Sample records for differences induction effects

  1. Chromatic induction from surrounding stimuli under perceptual suppression.

    PubMed

    Horiuchi, Koji; Kuriki, Ichiro; Tokunaga, Rumi; Matsumiya, Kazumichi; Shioiri, Satoshi

    2014-11-01

    The appearance of colors can be affected by their spatiotemporal context. The shift in color appearance according to the surrounding colors is called color induction or chromatic induction; in particular, the shift in opponent color of the surround is called chromatic contrast. To investigate whether chromatic induction occurs even when the chromatic surround is imperceptible, we measured chromatic induction during interocular suppression. A multicolor or uniform color field was presented as the surround stimulus, and a colored continuous flash suppression (CFS) stimulus was presented to the dominant eye of each subject. The subjects were asked to report the appearance of the test field only when the stationary surround stimulus is invisible by interocular suppression with CFS. The resulting shifts in color appearance due to chromatic induction were significant even under the conditions of interocular suppression for all surround stimuli. The magnitude of chromatic induction differed with the surround conditions, and this difference was preserved regardless of the viewing conditions. The chromatic induction effect was reduced by CFS, in proportion to the magnitude of chromatic induction under natural (i.e., no-CFS) viewing conditions. According to an analysis with linear model fitting, we revealed the presence of at least two kinds of subprocesses for chromatic induction that reside at higher and lower levels than the site of interocular suppression. One mechanism yields different degrees of chromatic induction based on the complexity of the surround, which is unaffected by interocular suppression, while the other mechanism changes its output with interocular suppression acting as a gain control. Our results imply that the total chromatic induction effect is achieved via a linear summation of outputs from mechanisms that reside at different levels of visual processing.

  2. Effect of caffeine on the ultraviolet light induction of SV40 virus from transformed hamster cells

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

    Zamansky, G.B.; Kleinman, L.F.; Little, J.B.

    1976-01-01

    The effect of caffeine on the uv light induction of SV40 virus from two transformed hamster cell lines heterogeneous for the induction of infectious virus was studied. The amount of virus induced was significantly increased in both cell lines when exposure to uv light was followed by treatment with caffeine. Caffeine in the absence of uv irradiation did not stimulate virus induction, nor did it stimulate SV40 replication in a lytic infection. There was an apparent difference in the concentrations of caffeine which maximally stimulated SV40 virus induction in the two cell lines. This effect could not be explained bymore » differences in cell survival after exposure to uv light and caffeine. Since caffeine is known to cause the accumulation of gaps formed in DNA during postreplication repair of uv-irradiated rodent cells, our results support the hypothesis that the formation of gaps or breaks in DNA is an important early step in virus induction.« less

  3. Healing effects and superoxide dismutase activity of diode/Ga-As lasers in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis.

    PubMed

    Lee, Jae Yeon; Lee, Sang Ui; Lim, Taekjoo; Choi, Seok Hwa

    2014-01-01

    Osteoarthritis is a major cause of pain and disability in joints. The present study investigated the effects of differences of wavelengths and continuous versus pulsed delivery modes of low-level laser therapy (LLT) in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis. Comparison of the healing effects and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity between therapy using diode and Ga-As lasers was our primary interest. Simple continuous wave (808-nm diode) and super-pulsed wave (904-nm Ga-As) lasers were used. Osteoarthritis was induced by injecting hydrogen peroxide into the articular spaces of the right stifle in rabbits. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control without osteoarthritis induction (G1), osteoarthritis-induction group without treatment (G2), osteoarthritis induction with diode irradiation (G3), and osteoarthritis induction with Ga-As irradiation (G4). Laser irradiation was applied transcutaneously for 5 min every day for over four weeks, starting the first day after confirmation of induction of osteoarthritis. The induction of osteoarthritis and effects of LLT were evaluated by biochemistry, computed tomography, and histological analyses. The SOD activity in G3 and G4 rabbits at two and four weeks after laser irradiation was significantly higher than that of G1 animals (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between G3 and G4 animals. Moreover, there were significant differences at two and four weeks between the control and osteoarthritis-induction groups, but no significant difference between G3 and G4 in the computed tomographic analyses and histological findings. These results indicate that diode and Ga-As lasers are similarly effective in healing and inducing SOD activity for LLT applications in a rabbit model of OA. Copyright © 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.

  4. Outpatient versus inpatient induction of labour for improving birth outcomes.

    PubMed

    Kelly, Anthony J; Alfirevic, Zarko; Ghosh, Arpita

    2013-11-12

    More than 20% of women undergo induction of labour in some countries. The different methods used to induce labour have been the focus of previous reviews, but the setting in which induction takes place (hospital versus outpatient settings) may have implications for maternal satisfaction and costs. It is not known whether some methods of induction that are effective and safe in hospital are suitable in outpatient settings. To assess the effects on outcomes for mothers and babies of induction of labour for women managed as outpatients versus inpatients. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 June 2013). Published and unpublished randomised and quasi-randomised trials in which inpatient and outpatient methods of cervical ripening or induction of labour have been compared. Two review authors independently assessed trial reports for inclusion. Two review authors carried out data extraction and assessment of risk of bias independently. We included four trials, with a combined total of 1439 women in the review; each trial examined a different method of induction and we were unable to pool the results from trials.1. Vaginal PGE2 (two studies including 1028 women). There were no differences between women managed as outpatients versus inpatients for most review outcomes. There was no evidence of a difference between the likelihood of women requiring instrumental delivery in either setting (risk ratio (RR) 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79 to 2.13). The overall length of hospital stay was similar in the two groups.2. Controlled release PGE2 10 mg (one study including 300 women). There was no evidence of differences between groups for most review outcomes, including success of induction. During the induction period itself, women in the outpatient group were more likely to report high levels of satisfaction with their care (satisfaction rated seven or more on a nine-point scale, RR 1.42; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.81), but satisfaction scores measured postnatally were similar in the two groups.3. Foley catheter (one study including 111 women). There was no evidence of differences between groups for caesarean section rates, total induction time and the numbers of babies admitted to neonatal intensive care. The data available to evaluate the efficacy or potential hazards of outpatient induction are limited. It is, therefore, not yet possible to determine whether induction of labour is effective and safe in outpatient settings.

  5. Outpatient versus inpatient induction of labour for improving birth outcomes.

    PubMed

    Kelly, Anthony J; Alfirevic, Zarko; Dowswell, Therese

    2009-04-15

    More than 20% of women undergo induction of labour in some countries. The different methods used to induce labour have been the focus of previous reviews, but the setting in which induction takes place (hospital versus outpatient settings) may have implications for maternal satisfaction and costs. It is not known whether some methods of induction that are effective and safe in hospital are suitable in outpatient settings. To assess the effects on outcomes for mothers and babies of induction of labour for women managed as outpatients versus inpatients. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (December 2008). Published and unpublished randomised and quasi-randomised trials in which inpatient and outpatient methods of cervical ripening or induction of labour have been compared. Two review authors independently assessed trial reports for inclusion. Two review authors carried out data extraction and assessment of risk of bias independently. We included three trials, with a combined total of 612 women in the review; each examined a different method of induction and we were unable to pool the results from trials.1. Vaginal PGE2 (One study including 201 women). There were no differences between women managed as out- versus inpatients for most review outcomes. Women in the outpatient group were more likely to have instrumental deliveries (risk ratio (RR) 1.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 to 2.93). The overall length of hospital stay was similar in the two groups.2. Controlled release PGE2 10mg (one study including 300 women). There was no evidence of differences between groups for most review outcomes, including success of induction. During the induction period itself, women in the outpatient group were more likely to report high levels of satisfaction with their care (satisfaction rated seven or more on a nine-point scale RR 1.42; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.81), but satisfaction scores measured postnatally were similar in the two groups.3. Foley catheter (one study including 111 women). There was no evidence of differences between groups for caesarean section rates, total induction time and the numbers of babies admitted to neonatal intensive care. The data available to evaluate the efficacy or potential hazards of outpatient induction are limited. It is, therefore, not yet possible to determine whether induction of labour is effective and safe in outpatient settings.

  6. The effect of high temperature interruptions during inductive period on the extent of flowering and on metabolic responses in olives (Olea europaea L.)

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The effect of the duration of high temperature interruption and the timing of it’s occurrence during inductive period on the extent of inhibition of inflorescence production in ‘Arbequina’ olive trees was investigated. Trees kept under inductive conditions in different growth chambers were subjected...

  7. Comparative study of titrated oral misoprostol solution and vaginal dinoprostone for labor induction at term pregnancy.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xiu; Yang, Aijun; Ma, Qingyong; Li, Xuelan; Qin, Li; He, Tongqiang

    2016-09-01

    To evaluate effectiveness and safety of titrated oral misoprostol solution (OMS) in comparison with vaginal dinoprostone for cervix ripening and labor induction in term pregnant women. A multicenter randomized controlled trial of women with term singleton pregnancy with indications for labor induction; 481 participants were allocated to receive titrated OMS with different doses by hourly administration according to the procedure or insert vaginal dinoprostone for cervix ripening and labor induction to compare maternal outcomes including indication of labor induction, mode of outcome of delivery, maternal morbidity, and neonatal outcomes between two groups for evaluating the efficacy and safety of titrated oral misoprostol induction. Proportion of delivery within 12 h of titrated oral misoprostol is significantly less than vaginal dinoprostone (p = 0.03), but no difference of total vaginal delivery rate (p = 0.93); the mean time of first treatment to vaginal delivery was longer in OMS group (21.3 ± 14.5 h) compared with the vaginal dinoprostone group (15.7 ± 9.6 h). Although the proportion of cesarean section between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference, OMS group showed significantly lower frequency of uterine hyperstimulation, hypertonus, partus precipitatus and non-reassuring fetal heart rate than dinoprostone group. Neonatal outcomes were similar evaluating from Apgar score and NICU admission. Our study also showed that labor induction of women with cervix Bishop score ≤3 needed increased dosage of misoprostol solution. Titrated OMS is as effective as vaginal dinoprostone in labor induction for term pregnant women, with safer effect for its lower rate of adverse effect for women.

  8. Creativity and Memory: Effects of an Episodic Specificity Induction on Divergent Thinking

    PubMed Central

    Madore, Kevin P.; Addis, Donna Rose; Schacter, Daniel L.

    2015-01-01

    After receiving an episodic specificity induction - brief training in recollecting details of a recent event - people produce more episodic details when imagining future events and solving means-end problems than after receiving a control induction not focused on episodic retrieval. Here we show for the first time that an episodic specificity induction also enhances divergent creative thinking. In Experiment 1, participants exhibited a selective boost on a divergent thinking task that involves generating unusual uses of common objects after a specificity induction compared with a control induction; by contrast, performance was similar on an object association task thought to involve little divergent thinking. In Experiment 2, we replicated the specificity induction effect on divergent thinking using a different control induction, and also found that participants performed similarly on a convergent thinking task following both inductions. These experiments provide novel evidence that episodic memory is involved in divergent creative thinking. PMID:26205963

  9. Mood induction effects on motor sequence learning and stop signal reaction time.

    PubMed

    Greeley, Brian; Seidler, Rachael D

    2017-01-01

    The neurobiological theory of positive affect proposes that positive mood states may benefit cognitive performance due to an increase of dopamine throughout the brain. However, the results of many positive affect studies are inconsistent; this may be due to individual differences. The relationship between dopamine and performance is not linear, but instead follows an inverted "U" shape. Given this, we hypothesized that individuals with high working memory capacity, a proxy measure for dopaminergic transmission, would not benefit from positive mood induction and in fact performance in dopamine-mediated tasks would decline. In contrast, we predicted that individuals with low working memory capacities would receive the most benefit after positive mood induction. Here, we explored the effect of positive affect on two dopamine-mediated tasks, an explicit serial reaction time sequence learning task and the stop signal task, predicting that an individual's performance is modulated not only by working memory capacity, but also on the type of mood. Improvements in explicit sequence learning from pre- to post-positive mood induction were associated with working memory capacity; performance declined in individuals with higher working memory capacities following positive mood induction, but improved in individuals with lower working memory capacities. This was not the case for negative or neutral mood induction. Moreover, there was no relationship between the change in stop signal reaction time with any of the mood inductions and individual differences in working memory capacity. These results provide partial support for the neurobiological theory of positive affect and highlight the importance of taking into account individual differences in working memory when examining the effects of positive mood induction.

  10. Radiation-induced double-strand breaks in mammalian DNA: influence of temperature and DMSO.

    PubMed

    Elmroth, K; Nygren, J; Erkell, L J; Hultborn, R

    2000-11-01

    To investigate the effects of subphysiological irradiation temperature (2 28 degrees C) and the influence of the radical scavenger DMSO on the induction of double-strand breaks (DSB) in chromosomal DNA from a human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) as well as in intact cells. The rejoining of DSB in cells irradiated at 2 degrees C or 37 degrees C was also investigated. Agarose plugs with [14C]thymidine labelled MCF-7 cells were lysed in EDTA-NLS-proteinase-K buffer. The plugs containing chromosomal DNA were irradiated with X-rays under different temperatures and scavenging conditions. Intact MCF-7 cells were irradiated in Petri dishes and plugs were made. The cells were then lysed in EDTA-NLS-proteinase-K buffer. The induction of DSB was studied by constant field gel electrophoresis and expressed as DSB/100/Mbp, calculated from the fraction of activity released into the gel. The induction of DSB in chromosomal DNA was reduced by a decrease in temperature. This protective effect of low temperature was inhibited when the DNA was irradiated in the presence of DMSO. No difference was found when intact cells were irradiated at different temperatures. However, the rapid phase of rejoining was slower in cells irradiated at 37 degrees C than at 2 degrees C. The induction of DSB in naked DNA was reduced by hypothermic irradiation. The temperature had no influence on the induction of DSB in the presence of a high concentration of DMSO, indicating that the temperature effect is mediated via the indirect effects of ionizing radiation. Results are difficult to interpret in intact cells. Rejoining during irradiation at the higher temperature may counteract an increased induction. The difference in rejoining may be interpreted in terms of qualitative differences between breaks induced at the two temperatures.

  11. How similar are recognition memory and inductive reasoning?

    PubMed

    Hayes, Brett K; Heit, Evan

    2013-07-01

    Conventionally, memory and reasoning are seen as different types of cognitive activities driven by different processes. In two experiments, we challenged this view by examining the relationship between recognition memory and inductive reasoning involving multiple forms of similarity. A common study set (members of a conjunctive category) was followed by a test set containing old and new category members, as well as items that matched the study set on only one dimension. The study and test sets were presented under recognition or induction instructions. In Experiments 1 and 2, the inductive property being generalized was varied in order to direct attention to different dimensions of similarity. When there was no time pressure on decisions, patterns of positive responding were strongly affected by property type, indicating that different types of similarity were driving recognition and induction. By comparison, speeded judgments showed weaker property effects and could be explained by generalization based on overall similarity. An exemplar model, GEN-EX (GENeralization from EXamples), could account for both the induction and recognition data. These findings show that induction and recognition share core component processes, even when the tasks involve flexible forms of similarity.

  12. Creativity and Memory: Effects of an Episodic-Specificity Induction on Divergent Thinking.

    PubMed

    Madore, Kevin P; Addis, Donna Rose; Schacter, Daniel L

    2015-09-01

    People produce more episodic details when imagining future events and solving means-end problems after receiving an episodic-specificity induction-brief training in recollecting details of a recent event-than after receiving a control induction not focused on episodic retrieval. Here we show for the first time that an episodic-specificity induction also enhances divergent creative thinking. In Experiment 1, participants exhibited a selective boost on a divergent-thinking task (generating unusual uses of common objects) after a specificity induction compared with a control induction; by contrast, performance following the two inductions was similar on an object association task thought to involve little divergent thinking. In Experiment 2, we replicated the specificity-induction effect on divergent thinking using a different control induction, and also found that participants performed similarly on a convergent-thinking task following the two inductions. These experiments provide novel evidence that episodic memory is involved in divergent creative thinking. © The Author(s) 2015.

  13. Investigating the procedural variables that determine whether rats will display negative anticipatory contrast or positive induction.

    PubMed

    Weatherly, Jeffrey N; Nurnberger, Jeri T; Hanson, Brent C

    2005-08-31

    Previous studies have demonstrated that consumption of a low-valued food substance may decrease if access to a high-valued substance will soon be available (negative anticipatory contrast). Research has also demonstrated that responding for a low-valued reinforcer may increase if responding for a high-valued reinforcer will soon be possible (positive induction). The present experiment employed rats to respond in a procedure similar to that typically used to produce negative anticipatory contrast. The goal was to determine what factors contribute to when a contrast or an induction effect will occur. Based on previous research, the influence of auditory cues, temporal delays, food deprivation, and location of substance delivery were investigated. Auditory cues and temporal delays did little to influence whether subjects increased or decreased their consumption of 1% sucrose when access to 32% sucrose was upcoming. The appearance of contrast or induction was related to level of deprivation, with deprivation promoting induction. Which effect occurred also depended on whether subjects consumed the two substances from one spout in one location (induction) or from two different spouts in two different locations (contrast). The present results help identify the procedural link(s) between these two effects. They also provide insight to why positive induction may occur (i.e., higher-order place conditioning).

  14. Anovulation and ovulation induction

    PubMed Central

    Katsikis, I; Kita, M; Karkanaki, A; Prapas, N; Panidis, D

    2006-01-01

    Conventional treatment of normogonadotropic anovulatory infertility is ovulation induction using the antiestrogen clomiphene citrate, followed by follicle-stimulating hormone. Multiple follicle development, associated with ovarian hyperstimulation, and multiple pregnancy remain the major complications. Cumulative singleton and multiple pregnancy rate data after different induction treatments are needed. Newer ovulation induction interventions, such as insulin-sensitizing drugs, aromatase inhibitors and laparoscopic ovarian electrocoagulation, should be compared with conventional treatments. Ovulation induction efficiency might improve if patient subgroups with altered chances for success or complications with new or conventional techniques could be identified, using multivariate prediction models based on initial screening characteristics. This would make ovulation induction more cost-effective, safe and convenient, enabling doctors to advise patients on the most effective and patient-tailored treatment strategy. PMID:20351807

  15. The effects of thiopental and generic and nongeneric propofol on respiratory resistance during anesthetic induction in patients with reactive airways.

    PubMed

    Arain, Shahbaz R; Navani, Annu; Ebert, Thomas J

    2002-06-01

    To demonstrate a favorable effect of propofol on respiratory system resistance during anesthetic induction, and to determine if generic propofol causes adverse effects on respiratory resistance. Randomized pilot study. Anesthetic induction for elective surgery. 27 consenting ASA physical status II and III patients with reactive airways (positive smoking history or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), but not receiving bronchodilator therapy. Patients were randomized equally to one of three anesthetic induction (and maintenance) drugs: sodium thiopental, 5 mg/kg (25 microg/kg/min), generic or nongeneric propofol, 1.25 mg/kg (50 microg/kg/min). They received preinduction midazolam and fentanyl (2 mg and 150 microg) and intravenous lidocaine (0.5 mg/kg). After anesthetic induction, tracheal intubation was established, and predetermined settings for mechanical ventilation were initiated. Immediately after intubation, a sensor was placed on the 8-mm endotracheal tube to detect baseline airway pressure and flow. During maintenance, repeat measurements of pressure and flow were obtained at 2.5-minute intervals for 10 minutes. Respiratory system resistance was derived off-line using the isovolumetric technique. Patients were similar across groups. The respiratory resistance measured after anesthetic induction did not differ among groups. During the maintenance infusion of thiopental or propofol, respiratory resistance increased gradually across all groups. There was no difference in the response of respiratory resistance either at induction or during the 10-minute maintenance between the generic and the nongeneric propofol groups. In contrast to earlier reports, this pilot study was unable to document a difference in the respiratory resistance in patients induced with thiopental or propofol. In addition, we were unable to demonstrate any different respiratory responses between generic propofol, containing sodium metabisulfite preservative, and nongeneric propofol.

  16. Numerical calculation of primary slot leakage inductance of a Single-sided HTS linear induction motor used for linear metro

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Dong; Wen, Yinghong; Li, Weili; Fang, Jin; Cao, Junci; Zhang, Xiaochen; Lv, Gang

    2017-03-01

    In the paper, the numerical method calculating asymmetric primary slot leakage inductances of Single-sided High-Temperature Superconducting (HTS) Linear Induction Motor (HTS LIM) is presented. The mathematical and geometric models of three-dimensional nonlinear transient electromagnetic field are established and the boundary conditions are also given. The established model is solved by time-stepping Finite Element Method (FEM). Then, the three-phase asymmetric primary slot leakage inductances under different operation conditions are calculated by using the obtained electromagnetic field distribution. The influences of the special effects such as longitudinal end effects, transversal edge effects, etc. on the primary slot leakage inductance are investigated. The presented numerical method is validated by experiments carried out on a 3.5 kW prototype with copper wires which has the same structures with the HTS LIM.

  17. [The effect of sodium phenylbutyrate to agents used in induction chemotherapy on laryngeal carcinoma cells Hep-2 in vitro].

    PubMed

    Gao, Jing; Ruan, Xinyong; Pan, Xinliang; Xu, Fenglei; Lei, Dapeng; Liu, Dayu

    2005-08-01

    To study the effect of sodium phenylbutyrate when it combined with agents used in induction chemotherapy on laryngeal carcinoma cells Hep-2 in vitro. MTT were used to examine the growth inhibition of Hep-2 cells treated by the combination of PB with 5-FU or CDDP in vitro. When 5-FU or CDDP combined with PB respectively, there was significantly difference between every two dose groups of the two agents or every dose group and control group ( P < 0.05). When the dosage of 5-FU or CDDP was definition,there was significantly difference between every two dose groups of PB ( P < 0.05). PB could enhance the cytotoxic effects of agents used in induction chemotherapy on laryngeal carcinoma cells Hep-2 in vitro, which showed the possibility in reinforcement the treatment effect and reduction the occurrence of the complication and toxic reaction of induction chemotherapy on laryngeal carcinoma.

  18. Divergent creative thinking in young and older adults: Extending the effects of an episodic specificity induction.

    PubMed

    Madore, Kevin P; Jing, Helen G; Schacter, Daniel L

    2016-08-01

    Recent research has suggested that an episodic specificity induction-brief training in recollecting the details of a past experience-enhances divergent creative thinking on the alternate uses task (AUT) in young adults, without affecting performance on tasks thought to involve little divergent thinking; however, the generalizability of these results to other populations and tasks is unknown. In the present experiments, we examined whether the effects of an episodic specificity induction would extend to older adults and a different index of divergent thinking, the consequences task. In Experiment 1, the specificity induction significantly enhanced divergent thinking on the AUT in both young and older adults, as compared with a control induction not requiring specific episodic retrieval; performance on a task involving little divergent thinking (generating associates for common objects) did not vary as a function of induction. No overall age-related differences were observed on either task. In Experiment 2, the specificity induction significantly enhanced divergent thinking (in terms of generating consequences of novel scenarios) in young adults, relative to another control induction not requiring episodic retrieval. To examine the types of creative ideas affected by the induction, the participants in both experiments also labeled each of their divergent-thinking responses as an "old idea" from memory or a "new idea" from imagination. New, and to some extent old, ideas were significantly boosted following the specificity induction relative to the control. These experiments provide novel evidence that an episodic specificity induction can boost divergent thinking in young and older adults, and indicate that episodic memory is involved in multiple divergent-thinking tasks.

  19. Divergent creative thinking in young and older adults: Extending the effects of an episodic specificity induction

    PubMed Central

    Madore, Kevin P.; Jing, Helen G.; Schacter, Daniel L.

    2016-01-01

    Recent research has suggested that an episodic specificity induction- brief training in recollecting the details of a past experience- enhances divergent creative thinking on the Alternate Uses Task (AUT) in young adults without affecting performance on tasks thought to involve little divergent thinking, but the generalizability of these results to other populations and tasks is unknown. The present experiments examined whether effects of an episodic specificity induction extend to older adults and a different index of divergent thinking, the Consequences Task. In Experiment 1, the specificity induction significantly enhanced divergent thinking on the AUT in both young and older adults compared with a control induction not requiring specific episodic retrieval; performance on a task involving little divergent thinking did not vary as a function of induction (generating associates for common objects). No overall age-related differences were observed on either task. In Experiment 2, the specificity induction significantly enhanced divergent thinking (generating consequences of novel scenarios) in young adults compared with another control induction not requiring episodic retrieval. To examine the types of creative ideas affected by the induction, participants in both experiments also labeled each of their divergent thinking responses as an old idea from memory or new idea from imagination. New and to some extent old ideas were significantly boosted following the specificity induction compared with the control. These experiments provide novel evidence that an episodic specificity induction can boost divergent thinking in young and older adults, and indicate that episodic memory is involved in multiple divergent thinking tasks. PMID:27001170

  20. Non-pharmacological interventions for assisting the induction of anaesthesia in children.

    PubMed

    Manyande, Anne; Cyna, Allan M; Yip, Peggy; Chooi, Cheryl; Middleton, Philippa

    2015-07-14

    Induction of general anaesthesia can be distressing for children. Non-pharmacological methods for reducing anxiety and improving co-operation may avoid the adverse effects of preoperative sedation. To assess the effects of non-pharmacological interventions in assisting induction of anaesthesia in children by reducing their anxiety, distress or increasing their co-operation. In this updated review we searched CENTRAL (the Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 12) and searched the following databases from inception to 15 January 2013: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science. We reran the search in August 2014. We will deal with the single study found to be of interest when we next update the review. We included randomized controlled trials of a non-pharmacological intervention implemented on the day of surgery or anaesthesia. At least two review authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias in trials. We included 28 trials (2681 children) investigating 17 interventions of interest; all trials were conducted in high-income countries. Overall we judged the trials to be at high risk of bias. Except for parental acupuncture (graded low), all other GRADE assessments of the primary outcomes of comparisons were very low, indicating a high degree of uncertainty about the overall findings. Parental presence: In five trials (557 children), parental presence at induction of anaesthesia did not reduce child anxiety compared with not having a parent present (standardized mean difference (SMD) 0.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.14 to 0.20). In a further three trials (267 children) where we were unable to pool results, we found no clear differences in child anxiety, whether a parent was present or not. In a single trial, child anxiety showed no significant difference whether one or two parents were present, although parental anxiety was significantly reduced when both parents were present at the induction. Parental presence was significantly less effective than sedative premedication in reducing children's anxiety at induction in three trials with 254 children (we could not pool results). Child interventions (passive): When a video of the child's choice was played during induction, children were significantly less anxious than controls (median difference modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) 31.2, 95% CI 27.1 to 33.3) in a trial of 91 children. In another trial of 120 children, co-operation at induction did not differ significantly when a video fairytale was played before induction. Children exposed to low sensory stimulation were significantly less anxious than control children on introduction of the anaesthesia mask and more likely to be co-operative during induction in one trial of 70 children. Music therapy did not show a significant effect on children's anxiety in another trial of 51 children. Child interventions (mask introduction): We found no significant differences between a mask exposure intervention and control in a single trial of 103 children for child anxiety (risk ratio (RR) 0.59, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.11) although children did demonstrate significantly better co-operation in the mask exposure group (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.51). Child interventions (interactive): In a three-arm trial of 168 children, preparation with interactive computer packages (in addition to parental presence) was more effective than verbal preparation, although differences between computer and cartoon preparation were not significant, and neither was cartoon preparation when compared with verbal preparation. Children given video games before induction were significantly less anxious at induction than those in the control group (mYPAS mean difference (MD) -9.80, 95% CI -19.42 to -0.18) and also when compared with children who were sedated with midazolam (mYPAS MD -12.20, 95% CI -21.82 to -2.58) in a trial of 112 children. When compared with parental presence only, clowns or clown doctors significantly lessened children's anxiety in the operating/induction room (mYPAS MD -24.41, 95% CI -38.43 to -10.48; random-effects, I² 75%) in three trials with a total of 133 children. However, we saw no significant differences in child anxiety in the operating room between clowns/clown doctors and sedative premedication (mYPAS MD -9.67, 95% CI -21.14 to 1.80, random-effects, I² 66%; 2 trials of 93 children). In a trial of hypnotherapy versus sedative premedication in 50 children, there were no significant differences in children's anxiety at induction (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.04). Parental interventions: Children of parents having acupuncture compared with parental sham acupuncture were less anxious during induction (mYPAS MD -17, 95% CI -30.51 to -3.49) and were more co-operative (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.01 to 2.53) in a single trial of 67 children. Two trials with 191 parents assessed the effects of parental video viewing but did not report any of the review's prespecified primary outcomes. This review shows that the presence of parents during induction of general anaesthesia does not diminish their child's anxiety. Potentially promising non-pharmacological interventions such as parental acupuncture; clowns/clown doctors; playing videos of the child's choice during induction; low sensory stimulation; and hand-held video games need further investigation in larger studies.

  1. Frontal EEG and emotion regulation: electrocortical activity in response to emotional film clips is associated with reduced mood induction and attention interference effects.

    PubMed

    Dennis, Tracy A; Solomon, Beylul

    2010-12-01

    Frontal EEG activity is thought to reflect affective dispositions, but may also reflect the emotional demands of a specific context combined with the capability to regulate emotions in that context. The present study examined this hypothesis by testing whether frontal EEG activity during mood inductions versus a resting baseline predicted emotion regulation. EEG was recorded while participants (N=66, 40 females) received a fearful, sad, or neutral mood induction. Emotion regulation was measured following the mood inductions as self-reported change in negative mood and as attention interference in a task with mood-congruent emotional distracters. Greater frontal EEG activity during the mood inductions versus baseline was associated with more effective emotion regulation: less post-induction sadness and anxiety and reduced mood-congruent attention interference effects. Effects did not differ between the left and right hemispheres. Results support the hypothesis that frontal EEG activity reflects both emotional context and emotion-regulatory capabilities. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. An investigation into reasoning biases, mood and cognitive state, and subclinical delusional ideation.

    PubMed

    Medlin, Haley; Warman, Debbie

    2014-12-15

    Following research on reasoning and the continuum of delusional ideation, the present study attempted to investigate the impact of different experimentally-induced states (stress, paranoia, and neutral) on the jumping-to-conclusions reasoning bias in individuals with varying levels of subclinical delusional ideation (SDI). Participants (N=117) completed a measure of subclinical delusional ideation (the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory or PDI; Peters et al., 1999); and were randomly assigned to receive one of two experimental inductions (stress or paranoia), or no experimental induction; their performance on two probabilistic reasoning tasks--one easy and one challenging--was assessed. Although no differences were found between individuals with high vs. low subclinical delusional ideation in the no induction condition or following the paranoia induction, in the stress-induction condition, individuals with high levels of subclinical delusional ideation were significantly less likely to jump to conclusions on the easy reasoning task. No significant effects emerged on the more challenging task. Assessment of post-test paranoid thinking indicated our paranoia induction did not have its intended effect. Importantly, because there was no pre-test of anxiety, paranoid thinking, or reasoning to determine if they shifted after the inductions, results need to be interpreted with caution. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Parental presence during induction of anesthesia: physiological effects on parents.

    PubMed

    Kain, Zeev N; Caldwell-Andrews, Alison A; Mayes, Linda C; Wang, Shu-Ming; Krivutza, Dawn M; LoDolce, Megan E

    2003-01-01

    The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether parental presence during induction of anesthesia (PPIA) is associated with parental physiologic and behavioral manifestations of stress. Children and their parents (N = 80) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) PPIA; (2) PPIA plus 0.5 mg/kg oral midazolam; and (3) control (no PPIA or midazolam). The effect of the group assignment on parental heart rate (HR), parental blood pressure, and parental skin conductance level (SCL) were assessed. Both parental HR and parental SCL were monitored continually. Anxiety of the parent and child was also assessed. Parental HR increased from baseline until the induction of anesthesia (P = 0.001). A group-by-time effect ( P= 0.005) was also found. That is, throughout the induction period there were several time points at which parents in the two PPIA groups had a significantly higher HR than did parents in the control group (P < 0.05). Similarly, SCL was found to increase in all parents from baseline until induction of anesthesia (P = 0.001). Significant group differences in SCL changes over time were found as well (P = 0.009). State anxiety and blood pressure following induction of anesthesia did not differ significantly between groups ( P= nonsignificant). Examination of parental Holter data revealed no rhythm abnormalities and no electrocardiogram changes indicating ischemia. The authors found that PPIA is associated with increased parental HR and SCL. However, no increased incidence of electrocardiogram abnormalities were found in parents present during induction of anesthesia.

  4. The effect of induction therapy on established CMV specific T cell immunity in living donor kidney transplantation.

    PubMed

    Stranavova, L; Hruba, P; Girmanova, E; Tycova, I; Slavcev, A; Fronek, J; Slatinska, J; Reinke, P; Volk, H-D; Viklicky, O

    2018-05-04

    Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection influences both short and long term outcomes in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different induction immunosuppression regimens on CMV specific T cell response in patients with already established CMV immunity. In 24 seropositive living donor kidney recipients, the frequency of CMV specific T cells was determined by ELISPOT (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot) assay prior and 6 months after transplantation. Recipients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with immediate-early (IE1) and phosphoprotein 65 (pp65) CMV-derived peptide pools and the number of cells producing interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) was assessed. Patients received quadruple immunosuppression based either on depletive rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) or non-depletive basiliximab induction and tacrolimus/mycophenolate mofetil/steroids. Patients with rATG induction received valgancyclovir prophylaxis. No effects of different induction agents on CMV specific T cell immunity were found at sixth month after kidney transplantation. There were no associations among dialysis vintage, pretransplant CMV specific T cell immunity, and later CMV DNAemia. Similarly, no effect of CMV prophylaxis on CMV specific T cell immunity was revealed. This study shows no effect of posttransplant immunosuppression on CMV specific T cell immunity in living donor kidney transplant recipients with CMV immunity already established, regardless of lymphocyte depletion and CMV prophylaxis.

  5. Ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

    PubMed

    Perales-Puchalt, Alfredo; Legro, Richard S

    2013-08-01

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. There are multiple ways to induce ovulation in PCOS patients, which will eventually provide a successful live birth. Each of these treatments varies in aggressiveness and effectiveness. Ranging from lifestyle modifications, through insulin-sensitizing agents, selective estrogen receptor modulators, aromatase inhibitors, gonadotropins, to laparoscopic ovarian drilling and assisted reproductive techniques, each method achieves ovulation induction through different mechanisms of action. This review provides a description and specific characteristics of the different methods used for ovulation induction which can help to design a personalized approach to each PCOS patient, and a general stepwise approach to ovulation induction in these patients. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. The Effects of Brief and Elaborate Mood Induction Procedures on the Size of Young Children's Drawings

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Burkitt, E.; Barnett, N.

    2006-01-01

    It has been claimed that children's drawings following brief mood induction procedures differ in size depending on positive or negative mood. However there are conflicting findings in the field regarding the existence and direction of scaling changes. Such inconsistencies may be the result of methodological differences or may indicate that this…

  7. Early cytokine modulation after the rapid induction phase of sublingual immunotherapy with mite monomeric allergoids.

    PubMed

    Di Gioacchino, M; Perrone, A; Petrarca, C; Di Claudio, F; Mistrello, G; Falagiani, P; Dadorante, V; Verna, N; Braga, M; Ballone, E; Cavallucci, E

    2008-01-01

    The influence of different treatment schedules of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in activating IL-10-producing T-cells, crucial in inducing allergen-specific tolerance, is not completely understood. The present work was designed to evaluate allergen driven interleukin release by mononuclear cells in the early phase of SLIT, after application of different induction schemes. Twenty mite-allergic patients were enrolled, 10 (group A) treated with a traditional 98 day induction scheme and 10 (group B) with a 16 day scheme with monomeric allergoid vaccine. At the end of the induction phase, the cumulative doses taken by group A and group B patients were equivalent to 50.5 and 50.3 microg of mite group 1 allergens, respectively. The release of Th1-, Th2- and Treg-related interleukins was assessed in culture supernatants of 5 microg/ml Der-p1-stimulated mononuclear cells, isolated before and after the induction phases. No relevant treatment-related side effects were observed. Interleukin release was similar in the two groups at the enrolment. Non-stimulated and Der p 1 stimulated release of studied cytokines was similar in the two groups at enrolment. Der p 1 stimulation significantly increased IL-10 release (p<0.0002) after treatment in group B patients, and this effect was higher (p=0.05) compared to group A patients. Furthermore, at the end of SLIT induction TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IFN-gamma production were reduced in group B patients (p<0.05, p=0.062 and p=0.060, respectively). The rapid induction scheme of sublingual immunotherapy induces an early immune suppression more effectively than the slower one. The rapid induction scheme should be the preferential way to start sublingual immunotherapy, particularly when monomeric allergoids are utilized.

  8. Progress in the Inductive Strategy-Use of Children from Different Ethnic Backgrounds: A Study Employing Dynamic Testing

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Resing, Wilma C. M.; Touw, Kirsten W. J.; Veerbeek, Jochanan; Elliott, Julian G.

    2017-01-01

    This study investigated potential differences in inductive behavioural and verbal strategy-use between children (aged 6-8 years) from indigenous and non-indigenous backgrounds. This was effected by the use of an electronic device that could present a series of tasks, offer scaffolded assistance and record children's responses. Children from…

  9. Stimulus size dependence of hue changes induced by chromatic surrounds.

    PubMed

    Kellner, Christian Johannes; Wachtler, Thomas

    2016-03-01

    A chromatic surround induces a change in the perceived hue of a stimulus. This shift in hue depends on the chromatic difference between the stimulus and the surround. We investigated how chromatic induction varies with stimulus size and whether the size dependence depends on the surround hue. Subjects performed asymmetric matching of color stimuli with different sizes in surrounds of different chromaticities. Generally, induced hue shifts decreased with increasing stimulus size. This decrease was quantitatively different for different surround hues. However, when size effects were normalized to an overall induction strength, the chromatic specificity was largely reduced. The separability of inducer chromaticity and stimulus size suggests that these effects are mediated by different neural mechanisms.

  10. Wireless Metal Detection and Surface Coverage Sensing for All-Surface Induction Heating

    PubMed Central

    Kilic, Veli Tayfun; Unal, Emre; Demir, Hilmi Volkan

    2016-01-01

    All-surface induction heating systems, typically comprising small-area coils, face a major challenge in detecting the presence of a metallic vessel and identifying its partial surface coverage over the coils to determine which of the coils to power up. The difficulty arises due to the fact that the user can heat vessels made of a wide variety of metals (and their alloys). To address this problem, we propose and demonstrate a new wireless detection methodology that allows for detecting the presence of metallic vessels together with uniquely sensing their surface coverages while also identifying their effective material type in all-surface induction heating systems. The proposed method is based on telemetrically measuring simultaneously inductance and resistance of the induction coil coupled with the vessel in the heating system. Here, variations in the inductance and resistance values for an all-surface heating coil loaded by vessels (made of stainless steel and aluminum) at different positions were systematically investigated at different frequencies. Results show that, independent of the metal material type, unique identification of the surface coverage is possible at all freqeuncies. Additionally, using the magnitude and phase information extracted from the coupled coil impedance, unique identification of the vessel effective material is also achievable, this time independent of its surface coverage. PMID:26978367

  11. Energy-saving technology of vector controlled induction motor based on the adaptive neuro-controller

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Engel, E.; Kovalev, I. V.; Karandeev, D.

    2015-10-01

    The ongoing evolution of the power system towards a Smart Grid implies an important role of intelligent technologies, but poses strict requirements on their control schemes to preserve stability and controllability. This paper presents the adaptive neuro-controller for the vector control of induction motor within Smart Gird. The validity and effectiveness of the proposed energy-saving technology of vector controlled induction motor based on adaptive neuro-controller are verified by simulation results at different operating conditions over a wide speed range of induction motor.

  12. Effects of inductive bias on computational evaluations of ligand-based modeling and on drug discovery

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cleves, Ann E.; Jain, Ajay N.

    2008-03-01

    Inductive bias is the set of assumptions that a person or procedure makes in making a prediction based on data. Different methods for ligand-based predictive modeling have different inductive biases, with a particularly sharp contrast between 2D and 3D similarity methods. A unique aspect of ligand design is that the data that exist to test methodology have been largely man-made, and that this process of design involves prediction. By analyzing the molecular similarities of known drugs, we show that the inductive bias of the historic drug discovery process has a very strong 2D bias. In studying the performance of ligand-based modeling methods, it is critical to account for this issue in dataset preparation, use of computational controls, and in the interpretation of results. We propose specific strategies to explicitly address the problems posed by inductive bias considerations.

  13. [Comparative study between fast and slow induction of propofol given by target-controlled infusion: expected propofol concentration at the effect site. Randomized controlled trial].

    PubMed

    Simoni, Ricardo Francisco; Miziara, Luiz Eduardo de Paula Gomes; Esteves, Luis Otávio; Silva, Diógenes de Oliveira; Ribeiro, Cristina Alves; Smith, Mariana Oki; Paula, Leonardo Ferreira de; Cangiani, Luis Henrique

    2015-01-01

    studies have shown that rate of propofol infusion may influence the predicted propofol concentration at the effect site (Es). The aim of this study was to evaluate the Es predicted by the Marsh pharmacokinetic model (ke0 0.26min(-1)) in loss of consciousness during fast or slow induction. the study included 28 patients randomly divided into two equal groups. In slow induction group (S), target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol with plasma, Marsh pharmacokinetic model (ke0 0.26min(-1)) with target concentration (Tc) at 2.0-μg.mL(-1) were administered. When the predicted propofol concentration at the effect site (Es) reached half of Es value, Es was increased to previous Es + 1μg.mL(-1), successively, until loss of consciousness. In rapid induction group (R), patients were induced with TCI of propofol with plasma (6.0μg.ml(-1)) at Es, and waited until loss of consciousness. in rapid induction group, Tc for loss of consciousness was significantly lower compared to slow induction group (1.67±0.76 and 2.50±0.56μg.mL(-1), respectively, p=0.004). the predicted propofol concentration at the effect site for loss of consciousness is different for rapid induction and slow induction, even with the same pharmacokinetic model of propofol and the same balance constant between plasma and effect site. Copyright © 2014 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

  14. Effect of sample volume on metastable zone width and induction time

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kubota, Noriaki

    2012-04-01

    The metastable zone width (MSZW) and the induction time, measured for a large sample (say>0.1 L) are reproducible and deterministic, while, for a small sample (say<1 mL), these values are irreproducible and stochastic. Such behaviors of MSZW and induction time were theoretically discussed both with stochastic and deterministic models. Equations for the distribution of stochastic MSZW and induction time were derived. The average values of stochastic MSZW and induction time both decreased with an increase in sample volume, while, the deterministic MSZW and induction time remained unchanged. Such different behaviors with variation in sample volume were explained in terms of detection sensitivity of crystallization events. The average values of MSZW and induction time in the stochastic model were compared with the deterministic MSZW and induction time, respectively. Literature data reported for paracetamol aqueous solution were explained theoretically with the presented models.

  15. Rapid COJEC Induction Therapy for High-risk Neuroblastoma Patients - Cochrane Review.

    PubMed

    Peinemann, F; van Dalen, E C; Berthold, F

    2016-04-01

    Neuroblastoma is a rare malignant disease and patients with high-risk neuroblastoma have a poor prognosis. Rapid COJEC induction chemotherapy means (almost) the same total doses given within a shorter time period. In theory, rapid COJEC could reduce the risk of drug resistance and it has been considered as a potential candidate for improving the outcome. The objective was to evaluate effects of rapid COJEC compared to standard induction chemotherapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. We searched the databases CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE from inception to 11 November 2014 and included randomized controlled trials. We identified one relevant randomized controlled trial with 130 participants receiving rapid COJEC and 132 participants receiving standard OPEC/COJEC induction chemotherapy. There was no statistically significant difference between the treatment groups in complete response (risk ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.71 to 1.38, P=0.94) and treatment-related mortality (risk ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.33 to 4.39, P=0.77). A statistically significant difference in favor of the standard treatment arm was identified for the following early toxicities: febrile neutropenia, septicemia, and renal toxicity. The differences in complete response and treatment-related mortality between treatment alternatives were not statistically significantly different. Based on the currently available evidence, we are uncertain about the effects of rapid COJEC induction chemotherapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  16. Structure and Strength in Causal Induction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Griffiths, Thomas L.; Tenenbaum, Joshua B.

    2005-01-01

    We present a framework for the rational analysis of elemental causal induction--learning about the existence of a relationship between a single cause and effect--based upon causal graphical models. This framework makes precise the distinction between causal structure and causal strength: the difference between asking whether a causal relationship…

  17. AC loss modelling and experiment of two types of low-inductance solenoidal coils

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liang, Fei; Yuan, Weijia; Zhang, Min; Zhang, Zhenyu; Li, Jianwei; Venuturumilli, Sriharsha; Patel, Jay

    2016-11-01

    Low-inductance solenoidal coils, which usually refer to the nonintersecting type and the braid type, have already been employed to build superconducting fault current limiters because of their fast recovery and low inductance characteristics. However, despite their usage there is still no systematical simulation work concerning the AC loss characteristics of the coils built with 2G high temperature superconducting tapes perhaps because of their complicated structure. In this paper, a new method is proposed to simulate both types of coils with 2D axisymmetric models solved by H formulation. Following the simulation work, AC losses of both types of low inductance solenoidal coils are compared numerically and experimentally, which verify that the model works well in simulating non-inductive coils. Finally, simulation works show that pitch has significant impact to AC loss of both types of coils and the inter-layer separation has different impact to the AC loss of braid type of coil in case of different applied currents. The model provides an effective tool for the design optimisation of SFCLs built with non-inductive solenoidal coils.

  18. Clinical and histologic effects of intracardiac administration of propofol for induction of anesthesia in ball pythons (Python regius).

    PubMed

    McFadden, Michael S; Bennett, R Avery; Reavill, Drury R; Ragetly, Guillaume R; Clark-Price, Stuart C

    2011-09-15

    To assess the clinical differences between induction of anesthesia in ball pythons with intracardiac administration of propofol and induction with isoflurane in oxygen and to assess the histologic findings over time in hearts following intracardiac administration of propofol. Prospective randomized study. 30 hatchling ball pythons (Python regius). Anesthesia was induced with intracardiac administration of propofol (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb]) in 18 ball pythons and with 5% isoflurane in oxygen in 12 ball pythons. Induction time, time of anesthesia, and recovery time were recorded. Hearts from snakes receiving intracardiac administration of propofol were evaluated histologically 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days following propofol administration. Induction time with intracardiac administration of propofol was significantly shorter than induction time with 5% isoflurane in oxygen. No significant differences were found in total anesthesia time. Recovery following intracardiac administration of propofol was significantly longer than recovery following induction of anesthesia with isoflurane in oxygen. Heart tissue evaluated histologically at 3, 7, and 14 days following intracardiac administration of propofol had mild inflammatory changes, and no histopathologic lesions were seen 30 and 60 days following propofol administration. Intracardiac injection of propofol in snakes is safe and provides a rapid induction of anesthesia but leads to prolonged recovery, compared with that following induction with isoflurane. Histopathologic lesions in heart tissues following intracardiac injection of propofol were mild and resolved after 14 days.

  19. Grain-based versus alfalfa-based subacute ruminal acidosis induction experiments: Similarities and differences between changes in milk fatty acids.

    PubMed

    Colman, E; Khafipour, E; Vlaeminck, B; De Baets, B; Plaizier, J C; Fievez, V

    2013-07-01

    Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is one of the most important metabolic disorders, traditionally characterized by low rumen pH, which might be induced by an increase in the dietary proportion of grains as well as by a reduction of structural fiber. Both approaches were used in earlier published experiments in which SARA was induced by replacing part of the ration by a grain mixture or alfalfa hay by alfalfa pellets. The main differences between both experiments were the presence of blood lipopolysaccharide and Escherichia coli and associated effects on the rumen microbial population in the rumen of grain-based induced SARA animals as well as a great amount of quickly fermentable carbohydrates in the grain-based SARA induction experiment. Both induction approaches changed rumen pH although the pH decrease was more substantial in the alfalfa-based SARA induction protocol. The goal of the current analysis was to assess whether both acidosis induction approaches provoked similar shifts in the milk fatty acid (FA) profile. Similar changes of the odd- and branched-chain FA and the C18 biohydrogenation intermediates were observed in the alfalfa-based SARA induction experiment and the grain-based SARA induction experiment, although they were more pronounced in the former. The proportion of trans-10 C18:1 in the last week of the alfalfa-based induction experiment was 6 times higher than the proportion measured during the control week. The main difference between both induction experiments under similar rumen pH changes was the decreasing sum of iso FA during the grain-based SARA induction experiment whereas the sum of iso FA remained stable during the alfalfa-based SARA induction experiment. The cellulolytic bacterial community seemed to be negatively affected by either the presence of E. coli and the associated lipopolysaccharide accumulation in the rumen or by the amount of starch and quickly fermentable carbohydrates in the diet. In general, changes in the milk FA profile were related to changes in rumen pH. Nevertheless, feed characteristics (low in structural fiber vs. high in starch) also affected the milk FA profile and, as such, both effects should be taken into account when subacute acidosis occurs. Copyright © 2013 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  20. The role of prostaglandins E1 and E2, dinoprostone, and misoprostol in cervical ripening and the induction of labor: a mechanistic approach.

    PubMed

    Bakker, Ronan; Pierce, Stephanie; Myers, Dean

    2017-08-01

    Prostaglandins play a critical role in cervical ripening by increasing inflammatory mediators in the cervix and inducing cervical remodeling. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exert different effects on these processes and on myometrial contractility. These mechanistic differences may affect outcomes in women treated with dinoprostone, a formulation identical to endogenous PGE2, compared with misoprostol, a PGE1 analog. The objective of this review is to evaluate existing evidence regarding mechanistic differences between PGE1 and PGE2, and consider the clinical implications of these differences in patients requiring cervical ripening for labor induction. We conducted a critical narrative review of peer-reviewed articles identified using PubMed and other online databases. While both dinoprostone and misoprostol are effective in cervical ripening and labor induction, they differ in their clinical and pharmacological profiles. PGE2 has been shown to stimulate interleukin-8, an inflammatory cytokine that promotes the influx of neutrophils and induces remodeling of the cervical extracellular matrix, and to induce functional progesterone withdrawal. Misoprostol has been shown to elicit a dose-dependent effect on myometrial contractility, which may affect rates of uterine tachysystole in clinical practice. Differences in the mechanism of action between misoprostol and PGE2 may contribute to their variable effects in the cervix and myometrium, and should be considered to optimize outcomes.

  1. Nano red elemental selenium has no size effect in the induction of seleno-enzymes in both cultured cells and mice.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jinsong; Wang, Huali; Bao, Yongping; Zhang, Lide

    2004-05-28

    We previous reported that a nano red elemental selenium (Nano-Se) in the range from 20 approximately 60 nm had similar bioavailability to sodium selenite (BioFactors 15 (2001) 27). We recently found that Nano-Se with different size had marked difference in scavenging an array of free radicals in vitro, the smaller the particle, the better scavenging activity (Free Radic. Biol. Med. 35 (2003) 805). In order to examine whether there is a size effect of Nano-Se in the induction of Se-dependent enzymes, a range of Nano-Se (5 approximately 200 nm) have been prepared based on the control of elemental Se atom aggregation. The sizes of Nano-Se particles were inversely correlated with protein levels in the redox system of selenite and glutathione. Different sizes of red elemental Se were prepared by adding varying amount of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Three different sizes of Nano-Se (5 approximately 15 nm, 20 approximately 60 nm, and 80 approximately 200 nm) have been chosen for the comparison of biological activity in terms of the induction of seleno-enzyme activities. Results showed that there was no significant size effect of Nano-Se from 5 to 200 nm in the induction of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) and thioredoxin reductase-1 (TrxR-1) in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and the livers of mice.

  2. Effects of induced rumination on body dissatisfaction: Is there any difference between men and women?

    PubMed

    Rivière, Julie; Rousseau, Amélie; Douilliez, Céline

    2018-05-19

    Rumination is a factor in the development and maintenance of body dissatisfaction. However, no study has yet investigated the impact of the type of rumination on body image. The first aim of this study was to examine whether the induction of analytic-abstract vs. concrete-experiential rumination affects body dissatisfaction following an induction of negative body image. The second objective was to examine gender differences in these effects. Following induction of negative body image, 102 university undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions-distraction, concrete rumination or abstract rumination. As expected, there were significant main effects of gender and condition, and a significant interaction between gender and condition on change in body dissatisfaction. In women abstract rumination predicted the highest increase in body dissatisfaction, whereas concrete rumination predicted the highest increase in body dissatisfaction in men. Given that our sample consisted of undergraduate students, our findings cannot be generalized to clinical sample suffering from eating disorder. The different types of rumination seem to impact differentially body dissatisfaction in men and women. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Effects of Cascaded Voltage Collapse and Protection of Many Induction Machine Loads upon Load Characteristics Viewed from Bulk Transmission System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumano, Teruhisa

    As known well, two of the fundamental processes which give rise to voltage collapse in power systems are the on load tap changers of transformers and dynamic characteristics of loads such as induction machines. It has been well established that, comparing among these two, the former makes slower collapse while the latter makes faster. However, in realistic situations, the load level of each induction machine is not uniform and it is well expected that only a part of loads collapses first, followed by collapse process of each load which did not go into instability during the preceding collapses. In such situations the over all equivalent collapse behavior viewed from bulk transmission level becomes somewhat different from the simple collapse driven by one aggregated induction machine. This paper studies the process of cascaded voltage collapse among many induction machines by time simulation, where load distribution on a feeder line is modeled by several hundreds of induction machines and static impedance loads. It is shown that in some cases voltage collapse really cascades among induction machines, where the macroscopic load dynamics viewed from upper voltage level makes slower collapse than expected by the aggregated load model. Also shown is the effects of machine protection of induction machines, which also makes slower collapse.

  4. LET and ion-species dependence for cell killing and mutation induction in normal human fibroblasts.

    PubMed

    Tsuruoka, Chizuru; Suzuki, Masao; Fujitaka, Kazunobu

    2003-10-01

    We have been studying LET and ion species dependence of RBE values in cell killing and mutation induction. Normal human skin fibroblasts were irradiated with heavy-ion beams such as carbon (290 Mev/u and 135 Mev/u), neon (230 Mev/u and 400 Mev/u), silicon (490 Mev/u) and iron (500 Mev/u) ion beams, generated by Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) at National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS). Cell killing effect was detected as reproductive cell death using a colony formation assay. Mutation induction in hprt locus was detected to measure 6-thioguanine resistant colonies. The RBE-LET curves of cell killing and mutation induction were different each ion beam. So, we plotted RBE for cell killing and mutation induction as function of Z*2/beta2 instead of LET. RBE-Z*2/beta2 curves of cell killing indicated that the discrepancy of RBE-LET curves was reconciled each ion species. But RBE-Z*2/beta2 curves of mutation induction didn't corresponded between carbon- and silicon-ion beams. These results suggested that different biological endpoints may be suitable for different physical parameter, which represent the track structure of energy deposition of ion beams.

  5. Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis: Comparative Efficacy of Biologics in the Treatment of Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis.

    PubMed

    Vickers, Adrian D; Ainsworth, Claire; Mody, Reema; Bergman, Annika; Ling, Caroline S; Medjedovic, Jasmina; Smyth, Michael

    2016-01-01

    Biological therapies are increasingly used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). To compare the efficacy of biologics in adults with moderately-to-severely active UC, stratified by prior exposure to anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify studies of biologics approved for UC. Network meta-analysis was conducted for endpoints at induction and maintenance. Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis of induction treatment for anti-TNF therapy-naïve patients. All biologics were more effective than placebo in inducing clinical response, clinical remission, and mucosal healing. Infliximab demonstrated a statistically significant improvement over adalimumab in clinical response (odds ratio [OR] [95% credible interval (CrI)]: 2.19 [1.35-3.55]), clinical remission (OR [95% CrI]: 2.81 [1.49-5.49]), and mucosal healing (OR [95% CrI]: 2.23 [1.21-4.14]); there were no other significant differences between biologics for induction efficacy. Five studies were included in the meta-analysis of maintenance treatment, two studies rerandomised responder patients at end of induction, and three followed the same patients 'straight through'. To account for design differences, the number of responders at end of induction was assumed to be equivalent to the number rerandomised. Vedolizumab showed significantly different durable clinical response from comparators (OR [95% CrI] infliximab 3.18 [1.14-9.20], golimumab 2.33 [1.04-5.41], and adalimumab 3.96 [1.67-9.84]). In anti-TNF therapy-experienced patients, only vedolizumab and adalimumab could be compared. At induction, no significant differences in efficacy were seen. During maintenance, vedolizumab showed significantly improved rates of mucosal healing versus adalimumab (OR [95% CrI]: 6.72 [1.36-41.0]). This study expands the understanding of comparative efficacies of biologic treatments for UC, encompassing outcomes and populations not previously studied. All biologic treatments were effective for UC during induction. Vedolizumab demonstrated possible clinical benefits in the maintenance setting versus all comparators, irrespective of prior anti-TNF exposure and after adjusting for differences in study design.

  6. Flavored Anesthetic Masks for Inhalational Induction in Children.

    PubMed

    Gupta, Aakriti; Mathew, Preethy Joseph; Bhardwaj, Neerja

    2017-10-01

    To evaluate the clinical efficacy of masking the odor of inhalational agents using fruit flavors on the anxiety behavior and compliance of children for inhalational induction. A prospective randomized double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted on 60 unpremedicated children in the age group of 4-12 y. Thirty children received anesthetic masks smeared with a flavor of child's choice while the other 30 children were induced using masks without flavor. Anxiety was assessed using modified Yale Pre-operative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) in the pre-op room and during inhalational induction. Mask acceptance was graded by Induction Compliance Checklist (ICC). The cost-effectiveness of flavored anesthetic masks was compared to that of commercially available pre-scented masks. The baseline anxiety in the two groups was comparable. The number of children demonstrating high levels of anxiety at anesthetic induction was similar in flavored and non-flavored mask groups (p 0.45). The compliance to mask induction was also equally good (p 0.99). The authors found significant difference in the cost of flavored mask (INR 56.45 per mask) as compared to commercially available pre-scented masks (INR 660 per mask). The authors observed a placebo effect that reduced the pre-op anxiety in the control group which probably made the quality of induction equivalent with flavored and non-flavored masks. Therefore, using a flavored anesthetic mask is cost-effective than using a commercially available pre-scented mask.

  7. People Mind Wander More during Massed than Spaced Inductive Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Metcalfe, Janet; Xu, Judy

    2016-01-01

    This article investigates the relation between mind wandering and the spacing effect in inductive learning. Participants studied works of art by different artists grouped in blocks, where works by a particular artist were either presented all together successively (the massed condition), or interleaved with the works of other artists (the spaced…

  8. Randomized comparison of oral misoprostol and oxytocin for labor induction in term prelabor membrane rupture.

    PubMed

    Butt, K D; Bennett, K A; Crane, J M; Hutchens, D; Young, D C

    1999-12-01

    To compare labor induction intervals between oral misoprostol and intravenous oxytocin in women who present at term with premature rupture of membranes. One hundred eight women were randomly assigned to misoprostol 50 microg orally every 4 hours as needed or intravenous oxytocin. The primary outcome measure was time from induction to vaginal delivery. Sample size was calculated using a two-tailed alpha of 0.05 and power of 80%. Baseline demographic data, including maternal age, gestation, parity, Bishop score, birth weight, and group B streptococcal status, were similar. The mean time +/-standard deviation to vaginal birth with oral misoprostol was 720+/-382 minutes compared with 501+/-389 minutes with oxytocin (P = .007). The durations of the first, second, and third stages of labor were similar. There were no differences in maternal secondary outcomes, including cesarean birth (eight and seven, respectively), infection, maternal satisfaction with labor, epidural use, perineal trauma, manual placental removal, or gastrointestinal side effects. Neonatal outcomes including cord pH, Apgar scores, infection, and admission to neonatal intensive care unit were not different. Although labor induction with oral misoprostol was effective, oxytocin resulted in a shorter induction-to-delivery interval. Active labor intervals and other maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar.

  9. A study on geometry effect of transmission coil for micro size magnetic induction coil

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, Kyung Hwa; Jun, Byoung Ok; Kim, Seunguk; Lee, Gwang Jun; Ryu, Mingyu; Choi, Ji-Woong; Jang, Jae Eun

    2016-05-01

    The effects of transmission (Tx) coil structure have been studied for micro-size magnetic induction coil. The size of the receiving (Rx) coil should be shrunk to the micrometer level for the various new applications such as micro-robot and wireless body implanted devices. In case of the macro-scale magnetic induction coil, the power transmission efficiency is generally considered to be higher as the inductance of the transmission coil became larger; however, the large size difference between macro-size Tx coil and micro-size Rx coil can decrease the power transmission efficiency due to the difference of resonance frequency. Here, we study a correlation of the power transmission with the size and distance between the macro-size Tx and micro-size Rx coils using magnetic induction technique. The maximum power efficiency was 0.28/0.23/0.13/0.12% at the distance of 0.3/1/3/5 cm between Rx and Tx coil. In addition, more efficient wireless power transferring method is suggested with a floating coil for the body implantable devices. The voltage output increased up to 5.4 mV than the original one Tx coil system. The results demonstrated the foundational wireless power transferring system with enhanced power efficiency.

  10. What you learn is more than what you see: what can sequencing effects tell us about inductive category learning?

    PubMed Central

    Carvalho, Paulo F.; Goldstone, Robert L.

    2015-01-01

    Inductive category learning takes place across time. As such, it is not surprising that the sequence in which information is studied has an impact in what is learned and how efficient learning is. In this paper we review research on different learning sequences and how this impacts learning. We analyze different aspects of interleaved (frequent alternation between categories during study) and blocked study (infrequent alternation between categories during study) that might explain how and when one sequence of study results in improved learning. While these different sequences of study differ in the amount of temporal spacing and temporal juxtaposition between items of different categories, these aspects do not seem to account for the majority of the results available in the literature. However, differences in the type of category being studied and the duration of the retention interval between study and test may play an important role. We conclude that there is no single aspect that is able to account for all the evidence available. Understanding learning as a process of sequential comparisons in time and how different sequences fundamentally alter the statistics of this experience offers a promising framework for understanding sequencing effects in category learning. We use this framework to present novel predictions and hypotheses for future research on sequencing effects in inductive category learning. PMID:25983699

  11. Post-electroconvulsive therapy recovery and reorientation time with methohexital and ketamine: a randomized, longitudinal cross-over design trial

    PubMed Central

    Yen, Tony; Khafaja, Mohamad; Lam, Nicholas; Crumbacher, James; Schrader, Ronald; Rask, John; Billstrand, Mary; Rothfork, Jacob; Abbott, Christopher C.

    2014-01-01

    Objectives Methohexital, a barbiturate anesthetic commonly used for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), possesses dose-dependent anticonvulsant properties, and its use can interfere with effective seizure therapy in patients with high seizure thresholds. Ketamine, a NMDA-antagonist with epileptogenic properties not broadly used for ECT inductions, is a commonly used induction agent for general anesthesia. Recent studies suggest that the use of ketamine is effective in allowing successful ECT treatment in patients with high seizure thresholds without an increase in side-effects. In this preliminary study, we directly compared the recovery and re-orientation times of subjects receiving ketamine and methohexital for ECTs. Methods Twenty patients were randomized in a cross-over design to receive methohexital and ketamine for ECT inductions in alternating fashion for six trials. Primary outcome measures were recovery time (voluntary movement, respiratory effort, blood pressure, consciousness, and O2 saturation) and re-orientation time. Secondary outcome measures were individual recovery variables, side-effect occurrence, and seizure duration. Results: Overall recovery time was not significantly different between the two treatment arms (F(1,17) = 0.72, P = 0.41). Re-orientation time was faster in the methohexital arm (F(1,17) = 9.23, P = 0.007). Conclusion Ketamine inductions resulted in higher number of side-effects, higher subject dropout rates, and a longer reorientation time with respect to methohexital inductions. No significant difference in post-anesthesia recovery time was found between the ketamine and methohexital arms. Intolerability to ketamine affected a significant proportion of subjects, and suggests that ketamine should remain as an alternative or adjunctive agent for patients with high seizure thresholds. PMID:24755722

  12. Episodic specificity induction impacts activity in a core brain network during construction of imagined future experiences

    PubMed Central

    Madore, Kevin P.; Szpunar, Karl K.; Addis, Donna Rose; Schacter, Daniel L.

    2016-01-01

    Recent behavioral work suggests that an episodic specificity induction—brief training in recollecting the details of a past experience—enhances performance on subsequent tasks that rely on episodic retrieval, including imagining future experiences, solving open-ended problems, and thinking creatively. Despite these far-reaching behavioral effects, nothing is known about the neural processes impacted by an episodic specificity induction. Related neuroimaging work has linked episodic retrieval with a core network of brain regions that supports imagining future experiences. We tested the hypothesis that key structures in this network are influenced by the specificity induction. Participants received the specificity induction or one of two control inductions and then generated future events and semantic object comparisons during fMRI scanning. After receiving the specificity induction compared with the control, participants exhibited significantly more activity in several core network regions during the construction of imagined events over object comparisons, including the left anterior hippocampus, right inferior parietal lobule, right posterior cingulate cortex, and right ventral precuneus. Induction-related differences in the episodic detail of imagined events significantly modulated induction-related differences in the construction of imagined events in the left anterior hippocampus and right inferior parietal lobule. Resting-state functional connectivity analyses with hippocampal and inferior parietal lobule seed regions and the rest of the brain also revealed significantly stronger core network coupling following the specificity induction compared with the control. These findings provide evidence that an episodic specificity induction selectively targets episodic processes that are commonly linked to key core network regions, including the hippocampus. PMID:27601666

  13. [Induction on callus culture and regeneration of Orostachyis fimbriatae].

    PubMed

    Su, Rui-jun; Zou, Li-juan; Wu, Qing-gui; Luo, Ming-hua

    2014-01-01

    To explore the effects of different hormonal combinations on induction, proliferation and differentiation of Orostachyis fimbriatae callus culture. Aseptic seedling leaves were used as explants,the different concentrations of IAA,NAA, 6-BA and KT on induction proliferation of callus were optimized by orthogonal test to explore the optimum medium for differentiation of callus by tissue culture techniques. The best medium for induction was MS + IAA 1.0 mg/L + NAA 0.5 mg/L + KT 1.0 mg/L, and the best hormonal combination for proliferation was MS + IAA 0.5 mg/L + 6-BA 0.5 mg/I. + KT 1.0 mg/L. The best medium for differentiation was MS + IAA 0.1 mg/L + KT 2.0 mg/L, and 1/2MS + IAA 0.2 mg/L was the optimum medium for rooting culture. The system of regeneration of Orostachyis fimbriatae is establishd by tissue culture techniques in this study.

  14. Effects of alfaxalone administered intravenously to healthy yearling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at three different doses.

    PubMed

    Phillips, Brianne E; Posner, Lysa P; Lewbart, Gregory A; Christiansen, Emily F; Harms, Craig A

    2017-04-15

    OBJECTIVE To compare physiologic and anesthetic effects of alfaxalone administered IV to yearling loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) at 3 different doses. DESIGN Randomized crossover study. ANIMALS 9 healthy yearling loggerhead sea turtles. PROCEDURES Animals received each of 3 doses of alfaxalone (3 mg/kg [1.4 mg/lb], 5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb], or 10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb]) administered IV in randomly assigned order, with a minimum 7-day washout period between doses. Endotracheal intubation was attempted following anesthetic induction, and heart rate, sedation depth, cloacal temperature, and respirations were monitored. Times to first effect, induction, first voluntary muscle movement, first respiration, and recovery were recorded. Venous blood gas analysis was performed at 0 and 30 minutes. Assisted ventilation was performed if apnea persisted 30 minutes following induction. RESULTS Median anesthetic induction time for all 3 doses was 2 minutes. Endotracheal intubation was accomplished in all turtles following induction. Heart rate significantly increased after the 3- and 5-mg/kg doses were administered. Median intervals from alfaxalone administration to first spontaneous respiration were 16, 22, and 54 minutes for the 3-, 5-, and 10-mg/kg doses, respectively, and median intervals to recovery were 28, 46, and 90 minutes, respectively. Assisted ventilation was required for 1 turtle after receiving the 5-mg/kg dose and for 5 turtles after receiving the 10-mg/kg dose. The 10-mg/kg dose resulted in respiratory acidosis and marked hypoxemia at 30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE IV alfaxalone administration to loggerhead sea turtles resulted in a rapid anesthetic induction and dose-dependent duration of sedation. Assisted ventilation is recommended if the 10 mg/kg dose is administered.

  15. Relative reward effects on operant behavior: Incentive contrast, induction and variety effects

    PubMed Central

    Webber, E.S.; Chambers, N. E.; Kostek, J.A.; Mankin, D.E; Cromwell, H.C.

    2015-01-01

    Comparing different rewards automatically produces dynamic relative outcome effects on behavior. Each new outcome exposure is to an updated version evaluated relative to alternatives. Relative reward effects include incentive contrast, positive induction and variety effects. The present study utilized a novel behavioral design to examine relative reward effects on a chain of operant behavior using auditory cues. Incentive contrast is the most often examined effect and focuses on increases or decreases in behavioral performance after value upshifts (positive) or downshifts (negative) relative to another outcome. We examined the impact of comparing two reward outcomes in a repeated measures design with three sessions: a single outcome and a mixed outcome and a final single outcome session. Relative reward effects should be apparent when comparing trials for the identical outcome between the single and mixed session types. An auditory cue triggered a series of operant responses (nosepoke-leverpress-food retrieval), and we measured possible contrast effects for different reward magnitude combinations. We found positive contrast for trials with the greatest magnitude differential but positive induction or variety effects in other combinations. This behavioral task could be useful for analyzing environmental or neurobiological factors involved in reward comparisons, decision-making and choice during instrumental, goal-directed action. PMID:25979604

  16. Effect of different methods of pulse width modulation on power losses in an induction motor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gulyaev, Alexander; Fokin, Dmitrii; Shuharev, Sergey; Ten, Evgenii

    2017-10-01

    We consider the calculation of modulation power losses in a system “induction motor-inverter” for various pulse width modulation (PWM) methods of the supply voltage. Presented values of modulation power losses are the result of modeling a system “DC link - two-level three-phase voltage inverter - induction motor - load”. In this study the power losses in a system “induction motor - inverter” are computed, as well as losses caused by higher harmonics of PWM supply voltage, followed by definition of active power consumed by the DC link for a specified value mechanical power on the induction motor shaft. Mechanical power was determined by the rotation speed and the torque on the motor shaft in various quasi-sinusoidal supply voltage PWM modes. These calculations reveal the best coefficient of performance (COP) in a system of a variable frequency drive (VFD) with independent voltage inverter controlled by induction motor PWM.

  17. [Unconscious induction of emotions and unintended change in behavior].

    PubMed

    Sokolowski, K

    1992-01-01

    The problem of most mood induction procedures in psychological laboratories is located in their demand characteristics. The subjects either have to help change their mood actively, or are at best only passively aware of the induction process. To overcome the necessity of consciousness of the mood induction procedure we developed a technique based on the involuntary tendency to imitate the expression of perceived faces ("emotional infection"). Three different mood induction conditions--operationalized by means of happy, neutral, or sad pairs of faces, which had to be compared in spite of their age--were imbedded in an experiment disguised as, research in perception'. The results show mood influences only in the behavioral measures: Happy induced subjects wrote significantly faster than neutral and sad ones. In contrast, the self description data--measured via mood adjectives--showed no typical changes due to the induction condition. The subjects seemed to be unaware of the cause and the effect of their changed mood.

  18. Accurate Induction Energies for Small Organic Molecules. 2. Development and Testing of Distributed Polarizability Models against SAPT(DFT) Energies.

    PubMed

    Misquitta, Alston J; Stone, Anthony J; Price, Sarah L

    2008-01-01

    In part 1 of this two-part investigation we set out the theoretical basis for constructing accurate models of the induction energy of clusters of moderately sized organic molecules. In this paper we use these techniques to develop a variety of accurate distributed polarizability models for a set of representative molecules that include formamide, N-methyl propanamide, benzene, and 3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2,4-dione. We have also explored damping, penetration, and basis set effects. In particular, we have provided a way to treat the damping of the induction expansion. Different approximations to the induction energy are evaluated against accurate SAPT(DFT) energies, and we demonstrate the accuracy of our induction models on the formamide-water dimer.

  19. Matrix Conditions and KLF2-Dependent Induction of Heme Oxygenase-1 Modulate Inhibition of HCV Replication by Fluvastatin

    PubMed Central

    Singethan, Katrin; Sirma, Hüseyin; Keller, Amelie Dorothea; Rosal, Sergio René Perez; Schrader, Jörg; Loscher, Christine; Volz, Tassilo; Bartenschlager, Ralf; Lohmann, Volker; Protzer, Ulrike; Dandri, Maura; Lohse, Ansgar W.; Tiegs, Gisa; Sass, Gabriele

    2014-01-01

    Background & Aims HMG-CoA-reductase-inhibitors (statins) have been shown to interfere with HCV replication in vitro. We investigated the mechanism, requirements and contribution of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)-induction by statins to interference with HCV replication. Methods HO-1-induction by fluva-, simva-, rosuva-, atorva- or pravastatin was correlated to HCV replication, using non-infectious replicon systems as well as the infectious cell culture system. The mechanism of HO-1-induction by statins as well as its relevance for interference with HCV replication was investigated using transient or permanent knockdown cell lines. Polyacrylamide(PAA) gels of different density degrees or the Rho-kinase-inhibitor Hydroxyfasudil were used in order to mimic matrix conditions corresponding to normal versus fibrotic liver tissue. Results All statins used, except pravastatin, decreased HCV replication and induced HO-1 expression, as well as interferon response in vitro. HO-1-induction was mediated by reduction of Bach1 expression and induction of the Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) cofactor Krueppel-like factor 2 (KLF2). Knockdown of KLF2 or HO-1 abrogated effects of statins on HCV replication. HO-1-induction and anti-viral effects of statins were more pronounced under cell culture conditions mimicking advanced stages of liver disease. Conclusions Statin-mediated effects on HCV replication seem to require HO-1-induction, which is more pronounced in a microenvironment resembling fibrotic liver tissue. This implicates that certain statins might be especially useful to support HCV therapy of patients at advanced stages of liver disease. PMID:24801208

  20. Determining the effect of grain size and maximum induction upon coercive field of electrical steels

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Landgraf, Fernando José Gomes; da Silveira, João Ricardo Filipini; Rodrigues-Jr., Daniel

    2011-10-01

    Although theoretical models have already been proposed, experimental data is still lacking to quantify the influence of grain size upon coercivity of electrical steels. Some authors consider a linear inverse proportionality, while others suggest a square root inverse proportionality. Results also differ with regard to the slope of the reciprocal of grain size-coercive field relation for a given material. This paper discusses two aspects of the problem: the maximum induction used for determining coercive force and the possible effect of lurking variables such as the grain size distribution breadth and crystallographic texture. Electrical steel sheets containing 0.7% Si, 0.3% Al and 24 ppm C were cold-rolled and annealed in order to produce different grain sizes (ranging from 20 to 150 μm). Coercive field was measured along the rolling direction and found to depend linearly on reciprocal of grain size with a slope of approximately 0.9 (A/m)mm at 1.0 T induction. A general relation for coercive field as a function of grain size and maximum induction was established, yielding an average absolute error below 4%. Through measurement of B50 and image analysis of micrographs, the effects of crystallographic texture and grain size distribution breadth were qualitatively discussed.

  1. Randomized Trial of Labor Induction in Women 35 Years of Age or Older.

    PubMed

    Walker, Kate F; Bugg, George J; Macpherson, Marion; McCormick, Carol; Grace, Nicky; Wildsmith, Chris; Bradshaw, Lucy; Smith, Gordon C S; Thornton, James G

    2016-03-03

    The risk of antepartum stillbirth at term is higher among women 35 years of age or older than among younger women. Labor induction may reduce the risk of stillbirth, but it also may increase the risk of cesarean delivery, which already is common in this older age group. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial involving primigravid women who were 35 years of age or older. Women were randomly assigned to labor induction between 39 weeks 0 days and 39 weeks 6 days of gestation or to expectant management (i.e., waiting until the spontaneous onset of labor or until the development of a medical problem that mandated induction). The primary outcome was cesarean delivery. The trial was not designed or powered to assess the effects of labor induction on stillbirth. A total of 619 women underwent randomization. In an intention-to-treat analysis, there were no significant between-group differences in the percentage of women who underwent a cesarean section (98 of 304 women in the induction group [32%] and 103 of 314 women in the expectant-management group [33%]; relative risk, 0.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87 to 1.14) or in the percentage of women who had a vaginal delivery with the use of forceps or vacuum (115 of 304 women [38%] and 104 of 314 women [33%], respectively; relative risk, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.77). There were no maternal or infant deaths and no significant between-group differences in the women's experience of childbirth or in the frequency of adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes. Among women of advanced maternal age, induction of labor at 39 weeks of gestation, as compared with expectant management, had no significant effect on the rate of cesarean section and no adverse short-term effects on maternal or neonatal outcomes. (Funded by the Research for Patient Benefit Programme of the National Institute for Health Research; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN11517275.).

  2. When Induction Meets Memory: Evidence for Gradual Transition from Similarity-Based to Category-Based Induction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fisher, Anna V.; Sloutsky, Vladimir M.

    2005-01-01

    The ability to perform induction appears early; however, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Some argue that early induction is category based, whereas others suggest that early induction is similarity based. Category- and similarity-based induction should result in different memory traces and thus in different memory accuracy. Performing…

  3. Differential repair of radiation-induced DNA damage in cells of human squamous cell carcinoma and the effect of caffeine and cysteamine on induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks

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

    Smeets, M.F.M.A.; Mooren, E.H.M.; Abdel-Wahab, A.H.A.

    1994-11-01

    The goal of these experiments was to investigate further the relationship between DNA double-strand breaks and cell killing in human tumor cells, first by comparing different cell lines, and second by radiomodification studies. Field-inversion gel electrophoresis was used to quantify double-strand breaks. Two subclones of the radioresistant human squamous cell carcinoma line SQ20B (SQD9 and SQG6) were compared. These subclones differed in DNA index by a factor of 1.7 but showed the same resistance to radiation as cells of the parental cell line. It was found that, although induction of DSBs was not significantly different in the two cell lines,more » the t{sub 1/2} of the fast component of repair was significantly shorter for SQD9 cells, leading to greater overall repair which was not reflected in increased survival. Caffeine and cysteamine were tested as modifiers of radiosensitivity, using the radioresistant SQ20B line and the radiosensitive SCC61 cell line. No effect of caffeine was seen when the drug was present only during irradiation. Postirradiation incubations with caffeine, however, resulted in a dose reduction factor greater than 2.0 in cell survival for both cell lines. In contrast, induction of DSBs was reduced by caffeine, and no effect on DSB repair was observed. Cysteamine led to a dose protection factor greater than 1.8 in cell survival in both cell lines. A reduction in induced DSBs was found at high doses corresponding approximately with the increase in cell survival. Over the same (low) dose range, however, the correlation between DSB induction and cell killing was poor. These data indicate that DSB induction does not correlate well with cell killing either for different cell lines, for radiochemical modification (cysteamine) or for some other types of modification (caffeine). 31 refs., 8 figs.« less

  4. Effect of caffeine on induction of endogenous type C virus in mouse cells in vitro

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

    Niwa, O.; Sugahara, T.

    1981-08-01

    The effect of caffeine on the expression of murine endogenous virus in mouse cells induced by radiation and chemicals was studied. Postirradiation treatment of K-BALB cells with caffeine enhanced cell killing as well as the induction of xenotropic virus after ultraviolet light irradiation. The degree of enhancement for the virus induction was comparable to that for cell killing. On the other hand, colony-forming ability and the expression of xenotropic virus of K-BALB cells after X-irradiation were unaffected by caffeine. These data suggest a linear relationship between the degree of endogenous virus expression and the amount of lethal damages after irradiation.more » For induction by halogenated pyrimidines, a 24-hr incubation of AKR2B cells with caffeine after 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine treatment resulted in marked suppression of the expression of ecotropic virus. On the contrary, in K-BALB cells, caffeine exerted only a small effect on 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine-induced expression of ecotropic and xenotropic viruses. These results indicate that, although using the same inducing agent, the pathway of endogenous virus induction may be different for AKR2B cells and for K-BALB cells.« less

  5. Does acupuncture used in nulliparous women reduce time from prelabour rupture of membranes at term to active phase of labour? A randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Selmer-Olsen, Tone; Lydersen, Stian; Mørkved, Siv

    2007-01-01

    To assess if acupuncture influences the onset of labour and the need for induction after prelabour rupture of membranes (PROM) in nulliparous women. Further, to investigate a possible effect of acupuncture on the woman's wellbeing. In a randomised controlled trial (RCT), 106 nulliparous women with PROM were allocated to an acupuncture group (AG) or a control group (CG). The outcome measures were time from PROM to onset of active phase of labour, and rate of inductions if labour was absent after 2 days. The women's self-reported wellbeing was registered on a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups regarding time from PROM to active phase (median times in AG versus CG: 15 versus 20.5 h, p=0.34). Additionally, there was no difference between the 2 groups in the need for induction. We found no significant differences in self-reported wellbeing, but the women receiving acupuncture considered their treatment to be more positive than the controls (p=0.003). No adverse effects were reported. Acupuncture treatment used in nulliparas after PROM showed no significant effect in reducing time to active labour or in reducing rate of inductions. There was no change in wellbeing as a result of acupuncture, but it was considered positive to receive this kind of treatment while waiting for labour to begin.

  6. Once daily vs multiple daily mesalamine therapy for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis: a meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Li, W; Zhang, Z-M; Jiang, X-L

    2016-07-01

    5-Aminosalicylic acid is the first-line drug for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). The most commonly used 5-aminosalicylic acid is mesalamine. Several systematic reviews have demonstrated that mesalamine is effective in inducing and maintaining remission. Efficacy, safety and adherence to once daily (OD) and multiple daily (MD) dosing of mesalamine for the induction and maintenance of remission in mild to moderate UC were systematically reviewed and compared. PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception to November 2014. Only randomized controlled trials were considered eligible. STATA software (version 12.0) was used to calculate the pooled risk ratios with 95% confidence interval. Seventeen randomized studies containing 5439 patients were identified. No significant differences were noted in comparisons between OD and MD dosing for maintenance and induction of remission. No significant differences were noted in rates of medication adherence or adverse events between OD and MD dosing. With regard to mesalamine suppository, no significant differences were noted for comparisons between dosing regimens and adverse events for induction of remission. OD dose of mesalamine is as effective and safe as MD doses for the induction and maintenance treatment of mild to moderate UC. OD mesalamine given as a suppository can attain the same effect and safety as MD mesalamine in inducing remission of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Colorectal Disease © 2016 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.

  7. Inductional Effects in a Halbach Magnet Motion Above Distributed Inductance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tchatchoua, Yves; Conrow, Ary; Kim, Dong; Morgan, Daniel; Majewski, Walerian; Zafar, Zaeema

    2013-03-01

    We experimented with attempts to levitate a linear (bar) Halbach array of five 1'' Nd magnets above a linear inductive track. Next, in order to achieve a control over the relative velocity, we designed a different experiment. In it a large wheel with circumferentially positioned along its rim inducting coils rotates, while the magnet is suspended directly above the rim of the wheel on a force sensor. Faraday's Law with the Lenz's Rule is responsible for the lifting and drag forces on the magnet; the horizontal drag force is measured by another force sensor. Approximating the magnet's linear relative motion over inductors with a motion along a large circle, we may use formulas derived earlier in the literature for linear inductive levitation. We measured lift and drag forces as functions of relative velocity of the Halbach magnet and the inductive ``track,'' in an approximate agreement with the existing theory. We then vary the inductance and shape of the inductive elements to find the most beneficial choice for the lift/drag ratio at the lowest relative speed.

  8. Aroused with heart: Modulation of heartbeat evoked potential by arousal induction and its oscillatory correlates

    PubMed Central

    Luft, Caroline Di Bernardi; Bhattacharya, Joydeep

    2015-01-01

    Recent studies showed that the visceral information is constantly processed by the brain, thereby potentially influencing cognition. One index of such process is the heartbeat evoked potential (HEP), an ERP component related to the cortical processing of the heartbeat. The HEP is sensitive to a number of factors such as motivation, attention, pain, which are associated with higher levels of arousal. However, the role of arousal and its associated brain oscillations on the HEP has not been characterized, yet it could underlie the previous findings. Here we analysed the effects of high- (HA) and low-arousal (LA) induction on the HEP. Further, we investigated the brain oscillations and their role in the HEP in response to HA and LA inductions. As compared to LA, HA was associated with a higher HEP and lower alpha oscillations. Interestingly, individual differences in the HEP modulation by arousal induction were correlated with alpha oscillations. In particular, participants with higher alpha power during the arousal inductions showed a larger HEP in response to HA compared to LA. In summary, we demonstrated that arousal induction affects the cortical processing of heartbeats; and that the alpha oscillations may modulate this effect. PMID:26503014

  9. Alterations in electrodermal activity and cardiac parasympathetic tone during hypnosis.

    PubMed

    Kekecs, Zoltán; Szekely, Anna; Varga, Katalin

    2016-02-01

    Exploring autonomic nervous system (ANS) changes during hypnosis is critical for understanding the nature and extent of the hypnotic phenomenon and for identifying the mechanisms underlying the effects of hypnosis in different medical conditions. To assess ANS changes during hypnosis, electrodermal activity and pulse rate variability (PRV) were measured in 121 young adults. Participants either received hypnotic induction (hypnosis condition) or listened to music (control condition), and both groups were exposed to test suggestions. Blocks of silence and experimental sound stimuli were presented at baseline, after induction, and after de-induction. Skin conductance level (SCL) and high frequency (HF) power of PRV measured at each phase were compared between groups. Hypnosis decreased SCL compared to the control condition; however, there were no group differences in HF power. Furthermore, hypnotic suggestibility did not moderate ANS changes in the hypnosis group. These findings indicate that hypnosis reduces tonic sympathetic nervous system activity, which might explain why hypnosis is effective in the treatment of disorders with strong sympathetic nervous system involvement, such as rheumatoid arthritis, hot flashes, hypertension, and chronic pain. Further studies with different control conditions are required to examine the specificity of the sympathetic effects of hypnosis. © 2015 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

  10. Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis: Comparative Efficacy of Biologics in the Treatment of Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis

    PubMed Central

    Vickers, Adrian D.; Ainsworth, Claire; Mody, Reema; Bergman, Annika; Ling, Caroline S.; Medjedovic, Jasmina; Smyth, Michael

    2016-01-01

    Background Biological therapies are increasingly used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). Aim To compare the efficacy of biologics in adults with moderately-to-severely active UC, stratified by prior exposure to anti-tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy. Methods A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify studies of biologics approved for UC. Network meta-analysis was conducted for endpoints at induction and maintenance. Results Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis of induction treatment for anti-TNF therapy-naïve patients. All biologics were more effective than placebo in inducing clinical response, clinical remission, and mucosal healing. Infliximab demonstrated a statistically significant improvement over adalimumab in clinical response (odds ratio [OR] [95% credible interval (CrI)]: 2.19 [1.35–3.55]), clinical remission (OR [95% CrI]: 2.81 [1.49–5.49]), and mucosal healing (OR [95% CrI]: 2.23 [1.21–4.14]); there were no other significant differences between biologics for induction efficacy. Five studies were included in the meta-analysis of maintenance treatment, two studies rerandomised responder patients at end of induction, and three followed the same patients ‘straight through’. To account for design differences, the number of responders at end of induction was assumed to be equivalent to the number rerandomised. Vedolizumab showed significantly different durable clinical response from comparators (OR [95% CrI] infliximab 3.18 [1.14–9.20], golimumab 2.33 [1.04–5.41], and adalimumab 3.96 [1.67–9.84]). In anti-TNF therapy-experienced patients, only vedolizumab and adalimumab could be compared. At induction, no significant differences in efficacy were seen. During maintenance, vedolizumab showed significantly improved rates of mucosal healing versus adalimumab (OR [95% CrI]: 6.72 [1.36–41.0]). Conclusions This study expands the understanding of comparative efficacies of biologic treatments for UC, encompassing outcomes and populations not previously studied. All biologic treatments were effective for UC during induction. Vedolizumab demonstrated possible clinical benefits in the maintenance setting versus all comparators, irrespective of prior anti-TNF exposure and after adjusting for differences in study design. PMID:27776175

  11. A rapid enhancement of locomotor sensitization to amphetamine by estradiol in female rats.

    PubMed

    Zovkic, Iva B; McCormick, Cheryl M

    2017-11-14

    Estradiol moderates the effects of drugs of abuse in both humans and rodents. Estradiol's enhancement of behavioral effects resulting from high (>2.5mg/kg) doses of amphetamine is established in rats; there is less evidence for the role of estradiol in locomotor effects elicited by lower doses, which are less aversive, increase incentive motivation, involve different neural mechanisms than higher doses, and often more readily reveal group differences than do higher doses. Further, the extent to which estradiol is required for the induction versus the expression of sensitization is unknown. To establish a protocol, we replicated the effects of estradiol on locomotor sensitization to amphetamine reported in a previous study that involved a high locomotor-activating dose (1.5mg/kg) of amphetamine, but with a lower dose. Ovariectomized female rats received 5μg of estradiol benzoate (EB) or OIL 30min before each of 5 treatments of 1.0mg/kg amphetamine or saline; all received a 0.5mg/kg challenge dose three days later. Compared with results for OIL, EB enhanced the locomotor-activating effects of repeated 1.0mg/kg amphetamine across treatment days. In contrast, on challenge day, there was no difference between EB-saline and EB-amphetamine to the lower dose (i.e., no sensitization). Experiments 2 and 3 involved a shorter induction (2days) and a lengthier withdrawal (9days) before the challenge test for the expression of sensitization to better differentiate the induction phase from the expression phase. In Expt2, EB-, and not OIL-, treated rats showed sensitization to 0.5mg/kg amphetamine; neither group showed sensitization to 1.5mg/kg amphetamine (ceiling effect?). In Expt3, rats were treated with EB either in both the induction and expression phases, in one of the phases only, or in neither phase. There was an effect of hormone treatment on challenge day and not on induction day; rats given EB on Challenge day showed sensitization to 0.5mg/kg amphetamine; OIL rats did not. The results suggest rapid effects of estradiol on amphetamine sensitization consistent with rapid effects of estradiol reported for other behaviours. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  12. Does a hypnosis session reduce the required propofol dose during closed-loop anaesthesia induction?: A randomised controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Bataille, Aurélien; Guirimand, Avit; Szekely, Barbara; Michel-Cherqui, Mireille; Dumans, Virginie; Liu, Ngai; Chazot, Thierry; Fischler, Marc; Le Guen, Morgan

    2017-11-27

    Hypnosis has a positive effect on peri-operative anxiety and pain. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a formal deep hypnosis session on the consumption of propofol for anaesthetic induction using automated administration of propofol guided by the bispectral index (BIS) in a closed loop. A 1 : 1 randomised, usual-care-controlled, single-centre trial. Tertiary care centre in France from April 2014 to December 2015. Female adult patients scheduled for outpatient gynaecological surgery under general anaesthesia. Before surgery, patients were randomised to receive either a deep hypnosis session or routine care. Anaesthetic induction was performed automatically by propofol without opioids and was assisted by the BIS in a closed loop. The primary endpoint was the propofol dose required for anaesthesia induction, defined as a BIS less than 60 for at least 30 s. Data for 31 patients in the hypnosis group and 35 in the control group were analysed. There was no evidence of a difference in the mean required propofol dose for anaesthetic induction between the hypnosis and the control groups (2.06 mg kg (95% confidence interval [1.68 to 2.43]) versus 1.79 mg kg (95% CI [1.54 to 2.03]), P = 0.25, respectively). The current study, which was designed to determine the effect of a deep hypnosis session on anaesthesia induction using an automated tool for propofol administration, failed to detect a difference in the required dose of propofol. ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02249364.

  13. Inductance and resistance measurement method for vessel detection and coil powering in all-surface inductive heating systems composed of outer squircle coils

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kilic, Veli Tayfun; Unal, Emre; Demir, Hilmi Volkan

    2017-05-01

    In this work, we investigate a method proposed for vessel detection and coil powering in an all-surface inductive heating system composed of outer squircle coils. Besides conventional circular coils, coils with different shapes such as outer squircle coils are used for and enable efficient all-surface inductive heating. Validity of the method, which relies on measuring inductance and resistance values of a loaded coil at different frequencies, is experimentally demonstrated for a coil with shape different from conventional circular coil. Simple setup was constructed with a small coil to model an all-surface inductive heating system. Inductance and resistance maps were generated by measuring coil's inductance and resistance values at different frequencies loaded by a plate made of different materials and located at various positions. Results show that in an induction hob for various coil geometries it is possible to detect a vessel's presence, to identify its material type and to specify its position on the hob surface by considering inductance and resistance of the coil measured on at least two different frequencies. The studied method is important in terms of enabling safe, efficient and user flexible heating in an all-surface inductive heating system by automatically detecting the vessel's presence and powering on only the coils that are loaded by the vessel with predetermined current levels.

  14. Alfaxalone compared with ketamine for induction of anaesthesia in horses following xylazine and guaifenesin.

    PubMed

    Keates, Helen L; van Eps, Andrew W; Pearson, Martin R B

    2012-11-01

    To compare anaesthesia induced with either alfaxalone or ketamine in horses following premedication with xylazine and guaifenesin. Randomized blinded cross-over experimental study. Six adult horses, five Standardbreds and one Thoroughbred; two mares and four geldings. Each horse received, on separate occasions, induction of anaesthesia with either ketamine 2.2 mg kg(-1) or alfaxalone 1 mg kg(-1) . Premedication was with xylazine 0.5 mg kg(-1) and guaifenesin 35 mg kg(-1) . Incidence of tremors/shaking after induction, recovery and ataxia on recovery were scored. Time to recovery was recorded. Partial pressure of arterial blood oxygen (PaO(2) ) and carbon dioxide (PaO(2) ), arterial blood pressures, heart rate (HR) and respiratory rates were recorded before premedication and at intervals during anaesthesia. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test and are expressed as median (range). There was no difference in the quality of recovery or in ataxia scores. Horses receiving alfaxalone exhibited a higher incidence of tremors/shaking on induction compared with those receiving ketamine (five and one of six horses respectively). Horses recovered to standing similarly [28 (24-47) minutes for alfaxalone; 22 (18-35) for ketamine] but took longer to recover adequately to return to the paddock after alfaxalone [44 (38-67) minutes] compared with ketamine [35 (30-47)]. There was no statistical difference between treatments in effect on HR, PaO(2) or PaCO(2) although for both regimens, PaO(2) decreased with respect to before premedication values. There was no difference between treatments in effect on blood pressure. Both alfaxalone and ketamine were effective at inducing anaesthesia, although at induction there were more muscle tremors after alfaxalone. As there were no differences between treatments in relation to cardiopulmonary responses or quality of recovery, and only minor differences in recovery times, both agents appear suitable for this purpose following the premedication regimen used in this study. © 2012 The Authors. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. © 2012 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists.

  15. Power Quality Improvement in Induction Furnace by Harmonic Reduction Using Dynamic Voltage Restorer

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saggu, Tejinder Singh; Singh, Lakhwinder

    2016-06-01

    Induction furnaces are used in wide quantity under different capacities for annual production of around 25 million tons of iron and steel in India. It plays a vital role in various manufacturing processes around the world for melting different types of metal scraps i. e. Copper, Cast Iron, Aluminium, Steel, Brass, Bronze, Silicon, Gold, Silver etc. which are further used in many other industrial applications. The induction furnace causes a huge disturbance to the utility and nearby consumers during its operation due to its non-linear characteristics. This is a serious phenomenon responsible for power quality degradation in the power system. This paper presents methodology to improve the power quality degradation caused by induction furnace using Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) which is a type of custom power device. The real time data has been taken from an industry employing induction furnace for production of ingots from scrap material. The experimental readings are measured using power quality analyser equipment. The simulation of whole plant is done by analysing this same data and the simulation results are compared with actual onsite results. Then, solution methodology using DVR is presented which revealed that the implementation of DVR is an effective solution for voltage sag mitigation and harmonics improvement in induction furnace.

  16. Spectral line intensity irreversibility in circulatory plasma magnetization processes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qu, Z. Q.; Dun, G. T.

    2012-01-01

    Spectral line intensity variation is found to be irreversible in circulatory plasma magnetization process by experiments described in this paper, i.e., the curves illustrating spectral line photon fluxes irradiated from a light source immerged in a magnetic field by increasing the magnetic induction cannot be reproduced by decreasing the magnetic induction within the errors. There are two plasma magnetization patterns found. One shows that the intensities are greater at the same magnetic inductions during the magnetic induction decreasing process after the increasing, and the other gives the opposite effect. This reveals that the magneto-induced excitation and de-excitation process is irreversible like ferromagnetic magnetization. But the two irreversible processes are very different in many aspects stated in the text.

  17. Intesive fludarabine-high dose cytarabine-idarubicin combination as induction therapy with risk-adapted consolidation may improve treatment efficacy in younger Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) patients: Rationales, evidences and future perspectives.

    PubMed

    Guolo, Fabio; Minetto, Paola; Clavio, Marino; Miglino, Maurizio; Lemoli, Roberto Massimo; Gobbi, Marco

    2017-03-22

    Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the commonest form of leukemia in the adults, with an incidence of 3-4 cases per 100,000 people/year. After the first description of the effective cytarabine + antracycline (3+7) induction regimen, in the last 3 decades, no effective targeted drug has been included in the standard treatment of AML. Many efforts of modifying 3+7 adding a third drug or increasing the dose of anthracycline, cytarabine or both did not lead to substantial improvements, mainly due to increased toxicity. Many in vitro and in vivo evidences suggested that fludarabine may increase efficacy of cytarabine through a synergistic effect. Considering the continuous improvements in supportive care and management of infectious complications the feasibility of more intensive induction strategies have increased and a renewed interest in fludarabine-containing induction strategies arose. The recent MRC AML 15 trial has shown that a fludarabine-containing induction, FLAG-Ida, resulted superior to conventional 3+7 in terms of complete remission rates, relapse incidence and survival, although only a minority of patients could complete the whole planned consolidation program due to an excessive hematological toxicity. Our group recently published a 10-year experience with a fludarabine-containing induction that slightly differed from the MRC one and resulted in good efficacy and higher feasibility. In this commentary we review the major evidences supporting the employ of a fludarabine-containing induction in AML, and discuss the future perspectives.

  18. Is Parent Disciplinary Behavior Enduring or Situational? A Multilevel Modeling Investigation of Individual and Contextual Influences on Power Assertive and Inductive Reasoning Behaviors

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Critchley, Christine R.; Sanson, Ann V.

    2006-01-01

    This research examined individual difference and contextual effects on the disciplinary behavior of a representative sample of 296 parents. Both the use of power assertion and inductive reasoning were found to be higher when the child's behavior violated a moral compared to a conventional principle, and in response to deliberate versus accidental…

  19. [The influence of fasting, of a hyperprotein diet and of nicotinamide on hepatic L-threonine deaminase].

    PubMed

    Aleo, M F; Casella, A; Marinello, E

    1981-09-15

    The induction of L-threonine deaminase, following nicotinamide injection has been studied: the effect of fasting and of hyperproteic diet have been also taken in consideration. Maximal induction is observed after 5 days hyperproteic diet, and is additional only with nicotinamide treatment. Results are interpreted assuming a different hepatic content and behavior of multiple forms of the enzyme.

  20. Students' inductive reasoning skills and the relevance of prior knowledge: an exploratory study with a computer-based training course on the topic of acne vulgaris.

    PubMed

    Horn-Ritzinger, Sabine; Bernhardt, Johannes; Horn, Michael; Smolle, Josef

    2011-04-01

    The importance of inductive instruction in medical education is increasingly growing. Little is known about the relevance of prior knowledge regarding students' inductive reasoning abilities. The purpose is to evaluate this inductive teaching method as a means of fostering higher levels of learning and to explore how individual differences in prior knowledge (high [HPK] vs. low [LPK]) contribute to students' inductive reasoning skills. Twenty-six LPK and 18 HPK students could train twice with an interactive computer-based training object to discover the underlying concept before doing the final comprehension check. Students had a median of 76.9% of correct answers in the first, 90.9% in the second training, and answered 92% of the final assessment questions correctly. More important, 86% of all students succeeded with inductive learning, among them 83% of the HPK students and 89% of the LPK students. Prior knowledge did not predict performance on overall comprehension. This inductive instructional strategy fostered students' deep approaches to learning in a time-effective way.

  1. Soft Computing Application in Fault Detection of Induction Motor

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

    Konar, P.; Puhan, P. S.; Chattopadhyay, P. Dr.

    2010-10-26

    The paper investigates the effectiveness of different patter classifier like Feed Forward Back Propagation (FFBPN), Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) for detection of bearing faults in Induction Motor. The steady state motor current with Park's Transformation has been used for discrimination of inner race and outer race bearing defects. The RBF neural network shows very encouraging results for multi-class classification problems and is hoped to set up a base for incipient fault detection of induction motor. SVM is also found to be a very good fault classifier which is highly competitive with RBF.

  2. Comparison on Promotion Effect of Various Types of Surfactants on HCFC-141b Hydrate Induction Time

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Juan; Sun, Zhigao; Liu, Chenggang; Zhu, Minggui

    2018-03-01

    Cold storage in air conditioning based on refrigerant hydrate is a new-type energy saving technology to reduce initial investment and running cost of air conditioning equipments and improve system stability. Refrigerant hydrate is generated under critical temperature and pressure condition, while surfactant is an effective medium to promote its phase equilibrium. In this paper, in order to research such promotion effect, different type of surfactants with unique mechanism, SDS, Tween80 and Span80, n-BA were selected to compare the respective impact on HCFC141b hydrate induction time based on temperature curve. Experimental results showed that no obvious change had been discovered when no surfactant was added into pure water system, which coincided with phase equilibrium diagram of HCFC141b. All the four kinds of surfactants had realized promotion effect to various degrees. For each hydration system, a large gap existed between the longest and the shortest induction time in 6 groups of parallel experiments, meaning relatively poor system stability. Under the combined effect of Tween80 (2wt%), Span80 (0.1wt%) and n-BA (0.1wt%), average and the shortest induction time was 20.9min and 17.5min respectively, corresponding to the best promotion effect.

  3. Effects of mood induction on consumers with vs. without compulsive buying propensity: an experimental study.

    PubMed

    Vogt, Sinje; Hunger, Antje; Türpe, Tina; Pietrowsky, Reinhard; Gerlach, Alexander L

    2014-12-15

    Compulsive buying (CB) is excessive and leads to impairment and distress. Several studies aimed to explore the phenomenology and antecedents of CB, especially affective states. However, these studies mostly used retrospective self-report and mostly focused on compulsive buyers only. Therefore, this study aims to directly compare consumers with CB propensity and controls on experimental proxies of buying behavior and to investigate 1) effects of neutral vs. negative mood inductions and 2) whether mood effects on buying behavior are specific to CB. Forty female consumers with CB propensity and 40 female controls were randomly assigned to a neutral or negative mood induction. Buying related behavior (likelihood to expose oneself to a shopping situation, urge and probability to buy, willingness to pay) was assessed. Consumers with CB propensity differed from controls in all buying behavior aspects except for willingness to pay. Neither main effects of mood nor group×mood interaction effects on buying behavior were found. However, consumers with CB propensity were emotionally more strongly affected by a negative mood induction. Although negative affect has previously been reported to precede buying episodes in CB, our findings do not indicate specific negative mood effects on buying, neither in CB nor in controls. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Host manipulation by the orange leafhopper Cicadulina bipunctata: gall induction on distant leaves by dose-dependent stimulation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matsukura, Keiichiro; Matsumura, Masaya; Tokuda, Makoto

    2009-09-01

    The evolution of the gall-inducing ability in insects and the adaptive significance of the galling habit have been addressed by many studies. Cicadulina bipunctata, the maize orange leafhopper, is an ideal study organism for evaluating these topics because it can be mass-reared and it feeds on model plants such as rice ( Oryza sativa) and maize ( Zea mays). To reveal differences between gall inductions by C. bipunctata and other gall inducers, we conducted four experiments concerning (a) the relationship between the feeding site and gall-induction sites of C. bipunctata on maize, (b) the effects of leafhopper sex and density, (c) the effects of length of infestation on gall induction, and (d) the effects of continuous infestation. C. bipunctata did not induce galls on the leaves where it fed but induced galls on other leaves situated at more distal positions. The degree of gall induction was significantly correlated with infestation density and length. These results indicate that C. bipunctata induces galls in a dose-dependent manner on leaves distant from feeding sites, probably by injecting chemical(s) to the plant during feeding. We suggest that insect galls are induced by a chemical stimulus injected by gall inducers during feeding into the hosts.

  5. Differences in the induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 by taxane anticancer drugs, docetaxel and paclitaxel, assessed employing primary human hepatocytes.

    PubMed

    Nallani, Srikanth C; Goodwin, Bryan; Buckley, Arthur R; Buckley, Donna J; Desai, Pankaj B

    2004-09-01

    The induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 by drugs and other xenobiotics is a common cause of serious drug interactions. The aim of this study was to comparatively examine the effects of paclitaxel and docetaxel, two structurally related taxane anticancer agents, on the activity and expression of hepatic CYP3A4. Employing primary cultures of human hepatocytes from multiple donors, we investigated the differences in the magnitude of CYP3A4 induction and relative accumulation of paclitaxel and docetaxel. The CYP3A4 activity of intact hepatocytes was measured as the rate of testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation. The CYP3A4-specific immunoreactive protein and mRNA levels were measured employing Western blot and Northern blot analysis, respectively. Furthermore, employing cell-based reporter gene assay in CV-1 cells, we evaluated the capacity of paclitaxel and docetaxel to activate human pregnane X receptor (hPXR), an orphan nuclear receptor that plays a key role in the transcriptional regulation of CYP3A4. In concurrence with previous reports, we observed that paclitaxel potently induced CYP3A4 activity and expression in hepatocytes treated for 48-96 h. However, docetaxel did not increase the activity or the CYP3A4 immunoreactive protein levels for treatment periods up to 96 h. A marginal increase in the CYP3A4 mRNA levels was observed in cells treated with higher levels (5 and 10 microM) of docetaxel. Furthermore, while paclitaxel effectively activated hPXR (the half-maximal effective concentration, EC50, being about 5.2 microM), docetaxel weakly activated hPXR, and moreover the activation occurred only at high concentrations relative to paclitaxel. A comparison of the cellular concentrations of paclitaxel and docetaxel, in the cell culture models employed for evaluating CYP3A4 induction and hPXR activation, revealed that the intracellular paclitaxel levels were three-fold higher than that of docetaxel. Thus, it appears that both pharmacokinetic (drug concentration) and pharmacodynamic differences (hPXR activation) may account for the observed differences in CYP3A induction by paclitaxel and docetaxel. Our studies suggest that docetaxel has markedly reduced propensity to cause drug interactions that may entail hepatic CYP3A4 induction.

  6. Crassulacean Acid Metabolism Induction in Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Can Be Estimated by Non-Photochemical Quenching upon Actinic Illumination during the Dark Period.

    PubMed

    Matsuoka, Tatsuya; Onozawa, Aya; Sonoike, Kintake; Kore-Eda, Shin

    2018-06-15

    Mesembryanthemum crystallinum, which switches the mode of photosynthesis from C3 to crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) upon high salt stress, was shown here to exhibit diurnal changes in not only CO2 fixation pathway but also chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under CAM-induced conditions. We conducted comprehensive time course measurements of M. crystallinum leaf chlorophyll fluorescence using the same leaf through the CAM-induction period. By doing so, we were able to distinguish the effect of CAM induction from that of photoinhibition and avoid the possible effects of differences in foliar age. We found that the diurnal change in the status of electron transfer could be ascribed to the formation of a proton gradient across thylakoid membranes presumably resulting from diurnal changes in the ATP/ADP ratio reported earlier. The electron transport by actinic illumination, thus, became limited at the step of plastoquinol oxidation by the cytochrome b6/f complex in the "night" period upon CAM induction, resulting in high levels of non-photochemical quenching. The actinically induced non-photochemical quenching in the "night" period correlated well with the degree of CAM induction. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, such as NPQ or qN, could be used as a simple indexing system for the CAM induction.

  7. [Evaluation of the scales used to measure anxiety and child behaviour during the induction of anaesthesia. Literature review].

    PubMed

    Jerez, C; Lázaro, J J; Ullán, A M

    2016-02-01

    The assessment of children's anxiety during anaesthetic induction is useful to determine if pre-operative strategies have been effective in reducing anxiety. The aim of this study is to review the different tools used to evaluate child anxiety or behaviour during the induction of anaesthesia. The electronic databases with no date limits were reviewed in December 2013, with a second review repeated in September 2014. A data extraction template was applied to find the scales used in the articles. Eight observational scales were found. Six of them can only be used during induction of anaesthesia, and two of those could be applied at various perioperative times, before surgery and during induction of anaesthesia. Copyright © 2014 Sociedad Española de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del Dolor. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  8. The Ethiopian Adolescent and the Effect of Cultural Difference on Immigrant Students' Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bitew, Getnet; Ferguson, Peter

    2011-01-01

    This article investigates the effect of cultural difference on the secondary school induction and learning of Ethiopian-Australian immigrant students living in Melbourne, Australia. A qualitative methodology was employed using interviews as data-collection instruments. Secondary school students, their teachers, and parents acted as participants in…

  9. Diversity effect in category-based inductive reasoning of young children: evidence from two methods.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Luojin; Lee, Myung Sook; Huang, Yulan; Mo, Lei

    2014-02-01

    Previous studies have shown that diverse pieces of evidence, rather than similar pieces of evidence, are considered to have greater strength in adults' inductive reasoning. However, this diversity effect is inconsistently recognized by children. Three experiments using the same materials but different tasks examined whether young children consider the diversity principle in their reasoning. Although Experiment 1 applied a data selection task showed five-year-old children in both China and Korea were not sensitive to the diversity of evidence, Experiments 2 and 3 employed an identification task and demonstrated that children as young as five years were sensitive to diverse evidence. These findings indicated that young children, less than nine years of age, may have diversity effect. Methodological and cultural differences were discussed.

  10. BLTK1 murine Leydig cells: a novel steroidogenic model for evaluating the effects of reproductive and developmental toxicants.

    PubMed

    Forgacs, Agnes L; Ding, Qi; Jaremba, Rosemary G; Huhtaniemi, Ilpo T; Rahman, Nafis A; Zacharewski, Timothy R

    2012-06-01

    Leydig cells are the primary site of androgen biosynthesis in males. Several environmental toxicants target steroidogenesis resulting in both developmental and reproductive effects including testicular dysgenesis syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of several structurally diverse endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on steroidogenesis in a novel BLTK1 murine Leydig cell model. We demonstrate that BLTK1 cells possess a fully functional steroidogenic pathway that produces low basal levels of testosterone (T) and express all the necessary steroidogenic enzymes including Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Hsd3b1, Hsd17b3, and Srd5a1. Recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rhCG) and forskolin (FSK) elicited concentration- and time-dependent induction of 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, progesterone (P), and T, as well as the differential expression of Star, Hsd3b6, Hsd17b3, and Srd5a1 messenger RNA levels. The evaluation of several structurally diverse male reproductive toxicants including 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), atrazine, prochloraz, triclosan, monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), glyphosate, and RDX in BLTK1 cells suggests different modes of action perturb steroidogenesis. For example, prochloraz and triclosan antifungals reduced rhCG induction of T, consistent with published in vivo data but did not alter basal T levels. In contrast, atrazine and MEHP elicited modest induction of basal T but antagonized rhCG-mediated induction of T levels, whereas TCDD, glyphosate, and RDX had no effect on basal or rhCG induction of T in BLTK1 cells. These results suggest that BLTK1 cells maintain rhCG-inducible steroidogenesis and are a viable in vitro Leydig cell model to evaluate the effects of EDCs on steroidogenesis. This model can also be used to elucidate the different mechanisms underlying toxicant-mediated disruption of steroidogenesis.

  11. The effects of experimentally-induced sad and happy mood on sexual arousal in sexually healthy women.

    PubMed

    ter Kuile, Moniek M; Both, Stephanie; van Uden, Janneke

    2010-03-01

    In depressed women, common sexual difficulties include decreased sexual desire, sexual arousal and orgasmic difficulties, reduced sexual satisfaction, and reduced sexual pleasure. Experimental research on the influence of depressed mood on genital and subjective sexual arousal in women is scarce. To investigate the effects of sad mood on genital and subjective sexual arousal in sexually healthy women, using a mood induction procedure. Thirty-two subjects received a sad mood and a happy mood induction, on two different days, using a within subjects design. The mood induction procedure was a combination of the Velten procedure and music. In the Velten procedure, the subject is asked to read sad or happy self-referent sentences and to experience the mood suggested by these sentences. Immediately following mood induction, the subjects were exposed to an erotic film clip. Genital arousal was assessed using vaginal photoplethysmography. Self-report ratings of sad and happy mood, subjective sexual arousal and affective reactions were collected before and after the erotic clip. The sad and happy mood ratings indicated that the mood inductions affected mood as intended. No difference in genital sexual arousal was found between the sad and happy mood conditions. Subjects reported significantly less subjective sexual arousal and positive affect and marginally significant fewer genital sensations and more negative affect in the sad mood condition than in the happy mood condition. The results provide empirical support for the idea that mood can impact on subjective sexual arousal in women.

  12. Clinical and economic outcomes of rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction in adults who received kidney transplants from living unrelated donors and received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression.

    PubMed

    Miller, James T; Collins, Curtis D; Stuckey, Linda J; Luan, Fu L; Englesbe, Michael J; Magee, John C; Park, Jeong M

    2009-10-01

    To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and costs of rabbit antithymocyte globulin (TMG) induction in patients who received kidney transplants from living unrelated donors. Retrospective cohort study. Large academic medical center. Eighty-seven patients who received kidney transplants from living unrelated donors: 40 of the recipients underwent transplantation between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2004, and did not receive TMG induction (no induction group); 47 underwent transplantation between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2006, and received TMG induction (induction group). All patients received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression. Biopsy-proven acute rejection, posttransplantation complications, and inpatient hospital costs for the first 12 months after transplantation were compared between groups using standard univariate statistical analyses. Induction significantly decreased the occurrence of biopsy-proven acute rejection versus no induction (2% vs 48%, p<0.001). Fifty percent of rejection episodes in the no induction group required hospitalization, and 46% of rejection episodes required TMG treatment. Slightly elevated initial costs associated with TMG induction were offset by lower costs related to rejection treatment. Total inpatient costs for the 12 months after transplantation were comparable between the groups (no induction $66,038 vs induction $74,183, p>0.05). For the no induction versus induction groups, no significant differences in cytomegalovirus disease (5% vs 6%), malignancy (3% vs 2%), graft failures (5% vs 6%), mortality (5% vs 4%), and serum creatinine concentrations (mean +/- SD 1.4 +/- 0.3 vs 1.5 +/- 0.3 mg/dl) were observed at 12 months (p>0.05 for all comparisons). Five-day TMG induction effectively reduced the 1-year acute rejection rate without significantly increasing total inpatient costs or posttransplantation complications among recipients of kidney transplants from living unrelated donors.

  13. Elevated CO2 differentially affects photosynthetic induction response in two Populus species with different stomatal behavior.

    PubMed

    Tomimatsu, Hajime; Tang, Yanhong

    2012-08-01

    To understand dynamic photosynthetic characteristics in response to fluctuating light under a high CO(2) environment, we examined photosynthetic induction in two poplar genotypes from two species, Populus koreana 9 trichocarpa cv. Peace and Populus euramericana cv. I-55, respectively. Stomata of cv. Peace barely respond to changes in photosynthetic photon flux density (PFD), whereas those of cv. I-55 show a normal response to variations in PFD at ambient CO(2). The plants were grown under three CO2 regimes (380, 700, and 1,020 μmol CO(2) mol(-1) in air) for approximately 2 months. CO2 gas exchange was measured in situ in the three CO2 regimes under a sudden PFD increase from 20 to 800 μmol m(-2) s(-1). In both genotypes, plants grown under higher CO(2) conditions had a higher photosynthetic induction state, shorter induction time, and reduced induction limitation to photosynthetic carbon gain. Plants of cv. I-55 showed a much larger increase in induction state and decrease in induction time under high CO(2) regimes than did plants of cv. Peace. These showed that, throughout the whole induction process, genotype cv. I-55 had a much smaller reduction of leaf carbon gain under the two high CO(2) regimes than under the ambient CO(2) regime, while the high CO(2) effect was smaller in genotype cv. Peace. The results suggest that a high CO(2) environment can reduce both biochemical and stomatal limitations of leaf carbon gain during the photosynthetic induction process, and that a rapid stomatal response can further enhance the high CO(2) effect.

  14. Efficacy and Safety of Induction Therapy in Kidney Transplantation: A Network Meta-Analysis.

    PubMed

    Hwang, S D; Lee, J H; Lee, S W; Park, K-M; Kim, J K; Kim, M-J; Song, J H

    2018-05-01

    Rejection and infection can occur after kidney transplantation and are important factors in preserving graft kidney function. The use of immunosuppressant agents in transplantation is therefore important, and the question of which induction therapy should be used as an immunosuppressant is controversial. The goal of this study was to assess the comparative benefits and harms of various maintenance immunosuppressive induction agents in adults undergoing kidney transplantation by using a network meta-analysis and to generate rankings of the different immunosuppressive regimens according to their safety and efficacy. CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index Expanded, World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and trial registers were searched until May 2017 to identify randomized controlled trials on immunosuppression for kidney transplantation. Twenty-seven studies involving 4484 participants were eligible for analysis. Induction and maintenance treatments were administered for 12 months. There was no evidence of differences in outcomes between therapies on all-cause mortality, graft loss, cytomegalovirus, BK virus, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and biopsy-proven acute rejection. However, compared with intravenous basiliximab (an interleukin-2 receptor antagonist [IL-2RA]), the most effective treatments to decrease biopsy-proven acute rejection were intravenous alemtuzumab and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG). The odds ratios were 0.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.29-40.78) and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.42-0.95), respectively. As a side effect, rATG was accompanied by more bacterial infection than the IL-2RA (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.01-2.8]). The determination of induction in kidney transplantation is important for future prognosis of the graft kidney. Alemtuzumab and rATG exhibited lower biopsy-proven acute rejection than the IL-2RA. As a side effect, rATG produced frequent bacterial infections. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  15. Effect of a Short-term Fast on Ketamine–Xylazine Anesthesia in Rats

    PubMed Central

    Struck, Maggie B; Andrutis, Karl A; Ramirez, Harvey E; Battles, August H

    2011-01-01

    Although ketamine–xylazine (KX) anesthesia is commonly used in rats, it is often reported to have an inconsistent anesthetic effect, with a prolonged induction time, an inadequate anesthetic plane, or a very short sleep time. Blood flow to the liver is known to shift after a meal in rats, perhaps explaining anesthetic variability among rats with variable prandial status. The current study tested the hypothesis that a short period of fasting (3 h) prior to induction with intraperitoneal KX anesthesia would provide a shorter time to recumbency, a longer total sleep time, and a more consistent loss of toe pinch response than would fed rats. Two groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats were used in blinded, crossover experiments. KX anesthesia was administered at 2 different doses (50 mg/kg–5 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg–7 mg/kg) after ad libitum feeding or a 3-h fast. There were no significant differences between groups in induction time, total sleep time, or loss of toe pinch response. We conclude that fasting rats for 3 h prior to KX intraperitoneal anesthesia does not affect induction time, total sleep time, loss of toe pinch response or reduce KX anesthetic variability in male Sprague–Dawley rats. PMID:21640029

  16. Determination of induction period and crystal growth mechanism of dexamethasone sodium phosphate in methanol-acetone system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hao, Hongxun; Wang, Jingkang; Wang, Yongli

    2005-02-01

    The induction period of dexamethasone sodium phosphate at different supersaturation was experimentally determined in a methanol-acetone system. The laser monitoring observation technique was used to determine the appearance of the first nucleus in solution. The effect of solution composition on induction period was discussed. Based on classical homogeneous nucleation theory, the solid-liquid interfacial tension and surface entropy factor were calculated from the induction period data. The experimentally determined values of interfacial tension are in agreement with the theoretical values predicted by the Mersmann equation. It was found that the nucleus of dexamethasone sodium phosphate grows continuously in pure methanol and turns from continuous growth to birth and spread growth with increasing acetone content in a methanol-acetone mixture.

  17. Reasoning in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

    PubMed

    Simpson, Jane; Cove, Jennifer; Fineberg, Naomi; Msetfi, Rachel M; J Ball, Linden

    2007-11-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate the inductive and deductive reasoning abilities of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Following previous research, it was predicted that people with OCD would show different abilities on inductive reasoning tasks but similar abilities to controls on deductive reasoning tasks. A two-group comparison was used with both groups matched on a range of demographic variables. Where appropriate, unmatched variables were entered into the analyses as covariates. Twenty-three people with OCD and 25 control participants were assessed on two tasks: an inductive reasoning task (the 20-questions task) and a deductive reasoning task (a syllogistic reasoning task with a content-neutral and content-emotional manipulation). While no group differences emerged on several of the parameters of the inductive reasoning task, the OCD group did differ on one, and arguably the most important, parameter by asking fewer correct direct-hypothesis questions. The syllogistic reasoning task results were analysed using both correct response and conclusion acceptance data. While no main effects of group were evident, significant interactions indicated important differences in the way the OCD group reasoned with content neutral and emotional syllogisms. It was argued that the OCD group's patterns of response on both tasks were characterized by the need for more information, states of uncertainty, and doubt and postponement of a final decision.

  18. Contraintes residuelles et leurs impacts sur l'amorcage de fissures en fatigue de flexion dans des engrenages aeronautiques durcis superficiellement par induction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Savaria, Vincent

    The optimization of gearing for aeronautical engines depends on the development of surface hardening processes to significantly improve in-service durability. Induction heating followed by quenching is a treatment increasingly used in this field to improve the fatigue resistance of critical components such as gears. In this context, this thesis studies the impact of the induction process parameters on residual stresses and the effects of those stresses on the bending fatigue of induction hardened gears. Two existing residual stress measurement techniques, X-ray diffraction and the contour method, were adapted for induction hardened components. The residual stress measurement by X-ray diffraction technique has been significantly improved in this thesis by the consideration of the variation of the X-ray elastic constant at different locations in the hardened layer and the development of a finite element based layer removal correction method that enabled more accurate in-depth residual stress measurements in all sort of geometries. The contour method is clearly a powerful tool for residual stress mapping at the core of parts but proved to be inaccurate for near-surface measurements in the case of thin hardened layers. These methods were used to show the effects of several parameters (initial hardness, preheating, final heating, tempering) with discs and aeronautical spur gears. The results indicate that two induction treatments can sometimes produce two different residual stress distributions (amplitude, severity of gradient in the transition zone, etc.) for a similar hardened depth. The bending fatigue of those gears was studied experimentally with a single tooth bending test rig and numerically with the proposition of a fatigue model for the calculation of the bending endurance limit. The calibration of the model was based on fatigue tests results on traction and torsion specimens. Bending fatigue testing results on gears confirmed the overall accuracy of the proposed model predictions. The Crossland criterion without the gradient effect gave better predictions when compared with the experimental results for that particular case. This 3D multiaxial fatigue prediction model represents a significant improvement over previous approaches by the simultaneous consideration of the so-called gradient effect, residual stresses, surface roughness and the variation of properties caused by the surface hardening. The induction treatments used in this study improved the bending fatigue resistance of spur gears by 45 to 71 % depending on the case.

  19. Effects of Systematic Variation in Size and Surface Coating of Silver Nanoparticles on Their In Vitro Toxicity to Macrophage RAW 264.7 Cells.

    PubMed

    Makama, Sunday; Kloet, Samantha K; Piella, Jordi; van den Berg, Hans; de Ruijter, Norbert C A; Puntes, Victor F; Rietjens, Ivonne M C M; van den Brink, Nico W

    2018-03-01

    In literature, varying and sometimes conflicting effects of physicochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs) are reported on their uptake and effects in organisms. To address this, small- and medium-sized (20 and 50 nm) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with specified different surface coating/charges were synthesized and used to systematically assess effects of NP-properties on their uptake and effects in vitro. Silver nanoparticles were fully characterized for charge and size distribution in both water and test media. Macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) were exposed to these AgNPs at different concentrations (0-200 µg/ml). Uptake dynamics, cell viability, induction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, ATP production, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were assessed. Microscopic imaging of living exposed cells showed rapid uptake and subcellular cytoplasmic accumulation of AgNPs. Exposure to the tested AgNPs resulted in reduced overall viability. Influence of both size and surface coating (charge) was demonstrated, with the 20-nm-sized AgNPs and bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coated (negatively charged) AgNPs being slightly more toxic. On specific mechanisms of toxicity (TNF-α and ROS production) however, the AgNPs differed to a larger extent. The highest induction of TNF-α was found in cells exposed to the negatively charged AgNP_BSA, both sizes (80× higher than control). Reactive oxygen species induction was only significant with the 20 nm positively charged AgNP_Chit.

  20. Specificity of induced defenses, growth, and reproduction in lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) in response to multispecies herbivory.

    PubMed

    Moreira, Xoaquín; Abdala-Roberts, Luis; Hernández-Cumplido, Johnattan; Cuny, Maximilien A C; Glauser, Gaetan; Benrey, Betty

    2015-08-01

    • Following herbivore attack, plants can either reduce damage by inducing defenses or mitigate herbivory effects through compensatory growth and reproduction. It is increasingly recognized that such induced defenses in plants are herbivore-specific, but less is known about the specificity of compensatory responses. Damage by multiple herbivores may also lead to synergistic effects on induction and plant fitness that differ from those caused by a single herbivore species. Although largely unstudied, the order of arrival and damage by different herbivore species might also play an important role in the impacts of herbivory on plants.• We investigated the specificity of defense induction (phenolics) and effects on growth (number of stems and leaves) and reproduction (number of seeds, seed mass, and germination rate) from feeding by two generalist leaf-chewing herbivores (Spodoptera eridania and Diabrotica balteata) on Phaseolus lunatus plants and evaluated whether simultaneous attack by both herbivores and their order of arrival influenced such dynamics.• Herbivory increased levels of leaf phenolics, but such effects were not herbivore-specific. In contrast, herbivory enhanced seed germination in an herbivore-specific manner. For all variables measured, the combined effects of both herbivore species did not differ from their individual effects. Finally, the order of herbivore arrival did not influence defense induction, plant growth, or seed number but did influence seed mass and germination.• Overall, this study highlights novel aspects of the specificity of plant responses induced by damage from multiple species of herbivores and uniquely associates such effects with plant lifetime fitness. © 2015 Botanical Society of America, Inc.

  1. In Vitro Methods for Comparing Target Binding and CDC Induction Between Therapeutic Antibodies: Applications in Biosimilarity Analysis.

    PubMed

    Salinas-Jazmín, Nohemi; González-González, Edith; Vásquez-Bochm, Luz X; Pérez-Tapia, Sonia M; Velasco-Velázquez, Marco A

    2017-05-04

    Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are relevant to the treatment of different pathologies, including cancers. The development of biosimilar mAbs by pharmaceutical companies is a market opportunity, but it is also a strategy to increase drug accessibility and reduce therapy-associated costs. The protocols detailed here describe the evaluation of target binding and CDC induction by rituximab in Daudi cells. These two functions require different structural regions of the antibody and are relevant to the clinical effect induced by rituximab. The protocols allow the side-to-side comparison of a reference rituximab and a marketed rituximab biosimilar. The evaluated products showed differences both in target binding and CDC induction, suggesting that there are underlying physicochemical differences and highlighting the need to analyze the impact of those differences in the clinical setting. The methods reported here constitute simple and inexpensive in vitro models for the evaluation of the activity of rituximab biosimilars. Thus, they can be useful during biosimilar development, as well as for quality control in biosimilar production. Furthermore, the presented methods can be extrapolated to other therapeutic mAbs.

  2. Age-related differences in responses to thoughts of one's own death: mortality salience and judgments of moral transgressions.

    PubMed

    Maxfield, Molly; Pyszczynski, Tom; Kluck, Benjamin; Cox, Cathy R; Greenberg, Jeff; Solomon, Sheldon; Weise, David

    2007-06-01

    Two experiments explored age differences in response to reminders of death. Terror management research has shown that death reminders lead to increased adherence to and defense of one's cultural worldview. In Study 1, the effect of mortality salience (MS) on evaluations of moral transgressions made by younger and older adults was compared. Whereas younger adults showed the typical pattern of harsher judgments in response to MS, older adults did not. Study 2 compared younger and older adults' responses to both the typical MS induction and a more subtle death reminder. Whereas younger adults responded to both MS inductions with harsher evaluations, older adults made significantly less harsh evaluations after the subtle MS induction. Explanations for this developmental shift in responses to reminders of death are discussed. ((c) 2007 APA, all rights reserved).

  3. Dexamethasone transcriptionally increases the expression of the pregnane X receptor and synergistically enhances pyrethroid esfenvalerate in the induction of cytochrome P450 3A23.

    PubMed

    Shi, Deshi; Yang, Dongfang; Yan, Bingfang

    2010-10-15

    The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is recognized as a key regulator for the induction of a large number of genes in drug metabolism and transport. The transactivation of PXR is enhanced by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone and the enhancement is linked to the induction of PXR in humans and rats. The present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism for the induction and ascertain the synergistic effect on the expression of CYP3A23, a rat PXR target. In primary hepatocytes, significant induction of PXR was detected as early as 2h after the treatment and the maximal induction occurred at 1 microM dexamethasone. Similar induction kinetics was observed in the hepatoma line H4-II-E-C3. The induction was abolished by actinomycin D and dexamethasone efficaciously stimulated the rat PXR promoter. In addition, dexamethasone synergized esfenvalerate (an insecticide and a PXR activator) in inducing CYP3A23 and stimulating the CYP3A23 promoter. The full promoter of CYP3A23 (-1445/+74) was activated in a similar pattern as the changes in PXR mRNA in response to dexamethasone, esfenvalerate and co-treatment. In contrast, different responding patterns were detected on the stimulation of the CYP3A23 proximal promoter. Synergistic stimulation was also observed on the CYP3A4-DP-Luc reporter, the human counterpart of CYP3A23. These findings establish that transactivation is responsible for the induction of rat PXR and the induction presents potential interactions with insecticides in a species-conserved manner. The different responding patterns among CYP3A23 reporters point to an involvement of multiple transcriptional events in the regulation of CYP3A23 expression by dexamethasone, esfenvalerate and both. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. DEXAMETHASONE TRANSCRIPTIONALLY INCREASES THE EXPRESSION OF THE PREGNANE X RECEPTOR AND SYNERGISTICALLY ENHANCES PYRETHROID ESFENVALERATE IN THE INDUCTION OF CYTOCHROME P450 3A23

    PubMed Central

    Shi, Deshi; Yang, Dongfang; Yan, Bingfang

    2010-01-01

    The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is recognized as a key regulator for the induction of a large number of genes in drug metabolism and transport. The transactivation of PXR is enhanced by the glucocorticoid dexamethasone and the enhancement is linked to the induction of PXR in humans and rats. The present study was undertaken to determine the mechanism for the induction and ascertain the synergistic effect on the expression of CYP3A23, a rat PXR target. In primary hepatocytes, significant induction of PXR was detected as early as 2 h after the treatment and the maximal induction occurred at 1 μM dexamethasone. Similar induction kinetics was observed in the hepatoma line H4-II-E-C3. The induction was abolished by actinomycin D and dexamethasone efficaciously stimulated the rat PXR promoter. In addition, dexamethasone synergized esfenvalerate (an insecticide and a PXR activator) in inducing CYP3A23 and stimulating the CYP3A23 promoter. The full promoter of CYP3A23 (−1445/+74) was activated in a similar pattern as the changes in PXR mRNA in response to dexamethasone, esfenvalerate and co-treatment. In contrast, different responding patterns were detected on the stimulation of the CYP3A23 proximal promoter. Synergistic stimulation was also observed on the CYP3A4-DP-Luc reporter, the human counterpart of CYP3A23. These findings establish that transactivation is responsible for the induction of rat PXR and the induction presents potential interactions with insecticides in a species-conserved manner. The different responding patterns among CYP3A23 reporters point to an involvement of multiple transcriptional events in the regulation of CYP3A23 expression by dexamethasone, esfenvalerate and both. PMID:20599767

  5. Structured Statistical Models of Inductive Reasoning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kemp, Charles; Tenenbaum, Joshua B.

    2009-01-01

    Everyday inductive inferences are often guided by rich background knowledge. Formal models of induction should aim to incorporate this knowledge and should explain how different kinds of knowledge lead to the distinctive patterns of reasoning found in different inductive contexts. This article presents a Bayesian framework that attempts to meet…

  6. Induction Based on Circumscription

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Saito, Haruka; Inoue, Katsumi

    We investigate induction from the viewpoint of nonmonotonic reasoning. Induction we consider in this paper is descriptive induction. Hypotheses from descriptive induction have the weak property that they only describe rules with respect to the observations and do not realize an inductive leap. In this paper, we define a new form of descriptive induction with circumscription and the idea of explanation and show two procedures for computing it. The new descriptive induction is called circumscriptive induction. By deciding the roles of predicates in circumscription, we can intentionally minimize models of a given inductive problem. By adopting the idea of explanation, we can distinguish between background knowledge and observations. Additionally, we consider the relationship between the way of choosing the roles of predicates in computing circumscription and the property of hypotheses obtained by circumscriptive induction. It is shown that hypotheses from circumscriptive induction reflect a difference between background knowledge and observations and do not realize an inductive leap. We also investigate revision of hypotheses which is as important as generation of hypotheses. In a process of hypothesis revision, a difference between previous induction and circumscriptive induction is clearly characterised.

  7. TOSCA calculations and measurements for the SLAC SLC damping ring dipole magnet

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Early, R. A.; Cobb, J. K.

    1985-04-01

    The SLAC damping ring dipole magnet was originally designed with removable nose pieces at the ends. Recently, a set of magnetic measurements was taken of the vertical component of induction along the center of the magnet for four different pole-end configurations and several current settings. The three dimensional computer code TOSCA, which is currently installed on the National Magnetic Fusion Energy Computer Center's Cray X-MP, was used to compute field values for the four configurations at current settings near saturation. Comparisons were made for magnetic induction as well as effective magnetic lengths for the different configurations.

  8. Evaluation of γ-Induced Apoptosis in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baranova, Elena; Boreyko, Alla; Ravnachka, Ivanka; Saveleva, Maria

    2010-01-01

    Several experiments have been performed to study regularities in the induction of apoptotic cells in human lymphocytes by 60Co γ-rays at different times after irradiation. Apoptosis induction by 60Co γ-rays in human lymphocytes in different cell cycle phases (G0, S, G1, and G2) has been studied. The maximal apoptosis output in lymphocyte cells was observed in the S phase. Modifying effect of replicative and reparative DNA synthesis inhibitors—1- β -D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (Ara-C) and hydroxyurea (Hu)—on the kinetics of 60Co γ-rays induced apoptosis in human lymphocytes has been studied.

  9. Induction log responses to layered, dipping, and anisotropic formations: Induction log shoulder-bed corrections to anisotropic formations and the effect of shale anisotropy in thinly laminated sand/shale sequences

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

    Hagiwara, Teruhiko

    1996-12-31

    Induction log responses to layered, dipping, and anisotropic formations are examined analytically. The analytical model is especially helpful in understanding induction log responses to thinly laminated binary formations, such as sand/shale sequences, that exhibit macroscopically anisotropic: resistivity. Two applications of the analytical model are discussed. In one application we examine special induction log shoulder-bed corrections for use when thin anisotropic beds are encountered. It is known that thinly laminated sand/shale sequences act as macroscopically anisotropic: formations. Hydrocarbon-bearing formations also act as macroscopically anisotropic formations when they consist of alternating layers of different grain-size distributions. When such formations are thick, inductionmore » logs accurately read the macroscopic conductivity, from which the hydrocarbon saturation in the formations can be computed. When the laminated formations are not thick, proper shoulder-bed corrections (or thin-bed corrections) should be applied to obtain the true macroscopic formation conductivity and to estimate the hydrocarbon saturation more accurately. The analytical model is used to calculate the thin-bed effect and to evaluate the shoulder-bed corrections. We will show that the formation resistivity and hence the hydrocarbon saturation are greatly overestimated when the anisotropy effect is not accounted for and conventional shoulder-bed corrections are applied to the log responses from such laminated formations.« less

  10. The adjuvant effect of metformin and N-acetylcysteine to clomiphene citrate in induction of ovulation in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Maged, Ahmed M; Elsawah, Heba; Abdelhafez, Aly; Bakry, Ahmed; Mostafa, Walaa Ai

    2015-01-01

    To assess the adjuvant effect of metformin and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to clomiphene citrate (CC) in induction of ovulation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients. 120 women with PCOS were randomly divided into three equal groups: group I received CC only, group II received CC plus NAC and group III received CC plus metformin. There was a significant difference between group II and other two groups regarding average number of ovulatory follicles >18 mm (2.25 versus 1.75 and 1.89, respectively), but no significant difference between the three study groups regarding number of intermediate follicles 14-18 mm (4, 10 and 4, respectively). There was no significant difference between the three study groups regarding occurrence and laterality of ovulation, pregnancy rate per cycle but a significant difference between group II and other two groups regarding pregnancy rate per patient (20% versus 10% and 10%, respectively, p value 0.05). There was a highly statistically significant difference between group II and other two groups regarding peak endometrial thickness (7.3 ± 1.1 versus 5.4 ± 0.6 and 5.3 ± 0.6, respectively). NAC as an adjuvant to CC for induction of ovulation improves ovulation and pregnancy rates in PCOS patients with beneficial impacts on endometrial thickness.

  11. Review: aromatase inhibitors for ovulation induction.

    PubMed

    Casper, Robert F; Mitwally, Mohamed F M

    2006-03-01

    For the last 40 yr, the first line of treatment for anovulation in infertile women has been clomiphene citrate (CC). CC is a safe, effective oral agent but is known to have relatively common antiestrogenic endometrial and cervical mucous side effects that could prevent pregnancy in the face of successful ovulation. In addition, there is a significant risk of multiple pregnancy with CC, compared with natural cycles. Because of these problems, we proposed the concept of aromatase inhibition as a new method of ovulation induction that could avoid many of the adverse effects of CC. The objective of this review was to describe the different physiological mechanisms of action for CC and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and compare studies of efficacy for both agents for ovulation induction. We conducted a systematic review of all the published studies, both controlled and noncontrolled, comparing CC and AI treatment, either alone or in combination with gonadotropins, for ovulation induction or augmentation, identified through the Entrez-PubMed search engine. Because of the recent acceptance of the concept of using AIs for ovulation induction, few controlled studies were identified, and the rest of the studies were pilot or preliminary comparisons. Based on these studies, it appears that AIs are as effective as CC in inducing ovulation, are devoid of any antiestrogenic side effects, result in lower serum estrogen concentrations, and are associated with good pregnancy rates with a lower incidence of multiple pregnancy than CC. When combined with gonadotropins for assisted reproductive technologies, AIs reduce the dose of FSH required for optimal follicle recruitment and improve the response to FSH in poor responders. Preliminary evidence suggests that AIs may replace CC in the future because of similar efficacy with a reduced side effect profile. Although worldwide experience with AIs for ovulation induction is increasing, at present, definitive studies in the form of randomized controlled trials comparing CC with AIs are lacking.

  12. Genotoxic effects and induction of phytochelatins in the presence of cadmium in Vicia faba roots.

    PubMed

    Béraud, Eric; Cotelle, Sylvie; Leroy, Pierre; Férard, Jean-François

    2007-10-04

    This study investigates different effects in roots of Vicia faba (broad bean) after exposure to cadmium. Genotoxic effects were assessed by use of the well-known Vicia root tip micronucleus assay. Cytotoxic effects were evaluated by determining the mitotic index in root tip cells. Finally, molecular induction mechanisms were evaluated by measuring phytochelatins with HPLC. After hydroponical exposure of V. faba roots to a range of cadmium concentrations and during different exposure times, the results of this approach showed large variations, according to the endpoint measured: after 48 h of exposure, genotoxic effects were found between 7.5 x 10(-8) and 5 x 10(-7)M CdCl(2), and cytotoxic effects were observed between 2.5 x 10(-7) and 5 x 10(-7)M CdCl(2). Statistically significant phytochelatin (PC) concentrations were measured at >or=10(-6)M CdCl(2) for PC(2), and at >or=10(-5)M CdCl(2) for PC3 and PC4.

  13. Damage-induced ectopic recombination in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Kupiec, M; Steinlauf, R

    1997-06-09

    Mitotic recombination in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is induced when cells are irradiated with UV or X-rays, reflecting the efficient repair of damage by recombinational repair mechanisms. We have used multiply marked haploid strains that allow the simultaneous detection of several types of ectopic recombination events. We show that inter-chromosomal ectopic conversion of lys2 heteroalleles and, to a lesser extent, direct repeat recombination (DRR) between non-tandem repeats, are increased by DNA-damaging agents; in contrast, ectopic recombination of the naturally occurring Ty element is not induced. We have tested several hypotheses that could explain the preferential lack of induction of Ty recombination by DNA-damaging agents. We have found that the lack of induction cannot be explained by a cell cycle control or by an effect of the mating-type genes. We also found no role for the flanking long terminal repeats (LTRs) of the Ty in preventing the induction. Ectopic conversion, DRR, and forward mutation of artificial repeats show different kinetics of induction at various positions of the cell cycle, reflecting different mechanisms of recombination. We discuss the mechanistic and evolutionary aspects of these results.

  14. Comparison of the Haemodynamic Effects of Three Different Methods at the Induction of Anaesthesia

    PubMed Central

    Uygur, Mehmet Levent; Ersoy, Ayşın; Altan, Aysel; Ervatan, Zekeriya; Kamalı, Sedat

    2014-01-01

    Objective Haemodynamic variations are inevitable during induction of anaesthetic drugs. The present study investigates the haemodynamic variations of three different drugs (thiopental, propofol, and etomidate) used for induction of general anaesthesia together with fentanyl. Methods In a randomized, double-blind study, 45 patients were assigned to one of three groups (n=15 each). Fentanyl 1 μg kg−1 was injected over 60 sec followed by propofol 2 mg kg−1 (Group P), thiopentone 6 mg kg−1 (Group T), or etomidate 0.3 mg kg−1 (Group E). Noninvasive measurements of systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) was performed on admittance, immediately before the induction of anaesthesia, and 1, 3, and 5 min thereafter. Cardiac output (CO) values were recorded before induction, immediately after the injection of the drug, and at 1 min after the intubation. Results In all groups, during the study period, SAP, DAP, MAP, and CO values decreased with respect to time before induction. Following the administration of the induction dose of propofol (Group P), a significantly greater decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed with etomidate (Group E) or thiopentone (Group T). Decrease in CO was also more marked with propofol (Group P) than with etomidate (Group E) or thiopentone (Group T). Conclusion It’s concluded that, in this study, the combination of fentanyl-etomidate is safer than both the groups of fentanyl-propofol and fentanyl-thiopental in terms of providing haemodynamic stability. PMID:27366443

  15. [Inductions and intubating conditions with sevoflurane and different doses of remifentanil without muscle relaxant in children].

    PubMed

    Wei, Ling-Xin; Deng, Xiao-Ming; Liu, Ju-Hui; Luo, Mao-Ping; Tong, Shi-Yi; Zhang, Yan-Ming; Liao, Xu; Xu, Kun-Lin

    2008-12-01

    To observe the clinical effectiveness of inductions and tracheal intubating conditions with 3% sevoflurane and different doses of remifentanil without muscle relaxant in children. Totally 120 peadiatric patients (aged 4-10 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I for inhalational induction) were randomly allocated into group I (remifentanil 1 microg/kg), group II (remifentanil 2 microg/kg), group III (remifentanil 3 microg/kg), and control group (vecuronium bromide 0.1 mg/kg). After inhalational induction with 3% sevoflurane and 60% nitrous oxide in 40% oxygen for 2 minutes, remifentanil 1 microg/kg, 2 microg/ kg, and 3 microg/kg were intravenously injected over 1 minute into patients in group I , group II, and group III, respectively. After remifentanil administration and manual ventilation for 1 minute, the trachea was intubated. In the control group, 2 minutes after intravenous administration of vecuronium bromide 0.1 mg/kg, tracheal intubation was attempted. Agitation, intubating satisfactoriness, and the circulation changes after tracheal intubation and anesthesia induction were observed. In these four groups, agitation occurred in 37.5% of patients during sevoflurane induction. Satisfactory intubation rate was 70.0% in group I, 86.7% in group II, 90.0% in group III, and 93.3% in the control group. Compared with the control group, the impact of tracheal intubation on the circulatory system was smaller in group I , II , and III. Induction with 3% sevoflurane combined with remifentanil can be smoothly performed, followed by the successful tracheal intubation. The intubating conditions are more satisfactory with 3% sevoflurane combined with remifentanil 2 microg/kg or 3 microg/kg.

  16. Diversity of multilayer networks and its impact on collaborating epidemics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Min, Yong; Hu, Jiaren; Wang, Weihong; Ge, Ying; Chang, Jie; Jin, Xiaogang

    2014-12-01

    Interacting epidemics on diverse multilayer networks are increasingly important in modeling and analyzing the diffusion processes of real complex systems. A viral agent spreading on one layer of a multilayer network can interact with its counterparts by promoting (cooperative interaction), suppressing (competitive interaction), or inducing (collaborating interaction) its diffusion on other layers. Collaborating interaction displays different patterns: (i) random collaboration, where intralayer or interlayer induction has the same probability; (ii) concentrating collaboration, where consecutive intralayer induction is guaranteed with a probability of 1; and (iii) cascading collaboration, where consecutive intralayer induction is banned with a probability of 0. In this paper, we develop a top-bottom framework that uses only two distributions, the overlaid degree distribution and edge-type distribution, to model collaborating epidemics on multilayer networks. We then state the response of three collaborating patterns to structural diversity (evenness and difference of network layers). For viral agents with small transmissibility, we find that random collaboration is more effective in networks with higher diversity (high evenness and difference), while the concentrating pattern is more suitable in uneven networks. Interestingly, the cascading pattern requires a network with moderate difference and high evenness, and the moderately uneven coupling of multiple network layers can effectively increase robustness to resist cascading failure. With large transmissibility, however, we find that all collaborating patterns are more effective in high-diversity networks. Our work provides a systemic analysis of collaborating epidemics on multilayer networks. The results enhance our understanding of biotic and informative diffusion through multiple vectors.

  17. Effects of atorvastatin metabolites on induction of drug-metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters through human pregnane X receptor

    PubMed Central

    Hoffart, E; Ghebreghiorghis, L; Nussler, AK; Thasler, WE; Weiss, TS; Schwab, M; Burk, O

    2012-01-01

    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Atorvastatin metabolites differ in their potential for drug interaction because of differential inhibition of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. We here investigate whether they exert differential effects on the induction of these genes via activation of pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Ligand binding to PXR or CAR was analysed by mammalian two-hybrid assembly and promoter/reporter gene assays. Additionally, surface plasmon resonance was used to analyse ligand binding to CAR. Primary human hepatocytes were treated with atorvastatin metabolites, and mRNA and protein expression of PXR-regulated genes was measured. Two-hybrid co-activator interaction and co-repressor release assays were utilized to elucidate the molecular mechanism of PXR activation. KEY RESULTS All atorvastatin metabolites induced the assembly of PXR and activated CYP3A4 promoter activity. Ligand binding to CAR could not be proven. In primary human hepatocytes, the para-hydroxy metabolite markedly reduced or abolished induction of cytochrome P450 and transporter genes. While significant differences in co-activator recruitment were not observed, para-hydroxy atorvastatin demonstrated only 50% release of co-repressors. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Atorvastatin metabolites are ligands of PXR but not of CAR. Atorvastatin metabolites demonstrate differential induction of PXR target genes, which results from impaired release of co-repressors. Consequently, the properties of drug metabolites have to be taken into account when analysing PXR-dependent induction of drug metabolism and transport. The drug interaction potential of the active metabolite, para-hydroxy atorvastatin, might be lower than that of the parent compound. PMID:21913896

  18. Overdue choices: how information and role in decision-making influence women's preferences for induction for prolonged pregnancy.

    PubMed

    Stevens, Gabrielle; Miller, Yvette D

    2012-09-01

    Enabling women to make informed decisions is a crucial component of consumer-focused maternity care. Current evidence suggests that health care practitioners' communication of care options may not facilitate patient involvement in decision-making. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of specific variations in health caregiver communication on women's preferences for induction of labor for prolonged pregnancy. A convenience sample of 595 female participants read a hypothetical scenario in which an obstetrician discusses induction of labor with a pregnant woman. Information provided on induction and the degree of encouragement for the woman's involvement in decision-making was manipulated to create four experimental conditions. Participants indicated preference with respect to induction, their perceptions of the quality of information received, and other potential moderating factors. Participants who received information that was directive in favor of medical intervention were significantly more likely to prefer induction than those given nondirective information. No effect of level of involvement in decision-making was found. Participants' general trust in doctors moderated the relationship between health caregiver communication and preferences for induction, such that the influence of information provided on preferences for induction differed across levels of involvement in decision-making for women with a low trust in doctors, but not for those with high trust. Many women were not aware of the level of information required to make an informed decision. Our findings highlight the potential value of strategies such as patient decision aids and health care professional education to improve the quality of information available to women and their capacity for informed decision-making during pregnancy and birth. © 2012, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2012, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  19. The mechanism of the effect of a plasma layer with negative permittivity on the antenna radiation field

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

    Wang, Chunsheng, E-mail: wangcs@hit.edu.cn; Liu, Hui; Jiang, Binhao

    A model of a plasma–antenna system is developed to study the mechanism of the effect of the plasma layer on antenna radiation. Results show a plasma layer with negative permittivity is inductive, and thus affects the phase difference between electric and magnetic fields. In the near field of antenna radiation, a plasma layer with proper parameters can compensate the capacitivity of the vacuum and enhance the radiation power. In the far field of antenna radiation, the plasma layer with negative permittivity increases the inductivity of the vacuum and reduces the radiation power.

  20. Induction of Shiga Toxin-Encoding Prophage by Abiotic Environmental Stress in Food.

    PubMed

    Fang, Yuan; Mercer, Ryan G; McMullen, Lynn M; Gänzle, Michael G

    2017-10-01

    The prophage-encoded Shiga toxin is a major virulence factor in Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Toxin production and phage production are linked and occur after induction of the RecA-dependent SOS response. However, food-related stress and Stx-prophage induction have not been studied at the single-cell level. This study investigated the effects of abiotic environmental stress on stx expression by single-cell quantification of gene expression in STEC O104:H4 Δ stx2 :: gfp :: amp r In addition, the effect of stress on production of phage particles was determined. The lethality of stressors, including heat, HCl, lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and high hydrostatic pressure, was selected to reduce cell counts by 1 to 2 log CFU/ml. The integrity of the bacterial membrane after exposure to stress was measured by propidium iodide (PI). The fluorescent signals of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and PI were quantified by flow cytometry. The mechanism of prophage induction by stress was evaluated by relative gene expression of recA and cell morphology. Acid (pH < 3.5) and H 2 O 2 (2.5 mM) induced the expression of stx 2 in about 18% and 3% of the population, respectively. The mechanism of prophage induction by acid differs from that of induction by H 2 O 2 H 2 O 2 induction but not acid induction corresponded to production of infectious phage particles, upregulation of recA , and cell filamentation. Pressure (200 MPa) or heat did not induce the Stx2-encoding prophage (Stx2-prophage). Overall, the quantification method developed in this study allowed investigation of prophage induction and physiological properties at the single-cell level. H 2 O 2 and acids mediate different pathways to induce Stx2-prophage. IMPORTANCE Induction of the Stx-prophage in STEC results in production of phage particles and Stx and thus relates to virulence as well as the transduction of virulence genes. This study developed a method for a detection of the induction of Stx-prophages at the single-cell level; membrane permeability and an indication of SOS response to environmental stress were additionally assessed. H 2 O 2 and mitomycin C induced expression of the prophage and activated a SOS response. In contrast, HCl and lactic acid induced the Stx-prophage but not the SOS response. The lifestyle of STEC exposes the organism to intestinal and extraintestinal environments that impose oxidative and acid stress. A more thorough understanding of the influence of food processing-related stressors on Stx-prophage expression thus facilitates control of STEC in food systems by minimizing prophage induction during food production and storage. Copyright © 2017 American Society for Microbiology.

  1. Induction of Shiga Toxin-Encoding Prophage by Abiotic Environmental Stress in Food

    PubMed Central

    Fang, Yuan; Mercer, Ryan G.; McMullen, Lynn M.

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT The prophage-encoded Shiga toxin is a major virulence factor in Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Toxin production and phage production are linked and occur after induction of the RecA-dependent SOS response. However, food-related stress and Stx-prophage induction have not been studied at the single-cell level. This study investigated the effects of abiotic environmental stress on stx expression by single-cell quantification of gene expression in STEC O104:H4 Δstx2::gfp::ampr. In addition, the effect of stress on production of phage particles was determined. The lethality of stressors, including heat, HCl, lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and high hydrostatic pressure, was selected to reduce cell counts by 1 to 2 log CFU/ml. The integrity of the bacterial membrane after exposure to stress was measured by propidium iodide (PI). The fluorescent signals of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and PI were quantified by flow cytometry. The mechanism of prophage induction by stress was evaluated by relative gene expression of recA and cell morphology. Acid (pH < 3.5) and H2O2 (2.5 mM) induced the expression of stx2 in about 18% and 3% of the population, respectively. The mechanism of prophage induction by acid differs from that of induction by H2O2. H2O2 induction but not acid induction corresponded to production of infectious phage particles, upregulation of recA, and cell filamentation. Pressure (200 MPa) or heat did not induce the Stx2-encoding prophage (Stx2-prophage). Overall, the quantification method developed in this study allowed investigation of prophage induction and physiological properties at the single-cell level. H2O2 and acids mediate different pathways to induce Stx2-prophage. IMPORTANCE Induction of the Stx-prophage in STEC results in production of phage particles and Stx and thus relates to virulence as well as the transduction of virulence genes. This study developed a method for a detection of the induction of Stx-prophages at the single-cell level; membrane permeability and an indication of SOS response to environmental stress were additionally assessed. H2O2 and mitomycin C induced expression of the prophage and activated a SOS response. In contrast, HCl and lactic acid induced the Stx-prophage but not the SOS response. The lifestyle of STEC exposes the organism to intestinal and extraintestinal environments that impose oxidative and acid stress. A more thorough understanding of the influence of food processing-related stressors on Stx-prophage expression thus facilitates control of STEC in food systems by minimizing prophage induction during food production and storage. PMID:28778890

  2. Oral tolerance induction for human food allergy.

    PubMed

    Noh, Geunwoong; Lee, Jae Ho

    2012-04-01

    Food allergies are classified as IgE-mediated and non-IgE mediated type. The number of successful reports of immunotherapy, namely tolerance induction for food allergy (TIFA) are increasing, bringing hope for meaningful positive and radical treatment of food allergy. Therapeutic characteristics of the clinical course in TIFA for NFA are different from TIFA for IFA. Cytokines including IL-10, TGF-β and IFN-γ and regulatory cells such as Treg and Breg, are involved in immune tolerance. IFN-γ has been used for tolerance induction of food allergy as an immunomodulatory biologics. A definitive distinction between IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated food allergies is absolutely essential for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Original SOTI using IFN-γ is more effective then conventional SOTI without IFN-γ. Especially, IFN-γ is absolutely necessary for the tolerance induction of NFA. This review highlights and updates the advances in the conceptual immunological background and the clinical characteristics of oral tolerance induction for food allergy.

  3. Comparative investigations of sodium arsenite, arsenic trioxide and cadmium sulphate in combination with gamma-radiation on apoptosis, micronuclei induction and DNA damage in a human lymphoblastoid cell line.

    PubMed

    Hornhardt, Sabine; Gomolka, Maria; Walsh, Linda; Jung, Thomas

    2006-08-30

    In the field of radiation protection the combined exposure to radiation and other toxic agents is recognised as an important research area. To elucidate the basic mechanisms of simultaneous exposure, the interaction of the carcinogens and environmental toxicants cadmium and two arsenic compounds, arsenite and arsenic trioxide, in combination with gamma-radiation in human lymphoblastoid cells (TK6) were investigated. Gamma-radiation induced significant genotoxic effects such as micronuclei formation, DNA damage and apoptosis, whereas arsenic and cadmium had no significant effect on these indicators of cellular damage at non-toxic concentrations. However, in combination with gamma-radiation arsenic trioxide induced a more than additive apoptotic rate compared to the sum of the single effects. Here, the level of apoptotic cells was increased, in a dose-dependent way, up to two-fold compared to the irradiated control cells. Arsenite did not induce a significant additive effect at any of the concentrations or radiation doses tested. On the other hand, arsenic trioxide was less effective than arsenite in the induction of DNA protein cross-links. These data indicate that the two arsenic compounds interact through different pathways in the cell. Cadmium sulphate, like arsenite, had no significant effect on apoptosis in combination with gamma-radiation at low concentrations and, at high concentrations, even reduced the radiation-induced apoptosis. An additive effect on micronuclei induction was observed with 1muM cadmium sulphate with an increase of up to 80% compared to the irradiated control cells. Toxic concentrations of cadmium and arsenic trioxide seemed to reduce micronuclei induction. The results presented here indicate that relatively low concentrations of arsenic and cadmium, close to those occuring in nature, may interfere with radiation effects. Differences in action of the two arsenic compounds were identified.

  4. Depression moderates smoking behavior in response to a sad mood induction.

    PubMed

    Fucito, Lisa M; Juliano, Laura M

    2009-09-01

    Stress and anxiety have been shown to increase smoking motivation. There is limited experimental data on depressed or sad mood and smoking. This study investigated the effects of two induced moods on smoking behavior. Depression scores were examined as a potential moderator and mood changes were tested as a potential mediator. Smokers (N = 121) were randomly assigned to receive either a sad induction or a neutral induction via standardized film clips. Among participants with higher depression scores, smoking duration and the number of cigarette puffs were greater in response to the sad condition. There was also a marginal interactive effect on the change in expired air carbon monoxide among this subsample; however, no differences in smoking latency or craving were observed. Changes in positive mood partially mediated the effect of condition on smoking behavior among participants with high depression scores. There was no modifying effect of gender or mediating effect of negative mood changes. The results provide preliminary support that decreases in positive mood may have a greater influence on smoking behavior among depression-prone smokers than less psychiatrically vulnerable smokers. 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

  5. Are there age differences in attention to emotional images following a sad mood induction? Evidence from a free-viewing eye-tracking paradigm.

    PubMed

    Speirs, Calandra; Belchev, Zorry; Fernandez, Amanda; Korol, Stephanie; Sears, Christopher

    2017-10-30

    Two experiments examined age differences in the effect of a sad mood induction (MI) on attention to emotional images. Younger and older adults viewed sets of four images while their eye gaze was tracked throughout an 8-s presentation. Images were viewed before and after a sad MI to assess the effect of a sad mood on attention to positive and negative scenes. Younger and older adults exhibited positively biased attention after the sad MI, significantly increasing their attention to positive images, with no evidence of an age difference in either experiment. A test of participants' recognition memory for the images indicated that the sad MI reduced memory accuracy for sad images for younger and older adults. The results suggest that heightened attention to positive images following a sad MI reflects an affect regulation strategy related to mood repair. The implications for theories of the positivity effect are discussed.

  6. The Hypnotic Induction in the Broad Scheme of Hypnosis: A Sociocognitive Perspective.

    PubMed

    Lynn, Steven Jay; Maxwell, Reed; Green, Joseph P

    2017-04-01

    Researchers and clinicians typically divide hypnosis into two distinct parts: the induction and the suggestions that follow. We suggest that this distinction is arbitrary and artificial. Different definitions of hypnosis ascribe different roles to the hypnotic induction, yet none clearly specifies the mechanisms that mediate or moderate subjective and behavioral responses to hypnotic suggestions. Researchers have identified few if any differences in responding across diverse hypnotic inductions, and surprisingly little research has focused on the specific ingredients that optimize responsiveness. From a sociocognitive perspective, we consider the role of inductions in the broader scheme of hypnosis and suggest that there is no clear line of demarcation between prehypnotic information, the induction, suggestions, and other constituents of the hypnotic context. We describe research efforts to maximize responses to hypnotic suggestions, which encompass the induction and other aspects of the broader hypnotic framework, and conclude with a call for more research on inductions and suggestions to better understand their role within hypnotic interventions in research and clinical contexts.

  7. Induction of homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Simon, J R; Moore, P D

    1988-09-01

    We have investigated the effects of UV irradiation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in order to distinguish whether UV-induced recombination results from the induction of enzymes required for homologous recombination, or the production of substrate sites for recombination containing regions of DNA damage. We utilized split-dose experiments to investigate the induction of proteins required for survival, gene conversion, and mutation in a diploid strain of S. cerevisiae. We demonstrate that inducing doses of UV irradiation followed by a 6 h period of incubation render the cells resistant to challenge doses of UV irradiation. The effects of inducing and challenge doses of UV irradiation upon interchromosomal gene conversion and mutation are strictly additive. Using the yeast URA3 gene cloned in non-replicating single- and double-stranded plasmid vectors that integrate into chromosomal genes upon transformation, we show that UV irradiation of haploid yeast cells and homologous plasmid DNA sequences each stimulate homologous recombination approximately two-fold, and that these effects are additive. Non-specific DNA damage has little effect on the stimulation of homologous recombination, as shown by studies in which UV-irradiated heterologous DNA was included in transformation/recombination experiments. We further demonstrate that the effect of competing single- and double-stranded heterologous DNA sequences differs in UV-irradiated and unirradiated cells, suggesting an induction of recombinational machinery in UV-irradiated S. cerevisiae cells.

  8. Knowledge, expectations, and inductive reasoning within conceptual hierarchies.

    PubMed

    Coley, John D; Hayes, Brett; Lawson, Christopher; Moloney, Michelle

    2004-01-01

    Previous research (e.g. Cognition 64 (1997) 73) suggests that the privileged level for inductive inference in a folk biological conceptual hierarchy does not correspond to the "basic" level (i.e. the level at which concepts are both informative and distinct). To further explore inductive inference within conceptual hierarchies, we examine relations between knowledge of concepts at different hierarchical levels, expectations about conceptual coherence, and inductive inference. In Experiments 1 and 2, 5- and 8-year-olds and adults listed features of living kind (Experiments 1 and 2) and artifact (Experiment 2) concepts at different hierarchical levels (e.g. plant, tree, oak, desert oak), and also rated the strength of generalizations to the same concepts. For living kinds, the level that showed a relative advantage on these two tasks differed; the greatest increase in features listed tended to occur at the life-form level (e.g. tree), whereas the greatest increase in inductive strength tended to occur at the folk-generic level (e.g. oak). Knowledge and induction also showed different developmental trajectories. For artifact concepts, the levels at which the greatest gains in knowledge and induction occurred were more varied, and corresponded more closely across tasks. In Experiment 3, adults reported beliefs about within-category similarity for concepts at different levels of animal, plant and artifact hierarchies, and rated inductive strength as before. For living kind concepts, expectations about category coherence predicted patterns of inductions; knowledge did not. For artifact concepts, both knowledge and expectations predicted patterns of induction. Results suggest that beliefs about conceptual coherence play an important role in guiding inductive inference, that this role may be largely independent of specific knowledge of concepts, and that such beliefs are especially important in reasoning about living kinds.

  9. Effect of inductive and capacitive coupling on the current–voltage characteristic and electromagnetic radiation from a system of Josephson junctions

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

    Rahmonov, I. R., E-mail: rahmonov@theor.jinr.ru, E-mail: ilhom-tj@inbox.ru; Shukrinov, Yu. M.; Atanasova, P. Kh.

    We have studied the current–voltage characteristic of a system of long Josephson junctions taking into account the inductive and capacitive coupling. The dependence of the average time derivative of the phase difference on the bias current and spatiotemporal dependences of the phase difference and magnetic field in each junction are considered. The possibility of branching of the current–voltage characteristic in the region of zero field step, which is associated with different numbers of fluxons in individual Josephson junctions, is demonstrated. The current–voltage characteristic of the system of Josephson junctions is compared with the case of a single junction, and itmore » is shown that the observed branching is due to coupling between the junctions. The intensity of electromagnetic radiation associated with motion of fluxons is calculated, and the effect of coupling between junctions on the radiation power is analyzed.« less

  10. Sex-related difference in the inductions by perfluoro-octanoic acid of peroxisomal beta-oxidation, microsomal 1-acylglycerophosphocholine acyltransferase and cytosolic long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase in rat liver.

    PubMed Central

    Kawashima, Y; Uy-Yu, N; Kozuka, H

    1989-01-01

    Inductions by perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA) of hepatomegaly, peroxisomal beta-oxidation, microsomal 1-acylglycerophosphocholine acyltransferase and cytosolic long-chain acyl-CoA hydrolase were compared in liver between male and female rats. Marked inductions of these four parameters were seen concurrently in liver of male rats, whereas the inductions in liver of female rats were far less pronounced. The sex-related difference in the response of rat liver to PFOA was much more marked than that seen with p-chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid (clofibric acid) or 2,2'-(decamethylenedithio)diethanol (tiadenol). Hormonal manipulations revealed that this sex-related difference in the inductions is strongly dependent on sex hormones, namely that testosterone is necessary for the inductions, whereas oestradiol prevented the inductions by PFOA. PMID:2570571

  11. On the relevance of source effects in geomagnetic pulsations for induction soundings

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Neska, Anne; Tadeusz Reda, Jan; Leszek Neska, Mariusz; Petrovich Sumaruk, Yuri

    2018-03-01

    This study is an attempt to close a gap between recent research on geomagnetic pulsations and their usage as source signals in electromagnetic induction soundings (i.e., magnetotellurics, geomagnetic depth sounding, and magnetovariational sounding). The plane-wave assumption as a precondition for the proper performance of these methods is partly violated by the local nature of field line resonances which cause a considerable portion of pulsations at mid latitudes. It is demonstrated that and explained why in spite of this, the application of remote reference stations in quasi-global distances for the suppression of local correlated-noise effects in induction arrows is possible in the geomagnetic pulsation range. The important role of upstream waves and of the magnetic equatorial region for such applications is emphasized. Furthermore, the principal difference between application of reference stations for local transfer functions (which result in sounding curves and induction arrows) and for inter-station transfer functions is considered. The preconditions for the latter are much stricter than for the former. Hence a failure to estimate an inter-station transfer function to be interpreted in terms of electromagnetic induction, e.g., because of field line resonances, does not necessarily prohibit use of the station pair for a remote reference estimation of the impedance tensor.

  12. How do people learn from negative evidence? Non-monotonic generalizations and sampling assumptions in inductive reasoning.

    PubMed

    Voorspoels, Wouter; Navarro, Daniel J; Perfors, Amy; Ransom, Keith; Storms, Gert

    2015-09-01

    A robust finding in category-based induction tasks is for positive observations to raise the willingness to generalize to other categories while negative observations lower the willingness to generalize. This pattern is referred to as monotonic generalization. Across three experiments we find systematic non-monotonicity effects, in which negative observations raise the willingness to generalize. Experiments 1 and 2 show that this effect emerges in hierarchically structured domains when a negative observation from a different category is added to a positive observation. They also demonstrate that this is related to a specific kind of shift in the reasoner's hypothesis space. Experiment 3 shows that the effect depends on the assumptions that the reasoner makes about how inductive arguments are constructed. Non-monotonic reasoning occurs when people believe the facts were put together by a helpful communicator, but monotonicity is restored when they believe the observations were sampled randomly from the environment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Impact of induced joy on literacy in children: does the nature of the task make a difference?

    PubMed

    Tornare, Elise; Cuisinier, Frédérique; Czajkowski, Nikolai O; Pons, Francisco

    2017-04-01

    This research examined whether induced joy influences fifth graders' performance in literacy tasks. Children were asked to recall a joyful experience, used as a joy induction, before completing either a grammar (Study 1) or textual comprehension task (Study 2). The grammar task involved understanding at the surface level and retrieval of appropriate declarative and procedural knowledge, but limited elaboration unlike the textual comprehension task, which tackled inference generation. By differentiating tasks based on depth of processing required for completion we aimed at testing the validity of two concurrent hypotheses: that of a facilitating effect and that of a detrimental effect of induced joy. Compared to controls, joy induced children showed better performance on the grammar task - specifically children with lower language ability. No differences across groups emerged as a function of joy induction on the text comprehension task. Results are discussed with respect to emotion effects on cognition.

  14. Inductive Selectivity in Children’s Cross-classified Concepts

    PubMed Central

    Nguyen, Simone P.

    2012-01-01

    Cross-classified items pose an interesting challenge to children’s induction since these items belong to many different categories, each of which may serve as a basis for a different type of inference. Inductive selectivity is the ability to appropriately make different types of inferences about a single cross-classifiable item based on its different category memberships. This research includes five experiments that examine the development of inductive selectivity in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds (N = 272). Overall, the results show that by age 4 years, children have inductive selectivity with taxonomic and script categories. That is, children use taxonomic categories to make biochemical inferences about an item whereas children use script categories to make situational inferences about an item. PMID:22803510

  15. Effects of acepromazine and trazodone on anesthetic induction dose of propofol and cardiovascular variables in dogs undergoing general anesthesia for orthopedic surgery.

    PubMed

    Murphy, Lindsey A; Barletta, Michele; Graham, Lynelle F; Reichl, Lorna J; Duxbury, Margaret M; Quandt, Jane E

    2017-02-15

    OBJECTIVE To compare the doses of propofol required to induce general anesthesia in dogs premedicated with acepromazine maleate or trazodone hydrochloride and compare the effects of these premedicants on cardiovascular variables in dogs anesthetized for orthopedic surgery. DESIGN Prospective, randomized study. ANIMALS 30 systemically healthy client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES 15 dogs received acepromazine (0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg [0.005 to 0.014 mg/lb], IM) 30 minutes before anesthetic induction and 15 received trazodone (5 mg/kg [2.27 mg/lb] for patients > 10 kg or 7 mg/kg [3.18 mg/lb] for patients ≤ 10 kg, PO) 2 hours before induction. Both groups received morphine sulfate (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb], IM) 30 minutes before induction. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (4 to 6 mg/kg [1.82 to 2.73 mg/lb], IV, to effect) and maintained with isoflurane or sevoflurane in oxygen. Bupivacaine (0.5 mg/kg [0.227 mg/lb]) and morphine (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb]) were administered epidurally. Dogs underwent tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (n = 22) or tibial tuberosity advancement (8) and were monitored throughout anesthesia. Propofol induction doses and cardiovascular variables (heart rate and systemic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures) were compared between groups. RESULTS The mean dose of propofol required for anesthetic induction and all cardiovascular variables evaluated did not differ between groups. Intraoperative hypotension developed in 6 and 5 dogs of the acepromazine and trazodone groups, respectively; bradycardia requiring intervention developed in 3 dogs/group. One dog that received trazodone had priapism 24 hours later and was treated successfully. No other adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE At the described dosages, cardiovascular effects of trazodone were similar to those of acepromazine in healthy dogs undergoing anesthesia for orthopedic surgery.

  16. Melanopsin Regulates Both Sleep-Promoting and Arousal-Promoting Responses to Light

    PubMed Central

    Tam, Shu K. E.; Hughes, Steven; Jagannath, Aarti; Hankins, Mark W.; Bannerman, David M.; Lightman, Stafford L.; Vyazovskiy, Vladyslav V.; Nolan, Patrick M.; Foster, Russell G.; Peirson, Stuart N.

    2016-01-01

    Light plays a critical role in the regulation of numerous aspects of physiology and behaviour, including the entrainment of circadian rhythms and the regulation of sleep. These responses involve melanopsin (OPN4)-expressing photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs) in addition to rods and cones. Nocturnal light exposure in rodents has been shown to result in rapid sleep induction, in which melanopsin plays a key role. However, studies have also shown that light exposure can result in elevated corticosterone, a response that is not compatible with sleep. To investigate these contradictory findings and to dissect the relative contribution of pRGCs and rods/cones, we assessed the effects of light of different wavelengths on behaviourally defined sleep. Here, we show that blue light (470 nm) causes behavioural arousal, elevating corticosterone and delaying sleep onset. By contrast, green light (530 nm) produces rapid sleep induction. Compared to wildtype mice, these responses are altered in melanopsin-deficient mice (Opn4-/-), resulting in enhanced sleep in response to blue light but delayed sleep induction in response to green or white light. We go on to show that blue light evokes higher Fos induction in the SCN compared to the sleep-promoting ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), whereas green light produced greater responses in the VLPO. Collectively, our data demonstrates that nocturnal light exposure can have either an arousal- or sleep-promoting effect, and that these responses are melanopsin-mediated via different neural pathways with different spectral sensitivities. These findings raise important questions relating to how artificial light may alter behaviour in both the work and domestic setting. PMID:27276063

  17. Melanopsin Regulates Both Sleep-Promoting and Arousal-Promoting Responses to Light.

    PubMed

    Pilorz, Violetta; Tam, Shu K E; Hughes, Steven; Pothecary, Carina A; Jagannath, Aarti; Hankins, Mark W; Bannerman, David M; Lightman, Stafford L; Vyazovskiy, Vladyslav V; Nolan, Patrick M; Foster, Russell G; Peirson, Stuart N

    2016-06-01

    Light plays a critical role in the regulation of numerous aspects of physiology and behaviour, including the entrainment of circadian rhythms and the regulation of sleep. These responses involve melanopsin (OPN4)-expressing photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs) in addition to rods and cones. Nocturnal light exposure in rodents has been shown to result in rapid sleep induction, in which melanopsin plays a key role. However, studies have also shown that light exposure can result in elevated corticosterone, a response that is not compatible with sleep. To investigate these contradictory findings and to dissect the relative contribution of pRGCs and rods/cones, we assessed the effects of light of different wavelengths on behaviourally defined sleep. Here, we show that blue light (470 nm) causes behavioural arousal, elevating corticosterone and delaying sleep onset. By contrast, green light (530 nm) produces rapid sleep induction. Compared to wildtype mice, these responses are altered in melanopsin-deficient mice (Opn4-/-), resulting in enhanced sleep in response to blue light but delayed sleep induction in response to green or white light. We go on to show that blue light evokes higher Fos induction in the SCN compared to the sleep-promoting ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO), whereas green light produced greater responses in the VLPO. Collectively, our data demonstrates that nocturnal light exposure can have either an arousal- or sleep-promoting effect, and that these responses are melanopsin-mediated via different neural pathways with different spectral sensitivities. These findings raise important questions relating to how artificial light may alter behaviour in both the work and domestic setting.

  18. Effects of Induction-System Icing on Aircraft-Engine Operating Characteristics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stevens, Howard C., Jr.

    1947-01-01

    An investigation was conducted on a multicylinder aircraft engine on a dynamometer stand to determine the effect of induction-system icing on engine operating characteristics and to compare the results with those of a previous laboratory investigation in which only the carburetor and the engine-stage supercharger assembly from the engine were used. The experiments were conducted at simulated glide power, low cruise power, and normal rated power through a range of humidity ratios and air temperatures at approximately sea-level pressure. Induction-system icing was found to occur within approximately the same limits as those established by the previous laboratory investigation after making suitable allowances for the difference in fuel volatility and throttle angles. Rough operation of the engine was experienced when ice caused a marked reduction in the air flow. Photographs of typical ice formations from this investigation indicate close similarity to icing previously observed in the laboratory.

  19. Inductive reasoning and implicit memory: evidence from intact and impaired memory systems.

    PubMed

    Girelli, Luisa; Semenza, Carlo; Delazer, Margarete

    2004-01-01

    In this study, we modified a classic problem solving task, number series completion, in order to explore the contribution of implicit memory to inductive reasoning. Participants were required to complete number series sharing the same underlying algorithm (e.g., +2), differing in both constituent elements (e.g., 2468 versus 57911) and correct answers (e.g., 10 versus 13). In Experiment 1, reliable priming effects emerged, whether primes and targets were separated by four or ten fillers. Experiment 2 provided direct evidence that the observed facilitation arises at central stages of problem solving, namely the identification of the algorithm and its subsequent extrapolation. The observation of analogous priming effects in a severely amnesic patient strongly supports the hypothesis that the facilitation in number series completion was largely determined by implicit memory processes. These findings demonstrate that the influence of implicit processes extends to higher level cognitive domain such as induction reasoning.

  20. Inductive Selectivity in Children's Cross-Classified Concepts

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nguyen, Simone P.

    2012-01-01

    Cross-classified items pose an interesting challenge to children's induction as these items belong to many different categories, each of which may serve as a basis for a different type of inference. Inductive selectivity is the ability to appropriately make different types of inferences about a single cross-classifiable item based on its different…

  1. Quantitative analysis of the thermal requirements for stepwise physical dormancy-break in seeds of the winter annual Geranium carolinianum (Geraniaceae)

    PubMed Central

    Gama-Arachchige, N. S.; Baskin, J. M.; Geneve, R. L.; Baskin, C. C.

    2013-01-01

    Background and Aims Physical dormancy (PY)-break in some annual plant species is a two-step process controlled by two different temperature and/or moisture regimes. The thermal time model has been used to quantify PY-break in several species of Fabaceae, but not to describe stepwise PY-break. The primary aims of this study were to quantify the thermal requirement for sensitivity induction by developing a thermal time model and to propose a mechanism for stepwise PY-breaking in the winter annual Geranium carolinianum. Methods Seeds of G. carolinianum were stored under dry conditions at different constant and alternating temperatures to induce sensitivity (step I). Sensitivity induction was analysed based on the thermal time approach using the Gompertz function. The effect of temperature on step II was studied by incubating sensitive seeds at low temperatures. Scanning electron microscopy, penetrometer techniques, and different humidity levels and temperatures were used to explain the mechanism of stepwise PY-break. Key Results The base temperature (Tb) for sensitivity induction was 17·2 °C and constant for all seed fractions of the population. Thermal time for sensitivity induction during step I in the PY-breaking process agreed with the three-parameter Gompertz model. Step II (PY-break) did not agree with the thermal time concept. Q10 values for the rate of sensitivity induction and PY-break were between 2·0 and 3·5 and between 0·02 and 0·1, respectively. The force required to separate the water gap palisade layer from the sub-palisade layer was significantly reduced after sensitivity induction. Conclusions Step I and step II in PY-breaking of G. carolinianum are controlled by chemical and physical processes, respectively. This study indicates the feasibility of applying the developed thermal time model to predict or manipulate sensitivity induction in seeds with two-step PY-breaking processes. The model is the first and most detailed one yet developed for sensitivity induction in PY-break. PMID:23456728

  2. Comparative Effectiveness of Mesalamine, Sulfasalazine, Corticosteroids, and Budesonide for the Induction of Remission in Crohn's Disease: A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Coward, Stephanie; Kuenzig, M Ellen; Hazlewood, Glen; Clement, Fiona; McBrien, Kerry; Holmes, Rebecca; Panaccione, Remo; Ghosh, Subrata; Seow, Cynthia H; Rezaie, Ali; Kaplan, Gilaad G

    2017-03-01

    Induction treatment of mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease is controversial. To compare the induction of remission between different doses of mesalamine, sulfasalazine, corticosteroids, and budesonide for active Crohn's disease. We identified randomized controlled trials from existing Cochrane reviews and an updated literature search in Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL to November 2015. We included randomized controlled trials (n = 22) in adult patients with Crohn's disease that compared budesonide, sulfasalazine, mesalamine, or corticosteroids with placebo or each other, for the induction of remission (8-17 wks). Mesalamine (above and below 2.4 g/d) and budesonide (above and below 6 mg/d) were stratified into low and high doses. Our primary outcome was remission, defined as a Crohn's Disease Activity Index score <150. A Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis was performed on the proportion in remission. Corticosteroids (odds ratio [OR] = 3.80; 95% credible interval [CrI]: 2.48-5.66), high-dose budesonide (OR = 2.96; 95% CrI: 2.06-4.30), and high-dose mesalamine (OR = 2.29; 95% CrI: 1.58-3.33) were superior to placebo. Corticosteroids were similar to high-dose budesonide (OR = 1.21; 95% CrI: 0.84-1.76), but more effective than high-dose mesalamine (OR = 1.83; 95% CrI: 1.16-2.88). Sulfasalazine was not significantly superior to any therapy including placebo. Randomized controlled trials that use a strict definition of induction of remission and disease severity at enrollment to assess effectiveness in treating mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease are limited. Corticosteroids and high-dose budesonide were effective treatments for inducing remission in mild-to-moderate Crohn's disease. High-dose mesalamine is an option among patients preferring to avoid steroids.

  3. Respiratory sinus arrhythmia responses to induced emotional states: effects of RSA indices, emotion induction method, age, and sex.

    PubMed

    Overbeek, Thérèse J M; van Boxtel, Anton; Westerink, Joyce H D M

    2012-09-01

    The literature shows large inconsistencies in respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) responses to induced emotional states. This may be caused by differences in emotion induction methods, RSA quantification, and non-emotional demands of the situation. In 83 healthy subjects, we studied RSA responses to pictures and film fragments eliciting six different discrete emotions relative to neutral baseline stimuli. RSA responses were quantified in the time and frequency domain and were additionally corrected for differences in mean heart rate and respiration rate, resulting in eight different RSA response measures. Subjective ratings of emotional stimuli and facial electromyographic responses indicated that pictures and film fragments elicited the intended emotions. Although RSA measures showed various emotional effects, responses were quite heterogeneous and frequently nonsignificant. They were substantially influenced by methodological factors, in particular time vs. frequency domain response measures, correction for changes in respiration rate, use of pictures vs. film fragments, and sex of participants. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  4. Differences in sensitivity of murine spermatogonia and somatic cells in vivo to sister-chromatid exchange induction by nitrosoureas.

    PubMed

    Morales-Ramírez, P; Cruz-Vallejo, V; Rodríguez-Reyes, R

    2001-07-01

    Previously published data indicate that spermatogonia (SPG) are less sensitive to a sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) induction for different mutagens. In an earlier study, we have observed that bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) substituted murine SPG are less sensitive to SCE induction by gamma ray in cells, than bone marrow (BM) and salivary gland (SG) cells in vivo. This was interpreted to mean that SPG are more efficient in DNA repair or are less prone to SCE induction. That the lower induction of SCE could be due to a reduced accessibility of mutagens to the SPG by virtue of a physiological barrier, was discarded by using gamma radiation. The aim of the present study was to establish whether or not there are differences in SCE induction by nitrosoureas among SPG, SG and BM cells with BrdU substituted or unsubstituted DNA. It was observed that SCE induction by methylnitrosourea (MNU) or by ethylnitrosourea (ENU) in SPG was, respectively, five and two times lower than in SG, and ten and three times lower than in BM. In SPG after BrdU incorporation, there was no increase in efficiency of SCE induction; in fact, there was even a slight decrease by exposure to MNU or ENU. BM and SG cells showed an increased efficiency in SCE induction after BrdU incorporation. This implies that SPG are also less sensitive to SCE induction by nitrosoureas, which cause a different kind of damage from previously assayed mutagens.

  5. Effects of the Chemical Structures of Oligoarginines Conjugated to Biocompatible Polymers as a Mucosal Adjuvant on Antibody Induction in Nasal Cavities.

    PubMed

    Mohri, Kohta; Miyata, Kohei; Egawa, Tomomi; Tanishita, Sohei; Endo, Rikito; Yagi, Haruya; Ukawa, Masami; Ochiai, Kyohei; Hiwatari, Ken-Ichiro; Tsubaki, Kazufumi; Shigeno, Koichi; Tobita, Etsuo; Uto, Tomofumi; Baba, Masanori; Sakuma, Shinji

    2018-01-01

    We have been investigating the potential of oligoarginine-linked polymers as an adjuvant for mucosal vaccination that induces immunoglobulin G (IgG) in systemic circulation and immunoglobulin A (IgA) secreted on the mucosa. Our latest infection experiments demonstrated that mice immunized nasally with a mixture of inactivated influenza viruses and poly(N-vinylacetamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNVA-co-AA) modified with D-octaarginine were perfectly protected from homologous virus infection. On the contrary, virus infection was observed in mice immunized with the antigen alone. This difference was presumably due to insignificant induction of secreted IgA on the nasal mucosa in the latter mice. Since it was unclear whether the current induction level was sufficient for heterologous virus infection, we evaluated the effects of the chemical structures of oligoarginines conjugated to PNVA-co-AA on induction of intranasal IgA. The number and optical activity of the arginine residues and the degree of modification with oligoarginines in the polymer backbone were listed as a factor that would influence IgA induction. Mouse experiments revealed that maximization of the modification resulted in an increase in adjuvant activities of oligoarginine-linked polymers most effectively. Glycine segments inserted between oligoarginines and the polymer backbone were a prerequisite for the maximization. The highest IgA level was observed when antigens were coadministered with diglycine-D-octaarginine-linked PNVA-co-AA.

  6. Comparison of the biological effects of {sup 18}F at different intracellular levels

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

    Kashino, Genro, E-mail: kashino@oita-u.ac.jp; Hayashi, Kazutaka; Douhara, Kazumasa

    Highlights: • We estimated the inductions of DNA DSB in cell treated with {sup 18}F-FDG. • We found that inductions of DNA DSB are dependent on accumulation of {sup 18}F in cell. • Accumulation of {sup 18}F in cell may be indispensable for risk estimation of PET. - Abstract: We herein examined the biological effects of cells treated with {sup 18}F labeled drugs for positron emission tomography (PET). The relationship between the intracellular distribution of {sup 18}F and levels of damaged DNA has yet to be clarified in detail. We used culture cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary cells) treated with twomore » types of {sup 18}F labeled drugs, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and fluorine ion (HF). FDG efficiently accumulated in cells, whereas HF did not. To examine the induction of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), we measured the number of foci for 53BP1 that formed at the site of DNA DSB. The results revealed that although radioactivity levels were the same, the induction of 53BP1 foci was stronger in cells treated with {sup 18}F-FDG than in those treated with {sup 18}F-HF. The clonogenic survival of cells was significantly lower with {sup 18}F-FDG than with {sup 18}F-HF. We concluded that the efficient accumulation of {sup 18}F in cells led to stronger biological effects due to more severe cellular lethality via the induction of DNA DSB.« less

  7. Critical role for TNF in the induction of human antigen-specific regulatory T cells by tolerogenic dendritic cells.

    PubMed

    Kleijwegt, Fleur S; Laban, Sandra; Duinkerken, Gaby; Joosten, Antoinette M; Zaldumbide, Arnaud; Nikolic, Tatjana; Roep, Bart O

    2010-08-01

    TNF is a pleiotropic cytokine with differential effects on immune cells and diseases. Anti-TNF therapy was shown to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis but proved inefficient or even detrimental in other autoimmune diseases. We studied the role of TNF in the induction of Ag-specific regulatory T cells (Tregs) by tolerogenic vitamin D3-modulated human dendritic cells (VD3-DCs), which previously were shown to release high amounts of soluble TNF (sTNF) upon maturation with LPS. First, production of TNF by modulated VD3-DCs was analyzed upon maturation with LPS or CD40L with respect to both secreted (cleaved) TNF (sTNF) and expression of the membrane-bound (uncleaved) form of TNF (mTNF). Next, TNF antagonists were tested for their effect on induction of Ag-specific Tregs by modulated DCs and the subsequent functionality of these Tregs. VD3-DCs expressed greater amounts of mTNF than did control DCs (nontreated DCs), independent of the maturation protocol. Inhibition of TNF with anti-TNF Ab (blocking both sTNF and mTNF) during the priming of Tregs with VD3-DCs prevented generation of Tregs and their suppression of proliferation of CD4(+) T cells. In contrast, sTNF receptor II (sTNFRII), mainly blocking sTNF, did not change the suppressive capacity of Tregs. Blocking of TNFRII by anti-CD120b Ab during Treg induction similarly abrogated their subsequent suppressive function. These data point to a specific role for mTNF on VD3-DCs in the induction of Ag-specific Tregs. Interaction between mTNF and TNFRII instructs the induction of suppressive Tregs by VD3-DCs. Anti-TNF therapy may therefore act adversely in different patients or disease pathways.

  8. Shortening the induction delivery interval with prostaglandins: a randomized controlled trial of solo or in combination

    PubMed Central

    Mahendru, Rajiv; Yadav, Shweta

    2011-01-01

    Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of misoprostol alone with dinoprostone followed by misoprostol, all inserted intravaginally in induction of labor at term and the obstetrical outcome. Material and Methods A pilot study comprising 111 primigravidae, >37 gestational weeks with singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation having an unfavorable Bishop score admitted for labor induction, were considered and randomly allocated into two groups. In group I (n=55) with intravaginal 25mcg misoprostol 4 hourly (six doses at the most) and and group II (n=56), with dinoprostone 0.5mg followed eight hours later by 25mcg misoprostol induction to vaginal delivery time was found to be significantly different, being 14.8 h in group-I and shorter in group-II with a mean of 11.6 h. Vaginal delivery rates within 12 h (groups-I and −II: 47.2%, as compared to 60.7%, respectively) were found to be higher with dinoprostone-misoprostol induction, as well as vaginal delivery rates in 24 h, 80.0% and 91.1%. The need for oxytocin augmentation was more frequent in the misoprostol than in the dinoprostone-misoprostol group, (61.8%, and 39.3%), and all these observations were statistically significant. Abnormal foetal heart rate pattern occurred more frequently (18.2%) in group-I in contrast to 5.3% in group-II, as was the incidence rate of (18.2%) who had passage of meconium in group-I, this rate being significantly different from group-II having meconium passage in 3 cases, a rate of 5.3%. Conclusion Using dinoprostone followed by vaginal misoprostol is safe and effective for induction of labor with less need for oxytocin augmentation and shorter induction delivery interval. PMID:24591967

  9. Differences and Similarities between School Principals in Costa Rica and the United States

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ballestero, Victor; Wright, Sam

    2008-01-01

    The need for effective school leadership is a global concern. This paper provides a comparison of the school principal in Costa Rica to the United States. Differences and similarities are described for principals in both nations. Major differences for principals in Costa Rica include administrative salaries, selection procedures, induction, no…

  10. Nucleation kinetics of MgCl2-ethanol adduct for the supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts with a thermodynamic approach

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ansari, Ziaul Haque; Zeng, Yan; Demopoulos, George P.; Li, Zhibao

    2018-07-01

    MgCl2-ethanol adducts play a key role in the synthesis of supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The morphology of the MgCl2-ethanol adducts, which is controlled by their crystallization process, can determine the structure and thus the property of the polyolefin products. Here we study the nucleation kinetics of MgCl2-ethanol adducts by measuring the metastable zone width (MSZW) and induction time at different temperatures. Supersaturation ratios used in induction time measurements were predicted by the Mixed Solvent Electrolyte (MSE) model embedded in OLI System. Nývlt‧s approach was applied to determine MSZW. By the induction time measurement, the effect of temperature, and supersaturation were studied. It was found that induction time decreases as either temperature or supersaturation increases. The measured MSZW and induction time are used to estimate the nucleation kinetics of the system, and thereby distinguishing between the homogeneous and heterogeneous mechanisms. The interfacial tension and other related nucleation parameters were calculated from the induction time data. XRD and TGA indicate that the MgCl2-ethanol adduct has the stoichiometry of MgCl2·6C2H5OH.

  11. SU-F-BRD-16: Relative Biological Effectiveness of Double-Strand Break Induction for Modeling Cell Survival in Pristine Proton Beams of Different Dose-Averaged Linear Energy Transfers

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

    Peeler, C; Bronk, L; UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX

    2015-06-15

    Purpose: High throughput in vitro experiments assessing cell survival following proton radiation indicate that both the alpha and the beta parameters of the linear quadratic model increase with increasing proton linear energy transfer (LET). We investigated the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of double-strand break (DSB) induction as a means of explaining the experimental results. Methods: Experiments were performed with two lung cancer cell lines and a range of proton LET values (0.94 – 19.4 keV/µm) using an experimental apparatus designed to irradiate cells in a 96 well plate such that each column encounters protons of different dose-averaged LET (LETd). Traditionalmore » linear quadratic survival curve fitting was performed, and alpha, beta, and RBE values obtained. Survival curves were also fit with a model incorporating RBE of DSB induction as the sole fit parameter. Fitted values of the RBE of DSB induction were then compared to values obtained using Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS) software and energy spectra calculated with Geant4. Other parameters including alpha, beta, and number of DSBs were compared to those obtained from traditional fitting. Results: Survival curve fitting with RBE of DSB induction yielded alpha and beta parameters that increase with proton LETd, which follows from the standard method of fitting; however, relying on a single fit parameter provided more consistent trends. The fitted values of RBE of DSB induction increased beyond what is predicted from MCDS data above proton LETd of approximately 10 keV/µm. Conclusion: In order to accurately model in vitro proton irradiation experiments performed with high throughput methods, the RBE of DSB induction must increase more rapidly than predicted by MCDS above LETd of 10 keV/µm. This can be explained by considering the increased complexity of DSBs or the nature of intra-track pairwise DSB interactions in this range of LETd values. NIH Grant 2U19CA021239-35.« less

  12. Conceptual Influences on Induction: A Case for a Late Onset

    PubMed Central

    Sloutsky, Vladimir M.; (Sophia) Deng, Wei; Fisher, Anna V.; Kloos, Heidi

    2015-01-01

    This research examines the mechanism of early induction, the development of induction, and the ways attentional and conceptual factors contribute to induction across development. Different theoretical views offer different answers to these questions. Six experiments with 4- and 5-year-olds, 7-year-olds and adults (N = 208) test these competing theories by teaching categories for which category membership and perceptual similarity are in conflict, and varying orthogonally conceptual and attentional factors that may potentially affect inductive inference. The results suggest that early induction is similarity-based; conceptual information plays a negligible role in early induction, but its role increases gradually, with the 7-year-olds being a transitional group. And finally, there is substantial contribution of attention to the development of induction: only adults, but not children, could perform category-based induction without attentional support. Therefore, category-based induction exhibits protracted development, with attentional factors contributing early in development and conceptual factors contributing later in development. These results are discussed in relation to existing theories of development of inductive inference and broader theoretical views on cognitive development. PMID:26350681

  13. Effect of ovary induction on bread wheat anther culture: ovary genotype and developmental stage, and candidate gene association

    PubMed Central

    Castillo, Ana M.; Sánchez-Díaz, Rosa A.; Vallés, María P.

    2015-01-01

    Ovary pre-conditioned medium and ovary co-culture increased the efficiency of green doubled haploid plant production in bread wheat anther culture. The positive effect of this medium led to a 6- and 11-fold increase in the numbers of embryos and green plants, respectively, having a greater effect on a medium-low responding cultivar. Ovary genotype and developmental stage significantly affected microspore embryogenesis. By the use of Caramba ovaries it was possible to reach a 2-fold increase in the number of embryos and green plants, and to decrease the rate of albinism. Mature ovaries from flowers containing microspores at a late binucleate stage raised the number of embryos and green plants by 25–46% as compared to immature ovaries (excised from flowers with microspores at a mid-late uninucleate stage). The highest numbers of embryos and green plants were produced when using mature Caramba ovaries. Ovaries from Galeón, Tigre, and Kilopondio cultivars successfully induced microspore embryogenesis at the same rate as Caramba ovaries. Moreover, Tigre ovaries raised the percentage of spontaneous chromosome doubling up to 71%. Attempts were made to identify molecular mechanisms associated to the inductive effect of the ovaries on microspore embryogenesis. The genes TAA1b, FLA26, and WALI6 associated to wheat microspore embryogenesis, the CGL1 gene involved in glycan biosynthesis or degradation, and the FER gene involved in the ovary signaling process were expressed and/or induced at different rates during ovary culture. The expression pattern of FLA26 and FER could be related to the differences between genotypes and developmental stages in the inductive effect of the ovary. Our results open opportunities for new approaches to increase bread wheat doubled haploid production by anther culture, and to identify the functional components of the ovary inductive effect on microspore embryogenesis. PMID:26150821

  14. Comparing the Effect of Metformin and Acarbose Accompanying Clomiphene on the Successful Ovulation Induction in Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

    PubMed

    Rezai, Masomeh; Jamshidi, Mohmmad; Mohammadbeigi, Robabeh; Seyedoshohadaei, Fariba; Mohammadipour, Somaye; Moradi, Ghobad

    2016-09-01

    The aim of this study was to compare the effects of Metformin and Acarbose accompanying Clomiphene on the successful ovulation induction in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.This randomized double blind clinical trial study was performed on 60 women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Women were selected and randomly divided in two control and intervention groups. Intervention group received Acarbose 100 mg/day for 3 months. In the first, second, and third weeks, they received 1 tablet, 2 tablets, and 3 tablets per day respectively. In addition, they received 100 mg Clomiphene from third to seventh day of menstruation, during the 3 month treatment period. The control group received Metformin 500 mg/day for 3 months. In the first, second, and third weeks, they received 1 tablet, 2 tablets, and 3 tablets per day respectively. In addition, they received 100 mg Clomiphene from third to seventh day of menstruation, during the 3 month treatment period. All the subjects in both groups before and after the treatment were examined for hirsutism, acne, oral glucose tolerance test, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL, HDL. Also, induction of ovulation was assessed by vaginal ultrasound. The Mean of BMI and fasting glucose tolerance test in Acarbose group was less than Metformin group (P = 0.05). The mean of triglycerides, LDL and HDL levels did not differ between the two groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). The mean of cholesterol levels were different in the two groups after the intervention (P = 0.04). Frequency of ovulation induction in those who received Acarbose (78.5%) was more than those who received Metformin (46.6) (P = 0.012). Comparing with Metformin, Acarbose accompanying Clomiphene was more effective in ovulation induction and decreasing body mass index in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

  15. Directing the osteoblastic and chondrocytic differentiations of mesenchymal stem cells: matrix vs. induction media

    PubMed Central

    He, Jing; Guo, Jianglong; Jiang, Bo; Yao, Ruijuan; Wu, Yao

    2017-01-01

    Abstract While both induction culture media and matrix have been reported to regulate the stem cell fate, little is known about which factor plays a more decisive role in directing the MSC differentiation lineage as well as the underlying mechanisms. To this aim, we seeded MSCs on HA-collagen and HA-synthetic hydrogel matrixes, which had demonstrated highly different potentials toward osteoblastic and chondrocytic differentiation lineages, respectively, and cultured them with osteogenic, chondrogenic and normal culture media, respectively. A systematic comparison has been carried out on the effects of induction media and matrix on MSC adhesion, cytoskeleton organization, proliferation, and in particular differentiation into the osteoblastic and chondrocytic lineages. The results demonstrated that the matrix selection had a much more profound effect on directing the differentiation lineage than the induction media did. The strong modulation effect on the transcription activities might be the critical factor contributing to the above observations in our study, where canonical Wnt-β-Catenin signal pathway was directly involved in the matrix-driven osteoblastic differentiation. Such findings not only provide a critical insight on natural cellular events leading to the osteoblastic and chondrocytic differentiations, but also have important implications in biomaterial design for tissue engineering applications. PMID:29026640

  16. Strong induction effects during the substorm on 27 August 2001

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mishin, V. V.; Mishin, V. M.; Lunyushkin, S. B.; Pu, Z.; Wang, C.

    2015-10-01

    We report on strong induction effects notably contributing to the cross polar cap potential drop and the energy balance during the growth and active phases of the substorm on 27 August 2001. The inductance of the magnetosphere is found to be crucial for the energy balance and electrical features of the magnetosphere in the course of the substorm. The inductive response to the switching on and off of the solar wind-magnetosphere generator exceeds the effect of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) variation. The induction effects are most apparent during the substorm expansion onset when the rapid growth of the ionospheric conductivity is accompanied by the fast release of the magnetic energy stored in the magnetotail during the growth phase. Using the magnetogram inversion technique, we estimated the magnetospheric inductance and effective ionospheric conductivity during the loading and unloading phases.

  17. Effective Teacher Induction and Mentoring: Assessing the Evidence

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Strong, Michael

    2009-01-01

    A well-known authority on teacher induction programs offers the most comprehensive, up-to-date review of all recent research on the effectiveness of mentoring and induction support for new teachers. Michael Strong provides a revealing analysis of teacher induction programs and their consequences for education, teacher quality, teacher…

  18. Tunable fictitious substituent effects on the π-π interactions of substituted sandwich benzene dimers.

    PubMed

    Garcia, Amee M; Determan, John J; Janesko, Benjamin G

    2014-05-08

    Substituent effects on the π-π interactions of aromatic rings are a topic of much recent debate. Real substituents give a complicated combination of inductive, resonant, dispersion, and other effects. To help partition these effects, we present calculations on fictitious "pure" σ donor/acceptor substituents, hydrogen atoms with nuclear charges other than 1. "Pure" σ donors with nuclear charge <1 weaken π-π stacking in the sandwich benzene dimer. This result is consistent with the electrostatic model of Hunter and Sanders, and different from real substituents. Calculated inductive effects are largely additive and transferable, consistent with a local direct interaction model. A second series of fictitious substituents, neutral hydrogen atoms with an artificially broadened nuclear charge distribution, give similar trends though with reduced additivity. These results provide an alternative perspective on substituent effects in noncovalent interactions.

  19. Nitric oxide donors for cervical ripening and induction of labour.

    PubMed

    Kelly, Anthony J; Munson, Christopher; Minden, Lucy

    2011-06-15

    Sometimes it is necessary to bring on labour artificially because of safety concerns for the mother or baby. This review is one of a series of reviews of methods of labour induction using a standardised protocol.Induction of labour occurs in approximately 20% of pregnancies in the UK. The ideal agent for induction of labour would induce cervical ripening without causing uterine contractions. Currently most commonly used cervical ripening or induction agents result in uterine activity or contractions, or both. Cervical ripening without uterine contractility could occur safely in an outpatient setting and it may be expected that this would result in greater maternal satisfaction and lower costs. To determine the effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors for third trimester cervical ripening or induction of labour, in comparison with placebo or no treatment or other treatments from a predefined hierarchy. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 December 2010) and the reference lists of trial reports and reviews. Clinical trials comparing NO donors for cervical ripening or labour induction to other methods listed above it on a predefined list of methods of labour induction. The trials include some form of random allocation to either group; and report one or more of the prestated outcomes. NO donors (isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside) are compared to other methods listed above it on a predefined list of methods of labour induction. This review is part of a series of reviews focusing on methods of induction of labour. Three review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, assessed risk of bias and extracted data. We considered 19 trials; we included 10 (including a total of 1889 women) trials, excluded eight trials and one trial report is awaiting classification. Included studies compared NO donors to placebo, vaginal prostaglandin E2, intracervical PGE2 and vaginal misoprostol. All included studies were of a generally high standard with a low risk of bias.There are very limited data available to compare nitric oxide donors to any other induction agent. There is no evidence of any difference between any of the prespecified outcomes when comparing NO donors to other induction agents, with the exception of an increase in maternal side effects. NO donors do not appear currently to be a useful tool in the process of induction of labour. More studies are required to examine how NO donors may work alongside established induction of labour protocols, especially those based in outpatient settings.

  20. Effect of gibberellic Acid on crown gall tumor induction in aging primary pinto bean leaves.

    PubMed

    Anand, V K; Bauer, C; Heberlein, G T

    1975-06-01

    Gibberellic acid was tested for its effect on tumor induction by Agrobacterium tumefaciens in primary pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves in various stages of development. The hormone was found to promote tumor induction in partially aged leaves but did not effect tumor induction in very young leaves or in fully matured leaves. It is suggested that the natural loss of susceptibility to tumor induction in maturing pinto bean leaves is associated with a concomitant loss of endogenous gibberellins and/or a sensitivity to gibberellins.

  1. A physical model for low-frequency electromagnetic induction in the near field based on direct interaction between transmitter and receiver electrons

    PubMed Central

    Smith, Ray T.; Jjunju, Fred P. M.; Young, Iain S.; Taylor, Stephen

    2016-01-01

    A physical model of electromagnetic induction is developed which relates directly the forces between electrons in the transmitter and receiver windings of concentric coaxial finite coils in the near-field region. By applying the principle of superposition, the contributions from accelerating electrons in successive current loops are summed, allowing the peak-induced voltage in the receiver to be accurately predicted. Results show good agreement between theory and experiment for various receivers of different radii up to five times that of the transmitter. The limitations of the linear theory of electromagnetic induction are discussed in terms of the non-uniform current distribution caused by the skin effect. In particular, the explanation in terms of electromagnetic energy and Poynting’s theorem is contrasted with a more direct explanation based on variable filament induction across the conductor cross section. As the direct physical model developed herein deals only with forces between discrete current elements, it can be readily adapted to suit different coil geometries and is widely applicable in various fields of research such as near-field communications, antenna design, wireless power transfer, sensor applications and beyond. PMID:27493580

  2. Flow-field differences and electromagnetic-field properties of air and N2 inductively coupled plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yu, Minghao; Yamada, Kazuhiko; Takahashi, Yusuke; Liu, Kai; Zhao, Tong

    2016-12-01

    A numerical model for simulating air and nitrogen inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) was developed considering thermochemical nonequilibrium and the third-order electron transport properties. A modified far-field electromagnetic model was introduced and tightly coupled with the flow field equations to describe the Joule heating and inductive discharge phenomena. In total, 11 species and 49 chemical reactions of air, which include 5 species and 8 chemical reactions of nitrogen, were employed to model the chemical reaction process. The internal energy transfers among translational, vibrational, rotational, and electronic energy modes of chemical species were taken into account to study thermal nonequilibrium effects. The low-Reynolds number Abe-Kondoh-Nagano k-ɛ turbulence model was employed to consider the turbulent heat transfer. In this study, the fundamental characteristics of an ICP flow, such as the weak ionization, high temperature but low velocity in the torch, and wide area of the plasma plume, were reproduced by the developed numerical model. The flow field differences between the air and nitrogen ICP flows inside the 10-kW ICP wind tunnel were made clear. The interactions between the electromagnetic and flow fields were also revealed for an inductive discharge.

  3. A physical model for low-frequency electromagnetic induction in the near field based on direct interaction between transmitter and receiver electrons.

    PubMed

    Smith, Ray T; Jjunju, Fred P M; Young, Iain S; Taylor, Stephen; Maher, Simon

    2016-07-01

    A physical model of electromagnetic induction is developed which relates directly the forces between electrons in the transmitter and receiver windings of concentric coaxial finite coils in the near-field region. By applying the principle of superposition, the contributions from accelerating electrons in successive current loops are summed, allowing the peak-induced voltage in the receiver to be accurately predicted. Results show good agreement between theory and experiment for various receivers of different radii up to five times that of the transmitter. The limitations of the linear theory of electromagnetic induction are discussed in terms of the non-uniform current distribution caused by the skin effect. In particular, the explanation in terms of electromagnetic energy and Poynting's theorem is contrasted with a more direct explanation based on variable filament induction across the conductor cross section. As the direct physical model developed herein deals only with forces between discrete current elements, it can be readily adapted to suit different coil geometries and is widely applicable in various fields of research such as near-field communications, antenna design, wireless power transfer, sensor applications and beyond.

  4. Employment during pregnancy and obstetric intervention without medical reason: labor induction and cesarean delivery

    PubMed Central

    Kozhimannil, Katy Backes; Attanasio, Laura B.; Johnson, Pamela Jo; Gjerdingen, Dwenda K.; McGovern, Patricia M.

    2014-01-01

    Background Rising rates of labor induction and cesarean delivery, especially when used without a medical reason, have generated concern among clinicians, women, and policymakers. Whether employment status affects pregnant women's childbirth-related care is not known. We estimated the relationship between prenatal employment and obstetric procedures, distinguishing whether women reported that the induction or cesarean was performed for medical reasons. Methods Using data from a nationally-representative sample of women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals (N=1,573), we used propensity score matching to reduce potential bias from non-random selection into employment. Outcomes were cesarean delivery and labor induction, with and without a self-reported medical reason. Exposure was prenatal employment status (full-time employment, not employed). We conducted separate analyses for unmatched and matched cohorts using multivariable regression models. Findings There were no differences in labor induction based on employment status. In unmatched analyses, employed women had higher odds of cesarean delivery overall (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.45, p=0.046) and cesarean delivery without medical reason (AOR=1.94, p=0.024). Adding an interaction term between employment and college education revealed no significant effects on cesarean without medical reason. There were no significant differences in cesarean delivery by employment status in the propensity score matched analysis. Conclusions Full-time prenatal employment is associated with higher odds of cesarean delivery, but this association was not explained by socio-economic status and no longer existed after accounting for socio-demographic differences by matching women employed full-time with similar women not employed during pregnancy. PMID:25213740

  5. Employment during pregnancy and obstetric intervention without medical reason: labor induction and cesarean delivery.

    PubMed

    Kozhimannil, Katy Backes; Attanasio, Laura B; Johnson, Pamela Jo; Gjerdingen, Dwenda K; McGovern, Patricia M

    2014-01-01

    Rising rates of labor induction and cesarean delivery, especially when used without a medical reason, have generated concern among clinicians, women, and policymakers. Whether employment status affects pregnant women's childbirth-related care is not known. We estimated the relationship between prenatal employment and obstetric procedures, distinguishing whether women reported that the induction or cesarean was performed for medical reasons. Using data from a nationally representative sample of women who gave birth in U.S. hospitals (n = 1,573), we used propensity score matching to reduce potential bias from nonrandom selection into employment. Outcomes were cesarean delivery and labor induction, with and without a self-reported medical reason. Exposure was prenatal employment status (full-time employment, not employed). We conducted separate analyses for unmatched and matched cohorts using multivariable regression models. There were no differences in labor induction based on employment status. In unmatched analyses, employed women had higher odds of cesarean delivery overall (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.45; p = .046) and cesarean delivery without medical reason (AOR, 1.94; p = .024). Adding an interaction term between employment and college education revealed no effects on cesarean delivery without medical reason. There were no differences in cesarean delivery by employment status in the propensity score-matched analysis. Full-time prenatal employment is associated with higher odds of cesarean delivery, but this association was not explained by socioeconomic status and no longer existed after accounting for sociodemographic differences by matching women employed full time with similar women not employed during pregnancy. Copyright © 2014 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Culture, category salience, and inductive reasoning.

    PubMed

    Choi, I; Nisbett, R E; Smith, E E

    1997-12-01

    The role of category salience in category-based induction was demonstrated in two ways: (i) temporarily increasing category salience facilitated category-based induction, and (ii) this effect was moderated by cultural differences that we predicted would be related to chronic category salience. Subjects for whom categories were presumed to be more accessible (Americans) were not as much influenced by manipulations to increase category salience as subjects who were presumed to have lower chronic accessibility of categories (Koreans). However, as anticipated, this pattern was reversed for inferences about behavioral properties of social categories. Due to the 'interdependent' nature of their culture, Koreans presumably have relatively higher chronic accessibility for social categories than do relatively 'independent' Americans, and hence were not influenced as much by increasing category salience.

  7. Experimental investigation of cooling perimeter and disturbance length effect on stability of Nb3Sn cable-in-conduit conductors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Armstrong, J. R.

    1992-02-01

    The stability of three coils, with similar parameters besides having differing strand diameters, was investigated experimentally using inductive heaters to input disturbances. One of the coils stability was also tested by doubling the inductive heated disturbance length to 10 cm. By computationally deriving approximate inductive heater input energy at 12 T, stability curves show fair agreement with zero-dimensional and one-dimensional computer predictions. Quench velocity and limiting currents also show good agreement with earlier work. Also, the stability measured on one of the coils below its limiting current by disturbing a 10 cm length of conductor was much less than the same samples stability using a 5 cm disturbance length.

  8. Intensive Mentoring that Contributes to Change in Beginning Elementary Teachers' Learning to Lead Classroom Discussions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stanulis, Randi Nevins; Little, Sarah; Wibbens, Erin

    2012-01-01

    This study examines whether targeted mentoring can make a difference during the induction years. The effects of a mentoring intervention based on principles of instructional quality and effective professional development were studied. Learning to lead classroom discussions is a high-leverage practice related to effective teaching. Forty-two…

  9. Non-contact electromagnetic induction heating for eradicating bacteria and yeasts on biomaterials and possible relevance to orthopaedic implant infections: In vitro findings.

    PubMed

    Pijls, B G; Sanders, I M J G; Kuijper, E J; Nelissen, R G H H

    2017-05-01

    Infection of implants is a major problem in elective and trauma surgery. Heating is an effective way to reduce the bacterial load in food preparation, and studies on hyperthermia treatment for cancer have shown that it is possible to heat metal objects with pulsed electromagnetic fields selectively (PEMF), also known as induction heating. We therefore set out to answer the following research question: is non-contact induction heating of metallic implants effective in reducing bacterial load in vitro ? Titanium alloy cylinders (Ti6Al4V) were exposed to PEMF from an induction heater with maximum 2000 watts at 27 kHz after being contaminated with five different types of micro-organisms: Staphylococcus epidermidis; Staphylococcus aureus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; spore-forming Bacillus cereus; and yeast Candida albicans . The cylinders were exposed to incremental target temperatures (35°C, 45°C, 50°C, 55°C, 60°C, 65°C, 70°C) for up to 3.5 minutes. There was an average linear heating rate of 0.39°C per second up to the target temperature, and thereafter the target temperature was maintained until the end of the experiment. At 60°C and higher (duration 3.5 minutes), there was a 6-log reduction or higher for every micro-organism tested. At 60°C, we found that the shortest duration of effective induction heating was 1.5 minutes. This resulted in a 5-log reduction or higher for every micro-organism tested. Non-contact induction heating of a titanium disk is effective in reducing bacterial load in vitro . These promising results can be further explored as a new treatment modality for infections of metal orthopaedic implants. Cite this article : B. G. Pijls, I. M. J. G. Sanders, E. J. Kuijper, R. G. H. H. Nelissen. Non-contact electromagnetic induction heating for eradicating bacteria and yeasts on biomaterials and possible relevance to orthopaedic implant infections: In vitro findings. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:323-330. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.65.BJR-2016-0308.R1. © 2017 Pijls et al.

  10. The effects of CCK-8S on spatial memory and long-term potentiation at CA1 during induction of stress in rats.

    PubMed

    Sadeghi, Malihe; Reisi, Parham; Radahmadi, Maryam

    2017-12-01

    Cholecystokinin (CCK) has been proposed as a mediator in stress. However, it is still not fully documented what are its effects. We aimed to evaluate the effects of systemic administration of CCK exactly before induction of stress on spatial memory and synaptic plasticity at CA1 in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: the control, the control-CCK, the stress and the stress-CCK. Restraint stress was induced 6 hr per day, for 24 days. Cholecystokinin sulfated octapeptide (CCK-8S) was injected (1.6 µg/kg, IP) before each session of stress induction. Spatial memory was evaluated by Morris water maze test. Long-term potentiation (LTP) in Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses was assessed (by 100 Hz tetanization) in order to investigate synaptic plasticity. Stress impaired spatial memory significantly ( P <0.01). CCK in the control rats improved memory ( P <0.05), and prevented the impairments in the stress group. With respect to the control group, both fEPSP amplitude and slope were significantly ( P <0.05) decreased in the stress group. However, there were no differences between responses of the control-CCK and Stress-CCK groups compared to the control group. The present results suggest that high levels of CCK-8S during induction of stress can modulate the destructive effects of stress on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory. Therefore, the mediatory effects of CCK in stress are likely as compensatory responses.

  11. Smart Sensor for Online Detection of Multiple-Combined Faults in VSD-Fed Induction Motors

    PubMed Central

    Garcia-Ramirez, Armando G.; Osornio-Rios, Roque A.; Granados-Lieberman, David; Garcia-Perez, Arturo; Romero-Troncoso, Rene J.

    2012-01-01

    Induction motors fed through variable speed drives (VSD) are widely used in different industrial processes. Nowadays, the industry demands the integration of smart sensors to improve the fault detection in order to reduce cost, maintenance and power consumption. Induction motors can develop one or more faults at the same time that can be produce severe damages. The combined fault identification in induction motors is a demanding task, but it has been rarely considered in spite of being a common situation, because it is difficult to identify two or more faults simultaneously. This work presents a smart sensor for online detection of simple and multiple-combined faults in induction motors fed through a VSD in a wide frequency range covering low frequencies from 3 Hz and high frequencies up to 60 Hz based on a primary sensor being a commercially available current clamp or a hall-effect sensor. The proposed smart sensor implements a methodology based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT), RMS calculation and artificial neural networks (ANN), which are processed online using digital hardware signal processing based on field programmable gate array (FPGA).

  12. Comparison effect of oral propranolol and oxytocin versus oxytocin only on induction of labour in nulliparous women (a double blind randomized trial).

    PubMed

    Moghadam, Ashraf Direkvand; Jaafarpour, Molouk; Khani, Ali

    2013-11-01

    Today, research on new methods for preventing caesarean sections owing to labour induction, have been requested in obstetric practice, because of the increased morbidity related to caesarean section. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effect of Oral Propranolol and Oxytocin versus Oxytocin only on induction of labour in nulliparous women. A double blind randomized controlled trial was performed at the Ilam Mostafa Hospital, Ilam, Iran, from March 2010 to March 2011 on 146 nulliparous pregnant women who had gestational age of 40-42 weeks of pregnancy and a Bishop score of ≤5. Participants were divided in two groups (with 73 participants in each group). In the first group (placebo plus Oxytocin group = 73), Oxytocin was used for the induction of labour. In the second group (Propranolol plus Oxytocin group = 73 cases), before the use of Oxytocin, 20 mg Propranolol was administrated orally and then the Oxytocin was initiated. Twenty mg Propranolol was repeated after 8 hours if good contraction was not obtained. The mean duration for obtaining good contractions was significantly shorter in the Propranolol group than in the placebo group, on both the first and second day of induction (p<.05). The mean duration of latent phase was shorter in the first in Propranolol group (p<.05). In Propranolol plus Oxytocine group, frequency of cesarean deliveries significantly decreased than in the placebo plus Oxytocin group (21% versus 39.7%). No significant differences in neonate outcome, such as Apgar scores of minutes 1 and 5 and need of admissions to NICU, were found between the groups (p>.05) DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our study showed that oral Propranolol was effective for labour induction and that it could decrease the frequency of caesarean deliveries without producing any adverse effects on mothers or neonates.

  13. Systematic review with meta-analysis: comparative efficacy of biologics for induction and maintenance of mucosal healing in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis controlled trials.

    PubMed

    Cholapranee, A; Hazlewood, G S; Kaplan, G G; Peyrin-Biroulet, L; Ananthakrishnan, A N

    2017-05-01

    Mucosal healing is an important therapeutic endpoint in the management of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Limited data exist regarding the comparative efficacy of various therapies in achieving this outcome. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of biologics for induction and maintenance of mucosal healing in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT) examining mucosal healing as an endpoint of immunosuppressives, anti-tumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNF) or anti-integrin monoclonal antibody therapy for moderate-to-severe CD or UC. Pooled effect sizes for induction and maintenance of mucosal healing were calculated and pairwise treatment comparisons evaluated using a Bayesian network meta-analysis. A total of 12 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (CD - 2 induction, 4 maintenance; UC - 8 induction, 5 maintenance). Duration of follow-up was 6-12 weeks for induction and 32-54 weeks for maintenance trials. In CD, anti-TNFs were more effective than placebo for maintaining mucosal healing [28% vs. 1%, Odds ratio (OR) 19.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.51-110.84]. In UC, anti-TNFs and anti-integrins were more effective than placebo for inducing (45% vs. 30%) and maintaining mucosal healing (33% vs. 18%). In network analysis, adalimumab therapy was inferior to infliximab [OR 0.45, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.25-0.82] and combination infliximab-azathioprine (OR 0.32, 95% CrI 0.12-0.84) for inducing mucosal healing in UC. There was no statistically significant pairwise difference between vedolizumab and anti-TNF agents in UC. Anti-TNF and anti-integrin biological agents are effective in inducing mucosal healing in UC, with adalimumab being inferior to infliximab or combination therapy. Infliximab and adalimumab were similar in CD. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. [Inductive reasoning and intelligence test performance--analysis of the manner of the effect of 2 thought training methods for children].

    PubMed

    Hager, W; Hasselhorn, M; Hübner, S

    1995-10-01

    For his training programs of inductive reasoning Klauer postulates a transfer effect to inductive thinking as well as to (performance in tests of) intelligence. As evidence for these claims, however, he uses the same data. That means the same tests are used to prove enhancement of inductive thinking and to prove transfer to performance in tests of intelligence. Moreover, Klauer's claim to train inductive thinking is criticized since better performances in at least some of the tests he administers can result due to enhancements in the area of visual perception. Finally, we ask what kind of effects the programs result in: Are they mere coaching effects or do the programs result in better performance due to enhanced competencies? The empirical evidence suggest that positive effects on inductive thinking do not last as long as perceptual competencies that are necessarily fostered when visual material is presented to children.

  15. Induction of in situ DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis by 200 MeV protons and 10 MV X-rays in human tumour cell lines.

    PubMed

    Gerelchuluun, Ariungerel; Hong, Zhengshan; Sun, Lue; Suzuki, Kenshi; Terunuma, Toshiyuki; Yasuoka, Kiyoshi; Sakae, Takeji; Moritake, Takashi; Tsuboi, Koji

    2011-01-01

    To clarify the properties of clinical high-energy protons by comparing with clinical high-energy X-rays. Human tumor cell lines, ONS76 and MOLT4, were irradiated with 200 MeV protons or 10 MV X-rays. In situ DNA double-strand breaks (DDSB) induction was evaluated by immunocytochemical staining of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX). Apoptosis was measured by flow-cytometry after staining with Annexin V. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) was obtained by clonogenic survival assay. DDSB induction was significantly higher for protons than X-rays with average ratios of 1.28 (ONS76) and 1.59 (MOLT4) at 30 min after irradiation. However the differences became insignificant at 6 h. Also, apoptosis induction in MOLT4 cells was significantly higher for protons than X-rays with an average ratio of 2.13 at 12 h. However, the difference became insignificant at 20 h. RBE values of protons to X-rays at 10% survival were 1.06 ± 0.04 and 1.02 ± 0.15 for ONS76 and MOLT4, respectively. Cell inactivation may differ according to different timings and/or endpoints. Proton beams demonstrated higher cell inactivation than X-rays in the early phases. These data may facilitate the understanding of the biological properties of clinical proton beams.

  16. Gravitational induction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bini, Donato; Cherubini, Christian; Chicone, Carmen; Mashhoon, Bahram

    2008-11-01

    We study the linear post-Newtonian approximation to general relativity known as gravitoelectromagnetism (GEM); in particular, we examine the similarities and differences between GEM and electrodynamics. Notwithstanding some significant differences between them, we find that a special nonstationary metric in GEM can be employed to show explicitly that it is possible to introduce gravitational induction within GEM in close analogy with Faraday's law of induction and Lenz's law in electrodynamics. Some of the physical implications of gravitational induction are briefly discussed.

  17. Response simulation and theoretical calibration of a dual-induction resistivity LWD tool

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xu, Wei; Ke, Shi-Zhen; Li, An-Zong; Chen, Peng; Zhu, Jun; Zhang, Wei

    2014-03-01

    In this paper, responses of a new dual-induction resistivity logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool in 3D inhomogeneous formation models are simulated by the vector finite element method (VFEM), the influences of the borehole, invaded zone, surrounding strata, and tool eccentricity are analyzed, and calibration loop parameters and calibration coefficients of the LWD tool are discussed. The results show that the tool has a greater depth of investigation than that of the existing electromagnetic propagation LWD tools and is more sensitive to azimuthal conductivity. Both deep and medium induction responses have linear relationships with the formation conductivity, considering optimal calibration loop parameters and calibration coefficients. Due to the different depths of investigation and resolution, deep induction and medium induction are affected differently by the formation model parameters, thereby having different correction factors. The simulation results can provide theoretical references for the research and interpretation of the dual-induction resistivity LWD tools.

  18. Plasminogen activator: analysis of enzyme induction by ultraviolet irradiation mapping

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

    Miskin, R.; Reich, E.; Dixon, K.

    1981-10-01

    Ultraviolet irradiation mapping techniques have previously been used to study the organization of eucaryotic gene classes and transcription units. We used the same method to probe some regulatory phenomena observed in the induction of plasminogen activator (PA) biosynthesis: PA synthesis in chicken embryo fibroblasts is induced by tumor-promoting phorbol esters and by retinoic acid; furthermore, PA induction by phorbol esters is synergistic with transformation, being 10- to 20-fold greater in virus-transformed cells than in normal cells. We found that the ultraviolet irradiation inactivation cross sections for PA induction by phorbol esters and by retinoate differed significantly, suggesting that these agentsmore » induce PA biosynthesis by different mechanisms. On the other hand, the ultraviolet irradiation sensitivity of phorbol ester induction in normal chicken embryo fibroblasts was the same as in transformed cells, indicating that the synergism of transformation and phorbol esters is probably not due to different pathways of PA induction.« less

  19. What Happens When Induction Goes Wrong: Case Studies from the Field

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kearney, Sean

    2016-01-01

    Although induction programmes are widely held to alleviate the pressures beginning teachers face early in their careers, what happens when beginning teachers do not receive adequate induction? While the research advocates effective and ongoing induction to acculturate new teachers to their careers, there is little research on the effects of…

  20. Propofol Induction's Effect on Cardiac Function

    ClinicalTrials.gov

    2015-03-31

    This Study Was Focused to Evaluate Feasibility of Doppler Tissue Monitoring During the Induction Anesthesia,; and Evaluate Routine Propofol Induction's Effect on Myocardial Tissue Motion, Using Non-invasive Doppler Tissue and 2D Speckle Tracking Imaging.; This is the First Study, to Our Knowledge, Which Has Evaluated the Possible Impact of Propofol Induction on LV Function.

  1. Teaching Spoken Discourse Markers Explicitly: A Comparison of III and PPP

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jones, Christian; Carter, Ronald

    2014-01-01

    This article reports on mixed methods classroom research carried out at a British university. The study investigates the effectiveness of two different explicit teaching frameworks, Illustration--Interaction--Induction (III) and Present--Practice--Produce (PPP) used to teach the same spoken discourse markers (DMs) to two different groups of…

  2. Effects of CYP4F2 polymorphism on response to warfarin during induction phase: a prospective, open-label, observational cohort study.

    PubMed

    Bejarano-Achache, Idit; Levy, Liran; Mlynarsky, Liat; Bialer, Meir; Muszkat, Mordechai; Caraco, Yoseph

    2012-04-01

    The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4F2 isozyme has been reported to metabolize vitamin K(1) in vitro, and the V433M polymorphism in the CYP4F2 gene has been associated with reduced vitamin K(1) metabolism and the need for a higher maintenance dosage in patients receiving warfarin. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of V433M polymorphism on warfarin response during the induction phase. Warfarin-naive white patients in whom warfarin was scheduled to be initiated with a target INR of 2 to 3 were enrolled into the study. On enrollment, a single blood sample for the genotyping of CYP4F2, CYP2C9, and VKORC1 was drawn. The international normalized ratio (INR) was followed daily during induction and twice weekly until stable anticoagulation was reached. The relationships between several markers of warfarin response during induction and CYP4F2 polymorphism were determined. The cohort consisted of 241 patients (115 men; mean [SD] age, 55.2 [19.4] years; weight, 79.5 [18.3] kg). Most of the patients were carriers of the CYP4F2 CC genotype (112 patients) or the CT genotype (104 patients). In carriers of the TT genotype (25 patients), INR >3 was >4-fold lower compared with that in carriers of the CC or CT genotype, suggesting that patients with the TT genotype were less sensitive to warfarin during induction. Also in TT carriers, the extent of excessive anticoagulation was >10-fold lower than in the other carriers. Both of these findings had a nominal P value of <0.05. After adjustment for false discovery rate, none of the findings remained significant at a threshold q value of <0.05. Among CC carriers, the concurrent use of a statin was associated with a 1-mg/d reduction in warfarin maintenance dosage. No similar effect was noted in the CT or TT carriers, suggesting a possible genetic influence on warfarin-statin interaction. These preliminary findings suggest that among white patients treated with warfarin, CYP4F2 polymorphism had a measurable effect on warfarin responsiveness during induction; however, the observed differences failed to reach the level of statistical significance. The possibility that the effect of statins on warfarin anticoagulation varies among carriers of different CYP4F2 genotypes could not be excluded and should be evaluated further in a larger patient sample. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Effect of Different Agrobacterium rhizogenes Strains on Hairy Root Induction and Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis in Tartary Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn)

    PubMed Central

    Thwe, Aye; Valan Arasu, Mariadhas; Li, Xiaohua; Park, Chang Ha; Kim, Sun Ju; Al-Dhabi, Naif Abdullah; Park, Sang Un

    2016-01-01

    The development of an efficient protocol for successful hairy root induction by Agrobacterium rhizogenes is the key step toward an in vitro culturing method for the mass production of secondary metabolites. The selection of an effective Agrobacterium strain for the production of hairy roots is highly plant species dependent and must be determined empirically. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the transformation efficiency of different A. rhizogenes strains for the induction of transgenic hairy roots in Fagopyrum tataricum ‘Hokkai T10’ cultivar; to determine the expression levels of the polypropanoid biosynthetic pathway genes, such as ftpAL, FtC4H, Ft4CL, FrCHS, FrCH1, FrF3H, FtFLS1, FtFLS2, FtF3, H1, FtF3′H2, FtANS, and FtDFR; and to quantify the in vitro synthesis of phenolic compounds and anthocyanins. Among different strains, R1000 was the most promising candidate for hairy root stimulation because it induced the highest growth rate, root number, root length, transformation efficiency, and total anthocyanin and rutin content. The R1000, 15834, and A4 strains provided higher transcript levels for most metabolic pathway genes for the synthesis of rutin (22.31, 15.48, and 13.04 μg/mg DW, respectively), cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (800, 750, and 650 μg/g DW, respectively), and cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside (2410, 1530, and 1170 μg/g DW, respectively). A suitable A. rhizogenes strain could play a vital role in the fast growth of the bulk amount of hairy roots and secondary metabolites. Overall, R1000 was the most promising strain for hairy root induction in buckwheat. PMID:27014239

  4. The Sequence of Study Changes What Information Is Attended to, Encoded, and Remembered during Category Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carvalho, Paulo F.; Goldstone, Robert L.

    2017-01-01

    The sequence of study influences how we learn. Previous research has identified different sequences as potentially beneficial for learning in different contexts and with different materials. Here we investigate the mechanisms involved in inductive category learning that give rise to these sequencing effects. Across 3 experiments we show evidence…

  5. Gender Differences in Figural Matrices: The Moderating Role of Item Design Features

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Arendasy, Martin E.; Sommer, Markus

    2012-01-01

    There is a heated debate on whether observed gender differences in some figural matrices in adults can be attributed to gender differences in inductive reasoning/G[subscript f] or differential item functioning and/or test bias. Based on previous studies we hypothesized that three specific item design features moderate the effect size of the gender…

  6. Induction of parturition in dairy cattle and its effects on health and subsequent lactation and reproductive performance.

    PubMed

    Mansell, P D; Cameron, A R; Taylor, D P; Malmo, J

    2006-09-01

    To determine the effect of induction of parturition on health, milk production and reproductive performance of dairy cows. A prospective cohort study in 62 dairy herds. Health, milk production and fertility indices were documented for 1449 dairy cows treated with dexamethasone trimethylacetate, with or without prostaglandin to induce calving. Equivalent data was collected for 603 untreated herd mates that calved at approximately the same time. The median interval from initial treatment to calving was 11 days. Induction was associated with a substantially lower calf survival and commercial value of surviving calves. Calf viability and value was lower when induced cows were at an earlier stage of pregnancy. Retained foetal membranes, photosensitisation and other problems were significantly more frequent in the induced group compared to the untreated group. Milk production of induced cows was approximately 4% lower than untreated ones, but the majority of reproductive indices were not significantly different between the two groups. The practice of induction of parturition in seasonal calving dairy herds is a reliable way of shortening the gestation period of cows. Costs associated with morbidity and mortality of induced cows and losses in lactation and calf production are offset by benefits of improved reproductive performance and more efficient management of the herd. The welfare aspects of induction on calf survival must be considered.

  7. EMMPRIN (basigin/CD147) expression is not correlated with MMP activity during adult mouse mammary gland development.

    PubMed

    Szymanowska, Malgorzata; Hendry, Kay A K; Robinson, Claire; Kolb, Andreas F

    2009-01-01

    Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN/basigin/CD147) is a cell surface protein, which has been associated with the induction of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) genes during cancer metastasis. EMMPRIN plays a role in a variety of physiological processes as is evident by the diverse deficiencies detectable in EMMPRIN knockout mice. We have analysed the role of EMMPRIN in the induction of MMP genes during mammary gland differentiation and involution. Co-transfection studies showed that EMMPRIN has diverse effects on MMP promoter activity in different mammary and non-mammary cell lines. Expression of EMMPRIN mRNA is enhanced markedly by insulin in a mammary gland cell line but appears to have no direct effect on MMP gene expression in these cells. Microarray analysis and quantitative PCR show that EMMPRIN is expressed throughout mammary gland differentiation in the mouse. Its expression decreases during early pregnancy and briefly after induction of mammary gland involution by litter removal. Immunohistochemical analysis shows that EMMPRIN expression is limited to the stromal compartment during pregnancy, whereas it is strongly expressed in the epithelium during lactation. In summary the data argue against a causal role for EMMPRIN for the induction of MMP gene expression during adult mammary gland development. These data therefore support a physiological role for EMMPRIN other than MMP induction in mammary gland biology. 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  8. [Effect of Huangqi injection on short-term prognosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

    PubMed

    Yan, Pei-Hua; Yan, Mei; Wang, Xue-Mei; Wang, Shu-Hong

    2014-02-01

    To investigate the effect of Huangqi injection on the short-term prognosis in childhood with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 105 children newly diagnosed with ALL between January 2009 and December 2012. These children were randomly divided into treatment group (18 low-risk cases, 7 medium-risk cases, and 24 high-risk cases) and control group (21 low-risk cases, 7 medium-risk cases, 28 high-risk cases). Both groups were given remission induction therapy based on the levels of risk. Throughout the remission induction therapy, the treatment group also received Huangqi injection (0.5-1.0 mL/kg per day) by intravenous infusion, while the control group was given 0.9% sodium chloride injection instead. The two groups were compared in terms of distribution of prognostic factors and complete remission (CR) rate after remission induction therapy, as well as the incidence of minimal residual disease (MDR) (≥ 10(-4) and < 10(-4)) among all patients in the two groups on day 19 of remission induction therapy and among B-ALL patients in the two groups when achieving a CR at the end of remission induction therapy. Of the 105 children with ALL, 99 had B-ALL, and 6 had T-ALL. There were no significant differences in the distribution of prognostic factors between the two groups (P>0.05). The overall CR rate of 105 patients was 79%; there was no significant difference in CR rate between the treatment and control groups (82% vs 77%; P>0.05); also, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the CR rates among high-, medium-, and low-risk cases (P>0.05). On day 19 of remission induction therapy, the incidence of MRD≥10(-4) in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (69% vs 95%; P<0.05); among 80 children with B-ALL who achieved a CR (43 cases in the control group and 37 cases in the treatment group), the incidence of MRD≥10-4 was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (27% vs 58%; P<0.05); in both circumstances above, the high- and low-risk cases in the treatment group had a significantly lower incidence of MRD≥10(-4) than the control group (P<0.05). Huangqi injection combined with chemotherapy has an enhanced anti-tumor effect and can improve the short-term prognosis and clinical outcome in children with ALL.

  9. The effect of preoperative suggestions on perioperative dreams and dream recalls after administration of different general anesthetic combinations: a randomized trial in maxillofacial surgery.

    PubMed

    Gyulaházi, Judit; Varga, Katalin; Iglói, Endre; Redl, Pál; Kormos, János; Fülesdi, Béla

    2015-01-01

    Images evoked immediately before the induction of anesthesia with the help of suggestions may influence dreaming during anesthesia.The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of evoked dreams and dream recalls by employing suggestions before induction of anesthesia while administering different general anesthetic combinations. This is a single center, prospective randomized including 270 adult patients scheduled for maxillofacial surgical interventions. Patients were assigned to control, suggestion and dreamfilm groups according to the psychological method used. According to the anesthetic protocol there were also three subgroups: etomidate & sevoflurane, propofol & sevoflurane, propofol & propofol groups. Primary outcome measure was the incidence of postoperative dreams in the non-intervention group and in the three groups receiving different psychological interventions. Secondary endpoint was to test the effect of perioperative suggestions and dreamfilm-formation training on the occurrance of dreams and recallable dreams in different general anesthesiological techniques. Dream incidence rates measured in the control group did not differ significantly (etomidate & sevoflurane: 40%, propofol & sevoflurane: 26%, propofol & propofol: 39%). A significant increase could be observed in the incidence rate of dreams between the control and suggestion groups in the propofol & sevoflurane (26%-52%) group (p = 0.023). There was a significant difference in the incidence of dreams between the control and dreamfilm subgroup in the propofol & sevoflurane (26% vs. 57%), and in the propofol & propofol group (39% vs.70%) (p = 0.010, and p = 0.009, respectively). Similar to this, there was a significant difference in dream incidence between the dreamfilm and the suggestion subgroups (44% vs. 70%) in the propofol & propofol group (p = 0.019). Propofol as an induction agent contributed most to dream formation and recalls (χ2-test p value: 0.005). The content of images and dreams evoked using suggestions showed great agreement using all three anesthetic protocols. The psychological method influenced dreaming during anesthesia. The increase of the incidence rate of dreams was dependent on the anesthetic agent used, especially the induction agent. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov. Identifier: NCT01839201.

  10. Video luminescent barometry - The induction period

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Uibel, Rory H.; Khalil, Gamal; Gouterman, Martin; Gallery, Jean; Callis, James B.

    1993-01-01

    Video monitoring of oxygen quenching of the photoluminescence of platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP) in silicone polymer resin may be used to measure pressure distribution over an airfoil. A continuous increase of the luminescence intensity of PtOEP on exposure to the exciting light is known as the induction effect. The effect of several factors on PtOEP photoluminescence and the induction effect was investigated. The experimental apparatus is described and results are presented. It was observed that the relative induction amplitude and induction time increase at higher oxygen pressure and with thicker films. These observations may be explained if the singlet oxygen produced by oxygen quenching is consumed by the polymer and is therefore unavailable for further quenching. Researchers using this method for measuring pressure distribution on airfoil surfaces should be aware of the induction effect and its implications.

  11. Direct reading inductance meter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kolby, R. B. (Inventor)

    1977-01-01

    A direct reading inductance meter comprised of a crystal oscillator and an LC tuned oscillator is presented. The oscillators function respectively to generate a reference frequency, f(r), and to generate an initial frequency, f(0), which when mixed produce a difference equal to zero. Upon connecting an inductor of small unknown value in the LC circuit to change its resonant frequency to f(x), a difference frequency (f(r)-f(x)) is produced that is very nearly a linear function of the inductance of the inductor. The difference frequency is measured and displayed on a linear scale in units of inductance.

  12. Neuroendocrine changes upon exposure to predator odors.

    PubMed

    Hegab, Ibrahim M; Wei, Wanhong

    2014-05-28

    Predator odors are non-intrusive and naturalistic stressors of high ethological relevance in animals. Upon exposure to a predator or its associated cues, robust physiological and molecular anti-predator defensive strategies are elicited thereby allowing prey species to recognize, avoid and defend against a possible predation threat. In this review, we will discuss the nature of neuroendocrine stress responses upon exposure to predator odors. Predator odors can have a profound effect on the endocrine system, including activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and induction of stress hormones such as corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone. On a neural level, short-term exposure to predator odors leads to induction of the c-fos gene, while induction of ΔFosB in a different brain region is detected under chronic predation stress. Future research should aim to elucidate the relationships between neuroendocrine and behavioral outputs to gage the different levels of anti-predator responses in prey species. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. The biodistribution and toxicity of plutonium, americium and neptunium.

    PubMed

    Taylor, D M

    1989-07-15

    In the nuclear fuel cycle the transuranic radionuclides plutonium-239, americium-241 and neptunium-237 would probably present the most serious hazard to human health if released into the environment. Despite differences in their solution chemistry the three elements exhibit remarkable similarity in their biochemical behaviour, apparently sharing similar transport pathways in blood and cells. After entering the blood the elements deposit predominantly in liver and skeleton, where retention appears to be prolonged, with half-times of the order of years. The principal late effects of all three radionuclides are the induction of cancers of bone, lung or liver. For the latter tumours the induction risk per unit radiation dose appears similar for the three radionuclides. But in bone there are indications that, due to microscopic differences in the distribution of the alpha-particle radiation dose, the efficiency of bone cancer induction may increase in the order americium-241 less than plutonium-239 less than neptunium-237. No case of human cancer induced by these radionuclides is known.

  14. Is spacing really the “friend of induction”?

    PubMed Central

    Verkoeijen, Peter P. J. L.; Bouwmeester, Samantha

    2014-01-01

    Inductive learning takes place when people learn a new concept or category by observing a variety of exemplars. Kornell and Bjork (2008) asked participants to learn new painting styles either by presenting different paintings of the same artist consecutively (massed presentation) or by mixing paintings of different artists (spaced presentation). In their second experiment, Kornell and Bjork (2008) showed with a final style recognition test, that spacing resulted in better inductive learning than massing. Also, by using this style recognition test, they ruled out the possibility that spacing merely resulted in a better memory for the labels of the newly learned painting styles. The findings from Kornell and Bjork’s (2008) second experiment are important because they show that the benefit of spaced learning generalizes to complex learning tasks and outcomes, and that it is not confined to rote memory learning. However, the findings from Kornell and Bjork’s (2008) second experiment have never been replicated. In the present study we performed an exact and high-powered replication of Kornell and Bjork’s (2008) second experiment with a Web-based sample. Such a replication contributes to establish the reliability of the original finding and hence to more conclusive evidence of the spacing effect in inductive learning. The findings from the present replication attempt revealed a medium-sized advantage of spacing over massing in inductive learning, which was comparable to the original effect in the experiment by Kornell and Bjork (2008). Also, the 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the effect sizes from both experiments overlapped considerably. Hence, the findings from the present replication experiment and the original experiment clearly reinforce each other. PMID:24744742

  15. Cytochrome P450 1A induction in gudgeon Gobio gobio : Laboratory and Field Studies.

    PubMed

    Flammarion, P

    1999-01-01

    The induction of cytochrome P450 1A was studied in gudgeon (Gobio gobio), a common European cyprinid, using both farm-raised and field-caught fish. The effects of sex, reproductive status and past exposure to xenobiotics were assessed. When exposed to beta-naphthoflavone (bNF), reared gudgeon showed a dose-dependent increase of EROD activity with a plateau observed at doses from 20 mg kg-1 (females) and 5 mg kg-1 (males). The sexual difference in EROD activity was related to the gonadosomatic index (GSI) of the female whatever the level of induction. Dose and sex effects were confirmed by the immunodetection of CYP1A protein. More than 1 month was necessary for EROD activity to decrease to baseline levels. A second bNF injection after 32 days gave similar levels of induction, suggesting that EROD induction by bNF was not impaired by a pretreatment. Wild fish were brought from two sites in the Rhone river basin: a low contaminated site (Ain) and a highly contaminated site (Rhone). Wild gudgeon were highly induced by bNF in laboratory conditions, except males from the Rhone site which exhibited EROD levels as high as the EROD plateau found in laboratory conditions. A 2- month depuration period in clean water was necessary for EROD activity in wild gudgeon to decrease to baseline levels. These results provide better knowledge of the main factors of modulation of the induction in gudgeon as well as on the influence of the history of exposure to inducers.

  16. Effect of systematic parturition induction of long gestation Holstein dairy cows on calf survival, cow health, production, and reproduction on a commercial farm.

    PubMed

    Villarroel, Aurora; Lane, V Michael

    2010-04-01

    The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of parturition induction on dairy cattle with long gestation (past due-date) single pregnancies on calf survivability, cow health, production, and reproduction. There was an induction period during which all cows and heifers reaching 282 days of gestation were induced with dexamethasone (n = 614). Control cows calved the year after, had a gestation length > 282 d and were not induced (n = 508). As the induced and non-induced groups were not contemporaneous, data were standardized using the ratio between the herd baselines for each period. Multivariate analyses of the data showed that induced cows were 1.41 times more likely (P = 0.020) to become pregnant in the lactation following the studied calving than non-induced cows with long gestation. There was no difference in the risk of difficult calvings, stillbirths, culling due to reproductive reasons, average milk production, average days open or risk of abortion in the following lactation between induced and non-induced cows. There seemed to be a relationship between parturition induction and a lower risk of post-partum death, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.162), because including induction as a factor in the model markedly improved the fit of the data. There was no information on incidence of retained placenta (RP) for the non-induced group. In conclusion, parturition induction resulted in more cows becoming pregnant and a seemingly lower risk of post-spartum death without affecting calving difficulty, calf viability, or milk production.

  17. Effect of systematic parturition induction of long gestation Holstein dairy cows on calf survival, cow health, production, and reproduction on a commercial farm

    PubMed Central

    Villarroel, Aurora; Lane, V. Michael

    2010-01-01

    The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of parturition induction on dairy cattle with long gestation (past due-date) single pregnancies on calf survivability, cow health, production, and reproduction. There was an induction period during which all cows and heifers reaching 282 days of gestation were induced with dexamethasone (n = 614). Control cows calved the year after, had a gestation length > 282 d and were not induced (n = 508). As the induced and non-induced groups were not contemporaneous, data were standardized using the ratio between the herd baselines for each period. Multivariate analyses of the data showed that induced cows were 1.41 times more likely (P = 0.020) to become pregnant in the lactation following the studied calving than non-induced cows with long gestation. There was no difference in the risk of difficult calvings, stillbirths, culling due to reproductive reasons, average milk production, average days open or risk of abortion in the following lactation between induced and non-induced cows. There seemed to be a relationship between parturition induction and a lower risk of post-partum death, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.162), because including induction as a factor in the model markedly improved the fit of the data. There was no information on incidence of retained placenta (RP) for the non-induced group. In conclusion, parturition induction resulted in more cows becoming pregnant and a seemingly lower risk of post-spartum death without affecting calving difficulty, calf viability, or milk production. PMID:20592844

  18. Quality Induction: The Effects of Comprehensive Induction on New Teacher Retention and Job Satisfaction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hendricks-Harris, Mary Therese

    2012-01-01

    This investigation examined the effect of a comprehensive new teacher induction program on teacher retention and job satisfaction in one suburban school district. New teachers are retained at low rates, and districts are spending resources in an attempt to decrease this number. New teacher induction includes supports for new teachers in their…

  19. Effects of ketamine, propofol, or thiopental administration on intraocular pressure and qualities of induction of and recovery from anesthesia in horses.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, Tatiana H; Brosnan, Robert J; Shilo-Benjamini, Yael; Moore, Stephanie B; Hollingsworth, Steven R

    2013-08-01

    To assess the effects of ketamine hydrochloride, propofol, or compounded thiopental sodium administration on intraocular pressure (IOP) and qualities of induction of and recovery from anesthesia in horses. 6 healthy adult horses. Horses were sedated with xylazine hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg), and anesthesia was induced with guaifenesin followed by ketamine (2 mg/kg), propofol (3 mg/kg), or thiopental (4 mg/kg) in a crossover study with ≥ 1 week between treatments. For each horse, IOP in the right eye was measured with a handheld applanation tonometer before and after xylazine administration, at the time of recumbency, and every 3 minutes after induction of anesthesia until spontaneous movement was observed. Cardiorespiratory responses and venous blood measurements were recorded during anesthesia. Induction of and recovery from anesthesia were subjectively evaluated by investigators who were unaware of the anesthetic treatment of each horse. Data were analyzed via a repeated-measures ANOVA with Holm-Ŝidák post hoc comparisons. Compared with findings after xylazine administration (mean ± SD, 17 ± 3 mm Hg), thiopental decreased IOP by 4 ± 23%, whereas propofol and ketamine increased IOP by 8 ± 11% and 37 ± 16%, respectively. Compared with the effects of ketamine, propofol and thiopental resulted in significantly lower IOP at the time of recumbency and higher heart rates at 3 minutes after induction of anesthesia. No other significant differences among treatments were found. These findings support the use of thiopental or propofol in preference to ketamine for horses in which increases in IOP should be minimized.

  20. Effectiveness of internet-based affect induction procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Ferrer, Rebecca A; Grenen, Emily G; Taber, Jennifer M

    2015-12-01

    Procedures used to induce affect in a laboratory are effective and well-validated. Given recent methodological and technological advances in Internet research, it is important to determine whether affect can be effectively induced using Internet methodology. We conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review of prior research that has used Internet-based affect induction procedures, and examined potential moderators of the effectiveness of affect induction procedures. Twenty-six studies were included in final analyses, with 89 independent effect sizes. Affect induction procedures effectively induced general positive affect, general negative affect, fear, disgust, anger, sadness, and guilt, but did not significantly induce happiness. Contamination of other nontarget affect did not appear to be a major concern. Video inductions resulted in greater effect sizes. Overall, results indicate that affect can be effectively induced in Internet studies, suggesting an important venue for the acceleration of affective science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

  1. Analysis and experimental study of wireless power transfer with HTS coil and copper coil as the intermediate resonators system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, Xiufang; Nie, Xinyi; Liang, Yilang; Lu, Falong; Yan, Zhongming; Wang, Yu

    2017-01-01

    Intermediate resonator (repeater) between transmitter and receiver can significantly increase the distance of wireless power transfer (WPT) and the efficiency of wireless power transfer. The wireless power transfer via strongly coupled magnetic resonances with an high temperature superconducting (HTS) coil and copper coil as intermediate resonators was presented in this paper. The electromagnetic experiment system under different conditions with different repeating coils were simulated by finite element software. The spatial distribution patterns of magnetic induction intensity at different distances were plotted. In this paper, we examined transfer characteristics with HTS repeating coil and copper repeating coil at 77 K and 300 K, respectively. Simulation and experimental results show that HTS and copper repeating coil can effectively enhance the space magnetic induction intensity, which has significant effect on improving the transmission efficiency and lengthening transmission distance. We found that the efficiency and the distance of wireless power transfer system with an HTS coil as repeater is much higher by using of copper coil as repeater.

  2. Comparison of the therapeutic dose of warfarin in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients: a study of clinical practice

    PubMed Central

    Jackson, B S; Mokoena, T

    2017-01-01

    Background People infected with HIV are prone to venous thrombosis. Treatment of thrombosis is primarily with warfarin. No studies have addressed the effects of HIV infection on warfarin dose. The aims of this study were to determine whether the therapeutic dose of warfarin and induction time to therapeutic dose in HIV-infected patients differ from that in HIV-uninfected patients. Methods A prospective and retrospective descriptive study of induction time to therapeutic warfarin dose, as well as of ambulant therapeutic warfarin dose, was performed. HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients being treated after deep venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism were compared. Sex and use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) were also compared in the groups. Results 234 patients were entered into the study. Induction time to therapeutic warfarin dose did not differ between the 2 groups. The mean therapeutic dose of warfarin was higher in the HIV-infected than the HIV-uninfected group: 6.06 vs 5.72 mg/day, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.29). There was no difference in therapeutic warfarin dose between ARV-naïve groups—HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected patients not on ARVs. Conclusions There appears to be little effect of HIV infection on warfarin dosing. Warfarin therapy should be administered conventionally in HIV-infected patients. PMID:28179414

  3. Inductive Reasoning: A Training Approach

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Klauer, Karl Josef; Phye, Gary D.

    2008-01-01

    Researchers have examined inductive reasoning to identify different cognitive processes when participants deal with inductive problems. This article presents a prescriptive theory of inductive reasoning that identifies cognitive processing using a procedural strategy for making comparisons. It is hypothesized that training in the use of the…

  4. Circuit analysis on the inductance evolution based on electrical signal from various type plasma focus device

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mohamad, Saiful Najmee; Ismail, Fairuz Diana; Noorden, Ahmad Fakhrurrazi Ahmad; Haider, Zuhaib; Ali, Jalil

    2017-03-01

    Numerous configurations of plasma focus devices (PFD) have been introduced around the globe. The distinct electrode configuration of the PFD will give out different inductance profile. A circuit analysis has been done to study on the significant difference between the inductance evolution in a coaxial discharge based on various published results of PFD. The discharge current signal, tube voltage and current derivative of the particular shots from distinct PFD was digitized and analyze. The investigation was piloted for three different types of PFD. It was observed that there is a significant difference for the normalize inductance profile during the discharge between the individual PFD with different electrode configuration. The depletion of the radial start current with the normalised inductance development for Mather type (PF-1000) is found to be 25.9% from static discharge. The current depletion continues to drop 1.1% and 1.3% more for a Spherical type (PNK-13) and Filippov type (PF-3) respectively.

  5. Anti-inflammatory effects of theophylline, cromolyn and salbutamol in a murine model of pleurisy.

    PubMed Central

    Saleh, T. S.; Calixto, J. B.; Medeiros, Y. S.

    1996-01-01

    1. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of theophylline, cromolyn and salbutamol, three well-known anti-asthmatic drugs, on the early (4 h) and late (48 h) phases of cell migration and fluid leakage induced by carrageenin in the pleural cavity of mice. 2. In the first set of experiments, animals were pretreated (30 min) with different doses of theophylline (0.5-50 mg kg-1, i.p.), cromolyn (0.02-0.2 mg per pleural cavity) or salbutamol (0.05-50 mg kg-1, i.p.); the total and differential cell content, and also the exudate were analysed 4 h after carrageenin (1%) administration. Afterwards, in order to evaluate the time course effects of these drugs on both phases of the inflammatory reaction, one dose employed in the above protocol was chosen, to pretreat (0.5-24 h) different groups of animals. The studied parameters were evaluated 4 and 48 h after pleurisy induction. 3. Acute administration of theophylline (1-50 mg kg-1, i.p.) cromolyn (0.02-0.2 mg per pleural cavity) and salbutamol (0.5-50 mg kg-1, i.p.), 30 min prior to carrageenin, caused significant inhibition of total cell and fluid leakage in the pleural cavity at 4 h (P < 0.01). All drugs exerted a long-lasting inhibitory effect on both exudation and cell migration (P < 0.01) when administered 0.5-8 h before pleurisy induction. However, the temporal profile of the inhibitory effect induced by these drugs on the first phase of the inflammatory reaction was clearly different. Thus, the inhibitory effect induced by theophylline and cromolyn on exudation was significantly longer (up to 24 h) in comparison to their effects on cell migration (only up to 8 h). In contrast, although salbutamol when administered 30 min before pleurisy induction abolished fluid leakage (P < 0.01), this effect was not sustained in the groups pretreated for 4-8 h. In these latter groups, a significant but much smaller reduction of exudation was observed (P < 0.01), whereas the magnitude of cell migration inhibition did not vary. 4. The second phase (48 h) of the inflammatory reaction induced by carrageenin (1%) was significantly inhibited by cromolyn (0.02 mg per pleural cavity) when this drug was administered 0.5-24 h before pleurisy induction (P < 0.01). Similar results were observed when theophylline (50 mg kg-1, i.p.) was administered 0.5-4 h before the injection of the phlogistic agent (P < 0.01). Treatment of the animals with salbutamol (5 mg kg-1, i.p.), 0.5-24 h before pleurisy induction, did not inhibit either cell migration or fluid leakage. In this condition, a significant increase of these parameters was observed in the group pretreated with salbutamol 8-24 h before pleurisy induction (P < 0.01). 5. These results indicate that theophylline and cromolyn were able to inhibit the early (4 h) and late (48 h) phases of the inflammatory reaction induced by carrageenin in a murine model of pleurisy. Salbutamol was effective only against the early phase. The inhibitory effects of theophylline, cromolyn and salbutamol on the early phase of this inflammatory reaction were long-lasting, although a distinct profile of inhibition was observed among them. These findings confirm and extend previous results described in other models of asthma and support both clinical and experimental evidence suggesting that these anti-asthmatic agents exhibit marked anti-inflammatory properties. PMID:8762112

  6. An attempt to detect lameness in galloping horses by use of body-mounted inertial sensors.

    PubMed

    Lopes, Marco A F; Dearo, Antonio C O; Lee, Allen; Reed, Shannon K; Kramer, Joanne; Pai, P Frank; Yonezawa, Yoshiharu; Maki, Hiromitchi; Morgan, Terry L; Wilson, David A; Keegan, Kevin G

    2016-10-01

    OBJECTIVE To evaluate head, pelvic, and limb movement to detect lameness in galloping horses. ANIMALS 12 Thoroughbreds. PROCEDURES Movement data were collected with inertial sensors mounted on the head, pelvis, and limbs of horses trotting and galloping in a straight line before and after induction of forelimb and hind limb lameness by use of sole pressure. Successful induction of lameness was determined by measurement of asymmetric vertical head and pelvic movement during trotting. Differences in gallop strides before and after induction of lameness were evaluated with paired-sample statistical analysis and neural network training and testing. Variables included maximum, minimum, range, and time indices of vertical head and pelvic acceleration, head rotation in the sagittal plane, pelvic rotation in the frontal plane, limb contact intervals, stride durations, and limb lead preference. Difference between median standardized gallop strides for each limb lead before and after induction of lameness was calculated as the sum of squared differences at each time index and assessed with a 2-way ANOVA. RESULTS Head and pelvic acceleration and rotation, limb timing, stride duration measurements, and limb lead preference during galloping were not significantly different before and after induction of lameness in the forelimb or hind limb. Differences between limb leads before induction of lameness were similar to or greater than differences within limb leads before and after lameness induction. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Galloping horses maintained asymmetry of head, pelvic, and limb motion between limb leads that was unrelated to lameness.

  7. Is the Bishop-score significant in predicting the success of labor induction in multiparous women?

    PubMed

    Navve, D; Orenstein, N; Ribak, R; Daykan, Y; Shechter-Maor, G; Biron-Shental, T

    2017-05-01

    To determine whether the Bishop-score upon admission effects mode of delivery, maternal or neonatal outcomes of labor induction in multiparous women. A retrospective study including 600 multiparous women with a singleton pregnancy, 34 gestational weeks and above who underwent labor induction for maternal, fetal or combined indications. Induction was performed with one of three methods- oxytocin, a slow release vaginal prostaglandin E2 insert (10 mg dinoprostone) or a transcervical double balloon catheter. The women were divided into two groups-Bishop-score <6 and Bishop-score ⩾6. We evaluated labor course, maternal complications (postpartum hemorrhage, manual lysis, uterine revision, perineal tear grade 3-4, need for blood transfusions, relaparotomy, prolonged hospitalization) and neonatal outcomes (Apgar score, cord pH, hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit, prolonged hospitalization). Both groups had a high rate of vaginal deliveries-93.7% and 94.9%, respectively. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of maternal or neonatal outcomes. Labor induction in multiparous women is safe and successful regardless of the initial Bishop-score. In multiparous women the Bishop-score is not a good predictor for the success of labor induction, nor is it a predictor for maternal of neonatal adverse outcomes and complications.

  8. Beginning Teacher Induction: A Report on Beginning Teacher Effectiveness and Retention.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Serpell, Zewelanji; Bozeman, Leslie A.

    National statistics show a rise in the number of beginning teachers undergoing formal induction in their first year of teaching. This report discusses the effectiveness of induction programs and resulting outcomes for beginning teacher retention, beginning teacher effectiveness, and mentor participation. The various components of induction…

  9. [Effect of clomiphene citrate and Dingkun Dan on ovulation induction and clinical pregnancy of polycystic ovary syndrome].

    PubMed

    Chen, Lan; Tan, Yong; Chen, Shu-Ping

    2017-10-01

    The evaluation is based on clomiphene citrate (CC)+gonadotropin (Gn), clinical study on CC and Dingkun Dan's treatment on ovulation induction and clinical pregnancy effect of PCOS, and to provide ideas and methods for traditional Chinese medicine assisted reproductive treatment. This study selected 60 PCOS infertility patients treated with ovulation induction in reproductive medicine clinic, Jiangsu Province Hospital of traditional Chinese medicine during 2015-10-01-2017-04-23. They were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (CC+Gn+HCG) and Group B (CC+Gn+Dingkun Dan). These results were observed and compared including cycle ovulation rate, cycle cancellation rate, cycle pregnancy rate, cumulative pregnancy rate, endometrial thickness, duration of Gn, total amount of Gn, the occurring rate of luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Group A had lower cycle ovulation rate, cycle pregnancy rate, cumulative pregnancy rate and endometrial thickness, compared with Group B, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). However, Group A had higher cycle cancellation rate, duration of Gn and total amount of Gn, compared with Group B, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). In this study, no case of LUFS or OHSS was found in all patients. CC and Dingkun Dan had the effect of promoting ovulation on PCOS infertility patients, and CC+Gn+Dingkun Dan could elevate clinical pregnancy rate. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

  10. Mechanisms of Autoantibody-Induced Pathology

    PubMed Central

    Ludwig, Ralf J.; Vanhoorelbeke, Karen; Leypoldt, Frank; Kaya, Ziya; Bieber, Katja; McLachlan, Sandra M.; Komorowski, Lars; Luo, Jie; Cabral-Marques, Otavio; Hammers, Christoph M.; Lindstrom, Jon M.; Lamprecht, Peter; Fischer, Andrea; Riemekasten, Gabriela; Tersteeg, Claudia; Sondermann, Peter; Rapoport, Basil; Wandinger, Klaus-Peter; Probst, Christian; El Beidaq, Asmaa; Schmidt, Enno; Verkman, Alan; Manz, Rudolf A.; Nimmerjahn, Falk

    2017-01-01

    Autoantibodies are frequently observed in healthy individuals. In a minority of these individuals, they lead to manifestation of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Graves’ disease. Overall, more than 2.5% of the population is affected by autoantibody-driven autoimmune disease. Pathways leading to autoantibody-induced pathology greatly differ among different diseases, and autoantibodies directed against the same antigen, depending on the targeted epitope, can have diverse effects. To foster knowledge in autoantibody-induced pathology and to encourage development of urgently needed novel therapeutic strategies, we here categorized autoantibodies according to their effects. According to our algorithm, autoantibodies can be classified into the following categories: (1) mimic receptor stimulation, (2) blocking of neural transmission, (3) induction of altered signaling, triggering uncontrolled (4) microthrombosis, (5) cell lysis, (6) neutrophil activation, and (7) induction of inflammation. These mechanisms in relation to disease, as well as principles of autoantibody generation and detection, are reviewed herein. PMID:28620373

  11. Evaluation of cytotoxic, genotoxic and inflammatory responses of micro- and nano-particles of granite on human lung fibroblast cell IMR-90.

    PubMed

    Ahmad, Iqbal; Khan, Mohd Imran; Patil, Govil; Chauhan, L K S

    2012-02-05

    Occupational exposure of granite workers is well known to cause lung impairment and silicosis. Toxicological profiles of different size particles of granite dust, however, are not yet understood. Present evaluation of micro- and nano-particles of granite dust as on human lung fibroblast cells IMR-90, revealed that their toxic effects were dose-dependent, and nanoparticles in general were more toxic. In this study we first demonstrated that nanoparticles caused oxidative stress, inflammatory response and genotoxicity, as seen by nearly 2 fold induction of ROS and LPO, mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-1β, and induction in micronuclei formation. All these were significantly higher when compared with the effect of micro particles. Thus, the study suggests that separate health safety standards would be required for granite particles of different sizes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. The measurement of cognitive reactivity to sad mood in patients remitted from major depressive disorder.

    PubMed

    Figueroa, Caroline A; Mocking, Roel J T; Mahmoud, Gelera A; Koeter, Maarten W; Bockting, Claudi L; van der Does, Willem; Ruhe, Henricus G; Schene, Aart H

    2018-02-27

    Cognitive reactivity (CR) to sad mood is a risk factor for major depressive disorder (MDD). CR is usually measured by assessing change on the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS-change) after sad mood-induction. It has, however, been suggested that the versions of the DAS (A/B) are not interchangeable, impacting the reliability and validity of the change score. The Leiden Index of Depression Sensitivity-Revised (LEIDS-R) is an alternative self-report measure of CR. Studies examining the relationship between LEIDS-R and DAS-change have shown mixed results. We examined whether scores of these CR measures differed between remitted MDD and controls, the relationship between these CR measures, and the effect of order of DAS administration on DAS-change. Cross-sectional design with two groups (remitted MDD and controls). Sixty-eight MDD patients remitted from ≥2 previous episodes, not taking antidepressants, and 43 never-depressed controls participated in a mood-induction and filled in the DAS-A/B in randomized order before and after mood-induction, and LEIDS-R separately. LEIDS-R scores and pre-mood-induction DAS scores were significantly higher in remitted MDD than controls (p < .001, Cohen's d = 1.48; p = .001, Cohen's d = 0.66, respectively). DAS-change did not differ between these groups (p = .67, Cohen's d = 0.08). LEIDS-R correlated with DAS-change (r = .30, p = .042), but only in the group that filled in DAS-B before DAS-A. In remitted MDD, DAS-change was dependent on the order of DAS versions before and after mood-induction (10.6 ± 19.0 vs. -1.2 ± 10.5, for order B-A and A-B, respectively), with a significant group × order interaction (p = .012). Existing DAS versions are not interchangeable, which compromises the usefulness of mood-inductions in clinical practice. The LEIDS-R seems a valid measure of cognitive vulnerability to depression. Clinical implications: Cognitive reactivity (CR) is a risk factor of depressive recurrence. The current measurement of CR, by assessing change on the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (DAS) after mood-induction, is not reliable. The Leiden Index Depression Sensitivity-Revised (LEIDS-R) is an alternative CR measure. In contrast to mood-induction, it reliably assesses depression vulnerability. The use of mood-inductions for clinical/research purposes is unnecessary. We were not able to examine the effect of previous treatment, which could have affected results as psychological treatments probably have differential effects on CR. Examining un-medicated patients may have led to selection of a sample not completely representative for the general MDD population. We did not administer both parallel versions of the DAS (A/B) before and after mood-induction. This might have provided better understanding of their differential sensitivity to change. © 2018 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Psychology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Psychological Society.

  13. Track Structure and the Biological Effectiveness of Accelerated Particles for the Induction of Chromosome Damage

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    George, K.; Hada, M.; Chappell, L.; Cucinotta, F. A.

    2011-01-01

    Track structure models predict that at a fixed value of LET, particles with lower charge number, Z will have a higher biological effectiveness compared to particles with a higher Z. In this report we investigated how track structure effects induction of chromosomal aberration in human cells. Human lymphocytes were irradiated in vitro with various energies of accelerated iron, silicon, neon, or titanium ions and chromosome damage was assessed in using three color FISH chromosome painting in chemically induced PCC samples collected a first cell division post irradiation. The LET values for these ions ranged from 30 to195 keV/micron. Of the particles studied, Neon ions have the highest biological effectiveness for induction of total chromosome damage, which is consistent with track structure model predictions. For complex-type exchanges 64 MeV/ u Neon and 450 MeV/u Iron were equally effective and induced the most complex damage. In addition we present data on chromosomes exchanges induced by six different energies of protons (5 MeV/u to 2.5 GeV/u). The linear dose response term was similar for all energies of protons suggesting that the effect of the higher LET at low proton energies is balanced by the production of nuclear secondaries from the high energy protons.

  14. Cell inactivation, repair and mutation induction in bacteria after heavy ion exposure: results from experiments at accelerators and in space.

    PubMed

    Horneck, G; Schafer, M; Baltschukat, K; Weisbrod, U; Micke, U; Facius, R; Bucker, H

    1989-01-01

    To understand the mechanisms of accelerated heavy ions on biological matter, the responses of spores of B. subtilis to this structured high LET radiation was investigated applying two different approaches. 1) By the use of the Biostack concept, the inactivation probability as a function of radial distance to single particles' trajectory (i.e. impact parameter) was determined in space experiments as well as at accelerators using low fluences of heavy ions. It was found that spores can survive even a central hit and that the effective range of inactivation extends far beyond impact parameters where inactivation by delta-ray dose would be effective. Concerning the space experiment, the inactivation cross section exceeds those from comparable accelerator experiments by roughly a factor of 20. 2) From fluence effect curves, cross sections for inactivation and mutation induction, and the efficiency of repair processes were determined. They are influenced by the ions characteristics in a complex manner. According to dependence on LET, at least 3 LET ranges can be differentiated: A low LET range (app. < 200 keV/micrometers), where cross sections for inactivation and mutation induction follow a common curve for different ions and where repair processes are effective; an intermediate LET range of the so-called saturation cross section with negligible mutagenic and repair efficiency; and a high LET range (>1000 keV/micrometers) where the biological endpoints are majorly dependent on atomic mass and energy of the ion under consideration.

  15. Online induction heating for determination of isotope composition of woody stem water with laser spectrometry: A methods assessment

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lazarus, Brynne E.; Germino, Matthew; Vander Veen, Jessica L.

    2016-01-01

    Application of stable isotopes of water to studies of plant–soil interactions often requires a substantial preparatory step of extracting water from samples without fractionating isotopes. Online heating is an emerging approach for this need, but is relatively untested and major questions of how to best deliver standards and assess interference by organics have not been evaluated. We examined these issues in our application of measuring woody stem xylem of sagebrush using a Picarro laser spectrometer with online induction heating. We determined (1) effects of cryogenic compared to induction-heating extraction, (2) effects of delivery of standards on filter media compared to on woody stem sections, and (3) spectral interference from organic compounds for these approaches (and developed a technique to do so). Our results suggest that matching sample and standard media improves accuracy, but that isotopic values differ with the extraction method in ways that are not due to spectral interference from organics.

  16. Induction as Knowledge Integration

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, Benjamin D.; Rosenbloom, Paul S.

    1996-01-01

    Two key issues for induction algorithms are the accuracy of the learned hypothesis and the computational resources consumed in inducing that hypothesis. One of the most promising ways to improve performance along both dimensions is to make use of additional knowledge. Multi-strategy learning algorithms tackle this problem by employing several strategies for handling different kinds of knowledge in different ways. However, integrating knowledge into an induction algorithm can be difficult when the new knowledge differs significantly from the knowledge the algorithm already uses. In many cases the algorithm must be rewritten. This paper presents Knowledge Integration framework for Induction (KII), a KII, that provides a uniform mechanism for integrating knowledge into induction. In theory, arbitrary knowledge can be integrated with this mechanism, but in practice the knowledge representation language determines both the knowledge that can be integrated, and the costs of integration and induction. By instantiating KII with various set representations, algorithms can be generated at different trade-off points along these dimensions. One instantiation of KII, called RS-KII, is presented that can implement hybrid induction algorithms, depending on which knowledge it utilizes. RS-KII is demonstrated to implement AQ-11, as well as a hybrid algorithm that utilizes a domain theory and noisy examples. Other algorithms are also possible.

  17. The effect of stress induction on working memory in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

    PubMed

    Bakvis, Patricia; Spinhoven, Philip; Putman, Peter; Zitman, Frans G; Roelofs, Karin

    2010-11-01

    Although psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are considered a stress-induced paroxysmal disintegration of cognitive functions, it remains unknown whether stress indeed impairs cognitive integrative functions, such as working memory (WM), in patients with PNES. An N-back task with emotional distracters (angry, happy, and neutral faces) was administered at baseline and after stress induction (Cold Pressor Test) to 19 patients with PNES and 20 matched healthy controls. At baseline, patients displayed increased WM interference for the facial distracters. After stress induction, group differences generalized to the no-distracter condition. Within patients, high cortisol stress responses were associated with larger stress-induced WM impairments in the no-distracter condition. These findings demonstrate that patients' cognitive integrative functions are impaired by social distracters and stress induction. Moreover, the stress- and cortisol-related generalization of the relative WM impairments offers a promising experimental model for the characteristic paroxysmal disintegration of attentional and mnemonic functions in patients with PNES associated with stress. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  18. Nocebo Effects and Scratching Behaviour in Itch.

    PubMed

    Bartels, Danielle J P; van Laarhoven, Antoinette I M; van de Kerkhof, Peter C M; Evers, Andrea W M

    2018-06-01

    Nocebo effects, i.e. reduced treatment effects due to patients' negative expectations, play a role in itch. Recent studies have shown that nocebo effects can be induced experimentally in itch and even be reversed into the placebo effect. It is not known whether these effects generalize to itch-associated scratching behaviour. The aim of this study was to determine whether induction and reversion of nocebo effects in itch evoked by electrical and histamine stimuli generalized to scratching. Ninety-seven healthy participants were recruited to the study. The manipulation was successful, as during the nocebo learning phase, increased scratching responses were found for higher intensity compared with lower intensity itch stimuli. During the testing phase of induction or reversion of the nocebo effect, however, no significant nocebo effects or reversed nocebo effects, were found in scratching. Thus, no straightforward generalization of nocebo effects from itch to scratching was found in this laboratory setting. Further investigation into possible generalization is needed in different settings and in patients with chronic itch.

  19. [Effect of external abdominal aorta compression on circulation during anesthesia induction in elderly patients].

    PubMed

    Li, Xiuman; Wang, Lixiang

    2017-07-01

    To investigate the effect of external abdominal aorta compression on circulation during anesthetic induction in elderly patients. A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients with age of 60-75 years old, requiring a general anesthesia for non-abdominal surgery, and with II-III class of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, and admitted to General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces from January to April in 2017 were enrolled. They were divided into abdominal aorta pressure group and control group according to random number method, with 20 patients in each group. In both groups, anesthesia was induced with midazolam, propofol, fentanyl and cisatracurium, and was maintained with propofol, remifentanil and cisatracurium. After successful intubation, the anesthesia machine was changed into mechanical ventilation. The patients in abdominal aorta pressure group were given abdominal aorta pressure 1 minute after induction of general anesthesia with midazolam till 5 minutes after intubation. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) were observed before anesthesia induction, immediately after anesthesia induction, immediately after intubation, 5 minutes and 10 minutes after intubation, respectively. The incidence of hypotension or bradycardia, and usage of ephedrine or atropine were recorded. There were no significant differences in MAP [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 83.6±4.7 vs. 82.9±4.7], HR (bpm: 67.3±5.9 vs. 65.9±5.7) and SpO 2 (0.962±0.007 vs. 0.960±0.009) before anesthesia induction between abdominal aorta pressure group and control group (all P > 0.05). Immediately after anesthesia induction, the MAP and HR in control group were significantly decreased as compared with those before anesthesia induction [MAP (mmHg): 70.0±8.7 vs. 82.9±4.7, HR (bpm): 60.7±6.7 vs. 65.9±5.7, both P < 0.05], and they were also significantly lower than those of abdominal aorta pressure group [MAP (mmHg): 83.1±3.9, HR (bpm): 66.8±4.9, both P < 0.05]. Immediately after intubation, the MAP and HR in control group were significantly increased as compared with those immediately after anesthesia induction [MAP (mmHg): 78.9±7.9 vs. 70.0±8.7, HR (bpm): 67.3±2.7 vs. 60.7±6.7, both P < 0.05], but the changes in MAP and HR in abdominal aorta pressure group were not obvious. During the anesthesia induction period, there was no statistical difference in SpO 2 change between the two groups. During induction of anesthesia, no adverse reaction was found in the abdominal aorta pressure group, but 4 patients with hypotension and 2 patients with bradycardia were found in the control group. Two patients with hypotension were treated with ephedrine, and 2 patients with bradycardia were treated with atropine. Anesthesia induction of elderly patients with abdominal aorta pressure can help maintain hemodynamic stability.

  20. Differential suppression of glial nitric oxide synthase induction by structurally related tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Galea, E; Reddi, J; Feinstein, D L

    1995-11-24

    Incubation of C6 astrocytoma cells with bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) plus interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), or with a combination of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL1-beta, and IFN-gamma) leads to high levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Previous results demonstrated a requirement for tyrosine kinase (TK) activities for iNOS induction. In the present study, a set of structurally related TK inhibitors, the tyrphostins (TYRs), were used to characterize possible differences between LPS and cytokine iNOS induction. All TYRs tested suppressed both types of induction. However, dose-response curves revealed significant differences in the IC50 values obtained for some TYRs (T25 and T56), and significant differences in the IC50 potency rank order when comparing inhibition of LPS versus cytokine-dependent iNOS induction. These results are consistent with differential TK utilization by the LPS versus cytokine pathways of iNOS induction, and establish a basis for developing further selective inhibitors of iNOS expression.

  1. Evaluation of the use of midazolam as a co-induction agent with ketamine for anaesthesia in sedated ponies undergoing field castration.

    PubMed

    Allison, A; Robinson, R; Jolliffe, C; Taylor, P M

    2018-05-01

    There are limited investigations comparing ketamine to a ketamine-midazolam co-induction. To compare quality and safety of general anaesthesia induced using ketamine alone with anaesthesia co-induced using ketamine and midazolam. Randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled trial. After i.v. detomidine (20 μg/kg) thirty-eight ponies undergoing field castration received either 0.06 mg/kg (0.6 mL/50 kg) midazolam (group M) or 0.6 mL/50 kg placebo (group P) with 2.2 mg/kg ketamine i.v. for anaesthetic induction. Quality of anaesthetic induction, endotracheal intubation, surgical relaxation and recovery were scored using combinations of simple descriptive and visual analogue scales. Time of sedation, induction, start of endotracheal intubation, first movement, sternal recumbency and standing were recorded, as were time, number and total quantity of additional i.v. detomidine and ketamine injections. Cardiorespiratory variables were assessed every 5 min. Adverse effects were documented. Data were tested for normality and analysed with a mixed model ANOVA, Fisher's exact test, unpaired Students' t test and Wilcoxon Rank-sum as appropriate; P<0.05 was considered significant. Group M had better scores for induction (P = 0.005), intubation (P<0.001) and surgical relaxation (P<0.001) and required fewer additional injections of detomidine and ketamine (P = 0.04). Time (minutes) from induction to first movement (P<0.001), sternal recumbency (P =< 0.001) and standing was longer (P = 0.05) in group M. Recoveries were uneventful with no difference in quality between groups (P = 0.78). Clinical study with noninvasive monitoring undertaken in field conditions. Ketamine-midazolam co-induction compared to ketamine alone improved quality of induction, ease of intubation and muscle relaxation without impacting recovery quality. © 2017 EVJ Ltd.

  2. Numerical analysis of Hall effect on the performance of magnetohydrodynamic heat shield system based on nonequilibrium Hall parameter model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Kai; Liu, Jun; Liu, Weiqiang

    2017-01-01

    Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) heat shield system, a novel thermal protection technique in the hypersonic field, has been paid much attention in recent years. In the real flight condition, not only the Lorentz force but also the Hall electric field is induced by the interaction between ionized air post shock and magnetic field. In order to analyze the action mechanisms of the Hall effect, numerical methods of coupling thermochemical nonequilibrium flow field with externally applied magnetic field as well as the induced electric field are constructed and validated. Based on the nonequilibrium model of Hall parameter, numerical simulations of the MHD heat shield system is conducted under two different magnetic induction strengths (B0=0.2 T, 0.5 T) on a reentry capsule forebody. Results show that, the Hall effect is the same under the two magnetic induction strengths when the wall is assumed to be conductive. For this case, with the Hall effect taken into account, the Lorentz force counter stream diminishes a lot and the circumferential component dominates, resulting that the heat flux and shock-off distance approach the case without MHD control. However, for the insulating wall, the Hall effect acts in different ways under these two magnetic induction strengths. For this case, with the Hall effect taken into account, the performance of MHD heat shield system approaches the case neglecting the Hall effect when B0 equals 0.2 T. Such performance becomes worse when B0 equals 0.5 T and the aerothermal environment on the capsule shoulder is even worse than the case without MHD control.

  3. Seventh Grade Students' Mental Models of the Greenhouse Effect

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shepardson, Daniel P.; Choi, Soyoung; Niyogi, Dev; Charusombat, Umarporn

    2011-01-01

    This constructivist study investigates 225 student drawings and explanations from three different schools in the midwest in the US, to identify seventh grade students' mental models of the greenhouse effect. Five distinct mental models were derived from an inductive analysis of the content of the students' drawings and explanations: Model 1, a…

  4. Effect of airway clearance techniques on the efficacy of the sputum induction procedure.

    PubMed

    Elkins, M R; Lane, T; Goldberg, H; Pagliuso, J; Garske, L A; Hector, E; Marchetto, L; Alison, J A; Bye, P T P

    2005-11-01

    Sputum induction is used in the early identification of tuberculosis (TB) and pneumocystis infections of the lung. Although manual physiotherapy techniques to clear the airways are often incorporated in the sputum induction procedure, their efficacy in this setting is unknown. This randomised, crossover trial enrolled adults referred for sputum induction for suspected TB and pneumocystis infections of the lung. All participants underwent two sputum induction procedures, inhaling 3% saline via ultrasonic nebuliser. During one randomly allocated procedure, airway clearance techniques (chest wall percussion, vibration, huffing) were incorporated. In total, 59 participants completed the trial. The airway clearance techniques had no significant effect on how the test was tolerated, the volume expectorated or the quality of the sample obtained (assessed by the presence of alveolar macrophages). The techniques did not significantly affect how often the test identified a suspected organism, nor the sensitivity or specificity of sputum induction. In conclusion, the study was unable to demonstrate any effect of airway clearance techniques on the sputum induction procedure. The results provide some justification for not including airway clearance techniques as part of the sputum induction procedure.

  5. Psycho-educational preparation of children for anaesthesia: A review of intervention methods.

    PubMed

    Capurso, Michele; Ragni, Benedetta

    2016-02-01

    To systematically review the different methods available for the psycho-educational preparation of children for anaesthesia induction. Articles were searched in Academic Search Premier, OvidSP, Web of Science, and PsycINFO. Inclusion criteria were psychological and educational preparation of children for anaesthesia and anxiety reduction. The titles of papers and abstracts were reviewed and full copies of selected papers were scrutinized. Forty-four empirical studies were identified. Twenty-one articles described preoperative preparation programmes, twelve examined the effects of distractive techniques and eleven reported the effect of parental presence during anaesthesia's induction. Some general characteristics of the different interventions are discussed together with some key psychological and educational factors mediating anxiety in children undergoing anaesthesia. The effectiveness of interventions were linked to several factors. Psychological and contextual aspects are discussed. Psycho-educational activities should be better described when reporting their effectiveness in children's preparation for an anaesthesia. Patient and family characteristics together with organizational and systemic aspects are described in order to guide the choice of the most appropriate preparation method for diverse health care setting. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  6. [Secondary osteoporosis induced by anticoagulants?].

    PubMed

    Riess, H; Loew, A; Himmelreich, G

    2001-07-01

    Generalized osteoporosis is a result of different causes and pathogenic mechanisms, which often combine forces to become clinically relevant. Among the different exogenic factors, drugs play an important role, frequently in connection with other factors such as immobilization or pregnancy. It has been suggested that anticoagulation therapy with heparins or coumarins may induce osteoporotic changes or enhance the development of osteoporosis for other reasons. According to in vitro experiments, preclinical trials, and clinical investigations, it seems reasonable to assume that heparins induce increased bone loss in a time- and dose-related manner. Low-molecular-weight heparins most likely have less effect on bone turnover when compared to unfractionated heparin. Oral anticoagulation therapy with vitamin K-antagonists is believed to have a weak effect on induction of osteoporosis, but clinical studies are contradictory. In spite of the fact that a relevant effect of these drugs on the induction of osteoporosis is questionable, it must be taken into consideration that anticoagulant drugs may enhance the negative effects on bone density of other risk factors capable of inducing osteoporosis such as immobilization, pregnancy, or endocrinological disorders.

  7. iNOS expression in CD4+ T cells limits Treg induction by repressing TGFβ1: combined iNOS inhibition and Treg depletion unmask endogenous antitumor immunity.

    PubMed

    Jayaraman, Padmini; Alfarano, Matthew G; Svider, Peter F; Parikh, Falguni; Lu, Geming; Kidwai, Sarah; Xiong, Huabao; Sikora, Andrew G

    2014-12-15

    Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in different cellular compartments may have divergent effects on immune function. We used a syngeneic tumor model to functionally characterize the role of iNOS in regulation of CD4(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg), and optimize the beneficial effects of iNOS inhibition on antitumor immunity. Wild-type (WT) or iNOS knockout mice bearing established MT-RET-1 melanoma were treated with the small-molecule iNOS inhibitor L-NIL and/or cyclophosphamide alone or in combination. The effect of iNOS inhibition or knockout on induction of Treg from mouse and human CD4(+) T cells in ex vivo culture was determined in parallel in the presence or absence of TGFβ1-depleting antibodies, and TGFβ1 levels were assessed by ELISA. Whereas intratumoral myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) were suppressed by iNOS inhibition or knockout, systemic and intratumoral FOXP3(+) Treg levels increased in tumor-bearing mice. iNOS inhibition or knockout similarly enhanced induction of Treg from activated cultured mouse splenocytes or purified human or mouse CD4(+) T cells in a TGFβ1-dependent manner. Although either iNOS inhibition or Treg depletion with low-dose cyclophosphamide alone had little effect on growth of established MT-RET1 melanoma, combination treatment potently inhibited MDSC and Treg, boosted tumor-infiltrating CD8(+) T-cell levels, and arrested tumor growth in an immune-dependent fashion. iNOS expression in CD4(+) T cells suppresses Treg induction by inhibiting TGFβ1 production. Our data suggest that iNOS expression has divergent effects on induction of myeloid and lymphoid-derived regulatory populations, and strongly support development of combinatorial treatment approaches that target these populations simultaneously. ©2014 American Association for Cancer Research.

  8. Three decades after Gjönnaess's laparoscopic ovarian drilling for treatment of PCOS; what do we know? An evidence-based approach.

    PubMed

    Abu Hashim, Hatem; Al-Inany, Hesham; De Vos, Michel; Tournaye, Herman

    2013-08-01

    The introduction of laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) by Gjönnaess in 1984 as a substitute for ovarian wedge resection created opportunities for extensive research given its worldwide application for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To critically evaluate and summarize the current body of literature regarding the role of LOD for the management of PCOS entailing its different preoperative, operative and postoperative aspects. In addition, long-term efficacy, cost-effectiveness, patient preference and health-related quality of life issues will be evaluated together with other available alternatives of ovulation induction treatments. A PubMed search was conducted looking for the different trials, reviews and various guidelines relating to the role of LOD in the management of PCOS. LOD whether unilateral or bilateral is a beneficial second-line treatment in infertile women with clomiphene citrate (CC)-resistant PCOS. It is as effective as gonadotrophin treatment but without the risk of multiple pregnancy or ovarian hyperstimulation and does not require intensive monitoring. Increased responsiveness of the ovary to CC especially in patients who remain anovulatory following LOD is another advantage. Recent evidence suggests that relatively novel oral methods of ovulation induction, e.g. CC plus metformin, CC plus tamoxifen, rosiglitazone plus CC and aromatase inhibitors represent a successful alternative to LOD in CC-resistant PCOS. Meanwhile current evidence does not support LOD as a first-line approach in PCOS-related anovulation or before IVF. LOD is currently recommended as a successful and economical second-line treatment for ovulation induction in women with CC-resistant PCOS.

  9. Regulating Anger under Stress via Cognitive Reappraisal and Sadness.

    PubMed

    Zhan, Jun; Wu, Xiaofei; Fan, Jin; Guo, Jianyou; Zhou, Jianshe; Ren, Jun; Liu, Chang; Luo, Jing

    2017-01-01

    Previous studies have reported the failure of cognitive emotion regulation (CER), especially in regulating unpleasant emotions under stress. The underlying reason for this failure was the application of CER depends heavily on the executive function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but this function can be impaired by stress-related neuroendocrine hormones. This observation highlights the necessity of developing self-regulatory strategies that require less top-down cognitive control. Based on traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine, which examine how different types of emotions promote or counteract one another, we have developed a novel emotion regulation strategy whereby one emotion is used to alter another. For example, our previous experiment showed that sadness induction (after watching a sad film) could reduce aggressive behavior associated with anger [i.e., "sadness counteracts anger" (SCA)] (Zhan et al., 2015). Relative to the CER strategy requiring someone to think about certain cognitive reappraisals to reinterpret the meaning of an unpleasant situation, watching a film or listening to music and experiencing the emotion contained therein seemingly requires less cognitive effort and control; therefore, this SCA strategy may be an alternative strategy that compensates for the limitations of cognitive regulation strategies, especially in stressful situations. The present study was designed to directly compare the effects of the CER and SCA strategy in regulating anger and anger-related aggression in stressful and non-stressful conditions. Participants' subjective feeling of anger, anger-related aggressive behavior, skin conductance, and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were measured. Our findings revealed that acute stress impaired one's ability to use CR to control angry responses provoked by others, whereas stress did not influence the efficiency of the SCA strategy. Compared with sadness or neutral emotion induction, CER induction was found to reduce the level of subjective anger more, but this difference only existed in non-stressful conditions. By contrast, irrespective of stress, the levels of aggressive behavior and related skin conductance after sadness induction were both significantly lower than those after CER induction or neutral emotion induction, thus suggesting the immunity of the regulatory effect of SCA strategy to the stress factor.

  10. Regulating Anger under Stress via Cognitive Reappraisal and Sadness

    PubMed Central

    Zhan, Jun; Wu, Xiaofei; Fan, Jin; Guo, Jianyou; Zhou, Jianshe; Ren, Jun; Liu, Chang; Luo, Jing

    2017-01-01

    Previous studies have reported the failure of cognitive emotion regulation (CER), especially in regulating unpleasant emotions under stress. The underlying reason for this failure was the application of CER depends heavily on the executive function of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but this function can be impaired by stress-related neuroendocrine hormones. This observation highlights the necessity of developing self-regulatory strategies that require less top-down cognitive control. Based on traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine, which examine how different types of emotions promote or counteract one another, we have developed a novel emotion regulation strategy whereby one emotion is used to alter another. For example, our previous experiment showed that sadness induction (after watching a sad film) could reduce aggressive behavior associated with anger [i.e., “sadness counteracts anger” (SCA)] (Zhan et al., 2015). Relative to the CER strategy requiring someone to think about certain cognitive reappraisals to reinterpret the meaning of an unpleasant situation, watching a film or listening to music and experiencing the emotion contained therein seemingly requires less cognitive effort and control; therefore, this SCA strategy may be an alternative strategy that compensates for the limitations of cognitive regulation strategies, especially in stressful situations. The present study was designed to directly compare the effects of the CER and SCA strategy in regulating anger and anger-related aggression in stressful and non-stressful conditions. Participants’ subjective feeling of anger, anger-related aggressive behavior, skin conductance, and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were measured. Our findings revealed that acute stress impaired one’s ability to use CR to control angry responses provoked by others, whereas stress did not influence the efficiency of the SCA strategy. Compared with sadness or neutral emotion induction, CER induction was found to reduce the level of subjective anger more, but this difference only existed in non-stressful conditions. By contrast, irrespective of stress, the levels of aggressive behavior and related skin conductance after sadness induction were both significantly lower than those after CER induction or neutral emotion induction, thus suggesting the immunity of the regulatory effect of SCA strategy to the stress factor. PMID:28855881

  11. Salicylic acid potentiates an agonist-dependent gain control that amplifies pathogen signals in the activation of defense mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Shirasu, K; Nakajima, H; Rajasekhar, V K; Dixon, R A; Lamb, C

    1997-02-01

    The phenylpropanoid-derived natural product salicylic acid (SA) plays a key role in disease resistance. However, SA administered in the absence of a pathogen is a paradoxically weak inductive signal, often requiring concentrations of 0.5 to 5 mM to induce acquired resistance or related defense mechanisms or to precondition signal systems. In contrast, endogenous SA accumulates to concentrations of < 70 microM at the site of attempted infection. Here, we show that although 10 to 100 microM SA had negligible effects when administered to soybean cell suspensions in the absence of a pathogen, physiological concentrations of SA markedly enhanced the induction of defense gene transcripts, H2O2 accumulation, and hypersensitive cell death by an avirulent strain of Pseudomonas syringae pv glycinea, with optimal effects being at approximately 50 microM. SA also synergistically enhanced H2O2 accumulation in response to the protein phosphatase type 2A inhibitor cantharidin in the absence of a pathogen. The synergistic effect of SA was potent, rapid, and insensitive to the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide, and we conclude that SA stimulates an agonist-dependent gain control operating at an early step in the signal pathway for induction of the hypersensitive response. This fine control mechanism differs from previously described time-dependent, inductive coarse control mechanisms for SA action in the absence of a pathogen. Induction of H2O2 accumulation and hypersensitive cell death by avirulent P. s. glycinea was blocked by the phenylpropanoid synthesis inhibitor alpha-aminooxy-beta-phenylpropionic acid, and these responses could be rescued by exogenous SA. Because the agonist-dependent gain control operates at physiological levels of SA, we propose that rapid fine control signal amplification makes an important contribution to SA function in the induction of disease resistance mechanisms.

  12. Interactions between mood and the structure of semantic memory: event-related potentials evidence

    PubMed Central

    Pinheiro, Ana P.; del Re, Elisabetta; Nestor, Paul G; McCarley, Robert W.; Gonçalves, Óscar F.

    2013-01-01

    Recent evidence suggests that affect acts as modulator of cognitive processes and in particular that induced mood has an effect on the way semantic memory is used on-line. We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine affective modulation of semantic information processing under three different moods: neutral, positive and negative. Fifteen subjects read 324 pairs of sentences, after mood induction procedure with 30 pictures of neutral, 30 pictures of positive and 30 pictures of neutral valence: 108 sentences were read in each mood induction condition. Sentences ended with three word types: expected words, within-category violations, and between-category violations. N400 amplitude was measured to the three word types under each mood induction condition. Under neutral mood, a congruency (more negative N400 amplitude for unexpected relative to expected endings) and a category effect (more negative N400 amplitude for between- than to within-category violations) were observed. Also, results showed differences in N400 amplitude for both within- and between-category violations as a function of mood: while positive mood tended to facilitate the integration of unexpected but related items, negative mood made their integration as difficult as unexpected and unrelated items. These findings suggest the differential impact of mood on access to long-term semantic memory during sentence comprehension. PMID:22434931

  13. Induction of appropriate Th-cell phenotypes: cellular decision-making in heterogeneous environments.

    PubMed

    van den Ham, H-J; Andeweg, A C; de Boer, R J

    2013-11-01

    Helper T (Th)-cell differentiation is a key event in the development of the adaptive immune response. By the production of a range of cytokines, Th cells determine the type of immune response that is raised against an invading pathogen. Th cells can adopt many different phenotypes, and Th-cell phenotype decision-making is crucial in mounting effective host responses. This review discusses the different Th-cell phenotypes that have been identified and how Th cells adopt a particular phenotype. The regulation of Th-cell phenotypes has been studied extensively using mathematical models, which have explored the role of regulatory mechanisms such as autocrine cytokine signalling and cross-inhibition between self-activating transcription factors. At the single cell level, Th responses tend to be heterogeneous, but corrections can be made soon after T-cell activation. Although pathogens and the innate immune system provide signals that direct the induction of Th-cell phenotypes, these instructive mechanisms could be easily subverted by pathogens. We discuss that a model of success-driven feedback would select the most appropriate phenotype for clearing a pathogen. Given the heterogeneity in the induction phase of the Th response, such a success-driven feedback loop would allow the selection of effective Th-cell phenotypes while terminating incorrect responses. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  14. Interactions between mood and the structure of semantic memory: event-related potentials evidence.

    PubMed

    Pinheiro, Ana P; del Re, Elisabetta; Nestor, Paul G; McCarley, Robert W; Gonçalves, Óscar F; Niznikiewicz, Margaret

    2013-06-01

    Recent evidence suggests that affect acts as modulator of cognitive processes and in particular that induced mood has an effect on the way semantic memory is used on-line. We used event-related potentials (ERPs) to examine affective modulation of semantic information processing under three different moods: neutral, positive and negative. Fifteen subjects read 324 pairs of sentences, after mood induction procedure with 30 pictures of neutral, 30 pictures of positive and 30 pictures of neutral valence: 108 sentences were read in each mood induction condition. Sentences ended with three word types: expected words, within-category violations, and between-category violations. N400 amplitude was measured to the three word types under each mood induction condition. Under neutral mood, a congruency (more negative N400 amplitude for unexpected relative to expected endings) and a category effect (more negative N400 amplitude for between- than to within-category violations) were observed. Also, results showed differences in N400 amplitude for both within- and between-category violations as a function of mood: while positive mood tended to facilitate the integration of unexpected but related items, negative mood made their integration as difficult as unexpected and unrelated items. These findings suggest the differential impact of mood on access to long-term semantic memory during sentence comprehension.

  15. Online games training aging brains: limited transfer to cognitive control functions.

    PubMed

    van Muijden, Jesse; Band, Guido P H; Hommel, Bernhard

    2012-01-01

    The prevalence of age-related cognitive decline will increase due to graying of the global population. The goal of the present study was to test whether playing online cognitive training games can improve cognitive control (CC) in healthy older adults. Fifty-four older adults (age 60-77) played five different cognitive training games online for 30 min a day over a period of seven weeks (game group). Another group of 20 older adults (age 61-73) instead answered quiz questions about documentaries online (documentary group). Transfer was assessed by means of a cognitive test battery administered before and after the intervention. The test battery included measures of working memory updating, set shifting, response inhibition, attention, and inductive reasoning. Compared with the documentary group, the game group showed larger improvement of inhibition (Stop-Signal task) and inductive reasoning (Raven-SPM), whereas the documentary group showed more improvement in selective attention (UFoV-3). These effects qualify as transfer effects, because response inhibition, inductive reasoning and selective attention were not targeted by the interventions. However, because seven other indicators of CC did not show benefits of game training and some of those that did suffered from potential baseline differences, the study as a whole provides only modest support for the potential of videogame training to improve CC in healthy older adults.

  16. Inactivation and mutation induction in Saccharomyces cerevisiae exposed to simulated sunlight: evaluation of action spectra.

    PubMed

    Schenk-Meuser, K; Pawlowsky, K; Kiefer, J

    1992-07-15

    The effectiveness of polychromatic light irradiation was investigated for haploid yeast cells. Inactivation and mutation induction were measured in both a RAD-wildtype strain and an excision-repair defective strain. The behaviour of vegetative "wet" cells was compared to that of dehydrated cells. The aim of the study was to assess the interaction of UVC with other wavelengths in cells of different states of humidity. The irradiation procedure was therefore carried out using a solar simulator either with full spectrum or with a UVC-blocking filter (modified sunlight) added. The results were analysed on the basis of separately determined action spectra. The summation of the efficiency of individual wavelengths was compared to the values obtained from polychromatic irradiation. It is shown that the effects caused by the whole-spectrum irradiation in wet cells can be predicted sufficiently from the calculation, while dried wildtype cells exhibit higher mutation rates. Thus it can be assumed that drying-specific damage leads to lethal and mutagenic lesions which are processed in different ways, causing a synergistic behaviour in mutation induction. Irradiation of vegetative cells with modified sunlight (UVC-) results in less inactivation and lower mutation rates than were calculated. From these results it can be concluded that this antagonistic behaviour is caused by the interaction of near-UV photoproducts.

  17. [Optimization of ventricular function during anesthesia induction by administering crystalloids and colloids to heart surgery patients].

    PubMed

    Ballesteros, M; Boldt, J; Zickmann, B; Knothe, C; Hempelmann, G

    1995-01-01

    To describe the changes in cardiac function after administration of three different solutions infused after anesthetic induction. Thirty-six patients scheduled for elective aortocoronary bypass surgery were randomly distributed into three groups. Over a period of 25 min after anesthetic induction, 12 received 10 ml/kg of Ringer solution (low dose crystalloid group), 12 received 20 ml/kg of Ringer solution (high dose crystalloid group), and 12 received 10 ml/kg of Ringer solution with 10 ml/kg of hydroxi-ethyl-almidon solution 450,000 D, 0.7 substitution grade (group C-HEA). Minute volume, systemic and pulmonary pressures, osmolality of blood and urine, and plasma and urine sodium concentrations were measured before and after infusion of the assigned liquid. In spite of the volume infused, low dose crystalloid group showed a high incidence of oliguria, increased urinary osmolality and decreased sodium in urine. Cardiac and systolic indices and left ventricular work load remained stable after infusion of the assigned liquid in low and high dose crystalloid groups, whereas they increased significantly ion group C-HEA (+23%, +16% and +20%). Administration of restricted doses of crystalloids after anesthetic induction favors the retention of water and sodium. Higher doses of crystalloids weaken this effect. However, neither of these two regimens leads to a more effective cardiac work load. A combination of crystalloids and colloids administered immediately after anesthetic induction temporarily improves cardiac performance during surgery.

  18. Using finite element modelling and experimental methods to investigate planar coil sensor topologies for inductive measurement of displacement

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moreton, Gregory; Meydan, Turgut; Williams, Paul

    2018-04-01

    The usage of planar sensors is widespread due to their non-contact nature and small size profiles, however only a few basic design types are generally considered. In order to develop planar coil designs we have performed extensive finite element modelling (FEM) and experimentation to understand the performance of different planar sensor topologies when used in inductive sensing. We have applied this approach to develop a novel displacement sensor. Models of different topologies with varying pitch values have been analysed using the ANSYS Maxwell FEM package, furthermore the models incorporated a movable soft magnetic amorphous ribbon element. The different models used in the FEM were then constructed and experimentally tested with topologies that included mesh, meander, square coil, and circular coil configurations. The sensors were used to detect the displacement of the amorphous ribbon. A LabView program controlled both the displacement stage and the impedance analyser, the latter capturing the varying inductance values with ribbon displacement. There was good correlation between the FEM models and the experimental data confirming that the methodology described here offers an effective way for developing planar coil based sensors with improved performance.

  19. Impact of Glycerol as Carbon Source onto Specific Sugar and Inducer Uptake Rates and Inclusion Body Productivity in E. coli BL21(DE3).

    PubMed

    Kopp, Julian; Slouka, Christoph; Ulonska, Sophia; Kager, Julian; Fricke, Jens; Spadiut, Oliver; Herwig, Christoph

    2017-12-21

    The Gram-negative bacterium E. coli is the host of choice for a multitude of used recombinant proteins. Generally, cultivation is easy, media are cheap, and a high product titer can be obtained. However, harsh induction procedures using isopropyl β-d-1 thiogalactopyranoside as inducer are often referred to cause stress reactions, leading to a phenomenon known as "metabolic" or "product burden". These high expressions of recombinant proteins mainly result in decreased growth rates and cell lysis at elevated induction times. Therefore, approaches tend to use "soft" or "tunable" induction with lactose and reduce the stress level of the production host. The usage of glucose as energy source in combination with lactose as induction reagent causes catabolite repression effects on lactose uptake kinetics and as a consequence reduced product titer. Glycerol-as an alternative carbon source-is already known to have positive impact on product formation when coupled with glucose and lactose in auto-induction systems, and has been referred to show no signs of repression when cultivated with lactose concomitantly. In recent research activities, the impact of different products on the lactose uptake using glucose as carbon source was highlighted, and a mechanistic model for glucose-lactose induction systems showed correlations between specific substrate uptake rate for glucose or glycerol (q s,C ) and the maximum specific lactose uptake rate (q s,lac,max ). In this study, we investigated the mechanistic of glycerol uptake when using the inducer lactose. We were able to show that a product-producing strain has significantly higher inducer uptake rates when being compared to a non-producer strain. Additionally, it was shown that glycerol has beneficial effects on viability of cells and on productivity of the recombinant protein compared to glucose.

  20. The effects of intravenous anesthetics on QT interval during anesthetic induction with sevoflurane.

    PubMed

    Terao, Yoshiaki; Higashijima, Ushio; Toyoda, Tomomi; Ichinomiya, Taiga; Fukusaki, Makoto; Hara, Tetsuya

    2016-12-01

    Sevoflurane is known to prolong the QT interval. This study aimed to determine the effect of the interaction between intravenous anesthetics and sevoflurane on the QT interval. The study included 48 patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery. Patients received 3 μg/kg fentanyl and were then randomly allocated to either Group T, in which they received 5 mg/kg thiamylal, or Group P, in which they received 1.5 mg/kg propofol, at 2 min after administration of fentanyl injection for anesthetic induction. Vecuronium (1.5 mg/kg) and sevoflurane (3 % inhaled concentration) were administered immediately after loss of consciousness and tracheal intubation was performed 3 min after vecuronium injection. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), bispectral index score (BIS), and the heart rate-corrected QT (QTc) interval on a 12-lead electrocardiogram were recorded immediately before fentanyl administration (T1), 2 min after fentanyl injection (T2), immediately before intubation (T3), and 2 min after intubation (T4). There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline patient characteristics. BIS and MAP significantly decreased after anesthesia induction in both groups. At T3, MAP in Group T was higher than in Group P, while HR had reduced in both groups. The QTc interval was prolonged after anesthesia induction in Group T, but did not change at any time point in Group P. The QTc interval after anesthesia induction in Group T was longer than in Group P. We concluded that an injection of propofol could counteract QTc interval prolongation associated with sevoflurane anesthesia induction.

  1. Cohort Differences in Cognitive Aging in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam.

    PubMed

    Brailean, Anamaria; Huisman, Martijn; Prince, Martin; Prina, A Matthew; Deeg, Dorly J H; Comijs, Hannie

    2016-09-30

    This study aims to examine cohort differences in cognitive performance and rates of change in episodic memory, processing speed, inductive reasoning, and general cognitive performance and to investigate whether these cohort effects may be accounted for by education attainment. The first cohort (N = 705) was born between 1920 and 1930, whereas the second cohort (N = 646) was born between 1931 and 1941. Both birth cohorts were aged 65 to 75 years at baseline and were followed up 3 and 6 years later. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models. The later born cohort had better general cognitive performance, inductive reasoning, and processing speed at baseline, but cohort differences in inductive reasoning and general cognitive performance disappeared after adjusting for education. The later born cohort showed steeper decline in processing speed. Memory decline was steeper in the earlier born cohort but only from Time 1 to Time 3 when the same memory test was administered. Education did not account for cohort differences in cognitive decline. The later born cohort showed better initial performance in certain cognitive abilities, but no better preservation of cognitive abilities overtime compared with the earlier born cohort. These findings carry implications for healthy cognitive aging. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America.

  2. Quantitative Comparison of Minimum Inductance and Minimum Power Algorithms for the Design of Shim Coils for Small Animal Imaging

    PubMed Central

    HUDSON, PARISA; HUDSON, STEPHEN D.; HANDLER, WILLIAM B.; SCHOLL, TIMOTHY J.; CHRONIK, BLAINE A.

    2010-01-01

    High-performance shim coils are required for high-field magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. Complete sets of high-power and high-performance shim coils were designed using two different methods: the minimum inductance and the minimum power target field methods. A quantitative comparison of shim performance in terms of merit of inductance (ML) and merit of resistance (MR) was made for shim coils designed using the minimum inductance and the minimum power design algorithms. In each design case, the difference in ML and the difference in MR given by the two design methods was <15%. Comparison of wire patterns obtained using the two design algorithms show that minimum inductance designs tend to feature oscillations within the current density; while minimum power designs tend to feature less rapidly varying current densities and lower power dissipation. Overall, the differences in coil performance obtained by the two methods are relatively small. For the specific case of shim systems customized for small animal imaging, the reduced power dissipation obtained when using the minimum power method is judged to be more significant than the improvements in switching speed obtained from the minimum inductance method. PMID:20411157

  3. Chromatic induction in space and time.

    PubMed

    Coia, Andrew J; Shevell, Steven K

    2018-04-01

    The color appearance of a light depends on variation in the complete visual field over both space and time. In the spatial domain, a chromatic stimulus within a patterned chromatic surround can appear a different hue than the same stimulus within a uniform surround. In the temporal domain, a stimulus presented as an element of a continuously changing chromaticity can appear a different color compared to the identical stimulus, presented simultaneously but viewed alone. This is the flash-lag effect for color, which has an analog in the domain of motion: a pulsed object seen alone can appear to lag behind an identical pulsed object that is an element of a motion sequence. Studies of the flash-lag effect for motion have considered whether it is mediated by a neural representation for the moving physical stimulus or, alternatively, for the perceived motion. The current study addresses this question for the flash-lag effect for color by testing whether the color flash lag depends on a representation of only the changing chromatic stimulus or, alternatively, its color percept, which can be altered by chromatic induction. baseline measurements for spatial chromatic induction determined the chromaticity of a flashed ring within a uniform surround that matched a flashed ring within a patterned surround. Baseline measurements for the color flash-lag effect determined the chromaticity of a pulsed ring presented alone (within a uniform surround) that matched a pulsed ring presented in a sequence of changing chromaticity over time (also within a uniform surround). Finally, the main experiments combined chromatic induction from a patterned surround and the flash-lag effect, in three conditions: (1) both the changing and pulsed rings were within a patterned chromatic surround; (2) the changing ring was within a patterned surround and the pulsed ring within a uniform surround; and (3) the changing ring was within a uniform surround and the pulsed ring within a patterned surround. the flash-lag measurements for a changing chromaticity were affected by perceptual changes induced by the surrounding chromatic pattern. Thus, the color shifts induced by a chromatic surround are incorporated in the neural representation mediating the flash-lag effect for color.

  4. Cardiopulmonary effects of thiopental versus propofol as an induction agent prior to isoflurane anesthesia in chair trained rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta).

    PubMed

    Choi, Yun-Jung; Park, Hye-Jin; Kim, Hyeon-Ho; Lee, Yun-Jin; Jung, Kyeong-Cheon; Park, Seong-Hoe; Lee, Jae-Il

    2016-03-01

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thiopental versus propofol on cardiopulmonary functions, when used as an induction agent prior to isoflurane anesthesia in rhesus monkeys. Eight healthy rhesus monkeys weighing 3.72 to 5.7 kg, 4-5 years old, were used in the study. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental or propofol intravenous injection, and then maintained with isoflurane in oxygen for 45 minutes. Cardiopulmonary measurements were obtained before and 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after induction. The induction doses of thiopental and propofol were 19.41±0.54 and 9.33±1.02 mg/kg, respectively. In both groups, the values of heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, systolic blood pressure, mean blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pH, and lactate were decreased, while the values of partial pressure of carbon dioxide, partial pressure of oxygen, total carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, oxygen saturation, and base excess in the extracellular fluid were increased, as compared with baseline. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in thiopental group compare to propofol group. Induction time was very short in both agents but not revealed a significant difference between both groups. However, recovery time was extremely faster in the propofol group. Our results demonstrated that propofol provides a minor suppression in systolic arterial blood pressure than thiopental sodium. In addition, propofol have a fast recovery effect from the anesthesia as well. Furthermore, it is suggested that thiopental sodium could also be used to induce anesthesia instead of propofol, despite slight more suppression of cardiopulmonary function compared to thiopental sodium.

  5. Diurnal Emotional States Impact the Sleep Course

    PubMed Central

    Delannoy, Julien; Mandai, Osamu; Honoré, Jacques; Kobayashi, Toshinori; Sequeira, Henrique

    2015-01-01

    Background Diurnal emotional experiences seem to affect several characteristics of sleep architecture. However, this influence remains unclear, especially for positive emotions. In addition, electrodermal activity (EDA), a sympathetic robust indicator of emotional arousal, differs depending on the sleep stage. The present research has a double aim: to identify the specific effects of pre-sleep emotional states on the architecture of the subsequent sleep period; to relate such states to the sympathetic activation during the same sleep period. Methods Twelve healthy volunteers (20.1 ± 1.0 yo.) participated in the experiment and each one slept 9 nights at the laboratory, divided into 3 sessions, one per week. Each session was organized over three nights. A reference night, allowing baseline pre-sleep and sleep recordings, preceded an experimental night before which participants watched a negative, neutral, or positive movie. The third and last night was devoted to analyzing the potential recovery or persistence of emotional effects induced before the experimental night. Standard polysomnography and EDA were recorded during all the nights. Results Firstly, we found that experimental pre-sleep emotional induction increased the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep rate following both negative and positive movies. While this increase was spread over the whole night for positive induction, it was limited to the second half of the sleep period for negative induction. Secondly, the valence of the pre-sleep movie also impacted the sympathetic activation during Non-REM stage 3 sleep, which increased after negative induction and decreased after positive induction. Conclusion Pre-sleep controlled emotional states impacted the subsequent REM sleep rate and modulated the sympathetic activity during the sleep period. The outcomes of this study offer interesting perspectives related to the effect of diurnal emotional influences on sleep regulation and open new avenues for potential practices designed to alleviate sleep disturbances. PMID:26606526

  6. Letrozole versus clomiphene citrate in polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    PubMed

    Hu, Shifu; Yu, Qiong; Wang, Yingying; Wang, Mei; Xia, Wei; Zhu, Changhong

    2018-05-01

    Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disturbance affecting women in the reproductive age group. The present study aimed to compare the effects of letrozole (LE) and clomiphene citrate (CC) for ovulation induction in women with PCOS. The PUBMED, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases were screened systematically for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from database inception to July 2017. Eleven RCTs involving 2255 patients were included, and data were independently extracted and analyzed using 95% risk ratios (RRs) and confidence intervals (CIs) based on a random- or fixed-effect model (as appropriate). Meta-analyses of nine RCTs comparing LE and CC ovulation induction, followed by timed intercourse, indicated that the former significantly increased the ovulation rate (RR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.03-1.36, P = 0.01), pregnancy rate (RR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.09-1.64, P = 0.006), and live birth rate (RR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.28-1.88, P < 0.00001). However, LE and CC did not differ significantly in terms of the multiple pregnancy and abortion rates. Furthermore, LE for ovulation induction significantly improved the pregnancy rate after IUI. LE is superior to CC for ovulation induction in patients with PCOS.

  7. Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Delayed Hyperphosphatemia in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients During Induction Chemotherapy.

    PubMed

    Lee, Anthony W; Romanowski, Gale L; Proudfoot, James A; Kuo, Dennis J

    2017-01-01

    Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining bone health and calcium metabolism, but recent studies cast doubt on vitamin D supplementation's benefits in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Vitamin D supplementation could increase serum phosphate through increased intestinal absorption of phosphate and suppression of parathyroid hormone, which would lead to decreased renal phosphate excretion. Because of the potential for renal injury during induction chemotherapy for ALL, Vitamin D supplementation's potential for increasing hyperphosphatemia could outweigh its suggested but unproven benefits. To measure the interaction between vitamin D supplementation and phosphate during chemotherapy induction, a retrospective study was done. Demographic data; clinical information about the diagnosis; laboratory data regarding calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D concentrations; and medication histories were reviewed. A retrospective study of 41 children with ALL showed no statistically significant difference in the final phosphate concentrations that were obtained (4.41 mg/dL vs. 4.53 mg/dL, p = 0.635) with regard to their vitamin D supplementation status. Longitudinal effects with vitamin D and phosphate showed a trend toward increasing phosphate concentrations in patients who received supplemental vitamin D (0.035 vs. 0.010 mg/dL per day; p = 0.102). Vitamin D potentially poses a risk of hyperphosphatemia in children undergoing induction chemotherapy for ALL.

  8. Interspecific variation within the genus Asclepias in response to herbivory by a phloem-feeding insect herbivore.

    PubMed

    Zehnder, Caralyn B; Hunter, Mark D

    2007-11-01

    Induced plant responses to leaf-chewing insects have been well studied, but considerably less is known about the effects of phloem-feedings insects on induction. In a set of laboratory experiments, we examined density-dependent induction by the milkweed-oleander aphid, Aphis nerii, of putative defenses in four milkweed species (Asclepias incarnata, Asclepias syriaca, Asclepias tuberosa, and Asclepias viridis). We hypothesized that high aphid density would lead to increased cardenolide expression in species with low constitutive levels of cardenolides (e.g., A. tuberosa), but that there would be no induction in high constitutive cardenolide species (e.g., A. viridis). Based on previous studies, we did not expect cardenolide induction in A. incarnata. Contrary to our predictions, we observed feeding-induced declines of cardenolide concentrations in A. viridis. Cardenolide concentrations did not respond to aphid feeding in the other three milkweed species. Aphids also caused reductions in biomass accumulation by two of four Asclepias species, A. viridis and A. incarnata. High aphid density led to a decrease in A. viridis foliar nitrogen concentration. However, aphids had no effect on the defensive chemistry, growth, or nutritional quality of either A. syriaca or A. tuberosa. Our results highlight that congeneric plant species may respond differently to the same levels of herbivore damage.

  9. Osmolyte Type and the Osmolarity Level Affect Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

    PubMed

    Ahmadyan, Sorour; Kabiri, Mahboubeh; Hanaee-Ahvaz, Hana; Farazmand, Ali

    2018-06-01

    The inductive effects of increased osmolarity on chondrogenesis are well approved. However, the effects of the osmolyte agent invoked to induce hyperosmolarity are largely neglected. Herein, we scrutinized how hyperosmotic conditions acquired by addition of different osmolytes would impact chondrogenesis. We briefly assessed whether such conditions would differentially affect hypertrophy and angiogenesis during MSC chondrogenesis. Chondrogenic and hypertrophic marker expression along with VEGF secretion during adipose-derived (AD)-MSC chondrogenesis under three osmolarity levels (350, 450, and 550 mOsm) using three different osmolytes (NaCl, sorbitol, and PEG) were assessed. MTT assay, qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, Alcian Blue staining, ELISA, and ALP assays proved osmolyte-type dependent effects of hyperosmolarity on chondrogenesis, hypertrophy, and angiogenesis. At same osmolarity level, PEG had least cytotoxic/cytostatic effect and most prohibitive effects on angiogenesis. As expected, all hyperosmolar conditions led to enhanced chondrogenesis with slightly varying degrees. PEG and sorbitol had higher chondro-promotive and hypertrophy-suppressive effects compared to NaCl, while NaCl had exacerbated hypertrophy. We observed that TonEBP was involved in osmoadaptation of all treatments in varying degrees. Of importance, we highlighted differential effects of hyperosmolarity obtained by different osmolytes on the efficacy of chondrogenesis and more remarkably on the induction/suppression of cartilage pathologic markers. Our study underlies the need for a more vigilant exploitation of physicobiochemical inducers in order to maximize chondrogenesis while restraining unwanted hypertrophy and angiogenesis.

  10. Children's and adults' judgments of the certainty of deductive inferences, inductive inferences, and guesses.

    PubMed

    Pillow, Bradford H; Pearson, Raeanne M; Hecht, Mary; Bremer, Amanda

    2010-01-01

    Children and adults rated their own certainty following inductive inferences, deductive inferences, and guesses. Beginning in kindergarten, participants rated deductions as more certain than weak inductions or guesses. Deductions were rated as more certain than strong inductions beginning in Grade 3, and fourth-grade children and adults differentiated strong inductions, weak inductions, and informed guesses from pure guesses. By Grade 3, participants also gave different types of explanations for their deductions and inductions. These results are discussed in relation to children's concepts of cognitive processes, logical reasoning, and epistemological development.

  11. Reactive power generation in high speed induction machines by continuously occurring space-transients

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Laithwaite, E. R.; Kuznetsov, S. B.

    1980-09-01

    A new technique of continuously generating reactive power from the stator of a brushless induction machine is conceived and tested on a 10-kw linear machine and on 35 and 150 rotary cage motors. An auxiliary magnetic wave traveling at rotor speed is artificially created by the space-transient attributable to the asymmetrical stator winding. At least two distinct windings of different pole-pitch must be incorporated. This rotor wave drifts in and out of phase repeatedly with the stator MMF wave proper and the resulting modulation of the airgap flux is used to generate reactive VA apart from that required for magnetization or leakage flux. The VAR generation effect increases with machine size, and leading power factor operation of the entire machine is viable for large industrial motors and power system induction generators.

  12. Transient nucleation induction time from the birth-death equations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shneidman, Vitaly A.; Weinberg, Michael C.

    1992-01-01

    For the set of finite-difference equations of Becker-Doering an exact formula for the induction time, which is expressed in terms of rapidly convergent sums, is presented. The form of the result is particularly amenable for analytical study, and the latter is carried out to obtain approximations of the exact expression in a rigorous manner and to assess its sensitivity to the choice of the nucleation model. The induction time is found to be governed by two main nucleation parameters, the normalized barrier height, and the number of molecules in the critical cluster. The ratio of these two parameters provides an assessment of the importance of discreteness effects. The exact expression is studied in both the continuous and the asymptotic limits. The accuracy of the Zeldovich equation, which is produced in the continuous limit, is discussed for several nucleation models.

  13. Association between gestational age and induction-to-abortion interval in mid-trimester pregnancy termination using misoprostol.

    PubMed

    Vitner, Dana; Deutsch, Michael; Paz, Yuri; Khatib, Nizar; Baltiter, Tania; Rosenberg, Shiran; Lowenstein, Lior

    2011-06-01

    The study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, outcome, and pain intensity of the vaginal administration of misoprostol for the induction of abortion between 13 and 24 gestational weeks. A retrospective study was conducted at our tertiary medical center from January 2006 to December 2009 on 122 consecutive women who underwent termination of pregnancy (TOP) in the mid-trimester. They were given 400 mcg of vaginal misoprostol every 6h, up to four doses. The induction-to-abortion interval and the level of pain experienced during the process were assessed. Success was defined by the fetus being expelled within 48 h. Vaginal misoprostol was effective in 84% (98/122) of patients. The median duration of the induction-to-abortion interval was 16 (5-48)h. The induction-to-abortion interval was correlated with gestational age, while inversely correlated with parity. A correlation was also found between gestational age and pain intensity at 12h from induction. Misoprostol is safe and effective in mid-trimester abortion induction. The induction-to-abortion interval is shorter and abortion less painful with lower gestational age. Higher parity is also associated with shorter induction to abortion interval. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

  14. Comparison of the therapeutic dose of warfarin in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients: a study of clinical practice.

    PubMed

    Jackson, B S; Mokoena, T

    2017-02-08

    People infected with HIV are prone to venous thrombosis. Treatment of thrombosis is primarily with warfarin. No studies have addressed the effects of HIV infection on warfarin dose. The aims of this study were to determine whether the therapeutic dose of warfarin and induction time to therapeutic dose in HIV-infected patients differ from that in HIV-uninfected patients. A prospective and retrospective descriptive study of induction time to therapeutic warfarin dose, as well as of ambulant therapeutic warfarin dose, was performed. HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients being treated after deep venous thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism were compared. Sex and use of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) were also compared in the groups. 234 patients were entered into the study. Induction time to therapeutic warfarin dose did not differ between the 2 groups. The mean therapeutic dose of warfarin was higher in the HIV-infected than the HIV-uninfected group: 6.06 vs 5.72 mg/day, but this was not statistically significant (p=0.29). There was no difference in therapeutic warfarin dose between ARV-naïve groups-HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected patients not on ARVs. There appears to be little effect of HIV infection on warfarin dosing. Warfarin therapy should be administered conventionally in HIV-infected patients. 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/.

  15. Cytotoxic effect of fenitrothion and lambda-cyhalothrin mixture on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system in rat kidney.

    PubMed

    El-Demerdash, Fatma M

    2012-01-01

    A mixture of pyrethroids plus organophosphates was assessed for their potential effects on lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant defense system and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in rat kidney in vitro. Various insecticide concentrations were incubated with kidney homogenate at 37°C for different incubation times. Treatment with fenitothion (FNT) plus lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) caused a significant induction (P < 0.05) in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), which might be associated to decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and protein content in rat kidney. However, a significant induction of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was observed. The effect was concentration and time dependent. It can be concluded that depletion of GSH might indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) could be involved in the toxic effects of FNT plus LC which lead to marked perturbations in antioxidant defense system.

  16. Analysis of Power Supply Heating Effect during High Temperature Experiments Based on the Electromagnetic Steel Teeming Technology

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    He, Ming; Wang, Qiang; Liu, Xin'an; Shi, Chunyang; Liu, Tie; He, Jicheng

    2017-04-01

    For further lowering inclusions and improving the quality of steel, a new electromagnetic steel-teeming technology based on electromagnetic induction heating was proposed. To assess the proposed technology, an experimental platform that imitates the actual production condition of steelmakers was established. High temperature experiments were performed to investigate the melting length of Fe-C alloy under different power and frequency conditions. The heating effect was analyzed, and the method of magnetic shielding to reduce the power loss of power supply was put forward. The results show that when the power is 40 kW and frequency is 25 kHz, the melting length of the Fe-C alloy is 89.2 mm in 120 s, which meets the requirements of steel teeming. In addition, when magnetic shielding material is installed under the induction coil, the power loss is reduced by about 64 %, effectively improving the heating effect of power supply.

  17. A Theoretical Model to Predict Both Horizontal Displacement and Vertical Displacement for Electromagnetic Induction-Based Deep Displacement Sensors

    PubMed Central

    Shentu, Nanying; Zhang, Hongjian; Li, Qing; Zhou, Hongliang; Tong, Renyuan; Li, Xiong

    2012-01-01

    Deep displacement observation is one basic means of landslide dynamic study and early warning monitoring and a key part of engineering geological investigation. In our previous work, we proposed a novel electromagnetic induction-based deep displacement sensor (I-type) to predict deep horizontal displacement and a theoretical model called equation-based equivalent loop approach (EELA) to describe its sensing characters. However in many landslide and related geological engineering cases, both horizontal displacement and vertical displacement vary apparently and dynamically so both may require monitoring. In this study, a II-type deep displacement sensor is designed by revising our I-type sensor to simultaneously monitor the deep horizontal displacement and vertical displacement variations at different depths within a sliding mass. Meanwhile, a new theoretical modeling called the numerical integration-based equivalent loop approach (NIELA) has been proposed to quantitatively depict II-type sensors’ mutual inductance properties with respect to predicted horizontal displacements and vertical displacements. After detailed examinations and comparative studies between measured mutual inductance voltage, NIELA-based mutual inductance and EELA-based mutual inductance, NIELA has verified to be an effective and quite accurate analytic model for characterization of II-type sensors. The NIELA model is widely applicable for II-type sensors’ monitoring on all kinds of landslides and other related geohazards with satisfactory estimation accuracy and calculation efficiency. PMID:22368467

  18. A theoretical model to predict both horizontal displacement and vertical displacement for electromagnetic induction-based deep displacement sensors.

    PubMed

    Shentu, Nanying; Zhang, Hongjian; Li, Qing; Zhou, Hongliang; Tong, Renyuan; Li, Xiong

    2012-01-01

    Deep displacement observation is one basic means of landslide dynamic study and early warning monitoring and a key part of engineering geological investigation. In our previous work, we proposed a novel electromagnetic induction-based deep displacement sensor (I-type) to predict deep horizontal displacement and a theoretical model called equation-based equivalent loop approach (EELA) to describe its sensing characters. However in many landslide and related geological engineering cases, both horizontal displacement and vertical displacement vary apparently and dynamically so both may require monitoring. In this study, a II-type deep displacement sensor is designed by revising our I-type sensor to simultaneously monitor the deep horizontal displacement and vertical displacement variations at different depths within a sliding mass. Meanwhile, a new theoretical modeling called the numerical integration-based equivalent loop approach (NIELA) has been proposed to quantitatively depict II-type sensors' mutual inductance properties with respect to predicted horizontal displacements and vertical displacements. After detailed examinations and comparative studies between measured mutual inductance voltage, NIELA-based mutual inductance and EELA-based mutual inductance, NIELA has verified to be an effective and quite accurate analytic model for characterization of II-type sensors. The NIELA model is widely applicable for II-type sensors' monitoring on all kinds of landslides and other related geohazards with satisfactory estimation accuracy and calculation efficiency.

  19. Targeting MDM2 by the small molecule RITA: towards the development of new multi-target drugs against cancer

    PubMed Central

    Espinoza-Fonseca, L Michel

    2005-01-01

    Background The use of low-molecular-weight, non-peptidic molecules that disrupt the interaction between the p53 tumor suppressor and its negative regulator MDM2 has provided a promising alternative for the treatment of different types of cancer. Among these compounds, RITA (reactivation of p53 and induction of tumor cell apoptosis) has been shown to be effective in the selective induction of apoptosis, and this effect is due to its binding to the p53 tumor suppressor. Since biological systems are highly dynamic and MDM2 may bind to different regions of p53, new alternatives should be explored. On this basis, the computational "blind docking" approach was employed in this study to see whether RITA would bind to MDM2. Results It was observed that RITA binds to the MDM2 p53 transactivation domain-binding cleft. Thus, RITA can be used as a lead compound for designing improved "multi-target" drugs. This novel strategy could provide enormous benefits to enable effective anti-cancer strategies. Conclusion This study has demonstrated that a single molecule can target at least two different proteins related to the same disease. PMID:16174299

  20. Modeling the Effects of Argument Length and Validity on Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rotello, Caren M.; Heit, Evan

    2009-01-01

    In an effort to assess models of inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning, the authors, in 3 experiments, examined the effects of argument length and logical validity on evaluation of arguments. In Experiments 1a and 1b, participants were given either induction or deduction instructions for a common set of stimuli. Two distinct effects were…

  1. Numerical investigation of effects on blanks for press hardening process during longitudinal flux heating

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dietrich, André; Nacke, Bernard

    2018-05-01

    With the induction heating technology, it is possible to heat up blanks for the press hardening process in 20 s or less. Furthermore, the dimension of an induction system is small and easy to control in comparison to conventional heating systems. To bring the induction heating technology to warm forming industry it is necessary to analyze the process under the view of induction. This paper investigates the edge- and end-effects of a batch heated blank. The results facilitate the later design of induction heating systems for the batch process.

  2. Effects of Vegetable Oil Type and Lipophilic Emulsifiers on the Induction Period of Fat Crystallization.

    PubMed

    Miyagawa, Yayoi; Ogawa, Takenobu; Nakagawa, Kyuya; Adachi, Shuji

    2015-01-01

    The induction period of crystallization, which is defined as the time required for oil to start to crystallize, is useful indicator of the freeze-thaw stability of food emulsions such as mayonnaise. We investigated the induction period of vegetable oils with low melting points, such as rapeseed and soybean oils, which are commonly employed for mayonnaise production. The induction period was measured by monitoring the temperature of a specimen during storage at low temperature. The induction period depended on the type of oil and lipophilic emulsifier, emulsifier concentration, and storage temperature. The effect of the oil type on the induction period depended on the composition of the oil. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses of the lipophilic emulsifiers suggested that the melting trend of the emulsifier is strongly related to the induction period.

  3. Deductive and inductive reasoning in Parkinson's disease patients and normal controls: review and experimental evidence.

    PubMed

    Natsopoulos, D; Katsarou, Z; Alevriadou, A; Grouios, G; Bostantzopoulou, S; Mentenopoulos, G

    1997-09-01

    In the present study, fifty-four subjects were tested; twenty-seven with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and twenty-seven normal controls matched in age, education, verbal ability, level of depression, sex and socio-economic status. The subjects were tested on eight tasks. Five of the tasks were the classic deductive reasoning syllogisms, modus ponens, modus tollendo tollens, affirming the consequent, denying the antecedent and three-term series problems phrased in a factual context (brief scripts). Three of the tasks were inductive reasoning, including logical inferences, metaphors and similes. All tasks were presented to subjects in a multiple choice format. The results, overall, have shown nonsignificant differences between the two groups in deductive and inductive reasoning, an ability traditionally associated with frontal lobes involvement. Of the comparisons performed between subgroups of the patients and normal controls concerning disease duration, disease onset and predominant involvement of the left and/or right hemisphere, significant differences were found between patients with earlier disease onset and normal controls and between bilaterally affected patients and normal controls, demonstrating an additive effect of lateralization to reasoning ability.

  4. Source-Related Effects of Wastewater on Transcription Factor (AhR, CAR and PXR)-Mediated Induction of Gene Expression in Cultured Rat Hepatocytes and Their Association with the Prevalence of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Guruge, Keerthi S.; Yamanaka, Noriko; Sonobe, Miyuki; Fujizono, Wataru; Yoshioka, Miyako; Akiba, Masato; Yamamoto, Takehisa; Joshua, Derrick I.; Balakrishna, Keshava; Yamashita, Nobuyoshi; Kannan, Kurunthachalam; Tsutsui, Toshiyuki

    2015-01-01

    Extracts of wastewater collected from 4 sewage treatment plants (STPs) receiving effluents from different sources in South India were investigated for their levels of transcription factor-mediated gene induction in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. In addition, the relation between gene induction levels and the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) in wastewater was examined. STP-3, which treats only hospital wastewater, exhibited significantly greater induction potency of all 6 drug metabolizing cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes examined, CYP1A1, 1A2, 1B1, 2B15, 3A1, and 3A2, whereas the wastewater at STP-1, which exclusively receives domestic sewage, showed significantly diminished levels of induction of 3 CYP genes when compared to the levels of CYP induction at STP-2, which receives mixed wastewater. Samples collected during the monsoon season showed a significantly altered gene induction capacity compared to that of samples from the pre-monsoon period. The data suggest that the toxicity of wastewater in STPs was not significantly diminished during the treatment process. The chemical-gene interaction data predicted that a vast number of chemicals present in the wastewater would stimulate the genes studied in the rat hepatocytes. The multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the prevalence of isolates resistant to cefotaxime, imipenem and streptomycin was significantly correlated with the levels of induction of at least three CYP-isozymes in STP wastewater. In addition, the resistance of isolates in treatment plants was not altered by the treatment steps, whereas the sampling season did have an impact on the resistance to specific antimicrobials. The identification of receptor-mediated gene regulation capacities offers important data not limited to the (synergistic) physiological role of chemicals in biological systems but may provide new insight into the link between the effects of known/unknown drugs and prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in wastewater. PMID:26381891

  5. An evaluation of prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel use in practice.

    PubMed

    Taylor, S J; Peat, J K; Armour, C L

    1999-08-01

    The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of prostaglandin E2 vaginal gel as used in practice, rather than its efficacy as assessed in randomised, controlled, clinical trials. This product is used to ripen the cervix prior to induction of labour, sometimes making unnecessary the use of the standard treatment for induction, artificial rupture of the membranes (ARM) plus oxytocin. In this study, effectiveness of the gel was assessed in terms of changes in mode of delivery, and in particular the risk of Caesarean section. An historical control was used and the risk of Caesarean section for women induced in the 1990/91 (before the introduction of the gel) was compared with that for women induced in 1992/93 (after the introduction of the gel). Maternal characteristics which may have been different in the two groups and factors which might influence the risk of Caesarean section were controlled for statistically using logistic regression, thus reducing any bias towards one group. After adjusting for the factors which had a significant effect on the process of labour from induction to birth, it was found that the risk of Caesarean section was not significantly lower in the 1992/93-time period, when the gel was in regular use, from that in the 2 years prior to its introduction (Odds ratio 1.09, CI95% 0.88, 1.36). Following the introduction of PGE2 gel, no difference in effectiveness, as measured in terms of mode of delivery, was detected in this study of practice, which included patients with more complex obstetric problems.

  6. Oscillator or Amplifier With Wide Frequency Range

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kleinberg, L.; Sutton, J.

    1987-01-01

    Inductive and capacitive effects synthesized with feedback circuits. Oscillator/amplifier resistively tunable over wide frequency range. Feedback circuits containing operational amplifiers, resistors, and capacitors synthesize electrical effects of inductance and capacitance in parallel between input terminals. Synthetic inductance and capacitance, and, therefore, resonant frequency of input admittance, adjusted by changing potentiometer setting.

  7. Math Activities that Encourage Inductive Thinking

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Freeman, Christopher

    2005-01-01

    There are two kinds of logical reasoning: "inductive" and "deductive". Inductive reasoning proceeds from effect back to cause, from special case to general principle. Detectives use it, examining the clues and conjecturing the actions that caused them. On the other hand, deductive reasoning proceeds from cause to effect, from principle to…

  8. Cost-Effectiveness of Antibody-Based Induction Therapy in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation in the United States.

    PubMed

    Gharibi, Zahra; Ayvaci, Mehmet U S; Hahsler, Michael; Giacoma, Tracy; Gaston, Robert S; Tanriover, Bekir

    2017-06-01

    Induction therapy in deceased donor kidney transplantation is costly, with wide discrepancy in utilization and a limited evidence base, particularly regarding cost-effectiveness. We linked the United States Renal Data System data set to Medicare claims to estimate cumulative costs, graft survival, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER - cost per additional year of graft survival) within 3 years of transplantation in 19 450 deceased donor kidney transplantation recipients with Medicare as primary payer from 2000 to 2008. We divided the study cohort into high-risk (age > 60 years, panel-reactive antibody > 20%, African American race, Kidney Donor Profile Index > 50%, cold ischemia time > 24 hours) and low-risk (not having any risk factors, comprising approximately 15% of the cohort). After the elimination of dominated options, we estimated expected ICER among induction categories: no-induction, alemtuzumab, rabbit antithymocyte globulin (r-ATG), and interleukin-2 receptor-antagonist. No-induction was the least effective and most costly option in both risk groups. Depletional antibodies (r-ATG and alemtuzumab) were more cost-effective across all willingness-to-pay thresholds in the low-risk group. For the high-risk group and its subcategories, the ICER was very sensitive to the graft survival; overall both depletional antibodies were more cost-effective, mainly for higher willingness to pay threshold (US $100 000 and US $150 000). Rabbit ATG appears to achieve excellent cost-effectiveness acceptability curves (80% of the recipients) in both risk groups at US $50 000 threshold (except age > 60 years). In addition, only r-ATG was associated with graft survival benefit over no-induction category (hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.99) in a multivariable Cox regression analysis. Antibody-based induction appears to offer substantial advantages in both cost and outcome compared with no-induction. Overall, depletional induction (preferably r-ATG) appears to offer the greatest benefits.

  9. Callus induction and flavonoid production on the immature seed of Stelechocarpus burahol

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Habibah, N. A.; Moeljopawiro, S.; Dewi, K.; Indrianto, A.

    2018-03-01

    Stelechocarpus burahol [(Bl.) Hook. f. & Th.] is one of the medicinal plants. In vitro callus induction studies on S. burahol were carried out to determine phytohormone requirement for optimum callus induction. Immature seed explants were cultured on MS medium by adding different kinds and different concentrations of plant growth regulators (picloram and 2,4-D) under light and dark conditions. The results showed that callus formation was initiated on the 18,50th to the 55th days. The best condition for optimum callus induction was found on MS medium, which was supplemented with 7.5 mg/L picloram and was maintained in the dark condition. The callus induction varied from 60% to 100%. The callus that produced the highest flavonoid was grown on the medium with the addition of 10 mg/L of 2,4-D. In conclusion, the results represented a suitable medium for S.burahol callus induction.

  10. Upregulation of MMP12 and its activity by UVA1 in human skin: potential implications for photoaging.

    PubMed

    Tewari, Angela; Grys, Katarzyna; Kollet, Jutta; Sarkany, Robert; Young, Antony R

    2014-10-01

    UVA1 constitutes around 75% of the terrestrial UV radiation, and most of the output of artificial tanning sources. However, the molecular effects of UVA1 in human skin in vivo are surprisingly poorly understood. We have examined time-dependent whole-genome expression, along with mRNA and protein changes in the skin after one minimal erythema dose of spectrally pure UVA1 (50 J cm(-2)) and 300 nm UVB (30 mJ cm(-2)). After 24 hours, the genes induced to the greatest extent were those involved in extracellular matrix remodeling with both UVA1 (P=5.5e-7) and UVB (P=2.9e-22). UVA1 and UVB caused different effects on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression: UVB induced MMP1, MMP3, and MMP10 mRNA at 24 hours to a much greater extent than UVA1. MMP12 induction by UVA1 at 6 hours is marked and much greater than that by UVB. We have found that MMP12 mRNA induction by UVA1 resulted in expression of MMP12 protein, which is functional as an elastase. This induction of elastase activity did not occur with UVB. We hypothesize that the UVA1 induction of MMP12 mediates some of its photoaging effects, particularly by contributing to elastin degeneration in late solar elastosis. MMP12 is a good marker of UVA1 exposure.

  11. Accuracy of iron loss estimation in induction motors by using different iron loss models

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Štumberger, B.; Hamler, A.; Goričan, V.; Jesenik, M.; Trlep, M.

    2004-05-01

    The paper presents iron loss estimation in a three-phase induction motor by using different iron loss models for the posterior iron loss calculation. The iron losses were determined by using modeled properties of used electrical steel and calculated distribution of magnetic induction B(t) in all parts of the motor by using 2D finite element software for a complete cycle of field variation. The comparison between estimated and measured core losses for a 4kW induction motor at no-load in dependency on supply voltage is given.

  12. Racial Disparity in Renal Transplantation: Alemtuzumab the Great Equalizer?

    PubMed

    Smith, Alison A; John, Mira M; Dortonne, Isabelle S; Paramesh, Anil S; Killackey, Mary; Jaffe, Bernard M; Buell, Joseph F

    2015-10-01

    Racial disparity as a barrier to successful outcomes in renal transplants for African Americans has been well described. Numerous unsuccessful attempts have been made to identify specific immunologic and socioeconomic factors. The objective of our study was to determine whether alemtuzumab (AL) induction abolishes this discrepancy and improves allograft survival in African American recipients. A retrospective chart review of consecutive adult renal transplants was conducted between 2006 and 2014. Kaplan-Meier analysis and hazard ratios were calculated for the African Americans (AA) and white groups. Multiple linear regressions were performed to assess independent variables (race, retransplant, sex, donor type, induction agent) on allograft survival. A significant difference in allograft survival was identified between whites (n = 272) and AA (n = 445), with AA experiencing more graft losses (18.2% vs 12.1%, P = 0.0351). Induction with AL improved outcomes in all transplant recipients. Multiple linear regression identified that the strongest predictor of allograft failure was induction without AL (P < 0.0001). The data for a subset analysis matched for follow-up length demonstrated that whites compared with AA (n = 157, 67 whites and 90 AA) had lower rates of allograft failure in the absence of AL induction (14.9% vs 44.4%, P = 0.0156, hazard ratio = 2.077). In contrast, AL induction (n = 275, 105 whites and 170 AA) eliminated the racial disparity in allograft failure (5.7% vs 9.4%, P = 0.8248, hazard ratio = 1.504). This is the first study to describe the effects of AL induction therapy on AA renal transplant recipients beyond the first posttransplant year. Our early results suggest that AL induction therapy abolishes the disparity in renal allograft failure.

  13. Chemical reactivities of ambient air samples in three Southern California communities

    PubMed Central

    Eiguren-Fernandez, Arantza; Di Stefano, Emma; Schmitz, Debra A.; Guarieiro, Aline Lefol Nani; Salinas, Erika M.; Nasser, Elina; Froines, John R.; Cho, Arthur K.

    2015-01-01

    The potential adverse health effects of PM2.5 and vapor samples from three communities that neighbor railyards, Commerce (CM), Long Beach (LB), and San Bernardino (SB), were assessed by determination of chemical reactivities attributed to the induction of oxidative stress by air pollutants. The assays used were dithiothreitol (DTT) and dihydrobenzoic acid (DHBA) based procedures for prooxidant content and a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) assay for electrophiles. Prooxidants and electrophiles have been proposed as the reactive chemical species responsible for the induction of oxidative stress by air pollution mixtures. The PM2.5 samples from CM and LB sites showed seasonal differences in reactivities with higher levels in the winter whereas the SB sample differences were reversed. The reactivities in the vapor samples were all very similar, except for the summer SB samples, which contained higher levels of both prooxidants and electrophiles. The results suggest the observed reactivities reflect general geographical differences rather than direct effects of the railyards. Distributional differences in reactivities were also observed with PM2.5 fractions containing most of the prooxidants (74–81%) and the vapor phase most of the electrophiles (82–96%). The high levels of the vapor phase electrophiles and their potential for adverse biological effects point out the importance of the vapor phase in assessing the potential health effects of ambient air. PMID:25947123

  14. Ecological risk study on subacute toxicology experiment of streptomycin wastewater for Zebrafish

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Qing; Shen, Hongyan

    2017-08-01

    An exposure experiment was conducted to study the effect of different volume fraction of effluent streptomycin wastewater on the activity of the peroxidase (POD) activity and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in muscles of Zebrafish for 20 days. The results show that POD activity is significantly induced on the eighth day. POD activities in the muscles of Zebrafish exposed to the streptomycin wastewater of 20% exposure group were significantly different (0.01

  15. Heat transfer experiments with a central receiver tube subjected to unsteady and non-uniform heat flux

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fernández-Torrijos, María; Marugán-Cruz, Carolina; Sobrino, Celia; Santana, Domingo

    2017-06-01

    In this work, a molten salt test loop to study the heat transfer process in external molten salt receivers is described. The experimental installation is formed by a cylindrical molten salt tank, a pump, a flow meter, and an induction heater to generate the heat flux, which is applied in a small rectangular region of the tube surface. In central tower plants, the external receiver pipe is considered to be under unilateral concentrated solar radiation, because only one side of the pipe receives high heat flux. The main advantage of using an induction heater is the control of heating in different areas of the tube. In order to measure the effects of a non-homogenous and unsteady heat flux on the wall temperature distribution a series of experiments have been carried out. 4 K-type thermocouples have been welded at different axial and azimuthal positions of the pipe to obtain the wall temperature distribution. Different temperature measurements have been made varying the heat flux and water velocity to study their effects on the heat transfer process.

  16. Structured statistical models of inductive reasoning.

    PubMed

    Kemp, Charles; Tenenbaum, Joshua B

    2009-01-01

    Everyday inductive inferences are often guided by rich background knowledge. Formal models of induction should aim to incorporate this knowledge and should explain how different kinds of knowledge lead to the distinctive patterns of reasoning found in different inductive contexts. This article presents a Bayesian framework that attempts to meet both goals and describes [corrected] 4 applications of the framework: a taxonomic model, a spatial model, a threshold model, and a causal model. Each model makes probabilistic inferences about the extensions of novel properties, but the priors for the 4 models are defined over different kinds of structures that capture different relationships between the categories in a domain. The framework therefore shows how statistical inference can operate over structured background knowledge, and the authors argue that this interaction between structure and statistics is critical for explaining the power and flexibility of human reasoning.

  17. Effect of Etomidate Versus Combination of Propofol-Ketamine and Thiopental-Ketamine on Hemodynamic Response to Laryngoscopy and Intubation: A Randomized Double Blind Clinical Trial.

    PubMed

    Gholipour Baradari, Afshin; Firouzian, Abolfazl; Zamani Kiasari, Alieh; Aarabi, Mohsen; Emadi, Seyed Abdollah; Davanlou, Ali; Motamed, Nima; Yousefi Abdolmaleki, Ensieh

    2016-02-01

    Laryngoscopy and intubation frequently used for airway management during general anesthesia, is frequently associated with undesirable hemodynamic disturbances. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of etomidate, combination of propofol-ketamine and thiopental-ketamine as induction agents on hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation. In a double blind, randomized clinical trial a total of 120 adult patients of both sexes, aged 18 - 45 years, scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly assigned into three equally sized groups. Patients in group A received etomidate (0.3 mg/kg) plus normal saline as placebo. Patients in group B and C received propofol (1.5 mg/kg) plus ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) and thiopental sodium (3 mg/kg) plus ketamine (0.5 mg/kg), respectively for anesthesia induction. Before laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation, immediately after, and also one and three minutes after the procedures, hemodynamic values (SBP, DBP, MAP and HR) were measured. A repeated measurement ANOVA showed significant changes in mean SBP and DBP between the time points (P < 0.05). In addition, the main effect of MAP and HR were statistically significant during the course of study (P < 0.05). Furthermore, after induction of anesthesia, the three study groups had significantly different SBP, DBP and MAP changes overtime (P < 0.05). However, HR changes over time were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Combination of propofol-ketamine had superior hemodynamic stability compared to other induction agents. Combination of propofol-ketamine may be recommended as an effective and safe induction agent for attenuating hemodynamic responses to laryngoscopy and intubation with better hemodynamic stability. Although, further well-designed randomized clinical trials to confirm the safety and efficacy of this combination, especially in critically ill patients or patients with cardiovascular disease, are warranted.

  18. Systematic review with meta-analysis: Comparative efficacy of biologics for induction and maintenance of mucosal healing in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis controlled trials

    PubMed Central

    Cholapranee, Aurada; Hazlewood, Glen S; Kaplan, Gilaad G.; Peyrin-Biroulet, Laurent; Ananthakrishnan, Ashwin N

    2017-01-01

    Background Mucosal healing is an important therapeutic endpoint in the management of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Limited data exists regarding the comparative efficacy of various therapies in achieving this outcome. Methods We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) examining mucosal healing as an endpoint of immunosuppressives, anti-tumor necrosis factor α (anti-TNF) or anti-integrin monoclonal antibody therapy for moderate-to-severe CD or UC. Pooled effect sizes for induction and maintenance of mucosal healing were calculated and pair-wise treatment comparisons evaluated using a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Results A total of 12 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis (CD – 2 induction, 4 maintenance; UC – 8 induction, 5 maintenance). Duration of follow-up was 6–12 weeks for induction and 32–54 weeks for maintenance trials. In CD, anti-TNFs were more effective than placebo for maintaining mucosal healing (28% vs. 1%, Odds ratio (OR) 19.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.51 – 110.84). In UC, anti-TNFs and anti-integrins were more effective than placebo for inducing (45% vs. 30%) and maintaining mucosal healing (33% vs. 18%). In network analysis, adalimumab therapy was inferior to infliximab (OR 0.45, 95% credible interval (CrI) 0.25 – 0.82) and combination infliximab-azathioprine (OR 0.32, 95% CrI 0.12 – 0.84) for inducing mucosal healing in UC. There was no statistically significant pairwise difference between vedolizumab and anti-TNF agents in UC. Conclusion Anti-TNF and anti-integrin biologic agents are effective in inducing mucosal healing in UC with adalimumab being inferior to infliximab or combination therapy. Infliximab and adalimumab were similar in CD. PMID:28326566

  19. Effect of etomidate versus thiopental on major depressive disorder in electroconvulsive therapy, a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Abdollahi, Mohammad Hassan; Izadi, Amir; Hajiesmaeili, Mohammad Reza; Ghanizadeh, Ahmad; Dastjerdi, Ghasem; Hosseini, Habib Allah; Ghiamat, Mohammad Mehdi; Abbasi, Hamid Reza

    2012-03-01

    Although the therapeutic effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on major depressive disorder is widely investigated, there is a gap in literature regarding the possible effects of the medications used for induction of anesthesia in ECT. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing the effect of etomidate and sodium thiopental on the depression symptoms in patients who have received ECT. The participants of this study are 60 adult patients with major depressive disorder who were referred for ECT. They were randomly allocated into 1 of the 2 groups. One group received etomidate, and the other group received sodium thiopental, as medication for induction of anesthesia. All the patients received bilateral ECT. The outcomes measures included the Beck Depression Inventory score, seizure duration, and recovery duration after induction of anesthesia. The sex ratio and mean age were not different between the 2 groups. Linear regression analysis showed that etomidate decreased the depression score more than did sodium thiopental. Seizure duration in all of the sessions in the etomidate group was significantly higher than that of sodium thiopental group. In conclusion, etomidate may improve major depressive disorder more than sodium thiopental in patients who are receiving ECT.

  20. Biological effects of in vitro THz radiation exposure in human foetal fibroblasts.

    PubMed

    De Amicis, Andrea; Sanctis, Stefania De; Cristofaro, Sara Di; Franchini, Valeria; Lista, Florigio; Regalbuto, Elisa; Giovenale, Emilio; Gallerano, Gian Piero; Nenzi, Paolo; Bei, Roberto; Fantini, Massimo; Benvenuto, Monica; Masuelli, Laura; Coluzzi, Elisa; Cicia, Cristina; Sgura, Antonella

    2015-11-01

    In recent years, terahertz (THz) radiation has been widely used in a variety of applications: medical, security, telecommunications and military areas. However, few data are available on the biological effects of this type of electromagnetic radiation and the reported results, using different genetic or cellular assays, are quite discordant. This multidisciplinary study focuses on potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects, evaluated by several end-points, associated with THz radiation. For this purpose, in vitro exposure of human foetal fibroblasts to low frequency THz radiation (0.1-0.15THz) was performed using a Compact Free Electron Laser. We did not observe an induction of DNA damage evaluated by Comet assay, phosphorylation of H2AX histone or telomere length modulation. In addiction, no induction of apoptosis or changes in pro-survival signalling proteins were detected. Moreover, our results indicated an increase in the total number of micronuclei and centromere positive micronuclei induction evaluated by CREST analysis, indicating that THz radiation could induce aneugenic rather than clastogenic effects, probably leading to chromosome loss. Furthermore, an increase of actin polymerization observed by ultrastructural analysis after THz irradiation, supports the hypothesis that an abnormal assembly of spindle proteins could lead to the observed chromosomal malsegregation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  1. Micro-size antenna structure with vertical nanowires for wireless power transmission and communication.

    PubMed

    Kang, Jong-Gu; Jeong, Yeri; Shin, Jeong Hee; Choi, Ji-Woong; Sohn, Jung Inn; Cha, Seung Nam; Jang, Jae Eun

    2014-11-01

    For biomedical implanted devices, a wireless power or a signal transmission is essential to protect an infection and to enhance durability. In this study, we present a magnetic induction technique for a power transmission without any wire connection between transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) in a micro scale. Due to a micro size effect of a flat spiral coil, a magnetic inductance is not high. To enhance the magnetic inductance, a three dimensional magnetic core is added to an antenna structure, which is consisted of ZnO nano wires coated by a nickel (Ni) layer. ZnO nano wires easily supply a large effective surface area with a vertical structural effect to the magnetic core structure, which induces a higher magnetic inductance with a ferro-magnetic material Ni. The magnetic induction antenna with the magnetic core shows a high inductance value, a low reflection power and a strong power transmission. The power transmission efficiencies are tested under the air and the water medium are almost the same values, so that the magnetic induction technique is quite proper to body implanted systems.

  2. Effect of inter-tissue inductive coupling on multi-frequency imaging of intracranial hemorrhage by magnetic induction tomography

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Xiao, Zhili; Tan, Chao; Dong, Feng

    2017-08-01

    Magnetic induction tomography (MIT) is a promising technique for continuous monitoring of intracranial hemorrhage due to its contactless nature, low cost and capacity to penetrate the high-resistivity skull. The inter-tissue inductive coupling increases with frequency, which may lead to errors in multi-frequency imaging at high frequency. The effect of inter-tissue inductive coupling was investigated to improve the multi-frequency imaging of hemorrhage. An analytical model of inter-tissue inductive coupling based on the equivalent circuit was established. A set of new multi-frequency decomposition equations separating the phase shift of hemorrhage from other brain tissues was derived by employing the coupling information to improve the multi-frequency imaging of intracranial hemorrhage. The decomposition error and imaging error are both decreased after considering the inter-tissue inductive coupling information. The study reveals that the introduction of inter-tissue inductive coupling can reduce the errors of multi-frequency imaging, promoting the development of intracranial hemorrhage monitoring by multi-frequency MIT.

  3. Caco-2 cells - expression, regulation and function of drug transporters compared with human jejunal tissue.

    PubMed

    Brück, S; Strohmeier, J; Busch, D; Drozdzik, M; Oswald, S

    2017-03-01

    Induction or inhibition of drug transporting proteins by concomitantly administered drugs can cause serious drug-drug interactions (DDIs). However, in vitro assays currently available are mostly for studying the inhibitory potential of drugs on intestinal transporter proteins, rather than induction. Therefore, this study investigated the suitability of the frequently used intestinal Caco-2 cell line to predict transporter-mediated DDIs as caused by induction via activation of nuclear receptors. TaqMan® low density arrays and LC-MS/MS based targeted proteomics were used to evaluate transporter expression in Caco-2 cells in comparison with jejunal tissue, in culture-time dependence studies and after incubation with different known inducers of drug metabolism and transport. Additionally, studies on ABCB1 function were performed using Transwell® assays with [ 3 H]-digoxin and [ 3 H]-talinolol as substrates after incubation with the prototypical inducers rifampicin, St John's wort, carbamazepine and efavirenz. The gene and protein expression pattern of drug transporters in Caco-2 cells and jejunal tissue differed considerably. For some transporters culture-time dependent differences in mRNA expression and/or protein abundance could be determined. Finally, none of the studied prototypical inducers showed an effect either on mRNA expression and protein abundance or on the function of ABCB1. Differences in transporter expression in Caco-2 cells compared with jejunal tissue, as well as expression dependence on culture time must be considered in in vitro studies to avoid under- or overestimation of certain transporters. The Caco-2 cell model is not suitable for the evaluation of DDIs caused by transporter induction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  4. Relations between premise similarity and inductive strength.

    PubMed

    Heit, Evan; Feeney, Aidan

    2005-04-01

    According to the diversity principle, diverse evidence is strong evidence. There has been considerable evidence that people respect this principle in inductive reasoning. However, exceptions may be particularly informative. Medin, Coley, Storms, and Hayes (2003) introduced a relevance theory of inductive reasoning and used this theory to predict exceptions, including the nondiversity-by-property-reinforcement effect. A new experiment in which this phenomenon was investigated is reported here. Subjects made inductive strength judgments and similarity judgments for stimuli from Medin et al. (2003). The inductive strength judgments showed the same pattern as that in Medin et al. (2003); however, the similarity judgments suggested that the pattern should be interpreted as a diversity effect, rather than as a nondiversity effect. It is concluded that the evidence regarding the predicted nondiversity-by-property-reinforcement effect does not give distinctive support for relevance theory, although this theory does address other results.

  5. Hyperosmolarity leads to an increase in derepressed system A activity in the renal epithelial cell line NBL-1.

    PubMed Central

    Soler, C; Felipe, A; Casado, F J; McGivan, J D; Pastor-Anglada, M

    1993-01-01

    Hyperosmolarity induced an increase in Na(+)-dependent L-alanine uptake in confluent monolayers of the established renal epithelial cell line NBL-1. This induction was attributable to system A and was only seen when the cells had been previously deprived of amino acids in the culture medium to derepress system A activity. It was additive to the adaptive regulation induction, and both were inhibited by cycloheximide. However, the hyperosmolarity effect was inhibited by colcemid (an inhibitor of microtubular function), but adaptive regulation was not. Otherwise, when cell monolayers were incubated in a control medium, basal Na(+)-dependent L-alanine uptake mediated by system B0 decreased. The results of this study show that: (i) system A activity was not induced by cell shrinkage and subsequent swelling due to extracellular hyperosmolarity when cells were incubated in control medium; (ii) previous expression of system A activity induced by amino acid starvation seems to be a prerequisite for further induction due to hyperosmolarity; and (iii) the effects of adaptive regulation and hyperosmotic stress are mediated by different mechanisms. PMID:8435065

  6. Volatile Anesthetics Improve Survival after Cecal Ligation and Puncture

    PubMed Central

    Herrmann, Inge K.; Castellon, Maricela; Schwartz, David E.; Hasler, Melanie; Urner, Martin; Hu, Guochang; Minshall, Richard D.; Beck-Schimmer, Beatrice

    2016-01-01

    Background Sepsis remains a leading cause of death in intensive care units. There is growing evidence that volatile anesthetics have beneficial immunomodulatory effects on complex inflammation-mediated conditions. The authors investigated the effect of volatile anesthetics on the overall survival of mice in a sepsis model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Methods Mice (N = 12 per treatment group) were exposed to anesthetic concentrations of desflurane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane either during induction of sepsis or when the mice showed pronounced symptoms of inflammation. Overall survival, as well as organ function and inflammation was compared with the CLP group without intervention. Results With desflurane and sevoflurane conditioning (1.2 minimal alveolar concentration for 2 h immediately after induction of CLP) overall survival was improved to 58% and 83%, respectively, compared with 17% in the untreated CLP group. Isoflurane did not significantly affect outcome. Application of sevoflurane 24 h after sepsis induction significantly improved overall survival to 66%. Conclusions Administration of the volatile anesthetics desflurane and sevoflurane reduced CLP-induced mortality. Anesthesia may be a critical confounder when comparing study data where different anesthesia protocols were used. PMID:23867232

  7. Effects of near-ultraviolet light on mutations, intragenic and intergenic recombinations in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Machida, I; Saeki, T; Nakai, S

    1986-03-01

    The effects of far (254 nm) and near (290-350 nm) ultraviolet (UV) light on mutations, intragenic and intergenic recombinations were compared in diploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. At equivalent survival levels there was not much difference in the induction of nonsense and missense mutations between far- and near-UV radiations. However, frameshift mutations were induced more frequently by near-UV than by far-UV radiation. Near-UV radiation induced intragenic recombination (gene conversion) as efficiently as far-UV radiation and the induced levels were similar in both radiations at equitoxic doses. A strikingly higher frequency was observed for the intergenic recombination induced by near-UV radiation than by far-UV radiation when compared at equivalent survival levels. Photoreactivation reduced the frequency only slightly in far-UV induced intergenic recombination and not at all in near-UV induction. These results indicate that near-UV damage involves strand breakage in addition to pyrimidine dimers and other lesions induced, whereas far-UV damage consists largely of photoreactivable lesions, pyrimidine dimers, and near-UV induced damage is more efficient for the induction of crossing-over.

  8. On the determinants of the conjunction fallacy: probability versus inductive confirmation.

    PubMed

    Tentori, Katya; Crupi, Vincenzo; Russo, Selena

    2013-02-01

    Major recent interpretations of the conjunction fallacy postulate that people assess the probability of a conjunction according to (non-normative) averaging rules as applied to the constituents' probabilities or represent the conjunction fallacy as an effect of random error in the judgment process. In the present contribution, we contrast such accounts with a different reading of the phenomenon based on the notion of inductive confirmation as defined by contemporary Bayesian theorists. Averaging rule hypotheses along with the random error model and many other existing proposals are shown to all imply that conjunction fallacy rates would rise as the perceived probability of the added conjunct does. By contrast, our account predicts that the conjunction fallacy depends on the added conjunct being perceived as inductively confirmed. Four studies are reported in which the judged probability versus confirmation of the added conjunct have been systematically manipulated and dissociated. The results consistently favor a confirmation-theoretic account of the conjunction fallacy against competing views. Our proposal is also discussed in connection with related issues in the study of human inductive reasoning. 2013 APA, all rights reserved

  9. SAR and thermal response effects of a two-arm Archimedean spiral coil in a magnetic induction sensor on a human head.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Ziyi; Liu, Peiguo; Zhou, Dongming; Zhang, Liang; Ding, Liang

    2015-01-01

    This study investigates the radiation safety of a newly designed magnetic induction sensor. This novel magnetic induction sensor uses a two-arm Archimedean spiral coil (TAASC) as the exciter. A human head model with a real anatomical structure was used to calculate the specific absorption rate (SAR) and temperature change. Computer Simulation Technology (CST) was used to determine the values of the peak 10-g SAR under different operating parameters (current, frequency, horizontal distance between the excitation coil and the receiver coil, vertical distance between the top of the head model and the XOY plane, position of excitation coil, and volume of hemorrhage). Then, the highest response for the SAR and temperature rise was determined. The results showed that this new magnetic induction sensor is safe in the initial state; for safety reasons, the TAASC current should not exceed 4 A. The scalp tissue absorbed most of the electromagnetic energy. The TAASC's SAR/thermal performance was close to that of the circular coil.

  10. Diffusion-mediated dephasing in the dipole field around a single spherical magnetic object.

    PubMed

    Buschle, Lukas R; Kurz, Felix T; Kampf, Thomas; Triphan, Simon M F; Schlemmer, Heinz-Peter; Ziener, Christian Herbert

    2015-11-01

    In this work, the time evolution of the free induction decay caused by the local dipole field of a spherical magnetic perturber is analyzed. The complicated treatment of the diffusion process is replaced by the strong-collision-approximation that allows a determination of the free induction decay in dependence of the underlying microscopic tissue parameters such as diffusion coefficient, sphere radius and susceptibility difference. The interplay between susceptibility- and diffusion-mediated effects yields several dephasing regimes of which, so far, only the classical regimes of motional narrowing and static dephasing for dominant and negligible diffusion, respectively, were extensively examined. Due to the asymmetric form of the dipole field for spherical objects, the free induction decay exhibits a complex component in contradiction to the cylindrical case, where the symmetric local dipole field only causes a purely real induction decay. Knowledge of the shape of the corresponding frequency distribution is necessary for the evaluation of more sophisticated pulse sequences and a detailed understanding of the off-resonance distribution allows improved quantification of transverse relaxation. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. An Investigation of First-Year Teacher Induction Programs in Jesuit Secondary Schools within the California Province

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Christensen, Justin

    2013-01-01

    In recent decades, researchers have made considerable contributions to the field of new teacher induction. More specifically, they have demonstrated that an effective induction program can increase teacher effectiveness and decrease teacher attrition (Ingersoll & Smith 2004; Ingersoll & Strong 2011; Villar & Strong 2007). Yet, little…

  12. Examining the Effects of New Teacher Induction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wechsler, Marjorie E.; Caspary, Kyra; Humphrey, Daniel C.; Matsko, Kavita Kapadia

    2012-01-01

    The objective of this research is to explore comprehensively the effect of induction on new teachers. Through a mixed-method design, the authors examine both the inputs of induction (i.e., the types of support provided for new teachers, its content, and frequency) and a variety of outcomes (i.e., teacher efficacy, teacher-reported growth, teacher…

  13. The effect of farrowing induction on colostrum and piglet serum immunocrits is dependent on parity

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Farrowing induction is a common practice among swine producers to manage timing of farrowing and the labor associated with farrowing. In this experiment, the effect of induction of labor using cloprostenol on day 114 of gestation (n = 88) was compared to our standard farrowing protocol at USMARC (na...

  14. Systemic effects of AGEs in ER stress induction in vivo.

    PubMed

    Adamopoulos, Christos; Mihailidou, Chrysovalantou; Grivaki, Christofora; Papavassiliou, Kostas A; Kiaris, Hippokratis; Piperi, Christina; Papavassiliou, Athanasios G

    2016-08-01

    Emerging evidence indicates that accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in human tissues may contribute to cell injury, inflammation and apoptosis through induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Human metabolism relies on ER homeostasis for the coordinated response of all metabolic organs by controlling the synthesis and catabolism of various nutrients. In vitro studies have demonstrated AGE-induced enhancement of unfolded protein response (UPR) in different cell types including endothelial, neuronal, pancreatic cells and podocytes, suggesting this crosstalk as an underlying pathological mechanism that contributes to metabolic diseases. In this minireview, we describe in vivo studies undertaken by our group and others that demonstrate the diverse systemic effects of AGEs in ER stress induction in major metabolic tissues such as brain, kidney, liver and pancreas of normal mice. Administration of high-AGEs content diet to normal mice for the period of 4 weeks upergulates the mRNA and protein levels of ER chaperone Bip (GRP78) indicative of UPR initiation in all major metabolic organs and induces activation of the pivotal transcription factor XBP1 that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, animals with genetic ablation of UPR-activated transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein CHOP allocated in high-AGEs diet, exhibited relative resistance to UPR induction (BiP levels) and XBP1 activation in major metabolic organs. Since CHOP presents a critical mediator that links accumulation and aggregation of unfolded proteins with induction of oxidative stress and ER stress-related apoptosis, it is revealed as an important molecular target for the management of metabolic diseases.

  15. Efficacy and safety of misoprostol, dinoprostone and Cook's balloon for labour induction in women with foetal growth restriction at term.

    PubMed

    Duro-Gómez, Jorge; Garrido-Oyarzún, María Fernanda; Rodríguez-Marín, Ana Belén; de la Torre González, Antonio Jesús; Arjona-Berral, José Eduardo; Castelo-Branco, Camil

    2017-10-01

    To compare effectiveness and safety of dinoprostone, misoprostol and Cook's balloon as labour-inducing agents in women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at term. Retrospective cohort chart review of women diagnosed with foetal growth restriction at term in Reina Sofia Hospital, Cordoba, Spain from January 2014 to December 2015. Registration of baseline characteristics and method of induction was made. The main outcome was time from induction to delivery. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes were also collected. A total of 99 women were diagnosed with IUGR in the mentioned period. Of them, 21 women were induced with dinoprostone [dinoprostone group (DG)], 20 with misoprostol (MG) and in 58 with Cook's balloon (CG). Groups were homogeneous regarding pre-induction Bishop score and parity. The CG required more time (24.36 vs. 19.23 h; p = 0.02) and more oxytocin dose for conduction of labour from induction to delivery (6.75 vs. 1.24 mUI; p < 0.01) than DG. Moreover, the CG also needed more oxytocin than MG, 6.75 vs. 2.37 mUI (p < 0.001). Caesarean rate was 5, 14.9 and 17.3% in MG, DG and CG, respectively. No differences were observed in rates of uterine tachysystole, non-reassuring foetal status and neonatal adverse events. Prostaglandins were more effective than Cook's balloon to induce labour and achieve vaginal birth in this sample of women with IUGR at term, with a similar safety profile.

  16. Modeling induction heater temperature distribution in polymeric material

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sorokin, A. G.; Filimonova, O. V.

    2017-10-01

    An induction heating system has a number of inherent benefits compared to traditional heating systems due to a non-contact heating process. The main interesting area of the induction heating process is the efficiency of the usage of energy, choice of the plate material and different coil configurations based on application. Correctly designed, manufactured and maintained induction coils are critical to the overall efficiency of induction heating solutions. The paper describes how the induction heating system in plastic injection molding is designed. The use of numerical simulation in order to get the optimum design of the induction coil is shown. The purpose of this work is to consider various coil configurations used in the induction heating process, which is widely used in plastic molding. Correctly designed, manufactured and maintained induction coils are critical to the overall efficiency of induction heating solutions. The results of calculation are in the numerical model.

  17. The cold response of CBF genes in barley is regulated by distinct signaling mechanisms.

    PubMed

    Marozsán-Tóth, Zsuzsa; Vashegyi, Ildikó; Galiba, Gábor; Tóth, Balázs

    2015-06-01

    Cold acclimation ability is crucial in the winter survival of cereals. In this process CBF transcription factors play key role, therefore understanding the regulation of these genes might provide useful knowledge for molecular breeding. In the present study the signal transduction pathways leading to the cold induction of different CBF genes were investigated in barley cv. Nure using pharmacological approach. Our results showed that the cold induced expression of CBF9 and CBF14 transcription factors is regulated by phospholipase C, phospholipase D pathways and calcium. On the contrary, these pathways have negative effect on the cold induction of CBF12 that is regulated by a different, as yet unidentified pathway. The diversity in the regulation of these transcription factors corresponds to their sequence based phylogenetic relationships suggesting that their evolutionary separation happened on structural, functional and regulational levels as well. On the CBF effector gene level, the signaling regulation is more complex, resultant effect of multiple pathways. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  18. [Evaluation of Cellular Effects Caused by Lunar Regolith Simulant Including Fine Particles].

    PubMed

    Horie, Masanori; Miki, Takeo; Honma, Yoshiyuki; Aoki, Shigeru; Morimoto, Yasuo

    2015-06-01

    The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has announced a plan to establish a manned colony on the surface of the moon, and our country, Japan, has declared its participation. The surface of the moon is covered with soil called lunar regolith, which includes fine particles. It is possible that humans will inhale lunar regolith if it is brought into the spaceship. Therefore, an evaluation of the pulmonary effects caused by lunar regolith is important for exploration of the moon. In the present study, we examine the cellular effects of lunar regolith simulant, whose components are similar to those of lunar regolith. We focused on the chemical component and particle size in particular. The regolith simulant was fractionated to < 10 μm, < 25 μm and 10-25 μm by gravitational sedimentation in suspensions. We also examined the cellular effects of fine regolith simulant whose primary particle size is 5.10 μm. These regolith simulants were applied to human lung carcinoma A549 cells at concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/ml. Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and immune response were examined after 24 h exposure. Cell membrane damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and induction of Interleukin-8 (IL-8) were observed at the concentration of 1.0 mg/ml. The cellular effects of the regolith simulant at the concentration of 0.1 mg/ml were small, as compared with crystalline silica as a positive control. Secretion of IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was observed at the concentration of 1.0 mg/ml, but induction of gene expression was not observed at 24 h after exposure. Induction of cellular oxidative stress was small. Although the cellular effects tended to be stronger in the < 10 μm particles, there was no remarkable difference. These results suggest that the chemical components and particle size have little relationship to the cellular effects of lunar regolith simulant such as cell membrane damage, induction of oxidative stress and proinflammatory effect.

  19. [Experimental analysis of some determinants of inductive reasoning].

    PubMed

    Ono, K

    1989-02-01

    Three experiments were conducted from a behavioral perspective to investigate the determinants of inductive reasoning and to compare some methodological differences. The dependent variable used in these experiments was the threshold of confident response (TCR), which was defined as "the minimal sample size required to establish generalization from instances." Experiment 1 examined the effects of population size on inductive reasoning, and the results from 35 college students showed that the TCR varied in proportion to the logarithm of population size. In Experiment 2, 30 subjects showed distinct sensitivity to both prior probability and base-rate. The results from 70 subjects who participated in Experiment 3 showed that the TCR was affected by its consequences (risk condition), and especially, that humans were sensitive to a loss situation. These results demonstrate the sensitivity of humans to statistical variables in inductive reasoning. Furthermore, methodological comparison indicated that the experimentally observed values of TCR were close to, but not as precise as the optimal values predicted by Bayes' model. On the other hand, the subjective TCR estimated by subjects was highly discrepant from the observed TCR. These findings suggest that various aspects of inductive reasoning can be fruitfully investigated not only from subjective estimations such as probability likelihood but also from an objective behavioral perspective.

  20. Sexual intercourse for cervical ripening and induction of labour.

    PubMed

    Kavanagh, J; Kelly, A J; Thomas, J

    2001-01-01

    The role of prostaglandins for cervical ripening and induction of labour has been examined extensively. Human semen is the biological source that is presumed to contain the highest prostaglandin concentration. The role of sexual intercourse in the initiation of labour is uncertain. The action of sexual intercourse in stimulating labour is unclear, it may in part be due to the physical stimulation of the lower uterine segment, or endogenous release of oxytocin as a result of orgasm or from the direct action of prostaglandins in semen. Furthermore nipple stimulation may be part of the process of initiation. This is one of a series of reviews of methods of cervical ripening and labour induction using standardised methodology. To determine the effects of sexual intercourse for third trimester cervical ripening or induction of labour in comparison with other methods of induction. The Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and bibliographies of relevant papers. Last searched: November 2000. (1) clinical trials comparing sexual intercourse for third trimester cervical ripening or labour induction with placebo/no treatment or other methods listed above it on a predefined list of labour induction methods; (2) random allocation to the treatment or control group; (3) adequate allocation concealment; (4) violations of allocated management not sufficient to materially affect conclusions; (5) clinically meaningful outcome measures reported; (6) data available for analysis according to the random allocation; (7) missing data insufficient to materially affect the conclusion. A strategy has been developed to deal with the large volume and complexity of trial data relating to labour induction. This involves a two-stage method of data extraction. There was one included study of 28 women which reported very limited data, from which no meaningful conclusions can be drawn. The role of sexual intercourse as a method of induction of labour is uncertain. Any future trials investigating sexual intercourse as a method of induction need to be of sufficient power to detect clinically relevant differences in standard outcomes. However, it may prove difficult to standardise sexual intercourse as an intervention to allow meaningful comparisons with other methods of induction of labour.

  1. Effects of brief mindful acceptance induction on implicit dysfunctional attitudes and concordance between implicit and explicit dysfunctional attitudes.

    PubMed

    Keng, Shian-Ling; Seah, Stanley T H; Tong, Eddie M W; Smoski, Moria

    2016-08-01

    Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be effective in alleviating depressive symptoms. While much work has examined the effects of mindfulness training on subjective symptoms and experiences, and less is known regarding whether mindfulness training may alter relatively uncontrollable cognitive processes associated with depressed mood, particularly implicit dysfunctional attitudes. The present study examined the effects of a brief mindful acceptance induction on implicit dysfunctional attitudes and degree of concordance between implicit and explicit dysfunctional attitudes in the context of sad mood. A total of 79 adult participants with elevated depressive symptoms underwent an autobiographical mood induction procedure before being randomly assigned to mindful acceptance or thought wandering inductions. Results showed that the effect of mindful acceptance on implicit dysfunctional attitude was significantly moderated by trait mindfulness. Participants high on trait mindfulness demonstrated significant improvements in implicit dysfunctional attitudes following the mindful acceptance induction. Those low on trait mindfulness demonstrated significantly worse implicit dysfunctional attitudes following the induction. Significantly greater levels of concordance between implicit and explicit dysfunctional attitudes were observed in the mindful acceptance condition versus the thought wandering condition. The findings highlight changes in implicit dysfunctional attitudes and improvements in self-concordance as two potential mechanisms underlying the effects of mindfulness-based interventions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Immobilization of free-ranging maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) with tiletamine and zolazepam in central Brazil.

    PubMed

    Furtado, Mariana Malzoni; Kashivakura, Cynthia Kayo; Ferro, Claudia; de Almeida, Jácomo Anah Tereza; Silveira, Leandro; Astete, Samuel

    2006-03-01

    A tiletamine hydrochloride-zolazepam hydrochloride combination was used successfully to immobilize 27 free-ranging maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) at a mean dose of 2.77+/-0.56 (mean+/-SD) mg/kg. The induction time ranged from 3-15 min. Animals remained immobilized for periods of 48.56 +/-12.65 min. Compulsive licking, excessive salivation, muscle twitching, muscle tremors, tachypnea, and bradycardia were observed associated with the induction of the anesthesia in 13 of 27 maned wolves. Muscle twitching, pedal withdrawal reflex, muscle tremors, and ataxia were observed during recovery in three (11%) maned wolves. There were no significant differences in heart rates (P = 0.44), respiratory rates (P = 0.82), and rectal temperatures (P = 0.54) recorded at 5, 15, and 25 min after induction at these dosages. The tiletamine hydrochloride-zolazepam hydrochloride combination was shown to be an effective and safe immobilizing agent for free-ranging maned wolves.

  3. Fetal gender effects on induction of labor in postdate pregnancies.

    PubMed

    Torricelli, Michela; Voltolini, Chiara; Vellucci, Francesca L; Conti, Nathalie; Bocchi, Caterina; Severi, Filiberto M; Challis, John R; Smith, Roger; Petraglia, Felice

    2013-06-01

    To determine delivery outcome in women undergoing induction of labor for postdate pregnancy in relation to fetal gender. A total of 365 nulliparous and 127 multiparous women carrying singleton postdate pregnancies with unfavorable cervix were enrolled. Clinical characteristics and delivery outcome were analyzed in relation to fetal gender. Women carrying male fetuses showed higher rate of caesarean section than those carrying females, in both nulliparous and multiparous women. Moreover, women carrying male fetuses presented more frequently with (i) interval between induction of labor and delivery >24 hours (P < .0002); (ii) augmentation of labor after cervical ripening (P < .0391); (iii) meconium-stained liquor (P< .0126); and (iv) higher neonatal weight (P < .0011) than those carrying females. Male fetuses are more likely to be associated with higher rates of cesarean section. In maternal fetal medicine, gender differences may add prognostic information on the delivery outcome in women induced for postdate pregnancy.

  4. [Mood induction procedures: a critical review].

    PubMed

    Gilet, A-L

    2008-06-01

    For a long period in the history of psychological research, emotion and cognition have been studied independently, as if one were irrelevant to the other. The renewed interest of researchers for the study of the relations between cognition and emotion has led to the development of a range of laboratory methods for inducing temporary mood states. This paper aims to review the main mood induction procedures allowing the induction of a negative mood as well as a positive mood, developed since the pioneer study of Schachter and Singer [Psychol Rev 69 (1962) 379-399] and to account for the usefulness and problems related to the use of such techniques. The first part of this paper deals with the detailed presentation of some of the most popular mood induction procedures according to their type: simple (use of only one mood induction technique) or combined (association of two or more techniques at once). The earliest of the modern techniques is the Velten Mood Induction Procedure [Behav Res Ther 6 (1968) 473-482], which involves reading aloud sixty self-referent statements progressing from relative neutral mood to negative mood or dysphoria. Some researchers have varied the procedure slightly by changing the number of the statements [Behav Res Ther 21 (1983) 233-239, Br J Clin Psychol 21 (1982) 111-117, J Pers Soc Psychol 35 (1977) 625-636]. Various other mood induction procedures have been developed including music induction [Cogn Emotion 11 (1997) 403-432, Br J Med Psychol 55 (1982) 127-138], film clip induction [J Pers Soc Psychol 20 (1971) 37-43, Cogn Emotion 7 (1993) 171-193, Rottenberg J, Ray RR, Gross JJ. Emotion elicitation using films. In: Coan JA, Allen JJB, editors. The handbook of emotion elicitation and assessment. New York: Oxford University Press, 2007], autobiographical recall [J Clin Psychol 36 (1980) 215-226, Jallais C. Effets des humeurs positives et négatives sur les structures de connaissances de type script. Thèse de doctorat non publiée. Université de Nantes, Nantes] or combined inductions [Gilet AL. Etude des effets des humeurs positives et négatives sur l'organisation des connaissances en mémoire sémantique. Thèse de doctorat non publiée, Université de Nantes, Nantes, J Ment Imagery 19 (1995) 133-150]. In music or film clip inductions, subjects are asked to listen or view some mood-suggestive pieces of material determined by the experimenter according to standardized music or film sets [J Ment Imagery 19 (1995) 133-150, Cogn Emotion 7 (1993) 171-193] and selected to elicit target moods. According to many authors, these two mood induction procedures seem to be among the most effective manners to induce moods [Br J Psychol 85 (1994) 55-78, Eur J Soc Psychol 26 (1996) 557-580] in an individual or in a group setting [Jallais C. Effets des humeurs positives et négatives sur les structures de connaissances de type script. Thèse de doctorat non publiée. Université de Nantes, Nantes]. As it is believed that multiple inductions contribute additively to a mood [Am Psychol 36 (1981) 129-148], researchers proposed to combine two or more techniques at the same time. Thus, the Velten Mood Induction Procedure has been successively associated with the hypnosis mood induction procedure [J Pers Soc Psychol 42 (1982) 927-934], the music mood induction procedure [Behav Res Ther 21 (1983) 233-239, J Exp Soc Psychol 26 (1990) 465-480] or the imagination mood induction procedure [Br J Clin Psychol 21 (1982) 111-117]. Successful combinations of inductions usually use a first induction that occupies foreground attention and a second one that contributes to congruent background atmosphere. One of the most successful combined mood induction procedures has been developed by Mayer, Allen and Beauregard [J Ment Imagery 19 (1995) 133-150]. This technique associates guided imagery with music and is supposed to increase effectiveness of the induction. In the second part of this paper the aim is to present the usefulness of mood induction procedures in the study of cognitive processes in depression [Clin Psychol Rev 25 (2005) 487-510], borderline personality disorder [J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry 36 (2005) 226-239] or associated with brain imaging [Am J Psychiatry 161 (2004) 2245-2256]. Then the inherent problems to the use of experimental mood induction procedures are reconsidered. Doubts have effectively arisen about the effectiveness and validity of the mood induction procedures usually used in research. Some authors questioned whether a sufficient intensity of mood is produced or the possibility that the effects observed are due mainly to demand effects [Br J Psychol 85 (1994) 55-78, Clin Psychol Rev 10 (1990) 669-697, Eur J Soc Psychol 26 (1996) 557-580]. In fact, the various mood induction procedures are not equal with regard to the demand effects observed. The question of demand characteristics with respect to mood induction procedures is still under debate, even if demand effects are supposed to be most likely to occur with self-statement techniques (especially with the Velten mood induction procedure) or when subjects are explicitly instructed to try to enter a specific mood state [Eur J Soc Psychol 26 (1996) 557-580]. Another interrogation relates to the effectiveness of these various procedures of induction and the duration of induced moods. Generally, the various techniques used produce true changes of moods in the majority if not the whole of the subjects. However, certain procedures seem more effective in inducing a mood in particular [Br J Psychol 85 (1994) 55-78, Clin Psychol Rev 10 (1990) 669-697, Eur J Soc Psychol 26 (1996) 557-580]. As for the duration of induced moods this depends at the same time on the procedure used and the mood induced. Nevertheless, mood induction remains fundamental in the study of the effects of mood on the cognitive activities, insofar as it makes it possible to study the effects of negative as well as positive moods.

  5. Targeted Comprehensive Induction for Urban Educators: An Exploration of Teacher Motivation and Retention

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Lisa S.

    2011-01-01

    This article calls into question recent research on induction and mentoring and illustrates the effects of comprehensive induction programs on new teacher motivation, satisfaction, and retention. This analysis contradicts recent research and suggests that comprehensive induction can positively influence the retention and development of new…

  6. Online games training aging brains: limited transfer to cognitive control functions

    PubMed Central

    van Muijden, Jesse; Band, Guido P. H.; Hommel, Bernhard

    2011-01-01

    The prevalence of age-related cognitive decline will increase due to graying of the global population. The goal of the present study was to test whether playing online cognitive training games can improve cognitive control (CC) in healthy older adults. Fifty-four older adults (age 60–77) played five different cognitive training games online for 30 min a day over a period of seven weeks (game group). Another group of 20 older adults (age 61–73) instead answered quiz questions about documentaries online (documentary group). Transfer was assessed by means of a cognitive test battery administered before and after the intervention. The test battery included measures of working memory updating, set shifting, response inhibition, attention, and inductive reasoning. Compared with the documentary group, the game group showed larger improvement of inhibition (Stop-Signal task) and inductive reasoning (Raven-SPM), whereas the documentary group showed more improvement in selective attention (UFoV-3). These effects qualify as transfer effects, because response inhibition, inductive reasoning and selective attention were not targeted by the interventions. However, because seven other indicators of CC did not show benefits of game training and some of those that did suffered from potential baseline differences, the study as a whole provides only modest support for the potential of videogame training to improve CC in healthy older adults. PMID:22912609

  7. The engine of thought is a hybrid: roles of associative and structured knowledge in reasoning.

    PubMed

    Bright, Aimée K; Feeney, Aidan

    2014-12-01

    Across a range of domains in psychology different theories assume different mental representations of knowledge. For example, in the literature on category-based inductive reasoning, certain theories (e.g., Rogers & McClelland, 2004; Sloutsky & Fisher, 2008) assume that the knowledge upon which inductive inferences are based is associative, whereas others (e.g., Heit & Rubinstein, 1994; Kemp & Tenenbaum, 2009; Osherson, Smith, Wilkie, López, & Shafir, 1990) assume that knowledge is structured. In this article we investigate whether associative and structured knowledge underlie inductive reasoning to different degrees under different processing conditions. We develop a measure of knowledge about the degree of association between categories and show that it dissociates from measures of structured knowledge. In Experiment 1 participants rated the strength of inductive arguments whose categories were either taxonomically or causally related. A measure of associative strength predicted reasoning when people had to respond fast, whereas causal and taxonomic knowledge explained inference strength when people responded slowly. In Experiment 2, we also manipulated whether the causal link between the categories was predictive or diagnostic. Participants preferred predictive to diagnostic arguments except when they responded under cognitive load. In Experiment 3, using an open-ended induction paradigm, people generated and evaluated their own conclusion categories. Inductive strength was predicted by associative strength under heavy cognitive load, whereas an index of structured knowledge was more predictive of inductive strength under minimal cognitive load. Together these results suggest that associative and structured models of reasoning apply best under different processing conditions and that the application of structured knowledge in reasoning is often effortful. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

  8. Emotional arousal and overeating in restrained eaters.

    PubMed

    Cools, J; Schotte, D E; McNally, R J

    1992-05-01

    We tested the effects of 3 mood inductions (neutral, positive, and negative) on food intake in 91 women of varying degrees of dietary restraint. Mood induction was accomplished by exposure to 1 of 3 film segments: a travelogue (neutral affect), a comedy film (positive affect), and a horror film (negative affect). In subjects exposed to the neutral film, food intake decreased with increasing levels of dietary restraint. Among subjects who viewed either the comedy film or the horror film, however, food intake increased with increasing restraint. Although the horror film appeared to be more disinhibiting than the comedy film, this effect may have resulted from a difference in the intensity of the emotions induced rather than from their valence. These results suggest that emotional arousal, regardless of valence, may trigger overeating among restrained eaters.

  9. Study on the Removal of Gases in RH Refining Progress through Experiments Using Vacuum Induction Furnace

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Niu, Deliang; Liu, Qingcai; Wang, Zhu; Ren, Shan; Lan, Yuanpei; Xu, Minren

    Removal of gas is the major function of RH degasser. To optimize the RH refining craft in Chongqing Iron and Steel Co. Ltd, the degassing effect of RH degasser at different degrees of vacuum was investigated using a vacuum induction furnace. In addition, the effect of processing time on the gas content dissolved in molten steel was also studied. The results showed that degree of vacuum was one of the important factors that determined the degassing efficiency in RH refining process. High vacuum degree is helpful in the removal of gas, especially in the removal of [H] dissolved in molten steel. The processing time could be reduced from 25-30 min to 15 minutes and gas content could also meet the demand of RH refining.

  10. Effect of Inductive Coil Geometry and Current Sheet Trajectory of a Conical Theta Pinch Pulsed Inductive Plasma Accelerator

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hallock, Ashley K.; Polzin, Kurt A.; Bonds, Kevin W.; Emsellem, Gregory D.

    2011-01-01

    Results are presented demonstrating the e ect of inductive coil geometry and current sheet trajectory on the exhaust velocity of propellant in conical theta pinch pulsed induc- tive plasma accelerators. The electromagnetic coupling between the inductive coil of the accelerator and a plasma current sheet is simulated, substituting a conical copper frustum for the plasma. The variation of system inductance as a function of plasma position is obtained by displacing the simulated current sheet from the coil while measuring the total inductance of the coil. Four coils of differing geometries were employed, and the total inductance of each coil was measured as a function of the axial displacement of two sep- arate copper frusta both having the same cone angle and length as the coil but with one compressed to a smaller size relative to the coil. The measured relationship between total coil inductance and current sheet position closes a dynamical circuit model that is used to calculate the resulting current sheet velocity for various coil and current sheet con gura- tions. The results of this model, which neglects the pinching contribution to thrust, radial propellant con nement, and plume divergence, indicate that in a conical theta pinch ge- ometry current sheet pinching is detrimental to thruster performance, reducing the kinetic energy of the exhausting propellant by up to 50% (at the upper bound for the parameter range of the study). The decrease in exhaust velocity was larger for coils and simulated current sheets of smaller half cone angles. An upper bound for the pinching contribution to thrust is estimated for typical operating parameters. Measurements of coil inductance for three di erent current sheet pinching conditions are used to estimate the magnetic pressure as a function of current sheet radial compression. The gas-dynamic contribution to axial acceleration is also estimated and shown to not compensate for the decrease in axial electromagnetic acceleration that accompanies the radial compression of the plasma in conical theta pinches.

  11. The AhR Ligand, TCDD, Regulates Androgen Receptor Activity Differently in Androgen-Sensitive versus Castration-Resistant Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

    PubMed

    Ghotbaddini, Maryam; Powell, Joann B

    2015-07-06

    The reported biological effects of TCDD include induction of drug metabolizing enzymes, wasting syndrome and tumor promotion. TCDD elicits most of its effects through binding the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). TCDD induced degradation of AhR has been widely reported and requires ubiquitination of the protein. The rapid depletion of AhR following TCDD activation serves as a mechanism to modulate AhR mediated gene induction. In addition to inducing AhR degradation, TCDD has been reported to induce degradation of hormone receptors. The studies reported here, evaluate the effect of TCDD exposure on androgen receptor (AR) expression and activity in androgen-sensitive LNCaP and castration-resistant C4-2 prostate cancer cells. Our results show that TCDD exposure does not induce AhR or AR degradation in C4-2 cells. However, both AhR and AR are degraded in LNCaP cells following TCDD exposure. In addition, TCDD enhances AR phosphorylation and induces expression of AR responsive genes in LNCaP cells. Our data reveals that TCDD effect on AR expression and activity differs in androgen-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer cell models.

  12. Anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of Pimpinella anisum in rat brain

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Essential oil of Pimpinella anisum L. Apiaceae (anise oil) has been widely used in traditional Persian medicine to treat a variety of diseases, including some neurological disorders. This study was aimed to test the possible anti-seizure and anti-hypoxia effects of anise oil. Methods The effects of different concentrations of anise oil were tested on seizure attacks induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) injection and neuronal hypoxia induced by oxygen withdrawal as well as on production of dark neurons and induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in in vivo and in vitro experimental models of rat brain. Results Anise oil significantly prolonged the latency of seizure attacks and reduced the amplitude and duration of epileptiform burst discharges induced by injection of intraperitoneal PTZ. In addition, anise oil significantly inhibited production of dark neurons in different regions of the brain in epileptic rats. Anise oil also significantly enhanced the duration of the appearance of anoxic terminal negativity induced by oxygen withdrawal and inhibited induction of LTP in hippocampal slices. Conclusions Our data indicate the anticonvulsant and neuroprotective effects of anise oil, likely via inhibition of synaptic plasticity. Further evaluation of anise oil to use in the treatment of neurological disorders is suggested. PMID:22709243

  13. Long-term follow-up of the United Kingdom Medical Research Council protocols for childhood acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia, 1980–2001

    PubMed Central

    Mitchell, Christopher; Richards, Sue; Harrison, Christine J; Eden, Tim

    2009-01-01

    Between 1980 and 2001, the United Kingdom Medical Research Council Childhood Leukemia Working Party has conducted 4 clinical trial in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which have recruited a total of 6516 patients. UKALL VIII examined the role of daunorubicin in induction chemotherapy, and UKALL X examined the role of post-induction intensification. Both resulted in major improvement in the outcomes. UKALL XI examined the efficacy of different methods of CNS-directed therapy and the effects of an additional intensification. ALL97, which was initially based on the UKALL X D template (two intensification phases), examined the role of different steroids in induction and different thiopurines through continuing chemotherapy. A reappraisal of results from UKALL XI compared to other cooperative group results led to a redesign in 1999, which subsequently resulted in a major improvement in outcomes. Additionally, ALL97 and 97/99 demonstrated a significant advantage for the use of dexamethasone rather than prednisolone; although the use of 6-thioguanine resulted in fewer relapses, this advantage was offset by an increased incidence of deaths in remission. Over the era encompassed by these four trials there has been a major improvement in both event-free and overall survival for children in the UK with ALL. PMID:20010621

  14. The Biological Effectiveness of Accelerated Particles for the Induction of Chromosome Damage: Track Structure Effects and Cytogenetic Signatures of High-LET Exposure

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    George, K.; Hada, M.; Chappell, L.; Cucinotta, F. A.

    2012-01-01

    Track structure models predict that at a fixed value of LET, particles with lower charge number, Z will have a higher biological effectiveness compared to particles with a higher Z. In this report we investigated how track structure effects induction of chromosomal aberration in human cells. Human lymphocytes were irradiated in vitro with various energies of accelerated iron, silicon, neon, or titanium ions and chromosome damage was assessed in using three color FISH chromosome painting in chemically induced PCC samples collected a first cell division post irradiation. The LET values for these ions ranged from 30 to 195 keV/micrometers. Of the particles studied, Neon ions have the highest biological effectiveness for induction of total chromosome damage, which is consistent with track structure model predictions. For complex-type exchanges 64 MeV/ u Neon and 450 MeV/u Iron were equally effective and induced the most complex damage. In addition we present data on chromosomes exchanges induced by six different energies of protons (5 MeV/u to 2.5 GeV/u). The linear dose response term was similar for all energies of protons suggesting that the effect of the higher LET at low proton energies is balanced by the production of nuclear secondaries from the high energy protons. All energies of protons have a much higher percentage of complex-type chromosome exchanges than gamma rays, signifying a cytogenetic signature for proton exposures.

  15. Wind Plant Power Optimization through Yaw Control using a Parametric Model for Wake Effects -- A CFD Simulation Study

    DOE PAGES

    Gebraad, P. M. O.; Teeuwisse, F. W.; van Wingerden, J. W.; ...

    2016-01-01

    This article presents a wind plant control strategy that optimizes the yaw settings of wind turbines for improved energy production of the whole wind plant by taking into account wake effects. The optimization controller is based on a novel internal parametric model for wake effects, called the FLOw Redirection and Induction in Steady-state (FLORIS) model. The FLORIS model predicts the steady-state wake locations and the effective flow velocities at each turbine, and the resulting turbine electrical energy production levels, as a function of the axial induction and the yaw angle of the different rotors. The FLORIS model has a limitedmore » number of parameters that are estimated based on turbine electrical power production data. In high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics simulations of a small wind plant, we demonstrate that the optimization control based on the FLORIS model increases the energy production of the wind plant, with a reduction of loads on the turbines as an additional effect.« less

  16. Crambescin C1 Exerts a Cytoprotective Effect on HepG2 Cells through Metallothionein Induction

    PubMed Central

    Roel, María; Rubiolo, Juan A.; Ternon, Eva; Thomas, Olivier P.; Vieytes, Mercedes R.; Botana, Luis M.

    2015-01-01

    The Mediterranean marine sponge Crambe crambe is the source of two families of guanidine alkaloids known as crambescins and crambescidins. Some of the biological effects of crambescidins have been previously reported while crambescins have undergone little study. Taking this into account, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis to examine the effect of crambescin-C1 (CC1) on human tumor hepatocarcinoma cells HepG2 followed by validation experiments to confirm its predicted biological activities. We report herein that, while crambescin-A1 has a minor effect on these cells, CC1 protects them against oxidative injury by means of metallothionein induction even at low concentrations. Additionally, at high doses, CC1 arrests the HepG2 cell cycle in G0/G1 and thus inhibits tumor cell proliferation. The findings presented here provide the first detailed approach regarding the different effects of crambescins on tumor cells and provide a basis for future studies on other possible cellular mechanisms related to these bioactivities. PMID:26225985

  17. Utilizing fungus myceliated grain for molt induction and performance in commercial laying hens.

    PubMed

    Willis, W L; Isikhuemhen, O S; Allen, J W; Byers, A; King, K; Thomas, C

    2009-10-01

    Molting in poultry is used to rejuvenate hens for a second or third laying cycle. Feed withdrawal was once the most effective method used for molt induction; however, it has being phased out due to food safety and animal welfare concerns. This study evaluated the utilization of fungus myceliated grain as a safe and effective alternative for inducing molt, enhancing immunity, reducing Salmonella growth, and returning to egg production. Laying hens were subjected to 1 of 5 treatments: 1) nonfed (NF), 2) full-fed (FF), 3) fungus myceliated meal (FM), 4) 90% fungus myceliated meal+10% standard layer ration (FM-90), and 5) 90% alfalfa meal+10% fungus myceliated meal (AF-90). Each treatment condition was replicated 9 times during a 9-d molt period. The results revealed that egg production for treatments 1 and 3 ceased completely by d 5, whereas hens in treatments 4 and 5 ceased egg production by d 6. The percentage of BW loss decreased significantly (P<0.05) in treatments 1 (57%), 2 (8%), 3 (35%), 4 (37%), and 5 (44%). Ovary weights of hens fed all molting diets decreased significantly from the full-fed control but did not differ significantly (P<0.05) from each other. Salmonella population in the crop, ovary, and ceca from hens differed significantly (P<0.05) among treatments. Return to egg production differed between treatments with higher production beginning in treatment 3 and ending in treatment 5. Antibody titers did differ (P<0.05) among treatments. From these results, fungus myceliated meal appears to be a viable alternative to conventional feed withdrawal and other methods for the successful induction of molt and retention of postmolt performance.

  18. ELANE mutant-specific activation of different UPR pathways in congenital neutropenia.

    PubMed

    Nustede, Rainer; Klimiankou, Maksim; Klimenkova, Olga; Kuznetsova, Inna; Zeidler, Cornelia; Welte, Karl; Skokowa, Julia

    2016-01-01

    A number of studies have demonstrated induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in patients with severe congenital neutropenia (CN) harbouring mutations of ELANE, encoding neutrophil elastase. Why UPR is not activated in patients with cyclic neutropenia (CyN) carrying the same ELANE mutations is unclear. We evaluated the effects of ELANE mutants on UPR induction in myeloid cells from CN and CyN patients, and analysed whether additional CN-specific defects contribute to the differences in UPR induction between CN and CyN patients harbouring identical ELANE mutations. We investigated CN-specific p.C71R and p.V174_C181del (NP_001963.1) and CN/CyN-shared p.S126L (NP_001963.1) ELANE mutants. We found that transduction of haematopoietic cells with p.C71R, but not with p.V174_C181del or p.S126L ELANE mutants induced expression of ATF6, and the ATF6 target genes PPP1R15A, DDIT3 and HSPA5. Recently, we found that levels of secretory leucocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), a natural ELANE inhibitor, are diminished in myeloid cells from CN patients, but not CyN patients. Combined knockdown of SLPI by shRNA and transduction of ELANE p.S126L in myeloid cells led to elevated levels of ATF6, PPP1R15A and HSPA5 RNA, suggesting that normal levels of SLPI in CyN patients might protect them from the UPR induced by mutant ELANE. In summary, different ELANE mutants have different effects on UPR activation, and SLPI regulates the extent of ELANE-triggered UPR. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  19. No clinically relevant CYP3A induction after St. John's wort with low hyperforin content in healthy volunteers.

    PubMed

    Mueller, Silke C; Majcher-Peszynska, Jolanta; Mundkowski, Ralf G; Uehleke, Bernhard; Klammt, Sebastian; Sievers, Hartwig; Lehnfeld, Romanus; Frank, Bruno; Thurow, Kerstin; Kundt, Guenther; Drewelow, Bernd

    2009-01-01

    Induction of CYP3A by St. John's wort (SJW) products with high hyperforin content is well described. Since CYP3A induction is mediated by hyperforin in a concentration-dependent manner, and SJW preparations differ significantly in hyperforin content, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an SJW powder with low hyperforin content on CYP3A function. Twenty healthy male volunteers received an SJW powder with low hyperforin content for 2 weeks. Midazolam plasma concentration time profiles were characterized after a single oral dose of 7.5 mg midazolam on the day before and on the 14th day of SJW medication. Midazolam AUC(0-infinity) slightly decreased from 124.0 +/- 62.5 ng/ml.h at baseline to 105.6 +/- 53.2 ng/ml.h after SJW (P < 0.05), representing a mean 11.3% decrease (95% CI: -22.8 to 0.21). No significant change in midazolam C(max), t(1/2) and t(max) was observed. For all pharmacokinetic parameters, the 90% CI for the geometric mean ratio of treatment over baseline were within the no-effect boundaries of 0.70-1.43. Administration of an SJW product with low hyperforin content resulted in a mild induction of CYP3A not considered clinically relevant.

  20. Functionalized magnetic nanowires for chemical and magneto-mechanical induction of cancer cell death

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martínez-Banderas, Aldo Isaac; Aires, Antonio; Teran, Francisco J.; Perez, Jose Efrain; Cadenas, Jael F.; Alsharif, Nouf; Ravasi, Timothy; Cortajarena, Aitziber L.; Kosel, Jürgen

    2016-10-01

    Exploiting and combining different properties of nanomaterials is considered a potential route for next generation cancer therapies. Magnetic nanowires (NWs) have shown good biocompatibility and a high level of cellular internalization. We induced cancer cell death by combining the chemotherapeutic effect of doxorubicin (DOX)-functionalized iron NWs with the mechanical disturbance under a low frequency alternating magnetic field. (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were separately used for coating NWs allowing further functionalization with DOX. Internalization was assessed for both formulations by confocal reflection microscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. From confocal analysis, BSA formulations demonstrated higher internalization and less agglomeration. The functionalized NWs generated a comparable cytotoxic effect in breast cancer cells in a DOX concentration-dependent manner, (~60% at the highest concentration tested) that was significantly different from the effect produced by free DOX and non-functionalized NWs formulations. A synergistic cytotoxic effect is obtained when a magnetic field (1 mT, 10 Hz) is applied to cells treated with DOX-functionalized BSA or APTES-coated NWs, (~70% at the highest concentration). In summary, a bimodal method for cancer cell destruction was developed by the conjugation of the magneto-mechanical properties of iron NWs with the effect of DOX producing better results than the individual effects.

  1. Functionalized magnetic nanowires for chemical and magneto-mechanical induction of cancer cell death

    PubMed Central

    Martínez-Banderas, Aldo Isaac; Aires, Antonio; Teran, Francisco J.; Perez, Jose Efrain; Cadenas, Jael F.; Alsharif, Nouf; Ravasi, Timothy; Cortajarena, Aitziber L.; Kosel, Jürgen

    2016-01-01

    Exploiting and combining different properties of nanomaterials is considered a potential route for next generation cancer therapies. Magnetic nanowires (NWs) have shown good biocompatibility and a high level of cellular internalization. We induced cancer cell death by combining the chemotherapeutic effect of doxorubicin (DOX)-functionalized iron NWs with the mechanical disturbance under a low frequency alternating magnetic field. (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were separately used for coating NWs allowing further functionalization with DOX. Internalization was assessed for both formulations by confocal reflection microscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. From confocal analysis, BSA formulations demonstrated higher internalization and less agglomeration. The functionalized NWs generated a comparable cytotoxic effect in breast cancer cells in a DOX concentration-dependent manner, (~60% at the highest concentration tested) that was significantly different from the effect produced by free DOX and non-functionalized NWs formulations. A synergistic cytotoxic effect is obtained when a magnetic field (1 mT, 10 Hz) is applied to cells treated with DOX-functionalized BSA or APTES-coated NWs, (~70% at the highest concentration). In summary, a bimodal method for cancer cell destruction was developed by the conjugation of the magneto-mechanical properties of iron NWs with the effect of DOX producing better results than the individual effects. PMID:27775082

  2. Functionalized magnetic nanowires for chemical and magneto-mechanical induction of cancer cell death.

    PubMed

    Martínez-Banderas, Aldo Isaac; Aires, Antonio; Teran, Francisco J; Perez, Jose Efrain; Cadenas, Jael F; Alsharif, Nouf; Ravasi, Timothy; Cortajarena, Aitziber L; Kosel, Jürgen

    2016-10-24

    Exploiting and combining different properties of nanomaterials is considered a potential route for next generation cancer therapies. Magnetic nanowires (NWs) have shown good biocompatibility and a high level of cellular internalization. We induced cancer cell death by combining the chemotherapeutic effect of doxorubicin (DOX)-functionalized iron NWs with the mechanical disturbance under a low frequency alternating magnetic field. (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were separately used for coating NWs allowing further functionalization with DOX. Internalization was assessed for both formulations by confocal reflection microscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. From confocal analysis, BSA formulations demonstrated higher internalization and less agglomeration. The functionalized NWs generated a comparable cytotoxic effect in breast cancer cells in a DOX concentration-dependent manner, (~60% at the highest concentration tested) that was significantly different from the effect produced by free DOX and non-functionalized NWs formulations. A synergistic cytotoxic effect is obtained when a magnetic field (1 mT, 10 Hz) is applied to cells treated with DOX-functionalized BSA or APTES-coated NWs, (~70% at the highest concentration). In summary, a bimodal method for cancer cell destruction was developed by the conjugation of the magneto-mechanical properties of iron NWs with the effect of DOX producing better results than the individual effects.

  3. Cognitive Training for Children: Effects on Inductive Reasoning, Deductive Reasoning, and Mathematics Achievement in an Australian School Setting

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barkl, Sophie; Porter, Amy; Ginns, Paul

    2012-01-01

    Inductive reasoning is a core cognitive process of fluid intelligence, predicting a variety of educational outcomes. The Cognitive Training for Children (CTC) program is an educational intervention designed to develop children's inductive reasoning skills, with previous investigations finding substantial effects of the program on both inductive…

  4. Spacing and Induction: Application to Exemplars Presented as Auditory and Visual Text

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zulkiply, Norehan; McLean, John; Burt, Jennifer S.; Bath, Debra

    2012-01-01

    It is an established finding that spacing repetitions generally facilitates memory for the repeated events. However, the effect of spacing of exemplars on inductive learning is not really known. Two experiments using textual material were conducted to investigate the effect of spacing on induction. Experiment 1 and 2 extended the generality of…

  5. Interactive Effects of Jasmonic Acid, Salicylic Acid, and Gibberellin on Induction of Trichomes in Arabidopsis1

    PubMed Central

    Traw, M. Brian; Bergelson, Joy

    2003-01-01

    Leaf trichomes protect plants from attack by insect herbivores and are often induced following damage. Hormonal regulation of this plant induction response has not been previously studied. In a series of experiments, we addressed the effects of artificial damage, jasmonic acid, salicylic acid, and gibberellin on induction of trichomes in Arabidopsis. Artificial damage and jasmonic acid caused significant increases in trichome production of leaves. The jar1-1 mutant exhibited normal trichome induction following treatment with jasmonic acid, suggesting that adenylation of jasmonic acid is not necessary. Salicylic acid had a negative effect on trichome production and consistently reduced the effect of jasmonic acid, suggesting negative cross-talk between the jasmonate and salicylate-dependent defense pathways. Interestingly, the effect of salicylic acid persisted in the nim1-1 mutant, suggesting that the Npr1/Nim1 gene is not downstream of salicylic acid in the negative regulation of trichome production. Last, we found that gibberellin and jasmonic acid had a synergistic effect on the induction of trichomes, suggesting important interactions between these two compounds. PMID:14551332

  6. [In vivo study of the pharmacokinetic interaction of afobazole and losartan (cytochrome CYP2C9 substrate)].

    PubMed

    Gribakina, O G; Kolyvanov, G B; Litvin, A A; Zherdev, V P; Seredin, S B

    2013-01-01

    The influence of afobazole on isoenzyme CYP2C9 production in rats was studied using losartan as the marker drug. Single dose of losartan was administered orally without afobazole in a dose of 30 mg/kg and in the same single (30 mg/kg) on the background of 3- and 4-day administration of afobazole in a dose of 5, 25, 75, 100, and 125 mg/kg. At 5 mg/kg (effective dose for anxiolytic effect), afobazole did not cause any induction/inhibition effect on CYP2C9 isoenzyme. A multiple increase in afobazole dose was manifested by a moderate induction effect. The maximum induction effect of afobazole was achieved in a dose of 75 mg/kg. At doses above 75 mg/kg, the induction effect of afobazole was less pronounced.

  7. Cationic lipid-conjugated hydrocortisone as selective antitumor agent.

    PubMed

    Rathore, Bhowmira; Chandra Sekhar Jaggarapu, Madhan Mohan; Ganguly, Anirban; Reddy Rachamalla, Hari Krishna; Banerjee, Rajkumar

    2016-01-27

    Hydrocortisone, the endogenously expressed steroidal, hormonal ligand for glucocorticoid receptor (GR), is body's natural anti-inflammatory and xenobiotic metabolizing agent. It has both palliative as well as adverse effects in different cancer patients. Herein, we show that conjugation product of C16-carbon chain-associated cationic lipid and hydrocortisone (namely, HYC16) induces selective toxicity in cancer (e.g. melanoma, breast cancer and lung adenocarcinoma) cells with least toxicity in normal cells, through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Further, significant tumor growth inhibition was observed in syngeneic melanoma tumor model with considerable induction of apoptosis in tumor-associated cells. In contrast to hydrocortisone, significantly higher anti-angiogenic behavior of HYC16 helped in effective tumor shrinkage. This is the first demonstration to convert natural hormone hydrocortisone into a selective bioactive entity possessing anti-tumor effect. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  8. Influence of Eccentricity and Angular Velocity on Force Effects on Rotor of Magnetorheological Damper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Šedivý, Dominik; Ferfecki, Petr; Fialová, Simona

    2018-06-01

    This article presents the evaluation of force effects on squeeze film damper rotor. The rotor is placed eccentrically and its motion is translate-circular. The amplitude of rotor motion is smaller than its initial eccentricity. The force effects are calculated from pressure and viscous forces which were measured by using computational modeling. Damper was filled with magnetorheological fluid. Viscosity of this non-Newtonian fluid is given using Bingham rheology model. Yield stress is not constant and it is a function of magnetic induction which is described by many variables. The most important variables of magnetic induction are electric current and gap width between rotor and stator. The simulations were made in finite volume method based solver. The motion of the inner ring of squeeze film damper was carried out by dynamic mesh. Numerical solution was solved for five different initial eccentricities and angular velocities of rotor motion.

  9. Effects of Ultrasonic Parameters on the Crystallization Behavior of Virgin Coconut Oil.

    PubMed

    Wu, Linhe; Cao, Jun; Bai, Xinpeng; Chen, Haiming; Zhang, Yuxiang; Wu, Qian

    2016-12-01

    Crystallization behavior of virgin coconut oil (VCO) in the absence and presence of ultrasonic treatment under a temperature gradient field was investigated. The effects of ultrasonic parameters on the crystallization behavior of VCO were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry and polarized light microscopy. The thermal effect of the ultrasonic treatment was also increased at higher power levels. Therefore, the optimal power level was determined at approximately 36 W. Induction time reduced evidently and the crystallization rate was accelerated under ultrasonic treatment at crystallization temperature (T c ) above 15°C. However, no significant difference in induction time was noted at 13°C. The result of morphological studies showed that the growth mechanism of crystals was significantly changed. Meanwhile, smaller and uniform crystals were produced by the ultrasonic treatment. This study shows a novel technique to accelerate the crystallization rate and alter the growth mechanism of VCO crystals.

  10. Comparison of the potency of different propofol formulations: a randomized, double-blind trial using closed-loop administration.

    PubMed

    Le Guen, Morgan; Grassin-Delyle, Stanislas; Cornet, Camille; Genty, Antoine; Chazot, Thierry; Dardelle, Dominique; Liu, Ngai; Dreyfus, Jean-François; Mazoit, Jean-Xavier; Devillier, Philippe; Alvarez, Jean-Claude; Sessler, Daniel I; Fischler, Marc

    2014-02-01

    Several commercial formulations of propofol are available. The primary outcome of this study was the required dose of propofol alone or combined with lidocaine to achieve induction of general anesthesia. This multicenter, double-blinded trial randomized patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-III) just before elective surgery with the use of a computer-generated list. Three different propofol 1% formulations-Diprivan (Astra-Zeneca, Cheshire, United Kingdom), Propoven (Fresenius-Kabi AG, Bad Homburg, Germany), and Lipuro (B-Braun, Melshungen AG, Germany)-were compared with either placebo (saline solution) or lidocaine 1% mixed to the propofol solution. Depth of anesthesia was automatically guided by bispectral index and by a computerized closed-loop system for induction, thus avoiding dosing bias. The authors recorded the total dose of propofol and duration of induction and the patient's discomfort through a behavioral scale (facial expression, verbal response, and arm withdrawal) ranging from 0 to 6. The authors further evaluated postoperative recall of pain using a Visual Analog Scale. Of the 227 patients enrolled, 217 were available for analysis. Demographic characteristics were similar in each group. Propoven required a higher dose for induction (2.2 ± 0.1 mg/kg) than Diprivan (1.8 ± 0.1 mg/kg) or Lipuro (1.7 ± 0.1 mg/kg; P = 0.02). However, induction doses were similar when propofol formulations were mixed with lidocaine. Patient discomfort during injection was significantly reduced with lidocaine for every formulation: Diprivan (0.5 ± 0.3 vs. 2.3 ± 0.3), Propoven (0.4 ± 0.3 vs. 2.4 ± 0.3), and Lipuro (1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3), all differences significant, with P < 0.0001. No adverse effect was reported. Plain propofol formulations are not equipotent, but comparable doses were required when lidocaine was concomitantly administered.

  11. Comparative study of two commercially pure titanium casting methods

    PubMed Central

    RODRIGUES, Renata Cristina Silveira; FARIA, Adriana Claudia Lapria; ORSI, Iara Augusta; de MATTOS, Maria da Gloria Chiarello; MACEDO, Ana Paula; RIBEIRO, Ricardo Faria

    2010-01-01

    The interest in using titanium to fabricate removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks has increased, but there are few studies evaluating the effects of casting methods on clasp behavior. Objective This study compared the occurrence of porosities and the retentive force of commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) removable partial denture circumferential clasps cast by induction/centrifugation and plasma/vacuum-pressure. Material and Methods 72 frameworks were cast from CP Ti (n=36) and Co-Cr alloy (n=36; control group). For each material, 18 frameworks were casted by electromagnetic induction and injected by centrifugation, whereas the other 18 were casted by plasma and injected by vacuum-pressure. For each casting method, three subgroups (n=6) were formed: 0.25 mm, 0.50 mm, and 0.75 mm undercuts. The specimens were radiographed and subjected to an insertion/removal test simulating 5 years of framework use. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's to compare materials and cast methods (α=0.05). Results Three of 18 specimens of the induction/centrifugation group and 9 of 18 specimens of plasma/vacuum-pressure cast presented porosities, but only 1 and 7 specimens, respectively, were rejected for simulation test. For Co-Cr alloy, no defects were found. Comparing the casting methods, statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed only for the Co-Cr alloy with 0.25 mm and 0.50 mm undercuts. Significant differences were found for the 0.25 mm and 0.75 mm undercuts dependent on the material used. For the 0.50 mm undercut, significant differences were found when the materials were induction casted. Conclusion Although both casting methods produced satisfactory CP Ti RPD frameworks, the occurrence of porosities was greater in the plasma/vacuum-pressure than in the induction/centrifugation method, the latter resulting in higher clasp rigidity, generating higher retention force values. PMID:21085805

  12. Induction of laccases in Trametes versicolor by aqueous wood extracts.

    PubMed

    Bertrand, Brandt; Martínez-Morales, Fernando; Tinoco, Raunel; Rojas-Trejo, Sonia; Serrano-Carreón, Leobardo; Trejo-Hernández, María R

    2014-01-01

    The induction of laccase isoforms in Trametes versicolor HEMIM-9 by aqueous extracts (AE) from softwood and hardwood was studied. Samples of sawdust of Pinus sp., Cedrela sp., and Quercus sp. were boiled in water to obtain AE. Different volumes of each AE were added to fungal cultures to determine the amount of AE needed for the induction experiments. Laccase activity was assayed every 24 h for 15 days. The addition of each AE (50 to 150 μl) to the fungal cultures increased laccase production compared to the control (0.42 ± 0.01 U ml(-1)). The highest laccase activities detected were 1.92 ± 0.15 U ml(-1) (pine), 1.87 ± 0.26 U ml(-1) (cedar), and 1.56 ± 0.34 U ml(-1) (oak); laccase productivities were also significantly increased. Larger volumes of any AE inhibited mycelial growth. Electrophoretic analysis revealed two laccase bands (lcc1 and lcc2) for all the treatments. However, when lcc2 was analyzed by isoelectric focusing, inducer-dependent isoform patterns composed of three (pine AE), four (oak AE), and six laccase bands (cedar AE) were observed. Thus, AE from softwood and hardwood had induction effects in T. versicolor HEMIM-9, as indicated by the increase in laccase activity and different isoform patterns. All of the enzymatic extracts were able to decolorize the dye Orange II. Dye decolorization was mainly influenced by pH. The optimum pH for decolorization was pH 5 (85%), followed by pH 7 (50%) and pH 3 (15%). No significant differences in the dye decolorizing capacity were detected between the control and the differentially induced laccase extracts (oak, pine and cedar). This could be due to the catalytic activities of isoforms with pI 5.4 and 5.8, which were detected under all induction conditions.

  13. Hemodynamic responses to etomidate versus ketamine-thiopental sodium combination for anesthetic induction in coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients with low ejection fraction: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Habibi, Mohammad Reza; Baradari, Afshin Gholipour; Soleimani, Aria; Emami Zeydi, Amir; Nia, Hamid Sharif; Habibi, Ali; Onagh, Naser

    2014-10-01

    During induction of anesthesia and intubation, hemodynamic changes are very important; especially in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular dysfunction. A little information is available on the hemodynamic effects of a combination of ketamine-thiopental for induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, with impaired ventricular function. The aim of this study was to compare the hemodynamic responses to etomidate versus ketamine-thiopental sodium combination for anesthetic induction in CABG surgery patients with low ejection fraction (EF<45%). In a double blind randomized clinical trial, a total of 100 patients, scheduled for elective CABG surgery were randomly assigned into two groups. These patients received either etomidate or ketamine-thiopental sodium combination at induction of anesthesia. Hemodynamics variable were measured and recorded at baseline, immediately before and after laryngoscopy and intubation, one, two and three minutes after intubation. Also, muscle twitching incidence among patients in two groups was evaluated. No significant differences between the two groups regarding the changes of hemodynamic variables including systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and heart rate, were notice (p>0.05). Muscle twitching was not observed in the two groups. Hemodynamic stability after administration of ketamine-thiopental sodium combination for induction of anesthesia in patients undergoing CABG surgery, with impaired ventricular function, supports the clinical impression that this combination is safe in CABG surgery patients with low EF.

  14. Two-Dimensional Analysis of Conical Pulsed Inductive Plasma Thruster Performance

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hallock, A. K.; Polzin, K. A.; Emsellem, G. D.

    2011-01-01

    A model of the maximum achievable exhaust velocity of a conical theta pinch pulsed inductive thruster is presented. A semi-empirical formula relating coil inductance to both axial and radial current sheet location is developed and incorporated into a circuit model coupled to a momentum equation to evaluate the effect of coil geometry on the axial directed kinetic energy of the exhaust. Inductance measurements as a function of the axial and radial displacement of simulated current sheets from four coils of different geometries are t to a two-dimensional expression to allow the calculation of the Lorentz force at any relevant averaged current sheet location. This relation for two-dimensional inductance, along with an estimate of the maximum possible change in gas-dynamic pressure as the current sheet accelerates into downstream propellant, enables the expansion of a one-dimensional circuit model to two dimensions. The results of this two-dimensional model indicate that radial current sheet motion acts to rapidly decouple the current sheet from the driving coil, leading to losses in axial kinetic energy 10-50 times larger than estimations of the maximum available energy in the compressed propellant. The decreased available energy in the compressed propellant as compared to that of other inductive plasma propulsion concepts suggests that a recovery in the directed axial kinetic energy of the exhaust is unlikely, and that radial compression of the current sheet leads to a loss in exhaust velocity for the operating conditions considered here.

  15. The Mentoring Web -- Coming Together to Make a Difference

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gordon, Evelyn; Lowrey, K. Alisa

    2017-01-01

    Developing effective novice teachers involves many components. Researchers have studied the impact of principals, induction programs, and mentors on the growth and development of novice teachers. Relationships with college/university faculty, students, parents, and support staff can also impact the growth of these novice professionals. The…

  16. Inductive Reasoning about Causally Transmitted Properties

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shafto, Patrick; Kemp, Charles; Bonawitz, Elizabeth Baraff; Coley, John D.; Tenenbaum, Joshua B.

    2008-01-01

    Different intuitive theories constrain and guide inferences in different contexts. Formalizing simple intuitive theories as probabilistic processes operating over structured representations, we present a new computational model of category-based induction about causally transmitted properties. A first experiment demonstrates undergraduates'…

  17. Different Expression Patterns of Genes from the Exo-Xis Region of Bacteriophage λ and Shiga Toxin-Converting Bacteriophage Ф24B following Infection or Prophage Induction in Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Bloch, Sylwia; Nejman-Faleńczyk, Bożena; Dydecka, Aleksandra; Łoś, Joanna M.; Felczykowska, Agnieszka; Węgrzyn, Alicja; Węgrzyn, Grzegorz

    2014-01-01

    Lambdoid bacteriophages serve as useful models in microbiological and molecular studies on basic biological process. Moreover, this family of viruses plays an important role in pathogenesis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strains, as they are carriers of genes coding for Shiga toxins. Efficient expression of these genes requires lambdoid prophage induction and multiplication of the phage genome. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms regulating these processes appears essential for both basic knowledge and potential anti-EHEC applications. The exo-xis region, present in genomes of lambdoid bacteriophages, contains highly conserved genes of largely unknown functions. Recent report indicated that the Ea8.5 protein, encoded in this region, contains a newly discovered fused homeodomain/zinc-finger fold, suggesting its plausible regulatory role. Moreover, subsequent studies demonstrated that overexpression of the exo-xis region from a multicopy plasmid resulted in impaired lysogenization of E. coli and more effective induction of λ and Ф24B prophages. In this report, we demonstrate that after prophage induction, the increase in phage DNA content in the host cells is more efficient in E. coli bearing additional copies of the exo-xis region, while survival rate of such bacteria is lower, which corroborated previous observations. Importantly, by using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR, we have determined patterns of expressions of particular genes from this region. Unexpectedly, in both phages λ and Ф24B, these patterns were significantly different not only between conditions of the host cells infection by bacteriophages and prophage induction, but also between induction of prophages with various agents (mitomycin C and hydrogen peroxide). This may shed a new light on our understanding of regulation of lambdoid phage development, depending on the mode of lytic cycle initiation. PMID:25310402

  18. Magnesium Ion Acts as a Signal for Capsule Induction in Cryptococcus neoformans.

    PubMed

    Rathore, Sudarshan S; Raman, Thiagarajan; Ramakrishnan, Jayapradha

    2016-01-01

    Cryptococcal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, is a common opportunistic neural infection in immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcus meningitis is associated with fungal burden with larger capsule size in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To understand the role of CSF constituents in capsule enlargement, we have evaluated the effect of artificial CSF on capsule induction in comparison with various other capsule inducing media. Two different strains of C. neoformans, an environmental and a clinical isolates were used in the present study. While comparing the various capsule inducing media for the two different strains of C. neoformans, it was observed that the capsule growth was significantly increased when grown in artificial CSF at pH 5.5, temperature 34°C for ATCC C. neoformans and 37°C for Clinical C. neoformans and with an incubation period of 72 h. In addition, artificial CSF supports biofilm formation in C. neoformans. While investigating the individual components of artificial CSF, we found that Mg(2+) ions influence the capsule growth in both environmental and clinical strains of C. neoformans. To confirm our results we studied the expression of four major CAP genes namely, CAP10, CAP59, CAP60, and CAP64 in various capsule inducing media and in different concentrations of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+). Our results on gene expression suggest that, Mg(2+) does have an effect on CAP gene expression, which are important for capsule biosynthesis and virulence. Our findings on the role of Mg(2+) ion as a signal for capsule induction will promote a way to elucidate the control mechanisms for capsule biosynthesis in C. neoformans.

  19. Induction of Nrf2-mediated cellular defenses and alteration of phase I activities as mechanisms of chemoprotective effects of coffee in the liver.

    PubMed

    Cavin, C; Marin-Kuan, M; Langouët, S; Bezençon, C; Guignard, G; Verguet, C; Piguet, D; Holzhäuser, D; Cornaz, R; Schilter, B

    2008-04-01

    Coffee consumption has been associated with a significant decrease in the risk of developing chronic diseases such as Parkinson disease, diabetes type-2 and several types of cancers (e.g. colon, liver). In the present study, a coffee-dependent induction of enzymes involved in xenobiotic detoxification processes was observed in rat liver and primary hepatocytes. In addition, coffee was found to induce the mRNA and protein expression of enzymes involved in cellular antioxidant defenses. These inductions were correlated with the activation of the Nrf2 transcription factor as shown using an ARE-reporter luciferase assay. The induction of detoxifying enzymes GSTs and AKR is compatible with a protection against both genotoxicity and cytotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). This hypothesis was confirmed in in vitro and ex vivo test systems, where coffee reduced both AFB1-DNA and protein adducts. Interestingly, coffee was also found to inhibit cytochrome CYP1A1/2, indicating that other mechanisms different from a stimulation of detoxification may also play a significant role in the chemoprotective effects of coffee. Further investigations in either human liver cell line and primary hepatocytes indicated that the chemoprotective effects of coffee against AFB1 genotoxicity are likely to be of relevance for humans. These data strongly suggest that coffee may protect against the adverse effects of AFB1. In addition, the coffee-mediated stimulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway resulting in increased endogenous defense mechanisms against electrophilic but also oxidative insults further support that coffee may be associated with a protection against various types of chemical stresses.

  20. The Induction Program--Teachers' Experience after Five Years of Practice

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Eisenschmidt, Eve; Oder, Tuuli; Reiska, Epp

    2013-01-01

    The induction program to provide support for novice teachers was introduced into teacher education in Estonia in 2004. The teachers who participated in the first program have now been working for several years. To evaluate the effectiveness of induction activities, we explored how mentoring and an induction program influence teachers' opinions…

  1. Combining oxytocin administration and positive emotion inductions: Examining social perception and analytical performance.

    PubMed

    Human, Lauren J; Thorson, Katherine R; Woolley, Joshua D; Mendes, Wendy Berry

    2017-04-01

    Intranasal administration of the hypothalamic neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) has, in some studies, been associated with positive effects on social perception and cognition. Similarly, positive emotion inductions can improve a range of perceptual and performance-based behaviors. In this exploratory study, we examined how OT administration and positive emotion inductions interact in their associations with social and analytical performance. Participants (N=124) were randomly assigned to receive an intranasal spray of OT (40IU) or placebo and then viewed one of three videos designed to engender one of the following emotion states: social warmth, pride, or an affectively neutral state. Following the emotion induction, participants completed social perception and analytical tasks. There were no significant main effects of OT condition on social perception tasks, failing to replicate prior research, or on analytical performance. Further, OT condition and positive emotion inductions did not interact with each other in their associations with social perception performance. However, OT condition and positive emotion manipulations did significantly interact in their associations with analytical performance. Specifically, combining positive emotion inductions with OT administration was associated with worse analytical performance, with the pride induction no longer benefiting performance and the warmth induction resulting in worse performance. In sum, we found little evidence for main or interactive effects of OT on social perception but preliminary evidence that OT administration may impair analytical performance when paired with positive emotion inductions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  2. Added value of stress related gene inductions in HepG2 cells as effect measurement in monitoring of air pollution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nobels, Ingrid; Vanparys, Caroline; Van den Heuvel, Rosette; Vercauteren, Jordy; Blust, Ronny

    2012-08-01

    In this study we studied the effects of particulate matter samples (PM) through gene expression analysis in a routine air quality monitoring campaign by the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM, Belgium). We selected a human hepatoma (HepG2) multiple endpoint reporter assay for targeted stress related endpoint screening. Organic extracts of air samples (total suspended particles, TSP) were collected during one year in an industrial, urban and background location in Flanders, Belgium. Simultaneously, meteorological conditions (temperature, wind speed and precipitation) and particulate matter size ≤ 10 μM (PM10), organic (OC), elemental (EC) and total (TC) carbon were monitored and air samples were collected for chemical analysis (11 PAHs). Correlations between the induction of the different stress genes and the chemical pollutants were analysed. Exposure of HepG2 cells to daily air equivalents (20 m3) of organic TSP extracts revealed the dominant induction of the xenobiotic response element (Xre) and phase I (Cyp1A1) and phase II (GstYa) biotransformation enzymes. Additional effects were the induction of c-Fos, a proto-oncogen and Gadd45, a marker for cell cycle disturbance and responsive to genotoxic compounds. Inductions of other relevant pathways, such as sequestration of heavy metals, retinoids response, protein misfolding and increased cAMP levels were measured occasionally. A significant correlation was found between the genes Cyp1A1 (a typical marker for presence of PAHs and dioxin like compounds), c-Fos, Gadd45, (responsive to DNA damaging compounds) and the amount of PM10 and elemental carbon (EC) whereas no correlation was found between these genes and total PAHs content. This may suggest that the observed induction of Cyp1A1 and DNA damage related genes was provoked (partially) by other particle bound compounds (e.g. pesticides, PCBs, brominated flame retardants, dioxins, …), than PAHs. The contribution of particle bound compounds, other than PAHs might be important to take into account in risk evaluation of air pollution.

  3. Importance of D1 and D2 receptor stimulation for the induction and expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in preweanling rats

    PubMed Central

    McDougall, Sanders A.; Rudberg, Krista N.; Veliz, Ana; Dhargalkar, Janhavi M.; Garcia, Aleesha S.; Romero, Loveth C.; Gonzalez, Ashley E.; Mohd-Yusof, Alena; Crawford, Cynthia A.

    2017-01-01

    The behavioral manifestations of psychostimulant-induced sensitization vary markedly between young and adult rats, suggesting that the neural mechanisms mediating this phenomenon differ across ontogeny. In this project we examined the importance of D1 and D2 receptors for the induction and expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization during the preweanling period. In the behavioral experiments, rats were injected with reversible D1 and/or D2 antagonists (SCH23390 and/or raclopride) or an irreversible receptor antagonist (EEDQ) either before cocaine administration on the pretreatment day (induction) or before cocaine challenge on the test day (expression). In the EEDQ experiments, receptor specificity was assessed by using selective dopamine antagonists to protect D1 and/or D2 receptors from inactivation. Receptor binding assays showed that EEDQ caused substantial reductions in dorsal striatal D1 and D2 binding sites, while SCH23390 and raclopride fully protected D1 and D2 receptors from EEDQ-induced alkylation. Behavioral results showed that neither D1 nor D2 receptor stimulation was necessary for the induction of cocaine sensitization in preweanling rats. EEDQ disrupted the sensitization process, suggesting that another receptor type sensitive to EEDQ alkylation was necessary for the induction process. Expression of the sensitized response was prevented by an acute injection of a D1 receptor antagonist. The pattern of DA antagonist-induced effects described for preweanling rats is, with few exceptions, similar to what is observed when the same drugs are administered to adult rats. Thus, it appears that maturational changes in D1 and D2 receptor systems are not responsible for ontogenetic differences in the behavioral manifestation of cocaine sensitization. PMID:28284952

  4. Importance of D1 and D2 receptor stimulation for the induction and expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization in preweanling rats.

    PubMed

    McDougall, Sanders A; Rudberg, Krista N; Veliz, Ana; Dhargalkar, Janhavi M; Garcia, Aleesha S; Romero, Loveth C; Gonzalez, Ashley E; Mohd-Yusof, Alena; Crawford, Cynthia A

    2017-05-30

    The behavioral manifestations of psychostimulant-induced sensitization vary markedly between young and adult rats, suggesting that the neural mechanisms mediating this phenomenon differ across ontogeny. In this project we examined the importance of D1 and D2 receptors for the induction and expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization during the preweanling period. In the behavioral experiments, rats were injected with reversible D1 and/or D2 antagonists (SCH23390 and/or raclopride) or an irreversible receptor antagonist (EEDQ) either before cocaine administration on the pretreatment day (induction) or before cocaine challenge on the test day (expression). In the EEDQ experiments, receptor specificity was assessed by using selective dopamine antagonists to protect D1 and/or D2 receptors from inactivation. Receptor binding assays showed that EEDQ caused substantial reductions in dorsal striatal D1 and D2 binding sites, while SCH23390 and raclopride fully protected D1 and D2 receptors from EEDQ-induced alkylation. Behavioral results showed that neither D1 nor D2 receptor stimulation was necessary for the induction of cocaine sensitization in preweanling rats. EEDQ disrupted the sensitization process, suggesting that another receptor type sensitive to EEDQ alkylation was necessary for the induction process. Expression of the sensitized response was prevented by an acute injection of a D1 receptor antagonist. The pattern of DA antagonist-induced effects described for preweanling rats is, with few exceptions, similar to what is observed when the same drugs are administered to adult rats. Thus, it appears that maturational changes in D1 and D2 receptor systems are not responsible for ontogenetic differences in the behavioral manifestation of cocaine sensitization. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  5. Induction of labor or serial antenatal fetal monitoring in postterm pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

    PubMed

    Heimstad, Runa; Skogvoll, Eirik; Mattsson, Lars-Ake; Johansen, Ole Jakob; Eik-Nes, Sturla H; Salvesen, Kjell A

    2007-03-01

    To compare induction of labor at gestational age 41 weeks with expectant management in regard to neonatal morbidity. Secondary aims were to assess the effect of these managements on mode of delivery and maternal complications. Between September 2002 and July 2004, postterm women with singleton cephalic presentation and no prelabor rupture of membranes were randomly assigned to induction of labor at 289 days or antenatal fetal surveillance every third day until spontaneous labor. Main outcome measures were neonatal morbidity, operative delivery rates, and maternal complications. Five hundred eight women were randomly assigned, 254 in each group. No differences of clinical importance were observed in women in whom labor was induced compared with women who were expectantly managed with regard to the following outcomes: neonates whose 5-minute Apgar score was less than 7 (three neonates in the induction group compared with four in the monitoring group, P=.72); neonates whose umbilical cord pH was less than 7 (three compared with two, P=.69); prevalence of cesarean delivery (28 compared with 33, P=.50); or prevalence of operative vaginal delivery (32 compared with 27, P=.49). In the induction group more women had precipitate labors (33 compared with 12, P<.01; number needed to treat was 13), and the duration of second stage of labor was more often less than 15 minutes (94 compared with 56, P<.01; number needed to treat was 7). No differences were found between the induced and monitored groups regarding neonatal morbidity or mode of delivery, and the outcomes were generally good. ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00385229. I.

  6. Hypnosis for induction of labour.

    PubMed

    Nishi, Daisuke; Shirakawa, Miyako N; Ota, Erika; Hanada, Nobutsugu; Mori, Rintaro

    2014-08-14

    Induction of labour using pharmacological and mechanical methods can increase complications. Complementary and alternative medicine methods including hypnosis may have the potential to provide a safe alternative option for the induction of labour. However, the effectiveness of hypnosis for inducing labour has not yet been fully evaluated. To assess the effect of hypnosis for induction of labour compared with no intervention or any other interventions. We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 January 2014), handsearched relevant conference proceedings, contacted key personnel and organisations in the field for published and unpublished references. All published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster-RCTs of acceptable quality comparing hypnosis with no intervention or any other interventions, in which the primary outcome is to assess whether labour was induced. Two review authors assessed the one trial report that was identified (but was subsequently excluded). No RCTs or cluster-RCTs were identified from the search strategy. There was no evidence available from RCTs to assess the effect of hypnosis for induction of labour. Evidence from RCTs is required to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of this intervention for labour induction. As hypnosis may delay standard care (in case standard care is withheld during hypnosis), its use in induction of labour should be considered on a case-by-case basis.Future RCTs are required to examine the effectiveness and safety of hypnotic relaxation for induction of labour among pregnant women who have anxiety above a certain level. The length and timing of the intervention, as well as the staff training required, should be taken into consideration. Moreover, the views and experiences of women and staff should also be included in future RCTs.

  7. Contrasting Patterns of Diterpene Acid Induction by Red Pine and White Spruce to Simulated Bark Beetle Attack, and Interspecific Differences in Sensitivity Among Fungal Associates

    Treesearch

    Charles J. Mason; Kier D. Klepzig; Brian J. Kopper; Philip J. Kersten; Barbara L. Illman; Kenneth F. Raffa

    2015-01-01

    Conifers possess a suite of physiochemical defenses that protect their subcortical tissues from bark beetle -fungal complexes. These defenses include rapid induction of terpenoids and phenolics at the site of attack. Studies of the distribution, induction, and bioactivity of conifer terpenoids have focused heavily on monoterpenes. We assessed induction of diterpene...

  8. The growth transformation of human B cells involves superinduction of hsp70 and hsp90.

    PubMed

    Cheung, R K; Dosch, H M

    1993-04-01

    Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a latent human herpes virus associated with a range of malignant and non-malignant disorders. EBV binds to CD21 virus receptors on B lymphocytes and growth transforms these cells; in susceptible (e.g., immunodeficient) hosts such cells rapidly expand into fatal lymphomas. Virus binding and infection trigger a cascade of cellular events which are transformation prerequisite and analogous to non-oncogenic cell activation events but which differ in several quantitative or qualitative respects. Unique trans-membrane Ca2+ currents, Na+/H+ exchange, as well as tyrosine phosphorylation and p56lck-gene induction suggest that even early on the transformation process has oncogenic specificity. In this report we describe that two additional cellular gene families, the stress proteins hsp70 and hsp90, are coordinately induced at mRNA and protein levels and, quite different from hsp induction by thermal stress, this induction is dependent on EBV-induced trans-membrane Ca2+ currents. Blockade of hsp induction prevents transformation. The kinetics and induction prerequisites set this response well apart from reported responses to thermal or viral stress protein induction. Like p56lck-, hsp induction is purely a post-receptor binding event and not dependent on expression of any viral gene. The induction kinetics, with a peak at approximately 12-16 hr and subsequent decline to control levels, considerably extend the chronological map of elements in the CD21-dependent branch of the transformation pathway and suggest a specific role of induced hsp different from the cell cycle-related functions observed in other cell systems.

  9. Mutagenic effect of accelerated heavy ions on bacterial cells

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boreyko, A. V.; Krasavin, E. A.

    2011-11-01

    The heavy ion accelerators of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research were used to study the regularities and mechanisms of formation of different types of mutations in prokaryote cells. The induction of direct (lac-, ton B-, col B) mutations for Esherichia coli cells and reverse his- → His+ mutations of Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis cells under the action of radiation in a wide range of linear energy transfer (LET) was studied. The regularities of formation of gene and structural (tonB trp-) mutations for Esherichia coli bacteria under the action of accelerated heavy ions were studied. It was demonstrated that the rate of gene mutations as a function of the dose under the action of Γ rays and accelerated heavy ions is described by linear-quadratic functions. For structural mutations, linear "dose-effect" dependences are typical. The quadratic character of mutagenesis dose curves is determined by the "interaction" of two independent "hitting" events in the course of SOS repair of genetic structures. The conclusion made was that gene mutations under the action of accelerated heavy ions are induced by δ electron regions of charged particle tracks. The methods of SOS chromotest, SOS lux test, and λ prophage induction were used to study the regularities of SOS response of cells under the action of radiations in a wide LET range. The following proposition was substantiated: the molecular basis for formation of gene mutations are cluster single-strand DNA breaks, and that for structural mutations, double-strand DNA breaks. It was found out that the LET dependence of the relative biological efficiency of accelerated ions is described by curves with a local maximum. It was demonstrated that the biological efficiency of ionizing radiations with different physical characteristics on cells with different genotype, estimated by the lethal action, induction of gene and deletion mutations, precision excision of transposons, is determined by the specific features of energy transfer of the radiations that affect the character of induced DNA damage, and the efficiency inducible and constitutive cell repair systems. The growth of relative biological efficiency of heavy charged particles is determined by the growth of the damage yield of the DNA participating in the formation of radiation-induced effects, and higher efficiency of inducible repair systems. It was established that the LET value ( L max) for which the maximum (according to the applied irradiation criteria) coefficients of relative biological efficiency are observed varies depending on the character of the registered radiation induced effect. It was demonstrated that for gene mutations and induction of precision excision of mobile elements the values of L max are realized in a LET range of ≈20 keV/μm. For lethal effects of irradiation and induction of deletion mutations the value of L max is ≈ 100 and 50 keV/μm, respectively. The differences in the L max for the studied radiation gene effectis are determined by the different type of DNA damage participating in the mutation process. A molecular model of the formation of gene mutations in Escherichia coli cells under the action of ionizing radiation was proposed. Basic DNA radiation damage and main repair ways were considered in the framework of this model. The basis is the idea of the decisive role of mutagenic, error-prone, branch of SOS repair in fixing premutation DNA damage into point mutations. It was demonstrated that the central mechanism in this process is the formation of an inducible multi-enzymatic complex including the DNA polymerase V (Umu C), RecA-protease, SSB proteins, subunits of DNA polymerase III, performing erroneous DNA synthesis on the damaged matrix. A mathematical model of induction of gene mutations under ultraviolet cell irradiation was developed based on the molecular model.

  10. Effects of Fuel Components and Combustion Particle Physicochemical Properties on Toxicological Responses of Lung Cells

    PubMed Central

    Jaramillo, Isabel C.; Sturrock, Anne; Ghiassi, Hossein; Woller, Diana J.; Deering-Rice, Cassandra E.; Lighty, JoAnn S.; Paine, Robert; Reilly, Christopher; Kelly, Kerry E.

    2017-01-01

    The physicochemical properties of combustion particles that promote lung toxicity are not fully understood, hindered by the fact that combustion particles vary based on the fuel and combustion conditions. Real-world combustion-particle properties also continually change as new fuels are implemented, engines age, and engine technologies evolve. This work used laboratory-generated particles produced under controlled combustion conditions in an effort to understand the relationship between different particle properties and the activation of established toxicological outcomes in human lung cells (H441 and THP-1). Particles were generated from controlled combustion of two simple biofuel/diesel surrogates (methyl decanoate and dodecane/BD, and butanol and dodecane/AD) and compared to a widely studied reference diesel particle (NIST SRM2975/RD). BD, AD, and RD particles exhibited differences in size, surface area, extractable chemical mass, and the content of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Some of these differences were directly associated with different effects on biological responses. BD particles had the greatest surface area, amount of extractable material and oxidizing potential. These particles and extracts induced cytochrome P450 1A1 and 1B1 enzyme mRNA in lung cells. AD particles and extracts had the greatest total PAH content and also caused CYP1A1 and 1B1 mRNA induction. The RD extract contained the highest relative concentration of 2-ring PAHs and stimulated the greatest level of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) cytokine secretion. Finally, AD and RD were more potent activators of TRPA1 than BD, and while neither the TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 nor the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) affected CYP1A1 or 1B1 mRNA induction, both inhibitors reduced IL-8 secretion and mRNA induction. These results highlight that differences in fuel and combustion conditions affect the physicochemical properties of particles, and these differences, in turn, affect commonly studied biological/toxicological responses. PMID:29227181

  11. Analysis of the impact of modification of cold crucible design on the efficiency of the cold crucible induction furnace

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Przylucki, R.; Golak, S.; Bulinski, P.; Smolka, J.; Palacz, M.; Siwiec, G.; Lipart, J.; Blacha, L.

    2018-05-01

    The article includes numerical simulation results for two induction furnace with cold crucible (IFCC). Induction furnaces differ in cold crucible design, while the inductor geometry was preserved for both variants. Numerical simulations were conducted as three dimensional one, with coupled analysis of electromagnetic, thermal and fluid dynamics fields. During the experiment, six calculation variants, differ in amount of molten titanium (three different weights of titanium for each type of cold crucible) were considered. Main parameters controlled during the calculations were: electrical efficiency of the IFCC and the meniscus shape of liquid metal.

  12. On the Effects of Training Inductive Reasoning: How Far Does It Transfer and How Long Do the Effects Persist?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tomic, Welko; Klauer, Karl Josef

    1996-01-01

    Reports on two training experiments in which it was expected that training in inductive reasoning would transfer to intelligence tests measuring inductive reasoning and on mathematics performance. Shows that transfer on intelligence tests as well as on mathematics performance was linearly dependent on the amount of prior training. (DSK)

  13. Conceptual Influences on Category-Based Induction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gelman, Susan A.; Davidson, Natalie S.

    2013-01-01

    One important function of categories is to permit rich inductive inferences. Prior work shows that children use category labels to guide their inductive inferences. However, there are competing theories to explain this phenomenon, differing in the roles attributed to conceptual information vs. perceptual similarity. Seven experiments with 4- to…

  14. Analyzing High School Students' Reasoning about Electromagnetic Induction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jelicic, Katarina; Planinic, Maja; Planinsic, Gorazd

    2017-01-01

    Electromagnetic induction is an important, yet complex, physics topic that is a part of Croatian high school curriculum. Nine Croatian high school students of different abilities in physics were interviewed using six demonstration experiments from electromagnetism (three of them concerned the topic of electromagnetic induction). Students were…

  15. [Effects of long time different negative pressures on osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells].

    PubMed

    Zhao, Bowen; Zhang, Hongwei; Xu, Qiang; Ge, Quanhu; Li, Bolong; Peng, Xinyu; Wu, Xiangwei

    2017-05-01

    To investigate the effects of long time different negative pressures on osteogenic diffe-rentiation of rabbit bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The rabbit BMSCs were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation. Flow cytometry was used to analyze expression of surface markers. The third passage cells cultured under condition of osteogenic induction and under different negative pressure of 0 mm Hg (control group), 75 mm Hg (low negative pressure group), and 150 mm Hg (high negative pressure group) (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa), and the negative pressure time was 30 min/h. Cell growth was observed under phase contrast microscopy, and the growth curve was drawn; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by ELISA after induced for 3, 7, and 14 days. The mRNA and protein expressions of collagen type I (COL-I) and osteocalcin (OC) in BMSCs were analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot. The cultured cells were identified as BMSCs by flow cytometry. The third passage BMSCs exhibited typical long shuttle and irregular shape. Cell proliferation was inhibited with the increase of negative pressure. After induced for 4 days, the cell number of high negative pressure group was significantly less than that in control group and low negative pressure group ( P <0.05), but there was no significant difference between the low negative pressure group and the control group ( P >0.05); at 5-7 days, the cell number showed significant difference between 3 groups ( P <0.05). The greater the negative pressure was, the greater the inhibition of cell proliferation was. There was no significant difference in ALP activity between groups at 3 days after induction ( P >0.05); the ALP activity showed significant difference ( P <0.05) between the high negative pressure group and the control group at 7 days after induction; and significant difference was found in the ALP activity between 3 groups at 14 days after induction ( P <0.05). The greater the negative pressure was, the higher the ALP activity was. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot detection showed that the mRNA and protein expressions of COL-I and OC protein were significantly higher in low negative pressure group and high negative pressure group than control group ( P <0.05), and in the high negative pressure group than the low negative pressure group ( P <0.05). With the increase of the negative pressure, the osteogenic differentiation ability of BMSCs increases gradually, but the cell proliferation is inhibited.

  16. Phase and speed synchronization control of four eccentric rotors driven by induction motors in a linear vibratory feeder with unknown time-varying load torques using adaptive sliding mode control algorithm

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kong, Xiangxi; Zhang, Xueliang; Chen, Xiaozhe; Wen, Bangchun; Wang, Bo

    2016-05-01

    In this paper, phase and speed synchronization control of four eccentric rotors (ERs) driven by induction motors in a linear vibratory feeder with unknown time-varying load torques is studied. Firstly, the electromechanical coupling model of the linear vibratory feeder is established by associating induction motor's model with the dynamic model of the system, which is a typical under actuated model. According to the characteristics of the linear vibratory feeder, the complex control problem of the under actuated electromechanical coupling model converts to phase and speed synchronization control of four ERs. In order to keep the four ERs operating synchronously with zero phase differences, phase and speed synchronization controllers are designed by employing adaptive sliding mode control (ASMC) algorithm via a modified master-slave structure. The stability of the controllers is proved by Lyapunov stability theorem. The proposed controllers are verified by simulation via Matlab/Simulink program and compared with the conventional sliding mode control (SMC) algorithm. The results show the proposed controllers can reject the time-varying load torques effectively and four ERs can operate synchronously with zero phase differences. Moreover, the control performance is better than the conventional SMC algorithm and the chattering phenomenon is attenuated. Furthermore, the effects of reference speed and parametric perturbations are discussed to show the strong robustness of the proposed controllers. Finally, experiments on a simple vibratory test bench are operated by using the proposed controllers and without control, respectively, to validate the effectiveness of the proposed controllers further.

  17. Early Maternal Employment and Children's Vocabulary and Inductive Reasoning Ability: A Dynamic Approach.

    PubMed

    Kühhirt, Michael; Klein, Markus

    2018-03-01

    This study investigates the relationship between early maternal employment history and children's vocabulary and inductive reasoning ability at age 5, drawing on longitudinal information on 2,200 children from the Growing Up in Scotland data. Prior research rarely addresses dynamics in maternal employment and the methodological ramifications of time-variant confounding. The present study proposes various measures to capture duration, timing, and stability of early maternal employment and uses inverse probability of treatment weighting to control for time-variant confounders that may partially mediate the effect of maternal employment on cognitive scores. The findings suggest only modest differences in the above ability measures between children who have been exposed to very different patterns of eary maternal employment, but with similar observed covariate history. © 2017 The Authors. Child Development © 2017 Society for Research in Child Development, Inc.

  18. Anesthesia with isoflurane and sevoflurane in the crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela hoya): minimum anesthetic concentration, physiological effects, hematocrit, plasma chemistry and behavioral effects.

    PubMed

    Chan, Fang-Tse; Chang, Geng-Ruei; Wang, Hsien-Chi; Hsu, Tien-Huan

    2013-12-30

    The initial goal of this study was to determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) for isoflurane (ISO) and sevoflurane (SEVO) for the crested serpent eagle. Next, we compared the anesthetic effects of each on the physiological effects, hematocrit, plasma chemistry values and behavior in spontaneously breathing captive adult crested serpent eagles. Sixteen eagles were randomly allocated to two groups for anesthesia with ISO (n=8) or SEVO (n=8). First, we measured the MAC values of ISO and SEVO, and four weeks later, we investigated the effect of each on the physiological effects, hematocrit (HCT) and plasma chemistry values. The MAC values of ISO and SEVO for crested serpent eagles were 1.46 ± 0.30 and 2.03 ± 0.32%, respectively. The results revealed no significant differences between the two anesthetics in induction time, while time of extubation to recovery was significantly shorter with SEVO. A time-related increase in end-tidal CO₂ and decreases in body temperature and respiratory rates were observed during anesthesia with each anesthetic. There were no significant differences between the effect of the two anesthetics on heart rate, hematocrit, plasma chemistry values or respiration, although each caused minor respiration depression. We concluded that SEVO is a more effective inhalant agent than ISO for use in eagles, showing the most rapidest induction and recovery from anesthesia.

  19. Light Aircraft Piston Engine Carburetor Ice Detector/Warning Device Sensitivity/Effectiveness.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1982-06-01

    10kHz max), converting raw data into engineering units as established by operator, displaying eight different parameters on cathode ray tube (CRT) and...TN No. 1790, February 1949. f. icing - Protection Requirements for Reciprocating Engine Induction Systems, NCA Technical Report No. 982, June 1949. q

  20. FILMIC COMMUNICATION AND COMPLEX LEARNING. WORKING PAPER NO. 4.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    PRYLUCK, CALVIN

    RESEARCH AND EXPERIENCE SHOW THAT FILM IS MORE EFFECTIVE IN FACTUAL LEARNING AND IN PERCEPTUAL MOTOR LEARNING THAN IN TEACHING RATIONAL ACTIVITIES. LANGUAGE AND FILM HAVE DIFFERENT STRUCTURES WHICH DETERMINE THEIR FUNCTIONS IN INSTRUCTIONAL SETTINGS. ESSENTIALLY, PICTURES ARE INDUCTIVE WHILE LANGUAGE IS DEDUCTIVE. LANGUAGE IS CAPABLE OF NUMBERLESS…

  1. Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Curry, Nancy A.; Kasser, Tim

    2005-01-01

    This study examined the effectiveness of different types of art activities in the reduction of anxiety. After undergoing a brief anxiety-induction, 84 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to color a mandala, to color a plaid form, or to color on a blank piece of paper. Results demonstrated that anxiety levels declined approximately the…

  2. Is the efficacy of successful infliximab induction therapy maintained for one year lasting without retreatment in different behavior types of Crohn's disease?

    PubMed

    Molnár, T; Farkas, K; Miheller, P; Nyári, T; Szepes, Z; Herszényi, L; Müzes, Gy; Nagy, F; Tulassay, Zs; Wittmann, T

    2008-12-01

    The high cost of infliximab inhibits the regular retreatment of all patients in Hungary with Crohn's disease (CD) after beneficial induction therapy. This study is set out to evaluate the medium-term efficacy of induction therapy with infliximab without retreatment in CD patients with chronic activity and/or fistulae refractory to conventional therapy. A retrospective 1-year review was undertaken of all CD patients with successfully induced remission or fistula closure with 3 infusions of infliximab. Infliximab was administered in a dose of 5 mg/kg 3 times, in weeks 0, 2 and 6. Clinical remission was defined as symptom resolution and an estimated Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) <150 and complete fistula closure. We evaluated the clinical response, the estimated CDAI, the number of draining fistulae, the dosages of steroid and immunosuppressive drugs at 6 and 12 months after the last infusion, and the needs for hospitalization and surgical intervention during this period. Breslow (Generalized Wilcoxon) test was used as the statistical method. The data of the 50 patients (19 luminal, 31 fistulizing disease; average age 29. 3 [13-59] years, disease localization: 23 colon, 13 ileum, 13 ileocolon, 1 duodenum) were suitable for analysis. Infliximab induction therapy without retreatment resulted in a beneficial effect lasting for at least 1 year in 22 of the 50 patients (44%). 11 of the 19 patients (57.9%) with luminal disease remained in steroid-free complete remission, while the fistulae persisted closed in only 11 of the 31 patients (35.5%) (p<0.05). Infliximab induction therapy alone may result in sustained remission mainly in patients with luminal disease. These results suggest the need for maintenance therapy with infliximab after successful therapy induction in patients with fistulae, while luminal CD patients could possibly participate in regular retreatment only if needed. If these data are confirmed, this modification of the therapeutic procedure could well increase the cost-effectiveness of infliximab.

  3. Quality assessment of patient leaflets on misoprostol-induced labour: does written information adhere to international standards for patient involvement and informed consent?

    PubMed Central

    Clausen, Jette Aaroe; Rydahl, Eva

    2016-01-01

    Objectives The need for thorough patient information is increasing as maternity care becomes more medicalised. The aim was to assess the quality of written patient information on labour induction. In most Danish hospitals, misoprostol is the first-choice drug for induction in low-risk pregnancies. Misoprostol has been associated with adverse side effects and severe outcomes for mother and child and is not registered for obstetric use in Denmark. Setting Secondary care hospitals in Denmark. Data Patient information leaflets from all hospitals that used misoprostol as an induction agent by June 2015 (N=13). Design Patient leaflets were evaluated according to a validated scoring tool (International Patient Decision Aid Standards instrument, IPDAS), core elements in the Danish Health Act, and items regarding off-label use and non-registered medication. Two of the authors scored all leaflets independently. Outcome measures Women's involvement in decision-making, information on benefits and harms associated with the treatment, other justifiable treatment options, and non-registered treatment. Results Generally, the hospitals scored low on the IPDAS checklist. No hospitals encouraged women to consider their preferences. Information on side effects and adverse outcomes was poorly covered and varied substantially between hospitals. Few hospitals informed about precautions regarding outpatient inductions, and none informed about the lack of evidence on the safety of this procedure. None informed that misoprostol is not registered for induction or explained the meaning of off-label use or use of non-registered medication. Elements such as interprofessional consensus, long-term experience, and health authorities' approval were used to add credibility to the use of misoprostol. Conclusions Central criteria for patient involvement and informed consent were not met, and the patient leaflets did not inform according to current evidence on misoprostol-induced labour. Our findings indicate that patients receive very different, sometimes contradictory, information with potential ethical implications. Concerns should be given to outpatient inductions, where precise written information is of particular importance. PMID:27235300

  4. [Comparison of Alarelin and Triptorelin in the long-protocol ovulation induction in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer].

    PubMed

    Duan, Jin-Liang; Jiang, Yuan-Hua; Liu, Ying; Zeng, Qiong-Fang; Huang, Ya-Dan

    2010-07-01

    To compare the pituitary down-regulatory effects of the two gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists Alarelin and Triptorelin in the long protocol of ovulation induction in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). We included in this study 122 patients aged 24-39 years treated by IVF-ET for secondary infertility, with 10-20 pre-antral follicles and obstruction of the fallopian tube. Seventy-eight of them received Alarelin, and the other 44 Triptorelin. Comparative analyses were made on the pituitary down-regulatory effects of the two gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and the clinical outcomes of IVF-ET. No premature LH surge and ovulation, nor severe hyperovarian stimulation syndrome was found in either group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the mean dose and duration of gonodatropin treatment, the numbers of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes and top-quality embryos, and the rates of 2PN, multi-sperm fertilization, cleavage, embryo transfer, embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy and early miscarriage (P > 0.05), but the rate of cancelled cycles was significantly higher in the Triptorelin than in the Alarelin group (P < 0.05). Alarelin and Triptorelin can achieve similar pituitary down-regulatory effects and clinical outcomes in IVF-ET when used in the long protocol of ovulation induction.

  5. Induction of labor using prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) vaginal gel in triacetin base. An efficacy study comparing two dosage regimens.

    PubMed

    Seeras, R C; Olatunbosun, O A; Pierson, R A; Turnell, R W

    1995-01-01

    To compare two dosage regimens for the administration of vaginal prostaglandin gel in triacetin base for induction of labor. Seventy subjects planned for elective induction of labor at term were randomized to treatment with PGE2 vaginal gel every 6 or 12 hours. The 6-hourly group received an initial dose of 1 mg, followed by 2 mg at 6 hour intervals for a maximum of two additional doses if not in active labor. The 12-hourly group had an initial dose of 2 mg followed by two additional doses at 12 hour intervals if not in active labor. Successful induction rate was higher in the 12-hourly as compared to 6-hourly gel regimen (100% vs. 91%, P > 0.05). Twelve hours after the initial dose, delivery occurred in 34% delivery had occurred in 57% and 37% respectively (P < 0.01). We found no difference in the induction-active labor interval (P > 0.05), and the induction-delivery interval (P > 0.05) between the two groups. Active labor followed a single dose of gel in 66% of the 12-hourly group compared to 40% of the 6-hourly group (P < 0.01). Syntocinon augmentation was needed in 6% of subjects in the 12-hourly group as compared to 26% in the 6-hourly group (P < 0.01). The cesarean section rate was similar in both groups. Uterine hyperstimulation occurred less frequently in the 12-hourly group (P < 0.05). The perinatal outcome was similar in both groups. The 12-hourly regimen was more effective than the 6-hourly regimen in initiating labor. The majority of the subjects in the 12 hourly group achieved labor following a single dose of gel. Induction delivery interval, however, was similar in both groups.

  6. Inductance position sensor for pneumatic cylinder

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ripka, Pavel; Chirtsov, Andrey; Mirzaei, Mehran; Vyhnanek, Jan

    2018-04-01

    The position of the piston in pneumatic cylinder with aluminum wall can be measured by external inductance sensor without modifications of the aluminum piston and massive iron piston rod. For frequencies below 20 Hz the inductance is increasing with inserting rod due to the rod permeability. This mode has disadvantage of slow response to piston movement and also high temperature sensitivity. At the frequency of 45 Hz the inductance is position independent, as the permeability effect is compensated by the eddy current effect. At higher frequencies eddy current effects in the rod prevail, the inductance is decreasing with inserting rod. In this mode the sensitivity is smaller but the sensor response is fast and temperature stability is better. We show that FEM simulation of this sensor using measured material properties gives accurate results, which is important for the sensor optimization such as designing the winding geometry for the best linearity.

  7. Temporal Aspects of the Action of ASA404 (Vadimezan; DMXAA)

    PubMed Central

    Baguley, Bruce C; Siemann, Dietmar W

    2013-01-01

    ASA404, a flavonoid tumor-vascular disrupting agent (Tumor-VDA), is in clinical trial for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Its action differs from both that of the tubulin binding class of Tumor-VDAs and antiangiogenic agents. In mice, ASA404 induces a sequence of changes in tumor tissue, starting within one hour with increased vascular permeability, increased endothelial apoptosis and decreased blood flow. Later effects include the release of serotonin, induction of tumor necrosis factor and other cytokines and chemokines, as well as induction of nitric oxide. This cascade of events induces sustained effects on blood flow, tumor hypoxia, vascular failure, inflammatory responses and, in some tumors, complete regression. One feature of the action of ASA404 against murine tumors is its ability to potentiate the effects of radiation and a variety of chemotherapeutic agents. The flavonoid class appears to be unique because of its dual action on vascular endothelial function and innate immunity. The translation of preclinical to clinical results demands an understanding of both the mechanisms underlying the dual effects and the species differences in ASA404 activity. Clinical trials indicate that the future of ASA404 as an effective agent relies on a deep appreciation of its cellular action. PMID:20964495

  8. Buprenorphine dose induction in non-opioid-tolerant pre-release prisoners.

    PubMed

    Vocci, Frank J; Schwartz, Robert P; Wilson, Monique E; Gordon, Michael S; Kinlock, Timothy W; Fitzgerald, Terrence T; O'Grady, Kevin E; Jaffe, Jerome H

    2015-11-01

    In a previously reported randomized controlled trial, formerly opioid-dependent prisoners were more likely to enter community drug abuse treatment when they were inducted in prison onto buprenorphine/naloxone (hereafter called buprenorphine) than when they received counseling without buprenorphine in prison (47.5% vs. 33.7%, p=0.012) (Gordon et al., 2014). In this communication we report on the results of the induction schedule and the adverse event profile seen in pre-release prisoners inducted onto buprenorphine. This paper examines the dose induction procedure, a comparison of the proposed versus actual doses given per week, and side effects reported for 104 adult participants who were randomized to buprenorphine treatment in prison. Self-reported side effects were analyzed using generalized estimated equations to determine changes over time in side effects. Study participants were inducted onto buprenorphine at a rate faster than the induction schedule. Of the 104 (72 males, 32 females) buprenorphine recipients, 64 (37 males, 27 females) remained on medication at release from prison. Nine participants (8.6%) discontinued buprenorphine because of unpleasant opioid side effects. There were no serious adverse events reported during the in-prison phase of the study. Constipation was the most frequent symptom reported (69 percent). Our findings suggest that buprenorphine administered to non-opioid-tolerant adults should be started at a lower, individualized dose than customarily used for adults actively using opioids, and that non-opioid-tolerant pre-release prisoners can be successfully inducted onto therapeutic doses prior to release. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Induction Program Design as It Relates to School Setting

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gabel, Jamie Ann

    2016-01-01

    The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate the induction program differences offered to beginning teachers in rural versus suburban school settings and to identify which induction supports beginning teachers considered most important in achieving classroom success. The six participants included an administrator, mentor, and…

  10. Response of Electrical Activity in an Improved Neuron Model under Electromagnetic Radiation and Noise

    PubMed Central

    Zhan, Feibiao; Liu, Shenquan

    2017-01-01

    Electrical activities are ubiquitous neuronal bioelectric phenomena, which have many different modes to encode the expression of biological information, and constitute the whole process of signal propagation between neurons. Therefore, we focus on the electrical activities of neurons, which is also causing widespread concern among neuroscientists. In this paper, we mainly investigate the electrical activities of the Morris-Lecar (M-L) model with electromagnetic radiation or Gaussian white noise, which can restore the authenticity of neurons in realistic neural network. First, we explore dynamical response of the whole system with electromagnetic induction (EMI) and Gaussian white noise. We find that there are slight differences in the discharge behaviors via comparing the response of original system with that of improved system, and electromagnetic induction can transform bursting or spiking state to quiescent state and vice versa. Furthermore, we research bursting transition mode and the corresponding periodic solution mechanism for the isolated neuron model with electromagnetic induction by using one-parameter and bi-parameters bifurcation analysis. Finally, we analyze the effects of Gaussian white noise on the original system and coupled system, which is conducive to understand the actual discharge properties of realistic neurons. PMID:29209192

  11. Response of Electrical Activity in an Improved Neuron Model under Electromagnetic Radiation and Noise.

    PubMed

    Zhan, Feibiao; Liu, Shenquan

    2017-01-01

    Electrical activities are ubiquitous neuronal bioelectric phenomena, which have many different modes to encode the expression of biological information, and constitute the whole process of signal propagation between neurons. Therefore, we focus on the electrical activities of neurons, which is also causing widespread concern among neuroscientists. In this paper, we mainly investigate the electrical activities of the Morris-Lecar (M-L) model with electromagnetic radiation or Gaussian white noise, which can restore the authenticity of neurons in realistic neural network. First, we explore dynamical response of the whole system with electromagnetic induction (EMI) and Gaussian white noise. We find that there are slight differences in the discharge behaviors via comparing the response of original system with that of improved system, and electromagnetic induction can transform bursting or spiking state to quiescent state and vice versa. Furthermore, we research bursting transition mode and the corresponding periodic solution mechanism for the isolated neuron model with electromagnetic induction by using one-parameter and bi-parameters bifurcation analysis. Finally, we analyze the effects of Gaussian white noise on the original system and coupled system, which is conducive to understand the actual discharge properties of realistic neurons.

  12. Effects of highly ripened cheeses on HL-60 human leukemia cells: antiproliferative activity and induction of apoptotic DNA damage.

    PubMed

    Yasuda, S; Ohkura, N; Suzuki, K; Yamasaki, M; Nishiyama, K; Kobayashi, H; Hoshi, Y; Kadooka, Y; Igoshi, K

    2010-04-01

    To establish cheese as a dairy product with health benefits, we examined the multifunctional role of cheeses. In this report, we clarify whether different types of commercial cheeses may possess antiproliferative activity using HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cell lines as a cancer model. Among 12 cheese extracts tested, 6 (Montagnard, Pont-l'Eveque, Brie, Camembert, Danablue, and Blue) revealed strong growth inhibition activity and induction of DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells. Based on the quantification of nitrogen contents in different cheese samples, a positive correlation between the ripeness of various cheeses and their antiproliferative activity tested in HL-60 cells was displayed. Four varieties of Blue cheese ripened for 0, 1, 2, or 3 mo demonstrated that the Blue cheese ripened for a long term was capable of causing the strong suppression of the cell growth and the induction of apoptotic DNA damage as well as nucleic morphological change in HL-60 cells. Collectively, these results obtained suggest a potential role of highly ripened cheeses in the prevention of leukemic cell proliferation. Copyright (c) 2010 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. E-H heating mode transition in inductive discharges with different antenna sizes

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

    Lee, Hyo-Chang, E-mail: flower4507@hanyang.ac.kr; Chung, Chin-Wook, E-mail: joykang@hanyang.ac.kr

    The spatial distribution of plasma density and the transition power for capacitive (E) to inductive (H) mode transition are studied in planar type inductively coupled plasmas with different antenna sizes. The spatial plasma distribution has a relatively flat profile at a low gas pressure, while the plasma profile is affected by the antenna size at higher gas pressure. The transition power for the E to H mode transition is shown to be critically affected by the antenna size. When the discharge is sustained by a small one-turn antenna coil, the transition power has a minimum value at Ar gas ofmore » 20 mTorr. However, the minimum transition power is shown at a relatively high gas pressure (40–60 mTorr) in the case of a large one-turn antenna coil. This change in the transition power can be understood by the thermal transport of the energetic electrons with non-local kinetics to the chamber wall. This non-local kinetic effect indicates that the transition power can also increase even for a small antenna if the antenna is placed near the wall.« less

  14. Morning versus evening induction of labour for improving outcomes.

    PubMed

    Bakker, Jannet J H; van der Goes, Birgit Y; Pel, Maria; Mol, Ben Willem J; van der Post, Joris A M

    2013-02-28

    Induction of labour is a common intervention in obstetric practice. Traditionally, in most hospitals induction of labour with medication starts early in the morning, with the start of the working day for the day shift. In human and animal studies spontaneous onset of labour is proven to have a circadian rhythm with a preference for start of labour in the evening. Moreover, when spontaneous labour starts in the evening, the total duration of labour and delivery shortens and fewer obstetric interventions are needed. Based on these observations one might assume that starting induction of labour in the evening, in harmony with the circadian rhythm of natural birth, is more beneficial for both mother and child. To assess whether induction of labour starting in the evening, coinciding with the endogenous circadian rhythm, improves the outcome of labour compared with induction of labour starting in the early morning, organised to coincide with office hours. We contacted the Trials Search Co-ordinator to search the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (28 February 2012). In addition, we searched MEDLINE (1966 to 16 February 2012) and EMBASE (1980 to 16 February 2012). We included all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials. We excluded trials that employed quasi-random methods of treatment allocation. Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias. Two review authors independently extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy. Where necessary, we contacted study authors for additional information. The search resulted in 2693 articles that we screened on title and abstract for eligibility.Thirteen studies were selected for full text assessment. We included three randomised trials involving 1150 women. Two trials compared the administration of prostaglandins in the morning versus the evening in women with an unfavourable cervix, and one trial compared induction of labour in the morning versus the evening in women with a favourable cervix and/or ruptured membranes with intravenous oxytocin. Because of the different mechanism, we have reported results for these two comparisons separately.In the two trials comparing prostaglandins in the morning versus the evening there were few clinically significant differences between study groups for maternal or neonatal outcomes. One study reported a statistically significant preference by women to start induction of labour with prostaglandins in the morning.In the trial examining induction of labour with intravenous oxytocin, the number of neonatal admissions was statistically significantly increased in the group of women that started induction in the morning. This finding was unexpected, and while the trial authors offered some possible explanations for this, it is important that any future trials examine neonatal outcomes. Taking into account women's preferences that favoured administration of prostaglandins in the morning, we conclude that caregivers should preferably consider administering prostaglandins in the morning.There is no strong evidence that induction of labour with intravenous oxytocin in the evening is more or less effective than induction in the morning. Consideration may be given to start induction of labour with oxytocin in the evening when indicated.

  15. The type III inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor preferentially transmits apoptotic Ca2+ signals into mitochondria.

    PubMed

    Mendes, Carolina C P; Gomes, Dawidson A; Thompson, Mayerson; Souto, Natalia C; Goes, Tercio S; Goes, Alfredo M; Rodrigues, Michele A; Gomez, Marcus V; Nathanson, Michael H; Leite, M Fatima

    2005-12-09

    There are three isoforms of the inositol 1,4,5- trisphosphate receptor (InsP(3)R), each of which has a distinct effect on Ca(2+) signaling. However, it is not known whether each isoform similarly plays a distinct role in the activation of Ca(2+)-mediated events. To investigate this question, we examined the effects of each InsP(3)R isoform on transmission of Ca(2+) signals to mitochondria and induction of apoptosis. Each isoform was selectively silenced using isoform-specific small interfering RNA in Chinese hamster ovary cells, which express all three InsP(3)R isoforms. ATP-induced cytosolic Ca(2+) signaling patterns were altered, regardless of which isoform was silenced, but in a different fashion depending on the isoform. ATP also induced Ca(2+) signals in mitochondria, which were inhibited more effectively by silencing the type III InsP(3)R than by silencing either the type I or type II isoform. The type III isoform also co-localized most strongly with mitochondria. When apoptosis was induced by activation of either the extrinsic or intrinsic apoptotic pathway, induction was reduced most effectively by silencing the type III InsP(3)R. These findings provide evidence that the type III isoform of the InsP(3)R plays a special role in induction of apoptosis by preferentially transmitting Ca(2+) signals into mitochondria.

  16. Role of FGF and noggin in neural crest induction.

    PubMed

    Mayor, R; Guerrero, N; Martínez, C

    1997-09-01

    A study of the molecules noggin and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and its receptor in the induction of the prospective neural crest in Xenopus laevis embryos has been carried out, using the expression of the gene Xslu as a marker for the neural crest. We show that when a truncated FGF receptor (XFD) was expressed ectopically in order to block FGF signaling Xslu expression was inhibited. The effect of XFD on Xslu was specific and could be reversed by the coinjection of the wild-type FGF receptor (FGFR). Inhibition of Xslu expression by XFD is not a consequence of neural plate inhibition, as was shown by analyzing Xsox-2 expression. When ectoderm expressing XFD was transplanted into the prospective neural fold region of embryos Xslu induction was inhibited. The neural crest can also be induced by an interaction between neural plate and epidermis. As this induction is suppressed by the presence of XFD in the neural plate and not in the epidermis, it suggests that the neural crest is induced by FGF from the epidermis. However, treatment of neural plate with FGF was not able to induce Xslug expression, showing that in addition to FGF other non-FGF factors are also required. Previously we have suggested that the ectopic ventral expression of Xslu produced by overexpression of noggin mRNA resulted from an interaction of noggin with a ventral signal. Overexpression of XFD inhibits this effect, suggesting that FGF could be one component involved in this ventral signaling. Overexpression of FGFR produced a remarkable increase in the expression of Xslu in the posterior neural folds and around the blastopore. Injections in different blastomeres of the embryo suggest that the target cells of this effect are the ventral cells. Finally, we proposed a model in which the induction of the neural crests at the border of the neural plate requires functional FGF signaling, which possibly interacts with a neural inducer such as noggin.

  17. Renal Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction with Hemin Augments Renal Hemodynamics, Renal Autoregulation, and Excretory Function

    PubMed Central

    Botros, Fady T.; Dobrowolski, Leszek; Navar, L. Gabriel

    2012-01-01

    Heme oxygenases (HO-1; HO-2) catalyze conversion of heme to free iron, carbon monoxide, and biliverdin/bilirubin. To determine the effects of renal HO-1 induction on blood pressure and renal function, normal control rats (n = 7) and hemin-treated rats (n = 6) were studied. Renal clearance studies were performed on anesthetized rats to assess renal function; renal blood flow (RBF) was measured using a transonic flow probe placed around the left renal artery. Hemin treatment significantly induced renal HO-1. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate were not different (115 ± 5 mmHg versus 112 ± 4 mmHg and 331 ± 16 versus 346 ± 10 bpm). However, RBF was significantly higher (9.1 ± 0.8 versus 7.0 ± 0.5 mL/min/g, P < 0.05), and renal vascular resistance was significantly lower (13.0 ± 0.9 versus 16.6 ± 1.4 [mmHg/(mL/min/g)], P < 0.05). Likewise, glomerular filtration rate was significantly elevated (1.4 ± 0.2 versus 1.0 ± 0.1 mL/min/g, P < 0.05), and urine flow and sodium excretion were also higher (18.9 ± 3.9 versus 8.2 ± 1.0 μL/min/g, P < 0.05 and 1.9 ± 0.6 versus 0.2 ± 0.1 μmol/min/g, P < 0.05, resp.). The plateau of the autoregulation relationship was elevated, and renal vascular responses to acute angiotensin II infusion were attenuated in hemin-treated rats reflecting the vasodilatory effect of HO-1 induction. We conclude that renal HO-1 induction augments renal function which may contribute to the antihypertensive effects of HO-1 induction observed in hypertension models. PMID:22518281

  18. Effect of trifluoperazine on toxicity, HIF-1α induction and hepatocyte regeneration in acetaminophen toxicity in mice1

    PubMed Central

    Chaudhuri, Shubhra; McCullough, Sandra S.; Hennings, Leah; Brown, Aliza T.; Li, Shun-Hwa; Simpson, Pippa M.; Hinson, Jack A.; James, Laura P.

    2012-01-01

    Oxidative stress and mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) are important mechanisms in acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity. The MPT inhibitor trifluoperazine (TFP) reduced MPT, oxidative stress, and toxicity in freshly isolated hepatocytes treated with APAP. Since hypoxia inducible factor-one alpha (HIF-1α is induced very early in APAP toxicity, a role for oxidative stress in the induction has been postulated. In the present study, the effect of TFP on toxicity and HIF-1α induction in B6C3F1 male mice treated with APAP was examined. Mice received TFP (10 mg/kg, oral gavage) prior to APAP (200 mg/kg IP) and at 7 and 36 h after APAP. Measures of metabolism (hepatic glutathione and APAP protein adducts) were comparable in the two groups of mice. Toxicity was decreased in the APAP/TFP mice at 2, 4, and 8 h, compared to the APAP mice. At 24 and 48 h, there were no significant differences in toxicity between the two groups. TFP lowered HIF-1α induction but also reduced the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a marker of hepatocyte regeneration. TFP can also inhibit phospholipase A2, and cytosolic and secretory PLA2 activity levels were reduced in the APAP/TFP mice compared to the APAP mice. TFP also lowered prostaglandin E2 expression, a known mechanism of cytoprotection. In summary, the MPT inhibitor TFP delayed the onset of toxicity and lowered HIF-1α induction in APAP treated mice. TFP also reduced PGE2 expression and hepatocyte regeneration, likely through a mechanism involving PLA2. PMID:22902588

  19. Enhanced production of polysaccharides and triterpenoids in Ganoderma lucidum fruit bodies on induction with signal transduction during the fruiting stage

    PubMed Central

    Xie, Fan; Zhao, Lili

    2018-01-01

    Ganoderma lucidum is a medicinal mushroom that has been widely used in East Asia for the treatment of various diseases. The pharmacological activity of this fungus is primarily attributable to the polysaccharides and triterpenoids. In this study, to obtain the fruit bodies with improved content of active constituents, we examined the effect of salicylic acid (SA) and calcium ion on the biosynthesis of polysaccharides and triterpenoids by spraying the chemicals during the fruiting. To explore the underlying mechanisms for the variation, the transcripts of related genes involved in the polysaccharide and triterpenoid biosynthesis were measured. Results showed that Ca2+ had no effect on production of polysaccharides and triterpenoids, whereas SA increased triterpenoid content by 23.32%, compared to the control, but it had little influence on polysaccharide production. Interestingly, the combined induction increased polysaccharide and triterpenoid content by 9.02% and 13.61%, respectively, compared to the control. Under Ca2+ induction, the transcript of ugp gene in the polysaccharide biosynthetic pathway up-regulated in all three stages (mycelium, primordium, and fruit body), while pgm and gls gave no response in the mycelium and primordium stages, and up-regulated in the fruit body stage. Differently, six key triterpenoid biosynthetic genes including hmgr, hmgs, mvd, fps, sqs, and ls did not respond to the induction. In the case of SA and combined induction, pgm and ugp were up-regulated in all three stages, while gls showed an increased expression in the primordium stage and no response in other stages. The six triterpenoid biosynthetic genes were up-regulated in all three stages. The present study provides a useful approach to producing G. lucidum fruit bodies with high polysaccharide and triterpenoid content. This is important to the G. lucidum industry. PMID:29694432

  20. Type I Interferons Function as Autocrine and Paracrine Factors to Induce Autotaxin in Response to TLR Activation

    PubMed Central

    Song, Jianwen; Guan, Ming; Zhao, Zhenwen; Zhang, Junjie

    2015-01-01

    Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an important phospholipid mediator in inflammation and immunity. However, the mechanism of LPA regulation during inflammatory response is largely unknown. Autotaxin (ATX) is the key enzyme to produce extracellular LPA from lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). In this study, we found that ATX was induced in monocytic THP-1 cells by TLR4 ligand lipopolysaccharide (LPS), TLR9 ligand CpG oligonucleotide, and TLR3 ligand poly(I:C), respectively. The ATX induction by TLR ligand was abolished by the neutralizing antibody against IFN-β or the knockdown of IFNAR1, indicating that type I IFN autocrine loop is responsible for the ATX induction upon TLR activation. Both IFN-β and IFN-α were able to induce ATX expression via the JAK-STAT and PI3K-AKT pathways but with different time-dependent manners. The ATX induction by IFN-β was dramatically enhanced by IFN-γ, which had no significant effect on ATX expression alone, suggesting a synergy effect between type I and type II IFNs in ATX induction. Extracellular LPA levels were significantly increased when THP-1 cells were treated with IFN-α/β or TLR ligands. In addition, the type I IFN-mediated ATX induction was identified in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) stimulated with LPS or poly(I:C), and IFN-α/β could induce ATX expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and monocytes isolated form blood samples. These results suggest that, in response to TLR activation, ATX is induced through a type I INF autocrine-paracrine loop to enhance LPA generation. PMID:26313906

  1. An embedded checklist in the Anesthesia Information Management System improves pre-anaesthetic induction setup: a randomised controlled trial in a simulation setting.

    PubMed

    Wetmore, Douglas; Goldberg, Andrew; Gandhi, Nishant; Spivack, John; McCormick, Patrick; DeMaria, Samuel

    2016-10-01

    Anaesthesiologists work in a high stress, high consequence environment in which missed steps in preparation may lead to medical errors and potential patient harm. The pre-anaesthetic induction period has been identified as a time in which medical errors can occur. The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation has developed a Pre-Anesthetic Induction Patient Safety (PIPS) checklist. We conducted this study to test the effectiveness of this checklist, when embedded in our institutional Anesthesia Information Management System (AIMS), on resident performance in a simulated environment. Using a randomised, controlled, observer-blinded design, we compared performance of anaesthesiology residents in a simulated operating room under production pressure using a checklist in completing a thorough pre-anaesthetic induction evaluation and setup with that of residents with no checklist. The checklist was embedded in the simulated operating room's electronic medical record. Data for 38 anaesthesiology residents shows a statistically significant difference in performance in pre-anaesthetic setup and evaluation as scored by blinded raters (maximum score 22 points), with the checklist group performing better by 7.8 points (p<0.01). The effects of gender and year of residency on total score were not significant. Simulation duration (time to anaesthetic agent administration) was increased significantly by the use of the checklist. Required use of a pre-induction checklist improves anaesthesiology resident performance in a simulated environment. The PIPS checklist as an integrated part of a departmental AIMS warrant further investigation as a quality measure. 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/

  2. Optimum Construction of Heating Coil for Domestic Induction Cooker

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sinha, Dola; Bandyopadhyay, Atanu; Sadhu, Pradip Kumar; Pal, Nitai

    2010-10-01

    The design and optimization of the parameters of heating coil is very important for the analytical analysis of high frequency inverter fed induction cooker. Moreover, accurate prediction of high frequency winding loss (i.e., losses due to skin and proximity effects) is necessary as the induction cooker used in power electronics applications. At high frequency current penetration in the induction coil circuit is very difficult for conducting wire due to skin-effect. To eradicate the skin effect heating coil is made up of bundle conductor i.e., litz wire. In this paper inductances and AC resistances of a litz-wire are calculated and optimized by considering the input parameters like wire type, shape, number of strand, number of spiral turn, number of twist per feet of heating coil and operating frequency. A high frequency half bridge series resonant mirror inverter circuit is used in this paper and taking the optimum values of inductance and ac resistance the circuit is simulated through PSPICE simulations. It has been noticed that the results are feasible enough for real implementation.

  3. Exploring the Perceptions and Experiences of Inductive Teachers in Secondary Education: How Do Inductive Teachers "Find Their Place" in the Teaching Profession, and What Motivates Them to Remain in the Field?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hollabaugh, Jaliene R.

    2012-01-01

    The purpose of my study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of inductive teachers in secondary education. My purposive sample included 11 licensed, inductive teachers from 10 different schools spanning eight school districts within a large metropolitan area of the Pacific Northwest. I used personal interviews, within a microethnographic…

  4. A prospective pilot study of Dilapan-S compared with Propess for induction of labour at 41+ weeks in nulliparous pregnancy.

    PubMed

    Crosby, David A; O'Reilly, Claire; McHale, Helen; McAuliffe, Fionnuala M; Mahony, Rhona

    2017-12-21

    The incidence of labour induction has risen worldwide over the past decade, and this may contribute to the rising caesarean delivery rate. The mechanisms for induction of labour are generally divided into two categories: mechanical and pharmacological. The objective of this study was to determine if mechanical induction with Dilapan-S is an acceptable, safe method of induction of labour in post-dates uncomplicated nulliparous pregnancy. This was a single-centre prospective observational pilot study trial. Fifty-two low-risk nulliparous women with an unfavourable cervix, scheduled for induction of labour for post-dates ≥ 41 weeks gestation, were offered induction of labour with Dilapan-S or Propess from May 2016 until November 2016. The primary outcomes measured were compliance to study protocol and maternal (infection, hyperstimulation) and neonatal outcomes (Apgar score at birth). The secondary outcome measures included change in Bishop's score and caesarean delivery rate. Compliance to study protocol was 25/26 (96%); it was possible to insert Dilapan-S in all but one woman. There were no differences in maternal and neonatal primary outcomes between the groups. There were no cases in either arm of hyperstimulation with either induction method. No difference between the groups was noted in the caesarean delivery rate nor in the mean change in Bishop's score. Dilapan-S is an acceptable, safe form of induction of labour in post-dates uncomplicated nulliparous pregnancy. No cases of hyperstimulation were found, and therefore, Dilapan-S may be a suitable option for outpatient induction of labour in low-risk post-dates nulliparas.

  5. Inductive electronegativity scale. Iterative calculation of inductive partial charges.

    PubMed

    Cherkasov, Artem

    2003-01-01

    A number of novel QSAR descriptors have been introduced on the basis of the previously elaborated models for steric and inductive effects. The developed "inductive" parameters include absolute and effective electronegativity, atomic partial charges, and local and global chemical hardness and softness. Being based on traditional inductive and steric substituent constants these 3D descriptors provide a valuable insight into intramolecular steric and electronic interactions and can find broad application in structure-activity studies. Possible interpretation of physical meaning of the inductive descriptors has been suggested by considering a neutral molecule as an electrical capacitor formed by charged atomic spheres. This approximation relates inductive chemical softness and hardness of bound atom(s) with the total area of the facings of electrical capacitor formed by the atom(s) and the rest of the molecule. The derived full electronegativity equalization scheme allows iterative calculation of inductive partial charges on the basis of atomic electronegativities, covalent radii, and intramolecular distances. A range of inductive descriptors has been computed for a variety of organic compounds. The calculated inductive charges in the studied molecules have been validated by experimental C-1s Electron Core Binding Energies and molecular dipole moments. Several semiempirical chemical rules, such as equalized electronegativity's arithmetic mean, principle of maximum hardness, and principle of hardness borrowing could be explicitly illustrated in the framework of the developed approach.

  6. Experimental Germ Tube Induction in Candida albicans: An Evaluation of the Effect of Sodium Bicarbonate on Morphogenesis and Comparison with Pooled Human Serum.

    PubMed

    Matare, Tapiwa; Nziramasanga, Pasipanodya; Gwanzura, Lovemore; Robertson, Valerie

    2017-01-01

    The potential of NaHCO 3 versus human serum to induce germ tube formation in Candida albicans was investigated. A total of 100 isolates were obtained from oral swabs of patients presenting with thrush. Approval for the study was granted by the Joint Research Ethics Committee (JREC/23/08). Confirmed C. albicans isolates by routine methods were tested for germ tube induction using 5 different concentrations of Tris-maleate buffered NaHCO 3 and Tris-maleate buffer control. Standard control strains included were C. albicans (ATCC 10231) and C. krusei (ATCC 6258). Microculture was done in 20  μ L inoculums on microscope slides for 3 hours at 37°C. The rate of germ tube formation at 10-minute intervals was determined on 100 isolates using the optimum 20 mM Tris-maleate buffered NaHCO 3 concentration. Parallel germ tube formation using human serum was done in test tubes. The optimum concentration of NaHCO 3 in Tris-maleate buffer for germ tube induction was 20 mM for 67% of isolates. Only 21% of isolates formed germ tubes in Tris-maleate buffer control. There was no significant difference in induction between human serum and Tris-maleate buffered NaHCO 3 . Tris-maleate buffered NaHCO 3 induced germ tube formation in C. albicans isolates at rates similar to human serum.

  7. Induction of differentiation of human embryonic stem cells into functional hair-cell-like cells in the absence of stromal cells.

    PubMed

    Ding, Jie; Tang, Zihua; Chen, Jiarong; Shi, Haosong; Chen, Jianling; Wang, Cuicui; Zhang, Cui; Li, Liang; Chen, Ping; Wang, Jinfu

    2016-12-01

    Sensorineural hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction have become the most common forms of sensory defects. Stem cell-based therapeutic strategies for curing hearing loss are being developed. Several attempts to develop hair cells by using chicken utricle stromal cells as feeder cells have resulted in phenotypic conversion of stem cells into inner ear hair-cell-like cells. Here, we induced the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into otic epithelial progenitors (OEPs), and further induced the differentiation of OEPs into hair-cell-like cells using different substrates. Our results showed that OEPs cultured on the chicken utricle stromal cells with the induction medium could differentiate into hair-cell-like cells with stereociliary bundles. Co-culture with stromal cells, however, may be problematic for subsequent examination of the induced hair-cell-like cells. In order to avoid the interference from stromal cells, we cultured OEPs on laminin with different induction media and examined the effects of the induction medium on the differentiation potentials of OEPs into hair-cell-like cells. The results revealed that the culture of OEPs on laminin with the conditioned medium from chicken utricle stromal cells supplemented with EGF and all-trans retinoic acid (RA) could promote the organization of cells into epithelial clusters displaying hair-cell-like cells with stereociliary bundles. These cells also displayed the expected electrophysiological properties. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. An Intelligent Harmonic Synthesis Technique for Air-Gap Eccentricity Fault Diagnosis in Induction Motors

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, De Z.; Wang, Wilson; Ismail, Fathy

    2017-11-01

    Induction motors (IMs) are commonly used in various industrial applications. To improve energy consumption efficiency, a reliable IM health condition monitoring system is very useful to detect IM fault at its earliest stage to prevent operation degradation, and malfunction of IMs. An intelligent harmonic synthesis technique is proposed in this work to conduct incipient air-gap eccentricity fault detection in IMs. The fault harmonic series are synthesized to enhance fault features. Fault related local spectra are processed to derive fault indicators for IM air-gap eccentricity diagnosis. The effectiveness of the proposed harmonic synthesis technique is examined experimentally by IMs with static air-gap eccentricity and dynamic air-gap eccentricity states under different load conditions. Test results show that the developed harmonic synthesis technique can extract fault features effectively for initial IM air-gap eccentricity fault detection.

  9. Maintenance and induction of murine embryonic stem cell differentiation using E-cadherin-Fc substrata without colony formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meng, Qing-Yuan; Akaike, Toshihiro

    2013-03-01

    Induced embryonic stem (ES) cells are expected to be promising cell resources for the observation of the cell behaviors in developmental biology as well as the implantation in cell treatments in human diseases. A recombinant E-cadherin substratum was developed as a cell recognizable substratum to maintain the ES cells' self-renewal and pluripotency at single cell level. Furthermore, the generation of various cell lineages in different germ layers, including hepatic or neural cells, was achieved on the chimeric protein layer precisely and effectively. The induction and isolation of specific cell population was carried out with the enhancing effect of other artificial extracellular matrices (ECMs) in enzyme-free process. The murine ES cell-derived cells showed highly morphological similarities and functional expressions to matured hepatocytes or neural progenitor cells.

  10. Optimizing Immunosuppressive Regimens Among Living-Donor Renal Transplant Recipients.

    PubMed

    Bakr, Mohamed Adel; Nagib, Ayman Maher; Gheith, Osama Ashry; Hamdy, Ahmed Farouk; Refaie, Ayman Fathi; Donia, Ahmed Farouk; Neamatalla, Ahmed Hassan; Eldahshan, Khaled Farouk; Denewar, Ahmed Abdelfattah; Abbas, Mohamed Hamed; Mostafa, Amany Ismail; Ghoneim, Mohamed Ahmed

    2017-02-01

    We review different immunosuppressant protocols used for living-donor kidney transplant recipients at our center. Many prospective randomized studies from our center have been reported between March 1976 and 2016, with more than 2700 renal transplant procedures conducted. The first study was a prospective randomized trial of azathioprine versus cyclosporine. The second study compared triple therapy (prednisolone + azathioprine + cyclosporine) versus conventional therapy (prednisolone + azathioprine). The third study was a cost-saving study, in which 100 patients received ketoconazole along with the triple regimen. Another trial demonstrated the advantages of a microemulsion form of cyclosporine. A subsequent trial compared calcineurin inhibitor minimization versus avoidance protocols. Rescue therapies were carried out to intensify immunosuppressive regimens after repeated rejection. In addition, steroid-free regimens were evaluated during both short- and long-term treatment. A recent trial reported a step-forward avoidance protocol with a calcineurin inhibitor and a steroid-free regimen, whereas another current study is the TRANSFORM one. The rationale behind antibody therapy was tho roughly evaluated among living-donor renal trans plant recipients with different agents, including basiliximab, daclizumab, antithymocyte globulin, and alemtuzumab. Earlier studies have demonstrated the efficacy of conventional regimens without induction therapy, especially in longer follow-up. The standard triple therapy has emerged with intensified immunosuppressive and lowered dose of each drug, especially cyclosporine. In minimization studies, no significant differences were encountered regarding patient and graft survival, even in the long-term. Steroid avoidance was safe and effective. Calcineurin inhibitors and steroid-free regimens have shown comparable patient and graft survival. Induction therapy has lowered the incidence and severity of acute rejection. A better 5-year graft survival and less posttransplant complications have been achieved with steroid avoidance after induction with basiliximab. Induction therapy did not affect graft and patient survival rates despite lowered incidence and severity of acute rejections.

  11. Recognizing the bank robber and spotting the difference: emotional state and global vs. local attentional set.

    PubMed

    Pacheco-Unguetti, Antonia Pilar; Acosta, Alberto; Lupiáñez, Juan

    2014-01-01

    In two experiments (161 participants in total), we investigated how current mood influences processing styles (global vs. local). Participants watched a video of a bank robbery before receiving a positive, negative or neutral induction, and they performed two tasks: a face-recognition task about the bank robber as global processing measure, and a spot-the-difference task using neutral pictures (Experiment-1) or emotional scenes (Experiment-2) as local processing measure. Results showed that positive mood induction favoured a global processing style, enhancing participants' ability to correctly identify a face even when they watched the video before the mood-induction. This shows that, besides influencing encoding processes, mood state can be also related to retrieval processes. On the contrary, negative mood induction enhanced a local processing style, making easier and faster the detection of differences between nearly identical pictures, independently of their valence. This dissociation supports the hypothesis that current mood modulates processing through activation of different cognitive styles.

  12. Labour induction at term--a randomised trial comparing Foley catheter plus titrated oral misoprostol solution, titrated oral misoprostol solution alone, and dinoprostone.

    PubMed

    Matonhodze, Baron B; Hofmeyr, G Justus; Levin, Jonathan

    2003-05-01

    To compare three methods of labour induction. Randomised controlled trial. Academic hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa. Women with intact membranes due for induction of labour. Randomised, sealed opaque envelopes were used to allocate women to labour induction with extra-amniotic Foley catheter/titrated oral misoprostol solution (N = 174), titrated oral misoprostol solution alone (N = 176), or vaginal dinoprostone (N = 176). Misoprostol was dissolved in water and 20-40 g was given 2-hourly. These were failure to deliver vaginally within 24 hours, additional measures for induction or augmentation of labour, analgesia, and maternal and fetal complications. In the Foley catheter group, misoprostol was required in all but 1 case. Failure to deliver vaginally within 24 hours was similar for the three groups (79/174 v. 70/176 v. 70/176 respectively). Labour augmentation, caesarean section and instrumental delivery were used somewhat more frequently in the Foley/misoprostol group than in the misoprostol alone group, but these differences were not statistically significant. More analgesia was used in the Foley catheter/misoprostol group than in the misoprostol group (64/172 v. 46/175). Side-effects and neonatal complications were similar for the three groups. Use of extra-amniotic Foley catheter placement showed no measurable benefits over the use of oral misoprostol alone, or vaginal dinoprostone.

  13. Experimental induction of psychogenic illness in the context of a medical event and media exposure.

    PubMed

    Broderick, Joan E; Kaplan-Liss, Evonne; Bass, Elizabeth

    2011-01-01

    Mass psychogenic illness can be a significant problem for triage and hospital surge in disasters; however, research has been largely limited to posthoc observational reports. Reports on the impact of public media during a disaster have suggested both salutary as well as iatrogenic psychological effects. This study was designed to determine if psychogenic illness can be evoked and if media will exacerbate it in a plausible, controlled experiment among healthy community adults. A randomized controlled experiment used a simulated biological threat and elements of social contagion--essential precipitants of mass psychogenic illness. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: no-intervention control group, psychogenic illness induction group, or psychogenic illness induction plus media group. Measures included three assessments of symptom intensity, heart rate, blood pressure, as well as questionnaires to measure potential psychogenic illness risk factors. The two psychogenic induction groups experienced 11 times more symptoms than the control group. Psychogenic illness was observed in both men and women at rates that were not significantly different. Higher rates of lifetime history of traumatic events and depression were associated with greater induction of illness. Media was not found to exacerbate symptom onset. Psychogenic illness relevant to public health disasters can be evoked in an experimental setting. This sets the stage for further research on psychogenic illness and strategies for mitigation.

  14. Influence of coil current modulation on polycrystalline diamond film deposition by irradiation of Ar/CH4/H2 inductively coupled thermal plasmas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Betsuin, Toshiki; Tanaka, Yasunori; Arai, T.; Uesugi, Y.; Ishijima, T.

    2018-03-01

    This paper describes the application of an Ar/CH4/H2 inductively coupled thermal plasma with and without coil current modulation to synthesise diamond films. Induction thermal plasma with coil current modulation is referred to as modulated induction thermal plasma (M-ITP), while that without modulation is referred to as non-modulated ITP (NM-ITP). First, spectroscopic observations of NM-ITP and M-ITP with different modulation waveforms were made to estimate the composition in flux from the thermal plasma by measuring the time evolution in the spectral intensity from the species. Secondly, we studied polycrystalline diamond film deposition tests on a Si substrate, and we studied monocrystalline diamond film growth tests using the irradiation of NM-ITP and M-ITP. From these tests, diamond nucleation effects by M-ITP were found. Finally, following the irradiation results, we attempted to use a time-series irradiation of M-ITP and NM-ITP for polycrystalline diamond film deposition on a Si substrate. The results indicated that numerous larger diamond particles were deposited with a high population density on the Si substrate by time-series irradiation.

  15. Fluid simulation of the bias effect in inductive/capacitive discharges

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

    Zhang, Yu-Ru; Research Group PLASMANT, Department of Chemistry, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, BE-2610 Antwerp; Gao, Fei

    Computer simulations are performed for an argon inductively coupled plasma (ICP) with a capacitive radio-frequency bias power, to investigate the bias effect on the discharge mode transition and on the plasma characteristics at various ICP currents, bias voltages, and bias frequencies. When the bias frequency is fixed at 13.56 MHz and the ICP current is low, e.g., 6 A, the spatiotemporal averaged plasma density increases monotonically with bias voltage, and the bias effect is already prominent at a bias voltage of 90 V. The maximum of the ionization rate moves toward the bottom electrode, which indicates clearly the discharge mode transition in inductive/capacitivemore » discharges. At higher ICP currents, i.e., 11 and 13 A, the plasma density decreases first and then increases with bias voltage, due to the competing mechanisms between the ion acceleration power dissipation and the capacitive power deposition. At 11 A, the bias effect is still important, but it is noticeable only at higher bias voltages. At 13 A, the ionization rate is characterized by a maximum at the reactor center near the dielectric window at all selected bias voltages, which indicates that the ICP power, instead of the bias power, plays a dominant role under this condition, and no mode transition is observed. Indeed, the ratio of the bias power to the total power is lower than 0.4 over a wide range of bias voltages, i.e., 0–300 V. Besides the effect of ICP current, also the effect of various bias frequencies is investigated. It is found that the modulation of the bias power to the spatiotemporal distributions of the ionization rate at 2 MHz is strikingly different from the behavior observed at higher bias frequencies. Furthermore, the minimum of the plasma density appears at different bias voltages, i.e., 120 V at 2 MHz and 90 V at 27.12 MHz.« less

  16. Catabolite Repression of Tryptophanase in Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Botsford, James L.; DeMoss, R. D.

    1971-01-01

    Catabolite repression of tryptophanase was studied in detail under various conditions in several strains of Escherichia coli and was compared with catabolite repression of β-glactosidase. Induction of tryptophanase and β-galactosidase in cultures grown with various carbon sources including succinate, glycerol, pyruvate, glucose, gluconate, and arabinose is affected differently by the various carbon sources. The extent of induction does not seem to be related to the growth rate of the culture permitted by the carbon source during the course of the experiment. In cultures grown with glycerol as carbon source, preinduced for β-galactosidase or tryptophanase and made permeable by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) treatment, catabolite repression of tryptophanase was not affected markedly by the addition of cAMP (3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate). Catabolite repression by glucose was only partially relieved by the addition of cAMP. In contrast, under the same conditions, cAMP completely relieved catabolite repression of β-galactosidase by either pyruvate or glucose. Under conditions of limited oxygen, induction of tryptophanase is sensitive to catabolite repression; under the same conditions, β-galactosidase induction is not sensitive to catabolite repression. Induction of tryptophanase in cells grown with succinate as carbon source is sensitive to catabolite repression by glycerol and pyruvate as well as by glucose. Studies with a glycerol kinaseless mutant indicate that glycerol must be metabolized before it can cause catabolite repression. The EDTA treatment used to make the cells permeable to cAMP was found to affect subsequent growth and induction of either β-galactosidase or tryptophanase much more adversely in E. coli strain BB than in E. coli strain K-12. Inducation of tryptophanase was reduced by the EDTA treatment significantly more than induction of β-galactosidase in both strains. Addition of 2.5 × 10−3m cAMP appeared partially to reverse the inhibitory effect of the EDTA treatment on enzyme induction but did not restore normal growth. PMID:4322348

  17. tif-dependent induction of colicin E1, prophage lambda, and filamentation in Escherichia coli K-12.

    PubMed

    Tessman, E S; Peterson, P K

    1980-09-01

    To help understand how the tif-1 mutation of the recA gene of Escherichia coli confers adenine activability on the recA protein, we used the fact that cytidine plus guanosine inhibits induction of prophage lambda and cell filamentation in a tif-1 mutant, and that adenine reverses this inhibition. We varied the amount of adenine in agar plates containing a fixed amount of cytidine and scored for survivors of three different tif-dependent lethal induction processes. Much more adenine was required for cell killing when cytidine was present than when it was absent. Therefore adenine does not override cytidine inhibition, but instead appears to compete with it for a site of action which may be on the recA protein. The competition is not at the cell transport level. Our results lead to a model in which the tif form of the recA protein is an allosteric enzyme that binds both negative and positive modulators. By varying the adenine-cytidine ratio of the medium it is possible to control the degree of induction in a tif-1 cell. For the three different tif-dependent inductions studied here, least adenine was required for lambda induction and most for lethal filamentation, presumably reflecting requirements for different amounts of activated recA protein in each process. Varying the adenine-cytidine ratio revealed two stable intermediate stages in lambda induction, as well as a stage of colicin E1 induction in which the cells produced colicin without cell death. The rate of filament formation could be similarly controlled. Experiments with tif (ColE1, lambda) gave evidence of a competition between colicin repressor and lambda repressor for activated recA protein.

  18. The Evolution of New Teacher Induction Policy: Support, Specificity, and Autonomy

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bartlett, Lora; Johnson, Lisa S.

    2010-01-01

    This article analyzes the findings from a three-state study of teacher induction policy. It looks within and across Illinois, Ohio, and Wisconsin to explore the landscape and experience of teacher induction. Although the orientation and conception of each state's policy is similar, the states represent three different structural approaches to…

  19. The Search for Electromagnetic Induction (1820-1831). Experiment No. 20.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Devons, Samuel

    This paper focuses on the search for electromagnetic induction from 1820 to 1831 and the efforts by Augustin Fresnel's colleague, Andre Marie Ampere, in electric and magnetic induction. Faraday's work is discussed with excerpts from his diary on electromagnetism. A variety of different experiments by researchers including Francoise Jean Arago,…

  20. Performance Comparison between a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and an Induction Motor as a Traction Motor for High Speed Train

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kondo, Minoru; Kawamura, Junya; Terauchi, Nobuo

    Performance tests are carried out to demonstrate the superiority of a permanent magnet synchronous motor to an induction motor as a traction motor for high-speed train. A prototype motor was manufactured by replacing the rotor of a conventional induction motor. The test results show that the permanent magnet motor is lighter, efficient and more silent than the induction motor because of the different rotor structure.

  1. Separation of Electric Fields Into Potential and Inductive Parts, and Implications for Radial Diffusion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chan, A. A.; Ilie, R.; Elkington, S. R.; Albert, J.; Huie, W.

    2017-12-01

    It has been traditional to separate radiation belt radial-diffusion coefficients into two contributions: an "electrostatic" diffusion coefficient, which is assumed to be due to a potential (non-inductive) electric field, and an "electromagnetic" diffusion coefficient , which is assumed to be due to the combined effect of an inductive electric field and the corresponding time-dependent magnetic field. One difficulty in implementing this separation when using magnetospheric fields obtained from measurements, or from MHD simulations, is that only the total electric field is given; the separation of the electric field into potential and inductive parts is not readily available. In this work we separate the electric field using a numerical method based on the Helmholtz decomposition of the total motional electric field calculated by the BATS-R-US MHD code. The inner boundary for the electric potential is based on the Ridley Ionospheric Model solution and we assume floating boundary conditions in the solar wind. Using different idealized solar wind drivers, including a solar wind density that is oscillating at a single frequency or with a broad spectrum of frequencies, we calculate potential and inductive electric fields, electric and magnetic power spectral densities, and corresponding radial diffusion coefficients. Simulations driven by idealized solar wind conditions show a clear separation of the potential and inductive contributions to the power spectral densities and diffusion coefficients. Simulations with more realistic solar wind drivers are underway to better assess the use of electrostatic and electromagnetic diffusion coefficients in understanding ULF wave-particle interactions in Earth's radiation belts.

  2. ANESTHETIC INDUCTION AND RECOVERY PARAMETERS IN BEARDED DRAGONS (POGONA VITTICEPS): COMPARISON OF ISOFLURANE DELIVERED IN 100% OXYGEN VERSUS 21% OXYGEN.

    PubMed

    O, Odette; Churgin, Sarah M; Sladky, Kurt K; Smith, Lesley J

    2015-09-01

    Inland bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps, n=6) were anesthetized for 1 hr using isoflurane in either 100% oxygen or 21% oxygen (FI 21; medical-grade room air). Parameters of anesthetic depth were recorded throughout both induction and recovery by an observer blinded to the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), including the loss and return of withdrawal and righting reflexes, muscle tone, ability to intubate or extubate, and return to spontaneous respiration. Physiologic data were recorded every 5 min throughout the anesthetic procedures, including heart rate, body temperature, end-tidal CO2, hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2), and percent expired isoflurane. Lizards were subjected to application of a noxious stimulus (needle stick) at 0, 30, and 60 min, and responses recorded. Following a minimum 7-day washout period, the experiment was repeated with each lizard subjected to the other protocol in a randomized, complete crossover design. The only statistically significant difference was a lower mean SpO2 in the group inspiring 21% oxygen (P<0.0020). No statistically significant differences were detected in any parameters during induction or recovery; however, all values were uniformly shorter for the FI 21 group, indicating a possible clinically significant difference. A larger sample size may have detected statistically significant differences. Further studies are needed to evaluate these effects in other reptile species and with the concurrent use of injectable anesthetic and analgesic drugs.

  3. New Teacher Induction Programs: A Case Study of an Exemplary School District, and How It Prepares Its New Teachers for the Use of Instructional Technology in the Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sherman, David B.

    2014-01-01

    This research study examined Generation Y new teachers, the process of new teacher induction, and the most effective methods for providing professional development in instructional technology for Generation Y teachers. This research study examined Generation Y new teachers, the process of new teacher induction, and the most effective methods for…

  4. Exposure of cultured human proximal tubular cells to cadmium, mercury, zinc and bismuth: toxicity and metallothionein induction.

    PubMed

    Rodilla, V; Miles, A T; Jenner, W; Hawksworth, G M

    1998-08-14

    The kidney, in particular the proximal convoluted tubule, is a major target site for the toxic effects of various metals. However, little is known about the early effects of these metals after acute exposure in man. In the present study we have evaluated the toxicity of several inorganic metal compounds (CdCl2, HgCl2, ZnCl2, and Bi(NO3)3) and the induction of metallothionein by these compounds in cultured human proximal tubular (HPT) cells for up to 4 days. The results showed that bismuth was not toxic even at the highest dose (100 microM) used, while zinc, cadmium and mercury exhibited varying degrees of toxicity, zinc being the least toxic and mercury the most potent. A significant degree of interindividual variation between the different isolates used in these experiments was also observed. All metals used in the present study induced MT, as revealed by immunocytochemistry. All metals showed maximal induction between 1 and 3 days after treatment. Although a certain amount of constitutive MT was present in the cultures, the intensity of the staining varied with time in culture and between the different isolates studied. No correlation could be made between the intensity of the staining in control cultures (indicating total amount of constitutive MT) and the susceptibility of a given isolate to metal toxicity. Furthermore, no correlation could be made between metal-induced MT and the susceptibility of a given isolate to that particular metal.

  5. Improved circuit for measuring capacitive and inductive reactances

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dalins, I.; Mc Carty, V.

    1967-01-01

    Amplifier circuit measures very small changes of capacitive or inductive reactance, such as produced by a variable capacitance or a variable inductance displacement transducer. The circuit employs reactance-sensing oscillators in which field effect transistors serve as the active elements.

  6. Comparison of Linear Induction Motor Theories for the LIMRV and TLRV Motors

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1978-01-01

    The Oberretl, Yamamura, and Mosebach theories of the linear induction motor are described and also applied to predict performance characteristics of the TLRV & LIMRV linear induction motors. The effect of finite motor width and length on performance ...

  7. A comparison of sputum induction methods: ultrasonic vs compressed-air nebulizer and hypertonic vs isotonic saline inhalation.

    PubMed

    Loh, L C; Eg, K P; Puspanathan, P; Tang, S P; Yip, K S; Vijayasingham, P; Thayaparan, T; Kumar, S

    2004-03-01

    Airway inflammation can be demonstrated by the modem method of sputum induction using ultrasonic nebulizer and hypertonic saline. We studied whether compressed-air nebulizer and isotonic saline which are commonly available and cost less, are as effective in inducing sputum in normal adult subjects as the above mentioned tools. Sixteen subjects underwent weekly sputum induction in the following manner: ultrasonic nebulizer (Medix Sonix 2000, Clement Clarke, UK) using hypertonic saline, ultrasonic nebulizer using isotonic saline, compressed-air nebulizer (BestNeb, Taiwan) using hypertonic saline, and compressed-air nebulizer using isotonic saline. Overall, the use of an ultrasonic nebulizer and hypertonic saline yielded significantly higher total sputum cell counts and a higher percentage of cell viability than compressed-air nebulizers and isotonic saline. With the latter, there was a trend towards squamous cell contaminations. The proportion of various sputum cell types was not significantly different between the groups, and the reproducibility in sputum macrophages and neutrophils was high (Intraclass correlation coefficient, r [95%CI]: 0.65 [0.30-0.91] and 0.58 [0.22-0.89], p < 0.001). Overall changes in median FEV, were small and comparable between all groups. Induction using ultrasonic nebulizers together with hypertonic saline was generally less well tolerated than compressed-air nebulizers and isotonic saline. We conclude that in normal subjects, although both nebulizers and saline types can induce sputum with reproducible cellular profile, ultrasonic nebulizers and hypertonic saline are more effective but less well tolerated.

  8. Characterization and snubbing of a bidirectional MCT in a resonant ac link converter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lee, Tony; Elbuluk, Malik E.; Zinger, Donald S.

    1993-01-01

    The MOS-Controlled Thyristor (MCT) is emerging as a powerful switch that combines the better characteristics of existing power devices. A study of switching stresses on an MCT switch under zero voltage resonant switching is presented. The MCT is used as a bidirectional switch in an ac/ac pulse density modulated inverter for induction motor drive. Current and voltage spikes are observed and analyzed with variations in the timing of the switching. Different snubber circuit configurations are under investigation to minimize the effect of these transients. The results will be extended to study and test the MCT switching in a medium power (5 hp) induction motor drive.

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

    Chesnokov, E. N., E-mail: chesnok@kinetics.nsc.ru; Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk 630090; Kubarev, V. V.

    Using the pulses of terahertz free electron laser and ultra-fast Schottky diode detectors, we observed the coherent transients within a free induction decay of gaseous nitrogen dioxide NO{sub 2}. The laser excited different sub-bands of rotation spectra of NO{sub 2} containing about 50–70 lines. The free induction signal continued more than 30 ns and consisted of many echo-like bursts duration about 0.2 ns. Unlike the similar effect observed previously for linear and symmetric top molecules, the sequence of echo bursts is not periodic. The values for delay of individual echo are stable, and the set of these delays can be considered asmore » a “molecular fingerprint” in the time domain.« less

  10. Induction of labour for improving birth outcomes for women at or beyond term

    PubMed Central

    Gülmezoglu, A Metin; Crowther, Caroline A; Middleton, Philippa; Heatley, Emer

    2014-01-01

    Background As a pregnancy continues beyond term the risks of babies dying inside the womb or in the immediate newborn period increase. Whether a policy of labour induction at a predetermined gestational age can reduce this increased risk is the subject of this review. Objectives To evaluate the benefits and harms of a policy of labour induction at term or post-term compared with awaiting spontaneous labour or later induction of labour. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group’s Trials Register (31 March 2012). Selection criteria Randomised controlled trials conducted in women at or beyond term. The eligible trials were those comparing a policy of labour induction with a policy of awaiting spontaneous onset of labour. Cluster-randomised trials and cross-over trials are not included. Quasi-random allocation schemes such as alternation, case record numbers or open random-number lists were not eligible. Data collection and analysis Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion. Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Data were checked for accuracy. Outcomes are analysed in two main categories: gestational age and cervix status. Main results We included 22 trials reporting on 9383 women. The trials were generally at moderate risk of bias. Compared with a policy of expectant management, a policy of labour induction was associated with fewer (all-cause) perinatal deaths: risk ratio (RR) 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12 to 0.88; 17 trials, 7407 women. There was one perinatal death in the labour induction policy group compared with 13 perinatal deaths in the expectant management group. The number needed to treat to benefit (NNTB) with induction of labour in order to prevent one perinatal death was 410 (95% CI 322 to 1492). For the primary outcome of perinatal death and most other outcomes, no differences between timing of induction subgroups were seen; the majority of trials adopted a policy of induction at 41 completed weeks (287 days) or more. Fewer babies in the labour induction group had meconium aspiration syndrome (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.73; eight trials, 2371 infants) compared with a policy of expectant management. There was no statistically significant difference between the rates of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission for induction compared with expectant management (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.04; 10 trials, 6161 infants). For women in the policy of induction arms of trials, there were significantly fewer caesarean sections compared with expectant management in 21 trials of 8749 women (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.97). Authors’ conclusions A policy of labour induction compared with expectant management is associated with fewer perinatal deaths and fewer caesarean sections. Some infant morbidities such as meconium aspiration syndrome were also reduced with a policy of post-term labour induction although no significant differences in the rate of NICU admission were seen. However, the absolute risk of perinatal death is small. Women should be appropriately counselled in order to make an informed choice between scheduled induction for a post-term pregnancy or monitoring without induction (or delayed induction). PMID:22696345

  11. Different strategies in solving series completion inductive reasoning problems: an fMRI and computational study.

    PubMed

    Liang, Peipeng; Jia, Xiuqin; Taatgen, Niels A; Zhong, Ning; Li, Kuncheng

    2014-08-01

    Neural correlate of human inductive reasoning process is still unclear. Number series and letter series completion are two typical inductive reasoning tasks, and with a common core component of rule induction. Previous studies have demonstrated that different strategies are adopted in number series and letter series completion tasks; even the underlying rules are identical. In the present study, we examined cortical activation as a function of two different reasoning strategies for solving series completion tasks. The retrieval strategy, used in number series completion tasks, involves direct retrieving of arithmetic knowledge to get the relations between items. The procedural strategy, used in letter series completion tasks, requires counting a certain number of times to detect the relations linking two items. The two strategies require essentially the equivalent cognitive processes, but have different working memory demands (the procedural strategy incurs greater demands). The procedural strategy produced significant greater activity in areas involved in memory retrieval (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, DLPFC) and mental representation/maintenance (posterior parietal cortex, PPC). An ACT-R model of the tasks successfully predicted behavioral performance and BOLD responses. The present findings support a general-purpose dual-process theory of inductive reasoning regarding the cognitive architecture. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  12. Analysis of four dental alloys following torch/centrifugal and induction/ vacuum-pressure casting procedures.

    PubMed

    Thompson, Geoffrey A; Luo, Qing; Hefti, Arthur

    2013-12-01

    Previous studies have shown casting methodology to influence the as-cast properties of dental casting alloys. It is important to consider clinically important mechanical properties so that the influence of casting can be clarified. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how torch/centrifugal and inductively cast and vacuum-pressure casting machines may affect the castability, microhardness, chemical composition, and microstructure of 2 high noble, 1 noble, and 1 base metal dental casting alloys. Two commonly used methods for casting were selected for comparison: torch/centrifugal casting and inductively heated/ vacuum-pressure casting. One hundred and twenty castability patterns were fabricated and divided into 8 groups. Four groups were torch/centrifugally cast in Olympia (O), Jelenko O (JO), Genesis II (G), and Liberty (L) alloys. Similarly, 4 groups were cast in O, JO, G, and L by an inductively induction/vacuum-pressure casting machine. Each specimen was evaluated for casting completeness to determine a castability value, while porosity was determined by standard x-ray techniques. Each group was metallographically prepared for further evaluation that included chemical composition, Vickers microhardness, and grain analysis of microstructure. Two-way ANOVA was used to determine significant differences among the main effects. Statistically significant effects were examined further with the Tukey HSD procedure for multiple comparisons. Data obtained from the castability experiments were non-normal and the variances were unequal. They were analyzed statistically with the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Significant results were further investigated statistically with the Steel-Dwass method for multiple comparisons (α=.05). The alloy type had a significant effect on surface microhardness (P<.001). In contrast, the technique used for casting did not affect the microhardness of the test specimen (P=.465). Similarly, the interaction between the alloy and casting technique was not significant (P=.119). A high level of castability (98.5% on average) was achieved overall. The frequency of casting failures as a function of alloy type and casting method was determined. Failure was defined as a castability index score of <100%. Three of 28 possible comparisons between alloy and casting combinations were statistically significant. The results suggested that casting technique affects the castability index of alloys. Radiographic analysis detected large porosities in regions near the edge of the castability pattern and infrequently adjacent to noncast segments. All castings acquired traces of elements found in the casting crucibles. The grain size for each dental casting alloy was generally finer for specimens produced by the induction/vacuum-pressure method. The difference was substantial for JO and L. This study demonstrated a relation between casting techniques and some physical properties of metal ceramic casting alloys. Copyright © 2013 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. Sulforaphane plays common and different roles in tumorigenic and nontumorigenic colon cell growth

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring member of the isothiocyanate family of chemopreventive agents and the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis is a key mechanism by which SFN exerts its colon cancer prevention. However, little is known about the differential effects of SFN on colon c...

  14. Anxiety as a Function of Self-Evaluation and Related Feedback

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Viney, Linda L.

    1971-01-01

    The principal result of this study is the demonstration that both positive and negative feedback result in higher diffuse anxiety scores than does congruent feedback while there is no difference in the effects of the two discrepant types of feedback thus confirming a Rogerian hypothesis regarding feedback and anxiety induction. (Author/CG)

  15. The effect of ultrafast laser wavelength on ablation properties and implications on sample introduction in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

    PubMed Central

    LaHaye, N. L.; Harilal, S. S.; Diwakar, P. K.; Hassanein, A.; Kulkarni, P.

    2015-01-01

    We investigated the role of femtosecond (fs) laser wavelength on laser ablation (LA) and its relation to laser generated aerosol counts and particle distribution, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) signal intensity, detection limits, and elemental fractionation. Four different NIST standard reference materials (610, 613, 615, and 616) were ablated using 400 nm and 800 nm fs laser pulses to study the effect of wavelength on laser ablation rate, accuracy, precision, and fractionation. Our results show that the detection limits are lower for 400 nm laser excitation than 800 nm laser excitation at lower laser energies but approximately equal at higher energies. Ablation threshold was also found to be lower for 400 nm than 800 nm laser excitation. Particle size distributions are very similar for 400 nm and 800 nm wavelengths; however, they differ significantly in counts at similar laser fluence levels. This study concludes that 400 nm LA is more beneficial for sample introduction in ICP-MS, particularly when lower laser energies are to be used for ablation. PMID:26640294

  16. Influence of methane addition on selenium isotope sensitivity and their spectral interferences.

    PubMed

    Floor, Geerke H; Millot, Romain; Iglesias, Mónica; Négrel, Philippe

    2011-02-01

    The measurements of stable selenium (Se) isotopic signatures by multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) are very challenging, due to the presence of spectral interferences and the low abundance of Se in environmental samples. We systematically investigated the effect of methane addition on the signal of Se isotopes and their interferences. It is the first time that the effect of methane addition has been assessed for all Se isotopes and its potential interferences using hydride generator multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HG-MC-ICP-MS). Our results show that a small methane addition increases the sensitivity. However, the response differs between a hydride generator and a standard introduction system, which might be related to differences in the ionization processes. Both argon and hydrogen-based interferences, the most common spectral interferences on selenium isotopes in HG-MC-ICP-MS, decrease with increasing methane addition. Therefore, analyte-interference ratios and precision are improved. Methane addition has thus a high potential for the application to stable Se isotopes ratios by HG-MC-ICP-MS. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. Prevention of cesarean section. Does intracervical dinoprostone work?

    PubMed Central

    Gilson, G J; Izquierdo, L A; Chatterjee, M S; Curet, L B; Qualls, C R

    1993-01-01

    We investigated the effect of preinduction cervical ripening with the intracervical instillation of dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2 gel, 0.5 mg) on the results of labor induced with intravenous oxytocin. We randomly allocated 79 pregnant women to receive either the intracervial application of dinoprostone gel or placebo gel. Compared with control subjects, the group who received dinoprostone had no difference in induction-to-delivery interval or in cesarean section rate. The dinoprostone group had fewer failed inductions, but there was no difference between the two groups in the number who delivered spontaneously within 24 hours. From review of the literature and a meta-analysis, it was likewise revealed that dinoprostone did not favorably affect the cesarean section rate. Contrary to current opinion, intracervical dinoprostone gel does not appreciably lower the cesarean section rate when used at this dose and route before labor is induced. PMID:8212680

  18. Induced mood and selective attention.

    PubMed

    Brand, N; Verspui, L; Oving, A

    1997-04-01

    Subjects (N = 60) were randomly assigned to an elated, depressed, or neutral mood-induction condition to assess the effect of mood state on cognitive functioning. In the elated condition film fragments expressing happiness and euphoria were shown. In the depressed condition some frightening and distressing film fragments were presented. The neutral group watched no film. Mood states were measured using the Profile of Mood States, and a Stroop task assessed selective attention. Both were presented by computer. The induction groups differed significantly in the expected direction on the mood subscales Anger, Tension, Depression, Vigour, and Fatigue, and also in the mean scale response times, i.e., slower responses for the depressed condition and faster for the elated one. Differences between conditions were found in the errors on the Stroop: in the depressed condition were the fewest errors and significantly longer error reaction times. Speed of error was associated with self-reported fatigue.

  19. Microstructure Evolution During Continuous Cooling in AISI 5140 Steel Processed by Induction Heating Chromizing

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hu, Jianjun; Ma, Chaoping; Yang, Xian; Xu, Hongbin; Guo, Ning; Yu, Hongbing

    2017-11-01

    In this study, induction heating chromizing (IHC) and box-type furnace heating chromizing (BFHC) were conducted on commercial AISI 5140 steels, respectively. Microstructure, microhardness and wear resistance of the chromized samples were characterized. The results show that the IHC samples have thicker Cr coating layer and stronger interface bond due to pre-compressive stress among the packed powders. Three kinds of microstructures including alloyed cementite (AC-layer), fine pearlite zone (FP-zone) and carbon-poor zone (CP-zone) are formed near the interface in the IHC samples. The main reason given for this is that different contents of Cr and C have different effects on pearlite phase and morphology. The IHC sample shows better wear properties due to its stronger interface bonding strength than that of the BFHC sample. The formation mechanism of CP-zone and its influences on microhardness and wear resistance are also discussed.

  20. Effects of different doses of sufentanil and remifentanil combined with propofol in target-controlled infusion on stress reaction in elderly patients

    PubMed Central

    HU, LI-GUO; PAN, JIAN-HUI; LI, JUAN; KANG, FANG; JIANG, LING

    2013-01-01

    The current study aimed to observe the effects of sufentanil and remifentanil combined with propofol in target-controlled infusion (TCI) on perioperative stress reaction in elderly patients. A total of 80 elderly patients requiring general anesthesia were recruited. They were divided into four groups (each n=20) according to different target concentrations of remifentanil and sufentanil. These target concentrations were: 4 ng/ml remifentanil + 0.2 ng/ml sufentanil for group I; 3 ng/ml remifentanil + 0.3 ng/ml sufentanil for group II; 2 ng/ml remifentanil + 0.5 ng/ml sufentanil for anesthesia induction and post-intubation 3 ng/ml remifentanil + 0.2 ng/ml sufentanil for anesthesia maintenance for group III; and 5 ng/ml remifentanil for anesthesia induction and post-intubation 4 ng/ml remifentanil for anesthesia maintenance for group IV. Norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E) and angiotensin II (Ang II) levels in plasma were measured prior to the induction of anesthesia, as well as at several different time-points following surgery. The numbers of intraoperative severe hemodynamic fluctuation, postoperative eye-opening and extubation time, and post-extubation restlessness and pain scores were recorded. Group IV had a larger circulation fluctuation control number and higher levels of NE, E and Ang II at 3 h after surgery than any other group (P<0.01). Although group IV had shorter postoperative eye-opening and extubation times compared with the other groups (P<0.05), it also had higher restlessness and pain scores (P<0.01). The combined use of sufentanil and remifentanil stabilizes perioperative hemodynamics and reduces stress hormone levels. PMID:23407772

  1. Zeatin and Thidiazuron Induced Embryogenic Calli From In Vitro Leaf and Stem of Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis).

    PubMed

    El-Ashry, Amal Abd El-Latif; Gabr, Ahmed Mohamed Magdy; Bekheet, Shawky Abd El-Hamid

    2017-01-01

    Jojoba is a promising industrial plant, which recommended with pharmaceutical benefits. The present study was conducted to stimulate embryogenic calli formation from jojoba using zeatin and thidiazuron (TDZ), as well as determination of the antioxidant activity of proliferated calli. For callus induction, leaf and stem explants derived from in vitro grown shootlets, were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with different combinations of 0.5 mg L-1 benzyl adenine (BA) or kinetin with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and picloram at 0.5 or 1mg L-1. To stimulate embryogenic calli, friable callus were transferred to woody plant medium (WPM) supplemented with different concentrations of zeatin or TDZ. Antioxidant activity of different treatments was determined using hexane or petroleum ether extraction. Data was analyzed as mean±standard deviation (SD). The MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg L-1 BA+0.5 or 1 mg L-1 picloram was the best treatment to obtain friable calli from both explants types. WPM medium supplemented with 2 mg L-1 zeatin gave the highest percentage of embryogenic calli derived from leaf explants. While the highest percentage of embryogenic calli derived from stem explants was registered using 1 or 4 mg L-1 TDZ containing medium. Embryogenic calli originated from leaves explants on 1.5 mg L-1 zeatin showed promising activity of antioxidant with hexane extraction. However, embryogenic calli originated from stem explants on 1 mg L-1 TDZ showed the highest antioxidant activity with petroleum ether extraction. TDZ has promising effect on embryogenic callus induction from stem explants. While, zeatin has promising effect on embryogenic callus induction from leaf explants.

  2. Comparison of different doses of ε-aminocaproic acid in children for tetralogy of Fallot surgery: clinical efficacy and safety.

    PubMed

    Sarupria, Anju; Makhija, Neeti; Lakshmy, Ramakrishnan; Kiran, Usha

    2013-02-01

    The purpose of this study was to compare 2 different doses of ε-aminocaproic acid (EACA) and assess their relative efficacy and safety in children undergoing corrective surgery for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). A prospective, randomized, controlled study. A tertiary care center. One hundred twenty children undergoing corrective surgery for TOF using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Group 1 received 100 mg/kg of EACA after induction, upon initiation of CPB, and after protamine. Group 2 received 75 mg/kg of EACA after induction, followed by a maintenance infusion of 75 mg/kg/h until chest closure, and an additional 75 mg/kg upon initiation of CPB. Group 3 did not receive any antifibrinolytic agent or placebo. Cumulative mean blood loss, total packed red blood cells, and fresh frozen plasma requirements were significantly less in group 2 (p ≤ 0.01). There were no significant differences in the total platelet concentrate transfused, re-exploration rate, incidence of renal failure, arrhythmias, neurologic complications, mortality, or length of intensive care unit stay among the 3 groups. The incidences of perioperative ST/T changes and chest closure time were significantly less in group 1 and group 2 (p ≤ 0.01). The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly less in group 2 (p ≤ 0.01). EACA was effective in reducing the postoperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in children undergoing corrective cardiac surgery on CPB for TOF. The dose regimen of 75 mg/kg after induction, followed by a maintenance infusion of 75 mg/kg/h until chest closure, and an additional 75 mg/kg upon initiation of CPB were more effective. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. Magnesium Ion Acts as a Signal for Capsule Induction in Cryptococcus neoformans

    PubMed Central

    Rathore, Sudarshan S.; Raman, Thiagarajan; Ramakrishnan, Jayapradha

    2016-01-01

    Cryptococcal meningitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, is a common opportunistic neural infection in immunocompromised individuals. Cryptococcus meningitis is associated with fungal burden with larger capsule size in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To understand the role of CSF constituents in capsule enlargement, we have evaluated the effect of artificial CSF on capsule induction in comparison with various other capsule inducing media. Two different strains of C. neoformans, an environmental and a clinical isolates were used in the present study. While comparing the various capsule inducing media for the two different strains of C. neoformans, it was observed that the capsule growth was significantly increased when grown in artificial CSF at pH 5.5, temperature 34°C for ATCC C. neoformans and 37°C for Clinical C. neoformans and with an incubation period of 72 h. In addition, artificial CSF supports biofilm formation in C. neoformans. While investigating the individual components of artificial CSF, we found that Mg2+ ions influence the capsule growth in both environmental and clinical strains of C. neoformans. To confirm our results we studied the expression of four major CAP genes namely, CAP10, CAP59, CAP60, and CAP64 in various capsule inducing media and in different concentrations of Mg2+ and Ca2+. Our results on gene expression suggest that, Mg2+ does have an effect on CAP gene expression, which are important for capsule biosynthesis and virulence. Our findings on the role of Mg2+ ion as a signal for capsule induction will promote a way to elucidate the control mechanisms for capsule biosynthesis in C. neoformans. PMID:27014245

  4. Increased False-Memory Susceptibility After Mindfulness Meditation.

    PubMed

    Wilson, Brent M; Mickes, Laura; Stolarz-Fantino, Stephanie; Evrard, Matthew; Fantino, Edmund

    2015-10-01

    The effect of mindfulness meditation on false-memory susceptibility was examined in three experiments. Because mindfulness meditation encourages judgment-free thoughts and feelings, we predicted that participants in the mindfulness condition would be especially likely to form false memories. In two experiments, participants were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness induction, in which they were instructed to focus attention on their breathing, or a mind-wandering induction, in which they were instructed to think about whatever came to mind. The overall number of words from the Deese-Roediger-McDermott paradigm that were correctly recalled did not differ between conditions. However, participants in the mindfulness condition were significantly more likely to report critical nonstudied items than participants in the control condition. In a third experiment, which tested recognition and used a reality-monitoring paradigm, participants had reduced reality-monitoring accuracy after completing the mindfulness induction. These results demonstrate a potential unintended consequence of mindfulness meditation in which memories become less reliable. © The Author(s) 2015.

  5. Impact of inlet coherent motions on compressor performance

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Forlese, Jacopo; Spoleti, Giovanni

    2017-08-01

    Automotive engine induction systems may be characterized by significant flow angularity and total pressure distortion at the compressor inlet. The impact of the swirl on compressor performance should be quantified to guide the design of the induction systems. In diesel engines, the presence of a valve for flow reduction and control of low pressure EGR recirculation could generate coherent motion and influence the performance of the compressor. Starting from experimental map, the compressor speed-lines have been simulated using a 3D CFD commercial code imposing different concept motion at the inlet. The swirl intensity, the direction and the number of vortices have been imposed in order to taking into account some combinations. Finally, a merit function has been defined to evaluate the performance of the compressor with the defined swirl concepts. The aim of the current work is to obtain an indication on the effect of a swirling motion at the compressor inlet on the engine performance and provide a guideline to the induction system design.

  6. RBE of Energetic Iron Ions for the Induction of Early and Late Chromosome Aberrations in Different Cell Types

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zhang, Ye; Yeshitla, Samrawit; Hada, Megumi; Kadhim, Munira; Wilson, Bobby; Wu, Honglu

    2015-01-01

    Numerous published studies have reported the Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) values for chromosome aberrations induced by charged particles of different LET. The RBE for chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes exposed ex vivo has been suggested to show a similar relationship as the quality factor for cancer induction. Therefore, increased chromosome aberrations in the astronauts' white blood cells post long-duration missions are used to determine the biological doses from exposures to space radiation. However, the RBE value is known to be very different for different types of cancer. Previously, we reported that, even though the RBE for initial chromosome damages was high in human lymphocytes exposed to Fe ions, the RBE was significantly reduced after multiple cell divisions post irradiation. To test the hypothesis that RBE values for chromosome aberrations are cell type dependent, and different between early and late damages, we exposed human lymphocytes ex vivo, and human mammary epithelial cells in vitro to various charged particles. Chromosome aberrations were quantified using the samples collected at first mitosis post irradiation for initial damages, and the samples collected after multiple generations for the remaining or late arising aberrations. Results of the study suggested that the effectiveness of high-LET charged particles for late chromosome aberrations may be cell type dependent, even though the RBE values are similar for early damages.

  7. Modeling the effects of argument length and validity on inductive and deductive reasoning.

    PubMed

    Rotello, Caren M; Heit, Evan

    2009-09-01

    In an effort to assess models of inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning, the authors, in 3 experiments, examined the effects of argument length and logical validity on evaluation of arguments. In Experiments 1a and 1b, participants were given either induction or deduction instructions for a common set of stimuli. Two distinct effects were observed: Induction judgments were more affected by argument length, and deduction judgments were more affected by validity. In Experiment 2, fluency was manipulated by displaying the materials in a low-contrast font, leading to increased sensitivity to logical validity. Several variants of 1-process and 2-process models of reasoning were assessed against the results. A 1-process model that assumed the same scale of argument strength underlies induction and deduction was not successful. A 2-process model that assumed separate, continuous informational dimensions of apparent deductive validity and associative strength gave the more successful account. (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

  8. Ahr2-dependance of PCB126 effects on the swimbladder in relation to expression of CYP1 and cox-2 genes in developing zebrafish

    PubMed Central

    Jönsson, Maria E.; Kubota, Akira; Timme-Laragy, Alicia; Woodin, Bruce; Stegeman, John J.

    2012-01-01

    The teleost swimbladder is assumed a homolog of the tetrapod lung. Both swimbladder and lung are developmental targets of persistent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR1) agonists; in zebrafish (Danio rerio) the swimbladder fails to inflate with exposure to 3,3’,4,4’,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126). The mechanism for this effect is unknown, but studies have suggested roles of cytochrome P4501 (CYP1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) in some Ahr-mediated developmental effects in zebrafish. We determined relationships between swimbladder inflation and CYP1 and Cox-2 mRNA expression in PCB126-exposed zebrafish embryos. We also examined effects on β-catenin dependent transcription, histological effects, and Ahr2 dependance of the effect of PCB126 on swimbladder using morpholinos targeting ahr2. One-day-old embryos were exposed to waterborne PCB126 or carrier (DMSO) for 24 h and then held in clean water until day 4, a normal time for swimbladder inflation. The effects of PCB126 were concentration-dependent with EC50 values of 1.4 to 2.0 nM for induction of the CYP1s, 3.7 and 5.1 nM (or higher) for cox-2a and cox-2b induction, and 2.5 nM for inhibition of swimbladder inflation. Histological defects included a compaction of the developing bladder. Ahr2-morpholino treatment rescued the effect of PCB126 (5 nM) on swimbladder inflation and blocked induction of CYP1A, cox-2a, and cox-2b. With 2 nM PCB126 approximately 30% of eleutheroembryos2 failed to inflate the swimbladder, but there was no difference in CYP1 or cox-2 mRNA expression between those embryos and embryos showing inflated swimbladder. Our results indicate that PCB126 blocks swimbladder inflation via an Ahr2-mediated mechanism. This mechanism seems independent of CYP1 or cox-2 mRNA induction but may involve abnormal development of swimbladder cells. PMID:23036320

  9. Effects of phenformin on the proliferation of human tumor cell lines.

    PubMed

    Caraci, Filippo; Chisari, Mariangela; Frasca, Giuseppina; Chiechio, Santina; Salomone, Salvatore; Pinto, Antonio; Sortino, Maria Angela; Bianchi, Alfredo

    2003-12-19

    Phenformin is a biguanide that has been largely used in the past for its anti-diabetic activity. A large body of evidence suggests additional effects of phenformin including antitumoral activity in different animal models in vivo. Thus, the present study has been conducted in order to elucidate possible mechanisms involved in the antitumoral effects of phenformin. In various tumoral cell lines (SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and LNCaP prostate adenocarcinoma cells), increasing concentrations of phenformin (50-500 microM) induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation. This effect was not dependent on the ability of the drug to reduce glucose levels and was accompanied by induction of apoptotic cell death as measured by cytofluorometric analysis. In addition, a short-time incubation of SH-SY5Y cells with phenformin induced enhanced and transient expression of the cell cycle inhibitor p21 suggesting that phenformin causes inhibition of cell cycle progression prior to induction of apoptosis. These results demonstrate an activity at the cellular level of phenformin that supports its antitumoral effect observed in vivo.

  10. Effect on the growth and development and induction of abnormalities by a glyphosate commercial formulation and its active ingredient during two developmental stages of the South-American Creole frog, Leptodactylus latrans.

    PubMed

    Bach, Nadia Carla; Natale, Guillermo Sebastián; Somoza, Gustavo Manuel; Ronco, Alicia Estela

    2016-12-01

    We evaluated the acute lethal and sublethal effects of technical-grade glyphosate (GLY) and the GLY-based commercial formulation Roundup ULTRA MAX® (RU) on two Gosner stages (Gss) 25 and 36 of the South-American Creole frog, Leptodactylus latrans. Bioassays were performed following standardized methods within a wide range of concentrations (0.0007-9.62 mg of acid equivalents per liter-a.e./L-of RU and 3-300 mg/L of GLY). The endpoints evaluated were mortality, swimming activity, growth, development, and the presence of morphologic abnormalities, especially in the mouthparts. No lethal effects were observed on larvae exposed to GLY during either Gs-25 or Gs-36. The concentrations inducing 50 % lethality in RU-exposed larvae at different exposure times and Gss ranged from 3.26 to 9.61 mg a.e./L. Swimming activity was affected by only RU. Effects on growth and development and the induction of morphologic abnormalities-like oral abnormalities and edema-were observed after exposure to either GLY or RU. Gs-25 was the most sensitive stage to both forms of the herbicide. The commercial formulation was much more toxic than the active ingredient on all the endpoints assessed. Effects on growth, development, and the induction of morphologic abnormalities observed in the range of environmental concentrations reported for agroecosystems of Argentina constitute an alert to the potential detrimental effects of the herbicide that could be affecting the fitness and survival of anurans in agroecosystems.

  11. Quantitative interpretation of heavy ion effects: Comparison of different systems and endpoints

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kiefer, J.

    For a quantitative interpretation of biological heavy ion action the following parameters have to be taken into account: variations of energy depositions in microscopical sites, the dependence of primary lesion formation on local energy density and changes in repairability. They can be studied in objects of different size and with different sensitivities. Results on survival and mutation induction in yeast and in mammalian cells will be compared with theoretical predictions. It is shown that shouldered survival curves of diploid yeast can be adequately described if the final slope is adjusted according to the varying production of primary lesions. This is not the case for mammalian cells where the experiments show a rapid loss of the shoulder with LET, contrary to theoretical expectations. This behaviour is interpreted to mean that the repairability of heavy ion lesions is different in the two systems. Mutation induction is theoretically expected to decrease with higher LET. This is found in yeast but not in mammalian cells where it actually increases. These results suggest a higher rate of misrepair in mammalian cells.

  12. Proliferation in culture of primordial germ cells derived from embryonic stem cell: induction by retinoic acid.

    PubMed

    Makoolati, Zohreh; Movahedin, Mansoureh; Forouzandeh-Moghadam, Mehdi

    2016-12-01

    An in vitro system that supports primordial germ cells (PGCs) survival and proliferation is useful for enhancement of these cells and efficient transplantation in infertility disorders. One approach is cultivation of PGCs under proper conditions that allow self-renewal and proliferation of PGCs. For this purpose, we compared the effects of different concentrations of retinoic acid (RA), and the effect of PGCs co-culture (Co-C) with SIM mouse embryo-derived thioguanine- and ouabain-resistant (STO) cells on the proliferation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs)-derived PGCs. One-day-old embryoid body (EB) was cultured for 4 days in simple culture system in the presence of 5 ng/ml bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) (SCB group) for PGC induction. For PGC enrichment, ESCs-derived germ cells were cultured for 7 days in the presence of different doses (0-5  μM) of RA, both in the simple and STO Co-C systems. At the end of the culture period, viability and proliferation rates were assessed and expression of mouse vasa homologue (Mvh),  α6 integrin,  β1 integrin, stimulated by retinoic acid 8 (Stra8) and piwi (Drosophila)-like 2 (Piwil2) was evaluated using quantitative PCR. Also, the inductive effects were investigated immunocytochemically with Mvh and cadherin1 (CDH1) on the selected groups. Immunocytochemistry/PCR results showed higher expression of Mvh, the PGC-specific marker, in 3  μM RA concentrations on the top of the STO feeder layer. Meanwhile, assessment of the Stra8 mRNA and CDH1 protein, the specific makers for spermatogonia, showed no significant differences between groups. Based on the results, it seems that in the presence of 3 μM RA on top of the STO feeder layer cells, the majority of the cells transdifferentiated into germ cells were PGCs. © 2016 The Author(s).

  13. 14 CFR 23.1103 - Induction system ducts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... withstanding the effects of temperature extremes, fuel, oil, water, and solvents to which it is expected to be exposed in service and maintenance without hazardous deterioration or delamination. (d) For reciprocating engine installations, each induction system duct must be— (1) Strong enough to prevent induction system...

  14. 14 CFR 23.1103 - Induction system ducts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... withstanding the effects of temperature extremes, fuel, oil, water, and solvents to which it is expected to be exposed in service and maintenance without hazardous deterioration or delamination. (d) For reciprocating engine installations, each induction system duct must be— (1) Strong enough to prevent induction system...

  15. 14 CFR 23.1103 - Induction system ducts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... withstanding the effects of temperature extremes, fuel, oil, water, and solvents to which it is expected to be exposed in service and maintenance without hazardous deterioration or delamination. (d) For reciprocating engine installations, each induction system duct must be— (1) Strong enough to prevent induction system...

  16. 14 CFR 23.1103 - Induction system ducts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... withstanding the effects of temperature extremes, fuel, oil, water, and solvents to which it is expected to be exposed in service and maintenance without hazardous deterioration or delamination. (d) For reciprocating engine installations, each induction system duct must be— (1) Strong enough to prevent induction system...

  17. 14 CFR 23.1103 - Induction system ducts.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... withstanding the effects of temperature extremes, fuel, oil, water, and solvents to which it is expected to be exposed in service and maintenance without hazardous deterioration or delamination. (d) For reciprocating engine installations, each induction system duct must be— (1) Strong enough to prevent induction system...

  18. 21 CFR 522.2005 - Propofol.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ...—(i) As a single injection to provide general anesthesia for short procedures; for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia using incremental doses to effect; for induction of general anesthesia where maintenance is provided by inhalant anesthetics. (ii) For the induction and maintenance of anesthesia and for...

  19. 21 CFR 522.2005 - Propofol.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ...—(i) As a single injection to provide general anesthesia for short procedures; for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia using incremental doses to effect; for induction of general anesthesia where maintenance is provided by inhalant anesthetics. (ii) For the induction and maintenance of anesthesia and for...

  20. Propofol or Thiopental sodium in patients undergoing reproductive assisted technologies: Differences in hemodynamic recovery and outcome of oocyte retrieval: A randomized clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Jarahzadeh, Mohammad Hossein; Jouya, Reza; Mousavi, Fatemeh Sadat; Dehghan-Tezerjani, Mohammad; Behdad, Shekoofa; Soltani, Hamid Reza

    2014-01-01

    Thiopental sodium and Propofol are two widely-used drugs in the induction of anesthesia in assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the side effects and outcome of recovery from anesthesia of these drugs on ART have not been identified yet. This study aimed at investigating the side effects and hemodynamic effects of using thiopental sodium and propofal as well as effects of these drugs on pregnancy outcome in ART cycles. In this double blinded) randomized controlled trial, 90 woman candidate for ART were randomly divided into two groups. 47 patients received Propofol (2.5 mg/kg) and 43 patients received thiopental (5mg/kg) for anesthesia induction. The entry hemodynamic parameters of the patients were documented. During the anesthesia process, hemodynamic parameters were checked at five-minute intervals. The results of the study showed a statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of their response to verbal stimulation (p<0.001), the normalization time of the rate and quality of breathing (p<0.001), nausea (p<0.001), and vomiting (p<0.001). Also, in comparison with the other group, all these parameters were better in Propofol group. There was found no significant difference between two groups in terms of other variables. Based on the findings of the study, Propofol has fewer known side effects. Vomiting and nausea as two known side effect of anesthesia are significantly lower in patients receiving Propofol than patients who received thiopental. IRCT201303135393N2 This article extracted from M.D. thesis. (Reza Jouya).

  1. Teaching the Photoelectric Effect Inductively

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sokolowski, Andrzej

    2013-01-01

    Research has shown that students have difficulty understanding the underlying process of the photoelectric effect. Thus, this study sought to utilize an inductively situated lesson for teaching the photoelectric effect, hypothesizing that this type of enquiry would help learners delve deeper into the principles of the phenomenon and provide a…

  2. Analyzing high school students' reasoning about electromagnetic induction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jelicic, Katarina; Planinic, Maja; Planinsic, Gorazd

    2017-06-01

    Electromagnetic induction is an important, yet complex, physics topic that is a part of Croatian high school curriculum. Nine Croatian high school students of different abilities in physics were interviewed using six demonstration experiments from electromagnetism (three of them concerned the topic of electromagnetic induction). Students were asked to observe, describe, and explain the experiments. The analysis of students' explanations indicated the existence of many conceptual and reasoning difficulties with the basic concepts of electromagnetism, and especially with recognizing and explaining the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. Three student mental models of electromagnetic induction, formed during the interviews, which reoccurred among students, are described and analyzed within the knowledge-in-pieces framework.

  3. Training the elderly on the ability factors of spatial orientation and inductive reasoning.

    PubMed

    Willis, S L; Schaie, K W

    1986-09-01

    We examined the effects of cognitive training with elderly participants from the Seattle Longitudinal Study. Subjects were classified as having remained stable or having declined over the previous 14-year interval on each of two primary abilities, spatial orientation and inductive reasoning. Subjects who had declined on one of these abilities received training on that ability; subjects who had declined on both abilities or who had remained stable on both were randomly assigned to the spatial orientation or inductive reasoning training programs. Training outcomes were examined within an ability-measurement framework with empirically determined factorial structure. Significant training effects, at the level of the latent ability constructs, occurred for both spatial orientation and inductive reasoning. These effects were general, in that no significant interactions with decline status or gender were found. Thus, training interventions were effective both in remediating cognitive decline on the target abilities and in improving the performance of stable subjects.

  4. Cytochrome P450 induction properties of food and herbal-derived compounds using a novel multiplex RT-qPCR in vitro assay, a drug–food interaction prediction tool

    PubMed Central

    Koe, Xue Fen; Tengku Muhammad, Tengku Sifzizul; Chong, Alexander Shu-Chien; Wahab, Habibah Abdul; Tan, Mei Lan

    2014-01-01

    A multiplex RT-qPCR was developed to examine CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 induction properties of compounds from food and herbal sources. The induction of drug metabolizing enzymes is an important pharmacokinetic interaction with unique features in comparison with inhibition of metabolizing enzymes. Cytochrome induction can lead to serious drug–drug or drug–food interactions, especially if the coadministered drug plasma level is critical as it can reduce therapeutic effects and cause complications. Using this optimized multiplex RT-qPCR, cytochrome induction properties of andrographolide, curcumin, lycopene, bergamottin, and resveratrol were determined. Andrographolide, curcumin, and lycopene produced no significant induction effects on CYP1A2, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4. However, bergamottin appeared to be a significant in vitro CYP1A2 inducer starting from 5 to 50 μmol/L with induction ranging from 60 to 100-fold changes. On the other hand, resveratrol is a weak in vitro CYP1A2 inducer. Examining the cytochrome induction properties of food and herbal compounds help complement CYP inhibition studies and provide labeling and safety caution for such products. PMID:25473508

  5. Immobilization of mule deer with thiafentanil (A-3080) or thiafentanil plus xylazine.

    PubMed

    Wolfe, Lisa L; Lance, William R; Miller, Michael W

    2004-04-01

    We evaluated thiafentanil oxalate (A-3080) for the immobilization of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) under laboratory and field conditions. In a crossover experiment comparing recommended (0.1 mg/kg) and 2x recommended thiafentanil doses in captive deer, both produced rapid induction and immobilization. Mean induction was shorter (P = 0.013) for the 2x group (1.9 vs. 3 min); mean reversals for both groups were rapid (recommended = 0.9 min after naltrexone injection; 2x = 1 min) and did not differ (P = 0.29). Six free-ranging mule deer were immobilized with 7 mg thiafentanil and four with 10 mg; mean induction was 2.3 min for both groups (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7 mg, 1.2-3.4; 10 mg, 1.9-2.8), and mean reversal was <1 min for both groups. Of 165 free-ranging deer darted with various combinations of thiafentanil and xylazine, we successfully immobilized 148 (90%). Mean induction ranged from 2.1 to 4.9 min for different drug combinations. Reversals were not compared because naltrexone and yohimbine doses varied, but overall mean reversal was 1.9 min (95% CI, 1.7-2.1 min) after injection of naltrexone and yohimbine intravenously (i.v.); naltrexone:thiafentanil ratios ranging from 10:1 to 43:1 provided mean recoveries ranging from 1.5 to 2.3 min. All 25 deer fitted with radio collars were alive at 30 days postcapture. On the basis of overall reliability and effectiveness, drug volumes, and ease of handling drugged animals, we recommend using a combination of 10-12 mg thiafentanil (0.15-0.2 mg/kg) and 100 mg xylazine to immobilize mule deer; immobilization can be effectively reversed with 100 mg naltrexone or more and 15 mg yohimbine or more i.v. Where feasible, we also recommend the use of transmitter darts when immobilizing mule deer with opioids in order to maximize recovery of darted deer and to ensure that missed darts are found.

  6. Influence of cytokinins, auxins and polyamines on in vitro mass multiplication of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. SVPR2).

    PubMed

    Ganesan, M; Jayabalan, N

    2006-06-01

    In the present investigation, the influence of different forms of cytokinins, auxins and polyamines were tested for mass multiplication and regeneration of cotton. Initially, for the identification of effective concentration for multiple shoot induction, various concentrations of BAP, Kin and 2iP along with IAA and NAA were tested. Among tested concentrations, media fortified with MS salts; B5 vitamins; 30 g/l, glucose; 2.0 mg/l, 2iP; 2.0 mg/l, IAA and 0.7 % agar showed best response for multiplication of shoot tip explants (20 shoots per shoot tip explants). In nodal explants, maximum of 18.6 shoots were obtained in the media fortified with MS salts, B5 vitamins, 30 g/l, glucose, 2.0 mg/l, 2iP, 1.0 mg/l, NAA and 0.7 % agar. Effect of different concentrations of polyamines like spermidine and putrescine were also tested along with the above said multiplication media. Among the various treatments, 20 mg/l of putrescine showed best response and the multiple of shoots were increased to 26.5 shoots per shoot tip explants and 24.5 shoots per nodal explants. Elongation of shoots was achieved on multiple shoot induction medium. Significant number of roots were initiated in the medium supplemented with MS salts, vitamin B5 and IBA (2.0 mg/l). The frequency of root induction was increased by addition of, PVP (10 mg/l) along with root induction medium and after 2 weeks, the roots reached the maximum length of 22 cm. Further, these plantlets were hardened by using sand, soil and vermiculate in 1:1:1 ratio. The hardened plants were transferred to the environmental growth chamber for proper acclimatization. The hardened plants were then transferred to field for boll yielding and they exhibited 100% survival.

  7. Anesthesia with Isoflurane and Sevoflurane in the Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela hoya): Minimum Anesthetic Concentration, Physiological Effects, Hematocrit, Plasma Chemistry and Behavioral Effects

    PubMed Central

    CHAN, Fang-Tse; CHANG, Geng-Ruei; WANG, Hsien-Chi; HSU, Tien-Huan

    2013-01-01

    ABSTRACT The initial goal of this study was to determine the minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) for isoflurane (ISO) and sevoflurane (SEVO) for the crested serpent eagle. Next, we compared the anesthetic effects of each on the physiological effects, hematocrit, plasma chemistry values and behavior in spontaneously breathing captive adult crested serpent eagles. Sixteen eagles were randomly allocated to two groups for anesthesia with ISO (n=8) or SEVO (n=8). First, we measured the MAC values of ISO and SEVO, and four weeks later, we investigated the effect of each on the physiological effects, hematocrit (HCT) and plasma chemistry values. The MAC values of ISO and SEVO for crested serpent eagles were 1.46 ± 0.30 and 2.03 ± 0.32%, respectively. The results revealed no significant differences between the two anesthetics in induction time, while time of extubation to recovery was significantly shorter with SEVO. A time-related increase in end-tidal CO2 and decreases in body temperature and respiratory rates were observed during anesthesia with each anesthetic. There were no significant differences between the effect of the two anesthetics on heart rate, hematocrit, plasma chemistry values or respiration, although each caused minor respiration depression. We concluded that SEVO is a more effective inhalant agent than ISO for use in eagles, showing the most rapidest induction and recovery from anesthesia. PMID:23955396

  8. Improvement of energy conversion effectiveness and maximum output power of electrostatic induction-type MEMS energy harvesters by using symmetric comb-electrode structures

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Honma, H.; Mitsuya, H.; Hashiguchi, G.; Fujita, H.; Toshiyoshi, H.

    2018-06-01

    We introduce symmetric comb-electrode structures for the electrostatic vibrational MEMS energy harvester to lower the electrostatic constraint force attributed to the built-in electret potential, thereby allowing the harvester device to operate in a small acceleration range of 0.05 g or lower (1 g  =  9.8 m s‑2). Given the same device structure, two different potentials for the electret are tested to experimentally confirm that the output induction current is enhanced 4.2 times by increasing the electret potential from  ‑60 V to  ‑250 V. At the same time, the harvester effectiveness has been improved to as high as 93%. The device is used to swiftly charge a 470 µF storage capacitor to 3.3 V in 120 s from small sinusoidal vibrations of 0.6 g at 124 Hz.

  9. The effect of hydrogen on B4C coatings fabrication in inductively coupled plasma torch

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guo, Q. J.; Zhao, P.; Li, L.; Zhou, Q. J.; Ni, G. H.; Meng, Y. D.

    2018-02-01

    Boron carbide (B4C) coatings are prepared by an RF inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch with different amounts of hydrogen introduced into the sheath gas. The effects of the added hydrogen on the characteristics of the plasma are diagnosed by optical emission spectroscopy and high speed photography. The effects on the melting of B4C particles in the plasma are studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microstructure of the B4C coatings was determined with SEM imaging and x-ray diffraction analysis. The results show that adding hydrogen to the sheath gas leads to plasma contraction, which results in higher gas temperature of plasma. It also enhances B4C particles spheroidizing and improves the compactness of B4C coatings. Plasma processing does not change the main phase of boron carbide. The obtained results on B4C coatings on Cu substrates allows for improving the B4C coatings fabrication process.

  10. Effective potentials for H2O-He and H2O-Ar systems. Isotropic induction-dispersion potentials

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Starikov, Vitali I.; Petrova, Tatiana M.; Solodov, Alexander M.; Solodov, Alexander A.; Deichuli, Vladimir M.

    2017-05-01

    The vibrational and rotational dependence of the effective isotropic interaction potential of H2O-He and H2O-Ar systems, taken in the form of Lennard-Jones 6-12 potential has been analyzed. The analysis is based on the experimental line broadening (γ) and line shift (δ) coefficients obtained for different vibrational bands of H2O molecule perturbed by He and Ar. The first and second derivatives of the function C(1)(q) for the long-range part of the induction-dispersion potential with respect to the dimensionless normal coordinates q were calculated using literature information for the dipole moment and mean polarizability functions μ(q) and α(q), respectively. These derivatives have been used in the calculations of the quantities which determine the vibrational and rotational dependence of the long-range part of the effective isotropic potential. The optimal set of the derivatives for the function C(1)(q) is proposed. The comparison with the experimental data has been performed.

  11. Relative biological effectiveness of accelerated heavy ions for induction of morphological transformation in Syrian hamster embryo cells.

    PubMed

    Han, Z B; Suzuki, H; Suzuki, F; Suzuki, M; Furusawa, Y; Kato, T; Ikenaga, M

    1998-09-01

    Syrian hamster embryo cells were used to study the morphological transformation induced by accelerated heavy ions with different linear energy transfer (LET) ranging from 13 to 400 keV/micron. Exponentially growing cells were irradiated with 12C or 28Si ion beams generated by the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC), then inoculated to culture dishes. Morphologically altered colonies were scored as transformants. Over the LET range examined, the frequency of transformation induced by the heavy ions increased sharply at very low doses no greater than 5 cGy. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of the heavy ions relative to X-rays first increased with LET, reached a maximum value of about 7 at 100 keV/micron, then decreased with the further increase of LET. Our findings confirmed that high LET heavy ions are much more effective than X-rays for the induction of in vitro cell transformation.

  12. Ketogenic Diet Based on Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Has No Effects in Young Wistar Rats With Pilocarpine-Induced Epilepsy.

    PubMed

    Melo, Isabelle T; M Rêgo, Elisabete; Bueno, Nassib B; Gomes, Tâmara C; Oliveira, Suzana L; Trindade-Filho, Euclides M; Cabral, Cyro R; Machado, Tacy S; Galvão, Jaqueline A; R Ataide, Terezinha

    2018-02-01

    This study evaluated the effects of a ketogenic diet (KD) based on extra virgin coconut oil (Cocos nucifera L., VCO), on the treatment of epileptic rats. Two sets of experiments were conducted. First, male Wistar rats underwent induction of status epilepticus (SE) with the administration of pilocarpine intraperitoneally 21 animals reached spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) and were randomly allocated to the dietary regimens and video-monitored for 19 days. In the second experiment, 24 animals were randomized immediately after the induction of SE and followed for 67 days. Diets were as follows: Control (AIN-93G; 7% lipid), KetoTAGsoya (KD based on soybean oil; 69.79% lipid), and KetoTAGcoco (KD based on VCO; 69.79% lipid). There were no differences in the latency to the first crisis, total frequency, and duration of the SRS between groups in 2 experiments. The data suggest no effects of KD, with or without VCO, in rats with pilocarpine-induced epilepsy. © 2018 AOCS.

  13. Testing the differential effects of acceptance and attention-based psychological interventions on intrusive thoughts and worry.

    PubMed

    Ainsworth, B; Bolderston, H; Garner, M

    2017-04-01

    Worry is a key component of anxiety and may be an effective target for therapeutic intervention. We compared two psychological processes (attention and acceptance) on the frequency of intrusive worrying thoughts in an experimental worry task. 77 participants were randomised across three groups and completed either a 10 min attention or acceptance-based psychological exercise, or progressive muscle relaxation control. We subsequently measured anxiety, and the content and frequency of intrusive thoughts before and after a 'worry induction task'. Groups did not differ in baseline worry, anxiety or thought intrusions. Both attention and acceptance-based groups experienced fewer negative thought intrusions (post-worry) compared to the relaxation control group. The acceptance exercise had the largest effect, preventing 'worry induction'. Increases in negative intrusive thoughts predicted subjective anxiety. We provide evidence that acceptance and attention psychological exercises may reduce anxiety by reducing the negative thought intrusions that characterise worry. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  14. Effects of heavy metal contamination of soils on micronucleus induction in Tradescantia and on microbial enzyme activities: a comparative investigation.

    PubMed

    Majer, Bernhard J; Tscherko, Dagmar; Paschke, Albrecht; Wennrich, Rainer; Kundi, Michael; Kandeler, Ellen; Knasmüller, Siegfried

    2002-03-25

    The aim of this study was to investigate correlation between genotoxic effects and changes of microbial parameters caused by metal contamination in soils. In total, 20 soils from nine locations were examined; metal contents and physicochemical soil parameters were measured with standard methods. In general, a pronounced induction of the frequency of micronuclei (MN) in the Tradescantia micronucleus (Trad-MN) assay was seen with increasing metal concentration in soils from identical locations. However, no correlations were found between metal contents and genotoxicity of soils from different locations. These discrepancies are probably due to differences of the physicochemical characteristics of the samples. Also, the microbial parameters depended on the metal content in soils from identical sampling locations. Inconsistent responses of the individual enzymes were seen in soils from different locations, indicating that it is not possible to define a specific marker enzyme for metal contamination. The most sensitive microbial parameters were dehydrogenase and arylsulfatase activity, biomass C, and biomass N. Statistical analyses showed an overall correlation between genotoxicity in Tradescantia on the one hand and dehydrogenase activity, biomass C, and the metabolic quotient on the other hand. In conclusion, the results of the present study show that the Trad-MN assay is suitable for the detection of genotoxic effects of metal contamination in soils and furthermore, that the DNA-damaging potential of soils from different origin cannot be predicted on the basis of chemical analyses of their metal concentrations.

  15. The effect of parturition induction treatment on interval to calving, calving ease, postpartum uterine health, and resumption of ovarian cyclicity in beef heifers.

    PubMed

    Šavc, Miha; Kenny, David A; Beltman, Marijke E

    2016-05-01

    The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two parturition induction protocols with a nontreated control group, on interval to calving, calving ease, postpartum uterine health, and ovarian cyclicity in beef heifers. At Day 285 of gestation, 81 crossbred recipient beef heifers carrying purebred Simmental fetuses, were blocked by live-weight, body condition score, expected calving date and fetal sex, and assigned to one of three groups: (1) control (CON; no induction treatment, n = 29); (2) induction with corticosteroids (CORT; n = 27); or (3) induction with corticosteroids plus prostaglandin (CORT + PG; n = 25). Interval from induction to calving in hours and calving ease on a scale of 1 to 5 were recorded. Vaginal mucus samples were collected on Day 21 and Day 42 after calving (Day 0) by means of a Metricheck and scored on a scale of 0 to 3. Reproductive tract examinations were conducted on Day 21 and Day 42 after calving, and uterine cytology samples were obtained on Day 21. A positive cytologic sample was defined as greater than 18% neutrophils in the sample obtained via a cytobrush technique. Cows were considered to have resumed ovarian cyclicity if the presence of the CL was confirmed. Data were analyzed using the Mixed (normally distributed data) and Genmod (nonparametric data) procedures of SAS (v. 9.3). The interval from treatment to calving was longer (P < 0.0001) for CON (161.9 ± 15.12 hours) animals compared with CORT (39.7 ± 11.64 hours) or CORT + PG (32.6 ± 12.10 hours), which did not differ. Treatment did not affect calving difficulty score. There was also no difference in incidence of retained placenta between the three groups. At Day 21 postpartum, cytology score tended to be higher for both induced groups (48%) compared with the control animals (24%), but this was not the case for vaginal mucus score (CON 52%, CORT 70%, and CORT + PG 52%). A higher proportion of CON had an involuted uterus by Day 21 postpartum (69%) compared with both induced groups (CORT 48%, CORT + PG 32%). Day 21 ovarian cyclicity was higher in both CON (52%) and CORT (59%) compared with CORT + PG (29%). By Day 42, there was no difference in ovarian cyclicity or uterine involution between CON and CORT; however, a positive relationship was observed between uterine involution score on Day 21 and return to cyclicity on Day 42 in these two groups. There was a negative relationship between uterine involution score and return to cyclicity in the CORT + PG group, and these animals were slower (P < 0.05) to resume cyclicity by Day 42 with a larger proportion animals having evidence of having resumed postpartum ovarian cyclicity in both CON (P = 0.03) and CORT compared with CORT + PG on Day 42. In conclusion, the use of corticosteroid-based treatments is an effective strategy to advance parturition in full term dams and does not have a negative effect on calving progress or dam health. However, when prostaglandin is also included in the protocol, these treatments may lead to greater delay in uterine involution with increased chance of uterine infection and slower resumption of ovarian cyclicity. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  16. Cognitive deficits in adult rats by lead intoxication are related with regional specific inhibition of cNOS.

    PubMed

    García-Arenas, Guadalupe; Ramírez-Amaya, Victor; Balderas, Israela; Sandoval, Jimena; Escobar, Martha L; Ríos, Camilo; Bermúdez-Rattoni, Federico

    2004-02-04

    It is well known that lead can affect several cognitive abilities in developing animals. In this work, we investigate the effects of different sub-chronic lead doses (0, 65, 125, 250 and 500 ppm of lead acetate in their drinking water for 14 days) in the performance of male adult rats in a water maze, cue maze and inhibitory avoidance tasks. We found that the acquisition of these tasks was not affected by lead, however, the highest dosage of lead (500 ppm) impaired memory consolidation in spatial and inhibitory avoidance tasks, but not in cue maze task while the 250 ppm dose only affected retrieval of spatial memory. Additionally, hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in the perforant path after exposing adult rats to different doses of lead was studied. LTP induction was affected in a dose-dependent manner, and treatments of 250 and 500 ppm completely blocked LTP. We investigated the effects of lead intoxication on the activity of constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS) in different brain regions of adult animals. The activity of cNOS was significantly inhibited in the hippocampus and cerebellum but not in the frontal cortex and brain stem, although lead had accumulated in all brain regions. These results suggest that lead intoxication can impair memory in adult animals and this impairment might be related with region-specific effects on cNOS activity.

  17. Electrohysterographic characterization of the uterine myoelectrical response to labor induction drugs.

    PubMed

    Benalcazar-Parra, Carlos; Ye-Lin, Yiyao; Garcia-Casado, Javier; Monfort-Orti, Rogelio; Alberola-Rubio, Jose; Perales, Alfredo; Prats-Boluda, Gema

    2018-06-01

    Labor induction is a common practice to promote uterine contractions and labor onset. Uterine electrohysterogram (EHG) has proved its suitability for characterizing the uterus electrophysiological condition in women with spontaneous labor. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare uterine myoelectrical activity during the first 4 h in response to labor induction drugs, Misoprostol (G1) and Dinoprostone (G2), by analyzing the differences between women who achieved active phase of labor and those who did not (successful and failed inductions). A set of temporal, spectral and complexity parameters were computed from the EHG-bursts. As for successful inductions, statistical significant and sustained increases with respect to basal period were obtained for EHG amplitude, mean frequency, uterine activity index (UAI) and Teager, after 60' for the G1 group; duration, amplitude, number of contractions and UAI for the G2 group, after 120'. Moreover, Teager showed statistical significant and sustained differences between successful and failed inductions (1.43 ± 1.45 µV 2. Hz 2. 10 5  vs. 0.40 ± 0.26 µV 2. Hz 2. 10 5 after 240') for the G1 group, but not in the G2 group, probably due to the slower pharmacokinetics of this drug. These results revealed that EHG could be useful for successful induction prediction in the early stages of induction, especially when using Misoprostol. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Obstetric outcomes of pre-induction of labor with a 200 μg misoprostol vaginal insert.

    PubMed

    Jagielska, Iwona; Kazdepka-Ziemińska, Anita; Tyloch, Małgorzata; Sopońska-Brzoszczyk, Paulina; Nowak, Karina; Dziedzic, Dawid; Dzikowska, Ewa; Grabiec, Marek

    2017-01-01

    Labor induction is indicated in 20% to 40% of pregnancies. Over half of pregnancies qualified for the induction of labor require stimulation of the cervix to ripen. The drug used increasingly more often in pre-induction is the PGE-1 pros-taglandin analog - misoprostol 200 μg. The study includes a total of 100 patients qualified for labor pre-induction with Misodel® (miso-prostol 200 μg vaginal insert). The study group comprises two subgroups: primigravidas and multiparas. Assessments included: indications for labor pre-induction, time from Misodel application to delivery, caesarean section rate and indica-tions, duration of first and second stage of labor, rate of vaginal deliveries, need for oxytocin or fenoterol administration side effects and newborn condition. The most common indication for labor induction was gestational diabetes and pregnancy past term. The average time to vaginal delivery was 14 h 45 min, time to the onset of active phase of labor - 11 h 45 min, time to membranes' rupture - 15 h, time to vaginal delivery - 14 h 18 min. The times of multiparas were significantly shorter. The rate of vaginal deliveries within 12 hours amounted to 42.42%, while within 24 hours it reached 83.33%. The overall caesarean section rate was 33%. The most common indication for caesarean section was the risk of intrauterine hypoxia. Tachysystole and hyperstimulation was observed in 4% of cases, while abnormalities in the cardiotocographic tracing in 43%. Misodel is an effective method for labor pre-induction, without affecting the caesarean section rate and has no adverse effect on the newborn condition.

  19. A measurement of forward-flight effects on the noise from a JT15D-1 turbofan engine in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ahtye, W. F.

    1980-01-01

    A Pratt and Whitney JT15D-1 turbofan engine was tested in two facilities at Ames Research Center: the outdoor Static Test Facility and the 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel. The primary purposes of the test were to determine the effects of forward velocity on the turbofan spectra in the forward quadrant for the cruise inlet and to compare these wind-tunnel spectra with outdoor spectra to determine the possibility of simulating forward-velocity effects from purely outdoor measurements. The wind-tunnel data show a reduction in the blade-passage frequency tones of the order of 10 dB with increasing forward velocity at subsonic fan-tip speeds. No forward-velocity variation was observed at supersonic tip speeds. Comparison of in-duct spectra for the cruise inlet at forward velocity, with spectra from outdoor tests with a distortion-control inlet shows excellent agreement for the in-duct data when allowance is made for different in-duct volumes. This is also reflected in good agreement for the far-field spectra at small forward angles. The comparisons of wind-tunnel and outdoor data also indicate that at least for the JT15D-1, it may be possible to approximate the shape of the far-field spectra at large directivity angles from an outdoor measurement with the cruise inlet, providing an effective inflow control device is used.

  20. Laser vocal cordectomy fails to effectively reduce respiratory noise in horses with laryngeal hemiplegia.

    PubMed

    Brown, Jennifer A; Derksen, Frederik J; Stick, John A; Hartmann, William M; Robinson, N Edward

    2005-01-01

    To report the effect of unilateral laser vocal cordectomy on respiratory noise and airway function in horses with experimentally induced laryngeal hemiplegia (LH). Experimental study. Six Standardbred horses without upper airway abnormalities at rest or during high-speed treadmill exercise. Respiratory sounds and inspiratory trans-upper airway pressure (P(Ui)) were measured before (baseline) and 14 days after induction of LH by left recurrent laryngeal neurectomy, and again 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after endoscopically assisted laser cordectomy of the left vocal cord. Data were collected with the horses exercising on a treadmill at a speed producing maximum heart rate (HR(max)). In horses exercising at HR(max), induction of LH caused a significant increase in P(Ui), sound level (SL), and the sound intensity of formant 2 (F(2)) and 3 (F(3)). The sound intensity of formant 1 (F(1)) was unaffected by induction of LH. Laser vocal cordectomy had no effect on SL, or on the sound intensity of F(1) and F(3). At 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after surgery, P(Ui) and the sound intensity of F(2) were significantly reduced, but these variables remained significantly different from baseline values. Unilateral laser vocal cordectomy did not effectively improve upper airway noise in horses with LH. The procedure decreased upper airway obstruction to the same degree as bilateral ventriculocordectomy. Currently, laser vocal cordectomy cannot be recommended for the treatment of upper airway noise in horses with LH.

  1. The protein phosphatase 2A catalytic subunit StPP2Ac2b acts as a positive regulator of tuberization induction in Solanum tuberosum L.

    PubMed

    Muñiz García, María Noelia; Muro, María Catalina; Mazzocchi, Luciana Carla; País, Silvia Marina; Stritzler, Margarita; Schlesinger, Mariana; Capiati, Daniela Andrea

    2017-02-01

    This study provides the first genetic evidence for the role of PP2A in tuberization, demonstrating that the catalytic subunit StPP2Ac2b positively modulates tuber induction, and that its function is related to the regulation of gibberellic acid metabolism. The results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanism controlling tuberization induction, which remains largely unknown. The serine/threonine protein phosphatases type 2A (PP2A) are implicated in several physiological processes in plants, playing important roles in hormone responses. In cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum), six PP2A catalytic subunits (StPP2Ac) were identified. The PP2Ac of the subfamily I (StPP2Ac1, 2a and 2b) were suggested to be involved in the tuberization signaling in leaves, where the environmental and hormonal signals are perceived and integrated. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PP2A in the tuberization induction in stolons. We selected one of the catalytic subunits of the subfamily I, StPP2Ac2b, to develop transgenic plants overexpressing this gene (StPP2Ac2b-OE). Stolons from StPP2Ac2b-OE plants show higher tuber induction rates in vitro, as compared to wild type stolons, with no differences in the number of tubers obtained at the end of the process. This effect is accompanied by higher expression levels of the gibberellic acid (GA) catabolic enzyme StGA2ox1. GA up-regulates StPP2Ac2b expression in stolons, possibly as part of the feedback system by which the hormone regulates its own level. Sucrose, a tuber-promoting factor in vitro, increases StPP2Ac2b expression. We conclude that StPP2Ac2b acts in stolons as a positive regulator tuber induction, integrating different tuberization-related signals mainly though the modulation of GA metabolism.

  2. Impact of a preoperative conversational hypnotic session on propofol consumption using closed-loop anesthetic induction guided by the bispectral index

    PubMed Central

    Bataille, Aurélien; Besset, Sébastien; Szekely, Barbara; Michel-Cherqui, Mireille; Dumans, Virginie; Liu, Ngai; Chazot, Thierry; Fischler, Marc; Le Guen, Morgan

    2017-01-01

    Abstract Objective: The automated administration of propofol in a closed loop could be used to objectively evaluate the nonpharmacological anesthetic action of hypnotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a conversational hypnosis session on the consumption of propofol for anesthetic induction. Design: A randomized, usual care-controlled, single-center, patient-blind trial. Setting: Tertiary care center in France from November 2012 to December 2013. Participants: Adult patients scheduled for a surgical procedure under general anesthesia. Interventions: Before surgery, patients were randomized with a computer-generated random list for a preoperative conversational hypnosis session or for usual care. The conversational hypnosis session was conducted and individualized by the therapist with an academic degree in hypnosis in a quiet environment. Anesthetic induction was automatically performed by propofol without opioids and was assisted by the bispectral index in a closed loop. Outcome: Primary endpoint was the propofol dose required for anesthesia induction, defined as a Bispectral index less than 60 for at least 30 seconds. Results: The study included 48 patients in the hypnosis group and 49 patients in the control group. No difference in propofol consumption to obtain anesthesia induction was observed between the groups (total dose: 138.6 [67.5] and 130 [47.9] mg, P = .47; adjusted dose: 2.15 [1.09] and 1.95 [0.66] mg/kg, P = .28, for the hypnosis and control groups, respectively). Hetero-evaluation of arm movement during propofol injection (no reaction: 98% and 74%; P = .004, in the hypnosis and control groups, respectively) and face reaction at venous access placement (no reaction 59% and 30%; P = .017, in the hypnosis and control groups, respectively) were lower in the hypnosis group. No adverse event was reported. Conclusions: No difference in propofol consumption was observed in this study designed to evaluate the effect of a hypnotic conversational session on anesthesia induction using an automated tool for propofol administration. PMID:28489735

  3. Factors affecting the efficiency of foal production in a commercial oocyte transfer program.

    PubMed

    Riera, Fernando L; Roldán, Jaime E; Gomez, José; Hinrichs, Katrin

    2016-04-01

    Transfer of donor oocytes to the oviducts of inseminated recipient mares (oocyte transfer, OT) presents a valuable method for production of foals from otherwise infertile mares. Little information is available, however, on factors affecting success of OT in a clinical setting. We report the findings over three breeding seasons in a commercial OT program developed at an equine embryo transfer center in Argentina. Overall, 25 mares were enrolled, and 197 follicle aspiration procedures were performed. The average mare age was 23 years. Follicle aspiration was performed with a needle placed through the flank; the oocyte recovery rate per follicle aspirated was 149 of 227 (66%). Induction of donor ovulation with deslorelin + hCG resulted in a significantly higher oocyte recovery rate than did induction with deslorelin alone (75% vs. 58%). There was no significant effect of mare age (17-20, 21-24, or 25-27 years) on oocyte recovery rate. Twelve oocytes were degenerating or lost during handling; transfer of the remaining 137 oocytes resulted in 42 pregnancies (31%) at 14 days. Of these, 32 (23% per transfer) went on to produce a foal or ongoing pregnancy. Transfer of oocytes recovered with a compact cumulus, without donor follicle induction, or less than 20 hours after induction was associated with a significantly reduced pregnancy rate (1/16, 6%), as was use of noncycling, hormone-treated recipients (2/22, 9%). To evaluate management factors affecting pregnancy rate, noncycling, hormone-treated recipients were disregarded, and only procedures using mature (expanded cumulus) oocytes recovered and transferred on the standard schedule (n = 99) were included. Mare age did not significantly affect rates of pregnancy or pregnancy loss. Similar pregnancy rates were obtained using recipients inseminated from 1 to 27 hours before transfer. Counterintuitively, insemination of recipients immediately (1-2 hours) after aspiration of the recipient follicle was associated with a high pregnancy rate (10/12, 83%). There was no significant effect on pregnancy rate of donor induction agent, the time the oocyte was in culture (2-20 hours) before transfer, time from recipient insemination to transfer, or total time from donor induction to transfer (32-45 hours). These findings establish that OT is robust, in that it is effective over a wide variation in timing of the different components involved, and can be successfully developed in a private embryo transfer practice. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Experimental and modelling studies for the validation of the mechanistic basis of the Local Effect Model

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tommasino, F.

    2016-03-01

    This review will summarize results obtained in the recent years applying the Local Effect Model (LEM) approach to the study of basic radiobiological aspects, as for instance DNA damage induction and repair, and charged particle track structure. The promising results obtained using different experimental techniques and looking at different biological end points, support the relevance of the LEM approach for the description of radiation effects induced by both low- and high-LET radiation. Furthermore, they suggest that nowadays the appropriate combination of experimental and modelling tools can lead to advances in the understanding of several open issues in the field of radiation biology.

  5. Similarities and Differences in Risk and Protective Factors in Teacher Induction for Prospective Elementary and Physical and Health Education Teachers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Leroux, Mylène; Beaudoin, Charlotte; Grenier, Johanne; Turcotte, Sylvain; Rivard, Marie-Claude

    2016-01-01

    The growing body of literature on teacher induction barriers has revealed the need to address issues that may lead to negative consequences. Recent research points to an increased interest in teacher resilience, a concept that promotes positive adaptation to counteract these adverse outcomes. However, teacher induction and resilience may differ…

  6. Induction launcher design considerations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Driga, M. D.; Weldon, W. F.

    1989-01-01

    New concepts in the design of induction accelerators and their power supplies for space and military applications are discussed. Particular attention is given to a piecewise-rising-frequency power supply in which each elementary generator (normal compulsator or rising frequency generator) has a different base frequency. A preliminary design of a coaxial induction accelerator for a hypersonic real gas facility is discussed to illustrate the concepts described.

  7. The seats of reason? An imaging study of deductive and inductive reasoning.

    PubMed

    Goel, V; Gold, B; Kapur, S; Houle, S

    1997-03-24

    We carried out a neuroimaging study to test the neurophysiological predictions made by different cognitive models of reasoning. Ten normal volunteers performed deductive and inductive reasoning tasks while their regional cerebral blood flow pattern was recorded using [15O]H2O PET imaging. In the control condition subjects semantically comprehended sets of three sentences. In the deductive reasoning condition subjects determined whether the third sentence was entailed by the first two sentences. In the inductive reasoning condition subjects reported whether the third sentence was plausible given the first two sentences. The deduction condition resulted in activation of the left inferior frontal gyrus (Brodmann areas 45, 47). The induction condition resulted in activation of a large area comprised of the left medial frontal gyrus, the left cingulate gyrus, and the left superior frontal gyrus (Brodmann areas 8, 9, 24, 32). Induction was distinguished from deduction by the involvement of the medial aspect of the left superior frontal gyrus (Brodmann areas 8, 9). These results are consistent with cognitive models of reasoning that postulate different mechanisms for inductive and deductive reasoning and view deduction as a formal rule-based process.

  8. Effects of radiation quality and oxygen on clustered DNA lesions and cell death.

    PubMed

    Stewart, Robert D; Yu, Victor K; Georgakilas, Alexandros G; Koumenis, Constantinos; Park, Joo Han; Carlson, David J

    2011-11-01

    Radiation quality and cellular oxygen concentration have a substantial impact on DNA damage, reproductive cell death and, ultimately, the potential efficacy of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer. To better understand and quantify the effects of radiation quality and oxygen on the induction of clustered DNA lesions, we have now extended the Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS) to account for reductions in the initial lesion yield arising from enhanced chemical repair of DNA radicals under hypoxic conditions. The kinetic energy range and types of particles considered in the MCDS have also been expanded to include charged particles up to and including (56)Fe ions. The induction of individual and clustered DNA lesions for arbitrary mixtures of different types of radiation can now be directly simulated. For low-linear energy transfer (LET) radiations, cells irradiated under normoxic conditions sustain about 2.9 times as many double-strand breaks (DSBs) as cells irradiated under anoxic conditions. New experiments performed by us demonstrate similar trends in the yields of non-DSB (Fpg and Endo III) clusters in HeLa cells irradiated by γ rays under aerobic and hypoxic conditions. The good agreement among measured and predicted DSBs, Fpg and Endo III cluster yields suggests that, for the first time, it may be possible to determine nucleotide-level maps of the multitude of different types of clustered DNA lesions formed in cells under reduced oxygen conditions. As particle LET increases, the MCDS predicts that the ratio of DSBs formed under normoxic to hypoxic conditions by the same type of radiation decreases monotonically toward unity. However, the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of higher-LET radiations compared to (60)Co γ rays (0.24 keV/μm) tends to increase with decreasing oxygen concentration. The predicted RBE of a 1 MeV proton (26.9 keV/μm) relative to (60)Co γ rays for DSB induction increases from 1.9 to 2.3 as oxygen concentration decreases from 100% to 0%. For a 12 MeV (12)C ion (681 keV/μm), the 'predicted RBE for DSB induction increases from 3.4 (100% O(2)) to 9.8 (0% O(2)). Estimates of linear-quadratic (LQ) cell survival model parameters (α and β) are closely correlated to the Monte Carlo-predicted trends in DSB induction for a wide range of particle types, energies and oxygen concentrations. The analysis suggests α is, as a first approximation, proportional to the initial number of DSBs per cell, and β is proportional to the square of the initial number of DSBs per cell. Although the reported studies provide some evidence supporting the hypothesis that DSBs are a biologically critical form of clustered DNA lesion, the induction of Fpg and Endo III clusters in HeLa cells irradiated by γ rays exhibits similar trends with oxygen concentration. Other types of non-DSB cluster may still play an important role in reproductive cell death. The MCDS captures many of the essential trends in the formation of clustered DNA lesions by ionizing radiation and provides useful information to probe the multiscale effects and interactions of ionizing radiation in cells and tissues. Information from Monte Carlo simulations of cluster induction may also prove useful for efforts to better exploit radiation quality and reduce the impact of tumor hypoxia in proton and carbon-ion radiation therapy.

  9. Animal models in the research of abdominal aortic aneurysms development.

    PubMed

    Patelis, N; Moris, D; Schizas, D; Damaskos, C; Perrea, D; Bakoyiannis, C; Liakakos, T; Georgopoulos, S

    2017-12-20

    Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a prevalent and potentially life threatening disease. Many animal models have been developed to simulate the natural history of the disease or test preclinical endovascular devices and surgical procedures. The aim of this review is to describe different methods of AAA induction in animal models and report on the effectiveness of the methods described in inducing an analogue of a human AAA. The PubMed database was searched for publications with titles containing the following terms "animal" or "animal model(s)" and keywords "research", "aneurysm(s)", "aorta", "pancreatic elastase", "Angiotensin", "AngII" "calcium chloride" or "CaCl(2)". Starting date for this search was set to 2004, since previously bibliography was already covered by the review of Daugherty and Cassis (2004). We focused on animal studies that reported a model of aneurysm development and progression. A number of different approaches of AAA induction in animal models has been developed, used and combined since the first report in the 1960's. Although specific methods are successful in AAA induction in animal models, it is necessary that these methods and their respective results are in line with the pathophysiology and the mechanisms involved in human AAA development. A researcher should know the advantages/disadvantages of each animal model and choose the appropriate model.

  10. The fate of mitochondrial loci in rho minus mutants induced by ultraviolet irradiation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: effects of different post-irradiation treatments.

    PubMed

    Heude, M; Moustacchi, E

    1979-09-01

    Three main features regarding the loss of mitochondrial genetic markers among rho- mutants induced by ultraviolet irradiation are reported: (a) the frequency of loss of six loci examined increases with UV dose; (b) preferential loss of one region of the mitochondrial genome observed in spontaneous rho- mutants is enhanced by UV; and (c) the loss of each marker results from large deletions. Marker loss in rho- mutants was also investigated under conditions that modulate rho- induction. Liquid holding of irradiated exponential or stationary phase cells, as well as a split-dose regime applied to stationary phase cells, results in rho- mutants in which the loss of markers is correlated with rho- induction: the more sensitive the cells are to rho- induction, the more frequent are the marker losses among rho- clones derived from these cells. This correlation is not found in exponential-phase cells submitted to a split-dose treatment, suggesting that a different mechanism is involved in the latter case. It is known that UV-induced pyrimidine dimers are not excised in a controlled manner in mitochondrial DNA. However, our studies indicate that an accurate repair mechanism (of the recombinational type ?) can lead to the restoration of mitochondrial genetic information in growing cells.

  11. Enhancing the Induction Skill of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children with Virtual Reality Technology.

    PubMed

    Passig, D; Eden, S

    2000-01-01

    Many researchers have found that for reasoning and reaching a reasoned conclusion, particularly when the process of induction is required, deaf and hard-of-hearing children have unusual difficulty. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the practice of rotating virtual reality (VR) three-dimensional (3D) objects will have a positive effect on the ability of deaf and hard-of-hearing children to use inductive processes when dealing with shapes. Three groups were involved in the study: (1) experimental group, which included 21 deaf and hard-of-hearing children, who played a VR 3D game; (2) control group I, which included 23 deaf and hard-of-hearing children, who played a similar two-dimensional (2D) game (not VR game); and (3) control group II of 16 hearing children for whom no intervention was introduced. The results clearly indicate that practicing with VR 3D spatial rotations significantly improved inductive thinking used by the experimental group for shapes as compared with the first control group, who did not significantly improve their performance. Also, prior to the VR 3D experience, the deaf and hard-of-hearing children attained lower scores in inductive abilities than the children with normal hearing, (control group II). The results for the experimental group, after the VR 3D experience, improved to the extent that there was no noticeable difference between them and the children with normal hearing.

  12. Postharvest stilbene-enrichment of red and white table grape varieties using UV-C irradiation pulses.

    PubMed

    Cantos, Emma; Espín, Juan Carlos; Tomás-Barberán, Francisco A

    2002-10-23

    The red table grape varieties Flame, Red Globe, Crimson, and Napoleon, as well as the white varieties Superior, Dominga, and Moscatel Italica, were irradiated with a previously optimized UV-C postharvest irradiation protocol (510 W, 40 cm, 60 s). The induction kinetics of the stilbenes trans-resveratrol, trans-piceid, trans-piceatannol, trans-astringin, and viniferins was followed by using HPLC-DAD/MS/MS. The most inducible stilbenes were trans-resveratrol, trans-piceatannol, and viniferins. Both quantitative and qualitative differences were observed in both the stilbene induction kinetics and stilbene content in the seven table grapes analyzed here. The total resveratrol content ranged from 0.69 mg/100 g fw (Dominga) to 2.3 mg/100 g fw (Red Globe). The net resveratrol induction ranged from 3.4-fold (Flame) to 2315-fold (Red Globe). The highest viniferins content was observed in the variety Flame (0.73 mg/100 g fw), although the variety Red Globe presented the highest viniferins induction (175-fold). The highest content and induction of piceatannol (0.17 mg/100 g fw and 173-fold, respectively) was observed in the variety Flame. It should be stressed that taking into account the health-beneficial effects claimed for stilbenes, the UV-C irradiated table grapes can be considered as new functional fruits that can supply (a serving of unpeeled 200 g table grapes) the resveratrol content (depending on the variety) equivalent to more than seven glasses of red wine ( approximately 1.5 L) with high resveratrol content.

  13. Comparison of labour induction with misoprostol and dinoprostone and characterization of uterine response based on electrohysterogram.

    PubMed

    Benalcazar-Parra, Carlos; Monfort-Orti, Rogelio; Ye-Lin, Yiyao; Prats-Boluda, Gema; Alberola-Rubio, Jose; Perales, Alfredo; Garcia-Casado, Javier

    2017-12-17

    The objective of this study is to compare the uterine activity response between women administered dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2) and misoprostol (prostaglandin E1) for induction of labour (IOL) by analysing not only the traditional obstetric data but also the parameters extracted from uterine electrohysterogram (EHG). Two cohorts were defined: misoprostol (25-µg vaginal tablets; 251 women) and dinoprostone cohort (10 mg vaginal inserts; 249 women). All the mothers were induced by a medical indication of a Bishop Score < = 6. The misoprostol cohort was associated with a shorter time to achieve active labour (p = .017) and vaginal delivery (p = .009) and with a higher percentage of vaginal delivery in less than 24 h in mothers with a very unfavourable cervix score (risk ratio (RR): 1.41, IC95% 1.17-1.69, p = .002). Successful inductions with misoprostol showed EHG parameter values significantly higher than basal state for amplitude and pseudo Montevideo units (PMU) 60' after drug administration, while spectral parameters significantly increased after 150'. This response was not observed in failed inductions. In the successful dinoprostone group, the duration and number of contractions increased significantly after 120', PMU did so after 180', and no significant differences were found for spectral parameters, possibly due to the slower pharmacokinetics of this drug. Successful inductions of labour by misoprostol are associated with earlier effective contractions than in labours induced by dinoprostone.

  14. HOXB9 induction of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in gastric carcinoma is negatively regulated by its hexapeptide motif

    PubMed Central

    He, Changyu; Zhang, Baogui; Zhang, Jun; Liu, Bingya; Zeng, Naiyan; Zhu, Zhenggang

    2015-01-01

    HOXB9, a transcription factor, plays an important role in development. While HOXB9 has been implicated in tumorigenesis and metastasis, its mechanisms are variable and its role in gastric carcinoma (GC) remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the expression of HOXB9 decreased in gastric carcinoma and was associated with malignancy and metastasis. Re-expression of HOXB9 in gastric cell lines resulted in the suppression of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, which was accompanied by the induction of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET). Comparative sequence analysis and examination of a HOXB9 structural model indicated that three sites might possibly be involved in MET regulation. The in vitro study of HOXB9 mutants showed that these were unable to inhibit MET induction. However, when overexpressing a HOXB9 mutant lacking the hexapeptide motif, a more potent MET induction and tumor suppression was observed compared to that of the wild-type, indicating that the presence of the hexapeptide motif reduced HOXB9 MET induction and tumor suppression activity. Therefore, the results of the present study suggested that HOXB9 is a tumor suppressor in gastric carcinoma, and its activity was controlled by different regulatory mechanisms such as the hexapeptide motif as a “brake” in this case. The results of these regulatory effects could lead to either oncogenic or tumor suppressive roles of HOXB9, depending on the context of the particular type of cancer involved. PMID:26536658

  15. Cereal crop volatile organic compound induction after mechanical injury, beetle herbivory (Oulema spp.), or fungal infection (Fusarium spp.).

    PubMed

    Piesik, Dariusz; Pańka, Dariusz; Delaney, Kevin J; Skoczek, Agata; Lamparski, Robert; Weaver, David K

    2011-06-15

    Herbivory, mechanical injury or pathogen infestation to vegetative tissues can induce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) production, which can provide defensive functions to injured and uninjured plants. In our studies with 'McNeal' wheat, 'Otana' oat, and 'Harrington' barley, plants that were mechanically injured, attacked by either of two Oulema spp. (melanopus or cyanella) beetles, or infected by one of the three Fusarium spp. (graminearum, avenaceum, or culmorum), had significant VOC induction compared to undamaged plants. Mechanical injury to the main stem or one leaf caused the induction of one green leaf volatile (GLV) - (Z)-3-hexenol, and three terpenes (β-linalool, β-caryophyllene, and α-pinene) with all three grasses; wheat and barley also showed β-linalool oxide induction. The blend of induced VOCs after Fusarium spp. infestation or Oulema spp. herbivory was dominated by GLVs ((Z)-3-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenol, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, and 1-hexenyl acetate) and β-linalool and β-caryophyllene; beetle herbivory also induced (E)-β-farnesene. Different ratios of individual VOCs were induced between the two Oulema spp. for each cereal grass and different ratios across the three cereals for each beetle species. Also, different ratios of individual VOCs were induced between the three Fusarium spp. for each cereal grass and different ratios across the three cereals for each fungal pathogen species. Our results are preliminary since we could not simultaneously measure VOC induction from controls with each of the ten different injury treatments for each of the three cereals. However, the comparison of mechanical injury, insect herbivory, and fungal infection has not been previously examined with VOC responses from three different plant species within the same family. Also, our work suggests large qualitative and quantitative overlap of VOC induction from plants of all three cereals having beetle herbivory injury when compared to infection injury from necrotrophic fungal pathogens. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

  16. Differences in Seizure Expression Between Magnetic Seizure Therapy and Electroconvulsive Shock.

    PubMed

    Cycowicz, Yael M; Rowny, Stefan B; Luber, Bruce; Lisanby, Sarah H

    2018-06-01

    Evidence suggests that magnetic seizure therapy (MST) results in fewer side effects than electroconvulsive treatment, both in humans treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as well as in the animal preclinical model that uses electroconvulsive shock (ECS). Evidence suggests that MST results in fewer cognitive side effects than ECT. Although MST offers enhanced control over seizure induction and spread, little is known about how MST and ECT seizures differ. Seizure characteristics are associated with treatment effect. This study presents quantitative analyses of electroencephalogram (EEG) power after electrical and magnetic seizure induction and anesthesia-alone sham in an animal model. The aim was to test whether differential neurophysiological characteristics of the seizures could be identified that support earlier observations that the powers of theta, alpha, and beta but not delta frequency bands were lower after MST when compared with those after ECS. In a randomized, sham-controlled trial, 24 macaca mulatte received 6 weeks of daily sessions while scalp EEG was recorded. Electroencephalogram power was quantified within delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands. Magnetic seizure therapy induced lower ictal expression in the theta, alpha and beta frequencies than ECS, but MST and ECS were indistinguishable in the delta band. Magnetic seizure therapy showed less postictal suppression than ECS. Increasing electrical dosage increased ictal power, whereas increasing MST dosage had no effect on EEG expression. Magnetic seizure therapy seizures have less robust electrophysiological expression than ECS, and these differences are largest in the alpha and beta bands. The relevance of these differences in higher frequency bands to clinical outcomes deserves further exploration. Contrasting EEG in ECS and MST may lead to insights on the physiological underpinnings of seizure-induced amnesia and to finding ways to reduce cognitive side effects.

  17. Alleviating Praxis Shock: Induction Policy and Programming for Urban Music Educators

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shaw, Julia T.

    2018-01-01

    An integral part of a teacher learning continuum ranging from preservice education to professional development for experienced educators, new teacher induction holds particular potential to effect change in urban education. Accordingly, this article offers recommendations for induction-related policy and programming capable of supporting beginning…

  18. Module Eight: Induction; Basic Electricity and Electronics Individualized Learning System.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC.

    The module covers in greater depth electromagnetic induction, its effects, and how it is used to advantage in electrical circuits; and the physical components, called inductors, designed to take advantage of the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction. This module is divided into four lessons: electromagnetism; inductors and flux density, inducing…

  19. A Student Teamwork Induction Protocol

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kamau, Caroline; Spong, Abigail

    2015-01-01

    Faulty group processes have harmful effects on performance but there is little research about intervention protocols to pre-empt them in higher education. This naturalistic experiment compared a control cohort with an inducted cohort. The inducted cohort attended a workshop, consultations, elected a leader and used tools (a group log and group…

  20. New-Teacher Induction 2.0

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Taranto, Greg

    2011-01-01

    The purpose of this program evaluation study was to design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating an online learning community as part of a comprehensive new-teacher induction program. The researcher, who serves as the middle school principal and new induction coordinator for the school district, used a mixed-method approach…

  1. Recruiting Unmotivated Smokers into a Smoking Induction Trial

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Harris, Kari Jo; Bradley-Ewing, Andrea; Goggin, Kathy; Richter, Kimber P.; Patten, Christi; Williams, Karen; Lee, Hyoung S.; Staggs, Vincent S.; Catley, Delwyn

    2016-01-01

    Little is known about effective methods to recruit unmotivated smokers into cessation induction trials, the reasons unmotivated smokers agree to participate, and the impact of those reasons on study outcomes. A mixed-method approach was used to examine recruitment data from a randomized controlled cessation induction trial that enrolled 255 adult…

  2. Hypnosis, suggestions, and altered states of consciousness: experimental evaluation of the new cognitive-behavioral theory and the traditional trance-state theory of "hypnosis".

    PubMed

    Barber, T X; Wilson, S C

    1977-10-07

    Sixty-six subjects were tested on a new scale for evaluating "hypnotic-like" experiences (The Creative Imagination Scale), which includes ten standardized test-suggestions (e.g. suggestions for arm heaviness, finger anesthesia, time distortion, and age regression). The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (Think-With Instructions, trance induction, and Control), with 22 subjects to each group. The new Cognitive-Behavioral Theory predicted that subjects exposed to preliminary instructions designed to demonstrate how to think and imagine along with the suggested themes (Think-With Instructions) would be more responsive to test-suggestions for anesthesia, time distortion, age regression, and so on, than subjects exposed to a trance-induction procedure. On the other hand, the traditional Trance State Theory predicted that a trance induction would be more effective than Think-With Instructions in enhancing responses to such suggestions. Subjects exposed to the Think-With Instructions obtained significantly higher scores on the test-suggestions than those exposed either to the traditional trance-induction procedure or to the control treatment. Scores of subjects who received the trance-induction procedure were not significantly different from those of the subjects who received the control treatment. The results thus supported the new Cognitive-Behavioral Theory and contradicted the traditional Trance State Theory of hypnosis. Two recent experiments, by De Stefano and by Katz, confirmed the above experimental results and offered further support for the Cognitive-Behavioral Theory. In both recent experiments, subjects randomly assigned to a "Think-With Instructions" treatment were more responsive to test-suggestions than those randomly assigned to a traditional trance-induction treatment.

  3. Identification of TPS family members in apple (Malus x domestica Borkh.) and the effect of sucrose sprays on TPS expression and floral induction.

    PubMed

    Du, Lisha; Qi, Siyan; Ma, Juanjuan; Xing, Libo; Fan, Sheng; Zhang, Songwen; Li, Youmei; Shen, Yawen; Zhang, Dong; Han, Mingyu

    2017-11-01

    Trehalose (α-D-glucopyranosyl α-D-glucopyranoside) is a non-reducing disaccharide that serves as a carbon source and stress protectant in apple trees. Trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P) is the biosynthetic precursor of trehalose. It functions as a crucial signaling molecule involved in the regulation of floral induction, and is closely related to sucrose. Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) family members are pivotal components of the T6P biosynthetic pathway. The present study identified 13 apple TPS family members and characterized their expression patterns in different tissues and in response to exogenous application of sucrose during floral induction. 'Fuji' apple trees were sprayed with sucrose prior to the onset of floral induction. Bud growth, flowering rate, and endogenous sugar levels were then monitored. The expression of genes associated with sucrose metabolism and flowering were also characterized by RT-quantitative PCR. Results revealed that sucrose applications significantly improved flower production and increased bud size and fresh weight, as well as the sucrose content in buds and leaves. Furthermore, the expression of MdTPS1, 2, 4, 10, and 11 was rapidly and significantly up-regulated in response to the sucrose treatments. In addition, the expression levels of flowering-related genes (e.g., SPL genes, FT1, and AP1) also increased in response to the sucrose sprays. In summary, apple TPS family members were identified that may influence the regulation of floral induction and other responses to sucrose. The relationship between sucrose and T6P or TPS during the regulation of floral induction in apple trees is discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  4. Kinetically Defined Mechanisms and Positions of Action of Two New Modulators of Glucocorticoid Receptor-regulated Gene Induction*

    PubMed Central

    Pradhan, Madhumita A.; Blackford, John A.; Devaiah, Ballachanda N.; Thompson, Petria S.; Chow, Carson C.; Singer, Dinah S.; Simons, S. Stoney

    2016-01-01

    Most of the steps in, and many of the factors contributing to, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-regulated gene induction are currently unknown. A competition assay, based on a validated chemical kinetic model of steroid hormone action, is now used to identify two new factors (BRD4 and negative elongation factor (NELF)-E) and to define their sites and mechanisms of action. BRD4 is a kinase involved in numerous initial steps of gene induction. Consistent with its complicated biochemistry, BRD4 is shown to alter both the maximal activity (Amax) and the steroid concentration required for half-maximal induction (EC50) of GR-mediated gene expression by acting at a minimum of three different kinetically defined steps. The action at two of these steps is dependent on BRD4 concentration, whereas the third step requires the association of BRD4 with P-TEFb. BRD4 is also found to bind to NELF-E, a component of the NELF complex. Unexpectedly, NELF-E modifies GR induction in a manner that is independent of the NELF complex. Several of the kinetically defined steps of BRD4 in this study are proposed to be related to its known biochemical actions. However, novel actions of BRD4 and of NELF-E in GR-controlled gene induction have been uncovered. The model-based competition assay is also unique in being able to order, for the first time, the sites of action of the various reaction components: GR < Cdk9 < BRD4 ≤ induced gene < NELF-E. This ability to order factor actions will assist efforts to reduce the side effects of steroid treatments. PMID:26504077

  5. Factors impacting short and long-term kidney graft survival: modification by single intra-operative -high-dose induction with ATG-Fresenius.

    PubMed

    Kaden, Jürgen; May, Gottfried; Völp, Andreas; Wesslau, Claus

    2011-01-01

    A majority of recipients benefited from the intra-operative single high-dose induction (HDI) with ATG-Fresenius (ATG-F) still leaving a group of recipients who did not profit from this kind of induction. Therefore the aim of this retrospective analysis was 1st to identify the risk factors impacting short and long-term graft survival, and 2nd to assess the efficacy of this type of induction in kidney graft recipients with or without these risk factors. A total of 606 recipients receiving two different immunosuppressive treatment regimens (1st: Triple drug therapy [TDT, n=196] consisting mainly of steroids, azathioprine and cyclosporine; 2nd: TDT + 9 mg/kg ATG-F intra-operatively [HDI, n=410]) were included in this analysis and grouped according to their kidney graft survival time (short GST: ≤1 yr, n=100 and long GST: >5 yrs, n=506). The main risk factors associated with a shortened graft survival were pre-transplant sensitization, re-transplantation, rejections (in particular vascular or mixed ones) and the necessity of a long-term anti-rejection therapy. Adding ATG-F single high dose induction to TDT was more efficient in prolonging kidney graft survival than TDT alone not only in recipients without any risk factors (p<0.005) but also in recipients with at least one risk factor (p<0.021). Only in 4.6% of recipients having two or more risk factors this effect could not be demonstrated. The intra-operative single high-dose induction with ATG-F significantly improves the kidney graft survival in recipients with or without risk factors and can therefore be recommended.

  6. Hybrid-secondary uncluttered induction machine

    DOEpatents

    Hsu, John S.

    2001-01-01

    An uncluttered secondary induction machine (100) includes an uncluttered rotating transformer (66) which is mounted on the same shaft as the rotor (73) of the induction machine. Current in the rotor (73) is electrically connected to current in the rotor winding (67) of the transformer, which is not electrically connected to, but is magnetically coupled to, a stator secondary winding (40). The stator secondary winding (40) is alternately connected to an effective resistance (41), an AC source inverter (42) or a magnetic switch (43) to provide a cost effective slip-energy-controlled, adjustable speed, induction motor that operates over a wide speed range from below synchronous speed to above synchronous speed based on the AC line frequency fed to the stator.

  7. Feeling sad makes us feel older: Effects of a sad-mood induction on subjective age.

    PubMed

    Dutt, Anne J; Wahl, Hans-Werner

    2017-08-01

    A mood-induction paradigm was implemented in a sample of 144 adults covering midlife and old age (40-80 years) to investigate associations between mood and subjective age. Sad or neutral mood was induced by texts and music pieces. Subjective age was operationalized as felt age relative to chronological age. Participants receiving the sad-mood induction reported changes toward older felt ages from pre- to postinduction. Participants receiving the neutral-mood induction reported comparable levels of subjective age at pre- and postinduction. Effects were comparable across middle- and older aged participants. Results suggest that sad affective states might dampen subjective age. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

  8. Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Spheroidized 1045 Steel by Induction Heat Treatment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Minwook; Shin, Jung-Ho; Choi, Young; Lee, Seok-Jae

    2016-04-01

    The effects of induction heat treatment on the formation of carbide particles and mechanical properties of spheroidized 1045 steel were investigated by means of microstructural analysis and tensile testing. The induction spheroidization accelerated the formation of spherical cementite particles and effectively softened the steel. The volume fraction of cementite was found to be a key factor that affected the mechanical properties of spheroidized steels. Further tests showed that sequential spheroidization by induction and furnace heat treatments enhanced elongation within a short spheroidization time, resulting in better mechanical properties. This was due to the higher volume fraction of spherical cementite particles that had less diffusion time for particle coarsening.

  9. Parental effects in ecology and evolution: mechanisms, processes and implications

    PubMed Central

    Badyaev, Alexander V.; Uller, Tobias

    2009-01-01

    As is the case with any metaphor, parental effects mean different things to different biologists—from developmental induction of novel phenotypic variation to an evolved adaptation, and from epigenetic transference of essential developmental resources to a stage of inheritance and ecological succession. Such a diversity of perspectives illustrates the composite nature of parental effects that, depending on the stage of their expression and whether they are considered a pattern or a process, combine the elements of developmental induction, homeostasis, natural selection, epigenetic inheritance and historical persistence. Here, we suggest that by emphasizing the complexity of causes and influences in developmental systems and by making explicit the links between development, natural selection and inheritance, the study of parental effects enables deeper understanding of developmental dynamics of life cycles and provides a unique opportunity to explicitly integrate development and evolution. We highlight these perspectives by placing parental effects in a wider evolutionary framework and suggest that far from being only an evolved static outcome of natural selection, a distinct channel of transmission between parents and offspring, or a statistical abstraction, parental effects on development enable evolution by natural selection by reliably transferring developmental resources needed to reconstruct, maintain and modify genetically inherited components of the phenotype. The view of parental effects as an essential and dynamic part of an evolutionary continuum unifies mechanisms behind the origination, modification and historical persistence of organismal form and function, and thus brings us closer to a more realistic understanding of life's complexity and diversity. PMID:19324619

  10. The loss of imprinted DNA methylation in mouse blastocysts is inflicted to a similar extent by in vitro follicle culture and ovulation induction.

    PubMed

    Saenz-de-Juano, M D; Billooye, K; Smitz, J; Anckaert, E

    2016-06-01

    Does in vitro follicle culture (IFC) have an effect on maintenance of imprinted DNA methylation in preimplantation mouse embryos? We report similar alterations in the methylation pattern of H19 imprinted maternally expressed transcript (H19), small nuclear ribonucleoprotein polypeptide N (Snrpn) and mesoderm specific transcript (Mest) imprinted genes in mouse blastocysts obtained after ovulation induction and IFC. Furthermore, we observed no differences in the gene expression of maternal effect proteins related with imprinting maintenance between superovulated in vivo grown or IFC oocytes. Assisted reproductive technology is associated with adverse post-natal outcomes such as increased risk of premature birth, altered birthweight, congenital anomalies and genomic imprinting syndromes in human and in animal models. Previous studies have shown that ovulation induction allowed normal imprinting establishment in mouse oocytes, but interfered with imprinting maintenance during preimplantation . Normal imprinting establishment was also observed in mouse oocytes derived from a standardized IFC from the early pre-antral follicle stage. The methylation profiles of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of three key imprinted genes (H19, Snrpn and Mest) were compared at hatched blastocyst stage between embryos obtained from IFC or superovulated oocytes, each subjected to IVF and preimplantation in vitro culture (IVC); in non-manipulated in vivo produced late blastocyst (control) and in in vivo produced 2-cell embryos that were in vitro cultured until the hatched blastocyst stage (to assess the effect of IVC). Two different mice strains (Mus musculus C57BL/6J X CBA/Ca and Mus musculus B6 (CAST7)) were used to discriminate between maternal and paternal alleles of imprinted genes. Additionally, a limiting-dilution bisulfite-sequencing technique was carried out on individual embryos in order to avoid amplification bias. To assess whether IFC and ovulation induction differentially affect the mRNA expression of imprinting maintenance genes in the oocyte, a comparison of DNA methyltransferase 1 (Dnmt1o), methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3 (MBD3) and developmental pluripotency-associated 3 (Dppa3) was performed by qPCR between in vivo and in vitro grown oocytes at the germinal vesicle and metaphase II (MII) stage. Results showed a loss of global imprinted DNA methylation in all in vitro manipulated embryos, due to an increase in the amount of abnormal alleles (<50% methylated). Importantly, there were no differences in blastocysts obtained from IFC and ovulation induction. Moreover, similar mRNA expression levels for Dnmt1o, MBD3 and Dppa3 genes were observed in IFC and stimulated oocytes. The methylation analysis was restricted to a number of well-selected imprinted genes. Future studies need to determine whether ovulation induction and IFC affect maternal effect factors at the protein level. In vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM) is a patient-friendly alternative to conventional ovarian stimulation in PCOS patients. IFC is an emerging technology in human oncofertility. The results of this study show for the first time that in vitro oocyte culture induces no additional epigenetic alterations compared with conventional ovulation induction, at least for imprinted genes at the hatched blastocyst stage. The mouse IFC system can be used to test the sensitivity of the oocyte during its growth and maturation to several nutritional, metabolic and hormonal conditions possibly linked to epigenetic alterations. N/A. This study received funding by Strategic Research Programs-Groeiers (OZR/2014/97), IWT/TBM/110680 and by UZ Brussel Fonds Willy Gepts (WFWG 2013). There is no conflict of interest. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  11. An Integrated Modeling Suite for Simulating the Core Induction and Kinetic Effects in Mercury's Magnetosphere

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jia, X.; Slavin, J.; Chen, Y.; Poh, G.; Toth, G.; Gombosi, T.

    2018-05-01

    We present results from state-of-the-art global models of Mercury's space environment capable of self-consistently simulating the induction effect at the core and resolving kinetic physics important for magnetic reconnection.

  12. Induction motor speed control using varied duty cycle terminal voltage via PI controller

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Azwin, A.; Ahmed, S.

    2018-03-01

    This paper deals with the PI speed controller for the three-phase induction motor using PWM technique. The PWM generated signal is utilized for voltage source inverter with an optimal duty cycle on a simplified induction motor model. A control algorithm for generating PWM control signal is developed. Obtained results shows that the steady state error and overshoot of the developed system is in the limit under different speed and load condition. The robustness of the control performance would be potential for induction motor performance improvement.

  13. Enhancing monellin production by Pichia pastoris at low cell induction concentration via effectively regulating methanol metabolism patterns and energy utilization efficiency

    PubMed Central

    Jia, Luqiang; Tu, Tingyong; Huai, Qiangqiang; Sun, Jiaowen; Chen, Shanshan; Li, Xin; Ding, Jian

    2017-01-01

    In heterologous protein productions by P. pastoris, methanol induction is generally initiated when cell concentration reaches very high density. The alternative strategy by initiating methanol induction at lower cells concentration was also reported to be effective in easing DO control, reducing toxic by-metabolites accumulation and increasing targeted proteins titers. However, the methanol/energy regulation mechanisms are seldom reported. We theoretically analyzed the methanol/energy metabolisms in protein expression process with the strategies of initiating induction at higher or lower cells concentrations, using monellin production as a prototype. When initiating induction at lower cells concentration and controlling induction temperature at 30°C, monellin concentration reached the highest levels of 2.62~2.71 g/L, which was 2.5~4.9 fold of those obtained with the strategy of initiating induction at higher cells concentration. With the desired induction strategy, 1) carbon metabolism ratio directing into the precursors synthesis route for monellin production reached the highest level of 65%, carbon metabolism ratios towards to precursors synthesis and ATP regeneration routes were regulated at relatively balanced levels; 2) monellin synthesis was completely cell growth associated, with the largest associated coefficient and higher specific growth rate; 3) theoretical NADH (energy) utilization efficiency η was the highest, and η stayed high levels (≥0.8) during most period (89%) within induction phase to supply sufficient energy in supporting monellin synthesis. PMID:28981536

  14. Enhancing monellin production by Pichia pastoris at low cell induction concentration via effectively regulating methanol metabolism patterns and energy utilization efficiency.

    PubMed

    Jia, Luqiang; Tu, Tingyong; Huai, Qiangqiang; Sun, Jiaowen; Chen, Shanshan; Li, Xin; Shi, Zhongping; Ding, Jian

    2017-01-01

    In heterologous protein productions by P. pastoris, methanol induction is generally initiated when cell concentration reaches very high density. The alternative strategy by initiating methanol induction at lower cells concentration was also reported to be effective in easing DO control, reducing toxic by-metabolites accumulation and increasing targeted proteins titers. However, the methanol/energy regulation mechanisms are seldom reported. We theoretically analyzed the methanol/energy metabolisms in protein expression process with the strategies of initiating induction at higher or lower cells concentrations, using monellin production as a prototype. When initiating induction at lower cells concentration and controlling induction temperature at 30°C, monellin concentration reached the highest levels of 2.62~2.71 g/L, which was 2.5~4.9 fold of those obtained with the strategy of initiating induction at higher cells concentration. With the desired induction strategy, 1) carbon metabolism ratio directing into the precursors synthesis route for monellin production reached the highest level of 65%, carbon metabolism ratios towards to precursors synthesis and ATP regeneration routes were regulated at relatively balanced levels; 2) monellin synthesis was completely cell growth associated, with the largest associated coefficient and higher specific growth rate; 3) theoretical NADH (energy) utilization efficiency η was the highest, and η stayed high levels (≥0.8) during most period (89%) within induction phase to supply sufficient energy in supporting monellin synthesis.

  15. Rapid COJEC versus standard induction therapies for high-risk neuroblastoma.

    PubMed

    Peinemann, Frank; Tushabe, Doreen A; van Dalen, Elvira C; Berthold, Frank

    2015-05-19

    Neuroblastoma is a rare malignant disease and mainly affects infants and very young children. The tumors mainly develop in the adrenal medullary tissue and an abdominal mass is the most common presentation. The high-risk group is characterized by metastasis and other characteristics that increase the risk for an adverse outcome. In the rapid COJEC induction schedule, higher single doses of selected drugs than standard induction schedules are administered over a substantially shorter treatment period, with shorter intervals between cycles. Shorter intervals and higher doses increase the dose intensity of chemotherapy and might improve survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of the rapid COJEC induction schedule as compared to standard induction schedules in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma (as defined by the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) classification system). Outcomes of interest were complete response, early toxicity and treatment-related mortality as primary endpoints and overall survival, progression- and event-free survival, late non-hematological toxicity, and health-related quality of life as secondary endpoints. We searched the electronic databases CENTRAL (2014, Issue 11), MEDLINE (PubMed), and EMBASE (Ovid) for articles from inception to 11 November 2014. Further searches included trial registries, conference proceedings, and reference lists of recent reviews and relevant articles. We did not apply limits on publication year or languages. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the rapid COJEC induction schedule for high-risk neuroblastoma patients compared to standard induction schedules. Two review authors performed study selection, abstracted data on study and patient characteristics, and assessed risk of bias independently. We resolved differences by discussion or by appeal to a third review author. We performed analyses according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. We used the five GRADE considerations, study limitations, consistency of effect, imprecision, indirectness, and publication bias, to judge the quality of the evidence. We downgraded for risk of bias and imprecision We identified one randomized controlled trial (CCLG-ENSG-5) that included 262 patients with high-risk neuroblastoma who were randomized to receive either rapid COJEC (N = 130) or standard OPEC/COJEC (N = 132) induction chemotherapy. We graded the evidence as low quality; we downgraded for risk of bias and imprecision.There was no clear evidence of a difference between the treatment groups in complete response (risk ratio (RR) 0.99, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 1.38), treatment-related mortality (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.33 to 4.39), overall survival (hazard ratio (HR) 0.83, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.10), and event-free survival (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.13). We calculated the HRs using the complete follow-up period of the trial.Febrile neutropenia (two or more episodes), proven fungal infections, septicemia (one or more episodes), gastrointestinal toxicity (grade 3 or 4), renal toxicity (glomerular filtration rate < 80 ml/min per body surface area of 1.73 m(2)), neurological toxicity (grade 3 or 4), and ototoxicity (Brock grade 2 to 4) were addressed as early toxicities (during pre-operative chemotherapy). For febrile neutropenia, septicemia, and renal toxicity, a statistically significant difference in favor of the standard treatment arm was identified; for all other early toxicities no clear evidence of a difference between treatment groups was identified. With regard to late non-hematological toxicities (median follow-up 12.7 years; range 6.9 to 16.5 years), the study provided data on any complication, renal toxicity (glomerular filtration rate < 80 ml/min per body surface area of 1.73m(2)), ototoxicity (Brock grade 1 to 4), endocrine complications, neurocognitive complications (i.e. behavioral, speech, or learning difficulties), and second malignancies. For endocrine complications and neurocognitive complications, a statistically significant difference in favor of the rapid COJEC arm was found; for all other late non-hematological toxicities no clear evidence of a difference between treatment groups was identified.Data on progression-free survival and health-related quality of life were not reported. We identified one randomized controlled trial that evaluated rapid COJEC versus standard induction therapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. No clear evidence of a difference in complete response, treatment-related mortality, overall survival, and event-free survival between the treatment alternatives was found. This could be the result of low power or too short a follow-up period. Results of both early and late toxicities were ambiguous. Information on progression-free survival and health-related quality of life were not available. This trial was performed in the 1990s. Since then, many changes in, for example, treatment and risk classification have occurred. Therefore, based on the currently available evidence, we are uncertain about the effects of rapid COJEC and standard induction therapy in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. More research is needed for a definitive conclusion.

  16. Looking at the other side of the coin: the search for possible biopositive cognitive effects of the exposure to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiofrequency radiation

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Although exposure to electromagnetic radiation in radiofrequency range has caused a great deal of concern globally, radiofrequency radiation has many critical applications in both telecommunication and non-communication fields. The induction of adaptive response phenomena by exposure to radiofrequency radiation as either increased resistance to a subsequent dose of ionizing radiation or resistance to a bacterial infection has been reported recently. Interestingly, the potential beneficial effects of mobile phone radiofrequency radiation are not only limited to the induction of adaptive phenomena. It has previously been indicated that the visual reaction time of university students significantly decreased after a 10 min exposure to radiofrequency radiation emitted by a mobile phone. Furthermore, it has been revealed that occupational exposures to radar radiations decreased the reaction time in radar workers. Based on these findings, it can be hypothesized that in special circumstances, these exposures might lead to a better response of humans to different hazards. Other investigators have also provided evidence that confirms the induction of RF-induced cognitive benefits. Furthermore, some recent reports have indicated that RF radiation may play a role in protecting against cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease. In this light, a challenging issue will arise if there are other RF-induced stimulating effects. It is also challenging to explore the potential applications of these effects. Further research may shed light on dark areas of the health effects of short and long-term human exposure to radiofrequency radiation. PMID:24843789

  17. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor priming chemotherapy is more effective than standard chemotherapy as salvage therapy in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia.

    PubMed

    Shen, Ying; He, Aili; Wang, Fangxia; Bai, Ju; Wang, Jianli; Zhao, Wanhong; Zhang, Wanggang; Cao, Xingmei; Chen, Yinxia; Liu, Jie; Ma, Xiaorong; Chen, Hongli; Feng, Yuandong; Yang, Yun

    2017-12-29

    To improve the complete remission (CR) rate of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and alleviate the severe side effects of double induction chemotherapy, we combined a standard regimen with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) priming chemotherapy to compose a new double induction regimen for AML patients who failed to achieve CR after the first course. Ninety-seven patients with AML who did not achieve CR after the first course of standard chemotherapy were enrolled. Among them, 45 patients received G-CSF priming combined with low-dose chemotherapy during days 20-22 of the first course of chemotherapy, serving as priming group, 52 patients were administered standard chemotherapy again, serving as control group. Between the two groups there were no differences in the French-American-British (FAB) classification, risk status, the first course of chemotherapy, blood cell count or blasts percentage of bone marrow before the second course. But the CR rate was significantly higher and the adverse effect was much lower in the priming group than the control group. Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that WBC level before the second course and the selection of the second chemotherapy regimen were two independent factors for long survival of patients. These results elucidate that standard chemotherapy followed by G-CSF priming new double induction chemotherapy is an effective method for AML patients to improve CR rate and reduce adverse effects. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

  18. Looking at the other side of the coin: the search for possible biopositive cognitive effects of the exposure to 900 MHz GSM mobile phone radiofrequency radiation.

    PubMed

    Mortazavi, Seyed Ali Reza; Tavakkoli-Golpayegani, Ali; Haghani, Masoud; Mortazavi, Seyed Mohammad Javad

    2014-01-01

    Although exposure to electromagnetic radiation in radiofrequency range has caused a great deal of concern globally, radiofrequency radiation has many critical applications in both telecommunication and non-communication fields. The induction of adaptive response phenomena by exposure to radiofrequency radiation as either increased resistance to a subsequent dose of ionizing radiation or resistance to a bacterial infection has been reported recently. Interestingly, the potential beneficial effects of mobile phone radiofrequency radiation are not only limited to the induction of adaptive phenomena. It has previously been indicated that the visual reaction time of university students significantly decreased after a 10 min exposure to radiofrequency radiation emitted by a mobile phone. Furthermore, it has been revealed that occupational exposures to radar radiations decreased the reaction time in radar workers. Based on these findings, it can be hypothesized that in special circumstances, these exposures might lead to a better response of humans to different hazards. Other investigators have also provided evidence that confirms the induction of RF-induced cognitive benefits. Furthermore, some recent reports have indicated that RF radiation may play a role in protecting against cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. In this light, a challenging issue will arise if there are other RF-induced stimulating effects. It is also challenging to explore the potential applications of these effects. Further research may shed light on dark areas of the health effects of short and long-term human exposure to radiofrequency radiation.

  19. Wavelength-dependent ultraviolet induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in the human cornea.

    PubMed

    Mallet, Justin D; Rochette, Patrick J

    2013-08-01

    Exposition to ultraviolet (UV) light is involved in the initiation and the progression of skin cancer. The genotoxicity of UV light is mainly attributed to the induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), the most abundant DNA damage generated by all UV types (UVA, B and C). The human cornea is also exposed to the harmful UV radiations, but no UV-related neoplasm has been reported in this ocular structure. The probability that a specific DNA damage leads to a mutation and eventually to cellular transformation is influenced by its formation frequency. To shed light on the genotoxic effect of sunlight in the human eye, we have analyzed CPD induction in the cornea and the iris following irradiation of ex vivo human eyes with UVA, B or C. The extent of CPD induction was used to establish the penetrance of the different UV types in the human cornea. We show that UVB- and UVC-induced CPDs are concentrated in the corneal epithelium and do not penetrate deeply beyond this corneal layer. On the other hand, UVA wavelengths penetrate deeper and induce CPDs in the entire cornea and in the first layers of the iris. Taken together, our results are undoubtedly an important step towards better understanding the consequences of UV exposure to the human eye.

  20. [Image reconstruction of conductivity on magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction].

    PubMed

    Li, Jingyu; Yin, Tao; Liu, Zhipeng; Xu, Guohui

    2010-04-01

    The electric characteristics such as impedance and conductivity of the organization will change in the case where pathological changes occurred in the biological tissue. The change in electric characteristics usually took place before the change in the density of tissues, and also, the difference in electric characteristics such as conductivity between normal tissue and pathological tissue is obvious. The method of magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction is based on the theory of magnetic eddy current induction, the principle of vibration generation and acoustic transmission to get the boundary of the pathological tissue. The pathological change could be inspected by electricity characteristic imaging which is invasive to the tissue. In this study, a two-layer concentric spherical model is established to simulate the malignant tumor tissue surrounded by normal tissue mutual relations of the magneto-sound coupling effect and the coupling equations in the magnetic field are used to get the algorithms for reconstructing the conductivity. Simulation study is conducted to test the proposed model and validate the performance of the reconstructed algorithms. The result indicates that the use of signal processing method in this paper can image the conductivity boundaries of the sample in the scanning cross section. The computer simulating results validate the feasibility of applying the method of magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction for malignant tumor imaging.

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