensity denoted higher differences, and light intensity denoted lower differences. Fitbit One step counts are comparable to Actigraph step counts in a sample of 9-10-year-old children engaged in habitual physical activity in sedentary and light physical activity intensities. However, in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, Fitbit One gives higher step counts when compared to Actigraph.

Results of a prospective clinical study on the diagnostic performance of standard magnetic resonance imaging in comparison to a combination of 3T MRI and additional CT imaging in Kienböck's disease.

PubMed

Stahl, Stephane; Hentschel, Pascal; Ketelsen, Dominik; Grosse, Ulrich; Held, Manuel; Wahler, Theodora; Syha, Roland; Schaller, Hans-Eberhard; Nikolaou, Konstantin; Grözinger, Gerd

2017-05-01

This prospective clinical study examined standard wrist magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations and the incremental value of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of Kienböck's disease (KD) with regard to reliability and precision in the different diagnostic steps during diagnostic work-up. Sixty-four consecutive patients referred between January 2009 and January 2014 with positive initial suspicion of KD according to external standard wrist MRI were prospectively included (step one). Institutional review board approval was obtained. Clinical examination by two handsurgeons were followed by wrist radiographs (step two), ultrathin-section CT, and 3T contrast-enhanced MRI (step three). Final diagnosis was established in a consensus conference involving all examiners and all examinations results available from step three. In 12/64 patients, initial suspicion was discarded at step two and in 34/64 patients, the initial suspicion of KD was finally discarded at step three. The final external MRI positive predictive value was 47%. The most common differential diagnoses at step three were intraosseous cysts (n=15), lunate pseudarthrosis (n=13), and ulnar impaction syndrome (n=5). A correlation between radiograph-based diagnoses (step two) with final diagnosis (step three) showed that initial suspicion of stage I KD had the lowest sensitivity for correct diagnosis (2/11). Technical factors associated with a false positive external MRI KD diagnosis were not found. Standard wrist MRI should be complemented with thin-section CT, and interdisciplinary interpretation of images and clinical data, to increase diagnostic accuracy in patients with suspected KD. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Applications of step-selection functions in ecology and conservation.

PubMed

Thurfjell, Henrik; Ciuti, Simone; Boyce, Mark S

2014-01-01

Recent progress in positioning technology facilitates the collection of massive amounts of sequential spatial data on animals. This has led to new opportunities and challenges when investigating animal movement behaviour and habitat selection. Tools like Step Selection Functions (SSFs) are relatively new powerful models for studying resource selection by animals moving through the landscape. SSFs compare environmental attributes of observed steps (the linear segment between two consecutive observations of position) with alternative random steps taken from the same starting point. SSFs have been used to study habitat selection, human-wildlife interactions, movement corridors, and dispersal behaviours in animals. SSFs also have the potential to depict resource selection at multiple spatial and temporal scales. There are several aspects of SSFs where consensus has not yet been reached such as how to analyse the data, when to consider habitat covariates along linear paths between observations rather than at their endpoints, how many random steps should be considered to measure availability, and how to account for individual variation. In this review we aim to address all these issues, as well as to highlight weak features of this modelling approach that should be developed by further research. Finally, we suggest that SSFs could be integrated with state-space models to classify behavioural states when estimating SSFs.

One Step Back? Reassessing an Ideal Security State for Northeast Asia 2025

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-01

kept policy interest rates below 2% for three years , from December 2001 to November 2004, which made low-interest loans available to households and...three consecutive years of CA imbalances exceeding 2% of her GDP, the exchange rate will move to correct the imbalance. This market discipline works... exchange rates . Movement in the yuan is more or less determined by the policy goals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), not by market forces. Tight

Novel azepino-perylenebisimides: synthesis, structure, and properties.

PubMed

Mishra, Ruchika; Panini, Piyush; Sankar, Jeyaraman

2014-08-01

The first example of an azepine ring formation by counterintuitive nucleophilic participation of DBU was observed at the sterically crowded bay area of electron-deficient perylenebisimide (PBI). This is also a rare example of the formation of a seven-membered ring via two consecutive C-N bond formations in a single step. Azepino-PBIs reveal panchromatic absorption covering the whole visible region. Further novelty of these PBIs lies within the fact that their photophysical characteristics can easily be modulated by suitable substituents.

Method and device for diagnosing and controlling combustion instabilities in internal combustion engines operating in or transitioning to homogeneous charge combustion ignition mode

DOEpatents

Wagner, Robert M [Knoxville, TN; Daw, Charles S [Knoxville, TN; Green, Johney B [Knoxville, TN; Edwards, Kevin D [Knoxville, TN

2008-10-07

This invention is a method of achieving stable, optimal mixtures of HCCI and SI in practical gasoline internal combustion engines comprising the steps of: characterizing the combustion process based on combustion process measurements, determining the ratio of conventional and HCCI combustion, determining the trajectory (sequence) of states for consecutive combustion processes, and determining subsequent combustion process modifications using said information to steer the engine combustion toward desired behavior.

Repeat physical activity measurement by accelerometry among colorectal cancer patients--feasibility and minimal number of days of monitoring.

PubMed

Skender, Stephanie; Schrotz-King, Petra; Böhm, Jürgen; Abbenhardt, Clare; Gigic, Biljana; Chang-Claude, Jenny; Siegel, Erin M; Steindorf, Karen; Ulrich, Cornelia M

2015-06-06

Physical activity plays an important role in colorectal cancer and accelerometry is more frequently used to measure physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility of physical activity measurement by accelerometry in colorectal cancer patients under free-living conditions at 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery, to evaluate the appropriate wear time and to compare results to pedometry. Colorectal cancer patients (stage 0/I-IV) from the ColoCare study were asked to optionally wear an accelerometer and a pedometer for ten consecutive days 6, 12 and 24 months post-surgery. Participants completed a feedback questionnaire about the accelerometer measurement. The course of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity over the 10 days was investigated. Additionally, daily step counts from accelerometers and pedometers were compared. In total, there were 317 individual time points, at which 198 participants were asked to wear an accelerometer. Fifty-nine% initially agreed to participate and of these, 83% (n = 156) completed the assessment with at least 4 days of data. Twenty-one% more consents were obtained when participants were asked on a face-to-face basis compared to recruitment by telephone (P = 0.0002). There were no significant differences in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity between different wear-time lengths of accelerometry. Both Spearman and intraclass correlation coefficients showed strong correlations (0.92-0.99 and 0.84-0.99, respectively) of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity across 3, 4, 7 and 10 days measurement. Step counts measured by accelerometry and pedometry were strongly correlated (ρ = 0.91, P < 0.0001). This study suggest that accelerometry is a feasible method to assess physical activity in free-living colorectal cancer patients and that three valid days of physical activity measurement are sufficient for an accurate assessment.

Priority queues with bursty arrivals of incoming tasks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masuda, N.; Kim, J. S.; Kahng, B.

2009-03-01

Recently increased accessibility of large-scale digital records enables one to monitor human activities such as the interevent time distributions between two consecutive visits to a web portal by a single user, two consecutive emails sent out by a user, two consecutive library loans made by a single individual, etc. Interestingly, those distributions exhibit a universal behavior, D(τ)˜τ-δ , where τ is the interevent time, and δ≃1 or 3/2 . The universal behaviors have been modeled via the waiting-time distribution of a task in the queue operating based on priority; the waiting time follows a power-law distribution Pw(τ)˜τ-α with either α=1 or 3/2 depending on the detail of queuing dynamics. In these models, the number of incoming tasks in a unit time interval has been assumed to follow a Poisson-type distribution. For an email system, however, the number of emails delivered to a mail box in a unit time we measured follows a power-law distribution with general exponent γ . For this case, we obtain analytically the exponent α , which is not necessarily 1 or 3/2 and takes nonuniversal values depending on γ . We develop the generating function formalism to obtain the exponent α , which is distinct from the continuous time approximation used in the previous studies.

Towards the specification of consecutive steps in macromolecular lignin assembly.

PubMed

Nose, M; Bernards, M A; Furlan, M; Zajicek, J; Eberhardt, T L; Lewis, N G

1995-05-01

When Pinus taeda cell suspension cultures are exposed to 8% sucrose solution, the cells undergo significant intracellular disruption, irregular wall thickening/lignification with concomitant formation of an 'extracellular lignin precipitate. However, addition of potassium iodide (KI), an H202 scavenger, inhibits this lignification response, while the ability to synthesize the monolignols, p-coumaryl and coniferyl alcohols, is retained. Lignin synthesis (i.e. polymerization) is thus temporarily correlated with H202 generation, strongly implying a regulatory role for the latter. Time course analyses of extracellular metabolites leading up to polymer formation reveal that coniferyl alcohol, but not p-coumaryl alcohol, undergoes substantial coupling reactions to give various lignans. Of these, the metabolites, dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, shonanin (divanillyl tetrahydrofuran) and its apparent aryl tetralin derivative, cannot be explained simply on the basis of phenolic coupling. It is proposed that these moieties are the precursors of so-called reduced substructures in the lignin macromolecule. This adds a new perspective to the lignin assembly mechanism.

Neuroprotective effect of oral choline administration after global brain ischemia in rats.

PubMed

Borges, Andrea Aurélio; El-Batah, Philipe Nicolas; Yamashita, Lilia Fumie; Santana, Aline dos Santos; Lopes, Antonio Carlos; Freymuller-Haapalainen, Edna; Coimbra, Cicero Galli; Sinigaglia-Coimbra, Rita

2015-08-01

Choline - now recognized as an essential nutrient - is the most common polar group found in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane bilayer. Brain ischemia-reperfusion causes lipid peroxidation triggering multiple cell death pathways involving necrosis and apoptosis. Membrane breakdown is, therefore, a major pathophysiologic event in brain ischemia. The ability to achieve membrane repair is a critical step for survival of ischemic neurons following reperfusion injury. The availability of choline is a rate-limiting factor in phospholipid synthesis and, therefore, may be important for timely membrane repair and cell survival. This work aimed at verifying the effects of 7-day oral administration with different doses of choline on survival of CA1 hippocampal neurons following transient global forebrain ischemia in rats. The administration of 400 mg/kg/day divided into two daily doses for 7 consecutive days significantly improved CA1 pyramidal cell survival, indicating that the local availability of this essential nutrient may limit postischemic neuronal survival.

High-Throughput Bit-Serial LDPC Decoder LSI Based on Multiple-Valued Asynchronous Interleaving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Onizawa, Naoya; Hanyu, Takahiro; Gaudet, Vincent C.

This paper presents a high-throughput bit-serial low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoder that uses an asynchronous interleaver. Since consecutive log-likelihood message values on the interleaver are similar, node computations are continuously performed by using the most recently arrived messages without significantly affecting bit-error rate (BER) performance. In the asynchronous interleaver, each message's arrival rate is based on the delay due to the wire length, so that the decoding throughput is not restricted by the worst-case latency, which results in a higher average rate of computation. Moreover, the use of a multiple-valued data representation makes it possible to multiplex control signals and data from mutual nodes, thus minimizing the number of handshaking steps in the asynchronous interleaver and eliminating the clock signal entirely. As a result, the decoding throughput becomes 1.3 times faster than that of a bit-serial synchronous decoder under a 90nm CMOS technology, at a comparable BER.

Towards the specification of consecutive steps in macromolecular lignin assembly

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nose, M.; Bernards, M. A.; Furlan, M.; Zajicek, J.; Eberhardt, T. L.; Lewis, N. G.

1995-01-01

When Pinus taeda cell suspension cultures are exposed to 8% sucrose solution, the cells undergo significant intracellular disruption, irregular wall thickening/lignification with concomitant formation of an 'extracellular lignin precipitate. However, addition of potassium iodide (KI), an H202 scavenger, inhibits this lignification response, while the ability to synthesize the monolignols, p-coumaryl and coniferyl alcohols, is retained. Lignin synthesis (i.e. polymerization) is thus temporarily correlated with H202 generation, strongly implying a regulatory role for the latter. Time course analyses of extracellular metabolites leading up to polymer formation reveal that coniferyl alcohol, but not p-coumaryl alcohol, undergoes substantial coupling reactions to give various lignans. Of these, the metabolites, dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, shonanin (divanillyl tetrahydrofuran) and its apparent aryl tetralin derivative, cannot be explained simply on the basis of phenolic coupling. It is proposed that these moieties are the precursors of so-called reduced substructures in the lignin macromolecule. This adds a new perspective to the lignin assembly mechanism.

Performance of a visuomotor walking task in an augmented reality training setting.

PubMed

Haarman, Juliet A M; Choi, Julia T; Buurke, Jaap H; Rietman, Johan S; Reenalda, Jasper

2017-12-01

Visual cues can be used to train walking patterns. Here, we studied the performance and learning capacities of healthy subjects executing a high-precision visuomotor walking task, in an augmented reality training set-up. A beamer was used to project visual stepping targets on the walking surface of an instrumented treadmill. Two speeds were used to manipulate task difficulty. All participants (n = 20) had to change their step length to hit visual stepping targets with a specific part of their foot, while walking on a treadmill over seven consecutive training blocks, each block composed of 100 stepping targets. Distance between stepping targets was varied between short, medium and long steps. Training blocks could either be composed of random stepping targets (no fixed sequence was present in the distance between the stepping targets) or sequenced stepping targets (repeating fixed sequence was present). Random training blocks were used to measure non-specific learning and sequenced training blocks were used to measure sequence-specific learning. Primary outcome measures were performance (% of correct hits), and learning effects (increase in performance over the training blocks: both sequence-specific and non-specific). Secondary outcome measures were the performance and stepping-error in relation to the step length (distance between stepping target). Subjects were able to score 76% and 54% at first try for lower speed (2.3 km/h) and higher speed (3.3 km/h) trials, respectively. Performance scores did not increase over the course of the trials, nor did the subjects show the ability to learn a sequenced walking task. Subjects were better able to hit targets while increasing their step length, compared to shortening it. In conclusion, augmented reality training by use of the current set-up was intuitive for the user. Suboptimal feedback presentation might have limited the learning effects of the subjects. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interobserver Agreement in Clinical Grading of Vitreous Haze Using Alternative Grading Scales

PubMed Central

Hornbeak, Dana M; Payal, Abhishek; Pistilli, Maxwell; Biswas, Jyotirmay; Ganesh, Sudha K; Gupta, Vishali; Rathinam, Sivakumar R; Davis, Janet L; Kempen, John H

2014-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the reliability of clinical grading of vitreous haze using a new 9-step ordinal scale vs. the existing 6-step ordinal scale. Design Evaluation of Diagnostic Test (interobserver agreement study). Participants 119 consecutive patients (204 uveitic eyes) presenting for uveitis subspecialty care on the study day at one of three large uveitis centers. Methods Five pairs of uveitis specialists clinically graded vitreous haze in the same eyes, one after the other using the same equipment, using the 6- and 9-step scales. Main Outcome Measures Agreement in vitreous haze grade between each pair of specialists was evaluated by the κ statistic (exact agreement and agreement within one or two grades). Results The scales correlated well (Spearman’s ρ=0.84). Exact agreement was modest using both the 6-step and 9-step scales: average κ=0.46 (range 0.28–0.81) and κ=0.40 (range 0.15–0.63), respectively. Within-1-grade agreement was slightly more favorable for the scale with fewer steps, but values were excellent for both scales: κ=0.75 (range 0.66–0.96) and κ=0.62 (range 0.38–0.87), respectively. Within-2-grade agreement for the 9-step scale also was excellent [κ=0.85 (range 0.79–0.92)]. Two-fold more cases were potentially clinical trial eligible based on the 9- than the 6-step scale (p<0.001). Conclusions Both scales are sufficiently reproducible using clinical grading for clinical and research use with the appropriate threshold (a ≥2 and ≥3 step differences for the 6-step and 9-step scales respectively). The results suggest that more eyes are likely to meet eligibility criteria for trials using the 9-step scale. The 9-step scale appears to have higher reproducibility with Reading Center grading than clinical grading, suggesting Reading Center grading may be preferable for clinical trials. PMID:24697913

Influence of Individual Determinants on Physical Activity at Work and During Leisure Time in Soldiers: A Prospective Surveillance Study.

PubMed

Schulze, Christoph; Lindner, Tobias; Goethel, Pauline; Müller, Marie; Mittelmeier, Wolfram; Bader, Rainer

2016-01-01

Quantified physical activity is an important parameter for evaluating the risk of the incidence of internal and musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical activity of German Soldiers on duty and during leisure time with regard to individual determinants and to evaluate if factors associated with the risk of the incidence of internal or musculoskeletal disorders are of relevance for physical activity. For this purpose, we conducted activity measurements on 169 subjects. The accelerometer-based activity sensor was worn for 7 consecutive days. The number of steps taken was evaluated as an activity marker.We observed that a high body mass index and a large waist circumference were associated with a low activity level. Women were found to be more active than men, particularly during leisure time. Personnel under 25 years of age were more physically active than those between 25 and 50 years of age. Subjects with underlying musculoskeletal disorders were less active than those who had internal disorders or were healthy. Men and overweight people run a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal and internal disorders. Health promotion should focus on raising the physical activity level with the aim of exerting a positive influence on the associated risk factors.

Labtracker+, a medical smartphone app for the interpretation of consecutive laboratory results: an external validation study.

PubMed

Hilderink, Judith M; Rennenberg, Roger J M W; Vanmolkot, Floris H M; Bekers, Otto; Koopmans, Richard P; Meex, Steven J R

2017-09-01

When monitoring patients over time, clinicians may struggle to distinguish 'real changes' in consecutive blood parameters from so-called natural fluctuations. In practice, they have to do so by relying on their clinical experience and intuition. We developed Labtracker+ , a medical app that calculates the probability that an increase or decrease over time in a specific blood parameter is real, given the time between measurements. We presented patient cases to 135 participants to examine whether there is a difference between medical students, residents and experienced clinicians when it comes to interpreting changes between consecutive laboratory results. Participants were asked to interpret if changes in consecutive laboratory values were likely to be 'real' or rather due to natural fluctuations. The answers of the study participants were compared with the calculated probabilities by the app Labtracker+ and the concordance rates were assessed. Medical students (n=92), medical residents from the department of internal medicine (n=19) and internists (n=24) at a Dutch University Medical Centre. Concordance rates between the study participants and the calculated probabilities by the app Labtracker+ were compared. Besides, we tested whether physicians with clinical experience scored better concordance rates with the app Labtracker+ than inexperienced clinicians. Medical residents and internists showed significantly better concordance rates with the calculated probabilities by the app Labtracker+ than medical students, regarding their interpretation of differences between consecutive laboratory results (p=0.009 and p<0.001, respectively). The app Labtracker+ could serve as a clinical decision tool in the interpretation of consecutive laboratory test results and could contribute to rapid recognition of parameter changes by physicians. © 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.

In situ affinity purification of his-tagged protein A from Bacillus megaterium cultivation using recyclable superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

PubMed

Gädke, Johannes; Kleinfeldt, Lennart; Schubert, Chris; Rohde, Manfred; Biedendieck, Rebekka; Garnweitner, Georg; Krull, Rainer

2017-01-20

This paper discusses the use of recyclable functionalized nanoparticles for an improved downstream processing of recombinant products. The Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus megaterium was used to secrete recombinant protein A fused to a histidine tag into the culture supernatant in shaker flasks. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with 3-glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxysilane-coupled-nitrilotriacetic-acid groups (GNTA-SPION) were synthesized and added directly to the growing culture. After 10min incubation time, >85% of the product was adsorbed onto the particles. The particles were magnetically separated using handheld neodymium magnets and the product was eluted. The GNTA-SPION were successfully regenerated and reused in five consecutive cycles. In the one-step purification, the purity of the product reached >99.9% regarding protein A. A very low particle concentration of 0.5g/L was sufficient for effective product separation. Bacterial growth was not influenced negatively by this concentration. Particle analysis showed similar properties between freshly synthesized and regenerated GNTA-SPION. The overall process efficiency was however influenced by partial disintegration of particle agglomerates and thus loss of particles. The demonstration of very fast in situ product removal from growing bacterial culture combined with a very high product purity within one step shows possibilities for automated large scale purification combined with recycling of biomass. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of wrist-worn and hip-worn activity monitors under free living conditions.

PubMed

Hargens, Trent A; Deyarmin, Kayla N; Snyder, Kelsey M; Mihalik, Allison G; Sharpe, Lauren E

2017-04-01

Current recommendations state that individuals engage in 150 min of moderate or 75 min of vigorous intensity physical activity (PA) each week. Commercial PA monitors are becoming popular for everyday use. The accuracy of these devices, however, is not well understood. We sought to examine the accuracy of two commercial devices, one wrist and one hip-worn, under free-living conditions. Twenty-two subjects wore two commercially available devices and one ActiGraph (AG) for seven consecutive days under normal activity. Mean steps per day between all three devices differed significantly. No differences were found in moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MPVA). Daily energy expenditure (EE) also differed significantly between the AG and the commercial devices. Bland-Altman analysis found poor agreement between the AG and the commercial devices with regards to steps and EE, but good agreement in MVPA. Results suggest that the commercial devices are less accurate in estimating steps and EE. These devices did show good agreement with regards to MVPA, suggesting that they may provide useful feedback for individuals seeking to achieve the current PA guidelines for MVPA. Improvements are needed with regards to steps and EE estimation.

DeepVel: Deep learning for the estimation of horizontal velocities at the solar surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Asensio Ramos, A.; Requerey, I. S.; Vitas, N.

2017-07-01

Many phenomena taking place in the solar photosphere are controlled by plasma motions. Although the line-of-sight component of the velocity can be estimated using the Doppler effect, we do not have direct spectroscopic access to the components that are perpendicular to the line of sight. These components are typically estimated using methods based on local correlation tracking. We have designed DeepVel, an end-to-end deep neural network that produces an estimation of the velocity at every single pixel, every time step, and at three different heights in the atmosphere from just two consecutive continuum images. We confront DeepVel with local correlation tracking, pointing out that they give very similar results in the time and spatially averaged cases. We use the network to study the evolution in height of the horizontal velocity field in fragmenting granules, supporting the buoyancy-braking mechanism for the formation of integranular lanes in these granules. We also show that DeepVel can capture very small vortices, so that we can potentially expand the scaling cascade of vortices to very small sizes and durations. The movie attached to Fig. 3 is available at http://www.aanda.org

Accuracy of patient's turnover time prediction using RFID technology in an academic ambulatory surgery center.

PubMed

Marchand-Maillet, Florence; Debes, Claire; Garnier, Fanny; Dufeu, Nicolas; Sciard, Didier; Beaussier, Marc

2015-02-01

Patients flow in outpatient surgical unit is a major issue with regards to resource utilization, overall case load and patient satisfaction. An electronic Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) was used to document the overall time spent by the patients between their admission and discharge from the unit. The objective of this study was to evaluate how a RFID-based data collection system could provide an accurate prediction of the actual time for the patient to be discharged from the ambulatory surgical unit after surgery. This is an observational prospective evaluation carried out in an academic ambulatory surgery center (ASC). Data on length of stay at each step of the patient care, from admission to discharge, were recorded by a RFID device and analyzed according to the type of surgical procedure, the surgeon and the anesthetic technique. Based on these initial data (n = 1520), patients were scheduled in a sequential manner according to the expected duration of the previous case. The primary endpoint was the difference between actual and predicted time of discharge from the unit. A total of 414 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated. One hundred seventy four patients (42%) were discharged at the predicted time ± 30 min. Only 24% were discharged behind predicted schedule. Using an automatic record of patient's length of stay would allow an accurate prediction of the discharge time according to the type of surgery, the surgeon and the anesthetic procedure.

Self-Cutting: Patient Characteristics Compared with Self-Poisoners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawton, Keith; Harriss, Louise; Simkin, Sue; Bale, Elizabeth; Bond, Alison

2004-01-01

A large (n = 14,892) consecutive sample of deliberate self-harm (attempted suicide) patients who presented to a general hospital in the United Kingdom during a 23-year study period was examined (over two consecutive time periods) in order to compare the characteristics of those who used self-cutting (n = 428) and those who self-poisoned (n =…

49 CFR 395.5 - Maximum driving time for passenger-carrying vehicles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... hours in any 7 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week; or (2) Having been on duty 70 hours in any period of 8 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier operates commercial motor vehicles every day of the week. [70 FR 50073...

77 FR 31684 - Hours of Service of Drivers: RockTenn, Exemption Application

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-29

... 14th hour of coming on duty. This exemption will allow these individuals to occasionally work up to 16 consecutive hours and be allowed to return to work with less than the mandatory 10 consecutive hours off duty... public road--Compress Street--an average of forty times per day to travel between its manufacturing...

Physical activity during pregnancy in obese and normal-weight women as assessed by pedometer.

PubMed

Renault, Kristina; Nørgaard, Kirsten; Andreasen, Kirsten Riis; Secher, Niels Jørgen; Nilas, Lisbeth

2010-07-01

To compare physical activity as assessed by a pedometer in obese and normal-weight pregnant women at different gestational ages. To evaluate the use of a pedometer in pregnancy. Cross-sectional study. Department of obstetrics and gynecology in a university hospital in Copenhagen. 338 pregnant women, 175 normal-weight women with body mass index (BMI) 20-25 kg/m(2) and 163 obese women with BMI > or = 30 kg/m(2). Physical activity was assessed by a pedometer (Yamax Digiwalker SW-700/701) on seven consecutive days in six different groups: normal-weight or obese at gestational ages 11-13, 18-22, and 36-38, and expressed as median number of daily steps during a whole week, working days, and weekends. Relation between BMI and physical activity during pregnancy and compliance with wearing the pedometer. Noncompliance was more frequent in obese than in normal-weight women (19 vs. 10%, p < 0.001). Physical activity was lower in obese women at all gestational ages (6,482, 7,446, 4,626 steps/day in obese vs. 7,558, 8,865, 6,289 steps/day in normal-weight, p < 0.05-0.11). The greatest difference between obese and normal-weight women was seen during weekends. The level of physical activity was higher in both groups at mid-gestation than during earlier and later gestational ages. Physical activity in pregnant women can be assessed by the pedometer and the method was well accepted by the women; however, the compliance was lower in the obese. The level of physical activity differs between different gestational groups and is lower in obese than in normal-weight women, especially during leisure time.

Body fatness, physical activity, and nutritional behaviours in Asian Indian immigrants to New Zealand.

PubMed

Kolt, Gregory S; Schofield, Grant M; Rush, Elaine C; Oliver, Melody; Chadha, Narender K

2007-01-01

Body fatness, physical activity, and nutritional behaviours were assessed in 112 (50 male, 62 female) Asian Indians living in New Zealand. Participants were aged 44-91 years (mean 67.5 +/- 7.6) and had lived in New Zealand on average 51 months. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured to determine body mass index (BMI) and central adiposity. Bioelectrical impedance was used to derive fat free mass, fat mass, and percentage body fat. Pedometers were worn to record daily steps taken over each of seven consecutive days. A lifestyle and health questionnaire was administered to collect information on nutrition behaviours. Average BMI for the sample was 27.2 +/- 4.7 kg/m2 with females (28.0 +/- 5.4 kg/m2) significantly higher than males (25.6 +/- 5.4 kg/m2). Using Asian Indian specific cut-offs 69% of the sample was obese (BMI>=25 kg/m2) and a further 13.7% overweight (23>=BMI<25 kg/m2). Average percentage body fat for the sample was 41.1 +/- 9.1 with females significantly higher than males. The majority (74%) reported some form of chronic condition, with 35% diagnosed with diabetes. Physical activity levels for the sample were low (5,977 +/- 3,560 steps/day) and significantly different between males (6,982 +/- 4,426) and females (5,159 +/- 2,401). Higher pedometer steps were associated with lower waist circumference. After adjustment for age, physical activity was lower, but nutritional habits better for those who had spent a longer time in New Zealand. In summary, Asian Indian immigrants to New Zealand have low physical activity levels and high levels of overweight/obesity and lifestyle disease.

Skeletal muscle tensile strain dependence: hyperviscoelastic nonlinearity

PubMed Central

Wheatley, Benjamin B; Morrow, Duane A; Odegard, Gregory M; Kaufman, Kenton R; Donahue, Tammy L Haut

2015-01-01

Introduction Computational modeling of skeletal muscle requires characterization at the tissue level. While most skeletal muscle studies focus on hyperelasticity, the goal of this study was to examine and model the nonlinear behavior of both time-independent and time-dependent properties of skeletal muscle as a function of strain. Materials and Methods Nine tibialis anterior muscles from New Zealand White rabbits were subject to five consecutive stress relaxation cycles of roughly 3% strain. Individual relaxation steps were fit with a three-term linear Prony series. Prony series coefficients and relaxation ratio were assessed for strain dependence using a general linear statistical model. A fully nonlinear constitutive model was employed to capture the strain dependence of both the viscoelastic and instantaneous components. Results Instantaneous modulus (p<0.0005) and mid-range relaxation (p<0.0005) increased significantly with strain level, while relaxation at longer time periods decreased with strain (p<0.0005). Time constants and overall relaxation ratio did not change with strain level (p>0.1). Additionally, the fully nonlinear hyperviscoelastic constitutive model provided an excellent fit to experimental data, while other models which included linear components failed to capture muscle function as accurately. Conclusions Material properties of skeletal muscle are strain-dependent at the tissue level. This strain dependence can be included in computational models of skeletal muscle performance with a fully nonlinear hyperviscoelastic model. PMID:26409235

Intermittent ethanol exposure increases long-lasting behavioral and neurochemical effects of MDMA in adolescent mice.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Arias, Marta; Maldonado, Concepción; Vidal-Infer, Antonio; Guerri, Consuelo; Aguilar, María A; Miñarro, José

2011-11-01

Heavy binge drinking is increasingly frequent among adolescents, while ethanol (EtOH) is often used in combination with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The long-lasting effects of intermittent exposure to EtOH and MDMA during adolescence on motor activity, anxiety, and social behavior were evaluated in adult mice. The concentration of brain monoamines in the striatum, cortex, and hippocampus was measured following the behavioral test. Adolescent OF1 mice were exposed to ethanol (1.25 g/kg) on two consecutive days at 48-h intervals over a 14-day period (from PND 29 to 42). A total of eight injections of MDMA (10 or 20 mg/kg) were administered twice daily at 4-h intervals over two consecutive days, and this schedule was repeated 6 days later (PND 33, 34, 41, and 42). Behavioral tests and analysis of brain monoamines took place on PND 64 to 67. Exposure to MDMA during adolescence increased the anxiogenic response in the elevated plus maze, with adult mice spending less time in the open arms of the maze and exhibiting lower concentrations of DA in the striatum. A pattern of ethanol administration modeling binge drinking during adolescence enhanced these effects and undermined the hyperthermic response induced by MDMA. Passive avoidance was affected only when EtOH was administered alone. Juvenile administration of MDMA and alcohol was found to cause a decrease in monoamine levels in adulthood, as well as changes in social interaction behaviors, locomotor activity, increase measures of anxiety in the elevated plus maze (EPM), and decrease step-through latencies in passive avoidance test.

Diagonal chromatography to study plant protein modifications.

PubMed

Walton, Alan; Tsiatsiani, Liana; Jacques, Silke; Stes, Elisabeth; Messens, Joris; Van Breusegem, Frank; Goormachtig, Sofie; Gevaert, Kris

2016-08-01

An interesting asset of diagonal chromatography, which we have introduced for contemporary proteome research, is its high versatility concerning proteomic applications. Indeed, the peptide modification or sorting step that is required between consecutive peptide separations can easily be altered and thereby allows for the enrichment of specific, though different types of peptides. Here, we focus on the application of diagonal chromatography for the study of modifications of plant proteins. In particular, we show how diagonal chromatography allows for studying proteins processed by proteases, protein ubiquitination, and the oxidation of protein-bound methionines. We discuss the actual sorting steps needed for each of these applications and the obtained results. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Plant Proteomics--a bridge between fundamental processes and crop production, edited by Dr. Hans-Peter Mock. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The development of a new three-step protocol to determine the efficacy of disinfectant wipes on surfaces contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Williams, G J; Denyer, S P; Hosein, I K; Hill, D W; Maillard, J-Y

2007-12-01

We developed a three-step protocol to quantify the efficacy of disinfectant wipes, their ability to remove and prevent microbial transfer from surfaces and their overall antimicrobial activity. Meticillin-resistant (MRSA) or -susceptible (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus (6-7 log(10)cfu) were inoculated onto stainless steel discs with or without organic load and dried. Grapefruit extract-containing test wipes and unmedicated control wipes were used. In step 1, wipes were mechanically rotated against surfaces for 10s at 60rpm, exerting a weight of 100+/-5g. Bacterial removal was assessed by transferring the steel discs to neutraliser, resuspending and counting remaining bacteria. In step 2, bacterial transfer from wipes was assessed by eight consecutive mechanical adpression transfers to agar/neutraliser plates. Step 3 was the measurement of antimicrobial activity by direct inoculation of the wipes for 10s followed by neutralisation and enumeration. Test wipes achieved a significantly higher bacterial cell removal than control wipes on all surfaces (P<0.05). The low bactericidal activity of the wipes (<1 log(10) reduction when directly inoculated) and the subsequent survival of bacteria on the wipes, however, led to repeated microbial transfer when initially high contamination levels were present. There were no differences between MRSA and MSSA in removal, transfer or antimicrobial activity. The three-step method is a useful tool for developing future guidelines to assess the ability of wipes to disinfect surfaces.

A cross-sectional study of the relationship between parents' and children's physical activity.

PubMed

Stearns, Jodie A; Rhodes, Ryan; Ball, Geoff D C; Boule, Normand; Veugelers, Paul J; Cutumisu, Nicoleta; Spence, John C

2016-10-28

Though parents' physical activity (PA) is thought to be a predictor of children's PA, findings have been mixed. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between pedometer-measured steps/day of parents' and their children and potential moderators of this relationship. We also assessed the parent-child PA relationship as measured by questionnaires. Six-hundred and twelve 7-8 year olds and one of their parents wore Steps Count (SC)-T2 pedometers for four consecutive days. Parents reported their PA from the last seven days and their child's usual PA. Hierarchical linear regressions were used to assess the parent-child PA relationships, controlling for covariates. Gender (parent, child), gender homogeneity, weight status (parent, child), weight status homogeneity, and socioeconomic status (SES) variables (parent education, household income, area-level SES) were tested as potential moderators of this relationship. Partial r's were used as an estimate of effect size. Parents' steps was significantly related to children's steps (r partial  = .24). For every 1,000 step increase in parents' steps, the children took 260 additional steps. None of the tested interactions were found to moderate this relationship. Using questionnaires, a relatively smaller parent-child PA relationship was found (r partial  = .14). Physically active parents tend to have physically active children. Interventions designed to get children moving more throughout the day could benefit from including a parent component. Future research should explore the mechanisms by which parents influence their children, and other parent attributes and styles as potential moderators.

Detection of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) RNA in Pools of Sera Negative for Antibodies to HIV-1 and HIV-2

PubMed Central

Morandi, Pierre-Alain; Schockmel, Gérard A.; Yerly, Sabine; Burgisser, Philippe; Erb, Peter; Matter, Lukas; Sitavanc, Radan; Perrin, Luc

1998-01-01

A total of 234 pools were prepared from 10,692 consecutive serum samples negative for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 collected at five virological laboratories (average pool size, 45 serum samples). Pools were screened for the presence of HIV-1 RNA by a modified commercial assay (Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor test) which included an additional polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation step prior to purification of viral RNA (PEG Amplicor assay). The sensitivity of this assay for HIV-1 RNA detection in individual serum samples within pools matches that of standard commercial assays for individual serum samples, i.e., 500 HIV-1 RNA copies per ml. Five pools were identified as positive, and each one contained one antibody-negative, HIV-1 RNA-positive serum sample, corresponding to an average of 1 infected sample per 2,138 serum samples. Retrospective analysis revealed that the five HIV-1 RNA-positive specimens originated from individuals who had symptomatic primary HIV-1 infection at the time of sample collection and who were also positive for p24 antigenemia. We next assessed the possibility of performing the prepurification step by high-speed centrifugation (50,000 × g for 80 min) of 1.5-ml pools containing 25 μl of 60 individual serum samples, of which only 1 contained HIV-1 RNA (centrifugation Amplicor assay). The sensitivity of this assay also matches the sensitivities of standard commercial assays for HIV-1 RNA detection in individual serum samples. The results demonstrate that both assays with pooled sera can be applied to the screening of large numbers of serum samples in a time- and cost-efficient manner. PMID:9620372

Adding Gestalt to the picture. Comment on "Move me, astonish me…" delight my eyes and brain: The Vienna Integrated Model of top-down and bottom-up processes in Art Perception (VIMAP) and corresponding affective, evaluative, and neurophysiological correlates; by Matthew Pelowski et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wagemans, Johan

2017-07-01

Matthew Pelowski and his colleagues from the Helmut Leder lab [17] have made a remarkable contribution to the field of art perception by reviewing the extensive and varied literature (+300 references) on all the factors involved, from a coherent, synthetic perspective-The Vienna Integrated Model of top-down and bottom-up processes in Art Perception (VIMAP). VIMAP builds on earlier attempts from the same group to provide a comprehensive theoretical framework, but it is much wider in scope and richer in the number of levels and topics covered under its umbrella. It is particularly strong in its discussion of the different psychological processes that lead to a wide range of possible responses to art-from mundane, superficial reactions to more profound responses characterized as moving, disturbing, and transformative. By including physiological, emotional, and evaluative factors, the model is able to address truly unique, even intimate responses to art such as awe, chills, thrills, and the experience of the sublime. The unique way in which this rich set of possible responses to art is achieved is through a series of five mandatory consecutive processing steps (each with their own typical duration), followed by two conditional additional steps (which take more time). Three processing checks along this cascade lead to three more or less spontaneous outcomes (<60 sec) and two more time-consuming ones (see their Fig. 1 for an excellent overview). I have no doubt that VIMAP will inspire a whole generation of scientists investigating perception and appreciation of art, testing specific hypotheses derived from this framework for decades to come.

Barriers associated with reduced physical activity in COPD patients*

PubMed Central

Amorim, Priscila Batista; Stelmach, Rafael; Carvalho, Celso Ricardo Fernandes; Fernandes, Frederico Leon Arrabal; Carvalho-Pinto, Regina Maria; Cukier, Alberto

2014-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ability of COPD patients to perform activities of daily living (ADL); to identify barriers that prevent these individuals from performing ADL; and to correlate those barriers with dyspnea severity, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and an ADL limitation score. METHODS: In COPD patients and healthy, age-matched controls, the number of steps, the distance walked, and walking time were recorded with a triaxial accelerometer, for seven consecutive days. A questionnaire regarding perceived barriers and the London Chest Activity of Daily Living (LCADL) scale were used in order to identify the factors that prevent the performance of ADL. The severity of dyspnea was assessed with two scales, whereas submaximal exercise capacity was determined on the basis of the 6MWT. RESULTS: We evaluated 40 COPD patients and 40 controls. In comparison with the control values, the mean walk time was significantly shorter for COPD patients (68.5 ± 25.8 min/day vs. 105.2 ± 49.4 min/day; p < 0.001), as was the distance walked (3.9 ± 1.9 km/day vs. 6.4 ± 3.2 km/day; p < 0.001). The COPD patients also walked fewer steps/day. The most common self-reported barriers to performing ADL were lack of infrastructure, social influences, and lack of willpower. The 6MWT distance correlated with the results obtained with the accelerometer but not with the LCADL scale results. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD are less active than are healthy adults of a comparable age. Physical inactivity and the barriers to performing ADL have immediate implications for clinical practice, calling for early intervention measures. PMID:25410838

49 CFR 395.1 - Scope of rules in this part.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... from work within 12 consecutive hours; (iii)(A) A property-carrying commercial motor vehicle driver has...-berth and off-duty time amounting to at least 10 hours; or (4) The equivalent of at least 10 consecutive... paragraph (g)(1)(i)(A)(1) through (4) of this section; and (C) May not drive after the 14th hour after...

49 CFR 395.3 - Maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... on duty 60 hours in any period of 7 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier does not operate commercial motor vehicles every day of the week; or (2) Having been on duty 70 hours in any period of 8 consecutive days if the employing motor carrier operates commercial motor vehicles every day of the week. (c...

Comparing the Effectiveness of Two Models of Initial Teacher Education Programmes in Israel: Concurrent vs. Consecutive

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zuzovsky, Ruth; Donitsa-Schmidt, Smadar

2017-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of two common models of initial teacher education programmes that are prevalent in many countries, including Israel. The two are: the concurrent model, in which disciplinary studies and pedagogical studies are integrated and taught at the same time; and the consecutive model, which…

Development of a modularized two-step (M2S) chromosome integration technique for integration of multiple transcription units in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Li, Siwei; Ding, Wentao; Zhang, Xueli; Jiang, Huifeng; Bi, Changhao

2016-01-01

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has already been used for heterologous production of fuel chemicals and valuable natural products. The establishment of complicated heterologous biosynthetic pathways in S. cerevisiae became the research focus of Synthetic Biology and Metabolic Engineering. Thus, simple and efficient genomic integration techniques of large number of transcription units are demanded urgently. An efficient DNA assembly and chromosomal integration method was created by combining homologous recombination (HR) in S. cerevisiae and Golden Gate DNA assembly method, designated as modularized two-step (M2S) technique. Two major assembly steps are performed consecutively to integrate multiple transcription units simultaneously. In Step 1, Modularized scaffold containing a head-to-head promoter module and a pair of terminators was assembled with two genes. Thus, two transcription units were assembled with Golden Gate method into one scaffold in one reaction. In Step 2, the two transcription units were mixed with modules of selective markers and integration sites and transformed into S. cerevisiae for assembly and integration. In both steps, universal primers were designed for identification of correct clones. Establishment of a functional β-carotene biosynthetic pathway in S. cerevisiae within 5 days demonstrated high efficiency of this method, and a 10-transcriptional-unit pathway integration illustrated the capacity of this method. Modular design of transcription units and integration elements simplified assembly and integration procedure, and eliminated frequent designing and synthesis of DNA fragments in previous methods. Also, by assembling most parts in Step 1 in vitro, the number of DNA cassettes for homologous integration in Step 2 was significantly reduced. Thus, high assembly efficiency, high integration capacity, and low error rate were achieved.

Kinetic analysis of overlapping multistep thermal decomposition comprising exothermic and endothermic processes: thermolysis of ammonium dinitramide.

PubMed

Muravyev, Nikita V; Koga, Nobuyoshi; Meerov, Dmitry B; Pivkina, Alla N

2017-01-25

This study focused on kinetic modeling of a specific type of multistep heterogeneous reaction comprising exothermic and endothermic reaction steps, as exemplified by the practical kinetic analysis of the experimental kinetic curves for the thermal decomposition of molten ammonium dinitramide (ADN). It is known that the thermal decomposition of ADN occurs as a consecutive two step mass-loss process comprising the decomposition of ADN and subsequent evaporation/decomposition of in situ generated ammonium nitrate. These reaction steps provide exothermic and endothermic contributions, respectively, to the overall thermal effect. The overall reaction process was deconvoluted into two reaction steps using simultaneously recorded thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) curves by considering the different physical meanings of the kinetic data derived from TG and DSC by P value analysis. The kinetic data thus separated into exothermic and endothermic reaction steps were kinetically characterized using kinetic computation methods including isoconversional method, combined kinetic analysis, and master plot method. The overall kinetic behavior was reproduced as the sum of the kinetic equations for each reaction step considering the contributions to the rate data derived from TG and DSC. During reproduction of the kinetic behavior, the kinetic parameters and contributions of each reaction step were optimized using kinetic deconvolution analysis. As a result, the thermal decomposition of ADN was successfully modeled as partially overlapping exothermic and endothermic reaction steps. The logic of the kinetic modeling was critically examined, and the practical usefulness of phenomenological modeling for the thermal decomposition of ADN was illustrated to demonstrate the validity of the methodology and its applicability to similar complex reaction processes.

Does bone debris in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction really matter? A cohort study of a protocol for bone debris debridement

PubMed Central

Imam, Mohamed A.; Abdelkafy, Ashraf; Dinah, Feroz; Adhikari, Ajeya

2015-01-01

Background: The purpose of the current study was to determine whether a systematic five-step protocol for debridement and evacuation of bone debris during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) reduces the presence of such debris on post-operative radiographs. Methods: A five-step protocol for removal of bone debris during arthroscopic assisted ACLR was designed. It was applied to 60 patients undergoing ACLR (Group 1), and high-quality digital radiographs were taken post-operatively in each case to assess for the presence of intra-articular bone debris. A control group of 60 consecutive patients in whom no specific bone debris protocol was applied (Group 2) and their post-operative radiographs were also checked for the presence of intra-articular bone debris. Results: In Group 1, only 15% of post-operative radiographs showed residual bone debris, compared to 69% in Group 2 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A five-step systematic protocol for bone debris removal during arthroscopic assisted ACLR resulted in a significant decrease in residual bone debris seen on high-quality post-operative radiographs. PMID:27163060

Two-step tunneling technique of deep brain stimulation extension wires-a description.

PubMed

Fontaine, Denys; Vandersteen, Clair; Saleh, Christian; von Langsdorff, Daniel; Poissonnet, Gilles

2013-12-01

While a significant body of literature exists on the intracranial part of deep brain stimulation surgery, the equally important second part of the intervention related to the subcutaneous tunneling of deep brain stimulation extension wires is rarely described. The tunneling strategy can consist of a single passage of the extension wires from the frontal incision site to the subclavicular area, or of a two-step approach that adds a retro-auricular counter-incision. Each technique harbors the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications. At our center, we perform a two-step tunneling procedure that we developed based on a cadaveric study. In 125 consecutive patients operated since 2002, we did not encounter any complication related to our tunneling method. Insufficient data exist to fully evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each tunneling technique. It is of critical importance that authors detail their tunneling modus operandi and report the presence or absence of complications. This gathered data pool may help to formulate a definitive conclusions on the safest method for subcutaneous tunneling of extension wires in deep brain stimulation.

Kinetic studies of amino acid-based surfactant binding to DNA.

PubMed

Santhiya, Deenan; Dias, Rita S; Dutta, Sounak; Das, Prasanta Kumar; Miguel, Maria G; Lindman, Björn; Maiti, Souvik

2012-05-24

In this work, the binding kinetics of amino acid-based surfactants, presenting different linkers and head groups, with calf thymus (CT)-DNA was studied using stopped-flow fluorescence spectroscopy. The kinetic studies were carried out as a function of Na(+) concentration and surfactant-to-DNA charge ratio. The surfactant binding on DNA took place in two consecutive steps, for which the corresponding first and second relative rate constants (k(1) and k(2)) were determined. The fast step was attributed to the surfactant binding to DNA and micelle formation in its vicinity, the slower step to DNA condensation and possible rearrangement of the surfactant aggregates. In general, both relative rate constants increase with surfactant concentration and decrease with the ionic strength of the medium. The architecture of the surfactant was found to have a significant impact on the kinetics of the DNA-surfactant complexation. Surfactants with amide linkers showed larger relative rate constants than those with ester linkers. The variation of the relative rate constants with the head groups of the surfactants, alanine and proline, was found to be less obvious, being partially dependent on the surfactant concentration.

Virtual screening for potential inhibitors of bacterial MurC and MurD ligases.

PubMed

Tomašić, Tihomir; Kovač, Andreja; Klebe, Gerhard; Blanot, Didier; Gobec, Stanislav; Kikelj, Danijel; Mašič, Lucija Peterlin

2012-03-01

Mur ligases are bacterial enzymes involved in the cytoplasmic steps of peptidoglycan biosynthesis and are viable targets for antibacterial drug discovery. We have performed virtual screening for potential ATP-competitive inhibitors targeting MurC and MurD ligases, using a protocol of consecutive hierarchical filters. Selected compounds were evaluated for inhibition of MurC and MurD ligases, and weak inhibitors possessing dual inhibitory activity have been identified. These compounds represent new scaffolds for further optimisation towards multiple Mur ligase inhibitors with improved inhibitory potency.

Diastereoselective Carbocyclization of 1,6-Heptadienes Triggered by Rhodium-Catalyzed Activation of an Olefinic C=H Bond**

PubMed Central

Aïssa, Christophe; Ho, Kelvin Y T; Tetlow, Daniel J; Pin-Nó, María

2014-01-01

The use of α,ω-dienes as functionalization reagents for olefinic carbon–hydrogen bonds has been rarely studied. Reported herein is the rhodium(I)-catalyzed rearrangement of prochiral 1,6-heptadienes into [2,2,1]-cycloheptane derivatives with concomitant creation of at least three stereogenic centers and complete diastereocontrol. Deuterium-labeling studies and the isolation of a key intermediate are consistent with a group-directed C=H bond activation, followed by two consecutive migratory insertions, with only the latter step being diastereoselective. PMID:24634225

Alternating-polarity operation for complete regeneration of electrochemical deionization system

DOEpatents

Tran, Tri D.; Lenz, David J.

2002-01-01

An electrically regeneratable battery of electrochemical cells for capacitive deionization (including electrochemical purification) and regeneration of electrodes is operated at alternate polarities during consecutive cycles. By polarizing the cells, ions are removed from the electrolyte and are held in the electric double layers formed at the carbon aerogel surfaces of the electrodes. As the electrodes of each cell of the battery are saturated with the removed ions, the battery is regenerated electrically at a reversed polarity from that during the deionization step of the cycle, thus significantly minimizing secondary wastes.

Transthoracic echocardiography in patients undergoing mitral valve repair: comparison of new transthoracic 3D techniques to 2D transoesophageal echocardiography in the localization of mitral valve prolapse.

PubMed

Gripari, Paola; Mapelli, Massimo; Bellacosa, Ilaria; Piazzese, Concetta; Milo, Maria; Fusini, Laura; Muratori, Manuela; Ali, Sarah Ghulam; Tamborini, Gloria; Pepi, Mauro

2018-02-26

Successful mitral valve (MV) repair for degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR) is mainly related to surgical expertise and MV anatomy. Although 2D echocardiography, specifically transoesophageal (TOE), provides precise information regarding MV anatomy, recent advancements in matrix technology meant a decisive step forward to the point where segmental MV analysis can be accurately performed from a noninvasive 3D transthoracic (TTE) approach. The aims of this study were: (a) to evaluate the feasibility and time required for real-time 3D TTE in a large consecutive cohort of patients with severe DMR in the assessment of MV anatomy; (b) to compare the accuracy of 3D TTE and 2D TOE versus surgical inspection in the recognition and localization of all components of the MV leaflets; (c) to establish the added diagnostic value of 3D colourDoppler examination to pure 3D morphologic evaluation. 149 consecutive patients with severe DMR underwent complete 3D TTE before surgery and 2D TOE in the operating room. Echocardiographic data obtained by the different techniques were compared with surgical inspection. 3D TTE was feasible in a relatively short time (8 ± 4 min), with good (49%) and optimal (33%) imaging quality in the majority of cases. 3D TTE had significant better overall accuracy compared to 2D TOE (93 and 91%, p < 0.05, respectively). 2D TOE was significantly more specific than 3D TTE in the identification of A3 prolapse (99 vs. 96%). The colourDoppler mode did not improve significantly the accuracy of 3D TTE, albeit it determined a better sensitivity in the detection of A2 prolapse if compared to 2D TOE (95 vs. 85%). 3D TTE with or without colourDoppler is a feasible and useful method in the analysis of MV prolapse; it allows a preoperative and noninvasive description of the pathology as accurate as the 2D TOE.

A comparison of outcomes between a lumen-apposing metal stent with electrocautery-enhanced delivery system and a bi-flanged metal stent for drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

PubMed

Bekkali, Noor L H; Nayar, Manu K; Leeds, John S; Charnley, Richard M; Huggett, Matthew T; Oppong, Kofi W

2017-12-01

 Bi-flanged metal stents (BFMS) have shown promise in the drainage of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON), but their placement requires multiple steps and the use of other devices. More recently, a novel device consisting of a combined lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) and electrocautery-enhanced delivery system has been introduced. The aim of this study was to compare the placement and outcomes of the two devices.  This was a retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic ultrasound-guided placement of BFMS or LAMS for drainage of symptomatic WON. Data from procedures between October 2012 and December 2016 were taken from a prospectively maintained database. We compared technical and clinical success, procedure time, costs, and composite end point of significant events (adverse events, stent migration, additional percutaneous drainage) between BFMS and LAMS.  72 consecutive patients underwent placement of BFMS (40 patients, 44 stents) or LAMS (32 patients, 33 stents). Technical success was 91 % for BFMS and 97 % for LAMS. Clinical success was 65 % vs. 78 %, respectively. Median in-room procedure time was significantly shorter in the LAMS group (45 minutes [range 30 - 80]) than in the BFMS group (62.5 minutes [range 35 - 135]; P  < 0.001) and fewer direct endoscopic necrosectomies (DEN) were performed (median 1 [0 - 2.0] vs. 2 [0 - 3.7], respectively; P  = 0.005). If only inpatients were considered (35 BFMS and 19 LAMS), there was no significant difference in DEN 2 (range 0 - 11) and 2 (range 0 - 8), respectively. The composite end point of 32 % vs. 24 % was not significantly different. Median procedural costs for all patients with successful stent placement for WON treatment was €4427 (range 1630 - 12 926) for BFMS vs. €3500 (range 2509 - 13 393) for LAMS ( P  = 0.10).  LAMS was superior to BFMS in terms of procedure time, with comparable adverse events, success, and costs.

The Relationship Between Sediment Properties and Sedimentation Patterns on a Macrotidal Gravel Beach over a Semi-lunar Tidal Cycle.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buscombe, D.; Masselink, G.

2007-12-01

Detailed measurements of profile and sediment dynamics have been obtained from a macrotidal gravel barrier beach in southern England. Surface and sub-surface sediment samples, beach profiles, and disturbance depths were taken from the intertidal zone on consecutive low tides over semi-lunar tidal cycles, along with continuous wave and tide measurements. Results from two separate field surveys are presented, representing 26 and 24 consecutive low tides, respectively. A combination of Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis was used to identify a number of consistent relationships in morphological and sedimentological variables not readily apparent using ordinary correlations. The disadvantage of such statistical models is that the relationships obtained cannot be expressed in physically meaningful units, which does limit its utility in physical-numerical modelling. However, the results reveal some interesting relationships between gravel beachface sedimentology and morphological change. For example, beachface morphology and sedimentology are more similar at a given spatial location over time than over space (cross-shore) at any individual time. Subsurface sedimentology over the depth of disturbance indicates that the beach step can be traced through the sediment characteristics. Indeed, the study suggests that gravel beachface sedimentology is 'slaved' to morphological change rather than vice-versa; and that the relationship becomes more evident as secondary morphological features develop on the beachface. The results imply that median sediment size and geometric sorting are suitable parameters for detecting such relationships. Strong hysteresis over space was present in the EOF modes associated with the most variance in the data sets, for both sediment size and sorting. Statistically significant relationships were found between the temporal modes of (absolute) size/sorting and net sedimentation associated with the largest variance in the non-decomposed respective data sets. Finally, significant relationships were found between a suite of measured hydrodynamic time-series and pairs of significantly correlated morpho-sedimentary eigenmodes. The techniques used were thus able to objectively demonstrate linear association between morphological and sedimentological change on a gravel beachface over a semi-lunar tidal cycle; and also that simultaneous changes in each could be linearly correlated to hydrodynamic forcing.

Method of Simulating Flow-Through Area of a Pressure Regulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hass, Neal E. (Inventor); Schallhorn, Paul A. (Inventor)

2011-01-01

The flow-through area of a pressure regulator positioned in a branch of a simulated fluid flow network is generated. A target pressure is defined downstream of the pressure regulator. A projected flow-through area is generated as a non-linear function of (i) target pressure, (ii) flow-through area of the pressure regulator for a current time step and a previous time step, and (iii) pressure at the downstream location for the current time step and previous time step. A simulated flow-through area for the next time step is generated as a sum of (i) flow-through area for the current time step, and (ii) a difference between the projected flow-through area and the flow-through area for the current time step multiplied by a user-defined rate control parameter. These steps are repeated for a sequence of time steps until the pressure at the downstream location is approximately equal to the target pressure.

Adolescents' sleep in low-stress and high-stress (exam) times: a prospective quasi-experiment.

PubMed

Dewald, Julia F; Meijer, Anne Marie; Oort, Frans J; Kerkhof, Gerard A; Bögels, Susan M

2014-01-01

This prospective quasi-experiment (N = 175; mean age = 15.14 years) investigates changes in adolescents' sleep from low-stress (regular school week) to high-stress times (exam week), and examines the (moderating) role of chronic sleep reduction, baseline stress, and gender. Sleep was monitored over three consecutive weeks using actigraphy. Adolescents' sleep was more fragmented during the high-stress time than during the low-stress time, meaning that individuals slept more restless during stressful times. However, sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and sleep onset latency remained stable throughout the three consecutive weeks. High chronic sleep reduction was related to later bedtimes, later sleep start times, later sleep end times, later getting up times, and more time spent in bed. Furthermore, low chronic sleep reduction and high baseline stress levels were related to more fragmented sleep during stressful times. This study shows that stressful times can have negative effects on adolescents' sleep fragmentation, especially for adolescents with low chronic sleep reduction or high baseline stress levels.

The time-of-day that breaks occur between consecutive duty periods affects the sleep strategies used by shiftworkers.

PubMed

Roach, Gregory D; Dawson, Drew; Reid, Kathryn J; Darwent, David; Sargent, Charli

The aim of this study was to examine the sleep strategies used in breaks between consecutive shifts. For two weeks, 253 shiftworkers collected data regarding the timing of all shifts and sleeps. The final dataset included 395 between-shift breaks that had a standard duration (i.e. ~16 h). If a break included an entire night, participants had a single sleep on 80-93% of occasions, but if a break occurred predominantly during the daytime, participants had more than one sleep on 41-50% of occasions. These data indicate that the sleep strategy employed is influenced by the time-of-day that a break occurs.

Endoscopic "step-up approach" using a dedicated biflanged metal stent reduces the need for direct necrosectomy in walled-off necrosis (with videos).

PubMed

Lakhtakia, Sundeep; Basha, Jahangeer; Talukdar, Rupjyoti; Gupta, Rajesh; Nabi, Zaheer; Ramchandani, Mohan; Kumar, B V N; Pal, Partha; Kalpala, Rakesh; Reddy, P Manohar; Pradeep, R; Singh, Jagadish R; Rao, G V; Reddy, D Nageshwar

2017-06-01

EUS-guided drainage using plastic stents may be inadequate for treatment of walled-off necrosis (WON). Recent studies report variable outcomes even when using covered metal stents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a dedicated covered biflanged metal stent (BFMS) when adopting an endoscopic "step-up approach" for drainage of symptomatic WON. We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients with symptomatic WON who underwent EUS-guided drainage using BFMSs over a 3-year period. Reassessment was done between 48 and 72 hours for resolution. Endoscopic reinterventions were tailored in nonresponders in a stepwise manner. Step 1 encompassed declogging the blocked lumen of the BFMS. In step 2, a nasocystic tube was placed via BFMSs with intermittent irrigation. Step 3 involved direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN). BFMSs were removed between 4 and 8 weeks of follow-up. The main outcome measures were technical success, clinical success, adverse events, and need for DEN. Two hundred five WON patients underwent EUS-guided drainage using BFMSs. Technical success was achieved in 203 patients (99%). Periprocedure adverse events occurred in 8 patients (bleeding in 6, perforation in 2). Clinical success with BFMSs alone was seen in 153 patients (74.6%). Reintervention adopting the step-up approach was required in 49 patients (23.9%). Incremental success was achieved in 10 patients with step 1, 16 patients with step 2, and 19 patients with step 3. Overall clinical success was achieved in 198 patients (96.5%), with DEN required in 9.2%. Four patients failed treatment and required surgery (2) or percutaneous drainage (2). The endoscopic step-up approach using BFMSs was safe, effective, and yielded successful outcomes in most patients, reducing the need for DEN. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Non-linear dynamics of human locomotion: effects of rhythmic auditory cueing on local dynamic stability.

PubMed

Terrier, Philippe; Dériaz, Olivier

2013-01-01

It has been observed that times series of gait parameters [stride length (SL), stride time (ST), and stride speed (SS)], exhibit long-term persistence and fractal-like properties. Synchronizing steps with rhythmic auditory stimuli modifies the persistent fluctuation pattern to anti-persistence. Another non-linear method estimates the degree of resilience of gait control to small perturbations, i.e., the local dynamic stability (LDS). The method makes use of the maximal Lyapunov exponent, which estimates how fast a non-linear system embedded in a reconstructed state space (attractor) diverges after an infinitesimal perturbation. We propose to use an instrumented treadmill to simultaneously measure basic gait parameters (time series of SL, ST, and SS from which the statistical persistence among consecutive strides can be assessed), and the trajectory of the center of pressure (from which the LDS can be estimated). In 20 healthy participants, the response to rhythmic auditory cueing (RAC) of LDS and of statistical persistence [assessed with detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA)] was compared. By analyzing the divergence curves, we observed that long-term LDS (computed as the reverse of the average logarithmic rate of divergence between the 4th and the 10th strides downstream from nearest neighbors in the reconstructed attractor) was strongly enhanced (relative change +73%). That is likely the indication of a more dampened dynamics. The change in short-term LDS (divergence over one step) was smaller (+3%). DFA results (scaling exponents) confirmed an anti-persistent pattern in ST, SL, and SS. Long-term LDS (but not short-term LDS) and scaling exponents exhibited a significant correlation between them (r = 0.7). Both phenomena probably result from the more conscious/voluntary gait control that is required by RAC. We suggest that LDS and statistical persistence should be used to evaluate the efficiency of cueing therapy in patients with neurological gait disorders.

Levels and Patterns of Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and Compliance with Different Public Health Guidelines in University Students

PubMed Central

Arias-Palencia, Natalia María; Solera-Martínez, Monserrat; Gracia-Marco, Luis; Silva, Pedro; Martínez-Vizcaíno, Vicente; Cañete-García-Prieto, Jorge; Sánchez-López, Mairena

2015-01-01

Background Physical activity (PA) is associated with health enhancement. The aim of this study was to assess: 1) levels and patterns of PA in university students by using accelerometers; and 2) the percentage of fulfilment of PA recommendations for adults, according to different public health guidelines. Methods Observational cross-sectional study (Cuenca’s Adults Study) involving 296 (206 women) healthy Spanish university students aged 18–25 years old. Participants wore the ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Total PA, steps and time spent in sedentary time, light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed, and the prevalence of sufficient PA was calculated according to various public health guidelines. Results No sex differences in total PA were found. University students were more sedentary during weekend days than weekdays (p<0.05). Only 30.3% of participants accumulated 30 min/day at least five days a week of MVPA. A total of 5.4% of students met the recommendation of 150 min/week of MVPA or 75 min/week of vigorous PA, in PA bouts of at least 10 min. using the same definition, but on five or more days a week, only 0.5% students were found to meet the recommendation. In addition, only 0.5% of students met the recommendation of 30 min/day of MVPA, at least five days a week and in bouts of at least 10 min. Finally, 28.1% of the students met the recommendation of 10,000 steps/day. Conclusions Our study shows a high incidence of sedentary time in university students. The number of students meeting PA recommendations significantly differed depending on the recommendation proposed. Specific strategies to promote PA in this population are necessary as well as an agreement as to which PA guidelines should be used. PMID:26536605

A simple method using two-step hot embossing technique with shrinking for fabrication of cross microchannels on PMMA substrate and its application to electrophoretic separation of amino acids in functional drinks.

PubMed

Wiriyakun, Natta; Nacapricha, Duangjai; Chantiwas, Rattikan

2016-12-01

This work presents a simple hot embossing method with a shrinking procedure to produce cross-shape microchannels on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrate for the fabrication of an electrophoresis chip. The proposed method employed a simple two-step hot embossing technique, carried out consecutively on the same piece of substrate to make the crossing channels. Studies of embossing conditions, i.e. temperature, pressure and time, were carried out to investigate their effects on the dimension of the microchannels. Applying a simple shrinking procedure reduced the size of the channels from 700±20µm wide×150±5µm deep to 250±10µm wide×30±2µm deep, i.e. 80% and 64% reduction in the depth and width, respectively. Thermal fusion was employed to bond the PMMA substrate with a PMMA cover plate to produce the microfluidic device. Replication of microchip was achieved by precise control of conditions in the fabrication process (pressure, temperature and time), resulting in lower than 7% RSD of channel dimension, width and depth (n =10 devices). The method was simple and robust without the use of expensive equipment to construct the microstructure on a thermoplastic substrate. The PMMA microchip was used for demonstration of amine functionalization on the PMMA surface, measurement of electroosmotic flow and for electrophoretic separation of amino acids in functional drink samples. The precision of migration time and peak area of the amino acids, Lys, Ile and Phe at 125μM to 500μM, were in the range 3.2-4.2% RSD (n=9 devices) and 4.5-5.3% RSD (n=9 devices), respectively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Levels and Patterns of Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and Compliance with Different Public Health Guidelines in University Students.

PubMed

Arias-Palencia, Natalia María; Solera-Martínez, Monserrat; Gracia-Marco, Luis; Silva, Pedro; Martínez-Vizcaíno, Vicente; Cañete-García-Prieto, Jorge; Sánchez-López, Mairena

2015-01-01

Physical activity (PA) is associated with health enhancement. The aim of this study was to assess: 1) levels and patterns of PA in university students by using accelerometers; and 2) the percentage of fulfilment of PA recommendations for adults, according to different public health guidelines. Observational cross-sectional study (Cuenca's Adults Study) involving 296 (206 women) healthy Spanish university students aged 18-25 years old. Participants wore the ActiGraph GT1M accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Total PA, steps and time spent in sedentary time, light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) was assessed, and the prevalence of sufficient PA was calculated according to various public health guidelines. No sex differences in total PA were found. University students were more sedentary during weekend days than weekdays (p<0.05). Only 30.3% of participants accumulated 30 min/day at least five days a week of MVPA. A total of 5.4% of students met the recommendation of 150 min/week of MVPA or 75 min/week of vigorous PA, in PA bouts of at least 10 min. using the same definition, but on five or more days a week, only 0.5% students were found to meet the recommendation. In addition, only 0.5% of students met the recommendation of 30 min/day of MVPA, at least five days a week and in bouts of at least 10 min. Finally, 28.1% of the students met the recommendation of 10,000 steps/day. Our study shows a high incidence of sedentary time in university students. The number of students meeting PA recommendations significantly differed depending on the recommendation proposed. Specific strategies to promote PA in this population are necessary as well as an agreement as to which PA guidelines should be used.

Methods, systems and devices for detecting and locating ferromagnetic objects

DOEpatents

Roybal, Lyle Gene [Idaho Falls, ID; Kotter, Dale Kent [Shelley, ID; Rohrbaugh, David Thomas [Idaho Falls, ID; Spencer, David Frazer [Idaho Falls, ID

2010-01-26

Methods for detecting and locating ferromagnetic objects in a security screening system. One method includes a step of acquiring magnetic data that includes magnetic field gradients detected during a period of time. Another step includes representing the magnetic data as a function of the period of time. Another step includes converting the magnetic data to being represented as a function of frequency. Another method includes a step of sensing a magnetic field for a period of time. Another step includes detecting a gradient within the magnetic field during the period of time. Another step includes identifying a peak value of the gradient detected during the period of time. Another step includes identifying a portion of time within the period of time that represents when the peak value occurs. Another step includes configuring the portion of time over the period of time to represent a ratio.

A pancreas-preserving technique for the management of symptomatic pancreatic anastomotic insufficiency refractory to conservative treatment after pancreas head resection.

PubMed

Königsrainer, Ingmar; Zieker, Derek; Beckert, Stefan; Glatzle, Jörg; Schroeder, Torsten H; Heininger, Alexandra; Nadalin, Silvio; Königsrainer, Alfred

2010-08-01

Management of symptomatic pancreatic anastomotic insufficiency after pancreas head resection remains controversial. Completion pancreatectomy as one frequently performed option is associated with poor prognosis. During a 4-year period, a two-step strategy was applied in four consecutive patients suffering from pancreatic anastomotic insufficiency refractory to conservative management after a pancreas head resection. In the first step, sepsis was overbridged by meticulous debridement and resection of the pancreaticojejunostomy, leaving the biliary anastomosis untouched, and selective drainage of the pancreatic duct as well as the peripancreatic area. In the second step, after recovery, the procedure was completed with a novel pancreaticojejunostomy. The surgical procedure was completed in three patients after a mean of 164 (range: 112-213) days. One patient died from cardiac arrest 54 days after the reoperation with resolved abdominal sepsis. No pancreatic anastomotic insufficiency occurred after the new pancreaticojejunostomy had been performed. Three patients are alive and tumor-free with normal exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function after a mean follow-up of 20.3 (3-38) months following the definitive reconstruction. The two-step pancreas-preserving strategy can be used as an alternative to completion pancreatectomy for patients suffering from severe pancreatic anastomotic insufficiency.

Methodological development of the Hoeven Outcome Monitor (HOM): A first step towards a more evidence based medicine in forensic mental health.

PubMed

Keune, Lobke H; de Vogel, Vivienne; van Marle, Hjalmar J C

2016-01-01

To comply with the need for a more evidence based risk assessment and management in forensic mental health, an outcome monitor is being developed in the Dutch forensic psychiatric centre Van der Hoeven Kliniek in Utrecht, the Hoeven Outcome Monitor (HOM). Conform evidence based medicine (EBM) guidelines, the HOM is subdivided into three consecutive stages, (1) the evaluation stage, (2) the aetiology stage and (3) the implementation stage. In this article an account is provided for the design of the evaluation stage. To account for predicaments in previous research that pertain to a lack of uniformity and disregard of specific context- and patient-related characteristics, a macro-, meso- and micro-treatment evaluation instrument is developed. This instrument provides for the first step to build an evidence base for specific interventions and treatments in forensic psychiatry. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[An Analysis of Perforated Gastric Cancer with Acute Peritonitis in Our Hospital].

PubMed

Adachi, Shinichi; Endo, Shunji; Chinen, Yoshinao; Itakura, Hiroaki; Takayama, Hirotoshi; Tsuda, Yujiro; Ueda, Masami; Nakashima, Shinsuke; Ohta, Katsuya; Ikenaga, Masakazu; Yamada, Terumasa

2018-01-01

Perforated gastric cancer is relatively rare and the incidence is reported about 1% of all the cases of gastric cancer. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the consecutive 12 patients with perforated gastric cancer who underwent operation in our hospital between January 2005 and December 2016. There were 5 men and 7 women, with an average age of 65.8 years old(34-87). Perforated gastric cancer occurred in the region U(1 cases), M(6 cases), L(5 cases). There were 11 cases with distant metastasis. We could successfully diagnosed as perforated gastric cancer in 8 cases before emergency operation. Gastrectomy was performed in 5 cases. However, the curative resection was performed only 1 case. Prognosis of perforated gastric cancer is poor. We considered as an appropriate two-step surgical strategy that the first step of surgery is an acute peritonitis treatment followed by radical gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy.

Validated spectrophotometric methods for simultaneous determination of Omeprazole, Tinidazole and Doxycycline in their ternary mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotfy, Hayam M.; Hegazy, Maha A.; Mowaka, Shereen; Mohamed, Ekram Hany

2016-01-01

A comparative study of smart spectrophotometric techniques for the simultaneous determination of Omeprazole (OMP), Tinidazole (TIN) and Doxycycline (DOX) without prior separation steps is developed. These techniques consist of several consecutive steps utilizing zero/or ratio/or derivative spectra. The proposed techniques adopt nine simple different methods, namely direct spectrophotometry, dual wavelength, first derivative-zero crossing, amplitude factor, spectrum subtraction, ratio subtraction, derivative ratio-zero crossing, constant center, and successive derivative ratio method. The calibration graphs are linear over the concentration range of 1-20 μg/mL, 5-40 μg/mL and 2-30 μg/mL for OMP, TIN and DOX, respectively. These methods are tested by analyzing synthetic mixtures of the above drugs and successfully applied to commercial pharmaceutical preparation. The methods that are validated according to the ICH guidelines, accuracy, precision, and repeatability, were found to be within the acceptable limits.

The Inverse Contagion Problem (ICP) vs.. Predicting site contagion in real time, when network links are not observable

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mushkin, I.; Solomon, S.

2017-10-01

We study the inverse contagion problem (ICP). As opposed to the direct contagion problem, in which the network structure is known and the question is when each node will be contaminated, in the inverse problem the links of the network are unknown but a sequence of contagion histories (the times when each node was contaminated) is observed. We consider two versions of the ICP: The strong problem (SICP), which is the reconstruction of the network and has been studied before, and the weak problem (WICP), which requires "only" the prediction (at each time step) of the nodes that will be contaminated at the next time step (this is often the real life situation in which a contagion is observed and predictions are made in real time). Moreover, our focus is on analyzing the increasing accuracy of the solution, as a function of the number of contagion histories already observed. For simplicity, we discuss the simplest (deterministic and synchronous) contagion dynamics and the simplest solution algorithm, which we have applied to different network types. The main result of this paper is that the complex problem of the convergence of the ICP for a network can be reduced to an individual property of pairs of nodes: the "false link difficulty". By definition, given a pair of unlinked nodes i and j, the difficulty of the false link (i,j) is the probability that in a random contagion history, the nodes i and j are not contaminated at the same time step (or at consecutive time steps). In other words, the "false link difficulty" of a non-existing network link is the probability that the observations during a random contagion history would not rule out that link. This probability is relatively straightforward to calculate, and in most instances relies only on the relative positions of the two nodes (i,j) and not on the entire network structure. We have observed the distribution of false link difficulty for various network types, estimated it theoretically and confronted it (successfully) with the numerical simulations. Based on it, we estimated analytically the convergence of the ICP solution (as a function of the number of contagion histories observed), and found it to be in perfect agreement with simulation results. Finally, the most important insight we obtained is that SICP and WICP are have quite different properties: if one in interested only in the operational aspect of predicting how contagion will spread, the links which are most difficult to decide about are the least influential on contagion dynamics. In other words, the parts of the network which are harder to reconstruct are also least important for predicting the contagion dynamics, up to the point where a (large) constant number of false links in the network (i.e. non-convergence of the network reconstruction procedure) implies a zero rate of the node contagion prediction errors (perfect convergence of the WICP). Thus, the contagion prediction problem (WICP) difficulty is very different from the network reconstruction problem (SICP), in as far as links which are difficult to reconstruct are quite harmless in terms of contagion prediction capability (WICP).

A Multi-Step Pathway Connecting Short Sleep Duration to Daytime Somnolence, Reduced Attention, and Poor Academic Performance: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study in Teenagers

PubMed Central

Perez-Lloret, Santiago; Videla, Alejandro J.; Richaudeau, Alba; Vigo, Daniel; Rossi, Malco; Cardinali, Daniel P.; Perez-Chada, Daniel

2013-01-01

Background: A multi-step causality pathway connecting short sleep duration to daytime somnolence and sleepiness leading to reduced attention and poor academic performance as the final result can be envisaged. However this hypothesis has never been explored. Objective: To explore consecutive correlations between sleep duration, daytime somnolence, attention levels, and academic performance in a sample of school-aged teenagers. Methods: We carried out a survey assessing sleep duration and daytime somnolence using the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). Sleep duration variables included week-days' total sleep time, usual bedtimes, and absolute weekdayto-weekend sleep time difference. Attention was assessed by d2 test and by the coding subtest from the WISC-IV scale. Academic performance was obtained from literature and math grades. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the independent relationships between these variables, while controlling for confounding effects of other variables, in one single model. Standardized regression weights (SWR) for relationships between these variables are reported. Results: Study sample included 1,194 teenagers (mean age: 15 years; range: 13-17 y). Sleep duration was inversely associated with daytime somnolence (SWR = -0.36, p < 0.01) while sleepiness was negatively associated with attention (SWR = -0.13, p < 0.01). Attention scores correlated positively with academic results (SWR = 0.18, p < 0.01). Daytime somnolence correlated negatively with academic achievements (SWR = -0.16, p < 0.01). The model offered an acceptable fit according to usual measures (RMSEA = 0.0548, CFI = 0.874, NFI = 0.838). A Sobel test confirmed that short sleep duration influenced attention through daytime somnolence (p < 0.02), which in turn influenced academic achievements through reduced attention (p < 0.002). Conclusions: Poor academic achievements correlated with reduced attention, which in turn was related to daytime somnolence. Somnolence correlated with short sleep duration. Citation: Perez-Lloret S; Videla AJ; Richaudeau A; Vigo D; Rossi M; Cardinali DP; Perez-Chada D. A multi-step pathway connecting short sleep duration to daytime somnolence, reduced attention, and poor academic performance: an exploratory cross-sectional study in teenagers. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(5):469-473. PMID:23674938

Data Processing Factory for the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stoughton, Christopher; Adelman, Jennifer; Annis, James T.; Hendry, John; Inkmann, John; Jester, Sebastian; Kent, Steven M.; Kuropatkin, Nickolai; Lee, Brian; Lin, Huan; Peoples, John, Jr.; Sparks, Robert; Tucker, Douglas; Vanden Berk, Dan; Yanny, Brian; Yocum, Dan

2002-12-01

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data handling presents two challenges: large data volume and timely production of spectroscopic plates from imaging data. A data processing factory, using technologies both old and new, handles this flow. Distribution to end users is via disk farms, to serve corrected images and calibrated spectra, and a database, to efficiently process catalog queries. For distribution of modest amounts of data from Apache Point Observatory to Fermilab, scripts use rsync to update files, while larger data transfers are accomplished by shipping magnetic tapes commercially. All data processing pipelines are wrapped in scripts to address consecutive phases: preparation, submission, checking, and quality control. We constructed the factory by chaining these pipelines together while using an operational database to hold processed imaging catalogs. The science database catalogs all imaging and spectroscopic object, with pointers to the various external files associated with them. Diverse computing systems address particular processing phases. UNIX computers handle tape reading and writing, as well as calibration steps that require access to a large amount of data with relatively modest computational demands. Commodity CPUs process steps that require access to a limited amount of data with more demanding computations requirements. Disk servers optimized for cost per Gbyte serve terabytes of processed data, while servers optimized for disk read speed run SQLServer software to process queries on the catalogs. This factory produced data for the SDSS Early Data Release in June 2001, and it is currently producing Data Release One, scheduled for January 2003.

Establishing a threshold for the number of missing days using 7 d pedometer data.

PubMed

Kang, Minsoo; Hart, Peter D; Kim, Youngdeok

2012-11-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the threshold of the number of missing days of recovery using the individual information (II)-centered approach. Data for this study came from 86 participants, aged from 17 to 79 years old, who had 7 consecutive days of complete pedometer (Yamax SW 200) wear. Missing datasets (1 d through 5 d missing) were created by a SAS random process 10,000 times each. All missing values were replaced using the II-centered approach. A 7 d average was calculated for each dataset, including the complete dataset. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine the differences between 1 d through 5 d missing datasets and the complete dataset. Mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was also computed. Mean (SD) daily step count for the complete 7 d dataset was 7979 (3084). Mean (SD) values for the 1 d through 5 d missing datasets were 8072 (3218), 8066 (3109), 7968 (3273), 7741 (3050) and 8314 (3529), respectively (p > 0.05). The lower MAPEs were estimated for 1 d missing (5.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.4-6.0) and 2 d missing (8.4%, 95% CI 7.0-9.8), while all others were greater than 10%. The results of this study show that the 1 d through 5 d missing datasets, with replaced values, were not significantly different from the complete dataset. Based on the MAPE results, it is not recommended to replace more than two days of missing step counts.

The effect of double-coating and times on the immediate and 6-month dentin bonding of universal adhesives.

PubMed

Pashaev, Diial; Demirci, Mustafa; Tekçe, Neslihan; Tuncer, Safa; Baydemir, Canan

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of double-application coats and times on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and adhesive-dentin interfaces created by dentin adhesive systems after 6 months of storage in water. Two-hundred sixteen extracted non-carious human third molars were selected for the study. Single-Bond Universal (SU) and All-Bond Universal (AU), Adper Easy One (Eo) Self-Etch adhesive and Adper Single-Bond 2 (Sb) etch-and-rinse adhesive were applied to a flat dentin surface using three methods (1): dentin adhesives were applied as recommended by the manufacturers; (2): two consecutive coats of dentin adhesives were applied before photo-polymerization; and (3): a single coat of adhesive was applied but with twice the manufacturers recommended application time. Microtensile bond strength was determined either immediately or after 6 months of water storage. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc tests. At 24 h, groups 1, 2, and 3 exhibited statistically similar results for all dentin adhesive systems. For AU-Er, group 3 showed significantly higher bond strength than all group of AU-Se after 6 months. Universal adhesives seemed more stable against water degradation than traditional two-step etch-and-rinse and all-in-one systems within the 6-month period.

Regional Pediatric Acute Stroke Protocol: Initial Experience During 3 Years and 13 Recanalization Treatments in Children.

PubMed

Tabone, Laurence; Mediamolle, Nicolas; Bellesme, Celine; Lesage, Fabrice; Grevent, David; Ozanne, Augustin; Naggara, Olivier; Husson, Beatrice; Desguerre, Isabelle; Lamy, Catherine; Denier, Christian; Kossorotoff, Manoelle

2017-08-01

To evaluate hyperacute management of pediatric arterial ischemic stroke, setting up dedicated management pathways is the first recommended step to prove the feasibility and safety of such treatments. A regional pediatric stroke alert protocol including 2 centers in the Paris-Ile-de-France area, France, was established. Consecutive pediatric patients (28 days-18 years) with confirmed arterial ischemic stroke who had acute recanalization treatment (intravenous r-tPA [recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator], endovascular procedure, or both) according to the regional pediatric stroke alert were retrospectively reviewed during a 40-month period. Thirteen children, aged 3.7 to 16.6 years, had recanalization treatment. Median time from onset to magnetic resonance imaging was 165 minutes (150-300); 9 out of 13 had large-vessel occlusion. Intravenous r-tPA was used in 11 out of 13 patients, with median time from onset to treatment of 240 minutes (178-270). Endovascular procedure was performed in patients time-out for intravenous r-tPA (n=2) or after intravenous r-tPA inefficiency (n=2). No intracranial or peripheral bleeding was reported. One patient died of malignant stroke; outcome was favorable in 11 out of 12 survivors (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2). Hyperacute recanalization treatment in pediatric stroke, relying on common protocols and adult/pediatric ward collaboration, is feasible. Larger systematic case collection is encouraged. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Comparison of two matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry methods with conventional phenotypic identification for routine identification of bacteria to the species level.

PubMed

Cherkaoui, Abdessalam; Hibbs, Jonathan; Emonet, Stéphane; Tangomo, Manuela; Girard, Myriam; Francois, Patrice; Schrenzel, Jacques

2010-04-01

Bacterial identification relies primarily on culture-based methodologies requiring 24 h for isolation and an additional 24 to 48 h for species identification. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is an emerging technology newly applied to the problem of bacterial species identification. We evaluated two MALDI-TOF MS systems with 720 consecutively isolated bacterial colonies under routine clinical laboratory conditions. Isolates were analyzed in parallel on both devices, using the manufacturers' default recommendations. We compared MS with conventional biochemical test system identifications. Discordant results were resolved with "gold standard" 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The first MS system (Bruker) gave high-confidence identifications for 680 isolates, of which 674 (99.1%) were correct; the second MS system (Shimadzu) gave high-confidence identifications for 639 isolates, of which 635 (99.4%) were correct. Had MS been used for initial testing and biochemical identification used only in the absence of high-confidence MS identifications, the laboratory would have saved approximately US$5 per isolate in marginal costs and reduced average turnaround time by more than an 8-h shift, with no loss in accuracy. Our data suggest that implementation of MS as a first test strategy for one-step species identification would improve timeliness and reduce isolate identification costs in clinical bacteriology laboratories now.

Gait biomechanics of skipping are substantially different than those of running.

PubMed

McDonnell, Jessica; Willson, John D; Zwetsloot, Kevin A; Houmard, Joseph; DeVita, Paul

2017-11-07

The inherit injury risk associated with high-impact exercises calls for alternative ways to achieve the benefits of aerobic exercise while minimizing excessive stresses to body tissues. Skipping presents such an alternative, incorporating double support, flight, and single support phases. We used ground reaction forces (GRFs), lower extremity joint torques and powers to compare skipping and running in 20 healthy adults. The two consecutive skipping steps on each limb differed significantly from each other, and from running. Running had the longest step length, the highest peak vertical GRF, peak knee extensor torque, and peak knee negative and positive power and negative and positive work. Skipping had the greater cadence, peak horizontal GRF, peak hip and ankle extensor torques, peak ankle negative power and work, and peak ankle positive power. The second vs first skipping step had the shorter step length, higher cadence, peak horizontal GRF, peak ankle extensor torque, and peak ankle negative power, negative work, and positive power and positive work. The first skipping step utilized predominately net negative joint work (eccentric muscle action) while the second utilized predominately net positive joint work (concentric muscle action). The skipping data further highlight the persistence of net negative work performed at the knee and net positive work performed at the ankle across locomotion gaits. Evidence of step segregation was seen in distribution of the braking and propelling impulses and net work produced across the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Skipping was substantially different than running and was temporally and spatially asymmetrical with successive foot falls partitioned into a dominant function, either braking or propelling whereas running had a single, repeated step in which both braking and propelling actions were performed equally. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance assessment of multi-GNSS real-time PPP over Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdi, Naser; Ardalan, Alireza A.; Karimi, Roohollah; Rezvani, Mohammad-Hadi

2017-06-01

With the advent of multi-GNSS constellations and thanks to providing the real-time precise products by IGS, multi-GNSS Real-Time PPP has been of special interest to the geodetic community. These products stream in the form of RTCM-SSR through NTRIP broadcaster. In this contribution, we aim at assessing the convergence time and positioning accuracy of Real-Time PPP over Iran by means of GPS, GPS + GLONASS, GPS + BeiDou, and GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou configurations. To this end, RINEX observations of six GNSS stations, within Iranian Permanent GNSS Network (IPGN), over consecutive sixteen days were processed via BKG NTRIP Client (BNC, v 2.12). In the processing steps, the IGS-MGEX broadcast ephemerides (BRDM, provided by TUM/DLR) and the pre-saved CLK93 broadcast corrections stream (provided by CNES) have been used as the satellites known information. The numerical results were compared against the station coordinates obtained from the double-difference solutions by Bernese GPS Software v 5.0. Accordingly, we have found that GPS + BeiDou combination can reduce the convergence time by 27%, 16% and 10% and improve the positioning accuracy by 22%, 18% and 2%, in the north, east and up components, respectively, as compared with the GPS PPP. Additionally, in comparison to the GPS + GLONASS results, GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou combination speeds up the convergence time by 9%, 8% and 9% and enhance the positioning accuracy by 8%, 5% and 6%, in the north, east and up components, respectively. Overall, thanks to the availability of the current BeiDou constellation observations, the considerable decrease in the convergence time on one hand, and the improvement in the positioning accuracy on the other, can verify the efficiency of utilizing multi-GNSS PPP for real-time applications over Iran.

Data feedback reduces door-to-balloon time in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

PubMed

Lin, Jeng-Feng; Hsu, Shun-Yi; Wu, Semon; Liau, Chiau-Suong; Chang, Heng-Chia; Liu, Chih-Jen; Huang, Hsuan-Li; Ho, Yao-Tsan; Weng, Shu-Li; Ko, Yu-Lin

2011-01-01

Current guidelines recommend a goal of door-to-balloon (D2B) time < 90 min for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aim to prospectively determine the effect of data feedback on D2B time and its seven individual components in primary PCI. From December 7, 2007, to June 2, 2009, 116 consecutive patients with STEMI who received PCI within 12 h of symptom onset were enrolled, including 56 patients before and 60 patients after the implementation of data feedback on July 28, 2008. The proportion of patients treated within 90 min increased from 26.8 to 55.0% (p = 0.002). On multivariable analyses, data feedback (OR 5.3, p = 0.003), known coronary artery disease (OR 5.6, p = 0.043), regular hours presentation (OR 3.3, p = 0.048), and arrival by transfer (OR 14.0, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of a D2B time less than 90 min. Median D2B time decreased from 112 min before data feedback to 87 min after data feedback (p < 0.001). The most significant decrease occurred in median door-to-ECG (11 vs. 3 min, p < 0.001), consult-to-cardiologist (5 vs. 3 min, p < 0.001), and puncture-to-balloon (21 vs. 17 min, p = 0.004) time. Data feedback to the emergency department and catheterization laboratory staff decreases D2B time in primary PCI. This simple approach may be the best first step to decrease D2B time in hospitals that are still striving to achieve the goal of D2B time < 90 min.

Accuracy of three Android-based pedometer applications in laboratory and free-living settings.

PubMed

Leong, Jia Yan; Wong, Jyh Eiin

2017-01-01

This study examines the accuracy of three popular, free Android-based pedometer applications (apps), namely, Runtastic (RT), Pacer Works (PW), and Tayutau (TY) in laboratory and free-living settings. Forty-eight adults (22.5 ± 1.4 years) completed 3-min bouts of treadmill walking at five incremental speeds while carrying a test smartphone installed with the three apps. Experiment was repeated thrice, with the smartphone placed either in the pants pockets, at waist level, or secured to the left arm by an armband. The actual step count was manually counted by a tally counter. In the free-living setting, each of the 44 participants (21.9 ± 1.6 years) carried a smartphone with installed apps and a reference pedometer (Yamax Digi-Walker CW700) for 7 consecutive days. Results showed that TY produced the lowest mean absolute percent error (APE 6.7%) and was the only app with acceptable accuracy in counting steps in a laboratory setting. RT consistently underestimated steps with APE of 16.8% in the laboratory. PW significantly underestimated steps when the smartphone was secured to the arm, but overestimated under other conditions (APE 19.7%). TY was the most accurate app in counting steps in a laboratory setting with the lowest APE of 6.7%. In the free-living setting, the APE relative to the reference pedometer was 16.6%, 18.0%, and 16.8% for RT, PW, and TY, respectively. None of the three apps counted steps accurately in the free-living setting.

Negative pressure irrigation and endoscopic necrosectomy through man-made sinus tract in infected necrotizing pancreatitis: a technical report.

PubMed

Tong, Zhihui; Ke, Lu; Li, Baiqiang; Li, Gang; Zhou, Jing; Shen, Xiao; Li, Weiqin; Li, Ning; Li, Jieshou

2016-11-10

In recent years, a step-up approach based on minimally invasive techniques was recommended by latest guidelines as initial invasive treatment for infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN). In this study, we aimed to describe a novel step-up approach for treating IPN consisting of four steps including negative pressure irrigation (NPI) and endoscopic necrosectomy (ED) as a bridge between percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and open necrosectomy METHODS: A retrospective review of a prospectively collected internal database of patients with a diagnosis of IPN between Jan, 2012 to Dec, 2012 at a single institution was performed. All patients underwent the same drainage strategy including four steps: PCD, NPI, ED and open necrosectomy. The demographic characteristics and clinical outcomes of study patients were analyzed. A total of 71 consecutive patients (48 males and 23 females) were included in the analysis. No significant procedure-related complication was observed and the overall mortality was +21.1 % (15 of 71 patients). Seven different strategies like PCD+ NPI, PCD+NPI+ED, PCD+open necrosectomy, etcetera, were applied in study patients and a half of them received PCD alone. In general, each patient underwent a median of 2 drainage procedures and the median total drainage duration was 11 days (interquartile range, 6-21days). This four-step approach is effective in treating IPN and adds no extra risk to patients when compared with other latest step-up strategies. The two novel techniques (NPI and ED) could offer distinct clinical benefits without posing unanticipated risks inherent to the procedures.

Chronoamperometric study of the films formed by 4,4'-bipyridyl cation radical salts on mercury in the presence of iodide ions: consecutive two-dimensional phase transitions.

PubMed

Gómez, L; Ruiz, J J; Camacho, L; Rodríguez-Amaro, R

2005-01-04

This paper reports a new mathematical model for consecutive two-dimensional phase transitions that accounts for the chronoamperometric behavior observed in the formation of electrochemical phases by 4,4'-bipyridyl cation radical (BpyH(2)(*)(+)) on mercury in aqueous iodide solutions. Also, a new interpretation for the induction time is proposed.

Timing of three-dimensional virtual treatment planning of orthognathic surgery: a prospective single-surgeon evaluation on 350 consecutive cases.

PubMed

Swennen, Gwen R J

2014-11-01

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the timing for three-dimensional (3D) virtual treatment planning of orthognathic surgery in the daily clinical routine. A total of 350 consecutive patients were included in this study. All patients were scanned following the standardized "Triple CBCT Scan Protocol" in centric relation. Integrated 3D virtual planning and actual surgery were performed by the same surgeon in all patients. Although clinically acceptable, still software improvements especially toward 3D virtual occlusal definition are mandatory to make 3D virtual planning of orthognathic surgery less time-consuming and more user-friendly to the clinician. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Transfer effects of step training on stepping performance in untrained directions in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Okubo, Yoshiro; Menant, Jasmine; Udyavar, Manasa; Brodie, Matthew A; Barry, Benjamin K; Lord, Stephen R; L Sturnieks, Daina

2017-05-01

Although step training improves the ability of quick stepping, some home-based step training systems train limited stepping directions and may cause harm by reducing stepping performance in untrained directions. This study examines the possible transfer effects of step training on stepping performance in untrained directions in older people. Fifty four older adults were randomized into: forward step training (FT); lateral plus forward step training (FLT); or no training (NT) groups. FT and FLT participants undertook a 15-min training session involving 200 step repetitions. Prior to and post training, choice stepping reaction time and stepping kinematics in untrained, diagonal and lateral directions were assessed. Significant interactions of group and time (pre/post-assessment) were evident for the first step after training indicating negative (delayed response time) and positive (faster peak stepping speed) transfer effects in the diagonal direction in the FT group. However, when the second to the fifth steps after training were included in the analysis, there were no significant interactions of group and time for measures in the diagonal stepping direction. Step training only in the forward direction improved stepping speed but may acutely slow response times in the untrained diagonal direction. However, this acute effect appears to dissipate after a few repeated step trials. Step training in both forward and lateral directions appears to induce no negative transfer effects in diagonal stepping. These findings suggest home-based step training systems present low risk of harm through negative transfer effects in untrained stepping directions. ANZCTR 369066. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Arrays of quasi-hexagonally ordered silica nanopillars with independently controlled areal density, diameter and height gradients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özdemir, Burcin; Huang, Wenting; Plettl, Alfred; Ziemann, Paul

2015-03-01

A consecutive fabrication approach of independently tailored gradients of the topographical parameters distance, diameter and height in arrays of well-ordered nanopillars on smooth SiO2-Si-wafers is presented. For this purpose, previously reported preparation techniques are further developed and combined. First, self-assembly of Au-salt loaded micelles by dip-coating with computer-controlled pulling-out velocities and subsequent hydrogen plasma treatment produce quasi-hexagonally ordered, 2-dimensional arrays of Au nanoparticles (NPs) with unidirectional variations of the interparticle distances along the pulling direction between 50-120 nm. Second, the distance (or areal density) gradient profile received in this way is superimposed with a diameter-controlled gradient profile of the NPs applying a selective photochemical growth technique. For demonstration, a 1D shutter is used for locally defined UV exposure times to prepare Au NP size gradients varying between 12 and 30 nm. Third, these double-gradient NP arrangements serve as etching masks in a following reactive ion etching step delivering arrays of nanopillars. For height gradient generation, the etching time is locally controlled by applying a shutter made from Si wafer piece. Due to the high flexibility of the etching process, the preparation route works on various materials such as cover slips, silicon, silicon oxide, silicon nitride and silicon carbide.

Generic Schemes for Single-Molecule Kinetics. 2: Information Content of the Poisson Indicator.

PubMed

Avila, Thomas R; Piephoff, D Evan; Cao, Jianshu

2017-08-24

Recently, we described a pathway analysis technique (paper 1) for analyzing generic schemes for single-molecule kinetics based upon the first-passage time distribution. Here, we employ this method to derive expressions for the Poisson indicator, a normalized measure of stochastic variation (essentially equivalent to the Fano factor and Mandel's Q parameter), for various renewal (i.e., memoryless) enzymatic reactions. We examine its dependence on substrate concentration, without assuming all steps follow Poissonian kinetics. Based upon fitting to the functional forms of the first two waiting time moments, we show that, to second order, the non-Poissonian kinetics are generally underdetermined but can be specified in certain scenarios. For an enzymatic reaction with an arbitrary intermediate topology, we identify a generic minimum of the Poisson indicator as a function of substrate concentration, which can be used to tune substrate concentration to the stochastic fluctuations and to estimate the largest number of underlying consecutive links in a turnover cycle. We identify a local maximum of the Poisson indicator (with respect to substrate concentration) for a renewal process as a signature of competitive binding, either between a substrate and an inhibitor or between multiple substrates. Our analysis explores the rich connections between Poisson indicator measurements and microscopic kinetic mechanisms.

Force-related neuronal activity in two regions of the primate ventral premotor cortex.

PubMed

Hepp-Reymond, M C; Hüsler, E J; Maier, M A; Ql, H X

1994-05-01

Neuronal activity was recorded in the ventral premotor cortex of one monkey (Macaca fascicularis) trained to exert finely graded forces with thumb and index finger on a force sensor in a visuomotor step-tracking paradigm. Trials with two or three consecutive ramp-and-hold force steps were presented randomly. Most neurons displayed similar discharge patterns in the two- and three-step trials and were assigned to one of the following classes: phasic, phasic-tonic, tonic, decreasing, and mixed. For more than 50% of the neurons with tonic activity, positive or negative correlations between firing rate and force were statistically significant. The indices of force sensitivity were on average higher for the two-step than for the three-step trials, indicating that the correlations yielded linearity over only a limited force range. The force-related cells were located in two regions of the ventral premotor cortex. One group was ying rostrally within the inferior limb of the arcuate sulcus, from which microstimulation elicited movements of fingers and hand. In the other more caudal region, adjacent to the finger region of primary motor cortex, microstimulation was rarely effective, but all neurons had clear peripheral receptive fields on finger and hand. The data indicate that two populations of neurons, located in the ventral premotor cortex, are related to movement execution. Effective microstimulation also suggests that one of the populations has fairly direct access to the spinal motor apparatus.

Physical activity during school in urban minority kindergarten and first-grade students.

PubMed

Reznik, Marina; Wylie-Rosett, Judith; Kim, Mimi; Ozuah, Philip O

2013-01-01

To determine if physical activity (PA) during the school day varied by school, grade level, gender, weight status, and physical education (PE) and recess participation among urban kindergarten and first-grade students. Cross-sectional study at 4 Bronx, NY, schools. Student PA was measured by a Yamax Digi-Walker pedometer, an objective and validated measure of PA in children. Each student wore a sealed pedometer during school for 5 consecutive days. Hierarchical models were fit to identify variables predictive of PA. A total of 916 had valid pedometer data (53% male, 70% Hispanic, mean age 5.98 years [SD 0.66], 45% overweight). PA varied by school (P < .0001). First-grade students took a significantly greater mean number of steps during school than kindergarten students. Overall, students took an average of 2479.7 (SD 961.8) steps/school day. PA did not differ by BMI status. Students took on average 724 more steps on PE days than on non-PE days and 490 more steps on days with outdoor recess than nonrecess days (P < .05 for both). Fewer than 1% of all students achieved lower cut points for previously published mean range of steps/school day for boys and girls. Multivariable analysis revealed higher grade level, participation in PE class, and outdoor recess as independent predictors of PA. PA levels were low in kindergarten and first-grade students. Future interventions incorporating classroom-based PA and outdoor recess may increase PA in resource-poor urban schools with limited PE facilities.

Gender-related differences in maximum gait speed and daily physical activity in elderly hospitalized cardiac inpatients: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Izawa, Kazuhiro P; Watanabe, Satoshi; Hirano, Yasuyuki; Matsushima, Shinya; Suzuki, Tomohiro; Oka, Koichiro; Kida, Keisuke; Suzuki, Kengo; Osada, Naohiko; Omiya, Kazuto; Brubaker, Peter H; Shimizu, Hiroyuki; Akashi, Yoshihiro J

2015-03-01

Maximum gait speed and physical activity (PA) relate to mortality and morbidity, but little is known about gender-related differences in these factors in elderly hospitalized cardiac inpatients. This study aimed to determine differences in maximum gait speed and daily measured PA based on sex and the relationship between these measures in elderly cardiac inpatients.A consecutive 268 elderly Japanese cardiac inpatients (mean age, 73.3 years) were enrolled and divided by sex into female (n = 75, 28%) and male (n = 193, 72%) groups. Patient characteristics and maximum gait speed, average step count, and PA energy expenditure (PAEE) in kilocalorie per day for 2 days assessed by accelerometer were compared between groups.Gait speed correlated positively with in-hospital PA measured by average daily step count (r = 0.46, P < 0.001) and average daily PAEE (r = 0.47, P < 0.001) in all patients. After adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction, step counts and PAEE were significantly lower in females than males (2651.35 ± 1889.92 vs 4037.33 ± 1866.81 steps, P < 0.001; 52.74 ± 51.98 vs 99.33 ± 51.40 kcal, P < 0.001), respectively.Maximum gait speed was slower and PA lower in elderly female versus male inpatients. Minimum gait speed and step count values in this study might be minimum target values for elderly male and female Japanese cardiac inpatients.

Propagation and introduction of Arnica montana L. into cultivation: a step to reduce the pressure on endangered and high-valued medicinal plant species.

PubMed

Sugier, Danuta; Sugier, Piotr; Gawlik-Dziki, Urszula

2013-01-01

Arnica montana (L.) is an endangered and endemic medicinal plant species in Europe. The pressure on natural sources of this plant is alleviated by a suitable use of arnica resources in the European region and introduction into cultivation. The objective of this study was to describe the impact of different ways of plant propagation and introduction on the growth and reproduction mode of this species. During the six consecutive years of the field experiment, the vegetative and reproductive traits were monitored, and survival time was assessed. The particular ways of arnica plant propagation and introduction determined all the intrinsic species traits and plant survival. The values of the characteristics studied indicated good acclimatization of the arnica ecotype to the climatic conditions of eastern Poland. Practical implications from the data presented here include the possibility of using the presented modes of arnica propagation and introduction in the short- and long-term perspective of arnica cultivation, which can give a possibility of better adjustment of raw material production.

Microfluidic Devices for Forensic DNA Analysis: A Review.

PubMed

Bruijns, Brigitte; van Asten, Arian; Tiggelaar, Roald; Gardeniers, Han

2016-08-05

Microfluidic devices may offer various advantages for forensic DNA analysis, such as reduced risk of contamination, shorter analysis time and direct application at the crime scene. Microfluidic chip technology has already proven to be functional and effective within medical applications, such as for point-of-care use. In the forensic field, one may expect microfluidic technology to become particularly relevant for the analysis of biological traces containing human DNA. This would require a number of consecutive steps, including sample work up, DNA amplification and detection, as well as secure storage of the sample. This article provides an extensive overview of microfluidic devices for cell lysis, DNA extraction and purification, DNA amplification and detection and analysis techniques for DNA. Topics to be discussed are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on-chip, digital PCR (dPCR), isothermal amplification on-chip, chip materials, integrated devices and commercially available techniques. A critical overview of the opportunities and challenges of the use of chips is discussed, and developments made in forensic DNA analysis over the past 10-20 years with microfluidic systems are described. Areas in which further research is needed are indicated in a future outlook.

Propagation and Introduction of Arnica montana L. into Cultivation: A Step to Reduce the Pressure on Endangered and High-Valued Medicinal Plant Species

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Arnica montana (L.) is an endangered and endemic medicinal plant species in Europe. The pressure on natural sources of this plant is alleviated by a suitable use of arnica resources in the European region and introduction into cultivation. The objective of this study was to describe the impact of different ways of plant propagation and introduction on the growth and reproduction mode of this species. During the six consecutive years of the field experiment, the vegetative and reproductive traits were monitored, and survival time was assessed. The particular ways of arnica plant propagation and introduction determined all the intrinsic species traits and plant survival. The values of the characteristics studied indicated good acclimatization of the arnica ecotype to the climatic conditions of eastern Poland. Practical implications from the data presented here include the possibility of using the presented modes of arnica propagation and introduction in the short- and long-term perspective of arnica cultivation, which can give a possibility of better adjustment of raw material production. PMID:24282381

Influence of Catalyst Acid/Base Properties in Acrolein Production by Oxidative Coupling of Ethanol and Methanol.

PubMed

Lilić, Aleksandra; Bennici, Simona; Devaux, Jean-François; Dubois, Jean-Luc; Auroux, Aline

2017-05-09

Oxidative coupling of methanol and ethanol represents a new route to produce acrolein. In this work, the overall reaction was decoupled in two steps, the oxidation and the aldolization, by using two consecutive reactors to investigate the role of the acid/base properties of silica-supported oxide catalysts. The oxidation of a mixture of methanol and ethanol to formaldehyde and acetaldehyde was performed over a FeMoO x catalyst, and then the product mixture was transferred without intermediate separation to a second reactor, in which the aldol condensation and dehydration to acrolein were performed over the supported oxides. The impact of the acid/base properties on the selectivity towards acrolein was investigated under oxidizing conditions for the first time. The acid/base properties of the catalysts were investigated by NH 3 -, SO 2 -, and methanol-adsorption microcalorimetry. A MgO/SiO 2 catalyst was the most active in acrolein production owing to an appropriate ratio of basic to acidic sites. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

[Abdominal catastrophe--abdominal wall defect associated with gastrointestinal fistula--strategy of therapy].

PubMed

Chobola, M; Sobotka, L; Ferko, A; Oberreiter, M; Kaska, M; Motycka, V; Páral, J; Mottl, R

2010-11-01

Wound dehiscence complicated by gastrointestinal (GI) fistula to belong ,,abdominal catastrophe". Therapy is prolonged and connected with high morbidity and mortality rate. In the period from October 2006 to July 2009 we performed 12 reconstructive surgical procedures on gastrointestinal tract in patients with abdominal catastrophe. Treatment of 12 consecutive patients (9 men, 3 women) was managed according to a standardize protocol. The protocol consists of treatment of septic complications, optimisation of nutritional state, special wound procedures, diagnosis of gastrointestinal fistulas and GI tract, timing of surgical procedures, reconstruction of GI tract and postoperative care. Reconstructive surgery of GI tract was successful on 11 patients. One patient developed recurrence of early GI fistula. In four patients we let open abdomen to heal per secundam. We observed no deaths after operation. With regard to complex character of therapy of abdominal catastrophe there is a need of multidisciplinary approach. Considering long-lasting and expensive therapy there is logical step to concentrate these patients into special centres which are experienced, equipped and their staff is trained in treatment of such a seriously impaired patients.

Two-stage, acetic acid-aqueous ammonia, fractionation of empty fruit bunches for increased lignocellulosic biomass utilization.

PubMed

Kim, Dong Young; Kim, Young Soo; Kim, Tae Hyun; Oh, Kyeong Keun

2016-01-01

Fractionation of EFB was conducted in two consecutive steps using a batch reaction system: hemicellulose hydrolysis using acetic acid (AA; 3.0-7.0 wt.%) at 170-190°C for 10-20 min in the first stage, and lignin solubilization using ammonium hydroxide (5-20 wt.%) at 140-220°C for 5-25 min in the second stage. The two-stage process effectively fractionated empty fruit bunches (EFB) in terms of hemicellulose hydrolysis (53.6%) and lignin removal (59.5%). After the two-stage treatment, the fractionated solid contained 65.3% glucan. Among three investigated process parameters, reaction temperature and ammonia concentration had greater impact on the delignification reaction in the second stage than reaction time. The two-stage fractionation processing improved the enzymatic digestibility to 72.9% with 15 FPU of cellulase/g of glucan supplemented with 70 pNPG of β-glycosidase (Novozyme 188)/g-glucan, which was significantly enhanced from the equivalent digestibility of 28.3% for untreated EFB and 45.7% for AAH-fractionated solid. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MILS in a general surgery unit: learning curve, indications, and limitations.

PubMed

Patriti, Alberto; Marano, Luigi; Casciola, Luciano

2015-06-01

Minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) is going to be a method with a wide diffusion even in general surgery units. Organization, learning curve effect, and the environment are crucial issues to evaluate before starting a program of minimally invasive liver resections. Analysis of a consecutive series of 70 patients has been used to define advantages and limits of starting a program of MILS in a general surgery unit. Seventeen MILS have been calculated with the cumulative sum method as the number of cases to complete the learning curve. Operative times [270 (60-480) vs. 180 (15-550) min; p 0.01] and rate of conversion (6/17 vs. 5/53; p 0.018) decrease after this number of cases. More complex cases can be managed after a proper optimization of all steps of liver resection. When a high confidence of the medical and nurse staff with MILS is reached, economical and strategic issues should be evaluated in order to establish a multidisciplinary hepatobiliary unit independent from the general surgery unit to manage more complex cases.

Microprocessor-controlled hemodynamics: a step towards improved efficiency and safety.

PubMed

Keogh, B E; Jacobs, J; Royston, D; Taylor, K M

1989-02-01

Manual titration of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) is widely used for treatment of hypertension following cardiac surgery. This study compared conventional manual control with control by a research prototype of an automatic infusion module based on a proportional plus integral plus derivative (PID) negative feedback loop. Two groups of coronary artery bypass patients requiring SNP for postoperative hypertension were studied prospectively. In the first group, hypertension was controlled by manual adjustment of the SNP infusion rate, and in the second, the infusion rate was controlled automatically. The actual and desired mean arterial pressures (MAP) over consecutive ten-second epochs were recorded during the period of infusion. The MAP was maintained within 10% of the desired MAP 45.8% of the time in the manual group, compared with 90.0% in the automatic group, and the mean percent error in the automatic group was significantly less than in the manual group (P less than 0.01). It is concluded that adoption of such systems will result in improved patient safety and may facilitate more effective distribution of nursing staff within intensive care units.

Early process development of API applied to poorly water-soluble TBID.

PubMed

Meise, Marius; Niggemann, Matthias; Dunens, Alexandra; Schoenitz, Martin; Kuschnerow, Jan C; Kunick, Conrad; Scholl, Stephan

2018-05-01

Finding and optimising of synthesis processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is time consuming. In the finding phase, established methods for synthesis, purification and formulation are used to achieve a high purity API for biological studies. For promising API candidates, this is followed by pre-clinical and clinical studies requiring sufficient quantities of the active component. Ideally, these should be produced with a process representative for a later production process and suitable for scaling to production capacity. This work presents an overview of different approaches for process synthesis based on an existing lab protocol. This is demonstrated for the production of the model drug 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl) isoindolin-1,3-dione (TBID). Early batch synthesis and purification procedures typically suffer from low and fluctuating yields and purities due to poor process control. In a first step the literature synthesis and purification procedure was modified and optimized using solubility measurements, targeting easier and safer processing for consecutive studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of working consecutive night shifts on sleep time, prior wakefulness, perceived levels of fatigue and performance on a psychometric test in emergency registrars.

PubMed

Haire, Julia Christine Lydia; Ferguson, Sally Anne; Tilleard, James D; Negus, Paul; Dorrian, Jillian; Thomas, Matthew Jw

2012-06-01

To evaluate the effect of working consecutive night shifts on sleep time, prior wakefulness, perceived levels of fatigue and psychomotor performance in a group of Australian emergency registrars. A prospective observational study with a repeated within-subjects component was conducted. Sleep time was determined using sleep diaries and activity monitors. Subjective fatigue levels and reciprocal reaction times were evaluated before and after day and night shifts. A total of 11 registrars participated in the study with 120 shifts analysed. Sleep time was found to be similar during consecutive night and day shifts. The mean number of hours spent awake before the end of a night shift was 14.33. Subjective fatigue scores were worst at the end of a night shift. There was no difference in reciprocal reaction time between the end of night shift and the start of day shift. Registrars sleep a similar amount of time surrounding night and day shifts. Despite reporting the highest levels of fatigue at the end of a night shift, there is no significant difference in reaction times at the end of night shift compared with the beginning of day shift. This correlates with the finding that at the end of night shift the registrars have been awake for less than 16 h, which is the point at which psychomotor performance is expected to decline. © 2012 The Authors. EMA © 2012 Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and Australasian Society for Emergency Medicine.

Automatic detection of magnetic flux emergings in the solar atmosphere from full-disk magnetogram sequences.

PubMed

Fu, Gang; Shih, Frank Y; Wang, Haimin

2008-11-01

In this paper, we present a novel method to detect Emerging Flux Regions (EFRs) in the solar atmosphere from consecutive full-disk Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) magnetogram sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first developed technique for automatically detecting EFRs. The method includes several steps. First, the projection distortion on the MDI magnetograms is corrected. Second, the bipolar regions are extracted by applying multiscale circular harmonic filters. Third, the extracted bipolar regions are traced in consecutive MDI frames by Kalman filter as candidate EFRs. Fourth, the properties, such as positive and negative magnetic fluxes and distance between two polarities, are measured in each frame. Finally, a feature vector is constructed for each bipolar region using the measured properties, and the Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier is applied to distinguish EFRs from other regions. Experimental results show that the detection rate of EFRs is 96.4% and of non-EFRs is 98.0%, and the false alarm rate is 25.7%, based on all the available MDI magnetograms in 2001 and 2002.

Comparison of Cochlear Cell Death Caused by Cisplatin, Alone and in Combination with Furosemide

PubMed Central

Xia, Li; Chen, Zhengnong; Su, Kaiming; Yin, Shankai; Wang, Jian

2014-01-01

Establishment of appropriate animal models is an important step in exploring the mechanisms of drug-induced ototoxicity. In the present study, using guinea pigs we compared cochlear lesions induced by cisplatin administered in two regimens: consecutive application alone and in combination with furosemide. The effects of furosemide alone were also evaluated; it was found to cause temporary hearing loss and reversible damage to the stria vascularis. Consecutive application of cisplatin alone appeared to be disadvantageous because it resulted in progressive body weight loss and higher mortality compared to the combined regimen, which used a smaller cisplatin dose. The combined regimen resulted in comparable hearing loss and hair cell loss but a markedly lower mortality. However, their coadministration failed to cause similar damage to spiral ganglion neurons (SGN), as seen in animals that received cisplatin alone. This difference suggests that the combined regimen did not mimic the damage to cochlear neuronal innervation caused by the clinical application of cisplatin. The difference also suggests that the SGN lesion is not caused by cisplatin entering the cochlea via the stria vascularis. PMID:23548607

Electrochemical reduction of nitrate in the presence of an amide

DOEpatents

Dziewinski, Jacek J.; Marczak, Stanislaw

2002-01-01

The electrochemical reduction of nitrates in aqueous solutions thereof in the presence of amides to gaseous nitrogen (N.sub.2) is described. Generally, electrochemical reduction of NO.sub.3 proceeds stepwise, from NO.sub.3 to N.sub.2, and subsequently in several consecutive steps to ammonia (NH.sub.3) as a final product. Addition of at least one amide to the solution being electrolyzed suppresses ammonia generation, since suitable amides react with NO.sub.2 to generate N.sub.2. This permits nitrate reduction to gaseous nitrogen to proceed by electrolysis. Suitable amides include urea, sulfamic acid, formamide, and acetamide.

Effective constitutive relations for large repetitive frame-like structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nayfeh, A. H.; Hefzy, M. S.

1981-01-01

Effective mechanical properties for large repetitive framelike structures are derived using combinations of strength of material and orthogonal transformation techniques. Symmetry considerations are used in order to identify independent property constants. The actual values of these constants are constructed according to a building block format which is carried out in the three consecutive steps: (1) all basic planar lattices are identified; (2) effective continuum properties are derived for each of these planar basic grids using matrix structural analysis methods; and (3) orthogonal transformations are used to determine the contribution of each basic set to the overall effective continuum properties of the structure.

Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics study of the thermal decomposition of sodium fulminate.

PubMed

Damianos, Konstantina; Frank, Irmgard

2010-07-19

Depending on the metal cation, metal fulminates exhibit a characteristic sensitivity with respect to heat and mechanical stress. In the present paper we study the high-temperature reactions of bulk sodium fulminate using Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the initiating reaction is the formation of the fulminate dimer, while in earlier studies an electron transfer was assumed to be the first reaction step. The initial carbon--carbon bond formation is followed by fast consecutive reactions leading to polymerisation. The resulting species remain charged on the timescale of the simulations.

Automated infrasound signal detection algorithms implemented in MatSeis - Infra Tool.

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

Hart, Darren

2004-07-01

MatSeis's infrasound analysis tool, Infra Tool, uses frequency slowness processing to deconstruct the array data into three outputs per processing step: correlation, azimuth and slowness. Until now, an experienced analyst trained to recognize a pattern observed in outputs from signal processing manually accomplished infrasound signal detection. Our goal was to automate the process of infrasound signal detection. The critical aspect of infrasound signal detection is to identify consecutive processing steps where the azimuth is constant (flat) while the time-lag correlation of the windowed waveform is above background value. These two statements describe the arrival of a correlated set of wavefrontsmore » at an array. The Hough Transform and Inverse Slope methods are used to determine the representative slope for a specified number of azimuth data points. The representative slope is then used in conjunction with associated correlation value and azimuth data variance to determine if and when an infrasound signal was detected. A format for an infrasound signal detection output file is also proposed. The detection output file will list the processed array element names, followed by detection characteristics for each method. Each detection is supplied with a listing of frequency slowness processing characteristics: human time (YYYY/MM/DD HH:MM:SS.SSS), epochal time, correlation, fstat, azimuth (deg) and trace velocity (km/s). As an example, a ground truth event was processed using the four-element DLIAR infrasound array located in New Mexico. The event is known as the Watusi chemical explosion, which occurred on 2002/09/28 at 21:25:17 with an explosive yield of 38,000 lb TNT equivalent. Knowing the source and array location, the array-to-event distance was computed to be approximately 890 km. This test determined the station-to-event azimuth (281.8 and 282.1 degrees) to within 1.6 and 1.4 degrees for the Inverse Slope and Hough Transform detection algorithms, respectively, and the detection window closely correlated to the theoretical stratospheric arrival time. Further testing will be required for tuning of detection threshold parameters for different types of infrasound events.« less

Managing pregnancy of unknown location based on initial serum progesterone and serial serum hCG levels: development and validation of a two-step triage protocol.

PubMed

Van Calster, B; Bobdiwala, S; Guha, S; Van Hoorde, K; Al-Memar, M; Harvey, R; Farren, J; Kirk, E; Condous, G; Sur, S; Stalder, C; Timmerman, D; Bourne, T

2016-11-01

A uniform rationalized management protocol for pregnancies of unknown location (PUL) is lacking. We developed a two-step triage protocol to select PUL at high risk of ectopic pregnancy (EP), based on serum progesterone level at presentation (step 1) and the serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) ratio, defined as the ratio of hCG at 48 h to hCG at presentation (step 2). This was a cohort study of 2753 PUL (301 EP), involving a secondary analysis of prospectively and consecutively collected PUL data from two London-based university teaching hospitals. Using a chronological split we used 1449 PUL for development and 1304 for validation. We aimed to assign PUL as low risk with high confidence (high negative predictive value (NPV)) while classifying most EP as high risk (high sensitivity). The first triage step assigned PUL as low risk using a threshold of serum progesterone at presentation. The remaining PUL were triaged using a novel logistic regression risk model based on hCG ratio and initial serum progesterone (second step), defining low risk as an estimated EP risk of < 5%. On validation, initial serum progesterone ≤ 2 nmol/L (step 1) classified 16.1% PUL as low risk. Second-step classification with the risk model selected an additional 46.0% of all PUL as low risk. Overall, the two-step protocol classified 62.1% of PUL as low risk, with an NPV of 98.6% and a sensitivity of 92.0%. When the risk model was used in isolation (i.e. without the first step), 60.5% of PUL were classified as low risk with 99.1% NPV and 94.9% sensitivity. PUL can be classified efficiently into being either high or low risk for complications using a two-step protocol involving initial progesterone and hCG levels and the hCG ratio. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Impact of temporal resolution of inputs on hydrological model performance: An analysis based on 2400 flood events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ficchì, Andrea; Perrin, Charles; Andréassian, Vazken

2016-07-01

Hydro-climatic data at short time steps are considered essential to model the rainfall-runoff relationship, especially for short-duration hydrological events, typically flash floods. Also, using fine time step information may be beneficial when using or analysing model outputs at larger aggregated time scales. However, the actual gain in prediction efficiency using short time-step data is not well understood or quantified. In this paper, we investigate the extent to which the performance of hydrological modelling is improved by short time-step data, using a large set of 240 French catchments, for which 2400 flood events were selected. Six-minute rain gauge data were available and the GR4 rainfall-runoff model was run with precipitation inputs at eight different time steps ranging from 6 min to 1 day. Then model outputs were aggregated at seven different reference time scales ranging from sub-hourly to daily for a comparative evaluation of simulations at different target time steps. Three classes of model performance behaviour were found for the 240 test catchments: (i) significant improvement of performance with shorter time steps; (ii) performance insensitivity to the modelling time step; (iii) performance degradation as the time step becomes shorter. The differences between these groups were analysed based on a number of catchment and event characteristics. A statistical test highlighted the most influential explanatory variables for model performance evolution at different time steps, including flow auto-correlation, flood and storm duration, flood hydrograph peakedness, rainfall-runoff lag time and precipitation temporal variability.

Angular momentum evolution in dark matter haloes: a study of the Bolshoi and Millennium simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contreras, S.; Padilla, N.; Lagos, C. D. P.

2017-12-01

We use three different cosmological dark matter simulations to study how the orientation of the angular momentum (AM) vector in dark matter haloes evolve with time. We find that haloes in this kind of simulations are constantly affected by a spurious change of mass, which translates into an artificial change in the orientation of the AM. After removing the haloes affected by artificial mass change, we found that the change in the orientation of the AM vector is correlated with time. The change in its angle and direction (i.e. the angle subtended by the AM vector in two consecutive time-steps) that affect the AM vector has a dependence on the change of mass that affects a halo, the time elapsed in which the change of mass occurs and the halo mass. We create a Monte Carlo simulation that reproduces the change of angle and direction of the AM vector. We reproduce the angular separation of the AM vector since a lookback time of 8.5 Gyr to today (α) with an accuracy of approximately 0.05 in cos(α). We are releasing this Monte Carlo simulation together with this publication. We also create a Monte Carlo simulation that reproduces the change of the AM modulus. We find that haloes in denser environments display the most dramatic evolution in their AM direction, as well as haloes with a lower specific AM modulus. These relations could be used to improve the way we follow the AM vector in low-resolution simulations.

Multiple Convective Cell Identification and Tracking Algorithm for documenting time-height evolution of measured polarimetric radar and lightning properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosenfeld, D.; Hu, J.; Zhang, P.; Snyder, J.; Orville, R. E.; Ryzhkov, A.; Zrnic, D.; Williams, E.; Zhang, R.

2017-12-01

A methodology to track the evolution of the hydrometeors and electrification of convective cells is presented and applied to various convective clouds from warm showers to super-cells. The input radar data are obtained from the polarimetric NEXRAD weather radars, The information on cloud electrification is obtained from Lightning Mapping Arrays (LMA). The development time and height of the hydrometeors and electrification requires tracking the evolution and lifecycle of convective cells. A new methodology for Multi-Cell Identification and Tracking (MCIT) is presented in this study. This new algorithm is applied to time series of radar volume scans. A cell is defined as a local maximum in the Vertical Integrated Liquid (VIL), and the echo area is divided between cells using a watershed algorithm. The tracking of the cells between radar volume scans is done by identifying the two cells in consecutive radar scans that have maximum common VIL. The vertical profile of the polarimetric radar properties are used for constructing the time-height cross section of the cell properties around the peak reflectivity as a function of height. The LMA sources that occur within the cell area are integrated as a function of height as well for each time step, as determined by the radar volume scans. The result of the tracking can provide insights to the evolution of storms, hydrometer types, precipitation initiation and cloud electrification under different thermodynamic, aerosol and geographic conditions. The details of the MCIT algorithm, its products and their performance for different types of storm are described in this poster.

Ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy for fast evaluation of tumour margins during Mohs surgery.

PubMed

Bennàssar, A; Vilata, A; Puig, S; Malvehy, J

2014-02-01

Ex vivo fluorescence confocal microscopy (FCM) enables real-time imaging of skin morphology directly in freshly excised tissue. FCM displays wide field-of-view mosaics with cellular resolution, thus enabling a rapid bedside pathology. An application of interest is rapid detection of residual basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in skin excisions during Mohs surgery. We sought to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ex vivo imaging with FCM for the detection of residual BCC in Mohs tissue excisions, and to calculate the time invested up to the diagnosis for both FCM and frozen sections. Eighty consecutive BCCs were prospectively collected and the margins scanned with ex vivo FCM, including excisions with and without residual BCC of all major subtypes. Each mosaic was divided into two or four, resulting in 480 submosaics for study. Every confocal submosaic was assessed for the presence or absence of BCC and compared with standard frozen sections as the gold standard. Furthermore, the time spent for each technique was calculated and compared. The overall sensitivity and specificity of detecting residual BCC were 88% and 99%, respectively. Moreover, the new technique reduced by almost two-thirds the time invested when compared with the processing of a frozen section (P < 0·001). The results demonstrate the feasibility of confocal mosaicing microscopy in fresh tissue for rapid surgical pathology, potentially to expedite and guide Mohs surgery with high accuracy. This observation is an important step towards the goal of using real-time surgical pathology for skin tumours. © 2013 British Association of Dermatologists.

A novel two-step optimization method for tandem and ovoid high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer.

PubMed

Sharma, Manju; Fields, Emma C; Todor, Dorin A

2015-01-01

To present a novel method allowing fast volumetric optimization of tandem and ovoid high-dose-rate treatments and to quantify its benefits. Twenty-seven CT-based treatment plans from 6 consecutive cervical cancer patients treated with four to five intracavitary tandem and ovoid insertions were used. Initial single-step optimized plans were manually optimized, approved, and delivered plans created with a goal to cover high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) with D90 >90% and minimize rectum, bladder, and sigmoid D2cc. For the two-step optimized (TSO) plan, each single-step optimized plan was replanned adding a structure created from prescription isodose line to the existent physician delineated HR-CTV, rectum, bladder, and sigmoid. New, more rigorous dose-volume histogram constraints for the critical organs at risks (OARs) were used for the optimization. HR-CTV D90 and OAR D2ccs were evaluated in both plans. TSO plans had consistently smaller D2ccs for all three OARs while preserving HR-CTV D90. On plans with "excellent" CTV coverage, average D90 of 96% (91-102%), sigmoid, bladder, and rectum D2cc, respectively, reduced on average by 37% (16-73%), 28% (20-47%), and 27% (15-45%). Similar reductions were obtained on plans with "good" coverage, average D90 of 93% (90-99%). For plans with "inferior" coverage, average D90 of 81%, the coverage increased to 87% with concurrent D2cc reductions of 31%, 18%, and 11% for sigmoid, bladder, and rectum, respectively. The TSO can be added with minimal planning time increase but with the potential of dramatic and systematic reductions in OAR D2ccs and in some cases with concurrent increase in target dose coverage. These single-fraction modifications would be magnified over the course of four to five intracavitary insertions and may have real clinical implications in terms of decreasing both acute and late toxicities. Copyright © 2015 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sleep Tracking and Exercise in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (Step-D): Pilot Study to Determine Correlations Between Fitbit Data and Patient-Reported Outcomes

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Background Few studies assessing the correlation between patient-reported outcomes and patient-generated health data from wearable devices exist. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the direction and magnitude of associations between patient-generated health data (from the Fitbit Charge HR) and patient-reported outcomes for sleep patterns and physical activity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods This was a pilot study conducted with adults diagnosed with T2DM (n=86). All participants wore a Fitbit Charge HR for 14 consecutive days and completed internet-based surveys at 3 time points: day 1, day 7, and day 14. Patient-generated health data included minutes asleep and number of steps taken. Questionnaires assessed the number of days of exercise and nights of sleep problems per week. Means and SDs were calculated for all data, and Pearson correlations were used to examine associations between patient-reported outcomes and patient-generated health data. All respondents provided informed consent before participating. Results The participants were predominantly middle-aged (mean 54.3, SD 13.3 years), white (80/86, 93%), and female (50/86, 58%). Use of oral T2DM medication correlated with the number of mean steps taken (r=.35, P=.001), whereas being unaware of the glycated hemoglobin level correlated with the number of minutes asleep (r=−.24, P=.04). On the basis of the Fitbit data, participants walked an average of 4955 steps and slept 6.7 hours per day. They self-reported an average of 2.0 days of exercise and 2.3 nights of sleep problems per week. The association between the number of days exercised and steps walked was strong (r=.60, P<.001), whereas the association between the number of troubled sleep nights and minutes asleep was weaker (r=.28, P=.02). Conclusions Fitbit and patient-reported data were positively associated for physical activity as well as sleep, with the former more strongly correlated than the latter. As extensive patient monitoring can guide clinical decisions regarding T2DM therapy, passive, objective data collection through wearables could potentially enhance patient care, resulting in better patient-reported outcomes. PMID:29871856

Physical Activity Levels Among Adolescent and Young Adult Women and Men with and without Intellectual Disability.

PubMed

Sundahl, Lina; Zetterberg, Marie; Wester, Anita; Rehn, Börje; Blomqvist, Sven

2016-01-01

As physical activity can prevent overweight and promote general health, the aim was to investigate the amount of physical activity among adolescent and young adult women and men with intellectual disability (ID), compared to age-matched control groups without intellectual disability. A further aim was to examine whether physical activity level was associated with the body mass index (BMI). Fifty-two adolescent and young adult women and men with intellectual disability and 48 without intellectual disability, between the ages 16 and 20 years, BMIs ranging from 16.3 to 50.3 kg/m(2) , were measured for number of steps taken with a pedometer for five consecutive days (Sunday-Thursday). The only group to meet recommendations regarding number of steps (10 000-12 000/day) was women without intellectual disability. No significant associations were found between total number of steps taken and BMI. As the majority of adolescents and young adults with intellectual disability, especially women, did not reach recommended activity levels regardless of their BMIs, this call for broad measures to increase physical activity. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Modeling the BOD of Danube River in Serbia using spatial, temporal, and input variables optimized artificial neural network models.

PubMed

Šiljić Tomić, Aleksandra N; Antanasijević, Davor Z; Ristić, Mirjana Đ; Perić-Grujić, Aleksandra A; Pocajt, Viktor V

2016-05-01

This paper describes the application of artificial neural network models for the prediction of biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels in the Danube River. Eighteen regularly monitored water quality parameters at 17 stations on the river stretch passing through Serbia were used as input variables. The optimization of the model was performed in three consecutive steps: firstly, the spatial influence of a monitoring station was examined; secondly, the monitoring period necessary to reach satisfactory performance was determined; and lastly, correlation analysis was applied to evaluate the relationship among water quality parameters. Root-mean-square error (RMSE) was used to evaluate model performance in the first two steps, whereas in the last step, multiple statistical indicators of performance were utilized. As a result, two optimized models were developed, a general regression neural network model (labeled GRNN-1) that covers the monitoring stations from the Danube inflow to the city of Novi Sad and a GRNN model (labeled GRNN-2) that covers the stations from the city of Novi Sad to the border with Romania. Both models demonstrated good agreement between the predicted and actually observed BOD values.

A framework provided an outline toward the proper evaluation of potential screening strategies.

PubMed

Adriaensen, Wim J; Matheï, Cathy; Buntinx, Frank J; Arbyn, Marc

2013-06-01

Screening tests are often introduced into clinical practice without proper evaluation, despite the increasing awareness that screening is a double-edged sword that can lead to either net benefits or harms. Our objective was to develop a comprehensive framework for the evaluation of new screening strategies. Elaborating on the existing concepts proposed by experts, a stepwise framework is proposed to evaluate whether a potential screening test can be introduced as a screening strategy into clinical practice. The principle of screening strategy evaluation is illustrated for cervical cancer, which is a template for screening because of the existence of an easily detectable and treatable precursor lesion. The evaluation procedure consists of six consecutive steps. In steps 1-4, the technical accuracy, place of the test in the screening pathway, diagnostic accuracy, and longitudinal sensitivity and specificity of the screening test are assessed. In steps 5 and 6, the impact of the screening strategy on the patient and population levels, respectively, is evaluated. The framework incorporates a harm and benefit trade-off and cost-effectiveness analysis. Our framework provides an outline toward the proper evaluation of potential screening strategies before considering implementation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Relaxation of Vicinal (001) with ZigZag [110] Steps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawkins, Micah; Hamouda, Ajmi Bh; González-Cabrera, Diego Luis; Einstein, Theodore L.

2012-02-01

This talk presents a kinetic Monte Carlo study of the relaxation dynamics of [110] steps on a vicinal (001) simple cubic surface. This system is interesting because [110] steps have different elementary excitation energetics and favor step diffusion more than close-packed [100] steps. In this talk we show how this leads to relaxation dynamics showing greater fluctuations on a shorter time scale for [110] steps as well as 2-bond breaking processes being rate determining in contrast to 3-bond breaking processes for [100] steps. The existence of a steady state is shown via the convergence of terrace width distributions at times much longer than the relaxation time. In this time regime excellent fits to the modified generalized Wigner distribution (as well as to the Berry-Robnik model when steps can overlap) were obtained. Also, step-position correlation function data show diffusion-limited increase for small distances along the step as well as greater average step displacement for zigzag steps compared to straight steps for somewhat longer distances along the step. Work supported by NSF-MRSEC Grant DMR 05-20471 as well as a DOE-CMCSN Grant.

Cause or effect? The relationship between student perception of the medical school learning environment and academic performance on USMLE Step 1.

PubMed

Wayne, Sharon J; Fortner, Sally A; Kitzes, Judith A; Timm, Craig; Kalishman, Summers

2013-05-01

A school's learning environment is believed to influence academic performance yet few studies have evaluated this association controlling for prior academic ability, an important factor since students who do well in school tend to rate their school's environment more highly than students who are less academically strong. To evaluate the effect of student perception of the learning environment on their performance on a standardized licensing test while controlling for prior academic ability. We measured perception of the learning environment after the first year of medical school in 267 students from five consecutive classes and related that measure to performance on United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, taken approximately six months later. We controlled for prior academic performance by including Medical College Admission Test score and undergraduate grade point average in linear regression models. Three of the five learning environment subscales were statistically associated with Step 1 performance (p < 0.05): meaningful learning environment, emotional climate, and student-student interaction. A one-point increase in the rating of the subscales (scale of 1-4) was associated with increases of 6.8, 6.6, and 4.8 points on the Step 1 exam. Our findings provide some evidence for the widely held assumption that a positively perceived learning environment contributes to better academic performance.

[How to make your own custom cutting guides for both mandibular and fibular stair step osteotomies?

PubMed

Rem, K; Bosc, R; De Kermadec, H; Hersant, B; Meningaud, J-P

2017-12-01

Using tailored cutting guides for osteocutaneous free fibula flap in complex mandibular reconstruction after cancer resection surgery constitutes a substantial improvement. Autonomously conceiving and manufacturing the cutting guides within a plastic surgery department with computer-aided design (CAD) and three-dimensional (3D) printing allows planning more complex osteotomies, such as stair-step osteotomies, in order to achieve more stable internal fixations. For the past three years, we have been producing by ourselves patient-tailored cutting guides using CAD and 3D printing. Osteotomies were virtually planned, making the cutting lines more complex in order to optimize the internal fixation stability. We also printed reconstructed mandible templates and shaped the reconstruction plates on them. We recorded data including manufacturing techniques and surgical outcomes. Eleven consecutive patients were operated on for an oral cavity cancer. For each patient, we planned the fibular and mandibular stair-step osteotomies and we produced tailored cutting guides. In all patients, we achieved to get immediately stable internal fixations and in 10 patients, a complete bone consolidation after 6 months. Autonomously manufacturing surgical cutting guides for mandibular reconstruction by free fibula flap is a significant improvement, regarding ergonomics and precision. Planning stair-step osteotomies to perform complementary internal fixation increases contact surface and congruence between the bone segments, thus improving the reconstructed mandible stability. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Sound pressure levels generated at risk volume steps of portable listening devices: types of smartphone and genres of music.

PubMed

Kim, Gibbeum; Han, Woojae

2018-05-01

The present study estimated the sound pressure levels of various music genres at the volume steps that contemporary smartphones deliver, because these levels put the listener at potential risk for hearing loss. Using six different smartphones (Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 3, iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, LG G2, and LG G3), the sound pressure levels for three genres of K-pop music (dance-pop, hip-hop, and pop-ballad) and a Billboard pop chart of assorted genres were measured through an earbud for the first risk volume that was at the risk sign proposed by the smartphones, as well as consecutive higher volumes using a sound level meter and artificial mastoid. The first risk volume step of the Galaxy S6 and the LG G2, among the six smartphones, had the significantly lowest (84.1 dBA) and highest output levels (92.4 dBA), respectively. As the volume step increased, so did the sound pressure levels. The iPhone 6 was loudest (113.1 dBA) at the maximum volume step. Of the music genres, dance-pop showed the highest output level (91.1 dBA) for all smartphones. Within the frequency range of 20~ 20,000 Hz, the sound pressure level peaked at 2000 Hz for all the smartphones. The results showed that the sound pressure levels of either the first volume step or the maximum volume step were not the same for the different smartphone models and genres of music, which means that the risk volume sign and its output levels should be unified across the devices for their users. In addition, the risk volume steps proposed by the latest smartphone models are high enough to cause noise-induced hearing loss if their users habitually listen to music at those levels.

Differences in daily in-hospital physical activity and geriatric nutritional risk index in older cardiac inpatients: preliminary results.

PubMed

Izawa, Kazuhiro P; Watanabe, Satoshi; Oka, Koichiro; Osada, Naohiko; Omiya, Kazuto; Brubaker, Peter H; Shimizu, Hiroyuki

2014-12-01

Little is known about the differences in the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) status in older patients and their relationship to accelerometer-derived measures of physical activity (PA) levels. We determined both differences in daily measured PA based on the GNRI and related cut-off values for PA in elderly cardiac inpatients. We divided 235 consecutive elderly cardiac inpatients (mean age 73.6 years, men 70.6%) into four groups by age and GNRI: older-high group, 65-74 years with high GNRI (≥92 points) (n = 111); older-low group, low GNRI (<92 points) (n = 30); very old-high group, ≥75 years with high GNRI (n = 55); and very old-low group with low GNRI (n = 39). Average step count and physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE in kcal) per day for 2 days of these inpatients were assessed by accelerometer and compared between the four groups to determine cut-off values of PA. Step counts and PAEE were significantly lower in the low-GNRI versus high-GNRI groups in the older (2,742.1 vs. 4,198.1 steps, 55.4 vs. 101.3 kcal, P < 0.001), and very old (2,469.6 vs. 3,423.7 steps, 54.5 vs. 79.1 kcal, P < 0.001) cardiac inpatients. Respective cut-off values for step counts and PAEE were 3,017.6 steps/day and 69.4 kcal (P < 0.01) in the older and 2,579.4 steps/day and 58.8 kcal in the very old cardiac inpatients (P < 0.01). Poor nutritional status, as indicated by a low GNRI, may be a useful predictor of step counts and PAEE. The cut-off values determined in this study might be target values to be attained by older cardiac inpatients.

Consistency of internal fluxes in a hydrological model running at multiple time steps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ficchi, Andrea; Perrin, Charles; Andréassian, Vazken

2016-04-01

Improving hydrological models remains a difficult task and many ways can be explored, among which one can find the improvement of spatial representation, the search for more robust parametrization, the better formulation of some processes or the modification of model structures by trial-and-error procedure. Several past works indicate that model parameters and structure can be dependent on the modelling time step, and there is thus some rationale in investigating how a model behaves across various modelling time steps, to find solutions for improvements. Here we analyse the impact of data time step on the consistency of the internal fluxes of a rainfall-runoff model run at various time steps, by using a large data set of 240 catchments. To this end, fine time step hydro-climatic information at sub-hourly resolution is used as input of a parsimonious rainfall-runoff model (GR) that is run at eight different model time steps (from 6 minutes to one day). The initial structure of the tested model (i.e. the baseline) corresponds to the daily model GR4J (Perrin et al., 2003), adapted to be run at variable sub-daily time steps. The modelled fluxes considered are interception, actual evapotranspiration and intercatchment groundwater flows. Observations of these fluxes are not available, but the comparison of modelled fluxes at multiple time steps gives additional information for model identification. The joint analysis of flow simulation performance and consistency of internal fluxes at different time steps provides guidance to the identification of the model components that should be improved. Our analysis indicates that the baseline model structure is to be modified at sub-daily time steps to warrant the consistency and realism of the modelled fluxes. For the baseline model improvement, particular attention is devoted to the interception model component, whose output flux showed the strongest sensitivity to modelling time step. The dependency of the optimal model complexity on time step is also analysed. References: Perrin, C., Michel, C., Andréassian, V., 2003. Improvement of a parsimonious model for streamflow simulation. Journal of Hydrology, 279(1-4): 275-289. DOI:10.1016/S0022-1694(03)00225-7

Time-dependent rheological behavior of natural polysaccharide xanthan gum solutions in interrupted shear and step-incremental/reductional shear flow fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Ji-Seok; Song, Ki-Won

2015-11-01

The objective of the present study is to systematically elucidate the time-dependent rheological behavior of concentrated xanthan gum systems in complicated step-shear flow fields. Using a strain-controlled rheometer (ARES), step-shear flow behaviors of a concentrated xanthan gum model solution have been experimentally investigated in interrupted shear flow fields with a various combination of different shear rates, shearing times and rest times, and step-incremental and step-reductional shear flow fields with various shearing times. The main findings obtained from this study are summarized as follows. (i) In interrupted shear flow fields, the shear stress is sharply increased until reaching the maximum stress at an initial stage of shearing times, and then a stress decay towards a steady state is observed as the shearing time is increased in both start-up shear flow fields. The shear stress is suddenly decreased immediately after the imposed shear rate is stopped, and then slowly decayed during the period of a rest time. (ii) As an increase in rest time, the difference in the maximum stress values between the two start-up shear flow fields is decreased whereas the shearing time exerts a slight influence on this behavior. (iii) In step-incremental shear flow fields, after passing through the maximum stress, structural destruction causes a stress decay behavior towards a steady state as an increase in shearing time in each step shear flow region. The time needed to reach the maximum stress value is shortened as an increase in step-increased shear rate. (iv) In step-reductional shear flow fields, after passing through the minimum stress, structural recovery induces a stress growth behavior towards an equilibrium state as an increase in shearing time in each step shear flow region. The time needed to reach the minimum stress value is lengthened as a decrease in step-decreased shear rate.

POD experiments using real and simulated time-sharing observations for GEO satellites in C-band transfer ranging system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fen, Cao; XuHai, Yang; ZhiGang, Li; ChuGang, Feng

2016-08-01

The normal consecutive observing model in Chinese Area Positioning System (CAPS) can only supply observations of one GEO satellite in 1 day from one station. However, this can't satisfy the project need for observing many GEO satellites in 1 day. In order to obtain observations of several GEO satellites in 1 day like GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou, the time-sharing observing model for GEO satellites in CAPS needs research. The principle of time-sharing observing model is illuminated with subsequent Precise Orbit Determination (POD) experiments using simulated time-sharing observations in 2005 and the real time-sharing observations in 2015. From time-sharing simulation experiments before 2014, the time-sharing observing 6 GEO satellites every 2 h has nearly the same orbit precision with the consecutive observing model. From POD experiments using the real time-sharing observations, POD precision for ZX12# and Yatai7# are about 3.234 m and 2.570 m, respectively, which indicates the time-sharing observing model is appropriate for CBTR system and can realize observing many GEO satellites in 1 day.

Reduction in pedometer-determined physical activity in the adult Danish population from 2007 to 2012.

PubMed

Matthiessen, Jeppe; Andersen, Elisabeth Wreford; Raustorp, Anders; Knudsen, Vibeke Kildegaard; Sørensen, Mette Rosenlund

2015-07-01

To examine the development in pedometer-determined physical activity from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 in the adult Danish population. The study population comprised two random samples of 18-75-year-old individuals who took part in cross-sectional studies in 2007-2008 (n=224) and 2011-2012 (n=1515). Pedometer data (sealed Yamax SW 200) were obtained for seven consecutive days. Data for 1624 participants (48.2% men) were included in the analysis. An overall step-defined activity level was examined based on a graduated step index (sedentary, low active, somewhat active, active, highly active). The pedometer-determined outcomes were analysed using regression models. A borderline significant decline (p=0.077) from 8788 to 8341 steps/day (-446 (95% confidence intervals -50, 943)) was found between 2007-2008 and 2011-2012. Furthermore, a 23.7% (95% confidence intervals -41.7%, -0.1%) lower overall step-defined activity level was observed in 2011-2012 compared to 2007-2008. These changes were primarily due to a reduced level of activity among women. The proportion of individuals taking ⩾10,000 steps/day decreased non-significantly from 34.8% to 29.3%, whereas the proportion taking <5000 steps/day did not differ between survey periods. This nationally representative survey suggests an overall reduction in the physical activity level among Danish adults. The reduction was due to a shift in the population distribution from higher to lower levels of activity. If this shift is true, it is worrying from a public health perspective. Our study result needs, however, to be confirmed by other population studies. © 2015 the Nordic Societies of Public Health.

Resident education in robotic-assisted vertical sleeve gastrectomy: outcomes and cost-analysis of 411 consecutive cases.

PubMed

Ecker, Brett L; Maduka, Richard; Ramdon, Andre; Dempsey, Daniel T; Dumon, Kristoffel R; Williams, Noel N

2016-02-01

Robotic technology is increasingly prevalent in bariatric surgery, yet there are national deficiencies in exposure of surgical residents to robotic techniques. The purpose of this study is to accurately characterize the perioperative outcomes of a resident teaching model using the robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy. University Hospital. We identified 411 consecutive patients who underwent robotic sleeve gastrectomy at our institution from a prospectively maintained administrative database. Perioperative morbidity, operative time, and supply cost of the procedure were analyzed. Mean operative time was 96.4±24.9 minutes; mean robot usage time was 63.9 minutes (range 30.0-122.0 min). Ninety-day morbidities included reoperation (0.72%), major bleeding complications (0.48%), staple line leak (0.24%), stricture (0.97%), need for blood transfusion (3.86%), surgical site infection (1.69%), deep vein thrombosis (0.48%), and pulmonary embolism (0.48%). Mortality was nil. The resident cohort achieved operative time plateaus after five consecutive cases. Subset analysis for fiscal year 2014 demonstrated significantly increased supply cost for robotic sleeve gastrectomy compared with its laparoscopic equivalent. Robotic-assisted sleeve gastrectomy can be instituted as a model for resident robotic education with rates of morbidity and operative times equivalent to historical laparoscopic controls. The robot's enhanced ergonomics and its opportunity for resident education must be weighed against its increased supply cost. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning curves for single incision and conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a multidimensional analysis.

PubMed

Park, Yoonah; Yong, Yuen Geng; Yun, Seong Hyeon; Jung, Kyung Uk; Huh, Jung Wook; Cho, Yong Beom; Kim, Hee Cheol; Lee, Woo Yong; Chun, Ho-Kyung

2015-05-01

This study aimed to compare the learning curves and early postoperative outcomes for conventional laparoscopic (CL) and single incision laparoscopic (SIL) right hemicolectomy (RHC). This retrospective study included the initial 35 cases in each group. Learning curves were evaluated by the moving average of operative time, mean operative time of every five consecutive cases, and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. The learning phase was considered overcome when the moving average of operative times reached a plateau, and when the mean operative time of every five consecutive cases reached a low point and subsequently did not vary by more than 30 minutes. Six patients with missing data in the CL RHC group were excluded from the analyses. According to the mean operative time of every five consecutive cases, learning phase of SIL and CL RHC was completed between 26 and 30 cases, and 16 and 20 cases, respectively. Moving average analysis revealed that approximately 31 (SIL) and 25 (CL) cases were needed to complete the learning phase, respectively. CUSUM analysis demonstrated that 10 (SIL) and two (CL) cases were required to reach a steady state of complication-free performance, respectively. Postoperative complications rate was higher in SIL than in CL group, but the difference was not statistically significant (17.1% vs. 3.4%). The learning phase of SIL RHC is longer than that of CL RHC. Early oncological outcomes of both techniques were comparable. However, SIL RHC had a statistically insignificant higher complication rate than CL RHC during the learning phase.

Accepting multiple simultaneous liver offers does not negatively impact transplant outcomes.

PubMed

Eldeen, Firas Zahr; Mourad, Moustafa Mabrouk; Bhandari, Mayank; Roll, Garrett; Gunson, Bridget; Mergental, Hynek; Bramhall, Simon; Isaac, John; Muiesan, Paolo; Mirza, Darius F; Perera, M Thamara P R

2016-02-01

Impact of performing multiple liver transplants (LT) in a short period of time is unknown. Consecutively performed LT potentially increase complication rates through team fatigue and overutilization of resources and increase ischemia time. We analyzed the impact of undertaking consecutive LT (Consecutive liver transplant, CLT; LT preceded by another transplant performed not more than 12 h before, both transplants grouped together) on outcomes. Of 1702 LT performed, 314 (18.4%) were CLT. Outcome data was compared with solitary LT (SLT; not more than one LT in 12-h period). Recipient, donor, and graft characteristics were evenly matched between SLT and CLT; second LT of CLT group utilized younger donors grafts with longer cold ischemic times (P = 0.015). Implantation and operative time were significantly lower in CLT recipients on intergroup analysis (P = 0.0001 and 0.002, respectively). Early hepatic artery thrombosis (E-HAT) was higher in CLT versus SLT (P = 0.038), despite absolute number of E-HAT being low in all groups. Intragroup analysis demonstrated a trend toward more frequent E-HAT in first LT, compared to subsequent transplants; however, difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.135). In era of organ scarcity, CLT performed at high-volume center is safe and allows pragmatic utilization of organs, potentially reducing number of discarded grafts and reducing waiting list mortality. © 2015 Steunstichting ESOT.

Tailoring noise frequency spectrum between two consecutive second derivative filtering procedures to improve liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry determinations.

PubMed

Wang, Shau-Chun; Lin, Chiao-Juan; Chiang, Shu-Min; Yu, Sung-Nien

2008-03-15

This paper reports a simple chemometric technique to alter the noise spectrum of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) chromatogram between two consecutive second-derivative filter procedures to improve the peak signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio enhancement. This technique is to multiply one second-derivative filtered LC-MS chromatogram with another artificial chromatogram added with thermal noises prior to the other second-derivative filter. Because the second-derivative filter cannot eliminate frequency components within its own filter bandwidth, more efficient peak S/N ratio improvement cannot be accomplished using consecutive second-derivative filter procedures to process LC-MS chromatograms. In contrast, when the second-derivative filtered LC-MS chromatogram is conditioned with the multiplication alteration prior to the other second-derivative filter, much better ratio improvement is achieved. The noise frequency spectrum of the second-derivative filtered chromatogram, which originally contains frequency components within the filter bandwidth, is altered to span a broader range with multiplication operation. When the frequency range of this modified noise spectrum shifts toward the other regimes, the other second-derivative filter, working as a band-pass filter, is able to provide better filtering efficiency to obtain higher peak S/N ratios. Real LC-MS chromatograms, of which 5-fold peak S/N ratio improvement achieved with two consecutive second-derivative filters remains the same S/N ratio improvement using a one-step second-derivative filter, are improved to accomplish much better ratio enhancement, approximately 25-fold or higher when the noise frequency spectrum is modified between two matched filters. The linear standard curve using the filtered LC-MS signals is validated. The filtered LC-MS signals are also more reproducible. The more accurate determinations of very low-concentration samples (S/N ratio about 5-7) are obtained via standard addition procedures using the filtered signals rather than the determinations using the original signals.

Increased count, motility, and total motile sperm cells collected across three consecutive ejaculations within 24 h of oocyte retrieval: implications for management of men presenting with low numbers of motile sperm for assisted reproduction.

PubMed

Said, Al-Hasen; Reed, Michael L

2015-07-01

The purpose of this study was to quantitate changes in seminal volume, sperm count, motility, qualitative forward progression, and total motile sperm cells per ejaculate, across three consecutive ejaculates collected from individuals within 24 h preceding an IVF cycle. Men presenting with oligoasthenozoospermia or asthenozoospemia attempted three ejaculates within 24 h preceding IVF. Ejaculate 1 was produced the afternoon prior to oocyte retrieval, and ejaculates 2 and 3 were produced the morning of oocyte retrieval with 2-3 h between collections. Ejaculates 1 and 2 were extended 1:1 v/v with room temperature rTYBS. Test tubes were placed into a beaker of room temperature water, then placed at 4 °C for gradual cooling. Ejaculate 3 was not extended, but pooled with ejaculates 1 and 2 and processed for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Out of 109 oocyte retrievals, 28 men were asked to attempt multiple consecutive ejaculations. Among this population, 25/28 (89.3 %) were successful, and 3/28 men (10.7 %) could only produce two ejaculates. Mean volumes for ejaculates 1, 2, and 3 were significantly different from each other (p < 0.01); the volume decreased for each ejaculate. Mean sperm counts, motility, qualitative forward progression, and total motile cells per ejaculate for the ejaculates1, 2, and 3 demonstrated the following: ejaculates 2 and 3 were not significantly different, but counts, motility, and total motile sperm were improved over ejaculate 1 (p < 0.01). Pooling three consecutive ejaculates within 24 h increased the numbers of available motile sperm in this population by 8-fold compared to the first ejaculate alone, facilitating avoidance of sperm cryopreservation and additional centrifugation steps that could affect sperm viability and/or function.

Nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation provides effective analgesia during the administration of tumescent local anaesthesia for endovenous laser ablation.

PubMed

Meier, Thomas Oleg; Jacomella, Vincenzo; Clemens, Robert Karl Josef; Amann-Vesti, Beatrice

2015-11-01

Tumescent anaesthesia (TA) is an important but sometimes very painful step during endovenous thermal ablation of incompetent veins. The aim of this study was to examine whether the use of fixed 50% nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture (N2O/O2), also called equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, reduces pain during the application of TA. Patients undergoing endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of incompetent saphenous veins were included. Thirty consecutive patients inhaled N2O/O2 during the application of TA. Thirty consecutive patients received TA alone (controls). Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire immediately after the intervention to assess satisfaction with the intervention and pain-levels during the different steps of the intervention (0=not at all, 10=very much). Adverse events during the treatment were monitored. 30 patients (14 men, mean age of 44 years) were included in the N2O/O2 group and 30 patients (9 men, mean age 48 years) were included in the control group. In the N2O/O2 group a significantly lower pain score was noted (mean 2.45 points, range 0-6) compared to the controls (mean 4.3 points, range 1-9, p<0.001). Overall, 64.5% of the patients were perfectly satisfied with the N2O/O2-Inhalation. Only 4 patients receiving N2O/O2 complained of adverse effects such as unpleasant loss of control (2 patients), headache (1 patient) and dizziness (1 patient). N2O/O2 is a safe and effective method to reduce pain during the application of tumescent anaesthesia for EVLA.

Ground reaction forces on stairs. Part II: knee implant patients versus normals.

PubMed

Stacoff, Alex; Kramers-de Quervain, Inès A; Luder, Gerhard; List, Renate; Stüssi, Edgar

2007-06-01

The goal of this study was to compare selected parameters of vertical ground reaction forces (GRF) of good outcome patients with different prosthesis designs with a matched control group during level walking, stair ascent and descent. Forty subjects, 29 with three main implant designs (including four subjects with a passive knee flexion restriction), and 11 healthy controls were measured with 8-10 repetitions. Vertical ground reaction forces were measured during two consecutive steps with force plates embedded in the walkway and the staircase. Defined parameters of the force signals were used to compare the results of the test groups. The results show, that, postoperatively, good outcome patients produce gait patterns of the vertical ground reaction force which are comparable to normal healthy subjects with the exception of a few distinct differences: a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the vertical loading on the operated side during level walking at take-off, at weight acceptance and take-off during stair ascent of the normal stair. During stair descent, the patients did not reduce load on the operated side, but increased load variation and side-to-side asymmetry; thus, the mechanical loads on the implants were high, which may be important information with respect to loading protocols of knee implant simulators. No systematic differences in any of the test parameters were found between posterior cruciate-retaining (LCS MB and Innex CR) versus non-retaining (LCS RP and Innex UCOR) implant designs. The restricted group showed significant reductions (p<0.05) of several loading parameters as well as an increased side-to-side asymmetry. About one third of the force parameters of the good outcome patients showed a side-to-side asymmetry between two consecutive steps, which was over a proposed level of acceptance.

Ground reaction forces on stairs: effects of stair inclination and age.

PubMed

Stacoff, Alex; Diezi, Christian; Luder, Gerhard; Stüssi, Edgar; Kramers-de Quervain, Inès A

2005-01-01

The goals of the study were to compare data of vertical ground reaction force (GRF) parameters during level walking, stair ascent and descent on three different stair inclinations and three different age groups. Twenty healthy subjects of three age groups (young 33.7 years; middle 63.6 years; old 76.5 years) were tested during the seven test conditions with 8-10 repetitions. Vertical forces were measured during two consecutive steps with force plates embedded in the walkway and the staircase. The results showed that during level walking the vertical GRF curves were very regular and repetitive, the trail-to-trial variability and left-right asymmetry of defined test parameters being around 2-5% and 3-5%. During stair ascent the vertical GRF force pattern was found to change slightly compared to level gait, but considerably compared to stair descent. On the steep stair the average vertical load increased up to 1.6 BW, and variability (5-10%) and asymmetry (5-15%) were increased significantly. The steep stair descent condition was found to be the most demanding test showing the largest variability and asymmetry and thus, the least stable gait pattern. Age was found to be a factor which should be considered, because the young age group walked faster and produced larger vertical GRF maxima during level walking and on stair ascent than the middle and old age group. Differences between the middle and old age group were found to be small. The present investigation is the first to provide normative data of GRF parameters on gait variability and symmetry of two consecutive steps during level gait and stair ambulation. It is the intention that the results of this study may be used as a basis for comparison with patient data.

New steps of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy using the extraperitoneal approach: a propensity-score matched comparison between extraperitoneal and transperitoneal approach in Japanese patients.

PubMed

Kurokawa, Satoshi; Umemoto, Yukihiro; Mizuno, Kentaro; Okada, Atsushi; Nakane, Akihiro; Nishio, Hidenori; Hamamoto, Shuzo; Ando, Ryosuke; Kawai, Noriyasu; Tozawa, Keiichi; Hayashi, Yutaro; Yasui, Takahiro

2017-11-21

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is commonly performed using the transperitoneal (TP) approach with six trocars over an 8-cm distance in the steep Trendelenburg position. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and the benefit of using the extraperitoneal (EP) approach with six trocars over a 4-cm distance in a flat or 5° Trendelenburg position. We also introduced four new steps to the surgical procedure and compared the surgical results and complications between the EP and TP approach using propensity score matching. Between August 2012 and August 2016, 200 consecutive patients without any physical restrictions underwent RARP with the EP approach in a less than 5° Trendelenburg position, and 428 consecutive patients underwent RARP with the TP approach in a steep Trendelenburg position. Four new steps to RARP using the EP approach were developed: 1) arranging six trocars; 2) creating the EP space using laparoscopic forceps; 3) holding the separated prostate in the EP space outside the robotic view; and 4) preventing a postoperative inguinal hernia. Clinicopathological results and complications were compared between the EP and TP approaches using propensity score matching. Propensity scores were calculated for each patient using multivariate logistic regression based on the preoperative covariates. All 200 patients safely underwent RARP using the EP approach. The mean volume of estimated blood loss and duration of indwelling urethral catheter use were significantly lower with the EP approach than the TP approach (139.9 vs 184.9 mL, p = 0.03 and 5.6 vs 7.7 days, p < 0.01, respectively). No significant differences in the positive surgical margin were observed. None of the patients developed an inguinal hernia postoperatively after we introduced this technique. The EP approach to RARP was safely performed regardless of patient physique or contraindications to a steep Trendelenburg position. Our method, which involved using the EP approach to perform RARP, can decrease the amount of perioperative blood loss, the duration of indwelling urethral catheter use, and the incidence of postoperative inguinal hernia development.

An adaptive time-stepping strategy for solving the phase field crystal model

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

Zhang, Zhengru, E-mail: zrzhang@bnu.edu.cn; Ma, Yuan, E-mail: yuner1022@gmail.com; Qiao, Zhonghua, E-mail: zqiao@polyu.edu.hk

2013-09-15

In this work, we will propose an adaptive time step method for simulating the dynamics of the phase field crystal (PFC) model. The numerical simulation of the PFC model needs long time to reach steady state, and then large time-stepping method is necessary. Unconditionally energy stable schemes are used to solve the PFC model. The time steps are adaptively determined based on the time derivative of the corresponding energy. It is found that the use of the proposed time step adaptivity cannot only resolve the steady state solution, but also the dynamical development of the solution efficiently and accurately. Themore » numerical experiments demonstrate that the CPU time is significantly saved for long time simulations.« less

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

Marekova, Elisaveta

Series of relatively large earthquakes in different regions of the Earth are studied. The regions chooses are of a high seismic activity and has a good contemporary network for recording of the seismic events along them. The main purpose of this investigation is the attempt to describe analytically the seismic process in the space and time. We are considering the statistical distributions the distances and the times between consecutive earthquakes (so called pair analysis). Studies conducted on approximating the statistical distribution of the parameters of consecutive seismic events indicate the existence of characteristic functions that describe them best. Such amore » mathematical description allows the distributions of the examined parameters to be compared to other model distributions.« less

Restricted DCJ-indel model: sorting linear genomes with DCJ and indels

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The double-cut-and-join (DCJ) is a model that is able to efficiently sort a genome into another, generalizing the typical mutations (inversions, fusions, fissions, translocations) to which genomes are subject, but allowing the existence of circular chromosomes at the intermediate steps. In the general model many circular chromosomes can coexist in some intermediate step. However, when the compared genomes are linear, it is more plausible to use the so-called restricted DCJ model, in which we proceed the reincorporation of a circular chromosome immediately after its creation. These two consecutive DCJ operations, which create and reincorporate a circular chromosome, mimic a transposition or a block-interchange. When the compared genomes have the same content, it is known that the genomic distance for the restricted DCJ model is the same as the distance for the general model. If the genomes have unequal contents, in addition to DCJ it is necessary to consider indels, which are insertions and deletions of DNA segments. Linear time algorithms were proposed to compute the distance and to find a sorting scenario in a general, unrestricted DCJ-indel model that considers DCJ and indels. Results In the present work we consider the restricted DCJ-indel model for sorting linear genomes with unequal contents. We allow DCJ operations and indels with the following constraint: if a circular chromosome is created by a DCJ, it has to be reincorporated in the next step (no other DCJ or indel can be applied between the creation and the reincorporation of a circular chromosome). We then develop a sorting algorithm and give a tight upper bound for the restricted DCJ-indel distance. Conclusions We have given a tight upper bound for the restricted DCJ-indel distance. The question whether this bound can be reduced so that both the general and the restricted DCJ-indel distances are equal remains open. PMID:23281630

New Challenges for a Core Procedure: Development of a Faculty Workshop for Skills Maintenance for Abdominal Hysterectomy.

PubMed

Berkowitz, Lori R; James, Kaitlyn; Petrusa, Emil; York-Best, Carey; Kaimal, Anjali J

2018-02-05

To describe the development of a low-cost educational module for OB/GYN faculty skills maintenance for total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), a low frequency core procedure in obstetrics and gynecology. After review of existing educational tools and utilization of a modified Delphi method to establish consensus regarding key procedural components for skills maintenance, a 2-hour workshop was developed to review knowledge and participate in a simulation focused on the critical steps in performing TAH. An expert in TAH delivered a lecture highlighting important surgical considerations. Participants then rotated through simulation stations for critical steps in TAH: dissecting the bladder, identifying the ureter, and closing the cuff. Knowledge gains were assessed with a written pre- and posttest. Consecutive focus groups were conducted with participants on effectiveness of the workshop, and suggestions for improvement. Ideas identified in the first focus group were incorporated into the second workshop. Massachusetts General Hospital, an academic tertiary care facility with a single Obstetrics and Gynecology faculty group, located in Boston, Massachusetts. Eligible participants were recruited via email from full time specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Of the 25 eligible gynecology faculty subjects, 22 participated (88%). On pre or post-test comparison, 70% of participants scored higher on the posttest, demonstrating an increase in knowledge of critical TAH surgical steps. Focus group analyses identified the need for increased review and training demonstrations of TAH, and recommended continued offering of the workshop. Based on focus group responses and pre or posttest comparisons, the workshop was deemed feasible and enhanced short-term learning. Future directions include utilizing more challenging anatomic models and simulation scenarios and optimizing integration of expert demonstration and individualized coaching, as well as identifying regionally tailored surgical workshop programming. Copyright © 2018 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Stability analysis of implicit time discretizations for the Compton-scattering Fokker-Planck equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Densmore, Jeffery D.; Warsa, James S.; Lowrie, Robert B.; Morel, Jim E.

2009-09-01

The Fokker-Planck equation is a widely used approximation for modeling the Compton scattering of photons in high energy density applications. In this paper, we perform a stability analysis of three implicit time discretizations for the Compton-Scattering Fokker-Planck equation. Specifically, we examine (i) a Semi-Implicit (SI) scheme that employs backward-Euler differencing but evaluates temperature-dependent coefficients at their beginning-of-time-step values, (ii) a Fully Implicit (FI) discretization that instead evaluates temperature-dependent coefficients at their end-of-time-step values, and (iii) a Linearized Implicit (LI) scheme, which is developed by linearizing the temperature dependence of the FI discretization within each time step. Our stability analysis shows that the FI and LI schemes are unconditionally stable and cannot generate oscillatory solutions regardless of time-step size, whereas the SI discretization can suffer from instabilities and nonphysical oscillations for sufficiently large time steps. With the results of this analysis, we present time-step limits for the SI scheme that prevent undesirable behavior. We test the validity of our stability analysis and time-step limits with a set of numerical examples.

Errors in Postural Preparation Lead to Increased Choice Reaction Times for Step Initiation in Older Adults

PubMed Central

Nutt, John G.; Horak, Fay B.

2011-01-01

Background. This study asked whether older adults were more likely than younger adults to err in the initial direction of their anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) prior to a step (indicating a motor program error), whether initial motor program errors accounted for reaction time differences for step initiation, and whether initial motor program errors were linked to inhibitory failure. Methods. In a stepping task with choice reaction time and simple reaction time conditions, we measured forces under the feet to quantify APA onset and step latency and we used body kinematics to quantify forward movement of center of mass and length of first step. Results. Trials with APA errors were almost three times as common for older adults as for younger adults, and they were nine times more likely in choice reaction time trials than in simple reaction time trials. In trials with APA errors, step latency was delayed, correlation between APA onset and step latency was diminished, and forward motion of the center of mass prior to the step was increased. Participants with more APA errors tended to have worse Stroop interference scores, regardless of age. Conclusions. The results support the hypothesis that findings of slow choice reaction time step initiation in older adults are attributable to inclusion of trials with incorrect initial motor preparation and that these errors are caused by deficits in response inhibition. By extension, the results also suggest that mixing of trials with correct and incorrect initial motor preparation might explain apparent choice reaction time slowing with age in upper limb tasks. PMID:21498431

Molecular dynamics based enhanced sampling of collective variables with very large time steps.

PubMed

Chen, Pei-Yang; Tuckerman, Mark E

2018-01-14

Enhanced sampling techniques that target a set of collective variables and that use molecular dynamics as the driving engine have seen widespread application in the computational molecular sciences as a means to explore the free-energy landscapes of complex systems. The use of molecular dynamics as the fundamental driver of the sampling requires the introduction of a time step whose magnitude is limited by the fastest motions in a system. While standard multiple time-stepping methods allow larger time steps to be employed for the slower and computationally more expensive forces, the maximum achievable increase in time step is limited by resonance phenomena, which inextricably couple fast and slow motions. Recently, we introduced deterministic and stochastic resonance-free multiple time step algorithms for molecular dynamics that solve this resonance problem and allow ten- to twenty-fold gains in the large time step compared to standard multiple time step algorithms [P. Minary et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 150201 (2004); B. Leimkuhler et al., Mol. Phys. 111, 3579-3594 (2013)]. These methods are based on the imposition of isokinetic constraints that couple the physical system to Nosé-Hoover chains or Nosé-Hoover Langevin schemes. In this paper, we show how to adapt these methods for collective variable-based enhanced sampling techniques, specifically adiabatic free-energy dynamics/temperature-accelerated molecular dynamics, unified free-energy dynamics, and by extension, metadynamics, thus allowing simulations employing these methods to employ similarly very large time steps. The combination of resonance-free multiple time step integrators with free-energy-based enhanced sampling significantly improves the efficiency of conformational exploration.

Molecular dynamics based enhanced sampling of collective variables with very large time steps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Pei-Yang; Tuckerman, Mark E.

2018-01-01

Enhanced sampling techniques that target a set of collective variables and that use molecular dynamics as the driving engine have seen widespread application in the computational molecular sciences as a means to explore the free-energy landscapes of complex systems. The use of molecular dynamics as the fundamental driver of the sampling requires the introduction of a time step whose magnitude is limited by the fastest motions in a system. While standard multiple time-stepping methods allow larger time steps to be employed for the slower and computationally more expensive forces, the maximum achievable increase in time step is limited by resonance phenomena, which inextricably couple fast and slow motions. Recently, we introduced deterministic and stochastic resonance-free multiple time step algorithms for molecular dynamics that solve this resonance problem and allow ten- to twenty-fold gains in the large time step compared to standard multiple time step algorithms [P. Minary et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 150201 (2004); B. Leimkuhler et al., Mol. Phys. 111, 3579-3594 (2013)]. These methods are based on the imposition of isokinetic constraints that couple the physical system to Nosé-Hoover chains or Nosé-Hoover Langevin schemes. In this paper, we show how to adapt these methods for collective variable-based enhanced sampling techniques, specifically adiabatic free-energy dynamics/temperature-accelerated molecular dynamics, unified free-energy dynamics, and by extension, metadynamics, thus allowing simulations employing these methods to employ similarly very large time steps. The combination of resonance-free multiple time step integrators with free-energy-based enhanced sampling significantly improves the efficiency of conformational exploration.

Improving liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determinations by modifying noise frequency spectrum between two consecutive wavelet-based low-pass filtering procedures.

PubMed

Chen, Hsiao-Ping; Liao, Hui-Ju; Huang, Chih-Min; Wang, Shau-Chun; Yu, Sung-Nien

2010-04-23

This paper employs one chemometric technique to modify the noise spectrum of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) chromatogram between two consecutive wavelet-based low-pass filter procedures to improve the peak signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio enhancement. Although similar techniques of using other sets of low-pass procedures such as matched filters have been published, the procedures developed in this work are able to avoid peak broadening disadvantages inherent in matched filters. In addition, unlike Fourier transform-based low-pass filters, wavelet-based filters efficiently reject noises in the chromatograms directly in the time domain without distorting the original signals. In this work, the low-pass filtering procedures sequentially convolve the original chromatograms against each set of low pass filters to result in approximation coefficients, representing the low-frequency wavelets, of the first five resolution levels. The tedious trials of setting threshold values to properly shrink each wavelet are therefore no longer required. This noise modification technique is to multiply one wavelet-based low-pass filtered LC-MS/MS chromatogram with another artificial chromatogram added with thermal noises prior to the other wavelet-based low-pass filter. Because low-pass filter cannot eliminate frequency components below its cut-off frequency, more efficient peak S/N ratio improvement cannot be accomplished using consecutive low-pass filter procedures to process LC-MS/MS chromatograms. In contrast, when the low-pass filtered LC-MS/MS chromatogram is conditioned with the multiplication alteration prior to the other low-pass filter, much better ratio improvement is achieved. The noise frequency spectrum of low-pass filtered chromatogram, which originally contains frequency components below the filter cut-off frequency, is altered to span a broader range with multiplication operation. When the frequency range of this modified noise spectrum shifts toward the high frequency regimes, the other low-pass filter is able to provide better filtering efficiency to obtain higher peak S/N ratios. Real LC-MS/MS chromatograms, of which typically less than 6-fold peak S/N ratio improvement achieved with two consecutive wavelet-based low-pass filters remains the same S/N ratio improvement using one-step wavelet-based low-pass filter, are improved to accomplish much better ratio enhancement 25-folds to 40-folds typically when the noise frequency spectrum is modified between two low-pass filters. The linear standard curves using the filtered LC-MS/MS signals are validated. The filtered LC-MS/MS signals are also reproducible. The more accurate determinations of very low concentration samples (S/N ratio about 7-9) are obtained using the filtered signals than the determinations using the original signals. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Voluntary stepping behavior under single- and dual-task conditions in chronic stroke survivors: A comparison between the involved and uninvolved legs.

PubMed

Melzer, Itshak; Goldring, Melissa; Melzer, Yehudit; Green, Elad; Tzedek, Irit

2010-12-01

If balance is lost, quick step execution can prevent falls. Research has shown that speed of voluntary stepping was able to predict future falls in old adults. The aim of the study was to investigate voluntary stepping behavior, as well as to compare timing and leg push-off force-time relation parameters of involved and uninvolved legs in stroke survivors during single- and dual-task conditions. We also aimed to compare timing and leg push-off force-time relation parameters between stroke survivors and healthy individuals in both task conditions. Ten stroke survivors performed a voluntary step execution test with their involved and uninvolved legs under two conditions: while focusing only on the stepping task and while a separate attention-demanding task was performed simultaneously. Temporal parameters related to the step time were measured including the duration of the step initiation phase, the preparatory phase, the swing phase, and the total step time. In addition, force-time parameters representing the push-off power during stepping were calculated from ground reaction data and compared with 10 healthy controls. The involved legs of stroke survivors had a significantly slower stepping time than uninvolved legs due to increased swing phase duration during both single- and dual-task conditions. For dual compared to single task, the stepping time increased significantly due to a significant increase in the duration of step initiation. In general, the force time parameters were significantly different in both legs of stroke survivors as compared to healthy controls, with no significant effect of dual compared with single-task conditions in both groups. The inability of stroke survivors to swing the involved leg quickly may be the most significant factor contributing to the large number of falls to the paretic side. The results suggest that stroke survivors were unable to rapidly produce muscle force in fast actions. This may be the mechanism of delayed execution of a fast step when balance is lost, thus increasing the likelihood of falls in stroke survivors. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The timing of the human circadian clock is accurately represented by the core body temperature rhythm following phase shifts to a three-cycle light stimulus near the critical zone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jewett, M. E.; Duffy, J. F.; Czeisler, C. A.

2000-01-01

A double-stimulus experiment was conducted to evaluate the phase of the underlying circadian clock following light-induced phase shifts of the human circadian system. Circadian phase was assayed by constant routine from the rhythm in core body temperature before and after a three-cycle bright-light stimulus applied near the estimated minimum of the core body temperature rhythm. An identical, consecutive three-cycle light stimulus was then applied, and phase was reassessed. Phase shifts to these consecutive stimuli were no different from those obtained in a previous study following light stimuli applied under steady-state conditions over a range of circadian phases similar to those at which the consecutive stimuli were applied. These data suggest that circadian phase shifts of the core body temperature rhythm in response to a three-cycle stimulus occur within 24 h following the end of the 3-day light stimulus and that this poststimulus temperature rhythm accurately reflects the timing of the underlying circadian clock.

Simultaneous bilateral stereotactic procedure for deep brain stimulation implants: a significant step for reducing operation time.

PubMed

Fonoff, Erich Talamoni; Azevedo, Angelo; Angelos, Jairo Silva Dos; Martinez, Raquel Chacon Ruiz; Navarro, Jessie; Reis, Paul Rodrigo; Sepulveda, Miguel Ernesto San Martin; Cury, Rubens Gisbert; Ghilardi, Maria Gabriela Dos Santos; Teixeira, Manoel Jacobsen; Lopez, William Omar Contreras

2016-07-01

OBJECT Currently, bilateral procedures involve 2 sequential implants in each of the hemispheres. The present report demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneous bilateral procedures during the implantation of deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads. METHODS Fifty-seven patients with movement disorders underwent bilateral DBS implantation in the same study period. The authors compared the time required for the surgical implantation of deep brain electrodes in 2 randomly assigned groups. One group of 28 patients underwent traditional sequential electrode implantation, and the other 29 patients underwent simultaneous bilateral implantation. Clinical outcomes of the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who had undergone DBS implantation of the subthalamic nucleus using either of the 2 techniques were compared. RESULTS Overall, a reduction of 38.51% in total operating time for the simultaneous bilateral group (136.4 ± 20.93 minutes) as compared with that for the traditional consecutive approach (220.3 ± 27.58 minutes) was observed. Regarding clinical outcomes in the PD patients who underwent subthalamic nucleus DBS implantation, comparing the preoperative off-medication condition with the off-medication/on-stimulation condition 1 year after the surgery in both procedure groups, there was a mean 47.8% ± 9.5% improvement in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (UPDRS-III) score in the simultaneous group, while the sequential group experienced 47.5% ± 15.8% improvement (p = 0.96). Moreover, a marked reduction in the levodopa-equivalent dose from preoperatively to postoperatively was similar in these 2 groups. The simultaneous bilateral procedure presented major advantages over the traditional sequential approach, with a shorter total operating time. CONCLUSIONS A simultaneous stereotactic approach significantly reduces the operation time in bilateral DBS procedures, resulting in decreased microrecording time, contributing to the optimization of functional stereotactic procedures.

Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) of Land Cover Using All Available Landsat Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Z.; Woodcock, C. E.

2012-12-01

A new algorithm for Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) of land cover using all available Landsat data is developed. This new algorithm is capable of detecting many kinds of land cover change as new images are collected and at the same time provide land cover maps for any given time. To better identify land cover change, a two step cloud, cloud shadow, and snow masking algorithm is used for eliminating "noisy" observations. Next, a time series model that has components of seasonality, trend, and break estimates the surface reflectance and temperature. The time series model is updated continuously with newly acquired observations. Due to the high variability in spectral response for different kinds of land cover change, the CCDC algorithm uses a data-driven threshold derived from all seven Landsat bands. When the difference between observed and predicted exceeds the thresholds three consecutive times, a pixel is identified as land cover change. Land cover classification is done after change detection. Coefficients from the time series models and the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) from model fitting are used as classification inputs for the Random Forest Classifier (RFC). We applied this new algorithm for one Landsat scene (Path 12 Row 31) that includes all of Rhode Island as well as much of Eastern Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut. A total of 532 Landsat images acquired between 1982 and 2011 were processed. During this period, 619,924 pixels were detected to change once (91% of total changed pixels) and 60,199 pixels were detected to change twice (8% of total changed pixels). The most frequent land cover change category is from mixed forest to low density residential which occupies more than 8% of total land cover change pixels.

Relationship between consecutive deterioration of mean deviation value and progression of visual field defect in open-angle glaucoma.

PubMed

Naito, Tomoko; Yoshikawa, Keiji; Mizoue, Shiro; Nanno, Mami; Kimura, Tairo; Suzumura, Hirotaka; Takeda, Ryuji; Shiraga, Fumio

2015-01-01

To analyze the relationship between consecutive deterioration of mean deviation (MD) value and glaucomatous visual field (VF) progression in open-angle glaucoma (OAG), including primary OAG and normal tension glaucoma. The subjects of the study were patients undergoing treatment for OAG who had performed VF tests at least 10 times with a Humphrey field analyzer (SITA standard, C30-2 program). The VF progression was defined by a significantly negative MD slope (MD slope worsening) at the final VF test during the follow-up period. The relationship between the MD slope worsening and the consecutive deterioration of MD value were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 165 eyes of 165 patients were included in the analysis. Significant progression of VF defects was observed in 72 eyes of 72 patients (43.6%), while no significant progression was evident in 93 eyes of 93 patients (56.4%). There was significant relationship between the frequency of consecutive deterioration of MD value and MD slope worsening (P<0.0001, Cochran-Armitage trend test). A significant association was observed for MD slope worsening in the eyes with three (odds ratio: 2.1, P=0.0224) and four (odds ratio: 3.6, P=0.0008) consecutive deterioration of MD value in multiple logistic regression analysis, but no significant association in the eyes with two consecutive deterioration (odds ratio: 1.1, P=0.8282). The eyes with VF progression had significantly lower intraocular pressure reduction rate (P<0.01). This retrospective study has shown that three or more consecutive deterioration of MD value might be a predictor to future significant MD slope worsening in OAG.

Cost-effectiveness of a primary care treatment program for depression in low-income women in Santiago, Chile.

PubMed

Araya, Ricardo; Flynn, Terry; Rojas, Graciela; Fritsch, Rosemarie; Simon, Greg

2006-08-01

The authors compared the incremental cost-effectiveness of a stepped-care, multicomponent program with usual care for the treatment of depressed women in primary care in Santiago, Chile. A cost-effectiveness study was conducted of a previous randomized controlled trial involving 240 eligible women with DSM-IV major depression who were selected from a consecutive sample of adult women attending primary care clinics. The patients were randomly allocated to usual care or a multicomponent stepped-care program led by a nonmedical health care worker. Depression-free days and health care costs derived from local sources were assessed after 3 and 6 months. A health service perspective was used in the economic analysis. Complete data were determined for 80% of the randomly assigned patients. After we adjusted for initial severity, women receiving the stepped-care program had a mean of 50 additional depression-free days over 6 months relative to patients allocated to usual care. The stepped-care program was marginally more expensive than usual care (an extra 216 Chilean pesos per depression-free day). There was a 90% probability that the incremental cost of obtaining an extra depression-free day with the intervention would not exceed 300 pesos (1.04 US dollars). The stepped-care program was significantly more effective and marginally more expensive than usual care for the treatment of depressed women in primary care. Small investments to improve depression appear to yield larger gains in poorer environments. Simple and inexpensive treatment programs tested in developing countries might provide good study models for developed countries.

Thoracic, Lumbar, and Sacral Pedicle Screw Placement Using Stryker-Ziehm Virtual Screw Technology and Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver 3: Technical Note.

PubMed

Satarasinghe, Praveen; Hamilton, Kojo D; Tarver, Michael J; Buchanan, Robert J; Koltz, Michael T

2018-04-17

Utilization of pedicle screws (PS) for spine stabilization is common in spinal surgery. With reliance on visual inspection of anatomical landmarks prior to screw placement, the free-hand technique requires a high level of surgeon skill and precision. Three-dimensional (3D), computer-assisted virtual neuronavigation improves the precision of PS placement and minimization steps. Twenty-three patients with degenerative, traumatic, or neoplastic pathologies received treatment via a novel three-step PS technique that utilizes a navigated power driver in combination with virtual screw technology. (1) Following visualization of neuroanatomy using intraoperative CT, a navigated 3-mm match stick drill bit was inserted at an anatomical entry point with a screen projection showing a virtual screw. (2) A Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver with an appropriate tap was used to access the vertebral body through a pedicle with a screen projection again showing a virtual screw. (3) A Navigated Stryker Cordless Driver with an actual screw was used with a screen projection showing the same virtual screw. One hundred and forty-four consecutive screws were inserted using this three-step, navigated driver, virtual screw technique. Only 1 screw needed intraoperative revision after insertion using the three-step, navigated driver, virtual PS technique. This amounts to a 0.69% revision rate. One hundred percent of patients had intraoperative CT reconstructed images taken to confirm hardware placement. Pedicle screw placement utilizing the Stryker-Ziehm neuronavigation virtual screw technology with a three step, navigated power drill technique is safe and effective.

Gender-related Differences in Maximum Gait Speed and Daily Physical Activity in Elderly Hospitalized Cardiac Inpatients

PubMed Central

Izawa, Kazuhiro P.; Watanabe, Satoshi; Hirano, Yasuyuki; Matsushima, Shinya; Suzuki, Tomohiro; Oka, Koichiro; Kida, Keisuke; Suzuki, Kengo; Osada, Naohiko; Omiya, Kazuto; Brubaker, Peter H.; Shimizu, Hiroyuki; Akashi, Yoshihiro J.

2015-01-01

Abstract Maximum gait speed and physical activity (PA) relate to mortality and morbidity, but little is known about gender-related differences in these factors in elderly hospitalized cardiac inpatients. This study aimed to determine differences in maximum gait speed and daily measured PA based on sex and the relationship between these measures in elderly cardiac inpatients. A consecutive 268 elderly Japanese cardiac inpatients (mean age, 73.3 years) were enrolled and divided by sex into female (n = 75, 28%) and male (n = 193, 72%) groups. Patient characteristics and maximum gait speed, average step count, and PA energy expenditure (PAEE) in kilocalorie per day for 2 days assessed by accelerometer were compared between groups. Gait speed correlated positively with in-hospital PA measured by average daily step count (r = 0.46, P < 0.001) and average daily PAEE (r = 0.47, P < 0.001) in all patients. After adjustment for left ventricular ejection fraction, step counts and PAEE were significantly lower in females than males (2651.35 ± 1889.92 vs 4037.33 ± 1866.81 steps, P < 0.001; 52.74 ± 51.98 vs 99.33 ± 51.40 kcal, P < 0.001), respectively. Maximum gait speed was slower and PA lower in elderly female versus male inpatients. Minimum gait speed and step count values in this study might be minimum target values for elderly male and female Japanese cardiac inpatients. PMID:25789953

Variational 3D-PIV with sparse descriptors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lasinger, Katrin; Vogel, Christoph; Pock, Thomas; Schindler, Konrad

2018-06-01

3D particle imaging velocimetry (3D-PIV) aims to recover the flow field in a volume of fluid, which has been seeded with tracer particles and observed from multiple camera viewpoints. The first step of 3D-PIV is to reconstruct the 3D locations of the tracer particles from synchronous views of the volume. We propose a new method for iterative particle reconstruction, in which the locations and intensities of all particles are inferred in one joint energy minimization. The energy function is designed to penalize deviations between the reconstructed 3D particles and the image evidence, while at the same time aiming for a sparse set of particles. We find that the new method, without any post-processing, achieves significantly cleaner particle volumes than a conventional, tomographic MART reconstruction, and can handle a wide range of particle densities. The second step of 3D-PIV is to then recover the dense motion field from two consecutive particle reconstructions. We propose a variational model, which makes it possible to directly include physical properties, such as incompressibility and viscosity, in the estimation of the motion field. To further exploit the sparse nature of the input data, we propose a novel, compact descriptor of the local particle layout. Hence, we avoid the memory-intensive storage of high-resolution intensity volumes. Our framework is generic and allows for a variety of different data costs (correlation measures) and regularizers. We quantitatively evaluate it with both the sum of squared differences and the normalized cross-correlation, respectively with both a hard and a soft version of the incompressibility constraint.

Clinical Implications of Changing Parameters on an Elliptical Trainer.

PubMed

Kaplan, Yonatan; Nyska, Meir; Palmanovich, Ezequiel; Shanker, Rebecca

2014-06-01

Specific weightbearing instructions continue to be a part of routine orthopaedic clinical practice on an injured or postoperative extremity. Researchers and clinicians have struggled to define the best weightbearing strategies to maximize clinical outcomes. To investigate the average percentage body weight (APBW) values, weightbearing distribution percentages (WBDP), and cadence values on the entire foot, hindfoot, and forefoot during changing resistance and incline on an elliptical trainer, as well as to suggest clinical implications. Descriptive laboratory study. An original research study was performed consisting of 30 asymptomatic subjects (mean age, 29.54 ± 12.64 years; range, 21-69 years). The protocol included 3 consecutive tests of changing resistance and incline within a speed range of 70 to 95 steps/min. The SmartStep weightbearing gait analysis system was utilized to measure the values. The APBW values for the entire foot ranged between 70% and 81%, the hindfoot values were between 27% and 57%, and the forefoot values between 42% and 70%. With regard to WBDP, the forefoot remained planted on the pedal (stance phase) 2 to 3 times more as compared with the hindfoot raise in the swing phase. The study findings highlight the fact that elliptical training significantly reduces weightbearing in the hindfoot, forefoot, and entire foot even at higher levels of resistance and incline. Weightbearing on the hindfoot consistently displayed the lowest weightbearing values. Orthopaedic surgeons, now equipped with accurate weightbearing data, may recommend using the elliptical trainer as a weightbearing exercise early on following certain bony or soft tissue pathologies and lower limb surgical procedures.

Different types of osteochondrodysplasia in a consecutive series of newborns.

PubMed

Gustavson, K H; Jorulf, H

1975-10-01

Among 14816 consecutive live births there were 7 cases of osteochondrodysplasia (incidence 1:2117). In addition there was 1 case of stippled epiphyses, possibly induced by anticonvulsive drugs taken by the mother during the pregnancy, and one case of cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome of Zellweger with roentgenological features similar to those of hypochondrodysplasia. None of 102 stillborns seen at the same time had osteochondrodysplasia. For genetic counselling an exact diagnosis is mandatory, radiological examination of the skeleton is often of decisive importance.

Is near infrared fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green dye useful in robotic partial nephrectomy: a prospective comparative study of 94 patients.

PubMed

Krane, L Spencer; Manny, Theodore B; Hemal, Ashok K

2012-07-01

To compare a consecutive prospective cohort of patients who underwent robotic partial nephrectomy (RPN) with near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging with indocyanine green dye (ICG) with a previous consecutive patient cohort. A total of 47 consecutive patients with renal masses suspicious for malignancy undergoing RPN were given 5-7.5 mg of ICG before hilar clamping or tumor excision. This cohort of patients was compared with 47 immediate previous consecutive patients who had undergone RPN without NIRF real-time imaging using ICG. The intraoperative, perioperative, and postoperative parameters were collected in an institutional review board-approved prospective database. The preoperative demographics and tumor complexity according to the nephrometry or preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomic (PADUA) scores were similar. The mean warm ischemia time was significantly decreased in the ICG group (15 vs 17 minutes, P = .01). The median hospital stay was 2 days in both groups. No significant difference was seen in the positive margin rate (ICG, 6% vs control, 8.5%; P = .69) or observed Clavien grade III-IV complications in these 2 cohorts (ICG, 4% vs control, 15%; P = .07). No adverse events were associated with ICG dye administration. Differential ICG uptake was observed with selective clamping or in patients with cystic tumors, hypofluorescent tumors with exophytic components, and angiomyelolipomas, but these benefits could not be quantified. NIRF-ICG was transiently helpful to identify the vascular anatomy and not helpful at all for endophytic tumors. RPN using NIRF-ICG can be performed safely and effectively. A decreased warm ischemia time in the ICG cohort was observed without specific measured advantages. Differential ICG uptake by different tumors did not lead to significant differences in the positive margin rate. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Shift Work, Chronotype, and Melatonin Patterns among Female Hospital Employees on Day and Night Shifts.

PubMed

Leung, Michael; Tranmer, Joan; Hung, Eleanor; Korsiak, Jill; Day, Andrew G; Aronson, Kristan J

2016-05-01

Shift work-related carcinogenesis is hypothesized to be mediated by melatonin; however, few studies have considered the potential effect modification of this underlying pathway by chronotype or specific aspects of shift work such as the number of consecutive nights in a rotation. In this study, we examined melatonin patterns in relation to shift status, stratified by chronotype and number of consecutive night shifts, and cumulative lifetime exposure to shift work. Melatonin patterns of 261 female personnel (147 fixed-day and 114 on rotations, including nights) at Kingston General Hospital were analyzed using cosinor analysis. Urine samples were collected from all voids over a 48-hour specimen collection period for measurement of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations using the Buhlmann ELISA Kit. Chronotypes were assessed using mid-sleep time (MSF) derived from the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). Sociodemographic, health, and occupational information were collected by questionnaire. Rotational shift nurses working nights had a lower mesor and an earlier time of peak melatonin production compared to day-only workers. More pronounced differences in mesor and acrophase were seen among later chronotypes, and shift workers working ≥3 consecutive nights. Among nurses, cumulative shift work was associated with a reduction in mesor. These results suggest that evening-types and/or shift workers working ≥3 consecutive nights are more susceptible to adverse light-at-night effects, whereas long-term shift work may also chronically reduce melatonin levels. Cumulative and current exposure to shift work, including nights, affects level and timing of melatonin production, which may be related to carcinogenesis and cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(5); 830-8. ©2016 AACR. ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

The impact of sustained hot weather on risk of acute work-related injury in Melbourne, Australia.

PubMed

McInnes, Judith Anne; MacFarlane, Ewan M; Sim, Malcolm R; Smith, Peter

2018-02-01

It has been reported that weather-related high ambient temperature is associated with an increased risk of work-related injury. Understanding this relationship is important because work-related injuries are a major public health problem, and because projected climate changes will potentially expose workers to hot days, including consecutive hot days, more often. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of exposure to sustained periods of hot weather on work-related injury risk for workers in Melbourne, Australia. A time-stratified case crossover study design was utilised to examine the association between two and three consecutive days and two and three consecutive nights of hot weather and the risk of work-related injury, using definitions of hot weather ranging from the 60th to the 95th percentile of daily maximum and minimum temperatures for the Melbourne metropolitan area, 2002-2012. Workers' compensation claim data was used to identify cases of acute work-related injury. Overall, two and three consecutive days of hot weather were associated with an increased risk of injury, with this effect becoming apparent at a daily maximum temperature of 27.6 °C (70th percentile). Three consecutive days of high but not extreme temperatures were associated with the strongest effect, with a 15% increased risk of injury (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.30) observed when daily maximum temperature was ≥33.3 °C (90th percentile) for three consecutive days, compared to when it was not. At a threshold of 35.5 °C (95th percentile), there was no significant association between temperature and injury for either two or three consecutive days of heat. These findings suggest that warnings to minimise harm to workers from hot weather should be given, and prevention protocol initiated, when consecutive warm days of temperatures lower than extreme heat temperatures are forecast, and well before the upper ranges of ambient daytime temperatures are reached.

The impact of sustained hot weather on risk of acute work-related injury in Melbourne, Australia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McInnes, Judith Anne; MacFarlane, Ewan M.; Sim, Malcolm R.; Smith, Peter

2018-02-01

It has been reported that weather-related high ambient temperature is associated with an increased risk of work-related injury. Understanding this relationship is important because work-related injuries are a major public health problem, and because projected climate changes will potentially expose workers to hot days, including consecutive hot days, more often. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of exposure to sustained periods of hot weather on work-related injury risk for workers in Melbourne, Australia. A time-stratified case crossover study design was utilised to examine the association between two and three consecutive days and two and three consecutive nights of hot weather and the risk of work-related injury, using definitions of hot weather ranging from the 60th to the 95th percentile of daily maximum and minimum temperatures for the Melbourne metropolitan area, 2002-2012. Workers' compensation claim data was used to identify cases of acute work-related injury. Overall, two and three consecutive days of hot weather were associated with an increased risk of injury, with this effect becoming apparent at a daily maximum temperature of 27.6 °C (70th percentile). Three consecutive days of high but not extreme temperatures were associated with the strongest effect, with a 15% increased risk of injury (odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.30) observed when daily maximum temperature was ≥33.3 °C (90th percentile) for three consecutive days, compared to when it was not. At a threshold of 35.5 °C (95th percentile), there was no significant association between temperature and injury for either two or three consecutive days of heat. These findings suggest that warnings to minimise harm to workers from hot weather should be given, and prevention protocol initiated, when consecutive warm days of temperatures lower than extreme heat temperatures are forecast, and well before the upper ranges of ambient daytime temperatures are reached.

Analysis on burnup step effect for evaluating reactor criticality and fuel breeding ratio

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

Saputra, Geby; Purnama, Aditya Rizki; Permana, Sidik

Criticality condition of the reactors is one of the important factors for evaluating reactor operation and nuclear fuel breeding ratio is another factor to show nuclear fuel sustainability. This study analyzes the effect of burnup steps and cycle operation step for evaluating the criticality condition of the reactor as well as the performance of nuclear fuel breeding or breeding ratio (BR). Burnup step is performed based on a day step analysis which is varied from 10 days up to 800 days and for cycle operation from 1 cycle up to 8 cycles reactor operations. In addition, calculation efficiency based onmore » the variation of computer processors to run the analysis in term of time (time efficiency in the calculation) have been also investigated. Optimization method for reactor design analysis which is used a large fast breeder reactor type as a reference case was performed by adopting an established reactor design code of JOINT-FR. The results show a criticality condition becomes higher for smaller burnup step (day) and for breeding ratio becomes less for smaller burnup step (day). Some nuclides contribute to make better criticality when smaller burnup step due to individul nuclide half-live. Calculation time for different burnup step shows a correlation with the time consuming requirement for more details step calculation, although the consuming time is not directly equivalent with the how many time the burnup time step is divided.« less

Subgroup conflicts? Try the psychodramatic "double triad method".

PubMed

Verhofstadt-Denève, Leni M F

2012-04-01

The present article suggests the application of a psychodramatic action method for tackling subgroup conflicts in which the direct dialogue between representatives of two opposing subgroups is prepared step by step through an indirect dialogue strategy within two triads, a strategy known as the Double Triad Method (DTM). In order to achieve integration in the group as a whole, it is important that all the members of both subgroups participate actively during the entire process. The first part of the article briefly explores the theoretical background, with a special emphasis on the Phenomenological-Dialectical Personality Model (Phe-Di PModel). In the second part, the DTM procedure is systematically described through its five action stages, each accompanied with 1) a spatial representation of the consecutive actions, 2) some illustrative statements for each stage, and 3) a theoretical interpretation of the dialectically involved personality dimensions in both protagonists. The article concludes with a discussion and suggestions for more extensive applications of the DTM method, including the question of its relationships to Agazarian's functional subgrouping, psychodrama, and sociodrama.

Application of modern tensor calculus to engineered domain structures. 1. Calculation of tensorial covariants.

PubMed

Kopský, Vojtech

2006-03-01

This article is a roadmap to a systematic calculation and tabulation of tensorial covariants for the point groups of material physics. The following are the essential steps in the described approach to tensor calculus. (i) An exact specification of the considered point groups by their embellished Hermann-Mauguin and Schoenflies symbols. (ii) Introduction of oriented Laue classes of magnetic point groups. (iii) An exact specification of matrix ireps (irreducible representations). (iv) Introduction of so-called typical (standard) bases and variables -- typical invariants, relative invariants or components of the typical covariants. (v) Introduction of Clebsch-Gordan products of the typical variables. (vi) Calculation of tensorial covariants of ascending ranks with consecutive use of tables of Clebsch-Gordan products. (vii) Opechowski's magic relations between tensorial decompositions. These steps are illustrated for groups of the tetragonal oriented Laue class D(4z) -- 4(z)2(x)2(xy) of magnetic point groups and for tensors up to fourth rank.

Practical multipeptide synthesis: dedicated software for the definition of multiple, overlapping peptides covering polypeptide sequences.

PubMed

Heegaard, P M; Holm, A; Hagerup, M

1993-01-01

A personal computer program for the conversion of linear amino acid sequences to multiple, small, overlapping peptide sequences has been developed. Peptide lengths and "jumps" (the distance between two consecutive overlapping peptides) are defined by the user. To facilitate the use of the program for parallel solid-phase chemical peptide syntheses for the synchronous production of multiple peptides, amino acids at each acylation step are laid out by the program in a convenient standard multi-well setup. Also, the total number of equivalents, as well as the derived amount in milligrams (depend-ending on user-defined equivalent weights and molar surplus), of each amino acid are given. The program facilitates the implementation of multipeptide synthesis, e.g., for the elucidation of polypeptide structure-function relationships, and greatly reduces the risk of introducing mistakes at the planning step. It is written in Pascal and runs on any DOS-based personal computer. No special graphic display is needed.

Explore the reaction mechanism of the Maillard reaction: a density functional theory study.

PubMed

Ren, Ge-Rui; Zhao, Li-Jiang; Sun, Qiang; Xie, Hu-Jun; Lei, Qun-Fang; Fang, Wen-Jun

2015-05-01

The mechanism of Maillard reaction has been investigated by means of density functional theory calculations in the gaseous phase and aqueous solution. The Maillard reaction is a cascade of consecutive and parallel reaction. In the present model system study, glucose and glycine were taken as the initial reactants. On the basis of previous experimental results, the mechanisms of Maillard reaction have been proposed, and the possibility for the formation of different compounds have been evaluated through calculating the relative energy changes for different steps of reaction under different pH conditions. Our calculations reveal that the TS3 in Amadori rearrangement reaction is the rate-determining step of Maillard reaction with the activation barriers of about 66.7 and 68.8 kcal mol(-1) in the gaseous phase and aqueous solution, respectively. The calculation results are in good agreement with previous studies and could provide insights into the reaction mechanism of Maillard reaction, since experimental evaluation of the role of intermediates in the Maillard reaction is quite complicated.

Multiresponse kinetic modelling of Maillard reaction and caramelisation in a heated glucose/wheat flour system.

PubMed

Kocadağlı, Tolgahan; Gökmen, Vural

2016-11-15

The study describes the kinetics of the formation and degradation of α-dicarbonyl compounds in glucose/wheat flour system heated under low moisture conditions. Changes in the concentrations of glucose, fructose, individual free amino acids, lysine and arginine residues, glucosone, 1-deoxyglucosone, 3-deoxyglucosone, 3,4-dideoxyglucosone, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural, glyoxal, methylglyoxal and diacetyl concentrations were determined to form a multiresponse kinetic model for isomerisation and degradation reactions of glucose. Degradation of Amadori product mainly produced 1-deoxyglucosone. Formation of 3-deoxyglucosone proceeded directly from glucose and also Amadori product degradation. Glyoxal formation was predominant from glucosone while methylglyoxal and diacetyl originated from 1-deoxyglucosone. Formation of 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furfural from fructose was found to be a key step. Multi-response kinetic modelling of Maillard reaction and caramelisation simultaneously indicated quantitatively predominant parallel and consecutive pathways and rate limiting steps by estimating the reaction rate constants. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Uniformly Porous Nanocrystalline CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 Ceramic Derived Electro-Ceramic Nanocomposite for Impedance Type Humidity Sensor

PubMed Central

Tripathy, Ashis; Pramanik, Sumit; Manna, Ayan; Shasmin, Hanie Nadia; Radzi, Zamri; Abu Osman, Noor Azuan

2016-01-01

Since humidity sensors have been widely used in many sectors, a suitable humidity sensing material with improved sensitivity, faster response and recovery times, better stability and low hysteresis is necessary to be developed. Here, we fabricate a uniformly porous humidity sensor using Ca, Ti substituted Mg ferrites with chemical formula of CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 as humidity sensing materials by solid-sate step-sintering technique. This synthesis technique is useful to control the grain size with increased porosity to enhance the hydrophilic characteristics of the CaMgFe1.33Ti3O12 nanoceramic based sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposites. The highest porosity, lowest density and excellent surface-hydrophilicity properties were obtained at 1050 °C sintered ceramic. The performance of this impedance type humidity sensor was evaluated by electrical characterizations using alternating current (AC) in the 33%–95% relative humidity (RH) range at 25 °C. Compared with existing conventional resistive humidity sensors, the present sintered electro-ceramic nanocomposite based humidity sensor showed faster response time (20 s) and recovery time (40 s). This newly developed sensor showed extremely high sensitivity (%S) and small hysteresis of <3.4%. Long-term stability of the sensor had been determined by testing for 30 consecutive days. Therefore, the high performance sensing behavior of the present electro-ceramic nanocomposites would be suitable for a potential use in advanced humidity sensors. PMID:27916913

In Situ Observation of High-Pressure Phase Transitions in SiO2 Under Shock Loading Using Time Resolved X-Ray Diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tracy, S. J.; Turneaure, S.; Duffy, T. S.

2016-12-01

Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust and serves as an archetype for silicate minerals generally. The shock metamorphism of silica is important for understanding and interpreting meteorite impact events. Shock compression of quartz is characterized by a phase transition occurring over a broad mixed-phase region ( 10-40 GPa). Despite decades of study, the nature of this transformation and the structure of the high-pressure phase remain poorly understood. In situ x-ray diffraction data on shock-compressed SiO2 was collected at the Dynamic Compression Sector at the Advanced Photon Source. The behavior both single crystal alpha-quartz and fused silica was investigated under dynamic loading through a series real-time synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements during peak stresses up to 65 GPa. A two-stage light gas gun was used to accelerate LiF flyer plates that impacted the SiO2 samples resulting in a propagating step-like increase in pressure and temperature behind the shock front. Four consecutive x-ray frames, separated by 153 ns, were collected during the transient loading and unloading. These measurements allow for the determination of time-dependent atomic arrangements, demonstrating that both amorphous silica as well as crystalline alpha-quartz transform to stishovite above 36 GPa. These measurements reveal important information about the role of kinetics as well texture development and potential defect structures in the transformed material.

Different responses of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil microbial communities to consecutive Piper nigrum L. monoculture

PubMed Central

Li, Zhigang; Zu, Chao; Wang, Can; Yang, Jianfeng; Yu, Huan; Wu, Huasong

2016-01-01

Soil microorganisms have important influences on plant growth and health. In this study, four black pepper fields consecutively monocultured for 12, 18, 28 and 38 years were selected for investigating the effect of planting age on rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil microbial communities and soil physicochemical properties. The results revealed that the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial phyla in rhizosphere soil increased considerably with long-term consecutive monoculture but decreased in non-rhizosphere soil with a significant decline in Firmicutes. For fungi, an increasing trend over time was observed in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, with the abundance of the pathogenic fungi Fusarium increasing significantly accompanied by a decrease in the bacteria Pseudomonas and Bacillus that is beneficial for black pepper. Consecutive monoculture, especially for 38 years, considerably decreased soil microbial diversity. Additionally, the rhizosphere soil pH and organic matter and available K contents decreased with increasing planting duration, though available N and P increased. All soil nutrient contents and microbial diversity indices were higher in rhizosphere soil compared to non-rhizosphere soil. The results suggest that long-term consecutive monoculture leads to variations in soil microbial community composition and physicochemical properties in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, thus inhibiting the black pepper growth. PMID:27775000

Different responses of rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil microbial communities to consecutive Piper nigrum L. monoculture.

PubMed

Li, Zhigang; Zu, Chao; Wang, Can; Yang, Jianfeng; Yu, Huan; Wu, Huasong

2016-10-24

Soil microorganisms have important influences on plant growth and health. In this study, four black pepper fields consecutively monocultured for 12, 18, 28 and 38 years were selected for investigating the effect of planting age on rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soil microbial communities and soil physicochemical properties. The results revealed that the relative abundance of the dominant bacterial phyla in rhizosphere soil increased considerably with long-term consecutive monoculture but decreased in non-rhizosphere soil with a significant decline in Firmicutes. For fungi, an increasing trend over time was observed in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, with the abundance of the pathogenic fungi Fusarium increasing significantly accompanied by a decrease in the bacteria Pseudomonas and Bacillus that is beneficial for black pepper. Consecutive monoculture, especially for 38 years, considerably decreased soil microbial diversity. Additionally, the rhizosphere soil pH and organic matter and available K contents decreased with increasing planting duration, though available N and P increased. All soil nutrient contents and microbial diversity indices were higher in rhizosphere soil compared to non-rhizosphere soil. The results suggest that long-term consecutive monoculture leads to variations in soil microbial community composition and physicochemical properties in both rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils, thus inhibiting the black pepper growth.

Effect of consecutive re-synchronization protocols on pregnancy rate in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) heifers out of the breeding season.

PubMed

Neglia, Gianluca; Capuano, Massimo; Balestrieri, Anna; Cimmino, Roberta; Iannaccone, Francesco; Palumbo, Francesco; Presicce, Giorgio A; Campanile, Giuseppe

2018-06-01

The combined effect of six consecutive timed artificial inseminations (TAIs) on pregnancy rates, following two different synchronization protocols on buffalo heifers, over a period of seven months typically characterized by low breeding performances, were investigated in this study. A total of 2189 TAIs were performed on 1463 buffalo heifers within a large buffalo farm in the south of Italy. Individual animals were allowed to undergo synchronization protocol (either a slightly modified Ovsynch or Progesterone treatment) and TAI until establishment of pregnancy or else for not more than six consecutive times. Semen of seven proven bulls was used throughout the study, which was carried out from March to September of the same year. Therefore, other than the effect given by consecutive TAIs over time, a monthly and a seasonal effect could also be tested, once the entire period was split into a Low Breeding Season (LBS) from March to June, and a Transition to Breeding Season (TBS) from July to September. From the data recorded in this study and the statistical analysis performed, it can be stated that the two protocols for the synchronization of ovulation were similar in efficiency in determining pregnancies with an overall fertility rate of 89.4% when the comparison was run both on a monthly basis or when months were grouped into two different seasons. In addition, an average of 1.83 AI/pregnancy was reported, slightly higher for the Ovsynch when compared to the Progesterone protocol: 1.91 vs 1.70, respectively. Finally, when considering the number of progressive synchronization treatments implemented over time as covariate, neither Ovsynch nor Progesterone treatment significantly affected pregnancy rates following the first of the six synchronization sessions. However, repeating the synchronization procedure, the progesterone based protocol resulted in significantly higher probability of success in terms of established pregnancies during the second and third re-synchronization sessions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The general alcoholics anonymous tools of recovery: the adoption of 12-step practices and beliefs.

PubMed

Greenfield, Brenna L; Tonigan, J Scott

2013-09-01

Working the 12 steps is widely prescribed for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members although the relative merits of different methods for measuring step work have received minimal attention and even less is known about how step work predicts later substance use. The current study (1) compared endorsements of step work on an face-valid or direct measure, the Alcoholics Anonymous Inventory (AAI), with an indirect measure of step work, the General Alcoholics Anonymous Tools of Recovery (GAATOR); (2) evaluated the underlying factor structure of the GAATOR and changes in step work over time; (3) examined changes in the endorsement of step work over time; and (4) investigated how, if at all, 12-step work predicted later substance use. New AA affiliates (N = 130) completed assessments at intake, 3, 6, and 9 months. Significantly more participants endorsed step work on the GAATOR than on the AAI for nine of the 12 steps. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure for the GAATOR comprising behavioral step work and spiritual step work. Behavioral step work did not change over time, but was predicted by having a sponsor, while Spiritual step work decreased over time and increases were predicted by attending 12-step meetings or treatment. Behavioral step work did not prospectively predict substance use. In contrast, spiritual step work predicted percent days abstinent. Behavioral step work and spiritual step work appear to be conceptually distinct components of step work that have distinct predictors and unique impacts on outcomes. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

Two-step chlorination: A new approach to disinfection of a primary sewage effluent.

PubMed

Li, Yu; Yang, Mengting; Zhang, Xiangru; Jiang, Jingyi; Liu, Jiaqi; Yau, Cie Fu; Graham, Nigel J D; Li, Xiaoyan

2017-01-01

Sewage disinfection aims at inactivating pathogenic microorganisms and preventing the transmission of waterborne diseases. Chlorination is extensively applied for disinfecting sewage effluents. The objective of achieving a disinfection goal and reducing disinfectant consumption and operational costs remains a challenge in sewage treatment. In this study, we have demonstrated that, for the same chlorine dosage, a two-step addition of chlorine (two-step chlorination) was significantly more efficient in disinfecting a primary sewage effluent than a one-step addition of chlorine (one-step chlorination), and shown how the two-step chlorination was optimized with respect to time interval and dosage ratio. Two-step chlorination of the sewage effluent attained its highest disinfection efficiency at a time interval of 19 s and a dosage ratio of 5:1. Compared to one-step chlorination, two-step chlorination enhanced the disinfection efficiency by up to 0.81- or even 1.02-log for two different chlorine doses and contact times. An empirical relationship involving disinfection efficiency, time interval and dosage ratio was obtained by best fitting. Mechanisms (including a higher overall Ct value, an intensive synergistic effect, and a shorter recovery time) were proposed for the higher disinfection efficiency of two-step chlorination in the sewage effluent disinfection. Annual chlorine consumption costs in one-step and two-step chlorination of the primary sewage effluent were estimated. Compared to one-step chlorination, two-step chlorination reduced the cost by up to 16.7%. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Active buildings: modelling physical activity and movement in office buildings. An observational study protocol.

PubMed

Smith, Lee; Ucci, Marcella; Marmot, Alexi; Spinney, Richard; Laskowski, Marek; Sawyer, Alexia; Konstantatou, Marina; Hamer, Mark; Ambler, Gareth; Wardle, Jane; Fisher, Abigail

2013-11-12

Health benefits of regular participation in physical activity are well documented but population levels are low. Office layout, and in particular the number and location of office building destinations (eg, print and meeting rooms), may influence both walking time and characteristics of sitting time. No research to date has focused on the role that the layout of the indoor office environment plays in facilitating or inhibiting step counts and characteristics of sitting time. The primary aim of this study was to investigate associations between office layout and physical activity, as well as sitting time using objective measures. Active buildings is a unique collaboration between public health, built environment and computer science researchers. The study involves objective monitoring complemented by a larger questionnaire arm. UK office buildings will be selected based on a variety of features, including office floor area and number of occupants. Questionnaires will include items on standard demographics, well-being, physical activity behaviour and putative socioecological correlates of workplace physical activity. Based on survey responses, approximately 30 participants will be recruited from each building into the objective monitoring arm. Participants will wear accelerometers (to monitor physical activity and sitting inside and outside the office) and a novel tracking device will be placed in the office (to record participant location) for five consecutive days. Data will be analysed using regression analyses, as well as novel agent-based modelling techniques. The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. Ethical approval was obtained through the University College London Research Ethics Committee (Reference number 4400/001).

Movement Repetitions in Physical and Occupational Therapy during Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Zbogar, Dominik; Eng, Janice J; Miller, William C; Krassioukov, Andrei V; Verrier, Molly C

2016-01-01

Study Design Longitudinal observational study. Objective To quantify the amount of upper and lower extremity movement repetitions (i.e., voluntary movements as part of a functional task or specific motion) occurring during inpatient spinal cord injury (SCI) physical (PT) and occupational therapy (OT), and examine changes over the inpatient rehabilitation stay. Setting Two stand-alone inpatient SCI rehabilitation centres. Methods Participants 103 patients were recruited through consecutive admissions to SCI rehabilitation. Interventions Trained assistants observed therapy sessions and obtained clinical outcome measures in the second week following admission and in the second to last week prior to discharge. Main Outcome Measures PT and OT time, upper and lower extremity repetitions, and changes in these outcomes over the rehabilitation stay. Results We observed 561 PT and 347 OT sessions. Therapeutic time comprised two-thirds of total therapy time. Summed over PT and OT, median upper extremity repetitions in patients with paraplegia were 7 repetitions and in patients with tetraplegia, 42 repetitions. Lower extremity repetitions and steps primarily occurred in ambulatory patients and amounted to 218 and 115, respectively (summed over PT and OT sessions at discharge). Wilcoxon signed rank tests revealed that most repetition variables did not change significantly over the inpatient rehabilitation stay. In contrast, clinical outcomes for the arm and leg improved over this time period. Conclusions Repetitions of upper and lower extremity movement are markedly low during PT and OT sessions. Despite improvements in clinical outcomes, there was no significant increase in movement repetitions over the inpatient rehabilitation stay. PMID:27752057

Computational time reduction for sequential batch solutions in GNSS precise point positioning technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martín Furones, Angel; Anquela Julián, Ana Belén; Dimas-Pages, Alejandro; Cos-Gayón, Fernando

2017-08-01

Precise point positioning (PPP) is a well established Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technique that only requires information from the receiver (or rover) to obtain high-precision position coordinates. This is a very interesting and promising technique because eliminates the need for a reference station near the rover receiver or a network of reference stations, thus reducing the cost of a GNSS survey. From a computational perspective, there are two ways to solve the system of observation equations produced by static PPP either in a single step (so-called batch adjustment) or with a sequential adjustment/filter. The results of each should be the same if they are both well implemented. However, if a sequential solution (that is, not only the final coordinates, but also those observed in previous GNSS epochs), is needed, as for convergence studies, finding a batch solution becomes a very time consuming task owing to the need for matrix inversion that accumulates with each consecutive epoch. This is not a problem for the filter solution, which uses information computed in the previous epoch for the solution of the current epoch. Thus filter implementations need extra considerations of user dynamics and parameter state variations between observation epochs with appropriate stochastic update parameter variances from epoch to epoch. These filtering considerations are not needed in batch adjustment, which makes it attractive. The main objective of this research is to significantly reduce the computation time required to obtain sequential results using batch adjustment. The new method we implemented in the adjustment process led to a mean reduction in computational time by 45%.

A clinical tool for predicting survival in ALS.

PubMed

Knibb, Jonathan A; Keren, Noa; Kulka, Anna; Leigh, P Nigel; Martin, Sarah; Shaw, Christopher E; Tsuda, Miho; Al-Chalabi, Ammar

2016-12-01

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and usually fatal neurodegenerative disease. Survival from diagnosis varies considerably. Several prognostic factors are known, including site of onset (bulbar or limb), age at symptom onset, delay from onset to diagnosis and the use of riluzole and non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Clinicians and patients would benefit from a practical way of using these factors to provide an individualised prognosis. 575 consecutive patients with incident ALS from a population-based registry in South-East England register for ALS (SEALS) were studied. Their survival was modelled as a two-step process: the time from diagnosis to respiratory muscle involvement, followed by the time from respiratory involvement to death. The effects of predictor variables were assessed separately for each time interval. Younger age at symptom onset, longer delay from onset to diagnosis and riluzole use were associated with slower progression to respiratory involvement, and NIV use was associated with lower mortality after respiratory involvement, each with a clinically significant effect size. Riluzole may have a greater effect in younger patients and those with longer delay to diagnosis. A patient's survival time has a roughly 50% chance of falling between half and twice the predicted median. A simple and clinically applicable graphical method of predicting an individual patient's survival from diagnosis is presented. The model should be validated in an independent cohort, and extended to include other important prognostic factors. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Formulation of an explicit-multiple-time-step time integration method for use in a global primitive equation grid model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, W. C.

1982-01-01

With appropriate modifications, a recently proposed explicit-multiple-time-step scheme (EMTSS) is incorporated into the UCLA model. In this scheme, the linearized terms in the governing equations that generate the gravity waves are split into different vertical modes. Each mode is integrated with an optimal time step, and at periodic intervals these modes are recombined. The other terms are integrated with a time step dictated by the CFL condition for low-frequency waves. This large time step requires a special modification of the advective terms in the polar region to maintain stability. Test runs for 72 h show that EMTSS is a stable, efficient and accurate scheme.

Synthesis, characterizations and catalytic activities of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, Divya; Sharma, Vikash; Parmar, Sarita; Okram, Gunadhor Singh; Jain, Shubha

2018-05-01

We report the synthesis of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles (NPs) through a novel one-step coprecipitation method. These NPs were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman spectroscopy. These nano ferrites were successfully used for the synthesis of 3, 4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and thiones. They can be easily recovered by simple filtration and their catalytic activity remains nearly unaltered even after 4 consecutive cycles, making them ecofriendly and widely applicable due to their efficiency, ease of handling, and cost effectiveness.

GOTHIC: Gravitational oct-tree code accelerated by hierarchical time step controlling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miki, Yohei; Umemura, Masayuki

2017-04-01

The tree method is a widely implemented algorithm for collisionless N-body simulations in astrophysics well suited for GPU(s). Adopting hierarchical time stepping can accelerate N-body simulations; however, it is infrequently implemented and its potential remains untested in GPU implementations. We have developed a Gravitational Oct-Tree code accelerated by HIerarchical time step Controlling named GOTHIC, which adopts both the tree method and the hierarchical time step. The code adopts some adaptive optimizations by monitoring the execution time of each function on-the-fly and minimizes the time-to-solution by balancing the measured time of multiple functions. Results of performance measurements with realistic particle distribution performed on NVIDIA Tesla M2090, K20X, and GeForce GTX TITAN X, which are representative GPUs of the Fermi, Kepler, and Maxwell generation of GPUs, show that the hierarchical time step achieves a speedup by a factor of around 3-5 times compared to the shared time step. The measured elapsed time per step of GOTHIC is 0.30 s or 0.44 s on GTX TITAN X when the particle distribution represents the Andromeda galaxy or the NFW sphere, respectively, with 224 = 16,777,216 particles. The averaged performance of the code corresponds to 10-30% of the theoretical single precision peak performance of the GPU.

A multi-step pathway connecting short sleep duration to daytime somnolence, reduced attention, and poor academic performance: an exploratory cross-sectional study in teenagers.

PubMed

Perez-Lloret, Santiago; Videla, Alejandro J; Richaudeau, Alba; Vigo, Daniel; Rossi, Malco; Cardinali, Daniel P; Perez-Chada, Daniel

2013-05-15

A multi-step causality pathway connecting short sleep duration to daytime somnolence and sleepiness leading to reduced attention and poor academic performance as the final result can be envisaged. However this hypothesis has never been explored. To explore consecutive correlations between sleep duration, daytime somnolence, attention levels, and academic performance in a sample of school-aged teenagers. We carried out a survey assessing sleep duration and daytime somnolence using the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). Sleep duration variables included week-days' total sleep time, usual bedtimes, and absolute weekday to-weekend sleep time difference. Attention was assessed by d2 test and by the coding subtest from the WISC-IV scale. Academic performance was obtained from literature and math grades. Structural equation modeling was used to assess the independent relationships between these variables, while controlling for confounding effects of other variables, in one single model. Standardized regression weights (SWR) for relationships between these variables are reported. Study sample included 1,194 teenagers (mean age: 15 years; range: 13-17 y). Sleep duration was inversely associated with daytime somnolence (SWR = -0.36, p < 0.01) while sleepiness was negatively associated with attention (SWR = -0.13, p < 0.01). Attention scores correlated positively with academic results (SWR = 0.18, p < 0.01). Daytime somnolence correlated negatively with academic achievements (SWR = -0.16, p < 0.01). The model offered an acceptable fit according to usual measures (RMSEA = 0.0548, CFI = 0.874, NFI = 0.838). A Sobel test confirmed that short sleep duration influenced attention through daytime somnolence (p < 0.02), which in turn influenced academic achievements through reduced attention (p < 0.002). Poor academic achievements correlated with reduced attention, which in turn was related to daytime somnolence. Somnolence correlated with short sleep duration.

Radiation Dose Reduction in CT Fluoroscopy-Guided Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection by Modifying Scout and Planning Steps

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

Paik, Nam Chull, E-mail: pncspine@gmail.com

Background and PurposeIn CT fluoroscopy (CTF)-guided cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI), the majority of radiation dose is contributed by the planning CT scan rather than the CTF procedure itself. We replaced the planning helical CT with a spot CTF and accordingly changed the patient posture during scout and planning scans. The aim of this study was to test whether radiation dose reduction would be achieved by this protocol modification while still maintaining technical performance.MethodsOverall, 338 consecutive procedures before (control group: n = 163) and after (study group: n = 175) instituting the above-mentioned protocol modification were analyzed retrospectively, comparing patient characteristics (age, sex,more » neck diameter, and level injected) and technical performance [technical success rate, dose-length product (DLP), inadvertent contrast flow incidence, number of CTF acquisitions, and procedural time] between the two groups.ResultsAll injections were technically successful at every level from C3–C4 to C7–T1 without serious complications in both groups. The median DLP of the study group (7.92 mGy·cm) was significantly reduced compared to that of the control group (39.05 mGy·cm, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding the incidence of inadvertent contrast flow (20.6 vs. 17.2 %, P = 0.426), number of CTF acquisitions (median 5 vs. 4, P = 0.123), and the procedural time (median 6.62 vs. 6.90 min, P = 0.100).ConclusionsWhen conducting CTF-guided cervical TFESIs, a significant radiation dose reduction (median 79.7 % in DLP) can be achieved by modifying scout and planning steps, without compromising the technical performance.« less

The prevalence of upright non-stepping time in comparison to stepping time in 11-13 year old school children across seasons.

PubMed

McCrorie, P Rw; Duncan, E; Granat, M H; Stansfield, B W

2012-11-01

Evidence suggests that behaviours such as standing are beneficial for our health. Unfortunately, little is known of the prevalence of this state, its importance in relation to time spent stepping or variation across seasons. The aim of this study was to quantify, in young adolescents, the prevalence and seasonal changes in time spent upright and not stepping (UNSt(time)) as well as time spent upright and stepping (USt(time)), and their contribution to overall upright time (U(time)). Thirty-three adolescents (12.2 ± 0.3 y) wore the activPAL activity monitor during four school days on two occasions: November/December (winter) and May/June (summer). UNSt(time) contributed 60% of daily U(time) at winter (Mean = 196 min) and 53% at summer (Mean = 171 min); a significant seasonal effect, p < 0.001. USt(time) was significantly greater in summer compared to winter (153 min versus 131 min, p < 0.001). The effects in UNSt(time) could be explained through significant seasonal differences during the school hours (09:00-16:00), whereas the effects in USt(time) could be explained through significant seasonal differences in the evening period (16:00-22:00). Adolescents spent a greater amount of time upright and not stepping than they did stepping, in both winter and summer. The observed seasonal effects for both UNSt(time) and USt(time) provide important information for behaviour change intervention programs.

Immediate Effects of Clock-Turn Strategy on the Pattern and Performance of Narrow Turning in Persons With Parkinson Disease.

PubMed

Yang, Wen-Chieh; Hsu, Wei-Li; Wu, Ruey-Meei; Lin, Kwan-Hwa

2016-10-01

Turning difficulty is common in people with Parkinson disease (PD). The clock-turn strategy is a cognitive movement strategy to improve turning performance in people with PD despite its effects are unverified. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the clock-turn strategy on the pattern of turning steps, turning performance, and freezing of gait during a narrow turning, and how these effects were influenced by concurrent performance of a cognitive task (dual task). Twenty-five people with PD were randomly assigned to the clock-turn or usual-turn group. Participants performed the Timed Up and Go test with and without concurrent cognitive task during the medication OFF period. The clock-turn group performed the Timed Up and Go test using the clock-turn strategy, whereas participants in the usual-turn group performed in their usual manner. Measurements were taken during the 180° turn of the Timed Up and Go test. The pattern of turning steps was evaluated by step time variability and step time asymmetry. Turning performance was evaluated by turning time and number of turning steps. The number and duration of freezing of gait were calculated by video review. The clock-turn group had lower step time variability and step time asymmetry than the usual-turn group. Furthermore, the clock-turn group turned faster with fewer freezing of gait episodes than the usual-turn group. Dual task increased the step time variability and step time asymmetry in both groups but did not affect turning performance and freezing severity. The clock-turn strategy reduces turning time and freezing of gait during turning, probably by lowering step time variability and asymmetry. Dual task compromises the effects of the clock-turn strategy, suggesting a competition for attentional resources.Video Abstract available for more insights from the authors (see Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/JNPT/A141).

Comparing accelerometer, pedometer and a questionnaire for measuring physical activity in bronchiectasis: a validity and feasibility study?

PubMed

O'Neill, B; McDonough, S M; Wilson, J J; Bradbury, I; Hayes, K; Kirk, A; Kent, L; Cosgrove, D; Bradley, J M; Tully, M A

2017-01-14

There are challenges for researchers and clinicians to select the most appropriate physical activity tool, and a balance between precision and feasibility is needed. Currently it is unclear which physical activity tool should be used to assess physical activity in Bronchiectasis. The aim of this research is to compare assessment methods (pedometer and IPAQ) to our criterion method (ActiGraph) for the measurement of physical activity dimensions in Bronchiectasis (BE), and to assess their feasibility and acceptability. Patients in this analysis were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The ActiGraph and pedometer were worn for seven consecutive days and the IPAQ was completed for the same period. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20 (IBM). Descriptive statistics were used; the percentage agreement between ActiGraph and the other measures were calculated using limits of agreement. Feedback about the feasibility of the activity monitors and the IPAQ was obtained. There were 55 (22 male) data sets available. For step count there was no significant difference between the ActiGraph and Pedometer, however, total physical activity time (mins) as recorded by the ActiGraph was significantly higher than the pedometer (mean ± SD, 232 (75) vs. 63 (32)). Levels of agreement between the two devices was very good for step count (97% agreement); and variation in the levels of agreement were within accepted limits of ±2 standard deviations from the mean value. IPAQ reported more bouted- moderate - vigorous physical activity (MVPA) [mean, SD; 167(170) vs 6(9) mins/day], and significantly less sedentary time than ActiGraph [mean, SD; 362(115) vs 634(76) vmins/day]. There were low levels of agreement between the two tools (57% sedentary behaviour; 0% MVPA 10+ ), with IPAQ under-reporting sedentary behaviour and over-reporting MVPA 10+ compared to ActiGraph. The monitors were found to be feasible and acceptable by participants and researchers; while the IPAQ was accepta ble to use, most patients required assistance to complete it. Accurate measurement of physical activity is feasible in BE and will be valuable for future trials of therapeutic interventions. ActiGraph or pedometer could be used to measure simple daily step counts, but ActiGraph was superior as it measured intensity of physical activity and was a more precise measure of time spent walking. The IPAQ does not appear to represent an accurate measure of physical activity in this population. Clinical Trials Registration Number NCT01569009 : Physical Activity in Bronchiectasis.

Structure-function analysis of ribonucleotide bypass by B family DNA replicases

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

Clausen, Anders R.; Murray, Michael S.; Passer, Andrew R.

2013-11-01

Ribonucleotides are frequently incorporated into DNA during replication, they are normally removed, and failure to remove them results in replication stress. This stress correlates with DNA polymerase (Pol) stalling during bypass of ribonucleotides in DNA templates. Here we demonstrate that stalling by yeast replicative Pols δ and ε increases as the number of consecutive template ribonucleotides increases from one to four. The homologous bacteriophage RB69 Pol also stalls during ribonucleotide bypass, with a pattern most similar to that of Pol ε. Crystal structures of an exonuclease-deficient variant of RB69 Pol corresponding to multiple steps in single ribonucleotide bypass reveal thatmore » increased stalling is associated with displacement of Tyr391 and an unpreferred C2´-endo conformation for the ribose. Even less efficient bypass of two consecutive ribonucleotides in DNA correlates with similar movements of Tyr391 and displacement of one of the ribonucleotides along with the primer-strand DNA backbone. These structure–function studies have implications for cellular signaling by ribonucleotides, and they may be relevant to replication stress in cells defective in ribonucleotide excision repair, including humans suffering from autoimmune disease associated with RNase H2 defects.« less

Probability-Based Recognition Framework for Underwater Landmarks Using Sonar Images †.

PubMed

Lee, Yeongjun; Choi, Jinwoo; Ko, Nak Yong; Choi, Hyun-Taek

2017-08-24

This paper proposes a probability-based framework for recognizing underwater landmarks using sonar images. Current recognition methods use a single image, which does not provide reliable results because of weaknesses of the sonar image such as unstable acoustic source, many speckle noises, low resolution images, single channel image, and so on. However, using consecutive sonar images, if the status-i.e., the existence and identity (or name)-of an object is continuously evaluated by a stochastic method, the result of the recognition method is available for calculating the uncertainty, and it is more suitable for various applications. Our proposed framework consists of three steps: (1) candidate selection, (2) continuity evaluation, and (3) Bayesian feature estimation. Two probability methods-particle filtering and Bayesian feature estimation-are used to repeatedly estimate the continuity and feature of objects in consecutive images. Thus, the status of the object is repeatedly predicted and updated by a stochastic method. Furthermore, we develop an artificial landmark to increase detectability by an imaging sonar, which we apply to the characteristics of acoustic waves, such as instability and reflection depending on the roughness of the reflector surface. The proposed method is verified by conducting basin experiments, and the results are presented.

Chemoselective Hydrodehalogenation of Organic Halides Utilizing Two-Dimensional Anionic Electrons of Inorganic Electride [Ca2N]+·e^.

PubMed

Kim, Ye Ji; Kim, Sun Min; Yu, Chunghyeon; Yoo, YoungMin; Cho, Eun Jin; Yang, Jung Woon; Kim, Sung Wng

2017-01-31

Halogenated organic compounds are important anthropogenic chemicals widely used in chemical industry, biology, and pharmacology; however, the persistence and inertness of organic halides cause human health problems and considerable environmental pollution. Thus, the elimination or replacement of halogen atoms with organic halides has been considered a central task in synthetic chemistry. In dehalogenation reactions, the consecutive single-electron transfer from reducing agents generates the radical and corresponding carbanion and thus removes the halogen atom as the leaving group. Herein, we report a new strategy for an efficient chemoselective hydrodehalogenation through the formation of stable carbanion intermediates, which are simply achieved by using highly mobile two-dimensional electrons of inorganic electride [Ca 2 N] + ·e - with effective electron transfer ability. The consecutive single-electron transfer from inorganic electride [Ca 2 N] + ·e - stabilized free carbanions, which is a key step in achieving the selective reaction. Furthermore, a determinant more important than leaving group ability is the stability control of free carbanions according to the s character determined by the backbone structure. We anticipate that this approach may provide new insight into selective chemical formation, including hydrodehalogenation.

The use of real-time ultrasound feedback in teaching abdominal hollowing exercises to healthy subjects.

PubMed

Henry, Sharon M; Westervelt, Karen C

2005-06-01

Randomized controlled trial. To determine if supplementing typical clinical instruction with real-time ultrasound feedback facilitates performance and retention of the abdominal hollowing exercise (AHE). Increasingly clinicians are using real-time ultrasound imaging as a form of feedback when teaching patients trunk stabilization exercises; however, there has been no justification for this practice. Forty-eight subjects were divided randomly into 3 groups that received different types of feedback: group 1 received minimal verbal feedback, group 2 received verbal and palpatory feedback, and group 3 received real-time ultrasound, verbal, and palpatory feedback. If the subject performed 3 consecutive correct AHEs during the initial session, she/he returned for a retention test. The performance of 3 consecutive, correct AHEs was the criterion measure; the number of trials to criterion was also recorded during the initial and retention test sessions. The ability to perform the AHE differed among groups (P<.001). During the initial session, 12.5% of subjects in group 1, 50.0% of subjects in group 2, and 87.5% of subjects in group 3 were able to perform 3 consecutive AHEs. Group 3 subjects achieved the criterion in fewer trials than the other 2 groups (P = .0006). No differences among groups were found for the retention testing; however, low power due to fewer subjects precluded a strong interpretation of this finding. Real-time ultrasound feedback can decrease the number of trials needed to consistently perform the AHE; however, the data are inconclusive with regard to retention of this skill.

Learning curves for single incision and conventional laparoscopic right hemicolectomy: a multidimensional analysis

PubMed Central

Park, Yoonah; Yong, Yuen Geng; Jung, Kyung Uk; Huh, Jung Wook; Cho, Yong Beom; Kim, Hee Cheol; Lee, Woo Yong; Chun, Ho-Kyung

2015-01-01

Purpose This study aimed to compare the learning curves and early postoperative outcomes for conventional laparoscopic (CL) and single incision laparoscopic (SIL) right hemicolectomy (RHC). Methods This retrospective study included the initial 35 cases in each group. Learning curves were evaluated by the moving average of operative time, mean operative time of every five consecutive cases, and cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. The learning phase was considered overcome when the moving average of operative times reached a plateau, and when the mean operative time of every five consecutive cases reached a low point and subsequently did not vary by more than 30 minutes. Results Six patients with missing data in the CL RHC group were excluded from the analyses. According to the mean operative time of every five consecutive cases, learning phase of SIL and CL RHC was completed between 26 and 30 cases, and 16 and 20 cases, respectively. Moving average analysis revealed that approximately 31 (SIL) and 25 (CL) cases were needed to complete the learning phase, respectively. CUSUM analysis demonstrated that 10 (SIL) and two (CL) cases were required to reach a steady state of complication-free performance, respectively. Postoperative complications rate was higher in SIL than in CL group, but the difference was not statistically significant (17.1% vs. 3.4%). Conclusion The learning phase of SIL RHC is longer than that of CL RHC. Early oncological outcomes of both techniques were comparable. However, SIL RHC had a statistically insignificant higher complication rate than CL RHC during the learning phase. PMID:25960990

Comparison of step-by-step kinematics in repeated 30m sprints in female soccer players.

PubMed

van den Tillaar, Roland

2018-01-04

The aim of this study was to compare kinematics in repeated 30m sprints in female soccer players. Seventeen subjects performed seven 30m sprints every 30s in one session. Kinematics were measured with an infrared contact mat and laser gun, and running times with an electronic timing device. The main findings were that sprint times increased in the repeated sprint ability test. The main changes in kinematics during the repeated sprint ability test were increased contact time and decreased step frequency, while no change in step length was observed. The step velocity increased in almost each step until the 14, which occurred around 22m. After this, the velocity was stable until the last step, when it decreased. This increase in step velocity was mainly caused by the increased step length and decreased contact times. It was concluded that the fatigue induced in repeated 30m sprints in female soccer players resulted in decreased step frequency and increased contact time. Employing this approach in combination with a laser gun and infrared mat for 30m makes it very easy to analyse running kinematics in repeated sprints in training. This extra information gives the athlete, coach and sports scientist the opportunity to give more detailed feedback and help to target these changes in kinematics better to enhance repeated sprint performance.

Australasian brachytherapy audit: results of the 'end-to-end' dosimetry pilot study.

PubMed

Haworth, Annette; Wilfert, Lisa; Butler, Duncan; Ebert, Martin A; Todd, Stephen; Bucci, Joseph; Duchesne, Gillian M; Joseph, David; Kron, Tomas

2013-08-01

We present the results of a pilot study to test the feasibility of a brachytherapy dosimetry audit. The feasibility study was conducted at seven sites from four Australian states in both public and private centres. A purpose-built cylindrical water phantom was imaged using the local imaging protocol and a treatment plan was generated to deliver 1 Gy to the central (1 of 3) thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) from six dwell positions. All centres completed the audit, consisting of three consecutive irradiations, within a 2-h time period, with the exception of one centre that uses a pulsed dose rate brachytherapy unit. All TLD results were within 4.5% of the predicted value, with the exception of one subset where the dwell position step size was incorrectly applied. While the limited data collected in the study demonstrated considerable heterogeneity in clinical practice, the study proved a brachytherapy dosimetry audit to be feasible. Future studies should include verification of source strength using a Standard Dosimetry Laboratory calibrated chamber, a phantom that more closely mimics the clinical situation, a more comprehensive review of safety and quality assurance (QA) procedures including source dwell time and position accuracy, and a review of patient treatment QA procedures such as applicator position verification. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology © 2013 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

Automatic segmentation software in locally advanced rectal cancer: READY (REsearch program in Auto Delineation sYstem)-RECTAL 02: prospective study.

PubMed

Gambacorta, Maria A; Boldrini, Luca; Valentini, Chiara; Dinapoli, Nicola; Mattiucci, Gian C; Chiloiro, Giuditta; Pasini, Danilo; Manfrida, Stefania; Caria, Nicola; Minsky, Bruce D; Valentini, Vincenzo

2016-07-05

To validate autocontouring software (AS) in a clinical practice including a two steps delineation quality assurance (QA) procedure.The existing delineation agreement among experts for rectal cancer and the overlap and time criteria that have to be verified to allow the use of AS were defined.Median Dice Similarity Coefficient (MDSC), Mean slicewise Hausdorff Distances (MSHD) and Total-Time saving (TT) were analyzed.Two expert Radiation Oncologists reviewed CT-scans of 44 patients and agreed the reference-CTV: the first 14 consecutive cases were used to populate the software Atlas and 30 were used as Test.Each expert performed a manual (group A) and an automatic delineation (group B) of 15 Test patients.The delineations were compared with the reference contours.The overlap between the manual and automatic delineations with MDSC and MSHD and the TT were analyzed.Three acceptance criteria were set: MDSC ≥ 0.75, MSHD ≤1mm and TT sparing ≥ 50%.At least 2 criteria had to be met, one of which had to be TT saving, to validate the system.The MDSC was 0.75, MSHD 2.00 mm and the TT saving 55.5% between group A and group B. MDSC among experts was 0.84.Autosegmentation systems in rectal cancer partially met acceptability criteria with the present version.

Implicit time accurate simulation of unsteady flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Buuren, René; Kuerten, Hans; Geurts, Bernard J.

2001-03-01

Implicit time integration was studied in the context of unsteady shock-boundary layer interaction flow. With an explicit second-order Runge-Kutta scheme, a reference solution to compare with the implicit second-order Crank-Nicolson scheme was determined. The time step in the explicit scheme is restricted by both temporal accuracy as well as stability requirements, whereas in the A-stable implicit scheme, the time step has to obey temporal resolution requirements and numerical convergence conditions. The non-linear discrete equations for each time step are solved iteratively by adding a pseudo-time derivative. The quasi-Newton approach is adopted and the linear systems that arise are approximately solved with a symmetric block Gauss-Seidel solver. As a guiding principle for properly setting numerical time integration parameters that yield an efficient time accurate capturing of the solution, the global error caused by the temporal integration is compared with the error resulting from the spatial discretization. Focus is on the sensitivity of properties of the solution in relation to the time step. Numerical simulations show that the time step needed for acceptable accuracy can be considerably larger than the explicit stability time step; typical ratios range from 20 to 80. At large time steps, convergence problems that are closely related to a highly complex structure of the basins of attraction of the iterative method may occur. Copyright

The effect of work-based mentoring on patient outcome in musculoskeletal physiotherapy: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Williams, Aled L; Phillips, Ceri J; Watkins, Alan; Rushton, Alison B

2014-10-25

Despite persistent calls to measure the effectiveness of educational interventions on patient outcomes, few studies have been conducted. Within musculoskeletal physiotherapy, the effects of postgraduate clinical mentoring on physiotherapist performance have been assessed, but the impact of this mentoring on patient outcomes remains unknown. The objective of this trial is to assess the effectiveness of a work-based mentoring programme to facilitate physiotherapist clinical reasoning on patient outcomes in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. A stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial (CRCT) has been designed to recruit a minimum of 12 senior physiotherapists who work in musculoskeletal outpatient departments of a large National Health Service (NHS) organization. Participating physiotherapists will be randomised by cluster to receive the intervention at three time periods. Patients will be blinded to whether their physiotherapist has received the intervention. The primary outcome measure will be the Patient-Specific Functional Scale; secondary outcome measures will include the EQ-5D, patient activation, patient satisfaction and physiotherapist performance. Sample size considerations used published methods describing stepped wedge designs, conventional values of 0.80 for statistical power and 0.05 for statistical significance, and pragmatic groupings of 12 participating physiotherapists in three clusters. Based on an intergroup difference of 1.0 on the PSFS with a standard deviation of 2.0, 10 patients are required to complete outcome measures per physiotherapist, at time period 1 (prior to intervention roll-out) and at each of time periods 2, 3 and 4, giving a sample size of 480 patients. To account for the potential loss to follow-up of 33%, 720 sets of patient outcomes will be collected.All physiotherapist participants will receive 150 hours of mentored clinical practice as the intervention and usual in-service training as control. Consecutive, consenting patients attending treatment by the participating physiotherapists during data collection periods will complete outcome measures at baseline, discharge and 12 months post-baseline. The lead researcher will be blinded to the allocation of the physiotherapist when analyzing outcome data; statistical analysis will involve classical linear models incorporating both an intervention effect and a random intercept term to reflect systematic differences among clusters. Assigned 31 July 2012: ISRCTN79599220.

Direct 3D cell-printing of human skin with functional transwell system.

PubMed

Kim, Byoung Soo; Lee, Jung-Seob; Gao, Ge; Cho, Dong-Woo

2017-06-06

Three-dimensional (3D) cell-printing has been emerging as a promising technology with which to build up human skin models by enabling rapid and versatile design. Despite the technological advances, challenges remain in the development of fully functional models that recapitulate complexities in the native tissue. Moreover, although several approaches have been explored for the development of biomimetic human skin models, the present skin models based on multistep fabrication methods using polydimethylsiloxane chips and commercial transwell inserts could be tackled by leveraging 3D cell-printing technology. In this paper, we present a new 3D cell-printing strategy for engineering a 3D human skin model with a functional transwell system in a single-step process. A hybrid 3D cell-printing system was developed, allowing for the use of extrusion and inkjet modules at the same time. We began by revealing the significance of each module in engineering human skin models; by using the extrusion-dispensing module, we engineered a collagen-based construct with polycaprolactone (PCL) mesh that prevented the contraction of collagen during tissue maturation; the inkjet-based dispensing module was used to uniformly distribute keratinocytes. Taking these features together, we engineered a human skin model with a functional transwell system; the transwell system and fibroblast-populated dermis were consecutively fabricated by using the extrusion modules. Following this process, keratinocytes were uniformly distributed onto the engineered dermis by the inkjet module. Our transwell system indicates a supportive 3D construct composed of PCL, enabling the maturation of a skin model without the aid of commercial transwell inserts. This skin model revealed favorable biological characteristics that included a stabilized fibroblast-stretched dermis and stratified epidermis layers after 14 days. It was also observed that a 50 times reduction in cost was achieved and 10 times less medium was used than in a conventional culture. Collectively, because this single-step process opens up chances for versatile designs, we envision that our cell-printing strategy could provide an attractive platform in engineering various human skin models.

On improving the iterative convergence properties of an implicit approximate-factorization finite difference algorithm. [considering transonic flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Desideri, J. A.; Steger, J. L.; Tannehill, J. C.

1978-01-01

The iterative convergence properties of an approximate-factorization implicit finite-difference algorithm are analyzed both theoretically and numerically. Modifications to the base algorithm were made to remove the inconsistency in the original implementation of artificial dissipation. In this way, the steady-state solution became independent of the time-step, and much larger time-steps can be used stably. To accelerate the iterative convergence, large time-steps and a cyclic sequence of time-steps were used. For a model transonic flow problem governed by the Euler equations, convergence was achieved with 10 times fewer time-steps using the modified differencing scheme. A particular form of instability due to variable coefficients is also analyzed.

Melatonin: a universal time messenger.

PubMed

Erren, Thomas C; Reiter, Russel J

2015-01-01

Temporal organization plays a key role in humans, and presumably all species on Earth. A core building block of the chronobiological architecture is the master clock, located in the suprachi asmatic nuclei [SCN], which organizes "when" things happen in sub-cellular biochemistry, cells, organs and organisms, including humans. Conceptually, time messenging should follow a 5 step-cascade. While abundant evidence suggests how steps 1 through 4 work, step 5 of "how is central time information transmitted througout the body?" awaits elucidation. Step 1: Light provides information on environmental (external) time; Step 2: Ocular interfaces between light and biological (internal) time are intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells [ipRGS] and rods and cones; Step 3: Via the retinohypothalamic tract external time information reaches the light-dependent master clock in the brain, viz the SCN; Step 4: The SCN translate environmental time information into biological time and distribute this information to numerous brain structures via a melanopsin-based network. Step 5: Melatonin, we propose, transmits, or is a messenger of, internal time information to all parts of the body to allow temporal organization which is orchestrated by the SCN. Key reasons why we expect melatonin to have such role include: First, melatonin, as the chemical expression of darkness, is centrally involved in time- and timing-related processes such as encoding clock and calendar information in the brain; Second, melatonin travels throughout the body without limits and is thus a ubiquitous molecule. The chemial conservation of melatonin in all tested species could make this molecule a candidate for a universal time messenger, possibly constituting a legacy of an all-embracing evolutionary history.

Physical activity measured by physical activity monitoring system correlates with glucose trends reconstructed from continuous glucose monitoring.

PubMed

Zecchin, Chiara; Facchinetti, Andrea; Sparacino, Giovanni; Dalla Man, Chiara; Manohar, Chinmay; Levine, James A; Basu, Ananda; Kudva, Yogish C; Cobelli, Claudio

2013-10-01

In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), physical activity (PA) lowers the risk of cardiovascular complications but hinders the achievement of optimal glycemic control, transiently boosting insulin action and increasing hypoglycemia risk. Quantitative investigation of relationships between PA-related signals and glucose dynamics, tracked using, for example, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors, have been barely explored. In the clinic, 20 control and 19 T1DM subjects were studied for 4 consecutive days. They underwent low-intensity PA sessions daily. PA was tracked by the PA monitoring system (PAMS), a system comprising accelerometers and inclinometers. Variations on glucose dynamics were tracked estimating first- and second-order time derivatives of glucose concentration from CGM via Bayesian smoothing. Short-time effects of PA on glucose dynamics were quantified through the partial correlation function in the interval (0, 60 min) after starting PA. Correlation of PA with glucose time derivatives is evident. In T1DM, the negative correlation with the first-order glucose time derivative is maximal (absolute value) after 15 min of PA, whereas the positive correlation is maximal after 40-45 min. The negative correlation between the second-order time derivative and PA is maximal after 5 min, whereas the positive correlation is maximal after 35-40 min. Control subjects provided similar results but with positive and negative correlation peaks anticipated of 5 min. Quantitative information on correlation between mild PA and short-term glucose dynamics was obtained. This represents a preliminary important step toward incorporation of PA information in more realistic physiological models of the glucose-insulin system usable in T1DM simulators, in development of closed-loop artificial pancreas control algorithms, and in CGM-based prediction algorithms for generation of hypoglycemic alerts.

Real-time unmanned aircraft systems surveillance video mosaicking using GPU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camargo, Aldo; Anderson, Kyle; Wang, Yi; Schultz, Richard R.; Fevig, Ronald A.

2010-04-01

Digital video mosaicking from Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is being used for many military and civilian applications, including surveillance, target recognition, border protection, forest fire monitoring, traffic control on highways, monitoring of transmission lines, among others. Additionally, NASA is using digital video mosaicking to explore the moon and planets such as Mars. In order to compute a "good" mosaic from video captured by a UAS, the algorithm must deal with motion blur, frame-to-frame jitter associated with an imperfectly stabilized platform, perspective changes as the camera tilts in flight, as well as a number of other factors. The most suitable algorithms use SIFT (Scale-Invariant Feature Transform) to detect the features consistent between video frames. Utilizing these features, the next step is to estimate the homography between two consecutives video frames, perform warping to properly register the image data, and finally blend the video frames resulting in a seamless video mosaick. All this processing takes a great deal of resources of resources from the CPU, so it is almost impossible to compute a real time video mosaic on a single processor. Modern graphics processing units (GPUs) offer computational performance that far exceeds current CPU technology, allowing for real-time operation. This paper presents the development of a GPU-accelerated digital video mosaicking implementation and compares it with CPU performance. Our tests are based on two sets of real video captured by a small UAS aircraft; one video comes from Infrared (IR) and Electro-Optical (EO) cameras. Our results show that we can obtain a speed-up of more than 50 times using GPU technology, so real-time operation at a video capture of 30 frames per second is feasible.

Decreasing the Preincision Time for Pulmonary Lobectomy: The Process of Lean and Value Stream Mapping.

PubMed

Cerfolio, Robert James; Steenwyk, Brad L; Watson, Caroline; Sparrow, James; Belopolsky, Victoria; Townsley, Matthew; Lyerly, Ralph; Downing, Michelle; Bryant, Ayesha; Gurley, William Quinton; Henling, Colleen; Crawford, Jack; Gayeski, Thomas E

2016-03-01

Our objective was to evaluate our results after the implementation of lean (the elimination of wasteful parts of a process). After meetings with our anesthesiologists, we standardized our "in the operating room-to-skin incision protocols" before pulmonary lobectomy. Patients were divided into consecutive cohorts of 300 lobectomy patients. Several protocols were slowly adopted and outcomes were evaluated. One surgeon performed 2,206 pulmonary lobectomies, of which 84% were for cancer. Protocols for lateral decubitus positioning changed over time. We eliminated axillary rolls, arm boards, and beanbags. Monitoring devices were slowly eliminated. Central catheters decreased from 75% to 0% of patients, epidurals from 84% to 3%, arterial catheters from 93% to 4%, and finally, Foley catheters were reduced from 99% to 11% (p ≤ 0.001 for all). A protocol for the insertion of double-lumen endotracheal tubes was established and times decreased (mean, 14 minutes to 1 minute; p = 0.001). After all changes were made, the time between operating room entry and incision decreased from a mean of 64 minutes to 37 minutes (p < 0.001). Outcomes improved, mortality decreased from 3.2% to 0.26% (p = 0.015), and major morbidity decreased from 15.2% to 5.3% (p = 0.042). Lean and value stream mapping can be safely applied to the clinical algorithms of high-risk patient care. We demonstrate that elimination of non-value-added steps can safely decrease preincision time without increasing patient risk in patients who undergo pulmonary lobectomy. Selected centers may be able to adopt some of these lean-driven protocols. Copyright © 2016 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

45 CFR 235.64 - FFP rates, and activities and costs matchable as training expenditures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

..., travel and per diem for: (1) Staff development personnel (including support staff) assigned full time to training functions and; (2) Staff development personnel assigned part time to training functions to the... of less than four consecutive work weeks, or part-time training programs; and (4) Stipends, travel...

45 CFR 235.64 - FFP rates, and activities and costs matchable as training expenditures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

..., travel and per diem for: (1) Staff development personnel (including support staff) assigned full time to training functions and; (2) Staff development personnel assigned part time to training functions to the... of less than four consecutive work weeks, or part-time training programs; and (4) Stipends, travel...

45 CFR 235.64 - FFP rates, and activities and costs matchable as training expenditures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

..., travel and per diem for: (1) Staff development personnel (including support staff) assigned full time to training functions and; (2) Staff development personnel assigned part time to training functions to the... of less than four consecutive work weeks, or part-time training programs; and (4) Stipends, travel...

The Effects of Reinforcer Magnitude on Timing in Rats

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ludvig, Elliot A.; Conover, Kent; Shizgal, Peter

2007-01-01

The relation between reinforcer magnitude and timing behavior was studied using a peak procedure. Four rats received multiple consecutive sessions with both low and high levels of brain stimulation reward (BSR). Rats paused longer and had later start times during sessions when their responses were reinforced with low-magnitude BSR. When estimated…

Comparison of step-by-step kinematics of resisted, assisted and unloaded 20-m sprint runs.

PubMed

van den Tillaar, Roland; Gamble, Paul

2018-03-26

This investigation examined step-by-step kinematics of sprint running acceleration. Using a randomised counterbalanced approach, 37 female team handball players (age 17.8 ± 1.6 years, body mass 69.6 ± 9.1 kg, height 1.74 ± 0.06 m) performed resisted, assisted and unloaded 20-m sprints within a single session. 20-m sprint times and step velocity, as well as step length, step frequency, contact and flight times of each step were evaluated for each condition with a laser gun and an infrared mat. Almost all measured parameters were altered for each step under the resisted and assisted sprint conditions (η 2  ≥ 0.28). The exception was step frequency, which did not differ between assisted and normal sprints. Contact time, flight time and step frequency at almost each step were different between 'fast' vs. 'slow' sub-groups (η 2  ≥ 0.22). Nevertheless overall both groups responded similarly to the respective sprint conditions. No significant differences in step length were observed between groups for the respective condition. It is possible that continued exposure to assisted sprinting might allow the female team-sports players studied to adapt their coordination to the 'over-speed' condition and increase step frequency. It is notable that step-by-step kinematics in these sprints were easy to obtain using relatively inexpensive equipment with possibilities of direct feedback.

Biomechanical influences on balance recovery by stepping.

PubMed

Hsiao, E T; Robinovitch, S N

1999-10-01

Stepping represents a common means for balance recovery after a perturbation to upright posture. Yet little is known regarding the biomechanical factors which determine whether a step succeeds in preventing a fall. In the present study, we developed a simple pendulum-spring model of balance recovery by stepping, and used this to assess how step length and step contact time influence the effort (leg contact force) and feasibility of balance recovery by stepping. We then compared model predictions of step characteristics which minimize leg contact force to experimentally observed values over a range of perturbation strengths. At all perturbation levels, experimentally observed step execution times were higher than optimal, and step lengths were smaller than optimal. However, the predicted increase in leg contact force associated with these deviations was substantial only for large perturbations. Furthermore, increases in the strength of the perturbation caused subjects to take larger, quicker steps, which reduced their predicted leg contact force. We interpret these data to reflect young subjects' desire to minimize recovery effort, subject to neuromuscular constraints on step execution time and step length. Finally, our model predicts that successful balance recovery by stepping is governed by a coupling between step length, step execution time, and leg strength, so that the feasibility of balance recovery decreases unless declines in one capacity are offset by enhancements in the others. This suggests that one's risk for falls may be affected more by small but diffuse neuromuscular impairments than by larger impairment in a single motor capacity.

Sleep Detriments Associated With Quick Returns in Rotating Shift Work: A Diary Study.

PubMed

Vedaa, Øystein; Mørland, Erik; Larsen, Marit; Harris, Anette; Erevik, Eilin; Sivertsen, Børge; Bjorvatn, Bjørn; Waage, Siri; Pallesen, Ståle

2017-06-01

We aimed to compared sleep characteristics associated with quick returns (QRs, <11 hours between shift intervals) with those associated with other common shift transitions. Sixty-seven nurses completed a 2-week work and sleep diary (94.0% female, mean age 47.7 years). A multilevel fixed effects model was used to examine the sleep in QRs compared with two consecutive night shifts, two consecutive evening shifts, and two consecutive day shifts, respectively. None of the other shift transitions studied encumbered as many detriments as QRs, which included short sleep duration (5.6 hours), slightly prolonged sleep onset latency, more abrupt ending of main sleep period, increased sleepiness, and higher level of perceived stress on the following shift. The study emphasizes the need for sufficient time for rest and recuperation between shifts.

The General Alcoholics Anonymous Tools of Recovery: The Adoption of 12-Step Practices and Beliefs

PubMed Central

Greenfield, Brenna L.; Tonigan, J. Scott

2013-01-01

Working the 12 steps is widely prescribed for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) members although the relative merits of different methods for measuring step-work have received minimal attention and even less is known about how step-work predicts later substance use. The current study (1) compared endorsements of step-work on an face-valid or direct measure, the Alcoholics Anonymous Inventory (AAI), with an indirect measure of step-work, the General Alcoholics Anonymous Tools of Recovery (GAATOR), (2) evaluated the underlying factor structure of the GAATOR and changes in step-work over time, (3) examined changes in the endorsement of step-work over time, and (4) investigated how, if at all, 12-step-work predicted later substance use. New AA affiliates (N = 130) completed assessments at intake, 3, 6, and 9 months. Significantly more participants endorsed step-work on the GAATOR than on the AAI for nine of the 12 steps. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a two-factor structure for the GAATOR comprising Behavioral Step-Work and Spiritual Step-Work. Behavioral Step-Work did not change over time, but was predicted by having a sponsor, while Spiritual Step-Work decreased over time and increases were predicted by attending 12-step meetings or treatment. Behavioral Step-Work did not prospectively predict substance use. In contrast, Spiritual Step-Work predicted percent days abstinent, an effect that is consistent with recent work on the mediating effects of spiritual growth, AA, and increased abstinence. Behavioral and Spiritual Step-Work appear to be conceptually distinct components of step-work that have distinct predictors and unique impacts on outcomes. PMID:22867293

1997 NASA/MSFC Summer Teacher Enrichment Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1999-01-01

This is a report on the follow-up activities conducted for the 1997 NASA Summer Teacher Enrichment Program (STEP), which was held at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) for the seventh consecutive year. The program was conducted as a six-week session with 17 sixth through twelfth grade math and science teachers from a six-state region (Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi and Missouri). The program began on June 8, 1997, and ended on July 25, 1997. The long-term objectives of the program are to: increase the nation's scientific and technical talent pool with a special emphasis on underrepresented groups, improve the quality of pre-college math and science education, improve math and science literacy, and improve NASA's and pre-college education's understandings of each other's operating environments and needs. Short-term measurable objectives for the MSFC STEP are to: improve the teachers' content and pedagogy knowledge in science and/or mathematics, integrate applications from the teachers' STEP laboratory experiences into science and math curricula, increase the teachers' use of instructional technology, enhance the teachers' leadership skills by requiring them to present workshops and/or inservice programs for other teachers, require the support of the participating teacher(s) by the local school administration through a written commitment, and create networks and partnerships within the education community, both pre-college and college. The follow-up activities for the 1997 STEP included the following: academic-year questionnaire, site visits, academic-year workshop, verification of commitment of support, and additional NASA support.

'Stepping in' or 'stepping back': how first year nursing students begin to learn about person-centred care.

PubMed

Currie, Kay; Bannerman, Samantha; Howatson, Val; MacLeod, Fiona; Mayne, Wendy; Organ, Christine; Renton, Sarah; Scott, Janine

2015-01-01

The concept of person-centred care has gained international recognition over the last decade and forms one of the key concepts of our Nursing Quality Improvement Curricular Framework. This study aimed to investigate nursing students' learning about person-centred care during the first-year of their programme. Qualitative thematic analysis of a section of placement learning documents from two consecutive cohorts of students from all fields of nursing (n=405), supplemented by three focus group discussions. Two conceptual categories of student approaches to learning emerged. Firstly, 'stepping back', or learning from a distance about how nurses provide care, often through reading case notes and care plans; second, 'stepping in', learning about the patient as a person by direct interaction with service users. Evidence of reflection on the patient's experience of care was limited. These results have resonance with existing pedagogical theories around preferences for active or passive styles of learning. The potential for clinical mentors to build student confidence and encourage direct engagement with patients was highlighted. Students are aware of the concepts, principles and professional values of person-centred care from early in their programme; however, the majority tend to be preoccupied by learning about what nurses 'do', rather than 'how patients experience care'. Development towards a more person-centred approach may require targeted support from mentors to help students gain confidence and begin reflecting on how patients experience care. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Wound Healing after Penetrating Corneal Injury: Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography Study.

PubMed

Zheng, Kang Keng; Cai, Jianhao; Rong, Shi Song; Peng, Kun; Xia, Honghe; Jin, Chuan; Lu, Xuehui; Liu, Xinyu; Chen, Haoyu; Jhanji, Vishal

2017-07-01

Ocular imaging can enhance our understanding of wound healing. We report anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) findings in penetrating corneal injury. Serial ASOCT was performed after repair of penetrating corneal injury. Internal aberrations of wound edges were labeled as "steps" or "gaps" on ASOCT images. The wound type was characterized as: type 1: continuous inner wound edge or step height ≤ 80 µm; type 2: step height > 80 µm; type 3: gap between wound edges; and type 4: intraocular tissue adherent to wound. Surgical outcomes of different wound types were compared. 50 consecutive patients were included (6 females, 44 males; mean age 33 ± 12 years). The average size of wound was 4.2 ± 2.6 mm (type 1, 8 eyes; type 2, 27 eyes; type 3, 12 eyes; type 4, 3 eyes). At the end of 3 months, 70% (n = 35) of the wounds were type 1. At the end of 6 months, all type 1 wounds had healed completely, whereas about half of type 2 (48.1%) and type 3 (50%) wounds had recovered to type 1 configuration. The wound type at baseline affected the height of step (p = 0.047) and corneal thickness at 6 months (p = 0.035). ASOCT is a useful tool for monitoring wound healing in cases with penetrating corneal injury. Majority of the wound edges appose between 3 and 6 months after trauma. In our study, baseline wound configuration affected the healing pattern.

Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping using Structural Feature based Collaborative Reconstruction (SFCR) in the Human Brain

PubMed Central

Cai, Congbo; Chen, Zhong; van Zijl, Peter C.M.

2017-01-01

The reconstruction of MR quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) from local phase measurements is an ill posed inverse problem and different regularization strategies incorporating a priori information extracted from magnitude and phase images have been proposed. However, the anatomy observed in magnitude and phase images does not always coincide spatially with that in susceptibility maps, which could give erroneous estimation in the reconstructed susceptibility map. In this paper, we develop a structural feature based collaborative reconstruction (SFCR) method for QSM including both magnitude and susceptibility based information. The SFCR algorithm is composed of two consecutive steps corresponding to complementary reconstruction models, each with a structural feature based l1 norm constraint and a voxel fidelity based l2 norm constraint, which allows both the structure edges and tiny features to be recovered, whereas the noise and artifacts could be reduced. In the M-step, the initial susceptibility map is reconstructed by employing a k-space based compressed sensing model incorporating magnitude prior. In the S-step, the susceptibility map is fitted in spatial domain using weighted constraints derived from the initial susceptibility map from the M-step. Simulations and in vivo human experiments at 7T MRI show that the SFCR method provides high quality susceptibility maps with improved RMSE and MSSIM. Finally, the susceptibility values of deep gray matter are analyzed in multiple head positions, with the supine position most approximate to the gold standard COSMOS result. PMID:27019480

Measuring border delay and crossing times at the US-Mexico border : part II. Step-by-step guidelines for implementing a radio frequency identification (RFID) system to measure border crossing and wait times.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-06-01

The purpose of these step-by-step guidelines is to assist in planning, designing, and deploying a system that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to measure the time needed for commercial vehicles to complete the northbound border c...

Using pedometers to estimate ambulatory physical activity in Vietnam.

PubMed

Thuy, Au Bich; Blizzard, Leigh; Schmidt, Michael; Magnussen, Costan; Hansen, Emily; Dwyer, Terence

2011-01-01

Pedometer measurement of physical activity (PA) has been shown to be reliable and valid in industrialized populations, but its applicability in economically developing Vietnam remains untested. This study assessed the feasibility, stability and validity of pedometer estimates of PA in Vietnam. 250 adults from a population-based survey were randomly selected to wear Yamax pedometers and record activities for 7 consecutive days. Stability and concurrent validity were assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Spearman correlation coefficients. Overall, 97.6% of participants provided at least 1 day of usable recordings, and 76.2% wore pedometers for all 7 days. Only 5.2% of the sample participants were involved in work activities not measurable by pedometer. The number of steps increased with hours of wear. There was no significant difference between weekday and weekend in number of steps, and at least 3 days of recordings were required (ICC of the 3 days of recordings: men 0.96, women 0.97). Steps per hour were moderately correlated (men r = .42, women r = .26) with record estimates of total PA. It is feasible to use pedometers to estimate PA in Vietnam. The measure should involve at least 3 days of recording irrespective of day of the week. ©2011 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Pedometer-determined segmented physical activity patterns of fourth- and fifth-grade children.

PubMed

Brusseau, Timothy A; Kulinna, Pamela H; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Ferry, Matthew; van der Mars, Hans; Darst, Paul W

2011-02-01

The need to understand where and how much physical activity (PA) children accumulate has become important in assisting the development, implementation, and evaluation of PA interventions. The purpose of this study was to describe the daily PA patterns of children during the segmented school-week. 829 children participated by wearing pedometers (Yamax-Digiwalker SW-200) for 5 consecutive days. Students recorded their steps at arrival/departure from school, Physical Education (PE), recess, and lunchtime. Boys took significantly more steps/day than girls during most PA opportunities; recess, t(440)=8.80, P<.01; lunch, t(811)=14.57, P<.01; outside of school, t(763)=5.34, P<.01; school, t(811)=10.61, P<.01; and total day, t(782)=7.69, P<.01. Boys and girls accumulated a similar number of steps t(711) .69, P=.09 during PE. For boys, lunchtime represented the largest single source of PA (13.4%) at school, followed by PE (12.7%) and recess (9.5%). For girls, PE was the largest (14.3%), followed by lunchtime (11.7%) and recess (8.3%). An understanding of the contributions of the in-school segments can serve as baseline measures for practitioners and researchers to use in school-based PA interventions.

Step On It! Impact of a Workplace New York City Taxi Driver Health Intervention to Increase Necessary Health Care Access

PubMed Central

Gany, Francesca; Bari, Sehrish; Gill, Pavan; Loeb, Rebecca

2015-01-01

Objectives. We describe the impact of the Step On It! intervention to link taxi drivers, particularly South Asians, to health insurance enrollment and navigate them into care when necessary. Methods. Step On It! was a worksite initiative held for 5 consecutive days from September 28 to October 2, 2011, at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Data collected included sociodemographics, employment, health care access and use, height, weight, blood pressure, and random plasma glucose. Participants were given their results, counseled by a medical professional, and invited to participate in free workshops provided by partner organizations. Results. Of the 466 drivers participated, 52% were uninsured, and 49% did not have a primary care provider. Of 384 drivers who had blood pressure, glucose, or both measured, 242 (63%) required urgent or regular follow-up. Of the 77 (32%) requiring urgent follow-up, 50 (65%) sought medical care at least once, of whom 13 (26%) received a new diagnosis. Of the 165 (68%) requiring regular follow-up, 68 (41%) sought medical care at least once, of whom 5 (7%) received a new diagnosis. Conclusions. This study provides encouraging results about the potential impact of an easy-to-deliver, easily scalable workplace intervention with a large, vulnerable population. PMID:25211738

Rapid micro-scale proteolysis of proteins for MALDI-MS peptide mapping using immobilized trypsin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gobom, Johan; Nordhoff, Eckhard; Ekman, Rolf; Roepstorff, Peter

1997-12-01

In this study we present a rapid method for tryptic digestion of proteins using micro-columns with enzyme immobilized on perfusion chromatography media. The performance of the method is exemplified with acyl-CoA-binding protein and reduced carbamidomethylated bovine serum albumin. The method proved to be significantly faster and yielded a better sequence coverage and an improved signal-to-noise ratio for the MALDI-MS peptide maps, compared to in-solution- and on-target digestion. Only a single sample transfer step is required, and therefore sample loss due to adsorption to surfaces is reduced, which is a critical issue when handling low picomole to femtomole amounts of proteins. An example is shown with on-column proteolytic digestion and subsequent elution of the digest into a reversed-phase micro-column. This is useful if the sample contains large amounts of salt or is too diluted for MALDI-MS analysis. Furthermore, by step-wise elution from the reversedphase column, a complex digest can be fractionated, which reduces signal suppression and facilitates data interpretation in the subsequent MS-analysis. The method also proved useful for consecutive digestions with enzymes of different cleavage specificity. This is exemplified with on-column tryptic digestion, followed by reversed-phase step-wise elution, and subsequent on-target V8 protease digestion.

Estimation of the biphasic property in a female's menstrual cycle from cutaneous temperature measured during sleep.

PubMed

Chen, Wenxi; Kitazawa, Masumi; Togawa, Tatsuo

2009-09-01

This paper proposes a method to estimate a woman's menstrual cycle based on the hidden Markov model (HMM). A tiny device was developed that attaches around the abdominal region to measure cutaneous temperature at 10-min intervals during sleep. The measured temperature data were encoded as a two-dimensional image (QR code, i.e., quick response code) and displayed in the LCD window of the device. A mobile phone captured the QR code image, decoded the information and transmitted the data to a database server. The collected data were analyzed by three steps to estimate the biphasic temperature property in a menstrual cycle. The key step was an HMM-based step between preprocessing and postprocessing. A discrete Markov model, with two hidden phases, was assumed to represent higher- and lower-temperature phases during a menstrual cycle. The proposed method was verified by the data collected from 30 female participants, aged from 14 to 46, over six consecutive months. By comparing the estimated results with individual records from the participants, 71.6% of 190 menstrual cycles were correctly estimated. The sensitivity and positive predictability were 91.8 and 96.6%, respectively. This objective evaluation provides a promising approach for managing premenstrual syndrome and birth control.

Rate-dependent carbon and nitrogen kinetic isotope fractionation in hydrolysis of isoproturon.

PubMed

Penning, Holger; Cramer, Christopher J; Elsner, Martin

2008-11-01

Stable isotope fractionation permits quantifying contaminant degradation in the field when the transformation reaction is associated with a consistent isotope enrichment factor epsilon. When interpreted in conjunction with dual isotope plots, isotope fractionation is also particularly useful for elucidating reaction mechanisms. To assess the consistency of epsilon and dual isotope slopes in a two-step reaction, we investigated the abiotic hydrolysis of the herbicide isoproturon (3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) using a fragmentation method that allows measuring isotope ratios in different parts of the molecule. Carbon and nitrogen position-specific isotope fractionation, as well as slopes in dual isotope plots, varied linearly with rate constants k(obs) depending on the presence of buffers that mediate the initial zwitterion formation. The correlation can be explained by two consecutive reaction steps (zwitterion formation followed by dimethylamine elimination) each of which has a different kinetic isotope effect and may be rate-limiting. Intrinsic isotope effects for both steps, extracted from our kinetic data using a novel theoretical treatment, agree well with values computed from density functional calculations. Our study therefore demonstrates that more variable isotope fractionation may be observed in simple chemical reactions than commonly thought, but that consistent epsilon or dual isotope slopes may nonetheless be encountered in certain molecular fragments.

Use of Olive Oil Industrial By-Product for Pasta Enrichment.

PubMed

Padalino, Lucia; D'Antuono, Isabella; Durante, Miriana; Conte, Amalia; Cardinali, Angela; Linsalata, Vito; Mita, Giovanni; Logrieco, Antonio F; Del Nobile, Matteo Alessandro

2018-04-16

During recent years food industries generally produce a large volume of wastes both solid and liquid, representing a disposal and potential environmental pollution problem. The goal of the study was to optimize, from both sensory and nutritional points of view, the formulation of durum wheat spaghetti enriched with an olive oil industrial by-product, indicated as olive paste. Three consecutive steps were carried out. In the first one, the olive paste was air-dried at low temperature, milled to record olive paste flour and properly analyzed for its biochemical composition. In the second step, the olive paste flour was added to the pasta dough at 10% and 15% ( w / w ). In the last step, different concentrations of transglutaminase were added to enriched pasta (10% olive paste) to further improve the quality. Sensory properties and nutritional content of enriched and control pasta were properly measured. Spaghetti with 10% olive paste flour and 0.6% transglutaminase were considered acceptable to the sensory panel test. Nutritional analyses showed that addition of 10% olive paste flour to pasta considerably increased content of flavonoids and total polyphenols. The proper addition of olive paste flour and transglutaminase for pasta enrichment could represent a starting point to valorize olive oil industrial by-products and produce new healthy food products.

Use of Olive Oil Industrial By-Product for Pasta Enrichment

PubMed Central

Padalino, Lucia; Durante, Miriana; Conte, Amalia; Mita, Giovanni; Logrieco, Antonio F.; Del Nobile, Matteo Alessandro

2018-01-01

Background: During recent years food industries generally produce a large volume of wastes both solid and liquid, representing a disposal and potential environmental pollution problem. Objective: The goal of the study was to optimize, from both sensory and nutritional points of view, the formulation of durum wheat spaghetti enriched with an olive oil industrial by-product, indicated as olive paste. Methods: Three consecutive steps were carried out. In the first one, the olive paste was air-dried at low temperature, milled to record olive paste flour and properly analyzed for its biochemical composition. In the second step, the olive paste flour was added to the pasta dough at 10% and 15% (w/w). In the last step, different concentrations of transglutaminase were added to enriched pasta (10% olive paste) to further improve the quality. Sensory properties and nutritional content of enriched and control pasta were properly measured. Results: Spaghetti with 10% olive paste flour and 0.6% transglutaminase were considered acceptable to the sensory panel test. Nutritional analyses showed that addition of 10% olive paste flour to pasta considerably increased content of flavonoids and total polyphenols. Conclusions: The proper addition of olive paste flour and transglutaminase for pasta enrichment could represent a starting point to valorize olive oil industrial by-products and produce new healthy food products. PMID:29659550

Mass imbalances in EPANET water-quality simulations

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

Davis, Michael J.; Janke, Robert; Taxon, Thomas N.

EPANET is widely employed to simulate water quality in water distribution systems. However, the time-driven simulation approach used to determine concentrations of water-quality constituents provides accurate results, in general, only for small water-quality time steps; use of an adequately short time step may not be feasible. Overly long time steps can yield errors in concentrations and result in situations in which constituent mass is not conserved. Mass may not be conserved even when EPANET gives no errors or warnings. This paper explains how such imbalances can occur and provides examples of such cases; it also presents a preliminary event-driven approachmore » that conserves mass with a water-quality time step that is as long as the hydraulic time step. Results obtained using the current approach converge, or tend to converge, to those obtained using the new approach as the water-quality time step decreases. Improving the water-quality routing algorithm used in EPANET could eliminate mass imbalances and related errors in estimated concentrations.« less

Microfluidic Devices for Forensic DNA Analysis: A Review

PubMed Central

Bruijns, Brigitte; van Asten, Arian; Tiggelaar, Roald; Gardeniers, Han

2016-01-01

Microfluidic devices may offer various advantages for forensic DNA analysis, such as reduced risk of contamination, shorter analysis time and direct application at the crime scene. Microfluidic chip technology has already proven to be functional and effective within medical applications, such as for point-of-care use. In the forensic field, one may expect microfluidic technology to become particularly relevant for the analysis of biological traces containing human DNA. This would require a number of consecutive steps, including sample work up, DNA amplification and detection, as well as secure storage of the sample. This article provides an extensive overview of microfluidic devices for cell lysis, DNA extraction and purification, DNA amplification and detection and analysis techniques for DNA. Topics to be discussed are polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on-chip, digital PCR (dPCR), isothermal amplification on-chip, chip materials, integrated devices and commercially available techniques. A critical overview of the opportunities and challenges of the use of chips is discussed, and developments made in forensic DNA analysis over the past 10–20 years with microfluidic systems are described. Areas in which further research is needed are indicated in a future outlook. PMID:27527231

In Situ Imaging the Oxygen Reduction Reactions of Solid State Na-O2 Batteries with CuO Nanowires as the Air Cathode.

PubMed

Liu, Qiunan; Yang, Tingting; Du, Congcong; Tang, Yongfu; Sun, Yong; Jia, Peng; Chen, Jingzhao; Ye, Hongjun; Shen, Tongde; Peng, Qiuming; Zhang, Liqiang; Huang, Jianyu

2018-06-13

We report real time imaging of the oxygen reduction reactions (ORRs) in all solid state sodium oxygen batteries (SOBs) with CuO nanowires (NWs) as the air cathode in an aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron microscope under an oxygen environment. The ORR occurred in a distinct two-step reaction, namely, a first conversion reaction followed by a second multiple ORR. In the former, CuO was first converted to Cu 2 O and then to Cu; in the latter, NaO 2 formed first, followed by its disproportionation to Na 2 O 2 and O 2 . Concurrent with the two distinct electrochemical reactions, the CuO NWs experienced multiple consecutive large volume expansions. It is evident that the freshly formed ultrafine-grained Cu in the conversion reaction catalyzed the latter one-electron-transfer ORR, leading to the formation of NaO 2 . Remarkably, no carbonate formation was detected in the oxygen cathode after cycling due to the absence of carbon source in the whole battery setup. These results provide fundamental understanding into the oxygen chemistry in the carbonless air cathode in all solid state Na-O 2 batteries.

Usefulness of a multifunctional snare designed for colorectal hybrid endoscopic submucosal dissection (with video).

PubMed

Ohata, Ken; Muramoto, Takashi; Minato, Yohei; Chiba, Hideyuki; Sakai, Eiji; Matsuhashi, Nobuyuki

2018-02-01

Since colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) remains technically difficult, hybrid ESD was developed as an alternative therapeutic option to achieve en bloc resection of relatively large lesions. In this feasibility study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of hybrid colorectal ESD using a newly developed multifunctional snare. From June to August 2016, we prospectively enrolled 10 consecutive patients with non-pedunculated intramucosal colorectal tumors 20 - 30 mm in diameter. All of the hybrid ESD steps were performed using the "SOUTEN" snare. The knob-shaped tip attached to the loop top helps to stabilize the needle-knife, making it less likely to slip during circumferential incision and enables partial submucosal dissection. All of the lesions were curatively resected by hybrid ESD, with a short mean procedure time (16.1 ± 4.8 minutes). The mean diameters of the resected specimens and tumors were 30.5 ± 4.9 and 26.0 ± 3.5 mm, respectively. No perforations occurred, while delayed bleeding occurred in 1 patient. In conclusion, hybrid ESD using a multifunctional snare enables easy, safe, and cost-effective resection of relatively large colorectal tumors to be achieved. UMIN000022545.

Calcification and associated physiological parameters during a stress event in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata.

PubMed

Moya, Aurélie; Ferrier-Pagès, Christine; Furla, Paola; Richier, Sophie; Tambutté, Eric; Allemand, Denis; Tambutté, Sylvie

2008-09-01

High calcification rates observed in reef coral organisms are due to the symbiotic relationship established between scleractinian corals and their photosynthetic dinoflagellates, commonly called zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae are known to enhance calcification in the light, a process referred as "light-enhanced calcification". The disruption of the relationship between corals and their zooxanthellae leads to bleaching. Bleaching is one of the major causes of the present decline of coral reefs related to climate change and anthropogenic activities. In our aquaria, corals experienced a chemical pollution leading to bleaching and ending with the death of corals. During the time course of this bleaching event, we measured multiple parameters and could evidence four major consecutive steps: 1) at month 1 (January 2005), the stress affected primarily the photosystem II machinery of zooxanthellae resulting in an immediate decrease of photosystem II efficiency, 2) at month 2, the stress affected the photosynthetic production of O2 by zooxanthellae and the rate of light calcification, 3) at month 3, there was a decrease in both light and dark calcification rates, the appearance of the first oxidative damage in the zooxanthellae, the disruption of symbiosis, 4) and finally the death of corals at month 6.

Adaptive Time Stepping for Transient Network Flow Simulation in Rocket Propulsion Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Majumdar, Alok K.; Ravindran, S. S.

2017-01-01

Fluid and thermal transients found in rocket propulsion systems such as propellant feedline system is a complex process involving fast phases followed by slow phases. Therefore their time accurate computation requires use of short time step initially followed by the use of much larger time step. Yet there are instances that involve fast-slow-fast phases. In this paper, we present a feedback control based adaptive time stepping algorithm, and discuss its use in network flow simulation of fluid and thermal transients. The time step is automatically controlled during the simulation by monitoring changes in certain key variables and by feedback. In order to demonstrate the viability of time adaptivity for engineering problems, we applied it to simulate water hammer and cryogenic chill down in pipelines. Our comparison and validation demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of this adaptive strategy.

The stepping behavior analysis of pedestrians from different age groups via a single-file experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Shuchao; Zhang, Jun; Song, Weiguo; Shi, Chang'an; Zhang, Ruifang

2018-03-01

The stepping behavior of pedestrians with different age compositions in single-file experiment is investigated in this paper. The relation between step length, step width and stepping time are analyzed by using the step measurement method based on the calculation of curvature of the trajectory. The relations of velocity-step width, velocity-step length and velocity-stepping time for different age groups are discussed and compared with previous studies. Finally effects of pedestrian gender and height on stepping laws and fundamental diagrams are analyzed. The study is helpful for understanding pedestrian dynamics of movement. Meanwhile, it offers experimental data to develop a microscopic model of pedestrian movement by considering stepping behavior.

Thirteen Hundred and Thirty Days. A Pilot Study of Teacher Time in Key Stage 1. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell, R. J.; Neill, S. St. J.

Ninety-five teachers in Key Stage 1 in England and Wales completed a questionnaire and records of time spent on work over a period of 14 consecutive days, resulting in detailed records of 1,330 days of teachers' time. The data are analyzed in terms of overall time spent on work; time distribution; and time spent specifically on teaching,…

Enzymatic conversion of sucrose to glucose and its anomerization by quantitative NMR spectroscopy: Application of a simple consecutive reaction rates approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Jaideep; Her, Cheenou; Krishnan, V. V.

2018-02-01

The anomerization of carbohydrates is an essential process that determines the relative stabilization of stereoisomers in an aqueous solution. In a typical real-time enzyme kinetics experiment, the substrate (sucrose) is converted to glucose and fructose by the enzyme invertase. The product (α-D-glucose) starts to convert to β-D-glucose immediately by hydrolysis. Though the anomerization process is independent of the enzyme catalysis, the progress curve describing the production of β-D-glucose from α-D-glucose is directly affected by the kinetics of consecutive reactions. When α-D-glucose is continually converted to β-D-glucose, by the enzymatic action, the time course of both α- and β-D-glucose is influenced by the enzyme kinetics. Thus, a reversible first-order rate equation is not adequate to model the reaction mechanism, leading to erroneous results on the rates of formation of the glucose anomers. In this manuscript, we incorporate an approximate method to address consecutive general reactions involving enzyme kinetics and first-order reaction processes. The utility of the approach is demonstrated in the real-time NMR measurement of the anomerization process of α-D-glucose (enzymatically produced from sucrose) to β-D-glucose, as a function of invertase enzyme concentration. Variable temperature experiments were used to estimate the thermodynamic parameters of the anomerization process and are consistent with literature values.

Structured learning for robotic surgery utilizing a proficiency score: a pilot study.

PubMed

Hung, Andrew J; Bottyan, Thomas; Clifford, Thomas G; Serang, Sarfaraz; Nakhoda, Zein K; Shah, Swar H; Yokoi, Hana; Aron, Monish; Gill, Inderbir S

2017-01-01

We evaluated feasibility and benefit of implementing structured learning in a robotics program. Furthermore, we assessed validity of a proficiency assessment tool for stepwise graduation. Teaching cases included robotic radical prostatectomy and partial nephrectomy. Procedure steps were categorized: basic, intermediate, and advanced. An assessment tool ["proficiency score" (PS)] was developed to evaluate ability to safely and autonomously complete a step. Graduation required a passing PS (PS ≥ 3) on three consecutive attempts. PS and validated global evaluative assessment of robotic skills (GEARS) were evaluated for completed steps. Linear regression was utilized to determine postgraduate year/PS relationship (construct validity). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient measured correlation between PS and GEARS evaluations (concurrent validity). Intraclass correlation (ICC) evaluated PS agreement between evaluator classes. Twenty-one robotic trainees participated within the pilot program, completing a median of 14 (2-69) cases each. Twenty-three study evaluators scored 14 (1-60) cases. Over 4 months, 229/294 (78 %) cases were designated "teaching" cases. Residents completed 91 % of possible evaluations; faculty completed 78 %. Verbal and quantitative feedback received by trainees increased significantly (p = 0.002, p < 0.001, respectively). Average PS increased with PGY (post-graduate year) for basic and intermediate steps (regression slopes: 0.402 (p < 0.0001), 0.323 (p < 0.0001), respectively) (construct validation). Overall, PS correlated highly with GEARS (ρ = 0.81, p < 0.0001) (concurrent validity). ICC was 0.77 (95 % CI 0.61-0.88) for resident evaluations. Structured learning can be implemented in an academic robotic program with high levels of trainee and evaluator participation, encouraging both quantitative and verbal feedback. A proficiency assessment tool developed for step-specific proficiency has construct and concurrent validity.

Association of activities of daily living with the load during step ascent motion in nursing home-residing elderly individuals.

PubMed

Masaki, Mitsuhiro; Ikezoe, Tome; Kamiya, Midori; Araki, Kojiro; Isono, Ryo; Kato, Takehiro; Kusano, Ken; Tanaka, Masayo; Sato, Syunsuke; Hirono, Tetsuya; Kita, Kiyoshi; Tsuboyama, Tadao; Ichihashi, Noriaki

2018-04-19

This study aimed to examine the association of independence in ADL with the loads during step ascent motion and other motor functions in 32 nursing home-residing elderly individuals. Independence in ADL was assessed by using the functional independence measure (FIM). The loads at the upper (i.e., pulling up) and lower (i.e., pushing up) levels during step ascent task was measured on a step ascent platform. Hip extensor, knee extensor, plantar flexor muscle, and quadriceps setting strengths; lower extremity agility using the stepping test; and hip and knee joint pain severities were measured. One-legged stance and functional reach distance for balance, and maximal walking speed, timed up-and-go (TUG) time, five-chair-stand time, and step ascent time were also measured to assess mobility. Stepwise regression analysis revealed that the load at pushing up during step ascent motion and TUG time were significant and independent determinants of FIM score. FIM score decreased with decreased the load at pushing up and increased TUG time. The study results suggest that depending on task specificity, both one step up task's push up peak load during step ascent motion and TUG, can partially explain ADL's FIM score in the nursing home-residing elderly individuals. Lower extremity muscle strength, agility, pain or balance measures did not add to the prediction.

Algorithm for Training a Recurrent Multilayer Perceptron

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parlos, Alexander G.; Rais, Omar T.; Menon, Sunil K.; Atiya, Amir F.

2004-01-01

An improved algorithm has been devised for training a recurrent multilayer perceptron (RMLP) for optimal performance in predicting the behavior of a complex, dynamic, and noisy system multiple time steps into the future. [An RMLP is a computational neural network with self-feedback and cross-talk (both delayed by one time step) among neurons in hidden layers]. Like other neural-network-training algorithms, this algorithm adjusts network biases and synaptic-connection weights according to a gradient-descent rule. The distinguishing feature of this algorithm is a combination of global feedback (the use of predictions as well as the current output value in computing the gradient at each time step) and recursiveness. The recursive aspect of the algorithm lies in the inclusion of the gradient of predictions at each time step with respect to the predictions at the preceding time step; this recursion enables the RMLP to learn the dynamics. It has been conjectured that carrying the recursion to even earlier time steps would enable the RMLP to represent a noisier, more complex system.

Newmark local time stepping on high-performance computing architectures

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

Rietmann, Max, E-mail: max.rietmann@erdw.ethz.ch; Institute of Geophysics, ETH Zurich; Grote, Marcus, E-mail: marcus.grote@unibas.ch

In multi-scale complex media, finite element meshes often require areas of local refinement, creating small elements that can dramatically reduce the global time-step for wave-propagation problems due to the CFL condition. Local time stepping (LTS) algorithms allow an explicit time-stepping scheme to adapt the time-step to the element size, allowing near-optimal time-steps everywhere in the mesh. We develop an efficient multilevel LTS-Newmark scheme and implement it in a widely used continuous finite element seismic wave-propagation package. In particular, we extend the standard LTS formulation with adaptations to continuous finite element methods that can be implemented very efficiently with very strongmore » element-size contrasts (more than 100x). Capable of running on large CPU and GPU clusters, we present both synthetic validation examples and large scale, realistic application examples to demonstrate the performance and applicability of the method and implementation on thousands of CPU cores and hundreds of GPUs.« less

In search of functional association from time-series microarray data based on the change trend and level of gene expression

PubMed Central

He, Feng; Zeng, An-Ping

2006-01-01

Background The increasing availability of time-series expression data opens up new possibilities to study functional linkages of genes. Present methods used to infer functional linkages between genes from expression data are mainly based on a point-to-point comparison. Change trends between consecutive time points in time-series data have been so far not well explored. Results In this work we present a new method based on extracting main features of the change trend and level of gene expression between consecutive time points. The method, termed as trend correlation (TC), includes two major steps: 1, calculating a maximal local alignment of change trend score by dynamic programming and a change trend correlation coefficient between the maximal matched change levels of each gene pair; 2, inferring relationships of gene pairs based on two statistical extraction procedures. The new method considers time shifts and inverted relationships in a similar way as the local clustering (LC) method but the latter is merely based on a point-to-point comparison. The TC method is demonstrated with data from yeast cell cycle and compared with the LC method and the widely used Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) based clustering method. The biological significance of the gene pairs is examined with several large-scale yeast databases. Although the TC method predicts an overall lower number of gene pairs than the other two methods at a same p-value threshold, the additional number of gene pairs inferred by the TC method is considerable: e.g. 20.5% compared with the LC method and 49.6% with the PCC method for a p-value threshold of 2.7E-3. Moreover, the percentage of the inferred gene pairs consistent with databases by our method is generally higher than the LC method and similar to the PCC method. A significant number of the gene pairs only inferred by the TC method are process-identity or function-similarity pairs or have well-documented biological interactions, including 443 known protein interactions and some known cell cycle related regulatory interactions. It should be emphasized that the overlapping of gene pairs detected by the three methods is normally not very high, indicating a necessity of combining the different methods in search of functional association of genes from time-series data. For a p-value threshold of 1E-5 the percentage of process-identity and function-similarity gene pairs among the shared part of the three methods reaches 60.2% and 55.6% respectively, building a good basis for further experimental and functional study. Furthermore, the combined use of methods is important to infer more complete regulatory circuits and network as exemplified in this study. Conclusion The TC method can significantly augment the current major methods to infer functional linkages and biological network and is well suitable for exploring temporal relationships of gene expression in time-series data. PMID:16478547

Interset stretching does not influence the kinematic profile of consecutive bench-press sets.

PubMed

García-López, David; Izquierdo, Mikel; Rodríguez, Sergio; González-Calvo, Gustavo; Sainz, Nuria; Abadía, Olaia; Herrero, Azael J

2010-05-01

This study was undertaken to examine the role of interset stretching on the time course of acceleration portion AP and mean velocity profile during the concentric phase of 2 bench-press sets with a submaximal load (60% of the 1 repetition maximum). Twenty-five college students carried out, in 3 different days, 2 consecutive bench-press sets leading to failure, performing between sets static stretching, ballistic stretching, or no stretching. Acceleration portion and lifting velocity patterns of the concentric phase were not altered during the second set, regardless of the stretching treatment performed. However, when velocity was expressed in absolute terms, static stretching reduced significantly (p <0.05) the average lifting velocity during the second set compared to the first one. Therefore, if maintenance of a high absolute velocity over consecutive sets is important for training-related adaptations, static stretching should be avoided or replaced by ballistic stretching.

Regulation of the catalytic behavior of pullulanases chelated onto nickel (II)-modified magnetic nanoparticles.

PubMed

Wang, Jianfeng; Liu, Zhongmei; Zhou, Zhemin

2017-06-01

Chelating of pullulanases onto nickel (II)-modified magnetic nanoparticles results in one-step purification and immobilization of pullulanase, and facilitates the commercial application of pullulanase in industrial scale. To improve the catalytic behavior, especially the operational stability, of the nanocatalyst in consecutive batch reactions, we prepared various iminodiacetic acid-modified magnetic nanoparticles differed in surface polarity and spacer length, on which the His6-tagged pullulanases were chelated via nickel ions, and then studied the correlation between the MNPs surface property and the corresponding catalyst behavior. When pullulanases were chelated onto the surface-modified MNPs, the thermostability of all pullulanase derivatives were lower than that of free counterpart, being not relevant to the protein orientation guided by the locality of the His6-tag, but related to the MNPs basal surface polarity and the grafted spacer length. After chelating of pullulanases onto MNPs, there were changes observed in the pH-activity profile and the apparent Michaelis constant toward pullulan. The changing tendencies were mainly dependent on the His6-tagged pullulanase orientation, and the changing extents were tuned by the spacer length. The reusability of pullulanase immobilized by N-terminal His6-tag was higher than that of pullulanase immobilized by C-terminal His6-tag. Moreover, the reusability of the immobilized pullulanase tested increased till grafting polyether amine-400 as spacer-arm, therefore the N-terminal His6-tagged pullulanase chelating MNPs grafted polyether amine-400 gave the best reusability, which retained 60% of initial activity after 18 consecutive cycles with a total reaction time of 9h. Additionally, the correlation analysis of the catalyst behaviors indicated that the reusability was independent from other catalytic properties such as thermostability and substrate affinity. All the results revealed that the catalyst behavior can be mainly controlled by the His6-tagged pullulanase orientation than by the MNPs surface property which can tune the catalyst function. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Kinetic dissection of individual steps in the poly(C)-directed oligoguanylate synthesis from guanosine 5'-monophosphate 2-methylimidazolide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kanavarioti, A.; Bernasconi, C. F.; Alberas, D. J.; Baird, E. E.

1993-01-01

A kinetic study of oligoguanylate synthesis on a polycytidylate template, poly(C), as a function of the concentration of the activated monomer, guanosine 5'-monophosphate 2-methylimidazolide, 2-MeImpG, is reported. Reactions were run with 0.005-0.045 M 2-MeImpG in the presence of 0.05 M poly(C) at 23 degrees C. The kinetic results are consistent with a reaction scheme (eq 1) that consists of a series of consecutive steps, each step representing the addition of one molecule of 2-MeImpG to the growing oligomer. This scheme allows the calculation of second-order rate constants for every step by analyzing the time-dependent growth of each oligomer. Computer simulations of the course of reaction based on the determined rate constants and eq 1 are in excellent agreement with the product distributions seen in the HPLC profiles. In accord with an earlier study (Fakhrai, H.; Inoue, T.; Orgel, L. E. Tetrahedron 1984, 40, 39), rate constants, ki, for the formation of the tetramer and longer oligomers up to the 16-mer were found to be independent of length and somewhat higher than k3 (formation of trimer), which in turn is much higher than k2 (formation of dimer). The ki (i > or = 4), k3, and k2 values are not true second-order rate constants but vary with monomer concentration. Mechanistic models for the dimerization (Scheme I) and elongation reactions (Scheme II) are proposed that are consistent with our results. These models take into account that the monomer associates with the template in a cooperative manner. Our kinetic analysis allowed the determination of rate constants for the elementary processes of covalent bond formation between two monomers (dimerization) and between an oligomer and a monomer (elongation) on the template. A major conclusion from our study is that bond formation between two monomer units or between a primer and a monomer is assisted by the presence of additional next-neighbor monomer units. This is consistent with recent findings with hairpin oligonucleotides (Wu, T.; Orgel, L. E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114, 317). Our study is the first of its kind that shows the feasibility of a thorough kinetic analysis of a template-directed oligomerization and provides a detailed mechanistic model of these reactions.

Ancient numerical daemons of conceptual hydrological modeling: 1. Fidelity and efficiency of time stepping schemes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clark, Martyn P.; Kavetski, Dmitri

2010-10-01

A major neglected weakness of many current hydrological models is the numerical method used to solve the governing model equations. This paper thoroughly evaluates several classes of time stepping schemes in terms of numerical reliability and computational efficiency in the context of conceptual hydrological modeling. Numerical experiments are carried out using 8 distinct time stepping algorithms and 6 different conceptual rainfall-runoff models, applied in a densely gauged experimental catchment, as well as in 12 basins with diverse physical and hydroclimatic characteristics. Results show that, over vast regions of the parameter space, the numerical errors of fixed-step explicit schemes commonly used in hydrology routinely dwarf the structural errors of the model conceptualization. This substantially degrades model predictions, but also, disturbingly, generates fortuitously adequate performance for parameter sets where numerical errors compensate for model structural errors. Simply running fixed-step explicit schemes with shorter time steps provides a poor balance between accuracy and efficiency: in some cases daily-step adaptive explicit schemes with moderate error tolerances achieved comparable or higher accuracy than 15 min fixed-step explicit approximations but were nearly 10 times more efficient. From the range of simple time stepping schemes investigated in this work, the fixed-step implicit Euler method and the adaptive explicit Heun method emerge as good practical choices for the majority of simulation scenarios. In combination with the companion paper, where impacts on model analysis, interpretation, and prediction are assessed, this two-part study vividly highlights the impact of numerical errors on critical performance aspects of conceptual hydrological models and provides practical guidelines for robust numerical implementation.

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

Amaro, C.R.

This report describes animal dosimetry studies and phantom measurements. During 1994, 12 dogs were irradiated at BMRR as part of a 4 fraction dose tolerance study. The animals were first infused with BSH and irradiated daily for 4 consecutive days. BNL irradiated 2 beagles as part of their dose tolerance study using BPA fructose. In addition, a dog at WSU was irradiated at BMRR after an infusion of BPA fructose. During 1994, the INEL BNCT dosimetry team measured neutron flux and gamma dose profiles in two phantoms exposed to the epithermal neutron beam at the BMRR. These measurements were performedmore » as a preparatory step to the commencement of human clinical trials in progress at the BMRR.« less

Methoxy-Directed Aryl-to-Aryl 1,3-Rhodium Migration

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jing; Liu, Jun-Feng; Ugrinov, Angel; Pillai, Anthony F. X.; Sun, Zhong-Ming; Zhao, Pinjing

2015-01-01

Through-space metal/hydrogen shift is an important strategy for transition metal-catalyzed C-H bond activation. Here we describe the synthesis and characterization of a Rh(I) 2,6-dimethoxybenzoate complex that underwent stoichiometric rearrangement via a highly unusual 1,3- rhodium migration. This aryl-to-aryl 1,3-Rh/H shift was also demonstrated in a Rh(I)-catalyzed decarboxylative conjugate addition to form a C-C bond at a meta position instead of the ipso-carboxyl position. A deuterium-labeling study under the conditions of Rh(I)-catalyzed protodecarboxylation revealed the involvement of an ortho-methoxy group in a multi-step pathway of consecutive sp3 and sp2 C-H bond activations. PMID:24171626

Fast algorithm for wavefront reconstruction in XAO/SCAO with pyramid wavefront sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shatokhina, Iuliia; Obereder, Andreas; Ramlau, Ronny

2014-08-01

We present a fast wavefront reconstruction algorithm developed for an extreme adaptive optics system equipped with a pyramid wavefront sensor on a 42m telescope. The method is called the Preprocessed Cumulative Reconstructor with domain decomposition (P-CuReD). The algorithm is based on the theoretical relationship between pyramid and Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor data. The algorithm consists of two consecutive steps - a data preprocessing, and an application of the CuReD algorithm, which is a fast method for wavefront reconstruction from Shack-Hartmann sensor data. The closed loop simulation results show that the P-CuReD method provides the same reconstruction quality and is significantly faster than an MVM.

[Evaluation of the principles of distribution of electrocardiographic R-R intervals for elaboration of methods of automated diagnosis of cardiac rhythm disorders].

PubMed

Tsukerman, B M; Finkel'shteĭn, I E

1987-07-01

A statistical analysis of prolonged ECG records has been carried out in patients with various heart rhythm and conductivity disorders. The distribution of absolute R-R duration values and relationships between adjacent intervals have been examined. A two-step algorithm has been constructed that excludes anomalous and "suspicious" intervals from a sample of consecutively recorded R-R intervals, until only the intervals between contractions of veritably sinus origin remain in the sample. The algorithm has been developed into a programme for microcomputer Electronica NC-80. It operates reliably even in cases of complex combined rhythm and conductivity disorders.

Long-range 1H-1H NMR correlation: extending connectivities to remote bonds via an intermediate heterospin.

PubMed

Parella, Teodor; Espinosa, Juan Félix

2008-05-01

An out-and-stay 2D proton-proton NMR correlation experiment is proposed to detect long-range proton-proton connectivities up to six and seven bonds away. The magnetization flow pathway is based on a consecutive, dual-step J(CH)-transfer mechanism and it allows one to trace out (1)H-(1)H connectivities between protons belonging to different spin systems. This novel experimental scheme will be particularly useful in cases when carbon resonances overlap, providing connectivity information that could not be obtained in a HMBC experiment. The success of the experiment is demonstrated in the structural studies of a wide variety of chemical compounds. 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Non destructive defect detection by spectral density analysis.

PubMed

Krejcar, Ondrej; Frischer, Robert

2011-01-01

The potential nondestructive diagnostics of solid objects is discussed in this article. The whole process is accomplished by consecutive steps involving software analysis of the vibration power spectrum (eventually acoustic emissions) created during the normal operation of the diagnosed device or under unexpected situations. Another option is to create an artificial pulse, which can help us to determine the actual state of the diagnosed device. The main idea of this method is based on the analysis of the current power spectrum density of the received signal and its postprocessing in the Matlab environment with a following sample comparison in the Statistica software environment. The last step, which is comparison of samples, is the most important, because it is possible to determine the status of the examined object at a given time. Nowadays samples are compared only visually, but this method can't produce good results. Further the presented filter can choose relevant data from a huge group of data, which originate from applying FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). On the other hand, using this approach they can be subjected to analysis with the assistance of a neural network. If correct and high-quality starting data are provided to the initial network, we are able to analyze other samples and state in which condition a certain object is. The success rate of this approximation, based on our testing of the solution, is now 85.7%. With further improvement of the filter, it could be even greater. Finally it is possible to detect defective conditions or upcoming limiting states of examined objects/materials by using only one device which contains HW and SW parts. This kind of detection can provide significant financial savings in certain cases (such as continuous casting of iron where it could save hundreds of thousands of USD).

Lean body mass, physical activity and quality of life in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease and in healthy controls.

PubMed

Werkstetter, Katharina J; Ullrich, Jennifer; Schatz, Stephanie B; Prell, Christine; Koletzko, Berthold; Koletzko, Sibylle

2012-07-01

Physical activity is important for muscle and bone strength in the growing child and may be impaired in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) even during quiescent disease. The SenseWearPro(2) armband allows to measure physical activity under everyday life conditions. Thirty-nine IBD patients (27 Crohn's disease, 12 ulcerative colitis, 24 boys) in remission (n=26) or with only mild disease activity (n=13) were compared to 39 healthy age and sex-matched controls. Body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), lean body mass as phase angle α (determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis), and dynamometric grip force were expressed as age- and sex-related Z-scores. SenseWearPro(2) armbands were applied for three consecutive days to record number of steps, duration of physical activity and sleeping time. Quality of life was assessed with the German KINDL and IMPACT III questionnaires, energy intake with prospective food protocols. Differences between patients and pair-matched controls were analysed by paired t-test. Patients showed lower Z-scores for phase angle α (difference -0.72; 95% CI [-1.10; -0.34]) and lower grip strength (-1.02 [-1.58; -0.47]) than controls. They tended towards lesser number of steps per day (-1339 [-2760; 83]) and shorter duration of physical activity (-0.44 h [-0.94; 0.06]), particularly in females and patients with mild disease. Quality of life and energy intake did not differ between patients and controls. In spite of quiescent disease lean body mass and physical activity were reduced. Interventions to encourage physical activity may be beneficial in this lifelong disease. Copyright © 2011 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Temporal Relations in Daily-Reported Maternal Mood and Disruptive Child Behavior

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elgar, Frank J.; Waschbusch, Daniel A.; McGrath, Patrick J.; Stewart, Sherry H.; Curtis, Lori J.

2004-01-01

Examined temporal relations between maternal mood and disruptive child behaviour using daily assessments of 30 mother-child dyads carried out over 8 consecutive weeks (623 pooled observations). Pooled time-series analyses showed synchronous fluctuation in child behaviour and maternal distress. Time-lagged models showed temporal relations between…

28 CFR 2.36 - Rescission guidelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... the customary time to be served for such behavior which shall be added to the time required by the... presumptive or effective date. If a new concurrent or consecutive sentence is imposed for such behavior, these... considered in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. (2) Escape/new criminal behavior in a prison...

28 CFR 2.36 - Rescission guidelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... the customary time to be served for such behavior which shall be added to the time required by the... presumptive or effective date. If a new concurrent or consecutive sentence is imposed for such behavior, these... considered in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. (2) Escape/new criminal behavior in a prison...

28 CFR 2.36 - Rescission guidelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... the customary time to be served for such behavior which shall be added to the time required by the... presumptive or effective date. If a new concurrent or consecutive sentence is imposed for such behavior, these... considered in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. (2) Escape/new criminal behavior in a prison...

28 CFR 2.36 - Rescission guidelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... the customary time to be served for such behavior which shall be added to the time required by the... presumptive or effective date. If a new concurrent or consecutive sentence is imposed for such behavior, these... considered in accordance with the guidelines set forth below. (2) Escape/new criminal behavior in a prison...

Comparing an annual and daily time-step model for predicting field-scale phosphorus loss

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Numerous models exist for describing phosphorus (P) losses from agricultural fields. The complexity of these models varies considerably ranging from simple empirically-based annual time-step models to more complex process-based daily time step models. While better accuracy is often assumed with more...

Effects of the lateral amplitude and regularity of upper body fluctuation on step time variability evaluated using return map analysis

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the lateral amplitude and regularity of upper body fluctuation on step time variability. Return map analysis was used to clarify the relationship between step time variability and a history of falling. Eleven healthy, community-dwelling older adults and twelve younger adults participated in the study. All of the subjects walked 25 m at a comfortable speed. Trunk acceleration was measured using triaxial accelerometers attached to the third lumbar vertebrae (L3) and the seventh cervical vertebrae (C7). The normalized average magnitude of acceleration, the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of the return map, and the step time variabilities, were calculated. Cluster analysis using the average fluctuation and the regularity of C7 fluctuation identified four walking patterns in the mediolateral (ML) direction. The participants with higher fluctuation and lower regularity showed significantly greater step time variability compared with the others. Additionally, elderly participants who had fallen in the past year had higher amplitude and a lower regularity of fluctuation during walking. In conclusion, by focusing on the time evolution of each step, it is possible to understand the cause of stride and/or step time variability that is associated with a risk of falls. PMID:28700633

Effects of the lateral amplitude and regularity of upper body fluctuation on step time variability evaluated using return map analysis.

PubMed

Chidori, Kazuhiro; Yamamoto, Yuji

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the lateral amplitude and regularity of upper body fluctuation on step time variability. Return map analysis was used to clarify the relationship between step time variability and a history of falling. Eleven healthy, community-dwelling older adults and twelve younger adults participated in the study. All of the subjects walked 25 m at a comfortable speed. Trunk acceleration was measured using triaxial accelerometers attached to the third lumbar vertebrae (L3) and the seventh cervical vertebrae (C7). The normalized average magnitude of acceleration, the coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of the return map, and the step time variabilities, were calculated. Cluster analysis using the average fluctuation and the regularity of C7 fluctuation identified four walking patterns in the mediolateral (ML) direction. The participants with higher fluctuation and lower regularity showed significantly greater step time variability compared with the others. Additionally, elderly participants who had fallen in the past year had higher amplitude and a lower regularity of fluctuation during walking. In conclusion, by focusing on the time evolution of each step, it is possible to understand the cause of stride and/or step time variability that is associated with a risk of falls.

A high-order relaxation method with projective integration for solving nonlinear systems of hyperbolic conservation laws

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lafitte, Pauline; Melis, Ward; Samaey, Giovanni

2017-07-01

We present a general, high-order, fully explicit relaxation scheme which can be applied to any system of nonlinear hyperbolic conservation laws in multiple dimensions. The scheme consists of two steps. In a first (relaxation) step, the nonlinear hyperbolic conservation law is approximated by a kinetic equation with stiff BGK source term. Then, this kinetic equation is integrated in time using a projective integration method. After taking a few small (inner) steps with a simple, explicit method (such as direct forward Euler) to damp out the stiff components of the solution, the time derivative is estimated and used in an (outer) Runge-Kutta method of arbitrary order. We show that, with an appropriate choice of inner step size, the time step restriction on the outer time step is similar to the CFL condition for the hyperbolic conservation law. Moreover, the number of inner time steps is also independent of the stiffness of the BGK source term. We discuss stability and consistency, and illustrate with numerical results (linear advection, Burgers' equation and the shallow water and Euler equations) in one and two spatial dimensions.

A novel one-step Helicobacter pylori saliva antigen test.

PubMed

Yang, Bi-Ling; Yeh, Chun; Kwong, Wei-Gang; Lee, Shou-Dong

2015-02-01

A rapid, reliable, and sufficiently accurate test for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection is required for screening dyspeptic patients before a referral for endoscopy. The purpose of this article is two-fold: first, to evaluate the accuracy of a one-step H. pylori saliva antigen (HPS) test; and second, to compare noninvasive and invasive H. pylori tests in Taiwanese population. A total of 104 consecutive dyspeptic patients admitted for gastroenterology into the outpatient department underwent a one-step HPS test, rapid urease test, histology, and (13)C-urea breath test (13)C-UBT (proto C-13 urea kit). The accuracy of the HPS test was compared with a gold standard defined by at least two positive H. pylori test results from three H. pylori tests (histology, rapid urease test, and (13)C-UBT). The 104 patients eligible for analysis (mean age: 58 years, range 22-87 years), 21 (20%) were gold standard positive. Among them, the positive of the one-step H. pylori saliva Ag test, rapid urease test, (13)C-UBT, histology were (52; 50%), (17; 16%), (27; 25%) and (22; 21%) respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the HPS tests, rapid urease test, (13)C-UBTs, and histology were 71.43% and 55.42%, 76.19% and 98.80%, 100% and 92.77%, and 85.71% and 95.18%, respectively, relative to the gold standard. The one-step HPS test exhibited a sensitivity of 71.43%, nearly equivalent to that of the rapid urea test. The one-step HPS test exhibited a high sensitivity and low specificity compared with the other tests, indicating that it is not sufficiently accurate for use in a clinical setting for diagnosing H. pylori infection. However, the test is simple to use (requiring only a saliva sample), inexpensive, and noninvasive in its application, and thus appealing for use in population-based prevalence surveys of the epidemiology of H. pylori infection. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.

An effective repetitive training schedule to achieve skill proficiency using a novel robotic virtual reality simulator.

PubMed

Kang, Sung Gu; Ryu, Byung Ju; Yang, Kyung Sook; Ko, Young Hwii; Cho, Seok; Kang, Seok Ho; Patel, Vipul R; Cheon, Jun

2015-01-01

A robotic virtual reality simulator (Mimic dV-Trainer) can be a useful training method for the da Vinci surgical system. Herein, we investigate several repetitive training schedules and determine which is the most effective. A total of 30 medical students were enrolled and were divided into 3 groups according to the training schedule. Group 1 performed the task 1 hour daily for 4 consecutive days, group II performed the task on once per week for 1 hour for 4 consecutive weeks, and group III performed the task for 4 consecutive hours in 1 day. The effects of training were investigated by analyzing the number of repetitions and the time required to complete the "Tube 2" simulation task when the learning curve plateau was reached. The point at which participants reached a stable score was evaluated using the cumulative sum control graph. The average time to complete the task at the learning curve plateau was 150.3 seconds in group I, 171.9 seconds in group II, and 188.5 seconds in group III. The number of task repetitions required to reach the learning curve plateau was 45 repetitions in group I, 36 repetitions in group II, and 39 repetitions in group III. Therefore, there was continuous improvement in the time required to perform the task after 40 repetitions in group I only. There was a significant correlation between improvement in each trial interval and attempt, and the correlation coefficient (0.924) in group I was higher than that in group II (0.899) and group III (0.838). Daily 1-hour practice sessions performed for 4 consecutive days resulted in the best final score, continuous score improvement, and effective training while minimizing fatigue. This repetition schedule can be used for effectively training novices in future. Copyright © 2015 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Can an app help identify psychomotor function impairments during drinking occasions in the real world? A mixed-method pilot study.

PubMed

Suffoletto, Brian; Goyal, Akash; Puyana, Juan Carlos; Chung, Tammy

2017-01-01

Being able to measure the acute effects of alcohol consumption on psychomotor functions in natural settings could be useful in injury prevention interventions. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of collecting app-based measures of information processing, working memory, and gait stability during times of typical alcohol consumption among young adults. Ten young adults (aged 21-26) with hazardous drinking completed a baseline assessment and ecological momentary assessments (EMA) on 4 consecutive Fridays and Saturdays, every hour from 8 pm to 12 am. EMA assessed alcohol consumption and perceived intoxication, followed by a digit symbol substitution task (DSST), a visuospatial working memory task (VSWMT), and a 5-step tandem gait task (TGT). Exit interviews probed user experiences. Multilevel models explored relationships between estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC; mg/dL) and DSST and VSWMT performance. Participants completed 32% of EMA. Higher rates of noninitiation occurred later in the evening and over time. In multilevel models, higher eBAC was associated with lower DSST scores. Eight out of 10 individuals had at least 1 drinking occasion when they did not perceive any intoxication. Lower DSST scores would identify impairment in 45% of these occasions. Exit interviews indicated that adding real-time feedback on task performance could increase awareness of alcohol effects. Collecting app-based psychomotor performance data from young adults during drinking occasions is feasible and acceptable, but strategies to reduce barriers to task initiation are needed. Mobile DSST is sensitive to eBAC levels and could identify occasions when an individual may not perceive impairments.

Physical activity decreased by a quarter in the 11- to 12-year-old Swedish boys between 2000 and 2013 but was stable in girls: a smartphone effect?

PubMed

Raustorp, Anders; Pagels, Peter; Fröberg, Andreas; Boldemann, Cecilia

2015-08-01

This study explored physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and overweight and obesity from 2000 to 2013 using a convenience sample of second- and fifth-grade Swedish schoolchildren aged 8-9 years and 11-12 years, respectively. We examined cross-sectional cohorts of 126 second-grade children in 2000, 84 in 2006 and 44 in 2013 and 105 fifth-grade children in 2000 and 38 in 2013. No fifth graders were available in 2006. Physical activity data were collected based on pedometer readings over four consecutive weekdays, and height and weight were measured. Identical instruments and procedures were used in all three years. There was an increase in physical activity in second-grade girls from 2000 to 2006 (p < 0.01), which then stabilised between 2006 and 2013, but second-grade boys and fifth-grade girls were stable throughout the study period. Fifth-grade boys decreased significantly (24%) from 16 670 to 12 704 steps per day (p < 0.01) from 2000 to 2013. Mean BMI scores remained stable over time. Time trends in physical activity differed between boys and girls. Second-grade boys and fifth-grade girls were stable throughout, whereas second-grade girls increased from 2000 to 2006 before stabilising. Fifth-grade boys showed a significant 24% reduction from 2000 to 2013. Changes in recess and leisure time habits, such as smartphone use, may have influenced the result. ©2015 Foundation Acta Paediatrica. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Retrieval practice enhances the ability to evaluate complex physiology information.

PubMed

Dobson, John; Linderholm, Tracy; Perez, Jose

2018-05-01

Many investigations have shown that retrieval practice enhances the recall of different types of information, including both medical and physiological, but the effects of the strategy on higher-order thinking, such as evaluation, are less clear. The primary aim of this study was to compare how effectively retrieval practice and repeated studying (i.e. reading) strategies facilitated the evaluation of two research articles that advocated dissimilar conclusions. A secondary aim was to determine if that comparison was affected by using those same strategies to first learn important contextual information about the articles. Participants were randomly assigned to learn three texts that provided background information about the research articles either by studying them four consecutive times (Text-S) or by studying and then retrieving them two consecutive times (Text-R). Half of both the Text-S and Text-R groups were then randomly assigned to learn two physiology research articles by studying them four consecutive times (Article-S) and the other half learned them by studying and then retrieving them two consecutive times (Article-R). Participants then completed two assessments: the first tested their ability to critique the research articles and the second tested their recall of the background texts. On the article critique assessment, the Article-R groups' mean scores of 33.7 ± 4.7% and 35.4 ± 4.5% (Text-R then Article-R group and Text-S then Article-R group, respectively) were both significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the two Article-S mean scores of 19.5 ± 4.4% and 21.7 ± 2.9% (Text-S then Article-S group and Text-R then Article-S group, respectively). There was no difference between the two Article-R groups on the article critique assessment, indicating those scores weren't affected by the different contextual learning strategies. Retrieval practice promoted superior critical evaluation of the research articles, and the results also indicated the strategy enhanced the recall of background information. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and The Association for the Study of Medical Education.

Real-time temperature monitoring during radiofrequency treatments on ex-vivo animal model by fiber Bragg grating sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Palumbo, Giovanna; Tosi, Daniele; Schena, Emiliano; Massaroni, Carlo; Ippolito, Juliet; Verze, Paolo; Carlomagno, Nicola; Tammaro, Vincenzo; Iadicicco, Agostino; Campopiano, Stefania

2017-05-01

Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors applied to bio-medical procedures such as surgery and rehabilitation are a valid alternative to traditional sensing techniques due to their unique characteristics. Herein we propose the use of FBG sensor arrays for accurate real-time temperature measurements during multi-step RadioFrequency Ablation (RFA) based thermal tumor treatment. Real-time temperature monitoring in the RF-applied region represents a valid feedback for the success of the thermo-ablation procedure. In order to create a thermal multi-point map around the tumor area to be treated, a proper sensing configuration was developed. In particular, the RF probe of a commercial medical instrumentation, has been equipped with properly packaged FBGs sensors. Moreover, in order to discriminate the treatment areas to be ablated as precisely as possible, a second array 3.5 cm long, made by several FBGs was used. The results of the temperature measurements during the RFA experiments conducted on ex-vivo animal liver and kidney tissues are presented herein. The proposed FBGs based solution has proven to be capable of distinguish different and consecutive discharges and for each of them, to measure the temperature profile with a resolution of 0.1 °C and a minimum spatial resolution of 5mm. Based upon our experiments, it is possible to confirm that the temperature decreases with distance from a RF peak ablation, in accordance with RF theory. The proposed solution promises to be very useful for the surgeon because a real-time temperature feedback allows for the adaptation of RFA parameters during surgery and better delineates the area under treatment.

Hospital daily outpatient visits forecasting using a combinatorial model based on ARIMA and SES models.

PubMed

Luo, Li; Luo, Le; Zhang, Xinli; He, Xiaoli

2017-07-10

Accurate forecasting of hospital outpatient visits is beneficial for the reasonable planning and allocation of healthcare resource to meet the medical demands. In terms of the multiple attributes of daily outpatient visits, such as randomness, cyclicity and trend, time series methods, ARIMA, can be a good choice for outpatient visits forecasting. On the other hand, the hospital outpatient visits are also affected by the doctors' scheduling and the effects are not pure random. Thinking about the impure specialty, this paper presents a new forecasting model that takes cyclicity and the day of the week effect into consideration. We formulate a seasonal ARIMA (SARIMA) model on a daily time series and then a single exponential smoothing (SES) model on the day of the week time series, and finally establish a combinatorial model by modifying them. The models are applied to 1 year of daily visits data of urban outpatients in two internal medicine departments of a large hospital in Chengdu, for forecasting the daily outpatient visits about 1 week ahead. The proposed model is applied to forecast the cross-sectional data for 7 consecutive days of daily outpatient visits over an 8-weeks period based on 43 weeks of observation data during 1 year. The results show that the two single traditional models and the combinatorial model are simplicity of implementation and low computational intensiveness, whilst being appropriate for short-term forecast horizons. Furthermore, the combinatorial model can capture the comprehensive features of the time series data better. Combinatorial model can achieve better prediction performance than the single model, with lower residuals variance and small mean of residual errors which needs to be optimized deeply on the next research step.

A two steps solution approach to solving large nonlinear models: application to a problem of conjunctive use.

PubMed

Vieira, J; Cunha, M C

2011-01-01

This article describes a solution method of solving large nonlinear problems in two steps. The two steps solution approach takes advantage of handling smaller and simpler models and having better starting points to improve solution efficiency. The set of nonlinear constraints (named as complicating constraints) which makes the solution of the model rather complex and time consuming is eliminated from step one. The complicating constraints are added only in the second step so that a solution of the complete model is then found. The solution method is applied to a large-scale problem of conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater resources. The results obtained are compared with solutions determined with the direct solve of the complete model in one single step. In all examples the two steps solution approach allowed a significant reduction of the computation time. This potential gain of efficiency of the two steps solution approach can be extremely important for work in progress and it can be particularly useful for cases where the computation time would be a critical factor for having an optimized solution in due time.

Numerical Prediction of CCV in a PFI Engine using a Parallel LES Approach

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

Ameen, Muhsin M; Mirzaeian, Mohsen; Millo, Federico

Cycle-to-cycle variability (CCV) is detrimental to IC engine operation and can lead to partial burn, misfire, and knock. Predicting CCV numerically is extremely challenging due to two key reasons. Firstly, high-fidelity methods such as large eddy simulation (LES) are required to accurately resolve the incylinder turbulent flowfield both spatially and temporally. Secondly, CCV is experienced over long timescales and hence the simulations need to be performed for hundreds of consecutive cycles. Ameen et al. (Int. J. Eng. Res., 2017) developed a parallel perturbation model (PPM) approach to dissociate this long time-scale problem into several shorter timescale problems. The strategy ismore » to perform multiple single-cycle simulations in parallel by effectively perturbing the initial velocity field based on the intensity of the in-cylinder turbulence. This strategy was demonstrated for motored engine and it was shown that the mean and variance of the in-cylinder flowfield was captured reasonably well by this approach. In the present study, this PPM approach is extended to simulate the CCV in a fired port-fuel injected (PFI) SI engine. Two operating conditions are considered – a medium CCV operating case corresponding to 2500 rpm and 16 bar BMEP and a low CCV case corresponding to 4000 rpm and 12 bar BMEP. The predictions from this approach are also shown to be similar to the consecutive LES cycles. Both the consecutive and PPM LES cycles are observed to under-predict the variability in the early stage of combustion. The parallel approach slightly underpredicts the cyclic variability at all stages of combustion as compared to the consecutive LES cycles. However, it is shown that the parallel approach is able to predict the coefficient of variation (COV) of the in-cylinder pressure and burn rate related parameters with sufficient accuracy, and is also able to predict the qualitative trends in CCV with changing operating conditions. The convergence of the statistics predicted by the PPM approach with respect to the number of consecutive cycles required for each parallel simulation is also investigated. It is shown that this new approach is able to give accurate predictions of the CCV in fired engines in less than one-tenth of the time required for the conventional approach of simulating consecutive engine cycles.« less

Spatial and Temporal Control Contribute to Step Length Asymmetry during Split-Belt Adaptation and Hemiparetic Gait

PubMed Central

Finley, James M.; Long, Andrew; Bastian, Amy J.; Torres-Oviedo, Gelsy

2014-01-01

Background Step length asymmetry (SLA) is a common hallmark of gait post-stroke. Though conventionally viewed as a spatial deficit, SLA can result from differences in where the feet are placed relative to the body (spatial strategy), the timing between foot-strikes (step time strategy), or the velocity of the body relative to the feet (step velocity strategy). Objective The goal of this study was to characterize the relative contributions of each of these strategies to SLA. Methods We developed an analytical model that parses SLA into independent step position, step time, and step velocity contributions. This model was validated by reproducing SLA values for twenty-five healthy participants when their natural symmetric gait was perturbed on a split-belt treadmill moving at either a 2:1 or 3:1 belt-speed ratio. We then applied the validated model to quantify step position, step time, and step velocity contributions to SLA in fifteen stroke survivors while walking at their self-selected speed. Results SLA was predicted precisely by summing the derived contributions, regardless of the belt-speed ratio. Although the contributions to SLA varied considerably across our sample of stroke survivors, the step position contribution tended to oppose the other two – possibly as an attempt to minimize the overall SLA. Conclusions Our results suggest that changes in where the feet are placed or changes in interlimb timing could be used as compensatory strategies to reduce overall SLA in stroke survivors. These results may allow clinicians and researchers to identify patient-specific gait abnormalities and personalize their therapeutic approaches accordingly. PMID:25589580

Cut-off values for step count and TV viewing time as discriminators of hyperglycaemia in Brazilian children and adolescents.

PubMed

Gordia, Alex Pinheiro; Quadros, Teresa Maria Bianchini de; Silva, Luciana Rodrigues; Mota, Jorge

2016-09-01

The use of step count and TV viewing time to discriminate youngsters with hyperglycaemia is still a matter of debate. To establish cut-off values for step count and TV viewing time in children and adolescents using glycaemia as the reference criterion. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1044 schoolchildren aged 6-18 years from Northeastern Brazil. Daily step counts were assessed with a pedometer over 1 week and TV viewing time by self-report. The area under the curve (AUC) ranged from 0.52-0.61 for step count and from 0.49-0.65 for TV viewing time. The daily step count with the highest discriminatory power for hyperglycaemia was 13 884 (sensitivity = 77.8; specificity = 51.8) for male children and 12 371 (sensitivity = 55.6; specificity = 55.5) and 11 292 (sensitivity = 57.7; specificity = 48.6) for female children and adolescents respectively. The cut-off for TV viewing time with the highest discriminatory capacity for hyperglycaemia was 3 hours/day (sensitivity = 57.7-77.8; specificity = 48.6-53.2). This study represents the first step for the development of criteria based on cardiometabolic risk factors for step count and TV viewing time in youngsters. However, the present cut-off values have limited practical application because of their poor accuracy and low sensitivity and specificity.

Scheduling in the context of resident duty hour reform

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Fuelled by concerns about resident health and patient safety, there is a general trend in many jurisdictions toward limiting the maximum duration of consecutive work to between 14 and 16 hours. The goal of this article is to assist institutions and residency programs to make a smooth transition from the previous 24- to 36-hour call system to this new model. We will first give an overview of the main types of coverage systems and their relative merits when considering various aspects of patient care and resident pedagogy. We will then suggest a practical step-by-step approach to designing, implementing, and monitoring a scheduling system centred on clinical and educational needs in the context of resident duty hour reform. The importance of understanding the impetus for change and of assessing the need for overall workflow restructuring will be explored throughout this process. Finally, as a practical example, we will describe a large, university-based teaching hospital network’s transition from a traditional call-based system to a novel schedule that incorporates the new 16-hour duty limit. PMID:25561221

A thioacidolysis method tailored for higher‐throughput quantitative analysis of lignin monomers

PubMed Central

Foster, Cliff; Happs, Renee M.; Doeppke, Crissa; Meunier, Kristoffer; Gehan, Jackson; Yue, Fengxia; Lu, Fachuang; Davis, Mark F.

2016-01-01

Abstract Thioacidolysis is a method used to measure the relative content of lignin monomers bound by β‐O‐4 linkages. Current thioacidolysis methods are low‐throughput as they require tedious steps for reaction product concentration prior to analysis using standard GC methods. A quantitative thioacidolysis method that is accessible with general laboratory equipment and uses a non‐chlorinated organic solvent and is tailored for higher‐throughput analysis is reported. The method utilizes lignin arylglycerol monomer standards for calibration, requires 1–2 mg of biomass per assay and has been quantified using fast‐GC techniques including a Low Thermal Mass Modular Accelerated Column Heater (LTM MACH). Cumbersome steps, including standard purification, sample concentrating and drying have been eliminated to help aid in consecutive day‐to‐day analyses needed to sustain a high sample throughput for large screening experiments without the loss of quantitation accuracy. The method reported in this manuscript has been quantitatively validated against a commonly used thioacidolysis method and across two different research sites with three common biomass varieties to represent hardwoods, softwoods, and grasses. PMID:27534715

Complex network analysis of brain functional connectivity under a multi-step cognitive task

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cai, Shi-Min; Chen, Wei; Liu, Dong-Bai; Tang, Ming; Chen, Xun

2017-01-01

Functional brain network has been widely studied to understand the relationship between brain organization and behavior. In this paper, we aim to explore the functional connectivity of brain network under a multi-step cognitive task involving consecutive behaviors, and further understand the effect of behaviors on the brain organization. The functional brain networks are constructed based on a high spatial and temporal resolution fMRI dataset and analyzed via complex network based approach. We find that at voxel level the functional brain network shows robust small-worldness and scale-free characteristics, while its assortativity and rich-club organization are slightly restricted to the order of behaviors performed. More interestingly, the functional connectivity of brain network in activated ROIs strongly correlates with behaviors and is obviously restricted to the order of behaviors performed. These empirical results suggest that the brain organization has the generic properties of small-worldness and scale-free characteristics, and its diverse functional connectivity emerging from activated ROIs is strongly driven by these behavioral activities via the plasticity of brain.

Integrated DNA and RNA extraction and purification on an automated microfluidic cassette from bacterial and viral pathogens causing community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections.

PubMed

Van Heirstraeten, Liesbet; Spang, Peter; Schwind, Carmen; Drese, Klaus S; Ritzi-Lehnert, Marion; Nieto, Benjamin; Camps, Marta; Landgraf, Bryan; Guasch, Francesc; Corbera, Antoni Homs; Samitier, Josep; Goossens, Herman; Malhotra-Kumar, Surbhi; Roeser, Tina

2014-05-07

In this paper, we describe the development of an automated sample preparation procedure for etiological agents of community-acquired lower respiratory tract infections (CA-LRTI). The consecutive assay steps, including sample re-suspension, pre-treatment, lysis, nucleic acid purification, and concentration, were integrated into a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) cassette that is operated hands-free by a demonstrator setup, providing fluidic and valve actuation. The performance of the assay was evaluated on viral and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial broth cultures previously sampled using a nasopharyngeal swab. Sample preparation on the microfluidic cassette resulted in higher or similar concentrations of pure bacterial DNA or viral RNA compared to manual benchtop experiments. The miniaturization and integration of the complete sample preparation procedure, to extract purified nucleic acids from real samples of CA-LRTI pathogens to, and above, lab quality and efficiency, represent important steps towards its application in a point-of-care test (POCT) for rapid diagnosis of CA-LRTI.

Thermodynamic and electron paramagnetic resonance characterization of flavin in succinate dehydrogenase.

PubMed

Ohnishi, T; King, T E; Salerno, J C; Blum, H; Bowyer, J R; Maida, T

1981-06-10

Thermodynamic parameters of succinate dehydrogenase flavin were determined potentiometrically from the analysis of free radical signal levels as a function of the oxidation-reduction potential. Midpoint redox potentials of consecutive 1-electron transfer steps are -127 and -31 mV at pH 7.0. This corresponds to a stability constant of intermediate stability, 2.5 x 10(-2), which suggests flavin itself may be a converter from n = 2 to n = 1 electron transfer steps. The pK values of the free radical (FlH . in equilibrium Fl . -) and the fully reduced form (FlH2 in equilibrium FlH-) were estimated as 8.0 +/- 0.2 and 7.7 +/- 0.2, respectively. Succinate dehydrogenase flavosemiquinone elicits an EPR spectrum at g = 2.00 with a peak to peak width of 1.2 mT even in the protonated form, suggesting the delocalization in the unpaired electron density. A close proximity of succinate dehydrogenase flavin and iron-sulfur cluster S-1 was demonstrated based on the enhancement of flavin spin relaxation by Center S-1.

Anthropometry and physical activity level in the prediction of metabolic syndrome in children.

PubMed

Andaki, Alynne Christian Ribeiro; Tinôco, Adelson Luiz Araújo; Mendes, Edmar Lacerda; Andaki Júnior, Roberto; Hills, Andrew P; Amorim, Paulo Roberto S

2014-10-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of anthropometric measures and physical activity level in the prediction of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in children. Cross-sectional study with children from public and private schools. Children underwent an anthropometric assessment, blood pressure measurement and biochemical evaluation of serum for determination of TAG, HDL-cholesterol and glucose. Physical activity level was calculated and number of steps per day obtained using a pedometer for seven consecutive days. Viçosa, south-eastern Brazil. Boys and girls (n 187), mean age 9·90 (SD 0·7) years. Conicity index, sum of four skinfolds, physical activity level and number of steps per day were accurate in predicting MetS in boys. Anthropometric indicators were accurate in predicting MetS for girls, specifically BMI, waist circumference measured at the narrowest point and at the level of the umbilicus, four skinfold thickness measures evaluated separately, the sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold thickness, the sum of four skinfolds and body fat percentage. The sum of four skinfolds was the most accurate method in predicting MetS in both genders.

A thioacidolysis method tailored for higher-throughput quantitative analysis of lignin monomers

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

Harman-Ware, Anne E.; Foster, Cliff; Happs, Renee M.

Thioacidolysis is a method used to measure the relative content of lignin monomers bound by β-O-4 linkages. Current thioacidolysis methods are low-throughput as they require tedious steps for reaction product concentration prior to analysis using standard GC methods. A quantitative thioacidolysis method that is accessible with general laboratory equipment and uses a non-chlorinated organic solvent and is tailored for higher-throughput analysis is reported. The method utilizes lignin arylglycerol monomer standards for calibration, requires 1-2 mg of biomass per assay and has been quantified using fast-GC techniques including a Low Thermal Mass Modular Accelerated Column Heater (LTM MACH). Cumbersome steps, includingmore » standard purification, sample concentrating and drying have been eliminated to help aid in consecutive day-to-day analyses needed to sustain a high sample throughput for large screening experiments without the loss of quantitation accuracy. As a result, the method reported in this manuscript has been quantitatively validated against a commonly used thioacidolysis method and across two different research sites with three common biomass varieties to represent hardwoods, softwoods, and grasses.« less

A thioacidolysis method tailored for higher-throughput quantitative analysis of lignin monomers

DOE PAGES

Harman-Ware, Anne E.; Foster, Cliff; Happs, Renee M.; ...

2016-09-14

Thioacidolysis is a method used to measure the relative content of lignin monomers bound by β-O-4 linkages. Current thioacidolysis methods are low-throughput as they require tedious steps for reaction product concentration prior to analysis using standard GC methods. A quantitative thioacidolysis method that is accessible with general laboratory equipment and uses a non-chlorinated organic solvent and is tailored for higher-throughput analysis is reported. The method utilizes lignin arylglycerol monomer standards for calibration, requires 1-2 mg of biomass per assay and has been quantified using fast-GC techniques including a Low Thermal Mass Modular Accelerated Column Heater (LTM MACH). Cumbersome steps, includingmore » standard purification, sample concentrating and drying have been eliminated to help aid in consecutive day-to-day analyses needed to sustain a high sample throughput for large screening experiments without the loss of quantitation accuracy. As a result, the method reported in this manuscript has been quantitatively validated against a commonly used thioacidolysis method and across two different research sites with three common biomass varieties to represent hardwoods, softwoods, and grasses.« less

A combined field and laboratory design for assessing the impact of night shift work on police officer operational performance.

PubMed

Waggoner, Lauren B; Grant, Devon A; Van Dongen, Hans P A; Belenky, Gregory; Vila, Bryan

2012-11-01

This study assessed the utility of a combined field and laboratory research design for measuring the impact of consecutive night shift work on the sleepiness, vigilance, and driving performance of police patrol officers. For police patrol officers working their normal night shift duty cycles, simulated driving performance and psychomotor vigilance were measured in a laboratory on two separate occasions: in the morning after the last of five consecutive 10.7-h night shifts, and at the same time in the morning after three consecutive days off duty. Order of participation in conditions was randomized among subjects. Subjects experienced manipulation of sleep schedules due to working night shifts in a real operational environment, but performance testing was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. N = 29 active-duty police patrol officers (27 male, 2 female; age 37.1 ± 6.3 years) working night shift schedules participated in this study. Simulated driving performance, psychomotor vigilance, and subjective sleepiness were significantly degraded following 5 consecutive night shifts as compared to 3 consecutive days off duty, indicating that active-duty police officers are susceptible to performance degradation as a consequence of working nights. This combined field and laboratory research design succeeded in bridging the gap between the realism of the operational environment and the control of laboratory performance testing, demonstrating that this is a useful approach for addressing the relationship between shift work induced fatigue and critical operational task performance.

Effect of a Quality Improvement Intervention on Clinical Outcomes in Patients in India With Acute Myocardial Infarction: The ACS QUIK Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Huffman, Mark D; Mohanan, Padinhare P; Devarajan, Raji; Baldridge, Abigail S; Kondal, Dimple; Zhao, Lihui; Ali, Mumtaj; Krishnan, Mangalath N; Natesan, Syam; Gopinath, Rajesh; Viswanathan, Sunitha; Stigi, Joseph; Joseph, Johny; Chozhakkat, Somanathan; Lloyd-Jones, Donald M; Prabhakaran, Dorairaj

2018-02-13

Wide heterogeneity exists in acute myocardial infarction treatment and outcomes in India. To evaluate the effect of a locally adapted quality improvement tool kit on clinical outcomes and process measures in Kerala, a southern Indian state. Cluster randomized, stepped-wedge clinical trial conducted between November 10, 2014, and November 9, 2016, in 63 hospitals in Kerala, India, with a last date of follow-up of December 31, 2016. During 5 predefined steps over the study period, hospitals were randomly selected to move in a 1-way crossover from the control group to the intervention group. Consecutively presenting patients with acute myocardial infarction were offered participation. Hospitals provided either usual care (control group; n = 10 066 participants [step 0: n = 2915; step 1: n = 2649; step 2: n = 2251; step 3: n = 1422; step 4; n = 829; step 5: n = 0]) or care using a quality improvement tool kit (intervention group; n = 11 308 participants [step 0: n = 0; step 1: n = 662; step 2: n = 1265; step 3: n = 2432; step 4: n = 3214; step 5: n = 3735]) that consisted of audit and feedback, checklists, patient education materials, and linkage to emergency cardiovascular care and quality improvement training. The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death, reinfarction, stroke, or major bleeding using standardized definitions at 30 days. Secondary outcomes included the primary outcome's individual components, 30-day cardiovascular death, medication use, and tobacco cessation counseling. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used to account for clustering and temporal trends. Among 21 374 eligible randomized participants (mean age, 60.6 [SD, 12.0] years; n = 16 183 men [76%] ; n = 13 689 [64%] with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction), 21 079 (99%) completed the trial. The primary composite outcome was observed in 5.3% of the intervention participants and 6.4% of the control participants. The observed difference in 30-day major adverse cardiovascular event rates between the groups was not statistically significant after adjustment (adjusted risk difference, -0.09% [95% CI, -1.32% to 1.14%]; adjusted odds ratio, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.80-1.21]). The intervention group had a higher rate of medication use including reperfusion but no effect on tobacco cessation counseling. There were no unexpected adverse events reported. Among patients with acute myocardial infarction in Kerala, India, use of a quality improvement intervention compared with usual care did not decrease a composite of 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events. Further research is needed to understand the lack of efficacy. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02256657.

GPS or travel diary: Comparing spatial and temporal characteristics of visits to fast food restaurants and supermarkets

PubMed Central

Vernez Moudon, Anne; Hurvitz, Philip M.; Aggarwal, Anju; Drewnowski, Adam

2017-01-01

To assess differences between GPS and self-reported measures of location, we examined visits to fast food restaurants and supermarkets using a spatiotemporal framework. Data came from 446 participants who responded to a survey, filled out travel diaries of places visited, and wore a GPS receiver for seven consecutive days. Provided by Public Health Seattle King County, addresses from food permit data were matched to King County tax assessor parcels in a GIS. A three-step process was used to verify travel-diary reported visits using GPS records: (1) GPS records were temporally matched if their timestamps were within the time window created by the arrival and departure times reported in the travel diary; (2) the temporally matched GPS records were then spatially matched if they were located in a food establishment parcel of the same type reported in the diary; (3) the travel diary visit was then GPS-sensed if the name of food establishment in the parcel matched the one reported in the travel diary. To account for errors in reporting arrival and departure times, GPS records were temporally matched to three time windows: the exact time, +/- 10 minutes, and +/- 30 minutes. One third of the participants reported 273 visits to fast food restaurants; 88% reported 1,102 visits to supermarkets. Of these, 77.3 percent of the fast food and 78.6 percent supermarket visits were GPS-sensed using the +/-10-minute time window. At this time window, the mean travel-diary reported fast food visit duration was 14.5 minutes (SD 20.2), 1.7 minutes longer than the GPS-sensed visit. For supermarkets, the reported visit duration was 23.7 minutes (SD 18.9), 3.4 minutes longer than the GPS-sensed visit. Travel diaries provide reasonably accurate information on the locations and brand names of fast food restaurants and supermarkets participants report visiting. PMID:28388619

GPS or travel diary: Comparing spatial and temporal characteristics of visits to fast food restaurants and supermarkets.

PubMed

Scully, Jason Y; Vernez Moudon, Anne; Hurvitz, Philip M; Aggarwal, Anju; Drewnowski, Adam

2017-01-01

To assess differences between GPS and self-reported measures of location, we examined visits to fast food restaurants and supermarkets using a spatiotemporal framework. Data came from 446 participants who responded to a survey, filled out travel diaries of places visited, and wore a GPS receiver for seven consecutive days. Provided by Public Health Seattle King County, addresses from food permit data were matched to King County tax assessor parcels in a GIS. A three-step process was used to verify travel-diary reported visits using GPS records: (1) GPS records were temporally matched if their timestamps were within the time window created by the arrival and departure times reported in the travel diary; (2) the temporally matched GPS records were then spatially matched if they were located in a food establishment parcel of the same type reported in the diary; (3) the travel diary visit was then GPS-sensed if the name of food establishment in the parcel matched the one reported in the travel diary. To account for errors in reporting arrival and departure times, GPS records were temporally matched to three time windows: the exact time, +/- 10 minutes, and +/- 30 minutes. One third of the participants reported 273 visits to fast food restaurants; 88% reported 1,102 visits to supermarkets. Of these, 77.3 percent of the fast food and 78.6 percent supermarket visits were GPS-sensed using the +/-10-minute time window. At this time window, the mean travel-diary reported fast food visit duration was 14.5 minutes (SD 20.2), 1.7 minutes longer than the GPS-sensed visit. For supermarkets, the reported visit duration was 23.7 minutes (SD 18.9), 3.4 minutes longer than the GPS-sensed visit. Travel diaries provide reasonably accurate information on the locations and brand names of fast food restaurants and supermarkets participants report visiting.

Chronic nausea in advanced cancer patients: a retrospective assessment of a metoclopramide-based antiemetic regimen.

PubMed

Bruera, E; Seifert, L; Watanabe, S; Babul, N; Darke, A; Harsanyi, Z; Suarez-Almazor, M

1996-03-01

The purpose of this retrospective study is to assess the frequency and intensity of chronic nausea in patients admitted to the Palliative Care Unit and the results of a metoclopramide-based treatment regimen. We reviewed the medical records of 100 consecutive patients admitted to the Palliative Care Unit at the Edmonton General Hospital until death during 1992-1993. All patients had terminal cancer and normal cognitive function. All patients completed the Functional Analogue Scale for appetite, nausea, pain, activity, shortness of breath, and sensation of well-being at 1000 and 1600 hours every day. Patients who complained of nausea initially received metoclopramide 10 mg every 4 hr orally or subcutaneously (Step 1). If nausea persisted, dexamethasone 10 mg twice daily was added (Step 2). Step 3 consisted of a continuous subcutaneous infusion of metoclopramide of 60-120 mg/day plus dexamethasone. If no response was observed, other antiemetics were administered (Step 4). Upon admission to the unit, 32 patients (32%) presented with nausea. During the average admission of 25 +/- 13 days, 98 patients (98%) developed nausea. Twenty-five patients (25%) required other antiemetics because of bowel obstruction (18), extrapyramidal side effects (3), or other reasons (4). Most patients without bowel obstruction achieved excellent control of nausea using the metoclopramide-based regimen. During the first 5 days and last 5 days of admission, nausea had significantly lower intensity than the rest of the symptoms that were monitored. Our results suggest that, although nausea is very frequent, it can be well controlled in the majority of patients using safe and simple antiemetic regimens.

Quadrupedal gaits in hexapod animals - inter-leg coordination in free-walking adult stick insects.

PubMed

Grabowska, Martyna; Godlewska, Elzbieta; Schmidt, Joachim; Daun-Gruhn, Silvia

2012-12-15

The analysis of inter-leg coordination in insect walking is generally a study of six-legged locomotion. For decades, the stick insect Carausius morosus has been instrumental for unravelling the rules and mechanisms that control leg coordination in hexapeds. We analysed inter-leg coordination in C. morosus that freely walked on straight paths on plane surfaces with different slopes. Consecutive 1.7 s sections were assigned inter-leg coordination patterns (which we call gaits) based on footfall patterns. Regular gaits, i.e. wave, tetrapod or tripod gaits, occurred in different proportions depending on surface slopes. Tetrapod gaits were observed most frequently, wave gaits only occurred on 90 deg inclining slopes and tripod gaits occurred most often on 15 deg declining slopes, i.e. in 40% of the sections. Depending on the slope, 36-66% of the sections were assigned irregular gaits. Irregular gaits were mostly due to multiple stepping by the front legs, which is perhaps probing behaviour, not phase coupled to the middle legs' cycles. In irregular gaits, middle leg and hindleg coordination was regular, related to quadrupedal walk and wave gaits. Apparently, front legs uncouple from and couple to the walking system without compromising middle leg and hindleg coordination. In front leg amputees, the remaining legs were strictly coordinated. In hindleg and middle leg amputees, the front legs continued multiple stepping. The coordination of middle leg amputees was maladapted, with front legs and hindlegs performing multiple steps or ipsilateral legs being in simultaneous swing. Thus, afferent information from middle legs might be necessary for a regular hindleg stepping pattern.

Physical activity cut-offs and risk factors for preventing child obesity in Japan.

PubMed

Minematsu, Kazuo; Kawabuchi, Ryosuke; Okazaki, Hiromi; Tomita, Hiroyuki; Tobina, Takuro; Tanigawa, Takeshi; Tsunawake, Noriaki

2015-01-01

There is no official recommendations for physical activity level or steps for preventing and improving child obesity in Japan. Three hundred and two Japanese children aged 9-12 years were recruited wore 3-D speed sensors. Subjects were divided into two groups using the criteria for child obesity in Japan. Body composition was measured on bioelectrical impedance analysis. Physical fitness test was done to evaluate physical strength. Twenty-four hour total steps, energy expenditure, and metabolic equivalents (MET) from Monday to Sunday were consecutively measured. The cut-offs for steps and physical activity level for preventing child obesity were evaluated on receiver operating characteristic curves. Daily life-related risk factors for child obesity were assessed on logistic regression analysis. In both sexes, body volume; bodyweight, body mass index, fat mass, and percentage body fat in the obese group was significantly higher than in the normal group, but age and height were not different (P < 0.001). Aerobic power, running speed, and explosive strength in the obese group were inferior to those in the normal group (P < 0.001). More than 40 min of 4 MET exercise, defined as moderate-vigorous exercise, and 11,000 steps per day are essential to prevent child obesity. Additionally, >2 h TV viewing per day is a significant risk factor for child obesity (OR, 3.43; 95%CI: 1.27-9.31). Cut-offs for physical activity and potential risk factors for child obesity have been identified. Recommendations for changes to daily lifestyle for school-aged Japanese children are given. © 2014 Japan Pediatric Society.

On the dynamical behaviour of low-frequency earthquake swarms prior to a dome collapse of Soufrière Hill volcano, Montserrat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammer, C.; Neuberg, J. W.

2009-03-01

A series of low-frequency earthquake swarms prior to a dome collapse on Soufrière Hills volcano, Montserrat, are investigated with the emphasis on event rate and amplitude behaviour. In a single swarm, the amplitudes of consecutive events tend to increase with time, while the rate of event occurrence accelerates initially and then decelerates toward the end of the swarm. However, when consecutive swarms are considered, the average event rates seem to follow the material failure law, and the time of the dome collapse can be successfully estimated using the inverse event rate. These patterns in amplitude and event rate are interpreted as fluctuations in magma ascent velocity, which result in both the generation of low-frequency events as well as cyclic ground deformation accompanying the swarm activity.

[Pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema].

PubMed

Bertelmann, T; Witteborn, M; Mennel, S

2012-08-01

Pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema is still a relevant clinical disease entity although major progress in modern cataract surgery has been made within the last decades. The relevance is attributed to the large number of cases that are performed each year. Even after uneventful surgery, a pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema can develop and may lead to severe and lasting visual impairments. In respect to the pathophysiology, four consecutive steps have to be considered: (i) surgical procedure-related induction and release of various inflammation mediators into the anterior chamber; (ii) removal of the physiological lens barrier between the anterior and posterior segments of the eye, leading consecutively to an increase in diffusion rate in either direction; (iii) local action of the inflammation mediators towards the macular area; and (iv) increased vitreoretinal traction due to the anteriorly oriented drive of the vitreous. To prevent the development of a pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema, systemic and ocular pathologies should be treated consequently prior to surgery. Furthermore, an individual risk profile of each patient needs to be evaluated to define the best pre- and postsurgical medical treatment. A less traumatic surgical approach can help to prevent macular oedema development additionally. The diagnosis is made by performing biomicroscopy, fluorescence angiography and optical coherence tomography as well as by evaluating the patients' major complaints. Standard operation procedures or recommended guidelines by the specialised eye associations to prevent and treat pseudophakic cystoid macular oedema are not available up to date. A synopsis of recommendations in the literature suggests a step-wise treatment regimen, including topical medical treatment on the one hand and a surgical approach on the other hand as well as a combination of both, if needed. Topical medical treatment options include the use of non-steroidal, corticosteroid and/or carbonic anhydrase inhibitor eye drops. Surgical interventions include pars plana vitrectomy. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Research on the development of space target detecting system and three-dimensional reconstruction technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Dong; Wei, Zhen; Song, Dawei; Sun, Wenfeng; Fan, Xiaoyan

2016-11-01

With the development of space technology, the number of spacecrafts and debris are increasing year by year. The demand for detecting and identification of spacecraft is growing strongly, which provides support to the cataloguing, crash warning and protection of aerospace vehicles. The majority of existing approaches for three-dimensional reconstruction is scattering centres correlation, which is based on the radar high resolution range profile (HRRP). This paper proposes a novel method to reconstruct the threedimensional scattering centre structure of target from a sequence of radar ISAR images, which mainly consists of three steps. First is the azimuth scaling of consecutive ISAR images based on fractional Fourier transform (FrFT). The later is the extraction of scattering centres and matching between adjacent ISAR images using grid method. Finally, according to the coordinate matrix of scattering centres, the three-dimensional scattering centre structure is reconstructed using improved factorization method. The three-dimensional structure is featured with stable and intuitive characteristic, which provides a new way to improve the identification probability and reduce the complexity of the model matching library. A satellite model is reconstructed using the proposed method from four consecutive ISAR images. The simulation results prove that the method has gotten a satisfied consistency and accuracy.

Probability-Based Recognition Framework for Underwater Landmarks Using Sonar Images †

PubMed Central

Choi, Jinwoo; Choi, Hyun-Taek

2017-01-01

This paper proposes a probability-based framework for recognizing underwater landmarks using sonar images. Current recognition methods use a single image, which does not provide reliable results because of weaknesses of the sonar image such as unstable acoustic source, many speckle noises, low resolution images, single channel image, and so on. However, using consecutive sonar images, if the status—i.e., the existence and identity (or name)—of an object is continuously evaluated by a stochastic method, the result of the recognition method is available for calculating the uncertainty, and it is more suitable for various applications. Our proposed framework consists of three steps: (1) candidate selection, (2) continuity evaluation, and (3) Bayesian feature estimation. Two probability methods—particle filtering and Bayesian feature estimation—are used to repeatedly estimate the continuity and feature of objects in consecutive images. Thus, the status of the object is repeatedly predicted and updated by a stochastic method. Furthermore, we develop an artificial landmark to increase detectability by an imaging sonar, which we apply to the characteristics of acoustic waves, such as instability and reflection depending on the roughness of the reflector surface. The proposed method is verified by conducting basin experiments, and the results are presented. PMID:28837068

Augmenting pancreatic anastomosis during whipple operation with fibrin glue: a beneficial technical modification?

PubMed

Conaglen, Paul J; Collier, Neil A

2014-04-01

Various techniques have been described to try and reduce the rate of anastomotic leak following pancreaticoduodenectomy, which remains a challenge for pancreatic surgeons worldwide. We outline a technique to reinforce the pancreatic anastomosis with a double layer of fibrin glue between suture lines. Our technique for pancreatic anastomosis is described in detail. A review of consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies by a single surgeon (NAC) since introduction of fibrin glue anastomosis reinforcement was compared with a historical control cohort performed by the same surgeon. Thirty-two consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies were undertaken between March 2008 and March 2012 by a single surgeon, 30 patients had fibrin glue augmentation of the pancreatico-gastrostomy anastomosis. Median length of stay was 12 days. There were no pancreatic leaks or mortality since adopting fibrin glue for the pancreatic anastomosis; however; this single surgeon series is not large enough to provide statistical evidence of a difference since glue was adopted. Our results since the incorporation of this step in pancreaticoduodenectomy are encouraging. Selective use of glue is worthy of consideration in difficult cases, although confirmation of a reduction in pancreatic leak rate is not yet established, and we advocate a multi-institution randomized controlled trial to explore this. © 2013 The Authors. ANZ Journal of Surgery © 2013 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Analysis of noise-induced temporal correlations in neuronal spike sequences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinoso, José A.; Torrent, M. C.; Masoller, Cristina

2016-11-01

We investigate temporal correlations in sequences of noise-induced neuronal spikes, using a symbolic method of time-series analysis. We focus on the sequence of time-intervals between consecutive spikes (inter-spike-intervals, ISIs). The analysis method, known as ordinal analysis, transforms the ISI sequence into a sequence of ordinal patterns (OPs), which are defined in terms of the relative ordering of consecutive ISIs. The ISI sequences are obtained from extensive simulations of two neuron models (FitzHugh-Nagumo, FHN, and integrate-and-fire, IF), with correlated noise. We find that, as the noise strength increases, temporal order gradually emerges, revealed by the existence of more frequent ordinal patterns in the ISI sequence. While in the FHN model the most frequent OP depends on the noise strength, in the IF model it is independent of the noise strength. In both models, the correlation time of the noise affects the OP probabilities but does not modify the most probable pattern.

A comparison of two methods of infiltration in breast reduction surgery.

PubMed

Armour, A D; Rotenberg, B W; Brown, M H

2001-08-01

The superwet technique has been shown in previous studies to dramatically reduce blood loss in breast reduction surgery, compared with standard infiltration. A retrospective chart review of 303 consecutive patients undergoing bilateral breast reduction surgery was undertaken to demonstrate additional differences in complication rate, operative time, or sponge use in the operating room. In this series, 132 consecutive patients received standard infiltration along incision lines (25 cc per breast of 1:100,000 epinephrine), and 171 patients received superwet infiltration with 240 cc per breast of 1:1,000,000 epinephrine. The average operative time was significantly reduced in the superwet group, from 78.5 minutes to 70.7 minutes (p < 0.01 level). The average number of sponges used intraoperatively was also decreased significantly (p < 0.01), from 26 to 20 sponges. Complication rates were equally low in both groups, demonstrating the safety of the superwet technique. In addition to limiting blood loss, the superwet infiltration effectively reduces operative time and sponge use without increasing complications in breast reduction surgery.